3.9 A Real Invasion

Intimidation wasn't something Torus suffered from, he had his own reasons for concern. Obviously Atalon had no idea what was going on, the scene unfolding in the Grand Courtyard wasn't just upsetting the Farewell Celebration, it was a wild card messing with the drug op. As he marched down Main St, hashing out possible complications, there was more than the Soloha to worry about. What on earth was all that noise? These were powerful sounds, BOOMING from the Grand Courtyard, and Atalon was allowing it? He stopped outside the Skin Club and peered through the foggy windows. He could see Nolan inside, hiding…

         The Skin Club was quiet as he expected it would be. The house lights were still on, a few waitresses and Golden Goddesses were busy prepping for the day. Torus made his way to the VIP booth, Nolan was alone, nursing a strong coffee, reading a Tabloid as if nothing was happening.
         "Vikkar just showed up with a boatload of Lunies" he snatched the tabloid from him, irritated. "They've taken over the courtyard, perhaps our business and you're reading a Tabloid?"
         "I know" Nolan put the tablet down. "I heard." He touched his ear. "Josh would never let that happen!"

         "You talk to Vikkar all the time, Why did he bring his louse-infested Savages here?"

         "I don't know!" Nolan was obviously bothered by it.

         "He even brought that hideous god of Death creature and his ridiculous looking Unicorn gadget along to shit all over the place. I guess Vikkar's playing some kind of joke?"

         "Atalon let him off the boat, didn't he?" Nolan had his own reasons to be upset. They had used his gravel order as a vehicle to pull off this stunt, he knew he was going to get blamed for it, no matter what.

         "Where's Josh?" 

         "Are you shutting down the fundraiser?"

         "Absolutely!" Torus assured. "We can't let the Lunies find out about it!"

         "Why not?" Nolan objected. "Maybe it's a gold mine in the courtyard today? A chance for some trade?"

         Torus held his tongue, now wasn't the time to point out his ignorance. He chose his words carefully. "I heard it came from their medicine book or something... They might recognize it."
         Now Nolan was curious. "Why would that matter?"

         Torus got up and assessed the frumpy figure slumped in the seat.

         "Get up!" He barked. "You need to go to the Salon. We're going down there to sort this out ourselves!"

         Bell stood on the front step of the Headquarters building, dumbfounded by the blast of sound exploding from the courtyard below, this was a brand new weapon, he had no idea how to tackle it. It was awful, the drama that was unfolding was completely out of order, there had been no warning, or training drills for this, whatsoever! No Prep Memo. No Budget Meeting. No Publicity Interviews and no Casting Sessions! These, together like this were textbook characteristics of a Real Invasion! Suddenly he spotted Josh hanging around the courtyard gates as if looking for someone... Why was Josh still roaming free?

         He glanced up at the Villa, the party was obviously still going on in full swing... What if the libations had taken over the reigns? What if those in control had lost control at a critical moment in history? Was it his duty to step in if he was the only one sober enough to protect the city? The truth was, he was a VIP, he just wasn't being acknowledged as one! The truth was, in such a scenario, he would be the ONLY one who could save them!

         He glanced down toward the station, his crew were almost finished loading the train. He knew the consequences of leaving his post… Stiffening, he slipped back into his leadership role and took a seat on the train, but as the engine pulled away, he noticed Torus and Nolan emerge from the Skin Club, walk down the hill and turn into Dion's Salon. It made him crazy having to move files from the Underworld at a time like this. It wasn't right. Deeply troubled, he returned his attention to the Villa again as the train trundled up the hill. He could see the gods looking down on the courtyard from the balcony quite well from up the street... They didn't seem too drunk... They obviously knew what was going on... 

         Dion's Salon was quiet, none of the aribu were interested in having their hair done, Torus and Nolan had the full attention of Dion and Mel today.
         "He even brought that hideous Grim Reaper" Torus took the opportunity to vent in hopes of garnering more knowledge. "Don't you think they're up to something?" 

         Dion had herd all about it already, but he too was in the dark.

         "We're going down to investigate" Nolan announced as he took a seat in the chair.

         Having witnessed the scene already for herself, Mel was sure the Lemurians had been set up to do this, it was the only explanation. Atalon would never hire them let alone not tell her without her finding out about it. She had a hunch she knew who it was, too. Medena wanted their blood. She knew things about the Crystal Program that neither Torus or Nolan knew. Dion's silence only confirmed her suspicions; he knew about it too. 

         "He seems to be the ring leader, not Vikkar" Mel was fairly well educated on the god of Death. "Vikkar just happened to have the ship coming this way. My guess is Eden's casting a spell on him as we speak" she advised, smiling confidently. "I guarantee he won't be able to resist her."

