It's weird coming back to the Odessan Palace. Being right near Dia meant that you did get to spend a bit of time downtown but not as much as if you lived in the city proper.

Ryr drives through the familiar guard station, barely giving the guard at duty a glance while he waves his badge. Clearly it's somebody he doesn't care for and from the quick glance of the person you got while he drives through the gates, it's not somebody you know either. 

Despite coming through this entrance hundreds of times, you can’t help but to press yourself closer towards the car window as Ryr drives out of the forest of trees that help to shield the palace from view. 

*page_break

The Odessan Palace is a bright white building that spans back as far as the eye could see. Ryr slowly drives around the large rectangular pond in front of the building, which has at least three fountains spurting up water every few seconds. As you get closer, you notice large columns interspersed between the windows of the building. 

At the very top of the building flies the Odessan flag and what appears to be guards walking back and forth, holding rifles. 

“Sheesh, remember when we used to be up there, Ross?” Ryr asks, slowing to a stop in front of a staircase. 

“Unfortunately. Worst six weeks ever,” Ross replies, getting out of the car and opening the door for you. While Ryr hands off the keys to the car to a valet, Ross turns to look at you.

You never had the pleasure of doing patrols like the two guards currently, but you knew that eventually you would've gotten stuck up there if you hadn't been tasked with guarding the King's children.

“You feeling alright, $!{player_first_name}? I know this isn't your first time here but…"

Ross' question breaks you out of your thoughts and makes you pause. Eventually you answer:

*fake_choice
    #“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t ready to pee myself."
    #“I’m great. Totally not thinking about the King at all."
    #“Actually, I’m wondering if it’s too late for me to swipe the keys from Ryr and speed off.”
    #“I’ll be just fine. Probably.”
    #“As alright as I’ll ever be.”
        
Ross chuckles and glances at his watch, waving a bit to get his brother’s attention. “You have nothing to worry about,” he insists. 

Ryr eventually notices his brother waving and heads up a few stairs to meet you two. 

“Alright, let’s go!” Ross exclaims, taking the lead as you three begin to climb the stairs into the palace. 

*page_break

When you finally make it inside of the palace, the first room you’re in is a hallway of sorts. All of the walls are white, just like the entire exterior of the palace. The walls are covered in ivy, which you believe to be fake, until you notice maids watering and spraying the leaves with water. A few of them notice the presence of you three.

Some smile politely, but most of them just ignore you. It was almost starting to get awkward, when finally a dark skinned woman with a short bob cut approaches the three of you. She’s holding a clipboard and has an ID badge clipped to her shirt collar. 

“$!{player_first_name}. Ross. Ryr. I’m Rebecca, press secretary for the Royal Family. King Frederick, Queen Ramona and Princess Mozelle are all ready for you,” Rebecca says, turning around on her heels and heads back down the hallway, her heels clicking on the polished marble floor. You follow after the woman, impressed with her ability to walk so fast in those heels.

"I got hired on shortly after you left the Guard," Rebecca begins, glancing back at you before focusing her attention forward once again. "King Frederick is very glad to see a friendly face in the competition."

You three follow after her in silence until she stops in front of two double doors labeled “Royal Meeting Room”. 

Rebecca makes a series of knocks on the door and soon you hear the sounds of locks being unlocked. The doors swing open and you soon find yourself face to face with the King, Queen and Princess.
    
“Your Majesty, King Frederick, Your Majesty, Queen Ramona and Your Royal Highness, Princess Mozelle, may I present to you $!{player_first_name} $!{player_last_name}, from $!{player_hometown}. $!{player_first_name}, the Odessa Royal Family, sans $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name}, whom you will see later,” Rebecca says, moving aside so the Royal Family could really get a good look at you.
*page_break

*comment this where the clothing choices some in

*if (player_clothing_style = "rumi") 
    *set mozelle %+2
    “Welcome back to the palace, $!{player_first_name}. I see Rumi has made quite an impression on you,” Queen Ramona says with a smile. The Queen barely looks as if she has aged since you left…no doubt due to her intense skin regimine and hands off approach to most things, unlike the King. 
    
    You hesitate slightly, wondering if you should great her the Guard way, or the civilian way, but eventually you bow to her before answering.

    “Yes, Your Majesty,” you say before bowing towards the King and the Princess. Even though Queen Ramona hasn't aged a day, Princess Mozelle clearly has. She was a much smaller child when you were employed with the Royal Family, but she still has the same amount of energy as when you left.

    “You look lovely, $!{player_first_name}!” Princess Mozelle exclaims. “I daresay you wear that cape almost as well as Rumi does. Don’t tell them that though. They’re working on a few dresses for me right now and I’d hate for them to stop.” She winks after saying that.
    
    Yep, just as cheeky as when she was younger.

    You turn towards the King, waiting for him to say something. He watches you for a long while before he smiles a bit as well. 

    “Thank you for coming, $!{player_first_name}. My apologies that you’re at a hotel, but soon enough you’ll be in our home,” King Frederick said. “Allow us to take you on a small tour.”
    *page_break
    *goto_scene chp2_royaltour

*if (player_clothing_style = "revealing")
    *set mozelle %+5
    Before the King and Queen could say anything, Princess Mozelle races over to you, marveling at your outfit.

