*if (background = "guard")
    *goto_scene chapter1_guardreveal

It was a relatively normal journey back to your apartment. Everywhere you look, highlights of the press conference were 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} says, sitting up from the couch when the two other figures did.

They seemed to be splitting images of one another. They were both tall, blond and appeared to be males. One had a nose ring, while the other one had a lip ring. They both wore the same uniform that members of the Odessa Royal Guard wore.

The one with the lip ring steps forward and runs a hand through his short, messy hair before he speaks.

“Hello, $!{player_first_name} $!{player_last_name}. Ross, my pal over there with the nose ring, and I have some news for you."

You hold your breath as you wait for the other male to continue speaking. What the hell could the Odessa Royal Guard want with you?

"My name is Ryr. The two of us 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_revealcont