Chapter 106: A Dinner with Friends

Mike's heart drops to the dead tone of the phone by his ear, blood draining from his face and breath fading. Signal issues happen all the time, but the loud bang that he heard before Lecia's phone was cut off makes him fear for the worst. For it to happen after noting a lack of activity from one of their members just adds fuel to the growing pain in his stomach.

He redials the number, hoping it was just a dropped call. His pupils shake ever so slightly when there's not even an attempted ring as it fails to go through.

"Shit..."

Worried about his friend, he brushes his hand through his hair frantically, and stares through his window on the second floor of his University's office. There's nobody but the typical students walking to their classes, but he can't help but feel paranoid now.

Thinking of his family first, he dials Jessica with his other phone. They normally work at the same university with different roles, but she's taken off to attend their youngest son's middle school play.

Thankfully, she picks up amid a note of laughter in the background.

Mike forces a smile. "Hey, just checking up on you. Everything alright?"

"..."

"Okay, good," he breathes, although he can't let his guard down. With a forced smile, he continues. "I was thinking of taking off early. I'll pick you and Eric up, okay?"

"..."

Humming, he nods. "Yeah, not a problem. Love you too."

He's not sure how he'll proceed with his family if Lecia was compromised, but he needs confirmation from someone close before he makes assumptions. The only person close to Lecia in Keystone would be...

Switching back to his encrypted phone, Mike dials Rachel.

It rings for a few times, a welcoming sign, but sadly falls to voice mail.

Shutting his eyes, the archaeologist slams a fist on his table. "God damn it, Rachel, please answer! Something might have happened to Lecia, so call me back as soon as possible!"

Hanging up, he racks his brain for other contacts. Time of the essence is vital right now, so he can't wait for news or response from either Lecia or Rachel.

'Who can I...!'

Mike pauses as he remembers someone, then shuts his eyes. 'There's no choice...'

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While her phone buzzed aggressively on a nearby countertop, Rachel had already been drawn away to her front door. Widening her smile, she opens to see her two expected guests.

"You're a bit early, but welcome!"

Dressed for a most-pressured dinner, Daniel laughs weakly, his arm eagerly squeezed in contrast by his wavy-haired slime mother.

"Well, Anne insisted it was better to come early than late. Definitely not because she wanted to talk to you more."

The slime mother's eyes brighten, leaning forward. "No, I admit it! How can I possibly delay more interesting conversations with a friend?"

Rachel giggles, placing a hand on her cheek. "Oh, Anne, I think you might be rating our time so far too highly. I hope you have other friends around your age."

"I do, but age is all relative," Anne scoffs, waving.

"Well, I hope I can at least keep up then."

Turning around, Rachel motions them into her home. As they step inside, the slime mother's eyes expand to the familiar interior, where the colors and oak resonate from the many times Amy has visited.

It's hardly changed.

"Dinner is almost ready," Rachel notes while her eyes twinkle towards Daniel. "I'm making the beef casserole like your mother used to make."

Daniel snorts, unlinking with Anne as she slips behind in her distraction with the house.

"Like my mother? You were the one she copied from," he reminds.

Rachel hums. "That's true, but I know she added more spice than I typically do. I just figured with the relationship between people as young as you, spice is something you need."

He grimaces as the events of last night's "spice" with his maternal lovers dances rent-free in his head.

"Ahaha...I would say I have enough spice," Daniel replies, sweating.

Rachel gasps, raising a hand to her mouth. "Oh my, don't say that! I heard people who tend to think they've had enough don't end up long in a relationship. For someone as smart as your girlfriend, I won't allow it, you hear? You have to live life as much as you can at this stage."

Daniel sighs, lowering his eyes as they empty. "I'll...take that to heart."

Anne breaks from her viewing, hopping forward to the astronomer. "Rachel, do you need any help in the kitchen?"

"Oh, you don't need to, dear! I only have some vegetables to add on top."

The slime mother closes her eyes happily. "Even so, allow me to help chop, chop!"

