“Welcome, Your Excellency to the Mortal Realm,” two voices said as I appear inside a fully furnished living room. These must be the two Lilith was talking about, I thought, as I really looked at the two who were to be my guide in this changed world.
The male had a shock of brown hair that framed a handsome face. He wasn’t any different than most males I had seen during my last visit. Maybe a bit bulkier than the average back then, but that’s to be expected with easy access to food. It was the female that surprised more than the man, for instead of wearing a dress like most females had worn during my previous visit, she had on what the mortals call a printed t-shirt that was clearly a size too big and jeans. The traditionally male attire, however, didn’t take away from her feminine appearance; if anything, it enhanced it, raven black hair, falling like a waterfall to the small of her back, framed a heart-shaped face.
Lilith wasn’t lying, things defiantly have changed, even if it’s just how the females of this era dress, that thought pass through my mind as I took one last look. “Alexander,” I said motioning for the male to rise, “Mitzi,” I mentioned for the female to rise as well, “Lilith has guaranteed me that you are the best to guide me thought my stay here in the Mortal Realm. I will expect you to live up to Mine and your Mother’s expectations.”
“Yes, Your Excellency,” Alexander said for both him and Mitzi. “if it pleases Your Excellency to follow me, I will show you to your room while Mitzi prepares refreshments.”
“Thank you, Alexander, I would like the chance to freshen up before we get down to work. Also, while we are in the Mortal Realm, please call me Lucy.”
“As you wish, Your Excellency,” they both said with a bow, and I just sighed. I should have realized it wasn’t going to be that easy, all the denizens of my realm were engrained from birth to instinctively show me respect.
A few hours later, I descend the staircase to the kitchen where Alexander and Mitzi are preparing dinner. Music is flowing from a small cylindrical device with the word “Amazon” at its base, it wasn’t anything like the music I had heard on my last trip. Mitzi was the first to see me, and she nudged Alexander, who looked in my direction before saying, “Alexa, pause music.”
“Sorry, Your Excellency,” Alexander said with a small bow in apology, “it’s a habit for my sister and me to have music playing while we’re doing anything around the house. If it would please, Your Excellency, we will refrain from doing so for your visit.”
“There is no need to apologize, Alexander, I am not here to impose on you, and for the most part, I would like you both to treat me as if I was your teenage niece and please call me Lucy. However, I do have one question: what was that music that was playing I have never head it’s like.”
“Rock n’ Roll, Your Excellency, it is a relatively new form of music that has gotten quite a following in recent years. If it does not please you, we could always put on something more to your taste, Your Excellency.”
“No, I quite liked this Rock n’ Roll, it had an enjoyable beat, nothing like the instrumental music that was popular during my last visit. If you and your sister prefer this music playing, who am I to stop, you. As I said, I do not wish to impose on either of you more than necessary, and as your mother most likely told the two of you, this is as much of an educational trip as it is a vacation for me.”
“thank you, Your Excellency,” Alexander said before saying, “Alexa, play music.”
“who is this Alexa you keep talking to?” I ask as the music resumed.
“Oh, Alexa is just the trigger word for the smart speaker to recognize a voice command, Your Excellency.”
“Smart speaker, voice command?” I ask confusion evident in my voice.
“I see there is much we will need to go over, Your Excellency, but with school starting in a few weeks that doesn't give my sister and me all that much time to go over the many changes Earth has undergone over the centuries, especially in the last decade or so.”
“School, why would that affect how long you have to bring me up to speed on modern times. The only thing I can think of that would put a time limit on my trip would be the Summit but even if that were so, I would still have a year.”
“you are planning to pass yourself as a teenager, are you not, Your Excellency?” Alexander asked more to confirm what Lilith had told them than anything else.
“Well, yes,” I answer not sure how the two were connected, “that’s the best way to observe the future Shifter Queen.”
“Under United States law, all minors under the age of eighteen must attend an educational facility from the age of five to the age of eighteen. If that was not the case, there is also the fact that the future Shifter Queen will be attending school as well. you will be able to see her in a neutral environment where multiple races mingle for the common pursuit of knowledge.”
“Your serious,” incredulity tinting my tone as I looked between Alexander and Mitzi.
