*disable_reuse
We don’t say much else on our walk to the gardens. It wasn’t too far from the Great Hall, but the distance is long enough that the silence is almost unbearable. I have some nice visuals of $!{player_first_name} to keep me occupied though. The way ${player_his_her_their} hips moved as ${player_he_she_they} walked, how vibrant ${player_his_her_their} skin was...well, I could go on, but we’re at the gardens now. 

I stand back a bit, allowing $!{player_first_name} to take a good look at ${player_his_her_their} surroundings. I had seen these gardens hundreds of times and really didn’t care about them.

Flowers from each and every part of the rainbow dot the gardens as far as the eye could see. $!{player_first_name} and I are at the beginnings of a cobblestone pathway that leads towards the east and west areas of the gardens. In the center of the gardens is a large fountain that spurts water at regular intervals.

These gardens have been the backdrop for many proposals, weddings and other events. I was sure that some part of the competition would take place here. Lost in my thoughts, I don’t realize that $!{player_first_name} is no longer near me until I notice ${player_him_her_them} over by a few flower bushes. I quickly follow behind ${player_him_her_them}, giving ${player_him_her_them} a smile.

“Slow down, Sweetness. I don’t want to let you out of my sight if I can help it,” I say, watching $!{player_first_name} kneel down to get a closer look at the flowers.

“Those are bee balms,” I explain. “They are my personal favorite flower as it represents fertility, restful sleep and some other boring stuff. I doubt you would get much sleep if you’re ever in my bed, but whatever.”

*if (background = "guard")
    *fake_choice
        #"I can't believe I used to look out for you and now you're flirting with me," $!{player_first_name} murmurs with a shake of ${player_his_her_their} head. 
            *set formal %+5
            "If it gives you any comfort, I didn't start thinking about you until after you left and I got older. Way older," I say with a grin.
            
            "Yes, that gives me great comfort," $!{player_first_name} replies, though I couldn't tell if it was sarcastic or not. 
        #"Didn't want to be in your bed when I was a guard and I definitely don't want to be now," $!{player_first_name} says with a roll of ${player_his_her_their} eyes. 
            *set rude +1
            I playfully pout and watch $!{player_first_name} continue ${player_his_her_their} inspection of the flowers.
            
            "Don't be like that Sweetness," I whine.
            
            Another glare from ${player_first_name} makes me change tactics however.
        #"If you say so," $!{player_first_name} replies with a chuckle. 
            *set charming +1
            "I sure do, Sweetness," I reply, letting out a chuckle of my own. 
            
            Well, that was a relief. $!{player_first_name} wasn't immediately turned off by my flirting, or my pet name. 
            
            "Post-Guard life suits you," I say, being sincere for once. "Those suits are so unflattering. I don't know how you guys do it."
            
            $!{player_first_name} laughs a bit and continues to look at the flowers. 
            
            "I could say the same about yours."
        #"Right," is all $!{player_first_name} says in response.
            *set aloof +1
            I wait for $!{player_first_name} to continue ${player_his_her_their}, but they don't. Well, I've flirted with worse.
            
            "Right," I parrot, bending down to join them in the flower inspecting. 
            
            It's nice being quiet like this, even for a moment, but eventually it gets too out of character for me.
        #"I bet that line works with all the other guards too," $!{player_first_name} says before snorting.
            *set sarcastic +1
            "No, none are as attractive as you. Honestly," I said, hand over my heart like I'm making some oath. 
            
            $!{player_first_name} snorts. "Don't let Ross hear that. He'll be heartbroken."
            
            I laugh, shaking my head at the thought of the brother pair. 
            
            "Honestly, I have no idea how you lasted so long around them. Must be a guard thing," I say with a shrug of my shoulders. "But enough about them."
        #"Ah...well..." $!{player_first_name} trails off without another word. 
            *set shy +1
            I smile reassuringly. 
            
            "Relax, Sweetness. I always take my lovers out to breakfast, lunch or dinner. I have manners, you know."

I wink and watch $!{player_first_name} rise up from ${player_his_her_their} kneeling position. Before ${player_he_she_they} could say another word, I'm talking again.

“So here we are. Alone. In the gardens. All the time in the world to fool around…or ask questions. Got any for me?"
    
*label flirtyquestions
*fake_choice
    #“When did you find out about all of this? The competition and everything?”
        "Ah, Father told me maybe a few hours before the press conference," I say, shaking my head at the memory. "I was yelling, he was yelling and Mozelle was laughing at the whole situation."
            
