fandomtownies | 'Dite's Decadent Delights, Tuesday afternoon

Aphrodite zapped herself onto the porch of the store, then entered quietly.

"Raven? Are you here?"

At first she thought it was a ridiculous question; after all, who else would be here if the door was unlocked? But then she thought it could be Karla instead, so maybe it wasn't a foolish question.

Either way, she she stepped into the store to find which of her employees was there.

Raven's face broke into a happy smile. "Hello, Lady Aphrodite," she said. "It is good to see you."

She couldn't wait to tell her that Jono had told her he loved her.

'Dite stopped. She looked around the store, then back at Raven. One eyebrow went up, then two.

"Who are you and what have you done with Raven?" She took another step into the store. "Heavens to Mergatroid -- you're happy!"

It was a wonderful thing to see, but 'Dite wasn't going to pass up the opportunity to tease Raven.

"I am," Raven said, ducking her head and blushing. "It is not that rare of an occurrence, is it?" Then again, usually she was worried or stressed about what was going on in the lives of her friends and how she could help, or dwelling on her own issues.

"I suppose I am happy," she said, looking up, smile still in place. "Jono told me he loves me."

"He did? Sweet Pea, that's awesome!" She stepped around the counter, raising her arms. "First high-five, then give me a hug!"

Maybe this would be enough to cushion the news she had to tell.

Raven knew what a high five was, but wasn't accustomed to them, so her attempt was on the awkward side. The hug that followed, however, was not.

"I do not think I have ever been happier," she murmured. "I have waited so long for someone to tell me that."

"You mean, you've waited so long for someone of the male variety to tell you that." 'Dite's scolding was gentle. "Because I know Karla's told you, and I've told you." She shrugged. "Only difference is, you didn't want to kiss us. Well, . . . me." She winked, then hugged Raven again. "I'm really proud of you, Raven. You've come so far, and I'm really glad to be your friend."

Raven couldn't help but blush. "I know, and I cherish that kind of love as well," she said. "And I do still care for Karla, that has not changed."

She squeezed her arms around 'Dite, basking in her pride. "Thank you," she said. "I am very glad to be your friend as well." She'd known a goddess before, but never as a friend, only as a teacher.

'Dite motioned to the open area in the middle of the store, and zapped in two chairs. "Come on, Sweet Pea. I need to talk to you, and then you can tell me all about what was happening when Jono said he loved you."

She led the way around the counter, then settled herself in one chair. Her face took on a serious expression, and she drummed her fingers as she waited for Raven to take her seat.

Raven sat down in the other chair, frowning a little at 'Dite's serious demeanor. "What is wrong?" she said. "Is this about what you were telling me before? About...leaving?"

'Dite nodded. "Yeah. I'm afraid it is." She took a breath. "Do you like working at the store, Raven? I mean, " she waved a hand, "I know at first you were a little . . . uncomfortable. But it seemed recently you started to like it, I mean, you came back after . . . after."

She was aware she wasn't doing this well, and sighed.

"I have enjoyed working for you," Raven said.

She glanced around the store. "There are some things I do not understand, but I have been learning." Like, say, about handcuffs. Which made her blush again.

'Dite noticed the blush, and smiled. "Learning, huh? I'll bet Jono loves that." She winked, then turned serious.

"The reason I'm asking is, I don't want to close the store. I think Fandom needs it, I think it plays a role, and I just like having it. But I need to know, would you keep working here, even if I'm not here?" 'Dite pulled back, gesturing helplessly. "I mean, I'll be back, I'm not going forever, and I'm hoping to get back every few weeks and check in, but -- I'd have to leave the day to day running of the store to you and Karla -- if Karla wants to stay."

If Karla doesn't hate me for leaving in the first place.

That wasn't helping the blush!

"If you mean for me to keep doing what I have been doing, yes, I can do that," Raven said. "Though I am not skilled in matters of business, so if there are other duties you wish me to assume, you will have to teach me."

She gave 'Dite a sad look. "You really must go? But you will be back? You promise?"

