It was day sixteen since the attack. Over half a month since this, all began. Three days since the Dragon-Witch incident. Logan and Patton had woken up and recovered quickly, the potion Virgil had made them had worked wonderfully. The reason Virgil hadn't used it on himself though, is that it only seemed to work on non-magic-related injuries.

Logan had taken great interest in the potions. Surprisingly potions were one part of the magic that he struggled most with. Apparently, he hadn't improved by much since having given Roman that potion that allowed him to understand animals. But he did find potions rather interesting. They had been created by Virgil's friend Remy, or more accurately, Remy's family. They were the same people who had created the twin separation powder that allowed fairy twins to spend several days apart, and the yellow powder that Virgil carried around and made people fall unconscious.

Logan was now hoping he would get to eventually meet Remy and his family. For one Virgil talked about them often and he seemed very close to this Remy, and second, the family obviously had great knowledge in the magical field that Logan felt he could benefit from speaking to them. He had discussed the potion with Virgil, but the younger had eventually suggested he ask someone more qualified when given the opportunity. Virgil may be more confident in his potion-making than logan was, but he did occasionally still struggle, and honestly, he wasn't a fan of conversations that involved magic, so he severely wanted it to end.

At the moment, the four of them were once again continuing their journey across the Dark Realm. They were walking at the moment, giving their horses a break from having to carry their weight. Patton and Virgil were maybe thirty feet ahead, once again Patton was the one doing the brunt of the conversing though neither seemed to mind this.

Roman was walking with Logan at a slower pace trying to make sure he didn't fall. Logan had his hands gripping the other's arm as they walked. The prince had offered it to him like he did to the suitors his parents had him meet. The healing potion had worked great yes, however, Logan still did seem a bit tired and injured from whatever the Dragon-Witch had done to them. The nerd had confessed that several spells had been used against him before Roman and Virgil came to save them, so they were all assuming that had been the cause. Every once in a while he would stumble on the ground and his face would twist into pain, so much so that the rest of the group were all wanting to just carry the inquisitive one themselves, just to give him a break.

Roman seemed to be slightly lost in thought as they walked, and was being abnormally quiet. The wizard glanced towards Patton and Virgil, they didn't seem to be very concerned or even notice the normally so extroverted prince's silence. Logan pulled slightly on Roman's arm, the other looked up and stopped so quickly that Logan stumbled to stay standing. "What's wrong?" Roman asked as Logan caught himself.

"I could ask you the same question," Logan said as he motioned for them to continue walking, "You've been unusually quiet, while it is greatly appreciated on my behalf as it allows me to think much clearer, it is also causing me to worry for you. The past few days have been far from easy for any of us, be aware that you can speak to me about anything at any time. I'm your best friend Roman, I am here to listen and assist you in any way I can"

Roman smiled warmly at Logan and turned away but even he, the one who lacked emotional understanding, could tell there was sadness behind it, "Just... worried about Remus. Ann hasn't had a vision about them in a while and, even though he's always hurt in them, it's good to know that he's at least alive, you know?" Roman looked up at Logan for confirmation, he nodded and Roman looked away again. "Ann said that Remus was protecting his brother Jan- Deceit?" the prince paused, since learning about trait names he was always unsure of how he was supposed to address people. Especially since it seemed the rules for civilians didn't seem the same as the rules for royals. "He said that Remus was protecting the crown prince the day of the attack and a couple of days after, is it selfish of me to hope that if he's getting hurt for it that he'll stop?"

Oh boy, emotions. The bane of his existence. Logan glanced over at their fellow travelers but they still seemed to remain clueless about what was going on behind them. With a small sigh, he thought about how to answer before beginning to speak slowly, "I think that it is normal for one to be concerned for their sibling, especially when he could be in possible danger. I know that when I was in your situation with my own brother I know I was feeling much like you might be now"

Roman began to look horrified and guilty as his head snapped towards Logan, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to-"

"It's fine Roman," Logan said assuringly, "You know I've moved on from that"

"I don't know how," Roman said as he looked away again, "I never did when I thought Remus was gone."

Logan shrugged, "You deal with emotions differently than me. I struggle to understand emotions or even feel them at times." Roman still seemed upset, "But there's also another difference between us." The prince glanced at him, "Your brother is alive and mine is not. Your brother is going to live Roman, we'll find him and he'll live for many many more years"

Roman looked at him, "Thanks Lo, you're the best friend I could have asked for. You know that?"

