After leaving the hotel room, you find yourself heading towards the hotel’s elevators. You have so many emotions running through your head, you have no idea where to start with them. Once inside, you punch a button that takes you all the way to the top of the hotel, which is supposed to be like some sort of rooftop bar/seating area. You’re not particularly hungry or in need of a drink, but at least it’s a different change of scenery. A two or three minute ride alone to the top of Cape Odessa later, you step out onto the roof and are immediately greeted with soft music and light chatter. Most of the people on the roof don’t even give you a passing glance, so you decide to venture further. There’s a bar set up in the corner with every liquor imaginable. There’s also a steady stream of people dressed in a variety of formal and non-formal outfits, so you don’t feel too out of place in what you’re currently wearing. Bars are set up near the perimeter of the roof to make sure nobody accidentally falls off or purposely jumps off. String lights decorate the area, changing color every once in a while. You make your way to the edge of the roof and lean against the railing, looking out at the skyline in front of you. The sun was beginning to make its descent beyond the horizon and in the distance, you could see the palace. In a few weeks, you’d be spending all of your time there, amongst royalty and a lot of familiar and unfamiliar faces. You sigh and step away from the railing, deciding to go and get a drink after all when the sight of somebody stops you dead in your tracks. Your eyes are wide as you take in… *fake_choice #...his outfit, which consisted of a black shirt, black pants and a leather jacket. *set cass_gender "male" *set cass_he_she_they "he" *set cass_his_her_them "his" *set cass_him_her_them "him" *set cass_him_her_their "him" *set cass_his_her_their "his" *set cass_his_hers_theirs "his" *set cass_man_woman_person "man" *set cass_himself_herself_themselves "himself" #...her outfit, which consisted of a short, black skirt and a crop top. *set cass_gender "female" *set cass_he_she_they "she" *set cass_his_her_them "her" *set cass_him_her_them "her" *set cass_him_her_their "her" *set cass_his_her_their "her" *set cass_his_hers_theirs "hers" *set cass_man_woman_person "woman" *set cass_himself_herself_themselves "herself" #...their outfit, which consisted of dark jeans and a huge sweater. *set cass_gender "nonbinary" *set cass_he_she_they "they" *set cass_his_her_them "them" *set cass_him_her_them "them" *set cass_him_her_their "them" *set cass_his_her_their "their" *set cass_his_hers_theirs "theirs" *set cass_man_woman_person "person" *set cass_himself_herself_themselves "themselves" If you didn’t know any better, you would think that the person was… *fake_choice #...somebody you used to see all the time from $!{player_hometown}. *set cass_background "stranger" Yep, that was definitely Cass standing just a few feet away from you, preparing to light a cigarette. Before you could turn around to look at literally anything else, you’re spotted by ${cass_him_her_them}. Truth be told, you never really talked to Cass too much before you left home, but ${cass_his_her_their} reputation preceded ${cass_him_her_them}. If you looked up the word black in a dictionary, Cass’ name would be the definition because that’s all ${cass_he_she_they} wore. Seen in handcuffs more often than not, you knew Cass grew up on the better side of town with ${cass_his_her_their} parents, but that was about it. You notice that ${cass_he_she_they} added more tattoos to ${cass_his_her_their} pale skin since you saw ${cass_him_her_them} last. “Wow, $!{player_first_name}, long time no see,” Cass says, putting away ${cass_his_her_their} cigarette. “Never thought I’d see you here.” “Same here,” you reply, glancing around the rooftop. Cass didn’t seem to be with anybody else, just like you were. “You look well.” Cass chuckles. “I’ve...had a bit of an abrupt life change. Didn’t think I’d be in the city, but I’m glad you think I’m doing well.” Cass runs a hand through ${cass_his_her_their} hair and gives you another look over. Maybe you look like you have a million and one questions or perhaps something else, but Cass takes ${cass_his_her_their} cigarette back out and lights it. “This rooftop blows. None of the expensive stuff. Why don’t you ask me something to liven this place up,” Cass says, taking ${cass_his_her_their} first drag of ${cass_his_her_their} cigarette. *page_break *goto_scene chp2_cassquestions #...your ex from $!