I’ve been working pretty heavily on this project so it feels right to post my WIP for the month with content from my script for my visual novel. I have Paisley’s route entirely outlined and have been able to use it as a consistent roadmap thus far (minus one scene that I realized had a massive plot hole in its mere concept that I swiftly cut, hahaha).
For context, this scene takes place on a cliffside where one can get a picturesque look at the sunrise and these two vampires (who are protectively clothed accordingly) are watching it along with you, the player character. I really enjoy putting Ren and Paisley in confrontation with each other because the aloof selfishness versus Pollyannaish altruism is fun.
There’s someone else nearby marking themselves as either a vampire or a person overly-conscious of the weak sunlight beaming through the clouds with their parasol. The figure turns and Paisley looks ill.
Paisley: Ohhh no.
Ren: Wipe that look off your face. It’s pathetic, even for you.
Paisley, chastened, tries to school his expression. Ren acknowledges your existence with the briefest of glances in your direction before looking back at Paisley. As before, he radiates cool hostility. Whether he has some grudge against Paisley specifically or just doesn’t like other people—er, vampires—in general is up for debate.
Paisley: It’s nice to see you, Ren.
Ren: I won’t lie and return the sentiment.
Paisley: What brings you here?
Ren: I don’t see how that’s any of your business.
Paisley looks ready to either yell or burst into tears.
Ren: If it’s so important to you, I’ll confess: every so often I enjoy seeing twilight. This is the best vantage point.
Paisley: Oh!
…
We have that much in common.
Ren: Hardly a unique trait.
Paisley: Among vampires, I have to imagine it’s a bit rarer.
Ren: Hmph. Maybe so.
Paisley: How did you find this place? It’s a bit out of the way.
Ren: My brother always liked it here. He would drag me out every opportunity he got.
Paisley: I didn’t know you had a brother.
Ren looks suddenly even more intense than before. Sore subject?
Ren: I see you haven’t killed this human yet.
Paisley: O-of course not!
Ren: I give it a week before you give in to your baser instincts. You have no tolerance for bloodlust thanks to your insistence on starving yourself. It’s only a matter of time before the human gets a papercut and you wind up biting their hand off.
Paisley: That’s disgusting. Not everyone is a monster like you.
Paisley startles at himself for the insult, but Ren appears unmoved.
Ren: If “monster” is the most appropriate word to describe myself and my actions, so be it. Unlike you, I am not afraid of my monstrosity.
Paisley: Well, maybe you should be. I have a hard time believing that it doesn’t bother you at all. Deep down, I think that maybe you feel the same as me when it comes to having to hurt others to sustain yourself.
But like… deeeep down. Very deep down.
Ren: We’re vampires, you little fool. I pity you for not having figured that out yet. Do you think a wolf feels guilty every time it eats a rabbit?
Paisley: Maybe not, but it might get a little weirded out by sucking the life out of another wolf, don’t you think?
Ren: This metaphor is getting more mangled by the minute. You’re not a human anymore. You’re not hurting your own kind. You’re a vampire. You’ve been given the gifts of immortality, eternal youth, enhanced strength and agility. Or they would be enhanced if you actually drank blood.
Paisley: I never would have wished for it even if it didn’t come at the cost of harm to other living things.
Ren: Well, aren’t you righteous? You’ll learn. For the sake of your delicate state of mental health, I hope it’s before you cause any serious harm to this human. I doubt you would be able to forgive yourself.
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