main explanation: executive dysfunction is my worst enemy and this game won't be a realistic endeavor until i can actually get a handle on it. My depression is better managed than it ever has been in my whole life -- which is incredible! but my ADHD symptoms are still very bad. i haven't stopped working on this game (plot, mechanics, characters, etc.), but the transition to Twine has ground to a halt.
feeling motivated to do something ≠ being mentally capable of doing the thing. i think i wasn't allowing myself to say this out loud because it used to feel like giving up? but i'm well enough now to know it's just stating a reality I have to continue working on.
sorry it's shitty news, y'all. I'm gonna stop giving dates and time estimates and just return when I actually have something to deliver. at least that'll be exciting 😅
extra explanation: my day job is helping people apply for medical assistance at a public hospital, which is both incredibly rewarding and deeply depressing. insurance bullshit kept me out of therapy until very very recently, so compulsions and inattention have been real bad. (and i did just get an e-mail from my new therapist today that federal bullshit is going to make therapy harder to access in 2026 if the state decides it isn't medically necessary for me lolololololol 🙃🙃🙃)
on a brighter note, improv comedy is a cult and has officially taken over my life 😅 while executive dysfunction continues to fuck up my video-making and stand-up comedy plans, ADHD is almost a superpower in improv. it's the only creative thing that i get better at by just showing up and playing. a lot of free time has been dedicated to rehearsals and live shows, especially this past summer (i performed at a comedy festival in ny!), which is something that took a lot of adaptation.
life has mostly evened out over the last month or so, though. and with depression not being my main thing to address in therapy anymore... idk. i'm feeling hopeful. it also helps having so many offline friends who are fellow creatives and neurodivergents.
Hobby : Painting & murdering people with her words or literally
Appearance
Height : 5'9" /175 cm
Hair Color : Blonde
Eyes Color : Dark Green
Skin Color : Fair
Description : Tall and slender figure. Chin length Dirty Blonde hair that is always loose and Dark Green eyes that resemble Big Hope forest so closely. And those eyes almost always convey a sense of boredom.
Clothing style : Her sense of fashion is casual with a little touch of grunge and rather considered "boyish". Her tops are mostly graphic tee shirts of various rock bands and dark colored tank tops with either a plaid shirt or her favourite brown leather jacket for the layer.
As for bottoms, she wears dark blue or grey jeans (short or long, ripped or not) and most of the times, wears either a converse sneaker or hiking boots, depending on whether she's going for a casual stroll through town or to hide bodies in the forest. Depends really.
• Check out her pinterest board
About her :
She's usually the one to always stands in a corner and simply observes people. Her strongest qualities are her sharp eyes and her sharp mind. Seeing advantages in the unlikely places is a talent she was born with.
She's not really the most cutthroat person per se but not the type to let anyone one up on her either. She will leaves you alone as long as you leave her alone but if you ever dared to cross her, she will remember it and you will see the consequences soon enough.
She acts selfish infront of other people but actually really selfless and cares a lot about people. Or literally anyone other than herself.
Sour and deceptive all the way through, inside and outside tho lol.
She likes to act selfish and more sour and cutthroat than she feels because she don't want people to know or take advantages of her selfless personality.
She don't take things too seriously, her personal philosophy is that, "Life is short and everyone's gonna die one day so, why care?"
Parents
Left : Landon Hawthorne (Father) +
Right : Helena Hawthorne (Mother)
People tends to say as a compliment that she got both of her parents' best features; her mother's beautiful emerald eyes and her father's bone structure. And she tends to think in reply that, thank god she did not inherited their stupidness too.
When she's in a good mood, listening to her parents' passive-aggressive arguments is a form of entertainment she enjoys.
Relationships & Mindset :
- She have a relatively normal relationship with her parents. She don't really put their wants and expectations of her as the number one goals in her life but if there's a not so difficult thing she can do to please her parents, she would at least try to do it.
- She knows it's unfair how they see her as a tool in their social game and she knows she don't own them anything but she just can't totally abandon them either. It's not in her nature to abandon people she cares about. It may sounds weird but she feels responsible for her parents' well being in a way, like she is the adult in her family. God what would their stupid asses do without her.
Likes and Dislikes
Likes : Arts | History books | Coca Cola | Cigarettes | Rock bands | Classical music | Thriller/Mystery movies | Cheesy rom-coms | Cold weather | CATS
Dislikes : Egotistical people | Overly sweet foods | Rules | Ass kissers | Dumb people | Bullies | Pickles
Random fun facts about her
She likes cats. (Very important)
Her Hogwarts house is Slytherin.
