* I hate Carter and people like him. They think they can do whatever they can do to the others
* Not only she betrayed her friends, she also lets others bully her friends and she had the nerves to apologize her dead friend. SHE HELPED THEM. (I’m just so angry about it I’m sorry)
* I found the board and used it. I don’t have any experience with those but I’m hoping that we can reach Drew with it.
* MC took the cat with him. He will adopt it also watch Bethany suffer with a smile.
* I found her in third playthrough
* He better be able to get in touch with Drew for MC and somehow teach them to converse with each other.
Quick question: where and how do we get the scene where Bethany (not totally sure) opened Drew’s coffin? Did it really happened during the funeral or did we find it out from stalking her? I just missed this scene when I was playing.
I had to approach the coffin during that part of the game, and call the woman who did so disgusting. It’s the part where you can select to approach the coffin or go and talk to Imani, when the aunt leaves the MC for a moment
It will always bring me to tears and you know what is the most heartbreaking thing? Drew would never want mc to go down the path of revenge and self-destruct, only living with a shadow by her side that isn’t really him but there is no other path for her, not really.
Great update! Unfortunately, my internet is down and I am using my phone data,so I can’t provide links for you lovely people until it’s back up.
1.) Carter. Because he seems like the Stupid Evil ™ type. A real meathead without even many working brain cells, and using all of the few he has to be an asshole. Much like a certain Other Peep We Know ().
2.) Bethany seems super insecure, submissive, and like she believes she can’t survive on her own and believes she has to ingratiate herself with someone “stronger” to avoid being crushed. In the environment of St. Mary’s,she might even be right.
Not exactly the most loyal to those she attaches herself to though. Likely to have minimal empathy for others, though ALSO likely to look like the model of compassion compared to The Terrible Trio (of Drew’s bullies).
B. If you’re not too caught up in the emotions of it all,you will probably notice that the story is written in very…Black/White, Good/Evil way. SO many characters are either Wonderful Lovely Amazing People or Horrible Scum.
I talk to the author outside of COG, and they confirmed this is part of how the MC thinks - in a very binary, Black/White, Good Person vs. Scum, manner.
Hint hint about the MC’s mental state.
C. Abnormal psychology wise, the MC seeing Drew’s ghost would be clinically diagnosed as Psychotic Depression or MDD w/Psychotic Features.
I can’t link to a page about it yet without internet.
But basically, Psychotic Depression is when you see/hear/sense things others can’t &/or have bizarre beliefs that ONLY BEGIN and ONLY HAPPEN when you are clinically depressed.
If the ghost starts tormenting the MC, this is especially likely, because in Psychotic Depression, hallucinations typically reinforce shame, guilt, horror, helplessness, depression, etc.
Now, personally I think just because it fits a diagnostic label, doesn’t mean it’s necessarily “fake.” There are plenty of inexplicable things we don’t understand.
Now, time to diagnose these characters, starting with Drew, Bethany, & Mary Ann.
1.) Drew: Major Depressive Disorder (MDD/clinical depression) - Atypical Depression
Atypical Depression is a type of clinical depression where your mood can genuinely improve in response to positive events. Drew is showing signs of being depressed, but as far as I can see when he is happy in response to the MC making him laugh or showing him love, it’s genuine.
**>**Possible Anger Issues (will need more info to accurately diagnose)
2.) Bethany: Dependent Personality Disorder (DPD)
Bethany’s showing signs of Dependent Personality Disorder - extremely submissive, highly insecure/very low self esteem, attaching to a “stronger” figure for protection, inability to express her own opinions or disagree with others, and doing “unpleasant” things such as betraying her friends or standing by as people get bullied for protection.
3.) Mary Ann: Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) - Malignant Somatic Narcissist, Grandiose Type
Contrary to popular belief, narcissists do NOT have GENUINELY high self esteem - certain ones just appear like they do. They are deeply insecure individuals who are dependent on others’ admiration to feel good about themselves + lack affective empathy (i.e. compassion) for others. They are self OBSESSED and pathologically selfish, but they do not GENUINELY think they’re nearly as great as many appear to think they are. They are also extremely thin skinned and attack others verbally &/OR physically when they feel criticized in any real OR imagined way. From the narcissist’s POV, they are responding to provocation. From everyone else’s POV, they just look like a volatile asshole raging for little reason.
