'Dite's Decadent Delights, Sunday

[divinesurfchick.livejournal.com]

The store was back. Not all the merchandise was, though. In the final battle 'Dite had sworn she'd seen goblins with familiar looking appendages attached to the ends of their polearms. It had just made her fight harder.

Especially with Karla by her side. 'Dite couldn't help but wonder how her friend was doing. She'd left her by the dorm after the battle, with Karla insisting she was fine. 'Dite had raised an eyebrow but said nothing. She'd talk to Karla tomorrow, after all.

So, here she was, taking inventory. Everytime she found a discrepancy she frowned and made a star by the item. Little insults to keep track of so if she ever found this Jareth again she could make him pay. Next time, she'd simply take him to Olympus and see how he liked being without his powers.

There were signs, hastily scrawled and hung on the front windows.

Special 'Fandom Wins' Sale!
All merchandise 25% off!
If you fought goblins, take 40% off your purchase!
If you were a captive, take 50% off and get a free massage!

Who said she didn't have town spirit?

(Open!)

Comments

[glacial_queen]

For all that Karla had some mixed feelings about the people who didn't come to rescue her, she had nothing but gratitude and appreciation for the one who did. Which was why when she showed up at the store, the first thing she did was wrap 'Dite in a very long hug.

[divinesurfchick.livejournal.com]

'Dite didn't bother speaking for a few minutes. She could remember her own fear in the labyrinth well enough, especially when they first found Karla. She just put her arms around her and held on.

When Karla didn't seem inclined to move, 'Dite glanced down. "How are you doing, Sweet Pea?"

[glacial_queen]

"I'm fine," Karla mumbled, face pressed into 'Dite's shoulder. "Glad to be home. Really grateful you dragged me out of all that."

[divinesurfchick.livejournal.com]

'Dite absolutely believed the last two statements, but she wasn't so sure about the first. She wasn't fool enough to argue the point, however.

Pulling away, she *zapped* in a divan and led Karla over. "I meant it, you know. If you were going to put yourself in danger to help me, how could I not return the favor?"

Sitting, she patted the seat in front of her. "Come on. Let's just chit chat a little." 'Dite was trying hard to keep everything normal, even if it didn't feel that way.

[glacial_queen]

Karla's heart sank a little when she heard that, but followed 'Dite anyway, telling herself she was reading far too much into it. "I..I hope you didn't think that--I mean, just because I saved you..."

[divinesurfchick.livejournal.com]

Shaking her head, 'Dite caught Karla's hands in hers. She'd said the phrase a little jokingly, not realizing how raw the teen was.

"Karla. Let me try that again." She bit her lip and thought for a moment. "If you cared so much that you were willing to try something you knew was dangerous, just to help me . . . how could I care any less?" 'Dite shrugged a little. "I couldn't. You're my friend, one of the two or three people I'm closest to on the island. You're a . . . a . . . girlfriend that I can tease and talk about boys with, you're a student that I can teach things to. You remind me of . . . why I wanted to be among mortals in the first place."

Gently, she drew Karla down till she was sitting. Leaning forward, she whispered softly. "I'd have walked through Tartarus to bring you back." Realizing that Karla probably didn't know what that meant, she sighed. "You're like a daughter to me. Don't you know that, Sweet Pea?"

[glacial_queen]

Jareth's head games had grated pretty hard on some of Karla's own issues there. Even knowing it was magic and that she was supposed to be better than that, she couldn't help but worry there had been a grain of truth in his bushel of lies.

But there was no way to doubt 'Dite's words, not with both of their magics working right again. Karla just leaned in for another hard hug. "You don't know how much it means to hear you say that," she whispered. "I'm sorry. I know I'm being silly, but..." She shrugged a little. "A few days down there and he's got me questioning what's up and what's down."

[divinesurfchick.livejournal.com]

"It's okay." 'Dite squeezed gently. "If it had been me, I'd be just as messed up." Her sigh was one of relief. She may need reassurance, but thankfully Karla seemed mostly unharmed.

'Dite kept her arms around her friend. "Have you contacted anyone in Kaeleer? To let them know you're okay?"

[glacial_queen]

Karla shook her head. "I'm writing a letter. Not that they even know I was gone. Unless...do you think anyone called them to let them know?"

[divinesurfchick.livejournal.com]

Shaking her head, 'Dite replied, "No, they couldn't, and that's the point. The island was cut off; no one could call or leave, and no one from outside could call or come here. So, if they tried getting hold of you in the last week or so, they probably couldn't and might be frantic." She shrugged. "Just a suggestion, but you might want to write soon."