"I'm not looking for you to do much more than you've been doing -- you already handle the paperwork from the register at the end of every shift, and count the money." 'Dite shrugged. "The only thing I'll ask you to do that's different is keep track of the weekly deposit. And I can show you that paperwork tonight. Not a big deal, I promise." She leaned back in her chair. "I was going to split a few extra duties between you and Karla -- but mostly, I just need someone to keep an eye on things, and feed Hercules for me."

With a smile, 'Dite nodded. "I'll be back, Raven, I promise. I have to, just so I can tease you about Jono." *Wink*

Bluuuuuuuuuush.

"Good, because I will miss you," Raven said. "And I know Karla will as well. And I hope that you will have the opportunity to ~~grill~~ meet Jono before you must go."

Aphrodite grinned. "Oh, I'd really like that." Emphasis on really. And like.

She sobered for a moment. "Raven, I'd like to tell Karla myself. I've left her a message to come down to the store sometime in the next couple of days. If you could keep this to yourself until I've discussed it with her, I'd really appreciate it."

Poor Jono. He'd never know what hit him. Then again, he'd survived Anakin.

"Of course," Raven said. "I will do my best to avoid telling her. I cannot lie to her if she asks me directly, but I do not think that will be a concern."

"I hope it won't." 'Dite sighed. "You could just tell her to call me -- I left a message and I'm hoping she'll call soon."

Gathering herself, she took a deep breath and leaned forward, deciding to put off all thoughts of good-byes until they were necessary.

"So. Tell me more about Jono, and how he said he loves you." Then she winked, and settled in for a long conversation.

"We were both helping friends of ours, Rinoa and Squall, in their world," Raven said, leaning back in her chair, tucking her legs under her. "We had to fight a sorceress, Ultimecia, to help Rinoa, and she used her powers to transport Jono outside of time."

She wanted to gloss over the part about demoning out, but it was kind of important to the story. "I thought she had killed him and lost my temper," she said. Dite should know what that meant; she'd been there when she'd taken her demon form out of anger at Max, after all. "But then Ultimecia transported me to the same place. Jono tried to calm me down, but then I remembered how he had killed me when I was under my father's control. It was not his fault and I truly do not blame him, but I could not help but begin to panic. But then he said he loved me too much to hurt me and I was able to regain control of my fear and anger. And then he said he loved me again."

She was so leaving out the part about throwing up immediately afterward.

"Wait, go back -- Rinoa and Squall? Are they okay? Did they beat this sorceress?" Rinoa was a friend, after all.

"So, Rinoa transported Jono outside of time itself?" She hadn't known the sorceress was quite that powerful, but it made sense. 'Dite had always felt something around Rinoa that she couldn't quite name. "So, Jono said he loved you too much to hurt you, then he just said he loved you? That's awesome, Raven."

She wasn't going to touch the part about Jono helping kill her. She wasn't ready to go there yet.

"Oh, yes, Rinoa is doing very well now, as is Squall," Raven assured her. "It was a very difficult time for Rinoa, but we were able to help her overcome Ultimecia, and now she is herself once more." And Raven was grateful for her part, however small, in making certain Squall wasn't forced to kill Rinoa as Jono had been forced to kill her.

"It was Ultimecia who transported Jono, to remove him from the fight against her," she clarified. "In my rage and fear that she had killed him, I attacked her myself, and then she removed me as well, sending me to the same place Jono was. I was so overjoyed to see he was alive, and even more so when he said he loved me. It was, as you say, 'awesome.'"

She was beaming with happiness at that point.

"Aaaaand, what did you say back to him?" 'Dite winked. "Or maybe I should ask what you did right after that?" Then she blinked. "And if you were outside time, how did you get back?"

"When Squall defeated Ultimecia, we were all returned," Raven said.

Then she turned a lovely shade of crimson, because of course 'Dite would have to ask her that question, and she couldn't lie. "I wished to tell him I loved him, as I have done many times before, after he said that to me," she confessed. "But...I became physically ill.

