The sight of the palace was just yet another painful reminder of Rumplestiltskin's abundant greed and cruelty. It was extensively lavish and gaudy, even for royalty. The brilliant, shining gold and ivory architecture was a severe contrast to the dreary, faded grey and brown hues of the rest of the kingdom. No expense had been spared on Rumplestiltskin and his palace, and even less had been spent on anything else.

He had witches guarding him on either side, escorting him past the gate. He couldn't imagine what they thought he might do, he hadn't even wanted to be here, it wasn't like he was dumb enough to actually try and pull anything. His main concern really was just getting the money, the price for an ogre killing might actually be enough to get him out of this dreaded kingdom, or at least bring him closer to that goal. So, while he was here, he would be sure to mind himself and obey to whatever was wanted from him.

As they passed through the gate inside, to his left he could see an ogre straining himself tremendously to loser the gate behind Puss and the witches. When the witch keeping watch of him grew impatient, she lashed the ogre across the back and he howled in pain and struggled even more at the witch's order to move faster. It was truly sickening. Puss almost wished he could do something about it. He knew ogres were considered little more that unsavory beasts, but he still thought that even this sort of treatment was a bit too harsh.

He didn't think it was possible, but somehow the inside of the palace was even more impressive than its exterior. Realizing this only sickened Puss further as he yet again remembered the sight of the filthy, decaying city on the way here, and the extent of the whole kingdom's suffering.

He could also swear to hear faint dance music from somewhere in the palace. But he didn't have time to think any more on it as then, among the scattered groups of witches in the room, he noticed a donkey. It was odd to see a donkey, especially with such filthy, unkempt fur, in a royal palace. Especially one exclusively inhabited by witches. And, of course, one evil dwarf. And Puss couldn't help but stare curiously, though he soon realized his mistake as the Donkey took notice and shot Puss a glare.

"And just what're you lookin' at, hairball?" the donkey snapped bitterly.

Puss simply turned his attention back to the path ahead, thinking better than to acknowledge that insulting outburst. Seriously, was everyone in this palace cruel? He did briefly wonder what could have put the donkey in such a foul mood, and also why he seemed to care so little about his own hygiene. But he didn't dwell on it. Really, he didn't really care all that much. He was only here to conduct his business with the king, and be on his way. He certainly would never see that donkey again after today, and was rather glad for that.

The tremendous double doors were pushed open by two witches standing guard. The source of the loud music he had heard when he first entered, it was now very apparent, came from this room. A massive ball made of metal, a sort of giant makeshift disco ball if you will, hung high above, reflecting off many bright lights, that shone over the crowd of witches below. The witches seemed to be having some sort of wild and extravagant party. And their dancing, Puss couldn't help but note, was obnoxious at best. To his right, he could see the live band, unsurprisingly made up of yet more witches. To his right, however, was a rather peculiar sight. There sat a goose roughly the size of a bull, wearing a large pink bow around it's neck. The goose was flanked by three pigs, supporting a tray of food. Apparently for the goose, as it plucked up a chicken (just a normal average-sized chicken thankfully) and attempted to swallowed it whole by tossing it back into its throat.

Puss had never known much personally about Far Far Away's ruler, and certainly not that his interests were so strange. The man (or rather the dwarf) himself even looked strange, though. Along with his rather unattractive white suit, he wore a wig, tall and white and shaped like a goose. A goose wig, an actual giant goose, a palace full of egg or goose inspired decor... The king really did have quite the obsession it seemed.

Rumplestiltskin was surrounded by witches, all gossiping and laughing, lounging across a sofa as extravagant as any other furniture in the palace, with drinks in hand. As soon as Rumplestiltskin seemed to notice Puss approaching, however, he immediately straightened and gained a new composure. With a snap of his fingers, the other witches did the same.

"So, this is the famous Puss In Boots," he sneered.

Puss bowed respectfully. "That is correct, your majesty. At your service."

Rumplestiltskin snapped his fingers toward a witch nearby.

"Griselda, get the map," he ordered.

One of the witches swiftly and obediently handed him the map in question, and he spread it across the wide, glass table.

"Alright, let's get straight to business," he said to Puss.

He pointed to a depiction of an ominous looking castle another kingdom over. Puss recognized it, at least vaguely, in that he had heard tale that it was a dragon's keep.

"I need you to kill the ogre that lives here as soon as possible."

"My apologies, your majesty, but is that not a dragon's keep? I am afraid that I am not a dragon slayer."

"Don't worry about that, let's just say the dragon's already been... handled."

He wasn't sure what Rumplestiltskin exactly was implying, but he wasn't sure he wanted to know.

"Now, I haven't forgotten about your payment."

He snapped his fingers, which seemed to be sort of a habit of his, and a witch dropped a large sack onto the table, it tipped from its own weight and from it spilled gold coins. It was considerably more than Puss usually used to ask for as payment for killing an ogre, but he sure as hell wasn't about to complain. The king must really have wanted this ogre dealt with.

"All this is yours, but only after the job is done."

"Ah, well, that is not really how I usually handle business," Puss informed, as politely as he could.

"No, but it's how I do. And since I am the king, you will do as I say because I can promise you that the consequences for disobedience won't be pretty."

Puss was normally very strict about being paid up front for an assassination, but it seemed he really had no choice this time. But he was desperate enough for the money at all that he didn't think on it much more.

"Very well, I will head out to dispose of this ogre immediately. And then, I will return for my payment."

"It'll all be here waiting for you when you get back. Just hurry. Oh, and one more thing..."

"Yes, your majesty?"

"You have to get the ogre after sunset."

That didn't quite make sense to him, but Puss felt it was better not to question it. He really didn't want to be here any long that he had to anyway.

"I believe I can manage that."

"Good. Then go."

He left the palace in more of a foul mood than he had arrived in, but the thought of so much gold was enough to keep Puss from being discouraged for long. He detoured back to The Poison Apple, only to inform Doris that he was leaving for the job. Doris nonchalantly threatened to replace Puss if he didn't get back soon, and he couldn't actually tell if she was joking or not at this point. Although, if all went accordingly, he wouldn't need his job at The Poison Apple, in fact he wouldn't need to return to Far Far Away ever again.