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

[Doomyk]

I don’t think Summer is in a coma, i imagine if she would be, Bella‘s sister wouldn’t be in a coma too or Ocean at least wouldn’t have shown it to us.

would be weird if multiple of the „lost“ characters are hanging around in coma over years and years lol.

I disagree about everything else.

I think Ex‘es coming back are nice and (can) enrich the story no matter if you chose them or not. Love Zoey for example and Steph whom you mentioned is fine too even tho her background is utterly nonsensical.


Imo there is just a minority of players who gets weirdly insecure about the MCs feelings/emotions at times when it’s not about their chosen one.

I don’t get what you’re saying about Leia other than that she’s (somewhat as far as possible for a sister ..) is the MCs „Ex“ and she surely hasn’t a guy or even fake-guy around.

Don’t think she’s a fan favorite either, she gets a lot of hate and distrust for her (imo warranted) rude behavior towards William.

Usually ironically the same kind of players who dislike summer and want to „punish“ her if she comes back.

However, statistics say the opposite. Each developer is limited by limited resources (time). Therefore, we usually see the majority of events with the favorites of the main public. If the developer tries to balance in favor of less interesting characters, events with favorites are greatly reduced, the developer fears losing the audience with Patreon, and with it money. Nothing personal, just money. And now let’s return to Zoe from Leap of faith. Compare the amount of her screen time and the public’s favorites. After her appearance, she disappeared for a long time (for some reason the public didn’t shout for her back, but wanted to see CeCe more), then the developer tried to regain her popularity by adding a plot with espionage, which looked strange, to put it mildly. But Zoe never made it into the top favorite characters. Let's move on. Badik. Did the ex compare with the main characters in popularity? This can also be seen by the amount of screen time. And so on and so forth .
You claim that exes bring an interesting twist to AVN. But then please give an example of at least one popular AVN where the ex was in the top 3 or at least had the same amount of screen time. I say all this to the fact that exes are rarely so interesting to the majority of the public, which means there will be little screen time. Nothing personal, it’s just that the developer, for obvious reasons, wants to create not an arthouse, but a blockbuster.
Now we return to Ocean, SG and look at the popularity of characters such as Nami and Bella, the amount of their screen time and other, less popular characters. And we also remember his words that the number of LI will be significantly reduced. The answer is very simple. The developer has limited time and he can spend it on ..... favorites. The strongest survive, so to speak. PS: I don’t quite understand your words about Leia’s hate, if you look at the forum, discord, etc., she’s in the top 3 favorites, along with Miru and Keti. So far...

 

[Krytax123]

However, statistics say the opposite. Each developer is limited by limited resources (time). Therefore, we usually see the majority of events with the favorites of the main public. If the developer tries to balance in favor of less interesting characters, events with favorites are greatly reduced, the developer fears losing the audience with Patreon, and with it money. Nothing personal, just money. And now let’s return to Zoe from Leap of faith. Compare the amount of her screen time and the public’s favorites. After her appearance, she disappeared for a long time (for some reason the public didn’t shout for her back, but wanted to see CeCe more), then the developer tried to regain her popularity by adding a plot with espionage, which looked strange, to put it mildly. But Zoe never made it into the top favorite characters. Let's move on. Badik. Did the ex compare with the main characters in popularity? This can also be seen by the amount of screen time. And so on and so forth .
You claim that exes bring an interesting twist to AVN. But then please give an example of at least one popular AVN where the ex was in the top 3 or at least had the same amount of screen time. I say all this to the fact that exes are rarely so interesting to the majority of the public, which means there will be little screen time. Nothing personal, it’s just that the developer, for obvious reasons, wants to create not an arthouse, but a blockbuster.
Now we return to Ocean, SG and look at the popularity of characters such as Nami and Bella, the amount of their screen time and other, less popular characters. And we also remember his words that the number of LI will be significantly reduced. The answer is very simple. The developer has limited time and he can spend it on ..... favorites. The strongest survive, so to speak. PS: I don’t quite understand your words about Leia’s hate, if you look at the forum, discord, etc., she’s in the top 3 favorites, along with Miru and Keti. So far...

The girl from LoF is Steph. Zoey is the ex from badik I mentioned as another example (I thought you would know her, sorry).

Your comparison is nonsensical, of course people wanted more Cece (or Lexi) because they were the best LIs while Steph was kinda so-so but that isn’t necessarily about her ex status.


