[IC] Falling from Heaven {SinfulSkills ~ unfallenangel}

[unfallenangel]

"Well hello, Isabelle." Jo squeezed the small girls fingers. "Wait...goddess?" She turned to the others accusingly. "I am nothing but human. I was born in Georgia for pete's sake!" She looked back at Isabelle and couldn't help but smile again. This girls attitude was infectious. And it was so sweet to see how Leon acted towards her. It was the first sign of any emotion that he had shown since the others had arrived.

Time to regroup. She thought. "So..." She paused and wiped her palms on her shorts nervously. "Work is backed up for all of you?" She was really eager to get away and clear her head. at least they weren't planning to hold her hostage. She could go. That was good. She had a sea turtle hatching tonight at 4AM. "Look, I agree to help you guys out. I don't mind coming to the mansion every night to help you guys, and it is okay with me if you come into town with me and come to my job and or my apartment. This is all a little overwhelming for me though."

She smiled down at Isabelle who was still holding her hands. "Are you staying with them to?" Jo sighed and hooked her thumbs into her belt loops. "Do you guys need help tonight?" She asked curiously. "I am more than willing to help, but I could really use something to eat," She said honestly and laughed. "I think the carnival is still going on down at the pier." She grinned at Isabelle. "Want to go?" Jo glanced at everyone else in turn. "Is that okay? I can stay and help you guys though, either way."

[EasilyAmused]

Isabelle nodded with a large smile across her little face. “Yes goddess! No one’s told you?” She asked before turning her little head to look at the other gods.

Axel held up his hands in surprise as the little girl turned her first gaze to him. “We had a lot of ground to cover with her Isabelle, we haven’t gotten there yet.”

Not seeming to fully understand why Jo wasn’t fully informed, she shook her head and looked back up at the lady. “You used to be a goddess, but you were reborn as human. That is why you have stars in your eyes and we can see them. Unfortunately, humans cannot see the stars and you don’t have your memories of being a goddess but you were.” Of course, the little girl’s eyes sparkled when Jo mentioned the carnival. “Really!?” She began to jump up and down grabbing Jo’s hand in excitement. “I’ve never been to a human carnival!” She then turned around to the group who seemed to avoid looking in her direction. “Aw, come on…” She said softly, her face turning into a cute pout.

“We have the work you brought us we need to accomplish….”

“But this batch is just paperwork….”

Alexander shook his head as he stood up from his seat. “We will summon you when we need you Miss Jo. For now we will take care of what we can without your assistance. Feel free to show yourself out. Axel, Scorpio, come we must get to work.” With that Alexander gave Jo a nod of thanks before the department of punishments members left, Axel looking incredibly bummed that he couldn’t go.

“Lord Leon…” Isabelle dashed from Jo to Leon; pulling on his arm as he rubbed his forehead. “Please go with me. Please please…” Her face pouted up at the man who pulled his hand from his face and looked over at her.

Leon let out a long sigh of defeat and stood up. “Curt, Hue, wrap up as much paperwork as you can, I’ll complete the rest when I get back.”

“Always the softy for your God-Daughter aren’t you Leon.” Curt said in a teasing tone as he got to his feet. “We’ll be in touch Jo, have a good time at the pier.” With that he and Hue left.

“Goldfish.” Leon said to Jo, calling her attention to him. “Let’s go.”

“Can we ride in the vehicle outside?!” Isabelle said with excitement as she let go of Leon and dashed back to Jo. “Please oh please!”

[unfallenangel]

Jo's heart did a little flip dance as Isabelle tugged Leon's arm and asked him to go. She was such a sweetheart and she had such a hold on Leon it seemed. He looked slightly put out, but at the same time Jo swore she saw excitement in his eyes. Isabelle mentioned the car. "Yes, ma'am we surely will be riding my trusty Jeep. I'm glad you can accompany me to the carnival, because I could really use a hot dog right about now." She laughed freely and shook her hair out before pulling it into a messy ponytail revealing a small pink scar on the left side of her neck, just under her ear.

She fished her keys out of the pocket of her shorts and looked slightly shy as she turned to Leon. "I, uh, need to stop by my apartment and grab some clothes really fast. It's on the way." She opened the front door and unlocked her yellow Jeep. She turned and offered Isabelle her hands to help lift her into the back seat since it was a two door vehicle. Isabelle smiled eagerly.

