by Aidan Wayne
She wasn’t doing a very good job so far. Maybe she just needed to learn more.
“I have an idea,” Carla said. “I think . . . I think the reason none of my matches have taken is because I only skimmed your surface in the first interview. Now that you and I both know a little bit more about how things are going, we should talk more about what does and doesn’t work for you. Then I can get even better at choosing matches!”
“That sounds fine,” Leeta said. “Would you like to start now?”
“If you really are free, might as well!”
“I had freed my afternoon for Holly,” Leeta said. Carla tried not to wince at the reminder. “I have plenty of time.”
“W-well, all right, then! Would you, would you like to go for another walk?”
“I would like that. Slowly, please.”
“Of course!”
Carla landed, and the two set off at a sedate pace, Leeta allowing for silence while Carla gathered her thoughts.
After a few minutes, Carla asked the thing that had been bothering her the most. The thing she hadn’t noticed. “How did you know?”
“Know what?”
“That Holly probably wasn’t right for you after the first date. You said you went on the second date with her because you ‘wanted to be sure’ but . . . how did you know?”
Leeta shrugged, an elegant lift of one shoulder. “One of the things we had in common was that we both liked to travel,” she said. “However, she is the type to throw herself into activities and go away for a week or more. I prefer relaxing weekends and coming home to my own space. I enjoy it here and plan to stay, and her dream is to travel the world. Like I said before, we set our lives at different paces. Which is fine for friendship, but not for more, for me.”
“Oh,” Carla said, abashed. She’d seen the travel match in both of their profiles and hadn’t dug deeper to see what kind they really liked. Maybe . . . maybe Angel really had something in saying that Carla wasn’t the matchmaking type.
“Now what is that expression for?” Leeta asked, tilting up Carla’s chin. Her fingertips were pleasantly cool. “As I said, I will be getting a friend out of this, so it isn’t all bad. More than what some of the other matches have come to.”
“That’s just it,” Carla said, wings fluttering anxiously. “I’ve been at this for over a month. And still the best you get is a friend. I just . . . I’m not doing a very good job.”
“I appreciate that you are trying,” Leeta said. “Does that not count?”
“I— Trying counts but still. It’s been a month. And this was your first second date.”
“A month is not a very long time. As I remember, people often wait years and years. I had prepared to wait that long. I had prepared not to be matched with anyone at all. That you are trying, that you continue to try, matters to me. It is more than I expected.”
Carla could feel her tears welling up, and gave in to her overwhelming urge to hug Leeta. “I’ll do my best!” she said adamantly. “I’ll keep trying! I’ll find you your True Love, just you wait and see!”
Leeta rested a careful hand on Carla’s back. “I have no doubt. Now, don’t cry?”
“They’re—they’re determined tears.” Carla sniffed, pulling out a handkerchief and wiping at her eyes. “I promise. I just want to make this work for you. I really, really do!”
“So do I,” Leeta said with a small smile.
“Okay!” Carla tried to get her pep back, stepping away from Leeta. The succubus dropped her arm and let Carla go. “Let’s talk business, then. I have details of you, but I think I need more details of those details. I may have rushed into trying to make a match. What we need is to go over what you really want. Nothing superficial.” That would help up the chemistry!
Leeta inclined her head. “Of course. Ask whatever you’d like.”
Carla thought about it. “You said you wanted someone to talk to. But you could talk to Holly. Enough that you want to keep being friends. So . . . I guess I want to know more about what you want. For a romantic match.”
Leeta thought about it, lips pursing. She was silent so long that Carla started to worry. Eventually she said, “It’s like those movies you enjoy.”
“The romantic comedies?”
Leeta nodded. “There are many moments where the two characters spend time together, talking about their days, or their dreams, or nothing in particular. And then there are moments, quiet ones, where the two characters will just be around each other and not have to say anything at all.” She was talking slowly, as if picking her words very carefully. “I would . . . like a partner I would be able to do both with. But still communicate with about important things. Someone who asks how I am feeling, but is also willing to leave me alone if I desire that.” She glanced at Carla. “I’m sorry, I don’t know if that made much sense. I’m still . . . new to this. I don’t know if I can put it into words.”
