“Now here is something worth mentioning...”

A thin smile curls onto the Universe's lips, listening to her old time friend, Fate's, long winded ramble about what she and Destiny pulled off together. These tales are as old as, well, anything really, but she never mind hearing about them again and again. Plus, it's nice to just hang out with her friends again, to add some color and life back into the otherwise dreary day-to-day life of making sure everything runs smoothly—it is a hard job, you know.

“Ah, my dearest friends! What a lovely surprise.”

The Universe, along with Fate, and Destiny, turn to the entrance of the hall to see another eons-old friend. In all his splendor, Coincidence shows his pearly whites, sauntering into the room as if he owns the place. A crooked sort of smile forms on his mouth as he tips his hat; first to Fate, then to Destiny, and then to the Universe herself. He leans himself into a long, very elegant bow, before replacing the hat on his head.

“Please,” Fate grins, gesturing for him to take a seat. “This was meant to happen.”

“Hear, hear,” Destiny agrees, standing to greet him. “Glad the stars brought you here, today, Coincidence. My, I was beginning to wonder when you'd turn up.”

Coincidence laughs, before shaking Destiny's hand. “I just happened to be around, that's all. Nothing more, nothing less.”

He gives the Universe a knowing look, and the Universe returns the sentiment with a sly smile. Coincidence takes a seat, and Destiny retakes his own, and the Universe clears her throat.

“This should become very interesting within the next hour or so, I'd wager,” she say, which earns a laugh from the rest of them. “Now that we're all here, let me show you something.”

The Universe waves her hands, and in the center of the room, an image appears before them. A building structure materializes, first the pillars and then the floor, a rooftop filled in high to the sky, and then crowds and crowds of bustling children. They all weaved their ways in and out from one another, some stopping to talk and laugh, others to start yelling, others to just get out of the way.

“Oh, I see,” Destiny hums, nodding thoughtfully. “More of your pet-project, old friend?”

“Not a pet-project,” the Universe replies petulantly. “The Earth is fascinating, and despite how they constantly like to drive themselves into the ground half the time, the human are quite intelligent. But that's not what I meant to show you.”

Fate leans closer to the image. “Personally, I find the humans endearing. They're all so small in the grand scheme of things, you know? Yet, they're so much fun to tinker with. To give them all something that is so short, but something they so want to fight for.”

“Contrary,” Coincidence interrupts. “Fate, my dearest, you're not the only one who meddles in the lives of humans. Why, I do believe there's a matter of...chance, that they'll follow your path for them, hm?”

“Here we go again,” Destiny grumbles, but his words are fond. “Coincidence, don't fight with her. You won't win.”

“You're only saying that,” Coincidence fires back. “Because you want to stay on her good side. Don't think I don't know about you two.”

Fate raises a brow. “And how did you come across that particular information, darling?”

Coincidence smiles. “Oh, you know. Accidents happen.”

“Please--”

“Honestly--”

“Friends, friends,” the Universe interjects, rubbing her temples. “This is not the time. Let's continue then, as we were?”

A soft silence falls over the room, and all three then gesture for her to continue. She does so. The Universe waves her hand again, and the image splits into two, revealing a boy on one side, and a girl on the other.

Both look a little tired and a little lost, but not as lost as all three in the room seem to be.

“Oh, I don't think I remember these two,” Fate says, then looks to Destiny. “You?”

“Doesn't ring a bell,” Destiny says, then shrugs. “Universe, who are these two?”

The Universe grins, nodding her head. “Two people, I think. Two very important people.”

“Ooh,” Fate claps her hands. “I see. So, I take it the girl will go on to do something fantastic for the world, while the boy does something to destroy it?”

“Nay,” Destiny counters, shaking his head. “I think it could be the other way around. The girl seems more likely to do something harmful. From what I can tell, the boy has a level head on his shoulders.”

Coincidence shrugs. “I think there's going to be an encounter here,” he tells them, then looks to the Universe. “A chance encounter, perhaps?”

“I haven't decided,” the Universe admits. “That's why I gathered you here today. I haven't a plan for these two, yet. Something great, I think, but I don't know what. Care to help me?”

It takes only a few seconds until Fate shrieks in excitement. “Oh, I've got it, I've got it! They're fated to fall in love. They'll meet each other during this year, when...” she pauses, then waves her own hands. Stars fall into alignment, and she nods in approval. “When these stars align in...two or three months, earthen time, they'll meet for the first time. Yes, of course.”

“That's good, my dear,” Destiny interjects, but then adds, “But how about...not necessarily in love? How about they grow to love each other, become apart of each other's lives, become very, very important. Love isn't everything, now is it?”

“I think,” Coincidence chirps, smiling. “That we should let them meet if they're willing, and if not, well, let's see how it turns out, yeah?”

Fate rolls her eyes. “Terrible idea as always. And Destiny! What is wrong with two young people falling in love? Oh, to fall in love, such a wonderful emotion. I cherish it, the feeling. And it's oh so nice to see people go through that. As painful as it can be, it's a miracle, I think.”

Destiny nods, slowly. “Yes, of course. But I think that love should only happen if...if they want it to. I hate to side with Coincidence here, but--”

“Heck yes,” Coincidence hops up, letting out a small whoop. “I got Destiny to agree with my suggestion of chance. Lay it on me, Universe!”

Coincidence holds his hand up for the Universe to high-five, but the Universe just shakes her head. He puts it down, after a few moments.

“At any rate,” the Universe drawls. “These two are suddenly very interesting to me. And I want them to be great. They're going to be great. They'll even be...”

“Rad?” Coincidence suggests, and the Universe can't help but laugh at this.

“Yes, Coincidence,” the Universe replies. “They'll be very rad together. A very rad pair. In any sense of that word.”

Fate yawns, and looks to Destiny, and then to Coincidence, and then to the Universe. “So, what are we here for, then? Do you want to hear our ideas, and then work your crazy, voodoo magic, darling?”

“Something like that,” the Universe says, then rises to her feet.

She gestures for the others to step back, and they do so. The Universe puts her hands together and spins them around, waving them in every which way. She uses the stars that Fate had just aligned and moves them towards the scene, solidifying them into action. She glances at Destiny, and crosses their paths, leading them to each other, in that sense. With a sweep of her hand, she allows them that click, that first click that will bring them closer together.

With a last look at Coincidence, the Universe finds love, and leaves the bottle open. For them to take, or for them not to take, their choice.

She smiles.

“Well?” Fate says, after a beat. “Got that sorted out?”

The Universe scrutinizes her work, watching as time appears to fast forward in her image. She sees the boy and the girl interacting for the first time, dancing around each other a bit, the first hug, the first lingering look, the first intake of breath, trembling fingers, and heartbeats.

“Sorted out indeed,” she says, at last. “If this works, I got a plan for these two. And it's going to be awesome.”

The Universe takes her seat again, followed by the others. They all watch as the scenes unfold before them, slower now, not on fast forward, but in real time. With Coincidence's chance added to the equation, Fate's alignment of the stars, and Destiny's intricate yet delicate input, their paths are something even the Universe can't quite predict the outcome of. This, in itself, is awfully exhilarating.

“Let's see how it ends,” she says.