What's next after 0.9?

I won't include any spoilers in this post, but hopefully all the patrons by now have the latest build "in hand", as that will help the following make a little more sense.

We are now coming towards the end of Act 1. Alex has learned a lot so far, some of it contradictory and everything influenced by the life experiences (and prejudices?) of those he's been speaking with. The player has gotten a glimpse of what some of the other Elders are like (through Alex's POV with Matthieu, the Frenchman, and from Nick's POV in his flashback). We know something about the threat facing the city and possibly the larger world, but we still don't know how it started and Mayhew's endgame isn't entirely clear yet.

Build 0.10 is going to bring Act 1 to a conclusion, and set the stage for Act 2. This part of the story has always been more or less set:  Alex is going to work for Mayhew. What's going to be up the player is the reason why Alex is doing it. Those reasons won't necessarily be fixed in stone -- maybe Alex's perspective changes as he learns more about the world of the Elders in Act 2 -- but I do want the player to have some sense of agency in terms of deciding why Alex is doing this.

This final part of Chapter 12 is going to be a little difficult to write. I have a LOT of ideas about what I want to have them discuss and cover, but I don't want to bore readers, so pacing is going to be an issue. So, I'm trying to make a list of all the items hanging out there so far, figure out what the player may really want to address with Mayhew, and what can wait until Act 2.

Whether Alex finally gets to hook up with Mayhew in the next update or not... I honestly haven't decided. We'll have to see. But I can promise they are going to have some time together and, if the player wants, it'll be more than a handshake.

A Note on Build 0.9:  I'm going to redo the menu in which Alex decides how to resolve his "surprise", and I may release a 0.9b that includes the scene I wasn't able to finish before the end of July. Despite the absence of that particular route, I hope everyone enjoyed this build. Regardless, any feedback (especially constructive criticism) is always welcome! I always want to keep improving on what I'm offering folks.