The End is Near

Chapter 23

18 July 2045 – Within the Seventh's Sanctuary

Athena was the first to awaken, the well-honed sense of time letting her know that dawn was close. She used the adjoining bathroom to brush her teeth and freshen up before the craving for coffee sent her in search of the bell-pull.

The sitting room was empty but the fire still crackled cheerily, which was odd since no one had stacked the wood before going to bed. She stood a moment, looking at the cord.

"Do you think the food will appear magically when you ask for it?" a voice asked behind her. Laila closed the door to her room softly and stood looking musingly at the rope.

Athena smiled sheepishly, "I was kind of wondering the same thing. Do you know what you want?"

"Tea, scrambled eggs and toast?" Laila smiled back.

"Okay, here goes nothing," Athena grasped the bell-pull and tugged. "Coffee, tea, bacon, scrambled eggs times two and toast." She realized she had closed her eyes while listing their request and snapped them open.

She and Laila stared at the counter, but nothing happened.

"Do you suppose you were supposed to say it while you were pulling?" Laila asked.

"No, I don't think so? Pretty sure he said pull on it and then say."

Laila walked over and they both peered up at the cord. It was relatively ordinary looking and extended into the ceiling.

"Do you smell that?" Athena wrinkled her nose. "I smell coffee!"

"I smell bacon!" Laila said.

They turned back and gasped. Whoever had filled their order certainly hadn't filled it for two. An entire steaming platter of scrambled eggs, another one of bacon, mounds of toast. They went closer cautiously. There was a full pot labelled coffee and another labelled hot water, with a tray of teas to choose from. There was a jug of milk, jars of sugar and shakers of salt and pepper, napkins, cutlery, plates and saucers.

"Whoa...." Athena murmured. "Mind blown..."

Laila arched an eyebrow at her while she poured hot water over a tea bag, "Really? It took magically appearing food to blow your mind? Nothing else in the lead up did it for you?"

Athena laughed. It was the first time she could remember doing so in a while. She liked the cheeky little psychic. Her first sip of coffee had her sighing, "Oh wow! That's the best coffee ever!"

Two doors opened at the same time, Mickael and Shio stepping out. Athena's lips curved again. They were a poster for opposites. Mickael strode out, looking like he was ready for war. His clothing today was nothing like what he had been wearing before. He wore a fitted undershirt and pants in some dark material, with armour and armguards that glittered. He had a sword on one hip and a dagger at the next. The form fitting material showed that he had all the muscles the Gods had ever deigned to give a man, even if he wasn't technically a man.

Shio looked like he'd tumbled out of bed and rushed to the door, his hair reminded Athena of pictures of Einstein. His eyes were wide in something that seemed like alarm, until he spotted Laila and calm settled over him. Then he looked around and muttered, "So it wasn't a dream."

Athena bit back a laugh and heard a quiet giggle next to her. She turned to look at Laila and the two of them started laughing.

"What's so funny?" Shio asked Mickael.

"No idea," Mickael shrugged, "maybe we'll figure it out when we've had breakfast."

"I do need my coffee!" Shio said.