Step In Time Chapter 23: Settling In, a disney fanfic

When Meg's eyes opened a second time, the pale glow of the sun lit the room in a haze, filtered through the sheer, gossamer curtains. Thankfully, the storm seemed to have passed, though it wasn't without incident. Guessing it must have been mid-afternoon, she reached out her arms in a long stretch, followed by a yawn, trying to decide whether to be lazy and sleep-in, or rise and face the day. But there was no point in debating, for the choice was, essentially made for her.
The door opened and in walked, Zebra, up and sporting her daily dress. Meg hadn't even noticed her absence from the room.

"Well, well, look who finally woke-up. Afternoon, Meg. Feeling a tad lazy, today?"

Meg swung her legs out of bed. "In case you've forgotten, I almost died this morning", she responded in defiance. "I think that justifies me from rising when the rooster thinks it appropriate."

Zebra's expression changed dramatically, frozen with guilt, her eyes glistening with moisture. She ran to Meg and tightly embraced her. "I'm sorry......." The realization of what could have happened flooded into reality.

That wasn't the response Meg was going for, sitting stiffly in Zebra's embrace. She just wanted to make a point, help her see the reason for her weary condition, not to make her feel guilty.

"Promise you won't ever leave me!" Zebra demanded, pulling back and staring, unflinchingly, into her eyes.

Meg felt slightly uncomfortable, but answered in all seriousness, gently gripping her shoulders. "We've always stuck together, and that is how we'll always be. I promise. Relax, Ok."

They remained in their friendship huddle for a moment longer.

"C'mon. Marlena's prepared a late-lunch. I'm sure you're hungry."

Meg looked down at herself. She was still in her white undergarments. "Like this?"

"Of course not." Zebra produced Meg's lavender dress, completely cleansed.
"It's like new!"

"That Marlena is a miracle worker", Zebra marveled. Also making a brush, with fine bristles, appear behind her back. Meg took it gratefully and forced it through her tangled curls, soon leaving her hair smooth and long. Then she slipped her dress her on, and followed Zebra to the dining room.

Those already present were; Hercules, Torrin, Marlena, and Alcmene and Amphitryon. All were helping themselves to fresh bread and fruit preserves. And to drink; Pomegranate juice.
Upon Meg and Zebra's entrance, both young men stood at attention, smiling.

"Good afternoon, ladies." The hero greeted cheerfully, but weary, happy to see Meg awake. "Care for a late-lunch?"

The girls set themselves at the long, glossed, wooden table, opposite the hero and bodyguard/adviser.

"So what do we label this kind of meal, between lunch and dinner? Lunner?" Meg teased.

"We've all slept late into the day." Herc glanced at Marlena. "All except Marlena, that is."

The housekeeper did appear to have dark, swelling circles beneath her eyes. She took a sip of juice. "Sleep can wait until all of my duties are complete."

Herc shook his head. "You've done more than enough today, Marlena."

"But, sir, I....."

"Please", Herc interrupted. "As a favor to me, get some rest."

She looked as if she might protest further, but the body can be a harsh master. Finally, she gave in. "Very well, sir. Once you have all finished your meal and clear the table, I will."

Herc rose and went to her side. "Don't you fret about it. We'll take care of everything."

Marlena nodded, appreciatively. "Thank you." With a slight bow, she exited and headed toward her room.

Meg watched in astonishment. Usually the rich and successful thrived on the labor of others. At least, that was what her prejudice caused her to believe. But what the hero had just performed could be interpreted as......benevolent. Who knew? She just realized she was staring. So did Hercules, and he smiled back. Thankfully, before the others could notice their little exchange, in marched the goat-man. The hooves of his animal half clashed against the tiled floor from his apparent irritation. For such a little guy, he sure could create a ruckus.

"Kid! Those laps ain't gonna run themselves, ya know!" Herc flinched at every pronounced syllable, like a reprimanded child. "Let's go, let's go!" The goat-man clapped with urgency.

His pupil sighed, still worn and frazzled from his earlier expedition. "Coming, Phil." He excused himself from his guests then followed behind his insistent trainer, feet dragging, dreading further torture.

'What a slave driver', Meg grimaced to herself. What was the point? 'He seems pretty fit to me........oops!' Then again, she supposed discipline was essential for anyone's gain.
That was a close one. She couldn't let her mind wander like that.

After a few moments of eating in silence, Torrin came up with an idea. "I thought that it might be fruitful for us to go into town and purchase a few basic items, since, after all, you'll be residing with us for awhile."