“No, no!” Carla said, shaking her head, eyes shiny with tears. “That was beautiful! I know exactly what you mean. That’s what I want too, one day. Someone to really share my life with. In the loud moments and in the quiet ones. And to know that they’ll care about you even if you do get angry, or upset, or sad. Especially when you do. I—I mean, I know I like the stories where it’s always a happily ever after, but you have to be realistic in cupid-ing. Sometimes a match won’t be long-term because the people can’t communicate past the idea of being in love.”
“I see,” Leeta said.
They walked in silence for a little while longer.
“But!” Carla burst out, so suddenly that Leeta jumped. “Sorry, sorry, I just wanted to say. That you’re not like that. So your real match won’t be like that either. You’ll definitely end up in long-term. Most people do, when they know so clearly what they want. It just takes a bit more time.”
Leeta nodded. “I am quite picky.”
“Th-that’s not— I didn’t mean—”
Leeta chuckled. “It’s a fact and you know it as well as I. You’re my cupid, Carla. We must be honest we each other.”
“Well,” Carla said. “Maybe . . . maybe a little picky.” Leeta’s smile grew. “But that’s good! Knowing what you want is the first step to getting it!”
“Mm.”
“Sorry I’m late!” Carla called to Tristan, rushing into the office. “Am I late? I think I might be late.”
“You’re early, and you’re fine,” Tristan said, eyes sparkling in amusement.
Carla swiftly did a check-over, smoothing her dress and patting her hair to make sure it was still in its twist buns. “I’m just excited,” she said. “I have a good feeling.” She’d retaken her Chemistry course again, and just from the work she turned in she knew that she’d done a lot better than before. Spending time with Leeta one-on-one had really helped her learn about the intricacies needed for chemistry to work with the Spark arrows. And Leeta was kind and understanding about Carla’s mistakes, so even though Carla obviously tried her absolute best, there still wasn’t any pressure.
It was the perfect way to learn, really, and Carla made a note to thank Leeta again. The succubus insisted that Carla was the one being a help, not the other way around, but, well, grades didn’t lie.
Tristan smiled at her, obviously glad to see that Carla had gotten her pep back. He was a real sweetie.
Except when it came to the topic of Carla’s little project. She really wished, not for the first time, that he and Leeta hadn’t gotten off on the wrong foot, both of their defenses up. Otherwise they might’ve actually gotten along.
Oh well. Maybe once Leeta was matched, Carla could re-introduce them. Or no, maybe not, because she got the feeling Leeta would be smug about Tristan being wrong, and Tristan wouldn’t like that, and—
“Whoa, Carla, where did you go?” Tristan asked with a laugh. “Already thinking about the aftermath?”
“I’m not,” Carla said, a bit surprised. Usually she was tangled up in knots when it came to another review or m
eeting. But her head was so full of Leeta that she wasn’t worrying. It was a new feeling for her. “I was thinking about . . . something else. A chemistry lesson.” Not a lie!
Tristan nodded. “Good for you!” he said. He looked around, then whispered, “Between you and me, it looks like you’ve really improved on your Chemistry scores.” Because of course, Tristan sorted all of Angel’s paperwork. “I think it’ll be good news today!”
“I hope so!” Carla enthused. But really, even if Angel decided against a Sweetheart promotion again, Carla didn’t think she would be too upset. Not with her own project brewing.
And wasn’t that an interesting thought? She’d never before prioritized another goal over becoming a Sweetheart.
Tristan’s phone buzzed. “Angel’s ready for you,” he said a moment later, giving her a last grin. “Go on!”
Carla smiled back and went inside to greet Angel.
