Chapter Thirty Seven: New Body Part Six: A Chat

"So" Vivian said, her, Serena, and Luvbi sitting in the café, conversing (Luvbi had tagged along and was sitting happily on Serena's lap, feeling her hair). "How's being human again been?"

"It's been good." Serena said. "Are you in preference of your Shadow Siren form?"

"Yeah." Vivian said, nodding. "I like it. So, how's your week been?"

"Well" Serena said, laughing. "I almost got stuck on a date with a feisty princess."

"I thought you weren't into girls." Vivian said.

"I'm not." Serena said, shrugging. "And neither is she. We just got super competitive and it ended up like that."

"I figured." Vivian said. "You always were the competitive type and so was she."

"Yeah, but she's got this HUGE crush on her best friend." Serena said, shrugging. "You know, the Shadow Spectre."

"Yeah.' Vivian said, smiling. "I've seen the way she eyes him. I also heard about your little stunt you pulled with them."

"Yep." Serena said, grinning. "I'm gonna get those two together one way or another."

"Need help?" Vivian asked.

"Maybe." Serena said, thinking. "You handle Grey, I'll get Lucinda."

"Right.' Vivian said, nodding. "When?"

"I'll pick the time." Serena said. "You just prepare for it."

"Got it." Vivian said, nodding.

"Can I help?" Luvbi asked Serena, wanting to be part.

"Sure." Serena said, laughing. "I'll think of something for you to do. Just keep it secret, okay?"

"Okay." Luvbi said, nodding.

"Good." Serena said, smiling.

"You're really good with her." Vivian said, smiling. "Just like you used to be."

"Well." Serena said, grinning. "I had to keep you and the other Shadow Sirens in line, didn't I?"

"Yeah." Vivian said, nodding. "You did."

"That reminds me" Serena said, thinking. "How are Bedlam and Marilyn?"

"They're not restored." Vivian said, sighing.

"Oh." Serena said, sighing as she thought of the other two members of her childhood group of friends, the Shadow Sirens as they were called. "Well, how did you get restored?"

"The kindness of a child." Vivian said, thinking back.

"Coco?" Serena asked.

"Yeah." Vivian said, nodding. "She cheered me up and helped me, even though she knew I was ordered to capture her."

"Funny." Serena said, laughing. "Her sister's the one that helped me become who I am now."

"They're definitely special." Vivian said, nodding.

"I wonder." Serena said, thinking. "Was it destiny that they be as they were? To bring us back?"

"I don't know." Vivian said, shrugging. "I'm simply happy being good friends with them."

"Yeah." Serena said, nodding. "Me too."

"Aunty Serena?" Luvbi asked, wrapping her arms around Serena. "Can we go to the park?"

"Sure, kid.' Serena said, nodding. "Coming, Vivian?"

"No." Vivian said, shaking her head. "I've got things to do."

"Okay." Serena said. "We'll be there if you change your mind."

"Okay." Vivian said, nodding as she moved away through the shadows.

"Well" Serena said, standing up, holding Luvbi. "Let's go to the park."

"Yay!" Luvbi cheered, wrapping her legs around Serena. "Can we get ice cream?"

"If you're good." Serena said.

"Okay." Luvbi said. "I'll be good."

"Good." Serena said, smiling. She walked out of the café, taking the little girl with her.

However, unbeknownst to them, there were two figures watching them.

"So" Bedlam said, thinking. "Sirena's been made human. That could ruin things. She was Dimentio's best bet against the Chosen. Now that she works with her, we could have a problem on our hands."

"We could manipulate her." Marilyn suggested, thinking.

"That's not a bad idea." Bedlam said, grinning evilly. "But, what are you suggesting?"

"We do something to Sirena" Marilyn said. "That'll make her come back to Dimentio."

"Like what?" Bedlam asked. "She's physically stronger than both of us combined as well as magically stronger than both of us. If we were to engage her, she'd beat us easily."

"Well" Marilyn said, putting her brain to work. "We could do something that wasn't physical. Something that would hurt her more than anything we could do to her physically."

"Like what?" Bedlam asked. "I mean, that child's an option, but what were you thinking?"

"I wasn't thinking of anything." Marilyn said. "I was thinking of the concept. I hadn't thought of how just yet."

"Ah." Bedlam said, nodding in understanding. "So, should we try to get the girl?"

"Probably not." Marilyn said, thinking. "She's most likely guarded by both the Crystal Star Chosen and Sirena."

"Right." Bedlam said. "Let's think over it more and we'll put the plan into action."

"Right.' Marilyn said, nodding as the two of them remerged back into the shadows.

With Serena and Luvbi

"Higher, Aunty Serena!" Luvbi shouted happily as Serena pushed the young child on the swings.

"Any higher" Serena said, laughing. "And you'll fly off."

"Will you catch me?" Luvbi asked.

"Yeah." Serena said, her tone fully sincere. "Yeah, I would."

"Good." Luvbi said, smiling. "Then push me higher!"

"Alright, kid." Serena said, laughing as she pushed her harder.

"She really likes you." Came the voice of Rosalina, who walked up next to Serena, a hand on her hip, her typical stance.

"Yeah." Serena said. "She does. "I don't know what she sees, but I'm glad she sees something."

"Well" Rosalina said, shrugging. "Lucinda saw something in you, even though you did all those things to her."

"What are you talking about?" Serena asked.

"I know it's you, Sirena." Rosalina said, crossing her arms. "Your aura's the same."

"So" Serena said, ceasing her pushing of Luvbi. "What are you going to do with that knowledge?"

"Nothing." Rosalina said. "Lucinda trusts you. I've never known her to misjudge someone. If she sees good in you, then I should too."

"Funny." Serena said, chuckling. "Anyone else'd have attacked me already. You're one of the few."

"I trust Lucinda on this one." Rosalina said. "Plus, I can tell you're trying to change, to atone in a sense. If it means anything, I think you're making good progress."

"Thanks." Serena said as Luvbi climbed up on to her shoulders, hugging her around the neck.

"Now." Rosalina said, smiling. "Let's get Luvbi back home. I think Coco's gonna be wondering where she is."

"Right." Serena said, nodding as the three of them made their way to Coco's house.

So, Rosalina's okay with Serena. That's good. I wonder how this'll go. I heard Serena say something about playing matchmaker. Oh boy, can't wait. And, what are Bedlam and Marilyn planning? Find out soon.