Nameless: Lance (Good end)
Nov. 28th, 2018 01:41 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
alias_sqbrOther posts.
This was mostly fun though I, uh, didn't realise how much him being on the Discipline Committee was foreshadowing >.>
No bad ends this time, and nothing TOO heavy, though it is a little dub-conny in parts. Also the dynamic got increasingly M/f-ish, which isn't inherently bad but I found it a bit..something. Jarring?
I looked up the overall walkthrough page and it said that the intro changes every time you've played a route. So instead of re-using my save from the first choice, I started a new game.
This time can choose Tei if I want instead of only Lance/Yeonho/Yuri. HMMMMMMmmmm no thank you! Even though I am SUPER CURIOUS.
Also the "continue" button is labelled "forget the name", and a black heart shape has a single yellow piece filled in now for Yeonho. Ooh and I DIDN'T get asked to name the protagonist or my first doll, implying this is all a shared universe.
The initial dream (which is unchanged, I just didn't describe it before) of two figures in a white landscape:
???: Do not forget that everything is done under your own will.
Nameless: I understand.
???: Take this.
(Actually I guess the other voice could be Nameless, but I'll stick with this for now, since "deep manly voice" (???) and "higher whispery voice" (Nameless) is ungainly)
Eri tries to reach them but is swept away by the wind into a bottomless pit with countless feathers.
Nameless: Don't worry. You will soon remember.
The prologue starts. I'll list new parts when they show up.
Eri looks at her dolls and thinks about how she has to keep her hobby to herself or people will think she's weird.
A flashback to Eri meeting Soi and Shinbi: Soi is complaining loudly about the lack of hot boys in their class. The nearby boys do not look impressed. Apparently Soi and Shinbi live together!
Eri spends a while just admiring how hot they both are.
Soi catches Eri's eye
Eri: Oh no she saw me looking and will think I'm a creep!
Soi: Don't you agree that Shinbi is hotter than all the boys in this class?
Eri:...yeah?
Soi: Anyway, what do you think is the most important thing in a guy?
Eri, internally: The same as the most important thing in a doll...
Eri: The face.
Soi, literal hearts in her eyes: FINALLY SOMEONE UNDERSTANDS. To celebrate our new friendship you can buy us lunch :D
The dolls arrive at school and Soi throws herself unsuccessfully at Lance. There's a flashback to Mr Yujin's arrival.
Soi: Explain how you can prefer a SKELETON to a perfect woman like me!
Mr Yujin: You have too much useless tissue, especially on your chest.
Soi: Was I just dumped...for having breasts? o.O
Eri: So, Lance, do you want me to tell you about the school? There's...
Lance: You already told me all about it when I was a doll. Did you think I'd forget? I also recognise that weird girl Soi, and that girl Shinbi rubbing a file on Yeonho's head.
Yeonho: Please stop ;_;
Eri: Aw, Shinbi's laughing!
Lance: She looks expressionless to me. Do you learn to recognise that sort of thing when you're friends?
Eri: Yeah!
Lance: But yet you'll never tell them the truth.
And now I actually start making choices. That was a lot of new content, I'm glad I didn't miss it by using my existing save! I'm less glad the Lance walkthrough image is a spoiler >:(
Lance says he dislikes being surrounded by people who only like him for his looks.
THE WALKTHROUGH SAYS I HAVE TO "NEGLECT" YEONHO ;_;
Hmm but, looking ahead, it's not as simple as just doing the most alienating choices for other LIs in general.
Eri: Why do you hate Red so much?
Lance: I suppose it's a talent to show your affections so readily...I don't like noise. *walks off*
Saving Lance from creepy Nurse Yujin!
Eri: I noticed that Beatrice seems to have a thing for taller models. She was definitely checking out Johnny(*) the other day.
(*)Johnny: the male skeleton treasured by a chemistry teacher (female, 37 years old)
What is this game.
Eri goes into the room Red and Lance share, her grandad's old room. At first she feels sad about her grandad, but then she's charmed to see how lively it looks with Red's action figures and superhero posters etc. She can't see many traces of Lance, though, asides from school books.
Eri buys Lance a Candied Lemon Tea(tm) from Banjul(tm) but he refuses to express any preferences one way or the other.
It's an interesting contrast to Yeonho, who was just as hard to read the actual preferences of but in a very different way.
After Yeonho goes missing and then is found, Eri talks to Lance about how terrified she is at the idea of them turning back into dolls, and being alone again. Lance, the only doll to have known her before and after her grandad died, puts his hand on her cheek.
Lance: Do you miss him?
Eri: Yes. But now I can care about you boys instead, and bring you sweets the way I did for him.
Lance, moving his hand on her cheek: It is amazing, to touch you like this. To be asked what I like. This won't happen when I turn back into a doll.
Eri: LANCE IS TOUCHING ME???
Lance: Is something wrong?
Eri: LET'S. JUST. GO INSIDE.
I checked the diary and was reminded of an entry that showed up last time as well: "I had a dream. We played some of sort of game. Lance, Yuri and Yeonho were standing on one circle and Red and Tei in another, far away. Yuri stepped out of the circle with a smile. What does it mean?" I am not very enthused about Yuri as a boyfriend for Eri but he DOES make me curious plotwise. (See also: Tei. Red is actually endearing, bless him)
Haaa. Now that she's not spending money on doll items Eri can afford to eat properly. ERI.
She goes to greet Lance, who is sitting alone at lunch, only to realise he's surrounded by girls at a distance, too afraid to talk to him but angry at her for getting close.
Chatty girl: Hello Lance! I bet you want me to sit next to you, not that gross short haired girl.
Eri: ...does she mean me?
Lance: I don't like chatty people *gets up and throws his lunch in the bin*
Eri: That was way too rude! She was just being friendly!
Me: Eri, please learn the difference between "friend" and "bitchy rival"
Lance: I was just honest. Also... I didn't like her talking about you that way :/
Eri: What?
Lance: It's none of your business. *puts his hand on his face* Of course it's also none of my business...
Eri: You should be more polite, especially to girls.
Lance: That's sexist.
Bless.
Eri: Girls are sensitive. It hurts their feelings when you don't say thank you when they offer you bread, or help them with maths, or reply to their texts...
(these are all things Lance has done to Eri)
Lance: ...
Eri: Not ME of course just, you know. Girls. In general. ANYWAY, my point is, I don't want you to end up alone, so try to be just a little nicer to people.
Lance: I'm fine with things as they are, but if that's what you want...I'll consider it. And...you can sit with me at lunch. If you want.
Eri: Why is my heart beating so fast????
Ahaha. Soi texts Eri that after she and Lance left the chatty girl cried...with joy, that Lance had spoken to her.
And then Eri sees that Lance has replied to the nice text she'd sent him that morning, saying "thank you".
Flashback! A "Young %s" (...Eri, from context) is lost in a department store but sure her grandad will come.
Eri wakes up to a text from Lance...telling her to put her underwear in the washing machine.
Apparently she left it out in the laundry or something? She gets embarrassed and realises he's enjoying teasing her. There is an extended scene of Yuri yelling at Tei, topless, for putting his delicate dry-clean only clothes in the wash. Is Yuri the only character they drew a topless sprite for, and what does this bode for his path...
Seeing Tei called the "mother of the boys" is rather disconcerting now. (Eri never compares him to a dad, only a mum)
Yuri is horrified to learn that Yeonho and Red don't have spare clothes and says he'll take Eri to the department store. When Eri asks how he'll pay for it he flaunts a black credit card someone "who admired his beauty" gave him.
*adds to the Evidence Yuri is a Rent Boy pile*
Yuri: We should make it a date, darling. I've wanted to dress you up for a while. First lingerie with extravagant lace-
Lance: If you want to waste your money, I will join out of sympathy.
Tei: Yes, let's all go ^_^
Yeonho: Master, what's a department store?
Eri: A place full of tasty treats Yuri will buy for us with his magic card ^_^
Yeonho: Thank you Yuri ;_;
Yuri: Don't look at me with those eyes...don't expect fatherly love from me!
Eri defends Tei when he's bickering with Yuri and Yuri gets jealous and says she should keep away from Tei: his words don't match his actions and he's secretly a pervert. Which...isn't wrong...but he's not the one you should be jealous of right now, Yuri.
There's been multiple scenes of someone knocking Eri over and Lance catching her before she falls and scolding her for not being careful, while obviously being VERY CONCERNED for her safety, and I am INTO IT.
Lance doesn't like the crowds and goes to a quiet rest area, and Eri follows. She muses sadly that she would have liked to dress him in nice clothes now he has a human body.
Eri: Do you want some icecream? I hear it's good here.
Lance: You eat a lot of sweets. Do you even keep track of your calorie intake?
Eri: DON'T TALK TO A GIRL ABOUT HER CALORIE INTAKE
Lance: Sorry. Wait here.
He comes back with a cup of icecream for her. She eats some then bugs him to try a bite.
Lance: But you used that spoon! *small voice* it would be like...k-kissing *small voice*
Eri: What?
Lance: Nothing.
Lance, internally: AHHHHHHHHHHH
Eri: Are you ok? You've gone red.
