"Ugh, I can't believe you're making us wear this heavy shit," Ross groans, fiddling with the last buckle on his shoes for the millionth time. "Plus, you're not even in your gear! How unfair is that?"

You laugh, taking the younger brother's complaints in stride. You honestly couldn't even remember where your old uniform was, but the brothers, not twins, looked quite fetching in theirs today. Guards of Ross' and Ryr's rank, and your former rank wore all white uniforms, with gold stitching across the front and shoulders of their blazers. It's exactly what the brothers are wearing today. 

Strapped across their fronts are actual steel swords, safely sheathed in their scabbards, though swords haven't been used in actual battles for decades. Still, a white uniformed guard never went anywhere without it. Once you left, you had to turn yours in and seeing Ross and Ryr with theirs makes you a bit nostalgic.

"When was the last time you two have worn these uniforms?" You ask them, relaxing a bit in the back of the limo on the way to the palace. Once you told King Frederick that you wanted to arrive with full Guard honors, he quickly got to work with the preparations. Given his history, you assumed he was just super eager to show off his military might for his citizens. 

"Er, for the wedding of one of Queen Ramona's sisters, I believe," Ryr answers, shifting a bit uncomfortably in his own seat. Knowing him, he didn't want to wear these uniforms any more that Ross did, but he wouldn't dare say that aloud. "Chin up, brother, we could be standing three hours like we did for that ceremony."

Ross hums, leaning back in his seat to ponder Ryr's words. 

"You have a point, though at least I had a nice view of ladies and food to look at to distract me. This time, all I have is $!{player_first_name}!"

*fake_choice
    #"Don't act like you don't enjoy the view!"
        *set flirty +1
        *set snarky %+10
        Ross laughs and runs a hand through his hair. 
        
        "Sure, but I'm not who you should be focused on. It's $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name}."
    #"You should be lucky. I'm the only ${player_man_woman_person} you can get these days."
        *set snarky %+10
        *set rude +1
        The pout Ross gives you after your statement resembles a lost puppy in the rain, but you're used to such looks from him. 
        
        "Whatever, at least with those ladies, I didn't have to worry about loads of others trying to also woo them."
        
        Ryr rolls his eyes.
        
        "Anyways, back to $!{player_first_name} who is much more important than my brother's sad love life."
    #"My dear Ross, you are a constant reminder that the Guard used to take just anybody in."
        *set sarcastic +1
        Ryr snorts, but can't help but let out a large, rare smile after your comment. 
        
        "To be fair, $!{player_first_name}, they took you as well. Though you at least don't complain about an outfit all the time," he says, grinning wider once he sees his brother's pout. "Besides, it's obvious that $!{player_first_name} isn't just anybody, given this whole competition."
    #"Yeah, yeah, yeah..."
        Ryr looks up from his phone, which most likely held the itinerary for today, and chuckles. 
        
        "Ross, how about you leave ${royal_him_her_them} alone? There's enough on ${royal_his_her_their} plate today already."
    #"You should've enjoyed it, Ross, it's probably the only wedding you'll be invited to ever again."
        Ryr tries and fails to hold back his laughter.
        
        "Took the words right out of my mouth, $!{player_first_name}. But enough about his love life and more about yours."
        
He had a point, though your arrival would be pretty simple. You'll walk in with horns blaring and flares going and hopefully nothing crazy would happen during the arrival.

There's no point in thinking about what ifs now, though, especially since you're rolling on the place grounds at the moment. 

"Alright, $!{player_first_name}. We're about to get out soon and walk in front of the limo to lead you in," Ryr says, doing a final check of his uniform as he spoke. "Not much you have to do on this side of the routine except walk, lucky for you."

"You so owe us a drink after this," Ross says as the limo slows to a stop. The limo's windows are too tinted to see out of, but from what you could gather, you're nearing the cobblestone pathway that led to the front steps of the palace. 

