Arrival

[The Empire]

"I don't know, I must have slipped off to sleep and the next thing I remember is standing in a dessert under a sky of thick grey clouds and a soft but dim light. As I started walking, something broke under my foot and I looked down seeing that the dessert wasn't sand but rounded flakes of impure glass and my blood was starting to cover some of it, the light causing it to look almost black. then I saw a shape under the glass and when I dug some of it away I saw a human face staring up directly at me but the face had no skin or eyelids, they looked as if burnt-off. The next thing I know is I heard someone screaming in the dark and realising it was me once I had realised I was still here."

[Mor'os]

Yes, this was officially insane and beyond the fragile realm of reason. The dream, weird and uninterpretable. The situation was all and all, especially when combined with the wonders of youthful and pathetically confused love, to use the polite term, was putting Osmar in a rather uncomfortable bind. He wasn't any sort of psychotherapist, or dream reading mystic. What was he supposed to make out of it all?

Well, if you don't make her feel well we'll loose her!

Technically true I suppose, and I suppose it wouldn't be polite either to just abandon her...

It didn't help that the dream was weird in the most disturbing possible fashion that the subconscious could develop.  What to do, what to do... say something, something that sounded kind and displayed an effort even if he was completely lost. That would do, yes?

"Zat's terrible Hanna. I am sorry, even if I am not sure what to do. I am not t'rained for such sing's."

[The Empire]

With her tension loosening, she turned so that she sat with her feet on the floor beside the bed, signing with her hand for Osmar to sit down beside her.

"I wouldn't expect you to be, but I think just not being alone does a lot to help. Did you see Sasha or Nikolai on your way here? I just remembered I havn't seen them since our dinner in the garden."

[Mor'os]

"No, I have not seen zem." Osmar for his own part found the statement odd. How could one possibly lose two tigers? And worse, what were they up to unattended in the palace complex?

"Zey did not retur'n to you on zeir own?"

[The Empire]

"Apparently not, but I think I have an idea where they are and if I'm right it's nothing to worry about but I'm sorry for waking you up like this Osmar."

[Mor'os]

"P'lease, do not sin'k of it. Can you get bac to s'leep? It would be good to get res't, as zere is much to do tomorrow."

Giving up already? No!

No, this is the right thing to do. Be quiet!

Perhaps it would be best to find those tigers...

[The Empire]

"I think I can, would you mind keeping me company until I am sleeping? I think it would help."

[Mor'os]

"Ah..."

What to do, what to do. It doesn't seem proper, but it doesn't seem proper to refuse a request of a guest either...

Why are you complaining? It is win win this time! I get to spend more time with Hanna, and you get to treat your guest as any proper host should.

I suppose...

Good, end of discussion!

"...yes, of cour'se. If zat is necessary, zen I will be g'lad to hel'p you."

[The Empire]

"Thank you"

*awkward silence*

"Umm... Osmar, it would be easier for me to go to bed if I could actually get under my covers, please?"

[Mor'os]

Osmar found himself puzzled for a moment, but then he came to a gradual realization. He had without even realizing taken Hanna by the hand somewhere in their discussion. He did his best to maintain his composure and to subdue the the blush that was rushing to his face. He also released the hand, but not without a minute moment's hesitation and reluctance.

"I am sorry. P'lease, s'leep now."

[The Empire]

"I will try"
As Osmar rose, Hanna slipped between the sheets and undressed out of sight. After the dress had been pushed out, she stuck her hand out from under the covers and let her bra fall to the floor before her head resurfaced on the pillow.
She turned on her side and looked up at him, her green-brown eyes fixed on his, taking his hand again.
"Thank you for staying with me Osmar."

[Mor'os]

Osmar nodded curtly, smiling.

"Sin'k nosing of it. I am alway's g'lad to do what I  can to hel'p"

And as he sat down, making himself comfortable for that indefinite period of time that lay ahead, he found that it was no longer a matter of simply being a good host. He actually, even if it was for now only in a very small way, cared for Hanna, and he guessed that in all likely hood this infatuation with her would only grow with time.

I suppose it isn't all so bad...we certainly are overdue for this sort of thing. Second Thought's revised stance was evidence of this.

Glad we see eye to eye replied First Thoughts.

Mind you, it will all be done properly and politely!

[The Empire]

Hanna lay on her side with her eylids almost closed as she watched the young emperor sitting on her bedside.
I wish I could wake up in his arms too, not just falling asleep with him sitting there watching me... I wonder...

Opening her eyes a little bit and watching his reactions she started to slowly stroke the one of his hands she was holding with hers. Softly exploring the back of his hand with her finger tips.

[Mor'os]

Osmar didn't react instantly, as he had begun to find himself dozing off. But as those fingers continued to explore the back of his hand he realized what was happening.

Ooh! This is going far better than I expected! First Thoughts was undoubtedly happy.

...

The silence from Second Thoughts for a moment was frightening for Second Thoughts.

What's wrong? You aren't going to fight me on this?

I've given up. Not to mention... well, marriage is a long overdue duty we've supposed to been at...and she isn't a noble who comes with political strings attached...

First Thoughts laughed. No need to make excuses, there's nothing wrong with this! How do you think we were born? Not out of thin air!

Second Thoughts blushed and gave a nervous reciprocal laugh of his own. I guess you're right...

Anyway, if we are all in agreement that this is all okay then, how are we to proceed? Third Thoughts was still his practical self, and had raised an important point. Sure, they'd worked out their muddled feelings, concluded that romantic affections for Hanna were acceptable. But that didn't mean they had any idea how to put it all into motion.

Um... First Thoughts was stumped.

Delay until we figure something out!.

"Not asleep yet? Is somesing s'till wrong?" said Osmar.

Oh, that was a beautiful delay. That's really romantic... said First Thoughts, dripping with sarcasm.

I'd like to see you do better! retorted Second Thoughts.

[The Empire]

"Quite the contrary", Hanna whispered, "I was just amazed how the moonlight plays with your features"

Looking up from Hanna's face for a moment, Osmar could see the nearly full moon bathing him in one of it's silvery rays finding the way through the window's ornamentation.
With Osmar distracted, Hanna discretely pulled his hand beneath the hem of her covers and up to her lips, softly kissing his fingers.