Of course the ex has less screentime when the plot requires her to „come back

Zoey first appearance is at the end of ep8, how is she supposed to have as much screentime as the rest like that? What kind of weird requirements are you making up here?

since than she had a good amount of screentime.

Allison from race of life is a ex and fan favorite too (polarizing tho) for you’re required proof.

… feel free to prove to me that the majority of players dislike an ex in an avn solely because of the ex status ..

Im aware that some players dislike the ex trope but I don’t think it’s a majority
but whatever

imo you’re whole point is moot, your arguing from a fear of an ex stealing precious screentime of your fav LI(s) but in our case, Summer is appearing and getting screentime all the time anyway through flashbacks.

Summer has her screentime already and the flashbacks could just change to her being back.

i dont even know if would want that tho, Ocean would have to have a REALLY good plot prepared for her abscene/coming back to make that even somewhat possible.

I at least lack the imagination how her return could be cool and not nonsensical for the story.

But contrary to the posters above, im sure she will reappear, Ocean wants us to like her. The birthday flashback would have been kinda unnecessary otherwise for example.

about Leia: That’s great, no clue about the polls but I read a lot of (imo unwarranted) hate towards her

 

[Don Sucio]

A story doesn't need a likable protagonist, only an interesting or relatable one.
Also, I got a better title for you.
View attachment 3562570

Sorry for what i´m going to say but... Is not like Bella is pregnant or something is that photo?
Yes, she hasn´t a big belly but for some reason she seems diferent to me, for some reason i remembered her belly more "defined", like a sport woman.

But don´t kill me, i still finding her beautiful.

That's a fact, not a thought.

Nuh uh

There was an old game I suddenly remembered while thinking about this game with some similar points about healing from trauma.

Have you guys ever heard of or played the old Japanese visual novel, Kimi ga Nozomu Eien? It released back in 2001 and I do believe the title was localized as Rumbling Hearts or something. It was popular enough to have an anime adaption back then, which for that time wasn't as common as it is these days for JP VNs.

Without going too much into spoilers or too deep into it, it was basically about the protagonist in a relationship with a girl who gets into an accident and goes into a coma. He blames himself because, if I remember correctly, she got hit by a car or something while on a date with him.

She remains in that state for so very long that and the protagonist is left struggling to get through life and with depression, barely eats and his place is a complete mess. However, there is another girl who is his friend and does her very best to help him heal and get through it, takes care of him with everything she can, including feeding him often and cleaning up his place for him and being there for him emotionally.

Eventually, she helps him recover and get back to a normal life and he starts a relationship with her. And everything was going smoothly and well, until the girl in the coma suddenly regains consciousness and the protagonist is torn between the two girls:


The girl who helped him recover and heal, and did so much for him and spent so much of her own time devoting herself to help him, or the girl who wakes up confused in an older body many, many years later who he feels responsible for.



I sometimes wonder if Ocean is going to pull a cheap trick out of a hat and bring Summer back in some form in a later season, and if we're going to have our protagonist Nika in a similar situation. Torn between a girl he had loved (and maybe felt responsible for?) and the one who helped him on his journey to heal (whoever you chose as your main love interest).

Personally I hope Ocean keeps Summer out of this and that she truly is gone, though.

The problem for me is that i don´t have any feelings about Summer, we are hanging so many time with the girls that i don´t remember Summer in any of my paths, i know the plot is for her dissapearances but nothing more...

If she returns i don´t think i will like her like the other girls, is just a question of time, at least if she returns (if she returns) in the final chapters, if she returns in the middle of the plot maybe she can gain our hearts but it seems difficult to me... Is a simple question of screen time, characters with more screen time will have more impact on us.

However i´m not sure about her return in the story, Summer is the cause of Nika´s trauma and i don´t think she will be back.
And if she returns would be an absolute big punch in Nika emotions... Just imagine what would happen to our poor Nika if when he is cured suddenly Summer appears.

 

[BobTheDuck]

Ocean would have to have a REALLY good plot prepared for her abscene/coming back to make that even somewhat possible.

I at least lack the imagination how her return could be cool and not nonsensical for the story.

This is where it's at for me. I haven't decided which LI I'll really care about, it's the concern that Summer's absence becomes a weak story device, while currently it is a strong one, driving all of Nika's dysfunction. By weaking the main plot device, the story needs something stronger to support the challenges that disruption of narrative flow brings. A couple of scenarios:

- Summer returns, and thanks the aliens that kidnapped her and her family for their hopsitality, the tabletop game was a foreshadowing of the change to the plot. Weak or strong? I can actually think of a couple of VN's that have variations of this

- Summer returns, battling to close the portal to the cthonic realm of chaos. Nika's trauma shows that he is attuned the the elder god's madness and is able to overcome them. Weak or strong?

