Chapter 2: Dinnertime, mysterious going-ons and the encounter
After the train pulled into the platform of Stáisiún Dún Pádraig (Downpatrick Station), the gang disembarked with their luggage in tow.
Being a small town railway station, the main lobby wasn't as large or bustling with activity as Stáisiún Sráide Iontach Victoria (Great Victoria Street Station) in Béal Feirste (Belfast), so it didn't take long for the gang to find Velma's Uncle Cosmo and Madelyn waiting for them in the lobby.
"Maddie!" Velma exclaimed as she rushed over to her sister, who opened her arms and smiled. "Uncle Cosmo!"
"Velma, dear!" Cosmo smiled as the two sisters embraced briefly before Velma turned towards him for another hug. "It's been a while."
"I'll say." Velma agreed. "How are things so far with the restoration?"
"It's coming along." Cosmo replied. "Madelyn has been taking a great deal of interest in the work."
"Glad to hear." Velma said as she turned towards Madelyn.
Seeing the gang, Madelyn said, "I see you've brought the gang along with you."
"Indeed I have." Velma nodded before she turned towards the gang and Garfield. "Gang, this is our uncle Dr. Cosmo Dinkley. He's the archeologist that is taking part in the restoration work of Caisleán O'Flannery."
Then, turning towards her uncle, Velma continued, "Uncle Cosmo, this is the gang, comprising of Fred Jones, Daphne Blake, Norville 'Shaggy' Rogers and Scooby Doo."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Dr. Dinkley." Fred stepped forward as Cosmo extended his hand.
"The pleasure's mine." Cosmo smiled as Fred shook his offered hand.
"We heard a lot of great things you've done in the field of archeology, Dr. Dinkley." Daphne said as Cosmo turned towards her. "It's quite the interesting subject."
"Glad to hear." Cosmo said as he shook Daphne's hand.
Turning towards Shaggy and Scooby, Cosmo continued, "Mr. Rogers. Madelyn has spoken a great deal about you and your sister Margaret."
"Oh, yeah." Shaggy said as the others turned towards Madelyn, who beamed. "Like, she can get very excited about us, especially whenever she's hanging around with Maggie."
Cosmo nodded as he shook Shaggy's hand. "By any chance, you both wouldn't happen to be related to Dr. Henry Rogers, would you?"
"Like, he's our grand-uncle." Shaggy nodded. "Why? You know him?"
"Like many in the field of archeology, I certainly knew him by reputation." Cosmo explained. "I also had the pleasure of studying under his mentorship for my postgraduate thesis."
"Ah, glad to hear." Shaggy said before Cosmo turned towards Scooby.
"Well, well, I heard a lot about you, Scooby-Doo." Cosmo said cheerfully.
"Ri must've quite re reputation." Scooby remarked as he extended his paw to the archeologist.
"Of course Scooby does." Garfield remarked, prompting Fred to smile in amusement while Velma turned towards him.
"In addition, Uncle Cosmo and Maddie." Velma said, prompting Cosmo and Madelyn to turn towards her. "This is Garfield Wu. He's our friend from Canada and has agreed to tag along with the visit."
"How do you do, Mr. Wu?" Cosmo asked as he extended his hand to Garfield.
"I am doing well, Dr. Dinkley." Garfield replied as he shook Cosmo's offered hand. "A pleasure to be of acquaintance with you."
"Likewise." Cosmo smiled. "Where exactly in Canada do you hail from?"
"The national capital Ottawa." Garfield responded. "I take it you've been to Canada, yes?"
"Indeed." Cosmo nodded. "I've done a number of guest lectures at York University, University of British Colombia and McGill University."
"Ah, good to know." Garfield nodded before turning towards Madelyn and added, "And it's also a pleasure to meet you, Madelyn. Velma spoke highly of you."
"Oh, knowing her, she probably leave out the good parts whenever she talks about me." Madelyn chuckled as she shook Garfield's hand, prompting Velma to flush briefly as the others glanced towards her. "You have any siblings, Garfield?"
