Awakening
Coney Island, New York, USA - March 22, 1946
An old fisherman walked out onto the beach as the sun started to rise, then suddenly dropped what he was carrying and ran to the water; there was a young woman lying naked and unconscious in the waves.
He removed his coat and covered her as he pulled her from the water. Once he made sure that she was breathing, he ran for help. He returned minutes later and waited with her until the police arrived.
"Where am I?" she asked frantically as she woke.
"Coney Island, Miss. You're far from home, judging by your accent. Is that England I hear?"
"I...I don't know." She tried to remember, but everything felt fuzzy. Her thoughts came in bits and pieces. Dark hair. A smile. She felt lightheaded and laid back down in the sand.
Two police officers came a few minutes later and began asking the old man questions. One officer was young, probably new on the job; the other was older, more of a father figure. The former had blonde hair and blue eyes; not her platinum blonde, but more golden. The latter had black hair, spattered with gray, and brown eyes. She tried to listen in on their conversation.
"I was coming down here to do my morning fishing and I found her washed up on the beach, naked as the day she was born. She said she doesn't know where she came from, maybe she hit her head or something?"
The younger officer approached her. "Excuse me, Miss. Do you know where you are? What's your name?"
"S... I think my name started with an 'S' but...I can't recall."
"Sandra? Susan? Maybe Sarah, Sally, Sharon, Shirley, Sylvia?" he rattled off S-names as he thought of them.
"No, none of those." She couldn't remember.
"Well, why don't we get off of this cold beach? Let's go back to the station, get you some clothes and food along the way? When we get back to the station we'll see what our Chief wants to do with ya. Whaddaya say?"
She nodded and followed the officers back to their squad car. They stopped off at a thrift store and the older officer bought her a change of clothes and shoes, and they allowed her to dress in the fitting room. They drove back to the beach to return the old man's coat, and she fell asleep in the back seat. On the drive to the station, she began mumbling in her sleep.
"The wildflowers...until the end of time itself...castle..."
The two officers exchanged glances as they listened. She awoke as they pulled into the police station parking lot.
"Are you alright, Miss? You were talking in your sleep, something about flowers and a castle."
"It was just a dream," she quietly replied.
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When they arrived at the police station, a woman was waiting for them at the front desk.
"I'm Agent Carter, with the Strategic Homeland Intervention Enforcement Logistics Division. This woman needs to come with me for questioning in regards to an active investigation to do with the disappearance of Captain America."
"Can I see some kind of i.d.?" the older officer asked as Peggy pulled her badge from her blazer. He looked it over before handing it back to her. "Well, I guess you're going with Miss Carter here."
"Agent Carter, not Miss," she corrected him.
The two women left the police station together, getting into Peggy's car.
"What is this really about? I don't even know my own name, let alone anything about this Captain of yours."
"That was a story to extract you safely. There are other people in pursuit of you, there are stories that you have abilities, and an organization called Hydra wants to weaponize you. I have a friend named Howard who has the means to keep you safe until we can figure out who you are, where you're from, and what you're really capable of. I'm taking you to an airport a few hours south of here now to meet him. We need to get you out of the country to a secure location before Hydra closes in on you."
The two women drove the rest of the way in silence. When they got to the hangar where Howard's plane was waiting, they were greeted by Jarvis. "Good afternoon, ladies."
"Where is Howard?" Peggy asked impatiently.
"I'm right here," Howard replied, stepping out of his private jet. "Let's see this dame that washed up on the beach, where is she? Oh... Wow..." His jaw fell open when he saw her standing behind Peggy.
"Yes, well... I must be going, I have a long drive back to New York. Call me when you land, please?"
"I assure you, I'll phone you as soon as we arrive in...wherever it is we're going," Jarvis replied as Peggy said her goodbyes and left.
"We're not leaving for a little while, would you like something to eat or drink, Miss?"
"Yes, please. I'm quite hungry." She smiled nervously at Jarvis before he led her to a small table inside the hangar that had a small array of breads and fruits at one end. She grabbed a croissant and some strawberries, taking a seat at the empty end of the table as Jarvis poured her a cup of tea. Howard sat down a few minutes later, curiously looking her over.
