Post by Happy Backwards in Emmitt and more questions?

Viewing post in Emmitt and more questions?

Hehe no problem~ Yes I'd still love your thoughts. It helps to motivate me to work on the game again.

Re: Robin admitting she preferred old Dallas- This is a long one. Sorry. It was frustrating more than anything else to him. It's what he wants to hear - he wants to talk about her and the past and their friendship - all of it. But he can't. He fucked up and was never forward with Robin, definitely borders on "nice guy" territory and he knows this. But he's also a victim of Sterling as well, who purposefully drove a wedge between D & R out of jealousy and need for control. And even when Dallas realized this, there was nothing he could say or do to help Robin help herself. Sterling won his war. So ultimately he felt like he abandoned her to him despite the fact that he shouldn't feel responsibility for it. He spends years getting over it, and then hears Robin's finally free of him. He finds a broken mess. So he bites his tongue around her, tries to sever his own feelings to protect himself, often fails. But he walks this tight rope daily and when Robin can just be so brazenly honest about these things, it's like a slap to the face. He's envious that he can't do the same. He's angry that she didn't listen to him back then. He's upset at himself for not doing more. He's confused on whether he still likes her like that anymore. She makes his heart race, she still surprises him, and she's still cute. But she's been a negative thing to him for so long, and for her to reach out so sloppily, and only under the influence, really makes him question if Robin is his own brand of Sterling; addicted to a toxic love. So in short, it hurt. He wants it, but not sure that he should.

This is for in that moment. Robin heals and adjusts over time, and so does he. Their resentment towards each other turns out to be mostly of Sterling's creation and their lack of maturity.

Robin couldn't write her own songs while in Shocker. :( She did project meaning onto the lyrics so that she could sing them with emotion, so there were likely songs that made her think of Dallas.

harmonywish4 years ago (1 edit)

Oh wow, that was really in depth thank you! >w< No need to apologize, I really love reading and learning about these type of moments/ feelings 00: I think part of why I love romance so much is because it's so emotional and I think there's just not enough words to describe the complicated relationship between some people share especially if there's years of history.

Aw, I think part of me really relates to Dallas' feelings. It's kind of like being angry at someone because you've been hurt. You think you hate them, but you still remember the good memories you two shared in the past and there's a part of you that does hate the other person but because you were friends for so long you can't help but care about their well being. I guess it might be part of the reason why I really like his route even though it threw me around so much :') I also definitely can see how Dallas would be a "nice guy", he's always been there for Robin and was really patient and sweet at least in some flashbacks, literally almost perfect? but he kept waiting for something (???) I'm not really sure did he want Robin to suddenly fall for him and leave Sterling? Or did he simply give up because he thought there was no possibility she'd like him? Why does he keep on denying that she "didn't know" how he felt about her in the Roof Scene? Did he always think she knew? And honestly reading how he feels about her, and wondering if their love is "toxic" just like Sterling, which is something he desperately wants to avoid, I think I understand a lot better why he kept his distance and pushed her away.

I literally wish I can quote this "She makes his heart race, she still surprises him, and she's still cute." :> Me too Dallas xD I think she is very cute too :D

I really liked seeing how much they grew when they faced their demons, and their scenes in the Open Ended part of the game were so sweet :)) After all they've been through to see Robin almost be a part of his family and her panicking? thinking? about marriage? Big aw, (I feel like this is such a spoiler but did Dallas ask for her to marry him or was that her wishful thoughts?)

Ah okay :D That's good enough for me to hear. Whew I write so so much! xD Hehe, thank you once again!!

