It was no problem finding a flower stand to purchase your flowers from. Your roommate was long gone, swearing to you that ${roommate_he_she} would be cheering you on the entire time. There were loads to choose between from a man named Mario, who has the longest and curliest mustache you'd ever seen in your life. 

"Take your pick, my friend. Trying to impress a special someone? I have meaning cards right in front of each basket," Mario says, sweeping a hand across his cart.

You give the man a smile before looking at all of your options. You soon decide to get…
*fake_choice
    #red roses. It's a classic flower choice symbolizing passion.
        *set flowertype "roses"
    #sunflowers. They're bright and cheerful flowers that symbolize nothing but positive energy. 
        *set flowertype "sunflowers"
    #daffodils. They symbolize new beginnings, which is technically what the Games are all about. 
        *set flowertype "daffodils"
    #blue lilacs. Happiness and tranquility are what these flowers are all about.
        *set flowertype "lilacs"
    #white chrysanthemums. They symbolize loyalty and honesty, which I hope isn't too much to ask for in Court. 
        *set flowertype "chrysanthemums"
    #daisies, a flower that symbolizes true love. Perhaps I'll find it with $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name}, or with somebody else at Court?
        *set flowertype "daisies"
        
"Excellent choice!" Mario exclaims once you pay him for the flowers. "Have a nice day."

With flowers in hand, begin your own way to the Palace, hoping that your intimate gesture would make up for your rather average arrival in a car.

*page_break

The car you were in was arranged by Rebecca, so the driver easily gets through the loads of Palace security. Soon enough, they're dropping you off and wishing you good luck. 

You see people in the stands as you come closer, definitely loads of media people, as well as influencer like people who were either eagerly tapping away at their phones or recording everything. You can't see any members of the Royal Family yet, but you know they are watching and of course, your roommate was somewhere in the stands as well.

"…and here comes $!{player_first_name} $!{player_last_name}! Hailing from $!{player_hometown}, $!{player_first_name} is the current favorite to win, due to ${player_his_her_their} high compatibility score!"

Those words come from somebody you only know as Tiggy, though the voice seems masculine. They're supposed to be the TV host of the Games and whom people would be paying attention to when the show goes live. You're sure Tiggy can't say anything too outrageous without the King's approval though. 

"$!{player_first_name} is coming in charmingly on foot with a special gift in hand for our darling $!{royal_title}. If you would be so kind, dear?"

On that cue, $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name} makes ${royal_his_her_their} way down from the stands. 

*if (royal_title = "prince")
    Prince $!{royal_first_name}'s wearing fairly typical formal clothes, what you're usually used to seeing, but more formal than your first meeting together. The Prince has on dark blue slacks and dark brown loafers. His shirt is impossibly white and starched to perfection. There was no jacket today, 
    but he still had on an assortment of pins and medals, including a pin of the Odessan flag. 
    
    You two meet in the middle at the same time and are greeted with mostly silence, as nearly everybody is wondering how the interaction will go.
    
*if (royal_title = "princess")
    Princess $!{royal_first_name}'s wearing fairly typical formal clothes, what you're usually used to seeing, but more formal than your first meeting together. The Princess has on a knee length dark blue dress and dark brown heels. Besides a huge statement necklace, the only other piece of jewelry she has on is a small pin of the Odessan flag.
    
    You two meet in the middle at the same time and are greeted with mostly silence, as nearly everybody is wondering how the interaction will go.   
    
*if (royal_title = "heir")
    Heir $!{royal_first_name}'s wearing typical formal clothes, what you're usually used to seeing, but more formal than your first meeting together. The Heir has on dark blue shorts and dark brown boots. Their shirt was impossibly white, starched to perfection and had more ruffles than you could ever imagine. The outfit is completed with a matching blue jacket with an assortment of pins and medals, including a pin of the Odessan flag. 
   
    You two meet in the middle at the same time and are greeted with mostly silence, as nearly everybody is wondering how the interaction will go.
        
*if (flowertype = "roses")
    *goto_scene chp2_royalroses
*if (flowertype = "daffodils")
    *goto_scene chp2_royaldaffodils
*if (flowertype = "sunflowers")
    *goto_scene chp2_royalsunflowers
*if (flowertype = "lilacs")
    *goto_scene chp2_royallilacs
*if (flowertype = "daisies")
    *goto_scene chp2_royaldaisies
*if (flowertype = "chrysanthemums")
    *goto_scene chp2_royalchrysanthemums