Page 102 of Distinctly Daray
“I wonder how anyone survived that bright place,” Death replied with a roll of her dark eyes.
Bristling at the criticism of her creation, Fate dropped into a gray damask chair and frowned. “I think it’s beautiful. Anyway, I didn’t recognize the essence of the goddess. It was odd, but they barely stepped foot in the realm, so perhaps that’s why.”
“Death doesn’t like anything that doesn’t absorb the light around it,” Life mused from a nearby couch. “If they didn’t stay long, that makes sense. At least they didn’t leave behind any mess for you to clean up.”
“All I will say on the matter of Fate’s design choices is that there is something to be said for subtlety, and the angels have none of it,” Death remarked.
“Complain all you want; I’ll keep enjoying the gorgeous angels,” Eternity mused.
“Why would you bother watching them?” Life asked. “None have died. We haven’t even figured out how they can die. You don’t have to worry about them, so why check in on them?”
“Hello, sister, because they’re hot,” Fate replied.
“So are plenty of other populations,” Life muttered.
“And we don’t have to burn our eyes looking at them,” Death added.
“Oh look, Life and Death are in accord,” Fate cried out dramatically as she raised the back of her hand to her forehead. “Surely this is a sign that the very fabric of everything magical is about to combust into fiery flames.”
“She is annoying,” Death said to Life.
“Where is everyone else?” Fate asked, ignoring her sister.
“I believe Mayhem and Chaos are in a guest room, putting together plans for us to consider,” Death answered. To keep the pair from spreading the news of their carefully crafted twisted realm, the goddesses had decided to keep them entertained at Death’s castle. The last thing any of them wanted was for any of their sisters to bully their way into getting involved in the still-frozen project. A couple had finally been selected to be matched up next, but with so much going on with Folly, they didn’t want to be distracted and miss anything, so the realm thick with copies of the entire extended D’Vaire family remained locked in stasis.
“Plans for what?” Fate asked.
“To learn more about Folly,” Death replied.
“Who thought that pair would be the best to come up with alternatives?” Fate inquired, her red brows drawing together in concern and shock.
“They assigned themselves to the task,” Life said. “We figured it was best if we didn’t argue. They are out of our hair for a bit, which is a nice respite.”
Eternity shrugged. “We might also get lucky and they will land upon an idea with merit.”
“As for Courage and Justice, they are practicing with their weapons,” Death said.
“Of course they are,” Fate muttered. “Silly of me to even inquire about those two; they love their weapons.”
“Does anyone ever wonder what it is they’re actually preparing for with their weapons?” Life asked. “How will they ever face actual combat?”
“My angels train daily. So do Death’s sentinels. Maybe it is their nature and they don’t require threats,” Fate said.
“But it would be nice if one of them would chop Folly in half,” Death drawled. “We really must figure out a way to drain that excess magic out of Folly so we can kill her in truth. But first, we must find somewhere for her to dwell besides in myebirlloba. She is not welcome here.”
“Having the honor of killing her is nearly enough to have me pick up a weapon,” Fate remarked. “And I thought we agreed she should be a punching bag for our warrior-inclined sisters.”
Life laughed. “We did. Hopefully that will work. And it’s nearly enough to grab a sword, but not quite. I have no wish to sweat in the lists with Justice and Courage.”
“Ick. Can you imagine? They take things far too seriously. I want a pretty, sparkly sword,” Fate commented, imagining the beautiful weapon she’d craft if her sisters wouldn’t insist she learn how to properly use it.
“It is frustrating that we have no other choice than to sit here and wait for Folly or one of her cohorts to make the next move,” Eternity complained.
Fate nodded. “It is reminiscent of our frustrated task force on Earth. With no other clues given to them, they must await more pain and hurt. As do we.”
“At least we saved them on parade day,” Death said. “Can you imagine how life would’ve changed for the Council if we hadn’t intervened?”
“I don’t want to think about it,” Life replied with a shake of her head.
