Ideabox, For those random funny ideas you have

[Gaatz]

If you've had an idea that could be used for the VN, drop it here. Go ahead and say whatever you like, just don't expect it to be used if it's too... stupid. Posts unoffical unless stated otherwise.

[Dr Doujin]

Alice Route

Alice is a youkai who can micromanage the full moments of many dolls, so it’s very obvious her mind is amazing. I tend to think of it like a swarming beehive, with thousands of thoughts and calculations instantly occurring to control the dolls and related magic. Maybe a lot of it goes on in the background of her mind automatically, so she doesn’t really need to concentrate on them unless it’s something very important.

Subconsciously controlled dolls
Take that a step further. Maybe some of the control of her dolls is subconscious. With so many thoughts, it’s not unreasonable to think that maybe a few dolls act seemingly on their own accord, unknown to Alice. Thus the dolls become an outlet to vent her feels which she never could. They seem like independent dolls, but really aren’t.

Scene ideas
Anon wakes up one night to find his room dark. He notices a doll in his room. Maybe its hiding. Maybe it has a most cloth because Anon has a slight fever. Maybe it has a sharp knife. Regardless, it surprises Anon and possibly freaks him out. He confronts Alice about it in the morning, and she denies ever sending one into his room. If Anon calls her out on it, she becomes insulted and/or hurt (possibly a subconscious defense mechanism.) Regardless, the dolls act out Alice’s secret wills and can reflect what is happening in the story.

Schizophrenic Alice Idea
If Alice is the isolated quiet type, she might try to outlet her frustration by making conversation with her dolls, which might be full sized and look like real people. It’s sort of a replacement for the people she wants to interact with, but with the safety and comfort of control. Imagine it as Alice role playing her fantasies or day dreams. This is an offshoot of the subconscious doll control idea, in which Alice controls the dolls without consciously controlling them, so they feel more real to her. As her loneliness and isolation deepen, she begins to believe the dolls are real people. She has conversations with them, plays with them, everything. She’s happy, but it’s because she has gone insane.

Anon is a doll
This idea can be used to explore a lot of existential “what is life, really?” discussion. Basically, the dolls which Alice subconsciously controls began to build someone to make her happy. Perhaps they developed or found an artifact which allows for a real independent doll. This is Anon. He looks and acts so realistically that most assume he is real. Towards the end of the game Anon eventually gets into a locked room which contains the work station he was built on. Rejected and prototyped mannequin body parts lay discarded on the floor, which gives the appearance of a horrible massacre. Anon see his face on lifeless models and freaks out. He begins to realize that he is a doll himself. One poetic end would be that Anon kills himself in an ironic twist: ‘Alice always sought to create an independent doll, and never realized she had one. The doll found out he wasn’t a real boy, and ended his faux life.’ A possible good end is that Anon realizes that life is what you make of it, and that just because she is a doll he is real because he has a sense of self.

Problems
Hunger, waste management, general liquids, texture, etc are things which cannot be recreated without a proper system. There are some ways to trick this, such as hunger being psychological. The lack of blood wouldn’t really come up because Anon wouldn’t get hurt until later in the plot. But still, someone will eventually notice if he lingers too long. So the options are part organic (like Kara no Kyoukai) or just claim really powerful magic.


Nightmare:
Anon is at breakfast with Alice, complaining about soreness in his chest. Eventually the pain becomes horrible, and Anon cries out for help. But Alice doesn’t notice and continues to eat. Anon falls from the table and wriggles in agony as something pushes against his chest from the inside. His ribs snap one by one under the strain. Eventually something small pushes his skin up, causing it to stretch and distort unnaturally up from his body. The skin eventually rips open, revealing a small arm and hand. Eventually another arm reaches through the hole and a bloodied doll pulls itself from the gaping wound in Anon’s chest. Anon continues to scream as the doll just stares back at him with crimson tint and dead emotionless eyes. Alice doesn’t even notice, continuing to drink her tea.

Other ideas:
-The dolls are often more full of expression than Alice is. Their faces don’t move, but angles and shadows help give the illusion of emotion. Often they just give off a feeling or aura of emotion.
-Doll-Anon’s life drains from Alice’s, causing her to become weaker.
-Danmaku drains from Doll-Anon’s life, with possible self sacrifice chances.