"Indeed I do." Garfield replied. "I have a younger brother named David and two younger sisters, named Diana and Emma, who are twins. In fact, Diana has been fascinated with archeology and aspires to become an archeologist some day."
"Ah, is that right?" Cosmo asked. "Good for her. What's your field of study in university, Mr. Wu?"
"Civil engineering." Garfield said.
"Ah, that's good to know." Cosmo nodded thoughtfully before he turned towards the rest of the gang and continued, "Either way, I suppose you all had a long day after taking the train from Dublin and Belfast."
"Indeed, Uncle Cosmo." Velma said. "In fact, it's definitely safe to say that our two resident walking appetites are starving from the long trip."
"Oh, I can certainly imagine, sis." Madelyn nodded before Cosmo led the way out of the station and she added, "Come on!"
A short while later, the group arrived at the small manor Cosmo and Madelyn have set up residence in for the duration of the restoration.
As the group made their way into the manor, they can see Caisleán O'Flannery overseeing the town from the nearby hill.
It was very much apparent that the manor, being located just a yard shy from the roadway intersection at the outskirts of the town, is practically the closest to the historic castle.
And even from the distance, it was equally apparent that the road the manor is situated on was hardly used beyond said intersection, where the bulk of the road traffic predominantly turns onto the perpendicular roadways.
After entering the manor, the gang were assigned to their individual rooms.
Naturally, Velma was assigned to Madelyn's room, which was one of two rooms equipped with a bunk bed, the other being the room Shaggy and Scooby were assigned to.
As the guests settled into their rooms and unpacked, Cosmo and his chef were down in the kitchen preparing dinner.
"Better double the output." Cosmo said to the chef, who nodded.
Soon, with the Irish stew, soda farl, colcannon and dessert ready to go, Cosmo went to the kitchen entrance and shouted, "Dinner's ready!"
Almost immediately, Garfield was the first to sprint out of his room, during which he almost collided with Fred on the way to the stairs.
"Guess you're looking to beat Shag and Scooby to the dinner table, eh Garfield?" Fred remarked.
"You know me, Fred." Garfield nodded as Daphne and the Dinkley sisters joined in. "Better get our plates ready before Shag and Scoob starves everyone else."
No sooner did they start climbing down the stairs did Shaggy and Scooby emerge from their rooms. "Hey, like, wait up!"
"We just got started in heading down the stairs, Shag." Daphne turned towards the duo as she climbed down the stairs before she teased, "What's the matter, your psychic powers for whenever food's ready not working?"
"Rey!" Scooby growled, though it was more playful in tone. "Re're still starving, rokay?"
"Not to worry, guys." Madelyn said. "I'm sure Uncle Cosmo's chef prepared plenty, not just for everyone, but also for your appetites."
Eventually, everyone had their plates served and have taken their seats around the dinner table.
In addition to the loaded dinner dish, Garfield also has a glass of water and a bottle of Cavan Cola as he sat on the opposite end of the table from Cosmo.
"Wow, you sure got plenty on your plate, Garfield." Velma remarked as Garfield took his seat.
"Yeah, I've been always interested in trying out Irish cuisine." Garfield nodded while placing the napkin on his lap. "Also figured that I can get as much on my plate as I can."
"Looks more like you on track to attaining the same appetite as Shag and Scooby if you decide to go for seconds." Daphne observed before nodding at the giant piles on Shaggy and Scooby's plates.
Like Garfield, the duo were also each carrying a bottle of Cavan Cola as they took their seats.
"Looks like you guys are also giving the Cavan Cola a shot, Shag." Garfield remarked as the duo get their napkins.
"Indeed we are." Shaggy nodded before he used a bottle opener to open the bottle.
After Garfield and Scooby followed suit, the trio each extended their arms with their bottles in hand as Shaggy continued, "Like, cheers."
Garfield nodded as their bottles clinked. "Cheers."
