Now with real Mermaids (The CaFae) 19/x
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May 5
It’s Sunday. The rush is over, time to clean up and get stuff ready for the order. Jackie is in the lobby, bussing tables and talking with guests. She treats both our human and our inhuman visitors the same. Makes me happy seeing everyone get along and her be a source of that.
She’s wearing a frilly skirt that sways when she struts. It lifts up a little when she bends over. I wonder what color… DERAIL
Jackie fumbles and then gets the cups off a table. Klutzy as ever. She comes over. “Hey boss lady.” She seems happy to be doing this. I am happy to let her. Since she and I started doing this Sunday shift the sales have gone up over 10%. I’d be an idiot not to notice that it was all her. Especially with all the guys watching her.
She passes Doctor Gupta. He waves at her, and she walks over, bows to him, kisses him on the cheek, and checks to see if he wants a refill. That doctor has free coffee for life here. He has become one of the Sunday regulars. He still thinks he witnessed a feat of adrenaline and fury that is spoken of in urban legends when I snapped a metal fence post with my bare hands to get her down. It was part of my domain, I told it to let her go, it did, but he doesn’t need to know that. He also tells her that he still wishes he could have seen the miracle that followed in the ambulance. She tells him it was all me.
I really need to find that EMT. I know he has shown up. Lemar served him once and when he tried to pay, he got really surprised. Said he “I don’t deserve it. The brunette literally yelled at her until she came back.”
I don’t know how to take that. It kinda sounds mean of me.
Mundane doorbell chimes ring out. Human walking in. I look and see if it is Mark. Confirming it is him, I wait for him at the counter. “Usual?” He smiles and nods. I get his usual.
“Grande Americano for Mark.” Normally I might have used Marky Mark or some other variation, but something has been telling me not to mess around with him and I listen to those instincts.
He grabs his drink and heads to a table that lets him see almost the entire room. Jackie heads back to the counter and I watch him follow her with his eyes again.
“Heeeeeee’s back.” I say. She chuckles.
I shake my head at her. “You going to take him up on his offer? You have wanted to see a Broadway show since you first moved here.”
“I know, but there are some issues.”
I shake my head at her. I am trying to be a supportive friend and roommate. I am worried. She has been really sad lately. I know she is happy when she has someone she is close to. The last one she had was Tailor, kinda, a guy that was not good enough for her. I mean, cheating on her by not clearing it first at a Fae wedding reception with a nymph? How rude!
This guy has money, dresses well, seems to have a good head on his shoulders, and isn’t even smelly. Even if not a good match, he can show her a good time, spoil her, and distract her. I don’t want her obsessing. She still seems to have the occasional nightmares about dying. I can hear her crying out every now and then when she’s waking up. That’s dangerous. She also seems to be depressed about something and has been since Cindy and Ricardo left our happy home. I am so worried about her.
She looks at me, lost in thought, and smiles. “You know what, I have wanted to see one. So why not go on a date? Might be fun.”
I smile as she goes off to see him. Good for her. It isn’t until she is talking to him that I notice her smile doesn’t touch her eyes…
He smiles big and grabs her hands in his. I cheat a little and listen in. “Thank you. Can I ask why you finally said yes?” She giggles in that adorable way she does and looks back at me. “Boss lady said I should give you a shot since you have been very polite, and I agree. “
He looks my way and waves a thank you. I nod and continue cleaning the dishes. I see Paul doing some work cleaning. Paul is a funny guy, first day I explained the Fae and he just accepted it. Not even a shred of doubt. He also believes in aliens, so Fae wasn’t much of a stretch…
“May I go on break?” He asks me with an obvious motive. Heh.
I nod immediately and he heads out to the floor. He starts having a cup of tea while talking to Todd. I would listen in, but the last time I did they spent the entire time debating about if Atlantis was a Fae or alien city and I was just done with that. I am ninety percent certain Todd knows which it is and is just messing with him at this point.
Jackie sort of flirts with Mark a bit, keeping it professional, and then he leaves. She nods as he says something that makes her lean her head back a bit in surprise. I feel suddenly protective of her. She’ll be fine. I push it down.
