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There was a group that specifically wanted to collect all the oni masks.
It seems that their newest mission had taken into a much more serious tone than it was before, there was seemingly a group of criminals that were trying to gather all of the oni masks, something that promise power- dangerous enough to be sought by the wicked, precious enough to be kept by the royals.
Moro had understood the assignment and was ready to offer his help, Master Wu would think the same.
The sting of losing his master still lingers even after time had passed, despite having more people to rely on than ever, Morro could not help the feeling of loneliness, the sinking sensation of helplessness he had experienced that day when he was forced to be the one that casted his own master to the cursed realm.
Morro shook his head, opting to walk around while his brothers and sister had busied themselves moving to their respective post. Nya and Kai had been in charge of the roof, Cole, Zane and Jay had been periodically checking on the mask. Morro found himself walking toward a dimly lit room that had a familiar sound soothingly singing a lullaby.
What caught his eyes first was the surprising shade of rosy red irises.
“Ah-!” The Jade Prince had quickly smiled, eyes closing ever so awkwardly. One of his fingers scratch on his cheek.
For a moment, there was no word spoken between them.
”It was my fault, I shouldn’t have peek inside your room.” Morro finally said, looking down to avoid seeing the prince that seemingly did not want to be seen.
Those red irises…
Morro cursed himself, he just knew the prince for a day and had already discovered something that probably he should never have done. This was both unprofessional and would now ruin their thinly built trust that just barely started.
Instead of any complaint, or warning for that matter, all Morro had heard was a quiet chuckle. “No, I should have kept my door firmly shut if I wanted to keep a secret.” The prince had said Morro looked back at the royal, watching how the red eyes were looking at him just as warm as it was when it was green.
Something on the back of his mind told him the red irises shine brighter, and felt more alive than the green he had previously seen.
“I will keep it a secret from everyone, including my brothers and sister.” Morro finally said, a quiet and firm promise.
”I would appreciate that a lot, Green Ninja.” Prince Lloyd replied, still looking away from him.
It bugged him more than Morro would like to admit, and quite frankly, he had never been a fan of talking especially to a stranger for more than necessary. Yet, he had already started asking the question in his mind before he could stop himself. “Is there something that bothers you?”
That quickly gained reaction for the blonde. He had now moved his hand to the back of his neck, smiling yet again but less of the bright enthusiasm that he had displayed before. Instead, it felt… artificial. “Does it not bother you to look into my eyes?” The prince had asked.
Morro blinked at the sudden question.
“Bothered me? Why would that be the case?”
“Mother, the empress, had once told me that red eyes are considered bad omen. His highness had agreed with that sentiment.” the prince had explained lightly, holding onto what seems to be the box that keeps his contact lenses in place. “So I hide it, that way the public won't have to worry that their prince might be the reason for all the misfortune Ninjago had experienced.”
”Ninjago had always experienced all sorts of disaster,” Morro quickly took the conversation, something in his guts churned in protest from the way the prince had spoken. “Pining it down to something that you could not do anything about would be foolish.”
He was not sure exactly what had given him the urge to walk closer, Morro found himself already right in front of the prince. The red irises looked much more vibrant this way, something akin to ruby gemstone, shining in a way that was much more natural than the green he had seen before.
He had taken the red roses on vases and with whatever wisdom coming to his head, he decided to tuck it gently to the prince’s right ear.
“For what it's worth, I think you have very pretty red eyes.”
The ever chatty and cheerful prince was quiet for a moment, completely caught off guard from the declaration.