Zelenia is seated in the middle at the round table between her children. Shane and Xanther sat across from them, and Mikael sat between Shane and Aisha.
"So, how did you guys end up here together? I mean, Mikael, they informed you that someone rented the lodge, right?" she queried.
"Yes. And I was here to meet your bosses, but the bridge fell after that strong quake. I found them walking back to the town after their car fell along the bridge."
"Fell, as in the bridge destroyed? So how can we cross?" she panicked. She is not afraid of the thought of not crossing the bridge because they can teleport or open a portal. But it will become a problem. How will she explain that to the humans who knew they were in here? It will be a mystery, but she has to go to work and the kids to their school on Monday.
'Oh, my bosses were trapped here as well, and the school's owner was also here!" That was stupid. What does she have to worry about?
'But being stuck here with these men? I would kick them back into the city!' Luna desired to do this.
'Ah. We can ask or call 911 to go home by human ways... there is another solution without using magic.' she reasons to Luna.
'And how is that? Those flying objects invented by humans? They were far behind the Galatians' Universe. They were using advanced technology that almost compared with magic.'
'You have a point, Luna, but I think there is a reason why this planet's technology was average compared to the rest of this universe. Each Universe uses a unique weapon to fight each other, and as for this planet, they cannot fight against the neighboring planets, whereas the other Universe.' Zelenia pondered over this. 'Let's put it this way... if Earth had the technology like the Galatians and the power of the Celestial plus the Heaven and Hell, I can't imagine what would happen to this Galaxy. It would be an unending war for who will rule this Universe.'
'Somehow, Earthen are... are you thinking it was on purpose to place limitations on Earthen knowledge?'
'To protect them from destroying themselves? A possible? It must be their Creator's purpose. But a lot of Earthen are slowly breaking through this limitation. Their evolution appears limitless… it was slow, but their knowledge continues to grow.'
'I understood your point, priestess.'
'And Earthen mortals have unique characteristics.'
RESILIENCE. One thing that she admired about these ordinary beings without magic or the power they possess.
Zelenia fell into deep thought while conversing with Luna, then noticed hot gazes on her face. She sensed Manager Jang staring at her. He was always so quiet. Shane and Mikael were always so noisy.
"Huh! No problem. I already called my butler to get us later but changed my mind so that I would stay overnight."
"Huh? Like I will allow you to sleep in one of the rooms! You will stay outside!"
"That's my plan, and you will stay with us!"
"Wait, a minute! Why do I have to sleep outside? This is my lodge!"
"And do you think I will let you stay with Miss Henderson?"
"And like I will do something…." Mikael shot a glare at Shane. "It was you I don't trust."
Zelena heaves a silent sigh. Mikael and Shane's crossing paths turned out to be a disaster. They were like kids arguing endlessly. A lion and hawk were supposed to work together but acted like spoiled rich brats. Aside from that, she grew weary as Xanther kept glancing at her. She wished he would say whatever was on his mind. It made her wonder what he was thinking about her.
"Ahem. We have kids here. Can you both please not argue over our meal?"
"Humph!" At long last, Shane and Mikael eat in silence.
Janus and Aisha glanced at their mother and smiled, conveying the thought, 'these adults acting childish are complete idiots,' which made Zelenia giggle and put a finger on top of her lip. She has to solve the matter Mikael and Shane argued with...
"Well then! Since this lodge has three bedrooms. The kids and I can share one room, and you guys can occupy the other two rooms," she suggested.
"That's fine with me! But I will take the room next to the main bedroom!" Mikael announced.
In the master's bedroom, Zelenia put Janus and Aisha to bed since the three men volunteered to clean the kitchen. Actually, it was Xanther who firmly ordered Mikael and Shane to help clean. Unexpectedly, Xanther has persuaded the boss to wash the plates and Mikael to scrub the floor. Xanther has the ability to tame these two grown-ups who act childishly. Zelenia has been learning new things about her boss for three years now.
But then, she has to postpone the Fusion ritual again, and she is supposed to meditate and consume the reflection while the moon is at its peak tonight. She also plans to light a bonfire before the ritual begins. The kids surely would love it.
