VN Ren'Py Where the Heart Is [S1 Rev1] [CheekyGimp]

[Harlaw]

Eh, I think Jolina will take no for an answer. She's very flirty, but she dials that back significantly if the MC never plays along. She won't even ask the MC for a place to stay unless she's dating him

She propositions the MC at 4 separate occasions; first during their date, then after meeting Theresa, then at the coffee shop and finally at her apartment, and you have to turn her down every single time. It doesn't mean much by itself, but it's remarkable that the two most sus women are the ones who most aggressively pursue the MC.

Well, that's the thing. If Elaine did spoof the MC's address to send the emails that kicked the game off, then perhaps she was trying to give him a support system? After all, if the only goal was to sabotage the MC's inheritance, she should have sent the email only to Monica. But we know that some of his other friends also got emails allegedly from the MC asking if the MC could stay with them; if the MC had accepted one of those other offers, he might never have reconnected with Monica. So as diabolical plans go, this wasn't a very good one.

Obviously this all speculative, but it could fit with a scenario where Elaine needed the MC out of the house but wanted to make sure he had somewhere to go. Of course the question then would be why would Elaine want the MC out? It seems unlikely she would have known the will terms at the time (and if she did, then she probably knew the MC's terms as well). Perhaps it's as she first said: she was overwhelmed and pushed him away out of habit, but then why bother ensuring he could land on his feet?

It's a massive wild guess from me, but I think what could have happened is that Elaine's first part of the will gave her control over the house, like how the MC first got the BH, car and cash before being hit with the doozy about the inheritance money. Only Elaine's part must have some sort of clause, like she needs to retain sole residency for a certain period of time. So she kicked the MC out only to learn that her condition requires the MC to transfer the house over to her, so she starts acting all nice and friendly towards him.

It's possible Elaine might have some latent maternal feelings towards the MC, but she still went the extra mile on being vicious towards the MC. But I still don't think she's the one who sent the emails. Because when you show Elaine's picture to Jo in Episode 22, her reaction is different based on whether you're romancing her or not. On normal route, she just straights up confirms that Elaine was the one who sent the email, but on her romance path she takes a while and looks guilty/conflicted before confirming it.

Elaine must have gone to the Cafe at some point, otherwise there'd be no footage of her entering it to misuse. I don't think Bella has the resources to mimic Elaine and the cafe well enough to fool the MC. The question is when Elaine went and what she went there to do. As always, both innocent and malicious explanations are plausible. Hopefully that will finally be revealed in Episode 23.

I think the whole CCTV business is shady. You don't come across them, you are given them. By Jolina, who is a techie herself. And even the timing of it is suspicious, you get it just before the endgame. You can even accuse Jolina of withholding and she says something about how she only got curious about them recently.

 

[spiderguy84]

What was the dev update from 5 days ago? I've gone through pages and seen SEVERAL people ask and get ignored.

 

[Geralt_R]

She propositions the MC at 4 separate occasions; first during their date, then after meeting Theresa, then at the coffee shop and finally at her apartment, and you have to turn her down every single time. It doesn't mean much by itself, but it's remarkable that the two most sus women are the ones who most aggressively pursue the MC.

Zarah does the same though, I had the hardest time getting rid of her.... I have to refuse her multiple times! I think this is just the way the game wants go give players a chance to change their minds about pursuing certain characters or not, thus paths are not closed for good after the first rejection (at least with some characters).

And what on earth would Jolina gain from pursuing a relationship with the MC? Unless "Dizzy" refers to more than one person and the dad had a threesome with her and Bella and the will stipulates that they have to make the MC fall in love with them etc (or maybe get one of them pregnant), or they have to make sure the MC is not with Monica, Katie and Jenna, which, in my opinion, sounds a bit far fetched. Not entirely out of this world, but in my opinion still unlikely.

So two options:
Jolina fakes it and is teamed up with Bella. Why? What could she ever hope to gain from pursuing the MC? Also, that may implicate Jenna as well, which I find extremely unlikely, since it's Jenna's idea in the first place to go after Jolina. Unless Jolina and Jenna already know each other and they have a plan. But what kind of plan? Why? Why would Jenna be involved with the will in any way to begin with?