Alcmene bowed her head and her husband put a supporting arm about her shoulders. Speaking for them both. "I don't think we're up for it, Torrin." He looked upon his spouse's stricken face, depression setting in. "I think we'll just go check on the rest of the troop. Thank you, though."

"Will you be alright?" Zebra asked, worried.

Alcmene tried to smile, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. "You kids go and enjoy yourselves. We've had a lot on our minds."

They soon left, and the remaining party cleared the table.

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Pacing back and forth, with a stern scowl upon his face, Hades waited in his throne room for the news his minions would hold.
Dripping wet from the above world weather and singed from their encounter with a lightning bolt, the daemon duo humbly collapsed before their master in a puddle of their own filth. Hades cringed, stepping away from his slaves so not to soil his robes.

"So, all went well I presume?" He said casually as he checked for set-in stains. Such a pain, those things.
Pain and Panic moaned from fatigue, for all they could mutter for a response.
"Excuse me?" Hades waved a hand behind his ear, mockingly, his patience wearing thin. "I didn't catch that."

"Mission......." Pain coughed a cloud of smoke from his lungs. "accomplished."

"The farm-house is nothing but ash", added Panic. He hesitated his next piece of news. "But.....ev....everyone....survived." He flinched, ready for the usual beating and reprimand from the fireball flame of his master. He cowered behind his larger counter-part.

"Good", Hades remarked simply, turning to mammoth game-board.

The minions looked at each other, stunned by his calm demeanor.
"Aren't you.......upset?" Pain dared to ask.

Hades carefully moved a game-piece across the board, contemplating his next move. "No. All is going according to plan. It's just a matter of time."

Dumbfounded, Panic proceeded further with caution. It was never a good idea to irritate the already volatile God. "Mind filling us in?"

Rolling his eyes at their apparent stupidity, Hades recited his intentions with an air of calm and poise, as if he'd already won Olympus without even trying, though a few sparks escaped from his ever burning top. "If these girls really ARE connected to Jules, Hercules will undoubtedly help them seek him out, as I'm sure he's done before. Eventually, their search will lead them here, drawing them into my boundaries where I am Lord and Master, thus more powerful, then I can get them to build my time-trap and send me into the future. And in all the mix, I'll destroy Jerkules in the process. Get it now?"
Still confused, never-the-less, they nodded their confirmation.
"Good. Then we're all on the same page."

Meg really didn't want to go, especially since Alcmene and Amphitryon had decided to remain behind, that would guarantee a front-row seat to Zebra and Torrin's flirtatious fun. But what else would she do otherwise? So she reluctantly tagged along.
The streets and sidewalks were as congested as they were during their first visit despite the dropping temperature. Still, Meg felt uneasy. Something about the way the wind played against her exposed cheek, causing it to flush, like someone was watching her.
They browsed through various shops and stalls in search of whatever essentials they might need. Meg dragged herself along, shoulders hunched, falling farther and farther behind their small pack, her enthusiasm lost since the start of the trip. She overheard Zebra giggling in response to some lame joke Torrin performed. Disgusted, she refrained from sticking her finger in her mouth and gagging behind their backs. She had ultimately been forgotten. Oh what trouble men could stir. Turing friends into traitors. Already this one was turning Zebra's brain into jello. She was going to have to talk with her and set her straight. Otherwise she was bound to get hurt.
Ami-st the gaggle of arguing and gossiping villagers, a new voice broke into her mind, freezing Meg into place.

"I see that you are lost......"

A creepy, cracking voice, stopped her in mid-stride. Its grinding tone made Meg shutter, like the sour note when a bow struck the violin strings incorrectly. She looked about, trying to find the being from which it belonged. But nobody was even looking her way, it was almost as if she'd heard the voice within the depths of her mind. She shook her head, dug a finger into her ear to clear any clogs that might mislead her, and prepared to move on, she'd already lost sight of Zebra.

"But it is your heart that you must seek......."

Now she was getting irritated, automatically clenching her fists. The words bounced off the walls of her brain, echoing into its depths. What was going on?

"So quick to anger......Such emotions darken ones judgement......."

This had to be a trick. 'Show yourself!' She dared the being that had entered her thoughts.

"Come, and you'll find me.......beyond the veil of black...."

