Clean-up duty wasn't the worst punishment Cimmarian could have. It was better than extra lessons, anyway. As much as she loved Error, he tended to get off topic when it came to his art... or his rival. That is what ultimately got her stuck with this punishment, one of the others keeping a close eye if her father couldn't do it himself. It felt like they knew something that she didn't. Something about her mother. The truth she came to know by accident. But they wouldn't let her near. She would have to bid her time until their eyes were off her. She wouldn't dare ask Nightmare himself, either. She wasn't afraid of him. However, if he knew that she knew of Lumine being her twin, she might never get the chance to see her or their mother. So she kept her head down, scrubbing away at the floors and walls of the halls after lessons and going to her room to rest right after. It's all she was allowed to do until her punishment was over. Horror always had her meal ready in her room once dinner time came around. (She missed the family meals.)

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Cimmarian didn't realize how close she was to the beast's chambers until she heard it snarl on the other side of the wall she was cleaning. She staggered back in surprise before looking back to a distracted Dust who seemed to be having issues with seeing things that weren't there. She was hesitant. If she reported it to her father, perhaps she could have her punishment shortened... but she also wanted to see the beast. She was so curious about it... she was usually never allowed to be this close, and Dust obviously hadn't noticed... she inched her way towards the door. It would only be a peek. A glance into the opening slot, then she could get Dust taken care of. She rose up on her tiptoes to open it up and look in. It was a large doglike skull. A blue band was tied around its horn and muzzle as it floated around in agitation, chained to the floor. Light and dark blue freckles dotted below its ringed blue eyes. Stranger still, it seemed to notice Cimmarian and stop, looking right at her. Rather than get aggressive, it chirped as if happy to see her.

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That stuck with the princess as she took Dust to her busy father. Killer was with him as they approached and quickly got her father's attention. "cimmarian?" Her father addressed her, looking over to Dust. "He's having a bad day... I thought you would want to know." Nightmare sighed as he went to check on and support Dust. "killer, watch her." Killer sighed and followed his king's orders, leading her back to the hall. "... i got in trouble because of you." Cimmarian looked up at Killer, but he kept his head faced forward. "I know... I'm really sorry, Killer... I didn't mean for you to..." She trailed off. "i heard you met the princess of the sun." Cimmarian nodded quietly, trying to figure out if Killer was actually mad or not. He looked down at her suddenly, his expression seemingly conflicted. "..." She knew how unpredictable Killer was. She felt like she was about to walk into some sort of trap. "he's suspicious, you know. they all are. they don't trust you." Cimmarian felt herself shrink away. Why was he saying that? What was he trying to do? "they don't trust me right now, either. so let's break some rules." Cimmarian blinked. "H-huh?" Killer's smile widened with mischief. "wanna meet your mother?"