- Summer returns having escaped from a serial killer who murdered her family. The serial killer is wealthy and hides as a benefactor of MOR university. Weak or strong?

- Summer returns and was put in witness protection, but breaks her cover to reunite. Weak or strong?

All of these (in my opinion) are trainwrecks to what worldbuilding has been established. Summer returning will have to be not only plausible, but visceral enough to feel relevant. She can't waltz in and be on the scene as though the last 5(?) years haven't happened. Some gala at the Holgersons and a chance meeting? Summer would know from Elsa that Nika's still in WOllust, so there will be no chance meeting.

Also, reappearing for Nika, but having left Nia in the dark also? Doubly important to be a very plausible reason, unlike the humorous/sarcastic ideas I randomly suggested. THe plot holes need to be as small as possible if Summer returns.

 

[Doomyk]

Zoey first appearance is at the end of ep8, how is she supposed to have as much screentime as the rest like that? What kind of weird requirements are you making up here?

since than she had a good amount of screentime.

After the ninth episode, the developer had time to compare popularity and now in the tenth episode you can see the amount of screen time of the favorites and Zoe.

Allison from race of life is a ex and fan favorite too (polarizing tho) for you’re required proof.

And I didn’t say that everyone. I’ve never played this game, but I can imagine 2 differences. Correct me if I’m wrong.
1. This character appears very early in the game, when the public has not yet chosen their favorites.
2. There is no backstory with ntr on her part. Otherwise, as in the kings of college, the ex is unlikely to be popular. And yes, I checked the number of patreons, etc. I say again, not an arthouse, but a blockbuster.

imo you’re whole point is mood, your arguing from a fear of an ex stealing precious screentime of your fav LI(s) but in our case, Summer is appearing and getting screentime all the time anyway through flashbacks.

I didn’t talk about my fear. I have nothing against exes at all. I said that the developer would be afraid to reduce the time of favorites in favor of less interesting characters because of the possibility of losing Patreons.

about Leia: That’s great, no clue about the polls but I read a lot of (imo unwarranted) hate towards her

Such a character. A rare fucking bitch. But if we call her that, it doesn’t mean that she is hated.

… feel free to prove to me that the majority of players dislike an ex in an avn solely because of the ex status ..

It seems to me that you didn’t quite understand my point and what I’m trying to convey. I have nothing against a variety of characters, different tropes. I’m pretty neutral. I just saw the *exes* trope as a gray area that will rarely have a lot of screen time, since any developer will look around and take into account the opinion of the majority. And this trope has its own nuances, because of which it is rare for characters to become very popular, and therefore screen time time will be short.

 

[Krytax123]

This is where it's at for me. I haven't decided which LI I'll really care about, it's the concern that Summer's absence becomes a weak story device, while currently it is a strong one, driving all of Nika's dysfunction. By weaking the main plot device, the story needs something stronger to support the challenges that disruption of narrative flow brings. A couple of scenarios:

- Summer returns, and thanks the aliens that kidnapped her and her family for their hopsitality, the tabletop game was a foreshadowing of the change to the plot. Weak or strong? I can actually think of a couple of VN's that have variations of this

- Summer returns, battling to close the portal to the cthonic realm of chaos. Nika's trauma shows that he is attuned the the elder god's madness and is able to overcome them. Weak or strong?

- Summer returns having escaped from a serial killer who murdered her family. The serial killer is wealthy and hides as a benefactor of MOR university. Weak or strong?

- Summer returns and was put in witness protection, but breaks her cover to reunite. Weak or strong?

All of these (in my opinion) are trainwrecks to what worldbuilding has been established. Summer returning will have to be not only plausible, but visceral enough to feel relevant. She can't waltz in and be on the scene as though the last 5(?) years haven't happened. Some gala at the Holgersons and a chance meeting? Summer would know from Elsa that Nika's still in WOllust, so there will be no chance meeting.

Also, reappearing for Nika, but having left Nia in the dark also? Doubly important to be a very plausible reason, unlike the humorous/sarcastic ideas I randomly suggested. THe plot holes need to be as small as possible if Summer returns.

Completly agree, all of this would obviously suck for one reason or another.

Summer has to be gone at the moment to a point where Elsa can’t reach her either (for example).

