“When you look into your past, what’s looking back at you?”

It’s natural to hold onto the memory of someone you loved and lost. But when does remembrance turn to fixation? When does clinging to the past begin to warp your present and future?

“That Which Surrounds” is a short visual novel about a grieving artist, whose longing for happier times has called something supernatural— you— into their studio. Your words can soothe a lonely heart… or you can break it, and see what grows in its place.

Choose wisely.

You’re the only one they’ll listen to.

• ~22.5k words
• 1 Love? Interest?
• 3 CGs (with variations)
• 3 endings (1 with 2 lead-in routes)
• An ungodly number of ellipses...
• Adverbs! Metaphors! Figures of speech!

Content Warnings: “That Which Surrounds” depicts unhealthy and, at times, obsessive behaviors with romantic implications. It also discusses death and includes implied physical harm (but has no gore or visual depictions of bodily harm). Some fast-paced visual cues may also appear for narrative effect.

THE PLAYER
You open your eyes one evening and find yourself stuck on the wall of an artist’s studio. You’re… a painting? Or— maybe you’re the person inside the frame? The only way you might find the truth is with your voice. But the only person who can hear you is… ( Note: while the game is written in second-person, other characters will refer to the player using she/her pronouns. )

CAMILLE (they/them)
An notoriously reclusive artist of some renown. They are soft-spoken and prone to second-guessing everything, but they seem ever so slightly happier as of late, thanks to you. There’s something they’re not telling you about everything that’s going on, but… does it matter? They’re happy. Surely that’s enough.

ADELA (she/her)
Owner of the gallery that features Camille’s art, as well as a skilled curator and saleswoman. Sharp-tongued and just a little condescending, Adela seems quite happy with how things currently are— no doubt thanks to the revenue Camille’s work is bringing her.

PASCAL (he/him)
Camille’s younger cousin, who often argues with them about how much time they spend shut away from society. He’s abrasive and unsympathetic, but he may be the only person around with Camille’s better interests at heart.

ETIENNE (she/her?)
Camille’s ????? w?? ????ed aw?? ????? ? yea? ?go. ?ami??? loved ??? ???? ??? ????? hea??? ??? ??? ???? she is gone, ???? ???? ???? ??? ?? ? ???? ?? ?????.

Lead & Director:

• Floss

Writers:

• Lilly
• Floss [twitter]

Artists:

• CripticBite [website]
• Roisale [twitter]
• Khoai [tumblr]

Sound:

• Diantre’ “HI-T3C” Butler [website]
• Carol Gao [website]

Programmer:

• Marina [itch]