Everyone who worked there came into the Hyperion early the next morning and found Polgara sitting quietly where they had left her still sewing. Trusting Sally to make her aware of any changes in Spike's condition she got up without a word and went into the kitchen to begin breakfast. She knew that it would only be a matter of time before the Slayers began to wake. As she was stirring the pancake batter, Fred joined her.
"Is there anything I can do to help? There's going to be a lot of mouths to feed around here." Fred said. Polgara nodded toward the cutting board and fruit on one of the cabinets. Fred began to chop the fruit and put it in a bowl Polgara had placed on the cabinet beside her. They worked in silence but in a synchronicity that comes from women working in a kitchen for years. It didn't matter they had never worked together before. This was a ritual as old as society itself. After a few moments of silence, Fred asked, "You don't say much do you?" Polgara smiled a small smile and replied, "I've been around a long time. I guess I just don't have much left to say." "I have some questions about you and Sydney. Will you answer them?" Fred asked hesitantly and then added a soft "Please?" Without looking up from the stove, Polgara answered, "Of course. What would you like to know?" "Well, actually it's not so much about you and Sydney. It's more about me and the Prophecy." Fred looked at her and she nodded her head indicting for her to continue. "After talking with everyone last night it seems some of us are mentioned and I was wondering if I have a task, like Willow or Spike." Polgara looked at her and smiled, "Yes, child. You are mentioned and yes you have a role to play as do all of the others." Fred smiled at that. She was important. "What am I suppose to do?" "You are to do what you've always wanted to do. Learn everything you can, fall in love, get married and have children. You, my dear, are the mother of a very important line and we will be watching over your descendants for centuries to come," Polgara told her.
Fred's face fell. "That's all?" She asked not bothering to hide her disappointment. "I don't get to go on some challenging adventure?"
Polgara inwardly smiled. She really was cute. "I would have figured you had enough adventure the years you spent in Pylea. And as for not being challenging...who's the mystery man because last I heard you were one eligible lady. Are there any long term plans for building a life together and starting a family?"
Fred adverted her eyes from Polgara's knowing gaze and finished the fruit she had been working on. Polgara's eyes softened and she approached Fred. She placed her hand on Fred's shoulder to get her attention. Polgara handed her a potato so she could begin the harsh browns and said, "No worries, dear. It will happen soon enough. You'll know when the time is right. Trust yourself and don't go rushing into anything that you are not completely sure is true."
With those words of wisdom being spoken, they both felt better and continued to fix the large meal. When they were putting the final touches on to the brunch, Sydney came into the kitchen feeling more energized now that she had a good night's sleep. When Polgara noticed her trying to sneak pieces of fruit off the tray she commented wryly, "Right on time as usual."
"You know Grandfather taught me well." Sydney smiled.
"What's that?" Fred asked.
Sydney began to recite like a child at his lessons, "Never show up before the food is ready to be served. Never worry about taking the last serving. Always leave before everyone is done eating."
Fred couldn't help but laugh. Polgara scowled, "leave it to Old Wolf to turn laziness into a subject to be taught."
The ladies began to take the food through the lobby and into a conference type room down the hall. They weren't surprised the hotel had come alive while they were busy in the kitchen. The potentials were scattered about it groups, gossiping as teenage girls do. Spike had awoken due to the persistent chattering. He had managed to sit up this morning and Sally had moved from his chest to his lap. He really didn't want her sitting there but she was determined. Every time he would push her off, she would only touch the floor long enough to jump back up. He didn't even have time to put his arms down. They did that about 30 times in a row before Spike finally relented.
On her way back through after unloading her arms, Sydney approached Spike who was still glaring at Sally. She was just looking back at him daring him to try and make her move.
"Sally, if he doesn't want you in his lap, move your ass." Sydney said. Sally let out a protesting cry but moved to lie next to Spike's thigh. Spike looked at Sydney gratefully and she said, "I'm sorry about that. She is really odd about wear she lays. Once she gets a spot in mind, it's harder than hell to convince her to move. How are you feeling?"
"Better but I'm still weak," he replied.
Sydney nodded, "It's no wonder. I was surprised you didn't wake up during the night hungry."
