She made it just in time as the Queen entered, her hands folded in front of her. She noticed Calliope and approached, frowning. “Are you... watching him sleep?”
"I can," the Queen replied. "I just feel badly. Perhaps I should return at another time. He seems to have forgotten the appointment."
She turned to leave and Ben stirred, his eyes fluttering open as he squinted, looking around for something.
Cal blinked, looking over at the Queen before looking back at him and speaking. "Ah, Ben. You're awake."
He looked up at her, squinting before his face relaxed. “Cal... what-“ He fell silent as the Queen stepped into view, folding his hands in his lap. "Hello." She raised one eyebrow, tilting her head. "Hello, Benedict. How was your sleep?" He seemed embarrassed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Needed," he replied. "I'm sorry to have slept through your arrival."
She nodded, glancing over at Calliope. "Yes, I think that would be best. Thank you, Calliope." Ben's gaze flickered over to her and his brow furrowed.
About two hours later, she'd be walking down the hallway when she saw the Queen and Ben walking. Ben was free of restriction, but she would know him well enough to see his shoulders were tense and uncertain as he looked around the unfamiliar environment.
"Down here is the War Room," she would hear the Queen say, gesturing. "You will likely be joining us for a few meetings in here." "The War Room..." he murmured. "Do you have a Peace Room?" She looked over at him, raising one eyebrow. He fell silent, but Calliope would have grown familiar enough with the Queen to recognize the amused twitch to her mouth. "Contrary to the Human Palace," she said lightly. "Every other room in this castle is the Peace Room; we are not in the habit of engaging in conflict."