By the time the sun started to set, everyone was very much stuffed from dessert.
"Holy moly, I don't think I can eat another bite of gudge." Fred remarked as he wiped his mouth with a napkin and patted his stomach.
"You and me both, Fred." Velma agreed as she took a sip of water before turning towards Shaggy, Scooby and Garfield and remarked, "Though it certainly amazes me that Garfield seems to have an appetite almost on par with Shag and Scoob."
"You don't say, sis." Madelyn remarked. "What amazes me more is that Garfield seems to be able to completely wipe his plates clean."
"Indeed." Daphne said. "By the looks of things, it looks like there was hardly anything to begin with on Garfield's plates."
After taking a sip of water, Garfield laid back and exhaled briefly. "Well, I don't think I can take another bite."
"Yeah, we were thinking that your appetite is not going to be able to catch up to Shag and Scooby's, Garfield." Madelyn said.
"That's what happens when the cola literally fills your stomach up with gas." Garfield said before he covered his mouth to suppress a burp and added, "Excuse me."
Turning towards Shaggy and Scooby, Daphne remarked, "You guys sure enjoyed the meal, eh?"
"We sure did, Daph." Shaggy replied after finishing a slice of gudge. "Like, I might consider moving in to live in Ireland if that means being able to taste the delicious cuisine, wouldn't you agree, Scoob?"
"Reah." Scooby agreed. "Re-he-he-he-he-he-he-he!"
"Anyways, I'm going to head outside for a walk." Garfield said as he stood up and gathered his plates and utensils. "Any of you guys wanting to join me?"
"You can count me in, Garfield." Shaggy nodded as he stood up as well before patting his stomach as he added, "Nothing calms the stomach down better than going out on a walk, right Scoob?"
"Reah." Scooby agreed as he patted his stomach.
Garfield then turned towards Fred and the girls and added, "Are any of you guys gonna join us?"
"You guys can go ahead, Garfield." Fred said. "I still got plenty to unpack."
"Thought I told you not to overpack, Fred." Daphne said to him.
"You did." Fred said sheepishly. "Guess the extra luggage handling fees at the airport and train station are on me, huh?"
Garfield, Shaggy and Scooby shared glances with each other briefly before Garfield picked up the plates and utensils and nodded towards the kitchen.
After a brief detour to his room, Shaggy and Scooby were waiting as Garfield came down the stairs with his instant camera in hand.
"We'll see you guys later back here, Dr. Dinkley." Garfield said when he and the duo were at the door.
"Alright." Cosmo nodded. "Just don't get lost out there, especially when it gets dark."
After Shaggy, Scooby and Garfield had left, the Dinkley sisters were busy helping out with the dishes with Cosmo and the chef in the kitchen while Fred and Daphne were back in their respective rooms.
"Well, I gotta say you guys have settled down well into staying here in Downpatrick with us, Velma." Madelyn remarked as she placed the dirty dishes into the sink.
"That, we did, Maddie." Velma nodded. "Though I'm surprised that the guys were willing to go out for a walk as it gets darker outside."
"Thought you told them that the gryphon was part of a legend." Madelyn remarked.
"I did, not that I should expect that our stay will be interrupted by a mythical creature that doesn't exist." Velma said.
"Well, about that, I'm afraid there's actually more to the invitation to stay with us here than at first glance, Velma." Cosmo said.
"What do you mean by that, Uncle Cosmo?" Velma raised an eyebrow.
"In the past couple of weeks, there has been some strange going-ons near the castle that has been scaring away the staff members working on the restoration." Cosmo explained. "No one has been able to fully pinpoint what exactly was the cause for those strange going-ons."
"Strange going-ons?" Velma asked as she put down a plate she was washing. "As in anything related to the mystic reputation of the Caisleán O'Flannery?"
"Specifically, the scared-away staff members have been reporting sightings of the gryphon guarding the castle." Cosmo said. "Now, knowing your skepticism towards anything related to the supernatural, I'm sure you would likely dismiss the gryphon appearances as possibility some prank or something else that is criminal in nature."