"I did and uh..." Thinking that Sydney thought he didn't feed because she was never woke and that perhaps Polgara wasn't suppose to feed him, Spike trailed off. Spike never was the best liar and Sydney immediately recognized him trying to think of a possible alternative to the truth.
The entire lobby seemed to vibrate when she screamed "POLGARA. GET YOUR ASS IN HERE NOW."
Polgara who had been making her way into the lobby with a second load of dishes calmly replied, "Now, now there's no need to shout. I'm right here. What is the problem?"
As Polgara addressed Sydney she made her way over to the counter and set the plates down so she could deal with her seemly irate daughter. When her arms were empty, she turned to face her and Sydney's eyes were automatically drawn to the bandage on her wrist from a recent injury. All the hurt and anger that had been coursing through her system quickly changed to love and gratitude. She quickly went to Polgara and wrapped her arms around her. Sydney then placed a gentle kiss on her cheek and whispered a soft thank you in her ear.
Polgara returned the hug and said, "Just because I don't approve of the method of healing doesn't me I'm going to turn my back on a patient."
Sydney drew back and looked at her. "I know. That's why I thought you would wake me."
"Just because I don't approve of the method of healing doesn't me I'm going to turn my back on a patient or put you in danger," Polgara rephrased. "You were too weak. You couldn't give any more, safely."
Sydney only nodded and gently squeezed Polgara's hand in a silent thanks. Sydney then went to Spike and asked if he could walk. He thought he could and they left the room, searching for some privacy so he could feed.
After they left the room, Polgara was about to begin gathering the dishes back up when Xander came up and offered to help her carry some of it. When they entered the conference room they began to set the table.
"So, you've become a drinking fountain for the undead too?" Xander said.
Polgara immediately stopped what she was doing and turned to face him. Her eyes flashed only briefly but it was long enough for Xander to see horrible images of just exactly she was capable of. Compared to what she had shown him, everything else felt like a fond memory.
When she began speaking her voice was callous and firm, "I don't care of your feelings for Spike or of you feelings for this situation. You will respect me and you will respect my daughter, even if it is only fear for the power we yield."
Xander nodded and quickly added an apology. He was beginning to understand the true caliber of power they now had on there side, if only he could manage not to piss them off.
She hadn't intended to react as fiercely as she had but wolves often do when they feel their cubs are threatened. Realizing that perhaps she was being too hard on the boy and he hadn't really meant any harm, Polgara quickly softened. She hadn't gotten used to Xander use of bad humor to deal with situations yet. After returning to her task she spoke, "I'm sorry I might have overreacted. I'm not used to being around so many people and I'm afraid my social skills may have declined. I don't pick up on subtleties as easily. I'm used to someone just saying what they want to say and asking what they want to ask."
At that moment, they both realized Anya had joined them in the room. She had watched the interaction avidly. "He's just freaking out because Sydney reacts to the extreme to the littlest of things, especially when it comes to Spike. He wants to know why and doesn't know how to ask," she said as she pick up some silverware and began placing along side the plates that had already been laid out.
"I like you," Polgara said as she watched Anya.
"Thank you. I agree with you. Everything would be much easier if everyone would learn how to communicate effective and efficiently. It's really what causes most of their problems."
"Too true." Polgara then turned to Xander and asked, "Was there anything you would like to ask me?"
"Why does Sydney act the way she does?" Realizing that could be taken offensively and it wasn't really what he wanted to know her rephrased, "I mean, why is she so sensitive?"
"It's her mixed blessing, a gift and a curse wrapped into one," Polgara said. "When she was a child her father used to joke that she was born with twice the helping brain but with only half the helping of heart. In an effort to help her become more empathetic and sympathetic, her senses were enhanced. She now feels everything." The look on his face told her he wasn't getting it. "Here, let me demonstrate. Close your eyes." He did. "What do you sense?"
Xander concentrated and replied, "It's hot in here, but there's a slight breeze just to my right. I can smell the food. I can hear some people down the hall." He paused but that's all he really noticed and told her so.