“He’s picking me up at the end of my shift Friday night. Remind me to pack a makeup kit for work when we get home. I don’t want to forget.”
I laugh. “Going to want an overnight bag too?”
“I don’t do that first date.”
“Cindy.”
“That was a special exception as it was my first time with a woman. Also, we’ve been friends since Freshman year. As far as I am concerned that club thing was a culmination of months of work on her part.” She thinks for a second. “Maybe years worth…”
I squint my eyes at her, “You have stated you only need a yes to do so for Obie.”
“He and like 3 others are also special cases as I have known all of them for going on years now.” Jackie pouts at me. She actually looks upset over this.
My hands go up as I relent immediately. “Okay, sorry, sorry. I did not mean to imply anything by it. He’s just very cute and has been coming here for over a month to flirt with you.” Not like I am slut shaming, I banged Ricardo the night I met him. A lot… I’d never judge her poorly, she is too amazing.
My curiosity is killing me. “Now I gotta know, sorry. Obie, maybe Nestra or Titania but there is that weird ancestry hang up of yours. Wait, Oberon should be included in that!”
She glares at me. “I am over most of that.”
“Cool, so who else?”
“I am not telling you. Also, ‘cool?’ What are you, like 50?”
“My dad said it all the time. It stuck. And why not tell me?”
She stares at me. “In this place you are a power onto yourself. It is exactly like telling one of the three Queens my desire. Hell, I think I heard one of the irregulars say something about making an oath to the Queen of Coffee. No thank you, ma’am.”
My confused look must have been blatant as Connie, my favorite Dryad, that had been refilling her tea stepped in.
“She’s not wrong, my lady. I was here when Morgana released your power to you with her blessing. We all saw it at the wedding. It has only grown with time. If court was held here in this building and now, you would be given a seat as you would be on par with any there.”
“But I am a human!”
“Yes and no. You are a human who has been given a Fae Pact with both the Major Courts. In terms of raw power? You are an ArchFae on par with a Queen when you embrace it. You easily eclipse me and any of the regulars. Frankly, you are more powerful than most ArchFae I know of.”
“I never signed a pact that would allow such a thing. I know there was one sort of arranged when I bought the franchise to help the Fae, but it wasn’t for my benefit.”
“You seal the pact and with each and every action you take. You can’t help yourself. Whenever a test has been given to you, you rise and meet it. You constantly prove your devotion to the ideal of that pact. You wrote down the rules. They were made for both humans and Fae, as your staff abided by them. As such you held dominion over both.”
I get a little concerned, but she isn’t done. I remember Em’s talk of being in a pact before. Was it formalized and I didn’t realize it?
“You also protect your customers who do not know as well as those that do. Every action has been a seal on the pact. You saved my life when you had nothing but a “selfish” reason to. The courts viewed it as such well before that and began to move to make sure you could hold this place as domain. Once you could properly do so, a whisper or two was made. And then they got you to agree to it at the congratulatory party.” She winks at me.
I stare at Connie. Why is she telling me the machinations of her people? Is this because I am her lady?
“The party… I remember being tipsy…. Okay, smashed, as we celebrated my buying this place. Wait… That toast?” I am starting to realize how deep this goes when I say this.
Connie nods and adds, “A toast is a wish. A wish is a desire and as such may be considered a request for a favor.”
“So, the leprechaun that started it was a plant?” I am so mad.
She smiles, “I wouldn’t say a plant, more a volunteer. Said he could get them the pact set if we could get you a few drinks. He was right.”
Jackie chimes in here, “He started it with a toast, what was it…”
Words come tumbling into my mind, not from me.
“A toast. May you live long and happily.” It was Sam’s voice. The Leprechaun was a little sloshed but not bad. Then I hear my voice. “A toast, May all who come to my place find peace, calm, happiness, and may they follow the rules!!” The memory is now clear as glass.
Then in my mind I hear an elated Mab, Titania, Oberon, Jack, and about a dozen others speak in unison, “To peace, calm, happiness and following the rules!”
FUCK!!
The creature that just explained my deal with the Fae smiles at me like she is amused I hadn’t figured it out. I look at her eyes. They are full of mirth and the delight of someone having told a secret they have been dying to tell for ages. “Connie, if you weren’t so damn cute, I would be angry. Thank you for your kindness.”