Happy Backwards4 years ago (2 edits)

Oh goodie, because I actually write a detailed summary of the story from the other people's perspectives (well, Dallas' was the most detailed) so that I can understand the relationship better and I just hope that it naturally comes out while writing - but of course not too easily - my editor figured something out too early and was annoyed I wasn't address it haha. So things can run the risk of being too hidden too ... I think my timeline of D & R's history is a bit hard to grasp so here's the timeline:

They meet around 18 -20 years old (I don't have an exact number in mind) but Robin is already forming a band with Owen and Sterling at this point, but it's not much to brag about. So D & R spend time outside of it and become friends. D is already crushin on R at this point. R is still crushin on S because she craves his approval, so she doesn't realize this, but she doesn't go to school and thinks D is cool. D isn't upfront about his attraction, partly unsure of her relationship with Sterling, partly believing that she was flirting back so it was mutual (she was, unknowingly), but also kinda scared cuz she's a big city girl. It wasn't very long until the scene where Robin gets kissed by Sterling for the first time. (S felt R slipping away and made some realizations that he didn't want to lose her.) And also where Dallas realizes that he actually totally missed his chance. Just totally. She is way too happy. And that's where it starts getting emo. A couple years go by, D & R are still good friends, but S gets the bulk of her time. D feels like he has to deal with the messes that S makes of her (this is where it gets real "nice guy" territory). So one night they're both drunk, R is particularly hurt, D is particularly done with giving a shit about S, and they fuck in a closet. D admits he loves her, R chooses to ignore this because her heart wouldn't be able to handle that. Next day R basically begs D to act like none of that happened. It was a big moment for him, a nothing moment for her (this is false). And that is when things officially spiral and where the flashback sequence R has while drowning. So when Dallas says that she's lying, he is referring to not only to her literally pretending she didn't know, but yes, unfortunately also since they met. To him, he's only ever shown her love, but that means R has really only ever seen a version of Dallas that loves with her, so how could she spot his love if, to her, he never showed it? She rationalized the sex as being for sex. She didn't quite enjoy it so it wasn't enough for her to flip her world upside down. So it was never going to work the way he thought it would. They both needed to go through some ugly.

As for your question on the proposal, that will be addressed in their open ended story once I'm finished with it. :)

EDIT: I found this excerpt from a scene I don't think made it to the preview in Open Mode...

"I felt like shit when we ... we let him go." "For years. I never got over it." "But did I write a single song about him? No." "I hid that sadness deep down. I buried it so well I thought I'd forgotten when I saw him again." "And then it was uncovered and so fresh every time he spoke." "Just the sound of his voice hurt." "I hid my feelings from the very moment I met him." "It must have been so frustrating to be so open, so in love with someone in complete denial all the way until what was supposed to be the end.

Beau's open mode ending is done, but I've been split between Emmitt, Seth and Dallas' path to finish after that. Maybe I'll focus Dallas now that I'm thinking about him.

harmonywish4 years ago (1 edit)

Hohoho 0: I am desperate for more information haha. I think is makes lots of sense to write a summary or outline? of a scene before delving in an fleshing things out! Thanks for sharing so much with me! I kind of pictured them meeting when they're 19 haha, so I'm glad it kind of fits with the general time line :> I could tell Dallas fell hard and fell fast for her lol. Aw, I almost forgot Dallas' family isn't from the city, it's kind of cute how he'd be kind of scared of her cityness?? xD Oof, I could tell Sterling probably chose to kiss her to gain some control over her. And :( The part where he said "I really love Happy Robin." Big sigh ;-; Oh heck, yeah the part where she tells him to forget absolutely destroyed me. Grr, I think a part of me believed Robin when she said she was "too in love" with Sterling to think about Dallas but know I understand that she did know, she only chose to push everything away and not come in terms with it ;A; He's not upfront yes, but there's a lot of signs, and Robin probably knew somewhere there that she only had to ask to know the truth.

0000: I like it a lot when Robin thinks back on things. Also: ~~Please please please tell me I can see them marry. And they write D & R on some freaking tree like one of those sappy romance scenes I read in books. Too cheesy? Okay okay I understand ;-;~~

Oooo! More material! I'm really happy you're considering adding to Dallas' Open Mode, but also take care of yourself too! >:3 Feel free to take your time with everything and only work on things if you'd like to! <3

Also ahhh Seth! 00: I have him in my Open Mode band and boy do I have comments!