"Mommy, does it mean we cannot reunite with our Spirit Animal yet?" Janus asked his mommy.
Zelenia put on the covers first and then a comforter before she replied. "We have to postpone it tonight, honey. We cannot reveal who we are to humans."
"Okay. I understand. People should not see Lionel and Sora." Janus whispered, afraid the men downstairs heard their conversation.
Zelenia smiled, seeing Janus being careful not to reveal their identity. He is genuinely showing eagerness to protect them from here on. "Yes, honey. They must remain inside when we go back to the city."
"Okay, mommy!" Janus and Aisha said at once.
Zelenia hugs her children and plants kisses on each of them. They were showing maturity. It gladdens her… things will be easy for her to explain the truth. Yet, she hides many things from her children; the Decree never falls in love, gets married, and gives birth. She hopes they will understand immediately if she is brave enough to tell them the truth about a Priestess's role.
Janus and Aisha gradually loosen their hugs as they fall asleep. Giving them sleep dust each night, so their body relaxes and suppresses the energy spilling out...
She listens below, and Mikael and Shane usually keep arguing over minor matters, even about who will use the bathroom first.
"I should use the bathroom first since I own this lodge!"
"I should use the bathroom first since I am a guest!"
"I did not invite you to stay at my lodge! But I have to respect sister Zelena's decision!"
"She is not your sister, but still a wonderful idea that you remain her little brother," Shane smirks.
"Tse!"
"You both are too loud. Why are you arguing when the bathroom is wide and has two showers inside? You can both use the showers together and have each one!" Xanther kicks Mikael and Shane toward the bathroom and closes the door.
"Hey, Xanther! How dare you treat your boss this way!" Shane shouts from behind the bathroom door.
Xanther heaves a sigh and heads to the living room. He sits on the sofa relaxing his back. The nerves on his forehead are slowly showing and even growing more extensive. Finally, a few minutes of silence... but he could still hear faint shouting from the bathroom. At least it won't disturb the kids, but he badly wanted to scream at those two unbelievably childish men.
Xanther marches toward the bathroom and slams the door open.
"ENOUGH!!!" he shouted at them.
* * *
(THE BATHROOM SCENE)
Shane reaches for the soap dish, but no soap is on it. He leans over at Mikael's shower cubicle to check out the soap.
"Pervert!" Mikael shouted at Shane.
"Hey! I'm not looking at your thing! I'm searching for bath soap! Besides, it looks small." Shane grins while looking at Mikael between his thighs.
"You really are a pervert! Sister Zelena is in danger working with you!" he yells.
"What are you talking about — ouch! How dare you throw the soap at me!"
It hit Shane on the forehead, but Mikael realized he needed that soap. "Give me back my soap!" he demanded.
"Huh! It was my soap now!" Shane picked up the soap and scrubbed his body with it while whistling.
"Give it back to me!" Mikael left his cubicle and entered Shane's shower.
"Hey! What are you doing here? Get out!"
"Give the soap back to me!" Mikael tried to snatch the soap from Shane's hand.
"What the — why are you persistent!"
Mikael and Shane turned their heads at the door when it opened.
"ENOUGH!!! Can't you both have a quiet shower!?"
"Hey, I did not start this!" Shane denied.
"You started it when you were peeking at my thing!" Mikael accuses Shane.
"And why would I look at your thing? I was only looking for soap! Besides, mine is bigger than yours!" he boastfully returned.
"Liar! Perverts! My thing is bigger than yours!'
"Don't dare point your finger at my thing!"
"BOTH OF YOU ARE SHAMELESS!" yells Xanther. He hits the bathroom light switch before shutting the door.
"Hey, Xanther! How dare you turn off the light!" Shane complains, but then, he feels something. "What are you doing, bastard!"
"I'm taking back my soap!"
"Where the hell are you touching me? I don't know where the soap is! It slips in my hand!"
"Huh? Then?"
"....." Shane remains quiet.
"....." Mikael quietly exits Shane's shower cubicle and returns to his, finishing the shower.