( Part IX , XI )
The Woman braced herself and communed with the Pattern awhile. Nothing unusual occurred, except for a bit more dust sparkling in the sunbeams than usual. The Invader had gone, to a destination unknown, for now.
The Pattern yielded no new insight, but the communing did calm the Woman's mind. After, she continued with the cleaning up of the invisible debris with her companion, who had yet to find time to relax properly.
"Okay, you, it's your turn. I'm not going to go visit the Oracle with you in an unstable state. You must be at least a little rattled." She pointed imperiously. "Vamoose."
"Yes, ma'am." Returned the Man semi-mockingly. "I suppose that we can't refrain forever." He settled down, and opened his mind the universe, while she took up a custodial role. Nothing seemed to happen, and she relaxed a little.
Time passed, and the last of the shattered tubes seemed to have been cleared away. The Woman made a phone call to someone highly relevant, and had some green tea ready when the Man opened his eyes. Thankfully, in her eyes, he seemed a lot less edgy than he had been, probably in reaction to their territory being compromised.
"I've called him. I said we would be there in an hour or so." She told him.
"Was he surprised?"
"Actually, no. He was already making some pizza, apparently from the 'finest nutritious ingredients'."
The man smiled, a little grimly. "Oh, please, I hope that he's not going to put on sardines again!" The two looked at each other, obviously still reluctant to say too much out loud in case the presence was closer than they thought. "I'll get the car out."
Two sandwiches later, the Man and the Woman trundled out into the early evening in a quaint little car, and set off the lair of the Oracle, which was also known by the name 'Crane and Nelson, Maritime Supplies' in nearby Haagenport.
More will follow...
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