[Maryn]

Hooray its alive again!!! Or is it? Anyone with a better insight on this please edit it, and add any necessary information regarding this synopsis. Thanks.


Anyway Ideas that may or may not be used and will be sorted later on and if deemed useless by some means then it will be trashed. You have been warned.

First off SDM!

SDM Synopsis(With Due credit to Vodoka) :

Remilia Route heavy on fate theme
Sakuya Route heavy on mortality theme

Remilia visited you during childhood (possible when you were meant to die from fever) in the the outer world (possibly by a whim.) It is not revealed until the end of the story, but Remi used fate manipulation to lead you to her eventually. Perhaps she needed/wanted a male(?) human servant other than Sakuya, or that Remilia knew that Sakuya was fated to die soon. The protagonist grows up and has poor luck finding jobs which don't involve cooking, cleaning, or tending. He is unemployed and finds a job in a paper which is very attractive while offering housing, food, and great pay. The character pursues the job, but feels a little odd about things shifting into place too easily for it. It might make him a little paranoid.

Anon travels to a strange isolated urban area and accidentally gets gapped into Gensokyo. Alternatively the bus he was suppose to get on runs into him, does not fatally kill him but the people riding were thinking it so. The vehicle blew up along with your body. By the time the fire was over there was nothing left of you but a pile of blood. Before Anon blacked out he catches an eye of a bat who was taking in the shape of a girl?... Cue waking up in Gensokyo .

Anon awakens at Keine's, after he was found be someone (likely villagers) and brought to her. Keine notices the seal on the job ad in the player's possession and realizes its its Remi's seal. (Alternatively Remi left child-player a letter for him about coming to her for a job, which replaces the news ad.) Keine asks why he is here and he tells her that he was looking for a pursuing the employment. Keine tries to warn him about the dangers of SDM, but the player is skeptical and still does not believe in Genoskyo. (at this point after Keine has painted an ominous tone about SDM, Sakuya arrives looking for a "new arrival who didn't land in the proper spot")




Alternatively (if we feel like the game needs a softer landing and more atmosphere):
Keine then proves to him that magic does exist and takes him out a bit since he is better now. He meets a small girl named Akyu. They both introduced themselves to each other. Since he's an outside and for his own safety, she tells him that he doesn't belong there, and it'd be best for him to return to real world. If he'd just wait few days, that could be arranged. The idea was appealing to the MC but he is more interested in the job being offered.

Anon wakes up the next day and Keine ask how hes doing. A small chitchat but was interrupted by Sakuya asking if she has seen a new person who has not appeared in the proper place as told by her master. The MC can hear alot of controversy as he listens to Sakuya and Keine fight outside.. Anon asks who that silver hair maid was, and Keine instantly replies that she is dangerous and works in that mansion they were mentioning earlier.

Alternatively, the MC wanders around the market a sees a a girl who seems to stand out from the crowd and inquires about her. Keine warns that Sakuya(who he does not know her name yet) is dangerous and works in that mansion they were talking about.


Then, on the morning of the second day when Anon is having breakfast with Keine, there is a knock on the door, and Sakuya enters. She tells him that she has come to pick him up. Keine is ready to protest, but Sakuya asks if she is really willing to go against Remilia's will. Keine reluctantly gives up, and tells the protagonist that she's sorry. After that Sakuya asks if protagonist will come willingly.

*breaks a sweat*


Moriya shrine ideas:



1) CERN faith/radiation idea (possible Reimu as antagonist)
2) Tetro's YMLA idea , which I have no idea whats in it but hey.
3) Anon meets Suwako and finds out that she has a mature side to her but also is content with her eventual fate.
4)The actual shrine, which Suwako is confined/staying in is behind the new shrine which Kanako resides.
5)Some of Kanako's lieutenants, the Aki Sisters and Hina also arrived with Kanako during their arrival to Gensokyo.
6)Hina route, based on her enjoying Anon's company but things become happen to Anon because she lets her guard down
7)Hina's route is basically about trying to help overcome her fear of being close to mortals, because it usually always ends in disaster.
8)Tetro's story of kindredness to Sanae by being an outsider
9) Depending on the time setting of the VN, Kanako's route could involve her scheming and setting up the events that lead to SA. <-- not viable for now.

[NomDePlume]

Sakuya brainstorm theatre. You can almost just mix and match these and create a Sakuya of your very own. Definitely a toy line in the making.

