Gabriel rubbed the back of his neck nervously, “I…I’m not against it, but…I doubt they would be as open minded about your goddess as I was…or take the avatar theory seriously…” Dana opened her mouth to suggest something, but Gabriel cut her off, “I’m not also comfortable with the idea of lying to them about why you’re meeting them…”
Dana considered that, understanding from where Gabriel is coming, “Well…I do want to meet them. I remember Michael as a guy who never seemed to find his place and Maggie as the kid who was just one day away from a teen rebellion and I haven’t seen them in years…we don’t have to tell them I’m looking for the avatar, but I am here to see my old home and catch up with some people, like you.”
“So, lying?”
“More like…evasion? We just don’t explicitly tell them I’m looking for the goddesses avatar while I’m back in town. We can mention I’m part of a commune,” Dana continues when Gabriel opened his mouth, “Perhaps mention that we are looking into a possible lost goddess…myth…but mention it in a way of…archeology, where we study and discover the past?”
Gabriel considered the idea, “I’m not entirely happy with this idea, but…I can live with it.”
“Alright then, let’s go while the irons hot!”
Finishing up their coffee and treats, the two grab Dana’s stuff and proceed towards the Woods new home, chatting about what has changed since she was last in town along the way.
“By the way,” Gabriel looked at Dana as the neared the place, “How exactly are you supposed to find out who the avatar is? What would stop her from erasing your memories or knowledge of her?”
“Don’t worry about that,” Dana waved the concern away, “We have our ways, all I will say.”
Gabriel hummed at that and opened the door, finding Michael and Janice moving some furniture around, “Spring cleaning already?” He never gets bored of Michael almost leaping up from surprise.
Janice cheerily responded as she took measurements, “Actually no, we’re thinking of where to set up the cat tree for when the kittens come.”
Michael finally turned around and saw the person standing next to his brother, “Oh, hello. I’m Michael and this is Janice.”
“Gabriel filled me in,” Dana smiled politely, “I’m Dana, the Rivers kid? Me and Gabe used to spend a lot of time together…”
The lightbulb went off in Michael’s head at that, “Oh, Dana! Wow, it’s been a long time! You’re almost unrecognizable!”
“Yeah, same, you’re practically a different person too! You have this glow of joy around you!”
“Oh, well,” Michael looked a bit abashed at that, “Thanks. Would you like a drink? Coffee or…”
“We just had a coffee, so don’t worry on my behalf, please.”
“Well, at least let me get you a glass of water then.” Michael stepped into the kitchen and Janice took over as hostess.
“Dana, huh? Haven’t seen you in years.”
“If Gabriel hasn’t told me, I wouldn’t have even recognized you, Janice. It’s really been a long time.”
The little company of four settled down and started to talk, with Gabriel still wondering how exactly they were supposed to determine who, if it’s not Janice, could be an avatar of the goddess…