- Jan 20, 2022
- 450
- 1,452
Yes, what's more, how she fought over wanting to be Bella's bridesmaid with Nadia (If MC kisses Bella after having dinner together).
Last edited:
- Thread starter 7767
- Start date
Yeah, Ayua's not into the MC in that way, although she does have a passing curiosity about his cock.
You don't have permission to view the spoiler content.
Log in or register now.
- Jan 7, 2018
- 5,361
- 4,391
- Sep 27, 2021
- 4,346
- 4,659
Already discussed a few pages before https://f95zone.to/threads/summers-gone-ch-5-beta-oceanlab.29981/post-12253277
Really don't like the idea of Vanessa hanging out with Mila feel like she's going to be a bad influence and try and manipulate her
As opposed to the MC, who can convince her to do OnlyFans?Really don't like the idea of Vanessa hanging out with Mila feel like she's going to be a bad influence and try and manipulate her
- May 13, 2020
- 272
- 4,847
Zara's actually one of the better-written LIs in SG. The look she gives MC when he tells her, "I believed in you", speaks volumes. I doubt I have to go further because I'm quite sure that the majority of her fans fell for her at that moment.
Nonetheless, I'll elaborate further. Everything leading up to that instance reveals her subconscious responses, shaped by her mother's influence. Essentially, the maltreatment she endured compelled her to behave in a particular manner, almost reflexively, around the clock. It wasn't until the arrival of the MC that she truly began contemplating her actions. Whether it's her reaching for his hand after the tennis match, subtly seeking his attention whenever they're together (which might also stem from a desire for validation due to her abusive past), or notably freezing when he expresses belief in her—these instances heightened people's interest in her, especially that final scene.
Her arrogance is a byproduct of her mother's conditioning. Either she excelled at something, or she faced physical, verbal, and mental abuse. The MC's presence in her life immediately challenges the version of herself created by her mother. Throughout her journey(path), she will gradually evolve from that moulded persona to become her own unique individual. Beyond her toxic competitiveness, she possesses a delightful personality, reminiscent of Bella once you look beyond her rough exterior. Btw, if you failed to notice any of these nuances, my dear, it might be prudent to refine your observational skillsღ
- May 9, 2019
- 4,915
- 16,325
This is all nice.
But to be honest, I am a bit tired of too many "tragic past" characters. Not everyone needs to have a fucked up past. This is not just in SG. I am seeing this problem in a lot of novels.
I actually liked her more when it was just who she is. "Yes, I am a competitive girl because I like it. I am amazing and if you want to be with me you neeed to show me you are as amazing as me". No conditioning. No psychological response. Just pure "I am awesome" personality. We don't need to be empathetic to all characters. No need to show everyone has a soft side.
I am a supervillain just because I love it. No betrayal, no enduring event, no eye wakening trauma. Just pure awesome cute evilness.
Last edited:
- Aug 4, 2017
- 1,146
- 12,752
How is it empty arrogance and confidence? Zara has demonstrated she genuinely excels at multiple sports, her confidence is well earned?
I'd agree, as we've got to know Zara & the character has been fleshed out her appeal has grown exponentially. Fingers crossed the other somewhat threadbare LIs fare as well in future.
However I'm not sure what the basis is for concluding her competitiveness is a product of maternal abuse?
Where in game was is stated that Zara's mother was physically or verbally abusive toward her children?
The only mention of mental abuse I recall was gaslighting Zara about her father molesting them. Which is couched as a particular incident when faced with divorce. Clearly her mother was a terrible person, but I don't remember any mention or explicit inference of persistent abusiveness or controlling behaviour?
My impression is Zara is a capable and competitive person, but there doesn't seem to be any evidence her mother had anything to do with that.
It's possible I've missed something of course, perhaps I too need to refine my observational skills?
Last edited:
- May 13, 2020
- 272
- 4,847
Meushi, if Zara's mother had the audacity to publicly assault her for not meeting certain standards, one can only imagine the severity behind closed doors. Bella hinted at Zara missing out on much due to her relentless focus on studies, indicating not just athletic but academic pressure. Zara lived under constant scrutiny, striving for an unattainable perfection dictated by her mother. The competitive edge she displays stems from maternal abuse, a consequence of the extreme pressure exerted upon her. This is underscored by Zara's poignant response to MC's "I believed in you" towards the close of Chapter 5.
In Chapter 5, Bella shared that Zara's mother resorted to public physical assaults during football practice if Zara didn't meet expectations(btw, this is also if her mother didn't already verbally assault her). Bella also recalled instances of Zara being abandoned by her mother when upset(leaving her stranded after soccer practice), a troubling experience for a young girl. If this isn't abuse, then I'm not sure what isღ
Edit: As you guys can see... my English got betterღ
Edit #2: I'll have to check, but I think it was also revealed that the main reason that this went on for so long was because Zara and Vanessa's dad worked a lot. He was not around enough to truly notice what went on between his wife and their daughters. Meushi, my sincere apologies for inadvertently spoiling a bit of Chapter 5 for you. I would have made my response with more care had I been awareღ
Last edited:
- Aug 4, 2017
- 1,146
- 12,752
Thank you, that's pretty clear cut!
