Past the almost rude awakening, he realizes he isn't sure what surprised him more: to find Emet there, closer than they would willingly approach the other in any other situation, or that Emet had actually fallen asleep beside him. The man had confessed a love of slumber, and much as the Exarch had been focused on other things at the time and not truly interested in idle rambling, he was listening.

There is no love for the man in him, but he leans back against the bench again after a moment and lifts his gaze to the trees across the way. As shock swept away and he resigned himself to continued unexpected visits from the Ascian, the pull of sleep crept warily back, keeping its distance in the presence of one of the greatest threats to life and limb his people had ever known. For the present, there may be no danger, but he held little faith that it would remain that way always.

"I see our impromptu meetings are likely to continue, then. Now that you know I do sleep longer than forty winks, I hope I will be given some manner of warning before our next conversation."