"But it was not related to what he had said!" she quickly added. It was just a horrible coincidence.

Of course it wasn't!

'Dite bit both her lips for a moment to hold in the laughter. Then she raised her eyebrows and carefully asked,

"So, he said I love you and you barfed."

At least she wasn't laughing? (Yet.)

'Dite was terribly mean to make Raven pout so!

"Yes," she said, her cheeks hot. "It was distressing, and I wish it had gone differently, but it did not change what he felt."

A beat, then she had to add, "And he has said it since then and I did not become sick."

"Hey! Progress!" 'Dite waved a hand at Raven, chuckling. "I'm just kidding. This is really great news, Raven." She tilted her head. "Do you love him? Or are you just toying with his heart?" A wink said she was only joking, at least about the second part.

"I do!" Raven said, smile chasing away some of the blush. "I have cared for him for quite some time. I know that he still mourns Didi, and I had not wanted to pressure him wanting my feelings for him to be reciprocated, but it has brought me great joy to have him open his heart to me as well now."

"Huh." 'Dite blinked. "Your Jono was going out with Didi?" She'd only met the young woman once, but it was a good memory. "So, just how long have you known him?"

"He was, yes, and her loss affected him deeply," Raven said. "I have known him almost as long as I have been here -- almost two years now. He was one of the people I affected with my gifts when I accidentally made people love me, and I think of all of them he was the one I wanted to be the most real then. Didi asked me to watch over him when she knew she would have to go, and I attempted not to allow my own feelings get in the way of that, but...eventually I told him how I felt."

'Dite frowned, a look of concern crossing her face. "I think I remember him. Your feelings were very strong." An eyebrow rose. "Did you ever tell him about that? About when you made him love you?"

She would have wondered if this was a residual effect of that event, but a quick check with her powers found no sickly green lines emanating from Raven, just golden ones that spread out in varying thickness to all parts of the island. It made 'Dite smile.

Raven nodded, biting at her lip at the unpleasant memory. It was definitely something she'd rather forget, and it stung her pride to recall what she'd done.

"He knows," she said softly. "Both he and Didi were among those I affected, and I almost jeopardized the beginnings of their relationship. If I had, I could never have forgiven myself. I did not wish to cause any problems, so I buried my own feelings."

"Well," 'Dite tilted her head, "it seems like they both forgave you. Why do you think that was?"

"They knew I would never do such a thing on purpose," Raven said. "And I told Didi I never would have kissed Jono then if I had known the two of them were involved."

"I don't agree." Aphrodite shook her head. "I mean, I know those things happened, and I wouldn't doubt it contributed, but -- maybe they saw what I saw." She smiled at Raven. "Maybe they looked past what you did, and saw who you could be, who you could and have grown into." Her smile grew wider. "Because you've really become something special, Raven. You really have."

The blush slipped back on her cheeks, but Raven smiled with pride. "Thank you," she murmured. "I hope to never prove you wrong."

'Dite shook her head. "You won't. I believe in you." She stood, holding out her arms for a hug. "I have to go, but I'll talk to you again before I leave. I'll want to make sure you and Karla are clear on things about the store," 'Dite sighed, "if, that is, Karla still wants to work here."

"I know she will miss you a great deal," Raven said, stepping into the hug and embracing 'Dite tightly. "But she will be happy to see you when you come visit. And I feel the same way."

She couldn't very well talk to Anakin about boys and sex, after all.

Probably not, but that was a conversation 'Dite would pay to see.

"She'll be happy, if she doesn't hate me for leaving in the first place." 'Dite sighed, but smiled at Raven. "i'm really proud of you. Come down on Monday and say good-bye, will you?"

Anakin would flail. And probably clamp his hands over his ears.

"She loves you," Raven said. "She will be upset to see you go, but that will not change how she feels about you, I am certain of it. And of course I will come Monday."

"Thanks. I'll see you then." 'Dite squeezed Raven's shoulder and slipped out the door.

'Dite's Decadent Delights, Tuesday afternoon

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