"Good luck, $!{player_first_name}. See you in the stands!"

You watch Ross then Ryr slip out of the limo, careful to keep your body out of view of nearby people and cameras. A few moments after their departure, the limo slowly inches forward.

Showtime.

*page_break

[b] [i] NOW PLAYING AS: $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name} [/i] [/b]
*if (royal_personality = "shy")
    *set royal %-5
    $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name} fiddles with ${royal_his_her_their} collar for the millionth time, knowing that it probably hadn't budged an inch, but there was nothing else to do. $!{royal_he_she_they} still wished some miracle would happen to stop this entire competition. 
    
    $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name} thought that meeting $!{player_first_name} was mostly nice, but what ${royal_he_she_they} really liked the most about the meeting was that it was private. At least Mozelle was enjoying herself, if her wide eyes and knee bouncing were of any indication. 
    
    Sometimes $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name} often wished ${royal_his_her_their} had been born first. $!{royal_he_she_they} always thought that she seemed more royal than ${royal_he_she_they} ever did. 
    
    "Look, look!"
    
    $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name} sits up and follows Mozelle's pointed finger over to the courtyard, where a limo is slows to a stop. Guards rush to the side of the limo where the doors are and wait for Ross and Ryr to join the formation. As the pair of brothers are helping lead the limo inside, $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name} figures that $!{player_first_name} couldn't be too far behind. Sure enough, a few seconds later, $!{player_first_name} climbs out of the limo to quite a bit of applause. 
    
    "Presenting, former white Guard member, $!{player_first_name} $!{player_last_name}!" A man bellows from somewhere ${royal_he_she_they} can't see. 
    
    ${player_first_name} smiles a bit at the announcement before making ${player_his_her_their} way to ${player_his_her_their} seat. This surprises $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name}. $!{royal_he_she_they} thought that ${player_first_name} would at least try and drag this out longer than ${player_he_she_they} needed to. 
    
    Mozelle chuckles a bit to herself as her ${sibling_title} sinks back into ${royal_his_her_their} seat. 
    
    "Lucky you, all you had to do was just sit here," she says and for once, $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name} agrees with her. 
    
    "Lucky me, indeed…but this day isn't over yet."
    *page_break
    *goto_scene chp2_othercontestantsarrive
    
*if (royal_personality = "aloof")
    *set royal %-3
    I lean back in my seat, not enough to seem like I didn't care about appearances, but not so much that it seemed like I was ready to see $!{player_first_name}, who was rumored to be arriving first. I'm not a fan of big gestures, especially at the expense of taxpayers, but there's nothing I can do about it now. 
    
    "I'm so excited to see all the contestants today," Mozelle gushes beside me.
    
    "That makes one of us," I murmur, watching as a limo creeps into the courtyard. Ross and Ryr walk in front of it, resembling a pair of crossing guards. This had to be $!{player_first_name} arriving then. When $!{player_first_name} was with the Guard, I never saw ${player_him_her_them} without Ross and Ryr in tow. I always thought it was funny how they meshed together so well, despite having varying personalities. 
    
    A loud series of horns interrupt my thoughts. I watch guards rush to the side of the limo where the doors are and wait for Ross and Ryr to join the formation before they all raise their swords up in the air, forming a canopy above the pathway. Soon, out comes $!{player_first_name}, who gives the barest of smiles towards the brother pair before moving on. 
    
    I manage a wave—anything else would've been rude—before focusing my attention back on the bubbly host of the whole competition, Tiggy. This was going to be a long day.
    
    *page_break
    *goto_scene chp2_othercontestantsarrive
*if (royal_personality = "charming")
    *set royal %+3
    I fiddle with my collar for the millionth time, knowing that it probably hadn't budged an inch, but I still wanted it to stay as perfect as possible. I have vague memories of $!{player_first_name} during ${player_his_her_their} time in the Guard, but I know ${player_he_she_they} was rather honorable, otherwise Father would not have let ${player_him_her_them} anywhere near the Palace again.
    
