Chapter 7 Teaser: Aster (Patreon)

You'll be learning a lot more about your newest companion in this chapter. Perhaps what you find out will change your opinion of him, perhaps not. Your MC's relationship to him may change some of your conversations as well... He's got many layers to uncover yet, but here is a taste.

"How would kindness drive one mad, pray tell?"

He turns toward you, face radiating incredulity. "You really must ask? Kindness is just allowing others to take advantage of you. One gives and gives, another takes and takes. Before long, kindness has left you empty, Pet."

"Is that what happened to you?" you ask softly, meeting his dark stare with eyes that care about his answer.

There's a tic in his jaw.

Perhaps you've nailed it or perhaps not, either way, you've struck a nerve.

He guffaws. "I suppose it's not exactly secret that I have misgivings about my upbringing, but you don't need to know about any of that."

"Is that why you're interested in this mad god? Do you feel…a kinship maybe?"

Aster goes surprisingly quiet. He stays silent for long enough that you think you've been given the cold shoulder and so return your eyes to the road.

It almost startles you when you hear his voice reply, "Perhaps," in a whisper.

You're not sure what to say after that admission. It's unlike him to share anything fragile about himself, after all. You want to keep going but you also don't want to lose traction with him. However, he surprises you again.

"There was no love, no kindness in my home." He works his jaw.

What do you even say to that? An apology does nothing. You feel a little guilty. You were orphaned and still brought up with love and kindness from your fathers.

"I'm," he says and pauses for a long while. "I'm a pedigreed noble brat – my mother bred like a sow for the purpose of perfect children..."

Like everyone else here, he's got some baggage to unpack, and there are some interesting things the deeper you go in those bags...

Chapter 7 is moving along well and is on track to be released to Subscribers in February, though I'm not setting dates or promises at this stage. GC's 2-year anniversary is February 20th, and that is a goal I have tucked in my mind because it would just be poetic. My brain likes to sabotage me, though, and when I have deadlines, it short-circuits.

We're at 98k words as well! This Chapter has a lot more exposition, though your MC's characteristics and relationships will shift some of the things you'll find. I'm also placing choices where I feel they're relevant, so it doesn't feel too stagnant. This is also the chapter where you'll start seeing more push to pick one RO to focus on, as you won't be able to gravitate to all of their "moments." These little events will show you unique and vulnerable things about each RO. If you're not romancing anyone, you'll also get other options, such as hanging out with your fathers.

I'm very excited to bring you this chapter, and I hope you love it as much as I have enjoyed writing it!