"You're very intriguing," he said, startling her. Howard chuckled, "I'm sorry. Your abilities, though, can you show me how you did it?"
"Did what, exactly?" she asked, a confused look on her face.
"Wait, you really don't know? What do you remember?"
"I woke up on the beach just this morning. I don't know how I got there. I don't even know my own name, just that I believe it begins with an 'S' but I'm not even sure of that. I've had some rather odd dreams, as well."
"You popped up on our radar about a week ago, you came crashing down from the sky, literally out of nowhere, and were adrift in the middle of the ocean. You were unconscious but your body was giving off electromagnetic pulses, like lightning, to incapacitate any predators, sharks and whales and such. The waves were too rough to do an extraction at sea; we had to wait for you to wash ashore. I honestly don't know how you didn't drown."
She was speechless, staring at Howard as she processed what he said. "Am I dangerous?" she finally asked.
"That's what I'd like to figure out. We're going to a private island where we can work on honing your abilities without putting anyone at risk. I have a gut feeling that you'll be a great ally, to me personally and to this country. As soon as you're finished eating, we'll be ready to go.
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Howard and Jarvis were in the cockpit to her left when she climbed the stairs and boarded the plane. There were four leather seats to her right, and a doorway in the rear of the plane that led to a room with a king-sized bed.
"We'll be taking off soon," Howard said, "make yourself comfortable. There's a bathroom through the bedroom at the back with a working shower if you'd like to get washed up." He winked at her and smiled.
"Do you mind if I sleep in the back after I shower? I've never flown before, and I'm quite tired all of a sudden."
"Sure thing, doll," he replied, turning back to Jarvis.
"Sir, I'd advise against flirting with this one, especially if you'd like to keep a professional relationship with her."
"She's breathtaking though, Jarvis. She looks like an angel." Howard stood and pulled the airstair door closed.
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She stood in the shower letting the hot water roll down her body, clutching the bar on the wall and struggling to stand as the plane took to the sky. She felt as though she was supposed to be somewhere else, but she couldn't remember where that was.
She looked down at her chest and saw a bright pink line on her left side; she ran her fingers over the raised skin, wondering to herself where she could have gotten such a large scar.
"NO!" she heard a man's voice scream in her head as she touched the scar, and felt a sharp pain in her chest. She immediately pulled her hand away from the scar and crouched down on the floor of the shower, tears pooling in her eyes.
"Who is this dark-haired man who haunts my dreams? Why can't I recall anything or anyone else? Surely I have parents, other family, friends even."
She was vulnerable, scared, and alone. She had nobody to trust except for the two men who now had her confined to this airplane. She wiped her eyes, rinsing the shampoo and soap from her body as she stood. When she was finished, she turned off the water, wrapping a towel around herself as she stepped out of the shower. As she left the small bathroom, she startled Jarvis as he was laying out a clean set of pajamas for her on the bed.
"I apologize," he quickly said, averting his eyes to the floor. "Howard sometimes entertains women on the plane so he keeps spare clothing for such an occasion. I believe you'll find that these fit you; they'll be far more comfortable to sleep in than the clothing that you arrived in."
"Thank you, Mr. Jarvis," she said, trying her best to sound calm.
"Have you been crying? What's happened?"
"I'm fine, I'll be alright. I was just thinking too long on something while I showered is all. I'll be fine after a rest."
"Alright. I'll leave you to it, then. If you need anything, anything at all, just press that black button on the wall there," he said as he pointed to the far left of the bed, "and you can speak to us in the cockpit." He left her alone then, closing the door behind him, and she dressed in the clothes he had left for her. It was a set of green silk pajamas with gold buttons on the shirt and drawstring pants. They fit her tiny frame almost perfectly. She pulled down the sheets and climbed under the covers, falling asleep almost instantly.
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She dreamt of lying in a meadow of tiny pink wildflowers, reading a book. The dream felt beautifully real; she could smell the flowers and feel the sun and breeze warm on her skin. Everything felt calm and blissful; she was alone and enjoying the quiet.
