3.6 Sheer Temptation

Usually Eden knew her assignments well enough to carry them out blindfolded, but not this time. She rummaged through her limited supply of dresses, unsure which sort of outfit to wear… She was handling a filthy albino and a stinky white mule? She pulled out a sheer temptation; skin always worked, hurrying as best she could as sounds of the crowd coming back into the Grand Courtyard amplified outside. Quickly she pulled on the dress and hurried to the door to see...

         "Oh... My... God…" She couldn't believe her eyes… It was a genuine real life horror show… Real Lunies? Panic struck instantly. With crippling anxiety she took in the procession entering the courtyard… There were so many of them… No wonder Medena was so mad! Was this for real???

         She glanced up at the Villa…. Atalon was allowing this? She couldn't believe it… It was like nothing she had ever seen before… Something was going down. Thoughts raced from one extreme to another, it made no sense at all. It couldn't be hired entertainment, could it? If it wasn't, then why did Atalon let them all in?

         She took a deep breath, reminding herself of the task assigned, she was letting fear get the better of her. She stiffened, reminding herself she was a professional, the best, that's why Medena came to her when she was flipping her lid. She regained composure and began reciting lines as she studied the visitors one by one. Then she saw them.

         "Oh. My. God!!" Like a nightmare come true, she almost fell on her knees too when she spotted the Unicorn… His handler was unmistakable!

         "Oh... My.... God..." As the filthy albino and his stinky white mule presented themselves she realized who they were. She was to handle the actual God of Death? This was way out of her league!

         Neter felt her gaze as she spotted him from her tent. For an agonizing moment their eyes met...

         Panicked, Eden jumped back inside… Had he seen her? Suddenly she felt foolish... If he had seen her, then he saw her duck inside, too. She hovered by the door, unravelling fast… Was he really the god of Death? Was she going to die now that she saw him??? She could feel herself malfunctioning, she couldn't control it… This was terrible, this couldn't have come at a worse time!

         The aribu, now convinced the textbooks weren’t entirely accurate, were overcoming their fears as they followed the Lemurians into the courtyard. Fears were being replaced with questions, they couldn't take their eyes off the pregnant goddesses, the Products, the Golden Weapons and the Unicorn! Whispers and comments could no longer be withheld. It was absurd, wasn't it? Weren't they beautiful? Was it the Lunies that smelled like sandalwood? What was so Evil about them?

         Then, without any warning or formal announcements by royal MC's, Mina climbed up the steps to the royal stage, right beneath the watchful eyes of Medel! Gasps of shock silenced the crowds, bringing the traffic to a halt.

         Atalon felt an inferno blaze inside as the sea of aribu faces in the Grand Courtyard turned to look up at him, standing so helplessly on the Villa balcony. He clenched his fists tight, feigning a smile, there would be fallout, he knew what this was all about, they too had spotted the second comet, they too knew od the coming eclipse, he wasn't a fool.

         "Good thing we made the Lemurian Solution" Malodon reminded, sensing his tension, he knew what was going on in the king's mind. Atalon was putting on a brave face but inside he was looking at it the wrong way, he always did. "Don't let them get to you" he advised. "Just think; now you're letting the Lunies celebrate their final days too!"

         Atalon barely flinched.

         Malodon patted him on the back, reassuring. "Medena's all over it, and if things do get out of hand, we'll put on the Dog Show."

         "Greetings my dear brothers and sisters of Atlan!" Mina bravely greeted the crowd from the royal stage with a voice disproportionate to her slight frame. She was a powerful presence, her brilliant red tresses were like a beacon, even those with nosebleed seats were captive to the flaxen crimson hair, sparkling with crystals glinting in the sun.

         "We have come from Lemuria to build a Bridge of Peace and Friendship" she began. "We have brought you gifts of music and libations to celebrate your New Empire."

         Music? Theories were beginning to form and spread amongst the curious crowd as quickly as the questions arose. Was Atalon installing the Lunies in the New Empire? Was he authorizing them to like them? Were they supposed to boo? No one knew what to do, it didn't make any sense. In spite of their Golden Weapons, the Lunies really didn't seem like the dangerous savages they had been warned of.

         As Mina introduced the show from the royal stage, Neter and Vikkar led the Unicorn and the party crashers to the far side of the courtyard by the barbecue stands to set up camp for the day.

         "I would like to present you with one of the most famous bands in Mu... Please welcome Firelight!"

         The crowd exchanged hushed questions and concerns, everyone was unsure. What was a band? Was Music dangerous? Was Mu in Hellias too?

         As Jasun, Min, Nepheus and Akku then proceeded to trespass up the steps to the royal stage, the crowds gasped in awe of their disrespect. How bold they were! Surely Atalon gave them special permissions?

         Atalon clenched his teeth as the rebels so brutally exploited his generosity, even positive affirmations were a useless exercise in this climate. Malodon was right about the Dog Show but it hardly doused the rage inside, the Dog Show was scheduled for the New Empire Opening Ceremonies, rolling it out now would ruin that, too!

         Moments later, Torus exploded on the Villa balcony, he too had heard the rumors of a Lunie Invasion and came as quickly as he could. He joined the king's side trying his best to appear sober.

         "Is there anything I can do to help?"

         "LOOK!" Atalon pointed towards the courtyard, finger trembling with rage. Torus had to admit, it was worse than he imagined.

         "I want you to go down there and make a list of any aribu that even LOOK at those filthy Serpents!" Atalon blew. "I want to know EVERY LUNG that breathed a SINGLE MOLECULE of their STINKY DANDER! I want EVERY SINGLE DISEASED LOCUST LUNG ON THE SACRIFICIAL SCHEDULE!"

         "Yes, your Honor!"

         "NOW!" He bellowed, slamming his telescope on the rail.