Arrival

[The Empire]

"I think I will do that Osmar, though I have been raised with the values that all are equal, to call you emperor was just a gesture of respect on my part" Hanna said as she picked up a few strands of noodles, letting the bullion run off before putting them in her mouth, savouring the taste.

[Mor'os]

"I am appreciative of your courtesy," replied Osmar, who rather than going for the noodles as his first choice instead chose a dumpling of some sort. He popped it into his mouth, chewed and swallowed before continuing. "But considering where you have come f'rom you an'd I are certainly equals'. You do not give yoursel'f ze c'redit you are due, zough..." another pause as he this time consumed another odd bit of food "modesty is an admirab'le t'rait."

[The Empire]

"I don't? I guess I changed a lot too during the half year I spent in exile and the other year and a half before we fled and got here, I'm not quite sure how we got here anyway, I havn't seen the least bit of trace of the solar system we left as I have searched the sky, and we shouldn't have been able to trave that far that fast.but now we are here, and I have a feeling there is some greater power that is watching me, guiding my steps so to speak."
This time, she tried a dumpling and some rice but she pinched the rice a bit too hard and it fell apart back in the bowl.

[Mor'os]

"Indeed, as do I. Heaven I believe in the en'd if not immediately, will see to it that all  en'd's as it should. Perhap's it is by it's will an'd destiny zat we have met."

[The Empire]

Hanna just laughed at that. "Indeed it may be" She said, giving Osmar a warm smile. How can someone I just barely met make me feel like this?, and what is it I'm really feeling?

[Mor'os]

Osmar allowed a silence to pass while the two continued to eat, soaking up the sounds ands of the pleasant day unfolding around him. The winds in the trees, the birds, the gurgling of the brook and occasional carp flashing to the surface. It was all very relaxing.

And all so very much like those romances you've read blabbed his first thoughts.

Shut up! That's not the proper way to think! retorted his second thoughts.

The dumplings seem off today commented his third thoughts for no good reason.

The internal conversation going nowhere, he returned to the external one. "What would you like to do after lun'ch? It is good to have p'lan's, an'd zere is alot to see. You seem unfamiliary wis ze city."

[The Empire]

"I guess I am, would you like to show it to me Osmar?" Hanna replied, catching his eyes as she did, trying to discern what he was thinking.

[Mor'os]

"Yes, it would be an honor."

Yes, yes, this is the way things are supposed to go aren't they?

Stop saying things like that... and I don't know

You think she'll think it is weird that we talk to ourself?

"Zough, zere is a lot to see. I am unsure where to s'tar't."

[The Empire]

"Well, why not start right here with the palace and then go outwards?" He is definitely up to something, on the other hand, why does it feel as if I am too?

[Mor'os]

"Yes, zat would be a good idea. I am afraid zat it won't be as good as it might have been, wis the ol'd palace des't'royed, but I can s'till show you what ne building's are being buil't an'd zose zat have been com'p'leted."

[The Empire]

"Yes, and I will in all events be here to see those now being constructed be completed."

[Mor'os]

"But for now," concluded the emperor with a genuinely warm smile, "We should finish eating. To go out an'd fin'd we lack ze energy to com'p'lete ze journey would be foolish indeed."

[The Empire]

"Indeed" she replied, in a clearly amused voice as she started eating again, finishing what was left.

[Mor'os]

Plans concluded, the latter part of the meal consisted of more eating relative to talking than the earlier part of the meal had. It did not all together cease, but the day was one of those that seemed to suck all energy from any spoken words, as the gentle breeze and rustling of trees overpowered them through some force other than mere volume. One felt compelled in the face of it to merely relax and become a part of that fleeting and earthly calm.

As the last morsels of food were consumed or left to be disposed of, servants emerged from some unseen hiding place and whisked away the scraps and used utensils,  and then as quickly as they had appeared vanished into whatever dimension it was that had spawned them. Osmar gave them no more attention than anyone would given anything so ethereal and flighty in nature, standing to his feet in preparation for the tour that he had promised after the meal.

"Shall we go now?"

[The Empire]

"Yes please" Hanna replied and before her mind had caught up, she had offered him to take her arm, resulting in her blushing once her thoughts did catch up...