She loves nature; especially, lakes.
She's not a very athletic person. Swimming is the only sport she actually enjoys and is good at.
She's also decent at Tennis but she don't really like it.
She likes stars and astronomy.
Her all time favourite movie is Chinatown.
Her favourite band is Bon Jovi.
She has 4 piercings on her right ear and one on her left. (More than one earrings is technically "not allowed" in school dress code but she don't really care)
She don't particularly likes school but she enjoys learning things.
Her favorite school subject is English and her strongest subject is History. Her least favorite is Theology (she hates that subject with a passion) and it's also her weakest subject.
Her sense of humor is dry, satirical and morbid.
She is particularly intrigued by the ice queen of school herself; Heidi Emerson. Though, she can't really explain why...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.. so i fucked around and made my mc for this lovely murder interactive novel by @emersonfreepress that i'm currently in love with. i spent 2 full days just making her pinterest board lol
i swear i'm not usually this hyperfixate on things (lies) but anyways. I just wanted to post this cuz i can't just keep it in my system any longer and i literally can't think about anything else.
.
if you don't wanna read the whole post cuz it is long as hell, this two memes describe my mc perfectly.
*a mystery is afoot in the town of Emerson, causing our unlikely heroes (or are they villains?) a rise in stress. however will they relieve it?*
*Vexx is my mc. Jessie, Gabe, and Curt belong to CIE’s author, the lovely Okomo @emersonfreepress *
Vexx pulls an old lighter and a fresh carton of cigarettes from his jacket pocket. The tension is visible in his shoulders.
Jessie frowns lightly up at him. “I thought you quit?” she said, the quiet worry in her tone making him smile at her slightly.
“I did,” he said, pausing to take a deep drag from the now-lit cig, “but stressful times call for unhealthy stress relievers.”
“I can think of a much healthier way to relieve stress,” said a familiar voice from behind, the shit-eating grin distinct in his tone.
Vexx didn't even turn to answer him, “looking to get your knees dirty, Emerson?”
A sultry laugh was Curt’s response as he came to stand on Vexx’s left. “It's for a good cause.”
Vexx rolled his eyes in response, though the corner of his lips twitched up slightly in a smile.
A scoff turns the trio’s attention away from the conversation.
Gabe was standing behind them with his arms crossed over his chest, a familiar frown on his pretty face. “Very mature of you, Emerson.”
Curt’s eyes light up at the opportunity, flicking between Vexx and Gabe with glee. “Gaby does have more experience in taking you than I do. Think he can give me some pointers, V?”
Vexx rolled his lips inward, biting back a grin. “Two gorgeous men down on their knees for me? I’d be a fool to refuse,” he drawled lowly. His shoulders relaxing at the easy banter.
Gabe’s eyes narrowed as he scoffed again, though the blush warming his skin was made known by the reddening of his ears.
A quiet cough from the spectator of the conversation interrupted the heated glare Gabe aimed at Curt.
“Uhm, maybe not flirting in the middle of a precinct might be a good idea?” Jessie said hesitantly, casting a pointed glance at the other bystanders watching the scene unfold.
I have been infatuated with the IF: Conspiracy in Emerson by @emersonfreepress since last year and it was about time I make a needlessly long introduction post about my MC! So buckle in, she’s a mess <3
NAME: Ingrid Elizabeth Falken
PARENTS: Hans Falken and Barbra Falken
APPEARANCE:
Slightly tanned skin from the summer with a lot of freckles
Has some acne sprinkled in as well
Curly blonde hair
Hazel eyes
Pretty tall, about 5’11 (and kind-of sort-of really self conscious about it, tends to slouch and refuses to wear high heels)
Spindly physique so when she fell in the woods she fell hard
Loves knit wear, demin overalls, jeans, cargo shorts, her favorite ratty canvas jacket, and her Converse. Many of her clothes have embroidery or patches she did herself.
PERSONA:
Selfless: 53%
Sweet: 57%
Direct: 55%
PERSONALITY:
Selfless: 81%
Sweet: 57%
Direct: 59%
DEMEANOR:
Deliberate: 65%
Classy: 53%
Compassionate: 77%
FAST FACTS:
Smells of peppermint gum, Bath and Body Works Fragrance: Cucumber Melon, and stale cigarettes.
Really likes video games (spent a lot of time at the arcade as a kid).
Always has her Gameboy in her backpack, no matter what.
