p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"His friendly demeanor is a force that has me leaning towards him. Even though I don't care much for looks, since there is always more than what meets the eye. But it's hard not to notice his blond hair, gold eyes and charming smile that much resembles a prince from a fairy-tale. As for right now and my situation he seems to be the most approachable and…normal?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"How about you?" I gesture my hand towards him. "Teorus, right?" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanHe smiles brightly. "I figured you'd choose me."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Tch, unbelievable." Scorpio grumbles as he exits the room. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanDui and Ichthyst follow behind. "See ya' later!" They wave, closing the door behind them. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Okay, well now that's settle can I leave now?" I turn back to the three that remain./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanTeorus pouts, much like a child who is not getting his way. "You can't leave yet, Goldie!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"I chose a God, I think that's enough for tonight." I rub the side of my head feeling a headache coming on. "Besides I have to come up with some explanation as to what happened tonight"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"We can take care of that, don't worry!" Teorus reassuringly tells me with his kind eyes./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Take care of it. Seriously?" I ask./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Who do you think you're talking too?" Leon, intimately says./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Besides, it would be much easier if we handled it." Huedhaut tells me./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Exactly! So why don't you relax and have some tea?" Teorus asks while giving me a lonely-puppy dog face./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"I cringe at the pleading look, but I give in. "Fine. Just only for a little while, okay?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Yay!" Teorus cheers, his attitude doing a complete turn-a-round. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI take a seat on the couch. "I can't believe this is happening." I murmur./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Lady Abbey." An innocent voices chimes in./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Whoa!" I look up to see Vega. "Where did you come from?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanShe giggles and hands me a teacup. "Here you go."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Uh…thanks." I say taking a sip./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI watch as Vega pours and gives tea to the other Gods. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanClearing my throat and set me teacup down. "So…about this whole…absolving your sins/spanspan style="font-family: 'Adobe Arabic',serif;"—/spanspan style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanNext thing I know Teorus is beside me. "Yup, you're our precious goddess that's going to save us!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Save you?" I almost find the phrase laughable./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanThen Leon, looking intimidating speaks. "You Goldfish are so ignorant."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"I'm sorry, okay? Sheesh." I speak with attitude. "You're all Gods, god's of the zodiac, sinned and exiled to earth. Is there anything else I should know about you guys?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"The three of us are god from the Department of Wishes." Leon says./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Ah, good…please explain." I say with such fake enthusiasm. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Meaning, that we're in charge of receiving and granting human wishes."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanMy hand rubs my forehead as I let out a laugh. "Human wish-granting God's who mock us humans and want nothing to do with earth. Fascinating. No wonder you've sinned."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Careful, Goldfish." Leon glares and speaks with warning. "Because of that trickster king, we can't return to the heavens."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Well…we can't return until we've completed out penance." Huedhaut intervenes. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"See!" Teorus excitedly yells./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanWhen I look over at Teorus his upper body has been stripped of his clothes./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Whoa!" I jump and fall over the side of the couch. "What the hell are you doing?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanTeorus moves closer to me as I stare at his toned and perfect body with a slack-jaw. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Take a look." Teorus indicates to a spot on his lower back./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Great, you got a badass tramp stamp, now cover up!" I yell, throwing his shirt at him as I shield my eyes. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanAlthough, I did get a glimpse at black bird and stars tattooed on his back. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanWith a serious tone and expression Teorus stares at me. "This is my mark of sin. This is what I was branded with when I fell from grace. I can't go back….not until it disappears."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI peek through my fingers, to see he still hasn't put his clothes back on. "Sorry to hear that…" I mumble, my cheeks feeling heated./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"And that's why I need you Goldie!" Teorus smiles./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Right, this is where I come in as an ex-goddess…."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanHuedhuat speaks with confidence. "Yes, since you have the stars of a reborn goddess in your eyes."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI groan, running my hands through my hair. "How is this real?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"How many more times are you going to say 'this is impossible', 'it's all a dream' and such." Leon, irritated, asks./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"As many more times as it takes for it to not actually be happening to me right now." I say./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"I can't completely disagree with you…" Leon sighs. "I just don't see how a dull woman can be the ex-goddess we need."