"Where is everybody?" Everybody, meaning Torrin. She didn't mean to say it as if there was no one there. But those present got the hint of her inquiry.
The hero's parents had no explanation for their absence. Just then, Marlena appeared from the kitchen, carrying an open tray topped with steaming salmon.
"Good evening", she greeted pleasantly. "Master Phil has taken Sir Hercules and Torrin to a Publicity meeting", correctly guessing the questioning glances. "So they will not be able to dine with us this evening."
Zebra nodded and slumped into the seat next to Alcmene.
Meg tried but, almost against her will, her eyes automatically rolled to the ceiling. This was getting ridiculous. Apparently, Zebra had an incurable disease with no hope of salvation in sight.
Meg nearly lost her appetite, but then thought better of it. Food would probably settle her stomach. And she would definitely feel better without her mind fully active and on guard. Though she had to admit it was much quieter without a full dinner party. And, as silly as it sounded, she wasn't sure it was a good thing.
Still, there was no sense dwelling on it, and dished herself a helping of fish onto her plate.
While she was engaging in her meal, she glanced over at Zebra and noticed that she hadn't even touched her food. She just stared at forlornly at her vegetables.
"Ya know", Meg commented. "if you don't finish your vegetables, there'll be no room for dessert, young lady."
Her friend barely graced her with a reaction, by lifting her gaze. "Hmm? Did you say something?"
Meg resisted the urge to scream.
Alcmene dropped a comforting hand upon Zebra's shoulders. "Phil does tend to manipulate a lot of the boys' time. Perhaps its over due for me to have a meaningful chat with him about prioritizing his scheduling better."
Zebra gave her a small smile, initially giving her a sign of approval.
To keep herself from spouting any inappropriate colorful remarks, Meg stuffed a large portion of fish into her mouth, concentrating soley on her chewing.
With her mind settled, Zebra happily dug in, herself. Night and day. The difference was literally night and day. As much as it might drape a dark shroud over her pocket of sunshine, it was time that Meg sought out Zebra's intentions with the young man of her interest. One thing was sure, it had nothing to do with their search for Julius.
By the time supper had been consumed and digested, the male trio still hadn't returned. Marlena came back into the dining room to clear the table.
"Oh dear", she sighed, surveying the lack of participants. "I suppose I'll have to leave a little something out for those hard working boys."
"I'll help you", Zebra volunteered.
She got up and followed Marlena into the kitchen.
Meanwhile, those left saw to clean-up what was left. With a distant, unfocused gaze, Meg started stacking plates. Alcmene watched on with concern. Being a mother, she naturally felt some responsibility for the two lost girls. She took the elegant dinner-ware from her and asked;
"You seemed distressed, my dear, what troubles you? Did todays events prove to be too much?"
Meg snorted and shook her head. If only that were the case. "It's nothing, really. "Just...a little homesick, I suppose." It was becoming a real burden not telling the whole truth to such a trustworthy person. But now was not the time to unveil her soul. It just wasn't worth the risk loosing the few allies she had in this mixed-up world.
The older woman gave her shoulder a motherly squeeze. "Is there something I can do? I understand the importance of locating Zebra's grandfather, but I'm still uncertain as to why..."
Meg smiled kindly, to show her appreciation for her concern.
"I'm afraid the only help we need can only come from Julius Sanders, himself. His aid is imperative to our journey."
"You're a brave, young soul, child", Alcmene complimented. "I can only hope that future events turn in your favor."
Overcome with gratitude, she embraced the hero's mother. Funny. She barely knew what it felt like to hug her own mother.
"Remember, I may be an old bitty", she chuckled. "But I am still a woman, and you and Zebra are like the daughters I've never had. If there is anything at all I can do to help, don't hesitate to come to me or Amphitryon...or even Hercules."
Meg nodded, though still a bit unsettled. Alcmene didn't act like she believed there was much of a chance of finding the brilliant scientist. The young woman's faith was diminishing with each passing day. Still, someone had to keep the flames of hope burning.
When everything had been cleared and cleaned, the Villa's residents set to retire for the evening. But Zebra's mind was still active, not quite ready for sleep. She lingered at the door or the room which she and Meg shared, antsy.
"Maybe I should wait up for Torrin."
With some concentrated control, her dear friend refrained from responding. Instead, Meg motioned to the space next to herself on the bed.
"Zebra, I do believe we need to have a long, overdue chat."
Zebra stood silent for a moment, oblivious as to what Meg possibly had to discuss that required such intensity. She sensed the urgency in her friend's voice and figured it must be important, so she complied and went to sit next to Meg, giving her full attention. She studied Meg's face, trying to decipher what was causing her distress.