1. Remilia meets Sakuya

a) Remilia meets Sakuya for some reason. Perhaps there's a cryptic conversation while the latter is sick in bed. Whatever
b) Remilia finds Sakuya, who does not remember her name, past, or in fact any sort of identity
c) Sakuya is a vampire hunter idea.

2. Remilia inducts Sakuya

a) Sakuya makes a deal with the devil
b) Remilia gives Sakuya a name and an identity as her maid. Effectively an opportunity to just start over again.
c) Remilia gives her the clock, as a symbol of her service, of her new identity,
d) Remilia defeats Sakuya. For one reason or another, Sakuya stays to be her servant. Possibly marked.

3. Sakuya runs out of time

a) Sakuya's has only been buying time for herself all along
b) Sakuya is losing her memory.
c) Sakuya is disconnecting from the temporal fabric
d) Sakuya is having trouble coming out of her World
e) The Lunar Dial is winding down
f) The Lunar Dial has negative affects on one's health
g) Sakuya has been taking drugs to counter som effect of the Lunar Dial
h) Sakuya is suffering from an exotic and definitely incurable disease.

4. Something is done

a) Sakuya doesn't know, and finds out later
b) Sakuya does know, and hides it from her mistress
c) Sakuya finds out later, and breaks
d) Sakuya finds out later, and accepts it
e) Sakuya tries to replace herself. Doesn't understand why he is such a slow worker.
f) Remilia knows Sakuya is dying, grabs a replacement. Sakuya is not pleased in general.

[Dr Doujin]

Remilia and Flandre

Remi is similar to HY's Remi, but has a lot more childish tendencies. She doesn't act mature immediately; it’s a hidden true side you see farther down her route.

Background
It is possible that she was a dying child who was sired along with Flandre. Remi and Flan were little hellions who terrorized people for fun in their vampiric ‘youth’, and eventually Remi grew out of it while Flan didn't. Remi went through stages of childishly enjoying her power (new toy!) until it became boring, then became pissed that she couldn't grow into a woman. So she was angry during that time and did cruel things to women in their prime, but eventually came to accept it. One of these emotional growth stages might have involved being locked away, which she thinks should work for Flan too (but it isn't, which pisses her off because Flan is a reminder of her own sins.)

Personal Growth and Sakuya
Remi found a girl with no future (dying?) and on a whim decided to give her one by altering the child’s fate. Perhaps the girl reminded Remi of herself. She watched the girl live on and grow, and in a way vicariously grew with her. It calmed her anger, allowed Remi to accept what she is and be able to enjoy it. Sakuya might have been this girl or later come from a similar situation. Remi gave her a second life, but not an unlife, and was happy to enjoy the trials of tribulations of growing into adulthood as well.
Remi still often acts childish though since she was treated as a child due to her appearance by many for centuries, and found that it easier and less tiresome to just accept that sort of attention instead of fighting it. Canon Remi often acts childish anyways. But she also has a clear mature side, after learning through 5 centuries of sin and resulting grief to be happy with herself. The only problem is that her beloved sister is not the same way.

Remi – Flan Relationship and Conflict
Short version: Remi resents Flan for not maturing as well (or changing in a way she doesn't quite trust,) and for leaving what luxury and ties they had for the backwater land of Gensokyo. Flan resents Remi for being too controlling and locking her away, and is pissed that she loves Remi so much she is willing to take it because if she stops and shows that she has already grown, their time together will be over. So each side wants change, but at the same time doesn't want to lose what they have. Vampires are static creatures, unchanging and having a difficult time personally growing.

Longer version: Flan is actually mature and no longer a child. She just acts childish because Remi doesn't know how to interact with her in any other way. If Flan grows up, she'll probably end up leaving her (wanting to forge her own path instead of being bound by her fate controlling sister). But she pities Remi and doesn't want her to go through Empty Nest syndrome and such because she really loves her. We could assume that after EoSD, Flan has gotten a little better. However Remi is used to being in control (hell she controls fate) and doesn't trust how Marisa is dealing with Flan. She is glad to see Flan acting a little better, but it’s not how she personally grew and so doesn't trust the process. So Remi resents Marisa, despite the fact that Marisa was just a catalyst for Flandre to start showing that she has changed.

Flan still acts in the childish "this power is a new toy. I'm selfish and do what I want" way unless she shows her hidden maturity. She love/hates Remi for forcing and restricting her own growth. so she takes it out through violence, which she already has a dendancy towards due to her power.

