Robert knew this was wrong. These people seemed determined to create violence... violence in her name! She was shocked, and horrified at the prospect. But of course, it was her that cast the first stone in this matter. It wasn't intended to end up this way at all...
"Please... you must not do this," Robert pleaded.
"We have to! You should join us. Unless you're happy to be marginalised in society for the rest of your life?" The Devil man looked annoyed.
"No. But if you are violent towards them-"
"That's the beauty of it. We're not going to be violent at all. We're going to goad them into it. They'll start it first."
Robert bit her lip. "It makes you responsible... this isn't the way to do it."
The devil man gave a dismissive gesture. "Sheesh. Just enjoy your drink then. I thought you would understand why we have to do this. Everyone else does."
Robert's words seemed not to make any impact. The priestess wondered if she should come clean about who she is... "Look... I am that priestess who was attacked!"
The entire bar became silent and looked to her.
Robert swallowed as every eye fell upon her. Each a variation on the same theme. OF sin, evil, chaos and destruction... that she called herself a priestess right now also shocked her. Never had she been so intimidated as everyone waited to hear what she had to say. If she did this wrong, they will surely erupt into violence. They will attack everyone who was seen as blessed, finding comfort in their actions by their belief in damnation. Back when she used to do confessions, she realised how so much of man's ills were a disbelief in ones own self or identity. What did that say of someone who had lost their identity, and had to take on a new one?
Robert had to say something... she prayed the Lord would guide her. "They were the actions of the minority," She began. "People who go looking for trouble. You don't have to sink to their level!" She had to make them see sense.
The devil man sneered. "Do you have any idea what would happen if we just lie back and accept it? They'll crucify us. We changed into devils! That's all the reason they need to attack us. You've seen that first hand already. We aren't going to take it."
Robert shuddered. "And if you goad them into violence, what makes you think that violence will stop there? You'll start a war! A race war... is that really what you want?" She glanced around. "You all have families! People who love you regardless of your shape. By all means stand up for your rights, but sowing the seeds of violence makes you perpetrators of that violence. You are all welcome at my church, and I promise you... I will preach messages of peace and understanding for all of us. If you provoke this attack, it could destroy our community!"
There were a few glances around. Robert decided enough was enough. "Think this well... and think this hard," she said as she ripped a particularly provocative anti-angel slogan. She went up to the bar, hoping she could get something.
Adam looked guiltily as her mother cooked for her. Was this just the start? She didn't want to rely on her mother for anything. She grew out of that a while ago. Only to now ask for her help again with just the basic need of food...
She laid out plates of ham and eggs, with a cup of orange juice. All of Adam's comfort foods. She looked at the table, automatically reaching out with her feathered arm... only to realise she can not actually pick it up in that way any more. She bit her lip, wondering what she could do? She couldn't eat with her feet! She felt bad if she just picked it off the plate like some kind of dog.
Her mother looked at her daughter with a sad understanding. "Sorry dear... hm..." She wondered how best to save her daughter some dignity. She pierced the food through, much like a kebab with all the parts locked together. Thinking on her feet, she placed the skewered food onto some rolled up bread. The structure was enough to hold it all in place.
"Tuck in sweety," Said her mother.
Adam leaned forward putting the first piece of her food in her mouth. It was a little off putting eating this way... but her mother knew how to make the best of a bad situation.
Adam's mother sighed looking at her daughter. It was uncanny how much they looked alike. The family resemblance was indeed there. "Why did you do it Adam?" She asked softly.
"I... I wanted to." Adam said tensely.
"Were you not happy with who you were?" She asked sadly.
"Its not like that! Of course I was. I... I just wanted to understand the new world we live in. I didn't want to hide in my house all the time.. and..."
"... and what?"
Adam gulped. She had to tell her mother about the air-bubble. They never had any secrets between them. Given how many people already knew, that she wouldn't tell her own mother seemed bad... Besides, it was possible she might know something. "I- I found something... something in Nana's possessions." she began very nervous.
She tilted her head. "Well.. you can show me after dinner." She smiled. She looked at her poor daughter, wondering how she could survive without human arms. She just hoped... she could help.
Steven returned. A flower positioned in the hall way said 'hello'... or something to that effect. She ignored it. Today was... just... urgh...
"How was school dear?" Asked Mrs Daguerre.
Steven looked up at her mother a little dejected. "Mom.. I was stared at.. by.. guys.." she thought she could handle it. It was more or less expected to happen.. but to actually have it happen? God!
"That's normal dear. You should know."
"Of course I know! But-" She bit her lip. How was she possibly going to get out of that argument? How many times did she stare at girls herself? "I- I um-"
Mrs Daguerre just smiled. "It's okay dear... I know it will take some getting used to. Give it time. It was only your first day on the day side. You'll make new friends too."
"Actually... um.. Ben was there too. He turned into a rat."
"Oh?" Her mother looked surprised. "Well... maybe he wanted to visit you. How sweet of him."
Steven made a face. "No- No.. absolutely not." Just what was her mother imagining?
"Whatever you say sweety," She said innocently. "Did you get your sunlight?" She asked.
The young flower girl bit her lip. She knew she didn't get nearly enough sunlight today. What with getting to know her new schedule and being inside a building practically all day... she knew her body needed it though. her mother wouldn't be happy. "Um- probably.. not enough," She admitted reluctantly.
Her mother shook her head. "You have to take care of your flower parts dear," She chided.
Steven sighed. "I- I know. Can I just go and wash up now?" For some reason she felt an urge for a shower. Which was weird... she never normally took showers so regularly. But the thought of water running down her body was appealing.
"Dinner should be ready in an hour sweety."
Steven glanced down at her body, and removed the soft underwear. That it was her only true clothing was really very... strange. Though her petals covered everything, it was still awkward. She could still smell the perfume around her body. She glanced down at the strange soft white petals that made up the 'blouse' part of appearance. It was of course, living tissue. Connected to her senses. She relaxed the pair of petals, as they fell back down to their 'low cut' position. She looked at the mirror shrugging. There was nothing to show in this state of course... but... it still felt weird.
Sighing she uncurled the petals, exposing what little chest she actually had. Small but definitely there. The mysteries of her body had to wait though. For now, she really needed that shower.
Turning on the tap she rinsed her body thoroughly. The water was cold... and for some reason, that suited her just fine. It was refreshing.. wonderful. She also had a sudden thirst, and started to actually drink it...
She blinked realising she was drinking the shower water and spat some of it out. Ugh! What in the world possessed her to do that! Even though it wasn't possible, she still felt like she was drinking the water somewhere. But she couldn't understand how or where. Maybe through her skin? She glanced down at her feet anxious to make sure she didn't suddenly formed roots... but no. Her legs were still those of a lithe dancer, with the most exquisitely girlish feet she had ever seen.
She really didn't want to look at those legs... too long.