“Good to see you, Carla,” Angel said as Carla took a seat. “And with so much good news! I was very happy to see your latest scores in Chemistry, and that draft you submitted on the thought needed behind the current point-and-shoot system. It was a very interesting perspective.”
Carla blushed with pleasure. “Thank you.”
“On that note,” Angel said, fingers steepled, “I actually have a proposition for you.”
Carla stilled, barely breathing. Was this it? Was this her long-awaited moment? Was she going to be promoted?
“I want to give you some time off.”
What? “What?” Carla blinked. “I-I’m sorry, Angel, I—”
Angel smiled gently and held up a hand. “This isn’t a punishment, Carla. Rather the opposite. You’ve improved wonderfully these last few weeks. At an incredibly fast rate, compared to your old pace. So something new has happened, and it’s clearly working.”
Angel met Carla’s eyes, and Carla had a sudden cold suspicion that the cupid knew much more than what was being said.
“Taking this improvement into account, I want you to take some time off the agency’s work and really focus on whatever . . . project has brought about this newfound inspiration.” Angel knew. Had to know. “I think, ultimately, what you learn from it might really benefit you, and thus our agency as a whole. You are, after all, our best shooter. I’d love to see your progress once you got chemistry down. And you seem to be on that path right now. I’d rather remove the other distractions. What do you think?”
Carla didn’t know what to say. On the one hand, while Angel had expressly said this wasn’t a punishment, wasn’t probation, she was still being removed from active duty for a while. On the other hand, this could be her chance to really focus on Leeta and give the succubus the proper, full cupid-at-work attention she deserved. It was a wonderful opportunity, even if Carla wasn’t sure how it might affect her future at Aphrodite Agency. But then again, being able to put Leeta on her résumé, a love-match for a succubus—that would do wonders. Especially if it were really considered freelance. Like Angel was offering right now.
“Thank you,” Carla said. “I appreciate this opportunity. I’d be happy to take it and use this time to really better myself as a cupid.”
Angel smiled. “Wonderful. Let’s start on the necessary paperwork, shall we?”
“And you’re sure this isn’t something negative?” Leeta asked over dinner that night. Carla and Leeta had been meeting most nights when Leeta didn’t have a date or match-meet set up. To discuss their progress and plans.
“Pretty sure!” Carla said. “None of the paperwork even had scary language like ‘probationary’ or anything. It was setup so that it read like I was doing a solo study to further my worth for the company.”
“Hmm,” was all Leeta said, lips pursed as she served Carla. It was a curried rice dish that Leeta was fond of and had made several times. Carla had been wary of it at first, more used to sweet over spicy, but she was growing to really like it. And Leeta was always very good about providing Carla with a glass of milk, just in case things got too hot for her. The succubus was really thoughtful that way. Carla despaired of the silly match-potentials who hadn’t worked out yet. They didn’t know what they were missing.
Then again, it was good they didn’t. Better to not have anything at all yet, than to fix Leeta up with someone who wouldn’t truly appreciate her.
“How was the rest of your day, then?” Leeta asked.
“Oh, good! I had to tell Tristan the news of course, and then work out things with my division. I’m still one of the top shooters and some of the Matchmakers were, um, counting on me, I guess. One or two said they were disappointed that I would be taking my break now.”
Leeta smiled. “That must have been nice to hear.”
“A little,” Carla said, ducking her head. “I spend so much time feeling like I’m not doing things quite right. It’s nice to hear that other people don’t always think so. Even if I can’t work alone yet. Without a Matchmaker, I mean.”
“You’re working just fine with me.”
“Thank you! And we’re so close, I can just feel it.” Carla’s eyes sparkled. “Tell me about your day?”
Leeta nodded. “It went as well as could be expected,” she said. “We just got a new artist in, who’s been gaining in popularity.” Leeta was a curator for an art gallery. “So there’s a lot to do. However, the artist is reasonable, and we get along well, so I expect no problems with him.”
“That’s good! And . . . did anything else interesting happen today?”
