~ PANDORA

"Excuse me, Overlander," came a voice from behind the couch.

Pandora sat up and turned to see a young servant, looking at her with large eyes. "Yes?"

"I am here to escort you to the private dinner our Queen is having," he said. Pandora had a feeling she had seen him before. Perhaps he was the same young boy who escorted her to dinner on her second day in the Underland. This boy seemed to be the very same; Pandora could tell by his eyes.

"Just a minute," Pandora replied, putting down her notebook and pen and standing up. She had barely written a paragraph in it, for her mind kept wandering and didn't want to focus. Had the time passed so quickly? She thought Howard was coming back to see her before dinner, but he never came. Maybe he got very busy with a patient, she thought.

Walking around the couch to the servant, Pandora accepted the arm he held out for her and they left the room. She remembered how surprised the boy was the first time he had met her, when she had a seizure right in front of his eyes. Luckily, it wasn't a huge one, but it was scary enough that Pandora did not come near him. At the time being, Pandora thought the servant would be leading her to the High Hall, but they went in the opposite direction.

"When you said private," Pandora asked, "who else did you mean?"

"Why, the royal family and their guests, of course," the boy answered.

"Why aren't we eating in the High Hall?" she inquired.

"Her Royal Highness requested solitude. So, we are serving in her private dining quarters."

Pandora remembered being inside Luxa's own section of the Palace. It was very secluded; a perfect spot to eat if you didn't want to be bothered.

It didn't take long for them to reach the outer doors of her chamber, where two guards stood. When they saw Pandora and the servant approaching, they let them pass. Pandora forgot how fancy all the furniture looked. There were even some made of wood, which Pandora knew was hard to come by. However, the dining room didn't look as large as it once had, when it was just Luxa sitting in it. Several people were already seated, including Luxa and her bonds at one end of the table, Vikus, his bond, and Gregor on the other, and Nike, Howard, and his mom and dad.

The young servant pulled out a chair on the opposite side of the table from Howard and gestured for Pandora to take her seat. "Thank you... um, what's your name?"

"My name?" The boy asked, probably taken aback that he had been asked a question about himself. "It is Ciel."

"Thank you, Ciel," Pandora said with a smile, holding out a hand to shake his. "I thought I would say that it's nice to see you again. You've gotten a lot taller."

"I am at your service, miss," was his only reply. He bowed quickly and walked away, but Pandora noticed his mouth slowly curving into a smile as he passed. She let her hand drop as she took her seat.

Taking a moment to spread her napkin across her lap, she glanced over at Howard, but he was looking down at the table.

"Pandora," someone called from the front of the room. Pandora turned to see Nerissa enter with her own escort. "Did you manage to write all that you envisioned? I would be delighted to have a look." She sat down in the chair to Pandora's right.

"No," Pandora said dejectedly. "I could barely scrape together one page worth. I can't seem to keep my thoughts together."

"It is of no worry to me," Nerissa replied with a small smile. "It is only your first day back. I can only imagine how many things your mind is adjusting to."

"Maybe I can write more tonight before going to bed," Pandora said.

As the first course of dinner, stew and bread, was being served, someone pounded into the dining room.

"I am sorry for running late," Hazard said in a breathless voice. "Mareth had me running messages to the stingers again, because Temp was busy with his own crawlers."

"That is fine, Hazard. It is only the first course," Luxa said. She gestured for him to take the empty seat to Pandora's right, where a bowl of soup was already placed.

"How is Temp doing these days?" Gregor asked.

"Oh, just fine, Gregor," Hazard said. "He is teaching younglings how to speak crawler in his spare time."

"That's cool. I remember when he was teaching you and Boots."

"I am no longer one of his students. He has deemed me fluent. How is Boots faring nowadays?"

"She's great," Gregor said. "She's nine now. She likes drawing with Lizzie. It's actually funny because her pictures end up looking way better. She's got a knack for remembering what things look like without using a picture." He leaned back in his chair with a distant look on his face. Pandora recognized that same look, because she wore a similar expression when talking about Rose.

"Howard, do you remember that song you taught her? The one about her toes?"

"Yes," Howard said, looking up from his food. "It's one I know far too well."

"She repeated that for the longest time," Gregor said.

"I am glad she remembers something from so long ago."

"She probably doesn't remember it now, honestly," Gregor said.

"All the same, it makes me happy to think I made an impression that lasted more than a few minutes," Howard said with a smile.

"Speaking of impressions," Gregor said, "you made a pretty big one at the meeting today, Pandora."

"You think so?" Pandora asked, raising her head as well as one eyebrow.