"So, what's on your mind?"
Meg took a deep breath, she'd need the oxygen to spout that which was 'on her mind'. Out of her peripheral vision, she caught sight of a pair of feathered intruders, studying the girls with great intent. They had a very unique plumage, almost green and magenta in color. Meg scowled. If there was one thing she couldn't stand, it was eaves droppers.
When the birds realized they'd been discovered, they pranced about frantically upon their skinny legs and chirped up a storm, as if to compensate for their odd behavior.
Further disgusted, Meg approached the window.
"Shoo!"
She swatted her arms about like baseball bat to frighten them off.
"Get outta here, ya flying waste dumps! Go find a decaying statue to use as your poo perch."
Getting the hint, the Sparrow sized fowl took to the air and fled on their small, awkward wings.
Meg brushed her hands together and shut the window. "No more privacy than a Goldfish", she complained.
"What strange birds", Zebra agreed. "You should come to expect such abnormalities from this place."
With that distraction out of the way, Meg decided to proceed with her inquiries.
She, again, gathered her wits and stared into Zebra's eyes.
"Do you really want to find you grandfather?"
Zebra was stunned. "Of course! What kind of question is that?"
"Well your heart sure doesn't see to be in our goal."
"What're you talking about?" Zebra asked, stymied, the volume of her voice increasing. "After all this time its taking to find him, I'm more worried now than ever. He could be in dire trouble. But Torrin doesn't believe there is any sense in looking, for the time being, without a clearer clue as to where he might be."
So that's what it all came down to.
"Oh he did, did he?" Meg countered. "All knowing Torrin calls the shots, eh?"
Zebra didn't want a fight to ensue. "No. I just think that his way of reasoning is more practical. After what we found in the abandoned hut, seeing that daemons could be involved, he believes that they'll have to reveal their intentions sooner or later. Unearthly beings don't work in secret. So, for now, I think it wise that we wait for a sign."
"Until when?" Meg challenged. "Doomsday?"
She knew the longer they remained stranded in that primitive time and place, the less able Zebra would be willing to separate herself from her romantic obsession.
"What is the point of wandering around without direction?"
"We're accomplishing nothing by letting each day pass without effort", Meg challenged. "That is unless you count making doll eyes at Torrin." She demonstrated by batting her eyelashes dramatically.
Zebra blushed, searching for a logical excuse. "T..Torrin doesn't have anything to do with this."
"Oh?" Meg emphasized with fake surprise. "Is that why you've mentioned his name at least three times during this entire conversation?"
"This is not a conversation, this is a full blown argument", Zebra stood to hover over Meg. She echoed her stance and matched Zebra's height.
"Don't change the subject!"
"Don't throw false accusations at me!"
They were nearly nose to nose, drawing closer in turn. When a soft, hesitant, knock came at the door. Zebra cleared her throat, to soften her voice. "Come in."
With given permission, a curled, ginger colored head poked into view.
"Hey", Herc greeted pleasantly, but awkwardly. "You girls OK in here?"
Equally embarrassed, the girls ducked their heads. They must have caused quite a ruckus to alert the weary hero.
"Every thing's fine", Zebra assured. "Right, Meg?" Giving a wide, toothy grin.
"Suuuuure", she verbally sent in her usual sarcastic fashion, minus the over exaggerated smile. "Just peachy."
Herc was obviously confused, taking-in the negative atmosphere that dominated the room.
"Oookay...If you're sure."
Zebra nodded, with more reassurance. "We're fine, really. We were just having a...petty debate. Nothing serious."
Meg scoffed, expelling a snort from the back of her throat. "In that case, I'm checking out."
With that, she stubbornly threw herself between the blankets and fell silent.
Zebra glanced at her friend, then carefully relaxed her features for the hero's benefit. "See? All is well."
Though not totally convinced, he wisely decided to let them work this spat out themselves. Girls sure had a funny way of working out their differences.
"Then I'll say, goodnight."
"Goodnight, Hercules."
He raised his voice to reach Meg's muffled ears beneath the covers. "Sweet dreams, Meg."
Her repercussion was a cutesy wriggle of her fingers in a feeble wave.
A bit disheartened, the hero withdrew.
After he left, the girls remained silent, until...
"Are you planning to continue hiding under the covers", Zebra inquired. "or are we going to discuss this like mature adults?"
"What do you think?" Came Meg's voice from beneath the covers.
Zebra roughly turned down the blankets of her own bed and shoved herself in. "Figures", she grumbled, blowing out a candle on the bedside table.
Neither liked to go to bed angry, but ignorance and differences of opinion can't always be breached.