After 15 minutes or so, we arrive at a sleek black marble building with wide windows & glass doors. The chauffeur escorts us in, taking us to the front desk where another secretary awaits. The chauffeur hands them a laminated pass card & they type some things into the computer system.
"Your appointment waits just this way, sire," They say politely, gesturing with their arm. "Up the stairs, the first office on the left. I nod fervently before realizing they're talking to Rain, who they hand the pass card.
I follow reluctantly, waiting until we are on the stairs up by ourselves to break the silence. "That was... awkward..."
Rain smiles understandingly. "I'm sorry... Are you excited to see your mom though?"
I beam as we arrive outside the office, slowing to a stop. "Hell yeah!"
Rain chuckles as he knocks on the door, a small, gray skinned young woman answering the door. "Oh." Rain smiles slowly. "Hey, Brone."
. . .
I was surprised that Rain already knew the goddess as we head in, coming to sit in comfortable black cushioned chairs in front of a large black marble desk. She clears her throat, smiling pleasantly at us as we all take our seats, us in the cushioned chairs, her in a chair behind the desk. "It feels like it's been so long, but I know that can't be true! It's only been a few centuries, hasn't it? Since the last time you came here, to ask about your soul flame? How's it hanging? I hear you go by 'Rain' now? An English name, huh?" She raises an eyebrow & Rain smiles slowly.
"Yeah, I do. I... it's the easiest to go by, with my soul flame only knowing English... Can't exactly bust out my ancient Egyptian, now can I?" She chuckles heartily & Rain turns to me suddenly. "Oh, by the way, I almost forgot... Dakota, this is Mx Brone, deity of tragic death, Brone, this is my soul flame Dakota."
My eyebrows knit together slightly. "Mx?"
She chuckles nervously. "Yeah... it's the gender neutral of Mr or Ms...?"
They shake their head fervently, hands waving dismissively. "No, no... It's ok, I understand... I like my form the way it is, but... I understand presenting femininely can lead to people assuming things... But yeah... I'm nonbinary... They/them..."
I nod, smiling slightly. "Ok, cool."
They clear their throat. "So... 'Dakota', was it? That's new..."
I chuckle nervously, looking at Rain questioningly. He turns to me. "Oh, you've had other names in different lives..."
I nod understandingly. "Ah, that makes sense... Is that hard to get used to? Having to know so many names?"
He shakes his head noncommittally. "Eh, sometimes, but... Once I've been with one incarnation for a while I'm usually pretty good at remembering... Even though I still remember all the past lives you've had..."
I nod slowly. "Ah, ok..."
Brone looks between the 2 of us, smiling slightly. "So... you guys ready... to go? You already had the run-down, right? 2 hours, be back at the entrance after that... Oh-" They reach into their desk & pull out a round, black buzzer, similar to the kind you'd see at Olive Garden. "This'll start timing when you get in, & then beep 10 minutes before you're done & again right at the 2 hour mark. It'll also display a continuous count-down, in case you want to check that." They show us where it'll light up & I nod understandingly.
"Ok, cool. Thank you!"
They beam, leading us to a locked door right behind them. They take out a key, dark energy glowing around them as they turn it in the slot. "This key only works with my aura, no one else's. Keeps things safe." They explain hurriedly between my glances. I nod slowly. That makes sense... I guess... "You ready?" We both nod & finally they turn the knob & open it, to the world beyond.
What'd you guys think of this chapter? I had to end it on a cliffhanger again, didn't I :D? Don't worry, I'll probs update soon.
What did you think of Brone, btw? I try to include diverse characters in all of my stories, as representation is important, so it was cool to add a nonbinary character. Oh- here's what they look like btw
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Aren't they cute? I Iike their hair :3. What do you guys think?