Most narcissists are NOT sadistic. (For instance, before he got banned, Samuel Young was a self aware narcissist on COG who talked some about what it was like having NPD. Not a cruel or malicious guy - just very volatile & grandiose.) However, MALIGNANT narcissists, well, ARE sadistic and do knowingly abuse others, plan to abuse others, and enjoy hurting others. Mary Ann is a Malignant Narcissist.
She is also an overtly bragging, Grandiose Narcissist. And she is Somatic - using her physical appearance to get the admiration & attention she craves.
Here’s some info about NPD in general and Malignant Narcissists in particular.
Thank you guys for answering the questions, I really enjoyed reading your opinions! ヾ(＠＾▽＾＠)ﾉ
Pretty much, yeah! The MC has a faint idea on who’s behind it (Mary-Ann and Carter are guaranteed to be), but they want to have all the names. Then they are done with Bethany and take revenge on her, because they know what’s most important to the bullies, and Bethany herself wouldn’t really help them. Don’t worry about not figuring it out, the story it’s in very early stages, so a lot of things remain a mystery/there aren’t enough clues yet ヽ(・∀・)ﾉ
Asking Eddie for legal advice could be possible, but it could seem very, very suspicious to her. And she doesn’t have that kind of knowledge, either: Eddie specializes in Labor (Employment) Law, stuff like discussing wages, compensations, harassment and discrimination in the workplace, with a bit of knowledge on Civil Rights and Family Law. But she has coworkers who practice Criminal Law, maybe it would be better to ask them under the ruse of wanting to be a lawyer too! (・ω<)
You could get a cottage in the mountains to avoid nosy neighborsヾ(☆▽☆) And don’t worry, your English is very good!
Thank you for pointing out these!! Hope you liked the update (◕‿◕✿)
The cat didn’t do anything wrong, like Drew. We have to spare at least an innocent soul here!
Okay, I’ve checked the code and I thiiiink the issue is solved. Thanks for reporting it!
Thank you! ≧◡≦
Some of them have several outcomes planned, ranging from “getting even” (as much as revenge can be fair) to excessive, and outright violence is avoidable (at least on the MC’s part. Maybe the NPCs are an even angrier bunch). You will get glimpses of their lives and what might have made them like that, but sometimes people turn out wayyyyyy nastier than they really should have given their circumstances. Can’t say much about the teachers, but you’ll see what they are like when the school chapters start ٩(◕‿◕｡)۶
You can totally ask about them (•◡•)
A “forgiveness” path would change everything drastically, since revenge is one of the central points of the story, the total opposite. It wouldn’t just be another branch, but more like having to write a whole, parallel path just for it, two games in one. It would take place in another setting (since going back to St. Mary’s would be pointless), different NPCs, events, even the plot itself would have to change greatly. So, a full redemption route is unlikely; there can be early endings where the MC repents/realizes that they might have gone too far with their actions, but they will still belong to the revenge-centered plot.
What kind of things do you suspect? I love it when people share their theories!
Thank you for pointing them out! I’ll correct them and recalibrate the stats/reactions for the next update (◕‿◕)
That choice is purely aesthetical, it’s not meant to set the MC’s body type at all; just that they don’t have the same ring size as Drew. It’s up to the player, depending on if they would rather have their MC’s wear it on their finger or as a pendant.
I’ll make it possible for the Skip System to let players start from any chapter, but it’s not possible to add save slots: the demo is compiled (rather than having all the files up), so the Save System is not compatible. Once I finish the game and start a closed beta, I’ll consider adding it (´∀｀)
Don’t worry about the length of your post, I appreciate the effort you’ve put on helping me make the game better!!
