Imposter Syndrome

Ponte dell'Accademia

As days turned into weeks, Karlo and Sofie settled into a sort of routine, if that's what one could call it, living in an ambassador's office dwelling with a unicorn for an administrative assistant.

But a routine it was.

"You've got a visitor—" Gary's voice rang out one morning, as Sofie and Karlo froze. There, in the waiting area, was a shrouded female figure, altogether tall and undeniably elegant. She'd know that woman anywhere.

"Helena—" Sofie whispered as the tall woman uncloaked herself, her own legs beginning to shake, a sudden surge of adrenaline threatening to overtake her senses, as her eyes veered toward the door. Could she make a mad dash? Take Karlo with her? But she paused in the next second. Why would she be the one that had to leave? Flee?

No. I'm not fleeing. Not this time. Her eyes met Helena's own as they nodded at each other.

"I'm sorry—" spoke Sofie. "I should've told you Karlo was here—helping out—staying around—"

"It's alright. Glad to see you're doing swimmingly." Helena spoke kindly, surprising Sofie most of all.

"Really?" Sofie hardly dared to breathe. Helena's not mad?

"Why would I be?" the taller woman spoke aloud. "You," she indicated to Karlo, "have earned the right to work with Sofie, literally taking a capsule for her. And your multiplication skills are, dare I say, extraordinary."

"Thanks—" Karlo interjected as Helena continued on.

"The next goddess meeting's this afternoon. Male presence optional." Helena's gown sweeping the carpeted floor, she muttered "he's quite a catch" under her breath toward Sofie as Gary looked on, thoroughly bemused. "Until later—" and the blond disappeared instantly, likely reappearing within the ornate confines of Constanta Castle.

She approves?

She approves.

Sofie turned to Karlo. "How'd you like for me to show you around?"

He grinned. "That'd be great! I do have one place I've always wanted to see..."

And that's how Sofie found herself cozily ensconced in a cushioned long-hulled, sleek gondola in the middle of the Venetian Grand Canal, with him.

Karlo.

She dipped her fingers to the side of the boat, creating divots in the aqueous stream. Yes, real. This was definitely happening. Gently wiping her hand on her sleeve, she leaned into his shoulder as he hugged her close.

"Is this a date?" she spoke aloud—

"If you want it to be—" came the reply, as she inhaled sharply.

"Whoops, did I say that out loud?" she shyly stared downward before Karlo's thumb lifted her visage.

"You definitely did."

She could feel a trace of a familiar smile upon his visage, as she felt her shoulders, her limbs relax even more. "And if I wanted this to definitely be a date...?"

Karlo's fingers intertwined with her hand. "Then this is definitely a date."

"Ok?"

"Ok."

"Ok then..."

"Ok!" And the pair dissolved into laughter, enjoying the views of mid-morning Italy, including distinctive Gothic, Byzantine, and Islamic architecture that extended far beyond their rivered path. Pink lotus blossoms, every which way, as far as the eye could see, and miles upon miles of lily pads besides, before noticing an altogether new and unusual phenomenon...

So many lily pads. The first seemed intriguing, the second and third puzzling, the next...hundred...well...

"What the...?" she murmured, readjusting her glasses to check her vision wasn't playing tricks on her.

Passing the Rialto Bridge and the Ponte dell'Accademia, she realized the flowers were deepening in hue, fast increasing in size.

"Your next mission, perhaps?" Karlo spoke, stroking her raven hair as she raised a somewhat skeptical eyebrow. He seemed serious.

Sofie sighed. "I guess so. But do we really have to send them back?" She batted her eyelids in what she hoped was delightfully coquettish, but he shook his head.

"Invasive species, remember?"

"Ugh, fine."

Hours later (plus a much-needed wardrobe change), the pair found themselves seated at a long formal table with an extended centerpiece of eucalyptus and fern, candles too, a stream just several feet away, though Sofie herself could have done without. One sodden adventure was enough for today. Stringed lights glowed, hanging between elevated branches of Weeping Willow vines.

"Where's everyone else?"

She turned to Karlo, seated beside her, his suit shirt impeccably tailored, his formal slacks a sight to behold. "They'll be here soon. We're early." His face bore a peculiar expression. Was he..."Worried?" Sofie touched his hand, noticing its clamminess, his rapid intake of breath—his rumbling, tumbling emotions besides—as he shook his head.

"Anxious." He reached over, whispering in her ear. "What if they don't like me?"

She gave him an incredulous look. "Karlo, they'll love you—"

"They can take out a city with their power—and spontaneously travel on a moment's notice—it's all women—"

Sofie placed a hand over his. "Breathe, Karlo. It's ok. You've gone above and beyond—and saved my life. Even if they're skeptical of some men, they won't be skeptical of you—" she paused, her eyes darting to the nearest thicket, a high boxwood bough nearly twelve feet tall, as women flowed through, taking their seats at the ornately decorated table.

It didn't take long for the rest of the ladies to notice a new presence at the table. A new male presence. A few "holy—" "a Y chrome!" "a GUY!" "omigawd" and "who is that?" remarks could be heard as Karlo's cheeks turned a faint pink. Sofie squeezed his hand thrice in reassurance.

You've. Got. This.

A clink of a wineglass later, Helena brought the quorum to attention with a steady list of arcane announcements, including Constanta Castle's new café hours, new literary initiatives, and similar, before highlighting rescue missions, past and present.

"...Which brings us to—" Helena paused, gesturing toward Karlo. "This man, Karlo, took a line of fire, for one of our own, Sofie. Such bravery. Hear, hear!" The blond raised her glass to toast, as everyone else followed suit.

"Hear, hear!" echoed the call, before each sipped their glass.

After the hubbub died down, Helena resumed speaking. "This is unprecedented given Goddess League's history, but Karlo will be working closely with Sofie at her Florentine post for the foreseeable future. Their successes so far have included rescuing a horde of flamingoes from a Parisian waterway, as well as restoring the natural environs of Venice's Grand Canal. Sofie's earlier work includes theft prevention and preventing untoward misogyny by use of her empath abilities," as the rest of the ladies clapped and cheered.

Hours upon hours later, Karlo and Sofie were back at the Florentine post, enjoying baked sole with oregano and basil. "Sofie, what did Helena mean earlier when she said 'given their history'?"

Sofie frowned, taking another bite of the succulent fish, chewing thoughtfully. "Y'know, I've never asked..." She paused. "Maybe Gary would know? He's the eyes and ears of this place. Larry too—the unicorn, back at Constanta."

"Perhaps," mused Karlo, who began formulating a mental list of discussion points for the following morning.