    "Relax. You look perfect," Mother says beside me, patting my arm reassuringly. I smile at her, but my insides still felt like jelly. It was different in the gardens—that was just us with no cameras and people to judge. Now, I had to be proper, perfect…[i] royal [/i].
    
    "Of course, Mother," I reply, pointedly ignoring the way Mozelle playfully mocked my sentence underneath her breath beside me. 
    
    Soon enough, a limo creeps into the courtyard with Ross and Ryr walking nearby. As the limo slows, a series of loud horns begin to blare so loud, I'm sure half the kingdom can hear them. Guards rush to the side of the limo where the doors are and wait for Ross and Ryr to join the formation before they all raise their swords up in the air, forming a canopy above the pathway. 
    
    My eyes widen when I see $!{player_first_name} climb out of the limo and walk towards our stand a bit. I was used to displays of might, but never involving an arrival to court. As $!{player_first_name} passes by, I smile and wave, trying to make ${player_him_her_them} feel as welcome as possible. 
    
    Soon enough, ${player_first_name} takes ${player_his_her_their} seat. Well, that was easy enough. $!{player_first_name} did not seem terrified of all the attention, but maybe that was just a front. In either case, it was nice to seem ${royal_him_her_them} again. 
    
    *page_break
    *goto_scene chp2_othercontestantsarrive
*if (royal_personality = "flirty")
    I fiddle with my collar for the millionth time, hoping no sort of marks were poking out from underneath it. Makeup could only hide so much and when you have a limited time before events…
    
    "Did you hear me?"
    
    I wince as Mozelle gives me a not so subtle jab to the ribs. 
    
    "Ow…and no! What?" 
    
    She smirks and eyes my neck before thankfully moving on to what was going on instead. 
    
    "I was [i] saying [/i] that $!{player_first_name} is in that limo I think."
    
    As I survey the scene, a limo creeps into the courtyard with the Palace's favorite guards Ross and Ryr walking nearby. Well, marching anyway. $!{player_first_name} wouldn't be caught dead anywhere without them, so Mozelle was right. As the limo slows, a series of loud horns begin to blare so loud, I'm sure half the kingdom can hear them. 
    
    Guards rush to the side of the limo where the doors are and wait for Ross and Ryr to join the formation before they all raise their swords up in the air, forming a canopy above the pathway. $!{player_first_name} climbs out of the limo and walks down the makeshift runway. A fair amount of applause follows, though I couldn't help thinking that the whole display would've been better with a few flares or something. Despite this, I smile and wave at $!{player_first_name}, trying to make ${player_him_her_them} feel as welcome as possible. 
    
    "There's nothing I love more than stiff things in the air!" I exclaim, relishing in the laughter that follows after my comment. 
    *fake_choice
        #"We get it, you like to get laid!" $!{player_first_name} exclaims behind ${player_his_her_their} shoulder. 
            *set sarcastic +1
            *set royal %+2
            I scoff because yeah, $!{player_first_name} wasn't [i] wrong [/i] but wow, what a hell of a public first impression. 
            
            "You got that right!" I exclaim, settling back into my seat as $!{player_first_name} takes ${player_his_hers_theirs}. 
            *page_break
            *goto_scene chp2_othercontestantsarrive
        #"Whatever," I hear $!{player_first_name} mumble underneath ${player_his_her_their} breath. 
            *set rude +1
            *set royal %+3
            I laugh despite myself. Both ${player_him_her_them} and Father would get along swimmingly. I offer no other comment as the arrivals continue. 
            
            *page_break
            *goto_scene chp2_othercontestantsarrive
        #"Now, that's something we have in common," $!{player_first_name} says, just loud enough for me to hear. 
            *set flirty +1
            *set royal %+5
            I smirk and lean in my seat, barely remembering the name of the person I was tangled up with before this ceremony started after hearing those words. 
            
