Before you read, just know that I describe Techno in this chapter, and I'm gonna describe a humanized version of his skin.

Cool? Cool.

~~~~~

Everything was silent as Nick lead Dream through the winding corridors. He really didn't want his old friend to see the King again, not after what happened last time, but if there's going to be a new recruit, then both the captain and the King have to agree, unfortunately. It's a sort of 'I trust that you won't betray us and kill the King' kind of deal.

Nick wondered how quickly Clay would rise to the top, if he gets into the guard. Knowing his friend, it would take him no time at all. He'd probably get access to George before the month is out.

He huffed. It took him three years to get to the rank he is now, and five just to get a rank. Don't get him wrong, he loves Clay, but he was also always so jealous of him, the way he seems to get everything he wants without even having to blink. With a mere wave of his hand, he could get an entire kingdom to kneel for him, both out of admiration and fear.

"On the other side of this door," Nick said as they neared the banquet hall, where the king and captain were residing. "Is the King and the Captain of the Royal Guard. Unfortunately, I cannot go in with you. Do you know what you need to say?"

Dream nodded. "My name is Cl-"

"-No." Nick interrupted his friend. "Dave knows your name, Clay. Even if you change your last name, it doesn't take a genius to put two and two together."

Dream huffed, crossing his arms. "So what do you think I should do?"

"You simply go by Dream. You've forgotten your real name so you just chose Dream because you dream to find out about your past." Nick stated as if he recited this ten times over. "You wear a mask because you're incredibly scarred and can't afford to let anyone see your face, because you practically have none left."

Dream pondered this information for a moment before nodding. "Okay. Do Dave and the captain know sign language?"

"The captain does. He uses it to convey plans during battle."

Dream nodded as he put his hand on the doorknob. "Wish me luck."

~<•>~

The banquet hall was silent as the masked man walked in, almost as if he owns the place.

And in a way, he does.

He took in the appearance of the two men before him, one familiar and the other a complete stranger.

The last time Dream saw the king was roughly five years ago, and, just like him, he changed a lot.

He was tall, similar to his own height. Unlike him, however, he was more built in muscle, though that didn't mean Dream himself would snap like a toothpick if the King punched him.

He is a warrior, after all.

His hair was long, tied back with a pinkish hue.  Two tufts of his hair was present near his face. Some would say that they resembled pig ears.

He'd say they resembled devil horns.

He wore a white blouse with a maroon vest over it, golden buttons securing the vest closed. He wore black leather leggings, and brown boots with touches of gold and velvet around the toe, heel, and mouth of the boot.

And of course, his signature red cape. It's voluminous shape was currently being squished by the back of a golden and velvet chair that was obviously fit for a king.

The only feature not, well, featured was his crown, which was currently residing on the back of the throne-like seat, it's diamonds and rubies glistening in the light from the many windows.

The captain, who was sitting right beside him, barely even looked old enough to hold a sword. He had messy blonde hair and blue eyes, which eyed Dream with suspicion.

He looked tiny compared to the King. He wore a navy blue coat with white decorations here there, a matching hat atop his head.

He wore a white shirt paired with black leggings, much like his own. His boots were also in a similar state as Dreams, except that the steel on the toe was clearly recently shined.

"Please, take a seat." The King said, gesturing to a seat across from them.

His voice was monotonous, yet he could pick out the hint of uncertainty in his tone.

Dream nodded, sitting in the seat that the King gestured at. It wasn't the most comfortable thing in the world, but Dream was happy he finally got to sit down for the first time in....three days?

"Name, age, and kingdom you grew up in?" The captain said. His voice was of a higher pitch, at least, higher than his and Techno's. He could also pick out an accent, meaning that he was not from around here.

'Dream.' He signed. He hated the fact that both men had their eyes on him, but he refused to show either of them any sort of weakness. 'I'm 21, and I came from the kingdom of Dorilaf.'

"Can you not speak?" The captain asked. "Why are you called Dream? And why are you wearing a mask?"

He sighed, not liking all the questions being fired at him. 'No, I can't. I don't know my real name, so I decided to name myself Dream, as a sort of hopeful metaphor I guess. I wear this mask because my face is incredibly scarred, I practically don't have any face left. It's just so that everyone doesn't run from me.'

The captain nodded, whispering something, presumably the answers, to the King. He whispered something back to the young man, who promptly got up and left the hall.

Oh no.

"Please excuse him, children can be so insistent." The King said nonchalantly. "Now, Dream, your story is pretty damn good. If I was an idiot, I might actually have fallen for it! But, there's a few....inconsistencies....in your story. First off, if you didn't remember your name, then how would you know you were of noble blood?"

'Just a hunch, I guess?' He signed, knowing that it was futile. He knew that Techno wasn't stupid.

"Uh Huh, okay." He said, not convinced in the slightest. "Tommy, come here."

The captain, Tommy, walked back in the banquet, his gaze never leaving the masked man. "Yes, your majesty?"

"What's your decision?"

The teenager pondered for a moment before looking back at the masked man.
"Why not?"

The King grinned, looking back at his equal.

"Welcome aboard, Dream."

~<•>~

"What are you making, mom?" The boy asked, watching as his mother expertly sewn the large red clump of fabric.

"I'm making a cape as a gift for a Kings son."

"Oh, is it the prince from that other kingdom? The one that's my age?"

"Yes, that one! You're such a smart boy!" His mother praised, kissing her sons forehead. "It's his birthday soon, and his father asked me to make him a cape. What do you think?"

She held up the large red cape. It was bigger than herself, and she was an adult.

"It's a little big..."

"Yes, but he'll grow into it. If he has his fathers  genes, then lord knows he'll be a giant."

The boy nodded, looking at the red coat.

'One day, that will be mine.'

~~~~~
1221 words

I literally looked up Techno's height and age, and it's really weird that both Techno and Dream are incredibly similar in height and age.

Also I wrote the last half of the italics (and this) when I was (am) loopy from both sickness and NyQuil, so don't expect the last part to be that great.

I didn't expect people to actually read this, but thank you! I love writing this! I especially love writing Clay, and his personality.

Anywho, I'm gonna go pass out bc the NyQuil is taking over. 💜