Discouraged and exhausted from her hunt for answers, finding none, zebra returned to the wagon with a waiting Amphitryon. he smiled when she approached, one she did not return.
"I take it you were unsuccessful."
Zebra nodded, not meeting his gaze. The old farmer sighed and placed a comforting hand upon her shoulder.
"Please don't let one failure crush your spirits. Greece is a large place to hide one's self, there are many gathering places to inquire about your grandfather." He lead her to the wagon and helped her board. "It's been a long day for the both of us. Once we return home and have the opportunity to rest, we can continue the search."
Feeling slightly more confident, zebra smiled as Amphitryon jumped in beside her. "At least we're not leaving empty handed." She displayed the new dresses for him. "I was able to trade some old clothing for these."
Amphitryon was impressed. "Those are some exceedingly fine dresses. How were you able to match the merchant's expectations? They appear quite expensive."
Zebra waved away his concern. "Oh, they weren't as pricey as you may think. The merchant was actually pretty reasonable", she chuckled to herself. "How about you, Amphitryon? were you able to make a profit off the hay bails?"
Now it was his turn to look disappointed. He pulled out a coin purse, with a small lump gathered at the bottom. "It's never what it's worth, but at least it's enough to get us by."
Zebra felt a twinge of guilt forming in her gut, knowing that she could have received money in exchange for her shoes to help support the sweet couple, that kindly took them in.
Sensing her discomfort, Amphitryon touched her hand. "You and Megara are gonna look absolutely stunning in your new wear."
Zebra drew the old man into a thankful hug, taking him by surprise. She then retrieved the coin, she had claimed from the band of bandits, from a pocket sewn into her skirt. She happily placed it into his bony palm and closed his fingers around its circular form. He looked at her questioningly, but she just smiled. "For paying such a kind compliment." Hopefully, there would be more where that came from on there next trip. He nodded his appreciation and then signaled Penelope to merge onto the road. Traveling with the setting sun.
Bending over the stream, Meg took her time in washing up. She was hoping she didn't have to face what's-his-name again. But she couldn't delay much longer. Her grumbling belly was a constant reminder of how late the hour was. Indeed, the sun was getting ready to take it's rest. Oh, the overwhelming needs of the body.
To her utter dismay, though she had expected such, upon returning to the house, Hercules remained where he was, sending her a warm smile. Him and Alcmene were seated around the dinner table. And, like a proper gentleman, he stood upon seeing her entrance. Meg raised an eyebrow. Such behavior was foreign to her. Chivalry was dead, right? Alcmene motioned for her to have a seat between the two. Meg smelled a set-up. Apparently, Alcmene had prepared dinner, consisting of vegetable stew, while Meg had worked in the field. Meg joined them and immediately began to eat, hoping to discourage any awkward conversations. No such luck.
Herc swallowed a gulp of stew and attempted to speak, although he was finding it difficult to produce discernible words.
"So, Megara, I wanted to....thank you for helping out my parents." He lowered his head in slight shame. "I have been neglecting their needs."
Alcmene placed a hand upon her son's muscled shoulders. "Son, you have no cause to feel guilty. You have much higher priorities to deal with." Herc raised his eyes to meet hers. "And I'm proud of you, dear." She turned to Meg. "He's a famous hero, you know."
Hercules blushed, embarrassed. "Mooooooom!"
Meg thought it sounded like an unusual profession. "Really?" Taking a quick once-over of Herc's body, she figured she shouldn't be so surprised. But what exactly did a hero do? Rescue little kitties from trees?
Alcmene proceeded to gush about Hercules' many heroic exploits. Everything from; conquering the Nemeon Lion, a fire-breathing bull, the Man-eating Mares of Thrace, and not to mention, the many-headed Hydra.
Meg wasn't sure whether to be impressed or flabbergasted. Could such mythical creatures truly exist? She shuttered, hoping she wouldn't have the opportunity to find out, first-hand. Realizing that the pair were waiting for a reaction or comment, she answered; "That's quite the accomplishment."
This caused Hercules' blush to intensify. "Gee, thanks, Megara."