The ride back down the driveway was bumpy but uneventful. Isabelle babbled excitedly about the heavens and what Leon was missing, but Leon remained silent for most of the ride. Jo parked in front of an older two story condo that was painted a pale grey with bright blue shudders and front door. "Home, sweet, home," She said and smiled. "You are more than welcome to come inside, but I do have a cat." She climbed out of the vehicle and unlocked the front door. As she stepped inside Dina the cat rushed to her legs and nudges her calve. Jo smiled and scratched behind her ears. She inspected dina's food bowl, which was still half full. "You cannot be hungry. You have food here!" She shook the bowl loudly. The cat meowed in protest and hopped onto the couch and started to groom her legs.

Leon and Isabelle had stayed in the car, despite Isabelle's protests. "Coat. I need a jacket," She muttered and rummaged through her closet by the front door. "dammit!" She flipped on the light, unable to find what she was feeling for. The room light up and revealed a small living room and kitchen. The walls were covered in sketches and painting that Jo does in her free time. The kitchen was small, but it got the job done, and the living room had a love seat, a recliner, a flat screen tv and a coffee table. nothing as extravagant as the mansion she had just left. Jo found her jacket on the back of the recliner and dashed back out the door, flipping the light off as she went.

The pier was lit up and could be seen from the road. The Ferris wheel was lit up with oranges, yellows, reds, and blues. The tents were light with a soft yellow glow from underneath revealing various different games that no one could win. The air smelled of funnel cakes and cotton candy. Jo's eyes lit up. She loved the carnival. She loved the sounds, the smells, the sights. It made her feel like a kid again. She turned her eyes to Isabelle and Leon as the walked onto the wooden pier. Her eyes were aglow with joy and excitement.

[EasilyAmused]

Isabelle showed more excitement for the human than she did in the heavens. In fact she was greeting someone who she never knew much like she greeted Leon every time they met up. The man watched the two closely almost in interest as they interacted with one another. Isabelle extended her arms up to Jo, accepting her help into the jeep as Leon climbed into the passenger’s seat. The awkward feeling of being in a vehicle returned when he’d much rather be in flight. Shifting slightly in the seat he buckled up and placed his elbow against the opening in the window and gazed out as Isabelle regaled him with stories from the heavens.

While she was inside of her house, Leon took in the sight of her home from the car while Isabelle spoke. It wasn’t until she mentioned something about a party that he turned his attention back to her. “I will not be attending any parties. I know I know…” He cut her off before she could say anything. “But I have no intention on finding a partner right now, there’s no point to me going to those mingles when all they are is people vying for my attention.” His voice sounded annoyed as he spoke; the way he chose to speak caused Isabelle to drop the topic.

The pier was filled with loud things and an even louder little god who was skipping around ahead of them beyond the point of thrilled. So many goldfish it was crazy. Despite his appearance he was already drawing a lot of attention as his commanding aura pulled people’s views to them whether they were intentionally looking in their direction or not.

They entered the area with the games after getting some food, while Isabelle took a corndog Leon declined saying he didn’t need food to survive though being on earth would deplete his energy but he didn’t need any now. “Gods just eat for entertainment in the heavens.”

“Lord Leon look!” Isabelle pointed towards a game called ‘Ring Toss’ with large stuffed animals hanging up to win.

He walked with the two to the ring game and the carny offered him two rings as he handed him some earth money they had prepared before they left the heavens. Feeling the rings in his hands and looking at the bottles he was able to put together that the rings wouldn’t fit over them. They were just a bit too small. The carney seemed more fascinated with little Isabelle debating which toy she would want to notice that Leon was playing with the rings. As he spun them in his hands he thinned out the plastic and made them unnoticeably bigger, just enough to fit over the bottles. With two easy tosses he landed both of them on the bottles.

Turning to Jo he pointed towards the toys. “Goldfish, pick.” He said simply as Isabelle clapped her hands and cheered pointing towards the giant fluffy white tiger she had picked for her prize.

[unfallenangel]

Jo popped the rest of the hot dog she was holding into her mouth and wiped her hands on the back of her shorts. Leon was so blunt and to the point. "The tiger for the little lady please. I will take the panda," She told the carny and smiled as Isabelle hugged the stuffed beast to her chest. Jo glanced over at Leon who was standing with his hands in his pockets and tucked the bear under her arm. "I have a name, if you remember it. What's with the goldfish thing?" She asked and nudged his arm with her elbow as the started walking again.