This is like dating a somewhat douchier teenage Lang Wangji from Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation :D
(Lance should be grateful for how much less trouble Eri is than Wei Wuxian)
Eri: This sounds weird, but because I got you while grandad was still alive, sometimes you make me think of him. I just had this memory...never mind.
Lance: Speak.
Eri: I came here as a child and got lost when I let go of his hand...after that I always held his hand tightly. Then I got older and felt embarrassed, but I wish I'd held his hand more when he was alive.
Lance: *stands up* I've changed my mind. *grabs Eri's wrist and drags her to the men's wear section* I don't know anything about clothes. You'll have to choose.
Eri: :D :D What style do you want?
Lance: I will like whatever you pick. *small voice* even the lemon tea *small voice*
Eri has a ball as Lance long-sufferingly lets himself be dressed in pretty clothes. When they get home Eri keeps thinking about him and doesn't know how to process her feelings.
Flashback: Just after Eri's grandpa's death, she talks to doll!Lance, saying it's just the two of them now. But he won't die, so she's not alone.
Shop owner: Tei's an older brother-ish barista, Yuri's a sexy drummer, Yeonho arouses maternal instincts. But let's not assign strong traits to Lance. He can just be good looking and owners can imagine what they want.
Lance: *gasp* Was that a dream?
(earlier Eri said she bought Lance because he was her exact physical type, so)
We see that Eri and Lance have been texting back and forth. Not shown are the many pictures she apparently took of the boys in their new clothes.
A girl asks Lance for help with a maths problem and Soi and Shinbi bring out the metaphorical popcorn. But he actually explains it to her, albeit in a very cold and condescending way. It's funny, after playing a bunch of life-sim dating games I'm used to the heroine having the same skills as the love interest but nope Eri is as awful at maths as ever.
Soi: Mr Yujin wants to see you, he wants you to...count the living or something?
Eri: A stack of papers with personal information and photos...could it be the school is looking to replace him?? :D :D
Mr Yujin: Some terrible people are holding Beatrice hostage until I get married. So go through those papers and pick me a wife.
Eri: What
Mr Yujin: Oh Beatrice, I'm so sorry. How can I look at another woman when you have such perfect thigh-bones?
Eri: ...I'll just pick the one with the strongest mentality :/
(I'm guessing the terrible people are his parents)
Eri asks Lance to join her and Soi and Shinbi at the cafe, and he doesn't reply so she assumes he's not coming. When they get there she realises she's lost her phone and goes back to school to find it. And of course Lance shows up at the cafe. When he and Tei find out she's out alone at night they both want to go look for her, Lance is Not A Fan of Tei coming.
Soi: Why are you guys freaking out, it's not even 5.
Zion the waiter: I heard there's ghosts at Crobit Academy at night. A strange man walks the campus carrying a skeleton!
Tei has to stay and work but tells Lance to look after Eri for him. He runs to find her.
Lance: Did you find your phone?
Eri: No :(
Lance: You can just replace it. Replacements can be...better...
Eri: But I like that one. It's scratched from when I dropped it, and has the memory of when Yuri gave it to me, and when I took photos of you and the others...
Lance: I'm...curious. How many memories are attached to a thing like me? If you lost me, would the sadness you felt be dependent on the number?
Eri: What? You're not a thing! I can't even think of losing you ;_;
Lance, putting his arms around her: Don't cry. There are so many replacements for what you lost...and for me...
Eri: I was scared. The thought of you disappearing...
Lance: I'm sorry. Here. *he hands her a takeout cup of lemon tea* I have something full of memories...you are my one and only owner, who...gave me memories...and a personality...So I will find it. Your thing is waiting for it's owner.
THIS GAME.
The next morning Lance isn't at the gate doing his discipline committee duties, and isn't in class...until he shows up with Eri's phone, looking disheveled and puffed.
Lance: I just happened to be passing the infirmary and COINCIDENTALLY found it.
Eri: Oh, ok!
Lance: You're so slow. But I'm thankful for it. I like your stupid face :)
Eri: Who are you calling stupid?! ...wait is Lance smiling??
Haha aw I checked the texts on her phone:
Lance: Do you want to go study for exams in the library?
Eri: AAAARGH
Lance: I'll take that as a no
Eri: Want to watch tv? There's a movie marathon starting.
Lance: Alright.
New Chapter: Are you replaceable?
Flashback:
Eri: These dolls are all so pretty, I can't decide....
Shop owner: Is this your first doll? Why not Lance, he has no characteristics, so you can make him what you like!
Everyone discusses the upcoming festival.
Red: Heroine, come watch my play, I'm being an action star!
Lance: A stupid role for a stupid person.
Red: You're just a supervisor, anyone can do that!
Eri and Yeonho: Stop fighting ;_;
Red: Hey, heroine: you should be the heroine in my play!
Lance: D: She's wrong for the part.
Eri, internally: Does he think I'm not pretty enough?
Red: Why not? She's not ugly: she's actually quite pretty!
Lance: The problem is you. Let me introduce you to Soi from my class, she'd be perfect for you.
Yuri hits on Eri and Lance gets even more pissy.
Yeonho: Um. If you guys are fighting in the loungeroom where should I sleep?
Eri: You can sleep with me!
Lance: :O
Yeonho: Ok ^_^
Lance: NO????
Eri: Well with you and Yuri fighting...
Lance. I apologise to Yuri. I apologise to Yeonho. This won't happen again. BUT NO MEN AND WOMEN SLEEPING TOGETHER WHAT IS WRONG WITH ALL OF YOU.
Me: Bet you wouldn't kick her out of your bed.
Ooooh Eri's diary is smudged again.
Soi is planning on applying for the heroine role and thinks no-one else is hot enough to compete with her.
Red, barging into the classroom: HEROINE
Soi: HELLO YES IT'S ME.
Red: Nice to meet you, heroine's friend! Can you get out of the way?
Soi: ...I'm confused?
Shinbi, dragging her away: I want strawberry milk. Come on.
The whole drama club has come to see the girl Red keeps talking about. Eri feels super pressured to agree but asks for time to think about it. She texts Lance for advice and he pointedly turns off his phone.
YEONHO FOR BEST BOY WHO WOULD NOT PRESSURE OR IGNORE ERI (...but would...try to murder her...)
Anyway.
Eri realises Lance doesn't have an umbrella on a rainy day and goes to quite a bit of trouble to find him despite him ignoring her texts etc, only to find him standing in the rain, lips going blue, staring angstily at an abandoned barbie doll: the generic, mass-produced doll every girl wants at first but grows out of.
50% of my brain: this is just silly
the other 50%: LAAAAAANCE ;_;
Lance: Why do you think the owner abandoned it?
Eri: Well, she got tired of it or got a new one.
Lance: I understand :(
He talks about it being unbalanced, the way owners have all the power and dolls have no choice about anything. The Crobidoll doll-maker puts a soul in some of their dolls, and told him he would become whatever his owner wanted. He resents Red being so unique and feels generic and easily replaced. He only has personality or preferences when Eri gives them to him, and when she eventually abandons him he will have lost his whole world.
Lance: Why did they give me a soul? Why didn't they just let me be a thing? ;_;
Me: Are we not supposed to agree with him that this is fucked up?
And then he collapses.
I find it interesting that Lance angsts about being generic with no personality, and seems unaware that his actual flaw is that he has a very strong personality, but is kind a of a jerk.
Eri get Yuri to help bring him home, then sits next to Lance in his bed until he falls asleep.
When Tei finds out they're in the bedroom together he's taken aback then goes in and puts a blanket over them, muttering "Be more careful. I gave up on her so you could make her happy."
Eri dreams of when her parents left her in the house alone after her grandpa's death. "But I'm not alone: I have Lance to protect me"
She wakes to warm hands stroking her hair. At first she thinks it's her grandpa but it's Lance. He apologises for worrying her, with a heartfelt sigh (he does some amazing heartfelt sighs) BUT OH LOOK, NO COMPLAINTS ABOUT MEN AND WOMEN SHARING BEDS.
Eri: I'm fine. Just tell me when you're anxious about things.
Lance:...will you ever leave me?
Eri: Of course not, you idiot. Is this about me doing the play with Red?
Lance: I'm so easily replaced. I know you'll never abandon me. But...I don't know since when, but I want you so much and I'm so anxious. I've already felt your warm touch, what do I do when you no longer need me?
Eri, hugging him: I won't ever leave you.
Lance: ...okay.
The next morning she wakes up in his bed alone (...where did he and Red sleep? Her bed?) and thinks about when her grandma and grandpa used this room.
Lance comes in. She scolds him for the day before and says he should ring her if something like that happens again. Instead of replying he steps closer and puts his hand on her face, stroking her cheek. She gets lost in his eyes. He runs his finger along her lips.
Eri: ....uhhhh?????
Lance: You drooled in your sleep. So un-ladylike.
Eri: ...uh?
Lance: Just teasing. You were spacing out ^_^ Let's get breakfast.
Eri: What
Lance: Also...maybe the play would be good for you. Though I still don't like you playing that boy's partner.
At school Sio organises a "study group" with the 3 girls, Yeonho and Lance. But then Red bursts into the classroom.
