Tak's smile disturbed Dib, though he was not fond of Zim, no creature should be subjected to whatever totures she was imagining on Christmas. He sighed and looked down at the rest of their guests. Minimoose was ok, quiete, which was ideal for him, but Gir was like a child wit ADD that had eaten too much candy. And Mimi was already a handful.
"Uh, Gir, you can go up to Mimi's room. I'll guess you can share it till your leaders come back." Dib said, scratching the back of his neck.
"Is Gir really sleeping over?" the female robot asked Dib, knowing he'll be more leaniant than Tak. Dib could not help himself from smiling at the sir unit, who reminded him of a child.
"Seems so." Dib answered petting Mimi's head, while Tak shot him a look. Mimi jumped happily and hugged Dib's leg.
"YAYZ! We can tells eachothers stories and eat marshmellows and play and eat hamsters..." Gir chattered as Mimi showed him her room, which was resembled a high-tech nursery. Mini-Moose squeeked and flew in, carrying a bouquet of flowers to Spike. Now they were left facing Zim.
"I suppose this is the part you tie me to a table and disect me?" Zim looked at Dib, pouting like a child.
"No, that'd be too merciful... We are going to do what the tallests ask Zim..." Tak laughed making Dib smile. She was so perfect.
"But you said you wouldn't take orders from any 'idiots who associate with me'." Zim taunted, a little smug.
"Leaders, no, but what kind of people would I... I mean We," Tak smiled grabbing Dib's arm," if we ignore the requests of concerned parents?"
Zim's face fell as Dib held back a chuckle. This was going to be a Christmas to remember. That's when it dawned on him that the holiday was only a few days away, and they had a housefull of guests and not much done. Not to mention Gaz already had a cold, now they had an irken with a cold? Gaz he could help, but he didn't know anything about alien illnesses.
"Tak... Do we have the things neccessary to take care of a sick irken?" Dib whispered to her.
"Don't worry, an irken cold an human cold are the same." Tak brushed him off. "Zim, go inside... and don't touch ANYTHING!"
"Well, this complicates things, we needed to do some shopping and go to the library. I think we'll put the research off till later."
"No... Dib, I always wanted to go to a human information unit..." Her eyes looked down as she pouted, like Zim was earlier.
"Hey, why don't we split the errands? I'll do some of the shopping and stuff, and you can go to the library." He offered.
"That would save time, but how do I use the library" This made Dib laugh.
"Don't worry, it's very 'primitive' you might say. I have'nt seen the town's library, but it might be really old school. Just ask the librarian for help. And could you get me a book on any local legends, like the Bell witch?" He asked, kissing her, as he decided he should start his erands.
"I'll try, kika." Tak returned.
"kika?" Dib questioned.
"Oh, it's equivilant to sweetheart or honey on Irk."
"Good to know, kika." He smiled kissing her again., "HEY MOOSE THING!"
"Squeek-squeek."
Gaz moaned, pulling the covers over her head as Spike growled, wanting to sleep in with her human. A few squeeks later she jumped up intending to eat whatever was not letting her sleep, but was pleasantly surprised to see Mini-Moose with flowers.
"Grrwrr?"
"Squeek... squeek." Which I think meant "good morning, my sleeping beauty... the big headed human says Gaz needs to go with him to town."
Spike jumped on her owner, forcing the sick teen out of bed and to get dressed. Gaz was swearing the whole time till she got to the bottom of the stairs and saw Zim onthe couch.
"Zim? *sneeze*" Zim shot up, startled, seeing Gaz and before she could accuse him of stalking, he defended his situation.
" *coughcough* Trust me Gaz, being treated like a smeet wasn't on my plans of impressing you, but I have no choice but to be carted around by your brother and Tak." He started before going into a coughing fit, as Dib entered the room, prepared to leave.
"Ok, Gaz, you sit in front with me, Zim... get in the trunk." Dib grinned openning the door.
"Dib..."
"Fine, backseat."
"Where are we going?" Zim asked nervously.
"Just shopping... and to the pharmacy." Dib hurried pushing a frightened Zim out the door.
It was a beautiful building. Tak felt like she was in a fantasy world, seeing so many books on books. Most were made with paper, like the ancient civilations had. And so many things in the pages, not all information. Stories, tellings of monsters and romance. Things for the mind's amusement than just facts. But as soon as she got the books she wanted she decided to research the lighthouse. It was difficult at first, using the machine to show the news paper clippings, but at last she found something... more than something. Many things that chilled her blood. The house was hundreds years old, and each occupant met an untimely death. Murder, suicide, accidents, strange illnesses. But what scared her was the last she found. Gazelle Membrane, falling to her death from her balcony window. Authorities said it was suicide due to the divorce of her husband, leaving the two children in his custody.