    “Oh my…$!{player_first_name}, your outfit is so cute. My mom never lets me wear stuff like this.” Mozelle huffs, crossing her arms as she continues to look at you.

    “For good reason, dear,” the Queen replies, moving towards to take in more of your appearance. You two are definitely dressed like polar opposites as the moment. The Queen wears a dress much more casual than what she wore in both the portrait you initially saw her in, as well as the press conference. It’s off the shoulders, but long sleeved and floor length. 
    
    "Civilian life suits you, $!{player_first_name}," Queen Ramona says, though you're not sure if that's a compliment or a masked insult. The smile leads you to believe it's more genuine than not. Behind her shoulder, Princess Mozelle nods enthuastically, reminding you of how she acted in her youth. 

    “Never mind what you’re wearing, $!{player_first_name}, welcome back to the Odessan Palace,” King Frederick says, giving you a small smile. You bow and the King gives you a slight nod, allowing you to straighten back up.
    
    “Thank you for coming. My apologies that you’re at a hotel, but soon enough you’ll be in our home,” King Frederick continues. “Allow us to take you on a small tour to refresh your memory of our lovely home."
    
    "One of them anyway," Princess Mozelle chuckles underneath her breath as the group moves out of the room. 
    *page_break
    *goto_scene chp2_royaltour

*if (player_clothing_style = "casual")
    *set mozelle %+2
    “Welcome back to the Odessan Palace, $!{player_first_name}. We’re so glad you’re here once again,” Queen Ramona says with a smile. “You look comfortable, but cute.”

    “Thank you, Your Majesty,” you say, bowing towards her, before you bow towards the Princess and the King. 

    “Yeah, this is totally something I’d wear in the city. Rumi did a great job fitting you,” Princess Mozelle compliments. The King nods in agreement.

    “You look very nice, $!{player_first_name}. Thank you for coming. My apologies that you’re at a hotel, but soon enough you’ll be in our home,” King Frederick said. “Allow us to take you on a small tour to refresh your memory.”
    *page_break
    *goto_scene chp2_royaltour

*if (player_clothing_style = "royal")
    *set mozelle %+5
    The Royal Family is actually stunned when they finally see all of you. Their eyebrows are all of varying heights, but it’s Princess Mozelle who speaks first.

    “Holy hell, $!{player_first_name}! You’re dressing like us already. I gotta ask Rumi to make something similar,” she says, turning her head to the side to stare at your outfit in more detail.

    “Stunning. Simply stunning, $!{player_first_name},” Queen Ramona compliments, smiling brightly. “Reminds me of my younger years. Good to have you back.”

    Even King Frederick has a compliment for you. “I figured you’d wear something more...Loxian. Not everybody takes leaving the Guard easily."
    
    He looks away, with a facial expression that you can't exactly read. It's gone as quickly as it came.
    
    "You didn’t have to go all out like this, but I truly appreciate it. Thank you for coming, $!{player_first_name},” the King eventually finishes. Queen Ramona nods after her husbands words. 

    “My apologies that you’re at a hotel, but soon enough you’ll be in our home,” Queen Ramona says, shaking her head a bit to get out of the daze she was in. “Allow us to take you on a small tour.”
    *page_break
    *goto_scene chp2_royaltour

*if (player_clothing_style = "smart")
    *set mozelle %+2
    “Welcome back to the Odessan Palace, $!{player_first_name}! You look just like you stepped out of Rebecca’s closet!” Princess Mozelle compliments. “Or a fashion magazine.”

    Rebecca huffs beside you, looking you up and down as you bow to the Royal Family. “Perhaps,” is all she replies.

    “Thank you for coming, $!{player_first_name}. My apologies that you’re at a hotel, but soon enough you’ll be in our home,” King Frederick says. “Allow us to take you on a small tour to familiarize yourself with palace life once again.”
    *page_break
    *goto_scene chp2_royaltour

*if (player_clothing_style = "edgy")
    *set mozelle %+3
    "Whoa, $!{player_first_name}, you look badass!" Princess Mozelle exclaims, ignoring the huffing and puffing from her mother and father. 
    
    She's marveling at your outfit in such a way that you're sure that if her eyes could truly bulge out of her eye sockets, they probably would.
    
    Queen Ramona and King Frederick don't exactly share her enthusiasm, but they welcome you all the same.
    
    "Hello $!{player_first_name}. We're happy you've made it to the Odessan Palace. Allow Ramona, Mozelle and I take you on a tour and show you some highlights," King Frederick says.
    
    *page_break
    *goto_scene chp2_royaltour

*if (player_clothing_style = "frilly")
    *set mozelle %+3
    Queen Ramona and Princess Mozelle's eyes both soften when they catch sight of you.
    
    "You're so…pink! Frilly! Cute." Princess Mozelle sighs on the last word. Queen Ramona agrees, though is much more dignified in her response.
    
    "You look adorable, $!{player_first_name}. The colors really suit you," she says, reaching out to touch your sleeve before stepping away.
    
    "You look nice, $!{player_first_name}. Welcome back to Dia and the Odessan Palace. Allow us to give you a small tour of some of our most popular and used rooms and areas," King Frederick says with a small smile.
    
    *page_break
    *goto_scene chp2_royaltour