Mornings in Pona were much different that Divisus. Everyone was woken up by the roaring of the king's dragons at seven, and expected to be out of bed by eight. It was optional, but the good hearted Ponanians always got up to get their daily chores done.
Mike woke Richie and Eddie up, telling them that if they were staying in Pona they had to pull their own weight. That was nothing new to Richie, so he eagerly got out of bed.
Eddie was hesitant but followed anyway, yawning and swaying with each step. His leg was still weak, and Richie tried to get him to stay behind, but Eddie refused. He was intent on being a functional part of the community, so long as it meant he got to stay away from Luceat.
They met up with Stan and Bev, who looked tired but as excited as Richie was. It was a new world and they were safe for the time being.
"We get all of our work done in the morning, so that way we get the afternoon to ourselves. Everyone except the warriors work this way, as they're almost always with the king," Mike explained.
They all nodded in understanding as Mike led them to the center of the kingdom.
"This is where we get breakfast. It's not a lot, so be mindful of portions. You will most likely be harvesting or hunting anyway, based on your backgrounds, so you can always eat out there."
Richie, Stan, and Bev were all fine with that, and Eddie decided he was too. He didn't want to be the needy, entitled Lucantian everyone thought him to be.
"Cassie will tell you your jobs, since the king wants to speak with you all anyway." Mike looked at Richie. "Maybe leave your dragon outside?"
Richie turned around and saw Iris sitting behind him. He hadn't even noticed she'd shown up. "Okay, but why?"
"It may be seen as threatening and I really don't want you four to be killed."
Eddie raised his hand, earning a laugh from Richie. He elbowed him before speaking. "What about my brother and friend?" he asked, not wanting Bill and Ben to spend time in the prison they didn't deserve to be in.
"They'll be at the meeting you four are attending. The king is impressed, if that's what you're worried about."
The group made their way to the main building, Iris reluctantly staying outside. Before doing so, however, she offered Richie a small, black tube. It looked as though it was made from a stone, but it was light and smooth.
"That must be your signal," Eddie said as they walked inside the building.
"How the fuck did a dragon make a flute?" Richie asked.
"No one knows where they get their signals, so just go with it."
Richie shrugged but decided to accept that he didn't know where it came from, but he now had a way to contact Iris.
It was just as warm as the day before in the throne room, but the heat was a bit more bearable. Eddie grabbed Richie's hand, not caring that Bill and Ben would be in there. He noticed that both Bev and Stan raised an eyebrow at Richie, but he also noticed Richie fighting to ignore his friends.
Instead, he looked down at Eddie with a smile and grasped his hand even tighter, showing that he completely supported Eddie's want to hold hands. He even went so far as to make direct eye contact with Bev and wink, letting her know that he didn't give a fuck about what she thought.
Bev shrugged, knowing she wouldn't be able to change his mind. Stan seemed to feel the same way, offering Eddie a soft, supporting smile.
The king sat in his throne, gaze drifting from the four to Richie's and Eddie's clasped hands to Cassie, who was standing with Bill and Ben, both of who looked extremely distressed.
