Celestia POV

When it was time I went down for lunch, I saw a big feast again. I was wondering who made this when my Dad complimented Isabella and Gina's cooking. It really was amazing I had to admit that. While everyone gathered to eat I was happy I could just observe this time without feeling the center of attention. Everyone was talking over each other, immersed in their conversations. Sometimes they asked me a question or two, but the others didn't stop to listen if I would answer, which made me relax even more.

I was asked to come talk to my father after lunch. I was a little nervous, but I was still thinking about my observations of everyone I didn't get too anxious about the upcoming talk. When I walked inside my dad started talking about phones and colors, I wasn't completely focused, but I guessed I had to choose once he showed me the options. I chose pink because I love the color. I loved all colors but since I had to choose a different one I chose pink. He handed the rectangular phone in my hand and looked at me expectantly. 

Mateo also hadn't left the room after he escorted me to the office. Was I supposed to know how to use one of these? I have seen them, but I have never used one before. I would have to find a way to learn because I wasn't admitting that I couldn't do it out loud. Of course, my Dad knew what I didn't want to admit. I admitted it was my first phone and I think they didn't look as mad as they felt at that moment. As humans said, "They have a great poker face." I don't know how I knew about their feelings, but I just rolled with it. I had to inherit something from Mom, maybe it was a better intuition than their normal one. 

They also said I should see the family doctor. That I already knew from my brothers. Not long after that, there was a knock on the door. An older man came in and he looked around. They greeted each other and introduced us. "Aurora, this is Dr. Stevens. He has been our family doctor for over two decades." The man smiled warmly at me and put his bag on the table in front of us. 

"I am Jack, you don't have to call me Dr. Stevens. That's too formal. I was there when your brothers were all born and have taken care of their health ever since." Now I felt left out for some reason. I knew it was unreasonable, but I still felt that way. The check-up as they referred to it went fast and he asked me many questions. He looked frustrated when I told him this was the first time I saw a doctor. He shouldn't be because this is the first time I am down here for good, while I was in Heaven I didn't need one. 

I was confused when the doctor took samples of my skin, blood, saliva, and hair. Does he really need those? I doubt he could find any evidence of the Divine, but what if he could? It isn't guaranteed, but I would cross that bridge when I come to it. I couldn't add something more to be anxious about now. After I was asked a ton of other questions I could finally leave. He said I wasn't sick anymore. Shocker! I am so "surprised" right now. Not! 

I went to find my brothers after that. I wasn't sure which one to ask to help me learn how to use the phone. Wes had a way of making you feel better with his jokes, but Asher seemed more grounded. I needed someone like that to explain things and not make jokes that would make me feel like I was stupid. I doubt Weston will do it to hurt my feelings, but I just felt Asher was the better choice somehow. I don't know why or how, but I just knew he could teach me better and faster. I found Ash in his room. The door was wide open and he was doing something on his computer. 

"Hi." He whirled around as if he didn't hear me come up. "Sorry for scaring you." I was quick to apologize. "I was wondering... I just thought... no I felt you would be able to teach me about this..." I showed him the phone itself. It didn't look like he understood my rambling until I did that. Ah! Focus and speak clearly Celestia! "... this phone, Dad gave it to me and I would like you to teach me how to use it. If you want to and have the time?"

He smiled and stood up to invite me into the room. "Of course little sister! I would be happy to teach you. Did you have an old-school phone before or something?" I flushed "Umm... no. I never had a phone." I was quick to add "I never needed it where we lived. I could reach everyone I needed to very fast." He looked horrified for a second. "Where did you live in the woods? Phones aren't only for calling people these days you know. Come, I will show you everything you need to know, and it isn't going to be a fast lesson."

We spent almost the entire afternoon in the room. I never knew there were so many uses for a phone. I guess the correct name was a smartphone. The name was fitting. You could access the internet through this and use all the different applications for an array of purposes, like reading without a book, listening to music without an instrument or a big speaker around, and so much more. Ash said Google had all the answers. I was stunned. This engine had all the answers to everything. I didn't believe it. We will see what this Google says about angels later when I am alone. 

After some time Dad came up and knocked on the open door. "I am really sorry to interrupt this lesson, but I came to ask Aurora something." I was curious "Would you like to go out for ice cream sweetheart?" I am not sure if Uncle Gabriel ever brought this earthly desert for me to try, but I am intrigued. "Okay." Asher seemed to know more because he smiled at me and told James "Bring me back my favorite, please?" I frowned "Aren't you coming with us, Ash?" My brother shook his head and said "Nah, this is tradition sis. We all have our day trips with Dad to the ice cream shop. Welcome to the family!" He winked at me.

They were including me in the family tradition? That was good... right? In no time we went to the garage in the house and I was again curious. Why did they need so many cars? I guess there were a lot of people, but still. He took me to a black SUV, put my seatbelt on, and we left. We didn't drive as far, but the place looked small and inviting. It reminded me of that diner Mrs. Dallas took me to. They didn't have waiters, but there were booths and tables you could sit at. It was a typical food court shop but for ice cream. They had so many flavors to choose from and they somehow smelled so good.

There wasn't much of a line, so when it was our turn to order I didn't know what I wanted. "Welcome to King's Flavors! What can I get you guys?" Dad was quick to order for himself, but he noticed I looked lost. "Sweetheart, do you want to get a couple to see which one you like most? I myself am a chocolate chip kind of guy. Isabella loves vanilla ice cream, while your brothers all have their favorite flavors." I wanted to try all of them, but at the same time, it felt wasteful.

James crouched down to my level, he was very tall. "Why don't we get one scoop of each flavor they have, and whatever we don't eat, we can bring home." I thought about it. Won't it melt by the time we got home? I don't see how we can keep it cool enough so that the ice cream doesn't melt when it is hot outside and in the car. Again I felt like an open book to my Dad when he said "We can also start with one flavor, and we can come here each week and try a scoop of a new one. Do you like this plan better?" I looked up at him and nodded. 