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Wow, please, tell me more of what you really think of me." I drag out more of my sarcasm the more I talk to these guys./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanLeon ignored my comment and continues. "And the fact we can't use our powers without touching you."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI suddenly find myself curled up in the corner of the couch, hugging my knees to my chest to act like I have some personal bubble around me. "I don't like it any more than you do….trust me."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"That's right!" Teorus, fully clothed again, sits next to me and places a hand on my shoulder. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Hey, I would appreciate it if you asked before touching." I snap./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanTeorus, unfazed, speaking calmly, asks. "Are you hungry? Is there something you'd like to eat?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI stare at Teorus for the longest time. Feeling his large hands on my shoulder is making it go numb. "Uh…I don't know…maybe, chocolate covered donut?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanLeon scoffs. "How childish and unsexy for a woman."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI stick my tongue out at him. em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"Who asked you, jerk!/em For some reason a donut was the only thing that I could come up with, and it doesn't sound too bad right now./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Don't be mean, Leon." Teorus shoot Leon a pouty look./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanAnd with a snap of Teorus' fingers he made a donut appear before my eyes. "Wow…uh, thanks. Why did you want to do this all of a sudden?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Why wouldn't I want to do this for a cute little goldfish?" He says, proudly. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Uh, right. By the way, why do you keep calling me goldfish and Goldie?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"What do you mean?" Teorus cocks his head to the side. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"It is exactly what I mean it to sounds like."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanTeorus laughs. "Ooh, well that's because humans are like goldfish to us Gods."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI glance at Leon and Huedhaut who nod./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"You've got to be kidding." I grumble./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"We don't directly meddle in human affairs, but we watch over humans from another world. Bestowing our mercy and occasionally punishing them. Gods care for humans like humans care for goldfish." Teorus explains more in depth./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanem style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"So we're nothing more than pets to them?! What the actual hell!/em/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span/span/emspan style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"Not saying my thought out loud to avoid an argument or slap his face, I stand up. "Well, thanks for the tea, the donut and everything else, but I'm going home now." I wave to them./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"What? Already?" Teorus looks surprised./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Yeah, so if you could snap your fingers and teleport me home that would be great." I extend my hand for him to style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanWaiting for his snappy-finger trick./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"But I wanted to spend more time together." Teorus depressingly speaks, his eyes casted downward./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Maybe tomorrow." I say anything at this point that will get me out of here./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Well in that case!" Teorus jumps up and takes my hand, dragging me over to the main door./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanLooking at Teorus, then to the door I question. "What are you doing? Aren't you going to snap you're fingers?" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanTeorus chuckles. "It will be much easier this way."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHe stops just before the door. "Here is where you'll find the way to your home." With his free hand he opens the door to reveal my apartment./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Whoa! H-how did you do that?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanTeorus smiles. "I'm a god, silly goldfish."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanIt's though as if I could feel someone drop-kick my head. "R-right…"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"The mansion and your home will be connected, all you have to do is think of where you want to go and you'll be there." Teorus explains./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Huh…okay. Well thanks, I guess."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI shake my hand free from Teorus and cautiously walk through the door where, at first a skeptic, but knowing fully well I'm back in my cozy apartment. I hear the door close behind me and I feel relieved. I take a breath and drag myself to bed where I toss and turn, thinking about all that happened./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanem style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"Gods of the zodiac have been exiled to earth due to sinning, now it's up to me…the goddess of fate to absolve them and send them back to wherever they came from…/em/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanNo matter how many times I repeat it, it's impossible for me to wrap my ahead around it. Especially the part of me being a reincarnated goddess. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanem style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"How am I supposed to erase their sins?!/em/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"I guess…finding out what they did to end up with that brand…" I whisper to myself. The mark on Teorus' lower back pops into my head. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanTeorus' words echo in my head. em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;""This is my mark of sin. This is what I was branded with when I fell from grace. I can't go back….not until it disappears."