"Here you go, boys!" Soara happily announced as she and Piper presented their spread for dinner on the table.
"Alright!" Finn and Junko both cheered together as they surveyed the feast. "We're gonna eat like kings tonight!"
"Rah!" Radarr jumped on the table and joined in the elation of the meal.
"Such a feast," Stork even beamed in awe. "I'd swear this was all a dream. Now for a taste to remind me that this is all real…"
"Wait a minute," Soara interrupted and halted everyone's forks. "Where's Aerrow? He's not at the table."
"Hey, that's right," Piper looked around. "Finn, where is Aerrow? Isn't he hungry?"
"I'm sure he is," Finn scratched his head for a moment. "But he said he wasn't feeling hungry. He went to his room and that was it."
"Well, if he's not hungry…" Stork leaned closer to the table. "I'll eat his helping. No sense in letting good food go to waste."
"No Stork," Soara sighed as she dished up a plate. "You can eat your fill. I'll take a plate to Aerrow. Despite what he says, he needs to eat a good meal."
"I don't think that's such a good idea right now, Soara," Junko pointed out. "Why don't we just wait for Aerrow to come out on his own?"
"Sadly, my friends, I don't have that leisure," Soara shook her head gingerly. "Time is short for me here, and my visit wasn't originally a social one."
"What do you mean?" Piper asked curiously.
"I'll explain later," Soara smiled. "I'll be back after I see to Aerrow. Go ahead and dig in." With the plate of food in hand, Soara departed the dinner table and walked through the passageways of the Condor heading for Aerrow's room. She knocked twice on the door, but there was no answer.
"Aerrow? Are you in there?" Soara called through the door. "Aerrow? I brought you some food. I know you must be hungry. Why don't you open up and eat some?" Still there was no answer from inside the room. Slightly frustrated, Soara huffed and opened the door.
"Hey!" Aerrow nearly jumped off his rack. "I didn't say to come in!"
"So you ARE in here," Soara replied. "The least you could have done was answer me when I knocked. Here, I bought you some dinner." She offered him the plate of food.
"I'm not hungry," Aerrow sternly turned away. "Now will you please leave me alone…"
"Is that any way to speak to your sister?" Soara scolded. "Especially after all this time? I had hoped you would've been happy to see me…"
"Why bother…" Aerrow sneered. "I hardly noticed you were even gone."
"Aerrow…" Soara took a step back. "I know you can't mean that. I know it must've been hard for you when I left, but…what else was I supposed to do? I was recruited by the squadron, and I had to leave."
"And you think that makes it OK?!" Aerrow snapped. "I was eleven years old, and you abandoned me!"
"I didn't abandon you, Aerrow!" Soara retorted. "I didn't have a choice! I became a Sky Knight because I thought I was doing what was best for YOU! And despite my best intentions, I was recruited by the Thunderbirds! You should understand my position! You're a Sky Knight as well now!"
"I don't need you to tell me what I need to know!" Aerrow fired back. "I have my friends, my own squadron, and my own life now! I don't need you or your lectures anymore, Soara!"
"Aerrow…" Soara stammered. "I…"
"Just go away," Aerrow rolled over on his rack, turning his back to Soara. "I want to be alone." Soara didn't reply to his request, but dropped the plate of food on a table in the room and walked out. Aerrow turned back over after the door to his room closed, leaving him indeed alone in the dark. He glanced at the dinner plate and sighed solemnly.
Soara walked quietly through the passageways on the way back to where the rest of the Storm Hawks were busily eating their dinner. She paused at the doorway, and looked at each of the other members of the Storm Hawks as they went about eating their meal…like a family.
"Soara?" Piper's voice broke Soara's little daze. "Is everything alright?"
"Oh, yeah," Soara smiled. "Everything's fine, Piper. I left the food in Aerrow's room so he could eat at his own leisure."
"Is he feeling alright?" Finn looked back and asked.
"Aerrow's just…tired I guess," Soara replied. "I'm sure he'll be right as rain in the morning."
"How long do you plan to stay?" Junko Looked up.
"Well, I guess I can stay the night," Soara thought for a moment. "It's too late for me to be flying solo back to my Squadron."
"Great!" Piper smiled. "We'll make up a place for you to sleep!"
"There's no need for such trouble," Soara raised her hand. "I don't mind sleeping out with the stars."
"I would advise against that," Stork shivered. "Who knows what could creep up on you out there, vulnerable in the dark."
"Stork is right," Piper agreed. "Besides, it wouldn't be right for us not to give you a room to sleep in. I insist."
"Well, since you all insist…" Soara snickered. "Alright. I'll take you up on the offer."
"Sweet!" Finn grinned. "Hey, maybe you can tell us about some of the things you've seen and done over the last few years! I'm sure everyone would like to hear them!"
"It would also help us catch up," Piper smiled. "I'm sure a lot has changed since you left."
"At least let her eat first guys," Junko broke into the conversation. "Soara hasn't had a chance since we keep asking her all these questions."
"You are still so considerate," Soara smiled warmly to Junko, as she sat down with the group. "I guess the more things change, the more they stay the same."
"Well, at least the good things about us stay the same," Junko laughed.
"There are, of course, bad habits that stay the same as well," Stork stated grimly.
"Still so grim an outlook, Stork?" Soara teased. "You'll never change."
"What can I say?" Stork beamed sarcastically. "This is as good as it gets." As the others continued to converse, Soara pulled Radarr over and whispered in his ear.
"Go check on Aerrow," Soara whispered. "Make sure he eats some of the food I left for him. Can you do that for me, Radarr?"
"Purrraw," Radar nodded and scurried off to Aerrow's room. He slipped through the door and jumped up on Aerrow's rack.
"Radarr?" Aerrow rolled over to face his furry friend. Radarr gave Aerrow his usual welcoming purr and rub before jumping over to the table where the plate of food still sat, untouched. Radarr pointed to the plate, making a bit of a ruckus.
"I'm not hungry," Aerrow replied, despite the fact his stomach was growling. "You can have it, if you want." Radarr put his hands on his little hips and snorted. The little critter picked up the meaty drumstick and tossed it, hitting Aerrow in the head.
"Ow!" Aerrow rubbed his head and looked at the drumstick. "What was that for, Radarr?! What's gotten into you?!"
"RawrRAH!" Radarr chirped pointing at the plate again.
"I see…Soara sent you here to check up on me. Didn't she?" Aerrow glared. Radar paused and nodded. "Well forget it! I said I'm not hungry, and I mean it! I'm not giving her the satisfaction of making me eat her food!" Frustrated, Radarr grabbed the plate and hurled the whole thing into Aerrow's face, nearly knocking him over. Aerrow pulled the plate off, his face and hair now covered in food scraps.
"Now you've gone TOO FAR Radarr!" Aerrow shouted. Radarr merely replied with a shaken fist. Dropping the plate, Aerrow grabbed Radarr by the ears and dropped him outside the door. "If you're going to act like this and take her side, then go spend the night with Soara! I don't need this…this…mutiny!" Aerrow then shut his door, leaving Radarr bewildered outside.