Red: Heroine! We have a play meeting! The writer wants to add a scene where me and the heroine kiss ^_^
Yeonho: Lance, you dropped your pencil
Eri: So, uh, I'm not sure a kiss scene is a good idea?
Club member: You're a freshman, what do you know about how to write a good play?
Red: Let's practice!
Eri: Can we please...not actually k-kiss in rehearsals?
Director: UGH
Red: Come on, she doesn't want to. It's ok!
Me: Ok, Red, you are partly forgiven.
Lance is waiting outside the rehearsal room. He gives Eri his maths notes, since she has trouble with maths and exams are coming up.
Lance: I explained everything so even you can understand it.
Lance, you were doing so well there for a moment.
She says she'll study hard so his gift doesn't go to waste and he gets adorably flustered.
Then he possessively tries to persuade her to quit the play or at least refuse to kiss Red and gets increasingly flailing and awkward.
We see the study group. Soi and Shinbi talk about Lance obviously being into Eri and Yeonho quietly freaks out but Soi is determined to be supportive.
Eri's mum rings to say they're visiting. She tries to get Eri's dad to talk but he says "I'll be seeing her soon anyway".
"I never knew I'd feel this happy studying math. It's all because of Lance." Awww.
Chapter: Grandpa and Lance
Flashback: Eri opening doll!Lance's head for the first time to change his eyeballs and telling him not to forgive her if she screws up. Romantic! (Yes, ok, I love it)
EXAMS >:( *shakes fist and eventually gets an A+*
Eri asks Lance out for a celebratory tea
Soi: Like a date? ;)
Eri: HAHAHA WHAT NO??? Why don't we all go together
Soi: Sorry me and Shinbi are going to karaoke
Yeonho: C-can I come to get tea?
Shinbi: Nope you are coming to karaoke too
Yeonho: But...
Sio dragging Yeonho away: Bye ;)
Lance: *sigh* Let's go.
Eri: Mmm. Because everyone else said no WE HAVE TO GO...by...ourselves...
I am pretty sure I have not seen these Lance blush sprites before and they are super cute. Eri tells him to stop thinking anyone can do his job: he will do a great job because he's him. She thanks him for everything he's done for her, and talks about feeling afraid to confront her memories of her grandpa. He's comforting.
And then Eri's mum rings and asks her to have dinner with them on short notice. HOPEFULLY NO YANDERE CHOKINGS HAPPEN IF I STAY TOO LATE THIS TIME.
Wow her mom is kind of a selfishly oblivious jerk.
Lance tells her to call him if she has any trouble and they both get blushy and Eri doesn't understand why.
Mom: Doesn't she look happy, honey?
Eri: Well... I've made a lot of friends at school.
Mom: Oh good. When you were little all you did was play with dolls!
Eri, internally: There's no point trying to explain the truth. They don't even know anything about ball-jointed dolls.
Yes, Eri, the fact it's BALL-JOINTED dolls that came to life is the hard part to explain.
Dad: I was worried about you after my father died.
Mom: Yes, we worried you spent too much time with him. Should we redecorate the house so you can get rid of your memories of him?
Eri: NO??? I don't want to lose those memories!
Mom: Really? You're still attached to him?
WIERDLY, THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU LET SOMEONE ELSE RAISE YOUR KID. THEY GET ATTACHED.
Lance is waiting for her at the front of the house, and encourages her to talk about why she looks down. So she explains.
Lance: You are very odd for not thinking of things as things. You obsess over objects that contain memories. ...I am lucky to have an owner like you. Eri, tell me, how many memories do you have of me?
And so she tells him about her memories of him.
Eri: You're my most precious doll...sorry, I take it back, my most precious person.
Lance, leaning his head against her and holding her hand: Never take that back.
Eri: Lance. Even if everything else vanishes...will you stay by my side?
Lance: Of course. As long as time will allow. I want you to recall memories through me, and make new ones with me. And I want the world you show me to be my everything. I will always be your first doll.
Yeonho's path felt like a metaphor for abuse recovery but this feels more like an actual romance with a doll. Which is close enough to a romance with an AI to appeal to my id :)
Chapter: Ice Princess
I am assuming this isn't about Lance being a trans woman but you never know. There's a lot of references to Lance being an Ice Prince and Prince-like but he doesn't seem super Prince-like to me.
Flashback: Grandpa admires the newly purchased Lance with Eri. She says she chose him because he looked like he'd say yes to whatever she asked: specifically, to living with her and grandpa.
Grandpa: That's nice. He has kind eyes.
Eri: I asked him to love you and look after you. I hope he likes me even though I'm nervous.
Grandpa: Why don't you ask him? If he's kind, he'll listen.
Eri is practicing her lines about how Amazing the hero of the play is and Lance is grumpy and kind of a dick about it.
Eri: Lance I'm having trouble memorising my lines, can you practice with me?
Lance: If it's what you need I suppose I can-
Red: HEROINE. I got permission from your teacher, so come practice the final scene with me!
Lance: I WILL SUPERVISE.
Soi: Can you really skip class like that?
Lance: A capable class president could take care of it.
Soi: You can rely on me, friend ;)
Red: Heroine, I'm glad you are safe. I have defended Justice today. And now, give me your cherry lips...
Eri: *Snicker*
Lance: OK THAT'S ENOUGH
Red: Do you not feel the JUSTICE???
That evening Lance flailingly interrogates Eri about whether she's ok kissing Red since it's her first kiss: he heard all her angsting about not having kissed a boy when he was a doll. Eri would rather not think about either of those things but admits it's a little scary. He tells her to meet him on the school roof before the play.
She goes to write in her diary and notices all the parts about Lance are blurry. She thinks she must just be tired because of all the rehearsing.
Nameless: Time is getting closer. If you reach just a little you'll obtain the piece.
Wait he wants her to date all the other dolls??? Is he...stealing...their souls????? Uhhhhh
Festival day! Soi excitedly drags Eri to see Yeonho's popular fortune telling.
Soi: 64 couples have broken up after he revealed cheating. We might make it to a hundred >:D
She then begs Eri to come to Tei's butler cafe, so Eri sends an apologetic text to Lance saying she'll meet him later. But they're just stuck in line until Red shows up saying Eri needs to get into her costume.
She's hanging around the dressing room alone when Lance shows up and drags her into the little changing cubicle.
Lance: You're not allowed to ignore my calls and cancel meetings with me.
Eri: Lance what the hell are you...
Lance: *kisses her*
Lance: I couldn't let him steal your first kiss.
Eri: ASK. FIRST.
Lance: If you're offended, I'll apologise later. Now take off your dress.
Eri: ???????!!!!
Me: ???????!!!!
Red: Hey, Heroine, where are y-ASDASHGFKAHJSFD????
Lance, in Eri's dress: Just give me the script already.
Red: Where the real heroine???
Lance: None of your business. Now, how about the hero and heroine fight in the final scene instead?
Director: There's no time to change the script
Red: So we have to k-k-kiss???? D:
...and then the game flashes forward to after the play. CHERITZ YOU COWARDS. You can't have canon crossdressing m/m kisses and then NOT SHOW IT. There wasn't even a Lance-in-a-dress sprite >:(
Eri: I can't believe I put all that effort into learning the script and you memorised it in TEN MINUTES.
Lance: I embarrassed myself for you.
Then she laughs, remembering how miserable they both looked.
Lance: Quiet >:(
Eri: *goes quiet and wonders who is more the owner now*
Lance: It's over now. I saved your lips. And marked them too.
Eri goes bright red and can't meet his eyes. Lance laughs.
Eri: Do you enjoy teasing me that much?
Lance: Of course. You're cute ^_^
Eri: I'm not sure I've ever heard him say the word "cute" before. And what a comfortable looking smile...
Lance: You...Eri, you're so cute. If Red had taken your first kiss I could never have lived with myself. But I won.
Eri: What am I, a game prize?
Lance: No! I won because I am special to you, I have more memories and have known you longer.
Eri: It's not a competition. You're both special. But you are precious to me.
*Lances phone rings with festival responsibilities*
Eri: You should deal with that. I'll go check out the rest of the festival.
Lance: I will be ringing you. Take my calls or I will leave my mark again.
Eri: o.O
(Instead of "Eri" the voice acting says what sounded like "Don")
Me: So are they dating now...?
Chapter: True friends
Aw.
Flashback: Eri admiring her five dolls and feeling a little sad she can't talk about them with Soi and Shinbi.
Soi: I forgive Lance for backing out last time for your Love Business but you need to get him to come to study with us this time.
haha and they can't invite Yeonho because he was so successful as a fortuneteller he's on a business trip.
Soi and Shinbi tease Eri about Lance, pointing out how often they stare at each other and blush in class. Eri is oblivious.
Tei brings them cake and Eri muses that it feels weird, like hanging out with her mom after school. Haaa good thing Tei didn't hear you think that. I've seen characters like him compared to older brothers and fathers a lot, this game seems to prefer "mother", which is an unusual choice for obsessive pseudo-incestuous het male love interest, and I'm trepidatiously curious to see how it plays out on his path.