/em/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span/span/emspan style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"My eyelids start to feel heavy. "At least…they're mark can disappear." With my hand, it reaches to the back of my neck where a small area of the skin is rough and uneven. It is where the scar remains./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"How about you?" I gesture my hand towards him. "Teorus, right?" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanHe smiles brightly. "I figured you'd choose me."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Tch, unbelievable." Scorpio grumbles as he exits the room. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanDui and Ichthyst follow behind. "See ya' later!" They wave, closing the door behind them. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Okay, well now that's settle can I leave now?" I turn back to the three that remain./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanTeorus pouts, much like a child who is not getting his way. "You can't leave yet, Goldie!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"I chose a God, I think that's enough for tonight." I rub the side of my head feeling a headache coming on. "Besides I have to come up with some explanation as to what happened tonight"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"We can take care of that, don't worry!" Teorus reassuringly tells me with his kind eyes./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Take care of it. Seriously?" I ask./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Who do you think you're talking too?" Leon, intimately says./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Besides, it would be much easier if we handled it." Huedhaut tells me./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Exactly! So why don't you relax and have some tea?" Teorus asks while giving me a lonely-puppy dog face./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"I cringe at the pleading look, but I give in. "Fine. Just only for a little while, okay?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Yay!" Teorus cheers, his attitude doing a complete turn-a-round. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI take a seat on the couch. "I can't believe this is happening." I murmur./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Lady Abbey." An innocent voices chimes in./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Whoa!" I look up to see Vega. "Where did you come from?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanShe giggles and hands me a teacup. "Here you go."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Uh…thanks." I say taking a sip./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI watch as Vega pours and gives tea to the other Gods. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanClearing my throat and set me teacup down. "So…about this whole…absolving your sins/spanspan style="font-family: 'Adobe Arabic',serif;"—/spanspan style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanNext thing I know Teorus is beside me. "Yup, you're our precious goddess that's going to save us!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Save you?" I almost find the phrase laughable./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanThen Leon, looking intimidating speaks. "You Goldfish are so ignorant."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"I'm sorry, okay? Sheesh." I speak with attitude. "You're all Gods, god's of the zodiac, sinned and exiled to earth. Is there anything else I should know about you guys?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"The three of us are god from the Department of Wishes." Leon says./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Ah, good…please explain." I say with such fake enthusiasm. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Meaning, that we're in charge of receiving and granting human wishes."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanMy hand rubs my forehead as I let out a laugh. "Human wish-granting God's who mock us humans and want nothing to do with earth. Fascinating. No wonder you've sinned."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Careful, Goldfish." Leon glares and speaks with warning. "Because of that trickster king, we can't return to the heavens."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Well…we can't return until we've completed out penance." Huedhaut intervenes. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"See!" Teorus excitedly yells./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanWhen I look over at Teorus his upper body has been stripped of his clothes./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Whoa!" I jump and fall over the side of the couch. "What the hell are you doing?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanTeorus moves closer to me as I stare at his toned and perfect body with a slack-jaw. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Take a look." Teorus indicates to a spot on his lower back./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Great, you got a badass tramp stamp, now cover up!" I yell, throwing his shirt at him as I shield my eyes. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanAlthough, I did get a glimpse at black bird and stars tattooed on his back. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanWith a serious tone and expression Teorus stares at me. "This is my mark of sin. This is what I was branded with when I fell from grace. I can't go back….not until it disappears."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI peek through my fingers, to see he still hasn't put his clothes back on. "Sorry to hear that…" I mumble, my cheeks feeling heated./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"And that's why I need you Goldie!" Teorus smiles./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Right, this is where I come in as an ex-goddess…."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanHuedhuat speaks with confidence. "Yes, since you have the stars of a reborn goddess in your eyes."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI groan, running my hands through my hair. "How is this real?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"How many more times are you going to say 'this is impossible', 'it's all a dream' and such." Leon, irritated, asks./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"As many more times as it takes for it to not actually be happening to me right now." I say./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"I can't completely disagree with you…" Leon sighs. "I just don't see how a dull woman can be the ex-goddess we need."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Wow, please, tell me more of what you really think of me." I drag out more of my sarcasm the more I talk to these guys./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanLeon ignored my comment and continues. "And the fact we can't use our powers without touching you."