Hehe, I love how you guys react ↜(╰ ◣∀◢)╯ψ
Aww, thank you for your kinds words! (づ｡◕‿‿◕｡)づ
Once you finish your first playthrough, an achievement will pop up and you will be able to access the Skyp System when you start a new game. Hope it helps! (´ ▽ ` )ﾉ
Nope, the MC can’t do magic at all.
Some fates are worse than death.
Hello there, @buggygirl11!! Thank you for dropping by and trying the update, I really like your posts! They are very interesting and savvy, and a great way to know if I’m conveying successfully what I want to show or not ヽ(>∀<☆)ノ
Gosh, I LOVE that description of Carter! Can I use it in-game? (* ∀ )
Thank you for the great messages, and keep up the good work! Let’s see if anyone can figure out what’s up with the MC with the hints you’ve given (･ω<)
@fisheyeThank you for reporting these inconsistency errors! (=ﾟωﾟ)ﾉ
Some people have already played it and said to miss it, so I posted it on my tumblr! And in case you aren’t familiar with it, this is your chance to try it! Mind you, it’s only the demo, without any new content: all of my efforts are on Nothing Left (To Burn), but I hope that doesn’t keep you from enjoying it!
Have a happy time playing it and take care! (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧
It’s mostly about the situation at the beginning, at the police station, and the Bethany stuff.
I’m torn about one thing about that. Wondering if the MC truly did something to her, or if something happened to her related to the vengeance story, but at the hands of someone else, and she said MC’s name because well, she was scared and confused and knew it has something to do with them so she said that. Moreso, it may also be something that actually varies depending on what you chose to do as a vengeance. In some scenarios the MC may have done something to her, in others no. And IF the supernatural part is true, Drew himself may have done something.
My theory is also that maybe the player’s choices will shape the supernatural aspect of the story - depending on the choices or beliefs, it will be either hallucinations or an actual ghost.
Ah, I also have to mention, about what I was asking about! I may have expressed myself in an unclear fashion about that whole redemption plot thing. I didn’t expect the ENTIRE plot to be about trying to overcome things without ressorting to vengeance - that’s obviously not the plot. I mean, if I wanted that, I wouldn’t be interested in the game at all. Rather than that, I was thinking about the very late parts of the games, when the MC is really on the verge of doing something really bad - to be able to actually stop that, at least if some choices were done during the playthrough or whatever. So what you’re saying about the early endings actually partially answers my question haha!
Though, IF the game allows for dealing with the vengeance in a non-violent way without (much) transgressions of laws, I’ll be okay with that too. Because, let’s be real, these kids deserve some retribution. I just don’t want to hurt them. That’s one of the reasons I’ve been thinking so much about the Bethany thing.
That heterochromia did not help with the bullying, however Really Cool it looks.
2.) Drew:
Given just HOW big a blind eye is being turned to Drew being viciously & violently bullied…it’s ridiculously easy to picture him as African American in a racist town, I’m not gonna lie.
Given his penchant for enjoying violence particularly against those who are weaker than him and can’t fight back, Carter is showing traits of…
Spineless Sadism - Spineless Sadists are cowardly types who are too afraid to act out their sadistic impulses towards those who have the faintest chance of hurting them back. Instead, they seek out ONLY victims who are unable to fight back: small animals, younger siblings, children, and those who are half their size or smaller in general. Many are too afraid of prison to commit murder, but will happily commit intimate partner violence, severe child abuse, animal cruelty, ganging up in mobs against vulnerable minorities, etc. They devalue their victims in their minds as weak, pathetic, and deserving of being hurt - a bit like an EXTREMELY vicious school bully mentality. They defensively hide any of their OWN weaknesses and vulnerabilities at all costs, and try to project an image of strength to others.
As far as I have seen SO FAR, Carter isn’t severe enough a case to merit a diagnosis of full blown Sadistic Personality Disorder. (Long story, but I have observed a few individuals who ARE severe enough to merit that diagnosis, and it is…quite something and very distinctive.) He might prove himself severe enough later on, but as of yet, I can only say he has Spineless Sadism traits.