Lol Soi asks Tei to sit next to her to fill her with cute boy energy to help with her exams, but he says he'd get into trouble with his boss.
Eri: Liar.
Me: You have no idea.
Lance and Eri arrive home and the house is empty. Eri says she's a bit upset she never sees the other dolls these days.
Lance backs her against the wall and then...
Lance: We should revise the maths from today. You'll be able to focus then.
Eri: Uh
Lance: I thought we'd be alone at the cafe. But it's ok, we're alone now. I'll show you what happens when you don't concentrate...
Ok Lance is currently rivalling Kent from Amnesia for sexiest maths nerd love interest. (Alvin from Backstage Pass is the most adorable)
After an intense maths tutoring session off-screen that leaves Eri feeling blushy (I'm...not sure if they actually did maths or made out or did some sort of maths related BDSM thing...), he comes into her room with a cup of tea and looks pensively at his doll self.
Lance: You don't buy clothes for them any more...
Eri: Actually I was just looking at some shoes for Lance...uh...doll Lance.
Lance: Good :)
Eri: Do you think Soi and Shinbi would be ok with me liking dolls?
Lance: They wouldn't be real friends if they minded. And they seem to really like you. And...I will be by your side.
Eri: Thank you :)
Lance, leaning towards her: Your face is red, do you have a fever?
Eri: Uhhhhh, no?
Lance leans in closer still, and she closes her eyes thinking he's going to kiss her again.
Lance: Good night ^_^
Eri has a bad dream about telling Soi and Shinbi she likes BJDs and them rejecting her as a freak.
She's woken by Yeonho and Lance: Yeonho wanted to wake her and bring in some mail, and Lance mutters about playing innocent and going into a grown woman's room. STOP PROJECTING YOU HYPOCRITICAL PERV.
It's a catalogue... with a NEW, VAMPIRE VERSION OF LANCE
Eri: Haha, Lance, look at this XD
Lance: Do you want one :(
Eri: No, I just like that there's so many versions of you :)
Soi hands Eri a brochure for the Christmas amusement park event. Shinbi points out that BEEP are coming soon (Soi demands they beep out the word "Finals") but gives Eri some tickets she got through a model shoot.
nb the tickets are black with NAMELESS on them in ominous text which is an unusual look for an amusement park. But I guess it is an amusement park with a MERRY-GO-ROUND OF EVIL.
Soi: Go, be happy! Though since you've found love you never have time for us any more ;_;
Eri: I haven't changed...
Soi: Whatever. I only need Shinbi for the rest of my life. Let's build a kingdom for singles!
Shinbi: I'll think about it
Eri asks Soi and Shinbi to go somewhere with her.
EWri: Whatever I show you, whatever I say...you'll be on my side, right?
Soi: ...that's...
She stares seriously at Eri and Eri's heart starts to beat faster.
Shinbi: It's ok, Soi, she's not asking you out.
Soi: HAHAHA, RIGHT, OF COURSE, YOU'RE WITH LANCE. We're best friends, so don't think anything like that, ok?
Eri: I wasn't?
Since it's sadly not that sort of game, Eri takes them to Crobidoll. Soi and Shinbi cheerfully admire the dolls and Eri relaxes a bit.
Soi: SO MANY HOT BOYS :D
Shinbi: The eyes are so real...it's like I can feel something.
Eri thinks it's weird to see someone who looks like a doll stare at a doll.
Shop owner: Yes, sensitive people can sense something in our dolls ^_^
Me: BECAUSE CROBIDOLL DIABOLICALLY TRAPS SOULS IN HELPLESS RESIN
Eri: So I...own five of these dolls, and they're very precious to me. I was afraid to tell you in case you thought I was like a little girl playing with dolls.
Soi: You...YOU PRETENDED TO BE MIDDLE CLASS BUT ARE RICH?? I saw those prices!
Shinbi: This must be why she just eats bread for lunch.
Soi: Eri! Healthy food is important! Anyway, want some cake?
Eri: You really don't think it's weird? You're not going to ask if I had a traumatic childhood?
Me: You...kind of did have a traumatic childhood...
Soi: I have enough problems of my own! If you're happy you're happy.
Shinbi: You're still you.
Eri is at home thinking about how happy she is when Lance comes in.
Lance: Where were you, owner, not replying to my texts or taking my calls?
She explains and thanks him for his advice, but he pouts.
Lance: So you saw the other dolls in the show room :/ Anyway, since you went on your little date with your friends...you have to go on a date with me. And also...
*he grasps her hands and interlaces their fingers and Eri feels very close to him*
Lance: I like you.
Eri: Oh!
Me: Aww
Lance: And now... *he picks her up and lays her on the bed*
Eri: What???
Me: What????
Lance: I'll explain when I'm done with the naughty things, owner >.>
Eri: WHAT. ARE. YOU. DOING.
Sexy music starts up. There is a CG of Lance leaning over her taking off his jacket???
Lance: Marking ^_^
Eri: You mean...kissing?
Me: I'M NOT SURE HE MEANS KISSING
Lance: I don't mean kissing ^_^
The screen fades to black.
???: You finally retrieved a piece.
Nameless: The name of the piece is the ability to love yourself.
???: Did the doll named Lance not love himself?
Nameless: I think so. I don't understand. I love myself too much.
???: Yes, your excessive love for yourself has made you greedy.
Nameless: Hmmph. Are you ok? I thought you fed off memories.
???: That's lost it's appeal. Bwahahaha >:D
Nameless: Well, on to the next one.
Me: No, but... did Lance and Eri really just have sex, or...???
Chapter: Christmas with Lance
Eri wakes to an empty bed and wonders where Lance is. She looks around the room and notices his things, and also how much cleaner it is now he's moved in.
Eri: Grandpa, I still miss you, but I'm not lonely any more ^_^
Tei: I made pancakes!
Yeonho: So you're going on a date. I guess I can't follow :(
Yuri: A kid shouldn't interfere in adult's business. Let them do it in private on the Ferris wheel ^_^
Eri: ...it?
Yuri: You've been sharing a bed for two weeks and you still haven't done it? *sigh*
Red: I don't know what "it" is but I sure like having the room to myself :D
Yuri: I could personally explain what you need to do to have a fun and sensual time-
Tei: OH LOOK NO PANCAKE SYRUP FOR YOU
Lance: You looked too peaceful to wake this morning, but get ready. We leave in 30 minutes.
Eri: A girl needs more time than that to get ready!
Lance: You look pretty as you are.
Other dolls: o.O
Yeonho: I feel jealous...I should message the class president...
*ponders Yeonho/Sio/Shinbi*
They're at the amusement park and Lance goes to get drinks.
Me: OH NO
Eri closes her eyes in the snow and thinks of her happy memories with Lance. And then...greets him as he comes back with drinks?
She talks about being so happy she's nervous, afraid she'll lose Lance and the other dolls.
He says it's a miracle they should enjoy, and if he ever vanishes she should find someone else who'll make her happy.
Lance: So, should we go on the rides?
Eri: Ooh, the merry-go-round!
Me: Noooooo
Lance: Very well. But...since I didn't say it before...*he leans down* I love you. I have loved you since the moment you brought to your home, and I will always love only you. That is my fate.
Closing credits! I misremembered, it's "Lance and Yeonho's song". They are trying so hard to sing, bless them. (And still doing better than some other voice actors *cough*Okita*cough*)
AND NOW THE BIT I AM EXCISING FROM MY PERSONAL CANON
Lance: I can't believe a merry-go-round made me dizzy...
???: AHAHAHAHA
Lance: Wait, where did she go? Where are you???
THE END
(She's FINE)
I liked most of that but could have stood with a little more active consent. I think the aim was for him to know her so well he didn't need to ask, but while she was definitely into him it didn't quite ping that way to me. I'm...a little worried about how dubcon-sex-heavy the Yuri and Tei paths are now, I didn't think this was the sort of game with sex scenes but it turns out it's just not the sort of game to DESCRIBE it's sex scenes.
Bonus materials: Shinbi and Lance's voice actors! SOUNDS LIKE THEY HAVE SOME INTERESTING THINGS TO SAY, PITY I DON'T SPEAK KOREAN. They both sound a lot warmer than their characters. Shinbi's full length sprite shows that she's wearing a regular girl's uniform, just with a tie. Also I actually think all the boys are wearing the longer boy's jackets, now that I've been paying more attention. There have been girls wearing boy jackets in the background though, and even some in trousers. No boys in skirts though (except Lance ;))
Shinbi's diary! She talks about meeting Soi as a kid and thinking Soi was annoying and spoiled...until a boy teased Shinbi for being tall and Soi defended her. Since then Soi always told Shinbi how attractive and cool she was, and encouraged her to get into modelling. She also introduced Shinbi to Eri, and now Shinbi thinks of the three of them together and hopes their ties will last forever. ME TOO SHINBI.
Lance Diary page 1: He complains at a school council meeting that the school play is obscene and everyone ignores him (SUCH A HYPOCRITICAL PERV). Some say he will be president next and the idea gives him a headache.
Both Lance's bad ends and Yuri's path feel a bit much for me right now so I might take a break!
