*disable_reuse $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name} and $!{player_first_name} don’t say much else on their walk to the gardens. It wasn’t too far from the Great Hall, but the distance is long enough that the silence is almost unbearable, at least for $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name}. The $!{royal_title} was used to filling the silence with anything ${royal_he_she_they} could think of. Neither one of them say a word as they reach the gardens. $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name} stands back a bit, allowing $!{player_first_name} to take a good look at ${player_his_her_their} surroundings. Flowers from each and every part of the rainbow dot the gardens as far as the eye could see. $!{player_first_name} and $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name} were at the beginning of a cobblestone pathway that led towards the east and west areas of the gardens. In the center of the gardens is a large fountain that spurts water at regular intervals. These gardens have been the backdrop for many proposals, weddings and other events. $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name} was sure that some part of the competition would take place here. “I know the gardens like the back of my hands. I can show you the flowers native to $!{player_hometown}, some flowers in their prime, or anything else,” $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name} offers, glancing at the bush beside $!{player_first_name}. “You’re near some larkspurs at the moment. Each color means something.” *fake_choice #"I'd love to see native $!{player_hometown} flowers." "Sure thing, $!{player_first_name}." That part of the gardens wasn't too far. Queen Ramona had each section organized and arranged meticulously. Her passion project, she once claimed. "Tell me, if you're comfortable, that is, do you miss your hometown?" $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name} asks ${player_him_her_them}. *fake_choice #"Sure. More the people than the hometown, but still." *set royal %+10 "I understand that. Dia's all I've ever known, but when I'm away for royal duties, I do miss the hustle and bustle. My own room as well." $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name} chuckles and feels ${royal_his_her_their} shoulders relax ever so slightly as the two continue to walk. "I'd be happy to answer any questions you have as well. How rude of me to not offer that at first," $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name} sighs, but quickly gives $!{player_first_name} ${royal_his_her_their} undivided attention. *goto charmingquestions #"God no. I'm glad to be away from there. It's nice to see bits and pieces of home though." *set royal %+5 $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name} lets out a short laugh and glances back at the Odessan Palace. "Well, you're welcome to visit the gardens anytime you wish. If you run into any trouble, tell them that I allowed you roam at your leisure." $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name} watches $!{player_first_name}'s eyes widen slightly. *fake_choice #"Wow, I guess you're as charming as they say. Lucky for me, I love charming people." *set flirty +1 *set royal %+10 Away from the watchful eye of, well, everybody in the country, $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name} lets out a smirk. "Thank my years of royal training for that, $!{player_first_name}," $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name} shrugs. "Oh, and my natural personality, I suppose." $!{player_first_name} laughs a bit. "I didn't know you could be so…cocky almost. I like it." $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name} smiles and focuses ${royal_his_her_their} attention to the flower bushes they were standing in front of. "I'm a lot of things, $!{player_first_name}. I hope you get to experience some of them." $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name} turns to look at ${player_him_her_them} and find $!{player_first_name} already looking at ${royal_him_her_them}. There's suddenly something different in the air and ${royal_he_she_they} can't place what it is, but it makes ${royal_him_her_them} draw closer to ${player_him_her_them}. $!{player_first_name} moves a tad closer, before stepping away. "I have some questions for you, $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name}," $!{player_first_name} says, barely containing ${player_his_her_their} smirk. "Right." $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name} steps back a sizable distance from $!{player_first_name} and smooth a hand over ${royal_his_her_their} outfit. "Please. Ask…ask away. I apologize if I made you uncomfortable just a moment ago." $!{player_first_name} shakes ${player_his_her_their} head, smiling playfully at ${royal_him_her_them}. "Not at all, but about those questions…" *goto charmingquestions #"Oh, $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name}, that isn't necessary..." *set charming +1 "I don't mind. It's the least I can do for you, $!{player_first_name}," $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name} replies, giving ${player_him_her_them} a smile. "I'd be happy to answer any questions you have as well, if you have any." *goto charmingquestions #"Don't be silly. I could just look up pictures of ${player_hometown} on my phone if I get really homesick or something. No need to do something like that for me." *set rude +1 *set royal %-10 $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name} nods and gives ${player_him_her_them} a smile anyway. "The offer is always on the table, should you wish to take advantage of it. You may also ask me any questions, if you have any." *goto charmingquestions #"Thank you." $!{player_first_name} looks away bashfully, causing $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name}'s cheeks to warm. *set shy +1 *set royal %+5 "I…yeah…" $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name} had many more words on ${royal_his_her_their} lips but finds ${royal_himself_herself_themselves} very much distracted by $!