SOUGH | DOGODA | WC: 907

So maybe Dogoda got distracted… but what could he say! He was wandering through New York and he'd just felt the loveliest presence, visibly warm and kind and genuine even from where he drifted far above. It wasn't like any of the other dozen west winds couldn't pick up his slack just fine. But Dogoda just needed to see where that source of love was. So he did.

Creating mortal forms wasn't quite as fun nowadays as it used to be — mortals tended to frown on partial nudity and blueberry crowns — but that didn't mean Dogoda put any less effort into taking up a form, hair golden as always and wrapping himself in a long dark blue coat, whistling as he took his first step on the crowded sidewalk. The pedestrians didn't even blink, adjusting their direction as if he'd always been there, only two throwing him dirty glances for his whistling.

Dogoda whistled louder, turning the tune warm and soothing, watching as shoulders loosened and heads rose. He could give them that at least, Dogoda thought, the corner of his mouth quirking into a soft smile. A little bit of warmth and a little bit of love.

He glanced at the upcoming buildings, picking out a horribly brightly colored awning. It truly was an affront to all of his senses, he thought as he stepped under the awning, glancing briefly at the window displays. They advertised fudge, taffy, and ice cream, and had brightly colored lollies and sweets stacked neatly for display, most a little too processed for his preferences. Maybe they had something blueberry.

Dogoda ducked inside, letting the door drift closed with a quiet jingle, offering a greeting to the person at the counter. They weren't the person who'd piqued Dogoda's attention —no, that person was a brilliant beacon in the back room, faint frustration barely tainting the obvious kindness. He explored the aisles and displays, constantly faintly aware of the person he was looking for, their very soul a soft beacon, but focusing on finding something tasty.

Dogoda poked a bag full of something soft and putty like, grimacing at the ominous label of "Edible!" on the plastic wrapped thing. There were buckets full of candy canes, left over from winter just barely ended, and an interesting bag of "chocolate rocks" that looked… a little too much like gravel for his tastes. There was a lot of candy like that; candy that mirrored the appearance of something definitely not candy, all with a promise of deliciousness.

"Do you trust this?" Dogoda asked, turning to face the employee —the beacon of kindness— who'd approached him, a gummy snake held in his hand. He'd had gummy worms before at the behest of a particularly insistent sylph, but the snake was wrapped in a way that made it look almost real, and he wasn't quite sure how he felt about it.

"The gummy snake?" the woman asked, eyes wide as she stared at him. Dogoda nodded. "I— yes? My lord?"

Dogoda looked closer, noticing the unwavering clarity of her eyes.

"Awe, no need for that, I'm just a near forgotten god, no need to fuss," Dogoda waved a hand dismissively, setting the gummy snake back down. The woman didn't look reassured. "Genuinely, my dear, I only stopped by because— well, you're just so brilliantly kind. I myself am an old god, of the west wind, and love, and gentleness. Like recognizes like, I suppose, albeit you're lacking the deified part. Not that it's a failure on your part, the universe really should have recognized your gentleness. We could use a few more kind gods."

"No, thank you," she said, as if Dogoda had offered something. Noticing his bemusement, she clarified, "My —ah, my ex, the father of my son used to say that. He meant it more literally than you do, though… Are you Greek?"

"No," Dogoda couldn't help but wrinkle his nose, and let a little more accent seep into his voice. "A little more Slav. I am Dogoda, god of the west wind, and you?"

"Oh! I've met a zduhać —sorry I know you're only loosely a pantheon, I didn't mean to assume. I'm Sally, Sally Jackson," she introduced herself, cheeks ever so slightly flushed. "Can I help you with anything?"

"Actually, yes, I was looking for something blueberry."

"Blueberry, let's see… we have chocolate covered blueberries, and blueberry taffy, blue Jelly Bellies, a few blueberry flavored lollipops and other hard candy… There are blueberry sour candies I like. Oh— I recommend the blueberry popcorn. It sounds bizarre, I know, but I buy blue candy for my son and it's surprisingly good," Sally recommended honestly. "Does that help at all?"

"It does," Dogoda agreed. "What are Jelly Bellies?"

Sally laughed, covering her mouth a moment later like she was surprised by the action. "They're… jelly beans. I don't know how to explain it to someone who hasn't had a jelly bean before. I'd recommend them. Top three blueberry sweets are chocolate covered, taffy, and sour candy, probably."

"Some of each, then. Where can I find these?" Dogoda asked, trailing after her.

"Here. Is that all? I'm afraid I have a few things to get back to."

"Of course, thank you, Ms. Jackson. If I may… leave some blueberries out, next time you have them. I can't do much here, but I can give you a pleasant spring and summer," Dogoda offered kindly.