Deitized

Yeah, I've a problem of starting stories and not finishing them but here's another that has been floating around in my head. Have had to put it on the back boiler while I been working on the Revitalization Ministry but I wrote a bit to make sure don't forget the idea. Tell me what you think of the idea.




It was Monday morning and Taika Argall dragged herself out of bed wearing the same pair of green flannel pajamas that she'd had since she was seventeen, though they had grow shorter in the legs. Even if they went a fair way up her calf, she loved them nonetheless. Stumbling to the window she leaned out to see what disaster awaited her today, yesterday it had been a heavy down pour of rain, before that a blanket of fog so thick you could not see out and a few weeks before that there had been a gigantic fiery gash in the earth. The gash was still visible but it was being grown over. As for this day, the small molehill that had formed in the field and had continued to grow in size, it was now a fairly large hill. Pushing down the window she shook her head, it was no wonder all the neighbors within reached had readily sold the land and moved given occurrences like these striking a near daily instance.

Turning the knob of the shower a steady spray of warm water, and firmly shooing away Acuecucyoticihuati,an Aztec goddess associated running water the first of whom was attracted, once they knew she was a wake they swarmed like locust. There were more of them than she could place.

There were so many lost or forgotten gods and deities floating around once their worshiper's were gone or dwindled causing drop in their influence. They were sad lonely specters of their former glory floating around the fringe of society, dark forests and deep oceans. Taika her first encounter with a deity outside New York, the goddess Tyche of fortune and chance. At first she thought how odd the woman was put then the goddess's face lit up when she realized that Taika could see her. From there things sort of avalanched. Once she saw them, she couldn't stop they just started seeking her out. They drove off her steady boyfriend and most of her friends but in exchange she gained a large farm house in the countryside, a buoyant saving account, a immaculate Jaguar XK120 and a successful business placing gods, goddess and deities with shrines, cities, and even individuals.

Drying her hair she clamored from the shower, as she walked she noticed a new face standing just outside the door. He was kicking nervously at the ground, he looked melancholic but most of the deities that passed her way were in a sorry state. From his dress and appearance she guessed he was Gallic god but of what she couldn't be certain. Looked like there was another one to go on her list to research, after ages of neglect many deities lost memory of their purpose. Please don't be another fertility deity, she had hundreds of them with influences focused on her alone, which made any long term relationship tricky. Well she was set to visit the library today and try to sort out some of their specialties, which would hopeful open up some possible placement options. Pulling on a peach coloured sweater she believed was relatively clean, and headed downstairs to the kitchens where the scent of a hearty breakfast wafted from. There were benefits from living with gods.

“Hey, man do you have the newest book in the White Cross series?”

Seated at the main desk of the library, Ceallach Schuyler looked up at the oily sniffling teenager standing before him. It was a popular book he thought with a scowl, it wasn't even a good book the writing was tired and characters shallow and lifeless. Plastering a fake smile on his face he diligently punched in the title, and it came back negative.

“Ah sorry I afraid not, I can put it on reserve if you'd like?” Ceallach suggested, though I don't understand why'd you want to, he thought.

Shrugging his shoulder in his dirty punk rock band shirt, “Nah, man I'll just come back. It'll come in eventually, right?”

“Yeah, I'm sure it will. Is there anything else I can help you with?” He asked tapping his finger absentmindedly on the underside of the desk.

“Nah.” The teen replied, walking off in his dingy clothes without so much a thank you or a good bye.

“Have a nice day.” Ceallach managed, though he couldn't care in the least whether he did or not. Picking up the book he had abandoned at the teen's approach her resumed reading. He'd started working here nearly a month ago as a temp but they kept him on full-time when they failed to locate a replacement. Still he lived in dread of when they finally located one, and he'd be back out working shitty temp jobs. He truly loved the job, he loved the books, the history, the knowledge and most of all the relative silence. It was midday and traffic was at it's peak, which in this branch meant only fifteen or twenty people. Stowing away his book, he turned to the library on duty.

“I'm going to go re-shelve these,” Rapping on the packed cart. “Can you handle everything here?”

“Yes, yes, hone I think I can handle it.” She said with a playful glint in her aged eyes as she checked out the books dropped before her. Ceallach smiled, he liked Anita, she was old enough to be his grandmother but she still as spry as ever and she never let him get away things. Plus sometimes she'd bring him a homemade lunch and would tell him how much he reminded her of her own grandson.