Isabelle was toting the tiger in one arm and munching on cotton candy with the other hand. Jo snatched a small piece and grinned at Isabelle. Being here with them made her miss her family terribly. She looked up at the night sky and sighed as she watched the stars dance above them. The carnival was in full swing and there were people milling about and pushing past us. Some brushed against Leon as they passed, but none of them seemed to be phased by the electric pull that he seemed to emit. Maybe it's just me, she thought as she studied his profile. Isabelle chattered on and on about everything, and Jo smiled to herself.

Carnies all around we shouting and begging people for just one try to win a prize. One called to Leon and Jo. "Win the pretty lady a prize, man! Send her home with something!" He smiled, his gold tooth shinning in the soft glow of the lanterns hanging under the tent. Jo just waved him on.

"Ernie, you are too much. You know I win this game every time!" Jo called over her shoulder as they passed. She bit her lip and started to let her mind drift. These people that she had agreed to help were all nice people. At least they seemed to be. Axel and Curt seemed to be the most talkative ones. Scorpio didn't like Jo, or any human for that matter it seemed. Hue and Alexander were kind of quiet. Isabelle was sweet. Jo really hoped that she stayed. "So, Isabelle, how long have you helped Leon?" Jo asked and turned them in the direction of the Ferris wheel.

A large group of people overcame them and they were momentarily separated and pushed a part. "Leon? Isabelle?" she called and tried to elbow pasted the crowd. "Shit." She saw Isabelle's small figure at the edge of the crowded space and pushed her way toward her. "I lost Leon," She said and held tightly to Isabelle with one hand and gripped the panda bear with the other.

[EasilyAmused]

“Goldfish? Humans are nothing more than goldfish to us gods swimming in a little bowl that is earth. All humans in the heavens are called ‘goldfish’. Therefore you are a goldfish; I see no reason to get attached by learning a name.” Leon responded with a head shake and they continued on their adventure through the crowded streets.

Isabelle noticed the changes in her surroundings and began to panic, looking for the pulsating aura of her God-father but was found by Jo first. “Oh!” She said latching onto Jo’s hand, “He’s over here; I can feel him.” With that, she lead the way towards Leon.

The crowds became overwhelming and soon the three were suppurated. Unlike Jo, Leon wasn’t in a panic; in fact he was standing in front of another game only to win it with ease and passing the prize off to a crying child. A small smile moved across his full lips as he did so. The child’s mood changed instantly with the prize in his little hands and the parents thanked him for his generosity. He waved them off before feeling the small aura of Isabelle, turning around he found the two walking towards him and he gave them a small nod before sliding his hands back into his pockets. “Where to next goldfish?”

[unfallenangel]

Jo sighed and turned them back to the direction of the giant wheel in the sky. "Want to ride?" She asked and nodded towards the Ferris wheel. "It goes up so high that sometimes I close my eyes and imagine that I'm flying." She let a small smile pass her lips and headed that way. Her mood was slightly crestfallen and Leon's blunt remarks. He only thought that by having sex with you would get him back to the heavens. that's all he wanted from you. She bit her lip and turned away from both of them. The thought nearly made her stomach turn.

"I have a job on the beach in a few hours." Jo checked her phone. "I have to help get sea turtle hatchlings from their nest to the ocean," she explained and got in line for the ride. "So I won't be sleeping much tonight." The line was getting shorter because of the time. Jo was excited to finally get to ride this. Her mood had fallen slightly. She actually felt like Leon was treating her like an assistants assistant now. Earlier he had only been focused on her, watching her every move, but now he wouldn't even look at her. He doesn't even call you by your own name. you are a goldfish to him. Her consciousness shouted at her.

Isabelle jumped up and down excitedly as they climbed into the bucket still clutching her stuffed tiger to her chest. She was having so much fun. Jo bit her lip and twirled the panda bear in her hands as she sat across from Isabelle, waiting for the ride to start. She had a few hours before she had to drive to the coast line for the hatching.

[EasilyAmused]

Her mention of imagining she could fly made Leon chuckle; which caused Isabelle to glare at him.

“Humans can’t fly my lord. There’s no reason to laugh at her for having such a wish.” At that statement, Isabelle’s eyes went wide with excitement and her gaze moved instantly to Leon.