“Yes, Your Excellency,” Alexander answered, “but even though we are short on time, I think it would be for the best for you to spend tomorrow getting yourself acquainted with the town. The day after we can start your education in what it means to live as a teenager in the twenty-first century.”
###
I slowly open my eye, and for a split second, I forgot where I was, instead of the familiar, polished abyssal stone of my bedroom in the Infernal Palace there was an unfamiliar drab wooden ceiling. Getting out of the comfortable, by mortal standards, bed and walking over to the wardrobe, I selected a soft magenta shirt and a pair of dark pants made of some type of coarse material and some underwear. Finishing getting ready I head down the stairs, at the bottom I hear the unmistakable noise of pots and pans coming from the kitchen
“Where’s your brother,” I ask Mitzi slipping onto one of the stools that lined the island.
“Good morning, Your Excellency,” Mitzi replied respectfully not turning away from the stove where she’s preparing breakfast. At least that something, I sigh mentally, it really will take time for these two to get use to calling me by my name. “Alexander has already gone on ahead to get everything ready so you can start school with the rest of the students. Since you wish to observer the future Shifter Queen, Alex will be registering you as a senior at the local High school. I must warn Your Excellency, you may not get all the same class as Amber; however, with the small school population that should not present a problem.”
The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
“I see,” I remarked as Mitzi deposits a plate filled with eggs and bacon before me, “I still don’t understand why I have to go to this school thing. It’s not like I’d learn anything meaningful anyway; after all, from what you and the rest of Lilith’s children have reported, most of the world believes in a bastardized version of history at best and at worst a complete fabrication. I mean all the major religions are just a variation on the same theme: My brother, the one and only all-powerful God, created the universe and everyone should worship the ground he walks on. I mean what am I, chopped liver?”
“Well, if we look at the current monothetic religion, Your Excellency would be the devil figure in most of them,” Mitzi replied diplomatically.
“That’s better. How?” I retort, “not to mention most of them have Lucifer playing that particular role, while him rebelling against my brother is true to an extent, however, that my brother banished him to hell to rule over as punishment isn’t. My brother just didn’t want to deal with the bastard, which meant that my dearest brother, without consulting me by the way drop, the bastard in my lap to deal with, and I’m eternally thankful for that.” The sarcasm that laced the last part was so thick that you could cut it with a knife.
“Be that as it may,” Mitzi responded carefully noticing the mood I had gotten myself into, “and while Your Excellency is correct, there is no reason academically for you to attend school; however there is a social component to modern school which is more important to your current visit. Not only will you be able to observe the future Shifter Queen and her closest friends in a natural environment it will also give you a chance to observe the other races in the same environment.”
“You do have a point,” I concede, “but that still doesn’t mean that I have to like it.”
“No one likes going to high school,” Mitzi commented with a laugh. The laughter only lasted a few seconds before being replaced by a look of fear and I held back a sigh.
And we were having such a pleasant conversation, I thought with a mental sigh, I guess it’ll take time for them to get use to me. Trying to change the subject, I say, “at least that hasn’t changed since the last time I was here, and while your brother’s out what do you plan to do today?”
“I thought we could go into town where I could show you around and get you acquainted with the area,” Mitzi answered visibly relaxing, realizing that I wasn’t going to bite her head off. “we can also go shopping to fill out your wardrobe, mother picked out most of the clothes that were in your wardrobe, your excellency.”
“I thought I saw Lilith’s hand in the clothing choice: dark colors and clothes that leave very little to the imagination.” I comment, “While I don’t necessarily dislike Lilith’s style, I prefer comfort over sex appeal, so yes, shopping does sound like a good idea.”
“In that case. Your Excellency, once you’re finished with your breakfast, we can get going; most of the shops should be open,” Mitzi responded glancing at her watch.
###
“Hum, I thought it would be busier,” I comment as Mitzi, and I walk down Main Street about half an hour later.
“It’s still early,” Mitzi answers, “when we get closer to lunchtime it will get busier, mind you it’s nothing compared to the Vegas Strip, or Time Square, but with school out for the summer and it being the height of the tourist season it can get pretty hectic.” Noticing my raced eyebrow, she quickly added, “sorry your excellency I forgot how long it was since you last visited, the best comparison I can think of would be the street of Rome when something was happening at the Circus Maximus or the Colosseum.”