"For sure. I don't know what anyone thought came over me," Gregor said. "But I'm glad you were there. I haven't gotten a chance to thank you yet. So... thanks."

"Don't mention it," Pandora said. "I only want to help."

"Did all that happen before I came in?" York asked after a mouthful.

"You missed quite a show," Luxa added.

"You should've been there," Gregor said.

"If you don't mind me saying this, Gregor," Vikus said, turning towards him. "Pandora put herself in harm's way. I mean no offense."

"None taken. I'm sorry again for hitting you," Gregor said.

"Please, Gregor. What's done is done. I hold no grudge against you."

"Howard," Gregor said with a smile. "Remember when that squid attacked when we were on the boats and you all were trying to make me stop swinging my sword everywhere?"

"Yes, I remember that," he answered.

"It was kinda like what happened today," Gregor said.

"I see," he said with a nod. "But I bet you didn't end up attacking parts of squid that were already dead."

"No, I didn't," Gregor said, cracking up. "But you had to admit that the squid attack had a funny ending. Those fireflies slurped those pieces of squid down like they were going out of style!" Gregor laughed, and Howard joined him.

"Those shiners are the most gluttonous creatures I've ever encountered," Howard said.

"And they complain to no end," Luxa said with a roll of her eyes. Pandora joined in the laughter, knowing exactly what they were talking about. "I wish we had never run into them down in Hades Hall," Luxa continued. "What pests!"

"And the trek through the Jungle was even more excruciating," Ripred said.

"At least the nibblers were able to keep them quiet," Pandora said.

"Yes, with massive amounts of fish that they swallowed whole!" Howard added. Pandora joined in his laughter, but, all too soon, Howard stopped and looked down at the table once more. What was the matter? Pandora wondered. Howard had only looked up from the table to look towards Gregor and Luxa. He had stopped laughing as soon as he glanced at Pandora, as if it was a mistake to join in.

As the main course was served, Pandora kept her head facing down at the steaming food. She'd rather look down and not notice that Howard wasn't paying attention to her, as if she didn't exist. What had happened after Pandora saw him last?

~ GREGOR

It was Gregor's first time seeing Howard after the incident with his father, and boy, did he look gloomy! Gregor couldn't help but feel sorry for him. His dad forbids him to talk to a girl, and then he's stuck sitting right across from her. There was nothing Howard could do but just sit there and look sulky, for his father could see everything that transpired and would know for a fact if Howard disobeyed him.

Gregor had tried to keep Howard talking, and had tried to mention Pandora's good deed of the day. No matter what was said, York and his wife remained as stoic as the stone in the walls, floor, and ceiling. Gregor knew he had to keep the conversation alive somehow, and after seeing the positive way the mocking of Photos Glow-Glow and Zap turned out, he decided to keep the subject lighthearted.

"Do the shiners still love cake as much as they used to?" Gregor asked.

"Love?" Nike said. "They more or less live for cake!"

"They are probably down in the kitchens, gobbling up any cake thrown at them," Luxa said. "I've managed to strike a deal with them, for they have overheard a bit of what the cutters are planning."

"She keeps them fed," Ripred said, "they keep her informed."

"Seems as good a deal as any," Gregor admitted. "But I bet the cakes aren't nearly as tasty as the one at Hazard's birthday party!"

"If you think that one was good, Gregor," the young Halflander said, "You should have seen the one at last year's festivities! It was easily twice as big and colorful."

"If I remember the timing, it should be coming up in a couple of weeks, right?" Gregor asked, trying to recount which month it had been when he traveled to the Underland for the fourth time.

"Yes," Luxa said. "I count down the days. It's a time that I enjoy greatly. In fact, I enjoy planning it as much as I enjoy sharing the day with my cousin."

"It really was a great party," Gregor recalled. "Even though I'm not a great dancer."

"You did show us that one Overland dance," Hazard said. "Oh! Pandora, do you know it?"

"Which one?" Pandora asked, glancing up for the first time since the main course arrived.

"The Hokey Pokey," Hazard answered.

At the name, Pandora covered her mouth with a hand to keep from losing her drink. It took her a few seconds to swallow, as she was trying to suppress fits of laughter. "Yes, I know it." She turned to look at Gregor, and he could tell she was trying to be silly. "But I prefer doing the Chicken Dance. It's way more fun."

"Oh yeah," Gregor played along. "That's a way better party dance. Right up there with YMCA." Pandora nodded in agreement.

"What does the Chicken Dance look like?" Hazard asked excitedly. "And what's YMCA? How do you dance that?"

