Chapter 3

Viridi's eyes bloomed open as she stared up into the rainbow glass ceiling. Tilting her head to the side, she saw the large gold and white sheets fall from the side of the bed, and beyond that, the door leading to the rest of Lady Palutena's temple. She groaned as she sat up and winced as she touched her side. She lifted her gown that she was dwarfed in (Palutena's obviously) and looked to see the bandages that covered her sides. She grimaced. Seems Pandora wanted to make me suffer quite a bit. She has no idea how annoying stinging nettle needles can be! She huffed thoughtfully as she drew up the too-long robe that looked like a dress on her petite figure and swung her legs over the bed. She drew the robe around her chest tighter. Where were her clothes?!

Wandering over to the closet nearby she dropped her robe but as she opened it she discovered that the only clothing inside were dark blue britches and white chitons, which meant… oh no. At that moment, the angel walked in. Looking up when he walked in, the angel's jaw dropped as he saw the Goddess without any clothing on. Slapping hands to hide his eyes, he quickly dropped to the ground and slammed his face into the carpet while Viridi scrabbled to cover herself with the massive gown.

"Mind knocking next time!?" she hissed, her face growing very red with anger and embarrassment. From the floor came a muffled reply.

"I'm sorry Goddess of Nature" Pit said, using the woman's proper title to show his place. "I was not informed that you were in my room and that you were…" he trailed off, knowing he had said too much. Viridi huffed and grumbled.

"I was clothed! I just thought that my clothes were clean…I hope Palutena washes her clothes with rainwater and with natural soap…" she grumbled. She looked down to the angel with his face scrubbing the carpet. She sighed. "You can get up now Pit, I look more presentable now." Pit looked up again to see the short figure dwarfed in a large robe. He strangled a laugh when Viridi's stare saw the amusement in his eyes.

"Lady Palutena would like to-"

"Pit, why are your fingertips black?" she asked taking his callous hand into her very smooth smaller ones.

"Oh, that. I was just writing up a sign for a certain place in the temple." He said, beaming at the thought at what he wrote it for.

"I thought you couldn't write?" she asked, looking at him quizzically.

"Well, I thought it was, readable." He said, as he gently removed his hand from hers.

"Has no-one taught you how to read and write yet?"

"No?"

"All this time you spend at the temple here, do you just practice all day? You've never bothered to ask Palutena to teach you?" Viridi inquired, looking intently at him. Pit shifted uncomfortably under the scrutiny of the Goddess' gaze.

"Well?", she asked more intently, her hand gripping his.

"Well, no?.. why would the captain of The Goddess of Light's Guard need to know how to read and write?", he huffed and turned away, his arms crossed and looking at her from the corner of his eyes.

"In case they need to write letters to send for help if they're injured and isolated on a mission?" Viridi sneered.

"Well, maybe they-"

"Ugh, never mind Pit, we can discuss this pointless argument later, I have urgent news for Palutena so I need to see her immediately. Where is she?"

"Room of Reflection", he said, and turned on his heel to lead the way.

"Wait, I'm going to get changed so, wait outside for me.", Viridi demanded and Pit began to leave, but before he exited he turned to say something.

"And this time, before you come in", she said as she approached the door "KNOCK!" she yelled as she planted one foot on his butt and shoved him out the door and slammed it in his face.

Pit sat on the floor, fiddling aimlessly with his chiton until he hear his door re-open. He quickly snapped to attention to see Viridi stride out in a small pale green gown.

"You look nice." He commented and beamed innocently.

"Thanks Pit. It's a bit dull, but it'll gain more colour the stronger I get", Viridi commented, as she flicked her hair to show patterns of flowers and tree bark begin to take shape on the gown on her right shoulder. "Now, take me to Palutena." She demanded, and Pit spun on his heel and began to walk briskly to the Room of Reflection while Viridi hurriedly followed him. As the arrived at the door, Pit began to push on the doors when Viridi loudly cleared her throat. Pit turned, looking to see what was wrong. She opened her eyes wider and leaned her head at the door, indicating for him to do something first.

"What?", he asked, oblivious to her statement.

She huffed, irritated, and knocked on the door harshly.

"Enter!", came the sing-song voice on the other side and Viridi strode through, with a sheepish Pit in tow.