Chapter 3 [That night—Loft, Kent Farm]
Clark sat on the old couch and bounced a tennis ball against the creaking boards at his feet. He had picked at his dinner despite that he usually wolfed down his mother's meatloaf and mashed potatoes. His mind kept going back to that scene at the orchard…..
….back to the hate and prejudice….
What did he do wrong? He only wants to buy some apples! He tossed the ball harder than he meant to at the stairs.
In response, the ball caromed streaking through the open window and into the darkness below.
Terrific. Just another way to make the day complete! He rubbed the back of his neck in consternation. While he recalled his parents' fears and notions about others' reactions to differences, he didn't really buy them at face value.
Not until he'd seen those reactions for himself….Byron, Sasha, Alicia, Eric Summers….
Still the scene in the alternate Rowenshire still weighed on him. He remembered watching the Professor's younger self being beaten….and the Protector emerging for the first time in response. When will the cycle stop? He felt a slight chill and bit of breeze in the still warm autumn air. He turned to see Heloise watching him expectantly. "How long…?"
"For only a minute, Clark. Please relax," the priestess assured him. "We saw the scene this afternoon in Althanor." She sighed deeply. "Goddess be praised that the fall out wasn't worse. Thank you for your discretion."
"You're welcome, I guess. Wish I could've done more. I don't get it. Mr. Ralston's always been really nice to everyone. I just don't understand how he could feel the way he does toward the Professor. Is it always like this?" he put forward in frustration.
She pondered his assessment measuring a proper response before firing away. "People fear those who are different than they are. Despite his intentions to live in peace with others, Dubois has a dangerous darkness in him. While they are right to be concerned, our neighbors pour kerosene on that particular fire through their reactions. I will attempt to make sure that he gets through the conference undisturbed."
"Just get him thinking about history," Clark suggested.
"True. If it was just about any place else, I'd agree. We will be very close to the Vendee. My mother's spirit will be waiting. So will Dijon. I will have my work cut out for me, I fear," Heloise pointed out.
You have assistance if need be, Jor-El chimed in.
"I appreciate that. Thank you," Heloise expressed. "Meantime perhaps you might keep an eye here? One of the reasons for my return concerns the buildup of energies between realms. As with Lousain's incursion, something stirs the pot anew. Be vigilant."
We shall. Can you clarify the nature of the threat? Jor-El queried.
"I do not know. Our seeress has foretold the coming of several threats from other places yet unknown to us. My mother will have a role in it. Given her ambition, it cannot be lightly dismissed in any case," she explained. "Be wary."
"We'll keep an eye out as best we can," Clark agreed. "Anything else?"
Heloise nodded. "Oui. Be mindful about Alexandre's houseguest. She is a troublesome pest that one. Be polite and courteous of course but mindful."
Clark quirked an eyebrow. "Lex said he and Chloe wanted to welcome Lois to town. Why would she act up?"
She has ties to your armies, Kal-El. Be aware as Heloise advises. I will tell Lana as well, Jor-El concurred before going silent.
"I'm sure you will be on your guard, Clark. That's all we require. Now shall we go and see your son? I wish to check on Ryan for myself," she directed.
"Sure. Follow me." Clark led her down the wooden stairs and across the driveway toward the farmhouse. "We were wondering where you were."
She shrugged. "Unfortunately I had business with my sister priestesses. Lana and you seem to be handling things sufficiently well. I admire how you two improve with your flying talent." Seeing his puzzled reaction, she added, "We see everything there."
"Uh okay. So that's how you know about Isobel's ghost?" he queried while opening the door and leading her into the house.
"Indeed." She looked about. "Where are your parents?"
"Mom and Dad went over to Lex's. Just a minute," he explained. Lana?
Clark? What's going on? Is everything okay? Lana asked expectantly. Give me a minute. I'm putting Ryan down now.
Bring him downstairs if you can. Heloise wants to see him.
Okay. Lana sighed reluctantly knowing how Ryan was almost asleep. "Come on, Little Guy. Grandma wants to see you." She picked her son up and cradled him gently in her arms. Then she slowly descended the stairs with her precious cargo. "Hi, Heloise. Everything all right?"
"Bon Soir, Lana. I have several different purposes for my visit tonight. I was talking with Clark and Jor-El about them. Meantime can I see Ryan? I apologize for the hour but…." Heloise explained.
"For a couple of minutes. Sorry but I want him to get his rest," Lana indicated while handing her son over to her ancestor.
Heloise smiled warmly and kissed Ryan's brow. "May you know peace, Little One, in all things." She rocked him in her arms slowly. "He is beautiful. You two have a great deal to be proud of."
"Thank you. Can I get you some coffee? I was about to put a pot on," Lana offered while heading for the kitchen.
"Merci. I would appreciate a cup," Heloise accepted while making sure Ryan had fallen asleep. "I was telling Clark of a prophecy."
"Another one? Do we ever get a week to ourselves?" Lana supposed in consternation.
"It has been a couple of months, Dear," Clark retorted half-seriously.
She rolled her eyes at him leaving no doubt as to her mood toward his reminder. "I suppose. It seems like there's a new crisis every day. Bad enough Chloe's cousin is going to be a handful tomorrow but this too?"
"Jor-El told me to be careful of Lois," Clark noted.
"We handle it like anything else, Clark. Lex and Chloe aren't sharing any secrets. Neither should we at this point. If it gets too bad, we can always leave." Lana shook her head as she started the pot brewing. "Now I wish Chloe hadn't asked us. We should support our friends but…."
"Just be mindful as Clark said. You will be fine," Heloise advised. "To back out now would cause an unnecessary scene." She took a damp washcloth and wiped Ryan's brow. "As for the prophecy, it seems we have another interdimensional event on our doorstep. We know not from where or involving whom, it is coming however. Our seeress has felt its coming but it is from a source and time we cannot tell or know of."
"So it isn't from our friends' universe as Lousain's invasion was?" Clark wondered.
"Not this one. Our friends will be involved somehow but they are not at the source. Three threats will intersect in an adjacent realm. One of them will touch the Wabash Commune soon. Another will surface here involving you both. A third is already in the new dimension endangering the denizens therein," Heloise clarified. "We will need the Legion's full capabilities for this danger."
"What about the Protector? I'm sure he's right in on it too," Clark supposed.
Lana poured the coffee and fixed the mugs as each person liked it. "Here we go. Are you sure involving the Professor in something like this?"
"Where you two are concerned, he shall be, mon filis." Heloise set Ryan down in his crib. Then she savored the hot refreshment. "Mmm….tres bien! This is marvelous." She took another draught from it. "You should contact Miranda as well. Her sensei will wish to be aware and send assistance."
"We'll do that," Lana agreed wanting the excuse to drop in on Miranda over in Japan as always. "Meantime how are things with Deirdre? Everybody okay back in time?"
"As much as they can be. They adjust to their challenges both in the commune and the hidden realm as always." Heloise sipped again from her cup. "Your skill with the coffee pot improves each time, my Dear."
"Nice to hear," Lana accepted with a smile before elbowing Clark in the side.
"Hey! I wouldn't argue with that," Clark protested.
She smirked and winked at him. "Glad to hear that, Mr. Kent. Now let's enjoy this coffee before it gets cold."
"Always." He stole a kiss off of his favorite barista's cheek before going back to his own cup.
Seemed the night had more challenges than just a dinner engagement. A lot more challenges indeed…..