"Sometimes fate is like a small sandstorm that keeps changing directions. You change direction but the sandstorm chases you. You turn again, but the storm adjusts. Over and over you play this out, like some ominous dance with death just before dawn."-Haruki Murakami
It's been a long time since a certain Kent Nelson has been in New Orleans, a city filled with rich history, has an air of mysticism, and an ugly seedy underbelly. It's funny how fate has a peculiar way of bringing people back to the places they once knew, even when they least expect it.
The Former Dr. Fate finds himself in front of a rinky-dink library in the heart of the French Quarter. The building's facade was weathered and worn, its paint peeling, and its windows adorned with faded curtains. It seemed out of place amidst the vibrant energy of the surrounding streets.
Although the Library seems to be weathered it was one of the only buildings that survived Hurricane Katrina in '05. Nabu isn't the only avatar of fate but Nelson hasn't met many people who were in a similar situation as himself except one young man. It was around 11 years ago in the middle of the night a man banged on his door.
He was tall, blonde, and tan he was wearing bloodied clothes, and in his hands was a Ram's skull and a bag. He said his name was Joseph Payne. Nelson let him in intrigued to hear his story the young man looked at him with expected blue eyes as if waiting for something. He said that he was a budding archaeologist from Australia and while on-site at a dig in Haiti he discovered a mask. That is when his life began to go downhill. The young man didn't go into many details but Nelson could see the parrels between their stories. Mr. Payne was told to go to Salem by his patron to look for him.
It's unfortunate that the last time Kent saw the young man was about 4 years later from their first meeting. When he left the mask in his possession and letter; In the letter a prediction Joseph says that he should send a letter to a young woman who goes by Angel Augustine and states that she would be in a certain dilemma and in need of guidance.
"Hello, Angel."
"Hi, Miss Burberry."
Mr. Nelson's thoughts were interrupted by a new library patron. He and the young girl made eye contact and he waved her over. He couldn't help but notice the familiar expectant blue eyes.
"Hello, Would you happen to be Mr. Nelson?"
"Why yes I am. I presume that you are Angel Augustine."
"Um yes. You don't already know?"
"I'm just doing a favor for a friend. Here."
Nelson hands Angel a bag that appears out of nowhere.
"Where'd you pull this from."
"Trick of the trade."
Angel cautiously opened the bag and in it was the mask and some letters. Angel's eyes widened as she gazed at the contents of the bag. The mask, with its intricate design and mysterious aura, seemed to emanate a sense of power and ancient wisdom. The letters were neatly stacked and stamped with an insignia of a snake and a bird maybe a raven on each one. They are all addressed To Angel.
"Creepy."
Kent looked over her shoulder and said, "I haven't read them, but maybe wait until you get to a private place to read them."
"Shit! Don't sneak up like that."
"Something wrong with your throat young lady?"
"Oh no it just does that sometimes."
"Why don't we take a walk it's not good to leave dogs in the heat for too long."
"How did you know that?"
"Again, just a few tricks I've picked up."
"Of course."
" I haven't been in New Orleans for some time."
"Really?"
"Yes, I used to visit with my wife some time ago." Nelson reminisced while leaning on his cane.
The two headed out the Library doors to meet Daniel tied up outside. As Angel bent down to untie him. It seemed that Daniel was a little curious about the old man.
"Whose that?" he quired while sniffing the old man's hand
"Kent Nelson and I assume you're Daniel?"
"Can you hear him?" Angel said she was a bit taken aback
"Not really I just assumed he was wondering who I am"
"Oh well, you're right this is Daniel I guess you already know that. Daniel this is Mr. Nelson the one who sent the letter."
"He smells nice" Daniel notes
"He says you smell nice"
"Thank you, Daniel."
Soon a comfortable silence falls over the trio as they walk the streets of New Orleans. It was nice for Angel as it felt like her life which just suddenly became fast-paced was starting to slow down. Mr. Kent Nelson thought it was nice to get out of Salem and out of the tower. Meeting Angel reminded him of the time he was Nabu using him in the name of order. He knew the young girl may have to suffer the same fate as he and Payne but he could see that she'll handle it better than any of them.
Angel couldn't help but feel a surge of anticipation mingled with trepidation. She glanced at Kent, who walked beside her, his cane tapping gently on the pavement.
"Mr. Nelson, I have a lot of questions, like a huge amount" Angel finally broke the silence, her voice laced with curiosity. "About this mask, these letters, and um this Joseph Payne. How do they all connect? and I know there is somebody behind this I have theories. "
Kent's eyes met hers, filled with understanding and compassion. "Angel I fear the road you're going down is tough. People like us and Joseph Payne our lives slowly become not our own. When I was Nabu sought to control all aspects of my life. It took my Inza to pull me out."
Angel listened intently, her mind abuzz, "But Mr. Nelson your helmet was where Nabu resides right?"
"That's right."
"So, Is there something or someone in the mask."
Kent wasn't too sure who Payne's Patron was but he had a pretty good guess on who.
"Y'know Joseph never told me but I have a guess about what the mask unlocks. Maybe the definite answer is in those letters."
Soon the trio stopped in front of a store called Pa Janvier's; Angel gestured to the storefront and said "This is the store My Pa and Ma run."
Mr. Nelson intrigued says "I see why don't I go in and say Hello."