"Okay, we will start with strawberry, how about that?" I smiled and nodded to him. I looked behind us while the boy behind the counter was getting our order. There was a line already. I shouldn't have been so indecisive. Now, people are waiting for us. We got to our seats and I tried strawberry ice cream. Without really thinking before speaking I blurted out "Do you come here because the name of the shop is like yours?"

Dad just laughed and shook his head. "First of all, it's not just mine, it's yours too. You are my daughter, so your name is King too. And second, this shop is one of the businesses in the family. We own it, but we've given over the management to the very capable family that used to own it before." I asked, "Why don't they own it anymore?"

"We have been coming to this place for two decades and some change. A few years back, the family, who owned it went bankrupt because they took out loans they couldn't return, so the bank put it on auction. When we found out the place was going to shut down and someone was going to buy the property on an auction, Isabella jumped at the chance and we got it. The boys loved this place so much, their mother couldn't have it close down. We talked to the family and decided to buy not only the property but the business, too. We left them in charge, but we are covering all the operational costs, and they have shares of the business, too."

"You helped them keep their business and protected the place filled with your family memories. That's a noble cause." He was silent for a moment and then quietly said "Maybe we can make our own memories here. I would love to know more about you Aurora. I will tell you everything you want to know, too. I just hope we can get to know each other better. I find I am really angry that I already missed so much. I should have been there when you said your first word, or you took your first steps..." He didn't continue. I didn't really know what to tell him. I don't remember my first words or my first steps.

I decided to change the subject and asked "How did you find this place? Did you stumble upon it by accident?" He looked up and shook his head. My Dad explained how they found this place by accident while they were still in college. He told me how he met Isabella and why he fell in love with her. The story sounds beautiful. It's more like a fairytale. When I pointed that out, he said that it was far from it. They both made mistakes, but in the end, they still chose to fight for their love instead of giving up.

We spent hours here and most of the time Dad was the one who talked. I think he was sad I didn't share anything with him. It made me feel bad because he told me so much and I didn't return the favor. In the car ride back to the house I decided to share something small. Something normal. "Ever since I could remember, one of my uncles always went on trips for some time. He traveled most from all of my family. He always said that he preferred to be on the move and explore. When he came back he usually brought me sweets or other snacks that were popular. I have had chocolate and sweets from a lot of places in the world. My favorite dessert is strawberry lava cake because Uncle Gabriel brought me some when I was little. It was the best thing I ever tasted."

I thought to myself, it was also the first thing I ever tasted. I didn't need food in Heaven, but he wanted me to taste some of the wonderful things the humans created. Before coming down here, I had only had snacks and sweets. I continued "Fruit-flavored gummy bears are my second favorite." He asked, "How did he travel, did you guys have a family car?" Think, think, think fast! "Umm, we didn't have a car. I... don't... I don't think I remember how... Uncle Gabriel... got there?" He didn't ask me anything more. Was I convincing? Oh my Lord, I just attempted to lie. I wasn't even here that long and I already sinned. I deflated after that and didn't say anything. 

When we got home I ran up to my room and quickly got under the shower. I felt instantly refreshed. I couldn't believe I committed a sin. Or tried to, it didn't really sound very confident even to my own ears, but still... I went to bed early and skipped dinner. I quickly fell asleep under the soft covers. It felt like I was lying on the most comfortable cloud. It even smelled like the ocean. My dreams took a different direction that night.

I was in an empty street. There was no one there. I started walking down the road and suddenly the sky turned dark, but there was no rain. I heard whispers all around me, but I couldn't make out what was being said. The man from yesterday suddenly appeared further from me on the road. He started walking toward me slowly, but purposefully. I stopped in my tracks. He just stared at me and smiled sinisterly. The closer he got the more he started to laugh. It wasn't a normal laugh either... it was maniacal. I started to run in the other direction, but no matter how long or fast I ran, he was still slowly approaching. 

I gave it my everything and didn't look back, but after a while, I decided to see how much of an advantage I gained. He was right behind me, which scared me and caused me to fall flat on my face. I quickly turned around, so that I was facing him. He took me by the arms and pulled me up. His eyes were pure black no signs of color. His face was deformed and moving unnaturally with smoke coming out of his mouth, nose, and ears. "How did it feel to lie? How do you feel knowing it will just spread like wildfire? You sowed the seeds of your own corruption. Not long now and you will be just like any of us." His evil laughter echoed around me and my tears fell on my face one after the other. "Don't worry little angel, we will delight in corrupting every inch of your pure soul. By the time we are done, you will be our greatest weapon!" 

The man continued laughing wickedly and no matter how much I tried, I couldn't get away. Suddenly lightning bolts struck the ground around us. I managed to get out of his grip and as I was about to fall on my face again, I opened my eyes. I was breathing hard and was sweating like never before. The runes on my body felt like they were radiating heat. I looked at my wrists and my skin around the tattoos was redder than before. I needed air, so I jumped out of bed and opened the window. Cold wind blew in my face, but it still wasn't enough. What was happening?

I went to the bathroom and turned on the shower. I only used cold water. As the liquid touched my skin it sizzled and light steam started to fill the room. I hope no one comes here now because I definitely couldn't explain this. I cried until my temperature was back to normal. I got out and didn't bother to put anything on besides my dress. That felt so real... I didn't want to risk sleeping again after that experience. The clock on my new phone showed it was just after midnight. I decided to use the all-knowing Google and find more information on angels and demons. Apparently, I still had a lot to learn.

What will Google reveal to our Nephilim?

Was that just a dream or something real?

Question of the day: What did you dream about last?