{player_hometown}. *set cass_background "ex" Yep, that was definitely Cass standing just a few feet away from you, preparing to light a cigarette. Before you could turn around to look at literally anything else, you’re spotted by ${cass_him_her_them}. How are things between you and your ex? *fake_choice #Amicable. I still have ${cass_his_her_their} number saved in my phone, even. *set cass %+3 “Well, well, well...if it isn’t my favorite ex, $!{player_first_name},” Cass says, tucking the cigarette behind ${cass_his_her_their} ear. “Cass. This is a surprise,” you say, which causes ${cass_him_her_them} to chuckle. “Yeah, I’d say. Small world, innit?” You nod. "Yeah, I'd say. I also see you're still smoking." Cass' eyes flicker from the cigarette to your eyes and back. "Yep," Cass says, dragging out the e in the word. "But I'm sure you don't want to talk about that. Let's talk about, well, just about anything else." *page_break *goto_scene chp2_cassquestions #Terrible. I wonder how much trouble I would get in if I just pushed ${cass_him_her_them} off the side of the building. *set cass %-10 “Well, well, well...if it isn’t my favorite ex, $!{player_first_name},” Cass says, tucking the cigarette behind ${cass_his_her_their} ear. “Well, well, well..if it isn’t my least favorite ex, Cass,” you shoot back, rolling your eyes. You don’t even have to look ${cass_his_her_their} direction to know that a huge smirk is on ${cass_his_her_their} face. “Aw, baby, don’t be like that. Aren’t you glad to see me? Don't you want to know what I've been up to?” You take a long look at Cass before letting out a groan. It beat the alternative, which of course, was going back and dealing with the letter you got from ${royal_title} $!{royal_first_name}. *page_break *goto_scene chp2_cassquestions #Could be better. I can stand looking at ${cass_his_her_their} face, so I guess that’s something. *set cass %-5 “Well, well, well...if it isn’t my favorite ex, $!{player_first_name},” Cass says, tucking the cigarette behind ${cass_his_her_their} ear. “Hello, Cass. You look well,” you say, which causes ${cass_him_her_them} to smile a bit. “After all this time, that’s still your favorite phrase to say when things are clearly unexpected.” You take a long look at Cass before letting out a sigh. In that time, your ex manages to light the cigarette and begin to smoke it. When you still don't say anything, Cass speaks again. "C'mon baby. Don't you want to ask me something? I know you're dying to know what I've been up to since we broke up." You wouldn't go that far, but you won't deny that you're at least slightly curious. *page_break *goto_scene chp2_cassquestions #We’re fine, but I’d rather be buried in a hole right now than to say one word to ${cass_him_her_them}. *set cass %+3 “Well, well, well...if it isn’t my favorite ex, $!{player_first_name},” Cass says, tucking the cigarette behind ${cass_his_her_their} ear. Your lack of response causes Cass to chuckle underneath ${cass_his_her_their} breath. “Cat got your tongue? It’s still good to see you, baby.” You take a long look at Cass, still as silent as ever. You couldn't believe Cass was right in front of you. You were sure that the last time you two talked to each other was going to be the last time, so seeing ${cass_him_her_them} standing in front of you is a bit weird. "Well, when you're ready to talk, how about you shoot me a question or two? Gotta be more exciting than the group over at the bar talking about the stock market," Cass says with a roll of ${cass_his_her_their} eyes. *page_break *goto_scene chp2_cassquestions #My heart is racing at the sight of ${cass_him_her_them}. This could complicate things. *set cass %+10 “Well, well, well...if it isn’t my favorite ex, $!