Vida
The Great Hall, Kingdom of Howard
"Damn, their food is something else!"
"Tessa! Keep your voice down!"
"Why? We're the only ones here."
Technically, she was right. Vida and Tessa were the only ones eating breakfast in the dining room. Vida found that 'room' would be a poor way to describe the hall that they were in. They were seated opposite each other at a table so long you could at least sit roughly twenty people and there might even be room for more.
"Besides," Tessa said as she stuffed herself with what looked like pancakes. "How will you be able to hear me?"
Vida giggled. "I guess you're right." She sliced through her eggs and took a bite. It was the best damned egg she ever had. It was kind of nice not having to cook for once.
After their arrival, Vida had a brief glimpse of Howard as they were being escorted toward the Palace.
She still could not believe she was in Colter's world.
Colter's confession about him not being a human and that he came from a world called Howard, seemed like a long time ago. Vida felt she was living right out of a fairytale. Who knew there existed another world with people who had super powers and could fly?
Howard was nothing like Earth. The luscious greenery was something else here. Vida immediately knew just by looking at the flowers, they were magical. The air was different too. It was sweeter. Or maybe she was just used to the contaminated air of the Hudson River.
"Earth to Vida!" Tessa waved her fork in front of her friend's face. "Or should I say Howard to Vida?"
They both snorted onto their plates and it eventually progressed into a laugh.
"Oh, wow." Tessa fanned herself. "I forgot the feeling of having a good belly laugh like that."
"Yeah," Vida said while catching her breath.
The doors to the Great Hall opened. A familiar figure walked towards them. Tessa squinted her eyes and said, "Hey, Vergil. Care to join us for breakfast?"
Vergil smiled but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "I appreciate the invitation but I'm afraid that I have already eaten."
"Could I trouble you with tea, then?" Tessa asked.
"Thank you, but no." Vergil said curtly. "I'm here to escort you to the Throne Room. The King wishes to see both of you."
Vida looked at her friend while Tessa did the same. She could not shake the feeling that being called by the King was like the equivalent of being called to the principal's office.
Tessa said, "Well, it's better to get over with."
Vida was confused. Last night, while Vida had been escorted to a guest room on the east wing, Tessa had been escorted to the former Oracle's tower in the west wing. When they asked why they had to have separate rooms, the attendant that escorted them explained that it was the King's orders so Tessa would be stimulated to make predictions.
Earlier, she asked Tessa what was like sleeping in a tower and all she did was scrunch her nose. An 'if it was fine,' was all she got.
Tessa wiped her mouth elegantly, something Vida had not imagined her friend doing with a straight face. "Lead the way, Vergil."
Vida smiled at her friend's antics. Tessa was enjoying this so much.
She too would enjoy her play and pretend if Colter would just come home.
---
TESSA
The Throne Room, Kingdom of Howard
"Here they are, Your Grace." Vergil announced their arrival. "Tessa, the Modernized Deity, and Vida, the uhm, the friend of Prince Colter."
Both of them gave a curtsy to the King. Vida tried hard not to laugh at how Tessa was dubbed as 'Modernized Deity.'
There was another man standing beside the King, his silver hair having a run for his money. As the King waved his hands to get the niceties out of the way, Tessa knew instantly that the King did not regale on some good old icebreakers. He was the straight-to-the-point kind of guy.
"You wished to see us, Your Majesty?" Vida timidly asked.
"Did you see anything while you were in the Deity's tower?" King Malik asked, completely ignoring Vida.
Tessa scoffed at the King's rudeness. Before she could open her mouth to retaliate, Vida thought it best to not be on the King's bad side, since they badly needed his help in finding Colter. So she nudged her best friend.
"Where in a different territory, Tessa. Chilld the fuck out." Vida muttered.
"Well?" the King asked again.
She stood up straight and spoke loudly. "I didn't have any visions of Colter or his whereabouts yet. But I have seen other pressing matters. Danger is coming this way. Tonight, they shall strike under the blanket of darkness. They're hella scary and they're strong. They should not to be reckoned with. I don't wanna die here and go missing on Earth forever!"
King Malik's reaction was dubious. It seemed like the 'Modernized Deity' had a lot of work cut out for them.
Vida could not help but add, "I think it's best if we made some preparations ahead. There's nothing to lose, after all."
Before the King could reply, the man beside him spoke up. "They're right, we should get ready. Father, if you'll permit me, I'll ask our troops to prepare. We cannot risk our kingdom's safety. Especially that Colter has not been found yet."
King Malik just agreed. "Very well. Gian, you may go."
The man named Gian gave a long, low bow and left the hall briskly.
Once Gian was out of the room, the King called Vergil's attention. "Vergil, please make sure he's not up to something else."
"Understood." Vergil replied.
And then there were three.
Vida had noticed that Tessa's gaze were glazing over. "Focus, Tessa."
Tessa looked at Vida and her eyes said it all, she found Gian attractive.
So that was the other royal brother. She wondered how much the rent would cost here?