Concerns and happiness
Everything proceeded as expected: the trip was almost finished and everyone were calm and relaxed, ready to enjoy that little holiday in Ireland. Almost all.
The Huntik team was gathered around the small table in the jet made available for them by the Foundation, seated on comfortable sofas and talking about this and that.
At one point Sophie got up to go to the bathroom and Lok did not lose the opportunity which he was waiting for speak with Dante, Cherit and Zhalia without that she heard. As soon as the door closed, he took the floor.
"Actually, I want to profit of this little mission also to make more appropriates presentations..." said with his eyes on the ground. "I want to talk with my mom about me and Sophie... ehrm... I don't know if... What do you think?"
"Remember that it's a mission." said Dante without thinking too much. "We must find Butterflying, and despite the Organisation's defeated, this will not be easy.
"I think it's a great idea!" rejoiced Cherit, trying to forget Lok of the Seeker's cold comment.
"Good! I'm glad you think so! What do you say, Zhalia? Is it a good idea?"
The girl seemed to awaken from a sleep. She has her head against the wall and was blankly looking out the window.
"Why do you make me a question like that?"
"Well... you're my friend. I want to know your opinion. And then..." Lok wanted to disappear, sensing Zhalia's reaction for the words he was going to say. "And then you're a woman. Maybe you can tell me more... you'd like that?"
Contrary to what was expected, the response was calm and serene: "There are women and women, Lok. And you know that Sophie and I cannot be compared. Anyway... Yes, I think... I think I'd like that." she said returning to look out of the window.
Just then Sophie left the bathroom and noticed the silence that had fallen in that jet's room.
"What's happening here? Something wrong?"
"Lok must talk with you. Didn't you?" Cherit said shrugging his ears and pushing the two in a small study. Then, noticing the tension that had been poured between the two Seekers, shut the door and said: "I'm going to ask for information to the pilot. It will take... ten minutes. Maybe more. You stay here quiet, huh! Don't worry!" And dashed toward the tip of the aircraft, opening the cockpit's door and disappearing inside.
"Something wrong?" asked Dante.
"It's all righ-"
"Don't lie to me." he said decided, without even giving her time to finish the sentence.
Zhalia was rather taken aback when confronted with those words. But Dante was right: she was lying. Something was wrong, and it was something that had impeded her from sleeping for three days, since Guggenheim announced that there would be a 'routine mission that would be enjoyable for everyone'. The Butterflying of Ireland. A small illusory Titan that shouldn't create them problems; Lok would see his family and everyone would spent some days in contact with the feature nature of the Emerald Isle. But the vegetation wasn't the only particular feature of Ireland. Zhalia had way to note that…
"Ireland seems to be the natural meeting point for Foundation's Seekers. And they're not all understanding like you. On the other hand, how can I tell they're wrong?"
"Are you worried that they could have resentments for what you've done?" girl's silence made Dante understand that he had hit the mark. "The past is past. I think you've remedied your mistakes."
"There are mistakes which are difficult to remedy."
Dante smiled and replied in a voice that neither him thought he could use:
"I'm sure they'll not have problems with you."
In the exact moment when the sentence ended, they heard Sophie scream. They rushed in the study and found the two kids hugged.
"You don't know what Lok's just told me!"
The three exchanged a meaningful look.
"We can guess..."
Before Sophie's euphoria could turn into doubt and then in angry, Cherit entered the room: "Gentlemen, please sit down and fasten your seat belts: the landing phase is about to begin!"