Prologue values: 2, 1, 1
Bathroom stranger: neutral response
First intrigue value: Tom
Stranger first impression: 7
Tip choice: false
Declined tip booleans: false, false, true
Charming: 7
Shrewd: 3
Sweet: 28
Tough: 0
Tom: 12
Noah: 0, 0
Minh: 1, 5
Ronnie: 32, 18, 5
Newbie C: 5
Evil Allen: 30
hi again y’all! minor post today to share this poll on my tumblr to gauge interest in early/alpha testing chapter 2 when it gets to that stage. currently i think it’s about 10,000 words with code ?? ish?? so i’m like roughly estimating it’s 1/4 or so done in terms of pure word count. obviously much editing and playtesting will be needed, but figured i’d give that little news because it’s always exciting to reach a chunky number hahaha
if you don’t have a tumblr/want to vote there, feel free to use this one attached below! (votes are anonymous because this is just preliminary seeing the vibes, not a genuine inquiry yet 
)
Here you go. I liked the writing style. It had a lot of character to it and managed to convey the feel of the story. No feedback items for now, but I have the final list.
Prologue values: 2, 1, 1
Bathroom stranger: flirted
First intrigue value: Noah
Stranger first impression: 2
Tip choice: true
Declined tip booleans: false, false, false
Charming: 20
Shrewd: 5
Sweet: 12
Tough: 11
Tom: 10
Noah: 8, 0
Minh: 0, 0
Ronnie: 30, 8, 8
Newbie C: 4
Evil Allen: 30
hi everyone!!! i had a poll on my Tumblr for readers to decide what they wanted for a small ‘holiday special’ post, and the winner was “off-screen conversation between T and N leading into the start of Chapter 2” by a sizable margin!!
i’ve posted it on the tumblr, of course, but i’m posting it in here as well in case anyone wants to read it. please note that this does spoil the ‘inciting incident’ of chapter 2, but nothing beside what the PC will learn within the first few pages.
enjoy, and happy holidays
T and N Lyons sit in one of their many sitting rooms. N begins on a luxurious chaise longue, while T stands before them. It almost feels as if T’s in the middle of a presentation; in that case, N is functioning as their unconvinced audience.
N: But I don’t need—
T: Need what? You’re not supposed to need it, it’s just supposed to be—I don’t know. I know you’ll like it. Just let me do this for you. Please?
A pause. N picks at a bit of the chaise fabric, then glances at a point in the distance—a door to another area of the house.
N: It doesn’t feel right. With Minh. I mean, with so many people there, we couldn’t exactly bring—
T: Minh will be fine! We don’t have to explain everything. Lots of couples have, have—you know, good friends. We’ll just call it that.
N: …I’d still feel bad.
T sighs and looks to the ceiling, hands falling to their hips. After a moment, they move to sit next to N.
N: Honey, look. It’s not for Minh, it’s for you. It’s not Minh’s birthday, it’s your birthday.
N: You don’t like parties.
T: It doesn’t matter. (N arches an eyebrow, and T rolls their eyes.) Alright, I admit, I’m not a…fan of parties—
N: No shit.
T: I hate parties, you know I hate parties, but I love you. And I want to do something. I don’t want you to just keep—
N (wryly): Being miserable?
T (immediately defensive): No, I didn’t say that. Nobody’s saying that.
N: I just want to spend time with you. I don’t understand the point of some great, big whatever-the-fuck celebration. Celebration, why? For what? It’s not a big year for me. No milestones here.
T: Sure it is.
N: Bullshit.
T: I thought 30 was a big year?
N pauses, then turns away to hide a laugh.
N: Oh, pfft. How clever.
T: I see you smiling.
N: I’m not smiling.
T (smiling): Liar.
T rests a hand on N’s shoulder and turns them around. N is blushing even as they roll their eyes at T.
N: No, I’m just trying not to laugh at you.
T just smiles, victorious.
N: …You’re dumb.
T: That’s a lousy insult. Come on, where’s the originality?
N (laughing as they finally break): Alright, fine, whatever. Call the car. Give me 10.
As N leaves to freshen up, T opens their phone to call the driver. Their smile fades as they swipe away email notifications and missed calls from work, but a small ember of relief burns in their chest. The drive to La Table will be short, then N’s party planning will begin in earnest.
Realized I didn’t post my stats before, so I ran through the demo again so I could do so!
Prologue values: 2, 2, 2
Bathroom stranger: flirted
First intrigue value: Noah
Stranger first impression: 6
Tip choice: true
Declined tip booleans: false, false, false
Charming: 13
Shrewd: 9
Sweet: 19
Tough: 4
Tom: 6
Noah: 0, 0
Minh: 7, 3
Ronnie: 36, 18, 15
Newbie C: 5
Evil Allen: 30
Awesome demo, looking forward to the rest! Really excited to see where the story goes 