5. Double Take

Day 3
Two ladies today. Those that had the most valuable paintings the day before were to go with Maxon to a destination of his choice. Knowing of a popular nightclub, he chose to bring them there for dancing and drinks. It went very well. They were both dancing and chatting. There was even some flirting in their too.

And who should show up but his Best Friend, who also happened to be his identical twin brother, Arkkan. He was happy to see him but felt a bit awkward too. Especially with the initial double take that both ladies gave to him and his brother. Arkkan laughed it off easily. Maxon smiled and shook his head, then introduced them.

A while later, Arkkan bid his kind farewell and headed off to give his brother the space and time he needed. He was awesome like that.

When their gathering was coming to an end, he chose to give Malica a rose. Though he did come to care for them both. Later that night when the girls had settled before bedtime, he sat up and had a late night snack as he thought.

There was to be another elimination tonight and he was debating within his heart who it would be. Sadly, he kept going back to one. He was still waiting for a connection to form between them. But so far...still nothing. He didn't feel that she was very into him either. So, with a sigh of regret, he made his decision.

Farewell Serenity Eastman.

Another lady was gone from Maxon's life. Now there were only four left.

Which one will be his wife?

Alexis, Rosalie, Malica, and Joleen

Author's Note: I noticed that three out of four of the remaining contestants have blond hair. That is coincidence only and not intentional. I find it interesting though. Maybe they remind him of his beloved mother.  His twin was not the only one to have been at the bar, but he was the only one to come and say hi. His father, Arroden was there. Also a ghost of generations past, Rivarra.

4. Artistic Bonfire

Maxon could understand the reasoning behind this father-approved exercise for the girls. He really could. But, he thought it completely unfair to those of them that had never picked up a paintbrush, not to mention use one. The two paintings that could be sold for the most money would get their artists a special group outing with Prince Maxon. Really? What of the others? Yes, it was unfair but like the day before, Maxon would try to make the best out of a not so happy situation.

At least the girls seemed to have fun. That was a bonus and made him feel a little better about the entire affair. As he finished up his work and then snuck down for a covert look, he found smiles and even heard some giggles from amongst the group. It brought a tired smile to his lips when he saw that some were still in their night clothes. He was glad they were not unhappy here.

And now came the moment of truth.

With the girls doing whatever it is that they did in their 'Relaxation Room' father's assessor came to value each of the paintings. There was a lot of snobbish comments and snorts of disgust. But at the end, Maxon was given the results and held back a sigh. Instead he nodded curtly, turned and headed to his rooms to prepare the group outing that would be scheduled for later that day.

---------------------------

A bonfire after the artistic evaluation from the morning was scheduled. Yes, he's wearing a suit. He'd never been allowed anywhere near the ruins before, not to mention a bonfire there. He was never told the story of the ruins either, but after some digging a few years back, he'd come to learn the truth. A truth he would never speak of. It had to do with betrayal, greed and a family torn apart by a crown. It seemed only fitting to bring a possible family, his future wife, to a place that had once seem the same torn apart. Heal the wounds. Bring peace.

It did not bring him peace though. As much as he had fun dancing at the fire with the girls, he knew that one of them would have to be sent home. Those were the rules. Going to his favorite place on the Manor grounds, he walked among the garden plants and thought long and hard of which one it would be.

Having started carrying for them all in certain degrees and ways, made saying goodbye difficult. But he knew from the start, he'd have to watch all but one leave him behind. Behind in his gilded cage. The one he sent home today, was a young lady that had made a disgusted snort at him as he tried to embrace her at the bonfire earlier in the day. It had shocked him as he thought he was presenting himself to her as a gentleman. Perhaps he had made a grave mistake. But from that time forward, for the rest of the day, he could tell that she ...well, she did not like him.

Good bye Rosalinda.

Author's note: Aww, I liked her. Oh well. She really did turned him down at the bonfire. Sad really, but she is the next to go. Joleen was the one that had the highest relationship with him on that outing, so she got the 'rose' which he didn't have the option for again, as he was too embarrassed by Rosalinda's rejection to give it. Joleen was the one who got the rose last time too.