The cart was and old rusted thing that screeched everywhere it went and it took a sizable shove to get it rolling particularly when it was laden up. Once he was out of sight of Anita's gaze, he stuck a hand into the recessives of his jacket pocket and pulled out a tangled nest of cables. Pausing in the aisleway he unstrung the headphones and slipped them in his ears. Though he wasn't suppose on the job and Anita would scold him with she found out, he did anyway usually no one approached him while he was re-shelving anyway. Bobbing his head with the beat as the wheels squeaking he began pulling books from the cart and scanning the shelves and shoving back into their proper niche. It was a task he took great joy in, the obsessive compulsive reveled in the knowledge that every book got back in it's proper place, and proper order. Though his own shelves were organized by height, from tallest to shortest, on the two great shelves full in his immaculately cleaned living room. The rest of his apartment was no less organized, every article of clothing had it's own draw, the bed was made every morning after he woke up and every piece of fruit had to be unblemished or he'd throw them out. Unless it was a banana, which he toss out regardless, nasty unpleasant fruits.

It was just after lunch and Taika was walking across the parking lot he shoes tapping, tap, tap, tap, on a ground. Underneath the awning, she made a left towards the shrine of Snotra. A wise gentle goddess of Norse myth, known by some as the goddess of virtue and master of all knowledge. It was one of the few shrines that had been commissioned by the city, it was a simple and elegant, engraved with the name of the goddess and a simple invoking prayer. The altar was lightly covered by offering from patrons, there were a few coins, a book, a bowl of fruit and a handful of miscellanea.

“How are you Snotra?” She asked as she straightened up the offerings and pulled a handkerchief from her pockets and vigorously rubbing off a piece of graffiti. “Really? That's good, so your happy here?”

She nodded to anyone else she would appear to be talking to empty air but the goddess was present for her. “Good, good. There may be another patron interesting another of your shrines. Yes I mean it, though they haven't finalized their decision they were also considering Nabu.” A Mesopotamian god of writing and wisdom. “Well I've got some research to do, I need to see if I can define some of the newcomers. I'd appreciate any blessing you can offer.” Taika said before whispering an invocation. Usually their blessing or stigmas were enacted on her whether she asked or not but it was out of politeness and habit that she recited the invocations. Not so much reverence, though Snotra was one of the deities she was particularly fond of, it was hard to be fond of deities of war, death, treachery and of worms but she tried not to judge. She worked under the assumption that there was a place for everyone, whether she approved of it or not. Pulling out a business card denoting her as a deity placement specialist and of working for Cosmic Employment, which she was the one and only employee working out of her house, and placed it on the alter along with a handful of beautifully carved coins she'd found at a swap meet. Most of the deities were happy with whatever offering she had on hand, after years of obscurity and neglect they were, mostly, delighted with them. Some of the dark more unpleasant deities weren't but to be fair they were never particularly upbeat and inclined to gratitude to begin with.

Climbing back to her feet, she said goodbye to Snotra and headed in the front doors of the library. It had been a two months since she'd last been in, appointments across the country and across the globe had kept her schedule busy, interest in shrines and deities had start to boom when companies and people began report wonderful results. Record profits, reconciled marriages, improve health, and better crops and harvests were among a few of those reports. When she first started out no one was buying what she said, they thought she was crazy, even her own brother thought she had lost it but things had made a impressive about face. Now calls were coming in from all over, interest had sky-rocketed. She approached the main desk where an unfamiliar young man with a mane of hair the color of a deep expresso. Try as she might to get his attention he never looked up from his book, nor took the headphones from his ears and was beginning to get rather peeved at his inattentiveness and the deity Hybris urged her on, throw restraint to the wind he told her, all the while deriving great pleasure from the perceived insolence. Hybris was Greek personification though not a powerful one, and one with little concern about being worshiped he mere enjoyed his time among mortals encouraging insolence and a lack of restraint.

“Taika, sweetie it been so long, come over here.” Anita's familiar voice hoping her back from taking Hybris's bait and he cursed glaring angrily at Rosmerta and Mirtha's intervention, a goddess with an aspect of warmth and god of friendship.

“Anita.” She said warmly embracing the older woman. “I've missed you.”

“I've missed you too darling, when did you get back into town?”

“Not long ago, it was a long flight I would have come by yesterday but...”

“You were exhausted, come sit, sit.” The old woman told her patting on the chair across from her, which Taika graciously took. “Would you like some tea?” Taika nodded and glanced once more at the irritating guy who was now leaning over his book utterly entranced. “Milk and sugar?”