Flandre is still locked in the basement because Remi believes it is the best way to make Flan grow up, since it’s what happened to Remi and she doesn't trust what she doesn't know/control. Also Flan is a violent destructive force who doesn't respect the limits of herself or others. Despite being mature, she still has a tendency to indulge in her powers and lose herself in the game.

So while Remi wants Flan to grow up, she is used to what they have now. Flan is already grown up, but not the way Remi wanted. So she plays the child to in order to stay with her, because they are both sort of afraid that if they end their problem, it will be the end of their relationship. Fear of losing what you have despite the possible benefits in a way.

[Sensei Hanzo]

Flandre Route/Main Plot Idea
Basic premise: It's said in canon and assumed that it's because she's out-of-her-mind crazy and the world would be at risk if she were to run free. What if in actuality it wasn't Flandre being locked down there, but she was down there to prevent something else from coming up?

Possible ways to expand this idea:[list]
[*] Keeping some great evil at bay was the original reason, but she went crazy after being down there for a couple hundred years and Remilia decided not to let her out even after she defeated it.
[*] Remilia and Flandre are some sort of vampire anomalies that aren't undead, and Flandre's fighting either the last undead vampire or they somehow locked all remaining undead vampires down there with her to exterminate.
[*] Remilia and Flandre were daughters of a family of vampire hunters who were fighting a losing battle. As a last resort, Master Scarlet (or Patchouli?) uses some sort of magic that turns them into anti-vampires or something that, when bitten by a vampire, gain all the benifits of vampirization without the undeadening and has them finish his work.

Also, this quote that Nom posted that fits this idea rather well: "He who fights monsters should see to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Nietzsche

[Dr Doujin]

2/5/2011

The main character worked at CERN on the LHC, but when it screwed up he was transported to the SDM because Patchouli was making a portal to return Koakuma to Makai.
The MC gained an ability from the LHC event, and can understand or control subatomic particles to a certain extent. He’ll learn his strengths over time. It allows him to use danmaku and fly better than a normal human in Gensokyo. It also allows him to understand Remilia and Flandre’s abilities, as well as some of Patchiouli’s magic and Sakuya’s Lunar Dial.

The antagonist is the personification of the rift the LHC event created. He takes the MC’s form as sort of a shadow or evil version. Probably attacks SDM targeting the MC, Patchouli, or the sisters. His presence in Genoskyo hinders some of the girls’ abilities, especially Remilia.


Laevateinn and Gungir were found by Flandre and Remilia, and give the girls’ their unique abilities.
Laevateinn gives Flan the ability to destroy anything, and mentally altered her to destroy things.
Gungir gives Remilia the ability to manipulate subatomic particles by pinpointing the ones needed, as it never misses. This is how she manipulates fate or the progress of events, since if you know the position of all the atoms in the universe you'll be able to predict the following events.

Flandre’s Route probably involves teaching her self control and responsibility with her powers, or destroying Laevateinn outright. Possibly at one point Flan runs off to fight the antagonist alone and is defeated, with Laevateinn now being in his procession. Remilia uses Gungir to destroy Laevateinn. Unsure if Flan is childish and innocent, or mature but cruel.

Remilia’s Route involves dealing with the dwindling of her own powers and lack of control, helping Sakuya, or helping Flandre.

Sakuya’s Route still involves her life is being drained by the Lunar Dial, or it can no longer prevent age from catching up to her. Possibly linked to Remi's diminished powers.

Patchouli is trying to master a spell which will restore her to health.

Koakuma wants to return home to Makai. Might not have her own route.

Meiling was a feral youkai, who Remilia found and after defeating gave her a job and purpose. Meiling is sane and in control now, but she is lonely and unhappy with her position. She wants to leave and explore the world, but feels that she is honor bound to Remilia and stays with her. This has caused her to give up the dream or something of that sort. The MC rekindles her desire to be free. In Good End she returns with MC to the outside world.


The SDM is an old but well kept Victorian Era mansion. It does not have electricity. It uses candles and magic for light. There is running hot water, possibly from a wood burning water heater. Heating from a wood burning furnace. Cooling from user controlled fans and possibly ice fairies. Uses ice box and cellar instead of a refrigerator. No automatic dishwasher or laundry cleaner.