After a moment, she heard yelling coming from the trees. A man was shouting obscenities as he neared the clearing. Before she could react, he stepped from the trees into the meadow and immediately fell silent at the sight of her.
"It's him! The dark-haired one from my visions earlier in the police car."
"Pardon my intrusion, my prince," she heard herself say to him, timidly averting her gaze away from him as she scrambled to her feet, "but might I inquire as to whether you've lost your way, so far from the castle?"
"Why would I dare look away from him; he's magnificent, beautiful, captivating..."
He regained his bearing and peered at the book at her feet as she tried to hide it behind her. "Stop!" he ordered, and she jumped at his voice. "I apologize, I didn't intend to startle you, but I recognize the book. Are you hiding out here trying to learn magic by yourself?"
"I, um..." she stammered as she looked down and lightly bit her bottom lip. He quietly approached her, kneeling down and handing her the book, never once taking his eyes off of her face. His gaze made her face flush bright red. "I'm sorry," she finally choked out, "I...I should go."
"No, you should not go! Please, don't be a fool, stay and know him!"
"Please," he said softly, grabbing her wrist gently, "don't go on my account. If you're serious about wanting to learn magic, there truly is no better tutor than I. What is your name, little one?" he asked.
"Little one?!" she huffed. "My name certainly isn't 'little one' and I don't appreciate having my flaws pointed out, so if it's all the same to you, I must be getting back to my father's forge."
"I dared to yell at him so? How nervous I must have been in his presence..."
"Forge...Iwaldi is your father?" She stopped in her tracks. "If you're truly taking your leave, allow me to least walk with you till you're safely out of the woods. I find your presence strangely...soothing," he admitted.
"Father... Iwaldi... I can't recall what he looks like."
She sighed as she turned back towards him, asking, "Say I were to take you up on your offer to tutor me, what might be in it for you? I don't have much to offer, and if you're anything like your brother, Thor, then let me assure you now, I'm not quite as...easy as my sisters are."
"...Sisters? I have sisters, I do have family! I wonder how many, and where they are. And he has a brother. Thor. What a peculiar name; it sounds like no other I've met with yet. Odd..."
He cringed when she said Thor's name. "I'm not my brother," he gritted through his teeth, "and I'm not after your virtue. I find you intriguing, and I'd simply enjoy your company, fully clothed, I assure you. If you'd truly like to learn magic, there are things I can teach you better than some dusty old tome. Now please," he smiled and held out his hand to her, "might I learn your name, beautiful daughter of Iwaldi?"
"He thinks me beautiful? Has he never seen his own face?"
"...Beautiful?" she whispered as she peered up at him.
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Before she could say anything more, she was jolted awake by Howard's plane hitting turbulence. As abruptly as the dream had ended, she felt a great calm wash over her. She knew him, and he knew her, and she knew that she needed to find him.
The turbulence of the flight continued, bouncing her whole body off of the mattress. She scrambled for the button to the intercom as soon as it stopped.
"What's happening?! Howard? Mr. Jarvis?"
"It's just a little storm clouds, sugar. Just hang on to something, we're almost clear of it," Howard's voice replied. "Once we're past it, I'll pour us some drinks."
"Sir, I don't thi..." Jarvis began, then the intercom cut off.
Part of her wanted to go back to sleep, but she also wanted to see what turbulence looked like from the front of the plane. She stood from the bed as the plane shuddered again, pitching her forward into the door. She turned the doorknob and was flung backwards onto the bed as the door flew open. Before it could swing shut again, she dove through the open door to the small aisle between the four leather seats, and she started to crawl her way up to the front of the plane.
"Wow, you're a brave little broad, aren't you?" Howard exclaimed when she popped up between him and Jarvis, a wide-eyed look of exhilarated amazement on her face as she peeked out at the dark clouds and lightning. "Most dames just cower under the blankets at times like these."
"Sir, I believe it's safe to assume that she's not like most women," Jarvis added, turning to face her. "Might I ask, what is your name, after all?"