I haven't played Ch 5b yet, which would be why I missed Bella talking about it.
Still should have looked through the script before pontificating on it though, my bad.
Edit for the ninja edit:
No need Fortuna ღ , I asked for evidence so I could look it up in the script, so the more details the better.
I'm not concerned with spoilers, already skim the highlights to do the walkthrough. And this long after the release spoilers are to be expected.
Last edited:
I hope we have a chance to romance everyone in the game, especially Zara and the milfs from the bookclub .
and the milfs from the bookclub .
- Dec 5, 2020
- 2,401
- 16,163
Amber has already found a window for you in her schedule
Just because the conditions in the past that shaped a character's behavior aren't revealed does not mean that there is no reason in that character's past for their behavior. And the reason that we are who we are usually lies in our past, it's difficult to deny. Therefore, it seems to me that it is good that at least a few of my favorite authors pay attention to such things. They show us why their characters are the way they are, rather than just throwing cardboard figurines around the stage labeled "villain," "arrogant bitch," "competitive bitch," "asshole," as many others do. And yeah, that competitive girl in your example who just likes it, I’m sure she wasn’t born with a competitive streak, she didn’t even have the concept of “competitiveness” back then. She learned it, and certain events from her past shaped her taste for it.
- May 9, 2019
- 4,915
- 16,325
My point was that not everyone needs a sad past. Some people had good chilhoods.Amber has already found a window for you in her schedule
Just because the conditions in the past that shaped a character's behavior aren't revealed does not mean that there is no reason in that character's past for their behavior. And the reason that we are who we are usually lies in our past, it's difficult to deny. Therefore, it seems to me that it is good that at least a few of my favorite authors pay attention to such things. They show us why their characters are the way they are, rather than just throwing cardboard figurines around the stage labeled "villain," "arrogant bitch," "competitive bitch," "asshole," as many others do. And yeah, that competitive girl in your example who just likes it, I’m sure she wasn’t born with a competitive streak, she didn’t even have the concept of “competitiveness” back then. She learned it, and certain events from her past shaped her taste for it.
And morre generally, not every characters needs a past to be how they are.
Nobody "taught" me to be competitive when I was younger. Yet I was. And I do enjoy an attention to detail, don't get me wrong. But not everyone needs to be given such details, specially the same kind of "this terrible event/experience/relantionship happened to me before, so like me." Some characters simply are. Others can have tragedy happen to them DURING the novel. Some may take the mantle of victims and others of victimizer. Complex characters is not just creating a background for people to be sorry about.
I am the biggest drama queen here. Up until the other day, my signature said "conflict is the essence of drama". But reading how every character was abused/mistreated/neglected or whatever as kids ends up dimishing the effect by overdose. Reader gets numb to it.
Its good to show some contrast.
- Jun 24, 2021
- 437
- 2,499
I get what you mean, but you're comparing real life with a VN.
As much as Ocean (and other devs) might be doing this in the name of art and not only adult scenes/porn, at the end of the day they're also selling a product. They have to make the characters plausible, but also interesting enough to pull an audience. 'Normal' and pretty average characters might be refreshing, but they have the risk of not standing out among other LIs or being too boring for the audience/consumers.
All I can say is that some scenarios might be too fantastic at times, but it's still plausible. Mila and Zara might have a not so good past, but it's very tame in comparison to (just to give an example cause I love these 2) Bella's and maybe Sasha's.
Show me one person who has been through life without having bruises, been beaten, scarred, broken, betrayed, or had horrible setbacks.
Show me a deeply competitive person who has a clean past and nothing to inspire that competition.
Show me any superhero or supervillain who does not have a tragic backstory.
Show me any person in history who has met with no resistance in their life who skated through and been noteworthy.
Show me any of those things and I will show you a person who is lying.
Nobody worth writing about is untouched. We are all products of our environment, our upbringing, our successes, and our tragedies. More importantly, we want to read interesting stories. We want to see people who have been through the shit we have been through or worse and made it through. Nobody wants to read the story of a supervillain who has no reason other than his evil nature to drive him into doing more evil.
- Aug 16, 2022
- 1,037
- 4,269
The thing is I see Bella as inherently strong. Bella can back up all her arrogance and confidence. From my perspective Zara is the complete opposite. When called out she will break down and cry. She can't cope with loss so she lashes out. Look at how both of them take their losses in the basketball games. One takes her loss maturely, admits she fell for your trick and says it won't happen again while the other resorts to a mean spirited "prank". Which speaks volumes as to her emotinal balance and maturity. They are nothing alike. I see Zara as inherently weak but putting up a strong and confident demeanor as a coping mechanism.
Then again you may be right regarding my observational skills. I discarded Zara pretty early on and because I also don't find her attractive, physically or otherwise, I don't pay a lot of attention to my interactions with her. Interactions which are drastically different from yours as I certainly haven't made the same choices you did due to not caring for her at all.
- Apr 28, 2020
- 1,571
- 9,141
- Aug 16, 2022
- 1,037
- 4,269
Reading comphreension is hard huh?
Do you know what a "loss" is? You can't have lost a game while the game is ongoing. She acts like that because he bailed on her without so much as a warning. Not because of the loss.
I meant this:
