3. Sarcasm
4. Disrespect
5. Intimidation
6. Empty threats
“Oh my. Where am I going to find someone with an unlimited supply of patience, logic, ability to think things through, and a careful tongue, who respects and listens to others and acts with kindness?”
She leaned over and pounded her head on the desk three times.
“Hi there. Looking for me?”
Her posture snapped to attention. A five-foot-tall, half man, half goat satyr had materialized beside her.
“Who are you? Wait. Let me guess…”
“Pan.”
“That’s what I was about to say!”
“And what I was about to say is you’re doing this all wrong.”
Fate crossed her arms. “Doingwhatall wrong?”
“Finding a mate for Gaia.”
“How do you know about that?”
He shrugged. “Word travels. Now, let me point out the obvious. You’re only thinking of Gaia’s faults. What about her strengths? Hobbies? Activities she enjoys? She and someone else will have more fun if they have common interests.”
“Oh.” Fate scratched her head. “I guess you’re right. Having fun with a mate is important. I hadn’t thought of that.”
Pan tipped his horned head. “I think I’d be a good match. I’d like to volunteer.”
“You?” Fate covered her mouth and tried not to laugh. “Didn’t you trick some poor girl into falling in love with a donkey?”
He rolled his eyes. “That was centuries ago, and Mr. Shakespeare exaggerated. But”—he held up one finger—“that’s something Mother Nature and I have in common. We love a good practical joke.”
“Oh, puleeease. The two of you would wreak havoc!”
Pan chuckled. “I daresay our dates would be a lot of fun.”
Fate vehemently shook her head. “Get lost, Pan. You’re not the one.”
He smirked. “Fine, I’ll go, but when you run out of other gods for her to decimate, call me.”
“In a pig’s eye. Wait—don’t take that literally!”
He winked and was gone.
* * *
Karma lifted her sunglasses. “How goes the challenge of the century, Sister?” She stretched her long legs over a lounge chair next to her private pool.
“More like the challenge of the millennia.” Fate plopped herself on the lounge chair beside her.
“I referred someone to you.”
