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

[BobTheDuck]

I love conspiracies, something to do while Ocean renders

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

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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.

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?

About the earrings,

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About the scar

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My reading of the phonecall when

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[John972]

My reading of the phonecall when

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Interesting observations.

One point though, Sasha has nothing directly to do with the MC getting handcuffed...

Spoiler: The Real Culprit

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That's a really interesting observation because:

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[BobTheDuck]

Interesting observations.

One point though, Sasha has nothing directly to do with the MC getting handcuffed...

Spoiler: The Real Culprit

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Agreed, I only saw that path recently, always choosing Bella's path by nature

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[Sasanid]

Agreed, I only saw that path recently, always choosing Bella's path by nature

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Damn I love games where the producer is crafty enough to open up potential 'conspiracies', story has depth, characters have depth, perfect combination !

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On a totally unrelated matter, am I the only one who thought Nia's date ending was sad as fuck ? Damn...

 

[John972]

Agreed, I only saw that path recently, always choosing Bella's path by nature

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Robin has a history with Bella and it's inferred their relationship soured because of something Robin did. Thus, there seems to be this thread in the game of Sasha guiding Robin so she can make amends with Bella. Many of the MC's early interactions with Robin and Sasha (outside of his wigging out) revolve around Bella and the MC's new relationship with her.

 

[John972]

On a totally unrelated matter, am I the only one who thought Nia's date ending was sad as fuck ? Damn...

No, you're not...

There seems to be this theme within SG of emotionally-scarred people seeking friendship and comfort from other emotionally-scarred people.

 

[BobTheDuck]

Robin has a history with Bella and it's inferred their relationship soured because of something Robin did. Thus, there seems to be this thread in the game of Sasha guiding Robin so she can make amends with Bella. Many of the MC's early interactions with Robin and Sasha (outside of wigging out) revolve around Bella and the MC's new relationship with her.

Although, if your not on Bella's path, and

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[John972]

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Sasha is tense at the bookclub because of the repeated and unwanted male attention she got there previously. The MC is a male, that's why she tenses up and that's why she insists in not discussing anything personal. I don't think it's because he is Nika Cyrus. Look at her reaction at the bookclub when the MC tells her, "I have no interest in you besides discussing books".

Her past with unwanted male attention and it's negative consequences goes a long way to explaining her standoff-ish interaction with the MC while they warm up together for basketball earlier in the game.

Another trival but interesting thing with Sasha. When Marla pairs the class up for the research project, Sasha is the only main protagonist not to be paired with someone. We don't see her when all the pairs are shown in the auditorium. On another note, the render of Ayua and Nami when Marla announces they will be paired, almost looks like Ayua knew in advance they'd be paired because she's looking at Nami before Marla announces her name, if you read Marla's dialogue from the beginning. How's that for a conspiracy...

Is Robert still alive? I assume he met Inessa Petrova...yikes! /s

 

[John972]

Although, if your not on Bella's path, and

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I guess it depends if Robin entering the restroom shortly after the MC was intentional or coincidental. We don't know for sure either way. Sasha's involvement with Robin and the phone call could simply be the result of Robin telling her what she did and Robin wanting to make amends, rather than Sasha watching out for the MC.

 

[BobTheDuck]

I guess it depends if Robin entering the restroom shortly after the MC was intentional or coincidental. We don't know for sure either way. Sasha's involvement with Robin and the phone call could simply be the result of Robin telling her what she did and Robin wanting to make amends, rather than Sasha watching out for the MC.

Agreed, but we still have Sasha appearing when Nika's in the cafe earlier, and all Sasha's friends (with Inessa) sit down at his table, the red haired friend checks up on him either way, Sasha and friends appearing during the fight and Robyn with Sasha organise Nika's release regardless of being on Bella's path. It does seem there is more there than the desire for Robyn to patch things up with Bella - that's more like a plausibe excuse to interact, but Sasha's always hovering around it seems.

I also just noticed again that there's the thing with Ayua dying her hair white, because of something between her and Sasha; there's som weird power plays around Sasha - probably why I find her so interesting, she's pretty inscrutable.

 

[Sasanid]

Sasha is tense at the bookclub because of the repeated and unwanted male attention she got there previously. The MC is a male, that's why she tenses up and that's why she insists in not discussing anything personal. I don't think it's because he is Nika Cyrus. Look at her reaction at the bookclub when the MC tells her, "I have no interest in you besides discussing books".

Her past with unwanted male attention and it's negative consequences goes a long way to explaining her standoff-ish interaction with the MC while they warm up together for basketball earlier in the game.

Another trival but interesting thing with Sasha. When Marla pairs the class up for the research project, Sasha is the only main protagonist not to be paired with someone. We don't see her when all the pairs are shown in the auditorium. On another note, the render of Ayua and Nami when Marla announces they will be paired, almost looks like Ayua knew in advance they'd be paired because she's looking at Nami before Marla announces her name, if you read Marla's dialogue from the beginning. How's that for a conspiracy...

Is Robert still alive? I assume he met Inessa Petrova...yikes! /s

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[Sasanid]

No, you're not...

There seems to be this theme within SG of emotionally-scarred people seeking friendship and comfort from other emotionally-scarred people.

I know I love those type of games... I don't know, I have no problems saying I'm a broken individual, but I guess many here also are, and yeah, those games, for some reasons, when characters/stories like those are well-written, I can 'connect' with what the author probably meant. Love Artemis, Leap of Faith, Being a DIK, STWA The Unbroken for the same reasons, filled with broken individuals who tries to go through without really knowing how.

Authors probably are broken too, takes one to know one.

