Story Mechanics:

This is an interactive story experiment. You get to decide how the story will flow. Depending on the gravity of the chapter is the time allotment for you to comment in reviews what your decision will be. If in the time given there are no replies, I will go ahead with the story, but that defeats the purpose of the experiment, won't it? :)

Treat this story as an otome game.

Extras:

I have made the Avatar twins in this story to fully maximize the experiment. It can go any way. Their names will be Robin for the boy, and Robyn for the girl. Their appearance will be the default one given by the developers.

Chapter 1

RING-RING-RIIIIIIIIIING!

"Rise and shine, sis!"

Robyn groaned as a pillow was thrown at her. She opened one eye to see Robin standing at the access door to his own room, in his pajamas and grinning. Robin ran back to his own room and into his bathroom.

Robyn glanced at the calendar on her bedside table. The first day of a new school. Robyn whined and dragged herself out of bed and noticed the dark blue uniform her mother must have hung on her closet. F. Emblem Academy, a renowned school known for its excellence. If she and her brother weren't so intelligent, they wouldn't have afforded such an expensive school. But their test scores were more than impressive, and they were put at the top of the list where they were going to enjoy full scholarship and access.

Whatever 'access' meant.

By the time Robyn was about to wash her long pale hair, Robin was already drying his. He changed into his own dark blue uniform and headed back to his sister's room. Their rooms were connected by an access door, and each bedroom was a mirror of the other save for their respective themes. Robin enjoyed his sister's room because it was so neat, and her books were always put away tidily and she had more pillows and stuffed toys than he did, which meant the cat liked to spend its time there.

Robin scratched the black cat behind its ears and called out to his sister.

"Come on, Robyn! We have to meet up with Lon'qu in an hour and thirty minutes!"

"Do we really have to?!" called back his sister. Robin heard her turn her shower off.

"I haven't seen Lon'qu in so long! We were childhood friends back home ten years ago! Then he moved here and I haven't seen him since!"

"You talk to him online everyday." Robyn stuck her head out her bathroom. "Can you get me my uniform?"

Robin complied and handed it to her. "It's not the same. I haven't seen him in ten years. Do you know how excited he was that we moved here and are going to F. Academy together?"

"Lon'qu? Excited? I remember that kid being the most expressionless kid on the block." Robin heard her turn on her blow dryer. He waited till she was done and she stepped out of her bathroom and into her vanity. Her older twin groaned.

"Are we ever going to finish?"

"I don't see what your problem is!" said Robyn, doing her hair. "I'm sure Mom's got breakfast ready! I'll be there in a minute."

Robin, finding that option more agreeable, whistled for their cat Naga to follow him and left through Robyn's main door.

Doing her hair took shorter than she realized. She sighed. She didn't exactly miss their old place. Everything was such a blur. She was fifteen, but whenever she tried looking back on her old years, she didn't really try making friends. She stuck to her brother like glue, and he didn't mind, seeing as he was too busy chatting with Lon'qu all the time to make friends either. So she focused on her studies.

But now was different. She felt like this time, things were going to change with Lon'qu in the picture, so she was probably going to have to find her own friends.

Robyn made her way down to the breakfast table and found her brother gorging on pancakes.

Robin watched as his sister kissed their mother's cheek and pour herself a glass of milk. He didn't flinch as he shot her a glare.

"Don't finish all the pancakes." shot Robyn.

"I can't promise anything." smirked Robin, finishing his third. "Your fault for taking too long."

Robin was excited. Unlike his younger twin, he was looking forward to the first day of school. He found their old school dull and unchallenging. He heard from Lon'qu that there are a lot of brains to compete with in F. Emblem. And it didn't hurt that Lon'qu was around, either.

Their mother, Reyna Tact, shared their pale hair. She had a pretty face, and she set down her cup of coffee and smiled at her twins. "So where are you two meeting Lon'qu?"

"There's a coffee shop at the end of this neighbourhood called Armorosso." Answered Robin. "Lon'qu will just meet us there."

"Cool." Said Robyn. "Maybe I could get a muffin and coffee to go since you ate all the pancakes."

"I can make you some more, if you'd like." Offered their mother.

Robin protested my standing abruptly. "That's alright mom, Robyn and I have to go. Plus you've got your first day of your new job too."

"That's right." Smiled Robyn, kissing her mother goodbye.

Reyna sighed. "I suppose. Oh, don't forget your keys, Robin!"

Robin was already halfway out the door when he guilty went back to the end table next to the stairs for his set of house keys. He looked enraged to see Robyn going up the stairs.

"Where are you going?!" he demanded.

