#our life step one

[homiehugs]

the art of holding hands part 1

[monicaeidolith]

it's been 8 years and she's still down bad for her neighbor (who wouldn't)

and so there she is: Step 3 Athena! 🌙✨

Step 1 & Step 2 here

(Infos about Athena in every steps except 4 below if you're interested)

(watch out it's long.)

Step 1 -

At 10, Athena is a very curious girl, somewhat nosey and a bit clumsy (main reason why she often has bandages). She likes puzzles, creepy stuff and drawing (but nothing that serious about that hobby yet). While she isn't very shy, she's still uneasy around people she doesn't know and moving to a new town isn't helping. She has trouble accepting changes, and this whole situation is a way too big change.

Athena is very close to her mom during step 1. Unfortunately for her, she doesn't really look like her that much and she's kind of bothered by that, especially because the person she obviously looks like, her "dad", isn't there. Not having a dad isn't really a huge problem for her, but Athena fears a little bit people's opinion on that subject: "Is it weird that I don't have a dad...?".

She's feeling sad and scared about moving out, as she has to get used to a completely different world (in her eyes). "At least I have my mom", she thinks. But if moving in Golden Grove was scary at first, meeting Qiu and Tamarack was a huge help for Athena to feel included.

She thinks Qiu, aka "Autumn", is funny but also a huge show-off, haha. She LOVES to tease Qiu. But Athena's also genuinely worried about Qiu sometimes, because that kid is a huge people-pleaser.

When it comes to Tamarack, man... Athena totally puts this girl on a pedestal. She thinks Tamarack is amazing and pretty. And should Tamarack say anything positive about Athena, you can be certain the latter will go crazy internally. At 10, Athena doesn't realize she actually has a huge crush on Tamarack yet, though.

Step 2 -

At 14, Athena became a sort of troublemaker, she barely cares about rules. She's not mean but she grew to be more blunt and direct than she was as a 10-year-old, this and her current appearance make her seem unapproachable. However she kept her soft side, a side that she ironically doesn't even keep that much hidden but that you still have to deserve. If at 10 she would often have bandages because of her clumsiness, at 14, it's mostly because she's reckless. Some things that remained are her love for puzzles, creepy stuff and drawing, in fact, she started to get interested in visual arts.

In fact, the tough side of her personality grew when her first group friends with Qiu and Tamarack slowly fell apart. She couldn't do anything to prevent that from happening, so she felt like she had to toughen up. But to be honest, she's becoming tired of being the sole link between them, she's barely trying to now. Maybe Qiu and Tamarack won't become friends again. She has to accept it... but maybe Athena still has troubles accepting changes, no matter how old she is, after all.

Despite all that, Athena still treats both of them nicely. She still teases Qiu whenever she can (watch out Athena, the teasing could backfire on you). Her worries about them are still present too, but for different reasons than in step 1. Even 4 years later, Athena still retrieve Qiu's lost papers because they would NOT do it themselves. No matter what, Autumn remains her dear friend and the feeling is mutual.

Tamarack, aka "Tam", is her best friend! ... and the girl she has a crush on, Athena realized it now. Athena doesn't know if Tam feels the same way or not, though. Athena still thinks Tamarack is the most amazing and most talented person out there, she wishes Tam could see it too. She's highly worried about Tamarack potentially leaving Golden Grove at any moment but she tries to hide it from Tamarack. "Tam probably has enough of people walking on eggshells with her", she thinks. Athena dislikes Tamarack's parents for not only never being there for their daughter but also for making her situation so uncertain, only for their own interests (in her eyes).

Another feeling started to grow: jealousy. Athena will feel jealous of anyone who seems a bit too close to Tamarack. Does she think she's no match for Tamarack? Yes. Does that stop her from being jealous? No. She knows she has no right to be, Tamarack is a wonderful girl, it's impossible not to like her, but she can't help it.

Athena grew to be even more bothered by her lack of resemblance with her mother. Some times before turning 14, she started to dye her hair cranberry, just like her mom's hair color (let's say Opal didn't really like to see that her daughter started dyeing her hair at her young age, reaction Athena didn't appreciate, all she wanted was to look like her mom, what's the problem?). Ironically, while Athena wishes so hard to look like her mom, her relationship with her became somewhat strained. As if resembling a completely unknown guy wasn't enough. Living his best life nowhere to be found, uh? Resentment is the word here. Never towards her mom, even if their relationship is not that good at this point, but towards this guy who gave her his physical traits she never wanted and started to despise.

At least she became used to live in Golden Grove.

Step 3 -

At 18, Athena is not the rough troublemaker that she was at 14 anymore. Now she's more like a silly prankster, seemingly always up to something more stupid than before, although she remains reckless and blunt (but less on purpose and more out of habit). Of course, her interest in visual arts remained intact. Her liking for creepy stuff turned into a huge love for horror and its aesthetic.

Her relationship with her mom is getting better than it was 4 years ago. Athena grew out of the resentment she had for her "dad" during step 2 and learned to accept she may not look that much like her mom, but that it doesn't cancel the fact she's Opal's daughter no matter how she looks. Plus "some bits of [Opal] did end up in [her]" after all, right?