[Dr Doujin]

2/8/10

Sakuya
-World War II orphaned 6 year old child in 1941 in France. Meiling rescued and took her to Remi. They decide to keep her.
-Remi named Sakuya a Japanese name in honor of moving to Japan.
-Is somewhat sheltered, and her ditziness may come from being quaint from this.
-Has never lived with another man before, so the MC’s stay affects her.
-Sakuya might have tension with Koakuma, who is a new arrival which conflicts with Sakuya's tight family views.
-The Lunar Dial causes Sakuya to not only age slowly physically, but also mentally. This might be due to the strain it puts on the user’s mind. Regardless, despite being 76 years old she is mentally closer to 20.
-Some event caused by the MC choosing Sakuya’s Route causes some damage to the Lunar Dial (likely from Antagonist attack.) Can be fixed or resolved by defeating boss.
-We need to figure out what Sakuya does in her free time to make her character more developed.
-We need to create a Lunar Dial backstory and determine how/when Sakuya obtained it.

Meiling
-Became feral during the Boxer Rebellion in China in 1901.
-Was a human, then became a youkai. Possibly had her power to control Chi before she became a youkai. Possibly obtained it through martial arts mastery or some item.


SDM
Teleported from France in 1941 to escape World War II. Arrived in Gensokyo after 1945 (the PoFV 60 years event.)

General Plot
-Story begins in outside world on 19 September 2008, when the LHC actually had its accident powering up.
-Antagonist attacks SDM after Route Lock, targeting whatever character MC chose. Antagonist will be defeated at the end of the game in a way relevant to helping the girl achieve her personal goal.

[Dr Doujin]

2/10
After some debate, we found that Sakuya doesn't really need the Lunar Dial, and its uses are mostly fanon. Since she is sort of a strange character who has already achieved her own sort of happiness, most likely we won't have a powerful plot for her story. As such, Sakuya's route will likely be based mostly in romance and learning about living with others. If we can come up with a good plot for her, that would be great though.

[Dr Doujin]

2/12

3 different story paths. Certain events will occur in each path, the player’s perspective of them will depend on the route.

Servant Path (Meiling and Sakuya)
This focuses on the MC becoming a servant and his relationships with Meiling and Sakuya. The pros and cons of working for the SDM are explored. Meiling and Sakuya seem to interact well, but over time they come to odds with each other over differing ideas. Meiling wants to leave the SDM, as she sees it is time to make her own life. Sakuya has very strong family ties and has never experienced a family life outside the SDM, so she sees this as a betrayal. Imagine an argument in which Sakuya accuses her of this, and Meiling replies that Sakuya has never had a family, only indentured servitude.

Magic Path (Patchouli)
Over time the intense use of magic has been bad for Patchi. She is starting to lose her mind and possible control of herself to lower youkai impulses (Think Flowers for Algernon.) She has been working hard to solve this problem while she is still sharp, but nothing is working. The MC uses his ability to understand magic and help Patchi complete the spell to save her, or finds an alternative solution. Koakuma is involved in this, and if Magic Path is not selected she will be the solution to the problem so it does not interfere with other Paths. Will touch on the price of focusing your life to studies rather than enjoying some of life itself, but also the benefits of dedication.

Vampire Path (Remilia and Flandre)
Same as has been discussed before. Flandre wants to be free and respected. Remilia wants to be unburdened and wants a normal relationship with Flandre. This path will touch on the nature of immortality, the pros and cons of it, the pros and cons of mortality, and give the MC a choice of whether he wants to become a vampire or not.


Sakuya: potentially more playful now. She is bored but content with her work. With the arrival of the MC, things become interesting for her and she indulges in the change.

[Dr Doujin]

2/13

We need scenarios in which the characters can show other sides of themselves, and the MC can get involved. Examples:

-Marisa breaks into the library to steal some books. Ends in danmaku and tea. Marisa talks to the MC about magic so he has a better idea. The MC also sees Patchi acting differently around Marisa, perhaps bashful? Perhaps passionate?

-Aya is looking for a scoop and causes trouble. Talks to the MC about the people there and how outsiders of SDM view it. Maybe Sakuya reacts a bit too defensively and comes of cruel when she deals with Aya?

-Cirno visits Meiling and talks a walk with the MC. They talk and Cirno innocently gives insight about how Meiling acts and what influence he is having on her. Maybe "did they bring you here to make Meiling happy again? A lot of times she tries to seem happy but isn't. But not with you though, mister."

