“This is nuttier than a fruitcake baked by the Matrona’s who live on the Palentine Hill!”

“Aye, Enerie – such things often sound funny to our Roman ears – but to those who believe in them, they make more sense than non-believers can ever understand.”

“I realize that, Ceres – but since Zig didn’t do anything that jojo didn’t do, I don’t think that the gods would make Zig go “poof” but leave jojo behind to go into the baths and deliberately do a Babylonian taboo!”

“We can’t know what the gods were thinking, Dear. And, frankly, we don’t even know if the gods got Zig, or if he merely wandered away out of sight of his friend, or if he did find a special entrance into the thermae that made it seem like he’d disappeared into thin air.”

“jojo said much the same thing, Ceres.”

Smiling inexplicably, the Vestal exclaims, “He did?”

“Yup – that’s why he made arrangements to search for Zig, and I promised to return to help him look as soon as I get you II safely home.”

“C.C.?”

“Yes, Ceres?”

“Please return to jojo right away.”

“But I vowed that I’d see you safely home!”

“I can see the smoke from the Temple of Vesta from here, so we’re almost there anyway – and this way you can help jojo look for Zig sooner.”

“No can do, Ceres – I said I’d get you II home, and that I must do!”

Sighing softly, Ceres replies, “As you wish – but let’s please pick up the pace so that you can hurry back to jojo.”

“Okie dokie.”

“And C.C.?”

“Yes, Ceres?”

“Please tell jojo that we – Enerie and me, will ask our goddess to hasten his search, and return his friend to him.”

“Will do.”

“But Ceres!”

Pouting prettily, Enerie adds, “If we’re gonna appeal to the goddess for Zig to be found, that’ll mean more work for me tonight because not only will I have to tend the fire … uh, the Sacred Flame, I’ll have to do all that purification and ritual stuff to prepare the Sanctuary for our pleas!”

“I’ll take care of it, Dear.”

“You mean that you’ll prepare the Temple for our appeals?”

“Aye.”

Smiling in response to Enerie’s dazzling smile, Ceres adds, “And if you’ll take my turn in the kitchens this evening, I’ll take your Duties in the Temple overnight.”

Considering the offer as she studies her smooth (and beautifully manicured!) hands, Enerie replies, “You don’t have to do the dishes tonight, do ya?”

Laughing softly, Ceres replies, “Nope – but I’m suppose to fetch the water and set the table and lead the chants.”

Hugging the Vestal happily, Enerie exclaims, “Sister - you’ve got a deal !”