Some Things Just Can't Be Understood

Maple followed Pheobie's instructions, and it seemed that the bag and chips inside were perfectly fine.

"Well, I'll be having my chocolate-chip cookie after all," said Maple with a grin. The ship gave off a dull buzz, signaling that they had arrived at their destination. "Ah, looks like we've arrived!"

"Do you need my help? Or are you all good for now?" Pheobie asked. "I didn't know we'd be here so soon"

"Well..." Maple replied, pausing. "Go ahead and get the cake ready. At this point me and the others should be able to handle it. It's just a matter of releasing the animals to the wild. Dal and the others plan to stay for a while to make sure everything goes okay."

"Here? They're not coming with us?" Pheobie asked, sounding a little disappointed.

"I doubt it. They travel as a group, so if one stays or goes, then they all stay or go," explained Maple. "For one, Falcon and Razekar would be stranded without Dalios's powers. And Dalios...well, he can travel by himself, but he'd rather not."

"Awwwwwwwww" Pheobie pouted. "I liked having other weird people around"

"The only normal people are the ones you don't know too well," Maple quoted. If only he knew where that quote was from. "Don't worry dear, we will encounter those three again soon enough. And plenty of other weirdos too."

"Okay" Pheobie sighed. "... Do you have any girl colleagues?" she asked suddenly.

"Oh, Terra! I haven't seen her in forever," Maple answered, seeming slightly forlorn at the idea. "We started working at this kind of thing at the same time, so we've worked together on a lot of things. Right now she has an assignment well across the universe though."

"... Is she your girlfriend?" Pheobie asked lightly. On the inside though, her heart felt heavy.

"Lord no!" Maple quickly assured. "I've known her since she was seven and I was eight. That would be terribly awkward. If we got into a fight then we would be blackmailing each other with old secrets from fourth grade."

"Oh. So you're just friends." Pheobie confirmed, sounding thoughtful. "Maybe I could meet her sometime."

"I think you two would get along quite well," answered Maple, walking out. "She's a very understanding person. If she can deal with me, she can deal with anyone."

He went to the basement to meet with Razekar and the others.

Pheobie continued to work at the dough. She wanted to get it in the oven with enough time to tell the boys goodbye.

The animals were awake but drowsy, which made it easier to move them out. Once again Maple kicked in 10X Strength and Walk Thru Walls to help carry the elephant and heavier animals out.

Pheobie hurried;y cleaned up the kitchen before she went down to see if they needed any help, but they were done by the time she got down there. She had some cookie dough stuck to her cheek from the mixer she used to add the chocolate chips. "Am I too late to help?" She asked in disappointment

"You made us lunch. That was help enough," said Razekar, before giving her cheek a light poke. "Though I see dessert we were not told about."

"You didn't help clean," said Maple as he carried a gorilla outside, sticking his tongue out at Razekar as he passed.

"Oh. My bad then."

The griffin pup and the cat watched the proceedings side by side. Apparently the cat preferred the Goldie over Rolly.

"Hm?" Pheobie whipped her cheek off. "Oh. I made Maple a cookie cake cause he helped me do dishes." she explained.

Both Dalios and Falcon paused and turned around at the sound of "cookie cake".

"Cookie cake for the professor. Move along," Razekar insisted to the two of them, pushing them lightly away before turning to Maple. "Though I don't suppose you could give us some food supplies since we'll be out in the wilderness for a bit?"

"Of course! I'll go get some," said Maple, heading upstairs.

"It was nice meeting you guys" Pheobie said with a smile.

"Swell meeting you too," Razekar answered. "You look after the professor and make sure he doesn't get in over his head."

"Thanks for all the good food," Falcon added.

"And your help with the animals," Dalios said.

"I will!" Pheobie chirped "And if you're ever near by and want more of my yummy cooking, just pop by" she grinned. "Hugs?" She asked, holding out her arms.

"Sure, why not," Razekar replied, giving Pheobie a quick hug. Falcon soon did the same, though he seemed a little flustered by it. Dalios was just giving his somewhat reluctant hug when Maple came downstairs, food rations piled high above his head. Apparently he was still using 10X Strength.

"Here you are!" announced the professor, splitting up the large load among the trio. "Have a good stay and try not to be eaten by tigers or giant flytraps.

"Will do," replied Razekar, though Falcon seemed bothered by the idea of sentient plants trying to eat him. "Later!"

The three walked off of the ship and disappeared into the brush.

"Bye!!" Pheobie called after them. "They're so nice"

"That they are," Maple replied, offering a quick wave himself before closing the ship door. He headed for the control room. "So where to next? Any place you'd prefer?"