Turing, Meg saw a shop set into a clay building with as sheer black curtain shutting out the cold. Moving slowly, she reached out a hand and separated the dark sheet, fingers sliding down the smooth fabric. It was very dark inside, only a single candle burned within, bleeding melted wax onto the small table on which it stood. Incense, and the aroma of dizzying fragrances attacked her sinuses as she proceeded deeper inside. As her eyes continued to adjust to the dim light, she could make out a shrouded figure seated before the table. Another chair sat opposite her.

"Welcome. Sit", the figure demanded bluntly.

Meg did not, eyeing the person before her with distrust. "Who are you? She asked, folding her arms. "What do you want?"

"Only to help you heal. Now sit!" From beneath the figure's long sleeve protruded a long ghost-white finger, pointing to the chair.

Only to humor the figure, she finally plopped into place.

"As to who I am, that is not important."

"Fine", she waved off. "but what do you mean......." Meg raised her eyebrow. "'help me heal'?"

The figure took her hand. Meg felt her flesh crawl beneath her skin at the figure's touch, holding down the desire to vomit right there.

"Your heart has been deeply wounded with many scars. It is time to let new flesh taper those wounds."

Meg pulled her hand back, looking to make sure it was untainted. "Right......Look, no offense, lady", she assumed the figure was female, her voice hinted at such. "but I don't buy...."

"You've done more than your share of speaking! Now there is only room to listen."

OK........ Someone needed to cut down on the coffee and switch to decaf.

"Your heart had been dashed and torn. But it is not too late to dissolve that lingering bitterness."

Meg felt offended, thinning her eyes, but the speaker was not yet finished.

"If you will allow, your heart can be saved, mended beyond anything you've ever dreamed. But you must forget your pride and live in the present."

Meg had heard enough, abruptly standing up. the freaky lady's words struck too close to home. "I only came in here to shut you up, and I only listened this long for kicks. But I'm not having fun anymore. You know what, though? You've given me five minutes of entertainment, and for that...." She retrieved a single Drachma from inside her tunic, Torrin had given her some money in case she found something she liked, and tossed it onto the table, its faces spinning until it fell flat."There's something for your troubles. I'm afraid you've wasted your time. I don't believe in that crystal-ball mumbo jumbo." She spun on her heal and marched toward the exit, only pausing when the figure spoke again:

"Love will strike your heart, mark my words. But unless you let go of your past, it will become too great to bear and ultimately destroy you."

Overwhelmed with frustration and confusion, Meg turned, if for anything, to tell the old woman off. "Why don't you......!" Her accusing finger hung suspended in the air and her lips remained curled in the form of her last word. It.....she, was gone. Disappeared. Meg returned to the back of the room to investigate. She snooped around, looking for any hidden nitch, any secret escape route. Overturning this, uncovering that, running her hand along the clay wall. Nothing. Nada.
"What the.....What's the matter with me?" Without hesitation, she rushed outside, sweeping away the curtain in a violent motion. 'Did I imagine the whole thing? My sanity was never tested like this in the 21st century. This place is dangerous to my health.' She walked away with no sense of destination.

The hooded figure returned to visibility. She reached up and slid the hood from her head, revealing a blue-eyed, fuchsia-skinned beauty. Shrugging from the black robe, entirely, she shook loose her sun-kissed golden curls, that fell below her ankles. She was relieved to finally be rid of that tacky old robe and out of the guise of an old fortune-teller. It just wasn't her color, so last season.
"Nobody said my job was easy", the woman sighed, straightening her elegant gown. "I only hope she takes my advice to heart." She raised her arms to the ceiling and spun in a circle, faster and faster, as swirls of wildflowers spiraled about her form. A musical melody sang softly as she faded from sight; Aphrodite. Aphrodite.......

When Meg finally caught up with Zebra and Torrin, they were sorting through a bin of knitted scarves at a merchant's booth.

"I really like this one", Zebra announced, holding one up to admire its quality. "What do you think, Meg?" She turned to gain her friend's opinion. "Do you think Alcmene would like it?"

Meg blinked, stymied, and a bit perturbed. She hadn't even noticed her absence while she was conversing with that odd-ball fortune-teller! All the gal's attention was focused elsewhere. She had, of course, been too busy oogling over Torrin. This fact heightened Meg's already angered state of mind. But it was no use. Meg just turned her face away, disinterested. "Whatever."

Zebra was taken aback by Meg's sudden coldness. It concerned her, then forgotten when Torrin reclaimed her attention.

"I think she'll really like it. The color is so striking, just like your eyes."

Zebra blushed and lowered her head to hide the increase of the color in her cheeks.