Leon raised his hand in a gesture to silence the young girl who was going to state something. “I will.” He said in a simple manner as they got in line with the other people to get on the giant wheel. “Hm…” He said softly as he pulled his hands from his pockets and crossed his arms over his chest. The people around them seemed to leave some distance from where they were standing. Even the humans could feel the power radiating off of him. Then again he was the second strongest in the heavens so it was no surprise that the humans could feel it too.

When it was their turn to get into the bucket, Isabelle got in first followed behind Jo and Leon was last. He sat next to Jo without a bit of hesitation and stretched his arm along the back of the seat. The ride was long but the view was nice, and the seats weren’t uncomfortable. Little Isabelle seemed to be dancing in her seat to the fair music as she hugged her tiger and looked around.

At the end of the ride, the three went back to the jeep before Leon lifted Isabelle into the jeep and turned to Jo. “Goldfish,” His amber-gold eyes locked with hers as he stretched out his hand. “Allow me to grant you a wish.”

[unfallenangel]

Wish? Jo looked at his outstretched hand warily. "What are you-" It dawned on her. "Oh." She smiled. "You're going to take me flying?" She couldn't help but be excited. She looked over at Isabelle who was smiled from ear to ear in the back of the Jeep. Jo looked back to Leon and hesitated. The last time she touched him it had ended badly. The electric pull was back as well. Her heart felt like it was beating out of her chest and she couldn't tell if it was from the excitement of possibly flying or the nerves from touching Leon again and feeling what she felt before.

It had all been him before, hadn't it? She didn't actually think she could feel that strongly about a complete stranger she had met less than 24 hours ago. It was his touch. She looked up at Leon once more and wondered what would happen if she declined. She would never get this opportunity again. She bit her lip and her eyes bore straight into his. She reached and and twisted her fingers through his. The electricity surprised them both and made her fingers tingle. She felt the pull deep in her heart as well. "Alright." She grinned slightly.

[EasilyAmused]

This time, when they touched, he didn’t activate his natural powers. Instead he left her at ease, at least he thought he did. This time his heart beat increased but he did his best to ignore it. Pulling her to him so she was at his side they slowly rose from the ground. “Don’t let go.” He said, his voice sounding slightly teasing as they rose away from the waving Isabelle in the back of the jeep. “Oh and don’t worry about Isabelle, she’s quite powerful and can protect herself until we return.”

With that he took them high into the sky, overlooking the carnival scene below before speeding off into the direction of the ocean. High above the waters and deep in the sky the stars twinkled around them reflecting off the ocean making it look like they were surrounded by stars. He pulled their travels to a halt over the ocean to allow her to take in the view.

[unfallenangel]

She held tightly to him, her arms wrapped securely around his waist. The scene was breathtaking. She could see the carnival from high above and the lights were spectacular. Leon pulled then farther west and headed out over the open ocean. "Wow." She was completely speechless.

Jo rested her head lightly on Leon's shoulder and soaked in the view. She had never seen anything like it. "This is utterly beautiful. Thank you." She smiled up at Leon. "Did you do this often when you were in heaven?"

[EasilyAmused]

This goldfish was surprisingly easy to please. Simple wishes were always easy and took a lot less magical powers in order to complete. Down on earth he knew his magic would be limited with his mark of sin and it would require him to sleep and eat in order to remain fully functioning. Oh the hassles of being on earth. When she clung to him, her arms wrapped around his waist, he positioned his arm around her back and waist without hesitating to hold her in place as they flew.

Her question was a simple one, but his face scrunched into one of discomfort for a moment before returning to the natural state it had been when they flew. “It doesn’t take flight to see the stars in the heavens. There are so many more compared to what is viewable on earth but when I do fly, I am alone.” He gave a small nod to his statement before turning around, “Let us return Goldfish,” This time his voice was soft and gentle, “You have obligations to fulfill so it’s best not to keep you out for too long.” As they started back towards the jeep, he couldn’t help but ask, “Did I grant your wish?”

[unfallenangel]

She nodded slowly and looked up at the stars, studying them. She could not wrap her head around the idea that there was something more. Some place much more vast and beautiful than what she was seeing right now. The stars danced across the night sky and reflected off the surface of the ocean below. Jo looked over her shoulder at Leon as he mentioned flying alone. He seemed to always be alone she noted sadly. He was hard to be around and even harder to get to know.

