Neu Uburzis City, 24. December 2019
City Main Hospital, 10 AMFritz had lost his hair during Chemo, but it wasn't enough. He was in dire need of a marrow Transplant. His Doctor came in to his room, slightly unnerved from the Press Sieging the Childrens Hospital:
"Annoying Vultures." he heard his doctor say, as he just stared out of the Window and at the Palace up on the Mountainside. At least it was a great view, not that he would have much longer.
He slowly stood up and got ready for inspection, before the doctor put on a stern face: "Don't over extend yourself. You need rest in the next days."
The teen sat down, looking out of the Window:
"For what even? I'm not gonna make it much longer without a Donor anyway...."
The doctor sat down, which made Fritz raise an eyebrow, the guy never sat down and just usually glanced him over.
"Your Parents are here."
Fritz sat in silence, his Parents entering. He couldn't bear the pressure of looking at them. They always where so optimistic, they always supported him, all he had felt was pain and disappointment for the last weeks. They gave it their all, but he couldn't muster the strength to believe in his own recovery. What a disappointment he was.
"We found one." Was all his Mother said:
"Merry Christmas, Son." his Dad added.
Fritz couldn't answer, Tears staining his PJ's
Imperial Palace, 11 AMOrion knew it was a big day for those Orphans, but with Augustin in Hospital he was distracted. Finishing recording a little Scene on his Phone for his Nephew starring a very Well and lively Schnuffelchen. He wouldn't have much time to spend with him as he was hosting guests, and it hurt Orion, but he knew his Duty for these Kids came before Augustin. And somehow the Emperor felt that his strong headed little Nephew would agree, even if it made him sad. These Youngsters had this one day, and Orion had to make sure it was a day outshining all the tragedies they carried.
He quickly tugged in his Phone, and put Schnuffelchen back into the Enclosure, high-fiving the eldest of the Royal 11 on his way out: "Make sure it's presentable, i can't trust that to the younger ones, Sebastian."
"Zeus is /always/ presentable." Sebastian retorted, before ridding himself of his School Uniform: "I'll wear one of my more Royal Outfits. don't worry." he called to Orion, who hurried off to the Palace Tram station.
The Emperor arrived just in Time for the four Trams with shy and unsure Orphans driving up. He gave them his best 'Stern Royal' look as they where escorted to the Court in front of the Guest house by their Caretakers. He walked a couple of steps along a raised Section, hands behind his back, before addressing them:
"Honored Guests, here at the Palace, we follow strict rules." Orion had to almost laugh at that one, but it was all for a bit of show:
"Please do not wander alone, it is rather easy to get lost. But first of all, we can't let you arrive with these..." he made a very over the top disgust noise:
"Peasant attires. Go see the Imperial Custodians immediately to acquire fitting garments for the occasion."
He then ended up laughing at his own voice, breaking character:
"Alright kids, enough with the nonsense. You are here to have a great day, so we won't make you follow protocol. We do however have a huge choice of clothing fit to make you look the Part for a true Imperial Dinner. Usually i would be there with you during Lunch, but i will be visiting my Nephew in Hospital. We will meet for Playtime and the Palace Tour. Please forgive my absence, the Prince Regent, the Princes and the Princesses will fill for me until then."
It was then Time for a suprise for Orion in Return, with the Orphans all together holding up self drawn Pictures of Bunnies with various Degrees of "Get well" written on them. A quick swipe on his Phone a couple Pictures the young Emperor was on his way to the Hospital
City Main Hospital, 1 PMOrion slowly let go of Augustin, giving his Nephew a big Good bye hug as the young boy had been balling his eyes out for the last couple of minutes, even if his sobs where muffled from the over strained and still sore throat. The drip infusion still in his arm the little fighter was more than a little unhappy he wasn't allowed to go home over the holidays. But what had kicked him over the edge in a full on sob, which made his pains worse considering his injuries, was when Orion had shown him all of the Pictures on the Internet from East Moreland, the Orphans, and the Internet in General.
He had just ensured Augustin had slipped back into bed before leaving, where he met a waiting hairless young teen outside the door. Well, Orion guessed he was a young teen at last, what he saw was frail and thin wearing a face mask.
Orion gave a nudge to the Bodyguards that stood menacing at the door, allowing him to approach Fritz.
"Is this even save for you here?" Orion raised an eyebrow looking the other teen over: "No it's not." Orion stated before the Teen could answer:
"So why are you here risking your life?"
"I'm uhm..." the boy stammered, nervous to now come face to face with his Emperor. The boy cramped a paper in his hands together, ready to abandon his quest as he started to turn around, Orion snatched the Paper, glancing it over: "Don'T mind me invading your Privacy here, but since you aren't spilling the bea... ah. I see." Orion smiled more warm: "I'd give you a hug, but i'm not exactly bacteria free."
He turned around to glance at Augustins door, then back at Fritz: "I don't know if today is a good day, he is still recovering from emergency surgery and had a lot of Visitors today."
"I understand, your Majesty." Fritz answered, even though with hanging shoulders.
A door creaked, and Augustin stumbled outside with his feet bare, dragging the dripping infusion behind him he crossed his arms as good as he could without touching the needles.
"Augustin you should rest..." Orion spook, earning glaring daggers from his little defiant Nephew with the still scarlet red eyes from crying earlier, before Orion turned to fritz: "Well, he wont have no for an answer."
Fritz slowly went over, carefully hugging Augustin, as the frail teen whimpered like a Dog:
"Thank you... thank you. For my second chance."
Augustin silently gave the Teen a thumbs up, while tearing himself from the hug. Orion glanced over the Paper. He knew he shouldn't but... well. Seems they found a Match for Fritz from one of the Genetic Typings that Augustin had hosted this December.
Imperial Palace, 6 PMOrion sat at a Table in the Large Dining Hall, watching his Family and the Orphans having a grand Banquet. He picked up his Crystal glass, standing up before knocking at it with the side of his Spoon:
"I have an announcement to make. You might have Noticed several Large rooms all across the Palace on your Tour that we didn't open. Here's a little secret for you. We prepared for all of you to have a sleepover. We have rooms in the Palace, in the Old castle, and some other Part of the Grounds. The only thing left for you is to Pick where you want to stay for the Night. Also, you can try and convince my nieces and nephews to stay with you guys and gals as well. I will stay with one group as well, but i wont tell which one, that is going to be a secret."
The room broke into a loud cheer and just as fast a fight for the Attention of Orion's Nephews and Nieces. The young Emperor could barely hear his own thoughts as a Servant rushed in, next to Albrecht, handing Orion a Tablet and a Wireless Headset.
Glancing over the Text, Orion cursed: "Verdammte Scheiße!"
[1]Before the room fell silent, all Children and Adults alike shocked at Orion's more than Colorful Expression.
"I'll be back in a bit." he proclaimed, before rushing out.
Sebastian turned to the Orphans, before he cleared his Throat: "Just to be clear, if anyone of us others would say that we'd at the very least get slapped. So do not take that as an example."