Rachel can't help but melt with such a helpful cheer. "Well, if you insist, I won't say no."

Daniel raises a hand. "Should I help prepare anything?"

The astronomer shakes her head. "No, with Anne, she's more than I need. Just relax on the couch while you wait. It might just be me, but you seem awfully tired. Long day?"

"Uh, something like that."

For one, Daniel can't help but worry about Mary and Viviane...again. He received a text from the latter half an hour ago, apologizing and saying she couldn't stop Mary from letting her slime half go to tail Marlin when he decided to go out. Of course, even if Viviane were to go instead, he still wouldn't feel good about it.

'Honestly, do they really think there could be something up with him?'

Daniel only hopes they're overreacting because, if not, he certainly can't do anything to help if he doesn't know where the uncle might head. He also wants to trust Marlin, given Mary's memories.

Adding to his distress, Viviane also relayed that the pages were blank in Anne's test photo of Victor's book. Daniel can't imagine how that's possible, especially through a phone, but it confirms they're holding a genuine copy imbued with the same magical properties as the one Lecia borrowed. For better or worse, they'll have to continue studying it knowing that.

Trying not to let these matters weigh him down in front of Rachel, Daniel forces a smile. "Anyway, don't worry about me, but do let me know if there's anything I can do. It's not like I haven't been here, you know?"

"Oh, I know," Rachel smiles warmly. "I appreciate it, dear."

With that, Daniel settles into the living room while Anne helps Rachel out in the kitchen. The two women follow easily in line together.

Chopping green bell peppers while Rachel heats up a skillet, Anne takes notice of a framed photo of Rachel and Amy on a boat wearing ponchos just before the Niagara Falls.

Her eyes soften as she recalls the memory. "How often did you travel, Rachel?"

The astronomer blinks before noticing Anne's question arrived from the photo. With a sad snort, she adds onions into the pan.

"I would say at least every year we'd try to go places. Of course, after Amy had Daniel, it was difficult to do."

That matches up with Anne's knowledge, but she hoped that wouldn't be the end of it. "What about on your own? I mean, this might be overstepping, but I'm sure Amy wouldn't have wanted you to stop seeing the world. It's just as important, if not more, because..."

"...because our time is short, and our world is more accessible than the stars," Rachel finishes, causing Anne to flinch.

The astronomer's lips widen as she stirs the sizzling onions. "Ha ha! Sorry, I just remembered Amy saying such. Not that I don't agree, but it's difficult to travel on your own, especially at my age."

Anne frowns but doesn't press her friend as Rachel motions to the diced green peppers. "If you're done, we can add those now."

"Oh, of course!" Anne jerks and lifts the cutting board, sliding the green pieces into the skillet. It cries louder to the fresh moisture of the pepper.

Moving on to slicing mushrooms, the slime mother reigns back the conversation. "I wouldn't mind traveling with you and Daniel. Although you say it's difficult at your age, you're looking better than most."

"Hehe, that's very kind of you," Rachel answers, but her eyes lower. "I don't know if that's a good idea, though."

Inside, Rachel feels her heart ache. Working together in the kitchen like this, talking about travel, and sharing the same fascination with the universe's mysteries, Anne all too scarily reminds her of Amy.

She's not sure if she can handle that pressure, constantly reminded of her dead friend if she were to relive the same excitement together.

"You should be focused on spending time with your boyfriend, Anne," Rachel excuses, pressing a hand to her shoulder. "It's more than enough that I've gotten the pleasure of meeting you, really."

Anne thins her lips but hides her disappointment with a nod. Perhaps, she shouldn't be so hopeful to continue the days with her friend as Amy did.

...

..

.

It's not long before the cooked vegetables and garnish are done, then layered over the baked casserole from the oven. Set into the center of the dining table with a few side dishes Rachel prepared, Daniel and Anne sit alongside the astronomer.

Closing his eyes, Daniel takes the first bite, immediately hit with hints of paprika and peppers that add to the cheesed layers of ground beef. With a pleasant hum, he stares into Rachel's eyes, the food almost good enough to make him forget how crazy his life has become.