It was getting to be too much. Meg almost felt sorry for the two of them. What effect would their inevitable separation have on them, when they finally found Zebra's grandfather and returned home? Oh well. She supposed they would deal with it when the time came. They would get over it in time.
"Are we done yet?" Meg whined like a child being forced to endure the most boring activity.

Zebra was hesitant. "Well, I was hoping to bring back a few more things for Alcmene and Amphitryon, to try and cheer them up."

"But if you'd prefer, Meg, I'd be glad to escort you back to the Villa", offered Torrin, trying to be polite.

"No thanks", Meg replied abruptly, not wanting any favors. "That's not necessary, I can find my way back easily enough." 'How could you miss the biggest structure in the area?'

"Will you be alright?" Zebra remembered their first run-in with the locals when they first stepped into this foreign time, and shuddered.

Meg glanced at her friend with a look that seemed to say; 'Are you kidding? Have you forgotten whom you're talking to?' But at least she was showing concern for her well-being, unlike her earlier display. "I think I can handle it."

"At least take this.." Torrin shrugged off a small pendant from around his neck and presented it to Meg. It depicted a lightening bolt striking the clouds; the same matching symbol that was engraved upon Hercules' medallion that was displayed on his armor. "This way, the guards at the gate will allow you access."

Meg took it from his palm. "Thanks", she said without feeling.

Zebra suddenly felt a twinge of guilt, finally realizing her initial neglect. "Please be careful."

She looked so sincere, Meg was just about ready to forgive Zebra, overlook her crazy, feminine whiles. But then she saw her hand reach out to clutch Torrin's, seeking his support, then her jealous feeling boiled back into place. She pivoted on the balls of her toes and grunted dismissively. "Whatever." Then she walked away, separating herself from the blossoming couple.

'Sometimes she can be so predictable!' Meg commented to herself, fuming. 'Other times, she takes me completely by surprise'
All the time Meg had known Zebra she'd been a wallflower. But now, since she'd met 'mister tight-skinned, borin' Torrin', she'd developed a new predatory skill, lying in wait to spring her trap upon her intended prey.
'I guess it just took the right person. Which means he is exactly the 'wrong' person'
No one paid her any mind as she headed for the Villa. A few citizens cast her a curious glance or two. They knew their kind and that she didn't mix with any of them. The younger men took a more serious notice. But, for the most part, she was ultimately ignored, which was how she preferred it. Her notable attitude and the scowl frozen on her face wasn't exactly inviting.

A riot of sorts seemed to be taking place as Meg arrived before the massive, golden gates, securing the entrance to the Villa. Turned out, it was just a mob of over-infatuated teenage girls, desperate for the chance to see the city's hottest male bachelor. Meg rolled her eyes. She now regretted not remembering to take the the back way in That Hercules had shown them. But she couldn't recall how to access it. 'Guess that's why it's secret.'
She elbowed her way between the screaming adolescents. "S'cuse me. Look out. One side, sister."
If she were a football player, such a maneuver would be much easier. Then she shuddered. Maybe football players weren't the best solution to dream-up, since a particular one back home retained only one brain cell.

The guard blocking the gates tiredly attempted to shoo away the increasingly hyper crowd. "As I've tried to explain to you, ladies, the resident hero is not in at this time. So there is no point in your continuous efforts to gain access", He yelled over the girlish squeals.

Of course their one-track minds wouldn't register this fact, they just continued their illicit screaming.

Meg finally weaved her way through to the front, at the annoyance of those surrounding her. She displayed her 'back-stage pass' for the guards inspection. He recognized the young-woman, who could forget the rare color of her lovely eyes? Never-the-less, protocol and routine were required to keep order. He studied the pendant in Meg's possession, to be certain of its genuity. Satisfied, he nodded in confirmation, opened the gate, just slightly enough for her to slip-in alone, and quickly locked it in place behind her.

The mass of girls shouted angrily in protest. "Why is SHE allowed in?!" They gripped the gold-plated iron bars of the gate and shook, rattling the barrier at its structure.

Continuing up the way, Meg couldn't help feeling slightly smug about getting into an otherwise exclusive facility. It almost made her want to turn and express a rude gesture. But what was the use? It wasn't as if she CHOSE to remain where she was. Oh well, it was temporary: The entire ordeal was temporary. As soon as their situation improved, they would pick-up the search for the missing inventor, and ultimately return to their proper place and time; Home. Home......The word left a hollow echo within Meg's chest. She realized how alone she felt. Zebra had found a distraction to stave the urgency of locating her grandfather, which made Meg accentually more determined to escape.