If Jolina doesn't fake it and she does indeed love the MC then, technically speaking, she can't be a lesbian. I know that most VNs use that term very loosely, even Debbie is called a lesbian in this game when she is evidently not, she jumps on the MC at the earliest opportunity. She's bisuexual. NOT a lesbian. Huge difference! If Jolina actually loves the MC she would not be a lesbian and thus the prophecy can't really be about her (the prophecy can't be about either Debbie or Jolina really unless Jolina fakes it, Debbie certainly doesn't fake it when you are on her path).
But it's more likely than not the game refers to merely bisexual women as "lesbians"... So that goes nowhere. Jolina loving the MC would probably still make the game call her a lesbian if she also likes women.
But why reject the MC so harshly at first when there is a plan to get Jolina and the MC close together? Playing hard to get can hardly be the plan? Again, Jenna is the one who tries to pursuade the MC to go after her. But it's more likely that this is just her kink, the voyeurism and sharing, and she has quite some material about Jolina on her computer so maybe it's her dream to be a merry throuple?

To summarize: if Jolina fakes it... I don't see what she has to gain, unless she is Dizzy herself. If she's just teamed up with Dizzy what on earth would be the benefit of the MC getting into a relationship with her when Dizzy herself is already (depending on player choice) jumping the MC's bones? The only real goal they could have with either of them pursuing the MC is to get the MC away from Monica, Katie and Jenna when he chooses Jo or Bella over them. But that would actually make sure the MC DOES get money. Unless Dizzy's conditions are that the MC must sever ties with Monica & co (maybe the dad wanted to make double sure the MC will not keep contact with Monica and her daughters because he hates them with a passion). But why then would Jolina involve Jenna in her punishment scheme resulting in a potential threesome and maybe stirring even more infatuation in Jenna? She would make sure to get Jenna out of the picture as soon as possible and try to lure the MC away from Jenna and everyone else. Because if the MC is still seeing Jenna he (and if their condition is the same or smilar they too) still gets nothing, all three must be avoided. So luring the MC from Monica etc is probably nothing Jolina is doing, unless she's really stupid, which she is not. If the plan is to make the MC fall in love with either Bella and/or Jolina (when they both are Dizzy) then Jolina, once more, does a really bad job, since she harshly rejects the MC when he first asks her out on a date. So that makes no sense either, unless Jolina is stupid, which she is not.

So if the plan is to get the MC away from Monica & co or to make him fall in love with either Jo or Bella, Jolina is doing a really bad job. But what other goal can there be for Bella and Jolina to pursue the MC? Other than their condition is to be in a relationship with the MC or to lure him away from Monica & co... but that I find pretty far fetched.

The ultimate possibility is that we are all overthinking this. Who knows how much was planned in advance. If in a game of 20 questions I pick "yes" or "no" at random we will eventually get a result and the person who asked the questions will think he successfully guessed what I was thinking of... when instead I never thought of anything and just provided random "yes" or "no" answers. Could be the same here

My guess: Jolina has something going on... but she's not Dizzy and not teamed up with Dizzy. Jolina's secret is probably not really about hurting the MC or taking advantage of him. Maybe it's something about Elaine and her plan.
My other guess: we are seriously overthinking everything

 

[DaimonFey]

The only real goal they could have with either of them pursuing the MC is to get the MC away from Monica, Katie and Jenna when he chooses Jo or Bella over them.

Perhaps it's other way around? Maybe Dizzy needs to prevent Mc from getting money as hers condition? Since Jolina&Jenna&MC triangle is possible(at least I tink so) Jolina can be Dizzy. It's unlikely but still possible. Quite frankly even Monica can be Dizzy so we will have to wait for ep23. From the very beginning I though that Bella is Dizzy but now I think that it might be too obvious to be true. Quite frankly I enjoy suspense in this game!

 

[Geralt_R]

Maybe Dizzy needs to prevent Mc from getting money as hers condition?

