It was by all accounts, a pretty awesome party. Or a pretty wicked party as Annie would say. There was a nice mix of locals and tourists and everyone seemed to be having a good time. The strains of music from artists such as Manos Hadjidakis and Mikis Theodorakis blared from speakers.
It was a fantastic way to get into Greek culture, thought Fi, balancing her plate in her hand as she scanned the crowd for her friends. She saw them off on the outskirts of the crowd on a nice patch of sand. She walked over and sat down, curling her feet under her.
“Hey guys,” she said, “Isn’t this great?”
Clu nodded and held up something he had speared on a fork.
“Fi!! You gotta try this Saganaki!!! It’s totally awesome!!”
“What is it?” she asked, staring at Clu.
“Fried cheese,” interrupted Jack, who was obviously trying not to laugh.
He turned to Clu who was happily wolfing it down.
“You know, you keep eating that stuff and your arteries are gonna be the size of a pin,” he said.
“Ah, Jack, lighten up, man. Have some fried cheese,” said Clu, holding his plate out to Jack. Jack sighed and took a bite. His eyes widened and he fell backwards into the sand.
“Jack, man!! You all right?” asked Clu.
“Can’t…speak…arteries…too…small…I see…the light…”
“Oh, come off it!!” Fi exclaimed, digging into her own plate.
Just then Annie came and sat down next to Jack.
“Hi guys!!” she exclaimed.
“Hey Annie…” was the collective response.
“Look!” said Annie, holding out something crispy and fried, “Conrad says this stuff is really good!!”
She took a bite, still smiling.
“Uh, Annie?” asked Fi, “What did, uh, Conrad, say that was called?”
“It’s called Kalamarikia,” said Annie, happily munching away.
“Uh…you do realize that’s squid you’re eating?” asked Fi, wrinkling her nose.
“SQUID!!!!!!!” cried Annie, “UGH!!! Conrad!!! Why would I like squid!!!?”
But her rant was cut off by a commotion on the other side of the beach.
“Come on!!” said Clu, “Let’s check it out!!”
And the four of them ran to the other side of the beach only to be caught in a throng of people. Jack took the lead and pushed through the crowd, only to stop short when they reached the front. Several people were lying prostrate on the ground, bowing to…Carey?
“What’s going on?” asked Jack.
“Bow down child!!!” said an older man, “Can’t you see it is Apollo?”