{player_first_name},” Cass says, tucking the cigarette behind ${cass_his_her_their} ear. You try and hold back a flush as best you can, but judging by the way your ex’s lips curve up, you suspect you’re doing a terrible job of it. “Hm, your flush is just how I remember. Though I used to put it on your face for other reasons.” You take a long look at ${cass_him_her_them} after that, trying your hardest not to flush again. "I'm only teasing, baby," Cass replies once you don't say anything. "Fine. How about you do the talking and ask me something? I'm about to die of boredom here." *page_break *goto_scene chp2_cassquestions #...your former best friend from $!{player_hometown}. *set cass_background "friend" Yep, that was definitely Cass standing just a few feet away from you, preparing to light a cigarette. Before you could turn around to look at literally anything else, you’re spotted by ${cass_him_her_them}. “Wow, $!{player_first_name}? Never thought I’d see you again.” There was no bad blood between you and Cass, actually. Once best friends back in $!{player_hometown}, you began to drift away from each other once you left. Near constant text messages turned into the occasional one until both of you guys stopped replying. There’s plenty of time to reminisce on the past, but Cass is waiting for a response now. *fake_choice #”Same here,” I say, a hint of a smile on my face. “How’s it been going?” *set charming +1 *set friendly %+3 *set cass %+5 “Great,” Cass answers. “Just like everybody else in Odessa, I’ve made my way to Dia, at least for now. You look well.” You thank ${cass_him_her_them} but you still had a few other questions on the tip of your tongue. Cass raises ${cass_his_her_their} eyebrow before ${cass_his_her_their} face relaxes a bit. “C’mon, bestie,” Cass says, a hint of teasing in ${cass_his_her_their} voice. “Sounds like you have a few questions for me.” *page_break *goto_scene chp2_cassquestions #”You look great,” I compliment, giving ${cass_him_her_them} a good look up and down. *set flirty +1 *set friendly %+3 “Wow, bestie, you always knew how to charm me,” Cass jokes with a wink. You laugh a bit and for a moment, it’s just as if you two were back on the streets of $!{player_hometown}. “Enough of that, though. Surely you have some questions for me,” Cass says, fully lighting the cigarette and sticking it between ${cass_his_her_their} lips. *page_break *goto_scene chp2_cassquestions #”Didn’t miss me enough to text or call though,” I reply with a sniff. *set rude +1 *set friendly %-3 *set snarky %+3 *set bold %+3 “Phone works both ways, bestie,” Cass replies, sticking the now lit cigarette between ${cass_his_her_their} lips. “I mean, if you can call that dented up brick a phone.” “I have a newer model now!” You exclaim with a huff, about to pull said phone out when Cass’ laughter interrupts you. “I’m just joking...maybe.” Cass takes another puff of ${cass_his_her_their} cigarette before focusing ${cass_his_her_their} attention back to you. “We’ve been away for too long, $!{player_first_name}. Let’s chat.” *page_break *goto_scene chp2_cassquestions #”Sure, that’s what everybody says,” I say with a roll of my eyes. *set sarcastic +1 *set friendly %-3 *set snarky %+3 “Ever the charmer,” Cass replies, rolling ${cass_his_her_their} own eyes in response. Cass sticks the cigarette behind ${cass_his_her_their} head before giving you a bit of a smile. “So,” Cass begins, dragging out the o, “since that greeting is beneath you, apparently, how about you talk instead? What’s on your mind?” *page_break *goto_scene chp2_cassquestions #”Hi," I say softly. *set shy +1 *set bold %-3 *set snarky %-3 “Hi,” Cass echoes, giving you a grin. “You look well!" You nod and make a non-committal noise in response. You weren't sure how to react to Cass being in front of you. In some ways Cass looked and acted the same but incredibly different in others. Noting your silence, Cass chuckles a bit and tucks the cigarette behind ${cass_his_her_their} ear. "Well, surely you're curious. We haven't seen each other in ages. Ask me something." *page_break *goto_scene chp2_cassquestions