𝒾 𝓌𝒶𝓈 𝒽𝑒𝓇𝑒

It was true, encouragement was always a benefit. Like Devon said, anything could technically be done alone. But hell, it wasn’t always that enjoyable that way. She followed behind the other, studying the different skates to try and find her size. “That’s very true,” she agreed, smiling at the woman’s excitement about the new venture. “Oh, it was many years ago,” Devon then explained, being casual despite the vagueness of her answer. Since, in truth, it was many decades ago, but the other didn’t need to know that. “I think some of my siblings and I learned together.”

“Just when we thought there couldn’t be more madness in the world,” Devon sighed. The supernatural had always been crazy to begin with, even just with its existence in general. “No, far from natural,” she agreed. “That’s just it. I’m not so sure we can prepare them. Or there may only be so much we can do,” she explained, thinking out loud. “Because though there can be pros to alerting them, the panic that will arise may end up being another issue.” If it came down to it, then yes, they did deserve to know if it regarded life or death, especially if for a huge mass of people. But things would get worse before they got better.

“No... but now that you mention it, I think a family secret santa could be fun,” Devon pointed out. “We’ve done it before. Maybe we can take a vote, majority wins.” Of course, she knew that those secret santa games usually ended with them giving each other dumb gifts that none of them could really ever use. But it was mostly for laughs. “Don’t worry, you know me. I make an effort to keep the receipts in case anyone isn’t fond of a gift. I won’t be offended, cross my heart,” she laughed before nodding at his offer. “That would be lovely, lead the way.”

“It’s quite alright, I promise. Absentmindedness can happen for anyone,” Devon reassured her, giving her another smile that she hoped soothed the other’s uncertainty. Heck, the blonde had definitely been zoned out every now and then. It was fine; it happened. She glanced over her own shoulder back to the jewelry she had been eyeing. “Frankly, I feel like I’ve been standing here for far too long,” she admitted. “Back and forth debating whether to buy something.”

Plenty of sights to see, including vendors with various handmade pieces of just about anything. There was something for everyone at that market, sometimes one just had to keep searching. Devon had been looking down at one of the tables, admiring the jewelry before continuing on her way. She turned, but ended up bumping into someone else who had been in close proximity. “Oh, my apologies, sweetheart,” Devon told the stranger. “Are you alright, love?”

“Oh, well in that case, I’ll never apologize to you for anything ever again,” Devon quipped casually, giving him an amused smile before shaking her head, just joking around. His question made her roll her eyes. “Just what are you implying this time, Enzo?” She retorted before studying the various vendors, as well as the stores lining the streets too. “Well, my shopping has been for family and friends. They’re technically considered special.”

“I think it’s possible,” Devon thought out loud, pursing her lips together in contemplation as she looked around. “I know. My apologies. I’ve just been more alert than usual due to all of this, I guess,” she explained with a sigh. But the blonde smiled and took Enzo’s arm, continuing to walk with him. “And I want you to know that I’ll definitely be dragging you along to shop.” Devon would hear no ifs, ands, or buts about it. She had already been shopping with one brother so might as well do it with both.

“I’ve started, yes. But honestly, normally I’m finished by this time,” she admitted due to it being a crazy time, but shook her head at Cas’s confession. “That’s nothing to be overly concerned about, love. It’s been a busy last few months, and that’s not even just with work.” But also with the whole crow incident, and the great unknown they found themselves in. “Absolutely,” Devon declared, already taking his arm in preparation. “We’re already out and about, loads of stores around us. It’s a perfect time for shopping.”

“Oh?” Devon chirped in interest, looking over at the other woman. She smiled at the other’s adamant dedication in taking on a new little resolution for herself. “It’s definitely nice having someone else there to assist. It’s possible to do anything alone, of course, though company is always an added benefit too,” the vampire declared, laughing softly before nodding in agreement. “I’d be more than willing to help, love. And I swear to do my best not to let you fall on that ice.”

Bright lights and the big city. New York City was always a nice backdrop for occasions like this, especially with the stars above and the skyscrapers looking down upon the people who were like ants from the top of the spires. “Another city event,” Devon commented with a hum of thought as she walked alongside her brother, studying the excited people around them. “It’s lovely, of course, as they all are,” she pointed out, but tilted an eyebrow as she looked back at Enzo. “Though let’s just hope this one goes better than the last.”

Devon held the cup of coffee she had gotten from one of the food and drink booths, being casual as she sipped at it, pretending like it wasn’t something that was normally bland to them. “You know,” she began speaking again to her sister, glancing upward when she spotted the light show projection happening, since it was now the top of the next hour. “I can appreciate that they change the light show up on the building each time. The repetitiveness can get a little boring at times.” 

“That or a Pegasus,” Devon added on with an amused smile. “Well, it’s clear that it has to be magic, correct? I suppose we’ve at least decided on that.” If not anything else. Devon didn’t know of anything else it could be. “A grudge against the council?” she offered. “That seems plausible, though we’re still back at square one with ideas still being on a broad scale. I do agree with that it’s possibly a warning, or omen, whatever we want to call it.” Devon paused and then sighed. “But that leads to at least one conclusion, which is that this isn’t over and whoever is doing this may be planning something much worse. More dangerous.”

Maybe they were right, though. The whole co-existing debacle and how Devon’s instinctual irritation may be making everything worse, especially since others could notice it. Like Enzo. However, that still didn’t mean they were going to become friends. “You’re right, I am old as shit. Meaning I’ve had countless conversations with countless people, some conversations being more interesting than others,” Devon stated, giving her a small smile before beginning to walk away. “And I’ve lost interest in this one. Good day, Calliope.”

“There was definitely a time when we all had less going on,” Devon agreed. It seemed like in the last century, they had all definitely been doing more in terms of work and the like, thus making them a tad bit more busy. Not that they regretted it, for they chose the life of blending in. “I’m sure we can work around her schedule. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a weekend affair either,” she said with a shrug but smiled. “Sure, we can give the reins over to you. Also, remember when we used to put on classical music and dance with each other in the living room? I vote for that to return too.”

“Foxtrot? Yes, I suppose so,” Devon commented in thought, smiling as the memories from a century ago came around too. “That, and perhaps jazz. You know he loves the 20s.” She took a seat near Hera to try on the ones she had plucked from the shelf, huffing softly at the next remark. “You make a fair point, I retract my statement. It was more like hail. Except, well, spelled h-e-l-l,” Devon joked. “I know, Cassius said the same thing. Basically all of us wish to do something, but we feel like we’re at a standstill. We don’t really have the authority.”