Goddess Reborn

Who is she?

Once we were down from the elevator and heading for breakfast we kept the conversation light. We did not want to have any conversations that could be overheard and possibly leaked back to those that are not our friends. As we left the building trying to decide where to eat it I had an idea of where to go, making my suggestion, Roman perked up and led the way.

Crossing the threshold of Sweet Persuasion Cafe I saw Roman search the workers behind the counter for a familiar face. When he did not see her immediately he tried to hide his frustration, and led us to a table to sit. "So, this place is cute." I offered and Roman just nodded. Deacon nudged my shoulder, then miming a very sad face while pointing to Roman.

"Thank you, I love it here too." An angelic voice said from beside us, as we all looked up I saw Roman turn from sad to over the moon. "Here's my favourite customer, your usual today?" She asked with a blush from the way he was staring at her. Interestingly all he could do was nod in her direction. I may not have remembered my life before this point but Roman at a loss for words or confidence seemed shocking. As she turned her attention to us I realized I had spent the whole time looking at them, not deciding on what I wanted. I used it as an opportunity to ask her suggestion.

"Well, we mostly cater to the sweets and coffees, but everything is fresh. Though, if you ask me, the best thing today is the beignets." She said as she pointed to some coming out of the kitchen area on a tray. They really did look great and for some reason I found myself drawn to any suggestions she made. I would have ordered whatever she said was best. We placed our orders then looked around some more, she greeted others as they came and went, offered hushed suggestions and a friendly ear. I noticed that everyone looked to her for advice and followed what she suggested.

"So, that's the girl?" I asked Roman, whose cheeks pinked as soon as the words had left my mouth. He turned to see where she was before he spoke.

"I don't get it, when I'm here I feel like I'm a mess, she makes me feel like whatever she has is best. I have eaten so much pastry here, and I can't stop from coming in." He told us, also explaining even when he was not here he found himself aching to find a way back to here. He would find himself wondering what her day was like, or what she had made. Deacon seemed concerned by this development, like he had not been aware how lovesick his brother had become.

"That's like while I was waiting for you, I could not think of much else. I would constantly seek out ways to see you and learn about your day. It was unbearable at times." He told me, taking my hand. This solidified for me that Pari must be the missing piece of our small puzzle. We knew there would be two others out there, but we did not know where. It was also a curious issue that we still had no word on why Pari was human and did not know of us. For the time being we would need to add watching her and keeping her safe to our routine.

Just as I was about to ask if he had spoken to her much she returned with our order. As she put things down I watched her steal glances at Roman, she obviously felt something for him as well. Once everything was on the table we dug in, but not before she trailed a hand from his resting on the table and up over his shoulder. They had definitely spoken, and a lot, and she wanted him as well. I asked about the night at the club, I knew she had been coming, and I wanted to know what happened.

"Roman, she does not match what you described, a terrible waitress that doesn't remember your order and bad coffee?" I asked him with a confused look. The food was amazing, everything smelled amazing, and she was sought out by everyone coming and going. She seemed to float across the shop and smiled the whole time.

"I know, when I'm here I cannot correct her, then I leave and question why I drank this again, but I cannot stop myself from coming here." He explained, confused by his new need for her and the coffee. "Like I said, I feel like I have to be here, to protect her. None of it makes any sense, but I know it's right."

As I watched him, watching her, I was struck by the words Deacon had said. He said this is what it was like for him, but he had already known me for so long before. I take the time to study Pari as well, her long raven hair in a messy bun on top of her head. Tall, and slim, but well proportioned. Definitely slimmer than I would be if I was surrounded by all these sweets all day. Her effortless conversation with all the customers was hypnotic. She seemed to have everyone hanging on her every word, but not in a temptress sort of way. She just captivated everyone, but her presence was one of humility and kindness.

"You two go check on the Vampires, I'd be out of my depth there. I'll stay here I think, I want to people watch a bit." I tell the guys, truly I want to watch Pari, maybe talk to her some. It seems to be obvious that I intend to snoop and Roman is giving me a funny look. "If she has the same effect on you that I had on Deac, there is a good chance she is someone we need to know. Besides, I don't know if I want to meet Vampires today. Everything has been a bit more insane than I wanted and I don't want to come face to face with bloodsucking fiends."