"Tragedy, it was..." called a soft voice behind her.
"Excuse me?" Tak asked, alarmed.
"Miss Gazelle Skellelaire, or Membrane, as she was married." The old lady sighed.
"Did she really kill herself?" Tak asked, wanting to to know for Dib and Gaz's sake. How would they deal knowing their mother ended her own life?
"That was the final report, but I don't believe it for a second." The woman shook with emotion. "She loved those babies, I did too, she would've never left them."
"How did you know her?" Tak quizzed, spinning around in her chair.
"Her parents took me in, taught me all there was about this world... as you understand, I'm sure." Tak's eyes widened, as she found herself unable to breath.
"Y-you're an alien, too?" She whispered, approaching the woman in awe.
"Oh, yes... irken to be exact." she laughed softly.
"... Were you sent..."
"No, I was not an invader. I was bannished from home for going against my programing. I tried to relocate to many other planets, but the irken armada had me listed from those too. Earth was the only one I could find, as it was not known to the irken race or any others." Tak found herself wrapped in the elder's story. "You see, young one, Earth was not an uncharted planet. It is very known to many others who wish to seek refuge. We keep it unknown."
"There are more irkens here?"
"Irkens, vortians, reptilians... here we are the same... Oh there have been a couple that's tried to conquer it."
"But why not?" Tak asked, confused and curious.
"Haven't you guessed by now? This is not a ball of dirt to reside. It is alive. This is a sacred place. It feels. It has a soul." She smiled, gently squeezing Tak's hand.
"I think I understand..." Tak shook her head trying to focus. ,"My home, can you tell me about the happennings inside?"
"Like I said, Earth lives, she remembers... It is scary at first, but you shall learn... My name is Willow." She said, checking out the books and putting them in a bag for Tak.
"I'm Tak... thank you for everything." Tak nodded and was about to leave before Willow stopped her.
"You might want this book, too." Tak looked down at a copy of 'Good Manners for Dummies' ," For the other, loud one." This made Tak laugh, heartly.
The christmas shopping was easy, with Gaz to scare people out of the way, same with picking up some paint and things to finish fixing up the hous, but the trip to the pharmacy was not. Both he and his sister had to drag Zim in, who kept insisting it was a trap. But once inside his mind wandered in his usual manner, picking up nearly everything he saw wanting Dib to buy it for him. True, he had his own money, but he was a guest. They finally got to the aisle of cough syrups and flu medicines. One never knew how hard it was to pick out one.
"Zim, just pick something..." Gaz was really irratated and Dib was rubbing his temples, to sooth his headache.
"ZIM DEMANDS PATIENCE!" he started before going into a coughing fit. ,"Let's see... cherry flavored, soothing cough suppressant... or the nightime with the warm feeling..."
"Just pick one that helps." Dib sighed, almost sounding like he was pleading with Zim.
"Cherry it is!" Zim held the bottle high in victory, leaving the two to roll their eyes at the fact he just picked a children's syrup.
As they go to pay, Gaz winked to Dib and switched the syrup with the strongest they had. But Dib still was somehow forced to pay for a bunch of candy bars and a yoyo. Finally, errands done, they went home to prepare for Christmas eve and to hear what Tak learned.
Tak was rushing agaisnt time, Gir and Mimi helping her wrap presents. She couldn't get the thought of her kika's mother ending her life. But Willow said she didn't... so how? Who? She sighed sadly, knowing the answer one day Dib and gaz will have to face. But she'll be there when they do. She's here now and that's what counts...
Gir hummed happily, as he played with a ribbon Tak had given him. Truthfully Mimi, Spike and Mini-moose were helping, but Gir didn't want to be left out so she had told him to practice tying a knot. But he still truly believe he was helping and that made him happy.
"Gir."
Gir's atennae perked up at the sound of Gaz's voice.
"...Gir..." She whispered from behind the door that led to the cellar.
Gir nearly squeeled in delight. Gazzy was playing hide and seek! But he'll find her! He got up from his lazy position on the floor and sneaked closer to the basement. He raised his hand to the doorknob
"...Giiiiiir...rr...rrr..." Gaz's voice sang before echoing into a low growl.
Gir stopped. He did not like this game anymore. Backing up, he asked, "Gazzy?"
Tak, who had not been paying attention, sighed tearing a peice of tape, "I told you Gir, Zim and Gaz are out with Dib. They'll be back soon..."
Gir shook. That was not Gaz in the basement... Gir didn't know much but he knew this... that was evil.