Extended Progress Update: 17 August 2024 (Patreon)

Hi Returning Visitors,

Key highlights of this update and reminders:

• My typical gentle nudge to remember to add my email address can be found here. It's important for the TFS character portrait inquiries and welcome message I promptly send out. Also, remember to check your spam folder and to reach out to me, if needed.

• Yay, I just finished the chapter I've been devotedly working on! 🥳

• It's National Honey Bee Day, so I have a sweet treat for you all in this update.

• Hints about the next chapter that will tempt you; there are many different locations!

• Book Two Snippet: I chose (emotional) violence with this snippet. I'm a lil' sorry. 🥺

[Alternate Text: A GIF from Disney's 'Winnie the Pooh'! It features the yellow bear happily eating honey out of a 'hunny' pot set on his dining room table. He is using his paw to scoop it out while delighting in the sweetness.]

In honor of National Honey Bee Day, I wanted to provide a glimpse of writing relating to the ever-sweet B. Warrick, aka 'Bee' to MCs who romance them. There are a few bee and honey-themed references associated with this character—from their hazel eyes that have flecks of gold in them to their kind disposition to the stinging angst you've read at the start of TFS: Book Two. (Although, this route naturally has that duality of a sweet sting by its design.) Below are a few snippets!

🍯 Beckett 🍯

Through the relative darkness of your car's interior, you can sense his gaze on you that's only colorfully lit by the gauges. It's an awestruck stare, faintly wide-eyed and possibly even turned on. Beckett tugs on your hand, which gets you to angle to face him right before he leans over to kiss your cheek.

It's earnestly sweet just like him, though you do ease off the gas to savor the contact.

"Thank you," he murmurs.

Beckett's voice being lowered to a whisper so near your ear sends a mild shudder through you that's unexpected. He watches you for a moment—at an advantage because you're the one driving. Your eyes flick away from the road to find him half-smiling at your conflict. "Beckett Warrick, are you teasing me?" There's disbelief shading your tone. "I…"

 "Maybe, maybe not."

 He pulls away from you after one last, little peck, but your hands remain joined.

 You glance between him and the route you're supposed to be taking, smiling faintly since he makes you feel better—happier.

🍯 Becca 🍯

Through the relative darkness of your car's interior, you can sense her gaze on you that's only colorfully lit by the gauges. It's an awestruck stare, faintly wide-eyed and possibly even turned on. Becca tugs on your hand, which gets you to angle to face her right before she leans over to kiss your cheek.

It's earnestly sweet just like her, though you do ease off the gas to savor the contact.

"Thank you," she murmurs.

Becca's voice being lowered to a whisper so near your ear sends a mild shudder through you that's unexpected. She watches you for a moment—at an advantage because you're the one driving. Your eyes flick away from the road to find her half-smiling at your conflict. "Becca Warrick, are you teasing me?" There's disbelief shading your tone. "I…"

 "Maybe, maybe not."

 She pulls away from you after one last, little peck, but your hands remain joined.

 You glance between her and the route you're supposed to be taking, smiling faintly since she makes you feel better—happier.

🐝Beckett 🐝

"There's nothing to forgive," Beckett says. "I want you to hear me—listen to me, please."

🐝Becca 🐝

"There's nothing to forgive," Becca says. "I want you to hear me—listen to me, please."

B deserves to be celebrated most days due to their supportive nature, but seeing this 'holiday' pop-up inspired me to share something about them today! Yesterday was our slated date for an Extended Progress Update; however, I'm ready and rearing to go to reveal what I've wrapped up. I still need to code the last sections of the two mini-branches I mentioned last time! 🌲 These focus on the influence of sleep aids or stimulants on your Returning Visitors, which changes what happens to them during the night. You'll learn something new, no matter how you play; the substance of the series is important to me, especially that it encourages/rewards your replays.

The nature of what I've most recently been working on is spoilery, so please know that it's done and I'm grateful for your encouragement while writing! The next chapter I'm setting my sights on features quite a few optional locations that you can mix and match based on what's been going on in town! This is where that 'RO outing' comes up when you might be visiting Marjorie where she lives. (It's your choice! However, she seems to know information. 👀🌻) Those of you who are curious about Rosie will be pleased to be seeing her again. This is true for R-mancers and JR-mancers because you'll learn about her involvement in R's life. Besties of R will also get to spend time with the lead mechanic lady who called you 'Buttercup' in Book One. (I'm tempted to go into a bff tangent, but that's not this post's purpose, lol. Many of you will notice how I'm referencing exclusive scenes; it's something I'm eager to share! 🧡💙🖤💚) There's time at Turn the Page with the potential for A and Mal interactions. I hope you can sense my excitement to explore these locations with your chosen character dynamics shaping things. :D

Before I resume my writing blitz, I'll finish up the last chapter's coding and then start on our next chapter.

There's still a lot of content in store for August, including Bee's cute writing, the spicy 'Office Shenanigans' post, C. Schade's inspo reveal, and our alpha drop at the end of the month! 🥰

[Spoilers Ahead!]

Here's an excerpt from Book Two:

(It's from the denial overlay to R. Verner's route, dw.)

Reese

Reese must be calling you out of boredom or due to your episode at the cabin. This could be an obligation to him. It means nothing.

"…I see. If you will indulge me for one more precious second of your time: would it be possible for you to accompany me to pick up my newest convertible? I need a driver, and you were present during her harm. It is only fair."

From that tentative start to that business-like finish, Reese pulled away from you while still asking for help—no, for a favor. This you can work with; it's more balanced. "As a favor?"

"Collect on it when you have more time."

You close your eyes for a second following his seamless retort. "Yes, I'll be there."

Ruby

Ruby must be calling you out of boredom or due to your episode at the cabin. This could be an obligation to her. It means nothing.

"…I see. If you will indulge me for one more precious second of your time: would it be possible for you to accompany me to pick up my newest convertible? I need a driver, and you were present during her harm. It is only fair."

From that tentative start to that business-like finish, Ruby pulled away from you while still asking for help—no, for a favor. This you can work with; it's more balanced. "As a favor?"

"Collect on it when you have more time."

You close your eyes for a second following her seamless retort. "Yes, I'll be there."

The MC said something before this that made me want to gently shake them, so that's why R is cool. Iron-willed, denial R-mancers will eventually discover the overall context. 🖤👀

Thank you for your support. Wishing you all a lovely and safe weekend! 💚🥰