Lance Route (bad ends)
or skip ahead to
Yuri Route (all ends)
This was mostly fun though I, uh, didn't realise how much him being on the Discipline Committee was foreshadowing >.>
No bad ends this time, and nothing TOO heavy, though it is a little dub-conny in parts. Also the dynamic got increasingly M/f-ish, which isn't inherently bad but I found it a bit..something. Jarring?
I looked up the overall walkthrough page and it said that the intro changes every time you've played a route. So instead of re-using my save from the first choice, I started a new game.
This time can choose Tei if I want instead of only Lance/Yeonho/Yuri. HMMMMMMmmmm no thank you! Even though I am SUPER CURIOUS.
Also the "continue" button is labelled "forget the name", and a black heart shape has a single yellow piece filled in now for Yeonho. Ooh and I DIDN'T get asked to name the protagonist or my first doll, implying this is all a shared universe.
The initial dream (which is unchanged, I just didn't describe it before) of two figures in a white landscape:
???: Do not forget that everything is done under your own will.
Nameless: I understand.
???: Take this.
(Actually I guess the other voice could be Nameless, but I'll stick with this for now, since "deep manly voice" (???) and "higher whispery voice" (Nameless) is ungainly)
Eri tries to reach them but is swept away by the wind into a bottomless pit with countless feathers.
Nameless: Don't worry. You will soon remember.
The prologue starts. I'll list new parts when they show up.
Eri looks at her dolls and thinks about how she has to keep her hobby to herself or people will think she's weird.
A flashback to Eri meeting Soi and Shinbi: Soi is complaining loudly about the lack of hot boys in their class. The nearby boys do not look impressed. Apparently Soi and Shinbi live together!
Eri spends a while just admiring how hot they both are.
Soi catches Eri's eye
Eri: Oh no she saw me looking and will think I'm a creep!
Soi: Don't you agree that Shinbi is hotter than all the boys in this class?
Eri:...yeah?
Soi: Anyway, what do you think is the most important thing in a guy?
Eri, internally: The same as the most important thing in a doll...
Eri: The face.
Soi, literal hearts in her eyes: FINALLY SOMEONE UNDERSTANDS. To celebrate our new friendship you can buy us lunch :D
The dolls arrive at school and Soi throws herself unsuccessfully at Lance. There's a flashback to Mr Yujin's arrival.
Soi: Explain how you can prefer a SKELETON to a perfect woman like me!
Mr Yujin: You have too much useless tissue, especially on your chest.
Soi: Was I just dumped...for having breasts? o.O
Eri: So, Lance, do you want me to tell you about the school? There's...
Lance: You already told me all about it when I was a doll. Did you think I'd forget? I also recognise that weird girl Soi, and that girl Shinbi rubbing a file on Yeonho's head.
Yeonho: Please stop ;_;
Eri: Aw, Shinbi's laughing!
Lance: She looks expressionless to me. Do you learn to recognise that sort of thing when you're friends?
Eri: Yeah!
Lance: But yet you'll never tell them the truth.
And now I actually start making choices. That was a lot of new content, I'm glad I didn't miss it by using my existing save! I'm less glad the Lance walkthrough image is a spoiler >:(
Lance says he dislikes being surrounded by people who only like him for his looks.
THE WALKTHROUGH SAYS I HAVE TO "NEGLECT" YEONHO ;_;
Hmm but, looking ahead, it's not as simple as just doing the most alienating choices for other LIs in general.
Eri: Why do you hate Red so much?
Lance: I suppose it's a talent to show your affections so readily...I don't like noise. *walks off*
Saving Lance from creepy Nurse Yujin!
Eri: I noticed that Beatrice seems to have a thing for taller models. She was definitely checking out Johnny(*) the other day.
(*)Johnny: the male skeleton treasured by a chemistry teacher (female, 37 years old)
What is this game.
Eri goes into the room Red and Lance share, her grandad's old room. At first she feels sad about her grandad, but then she's charmed to see how lively it looks with Red's action figures and superhero posters etc. She can't see many traces of Lance, though, asides from school books.
Eri buys Lance a Candied Lemon Tea(tm) from Banjul(tm) but he refuses to express any preferences one way or the other.
It's an interesting contrast to Yeonho, who was just as hard to read the actual preferences of but in a very different way.
After Yeonho goes missing and then is found, Eri talks to Lance about how terrified she is at the idea of them turning back into dolls, and being alone again. Lance, the only doll to have known her before and after her grandad died, puts his hand on her cheek.
Lance: Do you miss him?
Eri: Yes. But now I can care about you boys instead, and bring you sweets the way I did for him.
Lance, moving his hand on her cheek: It is amazing, to touch you like this. To be asked what I like. This won't happen when I turn back into a doll.
Eri: LANCE IS TOUCHING ME???
Lance: Is something wrong?
Eri: LET'S. JUST. GO INSIDE.
I checked the diary and was reminded of an entry that showed up last time as well: "I had a dream. We played some of sort of game. Lance, Yuri and Yeonho were standing on one circle and Red and Tei in another, far away. Yuri stepped out of the circle with a smile. What does it mean?" I am not very enthused about Yuri as a boyfriend for Eri but he DOES make me curious plotwise. (See also: Tei. Red is actually endearing, bless him)
Haaa. Now that she's not spending money on doll items Eri can afford to eat properly. ERI.
She goes to greet Lance, who is sitting alone at lunch, only to realise he's surrounded by girls at a distance, too afraid to talk to him but angry at her for getting close.
Chatty girl: Hello Lance! I bet you want me to sit next to you, not that gross short haired girl.
Eri: ...does she mean me?
Lance: I don't like chatty people *gets up and throws his lunch in the bin*
Eri: That was way too rude! She was just being friendly!
Me: Eri, please learn the difference between "friend" and "bitchy rival"
Lance: I was just honest. Also... I didn't like her talking about you that way :/
Eri: What?
Lance: It's none of your business. *puts his hand on his face* Of course it's also none of my business...
Eri: You should be more polite, especially to girls.
Lance: That's sexist.
Bless.
Eri: Girls are sensitive. It hurts their feelings when you don't say thank you when they offer you bread, or help them with maths, or reply to their texts...
(these are all things Lance has done to Eri)
Lance: ...
Eri: Not ME of course just, you know. Girls. In general. ANYWAY, my point is, I don't want you to end up alone, so try to be just a little nicer to people.
Lance: I'm fine with things as they are, but if that's what you want...I'll consider it. And...you can sit with me at lunch. If you want.
Eri: Why is my heart beating so fast????
Ahaha. Soi texts Eri that after she and Lance left the chatty girl cried...with joy, that Lance had spoken to her.
And then Eri sees that Lance has replied to the nice text she'd sent him that morning, saying "thank you".
Flashback! A "Young %s" (...Eri, from context) is lost in a department store but sure her grandad will come.
Eri wakes up to a text from Lance...telling her to put her underwear in the washing machine.
Apparently she left it out in the laundry or something? She gets embarrassed and realises he's enjoying teasing her. There is an extended scene of Yuri yelling at Tei, topless, for putting his delicate dry-clean only clothes in the wash. Is Yuri the only character they drew a topless sprite for, and what does this bode for his path...
Seeing Tei called the "mother of the boys" is rather disconcerting now. (Eri never compares him to a dad, only a mum)
Yuri is horrified to learn that Yeonho and Red don't have spare clothes and says he'll take Eri to the department store. When Eri asks how he'll pay for it he flaunts a black credit card someone "who admired his beauty" gave him.
*adds to the Evidence Yuri is a Rent Boy pile*
Yuri: We should make it a date, darling. I've wanted to dress you up for a while. First lingerie with extravagant lace-
Lance: If you want to waste your money, I will join out of sympathy.
Tei: Yes, let's all go ^_^
Yeonho: Master, what's a department store?
Eri: A place full of tasty treats Yuri will buy for us with his magic card ^_^
Yeonho: Thank you Yuri ;_;
Yuri: Don't look at me with those eyes...don't expect fatherly love from me!
Eri defends Tei when he's bickering with Yuri and Yuri gets jealous and says she should keep away from Tei: his words don't match his actions and he's secretly a pervert. Which...isn't wrong...but he's not the one you should be jealous of right now, Yuri.
There's been multiple scenes of someone knocking Eri over and Lance catching her before she falls and scolding her for not being careful, while obviously being VERY CONCERNED for her safety, and I am INTO IT.
Lance doesn't like the crowds and goes to a quiet rest area, and Eri follows. She muses sadly that she would have liked to dress him in nice clothes now he has a human body.
Eri: Do you want some icecream? I hear it's good here.
Lance: You eat a lot of sweets. Do you even keep track of your calorie intake?
Eri: DON'T TALK TO A GIRL ABOUT HER CALORIE INTAKE
Lance: Sorry. Wait here.
He comes back with a cup of icecream for her. She eats some then bugs him to try a bite.
Lance: But you used that spoon! *small voice* it would be like...k-kissing *small voice*
Eri: What?
Lance: Nothing.
Lance, internally: AHHHHHHHHHHH
Eri: Are you ok? You've gone red.
