Decadent Delights, Thursday afternoon

[divinesurfchick.livejournal.com]

After assuring Bliss that she'd keep in touch and not be too long, 'Dite zapped herself and Hercules to Fandom, ending up on the porch of the store.

Beside a huge rooster. A huge green and red rooster. One that seemed permanently fastened to its spot. Either that, or it was just too heavy to move. Shaking her head, she entered the store, wondering what else had changed in the time she'd been gone.

Hercules leaped out of her arms as soon as she got through the door. He glanced back at the huge bird on the porch and ran.

'Dite chuckled and looked around. Most things seemed the same, though there were notes on some items that made her raise her eyebrows. They certainly didn't seem like the thing Raven or Karla would do, especially as some of the notes implied the products had been used by the commenter. That was certainly not Raven, and probably not Karla.

Other than that it didn't look like much had changed, and she took a deep breath. It was nice to be back in Fandom, really.

*crash!*

"Hercules!"

Yep. Not much had changed, really.

open!

Comments

[trigons_child]

Raven hadn't been by the store so she didn't know of 'Dite's messages, but an empath could hardly miss the presence of the Goddess of Love. In her dorm room she felt the shift of emotion on the island and knew immediately what that meant. Gathering up her cloak, she teleported to the street outside the store and stepped inside.

"Lady Aphrodite!" she exclaimed. "You are back!"


[Will be slow for a bit as I make dinner!]

[divinesurfchick.livejournal.com]

'Dite grinned. "Can't put anything past you, can I, Raven?" She offered a hug. "It's so good to see you! How are you? Are you still with your boyfriend? How's school? What's been happening on the island?"

If someone said 'Dite was bouncing, she'd deny it, but she so was.

[trigons_child]

Raven was more than happy to take that offered hug. "It is good to see you as well," she murmured, clinging to 'Dite.

"I have been well." Sort of. "Fandom has been...Fandom. Strange dolls appearing...people almost erased from existence...."

You know. The usual.

[divinesurfchick.livejournal.com]

One perfect eyebrow quirked at that last part, but, hey, it was Fandom.

Still . . . "I think there's a story in there somewhere. Anything I should ask about?"

Don't think she didn't notice that Raven hadn't said anything about the boyfriend situation.

[trigons_child]

"It was terrifying at the time, but we were able to put things to right and restore those who had vanished," Raven said, stepping back. "But it was close. Very close." She'd already been erased near the end, but she'd heard the stories on how the Nothing had been defeated.

"Are you just visiting? Or have you returned to stay?" she asked. And no, she wasn't being avoidy about any topics at all. Really!

[divinesurfchick.livejournal.com]

'Dite sighed. "Unfortunately, just visiting. Thing's got a little crazy, and I was so tired from time jumping that I didn't even realize what year it was, much less what month." She nodded and her smile returned. "So, I decided I wanted a break. You don't mind, do you?"

[trigons_child]

"Of course not," Raven said with a warm smile of her own. "Why would I mind? As I said, it is good to see you. You have been missed."

Of course, what she'd said right before that was slightly worrisome. "Time jumping?"

[glacial_queen]

Karla wasn't an empath, but she was still trying to puzzle out the hieroglyphs. So it was back to the store for her, in case she'd overlooked something in one of the envelopes or something.

Instead of a clue, she found something much better. "'Dite!" she said, flinging herself towards the lovely goddess. "You're back!"

Such excellent detectives these girls were.

[Slow like a slow thing, re: con]

[divinesurfchick.livejournal.com]

"I am?" 'Dite raised her arms just in time to catch Karla in her arms. She laughed. "Yeah, I guess I am." Hugging Karla tightly, she let out a long breath. Though she wouldn't admit it, she'd been worried.

Pulling back, she grinned at Karla. "Karla? I love you. What possessed you to put a giant chicken outside the door to my shop?!"

Hey, it was a legitimate question!

[glacial_queen]

"It was a random delivery!" Karla protested, giggling and not letting go of 'Dite anytime soon. "I came into the store just in time to sign for a giant metal cock and the deliverymale refused to take it away! Or even stick around long enough for me to open the box up!"

But she liked it. IT WAS FULL OF WHIMSY.

[divinesurfchick.livejournal.com]

"Karla, Karla, Karla." 'Dite gave a dramatic sigh. "Haven't I taught you that the cocks are supposed to stay in the store until someone buys them?" With a giggle, she winked.

"Anyway, tell me what you've been up to? How are you, really?"

[regretiz4suckas.livejournal.com]

Kenzi was stopping by on her way to the Boards, mostly because she wanted chocolate. She blinked when she saw the woman she didn't know in the shop. Bopping over, she gave her a perky look. "Are you Aphrodite, or did Karla hire more phenomenally gorgeous help?" She fluffed her hair, grinning.

[divinesurfchick.livejournal.com]

'Dite wasn't really used to questions like this; after all, who could be as phenomenally gorgeous as she was? But this person seemed to know Karla, and knew something about the shop.