Athena's relationship with Autumn is what you could describe as "siblings by hearts", Athena does consider them as the sibling she never had.

Athena and Tamarack are still officially "besties for life", but little do they know that they both ended up falling in love with each other, plain and simple.

Her jealousy and resentment did tone down, but when she thinks back to her 14-year-old self, she feels bad, so bad. For being jealous of Tamarack's friends, for being resentful of a random donor and basically making many things about herself. "Man, I was such a prick. And for what?".

If when she was 14, Athena felt like she was no match for Tamarack because she put Tam on a pedestal, at 18, she now thinks she's simply not good enough as a person for Tamarack. She kind of "accepted" that if Tamarack only wants to be friends, then it's fine, she cannot force Tam to love her back. It's silly to think someone like her could be extra-special in Tam's heart anyway (girl if you knew.), it's nice enough to be her best friend.

Between step 2 and 3, Athena managed to put a label on herself: she's lesbian.

[disaster-magician]

Looks like you found one of those golden retriever girls! Good luck with that, Tamarack

(Fake screenshots! These are fan made based on incorrect quotes and not in the game)

[justmusings]

discount rolls and lemonade 🍋

[aashiyancha]

It's been a solid minute since I've drawn step 3 Ash. While I was at it I drew Step 3 Derek too.

[cindercrows]

[riding-the-sunset-bird]

Hello! I really love your content because it helps me understand more about the game and how much work was put into it, so thank you!

I was wondering if you could explain about a scene in Baxter's Step 4 which takes place after Scott and Jude's wedding and before Baxter explain his backstory? I have no idea what triggers the scene since one run I get the scene while another has me skip it entirely.

Thank you again!

Oh! I think I know the one you're talking about. (Also, thank you for the compliment! >///<)

You're referring to the potential chat that the MC can have with Baxter where they get to elaborate on how they felt about him leaving, yes?

Because very specific conditions need to be met first, which might be why you didn't get it on other playthroughs.

But fear not, fellow Baxter fan, for I shall guide you! (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧

The Step 3 Ending

First things first is how your MC feels about Baxter during the Step 3 ending. If they're upset (this can refer to being either sad or mad), then a few additional steps will need to be made to make sure the right options will pop up later, but if not, then this step can be skipped.

This amount of explaining almost definitely won't be necessary but I'm a loser who likes over-explaining things and figured that people might want to know exactly how the game is reading their choices.

Anyway, your MC will be marked as "upset" if they choose any of these options after Baxter says his goodbyes to the MC:

(if the MC was dating him)

"Hold on- why can't that be you?"

"Wait, you're dumping me?!"

"Are you… breaking up with me?"

You stared in disbelief.

(note: if any other option besides these was chosen, they can still be marked as "upset" if they then choose:)

"We don't have to date long-distance. I just wanna keep in touch."

(if the MC was not dating him)

"Take care. See you sometime."

"You're making it sound like we're never gonna see each other again."

"Hey, it's not that serious- we'll keep in touch."

You stared in confusion.

The player must also avoid these two options later on if they want to keep the MC marked as "upset":

If that was how he felt, you didn't mind. He clearly wanted to go.

If that was how he felt, you would live with it- even though it hurt…

An angry MC may also choose this during the conversation:

You were furious at his glibness!

It's not required, but opens a few more options.

Once Baxter gets to the end of the discussion and is about to leave, you'll get two different choices back-to-back. Any of these will work and you only need one from either set (so if you chose one from the first set, you don't need one from the second set and vice versa):

from the first set of options

You smiled at him. / You managed to smile at him. (depends on if You were furious at his glibness! was chosen earlier)

Tears were rolling down your cheeks.

You were smiling as tears gathered in the corners of your eyes. (if You were furious at his glibness! was not chosen earlier)

You glared at him. (if You were furious at his glibness! was chosen earlier)

You glared at him through the tears. (if You were furious at his glibness! was chosen earlier)

You couldn't keep a frown off your face.

from the second set of options

"Fine! See you never, you Victorian emo man."

"It doesn't have to be this way…"

"I'll miss you."

"Screw you, Baxter Ward." (if You were furious at his glibness! was chosen earlier)

If all of the above two sets of options are avoided, the necessary options needed for the Baxter scene won't appear later on, so either any of those need to be chosen or the MC should avoid being marked as "upset" and then choose to be upset later during...

The Step 4 Intro

Here, the player will again be given options on how the MC feels about Baxter, this time during the five years they spend apart. Choose any of these:

(if your MC was upset at Baxter; which one appears depends on the specific emotions the MC felt)

You hadn't forgiven him. Any time you remembered, you were newly angered. (available if the MC reacted angrily to Baxter at the end)

It still hurt. Any time you remembered, you were brought down. (available if the MC reacted sadly to Baxter at the end)

(if your MC wasn't upset at Baxter)

The longer he was gone, the more it frustrated you!

The longer he was gone, the more it saddened you…

You may then proceed as normal~

Texts In the Guest Room

After the MC goes to the guest room and gets the first texts from Baxter in the planning group chat, you'll be given some option on how your MC feels about seeing him again.

