“Sorry about earlier, $!{player_first_name}. My mother always jokes that I’m the only one in the family who was missing when they were handing out the filter gene,” Lyon says sheepishly. *fake_choice #“I don’t mind. I am pretty beautiful.” *set bold %+5 *set lyon %+5 *set flirty +1 “O-oh, uh…” Lyon says, clearly not expecting you to respond like that. While Lyon is stammering for his next sentence, Ryr comes over and grabs you by the arm. “As...talkative as this conversation is, we really have to go, Lyon. We’ll see you around,” he says, gently guiding you towards the door. “B-bye $!{player_first_name}. Good luck!” Lyon eventually gets out and you respond with a grin and wink. *page_break *goto_scene chp2_palace #“As long as you learn to keep your thoughts to yourself around me, it’s fine.” *set friendly %-10 *set bold %+5 *set snarky %+10 *set lyon %-5 *set rude +1 “Oh, I definitely will, $!{player_first_name}. I’ve been trying to work on that, with varying degrees of success, but I think being over your account and social status 24/7 will help this-” “Uh huh. We gotta go, Lyon.” You didn’t even realize that Ross and Ryr had made their way over to you. “You two can talk more later,” Ross insists. “I’d rather not,” you say at the same time Lyon exclaims, “Sounds great!” *page_break *goto_scene chp2_palace #I blush and play around with my fingers, offering a shrug. “It’s whatever.” *set lyon %+5 *set formal %-5 *set bold %-5 *set shy +1 “It’s certainly [i]not[/i] whatever, $!{player_first_name}. It doesn't feel good to be embarrassed like that in front of a bunch of people, trust me I know. So, again, I’m sorry,” Lyon says, moving forward to place a hand on top of your fidgeting ones. The act causes you to flush, only making you fidget even more. “Oh, well…” “Alright, we gotta go, Lyon,” Ross says, wrapping an arm around your shoulders. “You’ll see $!{player_first_name} around. Now, though, it's time for ${player_his_her_their} date with royalty.” Lyon grins and lets go of your hands, placing both of his own behind his back. “Bye, $!{player_first_name}!” *page_break *goto_scene chp2_palace #“It’s alright. You’re pretty cute, so I can forgive you.” *set lyon %+10 *set friendly %+5 *set bold %+5 *set formal %-5 *set charisma %+5 *set flirty +1 “What? You think I’m cute?” Lyon asks and you’re sure that if eyes could actually sparkle, his would be doing so right now. “I believe that’s what I said,” you say teasingly. “I’d be happy to say it again if you’d like.” Lyon shakes his head and puts his hands out in front of him, starting to grin. “Nope. Heard you loud and clear the first time, though if you want to say it again, I wouldn’t object.” Ross chuckles and walks forward to grab you by the elbow, glancing back and forth between the two of you. “Sheesh. I thought I was a flirt. We gotta go, $!{player_first_name}. You two can flirt more later.” You playfully pout, but follow after Ross and Ryr, ready to get on with the rest of your schedule. *page_break *goto_scene chp2_palace #“Ah, you flatter me. I’m not that beautiful.” *set snarky %-5 *set aloof +1 *set lyon %+5 “Oh, I insist,” Lyon says. “All we’ve had are the different traits that you put in. No photo, no anything, until now. We need to hurry up and fix that upload photo option…” He spaces out for a few moments before he remembers you’re in front of him. “Right. Anyway. You’re very beautiful. I’m excited to watch you during the competition. I really think you can make it pretty far,” he finishes. You look away from Lyon’s intense gaze, feeling as if you’re about to flush. “Ah, time to go, right Ryr? Ross?” You ask and the two of them nod. “Yep,” Ross answers, drawing out the e. “Bye Lyon. See you later.” Lyon smiles and waits for the three of you leave before he leaves as well. *page_break *goto_scene chp2_palace #“Water under the bridge,” I say with a smile. *set lyon %+5 *set snarky %-5 *set formal %-5 *set friendly %+5 *set charisma %+5 *set charming +1 Lyon grins. “Glad you’re not too mad,” he says, holding out his hand. “Maybe I can start again?” Your smile grows wider and you shake Lyon’s hand as he properly introduces himself. “Hi. I’m Lyon Powers. Web expert on all things, well, you. Nice to meet you,” he says. “Nice to meet you, Lyon,” you reply, letting go of his hand just as Ryr and Ross approach you. “Now that niceties are all out of the way, we’ve got to go,” Ryr says, tapping on his phone. “The Royal Family’s bodyguards say they’re ready for us, so let’s move.” Before you leave with Ryr and Ross, you make sure to turn back around and give Lyon a final wave. “Bye! See you later!” You exclaim before you follow your guards out the door. *page_break *goto_scene chp2_palace #"Uh...yeah. It's fine," I say, really just wanting to smooth things over so I could get out of this situation. *set formal %-5 *set aloof +1 *set lyon %+5 "Are you sure it's fine?" Lyon asks, getting a bit too close to you for comfort. You take a step back and nod and Lyon seems to get the message as he takes a step back as well. "Alright. If you say so $!{player_first_name}. Can't wait to see you again!" Lyon smiles and you can't help but to smile back as him. It was a bit strained, but Lyon didn't seem to mind, or at least, he didn't show it on his face. "Okay, we've got to go," Ryr says, glancing at his watch. "Let us know if anything comes up, Lyon." He nods, giving a playful salute towards the two guards. "Sir yes sir!" Lyon exclaims with a wide grin. Ryr's unamused, but the actions at least get a chuckle out of Ross before the three of you leave. *page_break *goto_scene chp2_palace