If that is so... why would she/they even want to romance the MC? Dizzy would have to make sure he gets involved with any of the three women. Or do you think Jolina's involvement of Jenna is the plan to make sure the MC will at least become romantically entangled with Jenna (her punishment can result in sex)? That is one heck of a gamble that makes no sense, since chances are the MC may find Jolina a lot more interesting (or Bella) and go all in with either of them. I mean as cute as Jenna is, she's weird and inexperienced and Jolina (even Bella) is one heck of a woman with experience and allure. A lot of men may find that much more attractive. If I were Dizzy I would make damn sure that the MC falls in love with Monica, Katie or Jenna and not create a temptation for him to leave them. Instead I would see to it that the MC gets very close to them. Which much better fits Elaine of course, if she wrote that email. But my feeling is her plan is to get all the money... and then share some of it with the MC if he treats her will, gives her the house etc. to redeem herself for the many years she treated him coldly and keeping her distance at the insistance of the dad.

 

[ename144]

She propositions the MC at 4 separate occasions; first during their date, then after meeting Theresa, then at the coffee shop and finally at her apartment, and you have to turn her down every single time. It doesn't mean much by itself, but it's remarkable that the two most sus women are the ones who most aggressively pursue the MC.

Eh, I'd say that's three times: the bit after meeting Theresa leads directly to the bit in her apartment; turn down the first you don't get the second, accept the first the second is nearly a formality.

She probably should have skipped the second offer (the third is too important to skip automatically), but I don't think those offers are too pushy (IMHO, obviously).

It's a massive wild guess from me, but I think what could have happened is that Elaine's first part of the will gave her control over the house, like how the MC first got the BH, car and cash before being hit with the doozy about the inheritance money. Only Elaine's part must have some sort of clause, like she needs to retain sole residency for a certain period of time. So she kicked the MC out only to learn that her condition requires the MC to transfer the house over to her, so she starts acting all nice and friendly towards him.

It's possible Elaine might have some latent maternal feelings towards the MC, but she still went the extra mile on being vicious towards the MC. But I still don't think she's the one who sent the emails. Because when you show Elaine's picture to Jo in Episode 22, her reaction is different based on whether you're romancing her or not. On normal route, she just straights up confirms that Elaine was the one who sent the email, but on her romance path she takes a while and looks guilty/conflicted before confirming it.

Yeah, the pause is curious. It does seem to trigger off dating Jolina rather than, for example, her seeing the extra pictures Bella sometimes sends. She's clearly struggling with some sort of secret if she's into the MC.

I think the whole CCTV business is shady. You don't come across them, you are given them. By Jolina, who is a techie herself. And even the timing of it is suspicious, you get it just before the endgame. You can even accuse Jolina of withholding and she says something about how she only got curious about them recently.

It's definitely shady, but that cuts both ways. If the nebulous conspiracy had that video the whole time, why wait to show it to the MC? If they only created the video once it was clear the MC knew about the forged emails, how did they create the video? For that mater, what do they expect to accomplish with it? Why give the MC evidence he can take directly to Elaine? It would have been just as effective (and harder to backfire) to have Jolina claim to recognize Elaine when the MC showed her picture the first time.

We know something weird is going on, but I still don't think we have enough information to speculate productively.

What was the dev update from 5 days ago? I've gone through pages and seen SEVERAL people ask and get ignored.

I'm not sure what the usual policy on reposting Dev Updates is, but as a quick summary:

• Cheeky estimates there are ~4-5 weeks of work left on Episode 23
• They'll try to get the update out by the end of August, but they're committing to September because that's the most realistic date
• Cheeky still expects the game to end around Episode 25 (plus some epilogues)
  • He doesn't expect any of the remaining episodes to take as long as Episode 23 did
• The results of a recent poll about what players did in Episode 22: unsurprisingly, players like dating lots of girls!

 

[Harlaw]

It's definitely shady, but that cuts both ways. If the nebulous conspiracy had that video the whole time, why wait to show it to the MC? If they only created the video once it was clear the MC knew about the forged emails, how did they create the video? For that mater, what do they expect to accomplish with it? Why give the MC evidence he can take directly to Elaine? It would have been just as effective (and harder to backfire) to have Jolina claim to recognize Elaine when the MC showed her picture the first time.

We know something weird is going on, but I still don't think we have enough information to speculate productively.

Well, we know that the gold digger knows the conditions of the other two recipients. Now assuming that it really is Bella, she'll be aware of the fact that a certain point, the MC will have to make a decision about the house and that it's Elaine's condition.

So why would she want to turn the MC against Elaine? Simple, even if it has nothing to do with her own will condition, by getting rid of Elaine she increases her share of the inheritance by 50%. And if she can knock the MC out of the picture, she'll get the whole shebang.

