Penelope watched with amusement as the small boy continued to run around. She gave light chase, keeping pace with him without much difficulty. He ran behind some pillars and as she followed him she heard the Captain yelling behind her. He sounded disgruntled, confused--well, when wasn't he either of those things? Very lightly below his dulcet tones was a chuckle coming from the direction of the throne. At least Morpheus knew how to have some fun around here. She turned on her heel, her laughter stopping in her throat as she noticed the small boy being cornered by one of the knights. She went to reach out her hand to stop the fool but just as she opened her mouth to speak, a loud noise filled the air. Several guards clutched at their ears and the boy's assailant--his chest plate was glowing.
With wide eyes, Penelope watched as the man slowed down... moving through the air as if it were thick around him. The Captain's face was red but even Picarr was keeping his distance, apprehensive... watching.
"Interesting..." She muttered under her breath. The boy turned away from his would-be capturers and instead chose to push his face against her legs--well, what was left of them anyway. She placed her hands on his back, rubbing in a circular motion to calm him down. She waited a few more moments before speaking up, catching Picarr's eyes.
"I think it's best not to aggravate him... it seems there is some magic inside of him after all!" The Captain scowled at her, his hand still on the hilt of his blade.
"Yes, and it is unrefined, uncontrollable! He turned it on my own men! Why are we allowing that boy to run around free? He is no lucid walker, he barely has memories of his own! A moment ago he was a young man and now he stands here in a child's skin?! He thinks we are so easily fooled? What proof do we have that he--" A deep voice cut Picarr off smoothly, Morpheus narrowed his eyes.
"Enough Picarr."
"But Sir--!"
"I said that is enough." There was a stunned silence in the hall, it seemed as if all sound had left the immediate surroundings... save for the stern voice of their King. "While he is a guest in my palace, no harm will come to him. Miss Spectra, if you would remove him, we may summon him later for additional questioning. But for now, I think it wise to remove him from things that are... scaring him." Morpheus seemed to direct this last statement at Picarr, who had settled his glare on Penelope. Every time something went wrong, this man was so quick to blame her. Oh well! At least she could leave this stuffy reception. She wasn't much fond for formality anyway.
She deflected her stare to the boy who was still clutching at her and smiled warmly, whispering softly. "Shall we be off?"
************************
Gregorio regarded Violet cautiously, still looking over his shoulder every now and again. He still wasn't convinced they were all the way safe, considering he heard the Captain's yells all the way from here. He saw the concern flash across Violet's face and he tried his best to give her a reassuring smile.
"Yes, it will be dangerous out there. But you've been trained to deal with such hazards. Miss Spectra is more than capable of handling herself despite how she looks. We need to place more focus on making sure we have the proper materials assembled for our journey. Can I trust you to do this?" He wanted to send Violet on her way as soon as possible. That way he would have time to regroup with Penelope, touch base about this night and check in on the new boy. He had a strong feeling they could not leave the dreamer behind and it would be best not to draw attention to the Palace. Whatever this curse was that was besetting the land, surely it would be looking for that boy too. And to keep him here would be a direct invitation to their enemies.
When had things become so complicated? He almost missed the monotony of before, now things were so tense. He was grateful to have Violet by his side, she had proven most loyal. Even if she was forgetful at times. He would not begrudge her. He gave her shoulder a squeeze.
"Have faith in yourself, Violet. No daughter of mine can fail when she sets her mind to something."