"I'm ashamed to admit, but I don't know. I can't recall."
"Well then, we'll have to come up with a nickname for you. I'm sure it'll come to me as we get to know each other better," Howard said. A bright flash of lightning lit up the sky in front of the plane, followed by a deafening crack of thunder. "We're not far from landing now, then we can rest for the evening."
"We're going to land in that storm? Is that dangerous?" she asked.
"Well, it's not ideal, but we've been up in the air for hours now, we need to refuel," Howard replied. "We're only about three quarters of the way to our final destination. We'll stay in a hotel tonight and finish on our way in the morning, once the weather clears up."
"We'll be beginning our descent soon," Jarvis spoke, "I'd advise you to take a seat and buckle your seat belt. The turbulence is only going to worsen as we pass through the clouds."
She lingered a moment longer, intently watching the lightning flicker and dance across the tops of the clouds below the aircraft. It reminded her of something, but once again she couldn't put her finger on it. She looked to her left at Jarvis, who was staring straight ahead, focused only on flying the plane; then she turned her gaze to her right, finding Howard watching her with intense curiosity. He flashed a beaming smile and raised his eyebrows at her, nodding his head towards the back of the plane.
She shakily made her way to one of the leather seats in the plane's midsection, collapsing into it as the plane started to shake again. She grabbed for the seat belt, but was unfamiliar with how to fasten it. After fumbling with it for a few minutes, she called out to the two men for help.
"Howard, Mr. Jarvis, I don't quite know how to secure this seat belt. Might I procure some assistance?"
"I'm coming," Howard called back to her, then turned to Jarvis. "You gonna be okay flying by yourself?"
"Yes, I'm quite capable, Mr. Stark."
Howard quickly made his way back to where she sat, taking the seat facing hers. He reached across the table between them and buckled her seat belt.
"There you go," he smiled. "Would you like a drink?"
"Yes, that would be nice."
"What do you prefer? Wine, champagne, liquor?" he asked as he stood, stumbling through the turbulence into a small pantry.
"I don't know," she called after him, "I'm not sure if I've ever had alcohol."
"Well how about champagne then? Nothing too heavy." Howard chuckled, popping open a bottle and pouring two glasses. He made his way back to her, handing her a glass as he sat across from her again. Before she could take a sip, he raised his glass towards her. "A toast," he exclaimed, "to new beginnings and new friends!"
She raised her glass to his and he clinked his against hers, then they both took a sip of their champagne. She winced as she swallowed, the alcohol tingling as it went down her throat. "So, what do you have planned for me once we're done traversing this realm?"
"Realm? That's an odd way of putting it," he shrugged. "Well, tomorrow morning I was planning on taking you clothes shopping, since you only came with the clothes on your back. Then we've got another eight hours in the air until we reach the island we're going to. It's in the South Pacific, so it'll be much warmer than New York was. Then we're going to test what you can and can't do."
"I've no idea what exactly I'm capable of. Honestly, I'm a bit afraid to find out. If I was able to give off pulses while I was unconscious, even simply as a defense mechanism, it still makes me nervous that it was beyond my control. What if I fall unconscious while I'm training and injure someone, or I have an outburst in my sleep and..."
"There won't be anyone around to hurt," Howard interrupted. "It's a private island. It'll only be the three of us. Either I or Jarvis will make a weekly trip for food, but other than that we'll be isolated. I don't want you to have any distractions, just take your time, focus, and gain control of your abilities."
"Well, that definitely quells my fears a bit." They finished their drinks in silence, then Howard took both glasses back into the pantry.
"I'm going to see if Jarvis needs help. Try to get some rest while we land."
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She stared out the window at the lightning, still flickering across the darkened clouds. As the plane started bucking again, she squeezed her eyes tight and rested her head back against the cool leather of the seat. Her head was spinning from the alcohol, and she drifted off to sleep.
She seamlessly slipped into a dream, finding herself in the arms of the dark-haired prince. His eyes were fixed on hers.
"What do you want?" he asked.
"I want you," she heard herself whisper.
