Eyes To See (Not Continuing)

Invasion

~Balance~

Ember cried out Austin's name, making me snap around to see what had happened. Austin didn't stick the landing, and Ember was already halfway down the street.

"Oh, Austin!" I run to her. "Are you okay?"

"Just fine!" She calls, looking to the sky. "Just fine." A tear slides down her perfect face. Love devotees normally have beauty on their side. "Oh, Mom! How can you not understand!"

I'm speechless. It's like I haven't even scratched the surface of her emotional state. Keep the balance, keep the balance. The scales have tipped, and it isn't fair for Austin. How can I make this right?

"I will help you find the traditional Love devotees." I exclaim. "They can't be too hard to find, right?" Trying to make myself feel better about this is pointless. This trip is going to suck.

"Thank you, I appreciate it." Not arguing is demonstrating love. "So this is the shop?"

"Yeah, come on in!" I help her up, and as if she hadn't cried at all, she smiles. Then we whip around and enter the circular doors divided the street from the coffeehouse. Bells ring, and I am instantly greeted by the chef.

"Hello, my bite-sized balance!" He cheers from the kitchen window. "Glad to see you this fine morning." Barney, the chef, is roughly middle-aged. His hair line are reseeding, and he is finding it harder to stay sharp. People say that he came from Kindness' city, but others say he came from outside the square. Barney chooses not to give anything up, and I respect that. Though now he is godless, and doesn't pick a side.

"Nice to see you too, Barn." Barn is what I call Barney. It sounds more formal to me. I notice that the coffeehouse isn't very busy. In the corner is a Wisdom devotee with her nose in a book, and then near the counter is an elderly couple from the City Of Kindness. The old woman's yellow cloak is very similar to the younger girl's blue one. Well, the split back ones have been very popular for a long time now.

"Who is this lovely lady you brought with you?" He asks, as the other waiter exits now that his replacement is here.

"Nice to meet you, I'm Austin of the City Of Love!" She curtsies. "I was hoping to wash dishes for pay at your lovely coffeehouse. I recently fled from Love in hopes of avoiding set up marriage. I am here in effort of finding the traditional Love worshipers, a group that I need money to find. I require food, a place to stay, and clean clothes." Austin flashes me a glance of fear.

"I understand, for I fled from a set up marriage in the City Of Love myself." Barn was a Love devotee? Wow!

"What a coincidence! Who was she?" Austin asks so casually.

"An absolute maniac with a thing for picking my nose." He flat out explained. He wasn't joking either.

"Mine is a possessive brat who chased me here trying to force me back" she sighed.

There was an awkward moment of silence before the conversation picked up again.

"You can have the job, but you should know that the traditional Love worshipers meet on the south side." Barn gave Austin a sympathetic stare.

I breath caught in my throat. The south side? That is a two day trip by transport and with the resources we have...we would be stranded. I have to take that trip. How can I make it happen?

"I will do whatever it takes." Yeah, but will I? Austin, you forget who will have to get you there? You will just be the pretty face who shows up at the hideout while I have to do all of the work! Stupid Love devotees!

Barn scurries back into the kitchen and I grab the coffee container and start to offer fresh coffee to customers. I don't realize I'm gripping it so hard.

"Juliana, I said: I will, and I meant it. I'm sorry if it upset you, but you don't have to come with me." Austin scoots by me to the kitchen.

"I'm sorry for the harsh thoughts, but I said I will so I will." I forgot Austin's heart could feel my feelings.

This was going to be a long day.

"Would you enjoy some fresh coffee Miss?" I ask the Wisdom child. She looks about my age, but I still offer it. Plus, Wisdom devotees at the age would drink coffee, right?

"Is it low fat?" She questions without gazing from her book.

"Pardon?" Low fat coffee?

"Low fat. Wisdom told me that if I had too much fat in my life I would get addicted. To live a good life, I must never taste the regular dosage." Wow. I'm speechless. Wisdom devotees these days.

"Low fat coffee, huh?" I rest my bottom on another table, marvelled.

"Is it?" She spits.

"We don't serve low fat coffee, because it doesn't exist." I'm clearly adding unnecessary attitude. "People here normally suck it up and consume the unhealthy parts."

"Maybe only bad waitresses haven't heard of it." Oh, this girl was going to get it served! Stuck up goodie two shoes don't know where I grew up. People around my neighbourhood knew how to put a book down and...

"Maybe only snot-nosed brats have." I tilt my head a little, to see the reaction on her face.

She finally looks up from that book of hers, and stares me down. "Insults-" She begins.

"-are for immature fools. I'm proud to admit that I am one, but don't go around acting like you didn't call me a..." I hold me hand to my ear and wait for her to finish my sentence. She doesn't know what to say, so she pouts. Saying the answer would only make me right. "I'm glad to be an immature fool rather than someone like yourself."

"How dare you, you disgusting slime!" She comments viscously.

"Look Hun, I'm going to be the sensible one here and stop this argument. I'll request your "low fat coffee" in just a minute. Enjoy your book." I walk away with the pitcher before she can argue. I win...

...but the older couple in the corner looks frightened. Oh boy, what have I done?

"I'm sorry, I didn't notice you were watching!" I walk towards them. "Coffee?"

"Yes please, dear." They both answer in sync. In the City Of Kindness you always refer to children as dear. "Yes please" is just polite, and lack of manners are illegal.

I pour some coffee, trying my best to put on a nice face. "Would you like anything else? Maybe a blueberry muffin?" I ask sympathetically.

The woman goes to answer, but the front doors slam open. Bells ring loudly, and a young boy runs in. He wears a golf hat, and looks no older than twelve years old.

"The Hatees are coming!" He shouts, taking a few steps. Something in his voice spoke...urgency.

"Then we prepare a feast! Call them in, young lad!" Barn cheers from the kitchen window. In the City Of Four, we are all friends and welcome each other. The smell of his special soup fills my nostrils. I watch Austin walk out with the soup in her hands.

"Turns out I can cook! I can help!" She exclaims. Okay, her special soup.

"Will you offer low fat coffee?" I recognize that donkey squeal.

"No, no! You don't understand!" The boy meets my gaze. "They are heavily armed, and attacking!"

Austin drops the soup and holds her head. "No, no, no, no...." She murmurs. Love worshipers don't deal well with war.

The young boy eyes my purple cloak. "Please, help us!" He pleads, dropping to his knees. The balance have strange powers that calm the powerful waves of war. The other Balance and I will be obligated to help.

One by one everybody drops to their knees. I'm not a hero, people!

"Okay, I'll help you." I give in.