"Like a thief taking advantage of the legends to hide his loot, for example." Velma offered.
"Yes, that." Cosmo nodded. "But what my assistants have reported over the past couple weeks, along with what Madelyn and I have witnessed a few days ago...that was more than just some prank or disguise."
"Giant feathers and pawprints, for instance." Madelyn interjected. "If someone was using a giant gryphon costume that is in such a large size, there's no way said costume can be stored in somewhere hidden in town."
"And even if the costume was inflated, there's no way the sighted pawprints near the castle grounds would have the same depth and suggested density than what would be expected from a costume." Cosmo added. "And that's just the groundwork alone, there's no way to explain how is it that the gryphon was able to take off and land the way it did."
"Hmmm." Velma nodded thoughtfully. "And you're positive that the feathers found near where the gryphon was reported to be sighted couldn't have been from a costume?"
"If it was a indeed a costume, there's no way to explain the realistic texture of the feathers." Madelyn said.
"The schedule for the restoration has already been put off as a result of those ruffled feathers from the gryphon sighting." Cosmo added. "If that creature continues to cause trouble around here, further putting back the schedule of the restoration work, the county executive will pull the plug on funding."
"Right." Velma nodded again before she turned towards them and said, "The gang and I will see what we can do about this."
Cosmo nodded. "Appreciate you and the gang looking into this, Velma."
Back outside, the trio were walking down the main street as the sun began to set.
"So where do you suggest we go for our walk, Garfield?" Shaggy asked.
Garfield glanced around before he nodded towards the castle. "Well, I was thinking we can take a walk around the castle grounds."
Shaggy stopped as they turned towards the castle. "Like, you think that's a good idea, Garfield? The place is undergoing restoration as Velma's uncle said, plus aren't you going to worry about the gryphon lurking around and potentially snatching us?"
"Which is why we're sticking together." Garfield replied as he motioned towards Caisleán O'Flannery. "Besides, the gryphon's appearance is just a myth, and even if the gryphon does appear, it wouldn't harm someone who graduated from a high school that has a gryphon as a mascot."
"When you put it that way, I guess it doesn't hurt to give it a shot, Garfield." Shaggy sighed as he and Scooby followed Garfield. "But maybe let's not wonder off too far on the castle grounds."
"Of course not." Garfield nodded. "Not when it's getting darker as we speak."
"Right." Shaggy nodded back as they made their way towards the castle.
As the trio approached the castle grounds, Garfield continued, "Did you guys know that a gryphon denotes strength, intelligence and bravery, considering that it is a hybrid between an eagle and a lion?"
"Well, it is one fierce creature, Garfield." Shaggy said. "Though when you put it that way, I suppose it explains why your old high school has a gryphon as a mascot."
"Indeed." Garfield nodded as he adjusted his glasses.
In no short time did the trio arrive at the castle grounds, during which the castle makes its towering presense known.
"Zoinks, the castle has always stood out from the distance." Shaggy remarked. "But I never imagined it to be this big."
"You and me both, Shag." Garfield agreed as he examined the castle wall in front of them before capturing a picture. "Quite the Renaissance architectural design, I must say."
He then looked up towards the top of the towel and whistled. "Combined with the Gothic design, which fits with the Earl of Down's gothic and macabre reputation."
Both Shaggy and Scooby swallowed as they nodded in response to Garfield's remark, during which he captured a few more photos.
Holding his camera, Garfield arched his eyebrows briefly before he said, "I still got a couple more frames left, guys. Want me to take a picture of you guys with the castle in the background?"
"Sounds like a groovy idea, Garfield." Shaggy said as he and Scooby enthusiastically leaped into the frame.
Just as Garfield was ready to take the picture, a loud shriek from the nearby woods attracted their attention.
"Holy cow, what was that?" Garfield asked as the trio whipped around.
There were some leaves falling from the nearby trees, prompting the trio to share glances with each other briefly before looking around.