"Keep your eyes closed." Polgara gathered her will and began to boost his receptors. His senses were amplified until they were overwhelming. He could hear everything from Anya's heartbeat to the endless conversation from the other room and they were deafening. What had was like a slight breeze before now felt like a strong wind. Before he could smell the eggs and bacon but now he smelt the food mixed with the stale aroma of meals long past not to mention everyone's unique body odor. It was nauseating. Xander opened his eyes and was knocked back by the brightness. He tried to shield his eyes from the glaring fluorescent lights but it didn't help. It was reflecting off every surface, coming at him from every direction. And the colors were so bright and offensive, it was making him dizzy.
When Polgara saw he could process any more, she backed off and things slowly returned to normal for him. He looked at her wide eyed, "What they hell was that?"
"That is a tame display of how Sydney sees the world. Her senses are extended so far that she feels the pull of the earth on her limbs, the pull of the moon on the tides and the pull of the sun on the earth. It's really a neat trick. She can tell you what time of day it is by the gravity she feels."
Still wide eyed, he said "Wow."
"Yes," Polgara continued. "And that is just her physical senses. Her emotions are just as sensitive. She's does her best to keep them under control but you must realize that it doesn't stop. It never ends. She doesn't sleep because of it. She has three options: She either doesn't sleep; she gets so drunk she finally passes out; or she has me force her mind into unconsciousness. I haven't seen her in several decades and she's had too many important things to do the last few years to be on a bender. Which leaves the last option, she hasn't slept."
"So, she deals with constant stimuli from every imaginable source, physical and emotional and she's sleep deprived," Anya summarized. At Polgara's nod she continued, "Then I think she acting completely appropriate and you, Xander, should just give her a break. She did save my life after all."
"What?" Xander asked.
"Yes, a bringer was about to slice me in half from behind when he feel lifeless to the ground. That's when Andrew threw up and passed out. If Sydney hadn't defeated the first when she did, I would be dead. So get off her back."
Xander had nothing to say to that and he was rescued by Dawn sticking her head in and saying, "Are you guys done in here? I've got a mob of hungry Slayers out here and I don't know how much longer I can hold them off."
Polgara told her that brunch was ready and no sooner than the words had left her mouth the doors were thrown open. A herd of teenagers pushed Dawn to the side and made a beeline to the food. Everyone else sat down to eat as well.
"Is there anything I can do to help? There's going to be a lot of mouths to feed around here." Fred said. Polgara nodded toward the cutting board and fruit on one of the cabinets. Fred began to chop the fruit and put it in a bowl Polgara had placed on the cabinet beside her. They worked in silence but in a synchronicity that comes from women working in a kitchen for years. It didn't matter they had never worked together before. This was a ritual as old as society itself. After a few moments of silence, Fred asked, "You don't say much do you?" Polgara smiled a small smile and replied, "I've been around a long time. I guess I just don't have much left to say." "I have some questions about you and Sydney. Will you answer them?" Fred asked hesitantly and then added a soft "Please?" Without looking up from the stove, Polgara answered, "Of course. What would you like to know?" "Well, actually it's not so much about you and Sydney. It's more about me and the Prophecy." Fred looked at her and she nodded her head indicting for her to continue. "After talking with everyone last night it seems some of us are mentioned and I was wondering if I have a task, like Willow or Spike." Polgara looked at her and smiled, "Yes, child. You are mentioned and yes you have a role to play as do all of the others." Fred smiled at that. She was important. "What am I suppose to do?" "You are to do what you've always wanted to do. Learn everything you can, fall in love, get married and have children. You, my dear, are the mother of a very important line and we will be watching over your descendants for centuries to come," Polgara told her.
Fred's face fell. "That's all?" She asked not bothering to hide her disappointment. "I don't get to go on some challenging adventure?"
Polgara inwardly smiled. She really was cute. "I would have figured you had enough adventure the years you spent in Pylea. And as for not being challenging...who's the mystery man because last I heard you were one eligible lady. Are there any long term plans for building a life together and starting a family?"
Fred adverted her eyes from Polgara's knowing gaze and finished the fruit she had been working on. Polgara's eyes softened and she approached Fred. She placed her hand on Fred's shoulder to get her attention. Polgara handed her a potato so she could begin the harsh browns and said, "No worries, dear. It will happen soon enough. You'll know when the time is right. Trust yourself and don't go rushing into anything that you are not completely sure is true."