{player_first_name}'s bashful actions. It's a bit disorienting, but endearing too. "Right. Um, so…questions? I'm sure you have some. Ask me any you have." *goto charmingquestions #"If I'm out here all the time, don't get too worried." *set sarcastic +1 *set royal %+10 $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name} raises ${royal_his_her_their} hand to ${royal_his_her_their} mouth in a feeble attempt to hide ${royal_his_her_their} smile. "Funny, I was going to say the same thing." "We could always take turns, you know. LIke we're taking care of the class pet or something," $!{player_first_name} suggests, giving $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name} a smile back. "Sounds like a plan," $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name} replies, feeling an expected rush of warmth throughout my body. $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name} almost wanted to add that the two of them should come back again together, but that would be silly. I was sure that something would happen to draw $!{player_first_name}'s attention away from me. "Um, $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name}?" $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name} snaps ${royal_his_her_their} head up to look at $!{player_first_name}, who looks a mixture of concerned and amused. "I apologize. What did you say?" $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name} asks, standing up straighter. "I was just wondering if this garden tour also includes a Q&A session. I mean, every other tour I've ever been on at least lets the guest ask a few things," $!{player_first_name} says with ${royal_his_her_their} eyebrows raised up. $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name} easily smiles again and begins walking slowly through the garden. "Well, I wouldn't want to break the streak. Ask away, $!{player_first_name}." *goto charmingquestions #"What? Well, if you insist..." *set aloof +1 *set royal %-5 $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name} nods and gives ${player_him_her_them} a smile anyway. "Of course. Feel free to enter and exit at your leisure if you change your mind in the future," $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name} replies, stretching a bit before going on. "For now though, you may ask me any questions you'd like." *goto charmingquestions #"More than you could ever imagine, $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name}." *set royal %+10 $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name}'s heart clenches suddenly at ${player_his_her_their} words. "Go…go on," $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name} breathes, desperately wanting to know more. "I…" $!{player_first_name} slowly begins to walk down the pathway, lightly fingering at the flowers from ${player_his_her_their} hometown. "It's the first place I ever knew, you know? Sure, I'm an adult now and able to survive out on my own, but I miss the little things about $!{player_hometown}," $!{player_first_name} begins. "The scent, the accents, the foods…" $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name} nods along with ${player_him_her_them}, wishing ${royal_he_she_they} could offer them more than a section of a garden for ${player_him_her_them}. "I'll see to it that you are able to return soon. Perhaps during a break in the Games, if you desire it," $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name} says suddenly. "Costs will be covered, of course. I want you to be as happy as possible here." $!{player_first_name} smiles at ${royal_him_her_them} and the sight warms up $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name}'s insides. "Thank you, $!{royal_first_name}. That's quite generous of you." $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name} waves away the notion. It was the bare minimum really. "That's all in the future," $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name} eventually replies, holding back a sigh. "For now, I am willing to answer any questions you may have. Ask away." *goto charmingquestions #"Sort of. It's weird, but I feel as if I've both outgrown the place and need it now more than ever." *set royal %+10 $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name} nods and gives ${player_him_her_them} a smile. $!{royal_he_she_they} often felt the same way, though ${royal_he_she_they} had less of an opportunity to travel very much. "Of course. There's no shame in admitting that you miss something that you might feel like you shouldn't miss," $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name} says, glancing over at the flowers before looking back at $!{player_first_name}. "If it would help, you could ask me a question or two. I often feel more at ease once I know what's going on in my surroundings," $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name} adds, leaving room for $!{player_first_name} to ask any that ${player_he_she_they} wanted. *goto charmingquestions #"Hell no. I couldn't wait to leave that place." *set royal %+10 *set bold %+10 $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name} laughs a bit. "That bad?" "And how," $!{player_first_name} answers. "I don't want to tell you how bad everything was. We'd be here all day." $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name} nods. "Perfectly fine. If you want to ask me some questions instead, that's fine." "Anything to not talk about $!{player_hometown}. *page_break *goto charmingquestions #"Hmm, I wouldn't mind seeing the flowers at their prime." $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name} nods and leads $!{player_first_name} a short distance away from the garden's fountain to the row of flowers that looked exceptionally gorgeous. "Mostly carnations and sweet peas at the moment," $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name} begins, idly running a hand over a few carnations. "A few more should begin to bloom as the competition kicks off and continues." $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name} lets ${royal_himself_herself_themselves} relax a bit, looking much further out into the horizon. "This garden is quite large. I don't know how the gardeners tend to it most days, but I'm thankful that they do." $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name} turns ${royal_his_her_their} attention back to $!