Dizgaia ~ The Dreamfinder's Daughter

Chapter 37 ~ Shadows of the Past

Slowly, Peter lowered to the ground in front of the woman.

"You're... Nev?" He crossed his arms and smirked. "I thought you were supposed to be ancient. And what do you mean welcome back? I've never seen you before. I would've remembered."

Nev's lips spread into an even wider smile. "Would you have? Oh, Peter... You seek The Eye, and yet you do not see."

Peter frowned. "What are you talking about? I see just fine."

Slowly, she approached him. Peter tightened his grip on the hilt of his dagger, but he did not lift it. He was rooted to the spot as Nev boldly placed her hand on his cheek and caressed him. Peter was tempted to push her away, but the urge quickly faded. Her touch was warm and gentle. And something about it... was familiar.

"Do you really think you would remember me, Peter, when most of your memories were given up so long ago?"

Peter skewed up his face. "What are you talking about? You don't make any sense, lady. And did you freeze my Lost Boys? 'Cause if you did..."

His threat went unfinished. He couldn't raise a hand against a lady, especially not this one. She was just too... He couldn't quite explain it. He felt a power in her; a benevolence. Although he did not quite know that word, he felt it all the same.

Nev laughed at his empty threat. Her laugh was such a beautiful, mirthful chuckle, like the innocent laugh of a child who knew naught of the hardships of the world. This didn't seem to him an appropriate response to his question, and yet he really liked the sound of her laugh.

"Peter, your bravery knows no bounds. Your loyalty to those poor souls is truly admirable. And to think... you once would have led spirits such as they to a far different fate."

She pulled away from him and began to walk around the chamber, her hips swaying in a tantalizing way and reminding him of the gentle waves of Neverland's oceans. Gradually, Peter sheathed his dagger and followed her.

"Peter, you don't recognize me, and yet you know who I am."

"How?" he asked. "Aren't those the same thing?"

"You share your many adventures with me, day after day. You write the plays, Peter. But the stage is mine to set. You and I share a mighty bond. We have for a very long time."

"I don't get it," he said, tilting his head and scrunching his face. "You're pretty, but I think you might be crazy. Anyway, I just want one of your eye gems," he said, casting a glance at the statue.

Nev stopped in front of her statue, her smile slipping away as she turned to face him. "I know for what you've come, Peter. And there is no one on Neverland more deserving of one of her eyes than you."

Pleased with her response, Peter puffed up his chest and let out a proud crow. But this was echoed by a sigh from Nev, who gazed evenly at him.

"Just the same," she said, "You may not take one of Neverland's eyes." A small smile returned to her face as she placed her hands on her hips and tilted her head. "Not yet, anyway. There's much to be done beforehand."

The wind went out of Peter sails as he gaped at her. "Huh? What do you mean much to be done beforehand?" He paused for a moment, thoughtful. Then, slowly, he nodded to himself. "Ah. I get it. This is a test. I must prove myself worthy, right? I know all about that kinda stuff. Lots of stories go like that."

Nev continued to gaze at him with that same small smirk of a smile. There was something mocking about that small smirk. Almost as if to find out why she smiled would only lead one on an endless string of adventures. And perhaps... perhaps that wouldn't be so bad.