Either of these will do:

(if the MC is sad over Baxter)

It hurt so much because the truth was, you still wanted to be with Baxter. (only available if the MC is at Crush/Love with Baxter and not dating/at Love with Cove)

Getting to speak with him hadn't changed anything. You were just sad.

(if the MC is angry over Baxter)

It was so infuriating because the truth was, you still wanted to be with Baxter. (only available if the MC is at Crush/Love with Baxter and not dating/at Love with Cove)

Getting to speak with him hadn't changed anything. You were as mad as ever.

At that point, most things should be set up and you should be able to do as you please until the wedding.

The Wedding Conversation

You'll know that you've done everything right depending on the dialog Baxter gives after having explained himself to the MC at the end of the wedding.

If he says, "No more running away. I'll listen to whatever you have to say to me, even if it's difficult to hear." then something has gone wrong, but if he says "I'd like to listen to what's on your mind, as a true friend would, even if it's challenging. And I will explain myself as well." then everything is going as it should.

Presuming you've successfully gotten the latter dialog, you'll be given options of how the MC responds to Baxter and you'll want to choose either of these:

(if the MC is at Crush/Love with Baxter and not dating/at Love with Cove)

Yes. You should talk about that, and maybe later you could tell him what you really felt… (choose this one if you plan on having your MC confess to Baxter later on)

That was all you'd asked for, the chance to connect. And maybe you'd find out if he felt the same as you… (choose this one if you plan to have Baxter be the one to confess instead)

You were still hurting. There was no denying it. But you weren't unwilling to talk.

(if the MC is not at Crush/Love with Baxter)

It was a relief to know he was willing to hear you out, finally.

In truth, deep down, you'd already forgiven him. But you couldn't say it yet.

Maybe you couldn't decide how you felt this instant. But you could still talk.

While you were still hurting, you were okay with talking.

Finally (finally!), if all conditions have been met, you'll hear the unease music start during the drive back to Baxter's apartment and the atmosphere will be tense. The scene begins immediately afterwards.

Recap

During the Step 3 ending extension with Baxter, either don't have the MC be upset at all or have them be upset but ensure that they lean towards being sad and/or mad during the last choices.

In the Step 4 intro, have the MC still lean towards sadness/anger over the situation.

After receiving the planning group chat text from Baxter, have the MC think that they either still want to be with them even if it hurt/was infuriating, or that the meeting didn't change anything and they were still mad/sad.

Once Baxter offers to hear the MC out if they have anything further to say, do not have the MC confess nor want to become friends again right away: focus on the conversation still needing to be had.

[seraphacreates]

still on my oc kick :] introducing my olba mc Rene Last (they/them)!

[rui-drawsbox]

tried to imitate olba's style! i'd consider this a win tbh

[crowdeerdire]

Cove: "Goodnight Kel. I'll see you tomorrow." I WILL CONTINUE TO DRAW SOFT COVE UNTIL THE DAY I DIE

But seriously... Cove gently brushes your cheek a few times and everytime he does... I simply die. >////< Also forgive my terrible attempt at soft lighting? I need to do more research on it... but I wanted to give it a try... Also I'm so glad this game is my hyperfixation... It's helping me draw a lot more and get through a really rough time in my life (despite the drama going on right now). So thank you for this wonderful game @/gbpatch (not gonna actually tag them because I'm chicken shit) Also shoutout to the game's background artist!! Obviously I didn't draw the background and cheated lol One day I'll learn to draw backgrounds??? hands first... Without the attempt at lighting:

[luv-indigo]

OlNF Week Day 3: Crossover

at first, I really struggled to come up with something for today. i originally drew them playing with lalaloopsy dolls but then i was like…. what if they were the lalaloopsy dolls

also cheyomi step 2 outfit reveal?! crazyness. (@olnfweek2024)

black eyed version!! don’t rlly know which one i like more though tbh

[wistaliia]

studying how to draw cove

[alluralater]

hey everyone, i won’t be as active for a while. got home last night super late after being on the road for 20 some odd hours. dealing with some family things and as an older sister, my priority of taking care of my siblings comes first before anything else. being on here is amazing for me but i don’t think i’ll have much time for it. reminder to please treat those in your life who are battling addiction with patience and care. i lost my older brother (sweetest person i’ve ever known and he remained that way up until his last night) to suicide and alcoholism, trauma and ptsd, depression and his feelings of hopelessness. talk with the people you care about. another of my siblings is dealing with the same and i refuse to let it escalate to such a terrifying end twice in less than a fucking year. remind the people you care about that there are beautiful things to live for. show them kindness and love. there is all kinds of misinformation out there but know this, you can make a difference for someone. don’t let them suffer in silence.

[sadaveniren]

.

[theo-grayson]

playing the our life dlc for the first time. .. . ohbg.. . .

[cannibaleather]

For the boys who cry. (Me).

I'M A REAL BOY BOY AND I CRY

I LOVE MYSELF AND I WANT TO TRY

(Lyrics from Samaritans by Idles)

Background with no text cuz i'm way proud of it