-Sakuya visits Kourindou for supplies, and the MC tags along? Rinnosuke could give the MC tips. Maybe see Sakuya acting childish or guarded as she looks at supplies? Maybe she seems shy around Rinnosuke?

[Dr Doujin]

2/15

Patchouli is not losing her mind or dying. She just wants to cure her anemia.

Scene Ideas:
-MC watches silhouette of Meiling bathing in the Lake. Possible youkai attack.
-MC hurts himself with Flandre. She is confused by seeing his blood, as she doesn't associate friends with food.
-Remilia gets her blood from "volunteers" from the Human Village who are paid for it, or from Sakuya who tries to hide it from the MC. Eventually Remilia orders the MC to give her or Flandre blood.
-Funny scene in Remilia Route where she and teh MC visit Reimu. Remilia acts as though the MC is the new lord of the SDM and dotes on him. Reimu is confused.


Trying to figure out of Remilia is nocturnal or not. The SDM doesn't have a lot of windows, but she does enjoy moon gazing. Having a random sleep cycle might be best, though its a pain for Sakuya. Would allow for some alone servant time with Remilia. "You, human. Sakuya is asleep. Entertain me."

Remilia has a lot of free time on her hands, so she must try to avoid boredom. Since she came from aristocracy, she was already trained in finer things like dancing, music, etc. She has mastered most now, such as instruments, painting, dancing, embroidery. She might also be interested in theater, and possibly directs/acts in plays. At some point she likely gives the MC a script and some clothes. Possible "what is a man" scene. Hehe...roleplaying.

Flan has been locked up nearly her whole life. When Remilia visited the Orient, it was likely to take a vacation from Flandre (whom she loves but also resents.) She is still a vampire and sees humans as things rather than people. Whether to intentionally enjoy the mayhem, or by coincidence, she is in China during the Boxer Rebellion. She meets and defeats the feral Meiling, and is impressed with her. Remilia returns home with now sane Meiling, who tries to convince Remilia that human lives are worth something. They meet Patchouli at some point, and Remilia takes her in out of usefulness. Her whimsical nature also allows the stay of lil Sakuya, who Meiling brought in to save. All these experiences have taught Remilia that non-vampires can be friends and companions as well, though she likely still doesn't care too much about killing people.

[Dr Doujin]

2/17

Danmaku
Different characters use different sources to power their pew pew.
-Sakuya uses knives but makes it non lethal by stopping time before the knife hits and just punching the opponent instead.
-Meiling uses chi.
-Most use magic.
-ZUN is a lazy prick.

Vampire Path

Flandre
-Doesn’t understand that blood comes from people, freaks out when she sees the MC bleed and she realizes what is coming out. Freezes when she sees blood on her hands and breaks down crying, not understanding why. Has repressed memories about bloody people, her siring, and killing.
-Is fed blood baked into meals, so doesn’t really understand that blood is what she consumes.
-Remilia altered MC’s fate to not die when he met Flandre. After Flan and the MC play for a bit and she gets a bit too out of control, the explosions draw Sakuya’s attention. She takes the MC to Remilia who is pleased he survived. Offers to make him Flan’s personal servant.
-When Flan sees the MC again she is surprised (as she rarely sees playmates twice since she destroys them without realizing it) and overjoyed. Sakuya helps out for a bit until the MC can handle himself.
-MC slowly tries to reintegrate Flan to the outside world, taking her on walks around the SDM and maybe to Marisa.
-Remilia tries to join in on bonding with Flan. Is ok at first but the passive aggressive tension between them grows until it results in an all out fight.
-Flandre goes “kyuu” and destroys things if she gets too mad, sometimes not remembering in a red out.
-After Flan realizes that she consumes people’s blood, and that she has killed others, she refuses to eat and isolates herself. MC might end up making her feed off his wrist.
-Alternatively, Flandre accepts this reality and asks the MC if she can “kiss” him, promising to be very gentle. In a sense he is her “first.”
-Another idea is that since Flan is not used to affection and close contact, hugging her stirs up vampiric urges. She does not want to let go, and is infatuated with MC’s neck.
-Refers to MC as “toy friend.” Remi hears “boy friend.” Hijinks ensue.

