The first morning in paradise hits differently.
Instead of the smoky, acrid city air, your lungs are filled with the scent of crisp seasalt, and your eyes are pampered by the soft swaying of the palm trees. A picture-perfect beach and sparkling sea, stretching all across the horizon, is visible from the comfort of your cottage foyer.
You've got a lot of people to thank for this view—your friends' moms, your mom's friends, even your aunt recommended a getaway to this small Mediterranian island of Eiocaste, all of them with rave reviews. Your mom, too, was convinced, and soon your vacation was booked. It's a shame Dad was pulled into a business trip at the last minute, though.
Watching this breathtaking natural beauty seems to make you hungry, so you decide to crack open a few eggs for breakfast. The pan sizzles as the egg spreads upon it, its savory smell filling up the cottage. Thoughtfully, you decide to cook up another plate for Mom, just in time for her to walk into the kitchen.
"Good morning, ${character.name}," she yawns, walking up next to you. "Are you making breakfast?"
You nod. "Yeah," you answer, your concentration still fixed on the breakfast plate. "I've got one cooking for you, too, Mom."
"Well, thank you, darling. That's very kind of you," she coos, pulling your face in for a kiss.
On the lips.
Blushing from her abnormally intimate show of affection, you push yourself away from her and yelp out, "Mom! What's gotten into you?"
"Oh, didn't you know?" she asks, cocking her head to the side. "That's how mothers thank their adult sons here in Eiocaste. The travel brochure says that it's a cultural thing."