| Chapter Four That night a grand feast was being prepared by elves and half-elves. Quarter elves, hamsters, and even the penguins of the polar caps helped. They were preparing all kinds of Neptunese dishes. Meat was used sparingly or not at all because it was very rare on Neptune. Not because they were all vegetarians but because animals were not very common and the ones that were there were there to see how they adapt to the Neptune habitat. At the head of the palace table was Squirt, a pilot and a friend of Anday. He was chatting rather loudly to a pretty young elf to his right. Across from her the Kidd was smiling to himself about something only he knew. To his left sat a somewhat cross and deep-in-thought Commander Stamatkin. Next to him sat three or four girls all giggling about how exciting it was to sit by the Anday Stmatkin. Diagonally from him Erin was laughing with Hannahoko and to her right sat the before mentioned Tyler. Other important Neptune citizens at the table were Scoot, Balathasar's elfin Lord, Matt, the irascible retired psychologist, and Matt’s former girlfriend, Neptune’s biologist, Faithi. The Queen herself did not preside at the head of the red oak table because she believed dining was the one-time formalities were to be put aside. Hannahoko turned her attention over to Tyler and whispered something to him, but Anday could not make it out. Matt was still daydreaming when he was thwaped on the shoulder by Squirt. A half-gloved hand was shoved in his face and the word, "Squirt," followed. "Yes," said the Kidd accepting the other boy's hand, "I am somewhat on the 'squirty' side. But, come on, you don't have to point it out so quickly." "No!" laughed the other boy, "My name is Squirt. Actually, its Spencer, and I don't really know why they call me Squirt. But everyone calls me Squirt." "Oh, well, I'm Matt. Some people call me that," Matt half-smiled. "Right. How do you like Neptune, Matt?" "Good," was his short response. Squirt thumped him on the back again before taking a swig of the red-orange drink in his goblet. Spencer was of an average height about 5'11". He had raven black hair and silver eyes. He seemed to take great pride in the fact that his eyes were gray. Not brown or blue like many people, but gray. In fact, it appeared to some people that his eyes were his very source of courage. Imagine something so ridiculous as the color of your eyes helping you fly a battle ship or ask a girl out on a date. Of course, that was just rumor among the maids and cooks, it probably wasn't true. The Queen stood up pushing her well-crafted chair back. She instantly gained the attention of the people around the table. “Everyone, I have an announcement I would like to make. If you will be kind enough to listen that is,” she smiled. The room was still silent with the exception of a groan from the retired psychologist. Hannahoko promptly overlooked the rude gesture. “This is Matt Ballenger. Please stand up Matt.” The Kidd came to his feet and faced the small crowd of people. “She said stand up, Ballenger,” Anday wisecracked. “Ha-ha, that’s a good one, I’ll be laughing over that one for hours. I can see good looks aren’t your only good quality,” Matt replied under his breath. “He has agreed to assist us in our conflict with Russia,” Hannahoko continued,” I will assume that everyone will make him feel welcomed,” the small party clapped and smiled warmly at the Kidd, “Thanks Matt, you may sit down now.” “He won’t help us any, he’ll just eat our food.” This time it wasn’t Anday who spoke but Matt the psychologist. Hannahoko did not respond to this remark she only sat back down. “You know its true Hannah’. What is he going to do to help? We really shouldn’t waste all that food on him.” She continued to ignore Matt for as long as she was able while she ate her meal. “What’s he going to do to Russia? Send his squirrel to fly on them and give them a hug?” Chibibacca crossed his short arms in annoyance at this comment. “And you call yourself a Queen. How did you get that job anyway? A lack of volunteers?” “Okay Matt! “ The Queen finally shrieked, as her fork clattered to the table, “What do you want?” “You don’t need to be so loud, Hannah’, but since you’re asking. I would like to train young Matt.” This was a rather loud and annoying conversation to the rest of the guests because Hannahoko and the retired psychologist were close to opposite ends of the table. “Train him in what??” “Fighting of course, defense and what have you.” “No!” the Queen roared, “No, no, no! There are enough problems as it is.” “Wait a minute,” the Kidd said,” teach me what?” “See Hannah’? It’s useless. He wants to be my pupil,” the former psychologist called triumphantly across the room, “You won’t be able to stop him now.” “Stop me from what?” Matt the younger asked. “Nothing, no, it’s not happening, no, no, no,” Hannahoko repeated the herself again and again. She covered her face by her hands. One way or another the retired psychologist usually seemed to get what he wanted. The guests at the table were confused and irritated and no one was enjoying their meal. Erin leaned over Hannahoko, “You worry too much. What would be the harm in giving in?” “I’m afraid to find out,” Hannahoko groaned, “Fine, train him, but allow me to speak with you after the meal.” “Fine, why isn’t anyone eating?” Matt the senior said, “Go back to eating! Show’s over!” |
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