The Oblivious Player Character (Help)

[feurio]

As someone who’s ace/ND/queer, for me, it is often a matter of “Do I simply like to look at this person?”, “Do I want to be this person or otherwise emulate an or more aspect(s) of them?” and/or “Do I want to be with this person?”

Also, I suppose, having a traumatic past can make love a really difficult concept to grasp. Take for example this quote from Benjamin Alire Sáenz: “But love was always something heavy for me. Something I had to carry.” In some way, this is true for me. I instinctively dread other people having crushes on me or expressing any kind of attraction because I always get the impression that I am obligated to react in a certain way which, of course, is absolutely foolish. But when the love you’ve been given is conditional or when you have to “work for it” from a young age, that distorts your view of it. While I absolutely empathize with the take that “Love is a helium-based emotion” from an intellectual standpoint, in real life, love still feels more often heavy to me than not.

@TheChaosArchivist

How would you all show the Player Character is attracted to someone but isn’t aware of it?

Finding their appearance or little details about their personality pleasing. Personally, I wouldn’t settle for obvious clichés here like rock-hard abs, a firm ass, or big breasts. Nuance matters. Familiarity, growing or already existant. Liking that one crooked tooth that only shows when they are genuinely smiling, for instance. Show us that the MC pays attention to this person, is maybe seeing them more complimentary than others do. That they make an effort for them and maybe, specifically, why they make that effort. (The answer doesn’t have to be: “Because I’m in love with you.” The answer could be everything ranging from “You inspire me to be better” to “You’re the only person I know who can belch the alphabet backwards, and it seriously makes my day every damn time”.)

For me, as a reader, it would be important to feel a certain “vibe” between these characters. Do they work together on an interpersonal level? Are they nourishing each other intellectually? Are they equal in this relationship? Can they be tender and vulnerable with each other? Can they butt heads, challenge each other and still never lose sight of the mutual respect that binds them? Show how this other person energizes the MC. But also what work both willingly put into the relationship that might strike other people as “not typically platonic”. While the MC may be unaware of their attraction, never forget to also elaborate on the things the MC is instead aware of and deliberate about in this relationship.

[HoldTh3L1ne]

While it can obviously be done in non-IF writing, I’d argue that it’s not doable, without removing a large amount of player agency. Either the player doesn’t get a choice in how their character is feeling, or gets railroaded/told by the story how their character feels; either way, they’re not able to make the choices for the character.

[LiliArch]

@feurio

Personally, I wouldn’t settle for obvious clichés here like rock-hard abs, a firm ass, or big breasts.

Oh yeah please no. Descriptions like that make me lose faith in the writing completely (unless it’s relevant for some other reason than alluding to attraction).

[TheChaosArchivist]

@LiliArch

@feurio

Personally, I wouldn’t settle for obvious clichés here like rock-hard abs, a firm ass, or big breasts.

Oh yeah please no. Descriptions like that make me lose faith in the writing completely (unless it’s relevant for some other reason than alluding to attraction).

The only time I want to see any of those descriptions is in situations like this:

One NPC having rock-hard abs could come about with the MC punching said abs, and realizing that it really hurts. I actually have a scene like that in my current WIP.

Firm ass → that makes me think of a video I watched where a guy playing ball bounced the flying soccer ball off his backside. He was the referee or manager of the team, I think. It was hilarious.

Big breasts? The only time something like that would really catch my attention is if she’s wearing a very low-cut shirt and she’s 'bout to pop out of it. Then it’s a situation where I’m questioning why she would wear that and pondering if I should ask her. Or if there’s a really shiny, bejeweled necklace that’s bringing attention to them. Shiny objects catch my eye faster than most other things.

@HoldTh3L1ne

While it can obviously be done in non-IF writing, I’d argue that it’s not doable, without removing a large amount of player agency. Either the player doesn’t get a choice in how their character is feeling, or gets railroaded/told by the story how their character feels; either way, they’re not able to make the choices for the character.

I wouldn’t say that it isn’t doable, personally. It would be difficult, especially if attempting to make it more real and less of a faceful of Tropeness. A lot of coding, without a doubt. In a story where that kind of setup is there, I would think there would be a bit of time between meeting the ROs and the choice on whether they’re attracted (and they know it) or if they really want to spend time getting to know them better. And then branching off from there.

To prevent the feeling of a lack of agency, a lot of choices would need to be presented and a clear system of tracking those choices so the writer doesn’t get lost. Feedback would be key, I think.

@feurio

Show us that the MC pays attention to this person, is maybe seeing them more complimentary than others do. That they make an effort for them and maybe, specifically, why they make that effort.

This. This is a wonderful idea. Also, this:

@feurio

While the MC may be unaware of their attraction, never forget to also elaborate on the things the MC is instead aware of and deliberate about in this relationship.

You, Feurio, have given me a lot to chew on here!

@Mr_or_Mrs_Fantastic

During the section at the beginning with the support groups the M.C. keeps narrating what he doesn’t like about Marla (Helena Bonham Carter). The paragraphs where he does this all follow this format:

1. Marla with her {undesired action}
2. and her {undesirable behavioral trait}
3. and her {desirable physical trait}.

I haven’t watched, or read, Fight Club. This, however, is certainly something to think more on. And a way to add little things to other characters, too. A bit more zing.

@Dpwjeremy

Well, I know what it is like not to pickup social cues from other people, or from body language.

That makes two of us.

@Dpwjeremy

One person would see it one way and another would not even notice.

This is also a good point to keep in mind. Some people are oblivious to the signs another person gives out, and there could be a lot of different reasons behind that, but you are right: what one person may notice, another may not.

[LiliArch]

@TheChaosArchivist

The only time I want to see any of those descriptions is in situations like this:

I never remember what the word “abs” even means, when it’s not related to cars. And helmets, I guess. Although still I think that’s something one might notice if they assist each other at the gym.

As far as the breasts go, as for me, I wouldn’t mind the character just going “ow” after a jump or somesuch and complaining to another one how impossible it is to find a good bra (preferably comparing notes with another character), but I admit that might be a bit too much for most readers.