Why hold on to the video for so long? Because if she knows the will conditions, she might also know the time frame of when the MC has to make the decision. If the MC had the video earlier, he could've confronted Elaine and she might have been able to set him straight. They purposely waited to give you the evidence at the last minute and even then Bella told you to not confront Elaine with the footage.

And it's not impossible to deep fake someone's face accurately enough that it might fool some people, especially with a low quality footage. Someone like Jolina, who has shown that she has some tech skills, could pull it off.

 

[ename144]

Well, we know that the gold digger knows the conditions of the other two recipients. Now assuming that it really is Bella, she'll be aware of the fact that a certain point, the MC will have to make a decision about the house and that it's Elaine's condition.

We don't actually know that. We only know that one of the other beneficiaries knows the conditions. It could be Dizzy, but it could also be Elaine. As usual, our clues are incomplete.

If we believe Bella's story, Elaine is indeed the one who knows all the conditions. If we doubt Bella's story, the most likely explanation is that Bella is Dizzy and she's the one who knows all the conditions. I'm firmly in the "doubt Bella" camp, but we won't know for sure for another month.

So why would she want to turn the MC against Elaine? Simple, even if it has nothing to do with her own will condition, by getting rid of Elaine she increases her share of the inheritance by 50%. And if she can knock the MC out of the picture, she'll get the whole shebang.

Why hold on to the video for so long? Because if she knows the will conditions, she might also know the time frame of when the MC has to make the decision. If the MC had the video earlier, he could've confronted Elaine and she might have been able to set him straight. They purposely waited to give you the evidence at the last minute and even then Bella told you to not confront Elaine with the footage.

But why give him the video at all? As is the only reason the MC didn't confront Elaine with it is that a) he completely botched the question when he could ask her in Episode 21, and b) he's too lazy to drive over to her house in Episode 22. Why leave that to chance? Accusing Elaine verbally seems likely to accomplish at least 85% of the effect with less effort and lower risk.

And it's not impossible to deep fake someone's face accurately enough that it might fool some people, especially with a low quality footage. Someone like Jolina, who has shown that she has some tech skills, could pull it off.

I'm going to have to disagree. The MC knows Elaine well, and if she isn't clearly visible in the footage it's useless as a smoking gun. That's not something Jolina's known skillset could easily fake. She might be able to edit footage of Elaine into a different background to make it look like she was at the cafe when she wasn't, but I even that would be a stretch (and it would beg the question of where she got footage of Elaine to begin with).

At a certain point I think we need to trust the overall thrust of the narrative we're given. Sure, technically we have no proof that Greg really is a lawyer, but by now it would hopelessly muddle the narrative to try to claim he was in on the con the whole time. Likewise, we've been told Jolina has some tech skills, but we've also been told she's not up to Jenna's level and Jenna hasn't suggested the footage could be fake. I see no reason to believe either of them could fabricate this sort of evidence out of whole cloth.

I think the footage really is Elaine, though the context could still be misleading. If it turns out to be otherwise, we're going to need a very solid explanation for how that happened.

 

[felicemastronzo]

If that is so... why would she/they even want to romance the MC? Dizzy would have to make sure he gets involved with any of the three women. Or do you think Jolina's involvement of Jenna is the plan to make sure the MC will at least become romantically entangled with Jenna (her punishment can result in sex)? That is one heck of a gamble that makes no sense, since chances are the MC may find Jolina a lot more interesting (or Bella) and go all in with either of them. I mean as cute as Jenna is, she's weird and inexperienced and Jolina (even Bella) is one heck of a woman with experience and allure. A lot of men may find that much more attractive. If I were Dizzy I would make damn sure that the MC falls in love with Monica, Katie or Jenna and not create a temptation for him to leave them. Instead I would see to it that the MC gets very close to them. Which much better fits Elaine of course, if she wrote that email. But my feeling is her plan is to get all the money... and then share some of it with the MC if he treats her will, gives her the house etc. to redeem herself for the many years she treated him coldly and keeping her distance at the insistance of the dad.

the first goal of all 3 heirs is to fulfill their own conditions, only after that can they think about hindering the other 2.

