//ERIN, the player character, has been talked into taking part in a sightseeing cruise in the Mediterranean by some of her friends. She's doing her best to be involved, but is finding herself bored at the touristy destinations she's been dragged to.
At the latest one - a crumbling temple by the seaside - Erin is standing off to the side of one of the exhibits when a kid runs into her at full speed, then dashes off without saying a word. She stumbles and nearly falls, but is caught by LEO, a handsome stranger, who helps her back to her feet.//
[[Continue...->Node01]]''ERIN'': ...Thank you. That could have been uncomfortable.
''LEO'': Check your wallet.
''ERIN'': I - what?
''ERIN'': Your wallet, your valuables, things like that. Kids running around at tourist traps, they're often pickpockets.
''ERIN'': Okay...
//ERIN checks everything, and to her great relief nothing appears to have been taken.//
''LEO'': Nothing is missing, I hope?
''ERIN'': No...
[[It's not a big deal.->Node01A]]
[[Why do you care?->Node01B]]
[[That was scary.->Node01C]]
''ERIN'': I'm fine. It was probably just another kid from the cruise, being over-excited.
''LEO'': Probably. But I try to be careful around kids.
''ERIN'': What do you have against kids?
''LEO'': Nothing so much. But against people who use them for crime, I've got a big problem.
''ERIN'': I was really not expecting today to get this dark.
[[Continue...->Node02]]
''LEO'': Because I feel connected to this place. I'd imagine you'd be upset if you found something missing.
''LEO'': This temple has seen countless sacrifices. I'd hate for your good mood to be another thing placed as an offering.
''ERIN'': A little dramatic, but okay. You could have just said you didn't want it to ruin my day.
[[Continue->Node02]]''LEO'': It happens. Sadly, more these days than before. Luckily it just takes some caution to get past.
''ERIN'': And the assistance of a stranger who cares?
''LEO'': If one is so lucky.
''ERIN'': You're saying I'm lucky, now?
''LEO'': I was more referring to myself.
[[Continue...->Node02]]
''LEO'': Sorry. This is an amazing location, and it's had some hard times lately.
''LEO'': Ships come in, they show people the tourist hotspots, and that's it. They miss the true hidden beauty of places.
''ERIN'': Yet, //you're// here.
''LEO'': I was actually just leaving for the day to visit some of my favorite spots in the city. Out of the way, charming.
''ERIN'': Some of that "hidden beauty" you were talking about?
''LEO'': Yes. Although I think I found some here as well.
''ERIN'': I usually don't get hit on by guys who just rescued me from a fall.
''LEO'': And I usually don't flirt with women who might have just been robbed. But here we are. I suggest we take advantage of this.
''ERIN'': To do what...?
''LEO'': To let me show you more of this city, with the safety of a guide who knows the way. Far from the cluster of tourists with bad hair and awkward selfies.
[[You don't seem safe.->Node02A]]
[[What if I like tourist traps?->Node02B]]
[[And where would we go?->Node02C]]
''LEO'': I'm not, usually. But as far as you are concerned, there is no better bodyguard.
''ERIN'': To protect me from what, exactly?
''LEO'': Anything, really. But for today, I'll protect you from a boring time.
[[Continue...->Node03]]
''LEO'': If you will pardon me, you don't seem the type who does.
''ERIN'': And you know so much about me because...?
''LEO'': While we were here, you took no pictures. You stood away from everyone else.
''LEO'': And when the kid bumped into you, you were staring into the distance, not at the temple. That tells me you want more adventure - and I can provide it.
[[Continue..->Node03]]
''LEO'': So you are saying yes?
''ERIN'': I'm saying "where would we go." I like to weigh my options.
''LEO'': We could go to markets. To museums. To cafes. To dance, to browse. To enjoy.
''LEO'': The only place we would not go is - anywhere //boring//.
[[Continue...->Node03]]
''ERIN'': All right, you convinced me. Just let me tell the tour coordinator I'll be out for a while.
''LEO'': You don't trust me?
''ERIN'': Anyone who says something like that makes me think I //absolutely// shouldn't.
''LEO'': You're a very smart woman. I will be waiting here patiently in the sun until you come back. Take your time if you need to, I tan very nicely.
''//END//''
''[[BACK->START]]''