Since she had no friends to sit with at Lunch last year, she would pass the time by playing video games in one of the bathroom stalls.
Is currently saving up for the Gameboy Color that’s dropping next year.
Some of her favorites: Pokemon Blue, Ms Pacman, Legend of Zelda Link's Awakening, and embarrassingly Battletoads.
Is pretty frugal (trying to avoid turning out like her parents) and buys most of her clothes from second hand shops.
Is very crafty and really likes to make friendship bracelets and lanyards.
Has been working on the same quilt for 4 years and you can tell.
Misses Red Oak often and thinks that the social scene there was much easier to handle.
Is excited to finally get out of Emerson and go to college but is worried how her family will afford it.
Wants to work in a STEM field, probably something around engineering or computer science.
Her locker is a mess, actively ashamed of herself for letting it get this bad.
Has always felt drawn to Big Hope and nature in general.
Has no relationship experience what so ever, but is a hopeless romantic at heart.
Would be the type of bitch to write her crush’s name in a bunch of hearts in her notebook and then feel immediately embarrassed about it and try to hide the evidence.
FEELINGS ABOUT THAT NIGHT:
Happy to help her parents, although mortified that many of her classmates will see her catering an event they’re all guests at.
Felt very guilty when she realized that her leaving may have just gotten her dad fired.
Knew something was fishy pretty quickly and was hoping she would be able to sneak out without either Gabe or Kile noticing (no such luck).
The image of Marie’s body laying bent and lifeless will haunt her till the day she dies. She would trade anything to reverse that mistake.
This is literally her worst nightmare.
Is only helping clean up the crime scene because she is scared that they will kill her next. Honestly just hoping they will stay true to their word and let her go after all this is said and done.
Felt like she was going to throw up for the rest of the night.
Her conversation with Kile in the car did nothing to calm her down.
Tried to run when she got the chance even though she knew it was a long shot.
Ruined her 3 week clean streak without smoking that night (just another thing to feel guilty about)
Really hoping this is all a dream…
HOW SHE FEELS ABOUT THE CAST:
Gabe: Honestly did not expect him to be like this, threw her off for sure. The way he switches from cold-hearted calculated killer to school golden boy heartthrob and back again is very disconcerting for Ingrid as she is someone who wears her emotions on her sleeve. Grow to understand each other better over time, but it takes a while. And Ingrid takes many steps to avoid him at school. Still she has a morbid curiosity about who the “real Gabe” happens to be, and if such a thing even exists.
Kile: BAD VIBES, BAD VIBES. Never knew what to make of them before that night but now she knows she wants to be as far away from them as possible. Kile stresses her out aggressively and that doesn’t really change. Has no idea how to talk to them and when she does try it’s mostly awkward questions (“yeah, wow, this weather we’ve been having… crazy, right?)
Jack: Oh Jack is the man for her <3. Compassionate, understanding, creative, in tune with his emotions, and tall! What more can a girl ask for? Just seeing him around makes her stomach flip and her brain turn into static. Their interactions will involve a lot of awkward jokes, excessive blushing, and a genuine interest in getting to know the other better. Doesn’t know how to express her romantic feelings at first so she just kind of makes him a bunch of little gifts and hopes he gets the message from there. If he ever wrote her a poem she would literally die. Truly what else can she say other than she likes ‘em nice and sweet.
Jessie: Will get along really well with Jessie, will become best friends for sure. Likes the fact that she has the ability to be so kind in a place that strives to not let that be an option. Ingrid spent most of last year wanting to go up to Jessie and introduce herself but never built up the nerve. They will have fun talking about their crushes, going on nature walks, and making each other friendship bracelets (and honestly they deserve it)
Rain: Definitely intimidates Ingrid for a while (“wow their so well dressed and they don’t seem to even care what people think of them, way too cool for me”). But they eventually bond over their love of modifying clothes, even if their fashion senses are super different. Always willingly to help them grab things from high places.
R: Not like anyone she has ever hung out with, and they push her out of her comfort zone in just the right way. But they do teach her how to better say “no” cause if she did all the things they suggested she would have a heart attack. Still no one can make Ingrid laugh like R. And she secretly wishes she was confident enough to rock eyeliner like they can!
Vi: Surprisingly really likes Vi, and that’s not just because she wants to get with their step-brother lol. She gets their lonely and very clearly stressed about many different things so there is an immediate connection with that. Her strategy right now is to kill them with kindness. Of course it takes Ingrid a little while to find her footing with them but they’ll get there… eventually.