Leeta nodded, lips quirking. “I’ve been meaning to add some new chairs to the gallery; eclectic, vintage looking. I met a woman named Rosa in a thrift shop I frequent for just such pieces. She’s a designer, and uses thrift shops for inspiration.” Carla grinned. Rosa had seemed like just Leeta’s type. Personable and strong; a woman who knew what she wanted out of life. That, along with a creative streak, and she seemed just up Leeta’s alley. She’d known right away to shoot them both.
“And? How did that go?”
“We exchanged numbers,” Leeta said, picking at her food. “And may make plans for lunch this weekend.”
“That’s wonderful!” Carla saw Leeta hesitate on something else. “Anything else you want to share?”
“Ah, yes. Holly contacted me again,” Leeta said. Sounding . . . bewildered. “It seems like she really did mean that she would like to remain friends. She asked if I might show her around a museum she’s been meaning to go to. Tomorrow.”
Carla beamed. “Oh Leeta, that’s so great!” She knew how hard a time Leeta had with friends as well. With how conscious she was of her powers and her defense mechanism being standoffish, Leeta was . . . lonely a lot. Even if Carla had failed so far in finding Leeta a match, just a good, true friend was a success in itself. “I hope you and Holly really continue being friends. That’s just so wonderful. And about Rosa too!”
“Yes. I’m looking forward to seeing Holly.” And again with the hesitation.
“Leeta? What is it? Is something wrong?”
Leeta shook her head. “No, I just, I’m . . . a little nervous. I’ve never really known someone purely platonically before. Not in a long while. I enjoy Holly’s company and recognize that there is no attraction there, either romantic or sexual. It’s just an unusual feeling.”
“But Leeta, that could be so good for you,” Carla said, barely able to contain her happiness. “Part of being able to have a good relationship is to have a variety of them. To be able to have friends and get along with them as friends. There’s platonic love too, you know, amid all the varieties. It sounds like you might be working up to that with Holly. I’d love that for you, one day!”
“Platonic love?”
Carla nodded, hair bouncing. “Oh, yes! It’s very close to familial love. Where you love and care about your family? Platonic love is love without the romance. It’s friendly, but you still love the person for who they are and their faults, and would do anything you could to help them be happy. That’s how I love
Tristan.”
“Oh. I see.”
“And—and now that we know each other, I’m a little like that with you!” Carla added in a rush. “If—if that isn’t too weird. But it’s true.”
Leeta blinked, looking taken aback. “I’m flattered,” was all she managed, after the silence had Carla squirming.
“Ooh, it is weird for you, isn’t it? I’m sorry. I can’t help it. I love easily. It’s the cupid in me. And just the . . . me in me, too. But I promise that it’s just platonic! I like being your friend. And I want to help you be happy.”
“We—we are friends, aren’t we,” Leeta said, voice careful.
Carla hurried to nod. “Yes! I mean. I think we are. B-but if you’d rather we maintain just the strict cupid-client relationship, that’s okay too! I want you to be happy and comfortable.”
“No,” said Leeta, shaking her head, and for a moment Carla’s stomach dropped. “No, I enjoy being with you and speaking with you, even when it doesn’t directly concern my case. I’m honored that you think of me so. Thank you.”
Carla beamed. “Thank you too!”
Leeta frowned, confused. “Whatever for?”
“For letting me in!”
Leeta smiled again, and Carla felt she might actually burst. She loved it when Leeta smiled for real.
Being given time off from the agency, Carla was now able to follow Leeta around all the time, not just after work and on weekends. Which meant she was able to see a lot more of how Leeta interacted with the world. And how the world interacted with Leeta.
A lot of it wasn’t new. Carla had already seen the general reaction to Leeta’s appearance first, personality second, and Leeta’s own standoffishness when dealing with those kinds of people. But she also got to see Leeta in her element a lot more now, especially while following her at work. She got to see Leeta welcoming people to her gallery, warmly explaining a piece she obviously enjoyed, and listening attentively when clients explained what they were looking for.