[glacial_queen]

Karla nodded. "Maybe I'll spend some of my shift tomorrow writing it," she said, "in between studying for finals and getting ready for the dress rehearsal." She gave 'Dite a slightly sheepish grin. "I'll slip in an extra note for Jaenelle like you asked, too. I should ask her how to broach the topic with Uncle Saetan anyway."

She was trying to time it so that he would get it before it happened, so she could say she gave him advanced warning, but not so long before that he could show up on the island and drag her home by the ear, say.

[divinesurfchick.livejournal.com]

For just a moment, 'Dite was confused. Then she realized what Karla was talking about.

"Oooooh. Yeah. I just meant you should tell them about what happened in case they were worrying. I wasn't even thinking about -- that. But, yeah, good idea. And I'm sure Jaenelle will know how to handle Saetan." She hesitated before asking the next question. "Do you want me to talk to him?"

[glacial_queen]

"I was thinking I could combine both letters into one," Karla explained. "Or, rather, Jaenelle's letter into this one and then figure out what to do next."

She thought about 'Dite's offer. "Maybe," she mused. "I don't know if he'll just accept my explanation. He might just decide I'm doing because I'm a love-struck child off on my own." She flushed. "I mean, I am, but that's not why. Not entirely. I couldn't do this without loving him, but that's not my reason for deciding."

[nohaircutsplz]

Medusalith was a pragmatist. She was also a teenaged girl with an extremely sheltered boyfriend, and quite frankly, even she had no idea how to go about, ahem, certain activities without, you know, dying tragically. There was that one room, but it wouldn't always be an option, and she'd promised Blackagar there would be no more being locked in rooms.

So. She was seeking advice. "Hello?" she called hopefully as she entered the shop.

[divinesurfchick.livejournal.com]

'Dite looked up from her inventory books, glad to have a distraction since Karla left.

"Hi! Welcome to 'Dite's. What can I do for you today?"

[nohaircutsplz]

"Do you run this shop?" Medusalith was rather nervous about this, but she was royal enough to cover it with assertiveness, so if she came off as a little short, it was an unfortunate side effect.

[divinesurfchick.livejournal.com]

For a moment, 'Dite didn't answer, as her focus was on the young woman's hair. Long hair. Very long red hair.

But then she shook herself and nodded. "That's me! I'm Aphrodite." She held out a hand. "And you are?"

[nohaircutsplz]

Medusalith was used to that reaction, yes. "Medusalith Amaquelin," she said, taking Aphrodite's hand and shaking it in the human fashion. "Some people call me Medusa."

[divinesurfchick.livejournal.com]

Which got two raised eyebrows and another glance at the hair.

And then another.

"You're, uh . . . not a gorgon, are you?"

She didn't mean to be rude. Really.

[nohaircutsplz]

The fact that the hair was moving slightly probably added to the concern. But, "No," Medusalith said. "That's my cousin's name, though, however did you guess?"

[divinesurfchick.livejournal.com]

"Oh, Zeus." 'Dite let her head drop into her hands for a moment. She had run into this before, with people from Fandom being just slightly off from her version of reality, but -- Medusa. Here?

But 'Dite was a shopkeeper, and this was a customer. "Okay!" Nodding, she put a smile back on her face. "What can I do for you, Medusa?"

[nohaircutsplz]

"I have...a problem I believe to be unique," Medusalith said delicately. At least, in the history of the Inhumans it was unique, and she found it hard to believe it would have come up among humans. "And therefore I need advice I am hoping you will be able to furnish?" Please say yes.

[divinesurfchick.livejournal.com]

"I'll do my absolute best." 'Dite *zapped* in an extra stool for Medusa, then sat back in her own and folded her hands. "Tell me what the problem is, Sweet Pea."

The Goddess of Love was In.

[nohaircutsplz]

Well, that was a bit startling, but Medusalith was used to oddness, and recovered and sat down quickly. "My...boyfriend, I suppose would be the correct word. It is absolutely imperative that he never utter a sound, so much as a whisper." She paused, then said, "The results would be...well, they would be bad. His self-discipline is intense, but...I think you can see why I am concerned."

[divinesurfchick.livejournal.com]

That certainly got 'Dite's attention. With her eyes wide, she leaned forward and asked in a whisper, "What happens if he speaks?"