"It is getting rather late," She noted and looked at the light coral watch on her left wrist. He asked if he had granted her wish. Jo took a moment to consider his question. She hadn't exactly wished to be taken flying by some insanely hot god. But... If she had thought it was ever possible she would have long ago. She nodded again and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "I think you have," She said, "More than once." She left the sentence hanging. She wasn't quite sure what she had meant either.

They touched down beside the Jeep. Isabelle was beaming from ear to ear. She clapped her hands when they returned and asked if they had enjoyed the view. Jo nodded and couldn't help but beam back at her. "It was very nice," She told her and started the Jeep. "To the mansion to drop you off then?" She had a sudden urge to invite them to the hatching, but she didn't think that Leon would be interested and want to tag along with Isabelle anymore. "Unless, you want to come Isabelle." She loved the little girl like her sister already. Her attitude was so infectious. She chanced the invitation anyway.

[EasilyAmused]

Her comment was an… interesting one to say the least. Leon gave her a side glance that said he didn’t fully understand her meaning but he did not pester her for more of a detailed explanation. The flight back to the jeep was peaceful, more peaceful than he had expected with the goldfish in his arms as they flew. The air was fresh, the breeze was nice and despite her small size, she was warm. Something about that warmth was very nice.

They landed with ease by the jeep and for some reason, his arm didn’t to let the girl go; he wanted to continue to hold her but he forced himself to let her go. Isabelle seemed to jump with glee at the idea of going with Jo to her adventure but Leon walked to the jeep and pulled the little girl from the seat. “No Isi. We have work to do and you need to get back to the heavens.” Her little protests were silenced by Leon’s overbearing stare and she muttered something that sounded an argument but agreed none the less. “Goldfish,” He said turning back to Jo. “We will be in touch. For now, we have work to do. Good bye.” At that he began floating up into the air and waited for Isabelle to say her good byes and hug Jo before floating up with him. And at that they zoomed off to the mansion.

------------

The next day, after what would be her time off of work, Curt waited outside of Jo’s job gently swaying to the music playing on the streets. A smile across his fine face as he watched the people pass back and forth, humans were really fascinating. Though he still stood out in his white suite with the golden arm band.

[unfallenangel]

Jo sat by one of the small , shallow pools holding a bottle for a 2 day old dolphin. She splashed the water's surface to get the small baby's attention and glanced at the clock. It was nearly time for her to go. She looked down at her phone to check the messages. Carla had filled her in on every detail of her date and in turn pumped Jo for info on the mysterious Leon. Jo said he was nice and she got him reconnected with his friends, but left it at that. She sighed and stroked the dolphin's back as it nursed.

A few minutes later, keys in hand, she headed out the door and into the warm sunshine. She placed her sunglasses over her eyes and headed toward her Jeep. Curt was leaning against the rear bumper and watching the people pass by. She smiled and gave him a little wave. "What's first, boss?" She asked and ran her fingers through her hair. She was less nervous with Curt. He seemed genuine. A thought passed quickly through her mind. Can he tell me about Leon and why he seems so cold and distant. Surely he could feel the pull between them.

why on earth do you care so much for him, she thought to herself. She liked him. That was the only conclusion she could muster. "Curt?" She asked, "how long have you known Leon. Is he always so...welcoming?" She joked as she leaned against the Jeep beside the tall god.

[EasilyAmused]

Curt gave her a cheerful smile as they climbed into her jeep and he began to give her directions to their first destination. “I think you’ll enjoy seeing our work done. It’s quite a treat but nothing’s better than the happy looks on the faces of the humans when they get their wish finally granted.” He pulled out some folded papers from his inside jacket pocket and began to feed through them before her question caught his attention. And without looking up he answered.

