The Hand of Fate
AU
An Impromptu Reunion

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Raye and Serena were enjoying a cup of tea and cheerful conversation when
Setsuna returned with her hands full of bags.

"Welcome back, Sets." Raye said to her. She rose and stretched her legs.
"Hmmm...that tea was good (I make some great tea!), but I'm getting hungry.
How about some lunch?"


"That's a wonderful idea!" Serena exclaimed, rubbing her stomach. "I'm always
ready to eat!"


Setsuna laughed. In the background the town clock was striking noon. "I'm not
surprised. It's definitely time to eat!" Setsuna's stomach growled. "Let's head to
Lita's for lunch, before I drop over from starvation!"


Setsuna sat down her purchases as Raye gathered her things. Serena stood
waiting anxiously by the door. "C'mon! I'm hungry." She whined.


"I'm ready." Setsuna came to wait with her. "Hurry up, Raye! We're wasting
away!"


"Coming! Coming!" Raye grabbed her cloak and walked to the door. "Let's go!"


*******************************************

"Thank you Sir Amata. I appreciate your kind words. I'll come back in a week to
work more in your garden. Enjoy your new flowers!" Darien had finally satisfied
the old man. He was glad, too. "I'm starving!" he said to himself. He glanced
at a clock in a shop window. "Twelve-fifteen already?! Oh, well. Andrew won't
mind waiting for a little bit." He strolled leisurely toward Lita's.


****************************************

Andrew was hard at work on a mimosa plant when the town clock rang noon. He
figured he had enough time and continued working. He looked at his watch a
little afterwards. "Oops. Already 12:20. Better get going. Darien hates it when
I'm late. Guess I can finish this later." He sat the small plant aside and got his
coat. "I wonder if Rita would like to come along for lunch?" And he ran for his
fiancée's house.

**************************************************


"Here we are!" Raye exclaimed.


"And none too soon. I'm starving!" Setsuna replied.


"Me too." Serena said, rubbing her tummy.


A tall woman with a long brown pony-tail, green eyes, and a big smile on her
face approached them. "Hey guys! Do ya want your usual table?"


"Sure!" Raye said. "Oh, by the way, we have a new friend to introduce you to.
Lita, this is Serena. Serena, Lita."


"Hi! How long have you been in town?"


"Oh, about 4 hours. I am planning on staying for a while. I hope we can get
better acquainted. They tell me you are the best cook in the world!"


"Oh, maybe not the world" she said modestly, but then winked at Serena, "but
I'm at least the best in town!" She quickly ran into the kitchen and came back out with a basket of cookies. "Here, try one!" She handed Serena a cookie, then turned and gave cookies to Setsuna and Raye. "Its a new recipe. Are they any good?"


"Yes! That was wonderful!" They all agreed on that.

"Maybe I'll join you guys for lunch. Is that okay? I have new help since you
were last here. Do you mind if I let her try waiting for the first time on us? You'd
get a sample of my special new dessert..."


"OKAY!" Setsuna and Raye were both excited to be getting a special food item
from Lita. She was the best cook there was.


"C'mon then." Lita motioned for them to follow her. They went to a nice back-
room with a nice big booth. "Go ahead and sit. I'll be back right after I get
Mina."


"Mina?" Serena asked, but Lita was already out of the room. 'It couldn't
be...nah.' Serena thought.


A girl who was uncannily similar to Serena came in to give them
glasses of water. "Hi! I'm Mina Aino and I'll be your server today!" She told
them in an excited voice. Then she dropped her tray. The water and glasses
went everywhere. "Sere...Sere! Is it you! Omygosh!" She ran and gathered
Serena into a bear hug. "I thought I'd never see you again! How wonderful!" She
was crying.


"Mina...Min...a...can't breathe....*gasp* ....Mina!" Serena was struggling.


"Oh, heehee, sorry. I'm just so happy to see you!"


"Um. Serena, I don't mean to intrude, but do you two know each other?"
Setsuna said, voicing the universal confusion reigning at the table.


"Yup! Girls, meet my cousin, Mina Aino."


"Cousin?!" Raye asked. "I thought you said you didn't have any family."


"Well..."


"No family? Sere, I'm crushed."


"Serena...?" Setsuna let the question hang.


"Well, technically, I'm not part of her family anymore. I was disowned for having
a lover below my status. Turns out he was after my money anyways. But now
I don't have any money, so here I am!" Mina explained in one breath.


"I've had no word from you in two years. I was sure you'd left the country with
that...whatshisname."


"Mikey. And no, he left me after I lost all my money and rank."


"Oh. I'm so..."


"Don't be. He wasn't worth it." They walked over to a tiny table for two and
started catching up.


"Well...um...here we are, and there's our waitress, how do we get our food?"
Raye whispered Setsuna.


"Shhh....they need time to catch up. I think it's sweet!"


"My heart thinks it's great. My stomach disagrees."


"Oh, Raye!"


At this point Lita walked in. "Well, I'm ready for...omygosh!...
What's going on?! What happened here?!"
She asked pointing at the spilled water.


Setsuna answered. "Impromptu family reunion." She pointed at the two blondes
who were laughing and talking quickly.


"OY! I can't get any decent help!" Lita was exasperated. She started to get Mina,
but decided (after Setsuna motioned for her to let the girls talk) that she would
instead get her husband to clean it. She walked over to the
door into the kitchen and yelled, rather impatiently, "Ken! Get in here and help me clean this up!"


"Coming dear...coming" He came out all smiles. "What's wrong dear?" She
pointed at the mess and then at the occupied Mina. He laughed and she shook
her fist at him. Backing away, he said, "Here...don't worry
honey...I'll take care of it. I just saw some
more of our favorite customers walking in." He kissed her cheek. "Why don't
you go on in and greet
them?" And sent her on her way.


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That's all for this chapter. More later.

Lady Sphinx