both Bella, directly, and Jolina, indirectly, are aiming hard at the beach house, which could be tied to the condition of either of them. better to take a third of the money than to take nothing by aiming at half the nest egg

 

[Geralt_R]

the first goal of all 3 heirs is to fulfill their own conditions, only after that can they think about hindering the other 2.

both Bella, directly, and Jolina, indirectly, are aiming hard at the beach house, which could be tied to the condition of either of them. better to take a third of the money than to take nothing by aiming at half the nest egg

That doesn't sound right though? The lawyer explicitly states that the car, the 100k and the beach house are absolutely and irrevocably the property of the MC, no matter what? And will still be his even if he doesn't sign his contract and relinquishes his claim on his part of the inheritance? So in my opinion Bella and Jolina going after the beach house makes no sense.

 

[DaimonFey]

That doesn't sound right though? The lawyer explicitly states that the car, the 100k and the beach house are absolutely and irrevocably the property of the MC, no matter what? And will still be his even if he doesn't sign his contract and relinquishes his claim on his part of the inheritance? So in my opinion Bella and Jolina going after the beach house makes no sense.

Same here, unless there is something hidden there but as to what it is, I don't know

 

[felicemastronzo]

That doesn't sound right though? The lawyer explicitly states that the car, the 100k and the beach house are absolutely and irrevocably the property of the MC, no matter what? And will still be his even if he doesn't sign his contract and relinquishes his claim on his part of the inheritance? So in my opinion Bella and Jolina going after the beach house makes no sense.

That doesn't sound right though? The lawyer explicitly states that the car, the 100k and the beach house are absolutely and irrevocably the property of the MC, no matter what? And will still be his even if he doesn't sign his contract and relinquishes his claim on his part of the inheritance? So in my opinion Bella and Jolina going after the beach house makes no sense.

The beach house has something to do with it, the determination with which Bella does everything to stay there cannot be accidental.
But even if I'm wrong about that, the point remains that her first goal is to get her own way before thwarting other contenders.

 

[Harlaw]

At a certain point I think we need to trust the overall thrust of the narrative we're given. Sure, technically we have no proof that Greg really is a lawyer, but by now it would hopelessly muddle the narrative to try to claim he was in on the con the whole time. Likewise, we've been told Jolina has some tech skills, but we've also been told she's not up to Jenna's level and Jenna hasn't suggested the footage could be fake. I see no reason to believe either of them could fabricate this sort of evidence out of whole cloth.

We've been told by both Greg himself and Miss Cleo that the gold digger is a very devious and cunning individual with plans on top of plans. Now I am not going full paranoid mode and doubting every piece of information we're given, so when Greg and our own lawyer tells us that the BH is definitely ours no matter what, I am choosing to believe that.

But when it comes to the gold digger, whom I firmly believe is Bella with Jolina as her associate. I am not gonna believe anything they tell me, so when she tells me there is a chance that the MC's mother might not have been his mother or that he might have a half brother, I am calling BS on that.

 

[voyeurkind]

both Bella, directly, and Jolina, indirectly, are aiming hard at the beach house, which could be tied to the condition of either of them. better to take a third of the money than to take nothing by aiming at half the nest egg

Maybe there's something of great value hidden/buried at the beach house (like Donald's Swiss Bank account ledgers) that the third party knows about.

 

[ramvivat]

Maybe there's something of great value hidden/buried at the beach house (like Donald's Swiss Bank account ledgers) that the third party knows about.

and this is an interesting version. sand is easy to dig. and the place where it is buried does not stand out, unlike the soil - if you dig a hole in ordinary soil, you have to wait a very long time until the traces of the excavation hide in a natural way. and the sand - unearthed and buried and leveled. and you can't see anything right now.

 

[felicemastronzo]

Maybe there's something of great value hidden/buried at the beach house (like Donald's Swiss Bank account ledgers) that the third party knows about.

we know that in general conditions are quite personalized, so the third gold digger's must also be something personal, not impossible at all, but very complicated for her.

so I don't think it may be so much what's in the beach house, but what that represents to her

 

[ramvivat]

Bella with Jolina

O_O Jo... Jolina? *jaw dropped on the floor*
but how? *shocked*
and .. to hell, who am I kidding - women lead me by the nose in life and with the nose and leave ... because I don’t see anything beyond my nose in relation to women ... so I was fascinated by Jolina that I did not think of her ...
*sigh* okay, let's start thinking soberly, without musi-pusi ...