        My family was annoying, but I wouldn't give them up for anything. 
            
        *page_break
        *goto flirtyquestions
    #“You don’t think you and I are actually that compatible, do you?”
        "Sure hope so. You're definitely the most attractive person I've seen in a while," I say, biting down on my bottom lip as my eyes rake over ${player_his_her_their} form once again. 
        *fake_choice
            #$!{player_first_name} blushes and fumbles around for a response.
                *set shy +1
                "You're adorable," I say with a soft sigh. "I love when they're shy."
                *page_break
                *goto flirtyquestions
            #$!{player_first_name} narrows ${player_his_her_their} eyes at me. I only grin in response.
                *set rude +1
                "What? You don't like my honesty?" I ask, pouting playfully. 
                    
                "You really don't want me to be honest with you right now," $!{player_first_name} replies. 
                
                "O-Oooookay, moving on," I say quickly.
                *page_break
                *goto flirtyquestions
            #"Er, thank you," $!{player_first_name} says, glancing away from my gaze.
                *set aloof +1
                I smile and shrug my shoulders. "I wear my heart on my sleeves. Not a big fan of hiding what I think about anything."
                    
                "Noted," $!{player_first_name} replies.
                *page_break
                *goto flirtyquestions
            #"I'm sure I am," $!{player_first_name} replies, crossing ${player_his_her_their} arms.
                *set sarcastic +1
                "What? You don't believe me, Sweetness?" I ask, holding my hand over my heart. "Would I lie to you?"
                    
                "Do you really want me to answer that, $!{royal_title} $!{royal_first_name}?" $!{player_first_name} asks. 
                    
                "Yesssssss," I say, grinning wide. "Unless it'll hurt my feelings. I'm rather sensitive."
                
                "Guess I won't be answering then."
                *page_break
                *goto flirtyquestions
            #$!{player_first_name} looks me up and down as well, a smirk on ${player_his_her_their} lips. "Hm, I wonder if sweet talk is all you're good at..."
                *set flirty +1
                I slowly advance forward, taking ${player_his_her_their} chin in my hand.
                
                "Wouldn't you like to know, Sweetness?" I ask, peering into ${player_his_her_their} eyes. $!{player_first_name}'s smirk only grows wider.
                
                "Naughty $!{royal_title}," $!{player_first_name} breathes, getting so close to my face, I could barely stand it. Before I had a chance to move forward, $!{player_first_name} backs away with a cheeky little grin.
                
                "W-what? You can't just leave me hanging like that," I huff, which causes ${player_him_her_them} to laugh.
                
                "Can't let you have everything before the competition starts now can I?"
                *page_break
                *goto flirtyquestions      
    #“What do you like to do in your free time?”
        "Depends. Do you want the safe for work version or the not safe for work version?" I ask before letting out a chuckle. "Actually, don't answer that."
            
        I think for a moment before I decide on an answer. "Well, I like tinkering with different things. I like working with my hands, which I'm sure comes as a surprise to absolutely nobody."
        
        When I'm able to come in contact with a car, I like to mess around with the parts inside of it, but most of the time I'm limited to computers and phones.
        
        "I can fix most things. Cell phones, tablets, broken hearts. You know. Easy stuff," I finish. 
        *page_break
        *goto flirtyquestions
    #“Are you nervous about this competition?”
        "Am I nervous about being surrounded by a group of rather attractive people that I may or may not get to sleep with? Hell no," I answer. "No matter what Father says, hooking up will be taking place, for sure."
        
        If everybody looks like $!{player_first_name}, I'll be in love. 
        *page_break
        *goto flirtyquestions
    #“What’s it like being the $!{royal_title}?”
        "Hm, if I must be honest, I hate it. Too many people want to hook up with me just because I'm royalty! I wish people would take my looks into consideration too."
            
        $!{player_first_name} watches me pout for a moment before speaking again. "Seriously?"
            
        "Okay, I'm exaggerating a bit, but I really do enjoy being a royal. I think I would probably act the same regardless if I was royalty or not," I say with a shrug of my shoulders.
        *page_break
        *goto flirtyquestions
    #“Do you always flirt all the time? Doesn’t that get tiring?”
        I pretend to think for a moment before I shake my head.
        
        "Nope!" I exclaim with a bright smile.
        
        Maybe it would've tired out the younger me, but I'm not young anymore.
        *page_break
        *goto flirtyquestions
    #$!{player_first_name} stops asking me questions.
        *page_break
        *goto_scene chp2_royalgoodbye