"Rachel, dare I say, this might even be better than what Mom used to make!"

Silently gasping, Anne's eyes dig into the artist's face on behalf of Amy.

"Dare you say, huh?" she mutters under her breath.

Feeling his slime mother's death glare, he amends his statement. "B-but of course, it's been a while. I'm sure it's not fair to say that."

Rachel giggles. "Either way, I'm glad you like it! Aren't you happy I forced you to come here?"

Daniel swallows carefully. "Wow, you aren't even trying to hide it."

"This is all because you wouldn't let me be kind and pay for a simple lunch," she insists, huffing. "I watched you grow up, and even if you're an adult, it means little to someone who has babysat you many times over."

Sighing, Daniel slumps to the side. "Yes, ma'am."

Anne titters, taking her first bites of the dish. Sadly, she can't taste anything with the way she is, but she's not too depressed about it.

"Would you mind if we took some of this to go with us?" she asks, knowing she'd have a chance of enjoying the dinner better later when she merges with Daniel or Mary.

"I wouldn't mind at all!" Rachel chirps, clapping her hands gleefully. "I guess I've really outdone myself here if something as basic as this is popular."

"Sometimes, it's the basics that hit the hardest," Anne notes, then winks towards Daniel with a grin. "But speaking of babysitting, I'd like to hear some of your stories handling my boyfriend here. I'm sure that would make this meal a true delicious one."

Daniel freezes. Glancing at his slime mother, his face silently asking what the hell his mother is thinking. However, Anne sticks her tongue out, her silent response being akin to, 'I love you, but a good dinner requires sacrifice.'

Rachel is astounded by the betrayal before her eyes, then whistles. "Daniel, I'm learning that your girlfriend can be quite the cheeky devil."

Quickly, the artist shutters to the astronomer with a crooked smile. "If you know, let's not. I think this lovely dinner would do well without bringing up my childhood."

Silent, the two girls stare at each other; just as quick, Daniel's plea is ignored.

"Well, it's all in good fun, isn't it?" Rachel excuses, causing the artist to lean back and groan.

"There was a weekend where Amy had to travel to a conference," she begins. "I didn't have to attend, so I helped her out by looking after Daniel, who was in...first grade, I think?"

"Second," Daniel corrects, sighing.

"Close enough." Rachel waves. Continuing, her eyes brighten as she closes her hands together. "We played board games, watched movies, and me generally giving myself 'cool' aunt points. However, that night, we had a storm. Daniel was still a bit of a baby, so he asked to sleep with me. While his mother would normally console him, I had a different idea..."

"More like a cruel joke," Daniel adds, sipping a glass of water. "You lost cool aunt points for sure."

Rachel narrows her eyes, huffing. "Let me finish the story! In any case, you needed some incentive to brave the storms of life...ha ha, get it?"

Daniel only rolls his eyes.

'Oh...!' At the same time, Anne widens her own as her collective memories sort enough to recognize where Rachel was heading.

"Your boyfriend may not want to admit it, but I'm pretty sure I was the trigger to his Harry Potter obsession by this incident," Rachel continues with a grin. "He watched the first three movies with me and loved it, so I thought, let's use that to change his fear into motivation."

She winks. "So, I told a bit of a lie, saying that thunderstorms are disturbances caused by 'true' magic in the air, unlike in the movies. If he ever wanted to become a 'wizard', he would have to withstand the charges of the Earth...or something to that effect. I probably said it poorly, but he was eight, and that got his attention.

"When he was fine enough to go back to the guest room, I gave him a wooden spoon and told him that if he ever was woken up by thunder, he should hold up the spoon tightly so that he might accumulate enough power to become a wizard."

Anne resisted the urge to bang the table on Amy's behalf. 'So that's why she could never find her wooden spoon!'

It all clicks together for the slime mother. Although she holds Daniel's perspective, it's fuzzy around that age where attention spans are short. More importantly, why didn't Amy learn of this?