She grinned. "I'll tell you who I am if you tell me who you are."

Tit for tat. Only fair.

[regretiz4suckas.livejournal.com]

"Kenzi. The one and only." She grinned. "I work here, so if you don't, I'mma have to talk to you about that." She studied the woman and decided she probably was the owner; Karla had told her she was on her way back.

Kenzi started looking around for a kitten.

[divinesurfchick.livejournal.com]

The kitten had long ago grown into a cat, a mischievous one that was currently looking in the back, chasing an animated mouse made out of a condom. Don't ask.

"You work here, huh?" 'Dite folded her arms. "Who hired you, and when?"

She had a feeling she'd found the source of the notes attached to certain items.

[regretiz4suckas.livejournal.com]

"Karla. A few months ago." Kenzi gave her a lurky smile. "I'm good at my job. Really! And as part of the Anarchist Philanthropist Club, I helped distribute sex information during Hormone Crazy Week." She rocked on her toes. "And I product-test!"

Yes, Kenzi. She would've guessed that.

[divinesurfchick.livejournal.com]

"Riiiiiight." She glanced around the room at the sticky notes. "Product testing. Is that what it's called now? It used to be just general horniness."

'Dite said it with a wink to let Kenzi know she was just teasing.

"How long have you been on Fandom, Kenzi?"

Notice how she never actually gave tit for tat.

[regretiz4suckas.livejournal.com]

"That too!" Kenzi sighed and stretched, looking cheerful. Yup. Definitely the owner, she was sure of it. "Hmm, since early last July? So hey, months and months now. Although Karla didn't tell me 'til this week that there was an actual 'Dite around somewhere."

On the Italian Coast

[divinesurfchick.livejournal.com]

The three of them materialized in a garden setting, near what looked like a small cafe. 'Dite smiled as she breathed in the scent of garlic and fish. In the distance she could see the ocean, and for a moment she wondered if Toby or Kenzi would enjoy a ride with her. She smiled at the thought and turned to them.

"Okay. Welcome to the Amalfi coast on Capri Island. You're in the small fishing town of Cetara, famous for their anchovies. Now, you might think you don't like them, but they make them into an elixir called Colatura di Alici and it's wonderful. They add it to pasta dishes, especially spaghetti, and the pasta is made just up the coast in another small town." She motioned to the building beside them. "This is the Cafe Mezzatorre. They have a patio that faces the ocean, and an owner that occasionally will bring out his violin, which he plays very well. It really is the most romantic setting I can think of outside of my own temple, which, no."

'Dite grinned and raised a hand towards the door. "Who's ready for dinner?"

Re: On the Italian Coast

[godgavemecable.livejournal.com]

"Uh, me?" Toby finally managed. "This is- so cool."

Re: On the Italian Coast

[regretiz4suckas.livejournal.com]

Kenzi stopped dancing around long enough to hug 'Dite, then hugged Toby and hung onto him. "You are a goddess! For reals! And I'm up for anything it all sounds yummmmy." She beamed around them, and got out her iPhone to take photos. "Sweet!"

Re: On the Italian Coast

[divinesurfchick.livejournal.com]

'Dite smiled at the two of them and raised an eyebrow. She'd have to watch these two. Relationships on Fandom weren't guaranteed, and she tried not to interfere, but . . . she'd watch. Nothing more.

"Okay, gang, let's go." She opened the door and led them inside.

The owner noticed her immediately and came over, spouting Italian, which 'Dite replied to easily. They were soon seated on the aforementioned patio, with the sound of the ocean waves in the background. A basket of bread and a plate of olive oil and herbs was left on the table, along with a small sheet of paper listing their specials of the day, this time in broken English.

"Oooh, ravioli, with fresh mozzarella and ricotta. And -- you're in luck, Kenzi, Italian pizza, with Ricotta di Tramonti." No, the goddess was not salivating. It only appeared that way to make her seem more mortal. Really.

Re: On the Italian Coast

[godgavemecable.livejournal.com]

"'Thank you' doesn't really seem to cover it," Toby admitted, shooting 'Dite a tentative smile.

Re: On the Italian Coast

[regretiz4suckas.livejournal.com]

"'You're a goddess' does, but I already said that," Kenzi said, leaning on Toby's shoulder to read the menu. "Oh my goddess. Let's order everything. And then dessert." She reached out for the bread basket to break some off immediately, poured out olive oil and added pepper, then dipped it with enjoyment. "This is way cooler than locking me out of somewhere like Loki did."

Re: On the Italian Coast

[divinesurfchick.livejournal.com]

'Dite couldn't help smiling. This was how she liked to use her powers -- to impress people.

She winked at Toby, then turned to Kenzi. "One, who's Loki, two, where did he lock you out of, and -- no, that's it, there's no third."

She'd just met Kenzi and somehow they ended up in Italy. That kind of told her the why of the locking out, mostly.