This is like dating a somewhat douchier teenage Lang Wangji from Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation :D
(Lance should be grateful for how much less trouble Eri is than Wei Wuxian)
Eri: This sounds weird, but because I got you while grandad was still alive, sometimes you make me think of him. I just had this memory...never mind.
Lance: Speak.
Eri: I came here as a child and got lost when I let go of his hand...after that I always held his hand tightly. Then I got older and felt embarrassed, but I wish I'd held his hand more when he was alive.
Lance: *stands up* I've changed my mind. *grabs Eri's wrist and drags her to the men's wear section* I don't know anything about clothes. You'll have to choose.
Eri: :D :D What style do you want?
Lance: I will like whatever you pick. *small voice* even the lemon tea *small voice*
Eri has a ball as Lance long-sufferingly lets himself be dressed in pretty clothes. When they get home Eri keeps thinking about him and doesn't know how to process her feelings.
Flashback: Just after Eri's grandpa's death, she talks to doll!Lance, saying it's just the two of them now. But he won't die, so she's not alone.
Shop owner: Tei's an older brother-ish barista, Yuri's a sexy drummer, Yeonho arouses maternal instincts. But let's not assign strong traits to Lance. He can just be good looking and owners can imagine what they want.
Lance: *gasp* Was that a dream?
(earlier Eri said she bought Lance because he was her exact physical type, so)
We see that Eri and Lance have been texting back and forth. Not shown are the many pictures she apparently took of the boys in their new clothes.
A girl asks Lance for help with a maths problem and Soi and Shinbi bring out the metaphorical popcorn. But he actually explains it to her, albeit in a very cold and condescending way. It's funny, after playing a bunch of life-sim dating games I'm used to the heroine having the same skills as the love interest but nope Eri is as awful at maths as ever.
Soi: Mr Yujin wants to see you, he wants you to...count the living or something?
Eri: A stack of papers with personal information and photos...could it be the school is looking to replace him?? :D :D
Mr Yujin: Some terrible people are holding Beatrice hostage until I get married. So go through those papers and pick me a wife.
Eri: What
Mr Yujin: Oh Beatrice, I'm so sorry. How can I look at another woman when you have such perfect thigh-bones?
Eri: ...I'll just pick the one with the strongest mentality :/
(I'm guessing the terrible people are his parents)
Eri asks Lance to join her and Soi and Shinbi at the cafe, and he doesn't reply so she assumes he's not coming. When they get there she realises she's lost her phone and goes back to school to find it. And of course Lance shows up at the cafe. When he and Tei find out she's out alone at night they both want to go look for her, Lance is Not A Fan of Tei coming.
Soi: Why are you guys freaking out, it's not even 5.
Zion the waiter: I heard there's ghosts at Crobit Academy at night. A strange man walks the campus carrying a skeleton!
Tei has to stay and work but tells Lance to look after Eri for him. He runs to find her.
Lance: Did you find your phone?
Eri: No :(
Lance: You can just replace it. Replacements can be...better...
Eri: But I like that one. It's scratched from when I dropped it, and has the memory of when Yuri gave it to me, and when I took photos of you and the others...
Lance: I'm...curious. How many memories are attached to a thing like me? If you lost me, would the sadness you felt be dependent on the number?
Eri: What? You're not a thing! I can't even think of losing you ;_;
Lance, putting his arms around her: Don't cry. There are so many replacements for what you lost...and for me...
Eri: I was scared. The thought of you disappearing...
Lance: I'm sorry. Here. *he hands her a takeout cup of lemon tea* I have something full of memories...you are my one and only owner, who...gave me memories...and a personality...So I will find it. Your thing is waiting for it's owner.
THIS GAME.
The next morning Lance isn't at the gate doing his discipline committee duties, and isn't in class...until he shows up with Eri's phone, looking disheveled and puffed.
Lance: I just happened to be passing the infirmary and COINCIDENTALLY found it.
Eri: Oh, ok!
Lance: You're so slow. But I'm thankful for it. I like your stupid face :)
Eri: Who are you calling stupid?! ...wait is Lance smiling??
Haha aw I checked the texts on her phone:
Lance: Do you want to go study for exams in the library?
Eri: AAAARGH
Lance: I'll take that as a no
Eri: Want to watch tv? There's a movie marathon starting.
Lance: Alright.
New Chapter: Are you replaceable?
Flashback:
Eri: These dolls are all so pretty, I can't decide....
Shop owner: Is this your first doll? Why not Lance, he has no characteristics, so you can make him what you like!
Everyone discusses the upcoming festival.
Red: Heroine, come watch my play, I'm being an action star!
Lance: A stupid role for a stupid person.
Red: You're just a supervisor, anyone can do that!
Eri and Yeonho: Stop fighting ;_;
Red: Hey, heroine: you should be the heroine in my play!
Lance: D: She's wrong for the part.
Eri, internally: Does he think I'm not pretty enough?
Red: Why not? She's not ugly: she's actually quite pretty!
Lance: The problem is you. Let me introduce you to Soi from my class, she'd be perfect for you.
Yuri hits on Eri and Lance gets even more pissy.
Yeonho: Um. If you guys are fighting in the loungeroom where should I sleep?
Eri: You can sleep with me!
Lance: :O
Yeonho: Ok ^_^
Lance: NO????
Eri: Well with you and Yuri fighting...
Lance. I apologise to Yuri. I apologise to Yeonho. This won't happen again. BUT NO MEN AND WOMEN SLEEPING TOGETHER WHAT IS WRONG WITH ALL OF YOU.
Me: Bet you wouldn't kick her out of your bed.
Ooooh Eri's diary is smudged again.
Soi is planning on applying for the heroine role and thinks no-one else is hot enough to compete with her.
Red, barging into the classroom: HEROINE
Soi: HELLO YES IT'S ME.
Red: Nice to meet you, heroine's friend! Can you get out of the way?
Soi: ...I'm confused?
Shinbi, dragging her away: I want strawberry milk. Come on.
The whole drama club has come to see the girl Red keeps talking about. Eri feels super pressured to agree but asks for time to think about it. She texts Lance for advice and he pointedly turns off his phone.
YEONHO FOR BEST BOY WHO WOULD NOT PRESSURE OR IGNORE ERI (...but would...try to murder her...)
Anyway.
Eri realises Lance doesn't have an umbrella on a rainy day and goes to quite a bit of trouble to find him despite him ignoring her texts etc, only to find him standing in the rain, lips going blue, staring angstily at an abandoned barbie doll: the generic, mass-produced doll every girl wants at first but grows out of.
50% of my brain: this is just silly
the other 50%: LAAAAAANCE ;_;
Lance: Why do you think the owner abandoned it?
Eri: Well, she got tired of it or got a new one.
Lance: I understand :(
He talks about it being unbalanced, the way owners have all the power and dolls have no choice about anything. The Crobidoll doll-maker puts a soul in some of their dolls, and told him he would become whatever his owner wanted. He resents Red being so unique and feels generic and easily replaced. He only has personality or preferences when Eri gives them to him, and when she eventually abandons him he will have lost his whole world.
Lance: Why did they give me a soul? Why didn't they just let me be a thing? ;_;
Me: Are we not supposed to agree with him that this is fucked up?
And then he collapses.
I find it interesting that Lance angsts about being generic with no personality, and seems unaware that his actual flaw is that he has a very strong personality, but is kind a of a jerk.
Eri get Yuri to help bring him home, then sits next to Lance in his bed until he falls asleep.
When Tei finds out they're in the bedroom together he's taken aback then goes in and puts a blanket over them, muttering "Be more careful. I gave up on her so you could make her happy."
Eri dreams of when her parents left her in the house alone after her grandpa's death. "But I'm not alone: I have Lance to protect me"
She wakes to warm hands stroking her hair. At first she thinks it's her grandpa but it's Lance. He apologises for worrying her, with a heartfelt sigh (he does some amazing heartfelt sighs) BUT OH LOOK, NO COMPLAINTS ABOUT MEN AND WOMEN SHARING BEDS.
Eri: I'm fine. Just tell me when you're anxious about things.
Lance:...will you ever leave me?
Eri: Of course not, you idiot. Is this about me doing the play with Red?
Lance: I'm so easily replaced. I know you'll never abandon me. But...I don't know since when, but I want you so much and I'm so anxious. I've already felt your warm touch, what do I do when you no longer need me?
Eri, hugging him: I won't ever leave you.
Lance: ...okay.
The next morning she wakes up in his bed alone (...where did he and Red sleep? Her bed?) and thinks about when her grandma and grandpa used this room.
Lance comes in. She scolds him for the day before and says he should ring her if something like that happens again. Instead of replying he steps closer and puts his hand on her face, stroking her cheek. She gets lost in his eyes. He runs his finger along her lips.
Eri: ....uhhhh?????
Lance: You drooled in your sleep. So un-ladylike.
Eri: ...uh?
Lance: Just teasing. You were spacing out ^_^ Let's get breakfast.
Eri: What
Lance: Also...maybe the play would be good for you. Though I still don't like you playing that boy's partner.
At school Sio organises a "study group" with the 3 girls, Yeonho and Lance. But then Red bursts into the classroom.