Gregor looked at the boy, who was now six years older than the last time he had seen him. He had been six years old when he had first met Hazard in the Jungle, which made him thirteen now. He had definitely grown a lot, however he still maintained his innocent, youthful spirit. Gregor was glad Luxa had promised his father to never let him touch a weapon. Hazard was a very special person, and Gregor enjoyed being in his company.

"We'll have to show you one time, won't we, Pandora?" If he had to dance another embarrassing dance in front of the Underlanders, and especially Luxa, he was taking Pandora down with him for suggesting it.

"For sure," she answered.

"Your mother enjoyed watching you dance," Luxa said. "Even if you were bad at it!"

"You should've seen how she reacted when the band gave me a saxophone solo last year. You would've believed I had just won a million dollars or something!"

"Is your family still living in Virginia?" Pandora asked.

"Yeah," Gregor said. "On my family's farm."

"You came here by yourself?"

"No, my dad brought me. But he oughta be back by now."

"And how's he doing?" Pandora asked. "I remember when he came back, Rose told me he didn't look too well."

"Better now. Much better. He works at a high school as a science teacher."

"That's great to hear. I should tell Rose how well he's..." Pandora's voice trailed off and her face fell. Gregor noticed how Howard looked up at her, noticing the peculiar way she cut her sentence short. By the way Pandora talked about Rose, Gregor knew that she used to live with her at the apartment. Gregor personally didn't remember anyone named Rose, so she must've kept to herself. "I'll... be sure to write how your family is in my next letter," Pandora said.

"I don't remember seeing you or Rose at the building," Gregor said.

Pandora shook her head. "I think I only saw you once or twice in the lobby or on the stairwell. Rose pointed you out to me a couple weeks after I moved in with her. I think it was right around that time when your dad came back, actually."

"That's probably why I don't recognize you. You were a new face. Besides, I was gone half of the time around then anyways."

"It's funny how the world works, isn't it?" Pandora said with a chuckle.

"Yeah, funny," Gregor said. He suddenly didn't feel like carrying on the conversation anymore. He realized how much he missed his family, and it was only the second day since he was separated from them. Was Pandora feeling the same way he was? Did she miss this woman named Rose? If she did, then she definitely thought in a different way than Gregor. He didn't think the world worked in a funny way, and couldn't see how it possibly could. The world was a cruel place, and it didn't care about anyone.

He tried to think on the positive side. If the world created a pit beneath your feet, he thought, someone would be there to pull you back out. Gregor knew that anyone at the table wouldn't hesitate to help him. He made a mental note to do the same for them.

"So," he said, breaking the silence at the table. "What's for dessert?"

"I haven't the slightest idea," Ripred said. "But I know it won't be cake."

~ PANDORA

Pandora wandered around the floor after she left the dinner table and eventually found a servant who didn't seem to be busy. She helped her find a vacant room next to a bathroom on one of the lower floors of the palace. After thanking the servant, she entered the bathroom feeling completely muddled.

"You've dealt with worse," Pandora chastised herself. "Just forget about everything."

It was easier said than done.

She dumped a large amount of purple goo, which looked unappealing but had a fresh scent, into the tub. It soon had swirled around thanks to the current, and dispersed itself evenly in the steaming water.

Floating with her ears below the surface, Pandora noted how quiet it was. When she closed her eyes, she could imagine being anywhere she wanted. She was in the tub in her apartment... no, her tub was much smaller; her feet always touched the sides. She was at a local swimming pool... no, the water was too warm, and her face wasn't getting splashed by kids jumping in.

She was in the spring at the nibbler colony, feeling the water spread her hair out behind her. She dunked her head under, as if she were back in the jungle, trying to remove the sweat from her face. The cavern had been so vast over the jungle that Pandora had pretended it was the night sky. She remembered imagining her favorite constellations over it.

When Pandora opened her eyes, she immediately saw the stone ceiling of the washroom. It had felt good to lose herself in the memory, but why had she chosen that particular one? Why not be in her apartment? Why not the Overland?

She pondered the questions as she washed her hair. Why was being in the jungle spring somewhere she wanted to be?

Maybe it was because the trip to the Underland was simple then: they had successfully reached the stingers, and all Pandora needed to do was get home.

Pandora wished it was that simple now.

Draping a robe over herself and picking up a fresh Underland outfit, Pandora was pleasantly surprised the servant who led her to the bathroom was waiting to escort her to her room and take her dirty clothes.

"Thanks again," Pandora said.

"Always a pleasure, Miss," the woman replied with a curtsy. "And if I may say so," she added before Pandora retired to the room.

"Yes?"

"You made my son's day by remembering being served by him before. I thank you."

