✨ BTS ch6.1 and more — ✨

I've been fixing the bugs and fixes for the chapter, some stuff that will come with an upcoming fix is:

• Some balancing of W platonic route ✨

• H romance (but MC who's not as convinced) 😬

• And the greyed-out option in the carriage! 💌

Additionally, I've been tinkering a bit on the upcoming W POV thing, which will be added to the end of the ch6.1 file as an optional thing. The moment of MC's reveal. I think I could have it by early next month or before, but my life looks hectic at that time of the month, so I'm not putting down a date yet! 😮‍💨

And I also needed a bit of a mind break, so I wrote a thousand words on the old Dracula minigame I posted a while ago (not aaoth related, just a little mini side project of a few thousand words to practice sexy times...) But I don't have an update there to post yet, as I want it to be longer + it was only on the bad end route. 🧛‍♀️🧛‍♂️

I also want to give a great big thank you to everyone who filled out the form! It has already helped me tremendously, from everything from inspiring content to finding bugs ❤️🥹

But—Let's get to it!

Some ch6.1 behind-the-scenes secrets ✨

Spoilers for the chapter below:

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First of all -- I wrote quite a few sketches of W being flabbergasted 🤭 In the end I didn't go with a full-on 'jaw droop awooga' but close enough. Anyway, of one version some of my notes remain in the code, where I wrote:

W when they see MC (if MC doesn't do anything special, unattractive or platonic) they should have a warm smile on their lips. The one that creeps up when you meet a dear friend. The one you can't hold back. The one that just happens because you are so happy to be in their warm presence for now or for the future.

(Watson smiles warmly, "Sherlock. Are you excited? I rather believe I am... With a hint of nerves. I do not believe I've gone to such a show before.")

Also, that section with W ballooned up so much that I had to force myself to stop early... I could have done that for far too long... (Which is why I'm writing the POV thing haha).

But! Don't think this is the last you will hear of reveals, outfit conversations, or stunned reactions. Not even with W! Y'all, you two haven't even discussed yours and their themes yet! (we just need to allow W to catch their breath first, for a moment...)

• Fun fact, this part:
   "I will try my best, tonight. By your side. I mean, I... I have never been to a [i]proper[/i] ball before. But I..." They admit, then their words once again trail off, just as they gaze deeply into your eyes.
  
  Was in the carriage. At first, I had written the carriage versions as a friend option and a romance option. With two entirely different conversations. Buuut... I didn't like it, and it gave two entirely different vibes at the end (Where W was sad in platonic and happy in romantic). And so I put this in earlier, and that allowed me a good excuse for W to be bummed out in the carriage so that I can give them an excuse to... go a little wild / let loose at the ball...

  Just a little...

• What W went to pick up before you all left with the carriage will appear in chapter 6.2. But not for all W's.

• The reason MC is wearing a big coat is because I wanted a specific reveal moment with H, and I wanted one that all MCs can have. Not just the one where MC gets picked up.

• Mrs Hudson's gaudy bird outfit was just a thing I felt I had to do... How could I not? 😆

• Fordyce's Sermon exists irl and it is dreadfully dull! Also—this will be brought up again, soon...

• I swear I've been sitting on the part where they argue over that book/rule for sooo long. But I'm glad you seemed to like it ❤️ (It's also the moment H starts to regard W as more than an ant by their shoe, and more like a rat gnawing at their shoe... Maybe something they need to kick away at to get rid of...).

• H has I line in the carriage that was a little inspired by Mr Collins from Pride and Prejudice... if someone spots it I'll give you a gold star ✨😆

• I had even more forward H lines that I cut...

Their voice is a little lower. "As much as I do not wish to scandalize you..." Something in their tone and too direct stare makes you feel as if they'd at least be more than capable, more than willing, if the circumstances were right. "Partaking in the waltz is still seen as rather... tawdry, by the old guard. It is a tad more intimate—one on one—hand in hand—but you would survive it, I am sure. And it is enough for some to call it scandalous when done with enough vigour."

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Their voice is a little lower. "As much as I do not wish to invite or encourage scandal..." Something in their tone and too-direct stare makes you question some part of that statement's truth, but which part... you are quite unsure of.

But in the end, it felt a little too quick, even for Simp H...

• There's a dialogue with Mrs. H that only appears if you're attractive or look better than usual! (Just wanted to mention that).

• I also wrote a "break up" choice in the carriage, but it... caused so many branching issues and it felt a bit whiplash-y:

#"Extreme professionalism, My lady / Sir." My voice is firm, my gaze a glare. their offer, and them, seems all of a sudden a thing I wish to avoid.

    *set turnedDownHInTheCarriage true

    Their lean towards you disappears by the blink of an eye and with the quietest yet audible tsk. "Ah," They say, followed by a pause as their lips frown further into what must be the straightest, most unamused line.

    "Yes." They take a deep inhale, then exhales. "I suppose I misread this situation. Consider my assistance rescinded. I won't trouble you further, Detective, not beyond the professional nor that of the utmost pertinence."

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I can't believe you read all that. I hope you were at least moderately entertained.

🥹👍❤️

XOXO

• Doriana