Heidi: Thinks Heidi is very pretty and also kind of scary. From what Ingrid has seen she likes the fact that Heidi is always looking out for her friends. But overall tries to avoid the Emersons in general, too many unknown variables.
Curt: Doesn’t super understand him, he’s like a riddle… And Ingrid doesn’t feel equipped to solve it. Even so, he seems nice enough.
Thank you @evil-owl-loki for this amazing commission of my @emersonfreepress MC, Katherine “Kat” Thompson!
She has a selfless, sweet, and direct persona and a selfless, sour, and deceptive personality. She has a classy, deliberate, and an equally compassionate and cutthroat demeanor. Her dominant skill is persuasion.
headcanons below!
general/misc. facts
her birthday is february 27th, 1980
her favorite artists are swv, 702, michael jackson, brandy, and later the pussycat dolls, justin timberlake, jodeci, and destiny’s child
loves recording home videos of her and her family and is always the first to pull out a tape when something cool happens
her favorite classes at school are math and accounting (her grades are highest in those classes and she gets to see gabe) and her least favorite is history (so much writing and for what?)
personal style: neons and pastels all day long, color block patterns; basic tees and long sleeved knitted shirts; fleece jackets and large pullover sweatshirts; overalls and a-line skirts; mary janes and converses; her dark blue bucket hat
make-up: generally natural looking with a splash of glitter; glittery eyeshadow and brown mascara, no eyeliner; very filled in brows; lots of blush; brown lipstick or clear lip gloss
her time at red oak high
her too earnest smile and her exceptionally bright eyes made her an easy target for fuckboys and fake friends
which only got worse after her parents blew the family funds on deals made over handshakes and after several glasses of wine
regardless, she could always negotiate her way into a group setting when the time called for it
yearbook was her favorite club at the school by far
not only did she get to take photos around the school (which meant free entry to every school event, her parents would be so proud), most people in the club at least appreciated her work
outside of that space, she was essentially a nobody
so when they tell her to transfer over to emerson prep, it feels like a fresh opportunity to assert herself as someone new
(someone who wasn’t a sad, pathetic pushover that practically begged for attention.)
junior year at emerson prep
her classmates are uninterested and a little rude to her when she first arrives, but it’s nothing she isn’t used to. they’ll come around eventually, right?
(they didn’t.)
she still sat alone at lunch most days, but now people wouldn’t even take pity on her
despite everything, she’s still convinced they’ll come around if she keeps pushing
yeah, it hasn’t worked out so well thus far, but they will give in sooner rather than later. they have to. right???
her perspective on that night + how she deals
she was happy to help her dad with the catering shift, really
things had been getting unusually tense between her parents and it seemed like a good idea at the time
and it was...until they started hiding things from her
it was far from the first time, but she’d think that they’d be a little nicer to her considering that she really didn’t have to do this for them
regardless, this night going off without a hitch would be big for the thompsons
and then they pull a disappearing act on her? after her dad lied about being there?
it was only a matter of time before she got sick of it and left
katherine thompson is not a pushover and she’s goddamn tired of people treating her like it
(even her own fucking parents don’t respect her.)
so that night, she did something she would have never dared to: she left.
and it felt amazing, powerful even, to throw up her middle finger until she realized she didn’t have anywhere to go, with the whole “outcast whose family is going broke” thing
eventually she finds the abandoned warehouse and hey, it’s kind of dark and filthy in here but not the worst place to be after getting your father fired, so she can’t complain
she’s wrong about the warehouse being abandoned
she quickly realizes that she’s also wrong about her crush being normal when he shoots carter johnson in the head
(she has no room to judge; marie’s blood pooling around her body is proof of that)
once the she has a choice to make: to snitch or not to snitch?
on one hand, she sings like a canary and kile gets shoved back into the pen where they belong; on the other hand...more time to hang out with gabe.
the choice is easy.
everything comes with a price, including friendship, and access to the emerson elite is notoriously expensive (she would know; her parents only complain about it every chance they get)
so if she needs to break a few skulls eggs to make a successful popularity omelette, that’s just what she’ll do because she is never going back to being the girl who sits alone at lunch or the girl who has to wait around to be noticed
and anyone who tries to ruin the progress she’s created will be dealt with
is that a little fucked up? maybe, but so is emerson
all her life she’s had to play their little social games just to be treated like someone who deserves basic respect
this time, she’s playing to win.