"Of course I know that. You say it far too many times a day. Not to mention I succeed in most things I try at. Which would include pursuing your friendship. Though, I will admit that you make a great friend as well Roman."

Roman rolled his eyes, "You're such a nerd, everything you say is way too fancy and complicated. It's annoying."

Logan gave a small laugh in response as they slipped back into silence. Logan continued to stumble every once in a while, relying greatly on Roman's arm for support. Ahead of them Patton and Virgil walked hand in hand, Patton was still talking nonsense to Virgil as the younger walked across a log like it was a balance beam. Since Virgil had been found the other day he and Patton had become inseparable, and since the dragon attack, they were almost always holding hands. It was strange how quickly Virgil had become used to Patton's touch and affections. He still seemed to hesitate with the other two, but with Patton, he was much more comfortable, enough so that sometimes he would reach for Patton's hand before they did.

Logan almost hated to admit that he was jealous of Patton. Virgil got along well with Patton. The two seemed to even each other out. Patton was positive, extroverted, and the kind whereas Virgil was the definition of introverted and, to say it nicely, much more of a realistic and straightforward thinker than Patton was. There were times when the fatherly friend seemed to understand what Virgil was feeling or saying before Virgil had even finished signing or writing. Not to mention that because Patton spent so much more time alone with Virgil just talking to him, he had quickly surpassed Logan and Roman when it came to learning and understanding Virgil's main mode of communication.

"It'll be a full moon tonight," Logan said after a few minutes of silence.

Roman nodded and smiled brightly, "I know I'm excited!"

Logan tilted his head in confusion, "Why? You won't be able to spend it with anybody. You're not home and the Dark Realm doesn't share this tradition."

Roman shrugged, "A full moon is a full moon, Logan. It's gonna be amazing no matter what." Logan said nothing, "Can I ask you something though? A favor?"

"Always"

The sun had set behind the tips of the mountains a mere hour ago. Yet already the sky was dark as could be. The large bright white moon, as well as hundreds of gleaming stars, lay partly hidden behind thin and wispy clouds. The air was chilly, enough so that the travelers had had to wrap up when the warm air the sun provided was gone, but not so much so that they'd have an excuse to complain about it or couldn't stand to be outside.

They had set up camp in the mouth of a cave. A fire that had been lit inside cast large shadows across the rocks. Patton could be heard laughing at something Logan had said, Logan could be heard telling Patton what he had said was not a joke and he didn't know why he was laughing. Neither of the two princes could be heard at all though.

Roman stood outside the came in a clear patch of trees. The light of the fire did nothing here. Instead, the area had been lit up by several yellow globes that floated in the air stationarily. They lit up the path enough so as to allow him to see clearly and make sure he wasn't going to trip. But were dull enough to give a calm and peaceful atmosphere. His ukulele was leaning against a rock seemingly playing itself. The prince was in the center of it all, his body moving slowly as if dancing with an invisible person.

Virgil had ventured out to find him, curious as to why the normally so extroverted prince was spending the night on his own. When he found him dancing alone near the edge of the woods confusion was clear on his face. A twig snapped under Virgil's feet making Roman jump and swiftly turn to him. "Ann? What are you doing here?"

'Looking for you. Was worried. What are you doing?' Virgil answered, the glowing lights making his signing easy to see.

"Oh, sorry. Didn't mean to worry you," Roman said a bit sheepishly, "Uhm... I'm dancing"

'Why?'

"It's a full moon" Roman answered. Virgil gave him a confused look and Roman was briefly disappointed, "In the Light Realm we hold parties within our communities on full moons. It's to honor the moon goddess kind of"

'Why aren't Logan and Patton dancing?'

"Uhm, well they don't have to dance. Only royals and their eligible suitors or significant others are required to dance. And since Logan doesn't like dancing and Patton has two left feet they're not going to." Roman shrugged slightly, "Its okay though, it'd look a little awkward if we were all dancing on our own when it takes two people"

'Why would you have to dance alone? I'm sure Patton wouldn't mind dancing with you,'

"I know," Roman said with a nod, "I can't dance with Patton because he is neither a royal nor one of my suitors... I'm a prince so I have to dance with somebody who has my title or higher or is a suitor. That's how it works"

'How your kingdom displays differences in hierarchy is weird.' Roman only gave him a small laugh. 'Logan set this up?' Virgil gestured to the lights and ukulele.

