Minor nosed Eva's elbow, causing some of her drink to spill. The trio had only gotten one drink into their outdoor wind-down. The sun was setting. Zap had been conflicted and felt pulled in several directions throughout the day, and most of the time all at once in short bursts. Hitch-free days were a rarity, but other than her inner turmoil, Zap believed they were (almost) in the clear. Two days of book-smashing (relax, Nate) and they'd come up with little more than they'd started with. A few odds and ends, a few hunches and inklings. No visions to speak of, except when she'd sent Nate or Eric to read from the Book of the Dead. Now Minor was trying to mooch her hooch? He'd gotten spoiled much too quickly, she'd long since decided.
"No."
"Raaarrrf."
"No, it's mine. Go swim."
"Rnnnarrr grff fffn."
"Snort on Eric, he's got a bigger glass."
"Aaarhhh ffffngrr hrm hrm."
He bumped her elbow again and she sat her glass down on the patio table. Zap's eyes bore into Minor's, then she glanced to Eric. "He's not hungry," she announced, perplexed. "Do you think he's dieting?" Eva joked, but was actually locked in to what the bear needed. Normally, she could read his noises and thoughts like they were in her own mind. But at the moment, his meaning was scattered. Annnnd he left her. He was knocking his head firmly but slowly against Eric's chair.
"Arrrrrrngghhh. Grf." Then he stepped away and turned as if he were leaving. Then he roared. Zap jumped, startled by hearing the sound for the first time. He proceeded to lumber slowly toward the side yard and disappeared around the corner of the house. "Was it something I said?" Zap stood, though, and glanced rapidly searched Eric's eyes. "We should go." The conflict was back. Follow Minor or stay with Eric. Both seemed important. Bring Eric, good solution. "C'mon," she grabbed the blond's arm. "Consider yourself paged. Who's on tree duty again? ... Oh, this should be fun." It was Nate.