Rozen Romero scrolled through the hundreds of emails addressed to 'The Gracious President R' , but none of it was the news he wanted to hear. He turned off his computer and, after leaving the study, activated the double lock on the door. Erika would be asleep already, so he decided to check on their daughter then go to join his wife. 

He edged open the door of Ralia's bedroom and peered through the crack. There was a shape under the covers, as if her body was facing away from him. But he knew his daughter. He gently touched the shape under the duvet and, feeling it sink under his touch, sighed. Ralia had snuck out again, to heaven knows where. 

After years of rebelling against her internationally respected parents, Ralia had become amazingly skilled at sneaking out of their mansion in purgatory to go and smear the records of some vulgar activity on the Romero name. The curtains were drawn almost suspiciously tight, but apart from that no footprints or clues were left to show her exit. Rozen, glancing at the cupboard back in the hallway, wondered how much noise he would make if he rummaged to the back of the cupboard to find the ancient prank horn from the days of his childhood. When Ralia crept back in through the window, she would step on it and alert her mother that she had been out again. She would almost certainly cave when faced with the formidable Erika, and would tell everything that happened last night. Best of all, Rozen wouldn't have to get involved. 

With the joke horn placed carefully beneath the window, Rozen smiled and considered his work done. Now, one more check through his messages before joining his wife in bed. 

A new text pinged into his notifications, from General Bloodrift. It read, "Found Ralia outside Bax residence. Next?" Ah! So that was where Ralia was. How unusual . . . He quickly replied, telling her to escort Ralia back immediately. Time to wake up Erika, and watch the scolding unfold.