The only other possibility im able to come up with would be some kind of scenario where summer and Nika decided together that summer has to go and they can’t have any contact anymore (because it endangers the people around them or something?).

But that’s weak sauce too, esp considering their age when she „left“

I just think IF she would be dead, it would have been mentioned already, there would be no need for mystery.

And if she’s not dead, she will 99% come back.

The part giving me hope is that the AVN is called „Summers gone“ so whatever the reason is, i imagine ocean put the necessary work into the plotline.

 

[Penfold Mole]

Again, I'd have to agree with the previous posts. About Summer's return.
Should Summer ever re-appear, it would effectively end the story right there and then.
So, in case Oceans would ever want to abruptly end and "abone" the game as the conspiracy trolls here have been trying to convince everyone the whole time, THIS would be the way to do it

Nika would be instantly cured and like

Summer ain't gone any more! End of story.

IMHO, Summer will most definitely keep appearing in Nika's flashbacks and maybe some stories that some NPC's may reveal, but otherwise... Only in case the story gets cut without an ending. And Oceans has been investing way too much into it at this point to do this, unless forced by some kind of force majeure.

 

[John972]

once MC dick starts working again he better unload some bullets before he starts hunting. My man is going to be backed up able to fill a swimming pool.

Backed up? Man, I just pictured that. Nika, the four-legged basketball player...

 

[BobTheDuck]

Completly agree, all of this would obviously suck for one reason or another.

Summer has to be gone at the moment to a point where Elsa can’t reach her either (for example).

The only other possibility im able to come up with would be some kind of scenario where summer and Nika decided together that summer has to go and they can’t have any contact anymore (because it endangers the people around them or something?).

But that’s weak sauce too, esp considering their age when she „left“

I just think IF she would be dead, it would have been mentioned already, there would be no need for mystery.

And if she’s not dead, she will 99% come back.

The part giving me hope is that the AVN is called „Summers gone“ so whatever the reason is, i imagine ocean put the necessary work into the plotline.

They couldn't have decided not to see each other, as Summer also abandoned Nia. This, plus Elsa recognising Nika and not being awkward talking to him, suggest strongly that Summer isn't 'gone' because of Nika specifically. Summer wouldn't be able to prevent herself meeting Nika at school for example - she'd have to get her parents to change schools or move, which no sane parent would do based solely on a child's opinion of tragic love stories.

Unless Summer's parent's died, her disappearence is tied to theirs - otherwise Nika/Noji/Nami/Nia would be asking them if there was any news - and there wouldn't be the same sense of mystery. A whole family has disappeared in some fashion; if the parents were murdered by another fiendish car crash, Nika would know at least something. The disappearance is more likely to be related to a plot twist that concerns Summer's parents near the end of WiaB (ie setting up the situation that will return to haunt them), and I'm guessing that it'll not be outlined until near the end of SG, if at all: firstly a good mystery is almost an endless supply of motion for the plot, and secondly revealing too much in either game that give away details weakens the impact of each game. The reveals in both developments need to occur in parallel to avoid each one spoilering the other.

 

[Maviarab]

Sorry for what i´m going to say but... Is not like Bella is pregnant or something is that photo?
Yes, she hasn´t a big belly but for some reason she seems diferent to me, for some reason i remembered her belly more "defined", like a sport woman.

The hell?

Specsavers is a callin' Don

 

[rudy007]

Such a character. A rare fucking bitch. But if we call her that, it doesn’t mean that she is hated.

Yeah, you right. She is a bitch, as personality. But she's also family... But I like her... She's like Bella on steroids. Bella is "bitchy", but I really laugh about it (MC ignores her) Zara could be close to Leia... But we don't know on which side is she.

 

[Krytax123]

They couldn't have decided not to see each other, as Summer also abandoned Nia. This, plus Elsa recognising Nika and not being awkward talking to him, suggest strongly that Summer isn't 'gone' because of Nika specifically. Summer wouldn't be able to prevent herself meeting Nika at school for example - she'd have to get her parents to change schools or move, which no sane parent would do based solely on a child's opinion of tragic love stories.

Unless Summer's parent's died, her disappearence is tied to theirs - otherwise Nika/Noji/Nami/Nia would be asking them if there was any news - and there wouldn't be the same sense of mystery. A whole family has disappeared in some fashion; if the parents were murdered by another fiendish car crash, Nika would know at least something. The disappearance is more likely to be related to a plot twist that concerns Summer's parents near the end of WiaB (ie setting up the situation that will return to haunt them), and I'm guessing that it'll not be outlined until near the end of SG, if at all: firstly a good mystery is almost an endless supply of motion for the plot, and secondly revealing too much in either game that give away details weakens the impact of each game. The reveals in both developments need to occur in parallel to avoid each one spoilering the other.

