It was a relatively normal journey back to your apartment. Everywhere you look, highlights of the press conference are being shown and replayed audibly. You’re hoping that when you get home, you might be able to escape some of the news, at least for a little while.

You unlock your front door, already toeing off your shoes before you can open the door fully.

“Hey, $!{roommate_name}, wanna order a pizza?” You ask, not even noticing the extra people inside of your place until you look up and freeze in your tracks. 

“Um, that pizza might have to wait, $!{player_first_name},” $!{roommate_name} said, sitting up from the couch when the two other figures did.

Your eyes widen in surprise when you see when you see Ross and Ryr in front of you, decked out in the incredibly formal Guard gear typically reserved for royal weddings, dignitary events and, apparently, breaking some sort of news to you and $!{roommate_name}.

"Oh, wow! $!{player_first_name}, you look great! Did you do something different to…" you watch Ross' eyes wander up and down your frame before deciding on the first thing that comes to his mind.

"Eyes?"

In the silence that follows…

*fake_choice
    #you chuckle, cross your arms and say, "Glad to see you haven't changed, Ross."
        "Of course not, $!{player_first_name}! Hope to God I never do either."
        
        You grin over at the younger brother before turning your attention to Ryr. 
        
        "You guys are here. It must be something serious," you say, which makes the older male nod.
        *goto reveal_cont
    #you roll your eyes. "I see you haven't changed. My condolences, Ryr."
        Ross pouts, reminding you of a hurt puppy dog, though your comment does coax a smile from Ryr's lips.
        
        "Hey, at least you haven't been around him all your life," he says with a shrug.
        
        "True," you say thoughtfully, about to continue the conversation when Ross whines loudly.
        
        "Okay, enough complaining about me, bro! How about you tell $!{player_first_name} why we're really here?" Ross asks, trying and nearly failing at pouting even deeper. 
        *goto reveal_cont
    #you sigh and shake your head. "Er...the reason why you're here?" You remind Ryr. 
        *goto reveal_cont
    #you gasp and point an accusatory finger towards your roommate. "Wait...my eyes changed and you didn't tell me?"
        $!{roommate_name} rolls ${roommate_his_her} eyes and tries to fight off a smile. Eventually a laugh does tumble from ${roommate_his_her} lips, but ${roommate_he_she} is quickly calm again.
        
        "C'mon, Roomie. I think you should see what your friends have to say. It'll…um…be surprising."
        
        You turn to Ross and Ryr again, really curious as to what's going on now.
        *goto reveal_cont
    #you ignore Ross and focus on Ryr, waiting for him to speak. 
        "Well…?" You prompt Ryr.
        *goto reveal_cont
        
*label reveal_cont
"Um. Right. $!{player_first_name}, it's good to see you again, though I must admit, it's under rather unusual circumstances," Ryr begins, with a sheepish smile. "I didn't think I would ever see you again due to our schedules but…"

He straightens up, as if suddenly remembering the business he's come here for. 

"Hope you're ready to go back to the palace, $!{player_first_name}. We were sent by King Frederick himself today to inform you that you have been invited to participate in The Odessa Dating Games.”

*page_break
*goto_scene chp2_guardrevealcont