[b] [i] NOW PLAYING AS: Bex [/i] [/b]


“So this is Dia.”

Bex stands on the sidewalk, just right across the street from Cape Odessa, their temporary home until the Games began. It was a rather long ride from the town that they said they were from, but give your taxi driver a huge tip and they would forgive just about anything. 

“So you’re all tangled up in that contest nonsense as well, huh? Good luck then. I wouldn’t want to be a royal for all the money in the world.”

Bex wasn't sure how they got on the subject of royals and the Royal Family, but it was nice to see that somebody else shared their sentiment. All over the internet, people were gushing about the upcoming competition. How they wished they could take part. How $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name} was so attractive. So on and so forth. 

As if a normal person could handle the tasks of being a royal, much less a Fae royal. 

Being the sole heir to the Fae crown was less about actually learning how to be an effective ruler and more about doing Juliet’s bidding since she physically couldn’t leave the kingdom. Bex was used to doing small things, like gathering news about the outside world or hacking into less secure computer systems. 

This competition took the absolute cake. Never in their wildest dreams could they have imagined that they would be competing in a dating competition to take down Odessa.

[i] 'What happened to grand invasions?' [/i] Bex thinks idly as they lean down to pick up their two suitcases. Before they could advance towards the hotel, something bumps into them, causing them to fall to the stained sidewalk below. 

*page_break

“Oops, I’m sorry…”

It's a little girl with messy pigtails and hands way too sticky to be healthy. She pauses for a moment, as if trying to decide what pronoun to use for the Fae before continuing. Her head cocks to the side and Bex begins to wonder if she's really just trying to make sense of their appearance, which is likely a bit out of the ordinary to most Odessan citizens.

They have extremely long black hair that stops at their waist and quite tanned skin, quite a contrast to this girl’s blonde hair and rather pale skin. For public purposes, their eyes are green, but this little girl would probably pass out if she knew that the earthy eyes she was currently staring into were really purple. 

A Fae trait, along with pointy ears, but nothing a little bit of magic couldn't help conceal. 

“...Odessan,” the girl eventually continues. “Didn’t mean to run into you! Have a great day! Godspeed!”

An exasperated lady rushes after her, nodding towards Bex in greeting before following after the girl. Probably a nanny or relative, Bex thinks, though she could've been Queen Ramona and they wouldn't have cared either way. 

Bex bends down to pick up their suitcases again and finally makes their way across the street to the hotel. They chuckle a bit to themselves at the fact that they were being identified as an Odessan, as they thought they were from a much better place, a place no Odessan could dream of being from.

*page_break

With their room key in hand and luggage already on their way up to their room, Bex makes towards the elevator, eager to relax after the long ride. They head inside the first one with the door open and bumps into somebody, yet again. Were they really clumsy, or did humans in this town never look where they are going?

“Sorry!” A person exclaims and Bex shakes their head, pushing a smile to their face. At least their suitcases didn’t tumble down this time.

“No worries,” Bex replies, their eyes widening once they realize who was standing in front of them. 

$!{player_first_name}.

Before Bex could say anything further, another person appears at $!{player_first_name}’s right, gripping a cell phone in ${roommate_his_her} hand. 

“C’mon, $!{player_first_name}. Let’s explore Dia before you get called back to the palace for some crazy reason,” ${roommate_he_she} says.

“Palace? You wouldn’t happen to be participating in the Odessa Dating Games, are you?” Bex finds themselves asking $!{player_first_name}, before they could help it. 

Maybe Juliet was right. They did tend to act before thinking too often.

Bex pushes the image of their mother out of their mind and just barely manages to catch $!{player_first_name}'s response.
*fake_choice
    #“If I am?”
        *set rude +1
        *set bex %+5
        “Well, that means that we’re going to be competing together. I'm Bex. Nice to meet you,” Bex answers. “I’d shake your hand but, well, I’m a bit preoccupied.” 

        $!{player_first_name} looks me up and down, maybe judgingly? Maybe trying to figure out if they're a threat?