            "Oh do tell…maybe even show if you're so inclined," I reply, to which $!{player_first_name} gives me a smirk of ${player_his_her_their} own. 
            
            "Sorry, you'll have to do better than that if you want to see anything."
            
            I watch $!{player_first_name} take ${player_his_her_their} seat unabashedly. My attention is stolen yet again with another elbow jab from Mozelle. 
            
            "Close your mouth, $!{royal_first_name}. Something might fly in."
            
            I close it begrudgingly and huff. 
            
            "Whatever. I'm not actually [i] impressed [/i]! $!{player_first_name} is just putting up a front like everybody else," I say, tightly crossing my arms and making an effort to not look over at ${player_him_her_them} for as long as I could manage.
            
            *page_break
            *goto_scene chp2_othercontestantsarrive
        #"Alright..." $!{player_first_name} speeds up to get to ${player_his_her_their} seat faster.
            *set aloof +1
            *set royal %-2
            I laugh despite myself. Both ${player_him_her_them} and Father would get along nicely. I offer no other comment as the arrivals continue. 
            
            *page_break
            *goto_scene chp2_othercontestantsarrive
        #$!{player_first_name} says nothing, but does rub the back of ${player_his_her_their} neck in what seems to be embarrassment. 
            *set shy +1 
            *set royal +3
            "Don't be shy, $!{player_first_name}, I love to adapt and learn new things."
            
            I wink over at ${player_him_her_them} which only increases the frantic neck rubbing. 
            
            "Um, nice to know…"
            
            I hold back another response, deciding to allow $!{player_first_name} take ${player_his_her_their} seat. There would be plenty of time for more teasing during the competition. 
            *page_break
            *goto_scene chp2_othercontestantsarrive
        #"Thanks for the warm welcome," $!{player_first_name} replies, in a tone that was almost too charming to be genuine.
            *set charming +1
            *set royal %+5
            "You're just saying that," I reply with a laugh. Sure, the way I acted wasn't for everybody, but I know when somebody's trying to be placating. 
            
            "No, really," $!{player_first_name} insists. "It's good to be back."
            
            I watch ${royal_him_her_them} carefully, waiting for the joke to follow. 
            
            "May I go sit now, $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name}?" $!{player_first_name} asks, glancing over at the stands. $!{player_first_name}'s shifting from foot to foot…had I really kept ${player_him_her_them} standing there that long?
            
            "Of course, of course. By all means," I say, watching ${royal_him_her_them} head towards ${royal_his_her_their} seat. I sink back into my seat, furrowing my eyebrows as I do so. Mozelle looks over at me, her own eyebrows raised up. 
            
            "What's with you?" She asks and I shrug. 
            
            "I…I just wasn't expecting that!"
            
            Mozelle looks between the two of us before chuckling.
            
            "Er, you're not used to somebody not immediately rebuffing or wanting you?"
            
            I pause. Was that it?
            
            "Nah," I answer. "There's no way you're right since I'm the one who is always right."
            
            Mozelle rolls her eyes and playfully shrugs my shoulder. We settle down soon enough, but that doesn't stop her words from running through my head.
            
            *page_break
            *goto_scene chp2_othercontestantsarrive 
*if (royal_personality = "sarcastic")
    I relax in my insanely plush seat, waiting to see just what this whole Arrival Day business would be all about. Sure, there's plenty of other things I would rather be doing at the moment, but I've had to hang out at worse places before, so I could suck it up here too. 
    
    I make polite conversation with a few guards nearby and just as plans to begin to form in my head to annoy Mozelle, a series of horns snatches my attention. I watch with eyebrows raised as a limo pulls into the courtyard, with Ross and Ryr leading the way. Trailing behind the limo is an obscene amount of other guards, holding their swords tightly against their chests. 
    
    "No way this is $!{player_first_name} coming! How did ${player_he_she_they} pull all of this together?" I exclaim while Mozelle smirks beside me. 
    