“Please.” She responded and a few minutes later Anita was back and passing a mug to her. Taika sipped it slowly the warmth of it fill her stomach, it was a fond taste and feeling, Anita's tea was what she'd missed the most since she'd been away. Smalltalk went on between them, Taika told her about the sights she'd seen and handed a small knit bag she'd bought from a small street market, to her. Anita was overjoyed over it, she was glad, the older women was one of the few human friends she still had these days.

“Now I know you didn't come here today just to humor and old woman. So what can we help you find today?” Anita told her with a knowing smile on her face.

“Yes I suppose not but it is good to see you.” Taika replied patting the older woman hand. “Today I trying to find information on a handful of Celtic gods, more and more of them keep turning up on my doorstep.”

“Ceallach!” Anita called out, and the young man jerked up with a start, quickly pulling the puds from his ears and stammering a reply.

“Ye-ee-ss, yes Anita?”

“Could you pull all the books you can on Celtic gods and religion and...” She stopped turning to Taika.

“Etruscan and Pre-Islamic deities ones that's idols were destroyed and anything mention Gallic gods of the Garonne Valley area.” Taika replied as the young man scribed them down on index card.

“Got all that?” Anita asked and he nodded his head, before swiveling his chair and searching the computer databases for any mention. Anita sipped her coffee and after a few minutes they watched as he hurried off into the stacks. “There we go he'll find the books your looking for.”

“Shouldn't we help him?”

“Don't worry, we'd only slow him do he already knows the shelves better than I do, everyday he goes through and make sure everything's in it correct place.” She assured her as Ceallach stumbled back with a pile of books in his arms. She was taken aback at her previous assessment he wasn't such an awful guy after all, even a little cute she thought. Shaking the thought from her head she turned her attention back to Anita, there no reason to give any of the goddess of love something to work with, meddlesome as they were. Still she was a tad curious about who he was. Picking up a book titled 'Celtic Gods, Celtic Goddesses' she began flipping through it.

“So who is he? I don't remember see him around before.”

“No you wouldn't dear, he started working he a month ago, after Dan died.” She said with a touch of sadness. Dan, or Daniel Haddle had been the head librarian and a close friend of both Anita and Taika. The three of them had spent many an afternoon discussing the news and world or helping Taika pour through books of research. “His name's Ceallach, Mister Schuyler's grandson, moved here a few months before after he broke his hip. Such a peach moving out here to look after his grandfather, he's single you know.”

“Anita...” Taika said exasperated. “You know I'm not looking for a relationship, besides you know what my life is like. Even if I wanted to, what guy would want to put up with all my ****? Sorry.” She apologized, Anita did not approve of such language.

“Apology accepted. Now honey you don't know that, he a lovely boy you should give him a chance.” She told her, and she had a point, Taika admitted. She wouldn't know for sure if she didn't give people a shot. Before she could reply Ceallach, trudged back with a stack of books so high it was a wonder he could see where he was going. The hit the counter with a thud, and he wipe a bead of sweat off his forehead.

Smile wryly and spoke in a faint Irish accent, “There that's all of them, at least that haven't been lent out or lost. Anything else I can find for you?” A ginger grin lighting up his whole face. Brushing dust from his sleeve he met her gaze.

“No, thank you this should do it. Thanks.” He had lovely periwinkle eyes, she thought as looked into his eyes, as deity of love and affection buzzed at her shoulder, meddlesome bunch. They just met and here they are trying to push us together. “Ceallach Schuyler, huh. What is that Welsh?” She ignored the murmurs that were around her.

“Ceallach's Irish and I was told it meant 'bright-headed', though Schuyler's Dutch. My mother was Irish you and my father's Dutch you see. Now you seem to know me but I have no idea who you are.” He replied playfully. Around him swarmed ancient Celtic and Gallic deities, familiarity and remembrance of their people flowed in his blood. It was fortunate that he couldn't see them, there were countless of them. They hummed hopefully around him wishing to be acknowledged by him. Anita look from one to the other, and said nothing as she sipped her tea.

“Oh I'm sorry, I'm Taika Argall.” She said offering him her hand. He took her hand in his a shook it firmly and was quick to withdraw. “Taika's Finnish for 'magic, spell' and Argall's Welsh meaning 'dweller in a quiet place'.” Taika reciprocated, he'd explained his so she figured she'd do the same.

