fandomtownies | 'Dite's Decadent Delights, Friday evening

It had been a decent week; after saying goodbye to the group Aphrodite had stayed to play in Disneyland for a day before returning home to Fandom.

Hercules kept shooting her baleful glares before pretending to ignore her, but when she sat down in a chair he was immediately on her lap. With a sigh, she spent some time petting him, knowing he was feeling neglected. She decided he would go to the suite with her tonight, then set about doing paperwork at the store so she could sleep in the next day.

She turned on the radio to add some noise, and since the store wasn't officially open, 'Dite switched the station around until she found a report about unrest in Egypt. Frowning, she settled down to listen. Things sounded bad, but since the army wasn't attacking, 'Dite had a feeling Cupid and Bliss had things well in hand.

After a ~~handwavey~~ text message to Karla to let her know she was back, 'Dite settled into the paperwork. Occasionally she glanced at the phone. She still owed Dinah a call, but since it was Friday she wasn't sure if her friend would be available or not. Just as she was reaching for the phone again, Hercules jumped up and knocked over 'Dite's drink onto several order sheets, and the idea of calling Dinah was put off. Besides, she had all weekend to catch up with people.

(OOC: Store is not officially open, but if anyone is out and about and sees the light, you're welcome to stop in or call or something.)

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If anyone pointed out that most of Max's walking routes through town took him by 'Dite's, he'd insist that it was pure coincidence, that it just happened to be convenient.

He probably wouldn't fool anyone.

He saw the light on inside and figured it couldn't hurt to knock. So he did.

'Dite opened the door with a sad smile.

"Max." She motioned him in. "Please. How are you? I keep wanting to call you, but . . ."

They hadn't seen each other since the announcement of Raven's de -- demise.

"Would you like something to drink? I was about to get myself something."

He hesitated for a moment at her expression. But this was still 'Dite. "I would."

He reached out for her hand.

She let him take her hand, then pulled him further into the store. A bottle of Ouzo sat on the counter. "What's been going on? I had to leave the island for a while. Has Karla been into trouble again?"

He didn't seem inclined to let go of her hand, so she raised an eyebrow at him and reached for the bottle with the other.

Max eyed 'Dite for a moment, considering.

"You haven't heard about Raven, have you?" he hazarded.

She'd been pouring a glass when he'd asked the question, but at his words, Aphrodite pulled her hand free of his and put the bottle down with a thump.

"Raven's dead. You told me this yourself, Max."

Even though she hadn't finished pouring the second drink, 'Dite picked up the full one and downed it without stopping.

Max waited for her to swallow. Then he waited a couple more seconds, trying to figure out the best way to break this to her.

Apparently he couldn't come up with anything very good since he shook his head.

"She's back."

'Dite stared, trying to comprehend what he was trying to say.

"Who's back?"

"Raven."

*Blink. Blink, blink*

"Back where?"

This wasn't ancient Greece, after all.

"Here." Well, not here here.

"On the island."

There would have been more blinking, but 'Dite was too busy staring.

"Her spirit, you mean? Cause, she's dead." She gave a half nod. "That would make sense." Pause. "Kinda."

"No." Max shook his head. "Herself."

Look, Max didn't understand it either, okay?

"Max!"

'Dite wanted to stamp her foot. So she did. "What are you talking about? Raven's dead!"

Obviously Aphrodite had never been to the DC Universe.

"Apparently it didn't stick." Max knew he shouldn't be flippant about this, but... he still wasn't really sure what to think about the whole thing.

"What d'ya mean, it didn't stick? If you're dead, you're dead."

She stared at him for a minute, one eyebrow rising.

"Wait . . . she's not dead?" Her eyes widened. "Raven's alive?"

A moment later she exploded.

"Well, that's just great! Doesn't anyone stay dead anymore? What, did someone capture Celesta again? Or is Raven taking lessons from Xena?"

Forgive the raging. Apparently this was ancient Greece.

Max just stood there, listening. He wasn't sure what, precisely to offer 'Dite at the moment.

Though he had to admit that he felt like executing a similar rant. You go to someone's memorial service, you mourn them, you don't expect them to come back in a few weeks.

After raging, and even throwing things, for several more minutes, 'Dite finally stood still in the middle of the store. She put out her hands in a calming gesture, then took a deep breath.

"Okay, so. Raven's alive." She nodded. "That's -- a good thing. Right?"

Turning to Max she gave him a pleading look. "Please tell me she didn't come back evil." An image of a marauding Xena with Raven's face took hold in 'Dite's mind and she shuddered.

Max stood there through the throwing. It did seem to be helping, after all.

"No. It's a good thing. As far as I know, she's just herself. Alive again."

Don't ask him how that worked, though.

"So." 'Dite nodded. "Raven pulled a Xena." She put up a hand. "Don't ask what a Xena is."

She *zapped* two chairs in and dropped into one, bringing the bottle of Ouzo and both glasses closer.

"Do you know how it happened?" After filling a glass, 'Dite offered it to Max with the question. "I mean, were you there, did something happen, or did she just turn up suddenly and go, 'Surprise!'."

She actually wouldn't put it past Raven ~~or the mun~~ to do just that.

"I don't know any details," Max shook his head. "I understand that Karla was there, though, and that it was... pretty bad." Like losing her hadn't been enough.

'Dite's Decadent Delights, Friday evening

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