64. The Price To Pay

        Feeling more like the god of Doom instead of the god of Desire, Nolan hurried across the pyramid construction site, somewhat lit up from the wine, clutching an arm full of revised plans. The noise was deafening, he had a splitting headache and couldn't wait for the day to be over. Already so far behind schedule, he really didn't need this new Aquillan attack to deal with, rumor was the damage was extensive, prompting an urgent meeting.

         Ra-Ku, and the other Nefilim Foremen had taken a look the foundations, the integrity of the western corner of the pyramid had been compromised. 

         "Look, I'll show you." He reached for Nolan's plan, laid it on the table and pointed to the corner of the Royal Residence bunker and marked a new X on the area affected. "The ground has collapsed from below right here." He then pointed to the other X's on the plan, situated along a dotted line. "All the assaults have been adjacent to this tunnel, and given they have all been below the pyramids, my hunch is Aquilla knows why we're building them!"

         "Ah..." Nolan studied the pattern, realizing now the serious nature of the pressure he was under, as a so-called god. Ra-Ku was quite possibly right. "What does Ku say?"

         "Ku's worried about the building now, this one affects the entire quadrant, he says we need to fill the hole in right away, at the very least, so it doesn't get worse."

         Nolan rubbed his forehead, spreading the sweat around, struggling to think for himself, wishing he could blank out the budget disaster of the Moha Lab Renovation, unfolding behind his back.

         "Come," the Foreman suggested, rolling up the plan. "I'll show you so you can see the urgency for yourself, it's the Royal Residence, you know!"

         "Yes, yes, you're right" Nolan followed along.

         Ra-Ku led Nolan and his entourage of Architects and Engineers to the far corner of the pyramid site. Nolan gazed down into the ominous depths, then let his eyes wander up to the top of the pyramid, looming above. There was no doubting the real concerns, the potential disaster the chasm had created seemed obvious enough, the problem was only going to get worse in the event of a natural disaster.

         "We lost twelve aribu in the collapse" Ra-Ku had to raise his voice in order to be heard over the noise. "It couldn't be happening at a worse time."

         Nolan returned his attention to the hole, he couldn't believe this really deliberate sabotage... A reptile did this? Was it an ancient curse? Was this the real reason Orius's position suddenly became available? Now he was feeling played, wondering about the politics behind the pyramids, behind Dell’s staged murder, these secrets had been nothing but a noose around his neck ever since he took office.

         "We'll have to bring in TWO loads of gravel to fill in that void!" 

         "I know, I know..." Nolan didn't need a lecture, after all, it was the Royal Residence. "There's nothing else we can do" he agreed with a shrug. "We'll have to swallow the expense in the lab reno. somehow, we have to keep going. I'll have the order authorized right away."

         The hair dye was beginning to feel like it was burning her scalp. Zara kept a close eye on Mel working three chairs down through the reflection of the mirrored wall, carefully fussing over Hedena's hair, what little of it she had. Surely it had been fifteen minutes already?
         She returned her attention to her own reflection and lifted the towel to peek at the color inside. It looked very dark, not very subtle.... Somewhat worried, trying not to worry, she leaned back and took a deep breath, repeating affirmations that suited her fears. She tried to read the tabloid and waited patiently as she could, but her scalp was really stinging badly now. She sipped some of her wine, reminding herself to focus on enjoying her self indulgence at the salon.

         But as Mel continued to fuss over Hedena's hair, the stinging was becoming unbearable, like torture. This was surely longer than fifteen minutes? She glanced around the room, hoping to catch someone's attention, afraid to interrupt anyone vocally… But no one noticed her, everyone was too busy with what they were doing to catch her eye. She tried to relax and listen to their chit chat, unable to read. Mel and Hedena were laughing about the latest party they had been to, some expensive dress from abroad had been ruined? Memories of the wardrobe trauma flooded her mind as the goddesses cackled over the story. Sometimes life was hard to understand.

         The burning was beginning to sting so bad she was feeling panicky, was it supposed to sting? Wouldn’t Mel have warned her? Was that why she was offered the wine? She took another sip; it wasn't helping. Something was definitely wrong. It was getting harder and harder to relax, it had to have been more than fifteen minutes already? Had Mel actually forgotten about her? Mel was famous, her reputation was solid gold, there was no way she would forget about her client! But nonetheless, she couldn't help but wonder as the pain began to set in. Was it simply an oversight? Had she simply been bumped by Royalty? Dare she say something? 

        

         Eventually Mel unwrapped the towel from Hedena's shoulders and helped her out of the chair. Zara took a deep breath, relieved the ordeal was almost over. But as Hedena passed behind her chair she paused to notice her again. Zara felt her cheeks turn bright red as the lenses of the godly goddess focused on her presence through the reflection in the mirror.

         "It's... Zara, isn't it?"

         "Yes..." Suddenly she remembered to salute and scrambled out of the chair, knocking the tabloid to the floor. "Your Honor, I hope you are well!" She made her smartest salute.

         "How nice to see you" Hedena smiled, picking the tabloid up off the floor and handing it to her. "Are you working in Atlan now?"
         "Oh, I'm sorry, thank you!" Flustered, Zara took the tabloid, so embarrassed now she wanted to just disappear. "Yes, I'm working in the Infrastructure Department" she replied, still hoping to impress. "I'm an Architectural Assistant."

         "Well that's wonderful news" Hedena smiled, kindly. "Why don't you come and have luncheon with me now that you are a young professional here in Atlan at last. I know... Why don't you join us tomorrow? I'm having luncheon with the goddesses at noon."

         "Luncheon?" Zara wasn't sure she heard right.

         "I'll take that as a yes!" Hedena smiled. 

         "Oh…" The offer caught Zara off guard. "Really? Wow, that would be splendid! Thank you!"

         "Luncheon is at The Grill. Don't be late!" Hedena turned to leave. "We'll be looking forward to your company!"

         Zara was left speechless, confused, happy, relieved, doubtful, all of the above. Perhaps Hedena thought kindly of her after all? She watched her leave the salon, filled with renewed hope and wonder, in spite of the burning pain. Things really had changed and it was time to get used to it.

         It took a while for reality to set in. Luncheon with the Vine Goddesses? The pain of having some color applied to her hair would be worth it in the end, this was simply the price she had to pay. It really was a wonderful feeling being grown up, being valued for being that valuable Cog in Atalon's Great Machine!