"Did you tell Amy?" Anne follows, hoping she was just missing some of her predecessor's memories.

"Well...no," Rachel admits, closing her eyes with shame. "When my friend told me her son was acting strange, I thought it best to keep quiet."

Turning her focus to said son, she grins. "But honestly, who would've thought a child would take my words so seriously that he'd carry a wooden spoon in his backpack for a year?"

Daniel stares flatly. "Well, a child, obviously. Good on you for taking advantage of me back then."

"Oh dear, you have to admit it's cute. People should appreciate the naivety of the past."

"If by appreciate, you mean cringe, then sure."

Anne pouts. "I wish I could've seen it."

Bzz! Bzz!

Daniel's phone alerts him, taking out of the fun at his expense. Pulling the device out, his eyes widen to an urgent message from Mary.

LOVE, HOLY SHIT. CHECK THE LOCAL NEWS! CALL US WHEN YOU GET A CHANCE!

Raising his brow, he does so, a growing sweat behind his neck. Immediately, the first headline on the website of The Keystone Papers forces his breath to leave him.

"No..."

President of Sights Open, Lecia Bowden, missing from fatal crash. Driver dead.

From the subtext, the presumed summoner of his slime mothers was involved in a car crash after leaving work, but...she disappeared? From the images of the crash and intersection, it didn't seem anyone could've survived that, much less slipped away.

"Daniel, what's wrong?" Anne asks, breaking his hardened stare with worry in her eyes. Concern equally lines Rachel's face as they wait for him.

The artist swallows. "Um...it seems an important commissioner of mine was in a car accident."

Rachel's eyes flicker. "W-who?"

"Lecia Bowden."

The astronomer stiffens, her heart skipping a beat. She also loses her breath, perhaps even more than her guests. Her first thought is to immediately check her other phone that she left while preparing dinner.

Before she can excuse herself, the doorbell rings, shaking the air.

Anne doesn't miss the fright in Rachel's eyes. She recalls the astronomer mentioning she knew someone in Sights Open, revealing the scan that detected Amy's empty grave. Not knowing any better, perhaps she's worried about such a person, unless...

'Did she know Lecia as well?'

Storing the question aside when there's someone at the door, the slime mother coughs. "Rachel, are you expecting someone?"

"No, that's..."

The doorbell goes off again with the addition of a hard knock. No time to waste, Rachel shoots up and forces a smile.

"Let me see who it is. Just a moment."

As Rachel takes her leave, Anne snaps her attention back to Daniel while lowering her voice. "What the hell happened?! Is Lecia okay, or is she..."

"It's too early to say, but so far, she's nowhere in the car or at the crash site," Daniel answers without looking away from his phone. His eyes narrow, tightening his grip. "I don't know what this means, but let's wait to hear for more information."

"Didn't Marlin suspect the blue flames implied she was being protected? What if..."

"Mom," Daniel addresses lowly. "We shouldn't make any assumptions now when we've only scratched the surface of what Mother and I saw."

At the very least, it doesn't look like Viviane and Lecia will get the chance to meet again anytime soon.

Anne holds herself before sighing.

"Well, waiting around doesn't sound good either," she counters. To that end, she stands up from the table. "It's been more than a moment, so I'm going to at least check up on Rachel."

Daniel nods, his eyes focused and fingers tapping as he sends updates back to Mary and Viviane.

As Anne leaves the dining room, she starts hearing a familiar voice of the person at the door.

"Listen, I barely understand what's going on, but Mike couldn't wait and just wanted to make sure you're...Oh? Oh!"

Frozen, the slime mother's mouth hangs as she catches a certain brunette with glasses in front of Rachel. Likewise, the girl's lens reflects the stunned slime mother behind Rachel's shoulder.

Her eyes brighten with growing delight.

"Anne!" The history-loving girl, Rose, squeaks. "Wow, what a small world, huh? I had no idea the other home you had to visit would be Rachel!"

The astronomer blinks between the two in shock while the slime mother's lips twist crookedly.

Her shoulders slump. "Uh...y-yeah..."