        "Well. I’m $!{player_first_name},” $!{player_first_name} says eventually. “See you around.” 

        Bex watches $!{player_first_name} and whom they assume is ${player_his_her_their} coach or friend walk away without saying much else. 

        “Well,” Bex murmurs to themselves as they enter the elevator, “What a charmer.”
        *page_break
        
        [b] [i] NOW PLAYING AS: $!{player_first_name} [/i] [/b]

        You take a deep breath of air as you stand on the sidewalk with $!{roommate_name} at your side. You were finally going to explore the big city and see what it had to offer. You two spent the morning in between bites of breakfast picking out some things to do, which vary from shopping to artistic pursuits. 

        $!{roommate_name} kept gushing about some sort of market and a bookstore, which sounded interesting, but of course, your roommate’s interests weren’t necessarily your own. 

        You and $!{roommate_name} combined everything you wanted to do in Dia into one list just to make it easier to choose from. 
        *goto_scene chp2_thecity
    #“I sure am. Much to my dismay.”
        *set sarcastic +1
        *set bex %+5
        *set royalloyalty %-5
        *set odessenters %+5
        Bex lets out a snort at $!{player_first_name}’s words. “Surely competing won’t be that horrible,” they say. At least you had a choice to compete, they add mentally.  

        “..and you know this how…?"
        
        The pause seemed to be their cue to introduce themselves, so they do. 
        
        "Bex. I'm Bex. To be honest, I don't know, but I tend to be an optimist," Bex replies with a shrug, or as much of a shrug as they could do given the luggage they were carrying.

        “Well. I guess I'll see you around,” $!{player_first_name} says, nodding goodbye to Bex before continuing on their way. In turn, Bex heads into the elevator. 
        
        As the doors close, Bex finds that there's a smile on their face. 

        This competition just got way more interesting, for sure. 
        *page_break
        [b] [i] NOW PLAYING AS: $!{player_first_name} [/i] [/b]

        You take a deep breath of air as you stand on the sidewalk with $!{roommate_name} at your side. You were finally going to explore the big city and see what it had to offer. You two spent the morning in between bites of breakfast picking out some things to do, which varied from shopping to artistic pursuits. 

        $!{roommate_name} kept gushing about some sort of market and a bookstore, which sounded interesting, but of course, your roommate’s interests weren’t necessarily your own. 

        You and $!{roommate_name} combined everything you wanted to do in Dia into one list just to make it easier to choose from. 
        *goto_scene chp2_thecity
    #“Yes…”
        *set shy +1
        *set bex %+5
        $!{player_first_name} seems hesitant to continue much further, but Bex decides to press a bit more.

        “Interesting. Well, I’m competing as well. I’m from-” they hesitate, biting on the inside of their cheek before finishing. “Reign.”

        It was a city on the outskirts of Odessa, much more forest than anything developed. The perfect town to use a nearby base for Fae operations.

        “Oh, I’ve heard of that town...super green and earthy,” the person next to $!{player_first_name} says. “Hi! I’m $!{roommate_name} and that’s $!{player_first_name}. Guess we’ll see you around the palace, huh?”

        “Yep,” Bex replies, sparing a glance towards $!{roommate_name}, but it was $!{player_first_name} that they were more interested in. Bex turns back towards ${player_him_her_them} and smiles a bit.

        “$!{player_first_name}, $!{roommate_name}, it’s very nice to meet you two. I have to go though. My bed calls. See you.”

        $!{player_first_name} smiles slightly and $!{roommate_name} grins at Bex before the they all go their separate ways. The last thing Bex hears before the elevator doors close is $!{roommate_name} gushing about their looks.

        “That person is hot as hell, $!{player_first_name}! If you don’t get with the $!{royal_title}, you need to get with them!"

        *page_break
        
        [b] [i] NOW PLAYING AS: $!{player_first_name} [/i] [/b]

        You take a deep breath of air as you stand on the sidewalk with $!{roommate_name} at your side. You were finally going to explore the big city and see what it had to offer. You two spent the morning in between bites of breakfast picking out some things to do, which varied from shopping to artistic pursuits. 

