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The glitter and gold had never really interested him much.
It was certainly nice to have, especially in the past where money almost did non-existed, food was lacking and there was no such thing as a constant roof above his head. Morro would find himself spending half of the day collecting whatever money or food he could gather, and the rest of his very limited time to find just another hideout for the night.
That was beside the point, that orphan was supposed to be left behind so the orphanage could have less mouth to feed, and now, standing with his head held high and respectable green gi, he had been regarded as a hero.
“Places like this always make me uneasy,” Kai secretly grumbled beside him, his voice was a sharp waste of air, like he had already thought about the whole place before he finally decided on a conclusion- something that he ended up hated. His sister just on Morro’s right side uncharasteristically nodded with his biological brother.
”Oh, I get what you mean, Kai.” She had said while also looking around, her hand was ever so ready on her side, where the trident hung tight. She seemed eager to strike at a moment's notice.
Morro honestly agreed with both of them, which makes this the rare sight in which all three of them agreed on something. But before he could add his own input to it, the sanest brother they had- Zane had quickly intervened before the two hotheads started fueling ideas inside their head.
”Please try to appear more… civil, guys. We will be having an audience with the emperor and empress of Ninjago.” He reminded them calmly, secretly sending another concerned look toward Jay that had already tried to talk with one of the silence guards around the castle. Cole had quickly followed the lightning ninja to stop him.
”Zane is right, Jay! You should probably stop tormenting those guards with questions, better yet, try to zip your mouth when we finally meet the emperor or our head might get served on a silver platter!”
Despite the warning from the earth ninja, Jay just snickered. Thankfully had already stopped asking questions about the castle construction’s materials and history. Much to the guard’s relief. “Relax, Cole. Don’t be such a worrywart, if anything, we are here probably because the emperor needs something from us. Probably to protect, and that means he wouldn’t cut our neck that easily!”
“Or maybe we will.”
A commanding voice cuts through the banters. Everyone quickly posed their stance, Nya was especially quick to draw her trident and point that toward someone who probably is highly important in this castle.
Morro secretly cursed under his breath. He was quick to push off the offending trident from the man, “My deepest apologies. We are the ninja, here to have an audience with the emperor.”
He knew he suckass at social interaction, let alone formal social interaction. But now that everyone of the ninja is still fixing their posture and acting as polite as they can, Morro as the leader needs to cover up for the inappropriate behaviour they had exhibited.
The man, looking very much skeptical about them, seemingly takes his barely hanging word of apology. Humming quietly. “I’m aware of it.” He said.
Then there was silence, and Morro hates it already.
Fortunately for him, Zane had taken over his role and immediately went onto his perfect performance. His hand raised toward himself, “Hello, Sir. Let me give a brief introduction of our team. My name is Zane, the ice ninja. This is Morro, our leader, and the rest-“ his hand was quick to follow the ninjas and their name as well as the title. All the while politely smiling, despite the cold gaze of the man in front of them.
”Very well, I’m Hutschin. The Master-at-Arms of the empire, pleased to be in the presence of the infamous saviour.” He said, all but empty praises from the tone of his voice. Morro could feel how Kai had gritted his teeth, and Nya was smiling darkly.
He sighed. This is gonna be a long day.
…
…
…
It was not, in fact, a long day.
Or at least in the way Morro thought it was gonna be.
Hutchins unsurprisingly became the most insufferable person in the whole palace, but that was apparently just his quirk. Being all too strict and prim from all those years spent up trying his damn hardest to keep a bunch of royalty alive must be tough, so Morro could at least keep repeating that same revelation inside his head unless he accidentally let either Nya or Kai lose and they start throwing objects toward the man.
Thankfully for him, his brother and sister had enough public decency and manner, he should really invest on more mandatory meditation.
Or therapy, for that matter.
”Oh my! It’s the ninja!”
That was the first thing the person had said, but Morro could swear that it was enough to command the entire room to take notice.
The empress was quick to intervene before the person had said another word. “Please excuse him, he has always been rather excited to meet new people, especially his own age.” She had said, smiling in a certain way, that the figure quickly dialed back on his excitement as he smiled brightly.
”It’s an honor to meet the savior of Ninjago.” The blonde said in a much more calm manner than he previously shown, his bright green eyes still shining so bright despite the change of demeanor, he offered them a regal bow of respect, something that none of the ninja could reciprocate quickly except for Zane. “I am Lloyd, The Jade Prince.”
He then proceeded to offer a more casual, warm smile after the whole introduction. “And I’m your biggest fan!”
The prince’s hand quickly found itself latched onto Morro’s, which not only fast, but also a surprising action that none of other ninja, especially himself, would have guessed the prince would do.
”All of you are such a great person! I have been watching your actions since forever!” The green eyes look around, admiring the group of ninja in front of him like he is looking at his favorite idol. He even starts to list every single one of the ninja and their most famous deeds in a true fan fashion.
All the while, those warm hands has been holding Morro’s own cold and rough hand, so innocent, so full of enthusiasm that it brings a smile to everyone’s face.
So this is The Jade Prince of Ninjago Empire. Morro couldn’t help but keeping that information in his head, not sure on how to make of it just yet.
”-And I am especially such a green ninja fan!” The prince finally toned down his happy ramble, seemingly coming to a conclusive end that he looked back at the guy he had held hands to for maybe quite some moment. Instead of feeling any resemblance of embarrassment or awkwardness, the prince had smiled back at Morro, all too warmly that he had reached his heart.
”I could proudly say that I am your biggest fan, Green Ninja!” The Jade Prince, Lloyd, happily exclaimed.
Morro could hear the giggle and smirked behind his back, this is gonna be a massive teasing material back at the monastery, Morro could feel it.
“… I’m honored.” Despite that, he couldn’t help but reply to the prince politely.