No, really - it’s a thing and that’s what it’s called. Having some narcissistic traits you picked up from those around you WITHOUT meeting full NPD criteria is called Narcissistic Fleas. He seems like he likes his admiration and his status heirarchies alright, and seems like he’s a pretty nasty dude, but Marshall also seems more…well, in control of himself and more in the realm of sanity than either Mary Ann or Carter.
His BFF Mary Ann is a Malignant Narcissist, so that’s one place he could have picked up some of those behaviors…buuut he’s also likely to have at least one narcissist parent at home.
Marshall is capable of a MINIMAL degree of empathy and remorse, even if he doesn’t express it obviously. Don’t believe me? Look at him trying to protect Bethany from getting beaten by Carter…even if he did it while putting down Drew and sounding like an elitist. But elitist and douchey though Marshall sounded, Mary Ann (no empathy whatsoever + sadistic) was just going to let Bethany get beat without lifting a finger.
Yeah, there was. I don’t have a female/nb description since I always pick Drew to be a guy, but the male description says he has dark skin, freckles, and a shaved head.
What a demo! It’s really heart wrenching and I freaking love it. I hope we get to beat the shit out of those damn bullies! Drew is really sweet, she didn’t have to go like that Keep up the good work, can’t wait to read more of this!
Not gonna lie, when the police person showed MC the photo at the start of the story, I got nauseous. That’s how deep the writing pulled me in from the beginning. I’m really excited to see where this goes, especially in finding out more about the “True Drew” instead of the person MC puts on a pedestal.
Whenever I listen to All I Want by Kodaline, I always remember Drew. Especially the line “But if you loved me, why did you leave me” and while listening to the song, the other night, it reminded me of Drew and I started sobbing. Thank you for your hard work author.
I love this cog so much grew so attached to Drew…My god, I usually play my mcs as good, gentle people, but this is the first time I cannot help but want to turn my poor mc into an angry and vengeful mc. So for that alone, bravo, author!
I’ve also felt inspired by your Drew romantic snippet to draw my Hazel and Drew together but in the au you’ve presented in the one-shot fic~
(p.s. Thank you soo much for including heterochromia as a customizable option for the eyes. The descriptions that came with it were also such a nice touch to the narrative!) keep up the superb work!
I like how you think! I won’t say if you got it 100% right or not, let’s hope I can still keep a bit of mistery to the whole story!!
Great pictures! I appreciate it tons when people share how they think the characters look like
Let’s see how Carter turns out as the story progresses and the stakes rise higher, maybe he gets wayyy worse with stress and extreme pressure. And where did Marshall get those pesky, troublesome fleas? Some of the bullies parents may appear, or it might be possible to take a peek into their lives
There’s a brief description of Drew at the start of Chapter 1! @Fay has shared the male Drew’s description, but here you go all of them:
For Audrey:
For Andrew:
And for Andrea:
In the prologue there’s a brief mention of them, too, but it only describes a trait or two, if I recall correctly.
Aww, thank you for the kind message!
Thank you for your encouragement! Really, I’m very excited to show you guys Drew as they are, not just from the MC’s perspective, maybe you even get to like them even more!
The so0ng really fits the story, thank you for telling me, and for trying out the demo!
Oh. My. Gosh. I love it! I agree with @Tokiko220, it’s a wonderful drawing, they look so sweet together! I love how gentle their expressions are, the flowers, the detail of your MC’s necklace! Do you mind if I link it in the main post (giving you credit, of course!), or would you rather not?
@Lycoris I DON’T MIND AT ALL I’m actually very happy and you and the others liked how I depicted them! Your characters are precious and I can’t wait to meet the others as well! @Tokiko220 Thank you~
will there be a chance to resurrect him?
).
), and I’ll do them next.
)
The demo of One thousand Blooms is finally up!! 
grew so attached to Drew…My god, I usually play my mcs as good, gentle people, but this is the first time I cannot help but want to turn my poor mc into an angry and vengeful mc. So for that alone, bravo, author!
keep up the superb work!
I agree with 
I’m actually very happy and you and the others liked how I depicted them! Your characters are precious and I can’t wait to meet the others as well!