She lifts her cup up and points to it. “All the thanks I need. I am yours after all, my lady.” I roll my eyes at her. Ugh. I love that dryad, but her constant “my lady” comments and this news is disturbing me. She is smiling from ear to ear at this.
I need to know something more though. “Connie, is there some sort of scale or hierarchy here? You called me equal to a Queen, what does that mean tho?”
She looks at me and smiles, “In the grand scheme of things a human has little to no magical power. The regulars are here.” I nod and she continues.
“The enlightened are humans with some power. Your staff are all enlightened. Any that have seen beyond the veil have some. Werewolves and Vampires of the lowest level are on this level.” Wait, my staff have powers? Crap. Do I need some sort of waiver? Questionnaire?
“No you do not. Beyond that you have the unnamed Fae. They are closer akin to powerful beasts or forces of nature. They are also barely below mages.”
I am keeping up so I nod. “Human Mages are those with powerful magic. Many Vampires fall in this level.”
Connie needs to be wearing a hair bun, she is totally pulling off a lecture. Maybe a librarian outfit. Picturing her in the outfit works for me. “Pay attention, my lady, or I will put on that outfit for you and show you how good I can be. Also, I will find a good switch to use if you misbehave.”
Shit, I was broadcasting that?
“You were. Now then, Named Fae have greater abilities and strength. Most of your irregulars are at this level. Most demons fall in this area. The nymphs and merfolk for sure. And you know how dangerous any of US can be.” Did she have to emphasize us and herself that much when it comes to danger? I mean, she is a dangerous bea… DERAIL.
I swear she looks around for a switch… She then clears her throat and continues.
“Human Archmages. This level has Vampire Masters, Werewolf Alphas, most demons, and mages of such power that they can battle ArchFae.”
I nod. “So, Merlin?” She shakes her head. “He was special. Higher for him.”
“ArchFae are those that have been given or seized power. It is a very broad and deep category. Here you can snuff out mortals and anything short of the Human ArchMages without any worry.”
“Kings are… Well, you know a few. They are powerful, but often in brute force sort of ways. A King will power their way through most things; finesse isn’t their thing. Even Jack is more about power than about caution.”
Should I take notes? I feel like I should, I let Connie continue though. “Angels, Devils and Arch Demons are next. They are very powerful. They have a lot of rules. Well, Demons in general don’t… What little I know of them indicates they are like fallen angels, but formerly human souls.”
“Queens are next. They have few that can compare to them. Most are functionally immortal. And in this domain, this place, you have the power of one.” The sinking feeling in my stomach almost turns into an amusement park drop off ride.
“The Tuatha Dé Danaan and Fomorians are the most powerful of the races that can be killed. The lowest of them is equal to the Queens. They fought one another until both were almost extinct. Any of them remaining are powers not to be trifled with. Even the Queens will defer to them.”
“And then there are the gods. You’ve met more than I have. You have better knowledge on them than I. That help, my lady?”
I nod. “Yes, my friend, thank you.” Sorry about the lewd…
She winks. Nd then the flirt adds, “You are welcome my lady. Most especially to the lewd.” Wait, what?!
Connie walks back to her group. Well, walking isn’t exactly the term I would use here. I sometimes forget dryads are tree nymphs and many of the stories had them seducing men. That ass swaying could seduce a eunuch. She stops, looks at me and winks and then keeps swaying to go sit with a nymph that I have not seen before and Hannah the Selkie.
Jackie looks at me. “Sweetie, you are paler than a ghost. Maybe you need to lay down for a second? Paul is due off break anyway.”
She always calls me sweetie when she is concerned. So cute. Paul comes over as she gets me to the back room and onto the couch I have for such emergencies.
“Do you need anything, honey?” She looks very concerned.
I shake my head. “No. I am mostly fine. Just shocked I got conned into a pact with them. This explains a lot. But um, I’m near the top?!”
“Why does it bug you so much?”
“I don’t know what was done to me. I… I am not sure I am even human anymore. Remember that incident with Morgana? Remember how we looked in the FaeWylds at the wedding? What if that’s the real me and this is a glamour now? And what if this place changed you without your knowledge or consent because of me?!?! Did I hurt you?!”
