Chapter 11: Scene 11 – Rookie Meal

"This isn't the Incursion Point, Venus." Gaia blinked when they pulled into the parking lot of a fast food restaurant. The neon burger blinked and flashed, easy to see in the early morning light. Open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. That must be hell for the people inside, but she couldn't feel the prickling presence of Malice. Nobody had transformed from stress. "All the death and destruction is the other way? I think you're getting turned around."

"No, I'm preparing for a fight." Venus shut her motorcycle down. "It's different. There are times to rush forwards recklessly, and there are times to sit down and eat. These are one of those 'sit down and eat' times."

That felt wrong. Something about it rankled Gaia's nose. "We need to go out and save people, not sit down and eat."

"That's why you're the rookie, and I'm the veteran magical warrior." Venus shrugged. "Humans come and go. But you and I? We're special. Our safety is paramount. It could be centuries before we find another suitable Gaia."

"What about you?" Gaia resigned herself to the pit stop and held the door open for Venus. The curvy woman smiled and gave her a wink as she strode past.

"What, am I easy to replace? Extremely. We could find another Venus in a few hours, at worst. Not that I don't value my own life, but I'm not exactly a rare commodity. You, on the other hand, are special, and you need to treat yourself right."

Venus rolled her eyes. "Speaking of treating yourself, how do you feel about shakes?"

"Uncomfortable? People are dying, and we're lining up to eat ice cream." Gaia frowned. "But I prefer vanilla if I was to pick."

"Good! We'll get you vanilla. You're too thin." Venus flashed Gaia a smile, before gazing into the distance. A few more blinks, and she was back to her regular self. "Sorry, we just had a few of our drones get destroyed. I've sent a more durable variant to keep that Malice occupied."

"So we are working." Gaia sighed in relief. She could feel guilt-free about this ice cream treat. Gaia took out a notepad, noting the lesson she'd just learned; sometimes, sitting back wasn't a bad thing. Wait that seems wrong.

Looking up, she could see Venus carrying a tray laden with meals. "How?"

"I ordered ahead of time! The folks here know my name, you know. I'm a regular." Venus carried her meals to the table, setting them down and plucking out a vanilla shake from the pile. "Eat up. You'll need the strength."

"I don't think food gives 'bonus health.'" Gaia remarked, settling on a cheeseburger and some fries. A totally normal meal for a totally normal person. She can't let this 'goddess' craze get to her head, or she'll end up like, well, Venus.

"It does if you eat the right kinds. Temperance is a virtue that Divinity can exploit. Most of the Nebulossoms have it in spades." Venus shoveled a whole hash brown into her mouth, chewing it before swallowing. "I went for a Gluttony build, personally. Less health, but I can make better use of alchemy. I'm a Divinity of fertility and plants; it only makes sense to specialize."

"I think I'll survive, abstaining from your lifestyle." Gaia slowly chewed through a fry, lost in contemplation. Sometimes all of this Divinity nonsense was a bit too much.

"You're probably worried about the humans still, right?" Venus asked through a mouthful of fries, taking a moment to tap an invisible screen. "I wouldn't. They're sturdy enough; most of the population will survive."

"I'm just concerned with the organization's attitude as a whole," Gaia sighed. "We seem hands-off. Human lives are valuable, and any moment we're not fighting is a moment that more die."

"Humans? Valuable? Eh." Venus gives a 50/50 motion. "Hon, humans aren't that special. Your kind is more akin to breeding stock for Divinity, or perhaps livestock."

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"That's an awfully arrogant way to look at the world," Gaia mumbled through half a burger and furrowed her brows. "I'm not livestock."

"No, you're not. You're special." Venus beamed. "Open wide?"

"Aaa— mmph!?" Gaia absentmindedly opened her mouth and was surprised to see a hash brown shoved into it. She reached up, biting down and plucking the crispy potato from her mouth. "That's not fair. You can't do that while we're having a serious conversation!"

"Hee. Subs are so cute." Venus giggled. "I just can't agree with your opinion. I've been around long enough to see empires rise and fall. I was even around when Greece was still a thing, you know?"

"It is still a thing. It's a country in the Mediterranean Sea." Gaia rubbed her eyes. What the heck was a sub? Was Venus playing a prank on her?

"Really? Maybe I should visit. It would be nice to be worshipped again." Venus sounded shocked that Greece was still around. Was she sheltered?

"You are being worshipped. That's what the merch sales are for. See, another thing humans are good for: faith energy." Gaia pouted at the older goddess. "And we're all unique, with each life mattering."

"Yes, yes. You're very unique. Good job, human." Venus leaned over the table, her gut pressing against the side so she could deliver head pats to Gaia. "Humans aren't the only source of energy out there. Even the plants and insects can pray. In the end, humans are just another source of food."

"And breeding stock," Gaia grumbled.

"Exactly. Who's a good girl?" Venus stopped petting Gaia to scratch under her chin.

"I'm not a dog!" Gaia barked back at the older woman, her face bright red.

Venus was sent back, cackling and holding her sides. "Alright, no more teasing, I swear. You're not a dog; you're a Divine. We're special."

Gaia immersed herself in her shake. This conversation was going nowhere.

"Ah! I think we should wrap things up here. I've gathered all the data I need to." Venus stood up and emptied the food tray into her inventory. Gaia had to learn that skill. "Let's go after baby's first target, shall we?"

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Whew! Kink talk over. Let's plot for another chapter tonight, shall we?

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