 

[BobTheDuck]

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But a random thought occurred to me - what if Summer was a Zane offspring instead? Entirely possible given the way Willi acts. I'm not really serious about this thought, other than it shows there's enough ambiguity in the plot right now to make any theory plausible, which keeps my brain overthinking it

 

[Sasanid]

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But a random thought occurred to me - what if Summer was a Zane offspring instead? Entirely possible given the way Willi acts. I'm not really serious about this thought, other than it shows there's enough ambiguity in the plot right now to make any theory plausible, which keeps my brain overthinking it

Didn't get into Where it all Began when I played it, especially since I played Summer's Gone before, and for some reasons didn't quite make the needed connections. But with that last SG update, I know I now can't wait for the incoming WiAB one. Cause yeah, William is very 'proactive'... Actually wonder how much choices we'll be able to do in WiAB, cause since they're developed co-jointly, how can a choice made in WiAB influence SG...

Was just looking again at the last update, how it unfold when we sit next to Sasha, love the little details, especially when she inadvertently speaks about herself when Nika goads her into talking about the book.

And yeah, Nojiko has a -lot- to answer from, wonder when/how she will, though. And the meltdown that will occur when it will happen.

Also, very minor (or not), the newly introduced Adrianna definitely isn't there just for her looks.

 

[John972]

Agreed, but we still have Sasha appearing when Nika's in the cafe earlier, and all Sasha's friends (with Inessa) sit down at his table...

My take on that scene is that the group sit down with the MC after Sasha/Robin learn the MC is partnered with Bella for the project. Robin looks at the MC while Sasha looks at Robin (or maybe Inessa), as if expecting Robin to say something to the MC.

I found the way Ocean ended that scene interesting. Instead of illustrating the MC ignoring them, getting up and leaving, he chose a black screen with text saying, "You finish up your meal and slowly head towards the western parking space." We don't see the posse's reaction to the MC leaving, we don't know if something was said before he left.

That's the first occasion (I think) that we see Robin and prior to that, Sasha never acknowledges the MC. On the first day of college, we see Sasha walk by the MC/Nami/Nijoko outside the college, without looking their way. Then Sasha and her posse breeze past the MC in the hallway like he didn't exist. We later see the posse in the background in the hall and they take no notice of the MC standing nearby. Sasha is there in class on the first day with Marla, and there's no indication she looks at or acknowledges the MC. That changes once Marla pairs the MC up with Bella and we get the cafe scene, immediately before the MC meets Bella.

The next time we see Sasha/Robin is when Robin says Hi to Bella in the auditorium but gets semi blown off by Bella. Later, Sasha and her readhead friend enter the auditorium during the fight.

Then comes the 2nd gym scene...

If you go to the gym with Nami, Robin introduces herself (to the MC first) and asks if the MC/Nami are a couple.

If you go to the gym with Bella, Robin introduces herself to the MC (with Sasha standing in the background). Bella says Hi to Robin, to which Robin replies, "Hey Bella, long time no see." and later says, "I did try to contact you a few times."

If you go to the gym with Mila, Robin overhears Mila/MC's conversation about moving into an apartment and expresses an interest. Sasha hovers in the background...

If you go to the gym on your own, Robin introduces herself, asks the MC to train with her and Sasha in the hope of extracting info about Bella from the MC. The MC sees through this. Sasha appears to stop Robin going too far with what she tells the MC.

From all this, Sasha's early interest in the MC (outside of his wigging out) seems to revolve around Robin and Robin's soured relationship with Bella.

 

[John972]

But a random thought occurred to me - what if Summer was a Zane offspring instead? Entirely possible given the way Willi acts. I'm not really serious about this thought, other than it shows there's enough ambiguity in the plot right now to make any theory plausible, which keeps my brain overthinking it
[/QUOTE]

With all this talk about the MC's/Nami's potential parentage, especially if their parents originate from a higher social circle, I'd assume Summer and Elsa's parents had no idea who the Cyrus' are since they believed the MC to be trailer trash.

 

[Sasanid]

But a random thought occurred to me - what if Summer was a Zane offspring instead? Entirely possible given the way Willi acts. I'm not really serious about this thought, other than it shows there's enough ambiguity in the plot right now to make any theory plausible, which keeps my brain overthinking it

[/QUOTE]With all this talk about the MC's/Nami's potential parentage, especially if their parents originate from a higher social circle, I'd assume Summer and Elsa's parents had no idea who the Cyrus' are since they believed the MC to be trailer trash.
[/QUOTE]

Very possible, or, she knew, doesn't like the family and didn't want Summer/Elsa to be associated with them.

 

[Fun Shaundi]

Another trival but interesting thing with Sasha. When Marla pairs the class up for the research project, Sasha is the only main protagonist not to be paired with someone. We don't see her when all the pairs are shown in the auditorium. On another note, the render of Ayua and Nami when Marla announces they will be paired, almost looks like Ayua knew in advance they'd be paired because she's looking at Nami before Marla announces her name, if you read Marla's dialogue from the beginning. How's that for a conspiracy...

And in some scene when Mila is breaking down and MC has the options to comfort her and/or ask her out to eat as friends or as a date, Marla and Ayua are sitting together at the cafeteria, and chatting as if they were good friends rather than teacher/student.

 

[John972]

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...

Looking at the scene in the Ch 5 rework, these are not the words (or look) of a woman co-tasked with "keeping an eye" on Nami or the MC... [assuming Ayua and Sasha are aware of each other's 'mission']

Spoiler: Hell Hath No Wrath Like...

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[Doomyk]

Theoretically, Summer's parents could have called Nika trash not because of his family's financial situation, but because of his bad influence, or Nami could have done something or framed him somehow. I also would not rule out the possibility that the resentment and enmity of the parents spread to the children. Theoretically, if Summer is Leia's daughter and Nika is Monica's son, then this would explain the deep hatred. Especially if Nika = William + Monica.