It was the first time I'd seen her. Jupiter, the manager at Ipsum Cafe, told me she's always here. Everyday, at the same time, in the same green corduroy chair, by the same bay window, ordering the same drink.
"Your order's ready Iris" Jupiter called from behind the counter. I smiled as I lifted the mug onto the table full of condiments. His horns were growing, they used to be tiny stubs and now they had a slight curve at the end. Focusing on my tea I put my usual in, two spoonfuls of sugars and looked back at Jupiter.
"You're horns are looking rather curvy today Jupiter" I say, running my hand up and down his right horn. The rims on them were still small but I could feel the ridges as my fingers followed their curves. As I took my hand away and reached behind me for my mug I saw him blush.
"Well yours are looking as beautiful as always. I swear you got the best ones out of us all." He reached forward over the counter and grabbed one of my horns, causing me to fall forward and spill me tea.
"Jupiter!" I cursed, ducking out of his grip, placing my mug rather forcefully onto the table behind me, and looked down to see if it spilled on me. There was a dark stain running down the length of my dress. The light brown color of the tea, mixed with the dark green color of the dress, creating a very unappealing mud looking concoction.
I could feel my ears heating up cause I was making I scene. Without looking around the cafe, I sighed and mumbled, "it's okay" and practically ran towards the bathroom. Slowly closing the door so it didn't make any noise, I looked in the mirror. My black hair was frazzled, part of the bang between my right ear and horn was messy and looked knotted. The color on my cheeks was evident, red almost like I'd been slapped in the face. And then my dress... it was completely ruined.
"Hey in there. Are you doing okay?" A soft voice said through the oak wood door. Still a little upset I whipped the door open and stared at her. She stared back at me. A slight smile fell across her lips as she crossed her arms across her chest. Looking at her now I noticed that her eyes were two different colors. Heterochromia I think they called it; very rare.
"I'm fine. Just a little accident involving tea" I replied, moving to the side to let her in. Sliding back in front of the mirror I started to straighten my bang, splitting my hair in the back into two and bringing each side onto a shoulder.
"Your horns are stunning" the girl said. She moved closer to the sink, looking at my reflection in the mirror. I only hen noticed that her hat was gone. a beanie I believe. She must have taken it off. Now her golden hair fell kind of flat against her head, framing her round face.
'That's what everyone keeps telling me" I reply truthfully. Everywhere I go, everyone always tells me how beautiful they are, the best they've ever seen. I guess they're the only things to pay attention to when the rest of my is not the way it should be; human. I should have goat legs, hooved and furry goat legs like my parents and every other Satyr that exists. But I'm stuck with hairless, flat human legs, making me an outcast among all of the other Satyr's, except for Jupiter who's always been there for me.
"Yes, well I truly mean it. They're gorgeous," she whispered into my ear. I felt my cheeks grown hot as I saw myself blush in the mirror. She smiled. Not like before; at the door. This time it brightened up the room, I swear. It made me smile.
"I don't know what I'm going to do about this." I pointed to my dress. "It's my favorite, my brother gave it to me for my birthday before I left home." I huffed, placing both of my hands on the counter and moved in closer to the mirror. After a second or two I felt a slight pressure on my back and looked up. She stood where she had before, only this time she had a hand placed on the middle of my back, rubbing small circles and was gazing into the mirror, at what I don't know.
"I'm sure he didn't mean for the drink the spill." Her smile this time was different again. More soft, more reassuring. "And I'm sure you'll be able to get another dress. Maybe one you'll like even more?" She continued, removing her hand from my back and copying my posture. This time looking directly at me. One her eyes was a dark green, as dark green as you can get; like the color of pine needles. The other was like the ocean, light blue with flecks of brown dotting across her iris. They both stared at me, entrancing me.
"How do you know my name?" I managed to get out with a squeak. This girl, this close, was making me nervous. As cheesy as it sounds, I felt butterflies. Her smile this time was the same as it had been at the door; small and shy.
" Jupiter. When he called out your order" she replied, standing back upright, moving her hands through her hair, fixing it; although it wasn't needed. "I'm Delilah by the way" she said, now standing by the bathroom door. I didn't want her to leave yet. "I've got to go, see you around" And then she was gone.
I looked back into the mirror, fixing pieces of my hair that were still chaotic and headed for the door. "Delilah" I whispered with a small smile. Beautiful name.
