A magnetic pull

Lola chuckled, "yeah, that's what we call mermaids around these parts." 

She gestured widely with her hands and continued speaking conspiratorially in a low voice, "We have an old legend about mermaids that many think is nonsense and not worth repeating since it heralds the start of the apocalypse. Yet even the elders could admit that seeing you being carried out of the waters by the young man reminded them about that terrible old legend."

"Is that so, can you tell me more?"

"For sure," grinned Lola. "The way you were carried on to the shore, held so tightly in his arms by that young boy with the funny name, what was it again." 

Lola unconsciously tapped the side of her jaw with her index finger as she forced herself to remember.

"Oh yes," remarked Lola in her eureka moment. "The boy's name was Zinc. Like I said before, the way he held onto you for dear life reminded me of that legend."

"Zinc…" muttered Charm. 

Just the mention of his mere name and the way Lola was looking at her so suggestively made Charm swing around her head so fast another wave of dizziness swept over her.

"That boy held onto you so tightly we literally had to pry you out of his arms."

Charm said dryly, "That's remarkable considering we hardly know each other."

Lola ignored her rebuke and said instead, "What am I rambling on about while time is going, let's leave now so that I can take you to have breakfast with the others."

It was clear that Charm's last statement had only piqued Lola's curiosity further but before she could pry some answers out of Charm, Lola happened to glance at the clock.

"Oh dear!" Lola cried out. "I guess we'll have to sit and chat another time, if we stay here any longer you will miss breakfast."

Walking felt like a hassle as she struggled to keep up with Lola's footsteps since the small woman moved quickly and Charm still felt under the weather.

Even though these buildings were smaller in comparison to the main campus in Charm's eyes it still felt huge and grandiose.

She dare not contemplate the amount of expense and undetermined wealth it took to import and furnish with so many European trappings in contrast with the tropical backdrop.

As they walked passed several connecting corridors in silence Charm was grateful for Lola's presence as she felt a bit overwhelmed.

It was going to take her some time getting used to her surroundings as Charm would be the first to admit she had little sense of direction.

Her stomach grumbled loudly and she felt embarrassed but Lola acted like she didn't hear it growling despite the silence of the mansion.

Finally they walked down a flight of curving stairs that opened out onto a huge banquet hall. 

As they walked through the opened door, it felt eerie walking under two crossed swords brandished threateningly by two knights in armor.

One Knight wore silver, the other black and in her mind it was an odd choice of decoration for the entrance of the dining room.

The young knights looked like they were about to kill each other, not sit down for a meal together. 

Mahogany polished chairs and tables were set up for dining against a pristine white floor. 

Dead and center, drawing the eyes of anyone entering the room was a huge stag's head.

Its doe brown eyes staring back at them dismally not a sight she wanted to see while gorging down on breakfast. 

Around the surrounding walls were many portraits and heavy framed pictures.

Charm decided to focus her attention on the buffet because if those pictures were anything like the knight display or the stag she would surely lose her appetite. 

Did Charm fail to mention that the moment the women entered the banquet hall they were not alone. 

Several pairs of eyes swung in Charm's direction but she did her best to ignore them. 

Majority of the tables were filled and it had been silent when they first entered the room.

Now that all and sundry had seen Charm a hum of voices echoed through the dining hall.

In her eyes it looked like one big happy family as there was no way of distinguishing the newcomers like herself from the old. 

Having arrived late for breakfast she unwittingly made herself a spectacle, as various cliques sat together, eating and fraternizing with each other.

She would like to think they were gossiping about things of substance or whatever current hot topic for discussion held their attention and not necessarily about her. 

"Have some breakfast, it will do wonders for you, unfortunately I can't stay with you but I can recommend the cornmeal porridge, it is sweet and nutritious. The bread is always freshly baked so if you have room for more food after the porridge maybe you'd like some scrambled eggs and bacon along with it.

"Sounds delicious," Charm graciously replied, the smell of fried food assaulted her nostrils and brought her hunger to the forefront. "Thanks for taking me to breakfast Lola, really appreciate it. I'm sorry if I was a burden and -" 

"Not another word," uttered Lola as she led her to the buffet table but before excusing herself she said, "you worry too much for a young girl. Just relax and enjoy your breakfast and I will check on you later."

It took everything inside of Charm to not plead for Lola to stay.

After packing up her tray with the various dishes and a bottle of water, it was then she noticed Zinc sitting at a table by himself and both their eyes met and lit up with recognition for each other.

She could see no hostility in his eyes but instead she felt an answering warmth all the way to the pit of her stomach.

There it was again that sensation that felt like a magnetic pull that made her want to cross the ocean of the dining floor just to reach his side.

Suddenly it occurred to her that perhaps she should thank Zinc for saving her life.

So she determinedly made her way over to his lonesome table in the farest corner of the dining hall.

Still before she could reach Zinc's side her path was blocked by a muscular immovable blonde wall.