        $!{roommate_name} kept gushing about some sort of market and a bookstore, which sounded interesting, but of course, your roommate’s interests weren’t necessarily your own. 

        You and $!{roommate_name} combined everything you wanted to do in Dia into one list just to make it easier to choose from. 
        *goto_scene chp2_thecity
    #“I sure am, babe. I hope you are too. You look amazing!”
        *set flirty +1
        *set bex %+5
        Bex finds themselves blushing at $!{player_first_name}’s words. 
        
        “Well, thank you,” they say, while the person next to $!{player_first_name} rolls ${roommate_his_her} eyes. Bex was pretty sure that was $!{player_first_name}'s coach or friend. 

        “Lay off, $!{player_first_name}. Sorry about ${player_him_her_them}. I’m $!{roommate_name},” ${roommate_he_she} introduces, while $!{player_first_name} pouts in the background. 

        “Nice to meet you both,” Bex says, rather entertained. “Do keep the flirting coming, $!{player_first_name}. It’s rare to hear things like this back where I’m from.”

        $!{player_first_name} gasps incredulously, but it was true. Being apart of the Fae Royal Family got them more compliments than most, but as for the rest of the Fae people, compliments were rare. Just a society thing, Bex supposed. 

        “Well, stay around here and I’ll keep it going as long as I can,” $!{player_first_name} says with a wink. 

        “Alright, we gotta go. Nice meeting you,” $!{roommate_name} says suddenly, grabbing $!{player_first_name}’s elbow and dragging ${player_him_her_them} towards the hotel’s entrance.

        “Bye babe!” $!{player_first_name} calls after ${player_his_her_their} shoulder. Bex shakes their head in disbelief, but does give ${player_him_her_them} a wave before heading into the elevator. 
        *page_break
        [b] [i] NOW PLAYING AS: $!{player_first_name} [/i] [/b]

        You take a deep breath of air as you stand on the sidewalk with $!{roommate_name} at your side. You were finally going to explore the big city and see what it had to offer. You two spent the morning in between bites of breakfast picking out some things to do, which varied from shopping to artistic pursuits. 

        $!{roommate_name} kept gushing about some sort of market and a bookstore, which sounded interesting, but of course, your roommate’s interests weren’t necessarily your own. 

        You and $!{roommate_name} combined everything you wanted to do in Dia into one list just to make it easier to choose from. 
        *goto_scene chp2_thecity
    #“Yes, I am competing.”
        *set bex %+5
        *set aloof +1
        Bex nods and smiles in $!{player_first_name}’s direction, waiting a moment for ${player_him_her_them} to continue talking. When $!{player_first_name} doesn’t, they scramble to think of something to add to the conversation. 

        *if (background = "guard")
            "Well, I'm Bex. I'm sure you're excited to get back into the palace, huh?" Bex asks, eyes widening the minute they finished. There was no way a stranger would know that!
            
            “How do you know I've ever been?” $!{player_first_name} asks and they jump at the opportunity to smooth things over. 
        
            “Oh, I don't! I just assume most people around here have visited or something, you know?” Bex exclaims, their smile a bit too large to be natural. Luckily, that explanation seemed to work. 

            $!{player_first_name} nods and glances back as ${player_his_her_their} friend, or coach or something.

            “Yes,  me and my roommate $!{roommate_name} are both first-timers. We’re about to go explore the city, so if you’ll excuse us.”

            No sooner did Bex say goodbye, $!{player_first_name} and $!{roommate_name} head out the door unto the streets of Dia.
            
            Bex finally enters the elevator, a slight smile on their face. 
            *page_break
            [b] [i] NOW PLAYING AS: $!{player_first_name} [/i] [/b]

            You take a deep breath of air as you stand on the sidewalk with $!{roommate_name} at your side. You were finally going to explore the big city and see what it had to offer. You two spent the morning in between bites of breakfast picking out some things to do, which varied from shopping to artistic pursuits. 