So, Jolina sent the first bait letter to Monica's house - from her coffee shop. the coffee shop was a front and a place to "charm" the MC. and the apartment itself was most likely rented.

uh, if only I could talk to that guy who was hanging around the coffee shop... he might have something interesting to say about Jolina. He must have noticed something. maybe even suggested when the "wheels started spinning" - when a coffee shop showed up in that area.

but how well did the bankruptcy of the business coincide with the announcement of the will of the Father? =)

 

[ramvivat]

and it seems that I know what to look for in the sand - a small box in which there will be a piece of paper with a login and password to an account in a bank from which the trust takes out money in monthly payments. because it makes no sense to store gold in the sand. and payments can be debited from a bank account when invoices arrive, and the bank must make payments on invoices. well, maybe not a piece of paper, but for example a plastic card, because it will not rot from dampness.

it is not necessary to bury a plastic card - it is enough to hide it in the house itself. just hide in a slit. because the girls tried to get into the house and not roam around. for at night in the rain when the rain drowns out the sounds - to come and dig something - a couple of trifles. no one will hear anything. means hidden in the house. and the poor victims of the arbitrariness of the authorities and relatives showed up at the house.

 

[Geralt_R]

So, Jolina sent the first bait letter to Monica's house - from her coffee shop. the coffee shop was a front and a place to "charm" the MC. and the apartment itself was most likely rented.

Remember that various people received emails, not just Monica. Again, why do that if you want to ruin the MC's chances of getting the money? Someone who has this plan would not send emails to other people as well, and instead only sweet talk Monica so she contacts the MC and lets him stay. The risk is much too high that any of the other recipients of the email might let the MC stay at their house... thus preventing the MC from ever meeting Monica and the girls again. And this would mean the MC gets his money.

I find it more likely that the emails are part of Elaine's scheme, whatever that may be. She says she didn't know about her will conditions when she urged the MC to leave the house. But maybe she still wanted to make sure he has at least a place to stay. Or maybe it's something else. Doesn't matter, point is, if Bella and/or Jolina had a plan to bring MC and Monica + girls together... they would never ever have sent emails to other people as well. Monica would have been the only recipient.

If Jolina is part of any plan she's doing a very lousy job. If she needs to get close to the MC for whatever reason... why reject him so harshly at first, risking that the MC will be thoroughly discouraged? If she needs to make sure the MC gets close to Monica and family to ruin his chances of getting the money... why send emails to lots of other people? And even more so, why even get romantically involved with the MC? This runs a high risk of the MC going exclusively for Jolina or maybe Bella, thus making sure he DOES get money. I don't see any real motivation for Jolina to want to screw over the MC based on what she does in the game. She certainly has some skeletons in the closet. But if she either is Dizzy or involved with Dizzy I would be disappointed, since, in my opinion, that would feel very far fetched based on her behavior. I am pretty certain she didn't write the emails, I am also convinced her plan can't be to get involved with the MC, she would have been a lot nicer when he asks her out for the first time, instead of brutally shooting him down.

And the other idea suggested here... there's something buried on the beach etc... sounds a bit anticlimactic, as was pointed out, the will conditions seem to be something that annoy or piss off the heirs, or at least is something that is very difficult for them to pull off and comes at a personal cost. You could always sneak onto the beach, surveillance or not, and just quickly dig a hole - there is no need for elaborate schemes to get the MC to let either Bella and/or Jolina to stay there.

 

[ramvivat]

I find it more likely that the emails are part of Elaine's scheme

everything would be fine but a strange coincidence - the announcement of the will of the Father and almost immediately Jolin "bankrupt".
perhaps there is that connection that it is already meaningless to keep an enterprise (coffee shop).
the fool (that is, the main character) is charmed and will easily let the one, who will destroy him (financially), into the house - which is all that is required. and on the contrary, the predicament of a woman, what is not a balm for the wounded soul of an charmed fool who is about to be left in his miserable beach house with a nose?

there may be another option that Bella found out about Jolina (how? I don’t know) and ran, if not to save, then make it difficult for Jolina to search by her presence in the house, because the "fool" is charmed, and does not see beyond his own nose.