Both guys both start laughing at the mention of bloodsucking. "Vampires don't survive on blood primarily, and they don't sparkle either. They do feed on life essence, which in humans can be many things, some like the trope of bloodsucking, but it isn't the only thing they can survive on." Deacon explains, which now makes me more interested in meeting some and finding out what they are like, but I have committed myself to watching over Pari.

As we establish our plan and the guys get up to go, Pari looks over at Roman with an emotion I recognize all too well. She wanted to know him, more deeply than they have been able to make happen and I wanted to see that happen. Once the guys were out the door I retrieved a notebook from my bag and decided this would be the best time to make some notes of the last few days. Between the info from Nikki, and the odd visit from Mags, to seeing Marcus and Casey being burned from the inside out, and my overall learning of my new life since death.

As I started my notes I heard a chair pull out and I looked up to see Pari sitting with me, holding a tray and chewing on the inside of her cheek. "Hey... hi..." She started, looking nervous, and unsure.

"Hi Pari, great suggestion on the food. It was amazing." I said. She was looking around, maybe worried she would be caught slacking. "Are you ok? You seem nervous."

"I need to ask you about your friend, Roman? He is always here, and is so kind and funny. He invited me to that club that night, but then abruptly took off." She started, blushing as she commented on her history with Roman. I could not help but smile at her fear that none of what she thought was going. She was still looking around, nervous and keeping as quiet as possible.

As much as I was enjoying this, I decided to put her at ease. "Roman likes you, a lot. He comes here as much as possible and is determined to find ways to see you, even when we are busy. How long have you worked here?"

With a blush and a shot of pride shooting through her gaze she tells me this is her business. "I inherited a lot of money when I came of age, never even knew my family but I guess they had money. I was trying to decide what to do with it when I saw this building. There was a woman standing outside that said it would make a great Cafe, we talked for a while and I knew this was what I needed to do."

"You didn't know your family? That must have been tough, I grew up with just my grandmother and aunt." Using my last human life as a backdrop for who I am in this conversation makes sense. She tells me she grew up in thr foster system, aging out at 18, but had great foster parents that she stayed in touch with. At 21 she was hunted down by a lawyer that broke the news to her about the money. She never found out who her parents were, but that they left her enough to be happy. I could not help but be drawn to her story, as in many ways it felt like mine as a human. No connections, but mysteriously always landing on your feet. I asked her about the name and she giggled.

"It started as a kid, my foster parents said I could persuade anyone to do what I wanted. As a teen it got pretty bad, I still don't know how it happened that I convinced anyone to do what I did. Once I was old enough and grew out of those rebellious years I knew I would only ever want to use that skill for good, and what's better than a sweet treat and a kind smile?" She explained. I tried to press her for information about what happened as a teen but customers came in and she had to tend to her business.

I got back to my list of questions and events, not sure how long I spent engrossed in my writing. Suddenly, I became aware of what felt like someone watching me. First, I looked around the shop to see if anyone was looking my way, but there was nothing. Then as I looked outside there did not seem to be anything out of the ordinary, at least at first glance. As I searched the trees of the park I noticed what looked like shadows flitting between the trunks. As I tried to get a better look at the dark masses moving from one tree to the next I did not immediately hear the door open and shut, not until I heard Pari greet the new guest.

"Magda! It's so good to see you again!" She announces with enthusiasm. The name draws my attention, Magda, as in Mags? I peek up slightly, trying not to draw attention to myself. The unmistakable silver locks of Mags greet me, but she is turned away from me at this present moment. I am unsure why I have so much trepidation about being seen here, but maybe because we do not know who to trust. I take the moment she is turned away to move from my table to the small hallway towards the bathrooms. Just as I get there I hear Pari saying she saw her mystery 'hunk' again, stating that she got to meet his friends. Mags seems interested in this and asks to meet us, but when they turn to the table I am not there.

"Oh shoot, she must have gone to the washroom, her things are still here." Pari explains to Mags, looking sorrowful. Mags brushes it off saying it is not bother, before issuing a warning that shocks me.

"Just remember what I said before child, wolves and darkness hide in beautiful costumes, don't let a pretty face distract you from who you are meant to be." With that last comment, Mags takes her order and leaves the Cafe. The shadows I saw seem to follow her as she moves back through the park and away from us. I decide to return to my seat, but have no way to ask Pari about Mags or her strange comment without giving too much away. For now I resolve myself to adding it, the shadows and all the new intrigue to my notes.