Misunderstandings

PART ONE

Prologue

Maybe it was coincidence, the two new displays appearing at the museum at the same time; one an Egyptian staff, the plaque underneath labelling it as the Staff of Kahmunrah, brother of Ahkmenrah; the other an ancient Egypt diorama in the hall of miniatures. It could have been a coincidence, but things like this rarely are.

That night as the tablet glowed and the museum started to come alive, the staff also glowed for the briefest of seconds before the light shot off down the corridors. No one seemed to notice, it was moving too fast to see, as it flew into the hall of miniatures, into the Ancient Egypt display and hit the tiny Pharaoh figure.

***

Kahmunrah blinked confusedly as he looked around the small version of Egypt he'd found himself in.

'Oh great,' he lamented, 'I've become one of those annoying tiny people.'

Hearing the sounds of the Wild West display drifting over from across the room, he looked over and noticed Jedediah. Ideas started to flit through his mind and he smirked menacingly.

'I think I can make this work.'

***

Octavius was feeling very nervous as he asked Jedediah if he could speak to him in private about something. After everything that had happened at the Smithsonian with Kahmunrah, the tiny general had decided he needed to tell Jed how he felt. Even if he was rejected, at least he would finally know for sure.

"So what is it you wanted to talk to me about Octy?" Jed asked curiously.

"Well, I am not really sure where to start Jedediah."

"Try the beginnin'"

Octavius frowned at the unhelpful suggestion, "Yes, obviously. We have become good friends recently, have we not?"

"Yeah, I guess so."

"I have become quite fond of you Jedediah."

Now it was the cowboy's turn to frown as he tried to figure out what Octavius was telling him, "What exactly are you tryin' to say?"

"I am saying that I am in love with you," Octavius took a deep breath and continued, cutting off Jed's response, "No, do not say anything yet! I do not think I could take hearing your rejection. Please. I will wait for you tomorrow night at the window just past the Africa room. If you do not show up... I will get the message."

He raised his hand hesitantly, as if to brush Jedediah's cheek, but seemed to think twice and dropped it.

"I hope, at the very least, that we can remain friends."

And with the final remark he spun around and hurried off, leaving a very confused and conflicted Jed behind.