She still hadn't gotten use to the name Zebra had labeled her with. Slightly annoyed, she heavily shut her eyes. "It's Meg. Please, just call me Meg."
He smiled, pleased to depart from formality, continuing to stare at her angelic face.
A sudden tap upon the window, followed by an angry neigh, caused the party to jolt at attention. Outside, looking in, Pegasus motioned to his master that the time to depart had long, past.
Hercules groaned, remembering his promise to Phil. He raised out of his seat. "I'm sorry, mom. I didn't realize it was so late." He rushed outside, with the two women following, to reassure his winged stallion that he would return with him.
Meg stopped short at the sight of the magnificent horse, taking-in his shimmering wings, and sky-colored mane and tail. Only moments ago was she doubting the existence of such creatures. This was getting to be too much to bear.
Pegasus returned her gaze, taking an instant dislike to the young woman.
Hercules gracefully leaped onto the horse's back, keeping him steady so not to take-off. Alcmene went to his side and gently stroked his muzzle. "Don't make yourself a stranger, son. You'll have to come-by, again, when you father and, our second farm-hand, Zebra, are home."
After meeting Meg, it was an offer he didn't have the heart to refuse. "I'll be sure to do so. That is, if Phil doesn't have me so heavily scheduled." He nodded to Meg. "It was great to meet you Mega....." He was about to pronounce her full name, but a stern look from her hypnotic, violet eyes, reminded him of her preference to the shortened version of her name. A fiery, apologetic, blush bloomed upon his cheeks. "....Meg."
Thinking for Alcmene's sake, she responded. "Ummm...right. Likewise."
"Have a good evening." He said before turning back to Alcmene. "Say 'hi' to Pop for me. I love you." He waved farewell as Pegasus kicked off the ground, jumping into the wind.
Alcmene waved after him.
Meg was in slight awe, witnessing the animal in flight. And yet, also slightly nauseous, considering her discomfort for higher places. To this day, she couldn't recall the trigger for the phobia. When the two were out of sight, Alcmene looked to Meg, and she wearily met her gaze. "Soooo, what do you think?"
Uh oh. Meg was afraid it might come to this. She had to play it cool. "Oh...well, he seems...nice."
Alcmene smiled, and then led the way back inside.
Hercules and Pegasus lightly touched down within the grounds of the Villa. Cautiously checking for signs of a tiny, volatile goat-man, he tip-toed inside. He pressed a finger to hip lips, warning his life-long friend to keep silent. Making his way across the marble-tiled floor, the pair made their way to the weight room, hoping to make-up for his tardiness. Finding the coast clear, Hercules expelled a breath that he had held suspended in his lungs.
"I was wondering when you'd finally show."
Herc leaped out of his skin, turning to see an angry Phil, his stout arms crossed expectantly over his bloated belly.
Herc rubbed the back of his neck, grinning sheepishly. "Oh...he.... hi Phil. I......I..."
Phil brought up a pudgy hand, pausing Herc's stuttered excuses. "I don't wanna hear none of your blather. We'll discuss your punishment in the morning. For now, hit the sack, kid." Sounding like a disappointed parent. Having had his say, Phil retreated to his room.
'Great', thought Herc. 'I'll have all night to dread the coming morning.'
He dragged his sandaled feet to his grand, master-bedroom. But a smile soon came in to melt the gloom as he recalled the beautiful girl, staying in his mortal parent's home. He predicted sweet dreams, that night.
The following morning found Amphitryon and Zebra returning home, from completion of their journey. Meg had been anxiously awaiting their arrival all morning, keeping watch from the open window. In the faint distance, she spotted a cloud of dust forming, which could only mean that a wagon was rocking down the trail. A rush of excitement swelled within her, and she rushed to greet them, Alcmene following behind. Zebra leaped from the wagon and met her half-way. Though they'd only been separated for a short time, it was still a noteworthy reunion. The two friends embraced, as did the loving couple.
"It's such a relief to have you back", Meg smiled. She had felt lost without the company of her friend in this new world.