He smirked as he carried her through a thick forest. The next thing she knew, she was on a beach, twirling barefoot through the sand as he leaned up against a tree.
"Would I be out of line if I kissed you?" he asked, standing perfectly still as he watched her moving. She stopped spinning and quietly walked up to him.
"You'll have to catch me first," she whispered, standing on her tiptoes to reach his face; she pressed her lips softly against his cheek before playfully shoving him into the sand and running off down the beach.
She reached the water and began twirling in the waves, faster and faster as the cool water washed over her ankles. She closed her eyes, giggling as she spun until she felt dizzy; when she steadied herself and opened her eyes, he was standing right before her. She was about to dart away, but before she could get her legs to move, he closed the gap between them, entangling his fingers into her hair as he kissed her. She reached out and clutched at his shirt, tugging him even closer. She didn't want the kiss to end, but after a minute they stopped to breathe, and both laughed nervously.
"I need him, completely, beautifully, endlessly..."
The dream flashed forward again. They were laying together in the sand; she was underneath him as they kissed. Every touch was blissfully perfect, her back arched up towards him as he gently kissed her neck and she tugged at his hair as her pulse quickened.
"Who is he? This feels much too real to be a dream. I don't want to leave him."
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As if he had heard her thoughts, Jarvis shook her awake. "Wake up, dear. We've landed. We're about to leave for the hotel for the remainder of the night."
"Thank you, Mr. Jarvis," she replied quickly, lost in thought at the dream she'd just been shaken from.
"I need to figure out who he was to me..."
She followed Jarvis out of the plane to find Howard waiting in a car. Jarvis opened the back door for her, and she sat behind Howard as Jarvis closed her door and got into the driver's seat.
As they drove through the streets, she rested her head against the window, looking up at the lightning storm still going on in the sky. Down on the ground, the wind was picking up and the smell of rain was in the air; the storm would worsen before it was over.
She couldn't wait to get to the hotel; a hot bath and a warm bed sounded great, especially at the prospect of seeing him again while she slept. They pulled into the parking lot of a grand hotel, and Howard went into the lobby to check in while she waited in the car with Jarvis.
"Are you alright?" Jarvis asked, "I've been a bit worried since I walked in on you crying after your shower. I don't mean to pry, but if you feel the need to talk to someone, I'm glad to lend an ear."
"I've just been having strange visions. I don't quite think it's anything that anybody can assist with; I need to figure it out in my own time."
Howard returned before Jarvis could say anything else. "I've gotten us two connecting rooms," he said, returning with a bellhop who took the two men's suitcases from the trunk of the car. Howard opened the car door for her, and handed Jarvis one of the room keys before he drove away to park the car.
"Well, shall we?" Howard said, holding his arm out as she looped her own arm through his. They made their way to their rooms. Each room had one king-sized bed, a couch, a dining area, and a large bathroom with a separate shower and soaking tub. "This room is yours, Jarvis and I will flip a coin for the other bed. If you need anything, just knock on this door," he said, walking through the door that adjoined the two rooms, "or you can leave it open, that's up to you. We'll leave our side open. I grabbed you another set of clean pajamas from the plane, I'll have them laid out for you in a bit. Are you hungry? I'll order room service, too."
"Yes, a meal sounds lovely. I'd like to take a bath first, if that's alright?"
"Absolutely, doll. Why don't we order first, that way it'll arrive when you're done with your bath?"
"Alright," she replied as he handed her a menu, "but I'd like it if we came up with a name other than 'doll', it feels...demeaning."
"I meant it affectionately, I promise. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."
"Thank you," she smiled, looking over the menu. As she was skimming through it, Jarvis arrived through the other hotel room.
"I'm going to place an order for room service. You want anything?" Howard asked, handing Jarvis a menu.
Jarvis quickly flipped through the menu. "Chicken Cordon-Bleu, with broccoli. And I'll take a cup of tea to drink."
"Okay," Howard said, turning towards her. "Know what you want?"
"Coconut shrimp and mashed potatoes. And a slice of chocolate cake."
"Anything to drink?"
"Wine?" she shrugged.