her feelings about her parents
she knows they want the best for her at the end of the day
it just so happens that the best thing for her in this case is to help them get their respect back in the community
but jesus fucking christ, they make it hard
not only do they absolutely refuse to stop meeting with sketchy investors
(seriously, how hard is it to stay out of shady business deals long enough to pick up your daughter from the event she’s doing to help you?)
but they don’t even keep the small promises they can afford to make
(like showing up to help their own fucking daughter do the catering event she wasn’t even supposed to be at.)
she can’t help but feel used by them most days
despite everything, she still feels like it’s unfair of her to stay mad at them for long
even now, they’re doing everything they can to give her a good life
she goes to a good school, she wears nice clothes, and she’s not exactly sleeping in the slums
so for now, she’ll grit her teeth and bear it
after all, she’s got one more year of helping them out before she’s completely on her own
and it’s all gonna work out in the end, anyway. right?
her feelings about the cast
gabe: holy wow. gabe cortes is beautiful, respectful, and...murderous? okay. not ideal, but everyone has flaws. he had to earn his popularity just like she will. maybe he’ll have tips? either way, he’ll be fun to hang out with and make out with while she finds her footing at emerson. maybe he’ll even want to go out sometime?
kile: every bit the freak that everyone has been telling kat they are. no idea what the hell gabe sees in them. their lack of impulse control is gonna put in them in a situation gabe can’t think their way out of. however, kat has a grudging respect for their killing prowess, especially since it means that she always has the option to stay out of the action when they’re on the job.
jack: she sees a lot of her old self in him. kind, gentle, and well-meaning, but extremely weak and easy to exploit. nonetheless, his sci-fi nerdiness is as cute as it is geeky and she knows she’s always got a hug with her name on it when she needs it.
jessie: thankful for her kindness in emerson’s overly hostile environment, but not naive enough to fall for the sweet girl act. after all, that’s kat’s thing; make yourself approachable, docile even, so that people are willing to do anything for you as soon as you say the word. it’s a smart move. apparently she has feelings for gabe? that’s not gonna work. jessie doesn’t seem like she’s gonna make herself a problem yet, so she’ll play nice. for now.
rain: not really sure what to make of them. they’re weird and...lazy. as hell. can’t help but resent that they’re better liked in school than her when they don’t even care enough to try. until she figures out just what they’re after, she’s keeping a very close eye on them...
vi: initially feels annoyed by the way they refuse to acknowledge her; she didn’t exactly choose to have parents with bad priorities and she’s sick to death of people treating her like her financial situation is contagious. still, she can’t help but feel bad for them; they’re clearly not happy with the way life is going for them, but they’re refusing to ease up. prefers to pity them from a distance.
r: she’s glad to have a friend at school, but r’s disregard for rules could be a problem if she’s trying to help her family gain favor in town. r doesn’t benefit much from getting in trouble on campus either. they’re a lot of fun regardless and she can count on them to keep things interesting, if nothing else.
heidi: very clearly the head bitch in charge. kind of cold, but nothing she hasn’t dealt with before. definitely not the type to befriend just anyone, so she’ll really have to put on the charm to get noticed. it can get really lonely at the top, especially when everyone wants something from you. she might benefit from having a real friend.
curt: cute, but unreliable. seems to go through girls like clothes; definitely not boyfriend material. also has a thing for gabe, but anyone with eyes can tell that he doesn’t have a fighting chance in hell. he just might be down for a chance to make gabe jealous if the chance ever comes up, though...
character playlist | ship playlist | character tag
the rewrite is just... huge. a very big one. much bigger than anticipated. some things that are in the current demo are getting smooshed into each other in order to get to the real meat of the story faster. which means i'm breaking a sweat writing new stuff.
this isn't an update so much as me checking in with everyone (who sees this, that is)
I'll be uploading the Choicescript demo to COGdemos some time this week. There won't be any changes, same stuff y'all read on Dashingdon.
I've rearranged my schedule a bit to allow more time to work on the game. The new job I have luckily gives me some space to write throughout the day — some days none, but some days I have literal hours. I'm also taking a hiatus from one of my improv troupes for the next month or so — that I specifically did to free up energy for writing.
The plan is a playable Twine demo in May. I think most people know I'm awful at making my own deadlines, though, so take that with a grain of salt.
I am still making a video with a summary of what's changing and why, but tbqh the State of The World has definitely made me shrink into myself. Talking in front of a camera or even writing out plans I'm excited about haven't been things I've been in a headspace to do. but apparently I can get on a stage unscripted look idfk lol