         With no customers to attend to, Dena found herself dusting the product displays and tidying the tabloids on the waiting room table while the gods were having their hair done. She didn't mind working Reception through the Farewell Celebration, it gave her a chance to stand out from the crowd of wannabes, it gave her private time to bond with Mel. For the first time ever, it was quiet enough in Dion's Salon to overhear the private banter carrying on in the back of the salon. Her ears were burning.

         "We ought to look casual down there" Nolan suggested.

         "Act like we're there to enjoy the show" Torus agreed.

         "Why don't the goddesses join us?"

         Torus liked the idea, he glanced at Mel in the mirror, her smile was consent enough.

         "What do you say, Dion?" Torus gestured towards the empty chairs. "You can handle the place without them for a few hours? Let them laugh at the Lunies for a while, too?"

         "Okay" he agreed.
         "How are we going to deal with Josh?" Nolan reminded. "He's been waiting for me all morning, what should I tell him?"

         The success of the Soloha had been notable, it had changed some minor details in major ways, it wasn’t a good idea to threaten it in any way. Dion agreed, the enterprise had to be shut down.

         "Give me an hour or so, I'll take care of Josh" he assured.

         Josh wouldn't have been selling any Soloha that morning, had he been fully stocked. The late delivery wasn't so much an issue as it was a curiosity. There were so many other distractions keeping the aribu from his fare, he found himself without the usual attention. Awestruck, he was hardly even thinking about it as he ogled the goddesses slithering past his tent, nor could he take his eyes off the handsome gods with their glittery hair, infused with aromatic sandalwood, nor could he ignore their jaw-dropping Products, they were making him rediscover his deepest passions all over again. DNA was an amazing thing. Was the creator God of the Origian race actually outshining the mighty Malodon today?

         "Would you like a Honey Bun?"

         The sweet voice which stole him away from his thoughts, came from the most beautiful creature he had ever seen in his life. Thick locks of chocolate brown curls framed her beautiful olive-skinned face, she captured his heart in a beat with her emerald green eyes, sending him right back to the thoughts she had just stolen him from. He followed her spiraling brown curls down to her basket of honey buns, deciding at that moment, he had to breed with her.

         "Oh, yes…" he found his voice and reached for a Honey Bun. "I would love to try your Honey Buns!" When suddenly he caught his slip and scanned his vicinity for witnesses… But no one had seen or heard his reply. "Thank you very much.... Miss…"

         "Tika" she replied, smiling as sweetly as she sounded. "It means Wonder of Life in our ancient tongue."

         "Miss Tika… Wonder of Life…" Josh couldn't control this feeling inside, it only confirmed he had the eye, he had the talent to recognize prime DNA when he saw it, this was a gift from Medel. He reached for her hand, it was soft as velvet, as her cheeks would be, if only he dared touch them. He wanted to kiss her Honey Bun scented hand with tender sincerity, but didn’t dare. He glanced up at the balcony and stiffened.

         "My name is Josh."

         Out on the dance floor, Eden was treading into unstable territory, rapidly. Like a ship sinking in the harbor before even setting sail, she was losing any hope of handling the god of Death with every step she took. This had never happened before, she was used to being in control of any situation, but his dominant attitude was resistant to her spells.

         And it wasn't a horrible experience, either. With passionate embrace he swept her across the dance floor, lifting her up in his arms and spinning her around, making her move in ways she had never moved before. She fought so hard to gain control, to manipulate the flow, but she was fighting a losing battle. In turn, she found herself fighting feelings of lust for the dangerous god of Death! What was happening? Was this real Sorcery?

         Terrifying thoughts now seized her mind; he had caught her in his poisonous web, now she was under a spell, now she was going to die...

         "Why don't you... come up to... the Villa" she asked in between bars of music, trying hard to stay on course in spite of the powerful velocity she was feeling as he swung her around. He didn't reply, lost in the choreography of the dance and harmonies of the song, her words were lost to the magic on stage. Feeling the eyes burning from the balcony above, she kept trying to pop the question but either the music was too loud and he couldn't hear, or he was ignoring her. She decided to play the slow game, shelve the request for now, enjoy the moment and invite him up at the food lineup. As long as she had him at arms length, she was halfway there.

         But as they danced, the music changed into a waltz. Neter pulled her even closer, as he rocked her gently between the fire dancers she felt a tingly sensation inside. Feelings of joy made her heart pump with desire like nothing she had ever felt before... The god of Death was a Sorcerer alright, but every inch of her body was lusting for more of his intoxicating magic. He was too attractive, too sensual and too much fun to reject. She couldn't help but succumb to lush feelings, she knew she was malfunctioning but she was enjoying it! The joy of the dance, the passion of the man, the aromas, the music and the magic... This was the most exciting moment she had ever had in her entire life!