VN Ren'Py Summer's Gone [S1 Steam + DLC] [Oceanlab]

John972 · Nov 13, 2023

Lurcher1 said:
You know, I've been wondering lately if Ayua and Sasha have been asked to keep an eye on Nami and Nika respectively. Sasha is always lurking in the background of quite a few of Nika's scenes, an Ayua seems to be keeping somewhat close to Nami. Why that is, I'm not sure. Are they observing? Protecting? Sasha and Ayua are both accomplished in self defence...

Sasha's a funny one. Despite Sasha and/or her redheaded friend seemingly being on hand whenever the MC is in jeopardy, most of the interactions between her and the MC point to her ultimately being on the lookout for her friend Robin, not the MC. Something negative happened between Robin and Bella in the past that Robin wants to make up for, and Sasha seems to be helping her achieve that. Sasha's attitude to the MC is affected by (a) the MC's relationship with Bella, and (b) how the MC treats Robin. So far, the MC is simply a means to an end.

Ayua/Nami - that was Marla's doing. She paired them together for the college assignment, just like she did with the MC/Bella.

Fun Shaundi · Nov 13, 2023

John972 said:
Sasha's a funny one. Despite Sasha and/or her redheaded friend seemingly being on hand whenever the MC is in jeopardy, most of the interactions between her and the MC point to her ultimately being on the lookout for her friend Robin, not the MC. Something negative happened between Robin and Bella in the past that Robin wants to make up for, and Sasha seems to be helping her achieve that. Sasha's attitude to the MC is affected by (a) the MC's relationship with Bella, and (b) how the MC treats Robin. So far, the MC is simply a means to an end.

Ayua/Nami - that was Marla's doing. She paired them together for the college assignment, just like she did with the MC/Bella.

But there's scenes where Robin isn't around and Sasha isn't particularly looking for her, yet she keeps staring at MC, and she also wanted to ask Nami about the earring until Ayua interrupted. Also, if you're nice enough, during book club she starts a motion to ban every male...except Nika. I don't think she's using MC as means to and end, but could be that she either was instructed to keep an eye on him, ooor she knows/suspects something about MC (asking about Nami's earring) that she wants to know about, or she's actually just curious about him for her own volition.

Sasanid · Nov 13, 2023

Without going too much into theories, finally played the last update, and goddamn it deepened the plot tenfold.

I'm more of the 'N in the AVN' type of player (I of course like great renders and scenes), been an avid reader all my life, this game fits everything interests I have, and I love it.

Edit: And I have to add, like every books I was into and finished, there's some sense of withdrawal when I finished it, started it again from the beginning, too many things I forgot, but damn, now I know it will probably take a while, so yeah. I'm patient though, so there's that.

Marcypawn · Nov 13, 2023

Wow. I haven't played this since i think two updates, but a lot of it seems to have been reworked/changed. Idk how I feel about it yet, only that I kinda miss the old's vibe so far.

I'm not done yet tho, still fairly early in the game.

edit: I think maybe the music earlyish is a big factor to the vibe feeling kinda off for me

hermit_tr · Nov 14, 2023

My theory is that Sasha's reason for paying attention to MC is the same as Mila's reason for paying attention to MC for the first time, namely the experience of being close to depression sufferers. You can see how Mila immediately noticed MC's condition.
In sasha's case, perhaps she herself was suffering from depression. See how he has anti-depressants nearby.

Deleted member 6168082 · Nov 14, 2023

Garen said:
From what little I could understand, it's pretty funny.

I see you have an Ashley aka Leyley profile avatar, noice :3

I watched the vid and eh, didn't find it funny but I do like the Russian accent.

yossa999 · Nov 14, 2023

Yeah, while I can't figure out the exact matter, it certainly feels like some of the characters around know a lot more about the MC and Nami then they tell, and are watching them from afar. It gives me Karlsson's Gambit vibes in a sense that the MC and his sis, unaware of their origins, are involved in a power struggle between the most rich and influental clans of that game's world.

They have to very carefully observe and communicate with the characters, collect any possible information, trying to understand the balance of power in this struggle and their own place in it. And they need to be even more careful in their actions, since without understanding the meaning of what is happening, a mistake can be very costly.

I’m not saying that the same plot is playing out in the world of SG, but I won’t deny this possibility either. Probably, the same dynamics have settled between the ZPR families as between Zara and Nadia

They have an established balance of power, they are partners and rivals at the same time. But Nika and Nami are an unknown disturbing factor. They may be the heirs of some family that has lost influence as a result of rivalry or even members of one of the ZPR families.