Yeah you got me wrong, of course it would have to be something serious, I meant something like (and I know it sucks but I lack imagination):

Nika and Nami are still related to the Zane’s somehow and Summers parents are part of a different mafia/clan whatever. Summer moves away and both are aware that they can’t see each other anymore or have contact because it would for example endanger their family’s.

Giving Summers family Enemy clues about her location or whatever.

I mean whatever is, her living still in the same city can be pretty much excluded as possibility

it’s noticeable that a lot of parents have disappeared one way or another (maybe in a gang war or something similar?)

 

[John972]

This is where it's at for me. I haven't decided which LI I'll really care about, it's the concern that Summer's absence becomes a weak story device, while currently it is a strong one, driving all of Nika's dysfunction. By weaking the main plot device, the story needs something stronger to support the challenges that disruption of narrative flow brings. A couple of scenarios:

- Summer returns, and thanks the aliens that kidnapped her and her family for their hopsitality, the tabletop game was a foreshadowing of the change to the plot. Weak or strong? I can actually think of a couple of VN's that have variations of this

- Summer returns, battling to close the portal to the cthonic realm of chaos. Nika's trauma shows that he is attuned the the elder god's madness and is able to overcome them. Weak or strong?

- Summer returns having escaped from a serial killer who murdered her family. The serial killer is wealthy and hides as a benefactor of MOR university. Weak or strong?

- Summer returns and was put in witness protection, but breaks her cover to reunite. Weak or strong?

All of these (in my opinion) are trainwrecks to what worldbuilding has been established. Summer returning will have to be not only plausible, but visceral enough to feel relevant. She can't waltz in and be on the scene as though the last 5(?) years haven't happened. Some gala at the Holgersons and a chance meeting? Summer would know from Elsa that Nika's still in WOllust, so there will be no chance meeting.

Also, reappearing for Nika, but having left Nia in the dark also? Doubly important to be a very plausible reason, unlike the humorous/sarcastic ideas I randomly suggested. THe plot holes need to be as small as possible if Summer returns.

While I expect Summer is not dead (at least based on the story so far), I believe her "disappearance" (*) needs to be more than something external like the family entering witness protection or, say, the family moving away for whatever.

I say this is because Nika took Summer's "disappearance" so personally and it caused him extraordinary trauma. I can't think of any external event that would do this to him to such a degree (unless he's just a snowflake). Whatever, the reason, I expect it involves Nika personally in some way.

Ocean has laid some groundwork, although it remains to be seen if and how this relates to why Summer is gone:

Spoiler: Spoiler

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PS - BobTheDuck, you forgot the most plausible reason Summer is now gone from Nika, Nami, and Nia's lives - she's the German version of "Drop Dead Fred." They explains perfectly why Summer literally disappeared.

(*) For anyone not so familiar with the game, "Disappearance" is used by characters in the game to describe Summer's fate. It's anyone's guess what that actually means or if it's a euphemism.

Nojiko to MC:
"These thoughts you have.. Summer's disappearance.. it all affected you too much."

MC to Amber during therapy:
"After the thing with Su-m..." *you inhale deeply.* "After Summer's disappearance... Nami and I got very close.."

 

[Deleted member 6168082]

Summer is a chimera.

Nah, dat bitch is in Until Dawn... she the Wendigo!

The problem for me is that i don´t have any feelings about Summer

How would you have feelings for someone you don't even know? flashbacks won't really help. Those are the MCs, not ours. He feels for her while we, the player, do not.

The MC spends most of his time with Nami or Bella (since I avoided everyone I could, these two are the ones the game sticks/forces you with) game is basically pushing you towards one or both of them together (+ side bitches, I guess)

Having flashbacks so we can see Summer, her cute/lovely moments with the MC (since I am sure he won't remember much bad shit between them and more so the lovey dovey moments, all in the Dev's hands) that shit is just annoying while constantly getting multiple girls thrown in your face (when you are at school) or home (Nami/Bella) tits and all.


Do you want me to see/remember Summer to feel bad/happy? to move on? or ignore her to try and get excited/horny seeing all these other girls take showers, do random poses, lots of tit renders, Nami having a piece of nude art done of her.... I don't really know what this game is wanting from the MC/the Player.


