The Fallen Goddess

The River

We are in a small, dark, seedy city. We walk past fairly tall business buildings and tiny bars, and even a few small diners, once of which we enter upon sight.

Once we step inside, we can see the whole of the diner; it is very small and, compared to the city to which it belongs, it is surprisingly cozy and bright. We take take a seat at a booth and wait for someone to come welcome us.

"So, what exactly are we going to do? I mean, how are you going to get back to Orathne?" I ask while we continue to wait.

"We have to find the River," she answers. "No one really knows it's exact location, but it is somewhere on Earth, and it will lead me back to my kingdom. I will then go before all my brothers and sisters and my parents in a court to beg for forgiveness."

She mumbles the last sentence, making her displeasure at having to share this clear.

Before I can say anything else, a skinny, young, perky-looking waitress comes to our table.

"Hi guys! What can I get you this morning?" she asks.

"Just a coffee," I say. "Black."

"I would like the wafe-els and a water," Koreena struggles.

The waitress writes our orders down and gives Koreena an ungrateful look. She turns back to me.

"I'll be right back with your order," she says to me. She quickly touches my bare arm and winks, then turns away towards the kitchen doors.

I suddenly become very conscious of the fact that I'm still not wearing a shirt.

"What was that?" Koreena asks, looking honestly and innocently curious.

"Nothing," I say, blushing slightly. "Anyway, this River. How do you tell it apart from other rivers on Earth. Is it kind of like... Like the stairway to Olympus?"

I pause after saying this.

"Speaking of which, if you know the Romans and Greeks, what mythology are you from?" I add.

"One: yes, it is very similar to the Stairway, and it does have distinguishable characteristics, though ones that are unknown to me at the moment. And two: I'm not from any mythology. Or, at least, not any that you would know."

I give her a questioning look.

"Don't ask," she says upon seeing my face.

"Oh, I'll ask. Just, you know, later." I respond, smiling.

The waitress returns with our things. She quickly sets down Koreena's waffles then turns to me.

"Are you sure you want your coffee just black?" she asks, setting down the mug in front of me.

"Yes, thank you," I say and I smile at her, though only out of politeness.

"Well, in case you want anything else in your coffee-" she says, and she leans across the table, giving me an easy view of her chest. "-the sugars and creams are right here."

She smiles at me and then turns, once again, to the kitchen.

Once she's gone, Koreena smiles.

"She's into you, isn't she?" she asks, laughing as she speaks.

"Like you would know." I retort, embarrassed.

Koreena looks surprised, and I try to change the subject.

"You're going to be for forgiveness?" I question. "That seems a little unfair. You don't even know why you were kicked out! You should at least get-"