3. Difficulties

Things were a mess. The selection coordinator was no where to be found. The ladies were running late. The caterer was second class at best. The first day was ...a mess. Thankfully Maxon's life-long training was there to save the day. Mess or not, he tried to make a good thing out of a bad situation. Choosing for the first day to host a Black n' White gathering, he hired a pianist, and made due with what the caterer could come up with. A mixologist was also called in at the last minute. It seemed to be the popular 'refreshment' spot for many of the girls. Perhaps they were nervous. Perhaps they were clueless. Perhaps they were uncertain about what to do, now that the Selection Coordinator was MIA.

Maxon swore to himself that no one was going to ruin this, as he was beginning to suspect. Was it his father trying to see how he handled things under pressure? Was it an enemy of his family? Of his people? Were their traitors working in the palace itself? Determined to provide a nice evening for the ladies, Maxon tried to put his worries aside for now and enjoy their company instead. They were rather beautiful. Which one would he choose to give the rose to this night? Which one would he be sending home.

Elimination. Maxon never thought it would be this hard. One would stay. One would be going home. Sadly, Meena was the one that seemed to be the farthest away from him all evening. Hiding behind others, looking away when he glanced in her direction. She didn't seem like the shy type. All of Maxon's efforts to converse with her seemed to be thwarted. And so it was with a sad heart that he said farewell to the first elimination. Much to his surprise, she smiled brightly and thanked him, then whispered her secret. She'd been forced to come. She was in lo--. He raised his hand and stopped her from finishing her sentence. If his father heard wind of her secret, she would be branded a traitor and sent to the prisons...or worse.

"Thank you for your honesty. Tell your secret to no one. I wish you well in your life Meena. I'm sorry we could not get to know each other better."

And with that, they parted ways on friendly terms. Good bye Meena.

Joleen had been the most vocal with him and even dared to start flirting. She was beautiful. She was cheerful, she was a goofball. Maxon took notice and gave her the very first rose.

Author's note: Maxon did not have the option to give a rose to her and so he flirted and then gave a bold pick-up line instead. Things were really a mess for this first day. I lost track of time and didn't even start the party until almost 6pm. The group, he formed with the girls did not listen to the classical music that would have been one of the goals for the party. The caterer did not prepare the needed dish, which Maxon could not make himself, which was another goal for the party. Over all it was a Bronze party effort and they didn't all get down for sleep until 1am.

2. The Selection

None of the girls were smiling in their 'contract' pictures. Did they even want to be there? Were they excited? Were they nervous? It was hard to tell since all of them looked pretty much exactly alike...in expression that is. They were as diverse as they could be according to their information packets that Maxon was given. Perhaps this was a mistake to look. Perhaps he should just leave them unopened on his desk and learn what the girls were like for himself.

But...it is always better to be prepared. So, Maxon debated within himself for a while and then decided to compromise. He would look at their pictures and traits. The histories, rank in society, and all of the other unending detail about each, could be read later, maybe. For now, this would be a good start. He'd try to put names to faces in his memory for now. That is what would be best for him.

Alexis A

• Genius
• Music Lover
• Creative

Rosalie Kirby

• Childish
• Outgoing
• Family-Oriented

Rosalinda Ivy

• Romantic
• Family-Oriented
• Materialistic

Meena Marroquin

• Vegetarian
• Loves Outdoors
• Good

Serenity Eastman

• Self-Assured
• Creative
• Bro

Malica Garso

• Bro
• Romantic
• Ambitious

Joleen J

• Cheerful
• Goofball
• Creative

1. It Begins...

Prince Maxon had become a young adult. And like his own father before him. It was his turn to choose a wife. Not just any wife though. Whoever was The One, would be the Princess of Pern. Not only his own heart was at stake but the future of his beloved people. The weight of the world seemed to rest upon his aching shoulders.

Selection.

Several young adult females had been selected from across his father's kingdom. Most were chosen by his father. A few were thrown in as 'extras' to make the choices seem legitimate and random, as was claimed. Would he find his soulmate from among them?

As his ears heard the faint sounds of their arriving to the guest home behind the palace, he paced in his room. Tomorrow was going to be a very big day.

Author's Note: This Drifter Challenge (007) reminded me of The Selection book series by Kiera Cass. If you have read these books you will find some things that are very similar, including the name of the main Sim I'm playing. Maxon was the prince in the books who had to choose his wife from among those his father (mostly) chose from the populous.