Robyn rolled her eyes. "To get my schoolbag, you dolt."

"Oh. Right." He had to get his too.

OoOoOoO

"Robin! Slow down!"

The coffee shop was in sight. Robin was filled with a new surge of energy and his brisk trot turned into a fast jog. He left his sister in the dust as soon as he saw a tall figure in the F. Emblem Academy uniform.

"Lon'qu!" he called out.

The figure turned and his lips turned up into a small smile. He hadn't seen his best friend in so long and could only recognize him from pictures.

Robin thought the same as he came into contact with Lon'qu. They had a quick bro hug and high fived.

"Finally made it, Squirt." Chuckled Lon'qu.

"Again with the short jokes, Chuckles."

Lon'qu frowned. "Why do you still call me that?"

"Because it's ironic." Replied Robin smugly. Suddenly footsteps and panting were heard and Lon'qu looked behind Robin and Robin turned. Lon'qu's eyed widened and he took a few steps back.

"Robin I swear I would've killed you if I wasn't so hungry." Said Robyn.

"You made it though." Grinned her twin. "This is Lon'qu. Remember him?"

Robyn looked up to face her brother's friend. She smiled. "Wow, you're so tall! It's been awhile, Lon'qu!" she smiled and held out her hand. Lon'qu looked visibly pained and Robyn quickly retracted her hand. "Uhm.."

Robin's eyes finally widened in understanding. "Oh. Oh yeah. Uh, Sis, we gotta go, so if you're gonna grab something…"

"Oh yeah!" Robyn finally brightened up again and forgot the awkwardness. "I'll only be a bit!" she entered the shop.

Robin turned back to his friend. "So you were serious. In your emails. All this time. You're terrified of women!"

He said the last bit quite too loudly which earned looks from busy passer-by. Lon'qu glared at him.

"Speak louder, Tact, I don't think the old guy across the street heard you properly."

Robin apologized.

The coffee shop smelled delicious. There was a large display of cakes and pastries in one side, and a large display of chocolate goodies in another. There was a huge menu board filled with choices, and there were covered glass platters of biscotti and muffins.

Robyn approached the empty counter rang the small bell. A tall man in a green apron yawned as he took his place on the counter. He smiled kindly and cheerfully at Robyn. His nameplate said, 'Stahl'.

"Good morning!" he smiled.

"Good morning!" Robyn grinned back. "I'll have a chocolate muffin and…" she surveyed the menu board. "An Amazing Pure Vanilla Bean Latte with Shaved Chocolate and Cream Froth and Special Stahl Mix? What's that?"

"It's my special brew!" announced Stahl proudly. "I made it myself."

"Seems interesting. I'll have that!"

Stahl grinned hugely. "You will?! You're the first person to ever consider reading out the name!" He excitedly moved to prepare her coffee.

Robyn leaned over the counter. "Maybe you should consider changing the name."

Stahl briefly looked up at the menu board. "Hm. Maybe it is a tad too long. Okay, I'll change it. Hey, will you be taking these to go?"

"Yes please."

Stahl put her muffin in a brown paper bag and slid a coffee sleeve into her coffee cup. "You new here?" he asked. "I don't think I've ever seen you around before."

Robyn nodded. "I moved here with my brother and mother this summer. My name's Robyn by the way."

Stahl looked thoughtful as she reached into her bag for her wallet. Stahl shook his head.

"Free of charge." He smiled. "Consider it a welcome to town gift. And…as thanks for ordering my Amazing Pure Vanilla Bean Latte with Shaved Chocolate and Cream Froth and Special Stahl Mix." He thought for a while. "Huh. You're right. Too long."

Robyn grinned hugely. "Thanks so much! I don't think I've ever gotten anything like this for free before!"

"You should go, you might be late." Said Stahl kindly.

Robyn looked at her watch. "You're right!" she said, beginning to turn away. "Thanks again, Stahl! Thank you so much!"

Stahl waved.

OoOoOoO

F. Emblem Academy stood proudly before them. The black guilded gates were open, and students in the dark blue uniforms were pouring in, either coming from bicycles or black cars or simply walking. Excited chatter flowed through the air.

Robin inhaled the fresh air. "Alas, to my first day!"

"Calm yourself, Squirt."

Robin ignored him. His sister drained the last of her coffee. It was so delicious, she forgot all about her muffin stuffed in her bag. She threw it in a nearby recycling can and finally had enough energy to take on the day.

"There's supposed to be a Welcoming Ceremony." She said.

Lon'qu cursed. "I have to meet with my club facilitator."

"Ooh! What's your club?" inqured Robyn.