I really really like his design! I actually never realized he had Seth’s purple(?) dyed hair until I looked closely at the chibis during Play Gig! I think it kind of matches Robin's a little? I'm looking to much into it? So I just wanted to comment about that little text where you give him a gift he loves and he’s like… “Cool and Robin’s like D’awww” WELL ME TOO 000: AND THEN HE SMILES.

Also, do the instruments in the play gig mean something important? Because I know Robin’s bass is called Baby (I love that it's pink) and shows up when she plays with it. I just noticed Seth has keyboard that matches the same color as his hair? Was that just a simple design choice by the artist? I honestly thought he'd be playing something, black or red. I’m interested if there’s a story behind that lol.

I think I'm going to try Wizz's route next when I have time so I will go do that and stop writing so much haha x D

Happy Backwards4 years ago

Stick with Wizz till the end. He's a fan favorite but he has to grow on you.

The base instruments (no upgrades) that everyone has may change in color depending on the char because that the instrument they bring with them. Just personal choices I made on a whim. I stand by my decision to make Seth's board purple. :)

D&R get plenty cheesy. Marriage is a theme for their open mode arc. ;)

harmonywish4 years ago (6 edits)

Ahh it took a while, but I finished his route. I did love it very much! I write comments as I play, and I've got a huge list of them. :> And some questions?? I hope it's not like super long or anything haha ;-;

I really love Sebastian, I giggled when I first recruited Wizz. “That’s the first thing I tell everyone” and “Who’s better than us?” “No one.” I find it so funny too when he’s trying to stop Robin and Wizz from fighting, but it kind of backfired, or not really because it kind of worked?

Wizz definitely pushes all her buttons; I literally went to confirm there was actually an atomic clock in Colorado. In one of the band meetings Robin asks him how college life was and I think it’s cute how she’d be interested in college life since she never got to experience it! I love the little details you put into her character! Each route shows a little different part of her and I really appreciate that :)

Anyway about Wizz’s route: I find their relationship really funny, especially in the beginning, and I love how it seems to be an occurring thing where they’re fighting and someone tries to break them up and they both start ganging up on the other person together :’))) Like the bartender and the neighbor or when they both tell the subway person to fuck off when someone tells them to get a room? Whew xD

When Robin met his sister my heart MELTED 00: I think the way Robin treats Estelle is really sweet! I can see the care (?) Robin puts into interacting with her :> She plays along with her spelling game after meeting her the second time too! I get the impression Robin’s a very good listener??? 0:

There was a little part where I was bit confused about Estelle and I'd just like clarification? I get the feeling she’s a very smart girl, who’s really good at gaming! Did she struggle with the games, or did she only ask her brother to help her to hang out with him? I was wondering since she would say "I beat it" like it was really simple? 0: I might be wrong and I’m just curious about their relationship!

Some small stuff I’d LOVE TO KNOW MORE about but only if you’re willing to share!

Did you have ideas of more lyrics about Wizz’s song about Robin? I loved it xD Do you have an idea of what his voice would be too? :D
Was I the only one who noticed when Robin told Wizz “You’re too good-looking; I have to know you down a peg? 0:” Was that sarcasm and I just have a bad sense of it :’) ?
Could I ask when Wizz started thinking Robin in a romantic way?
Also yes, Robin’s personality is super charming and I love her for it! :>

Wizz’ route had a lot more drama, fire?? tension?? than I expected 00: Also, they have really hot kissing scenes ;-; Oh boy, there was so much heat in the first one I’m surprised it didn’t set the building on fire.