With those words of wisdom being spoken, they both felt better and continued to fix the large meal. When they were putting the final touches on to the brunch, Sydney came into the kitchen feeling more energized now that she had a good night's sleep. When Polgara noticed her trying to sneak pieces of fruit off the tray she commented wryly, "Right on time as usual."
"You know Grandfather taught me well." Sydney smiled.
"What's that?" Fred asked.
Sydney began to recite like a child at his lessons, "Never show up before the food is ready to be served. Never worry about taking the last serving. Always leave before everyone is done eating."
Fred couldn't help but laugh. Polgara scowled, "leave it to Old Wolf to turn laziness into a subject to be taught."
The ladies began to take the food through the lobby and into a conference type room down the hall. They weren't surprised the hotel had come alive while they were busy in the kitchen. The potentials were scattered about it groups, gossiping as teenage girls do. Spike had awoken due to the persistent chattering. He had managed to sit up this morning and Sally had moved from his chest to his lap. He really didn't want her sitting there but she was determined. Every time he would push her off, she would only touch the floor long enough to jump back up. He didn't even have time to put his arms down. They did that about 30 times in a row before Spike finally relented.
On her way back through after unloading her arms, Sydney approached Spike who was still glaring at Sally. She was just looking back at him daring him to try and make her move.
"Sally, if he doesn't want you in his lap, move your ass." Sydney said. Sally let out a protesting cry but moved to lie next to Spike's thigh. Spike looked at Sydney gratefully and she said, "I'm sorry about that. She is really odd about wear she lays. Once she gets a spot in mind, it's harder than hell to convince her to move. How are you feeling?"
"Better but I'm still weak," he replied.
Sydney nodded, "It's no wonder. I was surprised you didn't wake up during the night hungry."
"I did and uh..." Thinking that Sydney thought he didn't feed because she was never woke and that perhaps Polgara wasn't suppose to feed him, Spike trailed off. Spike never was the best liar and Sydney immediately recognized him trying to think of a possible alternative to the truth.
The entire lobby seemed to vibrate when she screamed "POLGARA. GET YOUR ASS IN HERE NOW."
Polgara who had been making her way into the lobby with a second load of dishes calmly replied, "Now, now there's no need to shout. I'm right here. What is the problem?"
As Polgara addressed Sydney she made her way over to the counter and set the plates down so she could deal with her seemly irate daughter. When her arms were empty, she turned to face her and Sydney's eyes were automatically drawn to the bandage on her wrist from a recent injury. All the hurt and anger that had been coursing through her system quickly changed to love and gratitude. She quickly went to Polgara and wrapped her arms around her. Sydney then placed a gentle kiss on her cheek and whispered a soft thank you in her ear.
Polgara returned the hug and said, "Just because I don't approve of the method of healing doesn't me I'm going to turn my back on a patient."
Sydney drew back and looked at her. "I know. That's why I thought you would wake me."
"Just because I don't approve of the method of healing doesn't me I'm going to turn my back on a patient or put you in danger," Polgara rephrased. "You were too weak. You couldn't give any more, safely."
Sydney only nodded and gently squeezed Polgara's hand in a silent thanks. Sydney then went to Spike and asked if he could walk. He thought he could and they left the room, searching for some privacy so he could feed.
After they left the room, Polgara was about to begin gathering the dishes back up when Xander came up and offered to help her carry some of it. When they entered the conference room they began to set the table.
"So, you've become a drinking fountain for the undead too?" Xander said.
Polgara immediately stopped what she was doing and turned to face him. Her eyes flashed only briefly but it was long enough for Xander to see horrible images of just exactly she was capable of. Compared to what she had shown him, everything else felt like a fond memory.
When she began speaking her voice was callous and firm, "I don't care of your feelings for Spike or of you feelings for this situation. You will respect me and you will respect my daughter, even if it is only fear for the power we yield."
Xander nodded and quickly added an apology. He was beginning to understand the true caliber of power they now had on there side, if only he could manage not to piss them off.
