[center][img]http://i.imgur.com/tKFjLAr.png[/img][/center] [b]”...I don’t know.”[/b] Silence took a hold of the conversation, and for a moment Harper didn't know what to say or do. There was an awkward pause, but he decided to soldier on and keep the conversation going. The boy let out a soft chuckle before he gave Leila a smile. "Well, it is a confusing place. I'm not quite sure what to think of it either, if that helps." He paused to take a bite out of his strawberry crepe before continuing, "it's a beautiful place too though. Outside, if you look up, you'll be able to see several constellations, and all at once too." The enthusiasm in his voice became clear and Harper's face lit up with a smile. "There's Orion and Andromeda and Big Dipper, if you ever take a peek outside, you should look. Unfortunately, they're clearer when you're at the station. It's a shame Nowhere is so frightening, yes? If it weren't for things like the chaotic star and being separated from home, I think I could actually, maybe, like it here." The boy admitted before letting out a nervous chuckle. He didn't know what to think of Leila or the other Lost Souls, but knew that they were in this together. Everyone seemed nice enough, and even Hakuren had his moments, though Harper wasn't too fond of the boy's jokes, especially when things were serious. [b] "Um. Good day to you guys. I hope you're...um, well rested. And...yeah." [/b] The queen nodded in Ace's direction and raised a glass of sparkly blue liquid and floating stars in the girl's direction. "Good duskdawn to you, dear. Please, please, make yourself at home. I ordered most of this from Two-Thirds and the Cakesmith, just for you! I'll have you know they make the best pastries and tea Nowhere has ever seen." She turned to look at Two-Thirds. The nobody stood stiff behind her throne. "Oh my! What are you doing, standing? You should be seated and eating, Two-Thirds." Her eyebrows creased in annoyance before she smiled brightly and motioned for him to take a seat. "Go on, eat, enjoy yourself, but for Celery's sake, don't overwork yourself, darling." And with that said she gave Ace a nod and returned her attention to Skitz and their conversation on which curtains would work best for a masquerade ball. Harper gave the tea maker a sympathetic glance before looking to Ace with a wave. "Good morning, the day has been, okay...how are you doing?" He tried to brighten up. After everything that had happened in the town of Yonder, he felt closer to some of the Lost Souls and Ace and Jasper specifically were the closest thing to friends he had at the moment, if they saw him as a friend. It was hard to understand where they all stood in terms of relationships, considering they all had to work together or stay in Nowhere for all eternity? He couldn't comprehend how time worked in Nowhere, if time even existed. However, the thought of being stuck worried him and he poked his crepe with his fork in an attempt to distract himself. "You should try the chocolate donuts, Ace. Oh, and the chocolate syrup surprise is great too." Harper had showed up early and was the first human at the table, so as a result the Queen made him try almost everything and she was the Queen...so he couldn't refuse. He felt sick for a little while after, but was up for another round after a break. The food was tasty and he made it a point to try and make the best of what he had at the moment. He didn't like Nowhere but after encountering the siren, he made it a point to not let Nowhere rob him of happiness or hope. They were all going to go home. [b]"Oh by the way Miss Queen, your castle looks nice by the way."[/b] "Thank you, dear. Skitz and I always try to make it lovely! Oh, would you prefer the dark blue curtains with glowing star patterns or the flowing lavender ones?" It was clear she took decorations seriously, and that was one of the reasons she and Martini got along [i]swimmingly[/i]. The mermaid's taste in designs and decorations was divine! The Queen motioned for them to eat some more before Jasper slowly made her way to the table. "I'm so happy you could make it, now, if only the others would do the same." Harper stared at his friend and noticed that the usually hungry Jasper didn't want any of the sweets. How odd... "Hello Jasper," he greeted kindly, "you should try the strawberry crepes, they're good." and after Harper had gotten her attention, he mouthed the words 'are you okay?' The Queen finally came to a decision, she would go with the red curtains. She tapped a spoon on the rim of her glass and managed to get everyone's attention. "Humans, thank you for gathering here. I called you over so we could have a nice tea party, but that isn't the only reason. I called you here so we could talk about more important matters and so you could ask me questions. Nowhere is a confusing place and I understand, but so far you're all doing spectacular." She gave them a kind smile before rummaging through the quest bag she had them bring along. The queen pulled out two bottles, the first one filled with the now white essence of what once was a chaotic star and the other with musical notes that bounced around inside. "So far, you have two out of ten items. You've been making good progress, but there's still a long way to go. I heard from the guides about your unfortunate run in with a few criminals. They'll try to make sure it doesn't happen again, but you will all have to be extra careful. Do any of you have