I mean, “Yes and no.” What does that mean? I can change my body to be less plain, do I have any right to be called human? Am I? Did I change Jackie against her will?! Oh gods below, I am a monster.
Jackie sees the pain on my face, I am sure. She flinches as I hold back tears. I see her make up her mind and it looks like she is determined now.
“Pat. Let me tell you who you are.” She taps me on the chest, where my heart is and then grabs my hands and holds them. Something about her look compels me to listen to her.
“You picked up a resume of a college student desperate to work somewhere near her residence hall. Someone that needed the money. Someone that had no experience in serving people like this. You had me walk in, talked to me and took a chance on me. You took me under your wing and were my friend before the end of day one. You saved me from screwing up and giving Jack an opening. Boy woulda been in my pants in seconds or would have erased me on a whim. Instead, you began my bi awakening.”
I laugh at that and she smiles at me.
“I am serious. Anyway, you heard my problems then. You listened again and again. And YOU suggested we live together to help with the bills. You have been the best roommate possible. Flu? Pat nurses me to health. Boyfriend or girlfriend dumped me? Ice cream and terrible movies. Found out you might be kicked off your lease because you housed me? Your only concern was me. And then you still made sure I was happy when we switched places.”
I smile. We both know a Fae helped a lot there. Also, how does she know about the kicking out part, I never told her. SKERRIT!
She continues, “Every time I can think of where I have been down or worried since moving to NYC, you have been there. You are the most human person I know.”
I am touched by her, but she isn’t even done yet. She looks me in the eyes. A passion is in there I rarely see. She needs me to understand.
“Pat, I was dead. YOU told death to fuck off and brought me back. You were literally willing to throw hands with the god of death to keep me, because I am yours. I know that isn’t exactly a human thing, but your heart was human at the time and if this power let you do it, I owe it and you, my life. I can never tell you how happy every day I get to spend is. How happy I am. And it is all thanks to you. You being you is why I love you.”
I cry a bit too much at that. “Damn girl, trying to confess to me or something?”
She pats my leg. “Nope, not trying. Now, get yourself composed, sweetie, and then come out.”
“What would I do without you?”
She chuckles “Pay twice as much in bills and rent, and shower with the door open.” She winks and goes to help Paul. I start laughing.
My laugh lasts a long time. If I ever need to center myself, I found my person.
May 6
Bob’s in the shop again. He is having a hilarious conversation with Connie. They are arguing about whether trees are sentient. I find it hilarious, as she kinda is a sentient one. He starts arguing that “just because they communicate and work together to protect one another doesn’t mean they are… You know what, you win this one, that’s better than humanity has managed.”
She laughs with him. He’s been talking to the irregulars more and more. And he still has a regular chime. He is so precious. I can’t wait until he finds out who and what he has been talking to.
May 7
Something is in my Starbucks that shouldn’t be here. I felt him enter. I walk out of the office and I see him.
A perfectly tailored suit in a dark red that approaches black, a black vest, bright red shirt and a black tie. Cufflinks too? Dude is style goals.
Then he opens his mouth and ruins everything. “I don’t expect much from a place this drab, I hope my expectations are exceeded. It would be a shame to be this well dressed and disappointed.”
I go to the counter and nod to Jackie. She immediately understands that I will be taking this order because he worries me. She smiles and winks.
“Wouldn’t want to disappoint. I mean look at that outfit. That is a sharp outfit and you should be careful because it is so sharp it could puncture the hull of an empire-class Fire Nation battle ship, leaving thousands to drown at sea!” I smile at him. 1-0 bitch
At least 3 Fae turn and begin laughing. Whoops, did I quote Azula out loud?
He smiles and walks forward. “A trenta iced coffee with cream, 20 pumps of raspberry, and 20 pumps of white mocha.”
I blink around 15 times in 3 seconds.
“I am sorry, we do not offer insulin shots at this location.” 2-0
He smiles and he smoothly responds, “I brought my own.” 2-1 Well played
“What may we call out to let you know your order is here?”
