Queen's Island

20. Garden.

King Zoro sauntered around the hallways of the Palace. He still feared going outside, for he felt he was still at risk of being attacked as soon as he set foot outside the gates for what he thought to be very wise descisions. But he was restless. He needed to move.

The halls always bustled with its own little community of workers and guards; Phantom Listeners positioned at their posts, which always gave everyone the creeps. The drama died down, the staff mumbled to eachother, why does the King still keep them around? He's terribly anti-social and only speaks with Ave, and what does she do?

On occasion, a Scientist would hurry past, sometimes in a panic, sometimes with a relaxed, smug grin planted onto their face. Staff questioned why King Zoro would even allow such curiosities onto Palace grounds, and when asked about it, Zoro replied:
"Why not? They're cool."
Typical King Zoro, wants to include everyone he finds just a tad bit friendly, as long as they aren't totally against him.
King Zoro felt a desire to get some fresh air, his scrawny hands shaking with urgency.
"Well, the garden is closed off," he thought, "I'll still be safe in there."

He creaked open the back door, peeking his head out by an inch and double-checking there wasn't any hidden assassins lurking around.
"No one's out to kill you, Zoro." He reminded himself, "You're being paranoid, yea. Paranoid."
It was a lovely sunny afternoon, with the flowers blooming bright colours and the hedges neatly trimmed to look like different birds and patterns. A very well-kept garden, needless to say. Zoro took one step outside, then another, and another. Even though no one else was there, he felt like he was being watched, that all eyes were on him.He stood there on the patio like it was the most humiliating moment of his life.
He hurried down the long path, darting his head around in all directions, the warm sunshine adding to his sweatiness. It felt like the air was growing denser and denser around him as he speeded down the grand garden.
He squinted through the cloth at a fountain which stood in the centre, and noticed a hazy, dark-green figure. His heart lurched and he stopped breathing as the figure looked up, directly at him. But his worries soon drifted away, it was Ave!

A humongous grin grew on his face and he sighed in relief.
"Avee!!" he called and waved his hand frantically. Ave smiled at him.
"I'm glad to see you're outside, Zoro." She dusted off her hands. "I'm also glad you've started wearing clothes, hideous as they are."
Zoro looked down. He forgot he was wearing a neon green, floor-length cloak with giant leopard print faux fur lining.
"Exuse me? I am VERY fashionable!" he huffed.
"Sure, sure. We all see things differently.. heh.." Ave snickered. Zoro's face squished up in offence.
"Okay then.. what are you out here for?" he asked.
"Oh, I've been gardening, as you can see. It keeps my mind off-" Ave abruptly stopped.
"Off what, Avee?"
"I... I miss him more every day." Ave whispered, her voice choking and barely audible. "It's not the same without him.."
Zoro stayed silent. He missed Boxy too.
He did'nt know or realize what he was doing, his body reacted before his brain.

He gently took Ave's hands in his and sat down beside her. Ave looked down through teary eyes at their hands holding. They glanced at eachother and Zoro smiled like a child.
"Avee, I-uh..um..." he began in a tone of voice he never used before, "I..."

"KING ZOR- YOUR MAJESTY!" a shrill voice interrupted. Zoro jumped, and flying towards them was Vailintín.
"Sorry to disrupt... whatever is going on here but we need you right away. Please be quick! No time for dilly-dallying." Vailintín said as he pulled Zoro's hands away from Ave's. Zoro yanked his arms from his grasp.
"Now just hold on one second! You can't just boss me around, that's what I'm supposed to be doing!"
"Are you doing anything important right now?" Vailintín snapped. "Anything, you know, work-related? Efficient?"

"Well, uh, yea?" Zoro shrugged.
"If you consider wooing ladies efficient and work-related, Zoro-"
"King Zoro."
"Yes, King Zoro. If you consider that more important than our project, then you're a very good King. All time should be working time, we don't have time to waste when we want to light up a whole Kingdom." Vailintín pestered, "Besides, I can see this girl seems to chooses to believe in nonsense rather than factual things... Typical." he sneered as he looked down at the cross necklace Ave had around her neck.

"Leave her alone!" Zoro snapped. "...What do you want?"
"Ah, good. You've cracked. And I guess - I have too. I apologize. Anyway, come with me, Your Majesty." Vailintín grinned, and ushered Zoro along with him. Zoro looked back at Ave and smiled, and she waved back.