“I’ve known Leon for more years than you’ve been alive. He’s the youngest god to ever been appointed the Director’s position and I was appointed at the same time to be his Vice-Director.” With that he glanced over one of the papers; doing two things at once as he continued to talk. “Leon is the second most power being in the heavens, right under the king himself and the theory is that he is cold to everyone because he’s concerned people will befriend him or attempt to bewitch him into love for the sake of his power.” He nodded his head at the paper, folded it up and put it into his jacket pocket before reviewing another one. “His coldness has lessened a lot since he started to trust the members of the Department of Wishes. It took a long time for me to earn his trust but now it seems like I’m one of the few who’s able to get through to him. Especially when he’s slacking.” He closed up the papers and leaned over. “Between you and me, I don’t think he’s ever actually loved anyone; friendship or otherwise. It seems like the only person who’s been able to reach him on that level is Isabelle and ever since he saved her from near death when she was an infant, he’s been attached to her like a father… oh more like an Uncle; he lets her get away with a lot which is why the king of the heavens named him her god-father since she has no other family.”

“But he’s not the cold man he used to be in the heavens when he wouldn’t talk to anyone who approached him first. Now he’s much more willing to mingle and as long as he has someone from the Department of Wishes with him, he’s willing to walk around the common towns of the heavens and mingle with people. Though it’s all praises and questions about power despite his desire to have a normal conversation.” Curt shrugged his shoulders before gesturing for her to pull over near a church. “We’re here.”

With that they climbed out of the car and walked a few feet away from the entrance. A young couple left the building, the groom on crutches but smiling with joy at his blushing bride. “Your hand please?” Curt asked extending his. When they touched Curt spoke, “I, Curt god of Cancer, have heard your wish; and by order of the King of the Heavens, it shall be granted today.” Upon his snapping of his fingers, the young groom missed a step with his crutches and stumbled forward down the step staggering to stay standing. At the last step he caught himself, not on a railing or with the assistance of someone else but on his own two feet. Looking down the young man began to cry with joy and the bride raced after him tackling him to the ground in a huge as the crowd cheered. The echoing of the voice of the bride said ‘My wish came true!’.

Letting go of her hand, he explained. “The bride wished for him to be able to walk sooner. He was going through treatments to walk again and was on a good road to recovery. I just sped up the process. There are few things we can’t do and those mainly involve life or death situations. We cannot kill and we cannot bring back.” And with that knowledge, the two continued on his list.

[unfallenangel]

Jo sat back and let the information sink in. Leon sounded so lonely. "Are all the gods like that in some way? Afraid to get to close? Is that why so many of them don't really like humans?" She couldn't help but let her face fall slightly. "never loved before."

He probably never would. People don't just learn to love. It's something that's already inside. Programmed within. get it out of your head, Jo. He will never love you. You're a human for Christ's sake.

She looked out at the two people that had just received a miracle. Tears stung her eyes and she couldn't tell if it was from anger at herself, hurt from Curt's words, or the pure joy of the moment she had just witnessed.

"Do you think he will ever open up? Besides to Isabelle I mean. He is so great with her. To watch them together really brings peace to everyone around." She stopped and thought for a moment. "Why is he here. And why did he pick me. Surely there must be more of...people like me around."

Jo started the Jeep and headed to their next destination. "Curt, can I be honest with you for a minute?" She didn't let him answer. " you all scare me a little bit," she admitted shyly. "Don't get me wrong. You're all great. But I get this feeling. When I get close to him. To Leon," she clarified. "I don't even touch him and yet I feel this static, this pull."

She waved her right hand through the air helplessly searching for the right why to describe it. "It just scares me. I don't get it with any of you though. I thought at first it was a god thing. But with you right now, I feel...normal. Well not normal because I'm with a god but you know what I mean," she had begun to babble excitedly. She took a deep breath to steady herself. "Sorry." She said and blushed.

She was pouring her guts out to a guy she met yesterday about another guy she met yesterday. She must be going Looney.

[EasilyAmused]

“Do I think he’ll ever open up?” Curt repeated as he pulled the door open to the jeep and climbed inside. “I think he will if he finds someone he can trust. He talks to me more than anyone and has loosened up. Will he be able to find love? Maybe… if he can find someone who doesn’t want him for his power, or isn’t afraid of his power. He’s still young and doesn’t have as much control over it as he’d like but he’s been getting better as time goes on. As for why he’s here.” He buckled himself into the seat as they began to drive. “He’s banished for sinning like we all are and no, there’s not a single person out there like you. The reincarnation of a goddess is incredibly rare and only happens once everything one thousand years.”