Remilia
-Wants to no longer be burdened by Flandre.
-Wants to forgive herself for locking Flan and wants to bond.
-Is reminded by the MC about the wonders of mortality, and discusses both it and immortality with him.

Possible ending
-Flan is furious at Remi for lying and locking her up. She runs away. There are fights. Eventually MC is hurt. Has the option of being sired by Flandre. If she does sire him, she fully understands and accepts what it is to be a vampire. If she does not, she overcomes the pitfalls of being a vampire and maintains self control.

[Dr Doujin]

2/21

Meiling Route
MC spends time with Meiling. Remilia decides he'd make a better guard than butler, so she sends him to be Meiling's partner. Meiling tries to teach him some martial arts. Having a human outside causes more youkai to be drawn to the SDM, and so Meiling has to fight more off. Seeing feral youkai reminds her of the Boxer Rebellion and her own sins. Meiling wants to have good relationships with humans, but after she became a youkai it seemed impossible. She is polite to humans and will spar with those who visit and request it, but they always view her as an overpowered monster. Meiling rescued Sakuya as a child in the hopes of forming such a relationship, but it turned out wrong as Sakuya focused on Remilia instead. The MC helps Meiling overcome her awkwardness with humans and loneliness, and the climax of the story involves them fighting off youkai together.



Sakuya Route
Sakuya's life is stagnant and she only cares about serving, rather than living. Remi is tired of this and getting bored with Sakuya's obedience. MC arrives and is made a butler. Remi decides he would be good for Sakuya to develop a new (maybe even normalish) relationship, knock down her ego a bit, and generally get her to be passionate about something again by challenging her. Remi decides to help the MC so his skills are somewhat on par, or at least look like they are on par, with Sakuya's and will favor his work more to mess with Sakuya.
Sakuya at first doesn't know what to do with the MC, but after she works with him and gets to know him within her world of the SDM, she likes him. After Remi has them compete and the MC beats her, she gets angry with him. Eventually it leads to a large conflict in which Sakuya realizes she has never been so excited, even if she is angry and frustrated with liking him, in her life. This helps her break out of her ethnocentric bubble and shows her what a real relationship is like. Upon realizing that Remi was manipulating all this, and to vent her frustrations from the years of unrequited love and service she gave, she confronts Remi and fights her. Remi is pleased with Sakuya's independence and growth.

Possible Ending: Remi is talking to a little girl, telling her she should love her mistress and work hard to represent the elegance required as a servant. The scene looks like a flashback to when Sakuya first met Remilia. Fade out from sepia if needed. Older Sakuya and Old MC walk up, asking Remilia not to tease their daughter. Remilia laughs and bids them farewell as the family leaves to start their own life somewhere. To Remilia, it seems like her life with Sakuya has come full circle and she is pleased.

[NomDePlume]

Doc and I have different ideas on...pretty much everything, actually, but here is the big one; how we brainstorm plot. Doc likes details and history and all that good stuff, while I prefer to just lay things out in broad strokes. Personally I think the best way for a plot to achieve some sort of structure is to give it a sense of thematic coherence. That is, a Big Idea should be fuelling the progression of the narrative. I just find this easier because, in my opinion, I think stories should preferably have something to say, and having a Big Idea narrows down on what you want to say from the get go. I'm not saying the VN has to be totally didactic or anything like that, but I would prefer it to at least be able to pretend to some measure of depth (because I'm masturbatory that way).

In a sense, the best plots are those that are, at their core, very simple. Or maybe that's just me; I find appeal in elegance. Consider the plot of, say, A New Hope:

"Boy becomes hero and fights evil."

Of course, there is a lot more going on in the movie than that, and I may doing Star Wars a bit of a disservice. But the core of it is the Hero's Journey and Good vs Evil. The viewers won't necessarily identify with Luke as the adopted son of a moisture farmer on Tatooine, but they know exactly what he is when he takes up the lightsaber and goes to fight the Empire.

So when I'm trying to brainstorm for, say, Flandre, some things immediately come to mind:

--Her monstrous vampiric powers contrasted with her appearance as a young girl (evil vs innocence, book vs cover)
--Her juxtaposition with her sister (vampire as monster vs vampire as Count-Dracula-with-wineglass)
--Her being locked willingly in the basement (and her spellcards being 'taboos')

Then I'll go from here, adding detail along the way.

That's my take on things. Of course, I've just been talking about me and what I like, so do throw out your contradicting viewpoints.