This may be why the MC attracts the attention from members of other families. Sasha of P, Ayua of Z, they behave a little strangely towards the MC. Perhaps for now they are only observing and evaluating him before finally deciding how to treat him and what actions to take.

Or maybe Sasha just has a weak stomach, hence the strange gaze

Nurikabe · Nov 14, 2023

That would have been a fast-acting anxiolytic (not an anti-depressant). Something taken when having a panic attack. The fact that Sasha carries them with her says a lot about her!

Doomyk · Nov 14, 2023

yossa999 said:
Yeah, while I can't figure out the exact matter, it certainly feels like some of the characters around know a lot more about the MC and Nami then they tell, and are watching them from afar. It gives me Karlsson's Gambit vibes in a sense that the MC and his sis, unaware of their origins, are involved in a power struggle between the most rich and influental clans of that game's world.

They have to very carefully observe and communicate with the characters, collect any possible information, trying to understand the balance of power in this struggle and their own place in it. And they need to be even more careful in their actions, since without understanding the meaning of what is happening, a mistake can be very costly.

I’m not saying that the same plot is playing out in the world of SG, but I won’t deny this possibility either. Probably, the same dynamics have settled between the ZPR families as between Zara and Nadia
They have an established balance of power, they are partners and rivals at the same time. But Nika and Nami are an unknown disturbing factor. They may be the heirs of some family that has lost influence as a result of rivalry or even members of one of the ZPR families.

This may be why the MC attracts the attention from members of other families. Sasha of P, Ayua of Z, they behave a little strangely towards the MC. Perhaps for now they are only observing and evaluating him before finally deciding how to treat him and what actions to take.

Or maybe Sasha just has a weak stomach, hence the strange gaze

I got the impression that if in Wiab, the main emphasis is on external threats and the formation of an alliance of three clans, but in the SG there is already an internal struggle between the heirs.The pie is not endless, but there are many heirs. People like Mario can quickly fall. But something tells me that there will be more serious antagonists.

John972 · Nov 14, 2023

Fun Shaundi said:
But there's scenes where Robin isn't around and Sasha isn't particularly looking for her, yet she keeps staring at MC, and she also wanted to ask Nami about the earring until Ayua interrupted. Also, if you're nice enough, during book club she starts a motion to ban every male...except Nika. I don't think she's using MC as means to and end, but could be that she either was instructed to keep an eye on him, ooor she knows/suspects something about MC (asking about Nami's earring) that she wants to know about, or she's actually just curious about him for her own volition.

hermit_tr said:
My theory is that Sasha's reason for paying attention to MC is the same as Mila's reason for paying attention to MC for the first time, namely the experience of being close to depression sufferers. You can see how Mila immediately noticed MC's condition.
In sasha's case, perhaps she herself was suffering from depression. See how he has anti-depressants nearby.

I am trying not to read too much into Ayua's interruption at this stage.

There's obviously a link between Nami and Sasha with the earrings, even if it's only that they both had contact with the woman who gave Nami hers. If there is some background plot involving Sasha and Ayua "looking out" for the MC and Nami, this infers they know more about the MC/Nami's past than the MC or Nami (or we, as players) do. If this is the case, why would Sasha need to ask about the earring? Surely, she would know already.

Ayua's interruption could simply be a narrative device to stop the conversation developing and revealing more than Ocean wants to at this point in the AVN.

I agree that Sasha is curious and she may be very slowly warming to the MC. This latter scenario brings in an interesting dynamic - if Sasha, through no fault of her own, had men going gaga over her "for simply existing" and this led to her facial scar and need for a bodyguard, then she might've developed a "cold shoulder" defense mechanism against members of the opposite sex. The MC is experiencing the brunt of that.

If you use the bookclub meet as an example, remember that Sasha will dismiss the MC's question about a book recommendation if he's an asshole to Robin. It's one of many happenings where Sasha is looking out for Robin, guiding her - the MC's gym session with Robin and Sasha that only occurs if the MC has a relationship with Bella, Sasha giving Robin a thumbs-up in the lockerroom when the MC's kiss with Bella is discussed. Sasha's path-dependent reaction to Robin when Robin phones for help after the MC is handcuffed.

hermit_tr brings up a good point: those occasions when Sasha or her acolytes are on-hand to aid the MC only seem to occur when he is wigging out in some way or, in one instance, getting into a fight. Ditto when the story focuses specifically on her reaction to the MC wigging out about Victoria's smiley eraser. Then there's also the question of Robin finding the MC after his eraser wig-out. Was she there coincidentally or was she sent there?

