This walkthrough will guide you through the story of "Community Theater Performance" in Hornstown, helping the theater crew win the festival competition while building a romantic relationship with your chosen character. You'll interact with three main characters: Thane (the chain-smoking technician who's rough but loyal), Zephyr (the charismatic director who runs the theater), and Elowen (the shy but creative set designer, Zephyr's niece). Your goal is to help the crew stage a winning performance at the festival and achieve a satisfying romantic ending with your favorite character. Your choices will shape the outcome, so follow these steps to get the best ending!
Initial Steps: Getting to Know the Crew
- Visit the theater multiple times: In your first few visits, you'll meet Thane, Zephyr, and Elowen. Chat with them and be friendly—this builds a good foundation for later. On quiet days, the crew is happy to talk and will share their plans for the festival, a local theater competition with a prize for the best performance.
- Be mindful of your attitude: When making choices, try to be cooperative and avoid arguing too much. If you're too pushy (like challenging Thane or ignoring instructions), it can hurt your relationship with the crew.
Route Choice: Who Do You Want to Get Closer To?
At some point (usually on a Friday after you've visited the theater several times), the crew will ask who your favorite is among them. This choice determines who you'll build a closer relationship with. There are three routes (Thane, Zephyr, Elowen), and you can achieve the best ending on any of them by following the steps below.
Thane's Route: Helping the Technician Perfect the Setup
Thane's goal is to perfect the lighting setup and timing to secure the best stage position at the festival. Thane is gruff and stubborn, but if you cooperate with him and avoid arguing, your relationship will grow stronger.
- Choose Thane as your favorite:
When the crew asks who your favorite is, say Thane. Zephyr and Elowen will be a bit disappointed, but Thane will grin and invite you to help him test setups the next two Sundays.
- Accept his invitation:
Thane will ask if you're free the next two Sundays to test a lighting setup and timing for the festival stage. Say yes and give him your address. If you decline, your relationship won't deepen, and the crew will perform worse at the festival.
- First Date with Thane (1st Sunday):
Thane picks you up in a beat-up van and takes you to the theater's storage shed. On the way, he shares stories about his past (a former roadie who settled in Hornstown), resting his hand on your knee—don’t react negatively, as this builds your relationship.
At the shed, Thane packs the van to simulate the festival day's load. When he insists on doing it alone, don’t argue—just stay put. If you push to help, Thane gets annoyed, hurting your relationship.
During the test drive, Thane asks you to navigate with a map while he uses his phone. Don’t question the task, as this irritates him. Accept it and help him.
Thane drives fast, explaining they need to set up in 8 minutes on festival day for the best spot. If you didn’t argue, the trip takes 8 minutes and 20 seconds—a solid result—and Thane praises your navigation.
- Second Date with Thane (2nd Sunday):
Thane arrives in a different vehicle, and you head to the shed to test another setup. At the shed, he kisses you, leading to a romantic moment—don’t reject him, as this strengthens your relationship.
During the test drive, a wreck blocks the road. Use the map to suggest a detour via a side street. If you don’t step in, the trip takes longer, and Thane will be disappointed.
If you suggested the detour, the trip takes 7.5 minutes—an improvement—and Thane is thrilled. He wants to check the stage, but Zephyr calls, so he drives you home.
- Festival Day:
If you were cooperative on both dates and suggested the detour, the crew secures the best spot thanks to the fast setup, winning the festival. You’ll share a romantic moment with Thane to close the story.
If you argued or didn’t suggest a detour, the setup takes too long (11 minutes), and they get second place, leaving Thane frustrated.
- Tip for Thane's Route: Be cooperative, don’t challenge Thane’s decisions, and help with navigation. Passively following his lead and avoiding arguments ensures a strong relationship and a festival win.
Zephyr's Route: Helping the Director Refine the Performance
With Zephyr, your goal is to help her refine the play’s scenes to captivate the festival audience. Zephyr is passionate and dramatic, and she values your input if you take her work seriously.
- Choose Zephyr as your favorite:
When the crew asks who your favorite is, say Zephyr. Thane and Elowen will be surprised, but Zephyr will beam and invite you to help her refine scenes after rehearsals the next week.
- Accept her invitation:
Zephyr asks if you’d like to give feedback on her scenes. Say yes and agree to meet her at the theater after closing the following week. Declining stalls your relationship and weakens their festival performance.