Howard chuckled. "I've got you covered," he said, picking up the room phone. "Hi there, I'd like to place an order to room 616 for room service. The first plate is coconut shrimp and mashed potatoes. Yes. Second is chicken cordon-bleu with broccoli. And third is a bacon cheeseburger, medium well, no onion, with french fries. For drinks, a cup of Earl Grey, a bottle of Scotch, and a bottle of Riesling. Oh, and one chocolate cake. Yep, that's it. Yes, add it to the room bill. Thanks." He hung up the phone. "Alright, you've got forty minutes if you still want to take a bath."
"Alright," she smiled, "might I get that clean change of clothing?"
"Ah, yes," Howard unzipped one of the suitcases, handing her a short, light blue nightgown. Jarvis saw it and coughed in embarrassment, looking at Howard with eyes wide.
She took the silken fabric from Howard and hurried into her room. Before she could close the door, Howard jumped up and stopped her. "What about The Star? Or just Star? Since you dropped out of the sky and all."
"I like that. I'll be along after my bath," she said, closing the adjoining door.
"Sir, that choice of attire for her was a poor decision on your behalf. You're going to push her away. She seems disinterested in the type of relationship you have a history of pursuing."
"Can't blame me for trying, Jarvis. She's beautiful."
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She laid the nightgown on the bed, hesitating a moment as she looked at it. She opened the closet in her hotel room, and was relieved to find a heavy white bathrobe. She tossed it next to the nightgown, mildly angry at Howard's brazen attempt to put her body on display.
She ran a hot bath as she stripped off the green pajamas she was still wearing from the plane, tossing everything into a pile by the door before stepping into the tub. It was a little bit too hot, and her skin reddened as she ran cold water to change the temperature. She closed her eyes as she relaxed in the water, thinking of her dark-haired prince again.
"Mine," she smiled to herself, "I don't even have a proper name for his impeccable face, yet I dare claim ownership of him. As though there actually exists such a soul..." Her thoughts trailed off within her head as another vision, another glimpse of him took over.
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"...I accept this marriage, I don't wish for it to be annulled." He stood before her, smiling, not taking his eyes off of her. She looked down and found herself wearing a breathtaking white gown.
"A wedding dress?! He's my..."
"Then, for your commitment to unforeseen circumstances," the older man reading their vows proclaimed, "I hereby deem you the..." His voice trailed off, hazy in her clouded memory.
At that, her prince grabbed her hand and they both vanished, reappearing within a different room, presumably his chambers.
"Is this real, or have I just fainted at the altar?" She was shaking.
"I told you that I'd keep you safe," he wrapped his arms around her, "now we belong to nobody but each other. My wife." Those two words echoed in her head. "Now, though, you've been through too much, emotionally. You're still shaking." He sat her down on his bed. "Rest here a moment, I'll run us a hot bath. You're safe now."
"His wife... Then that means that we...that he's the only man I've ever... Oh..."
He walked off into his bathroom and she heard running water. She kicked off her shoes as she gathered her dress in her hands and stood up, padding barefoot out onto his balcony. She stood staring out at the unbelievable view and didn't hear him come up behind her.
"Are you alright, love?" She nodded silently. "Come inside, the bath will help you relax." He took her hand and led her back inside. He turned and kissed her , soft and slow, before she turned around and pulled her hair over one shoulder.
"I'm yours. I'm sure I'll be alright."
"Can you untie my dress?" His breathing changed as he started loosening the back of her gown; she noticed his hands had begun to shake. Once it was loose enough, she pushed her clothing down at her feet, and she was left nude with her back to him.
"I didn't..."
She felt his eyes on her as she crossed the room to the bathroom. When she was in the doorway, she turned back to him. "Are you going to join me, husband?"
He blinked and nodded.
She turned back to the bathroom; it was dimly lit with two candles and the sunlight coming in through the doorway. She climbed into the still, hot water; he had been right, it was definitely soothing.
She looked up at him as he stood in the doorway; he had removed his shirt and boots. Now it was her turn to be left speechless. He was truly a god, in every sense of the word. Her breathing got heavier as her mind started to race. He finished undressing, and when she saw him fully naked, her eyes went wide.
