#snooping lights

This seems to be a class picture. Roman, Remus and Virgil are standing in the uniforms matching Virgil's from the portrait. Except the princes wore white vests, matching white wings. The trio are not the only children in the picture there are three more you don't recognize. A bee fairy with orange wings and vests, a wasp fairy with golden brown wings, and a white winged butterfly fairy. And behind them a serious looking Logan.

When the picture came to life, the new fairies shuffle and straighten. The twins jab each other. Roman smiles to Virgil getting an extra jab from his brother. Logan allows himself a brief smile and a pat on Virgil's shoulder.

How are you all doing?

Patton startles at your sudden outburst in the quiet tower. "Hush," he urges you. "Nice to meet you new friend, but please be quiet. Logan and Virgil are on the floor above. You might wake them!" He whispers urgently.

He hasn't properly finished his sentence though or Virgil appears in lilac pyjama pants, holding his sword at the ready.

Patton waves awkwardly at the young knight who, after scanning the room thoroughly, drops his defensive stance and runs a hand over their face tiredly.

"Where to even begin with this?" they muttered.

They look up and spot the cookies with a frown. "I'm guessing they didnt wake you huh?" He surmised,

Patton shook his head slowly. Virgil sighed. "We'll talk about it in the morning. After we both get a full nights rest," he says sternly.

Patton nods sheepishly. "I thought I'd show them around my room a little first. They are very curious. This is probably the first time they are in a building you know?" he offers carefully.

You decide to start in the basement. There is no window you can use though so you enter via the ground floor. Passing through you notice this floor is empty. Just a hole in the ceiling and in the ground. And all allong the wall a painting of a skyline.

That's for later though. You go through the hole in the ground and find yourselves in the basement.

Patton looks at the closet. "The books you mean? Some are scrapbooks. There are also a ton of cookbooks and DIY manuals with tips and tricks on house keeping. Back at the castle I was jn charge of the castle staff and loking after the tw ins a bit, though they had their parents and their nanny Valery too. Anyway there were a lot of tasks I wasnt familiar with. So my team got ne some stuff to help me out," he explains fondly.

Patton looks up in surprise at the gentle warm weight pressing against his shoulder. When he notices you there he smiles and gently pats you in appreciation.

Then he stiffens as his eyes glow and you both are taken back.

You are in front of big iron gates. Patton is next to you. Younger. Maybe 16. And he's terrified. His shoulders are grabbed by different hands. 16 year old Janus and Logan stand besides him and nod encouragingly. He nods and with a brave face he pushes the gate open.

He is older. Mid to late 20s maybe, and patching up scraped knees as the princes happily eat cookies.

Older again. Defenitely late 20s early 30s. A 12 year old Virgil stands before him looking nervous. Dressed in worn, light clothes. Shimmering white dragon wings kind of folded around his shoulders like a security blanket. Patton holds out a hand and offers a smile. Virgil looks up at Logan who stands besides him. Logan says something but you cant hear it.

Virgil looks back and accepts Patton's hand with a careful smile.

You are back in the present.

Patton smiles tightly.

"That would be best. Virgil is under a lot of pressure. If anything happens here with us... that'll be their responsibility.

She let you in to make us happy. But she clearly worries that this might turn out to be a mistake... and they are very tired. They'll feel better once they see everyone happy and safe at the breakfast table in the morning.

Virgil quirk a brow and looks at the queen.

"Did they not know?" They asked. Not very intimidated by the little light.

"I... I did ask them to be quiet. But there's been a lot of excitement since then. They might've forgotten," she offers.

Virgil looks back at you. "Be that as it may. Quick lesson on beings that need sleep as you pointed out. Meaning that you know it's important. We dont like being woken up. Especially by a guest we allowed in our safehouse against our better judgement," she points out with narrowed eyes.

"Virgil, you are still worked up from thinking I was in danger. I get that you are upset, but try to cut them some slack? They mean well." Patton offered. Virgil is not happy with this.

"They wake me up. Then this one tries to steal my sword. And do they say sorry when I point out that's rude? No. They try to lecture me on being awake. When I point out that is their friends fault I still dont get an apology but another lecture? I dont like this one," Virgil huffs nodding their head at you. "And all that after I agreed to show you around my room before bed. Trying to be accommodating. I take that back by the way. Dont go near my room. I'm going to sleep." And with that Virgil flies up to the next floor and vanishes.