Lon'qu looked around awkwardly before muttering an answer. "Kendo Club." And with that, he left in a rush.

"Is there something on my face?" asked Robyn.

"Yes." Robin nodded. "Your face."

Robyn made to kick him but he evaded easily.

"Come on!" said her brother as they heard a bell ring. "We better run if we're gonna make that opening Ceremony in time, this school is huge!"

"How about we just follow where the rest of the students are going?"

"Oh. Right."

A while later they were seated in a massive auditorium. They were separated by year and gender. Since the twins were both second years, they were seated in the second year section along with their batch mates.

At least, they were both supposed to be seated. As soon as they passed by a glass door that said, 'Library A', Robin said he'd meet Robyn after the ceremony. Robyn rolled her eyes and went ahead.

Robyn yawned. Maybe she should've gotten more coffee. Then her eyes widened. She still had her muffin!

Then she groaned when she realized that she had left her back in her assigned locker.

"I know right? Me too. What a drag."

Robyn was startled. She turned to the shorter girl sitting on her left, wearing blonde pigtails and a friendly smile.

"Excuse me?" asked Robyn.

"This whole welcoming ceremony thing. Attendance isn't even checked." The girl rolled her eyes. "But noooo, my sister said I had to be a good example, yada yada yada…"

"Oh." Robyn meant her muffin, but she chose not to say anything.

"I'm Lissa by the way." Smiled the girl, holding out her hand.

"Robyn." Robyn smiled.

"You're new here, aren't you?" asked Lissa. "I could tell. I haven't seen you around here before."

"You caught me."

"We rarely get new high school students, see, that's why I know."

Suddenly the crowd hushed as a beautiful lady came onstage.

"There she is!" Robyn heard someone whisper. "Principal Emmeryn!"

Principal Emmeryn stood at the podium. "Welcome, dear students!" she smiled. "Welcome back for another year of schooling here in F. Emblem."

Everyone broke into applause. Emmeryn nodded and raised a hand. Everyone was silent again.

"Thank you." She said. "I know you're all excited to meet up with your friends, so I've decided that after meeting your homeroom after this, I will order an in campus day off." As students cheered, Emmeryn continued, "You will have the entire day free to spend with your friends. But you may not leave the campus until the assigned dismissal time or you will be marked absent or incomplete. So, in line of that I'll keep my speech short so listen up, please." Everyone quieted down.

"We must all remember," began Emmeryn, "to treasure each moment we have here in F. Emblem. Make treasured friends, find love, create bonds and create wonderful experiences and memories! And all the while, excelling in your studies and taking in everything we have to offer. Remember, soon, before you know it, you will be in this auditorium again in the golden graduation robes, and it will no longer be for a Welcoming Ceremony, but a send-off. So with that, open the doors!"

The doors to the auditorium opened and students cheered and filed out.

"She's amazing, isn't she?!"

Robyn turned to see Lissa loop her arm around hers. "She's a very nice principal." Replied Robyn. "I've never actually seen anyone do that."

"I'll take you to your homeroom!" offered Lissa. "What's your section?"

"Uhm...2A?" Robyn read out from her mini planner.

Lissa's eyes widened. "2A?! Wow, you're really really smart! Miss Miriel's your homeroom teacher. She's really smart and strict, but I think you'll like her."

Robyn nodded. "Can we get to my locker first?"

"Of course."

Lissa was a chatterbox. She wouldn't stop talking, but Robyn didn't mind. Girlish chatter was refreshing compared to her brother's antics. Soon they reached Robyn's locker. Her mouth was watering. She needed that muffin now.

Her eyes widened as she opened her bag to find it gone.

"What's wrong?" asked Lissa.

Unbelievable. Someone's stolen her muffin. Her mind started working overdrive as she looked around the locker area. It was filled with people.

Surely there must be something. Robyn thought.

Then finally, something behind the trashcan caught her eye. Gotcha.

Lissa looked at her watch. "Come on, Robyn! We'll be late for homeroom!"

Robyn looked at her own watch. She was never tardy. But then again she was angry. But also interested. She left her laptop in her bag. Why wasn't that stolen too?

Most of all she was hungry. So hungry she might not even care missing her first day of homeroom.

But then again, Miss Miriel sounded like a strict homeroom teacher. But if she left this alone, the trail might go cold. The thief was smart, her locker was cleanly stolen from, not a trace of a pick lock. If she let this wait, the culprit might return to clean his tracks while she was gone. Robyn knew it was just a muffin, but if she let this go the thief might think she's the type who was okay with being stolen from.

Should Robyn just go to class and just hope the trail won't go cold, or go after him now?