"Doesn't sound like the wind." Shaggy said nervously.
"That definitely wasn't the wind." Garfield said as he put down his camera and walked towards the nearby trees.
Before Shaggy and Scooby went to join him, they were startled when the two people from earlier came rushing out of the woods and almost collided with Garfield.
Immediately, the duo rushed over to Garfield and the couple.
"Oh, pardon me." Sherman said after he and Treena almost knocked over Garfield.
"No worries, though you both looked like you were running away from something." Garfield said.
"Indeed we were." Treena panted.
"Like, what was it that you guys were running away from in the woods?" Shaggy asked as he and Scooby joined them.
Before Treena or Sherman can answer, the loud shriek from earlier repeated itself, this time more loudly, prompting Shaggy, Scooby and Garfield to look up.
"That." Treena pointed towards the creature flying in the sky, prompting Garfield to take out his camera and capture a shot.
"Zoinks!" Shaggy exclaimed as he pointed towards the creature. "Is that what I think it is?"
"Afraid so." Garfield replied as he held up the developed photo and showed it to the others. "It's a gryphon alright."
Just then, the gryphon flying in the sky shrieked again, prompting the group to look up, in time to see it swooping down towards them.
Immediately, Garfield put down his camera and shouted, "Scatter!"
Without hesitation, the group promptly scattered around before the gryphon can swoop down and grab either one of them.
"Head back to town!" Sherman exclaimed.
The others only kept running with their hands covering over their heads as the gryphon shrieks loudly in its second attempt to swoop down at them.
Back in the manor, Fred, Daphne and the Dinkleys were in the living room, conferring about what Cosmo and Madelyn have discussed with Velma earlier.
"Definitely sounds like something's up, Dr. Dinkley." Fred was saying. "I can feel it."
"When you put it that way, it sounds like you might have unintentionally disturbed Lord O'Flannery's resting place, triggering the wrath of the gryphon." Daphne added with a frown. "But I'm certain that you both know as much as I do that gryphons are only mythical creatures."
Before any of the Dinkleys could offer something, their idle conversation was interrupted by plenty of hurried footsteps arriving at the front door, followed by door-knocking.
Immediately, Cosmo walked over to unlock and open the door, only to be forced to duck out of the way when Shaggy, Scooby and Garfield came plowing into the house, almost mowing him down in the process.
"Jeepers, you guys looked like you've seen something." Daphne remarked.
"What happened?" Madelyn added.
"You guys wouldn't believe what we ran into while taking a walk on the castle grounds." Garfield huffed as he, Shaggy and Scooby catch their breaths.
"Let me guess:" Cosmo said as he joined them. "It was the gryphon that was supposed to be protecting Caisleán O'Flannery."
"You got it." Garfield reached into his pocket and pulled out the photo he had just taken and showed it. "How'd you figure?"
Before anyone could reply, another shriek, this time louder and much more different than the gryphon's shriek, attracted their attention.
"Now what?" Velma asked before they all rushed out of the manor and onto the streets, where they were joined by several other townsfolk rushing towards the source.
When they arrived at the source, there was nothing in the creation of mankind that can prepare them for the ghastly sight in front of them, as evident by the horrified looks on one of the neighbours faces.
The neighbour in question had her hand covering her mouth, which prompted the gang and the onlookers to look towards what she was looking at.
"Zoinks!" Shaggy exclaimed at the sight.
"Jinkies!" Both Velma and Madelyn exclaimed in the same time.
"Jeepers!" Daphne exclaimed.
"Holy moly!" Fred added.
Garfield didn't say anything when he spotted the dead body laying on the floor. Instead, his eyes were focused when he spotted something burned onto the wall near the body.
It was a rough outline of a skull, complete with what appeared to be a snake emerging from the skull's mouth.
"咱(我們)緩和的旅遊會當(可以)告一段落矣(了)。" (So much for our relaxing trip.) He muttered to himself.
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