- First Date with Zephyr:
Zephyr greets you at the theater with three monologue versions (melancholic, fiery, reflective). She asks for your thoughts after the actors perform.
Give specific, helpful feedback (e.g., “the reflective one with a touch of fire works best”). If you do, Zephyr refines the scene with you, and you share tea while bonding over her theater past. She offers an intimate moment afterward—accept it to deepen your relationship. Declining won’t upset her, but it slows your progress.
If you can’t give clear feedback (e.g., just say “it’s good”), Zephyr will be disappointed. Offering intimacy won’t help here—she’ll stay focused on the scene.
- Second Date with Zephyr:
Zephyr is rehearsing short dialogues. She suggests “entertaining yourselves” while prepping—accept this romantic offer to strengthen your relationship. Declining won’t upset her, but it limits your bond.
Afterward, give specific feedback again (e.g., “quiet introspection with a burst of passion is strongest”). You refine the scene together over tea until Thane’s call interrupts, and Zephyr has to pick up equipment.
- Festival Day:
If you gave helpful feedback on both dates and accepted her romantic offers, the scenes will be a hit, and the crew wins the festival. You’ll share a romantic moment with Zephyr to close the story.
If feedback was vague or you declined romantic offers, the scenes fall flat, and they get second place, leaving Zephyr disheartened.
- Tip for Zephyr's Route: Provide detailed feedback on scenes and accept romantic offers. Taking her work seriously and deepening your bond ensures a festival victory.
Elowen's Route: Helping the Set Designer Gather Supplies
With Elowen, your goal is to help her buy art supplies for the set, ensuring Zephyr has the best materials. Elowen is shy and insecure, so she thrives with your support.
- Choose Elowen as your favorite:
When the crew asks who your favorite is, say Elowen. Thane and Zephyr are shocked, Elowen blushes, and she invites you to shop at the art supply store on Monday.
- Accept her invitation:
Elowen asks if you’d join her at the art supply store to buy set materials. Say yes and meet her there Monday morning. Declining stalls your relationship and weakens their festival performance.
- First Date with Elowen:
At the store, Elowen is nervous but glad you’re there. She needs metallic paint for the backdrop, but a vendor charges high prices, and she can’t haggle.
You have three options:
- Haggle for her: Step in and negotiate (requires confidence). You’ll get the paint cheaper, and Elowen will be grateful, boosting your relationship.
- Pay for it: If you have money (200+), cover the cost. Elowen protests but accepts, promising to repay you, strengthening your bond.
- Let it go: If you don’t help, Elowen gives up, hurting your relationship as she feels she failed.
Haggling is best for maximum impact; paying is a solid backup. Don’t let her skip the paint. Afterward, she buys cocoa and walks you to her place—say goodbye with a cheek kiss.
- Second Date with Elowen:
Elowen invites you again to buy honey-toned dye. She asks you to request samples—accept and chat with vendors. She finds the perfect shade, and you share a kiss—don’t pull away, as this deepens your bond.
If you’d rather buy the dye (500+ money), she’ll accept but feel uneasy, slightly weakening your relationship.
- Festival Day:
If you helped with the paint (haggling or paying) and kissed her on the second date, the set shines, and the crew wins the festival. You’ll share a romantic moment with Elowen to close the story.
If you didn’t help with the paint or avoided romance, the set lacks impact, and they get second place, leaving Elowen sad.
- Tip for Elowen's Route: Support her by haggling or paying for the paint, and embrace the romantic moment. Helping her succeed builds your bond and ensures a win.
General Tips for the Best Ending
- Be cooperative: The crew values help over conflict. Being too pushy can strain your relationships.
- Accept romantic offers: On all routes, embracing intimacy deepens your bond and boosts the festival outcome.
- Focus on the festival’s success:
- With Thane, perfecting the setup timing is key.
- With Zephyr, refining the scenes is crucial.
- With Elowen, securing the best supplies is vital.
- On Festival Day: Success means a win and a romantic close. Failure leads to second place and a bittersweet mood.
Summary
- Thane's Route: Cooperate, don’t argue, navigate well, and embrace romance.
- Zephyr's Route: Give specific feedback and accept romantic offers.
- Elowen's Route: Help with supplies (haggle or pay) and kiss her.
Follow these steps, and the theater crew will win the festival, with a romantic ending with your chosen character!