“Harry”
I let Jackie know the order. She looks at him and then the order two or three times before shrugging and starting the pumps. Professional to the end, that one. Or so used to weird humans and Fae it isn’t even a thing anymore…
“This is a decent establishment here. Would you happen to know if Pat is around?”
DECENT?! Mother fucker I will cut a bitch.
“I would happen to know.” I smile at him. 5 seconds later he gets that I am not going to elaborate. I did, however, answer his question. I think I finally went beyond his line. 3-1
He actually snarls at me. He stares. It is intense. It isn’t exactly kind. In fact, it is full of malice and supernatural power. I can almost hear fear and screams of pain when our eyes meet. It is weak though. Like he is using a watch battery to power a car.
I stare back. I can feel the changes. I can see green flames flickering about me. He balks.
“Ah, I see. You are she.” 4-1
I am not letting him off the hook that easy. “Why would you believe that?”
“The stare of horror I leveled at you will literally cause the soul of a mortal to panic.it renders normal people near comatose.”
“And you chose to use that within a place where the rules of hospitality are enforced?” I am now angry. Those screams were real tortured people. And more importantly, this bastard would have hurt one of my staff. The more I think about what would have happened if Lemar or Jackie had been the one to fire off that line at him, and they would have, the more angry I get. My world begins a slow descent into red.
Yea, I can feel my power coming to me without prompting. I let it. 5-1 GAME OVER BITCH! LET’S GO!
His eyes begin to show real fear. His hands go up “TRUCE. I meant only to show someone not to trifle with me…”
I really don’t have a choice. Something in me snaps. One moment I am behind the counter, the next we are eye to eye. There was no in between. “Speaking of ‘show someone not to trifle with me.’ ALRIGHT, DICK, LET’S SEE YOU LEARN THAT LESSON!!” My voice sounds like a chorus.
I can feel the changes. My hair is back to the elemental mess it becomes when I am the mistress of my domain. I can see my eyes, opals, and filled with green fire, reflected in his. I may not like what I’ve become. I may even fear it, but I will use it to protect my staff, my friends, my loved ones. He is cowering, and at least 5 of the Fae within the lobby are reacting from gasps to cheering. I snarl, not really meaning to, but the rage is boiling over. I see his perfect little mask falter. He damn near breaks down crying. He looks close to wetting himself.
“Never again will you try that weak ass fucking little stunt of yours in MY domain, or you will be banned for eternity, if you are lucky enough to escape my wrath. I don’t think you are that lucky. Do I make myself clear, GUEST?”
“GOD SHE IS SO FUCKING HOT RIGHT NOW!”
I look around, trying to find the voice that said that. Some Fae are cheering and Jackie walks up with that ridiculous drink. “Here you are Harry. Boss lady, can you dial it down to maybe a 4?”
I go back behind the counter the same way I came. Between heartbeats. I turn and my anger is gone. He jumps in surprise. I am me again.
“What would you like to speak to Pat about?”
He regains his composure quickly, I will give him that.
“Yes… so, some of us would like to be able to come to this establishment. We would follow your rules, of course and…”
I cut him off. “As you just did?”
He looks dejected. He nods. Takes a drink from his straw and smiles. “I would say it is heavenly, but well…. Look, I have obviously screwed up. As such I will take my leave and allow a more effective brother to communicate with you. My apologies for the offense I have made. Never again.”
He leaves and I am getting a sinking feeling. A brother. There’s more than one. I can think of only a few things I haven’t met that would cause the chimes to go nuts like that. It is confirmed when Bill, a Satyr that knows EVERYONE walks up and shakes his head at me.
“Holy shit, lady. Balls of steel. I mean, not only did you win a stare down contest with a Devil, but you cowed him by invoking your power in your domain like a top end ArchFae. I have only ever seen one other Devil cowed like that and it was by Mab. And this was not just any Devil. Harut. Geez.”
“Who?”
Once I knew I was dealing with Fae, I sorted stopped digging in all the different occults. I have no clue who that is.
“Fallen angel, banished by God along with his brother. Not in Sammy’s group by choice. Met him at a mixer. Usually, a decent guy unless you disrespect him. He probably felt you had. Well, that backfired on him. Hard.”
