OKAY............................
This was soooo so good. I'm not sure if other things had been updated previously and they were things I just hadn't noticed, but? I like that the HR lady who helps at the start has more of a personality. I'm not sure if she was always cheery and helpful but that's neat. I also really liked the train dialogue and the lead-up to being essentially thrown out.
The confrontation with the man with the noxious fumes in the station is also interesting. Whether I imagined it or not, the fact that he gets so close and that our MC recognizes how threatening he is.... >:) I loveeeed that.
ALSO!!! The fact that the path to Octavius is found by eluding Nox is so interesting and fun. I thought for sure that it would be:
* Train station guy
* One of the other doors leading to "Nox's" apartment that he forces us to ignore in the initial versions
* The tunnel before the doors...but I guess the tunnel is what ultimately leads us to that fork in the road?
So, rereading Nox's route and just seeing some of those small changes is fun. The betrayal makes it soooo much more bitter, considering how close the MC was to escaping (well. ""Escaping"").
Onto Octavius.....
* He's so hot. His appearance...I love. I really thought he'd be a dark-haired, red-eyed guy for some reason, so the eccentric look really compliments his personality. I'm a sucker for long hair, also. And it's interesting how different his smiles can look. I didn't expect to see the creases on the corners of his mouth. Creepyyy. So good. The variety of sprites <3
* I enjoyed even the setup. The option to look through the window or look around....MMM. It's giving sexy horror movie and I love that LOL.
* The back-and-forth interactions between MC and Octavius was also very fun to read. I like how quickly MC catches on after realizing Nox's trickery and being informed of Warren's potential ulterior motives. That "Ha-ha! Welp! Time for me to go!" sort of blase attitude is soooo nice, hehe. It helps build up the suspense very nicely, making it clear to the audience that this situation is dangerous and eerie and MC is being careful for all the right reasons >:) Even after you get caught, the banter remains funny and enjoyable.
* HE'S SO SCARY? OMG????? His type is my favorite. Smart, calm, calculating...with a seemingly friendly facade. I was SO startled, like....woooow. This guy made me feel nervous. I love how eerie and weird he is, how you can feel his madness and wickedness as things evolve. I also like that he isn't just a loon, though. He gives off the impression of being in control, like an authoritarian. I like how he holds grudgesss. The mental ward setting for his chapter was such a good idea, and I like how the shapeshifting quality of Wonderland is taken into account. It works particularly well in this setting, where that idea of madness goes hand in hand with an ever-changing environment. Hell, even more so when it perverts the image of MC's own home.
* Great googly moogly. That smut was something else. Seriously, so, so well-written. The dirty talk was so satisfying, I love how you let it naturally flow with the setting, like the dirty talk being used in RELATION to the clinical (winkwink) setting is great.
* This is actually a note on all routes but I'm so happy we get the chance to choose whether or not our MC is a virgin. I know plenty of people are kind of tired of the trope but I LIKE THE ABILITY TO CHOOSE!!! T__T Rather than it just be assumed you're experienced...It's so, so good...
* OHHH MY GODDD THAT ENDING. I'm in such suspense. OML. What is he going to do to me!!!!! ToT I can't wait for chapter 2!!!! I haven't even read the second option in the initial introduction to him yet, or chosen the consent choices....but this got me so fired up. UGHH.
Sorry for the exhaustive comments, but he's definitely my favorite ML to date. Seriously, thank you for this update. Phenomenal work as always.
Side Note: He absolutely does give off unhinged, black-flag parasite garden ML vibes and I am 1000% here for it. I can't even imagine how his happy ending will turn out, but I'm just here for the ride. >:) The presence of two endings is so cool as well.