When she asked if she could be honest he made an encouraging sound to get her to continue. Though upon hearing that they scared her, his face dropped. He loved the human world, more than anyone else… yet she was telling him she was scared of them. Fear was not something that the gods didn’t want to stand for… at least the department of wishes. Then she went into more detail and it sounded like her concerned lied with Leon. To that he let out a sigh. “Listen Jo, Leon is… complicated, to say the least. We all have different kinds of auras, mine tends to give people more of a relaxed feeling. Hue makes everyone feel more intelligent, Axel’s makes people feel happy and bubbly. Alexander makes them feel like they are listening to a leader and need to follow orders. Scorpio’s aura gives a sense of power, as if when you’re around her you can concur anything. Leon’s aura is intimating and attention grabbing because of how much power he holds and how well he can handle it, well for the most part. Envy from men, desire from women and one lonely person in the middle. When we all were finally able to get across to him that we wanted nothing to do with his power and wanted to get to know who he was he finally let us in. It was a process and not one that comes easily but it worked.”

“I bet it feels weird to you because you’re a woman and his natural ability that doesn’t require any power is one of seduction. We all have our own natural abilities and please don’t hold it against him if he tries anything. He seems to be under the impression, or at least he was when we first left, that if he gives pleasure to earth women he’ll return to the heavens. Though he hasn’t brought that up again so I’m guessing something’s changed his mind about that path, maybe it’s because no one knows what happens if a god and a human have sex; be interesting for his first time I guess. But a firm no tends to get the point across with Leon unless it’s something he’s 100% set on, which, to be honest, I have yet to see that. However he’s incredibly smart despite his jerk demeanor. Just… just bear with him Jo. He’s more set on getting back to the heavens then any of us because the whole department and all two thousand gods in it depend on him. Plus until yesterday he was sure he’d have to leave Isabelle behind and he couldn’t bare that.”

“I think as long as we can focus on getting rid of our sins everything will go smoothly from there. Apparently you have all the answers even though you don’t know it. But we can work on that in time.” He said waving his hand. “I’m in no rush and I know Axel isn’t. Since work can be done down here Leon and Alexander will be okay and I really don’t think Hue cares all too much. The only one who might be pushy about is Scorpio but I can’t blame her with her hatred of Earth. But as long as you stay in the mansion with her then she should be fine.”

He gestured in another direction and the two spent the rest of the evening together granting wishes for the humans in town.

[unfallenangel]

Nodding slowly she let her head fall back against the headrest of the Jeep. Woah. Too much information. His power is seduction! she thought angrily. That in itself made her blood boil. He would be making her feel like this without even knowing it. She bit the inside of her lip to keep from frowning. Better to just focus on the chores ahead. Well, Curt's chores. She was just along for the ride.

As he granted wish after wish Jo couldn't help but wonder what kind of goddess she ha been, and why she was reborn a human. Curt chatted on about different things about each god that Jo would be helping.

She told him about her life and what she did for a living. She liked just talking to Curt. At the end of their run Jo decided she would not let her feeling get in the way. She would help them and send them back. No more dreams of the golden lion. "Whose next on my list?" She asked as she parked outside the mansion.

[EasilyAmused]

Curt climbed out of the jeep and shut the door. “Tonight will just be one member of the Department of Punishments. Leon thought it would be easier on you if you just dealt with two people a day. You should be with…”

“Miss Jo.” Alexander stood in the doorway of the mansion. His appearance as clean cut as ever in his sharp black suit with this silver band around his biceps. He walked out to the two as Curt gave him a pat on the shoulder and bid his fair-well and expressed his gratefulness for her help. Alexander turned his attention from Curt to Jo and gestured for her to follow him. “I would like to do my proceedings within the mansion. We will head downstairs into the basement.”

As they entered the mansion and proceeded down the stairs he took the time to explain. “We use the reflecting pools to do our work from the mansion. We have these in the heavens as well. Directors such as me and Leon each have one in our rooms, both here on earth and in the heavens. Because of our workloads this is beneficial for us. However to insure your comfort I felt like the reflecting pool down here would be the best option.” With that he opened the first door on the right and gestured for her to enter.

Inside was a peaceful feeling room with a raised large circular pool full of water. The water was a shimmering purple and Alexander left the door open behind them so in the windowless room she wouldn’t feel trapped. He moved with a graceful swiftness to the edge of the pool where a stack of papers sat. “Now.” He said taking a seat on the edge of the reflecting pool. “I think the easiest mode of which this can be do is for you to just put your hand on my shoulder while I work. Do you have any questions before I begin?”