Like, Yay! he can move on and finally let Summer go, welp that's over. Did one of the LIs did something or connects to Summer? ohh, anyways, Eh, idk.

 

[John972]

This, plus Elsa recognising Nika and not being awkward talking to him...

The interesting thing about Elsa seeing Nika in the restaurant was the way she approached him. It's only been five years, but she says to him, "Nika? You're... you're Nika Cyrus, right?" That suggests she had no contact with Nika after Summer disappeared since she seemingly struggles to recognize him, despite their childhood meetings via Summer.

 

[BobTheDuck]

The interesting thing about Elsa seeing Nika in the restaurant was the way she approached him. It's only been five years, but she says to him, "Nika? You're... you're Nika Cyrus, right?" That suggests she had no contact with Nika after Summer disappeared since she seemingly struggles to recognize him, despite their childhood meetings via Summer.

Yeah - there's a couple of angles to that, it's a tricky one that I guess we'll find out more about. She's a famous model now right (i forget)? So she sees a lot of people, in new shoots, has to remember names, struggles with those kind of things. Really depends on what her job is like - is it studio based or location?

Without going into that side of speculation, she's seeing a ghost from her past. Nika has the reborn haircut of youngling Nika. He's in an exclusive restaurant he could never afford before - jarring her with his appearance in a place she might frequent. The important thing is there's no sense of antagonism or wariness from her, just caution to not mentione the thing directly. She seems happy (even if shocked) to reconnect. This scene is the only thing that makes me wonder if it was completely Nika's involvement that triggered whatever happened (like you, I'm thinking witness protection).

Elsa's Aurora photo suggests she hasn't thought about those events for a while, and she's kept herself too busy to let them get to her. Maybe it was explained to her in some form and she could smell something fishy being covered up, but it seems more like a regret and wistfulness from her, suggesting she saw it as something final.

 

[Den1mo]

So once approved by Steam,there will still be time.

I don't know. since more information is about season 2 I assume that steam release is very close. I wrote it more or less just for fun but I would be happy if it was soon

I still have a few drops of patience left

 

[John972]

i can relate to ppl who have experience lost, but when it comes to SG i still havent seen anything worth while. to me this is still a game lesser AVN without the sex. Nika is not likable at all, season one is about to end and if it ends with no indication of what happened to summer im probably going to drop this all together(no real loss i know) because this game should be renamed "the search for a boner".

I kinda think the reason a lot of people don't like Nika in SG or some MC's in AVNs in general is because they insert THEMSELVES into the MC ('probably change the character's name to their own as well), raising their expectations on the MC's characteristics/traits and behavior to match what they want/fantasize for themselves.

While I generally play most AVNs under the name "John" (yep, it's not my real name, 'just an AVN avatar, I cannot play an AVN as myself without laughing), I play SG under the name "Nika" because he's a character distinct from myself, and I enjoy the story more that way.

 

[BobTheDuck]

I don't know. since more information is about season 2 I assume that steam release is very close. I wrote it more or less just for fun but I would be happy if it was soon

I still have a few drops of patience left

Well, finding out when Steam has approved it will be a good thing, because then there is a timeline rather than this endless wondering. The fact that Epic have passed the rating on it means Steam will see that and have to comply - I'm sure they don't want Epic to have exclusive sales

 

[John972]

Yeah - there's a couple of angles to that, it's a tricky one that I guess we'll find out more about. She's a famous model now right (i forget)? So she sees a lot of people, in new shoots, has to remember names, struggles with those kind of things. Really depends on what her job is like - is it studio based or location?

Without going into that side of speculation, she's seeing a ghost from her past. Nika has the reborn haircut of youngling Nika. He's in an exclusive restaurant he could never afford before - jarring her with his appearance in a place she might frequent. The important thing is there's no sense of antagonism or wariness from her, just caution to not mentione the thing directly. She seems happy (even if shocked) to reconnect. This scene is the only thing that makes me wonder if it was completely Nika's involvement that triggered whatever happened (like you, I'm thinking witness protection).

Elsa's Aurora photo suggests she hasn't thought about those events for a while, and she's kept herself too busy to let them get to her. Maybe it was explained to her in some form and she could smell something fishy being covered up, but it seems more like a regret and wistfulness from her, suggesting she saw it as something final.

Yeah, I forgot about that damned haircut. Elsa was probably like, "Oh, it's Nika! Hold on, that hair? No way, that can't be Nika! He would never..."