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI suddenly find myself curled up in the corner of the couch, hugging my knees to my chest to act like I have some personal bubble around me. "I don't like it any more than you do….trust me."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"That's right!" Teorus, fully clothed again, sits next to me and places a hand on my shoulder. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Hey, I would appreciate it if you asked before touching." I snap./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanTeorus, unfazed, speaking calmly, asks. "Are you hungry? Is there something you'd like to eat?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI stare at Teorus for the longest time. Feeling his large hands on my shoulder is making it go numb. "Uh…I don't know…maybe, chocolate covered donut?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanLeon scoffs. "How childish and unsexy for a woman."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI stick my tongue out at him. em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"Who asked you, jerk!/em For some reason a donut was the only thing that I could come up with, and it doesn't sound too bad right now./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Don't be mean, Leon." Teorus shoot Leon a pouty look./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanAnd with a snap of Teorus' fingers he made a donut appear before my eyes. "Wow…uh, thanks. Why did you want to do this all of a sudden?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Why wouldn't I want to do this for a cute little goldfish?" He says, proudly. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Uh, right. By the way, why do you keep calling me goldfish and Goldie?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"What do you mean?" Teorus cocks his head to the side. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"It is exactly what I mean it to sounds like."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanTeorus laughs. "Ooh, well that's because humans are like goldfish to us Gods."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI glance at Leon and Huedhaut who nod./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"You've got to be kidding." I grumble./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"We don't directly meddle in human affairs, but we watch over humans from another world. Bestowing our mercy and occasionally punishing them. Gods care for humans like humans care for goldfish." Teorus explains more in depth./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanem style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"So we're nothing more than pets to them?! What the actual hell!/em/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span/span/emspan style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"Not saying my thought out loud to avoid an argument or slap his face, I stand up. "Well, thanks for the tea, the donut and everything else, but I'm going home now." I wave to them./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"What? Already?" Teorus looks surprised./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Yeah, so if you could snap your fingers and teleport me home that would be great." I extend my hand for him to style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanWaiting for his snappy-finger trick./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"But I wanted to spend more time together." Teorus depressingly speaks, his eyes casted downward./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Maybe tomorrow." I say anything at this point that will get me out of here./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Well in that case!" Teorus jumps up and takes my hand, dragging me over to the main door./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanLooking at Teorus, then to the door I question. "What are you doing? Aren't you going to snap you're fingers?" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanTeorus chuckles. "It will be much easier this way."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHe stops just before the door. "Here is where you'll find the way to your home." With his free hand he opens the door to reveal my apartment./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Whoa! H-how did you do that?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanTeorus smiles. "I'm a god, silly goldfish."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanIt's though as if I could feel someone drop-kick my head. "R-right…"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"The mansion and your home will be connected, all you have to do is think of where you want to go and you'll be there." Teorus explains./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Huh…okay. Well thanks, I guess."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI shake my hand free from Teorus and cautiously walk through the door where, at first a skeptic, but knowing fully well I'm back in my cozy apartment. I hear the door close behind me and I feel relieved. I take a breath and drag myself to bed where I toss and turn, thinking about all that happened./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanem style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"Gods of the zodiac have been exiled to earth due to sinning, now it's up to me…the goddess of fate to absolve them and send them back to wherever they came from…/em/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanNo matter how many times I repeat it, it's impossible for me to wrap my ahead around it. Especially the part of me being a reincarnated goddess. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanem style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"How am I supposed to erase their sins?!/em/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"I guess…finding out what they did to end up with that brand…" I whisper to myself. The mark on Teorus' lower back pops into my head. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanTeorus' words echo in my head. em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;""This is my mark of sin. This is what I was branded with when I fell from grace. I can't go back….not until it disappears."/em/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span/span/emspan style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"My eyelids start to feel heavy. "At least…they're mark can disappear." With my hand, it reaches to the back of my neck where a small area of the skin is rough and uneven. It is where the scar remains./span/p