    "$!{player_first_name} was in the Guard, remember? You don't remember ${player_him_her_them} chasing after you?"
    
    "Vaguely," I answer, trailing off when a series of horns blares once again. This sound causes the guards behind the limo to rush towards the side of it, leaving just enough room for Ross and Ryr to join them. I wave excitedly at them, just to get them to laugh. Of course, I didn't expect them to react or anything, but I relish in Ross' small smile that appears on his face for half a second before he returns to his routine. 
    
    Sure enough, $!{player_first_name} emerges out of the limo to an insane amount of applause. 
    
    "Presenting, $!{player_first_name} $!{player_last_name} of $!{player_hometown}!" 
    
    I think that came from the host of this entire thing, or maybe somebody else in the Guard, but I find myself smirking as ${player_first_name} makes ${player_his_her_their} way underneath the canopy of raised swords. 
    
    "Raised swords? Are you trying to compensate for something, $!{player_first_name}?" I tease.
    
    *fake_choice
        #"Of...of course not!" $!{player_first_name} exclaims while pressing a hand over ${player_his_her_their} heart.
            *set shy +1
            *set royal %-3
            "Relax, $!{player_first_name}. Welcome to Court. You may take your seat," I reply, barely making it through the rest of my sentence before I lean back in my seat to relax once again. $!{player_first_name} does so and I turn my attention back to Mozelle as she gushes about ${player_his_her_their} outfit. 
            
            $!{player_first_name}'s arrival was quite nice, but I was more than ready to have all of this over with. 
            
            *page_break
            *goto_scene chp2_othercontestantsarrive
        #"Maybe I am and maybe I'm not. Want to find out?" $!{player_first_name} asks before giving me a smirk. 
            *set flirty +1
            *set royal %+3
            "Ooh, don't tempt me, $!{player_first_name}. How about I meet the rest of the contestants and circle back to you?" I reply, to which ${player_first_name} bows in response. 
            
            "Don't keep me waiting too long, $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name}. Who knows who might pique my interest in the following days?"
            
            I laugh and watch ${player_him_her_them} head over to ${royal_his_her_their} seat with a grin on my face. Definitely glad I decided to show up today. 
            
            *page_break
            *goto_scene chp2_othercontestantsarrive
        #"Why, are you?" $!{player_first_name} shoots back. 
            *set rude +1
            *set royal %+3
            "Ouch, $!{player_first_name}," I reply, pulling my best puppy dog eyed look. "Is that what you really think about me?"
            
            $!{player_first_name} opens ${player_his_her_their} mouth to respond but after a small shake of ${player_his_her_their} head, just turns and heads towards the section reserved for contestants. 
            
            "Aw, no fun," I huff, sending my pout my parents' way instead as the festivities move forward. 
            *page_break
            *goto_scene chp2_othercontestantsarrive
        #"Ah, no $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name}. Just wanted to arrive in a nice manner." A smile follows ${royal_his_her_their} statement.
            *set charming +1
            *set royal %-3
            "Of course," I reply, slightly put off but hey, not everybody can banter with me. "Welcome to Court!"
            
            $!{player_first_name} smiles slightly at my greeting and thanks me before moving towards ${player_his_her_their} seat. As the limo pulls away and the rest of the guards arrange themselves nearby, I turn my attention to the host of this whole competition, a person named Tiggy. 
            *page_break
            *goto_scene chp2_othercontestantsarrive
        #"Wouldn't you like to know, $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name}?" 
            *set sarcastic +1
            *set royal %+5
            Sarcasm? Was that a hint of sarcasm?
            
            "Of course, $!{player_first_name}. I'm basically hanging on the edge of my seat, awaiting your answer!" I exclaim, scooting forward just for emphasis.
            
            $!{player_first_name} laughs and gives me a wave, which subconsciously makes me slide back in my seat. 
            
