"Hello Dev! I'm back."

Looking up from where he stood, Dev saw the kid he met yesterday approaching the door with a skip. The youngster was waiving frantically at him.

He had only met Az last night but there was an air to the kid that made him feel like he had known Az for a long time. Unlike the mortals he often greeted coming in to Sanctuary, the child wasn't intimated by his size or cool demeanor. Az has greeted him like he was an old friend when Nick brought the kid in the other night.

"Hey kiddo." He greeted back as the kid stopped in front of him.

"Are you guys open yet?"

Dev shook his head. "I'm afraid not." At his reply, the kid's shoulder's slumped.

"I was afraid of that. Well… I guess I'll go find snacks somewhere else." Az turned to leave. "I'll see you later then."

At the sight of her leaving, Dev called her back. "You're in luck, we'll be open in a few minutes, you can come in if you like." It was a lie, they won't be open until the next few hours but seeing the kid disappointed tugged at him and he didn't know why.

Hearing that, Azail perked up. "Really? That'd be awesome! Thanks Dev!"

"Anytime kiddo."

The two high fived and Dev opened the door for Az.

"I'm sorry we're not open yet." Aimee said immediately as she heard the door open. She was wiping the counter and didn't see who was coming in.

"It's okay, Aim. It's just Az." Dev said from the door.

"Hi Aimee!" Az greeted as she walked to the counter.

"Hey kiddo. You came back." Aimee greeted back.

"Yeah." Az replied surveying the bar.

There weren't many people inside except for a few waiters cleaning the tables and a guy behind the counter with Aimee. He was wearing an apron and was wiping glasses. A girl who looked like a dressed up doll was seated on the barstool eating ice cream.

"The Simi wants another, Aimee-akra. This is good eats."

"Sure Simi, I'll get you another serving." Aimee then turned to her. "Take a seat sweetie. What can I get you?"

Az took a seat beside the girl Aimee called Simi. "I'd like what she's having." Az replied pointing a thumb at the girl.

Simi turned to her. "You likes ice cream too?"

Az nodded. "Yes, very much."

Simi squinted her eyes at her. "What about BBQ?"

"Sure."

Simi nodded. "You likes what the Simi likes. You seems to be quality people. Only quality people likes things the Simi likes." Then she smiled. "You gots a name? Oh pooh, of course you gots a name. Every quality people has one. Silly Simi."

Az giggled. The girl was a little weird and spoke in a sing songy manner but it was endearing and she was very pretty.

"My name is Azail. I'm new here. I just moved from New York." She introduced offering her hand.

Simi looked her hand. With a puzzled expression she took it. "What's the Simi gots to do with your hand?"

Az shrugged. "You shake it? People do when they meet each other."

Simi giggled. "You silly. Simi not people." She was laughing at her but she shook it anyway.

Azail thought it was a strange remark and she was about to ask Simi what she meant but Aimee came back with their ice cream.

"Here's your order." Aimee smiled, putting the sundae in front of her.

"Thanks Aimee." Az beamed in reply, attacking her ice cream almost immediately.

"I'm glad you came back kiddo."

"Me too." Az replied between spoonfuls. "I like this place. It reminds me of home, which is strange though."

"Strange how?"

"Like somehow, I belong here."

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

"I hope it's not gonna rain." Athry pouted as she heard their model grumble beside her.

They were out on Jackson Square to shoot for a commercial. The weather was pleasant enough with rain clouds occasionally hiding the sun.

"Don't worry it won't." Athry smiled knowingly.

"I do hope so. I don't like rain." The model replied, walking away.

The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

Athry glared at him. She wondered why it seems everybody hates the rain so much. Did they not know it what makes life, water from the heavens. It's a blessing.

She was so engrossed in her thoughts that she was not aware she was walking towards the square and bumped into a couple with their bouncing babies. She almost toppled over.

"I'm so sorry." She said, looking up. Her face froze as she recognized the husband.

"Apostolos?!"

"Fancy meeting you here, Anitun-tabu. I'm called Ash now." Ash grinned.

It has been ages since he had seen the Lemurian, millenniums even. She was one of the oldest beings he knew.

Athry regained from her shock. Arms akimbo, she smiled. "It's Athry now, Anitun-tabu is such an odd name."

Ash chuckled.

"Let me introduce you to my wife." Ash wrapped a protective arm around Soteria's shoulder. "This is my wife, Dr. Soteria Parthenopaeus and my sons, Theron and Sebastos. Tory, this is Anitun-tabu or Athry now as she prefers to called."

"Hi, nice to meet you." Tory extended a hand. "I'm sorry I've got to ask you this, bust since you know my husband's name, I couldn't help but wonder. Human, deity, demon, mineral?"

Athry laughed. "Same here. None of the above." She accepted the hand and shook it firmly." Doctor as in medicine?" She quickly added, avoiding Tory's question.

"No, actually I'm an archaeologist. I teach at the university."

"Nice."

"Your sons are adorable." Athry commented, cooing at the babies. She remembered the times when Az was that small and she could just carry her around wherever she went. It was most convenient.

"Thank you." Tory replied. "Anyway, we were heading out for lunch. Would you like to join us?"

"I'd love to but I still have work to do." She said raising her camera bag that was slung by her waist. "Some other time maybe."

"Alright. Some other time then." Tory said wistfully.

Rummaging from her bag, Athry took her business card and handed it Soteria. "Why don't you give me a call. I just actually moved here in New Orleans. If you have time, you guys can show me around."

Tory gladly accepted the card. "That would be great, right sweetie?" She said, nudging Ash.

"It would." Acheron agreed.

"See you then." Athry smiled at the couple.

"I'll give you a call." Tory waved as they walked away.

Athry stared at their backs and wondered if moving to New Orleans was a bad idea after all.

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

Azail was exhausted. She had a lot of fun though but it does not change the fact that she was tired. All day she was out touring the city with Simi, the girl she met earlier at Sanctuary. It was surprising that they hit off since she had never had any girl friends before.

Not that she was not surrounded by girls. She was actually surrounded by females her whole life. Not that you could consider your sister's friends as yours. They were more like older sisters and doting aunts to her rather than really friends. Her whole family consisted mainly of females. Other that her Uncle Bunny that is.

Everyone has always been over protective of her. She couldn't go out without a chaperon. She had been home schooled and she wasn't allowed to go out when she was at the University, thus she didn't have any friends.

But after graduating from college, Athry seemed to give her some freedom. She was glad to have it too. At least she didn't have to study all the time.

It had been a fun day with Simi. After knowing that she was a newcomer, Simi insisted on taking her to a tour. They went to stores and gift shops. And boy, Simi sure did know how to shop. Simi also took her to restaurants and told her where she could have the best barbeque.

She was heading home after the busy day with Simi. She'd already called Athry to let her know.

"I'm glad we moved here." She muttered to herself as she skipped on the sidewalk to their condo.