"Yeah, I asked him to,"

They slid back into silence and for a moment only stared at each other. Virgil shifted his weight and shrank in on himself a little bit before signing again. 'So you have to dance alone? Pat and Lo can't?'

Roman shook his head, "They're not royalty and neither of them are suitors or anything." Virgil frowned in thought as he seemed to be contemplating something. Roman was about to return to dancing with his invisible partner when Virgil held his hand out to him. Roman raised an eyebrow at him as he laughed slightly, "What?" Virgil took a step forward, his hand still outstretched, "You wanna dance with me?"

Virgil's face turned slightly red 'Is that allowed? Janus and Remus dance a lot so I just thought...'

"W-well I mean it's not not allowed," Roman said as he rubbed at the back of his kneck, "But I didn't think you would have liked to" Virgil shrugged and took another step forward, taking Roman's hand in his, "Ann, I know you don't like me very much. You don't have to this, it's just a stupid dance"

Virgil looked up at him with confusion, 'I like you. We're friends. I'll dance. We're only touching for a minute, it'll be okay' Virgil took his hand again, running his hands over Roman's knuckles.

Roman opened and closed his mouth a few times. There were so many things he could say in response to that. Eventually, he pulled his hand away and Virgil looked at him with confusion all over again. "We don't touch," Roman explained, "It used to be about protecting a woman's purity. Typically this dance is done with one girl and a guy and girls weren't supposed to talk to much less touch a guy without a chaperone until they're planning on marrying." Roman smiled a little as he set up Virgil's hands so they were out in front of him pointing up. Their palms now faced each other, making it look like they were about to start playing pat-a-cake. "I don't know how holding hands to dance implied impurity but I guess the Light Realm has always been a little more strict... just mirror my moves, okay?"

Virgil nodded and watched as Roman began to move. The older prince moved slowly, stepping in a circle with Virgil following his lead. Their hands hovered in front of each other the whole way, never more than an inch or two apart. Virgil's eyes were constantly moving to make sure he was following the moves correctly. But Roman looked Virgil right in the eyes, already well aware of every move that he needed to be made. After all he had been alive for more than two-hundred and sixteen full moons. He had performed this dance hundred of times for hundreds of balls and dances even when there was no full moon. He knew every move to make, every step to take. He knew when to breathe, when to blink, how tall he needed to stand how quick he needed to move. He knew this dance better than he knew himself, it was practically second nature.

And Virgil knew that. He could sense how used to this Roman was. How confident he was in his steps. It wasn't like when someone asked him a question where he was unsure of the answer. There was no hesitation, no looking around for help, no faking it till he made it. There was absolute and complete confidence.

It wasn't an uncommon emotion and trait that Roman held. But it was mostly found in actions rather than when words. It was found when he acted, sang, or performed in any way. It was found when he fought with his sword, each movement swift and fast and slightly reckless yes but sure of itself. It was found in times like those and it was only then where Romans confidence was truly unmistakable and not just him acting like the prince everyone wanted him to be.... needed him to be.

Virgil and Roman continued to dance for nearly half an hour before making their way back to the cave where Logan and Patton were waiting. Virgil had held onto Roman's sleeve on their way back but as they entered their camp Virgil let go and made his way to Patton. Immediately taking a seat next to him and laying his head on Patton's shoulder and closed his eyes. Patton smiled as they greeted Virgil and Roman again, wrapping one of their arms around Virgil in a hug, "Tired Ann?"

Virgil nodded and pulled the robe around his shoulders on tighter. Logan, who was once again reading from a book looked up, "were you dancing with him this whole time?" Virgil nodded again, "Roman, Virgil is still recovering. He's already been doing much more physical activity than he should be. You shouldn't have made him dance with you for so long"

Roman threw his hands up, "Made him dance? He was the one who asked me. Practically forced me to teach him."

"Ann, is that true?" Patton asked in a scolding tone. Again, Ann nodded, "Ann! We've talked about this. You're not supposed to push yourself so much, you could really hurt yourself." The youngest only shrugged in response, and Patton frowned before pulling Virgil to his feet, "Okay, it's bedtime kiddo. Let's get you to sleep"

Virgil whined as Patton dragged him towards where the sleeping bags had been set up and the two others smiled with amusement as Patton's fatherly side took over and they began to fuss over Ann. Patton eventually managed to convince Vigil to get some actual rest. Not much more time passed before Logan also retired to the sleeping corner and it was only Patton and Roman awake.

Half a month.

It's been half a month.