            "You'll have to work for any answer after this, but no, $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name}, definitely not trying to compensate for anything. I think my sparkling personality is enough." 
            
            I grin and nod towards the contestant section. "I'll allow that answer. Welcome to Court, $!{player_first_name}." 
            
            My grin widens as I watch $!{player_first_name} take off towards ${royal_his_her_their} seat. I don't stop looking until Mozelle elbows me in the ribs with a grin of her own.
            
            "Not my ${royal_brother_sister_sibling} falling at first sight," she teases. 
            
            "Technically, this isn't the first time," I point out, but pointedly ignore her comment. It's not like I would fall for every sarcastic person I ever met, but it sure is a plus. 
            
            *page_break
            *goto_scene chp2_othercontestantsarrive
        #"Certainly not," $!{player_first_name} replies and says nothing further.
            *set aloof +1
            *set royal %-3
            Tough crowd.
            
            I nod, smile, do all the respectable things before the attention is no longer on $!{player_first_name}. Easy enough. 
            *page_break
            *goto_scene chp2_othercontestantsarrive
*if (royal_personality = "rude")
    *set royal %+3
    I lean back in my seat, not caring too much for posture or even decorum. Father's eyes bore into my skull, but I just couldn't find it in my being to pretend to be excited about this competition, much less some ${player_man_woman_person} I was forced to get to know before anybody else. 
    
    It was Arrival Day, the day all these people would make complete fools of themselves in front of me in the hopes they could even be sort of worthy to sit beside me one day as Odessa's rulers. Preparing to nod off, I jump awake once I start to hear horns blazing. I watch with eyebrows raised as a limo pulls into the courtyard, with Ross and Ryr leading the way. Trailing behind the limo is an obscene amount of other guards, holding their swords tightly against their chests. 
    
    "Who the hell is this?" I whisper over to Mozelle, who looks just as confused as I am. 
    
    "Beats me. Who else could have connections like this but-"
    
    Mozelle is cut off by more horns, which is apparently a signal for the back guards, who rush to the side of the limo. The throng of guards leave enough space for Ross and Ryr to join the formation which continues to pique my interest. 
    
    "Presenting, $!{player_first_name} $!{player_last_name} of $!{player_hometown}!" A heavyset fellow bellows from somewhere I couldn't see and suddenly it all made sense. This was $!{player_first_name}'s grand idea of arriving to Court. 
    
    I had to admit, grand gestures were right up my alley, but I couldn't let ${player_him_her_them} know that. So when $!{player_first_name} climbs out of the limo with Guard swords forming a canopy above ${royal_his_her_their} head, I feign disinterest and inspect my nails instead. Father stands which immediately prompts everybody else to follow suit, including myself. 
    
    "Welcome to Court once again, $!{player_first_name}. You may take your seat. Hopefully Ross and Ryr did not annoy you too much on the ride here," he says, to which $!{player_first_name} shakes ${player_his_her_their} head with a small smile. 
    
    "Glad to be here, King Frederick. Thank you for having me."
    
    I roll my eyes with a scoff and sit back down in my seat. "Don't know if you've realized this, $!{player_first_name}, but you're supposed to be impressing me, not Father," I say, already feeling a headache nudging at my temples. $!{player_first_name} doesn't get a chance to respond, because Father swiftly sits back down to signal the end of the meeting. 
    
    "Dear."
    
    As I sit back down, Mother rests her hand on top of mine. I already sense a lecture coming and as much as I would rather leave all of this far behind, I indulge her. 
    
    "Yes, Mother?"
    
    "You just have a few more people to sit though. I'm not asking you to smile, but at least try to seem engaged. Please," Mother murmurs and for a moment it whisks me back to childhood. 
    
    Ugh. That tone was insufferable, yet worked every time. 
    
    "Of course, Mother," I eventually reply, as Tiggy, the host for this entire competition, moves on. 
    
    *page_break
    *goto_scene chp2_othercontestantsarrive