Page 17 of Finding Answers For Confused Succubi

To my surprise, a message from Rico pops up on the screen telling me that someone has just paid their fee and is on the way.I suppose there's a first time for everything.

"Darius?"

I look up, surprised to find someone I recognise on the other side of the desk."Mandy?"I can't keep the surprise out of my voice, especially when she told me that she wasn't seeing anyone.

Despite the weirdness of the situation, a hint of excitement wells up within me at the idea of getting to spend more time with her.

"Hi."She bites her bottom lip and shuffles on the spot.

"Hi, take a seat."I wave to it, feeling like it's a woefully inadequate thing to suggest given the circumstances.

"So, you're a cupid," she says as she sits.

"Last I checked."

She cocks her head to the side and studies me."I think it suits you."

"Thanks?I can't say I've given it much thought before."

"Mmm, I think about it a lot.Not you being a cupid, I just found out about that.I mean about whether people feel like they fit with what they are."She shuffles around in her seat, clearly feeling a little uncomfortable about something.I'm not sure I blame her, it must be a surprise to find someone she knows waiting for her on this side of an advice desk.

"How do you want to play this?"I ask."Want me to pretend I don't know you?Or I can rearrange it so that you can talk to Carmel."

"The bartender?"

Surprise flits through me that she managed to remember that."She's...my best friend, I guess?Never really thought about that before.We met at a PrideSoc event at the beginning of the year."

"You have a best friend that you don't think of as your best friend?"

"I've just never had to say it out loud," I respond."But I can get her to help you if you prefer."

Mandy frowns, as if considering the offer."No, I think it's okay if it's you I talk to.Or better, even.At least you're a friendly face."

I nod."If you change your mind, just tell me."

"Thanks."She fiddles with the bottom of her shirt."I don't know how to start this conversation."

"Neither do I.This is the first time anyone's shown up for my time slot," I admit.

"Really?I'd have thought people would be all over this."

I shrug."Maybe not enough people are talking about it.You can't tell anyone, but I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing."

She lets out a nervous laugh."I'm sure that isn't true."

"Oh, it is.So, how can I help?Boy trouble?Girl trouble?Dating advice?"I hope she doesn't say the last one.Not only am I not good with that in general, but I really don't think I can sit her and give her advice that I don't really want her to take.Even if I can't admit that to Carmel.

"None of that," she says.

A weird sense of relief settles within me, even though it doesn't give me any answers to how to help her.

"I need more...magic advice."

"I'm not entirely sure how I can help with that unless you're a cupid yourself."

"I'm not."She looks down at her hands, and I can tell she's not entirely sure of what's happening.I wish I could make her feel better, even if I don't know how.

I swallow down my own nervousness and focus on her."Okay, so how can I help?Has a cupid been making you feel uncomfortable or something?"