#thecursedson

He turned back to the vendor and exchanged coins for another bag, this one meant for hands that needed it more than his own.

“Take it,” he said simply. “You shouldn’t have to be hungry.”

What? He couldn't believe it. He had no idea how long it had even been, but he was sure there had been no way that Bae could have been still alive unless he had gone back to live in Neverland, but he'd been there for decades and had never seen him there.

"How ... how are you .. here?" he paused just trying to clear his head. He honestly wasn't sure how much time had passed. He'd been so far away from this realm for what could have been ages, but he had no idea exactly how time had worked here.

Why were they here again?

Arganan had to remind himself - ah, yes, because they were invited to the Spring Festival in Melodia as guests. Melodia had seasonal festivals in addition to other holidays, but the Spring Festival was particularly popular. It wasn't his first time attending, but for Baelfire it was.

Calista had to stay back in Lazulis and look after it while they were in Melodia, so it was just him and Baelfire attending this time around.

"Stay close to me, son, alright?" Arganan spoke, glancing at Baelfire carefully as they neared Melodia Castle's main hall. "There's a lot in Melodia that can be...surprising."

They were gone.

Jack had seen the signal from Mihaly and came rushing over to where they were- but Mihaly, Brezziana, Sara, and Wanderlust were gone.

He punched a fist against the closest wall, cursing, and he didn't care that the dust of the debris from it could do anything to his red suit. How was he supposed to get them back on his own!? How was he....?

This couldn't end like this. He couldn't let his mother win. Not like this! Jack forced himself to take several breaths, looking out at the empty docks ahead where Night Swan's ship once was.

She's taken my friends, and who knows what she's done to them...?

He had to regroup somehow. Rescue them.

There was no way he could take on her army on his own, but maybe with help...?

He thought he saw movement at the corner of his eye - was it a trap? He turned on his feet immediately to face- someone else? A child, younger than him? Or was it an illusion like what his mother tried to tempt him with earlier, trying to goad him back to her side?

"Wh-who are you?" Jack clutched at the pink feather boa that usually hung off his shoulder, and his cane with the other, pointing it at the other as means of defense if needed -not that he'd been in any serious fights to back himself up aside from all the dance battles, but still.

He then felt a bit of regret - maybe this kid wasn't an enemy? They looked pretty vulnerable. He lowered the tip of his cane, hesitating, before asking, "How did you get here....?"

@thecursedson

Arganan couldn't help but smile at his son, and he moved to lightly ruffle Baelfire's hair with his metal hand.

@thecursedson​ Sent: "You are a light unlike any other. . . Don't forget that, okay? Promise?"

“I’ll do my best!” Sora replied, offering a small but soft smile. For the most part he did remember it. He bounced along through life spreading cheer and well wishes, helping people who needed it and some who didn’t.

But, there were still times that the pressure of everything he held on his shoulders pinned him to the ground and choked him out. It was his own fault for taking the issues of everyone on himself but, it was who he was. He wasn’t about to change now. Such power of the light and it was his responsibility alone to spread it’s warmth and love to as many as he could.