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Scooping the immortal fruit, Artemis replies, “Oh?” From what I could tell, the goddess feigns polite interest.
“Yes. Together we finalized a deal between our houses,” Apollo answers nonchalantly. The fireplace flickers around us. The candles dancing on the table.
“Splendid,” murmurs Artemis, who is only half listening to the conversation. “Her terms were likely as unagreeable as they always are?”
Unagreeable? I suppose that makes sense for someone who used to be married to Zeus and then plotted to overthrow him.
“Thankfully, I caught her in a more affable disposition. Rare for her, I know.” Apollo puts on a forced grin, a look that screams that he’s trying to wrap up horse dung with a bow and give it to his sister as a present.
“Hera is never good natured. Only scheming to get what she wants,” reminds the Moon Goddess with a terse tone.
Aww. So, I see my assumptions were right.
Replying with a grave look Ari grunts, “She’s not wrong there.” My eyes flash over to my friend, who in turn shrugs in my direction. “What? As you’ve said countless times, they can’t hear me.”
Valid point.
Peeling my eyes from the empty chair, I turn back to watch the twin gods. Waiting for one to elaborate on the developments with Demeter’s Court.
Gaia, who knew immortals were full of drama, worrisome family dynamics, and political scheming. All of which are heavily present in the former House of Zeus.
“Naturally,” Apollo's voice thundered in a deep laugh. Trying to make conversation, he adds, “Hera provided an update on her children. You two were close when we were all growing up, right?”
“Close?” Artemis raises an eyebrow. Pausing from her meal, she takes in her twin’s appearance. “At best, Hephaestus and I were acquaintances. Someone that I would wave at in the hallways of the palace. Though we hardly ever interacted.”
“No, no.” Apollo waves his arm. Gesturing with his fork, he adds, “The other sibling.”
Raising an eyebrow, Artemis replies, “Hebe? Well, I mean, we were kind of friends, but she was so young when dad–”
“No Artemis, not Hebe,” Apollo corrects, “Ares.”
Arista snaps her silverware. The shards of metal clatter onto the floor.
For the love of Gaia, please be quiet!
“Easy for you to say,” Ari snaps back at me. “He is a foul and bloodthirsty man. No one deserves what's coming.”
What’s coming?
“Just wait and see,” she warns as she turns back to Artemis.
Repulsed at the very mention of the name, Artemis looked sickened. “Ares! No no no. We were never friends. We could hardly breathe the same air before weapons were drawn.”
Rolling his eyes, Ov replies, “Artemis, you're being overly dramatic. I don’t remember a single instance of you two fighting. You make it sound like this was a lifelong rivalry.”
Artemis raises an eyebrow. “Uncle, you’ve been with us for as long as I can remember. How could you forget Ares and me feuding? It's not like we were quiet or subtle about our arguments. The giant oaf is entirely incapable of being inconspicuous.”
All eyes fell on Ov who was slicing his mutton. “Hmm, no. Nothing comes to mind. Perhaps you're over exaggerating—"
“Whole sections of the town were damaged in the last duel,” chimes Athena as she cuts off Ov. With a slight smirk on her lips, this was maybe the most emotions that I have seen from her thus far. Although, she still looks incredibly bored, like she’s willing the time to pass by quicker. “Father had to pay each of their weights in gold and gems thrice to expunge the debt from the destruction they caused.”
Odd. The more I learn of Uncle, the odder it gets.
“Your battles were mostly of the sibling sort.” The Sun God focuses on the dishes in front of him. “But I do agree with Ov. You're being dramatic.”
His twin glares daggers into him, “Dramatic, eh? Keep it up and I'll show you dramatic.”
Apollo rolls his eyes. “Childhood battles between siblings hardly count as anything more than a bit of sibling rivalry. Ares is certainly not your enemy.”