Red: Heroine! We have a play meeting! The writer wants to add a scene where me and the heroine kiss ^_^
Yeonho: Lance, you dropped your pencil
Eri: So, uh, I'm not sure a kiss scene is a good idea?
Club member: You're a freshman, what do you know about how to write a good play?
Red: Let's practice!
Eri: Can we please...not actually k-kiss in rehearsals?
Director: UGH
Red: Come on, she doesn't want to. It's ok!
Me: Ok, Red, you are partly forgiven.
Lance is waiting outside the rehearsal room. He gives Eri his maths notes, since she has trouble with maths and exams are coming up.
Lance: I explained everything so even you can understand it.
Lance, you were doing so well there for a moment.
She says she'll study hard so his gift doesn't go to waste and he gets adorably flustered.
Then he possessively tries to persuade her to quit the play or at least refuse to kiss Red and gets increasingly flailing and awkward.
We see the study group. Soi and Shinbi talk about Lance obviously being into Eri and Yeonho quietly freaks out but Soi is determined to be supportive.
Eri's mum rings to say they're visiting. She tries to get Eri's dad to talk but he says "I'll be seeing her soon anyway".
"I never knew I'd feel this happy studying math. It's all because of Lance." Awww.
Chapter: Grandpa and Lance
Flashback: Eri opening doll!Lance's head for the first time to change his eyeballs and telling him not to forgive her if she screws up. Romantic! (Yes, ok, I love it)
EXAMS >:( *shakes fist and eventually gets an A+*
Eri asks Lance out for a celebratory tea
Soi: Like a date? ;)
Eri: HAHAHA WHAT NO??? Why don't we all go together
Soi: Sorry me and Shinbi are going to karaoke
Yeonho: C-can I come to get tea?
Shinbi: Nope you are coming to karaoke too
Yeonho: But...
Sio dragging Yeonho away: Bye ;)
Lance: *sigh* Let's go.
Eri: Mmm. Because everyone else said no WE HAVE TO GO...by...ourselves...
I am pretty sure I have not seen these Lance blush sprites before and they are super cute. Eri tells him to stop thinking anyone can do his job: he will do a great job because he's him. She thanks him for everything he's done for her, and talks about feeling afraid to confront her memories of her grandpa. He's comforting.
And then Eri's mum rings and asks her to have dinner with them on short notice. HOPEFULLY NO YANDERE CHOKINGS HAPPEN IF I STAY TOO LATE THIS TIME.
Wow her mom is kind of a selfishly oblivious jerk.
Lance tells her to call him if she has any trouble and they both get blushy and Eri doesn't understand why.
Mom: Doesn't she look happy, honey?
Eri: Well... I've made a lot of friends at school.
Mom: Oh good. When you were little all you did was play with dolls!
Eri, internally: There's no point trying to explain the truth. They don't even know anything about ball-jointed dolls.
Yes, Eri, the fact it's BALL-JOINTED dolls that came to life is the hard part to explain.
Dad: I was worried about you after my father died.
Mom: Yes, we worried you spent too much time with him. Should we redecorate the house so you can get rid of your memories of him?
Eri: NO??? I don't want to lose those memories!
Mom: Really? You're still attached to him?
WIERDLY, THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU LET SOMEONE ELSE RAISE YOUR KID. THEY GET ATTACHED.
Lance is waiting for her at the front of the house, and encourages her to talk about why she looks down. So she explains.
Lance: You are very odd for not thinking of things as things. You obsess over objects that contain memories. ...I am lucky to have an owner like you. Eri, tell me, how many memories do you have of me?
And so she tells him about her memories of him.
Eri: You're my most precious doll...sorry, I take it back, my most precious person.
Lance, leaning his head against her and holding her hand: Never take that back.
Eri: Lance. Even if everything else vanishes...will you stay by my side?
Lance: Of course. As long as time will allow. I want you to recall memories through me, and make new ones with me. And I want the world you show me to be my everything. I will always be your first doll.
Yeonho's path felt like a metaphor for abuse recovery but this feels more like an actual romance with a doll. Which is close enough to a romance with an AI to appeal to my id :)
Chapter: Ice Princess
I am assuming this isn't about Lance being a trans woman but you never know. There's a lot of references to Lance being an Ice Prince and Prince-like but he doesn't seem super Prince-like to me.
Flashback: Grandpa admires the newly purchased Lance with Eri. She says she chose him because he looked like he'd say yes to whatever she asked: specifically, to living with her and grandpa.
Grandpa: That's nice. He has kind eyes.
Eri: I asked him to love you and look after you. I hope he likes me even though I'm nervous.
Grandpa: Why don't you ask him? If he's kind, he'll listen.
Eri is practicing her lines about how Amazing the hero of the play is and Lance is grumpy and kind of a dick about it.
Eri: Lance I'm having trouble memorising my lines, can you practice with me?
Lance: If it's what you need I suppose I can-
Red: HEROINE. I got permission from your teacher, so come practice the final scene with me!
Lance: I WILL SUPERVISE.
Soi: Can you really skip class like that?
Lance: A capable class president could take care of it.
Soi: You can rely on me, friend ;)
Red: Heroine, I'm glad you are safe. I have defended Justice today. And now, give me your cherry lips...
Eri: *Snicker*
Lance: OK THAT'S ENOUGH
Red: Do you not feel the JUSTICE???
That evening Lance flailingly interrogates Eri about whether she's ok kissing Red since it's her first kiss: he heard all her angsting about not having kissed a boy when he was a doll. Eri would rather not think about either of those things but admits it's a little scary. He tells her to meet him on the school roof before the play.
She goes to write in her diary and notices all the parts about Lance are blurry. She thinks she must just be tired because of all the rehearsing.
Nameless: Time is getting closer. If you reach just a little you'll obtain the piece.
Wait he wants her to date all the other dolls??? Is he...stealing...their souls????? Uhhhhh
Festival day! Soi excitedly drags Eri to see Yeonho's popular fortune telling.
Soi: 64 couples have broken up after he revealed cheating. We might make it to a hundred >:D
She then begs Eri to come to Tei's butler cafe, so Eri sends an apologetic text to Lance saying she'll meet him later. But they're just stuck in line until Red shows up saying Eri needs to get into her costume.
She's hanging around the dressing room alone when Lance shows up and drags her into the little changing cubicle.
Lance: You're not allowed to ignore my calls and cancel meetings with me.
Eri: Lance what the hell are you...
Lance: *kisses her*
Lance: I couldn't let him steal your first kiss.
Eri: ASK. FIRST.
Lance: If you're offended, I'll apologise later. Now take off your dress.
Eri: ???????!!!!
Me: ???????!!!!
Red: Hey, Heroine, where are y-ASDASHGFKAHJSFD????
Lance, in Eri's dress: Just give me the script already.
Red: Where the real heroine???
Lance: None of your business. Now, how about the hero and heroine fight in the final scene instead?
Director: There's no time to change the script
Red: So we have to k-k-kiss???? D:
...and then the game flashes forward to after the play. CHERITZ YOU COWARDS. You can't have canon crossdressing m/m kisses and then NOT SHOW IT. There wasn't even a Lance-in-a-dress sprite >:(
Eri: I can't believe I put all that effort into learning the script and you memorised it in TEN MINUTES.
Lance: I embarrassed myself for you.
Then she laughs, remembering how miserable they both looked.
Lance: Quiet >:(
Eri: *goes quiet and wonders who is more the owner now*
Lance: It's over now. I saved your lips. And marked them too.
Eri goes bright red and can't meet his eyes. Lance laughs.
Eri: Do you enjoy teasing me that much?
Lance: Of course. You're cute ^_^
Eri: I'm not sure I've ever heard him say the word "cute" before. And what a comfortable looking smile...
Lance: You...Eri, you're so cute. If Red had taken your first kiss I could never have lived with myself. But I won.
Eri: What am I, a game prize?
Lance: No! I won because I am special to you, I have more memories and have known you longer.
Eri: It's not a competition. You're both special. But you are precious to me.
*Lances phone rings with festival responsibilities*
Eri: You should deal with that. I'll go check out the rest of the festival.
Lance: I will be ringing you. Take my calls or I will leave my mark again.
Eri: o.O
(Instead of "Eri" the voice acting says what sounded like "Don")
Me: So are they dating now...?
Chapter: True friends
Aw.
Flashback: Eri admiring her five dolls and feeling a little sad she can't talk about them with Soi and Shinbi.
Soi: I forgive Lance for backing out last time for your Love Business but you need to get him to come to study with us this time.
haha and they can't invite Yeonho because he was so successful as a fortuneteller he's on a business trip.
Soi and Shinbi tease Eri about Lance, pointing out how often they stare at each other and blush in class. Eri is oblivious.
Tei brings them cake and Eri muses that it feels weird, like hanging out with her mom after school. Haaa good thing Tei didn't hear you think that. I've seen characters like him compared to older brothers and fathers a lot, this game seems to prefer "mother", which is an unusual choice for obsessive pseudo-incestuous het male love interest, and I'm trepidatiously curious to see how it plays out on his path.
Lol Soi asks Tei to sit next to her to fill her with cute boy energy to help with her exams, but he says he'd get into trouble with his boss.