“Wow, that's interesting...” He began before a little old lady tugged at his sleeve. Turning he gave the woman a warm smile.

“Excuse me young man, could you help me my knees aren't what they used to, and I can't reach the top shelf.”

“Of course, just showing me where.” Ceallach said with a good-natured grin, turning to Taika he added. “It was lovely to meet you Taika but if you excuse me.” Then he left following the slow methodical pace of the old woman.

Taika picked up the top book from the pile and began scanning through it. “Well?” Anita asked.
“Well what?”

“Don't be like that you know what talking about.”

Taika stared back at the older woman, who's look was piercing. “Alright, alright. He seems like a nice enough guy and he is sort of cute in a...”At the moment Ceallach came hurriedly back a stack of books in his arms.

“Sorry, I must have missed these I nearly tripped over them and yes. I apologize.” He said quickly setting the stack on the counter along side all the others and then he was gone once more. “Neurotic bookish sort of way.” She finished once he was gone. “Now would you like to help me sort through these books to find the one's that would be most helpful?” Setting a handwritten paper of names and descriptions on the counter, hoping to change the subject.

“Alright my dear, I just think you need to meet a nice young man, it would good for you. Your social life stagnant, even this old crone can see it.” Anita said picking up the paper, her reading glasses perched on the end of her nose. Taika smiled, she loved the old woman and she was right outside of work the last time she'd gone out to a movie was nearly two years ago and don't get her started on dinner until the recent arrival of a duo of kitchen deities, she'd subsided on fast food and microwave popcorn. I've been putting on the pounds, before I was just eating unhealthy food now, now it's just all so delicious, she thought patting the flab on her sides. I've got to join a gym...

“Here you are madam.” He said after he pulled several books down from the shelf, the first few because she realized it was the wrong one, and they were in fact in the wrong section all together. “Is there anything else I can help you with?” Though to himself I was hoping that was all, there were more pressing things on his mind. The girl with the strawberry blonde hair and peach sweater for instance. Not only was she attractive, there was the mystery of all the mythology books he'd just gathered for her. I found myths as interesting as anyone else but she seemed to be pretty specific about the exactly what she was looking for, perhaps she was writing a paper on it. He thought as the old woman thanked him and went on her way. Wiping the dust of the shelves, with disgust, filthy I he had the time and the patience he'd take to cleaning them. Disorder and filth was not something he tolerated at his home he was meticulous in his habits.

Ambling back to the front desk he did his best to be nonchalant he didn't want to seem to eager, but when he got back he found, Taika and Anita buried within the materials. Nervously he stood switching his weight from one leg to the other. Engaging people in conversation was not a talent of his, though once the conversation was going it went without a hitch. Looking hopeful, that one of the would notice him and involve him he stood there for a time but when it became clear that was not about happen he retired disappointed to his chair. Picking up his book with little enthusiasm he resumed reading but unable to help himself from glancing. Quietly engaged in the books in front of her he watched her hands fly as she wrote down notes. His gazed lingered on her minty green eyes and the sprinkling of freckles across her nose, smiling he looked away when she looked up and noticed his gaze.

Busying himself with work, Ceallach forced himself not to stare there was plenty of work he could be doing. Climbing from his seat he set about a task that appalled him to some extend. In order to open up more space the library regularly deposes of books, the idea did not sit well with him. The only bright spot was many of them went to good homes, his own one of them. Keeping an eye at the front desk he slipped books scheduled for removal from the shelves, should anyone arrive he'd be able to get back to the front and help them out. Humming tunelessly to himself he pulled an worn duplicate copy of Arthur Conan Doyle's Adventure's of Sherlock Holmes, a classic he thought.

“Think I'll hold on to this one for myself...” Repositioning the stack of books beneath his arm, he head back to the front desk and placed them ceremoniously down. Hazarding a brief glance to where Anita and Taika were still dug into research, he smiled thoughtfully before resuming his task.

It was late that evening when the patrons were running down that Anita told him to knock off and head home. Grudgingly he agreed making one last sweep of the book clearance.

“Well, ladies have a nice night.” Ceallach said stopping briefly besides their continuing research. “Try not to pass out.” He added before turning and heading for the door.

“Good night, Ceallach.” Anita called after him.

Glancing up and pulling the pen she had been chewing from her mouth Taika added. “Night Ceallach, it was nice to meet you.” A smile spread across Ceallach as he turned and nodded, giving a wave he slipped out the door.