questions? If you do, now is the time to ask." [center][b]The Cake Shop[/center][/b] [center][img]http://i.imgur.com/ytkwQgc.png[/img][/center] "Oh Vincent! Thank you for offering to look after him." The bear finally released his hold on the kind and altruistic man. "I'm sorry about the chair! But thank you." He lifted Vincent up by his hoodie and placed him gently on the couch. Riley laughed at the state Vinny was in, Mr. Cuddles was such an interesting and adorable Nobody! "Also, don't worry about me! I'll do my best and win Ms. Panda's heart!" The eight foot grizzly bear, was pumped and he began stuffing Vincent's and everyone else's bags with an assortment of chocolates and pastries. This batch was full of lovable humans! He liked them very much. "Lesley! Thank you, I leave him in your hands." Mr. Cuddles gave the pink haired man a pat on the head, but the weight of his paws almost made it seem like a hit, poor Lesley. "All of you are so kind!" Comical tears began streaming from the giant grizzly's eyes and in a fit of emotions he tore Inadi away from Lesley and placed both paws on his assistant's shoulders. The bear stared deep into his assistant's eyes. "Inadi, there comes a time when a man must leave home! I knew this day would come and I am so proud! One day you'll find someone perfect for you and that person will be the peanut butter to your jelly and you'll want to spend forever with them...life is a journey and I-I can't believe you're growing up so fast." He gave the boy on last, quick hug before wiping away at a tear and looking at Riley. "Watch over these sweet boys." Riley gave the bear a salute. "You betcha, Mr. Cuddles. I'll make sure they all stay safe...wait stop! Stop!" Before she knew it she was lifted off her feet and given one of the bear's famous, spinning hugs. Riley groaned, her soul being thrown out of her body. "I-I love you too." She squeaked as the bear placed her back on solid ground. If they stayed here any longer...they would die. How was Inadi still alive? [center][i][b]Ding Ding[/b][/i][/center] Mr. Cuddles' ears began twitching and he stood up straight and composed himself. "Oh! That must be Stephen, err, Froggy." He dusted himself off and made his way towards the door. "I'll really miss you, do come to visit okay?" "Promise, we'll even drag the others along next time." She gave the bear a reassuring grin and he mustered the courage to open the door. [hider=Stephen] [center][IMG]http://i57.tinypic.com/t65s0y.jpg[/IMG][/center][/hider] "Long time no see Mr. Cuddles! Are the humans here? I got a call from the Queen, she told me to pick them up." The young and cheerful nobody stuck his head through the door and when his eyes landed on the humans he beamed and gave them a cheery wave. "There you guys are! Nice to meet you. You can all call me Froggy!" Mr. Cuddles laughed. "How's the job, I heard you almost lost two humans and got the Queen upset?" The nobody blushed several shades of red. "Leon, Ace and I were not lost! I was just giving them the grand tour, y'know?" He puffed out his chest in an attempt to disregard the blow to his pride. "Well, it's good to meet cha! Humans, let's go before I forget the way to the Queen's castle, haha." "You heard the guide. C'mon Lesley, Vinvin, Inadi! We've got places to see and people to meet!" Riley gave Mr. Cuddles a quick good bye hug then pretty much rocketed out the door to join Stephen. Introductions took place before the guide led them through Nowhere's colorful and bustling town square. Nobodies would stop to stare at times, and some of the friendlier ones would greet the humans. "Humans! Hey, nice to see you! Send our regards to the Queen." Froggy kept some of the more nosy nobodies at a distance and plowed through crowded streets with head raised his and fists clenched in determination. Eventually, they passed the square and city gates, approaching a pristine castle of white perched upon a beanstalk. The humans and their guide eventually reached said beanstalk and Stephen gave it a hard knock. Upon knocking a window appeared and a fox in a bellboy suit stuck out his head. "No ID, no entry. Those are the rules, pal." Stephen stopped in his tracks and began rummaging through his messenger bag for an ID. "Here ya go, Scotty!" He held out the ID only for the fox to make a face. "Froggy...your ID is expired." He held out a bowl of star tarts. "Hey humans...you better help yourselves. I'll need to give the Queen a quick call." The animal hopped off his chair and made his way to a phone in his little office inside the beanstalk. He mentioned something about humans and a certain guide's expired ID before ending the call and hitting a red button. "Coast is clear, you're lucky the queen has been expecting you." A door at the base of the beanstalk opened and the guide ushered the humans into the elevator. He looked at the buttons and smacked the up arrow with his hand. "You might wanna hold on tight." Before Riley could ask why the elevator rocketed upwards at an astounding speed and the humans found their feet leaving the ground. The girl let out an excited squeal before she reached out for Froggy's hand, the guide having anchored himself to the railing. This continued for a few moments before the elevator halted to a stop and the humans who were in midair fell to the floor with a thud. The doors opened, revealing miles and miles of clouds. The Queen's castle stood just a few miles away. "Well, we better start walking!"