Nurikabe · Nov 14, 2023

John972 said:
I agree that Sasha is curious and she may be very slowly warming to the MC. This latter scenario brings in an interesting dynamic - if Sasha, through no fault of her own, had men going gaga over her "for simply existing" and this led to her facial scar and need for a bodyguard, then she might've developed a "cold shoulder" defense mechanism against members of the opposite sex. The MC is experiencing the brunt of that.

I always assumed the scar was due to sparring with Ayua. Ayua has a line where she takes a jab at Sasha about the last time they went at each other and Sasha touches her face. I think I remember it correctly. Of course, that could be a distractor.

hermit_tr · Nov 14, 2023

Nurikabe said:
That would have been a fast-acting anxiolytic (not an anti-depressant). Something taken when having a panic attack. The fact that Sasha carries them with her says a lot about her!

Sorry, I was wrong about the medicine, but seeing Sasha carrying the medicine proves that either Sasha herself or someone close to her is experiencing the same thing as MC (panic attacks, etc.).

hermit_tr · Nov 14, 2023

John972 said:
hermit_tr brings up a good point: those occasions when Sasha or her acolytes are on-hand to aid the MC only seem to occur when he is wigging out in some way or, in one instance, getting into a fight. Ditto when the story focuses specifically on her reaction to the MC wigging out about Victoria's smiley eraser. Then there's also the question of Robin finding the MC after his eraser wig-out. Was she there coincidentally or was she sent there?

I don't know if the brunette hair (who met MC in class) and Robin who met MC in the restroom were due to Sasha's orders, or just a coincidence.

But if it turns out that it has something to do with Sasha, maybe it's because Sasha realizes that MC's situation is similar to her own situation or that of someone close to her.

At least that's what I understand from the story so far

John972 · Nov 14, 2023

hermit_tr said:
I don't know if the brunette hair (who met MC in class) and Robin who met MC in the restroom were due to Sasha's orders, or just a coincidence.

But if it turns out that it has something to do with Sasha, maybe it's because Sasha realizes that MC's situation is similar to her own situation or that of someone close to her.

At least that's what I understand from the story so far

Agree at this stage. There could also be another (so-far hidden) reason as well. By that, I mean both reasons motivate Sasha...

PS - I had this horrible thought when composing my last couple of posts in this thread... I look like a bored housewife commenting on the latest episode of, 'Days of Our Lives'. OMG! What have I become?

John972 · Nov 14, 2023

Nurikabe said:
I always assumed the scar was due to sparring with Ayua. Ayua has a line where she takes a jab at Sasha about the last time they went at each other and Sasha touches her face. I think I remember it correctly. Of course, that could be a distractor.

It's hard to know. If you look at the visual characteristics of Sasha's scar and the MC fight wound, they look the same (i.e. they aren't particularly convincing renditions). Sasha's mark still looks like a fresh wound rather than a scar, but it's never healed (unlike the MC wound), so it's presumably a scar. What could Ayua do in a fight that would produce such a scar, and why would Sasha need a bodyguard after a sparring accident with a friend?

Sasha has a hidden motivation to learn how to defend herself, make herself strong in that regard - I assume it's linked to how she got her scar (i.e. before she started taking lessons with Ayua).

BobTheDuck · Nov 14, 2023

I love conspiracies, something to do while Ocean renders

yossa999 said:
Yeah, while I can't figure out the exact matter, it certainly feels like some of the characters around know a lot more about the MC and Nami then they tell, and are watching them from afar. It gives me Karlsson's Gambit vibes in a sense that the MC and his sis, unaware of their origins, are involved in a power struggle between the most rich and influental clans of that game's world.

They have to very carefully observe and communicate with the characters, collect any possible information, trying to understand the balance of power in this struggle and their own place in it. And they need to be even more careful in their actions, since without understanding the meaning of what is happening, a mistake can be very costly.

I’m not saying that the same plot is playing out in the world of SG, but I won’t deny this possibility either. Probably, the same dynamics have settled between the ZPR families as between Zara and Nadia
They have an established balance of power, they are partners and rivals at the same time. But Nika and Nami are an unknown disturbing factor. They may be the heirs of some family that has lost influence as a result of rivalry or even members of one of the ZPR families.

This may be why the MC attracts the attention from members of other families. Sasha of P, Ayua of Z, they behave a little strangely towards the MC. Perhaps for now they are only observing and evaluating him before finally deciding how to treat him and what actions to take.

Or maybe Sasha just has a weak stomach, hence the strange gaze

Something that interests me, is