"Bit shy, that slug girl, innit?" - Said Lucas.
"She's been a bit stressed out since her change, way more so than most transgender-changed, I don't know why..." - Said Cass.
"Really? Doesn't show." - Said Lucas.
"Stress manifests in more than one way. Shyness is also a symptom, particularly with the 'nicer' people." - Said Cass.
"Incidentally, I hope it's not a problem that you basically told them we're together? I mean, we're sorta laid back about it in Brazil, but the level of prudishness in the US varies by state..." - Said Lucas.
Cass shook her head. "The students know, and so do the parents. Heck, Duke tried to get me fired after it was found out, and not even Nadine's parents supported him..."
"Duke the pastor of the...?" - Said Lucas as Cass nodded. Lucas went on, smiling a slightly evil smile - "Huh. Small world, innit?"
"The Angel of Vengeance avenged me." - Said Cass, smirking - "Though there was nothing to be avenged, really, as he failed miserably, so it's more like 'The Angel of Chaos screwed a nutcase over'." - She chuckled.
"I'll take it." - Said Lucas - "So. Where are we going?"
"Tex Mex World" - Said Cass - "Tex-mex place, but it also mixes with other cuisines, so you can actually have, say chilli pizza or a pad thai chilli."
"Interesting!" - Smiled Lucas as the two went on.
"You involved Lucas in Venus's attempts to divert one's destiny, then." - Said Hermes as he appeared in Selene's villa.
"I know that is what Venus wished. And I may not know why Lucas happened to be in possession of that sword, but I suspected its true nature when I saw her." - Said Selene.
"So fitting that an artifact of uncertainty would find its way to her, don't you think? Among those of us that are more or less awake, Selene, there is quite a bit of talk about you and this angel woman. Why would you need to interfere when you have someone willing to do it herself?" - Said Hermes.
"Am I being accused of breaking the rules?" - Said Selene.
"Not at all. Not by one of the gods that care the least about them. And besides, the Feminine Force Herself saw to it that you were in this position. This is, rather, a different issue. Here we see this loose cannon of a woman with the power to do what the gods themselves cannot. And you have her ear. Please do not be mistaken, I do not believe any gods would be interested in a huge epic battle over it. Just know that you are watched with interest. Please mind, I am not against it. She, by trade, is of me, of language and commerce, and I wish to see what happens." - Said Hermes.
"So, what message do you carry?" - Said Selene.
"Just this: To proceed with caution and to know that, nevertheless, you have some allies on this matter. However little we are allowed to do on it." - Said Hermes - "Still. So much done by such powerful entities for one mortal, is it not? And with the unlikely aid of a mortal that is unbound by our rules as well. The world surely is changing... Do you know what will Venus do if you succeed? She favors Lilly due to her condition, but, once it is gone..."
"I cannot speak for Venus, Hermes" - Said Selene - "But I believe her reasons for favoring Lilly go beyond Lilly's death. As such, she will likely remain favoring her."
"You and Venus." - Said Hermes, smiling lightly - "I wonder if I should adopt a mortal as well. Surely we can feed them ambrosia, so long as we teach them the myth of Tantalus first?"
"Lucas is my friend, not my adopted child, but do as you wish." - Said Selene, not really enjoying the joke.
"Yes." - Said Hermes - "Maybe yet another one in Lakeside. One small city would then hold two, three or four favored ones, depending on how you count Lucas and Cassandra..."
"That was your point, then. I noticed it as well." - Said Selene, sighing - "I am not blind. I know this city, for some reason, attracts these events. When Tyche is awake, I will ask her."
"And so will all others." - Said Hermes - "Speaking of Tyche, I wish you luck, Selene. I must keep tending to my duties now. Goodbye."
Hermes vanished, leaving Selene to her thoughts.