It took the longest time for them to start communicating, but I loved how they were as a couple when they did. When Wizz comforted Robin with music in one of the scenes <33 And what she said afterwards kind of reminds me of a quote I read online, that 'home isn’t a place but a feeling.' :)

I think one of my favorite parts is where Wizz let’s Robin listen to his records despite her threatening to break them. I think his way of apologizing is that he does with actions (such as giving her AutoSpiro Records) instead of words.

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Ooo I see now! I like Seth's purple board a lot too! :)

PS. I saw a form post about Seth I think it’s really cute he treats his hair nicely. Does he like comb it often before a gig?

AND OOO YES >:3 I am hyped! Thank you!

Happy Backwards4 years ago

Did she struggle with the games, or did she only ask her brother to help her to hang out with him? I was wondering since she would say "I beat it" like it was really simple?

She was telling the truth. Wizz was sloppy and made a mistake. His mind was preoccupied with Robin when he was programming.

Games help her focus and spend time with her brother, so it's a win-win. She's good at them, he just skins them like kids games.

Was I the only one who noticed when Robin told Wizz “You’re too good-looking; I have to know you down a peg? 0:” Was that sarcasm and I just have a bad sense of it :’) ?

She was being sincere. She had something else in her mind when she pictured Wizz and he looked much better than that. She's acutely aware that he's more intelligent, because he can do things that she can't and knows words she doesn't. The fact that he didn't "pay" for that by being ugly too brings out her biases and insecurities. She went so far as to call him a "jock" which implies pros and cons (popular, handsome, and capable but also arrogant, mean, and snobby). Wizz views her much the same way, funnily enough. She's a hotshot on magazine covers and TV, and he felt she hadn't paid her dues either. They had placed each other on a pedestal that they wanted to knock down out of envy. Then they realized they're actually both weirdos.

Could I ask when Wizz started thinking Robin in a romantic way?

That's a tad hard to answer because he asks himself if he's honestly attracted to her routinely so he can find reasons to deny it. He's already aware that she's pretty, so it's more a matter of him convincing himself that she's not his type, that she's a bad person, etc. He's actively trying not to think of Robin in a romantic way. He doesn't want to be like everyone else (so he thinks). It would make him feel like a sheep.

When she starts going out of her way to talk and hang out with him, it makes all that a lot more complicated. On one hand, holy shit is she annoying. On the other, she feels like she belongs in his apartment. He isolated himself, even from his family. He felt that it was an improvement and a healthy choice for him, but it has turned out not to be. The daily disruptions that a dog or younger sister would provide turned out to be something he missed, but had now grown used to not having them.

So if I had to pinpoint a time, it would be when Robin still comes over to see Wizz after almost breaking his records and finding out about his glasses/brown eyes.

Did you have ideas of more lyrics about Wizz’s song about Robin? I loved it xD Do you have an idea of what his voice would be too? :D

Someone from the game's Discord asked if comedian Bo Burnham was anything like Wizz to me and - well, he's actually a perfect fit. (based on his stage persona anyway) Sharp to the point of being an asshole, crude or polished on his terms, really against people thinking they know him, doesn't want to seem predictable, needs to be seen as authentic, struggling with depression/mental health, tries really fucking hard, is surprisingly empathetic, and of course is incredibly talented. All the way down to his strong opinions of the music industry. He even looks like him! I'm serious, I'm really surprised how well that dude fits with the character. So if you want more of Wizz's humor in your life, you just need to watch that guy's comedy specials.

harmonywish4 years ago

Ahhh, thank you! I haven't heard about Bo Burnham, but from your description he seems to be a genuine and interesting person so I'll definitely watch some of his videos :>

I didn't realize there was a discord! 0: Is it open for anyone to join?

Happy Backwards4 years ago

Yep: https://discord.gg/aKfFMa

harmonywish4 years ago

Oh okay! Thank you so much! :D I'm glad there's a place for me to put fanart and things if I ever get the confidence to post it xD

itch.io

Viewing post in Emmitt and more questions?