            $!{roommate_name} kept gushing about some sort of market and a bookstore, which sounded interesting, but of course, your roommate’s interests weren’t necessarily your own. 

            You and $!{roommate_name} combined everything you wanted to do in Dia into one list just to make it easier to choose from. 
            *goto_scene chp2_thecity
        
        Bex couldn't think of anything, so the three of them stand around rather awkwardly in the middle of the lobby until a person with an "I Love Odessa" t-shirt rushes through the middle of the gathering. 
        
        "Well, guess we should get going," $!{player_first_name} says, not even giving a glance to the rude individual who was staring daggers into their backs for being in the way. 

        "Oh! Oh. Okay. Well, I'm Bex. Nice to meet you," Bex says with a slight smile. "See you."
        
        No sooner did Bex say goodbye, $!{player_first_name} and $!{roommate_name} head out the door unto the streets of Dia.
            
        Bex finally enters the elevator, a slight smile on their face. 
        *page_break
        [b] [i] NOW PLAYING AS: $!{player_first_name} [/i] [/b]

        You take a deep breath of air as you stand on the sidewalk with $!{roommate_name} at your side. You were finally going to explore the big city and see what it had to offer. You two spent the morning in between bites of breakfast picking out some things to do, which varied from shopping to artistic pursuits. 

        $!{roommate_name} kept gushing about some sort of market and a bookstore, which sounded interesting, but of course, your roommate’s interests weren’t necessarily your own. 

        You and $!{roommate_name} combined everything you wanted to do in Dia into one list just to make it easier to choose from. 
        *goto_scene chp2_thecity
    #“Yes, I sure am. Can’t wait to meet all the contestants!”
        *set charming +1
        *set bex %+5
        *set royalloyalty %+5
        *set odessenters %-5
        Bex finds it rather hard not to smile back at $!{player_first_name} when ${player_his_her_their} smile is that wide, so they do so.
        
        "Same, I suppose, for better or worse. Glad we met before all the move in craziness. I"m Bex," Bex says and $!{player_first_name} nods in agreement. 
        
        "Right. My roommate $!{roommate_name} and I are trying to explore everything in Dia before it gets too crazy. Have you met anybody else yet?" $!{player_first_name} asks and Bex shakes their head. They assumed that in time they would meet most of the other contestants and the rest once everything started.
        
        "Hm, I see. I'm sure we'll meet everybody else soon. I'm excited to see where we'll be staying."
        
        Bex nods, taking in $!{player_first_name}'s appearance. Remarkably un-Fae, Bex thinks, but ${player_he_she_they} did have pretty eyes.
        
        The two didn't notice that they were staring at one another until ${player_his_her_their} roommate coughs loudly.
        
        "Ah! Whoops. Well, we'd better be off," $!{player_first_name} says, giving them another smile, which they return.
        
        "R-right. Um, see you around," Bex says, nodding a bit before the two of them leave. They enter the elevator with a smile on their face, which was pretty odd since they barely knew $!{player_first_name} and technically was ${player_his_her_their} rival. 
        
        Before the elevator doors close, Bex hears $!{roommate_name} not so loudly tell $!{player_first_name} that I was blushing. They sit down one of their suitcases to raise a hand to their cheek and yeah,  they were blushing.
        
        Fae don't blush.
        
        Bex swallows thickly as they catch one final glimpse of $!{player_first_name} walking through the front doors of the hotel.
        
        Maybe this competition is going to be harder than they thought.
        *page_break
        [b] [i] NOW PLAYING AS: $!{player_first_name} [/i] [/b]

        You take a deep breath of air as you stand on the sidewalk with $!{roommate_name} at your side. You were finally going to explore the big city and see what it had to offer. You two spent the morning in between bites of breakfast picking out some things to do, which varied from shopping to artistic pursuits. 

        $!{roommate_name} kept gushing about some sort of market and a bookstore, which sounded interesting, but of course, your roommate’s interests weren’t necessarily your own. 

        You and $!{roommate_name} combined everything you wanted to do in Dia into one list just to make it easier to choose from. 
        *goto_scene chp2_thecity