“Ah, I see,” I respond, “what your saying is this is the best time to shop if we want to avoid the crowds.”
“Exactly, Your Excellency,” Mitzi answered as she guided us into a small boutique where a young woman in her early twenties was behind the counter. When she saw Mitzi, a smile bloomed on her lips, and I hid my own. I see why she brought us here, I thought I’d seen that smile enough time on Lilith’s companions.
“Mitzi, how are you this morning? I’m looking forward to Friday,” the woman says confirming my suspicions. Noticing me for the first time adds, “And who is this?”
“I’m doing well, Mary, and this is my niece Lucy who will be staying with Alex and me for her senior year,” Mitzi answers smoothly.
“I didn’t know you had any siblings that lived outside of town.” Mary responded, not waiting for either of us to answer, she continues, “well no matter I hope you enjoy your time here in Blood Moon Falls. What brings the two of you to my shop this fine morning anyway?”
“Well, you see,” Mitzi said, shyness tinging her voice and I raise a mental eyebrow, “I want sure what Lucy was going to like, so I had mother pick some things out figuring that she would know what Lucy would like. You see Lucy here is closer to her grandmother then she is to her own parents. Well, you can guess how well that turned out,” Mitzi sighed with a glance at what I was wearing, while what I was wearing would be considered modest by Lilith’s usual standard it still didn’t leave anything to the imagination. The shirt was a little too tight around the chest, drawing the eye to my healthy C cups, and the pants were what I had seen described as painted on. “We were hoping you could help us with some back to school clothes.”
“Don’t worry honey I’m sure I have everything a young girl needs for her senior year. Just leave everything to me, Mitzi.”
“Thank you, Mary,” Mitzi answered, and for a split second, I could have sworn I’d seen an evil smile flash across her lips. I must have imaged it, I thought, Mitzi and her brother are scared shitless about offending me.
Three long hours, of trying on different outfits, later I concluded that what I had thought was an evil smile was just that. I will have to come up with a suitable punishment for this transgression, I mentally complained, and to make things worse I can’t even enlist Lilith, she’d just laugh her ass of and not do a damn thing. What’s up with Succubi and shopping anyway.
“Come again you two,” Mary said as Mitzi, and I left the store with an armful of bags.
“We will,” Mitzi responded, and I halfheartedly agreed, it will be a cold day in my realm the next time I step foot in that place.
“Where to now,” I ask now that we’re back on the street.
“Well, if it isn’t Lucy,” a voice said before Mitzi could answer and my face went blank as I recognized the voice. Turning to the woman who had spoken, I plaster a smile on my face, it was difficult.
“Luna, what a pleasant surprise,” I say in my best diplomatic voice, “what brings the moon goddess’s avatar to this realm.”
“A little birdy might have let it slip that you had decided to take a vacation in the Mortal Realm, and as you are in the territory of one of my most loyal followers, it is only right that I check up on you and make sure you’ve settled in.”
“I’m touched that one such as you would feel it necessary to check up on me, and from the little, I have seen of the town, everyone seems nice.”
“Well, in that case, I will be sure to pass on your compliments,” Luna said with a smirk, knowing full well that I didn’t want to be reviled to the local shifter pack.
“That won’t be necessary; I am more than capable of providing adequate praise to your loyal followers.”
“Are you sure it would be no trouble for me.”
“I am quite sure, you must be quite busy, and I am grateful that you chose to spend some of your precious time to making sure I was okay, I would hate to impose on your time any further.”
“It would be no imposition, but if you’re sure, I will take my leave first. Please do enjoy your stay in the mortal realm.”
“I’m sure, and it was lovely to see one again Luna, and please do give my best to Ra when you see your husband next.”
“I will,” Luna said, and, in the time, it takes to blink the moon goddess, and patron goddess of shifters was gone.
“Thank the levels that bitch is gone, and I think my brother’s neck needs a good ringing the next time I see him.” I say under my breath as I turn back to Mitzi, “now as I was asking before we were interrupted where to now?”
It took her a few seconds for her to regain her ability to speak, “well, it is close to noon time so I thought we could stop at a small dinner that I know to grab a bite to eat for lunch.”
“Sounds good to me,” I say as I motion for Mitzi to lead the way.