"Oh my... He's perfect..."
When she looked up at his face, he had the biggest smile at her reaction. She blushed as he climbed into the bath with her. Once he sat down, she laid back against his chest and rested her head against his left shoulder. They laid together for a few minutes, still and silent.
The dream flashed forward and she was facing him, her hands moving over the most intimate parts of him as she grazed his neck with her lips. He was still and silent, his head thrown back and eyes closed, and his hands gripping the sides of the bathtub as he reveled in what she was doing to him. She couldn't believe what she was doing, but at the same time she completely understood it, given the magnetic draw she felt towards him.
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She was awakened by Jarvis lightly knocking on her door. "Are you alright, Miss Star? The food has arrived, I assume you would prefer to eat it hot."
It took her a moment to recognize where she was. "Yes, Mr. Jarvis, I'll be along shortly. Thank you." She drained the bathwater as she stood, stepping out of the tub and wrapping a towel around herself. She slowly opened the bathroom door and peeked her head out, checking to make sure that Jarvis had gone back into the other room. When she was positive that the coast was clear, she left the bathroom and sat on the edge of the bed, getting dressed in the tiny nightgown and wrapping the bathrobe around herself to cover up.
When she walked into the other hotel room, Howard's eyes darted to the doorway, but then looked disappointed when he saw her in the robe. He and Jarvis sat at the table in the dining area of the room, already eating their meals. She sat down with them and they ate in silence.
Once Howard finished eating, he spoke. "So tomorrow morning, if it's alright with you, Jarvis will ready the plane while we go shopping, and then afterwards we'll be on our way to the next destination. The flight will be about another eight hours, give or take."
Star nodded. Her mind was elsewhere, hung up on princes and castles. She picked at her food but couldn't concentrate on eating. After a few minutes, she looked up from her plate to find both men staring at her.
"Are you certain that you're alright?" Jarvis asked.
"Yes, I just... I'm just tired is all."
"Even after all that sleep you got on the plane?" Howard added. "Want me to save that chocolate cake for breakfast?"
"Yes," Star replied, "I think that would be best. If you don't mind, I'll finish my meal in my room." Without another word, she hurried into the other room, locking the connecting door behind her.
She pressed her back against the door, sliding down it as tears began to roll down her cheeks. There was an emptiness deep in her soul when she thought of him while she was awake; it was almost painful how badly she wanted to sleep forever, just to see him, hear him, hold him close.
She sat there for a moment, letting the feeling sink in; it was hard to wrap her head around it, this feeling of complete dedication to someone she'd only seen in dreams, but it felt more right than anything she felt while she was awake.
"I have to find him, somehow," she thought to herself as she stood, untying the bathrobe and letting it fall to the floor. She was only wearing the thin, silken nightgown, and it made her feel vulnerable and exposed. She padded across the carpet, pulling back the sheets and climbing atop the bed. She brought her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around her legs, pausing to think about everything she'd gathered about him so far.
"He's a prince, and my husband. My prince. Dark hair. Piercing eyes. A beaming smile, when I can elicit such a majestic sight. He's so much taller than I, he stood easily over a foot over me when he kissed me on the beach. And his body, when we were in the bath, when I... Touching him was so...alluring. Were I to infer some trace of truth exists in these reveries, what then? Might I surmise that he exists, that I've known him so intimately without any physical proof? Suppose I'm wrong, that I'm naught more than an unhinged cretin, chasing silhouettes from my own unsolicited euphoria. Perhaps, provisionally, it would be prudent of me to keep these visions concealed from my companions, until I've further understanding of these dreamscapes."
Her thoughts were racing as she tried to grasp some solidified reason behind these vivid fantasies. She knew enough to know it wasn't without purpose; the dreams were simply too realistic. She was able to feel and smell and taste, each of her senses exquisitely overloaded when he was near. As she laid down to sleep, she knew in the depths of her whole being that finding him was her first priority, above all else, and she wouldn't rest easy until she did.