Attempt #218

A Love That is Fleeting

"Eleanor, come on in."

Michael just knew that he had the variables of this attempt perfect this time around. He started off with the good ol' 'You're in the Good Place' talk before walking with Eleanor around the neighborhood that was going for a shrimp theme, something he knew that Eleanor would love. Hopefully it'd keep her thinking that she's in the Good Place while he and his demons plan out the different torture scenarios.

By the time Michael was talking to Eleanor in her new house, Janet was leading Tahani across the field in her white dress. She was told by Michael to get Tahani really excited to see her soulmate, and Tahani was so excited that she dolled herself up for this special moment in the afterlife.

"I just can't wait to meet her! I bet she's smart, attractive, and kind..." Tahani sighed dreamily. Janet had told her that it was a very generous lawyer that donated to charities named Eleanor Shellstrop. Janet expected Tahani to be baffled that another female is her soulmate, since she never dated another woman during her time on Earth, but Tahani stayed excited and unfazed.

They stood in front of a tacky yellow house with a red door slightly opened.

"Your soulmate is in there." Janet smiled. Tahani took a deep breath and started walking, her heart racing with every step. She reassured herself that she didn't need to worry about anything, for her soulmate would love and admire her for her looks and her accomplishments.

She placed her hand gracefully on the side of the wall and her other hand on her hip as she smirked at the blonde woman staring at her in amazement.

"Sweet mama, this is the Good Place." Eleanor gasped, causing Tahani to giggle in amusement. Michael was surprised since Eleanor always said 'Bring it in, man!' to every soulmate that she's encountered. This was a first. But he couldn't let his surprise show.

"Eleanor, meet Tahani Ah-Jamil, a wonderful philanthropist that has donated to causes all around the world. Tahani, meet Eleanor Shellstrop, a lawyer that saved dozens of people off death row, and donated to many causes as well." Michael wrapped up the introduction as quick as he could. "I'm going to leave you two to get to know each other, I must go and see how all the other residents are doing."

Eleanor barely heard Michael speak. Did he take an angel and make her Eleanor's soulmate?

"Darling, it is an absolute pleasure to meet you." Tahani made her way to her 'soulmate' in several steps and kissed her hand. "Shall we head off to eat somewhere and get to know each other better there?"

"Y-Yeah." Eleanor stammered, both of them blissfully unaware of all the demons that would be listening in on their conversation.

...

Unlike the last 217 times, Eleanor didn't try to admit that she didn't belong in the Good Place. And now especially wasn't a good time to tell Tahani. The dinner date consisting of shrimp, salad, and lots of wine had gone so well that the drunk lovebirds were making out outside of the house. Tahani was pressing Eleanor up against the house door, and the blonde woman had no complaints to being pinned against the door by this gorgeous goddess in human skin.

Before Eleanor got drunk, a few red flags were raised about the genuineness of her soulmate when she said a few things that came off as condescending to her. When Tahani was comparing her accomplishments to Eleanor's 'accomplishments,' it almost felt like a contest. But one she downed her first bottle of wine, all was forgotten.

Unbeknownst to them, Michael and several of his demon subordinates were watching with curiosity, deciding on what to do about this turn of events. They were immediately supposed to hate each other, but this was different.