That's the spirit!

"These huge w-walls aren’t usually here?" he questioned, drops of liquid concern trailing down his brow. Tall, graying walls surrounded the group on three sides. Their height could only be vaguely approximated, though to Cucumber they might as well have continued infinitely into the black void above them. Below them, a collection of puddles; their water so eerily still and serene that the path seemed to be lined with a multitude of small mirrors.

"Looks like the only direction we can go is f-forward."

Cucumber slowly tip-toed down the available path, approaching a corner as the trail took a sharp left. 

  ”Ow-!”

Turning to his smaller compatriots he said with a clear voice and an extreme amount of confidence in his voice;

"Yes, I in fact do believe that this is indeed, water!" 

That was almost too embarrassing. But Carrot was rather pleased with his assessment. With a nod of assurance he turned to Nautilus. 

"I do believe Cucumber is right, Princess. Venturing forth appears to be the most preferred action available! Do take care tthat we not- Goodness…!!" 

Carrot felt a slight tug at his wrist, looking down he saw the trail of red that had now connected himself and the Hero, turning to the princess he saw a similar string connected them as well. His eyes widened.

"O-Oh dear… this may prove… ah…hum… slightly troublesome to say the least… What do you suppose this is?"

The prospect of being connected was a good idea, but how mysteriously those threads appeared was a terrifying prospect, a feeling of mild fear seemed to envelop Carrot, the feeling passing to his friends.

     A new, scarlet thread was found laced about her wrist. Taking a minute to admire it with her hand held delicately within the air, she'd propose her thoughts before either of her (unfortunately cynical) companions could assume the worst. The creases of her lips drew into a gaping smile, carrying an air of reassurance wonted for the princess.

     Someone had to be the optimist after all.

"Why, I say it's linking us together!"

"We're even closer now! Isn't that great?"

"You have a point, Sir Carrot. I don't think I remember this part of the city."

Unfortunately, he never accounted for the fact that people in Hive City were surprisingly more… social. He jumps and slams the book shut when he hears the voice behind him.

"It’s…" he starts, as he looks over his shoulder at the girl. She doesn’t look to mean too much harm, but he can’t take any risks. Sometimes the most innocent faces could be the most sinister, he had to tell himself. He had to tread with caution.

     Not that she remembers half the things she was taught. Still, the thought of learning of the human's world was quite enticing, and the opportunity to make a new friend even more so. Pulling a seat parallel to her newly 'acquaintance', she'd propose a plan.

"..Say! Why don't you share with me something from the human world, and I'll share with you something from mine? If you don't mind, of course."

     After all, the boy seemed eager to shut the book earlier. She wasn't going to try and pry confidential information him obviously; simply tidbits about his world. The earless folk had always piqued her interest; how different were their worlds exactly?

     Anxious to learn, she had almost forgotten one important detail.

The Nightmare Knight prepared his phone.

To: Princess Nautilus

From: The Nightmare Knight

I can hear you from here, Princess. I should have you know that several attempts have been made on my life already. By the next time we meet, I will have been slain and this war will have been forgotten.

     Without delay, the princess would angrily text back. 

[1] So you say! But how many signed legendary swords could possibly be in this city?! And what of your henchmen?

     A pause.