The bell chimes. The noise is wrong. Completely wrong, I guess this is what it sounds like for devils? I look up.
White suit, black shirt, red tie. Dark skin, cropped hair, bright green eyes, and a smile that promises so many things. Holy shit, I think my panties just vanished. Yep. They are gone. No wait, they are walking out the door with my inhibitions on a date or something. I almost wave to them. Toodles!
“Fuck, SAMMY?!??” Bill nearly yells.
The new customer laughs and does that guy arm clasping thing with Bill. “Bill, it’s been like 60 years, hasn’t it? Why don’t I see you around much anymore?”
“You know, Samael, busy with life. Got a family now. Wanna see pics?” Bill purposely says it loud enough for me to hear. I owe that Satyr a drink.
My research into the occult did get me that name. Holy shitballs. Fuck. It isn’t just anyone. It’s him. He smiles back and replies, “let me get a drink. You here with that group? I’ll be right over if they are okay with it.” Dude is smooth.
“I’ll vouch for you.” Bill looks happy to see him and “Sammy” seems genuinely happy to go talk with him as he turns to me. “A venti iced coffee with exactly thirteen ice cubes.” 0-1 he absolutely got me with this order.
Jackie stares at him. I control the laugh that wants to escape and instead smile. “Of course, Sammy fine to call for you to know your order is ready?”
He nods and pays in $2 bills. Cute. Normally no one has a spot in a register for $2 bills. It is a nuisance while still not being a jerk. Well, it would be if I hadn’t gotten a register with an extra 7 drawers for such occasions. I have a spot for gold coins, silver coins, antique coins, and other weird denominations. I put all his in with close to a dozen other $2 bills and he laughs.
“I should have figured that.” He seems genuinely impressed.
I guess the score is 1-1 and we’re tied ladies and gentlemen. I wonder how this game goes.
“Sammy, A venti iced coffee with exactly thirteen ice cubes is ready!” Jackie smiles her best smile at him, and he looks. He is counting. She does not disappoint.
“I see your staff follows the rules and are quite competent.” 2-1 baby!
“That’s Jackie. She is competency personified. I will not keep you if you wish to speak with Bill. Enjoy your time with a friend, please.”
He smiles. “Until later, then.”
Jackie walks up. Her pleasant demeanor and smile vanish in an instant. “Who is Sammy?” She is either worried or horny. Both can be true at once, actually.
“Samael, the accuser. First of the fallen.”
“Wait?! No!”
“Other names include ‘Destroyer, Seducer, Satan, Lucifer, and The Devil.’ And he is in Starbucks ordering 13 ice cubes in his iced coffee…” We both giggle.
15 minutes later I am face to face with the devil. I mean, he’s cute, but that’s how they get you. “What can I do to assist you, honored guest?”
He chuckles.
“First, I would like to apologize for Harry. He’s kind of an idiot sometimes. Won’t happen again. If it does, I am sure you can deal with it.”
“Apology accepted and I can and will if need be.” My smile promises murder. 3-1
“Second, Mikey is going to be showing up soon. This place is too good to pass up. When he does, he is going to offer you something amazing. Don’t take it.”
“You want me to take what you offer instead?”
“All I offer is to abide by your rules. Harry is getting a time out for a year. The others will all have illusions on to not scare guests. Your normal guests…”
“We call them the regulars.”
“Right. The regulars will be the safest people within this establishment while we are here. No deals allowed. The Fae know what we are. They won’t get mad at us as long as we behave and we rarely have cause to annoy one another.” He smiles.
I figure out where this is going, “But angels are a different story, especially if Michael is involved, as angels and devils don’t mix well and an Archangel…”
“I see. Yes. You are sharp. So sharp you might sink an Empire class…” 3-2 well played.
“Knock it off. It was funny when I said it.” I find myself winking at him. His smile is mesmerizing and I think I know why he has “seducer” as a name. I could get used to talking to him like this, though.
I feel a wave of something dark and ugly hit me like a semi-truck. Sammy feels it too.
“Oh my. Well, I will let you decide if you take his offer and ban my brethren or let us all enjoy your place. I assure you, none of mine will break the rules anymore. Not that you need it, but I would be here in a flash to back you up and put them down. This place is special. I like it, and you.” He drops a business card on the counter for me.