"It's no trouble," Pandora said with a smile. "Tell Ciel that I wish him a good night's rest."

"I shall," the woman said with a large smile, curtsying again.

"And what's your name?"

"I am called Angelina."

"Thank you for going to all this trouble for me, Angelina. Could I ask you for one more favor?"

"Certainly."

"Could you ask Nerissa if she is free to eat lunch with me tomorrow?"

"Of course, Miss."

"Just call me Pandora. Have a good night!"

"I hope you awake well rested," Angelina said before bowing her head and turning to leave.

Pandora laid in bed trying to write more in her journal and managed to write down descriptions of several images she saw before her mind started wandering again. The bath, unfortunately, only helped her stay calm for a little while.

The time at dinner when Gregor mentioned how well his father was doing was brought forward. Pandora had wanted to tell Rose what Gregor's family was up to when she realized that she might not see Rose face to face again. The thought made her throat dry up. Would she only be able to communicate with the only person she called family through handwritten letters brought up through an air conditioning grate? It seemed ridiculous to think about... but just as sad.

And why was she the one who had to convince the Regalians to listen to her? They didn't want to hear what she had to say. If Gregor hadn't arrived to the Underland first, Pandora was sure there would have been some sort of riot. Sandwich was wrong, he had not presented her in peace. They were in the middle of a war!

Pandora faded off to sleep with her journal still resting on her lap.

***

"No!"

The scream made Pandora turn around.

She was sitting with her knees curled in front of her, staring at a dark tunnel wall. Now facing the torchlight, she saw a dim figure holding a sword in the air. He slashed it down towards a figure lying on the ground, which writhed to a more defensive position.

The clash of sword and claw made both opponents turn away with wounds.

"Move, Overlander, the rat will kill us all!"

As people converged on the scene, more light filled the space. Pandora saw Luxa make her way towards Gregor, who had sandwiched himself between the human and rat foes. They both looked so young.

"It was Henry!" Gregor shouted. "He was trying to kill Ripred in his sleep!"

Henry admitted to Gregor's accusation and the warrior was able to diffuse the situation. "It's over," he said again and again. "Put down your sword, Henry. Ripred, just – just sit down! It's over!"

Pandora moved closer as the two opponents lowered their weapons and parted ways. People started to lose interest in the scene, and as they walked away, they brought their torches with them. The tunnel became dim again. Gregor followed behind Henry, saying to him "Where I come from, we don't think much of someone who sneaks up and stabs a person in their sleep."

Henry turned to Gregor with a cold gaze, the light of the last torch dancing in his narrowed eyes. "He is not a person, he is a rat. If you cannot make the distinction, you may surely count yourself among the dead."

The torch died, and as the light faded away, the only person Pandora could still see in the dark space was Gregor. The sound of water dripping could be heard now that the fiasco was over. Icy drops fell onto Pandora's skin, making goosebumps appear.

The dripping sound became more frequent as Gregor paced back and forth in the tunnel. "What about Twitchtip?" he asked softly as he walked. "What about Twitchtip?"

As the scene became brighter, the sound slowly grew into a loud roar. The dark stone walls faded away and water replaced the floor, all except around Gregor's and Pandora's feet. The tight drum of an animal skin boat kept the body of water from reaching them, but the change in scenery did not stop Gregor's pacing.

"Aren't you going back in for Twitchtip?" Gregor yelled over the sound of rushing water. As he continued to walk, Pandora noticed that he was now going over to people, asking them the question. "Aren't you going back in for Twitchtip?" Everyone responded to Gregor in the same way: by turning their backs and pretending he had not asked the question in the first place.

"It's because she's a rat," Gregor said in a scathing tone, now abandoning his walking and staying in one place. He looked out beyond the waves, and Pandora followed his gaze. Out there was a swirling pattern among the water, and towards the very center floated what was left of a boat. It was being dragged into the center of a whirlpool, taking a terrified-looking rat with it.

"You're just going to sit here and watch her drown because she's a rat, right?" Out in the water, the remains of the boat snapped in two, and the rat known as Twitchtip was left to fend for herself in the strong current.

Gregor ran to the side of the boat and made a move as if he wanted to jump out into the rushing water below, but a hand held him back. As the man turned his face towards Gregor, Pandora got a view of his profile. It was Howard.

"You make me the sickest of all!" Gregor spat. "You were just down there a minute ago. You got rescued! And what about what you swore? About saving anyone in water trouble! In peril! What you said! What about that?"

Howard removed his hand and backed away from Gregor. The scene faded to black in front of Pandora's eyes, Gregor's voice still screaming out in the darkness.

"What about what you swore? What about that? What about that?"