She hadn't intended to react as fiercely as she had but wolves often do when they feel their cubs are threatened. Realizing that perhaps she was being too hard on the boy and he hadn't really meant any harm, Polgara quickly softened. She hadn't gotten used to Xander use of bad humor to deal with situations yet. After returning to her task she spoke, "I'm sorry I might have overreacted. I'm not used to being around so many people and I'm afraid my social skills may have declined. I don't pick up on subtleties as easily. I'm used to someone just saying what they want to say and asking what they want to ask."
At that moment, they both realized Anya had joined them in the room. She had watched the interaction avidly. "He's just freaking out because Sydney reacts to the extreme to the littlest of things, especially when it comes to Spike. He wants to know why and doesn't know how to ask," she said as she pick up some silverware and began placing along side the plates that had already been laid out.
"I like you," Polgara said as she watched Anya.
"Thank you. I agree with you. Everything would be much easier if everyone would learn how to communicate effective and efficiently. It's really what causes most of their problems."
"Too true." Polgara then turned to Xander and asked, "Was there anything you would like to ask me?"
"Why does Sydney act the way she does?" Realizing that could be taken offensively and it wasn't really what he wanted to know her rephrased, "I mean, why is she so sensitive?"
"It's her mixed blessing, a gift and a curse wrapped into one," Polgara said. "When she was a child her father used to joke that she was born with twice the helping brain but with only half the helping of heart. In an effort to help her become more empathetic and sympathetic, her senses were enhanced. She now feels everything." The look on his face told her he wasn't getting it. "Here, let me demonstrate. Close your eyes." He did. "What do you sense?"
Xander concentrated and replied, "It's hot in here, but there's a slight breeze just to my right. I can smell the food. I can hear some people down the hall." He paused but that's all he really noticed and told her so.
"Keep your eyes closed." Polgara gathered her will and began to boost his receptors. His senses were amplified until they were overwhelming. He could hear everything from Anya's heartbeat to the endless conversation from the other room and they were deafening. What had was like a slight breeze before now felt like a strong wind. Before he could smell the eggs and bacon but now he smelt the food mixed with the stale aroma of meals long past not to mention everyone's unique body odor. It was nauseating. Xander opened his eyes and was knocked back by the brightness. He tried to shield his eyes from the glaring fluorescent lights but it didn't help. It was reflecting off every surface, coming at him from every direction. And the colors were so bright and offensive, it was making him dizzy.
When Polgara saw he could process any more, she backed off and things slowly returned to normal for him. He looked at her wide eyed, "What they hell was that?"
"That is a tame display of how Sydney sees the world. Her senses are extended so far that she feels the pull of the earth on her limbs, the pull of the moon on the tides and the pull of the sun on the earth. It's really a neat trick. She can tell you what time of day it is by the gravity she feels."
Still wide eyed, he said "Wow."
"Yes," Polgara continued. "And that is just her physical senses. Her emotions are just as sensitive. She's does her best to keep them under control but you must realize that it doesn't stop. It never ends. She doesn't sleep because of it. She has three options: She either doesn't sleep; she gets so drunk she finally passes out; or she has me force her mind into unconsciousness. I haven't seen her in several decades and she's had too many important things to do the last few years to be on a bender. Which leaves the last option, she hasn't slept."
"So, she deals with constant stimuli from every imaginable source, physical and emotional and she's sleep deprived," Anya summarized. At Polgara's nod she continued, "Then I think she acting completely appropriate and you, Xander, should just give her a break. She did save my life after all."
"What?" Xander asked.
"Yes, a bringer was about to slice me in half from behind when he feel lifeless to the ground. That's when Andrew threw up and passed out. If Sydney hadn't defeated the first when she did, I would be dead. So get off her back."
Xander had nothing to say to that and he was rescued by Dawn sticking her head in and saying, "Are you guys done in here? I've got a mob of hungry Slayers out here and I don't know how much longer I can hold them off."
Polgara told her that brunch was ready and no sooner than the words had left her mouth the doors were thrown open. A herd of teenagers pushed Dawn to the side and made a beeline to the food. Everyone else sat down to eat as well.