We both feel that wave of darkness hit again.
“I could go for a little less competently directed murder vibes, though. Take care.”
Competently directed murder vibes? I turn in the direction that I felt the dark thoughts from and all I see are a few human patrons, a pixie, and Jackie talking together. Jackie?!
Nah.
May 9
Doc Peters looks upset, “Hold up. Satan is real and the series Lucifer isn’t far off? Ok. That means God is real and… oh.”
I have never seen the Doc like this. She’s obviously processing something. I watch her flash through a dozen emotions in like 10 seconds. Then her breath catches. The waterworks start. Shit.
“Have a tissue, Doc. I know this is technically my time, but you okay?”
She nods. “Yes.” She pulls out the silver crucifix I know she has on a chain around her neck and grabs it hard. “I… just went through a tough time and I prayed that I could find the faith in humanity to go on doing this. The next day a mermaid walked into my office and turned into a merman. They wanted help… I got my faith restored in humanity by a creature that wasn’t even human. And then more came. And now I have a human that is so much more and yet so very, very human. He really listened… I really belong…”
We hug it out and then spend the rest of the session talking about what I intend to do about this all. The devil on my shoulder is quiet the entire time. I head to the shop after feeling okay about things.
Later,
Bell chimes are a Fae, they have the Imperial March in them. Huh?
Fiadh walks in and looks up. I think she is almost as upset as me. I walk passed her and touch the chime controls. By touch I mean punch. She sees me punch the control. I don’t hide my anger as I say, “You will never hurt my friend again or I will launch you into the fucking sun!”
The chime starts again, it has “Irish Eyes” in it now. Everyone that saw that exchange claps.
Some New Yorkers probably thought that was a joke. The Fae and I know better. “Sassy son of a bitch better know its place.”
Fiadh signs to me. “Thank you.” I nod. Jackie looks up. She looks down again. She still isn’t able to talk to Fiadh without being upset. She isn’t ever mean or anything, but she isn’t super friendly.
Fiadh shows her mobile order. She won’t look Jackie in the eyes. Jackie nods and hands her the drink. Not a single word or a real smile. Okay. This has got to change.
“Jackie, Fiadh, can you two come with me?”
They both nod and follow me into the office.
“You two, why won’t you look at each other or try to? Christmas was almost awkward. But since then you have both avoided each other. What is going on?”
Jackie sighs. “I thought about it some. I… Why didn’t she tell you? You could have been ready.”
I look at Jackie. “She is never wrong. She will be comforting someone that is watching a loved one dying. You think I wanted advance notice that you were dying? You think I would want to know I am going to lose you and nothing could stop that? You think Cindy would? We would have tried and something worse may have happened.”
Jackie looks down at the floor.
Fiadh signs. “It could have been Connie. There was a small chance you would let her die instead of you. If I had said something, it would have been her because you would have told Jackie and she would have hesitated. And something worse may have happened. I wasn’t sure until I stepped into this store and knew I would be comforting both you and Cindy. Even though I knew you would never accept it.”
Jackie looks at her. “But why not tell us that?”
“I used to have a voice.” She actually whispers this.
We both look at her.
“Every time I have told someone who they would lose, my voice becomes half as loud. It is my curse. Every time I have tried to help someone avoid their fate, I have lost my voice completely for 7 years and 7 days. I have been without my voice for over a hundred years so far. Every attempt failed. They always fail. I always feel terrible failing. I stopped trying when this was the shattered remains of my voice.” I can see a tear go down her cheek as she whispers this.
She looks so sad, “I need to be able to whisper something comforting to people. I can’t lose what little voice I have left or I will feel absolutely useless. I want to comfort them and not just scream and wail so they only know horror at that moment. I want to be able to tell them it will be okay, like I did your mother, like I did Cindy.” She looks like she is about to break.
I go to grab her hands but Jackie beats me to it.
“Please forgive my rudeness and please don’t cry. You cried enough because of me. Oh sweetie.” Fiadh hugs her.
I join the hug. It’s a hugging and crying day.
Posted Jun 27, 2025, 11:55 AM UTC