{player_first_name} and shrugs. "I'm sure you're not interested in my worker musings. Feel free to ask me anything that's been in your mind, $!{player_first_name}. I'll answer it all to the best of my ability." *goto charmingquestions #"Could we just walk around and see them all? Maybe talk a bit too?" "Of course," $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name} say, sweeping my hand across the span of the garden. “Pick any direction and ask me anything you'd like, $!{player_first_name}." *label charmingquestions *fake_choice #“When did you find out about all of this? The competition and everything?” "Ha, hours before the press conference," $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name} answers. "Came as a total surprise to me, but I quickly tried to learn as much as I could before the cameras started rolling." $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name} personally thought ${royal_he_she_they} did a great job seeming like ${royal_he_she_they} knew this was all going on. Years of media training paid off for sure. *page_break *goto charmingquestions #“You don’t think you and I are actually that compatible, do you?” $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name} is silent for a moment, thinking about the question. From what King Frederick has told him about the website in the days since the reveal, loads of time, effort and money was put into it. He said that it was basically foolproof. "Well, to be honest, I have no idea. Maybe I'm meant to be with you, or maybe I'll be with the person with the lowest compatibility score. Either way, I'm honored to be doing this for myself and Odessa," $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name} answers with a smile. As shocking as this whole thing was, $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name} thought it would be pretty fun to meet people that, in theory, ${royal_he_she_they} would be attracted to or the most compatible with. *page_break *goto charmingquestions #“What do you like to do in your free time?” "Free time? Haven't heard that word in years," $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name} jokes, smiling over at $!{player_first_name} before continuing. "I like a mixture of art and scientific pursuits. I danced in my younger years but since I've gotten older, I've taken to coding websites and apps for fun and tinkering around with computers." "You seem pretty well rounded," $!{player_first_name} replies to which $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name} nods. "I have to be. What kind of royal would I be if I wasn't good at nearly everything?" *page_break *goto charmingquestions #“Are you nervous about this competition?” "Truthfully, yes," $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name} answers. "There's a lot riding on this, on me and my country." $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name} chews on ${royal_his_her_their} bottom lip, a bad habit ${royal_he_she_they} had. $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name} was next in line for the throne and with Queen Ramona and King Frederick getting older, people were naturally starting to look towards ${royal_him_her_them} for leadership and advice. $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name} had a sneaking suspicion that once the finals of the competition approached, his father would announce his retirement. "I'm excited though," $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name} adds after a while. "Nervous, but excited to see if a computer program can really determine soulmates." *page_break *goto charmingquestions *if (background = "guard") #"This is kind of weird, isn't it? I used to guard you and Princess Mozelle and now there's a possibility I might marry you..." $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name} clasps ${royal_his_her_their} hands behind ${royal_his_her_their} back and think it over for a brief moment. It was a bit strange, yes, but the two were both past the legal stage. Also, it wasn't exactly as if $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name} was a baby when ${royal_he_she_they} and $!{player_first_name} came in contact with one another. "It's a bit weird, but at least there will be a familiar face in the competition. I wish Father would've let us be around you more during our younger years though," $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name} says with a sigh, looking away from $!{player_first_name}. All royals were sheltered, but King Frederick always seemed to keep both $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name} and Princess Mozelle out of the public eye more often than most. It was strange to $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name}, but ${royal_he_she_they} never pressed it. "We did sneak and watch the changing of the guard as often as we could," $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name} admits with a bit of a flush. "That world was always fascinating to me…Mozelle just liked seeing the big swords." $!{player_first_name} chuckles a bit. "Good to know, $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name}." *page_break *goto charmingquestions #“What’s it like being the $!{royal_title}?” "Hm, half job, half duty. I wouldn't give it up for the world though," $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name} answers. $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name} kisses babies, plays with children, gives speeches when necessary and much more. $!{royal_he_she_they} would be lying if ${royal_he_she_they} said that it was all peaches and cream everyday, but $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name} truly could not see ${royal_himself_herself_themselves} in any other role than a royal one. *page_break *goto charmingquestions #$!{player_first_name} stops asking $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name} questions. *page_break *goto_scene chp2_royalgoodbye