Ch. 10!

A bell was heard ringing throughout the large mansion. Then quick steps on the wooden floor soon followed.

Rezla rushed into the room the Ppgs and the Professor were staying in, "It is dinner time my guests!" She smiled.

"Oh!" Blossom turned around looking at the girl in the doorway, "Already? It's only almost 6:00!"

"Certainly, miss Blossom. My family eats at 6:00 sharp everyday. I-Is that a problem?" She frowned briefly.

"Not at all, Rezla. We'll be there in just a minute." Professor told her.

"You won't be in need of my help to guide you to the dining room? It is quite far from here" Rezla questioned the kind man she saw before her.

"That didn't occur to me" The Professor hesitated.

"I do not mind waiting outside your room as you get ready." Rezla politely offered.

"May I show them the way my friend?" Bzema asked appearing behind her.

Rezla turned around, "Indubitably." She left giving a smile to her returned friend.

A few minutes later

"Well, I am impressed Bzema. Only a few hours here and you already know your way around." The Professor said as he and his daughters followed Bzema to the dining room.

"I learn quickly." Bzema said uncomfortably. She felt terrible not telling him the truth. 'He'll soon find out. Surely master will see me.' She lowered her head when she opened the large door to the dining room; she held it open for the guests behind her.

"Please enter" Said Bzema.

Professor smiled at her courteous behavior, walked in, and took a seat at the side of a long table with a beautiful tablecloth (of doves and roses) on it.

"Aren't you going to sit down?" Professor asked Bzema. He noticed she was still standing beside the door.

Bzema was quiet as she looked at who was already seated. The two powerpuffs sat next to each other directly across from their father. Her best friend, Rezla, sat near her sister, Yamia (who came in earlier), near the Professor. Yamia's to-be husband sat beside her near the head chair where Cham was to sit.

Bzema tried to hide in the shadows as well as she possibly could, dreading the appearance of her master.

He walked in majestically. He gave a small nod to his beautiful eldest daughter and a slight glance to Rezla who was petting Rodlo, the dog, (hiding the fact she was just as nervous as Bzema about what was to happen). The powerpuffs, now knowing the truth, were curious themselves. They sat quietly all this while, which puzzled the Professor.

Cham sat down regally in his head chair and looked at his guests. He snapped his fingers and the maid started bringing in the food. As she poured soup into everyone's bowls (already in place) Cham spoke.

"So, Professor, how long do you plan to work on this project of yours?" He asked.

"It's hard to tell since I've just stared. Within half a week I ought to be able to tell you," The Professor answered as his soup was poured. He sniffed the delightful aroma and smiled. His daughters did likewise when they got their shares.

"That'll be fine. Just make yourselves at home here. I trust my daughter Rezla gave you a schedule on our rules and such?"

"Without a beat when we got to our room," by this time Professor had forgotten about Bzema who had already left the room.

The powerpuffs silently ate their soups planning to find Bzema after the meal and ask some more questions. Seeing that the Professor and Cham were busy talking they both mentally decided to hold their talk, to have with Rezla and Bzema at the table, later.

And of course, Yamia and her fiancé Fqueen conversed pleasantly with each other. Their marriage, earlier announced by Cham, would be held later than planned because of the arrival of their new guests. It seemed that momentarily, Cham had forgotten until the day they arrived, to do so. (Which was typical of him. His thoughts mainly were of himself, Yamia, and his wretched slave whom, as much as he knew, was gone forever now.)

Little did he know that she was in the very next room soon to be discovered by his angry eyes

(Thank-you to all who reviewed, especially Lucyrocks73! You're so nice. Do not worry; I shall eventually finish ALL my stories. It'll just take me a while.)