Eri: Liar.
Me: You have no idea.
Lance and Eri arrive home and the house is empty. Eri says she's a bit upset she never sees the other dolls these days.
Lance backs her against the wall and then...
Lance: We should revise the maths from today. You'll be able to focus then.
Eri: Uh
Lance: I thought we'd be alone at the cafe. But it's ok, we're alone now. I'll show you what happens when you don't concentrate...
Ok Lance is currently rivalling Kent from Amnesia for sexiest maths nerd love interest. (Alvin from Backstage Pass is the most adorable)
After an intense maths tutoring session off-screen that leaves Eri feeling blushy (I'm...not sure if they actually did maths or made out or did some sort of maths related BDSM thing...), he comes into her room with a cup of tea and looks pensively at his doll self.
Lance: You don't buy clothes for them any more...
Eri: Actually I was just looking at some shoes for Lance...uh...doll Lance.
Lance: Good :)
Eri: Do you think Soi and Shinbi would be ok with me liking dolls?
Lance: They wouldn't be real friends if they minded. And they seem to really like you. And...I will be by your side.
Eri: Thank you :)
Lance, leaning towards her: Your face is red, do you have a fever?
Eri: Uhhhhh, no?
Lance leans in closer still, and she closes her eyes thinking he's going to kiss her again.
Lance: Good night ^_^
Eri has a bad dream about telling Soi and Shinbi she likes BJDs and them rejecting her as a freak.
She's woken by Yeonho and Lance: Yeonho wanted to wake her and bring in some mail, and Lance mutters about playing innocent and going into a grown woman's room. STOP PROJECTING YOU HYPOCRITICAL PERV.
It's a catalogue... with a NEW, VAMPIRE VERSION OF LANCE
Eri: Haha, Lance, look at this XD
Lance: Do you want one :(
Eri: No, I just like that there's so many versions of you :)
Soi hands Eri a brochure for the Christmas amusement park event. Shinbi points out that BEEP are coming soon (Soi demands they beep out the word "Finals") but gives Eri some tickets she got through a model shoot.
nb the tickets are black with NAMELESS on them in ominous text which is an unusual look for an amusement park. But I guess it is an amusement park with a MERRY-GO-ROUND OF EVIL.
Soi: Go, be happy! Though since you've found love you never have time for us any more ;_;
Eri: I haven't changed...
Soi: Whatever. I only need Shinbi for the rest of my life. Let's build a kingdom for singles!
Shinbi: I'll think about it
Eri asks Soi and Shinbi to go somewhere with her.
EWri: Whatever I show you, whatever I say...you'll be on my side, right?
Soi: ...that's...
She stares seriously at Eri and Eri's heart starts to beat faster.
Shinbi: It's ok, Soi, she's not asking you out.
Soi: HAHAHA, RIGHT, OF COURSE, YOU'RE WITH LANCE. We're best friends, so don't think anything like that, ok?
Eri: I wasn't?
Since it's sadly not that sort of game, Eri takes them to Crobidoll. Soi and Shinbi cheerfully admire the dolls and Eri relaxes a bit.
Soi: SO MANY HOT BOYS :D
Shinbi: The eyes are so real...it's like I can feel something.
Eri thinks it's weird to see someone who looks like a doll stare at a doll.
Shop owner: Yes, sensitive people can sense something in our dolls ^_^
Me: BECAUSE CROBIDOLL DIABOLICALLY TRAPS SOULS IN HELPLESS RESIN
Eri: So I...own five of these dolls, and they're very precious to me. I was afraid to tell you in case you thought I was like a little girl playing with dolls.
Soi: You...YOU PRETENDED TO BE MIDDLE CLASS BUT ARE RICH?? I saw those prices!
Shinbi: This must be why she just eats bread for lunch.
Soi: Eri! Healthy food is important! Anyway, want some cake?
Eri: You really don't think it's weird? You're not going to ask if I had a traumatic childhood?
Me: You...kind of did have a traumatic childhood...
Soi: I have enough problems of my own! If you're happy you're happy.
Shinbi: You're still you.
Eri is at home thinking about how happy she is when Lance comes in.
Lance: Where were you, owner, not replying to my texts or taking my calls?
She explains and thanks him for his advice, but he pouts.
Lance: So you saw the other dolls in the show room :/ Anyway, since you went on your little date with your friends...you have to go on a date with me. And also...
*he grasps her hands and interlaces their fingers and Eri feels very close to him*
Lance: I like you.
Eri: Oh!
Me: Aww
Lance: And now... *he picks her up and lays her on the bed*
Eri: What???
Me: What????
Lance: I'll explain when I'm done with the naughty things, owner >.>
Eri: WHAT. ARE. YOU. DOING.
Sexy music starts up. There is a CG of Lance leaning over her taking off his jacket???
Lance: Marking ^_^
Eri: You mean...kissing?
Me: I'M NOT SURE HE MEANS KISSING
Lance: I don't mean kissing ^_^
The screen fades to black.
???: You finally retrieved a piece.
Nameless: The name of the piece is the ability to love yourself.
???: Did the doll named Lance not love himself?
Nameless: I think so. I don't understand. I love myself too much.
???: Yes, your excessive love for yourself has made you greedy.
Nameless: Hmmph. Are you ok? I thought you fed off memories.
???: That's lost it's appeal. Bwahahaha >:D
Nameless: Well, on to the next one.
Me: No, but... did Lance and Eri really just have sex, or...???
Chapter: Christmas with Lance
Eri wakes to an empty bed and wonders where Lance is. She looks around the room and notices his things, and also how much cleaner it is now he's moved in.
Eri: Grandpa, I still miss you, but I'm not lonely any more ^_^
Tei: I made pancakes!
Yeonho: So you're going on a date. I guess I can't follow :(
Yuri: A kid shouldn't interfere in adult's business. Let them do it in private on the Ferris wheel ^_^
Eri: ...it?
Yuri: You've been sharing a bed for two weeks and you still haven't done it? *sigh*
Red: I don't know what "it" is but I sure like having the room to myself :D
Yuri: I could personally explain what you need to do to have a fun and sensual time-
Tei: OH LOOK NO PANCAKE SYRUP FOR YOU
Lance: You looked too peaceful to wake this morning, but get ready. We leave in 30 minutes.
Eri: A girl needs more time than that to get ready!
Lance: You look pretty as you are.
Other dolls: o.O
Yeonho: I feel jealous...I should message the class president...
*ponders Yeonho/Sio/Shinbi*
They're at the amusement park and Lance goes to get drinks.
Me: OH NO
Eri closes her eyes in the snow and thinks of her happy memories with Lance. And then...greets him as he comes back with drinks?
She talks about being so happy she's nervous, afraid she'll lose Lance and the other dolls.
He says it's a miracle they should enjoy, and if he ever vanishes she should find someone else who'll make her happy.
Lance: So, should we go on the rides?
Eri: Ooh, the merry-go-round!
Me: Noooooo
Lance: Very well. But...since I didn't say it before...*he leans down* I love you. I have loved you since the moment you brought to your home, and I will always love only you. That is my fate.
Closing credits! I misremembered, it's "Lance and Yeonho's song". They are trying so hard to sing, bless them. (And still doing better than some other voice actors *cough*Okita*cough*)
AND NOW THE BIT I AM EXCISING FROM MY PERSONAL CANON
Lance: I can't believe a merry-go-round made me dizzy...
???: AHAHAHAHA
Lance: Wait, where did she go? Where are you???
THE END
(She's FINE)
I liked most of that but could have stood with a little more active consent. I think the aim was for him to know her so well he didn't need to ask, but while she was definitely into him it didn't quite ping that way to me. I'm...a little worried about how dubcon-sex-heavy the Yuri and Tei paths are now, I didn't think this was the sort of game with sex scenes but it turns out it's just not the sort of game to DESCRIBE it's sex scenes.
Bonus materials: Shinbi and Lance's voice actors! SOUNDS LIKE THEY HAVE SOME INTERESTING THINGS TO SAY, PITY I DON'T SPEAK KOREAN. They both sound a lot warmer than their characters. Shinbi's full length sprite shows that she's wearing a regular girl's uniform, just with a tie. Also I actually think all the boys are wearing the longer boy's jackets, now that I've been paying more attention. There have been girls wearing boy jackets in the background though, and even some in trousers. No boys in skirts though (except Lance ;))
Shinbi's diary! She talks about meeting Soi as a kid and thinking Soi was annoying and spoiled...until a boy teased Shinbi for being tall and Soi defended her. Since then Soi always told Shinbi how attractive and cool she was, and encouraged her to get into modelling. She also introduced Shinbi to Eri, and now Shinbi thinks of the three of them together and hopes their ties will last forever. ME TOO SHINBI.
Lance Diary page 1: He complains at a school council meeting that the school play is obscene and everyone ignores him (SUCH A HYPOCRITICAL PERV). Some say he will be president next and the idea gives him a headache.
Both Lance's bad ends and Yuri's path feel a bit much for me right now so I might take a break!
Lance Route (bad ends)
or skip ahead to
Yuri Route (all ends)