Zebra nodded, her feelings much the same. "Like at the conclusion of any good trip; it's good to be back."
"Alright", Alcmene interrupted, taking Amphitryon's arm. "I'm sure you're both very tired, so let's continue trading tales in a more comfortable atmosphere."
"Sounds good to me", her husband agreed. Together, they returned indoors.
After a replenishing meal, the girls lounged about in the room they shared and recounted the events each had experienced in each other's absence.
"So tell me, Zebra", Meg began excitedly. "What were you able to uncover? Did anyone know of your grandfather?" She was obviously ready to move on and return home as soon as possible.
Zebra frowned, reluctant to crush Meg's hopes in one sentence. "No. I didn't find anything. I'm sorry."
Meg nodded, not surprised.
"But look what I got in exchange for my shoes!" She pulled out the Grecian duds from her nap-sack. "Now we can really look the part."
Zebra gently laid the dresses out for display; one was dyed a light lavender, with a darker purple wrap, about the waist. Two bronze clasps held the shoulder straps. The second, was sea-foam green in color, crimped from the waist to the end, just above the ankles. There was a single shoulder strap, leaving the other bare.
Zebra pointed, affectionately, to the lavender. "I chose that, especially, for you, cause i knew it would fit so lovely with your eyes."
Meg was able to smile her gratitude. She was touched by the thought and concern zebra had put in for her behalf, and felt relieved to finally be able to wear something that would fit. "Thanks, Zebra. It's so beautiful." She slipped off Alcmene's make-shift skirt, to replace it with the new gown. She turned in a full circle, modeling every angle for zebra's view.
"It suits you", Zebra approved.
"Better yet", Meg added. "It fits like a glove, almost like a second skin." Though she was glad for the new clothes, it seemed like a final blow, sealing their stay for a longer period than she'd hoped.
Oblivious of Meg's inner turmoil, Zebra echoed her friend's actions and changed her own apparel. As the silken fabric slid over her skin, she immediately understood Meg's comment. She would be sure to recommend Roman clothing to all.
"Excellent choice", Meg smiled.
Zebra was grateful she was able to distract Meg's thoughts, of the future, if only for a moment. She layed back on her, straw-filled, mattress and stretched out. "Now, tell me about what went on here, in my absence."
Meg sat upon her own bed and shrugged. "Oh, nothing much. I milked my first cow...."
Zebra gave Meg a surprised, funny look, scrunching up her nose. "Really?! you know, I never pictured you doing that. How was it?"
Meg wrinkled her nose, recalling the experience. "It was really weird. Just the feel of those udders......" Her hands tried to mimic the actions, trying to describe the scene. ".....it's kinda hard to describe. But I'll tell you one thing, that animal did not appreciate my skill. She, more-or-less, kicked me into a corner."
Zebra hid a developing smile behind a cupped hand. "You probably just spooked her."
Meg rolled her eyes to the ceiling. "I'm so glad i was able to provide you with a story of comic proportions."
"Sorry", zebra mumbled apologetically, re-gaining her composure. "At least you learned a new skill. So, what else happened? Alcmene seemed happy about something."
Meg squirmed, uncomfortably. "I suppose, the reason behind that is because......their son showed up." She mumbled out that last statement.
Still, zebra's ears caught the information, and processed it with glee. "He did?!" She leaned forward, eager to hear more. "What's he like?!"
Meg groaned. She hated discussing the opposite gender, and zebra knew it. She prayed it was only curiosity, driving her friend. "I don't know. A guy's a guy, to me."
"C'mon, meg, you know what I mean."
Meg sighed, already growing weary of their present conversation. "He's supposedly, a big-time hero, if you can believe that." Zebra, also found this strange. "So, being such, he's appropriately built. what was really unsettling, was his demeanor. He seemed, almost........shy."
Now, zebra was really anxious to meet this hero. "Do you think he'll pay us a second visit?" Her eyes sparkled with anticipated excitement. Meg shrugged. "It's almost inevitable. This is his parent's farm, after all."
Zebra fell, back, onto her mattress. "I hope you're right."