The Brave
~ Fortune Favors ~
New York | 2025
I had taken my independent studies to Paris and left a trail of croissant crumbs. I had been invited to tour a House, and they were highly encouraging me to continue my studies. However, there I was intrigued by an artist, who sat in history with a different house. Such adventures often led to running in midtown on a hot and sticky afternoon, in square block heels, with an adrenaline rush I had greatly missed. I had been invited for coffee, and it was of the utmost importance to me that I arrive on the dot. It’s not every day that a cold inquiry is received warmly. A Great had summoned me, and I intended to dress the part. While the trains were not in my favor, Time seemed to be. While I stressed that it seemed I would be arriving on the dot, Luck had been granted to me. As I sprinted from my arriving station, I received a request for an extra fifteen minutes. As I read the note just outside the door, I thanked the Jewelry Gods and Father Time himself.
~
“Okay, breathe!” I commanded myself as I burst through the doors of the bathroom. I steadied my breath over the sink. Heart pounding and mind racing. Knowing presentation was important, I looked in the mirror. Blotting my face, I checked my hair. “Not bad for a short sprint,” I soothed myself. I had arrived with 20 minutes to gather myself, given the extra time. It was good form to have all of my certificates in order. “It is so dark in here,” I muttered, realizing I would not be able to read correctly. “Well, it’s not as if I did not live it. I am here. By some miracle, I have all of my stationery, and while some say if you’re not 15 minutes early, you are late. She has messaged me that she is also in need of 15 minutes. So I am now here and on time.”
As I shook off some nerves, I shrugged, unbothered by her request in a delayed start. There were times I waited 40 minutes for Legends. It was not uncommon. However, it was not common these days that a Great with a highly regarded degree requested my presence.Perhaps I should have worn my hair all the way up, instead of my standard half-up, half-down. I preferred to hide the tattoo on the back of my neck. The one I had accidentally siphoned myself with at a mere twenty years old.
“Dad always said I was Lucky. Today, the Universe loves me.” I assured myself as I slowed my breath and took one last glance at the papers that I knew listed my wins, even if I could not read them; it was a comfort to have them in front of me.
“Like my Great Tutor always said, You’re pretty darn good, Kid.” I rushed into a stall to send a prayer to the Jewelry Gods. “Okay… better.” I soothed myself as I washed my hands. I turned for the door before pausing, “Oh! A gloss touch-up.” I reminded myself, as I turned back to the mirror.
“I can do this,” I whispered, "Be brave."
~
I sat at a rather dark table. I watched as she approached. After our hellos, she thanked me for waiting, and I thanked her for her time. She looked me in the eye and said, "So, Grace the Brave...." followed by a question that only a true Master would ask. My answer turned coffee into lunch.
She was surprised at my previous rank, given my responsibilities, and acknowledged what a proper rank would have been. I spoke of my journey, my work, and she told me about hers. We talked of the old days, as Fate would have it, one of my Great Tutors was once her Mentor. When the food arrived, we spoke of our families and travel. She was a part of the Lucky 7% and I held an immediate respect for her family, as she did mine.
As we departed, she assured me I would be hearing from her. As it seemed, my journey was not over yet.
A Love Letter
Written with Honey
