**ZUES**
PUNISHMENT
I condemned my son to his room at his sister's request and went off to find Aphrodite. She would know if my suspicions about Artemis are true. I found her in her courtyard with my daughter Persephone.
"I just don't understand! He wants nothing to do with me. He kidnaps me, begs my father's permission to keep me, and then he has never even eaten a meal with me. Much less expressed the so called love he has for me. But he won't allow me to stay with my mother. What was the point?"
"Now, now dear don't fret, maybe you two just need so more time. You know how it is down there I'm surprised that you manage to survive."
"Well My father could end it. I wish I knew what I did to make him hate me."
"You think I hate you?" I asked finally letting my presence be known.
"Father.. I .. didn't mean…I have to go. Later Di." She left in a swirl of leaves and petals.
"That was rude. And if you're here for a booty call I'm not in the mood."
"Ignoring that outburst. I have a question for you."
"Yes?"
"Is my daughter in love?"
"That depends on which one you mean. You have a lot of daughters you know. Both moral and immortal, so you'll have to be a little more specific." She smirked at me as though she had just insulted me. I allowed her to continue thinking this.
"Artemis. I'm sure that you heard about this morning's events. So does she love him or does she take more after Hera then I would like?"
"Yes I did hear about that but I thought it was a rumor, I mean who would have ever guessed those to kids would end up together?" I rose my eyebrows at her, she had again avoided my question. "Look I don't know. I have no control over those virginal, unfeminine, childish goddesses. Until they lose their virginal status, I am useless in their affairs."
"Aphrodite, useless. I never thought I hear you utter those words. Are you sure you can't do anything?"
"I will ask my son what he knows; he and Apollo can be quite chummy. Perhaps he has insight into Artemis' behavior." Bringing her fingers to her lips she whistled for her son and he appeared in a very unmanly cloud of magenta. Fully formed the young man kneeled before his mother respectfully.
"What is your wish mother? I will do my best to grant it." Eros recited his normal greeting. Despite his parentage Eros was one of the most well behaved children on Olympus. Any mischief he got into was at his mother's bidding.
"Raise my son; you serve your mother well. All I need is some information."
"What kind of information do you require mother?" Eros standing at his full height towers over his mother in her lounged position. His eyes are fixed on her and he seems to be unaware of my presence. I choose not to take offense as long as he is useful in the area where his mother was not.
"Apollo your friend, did you have any interactions with his twin during the time you spent with him?"
"It was limited. Artemis fears us, her resolve in her purity wavers. She fears that if she is too close to us we will be able to influence her. I attempted to put her at ease but she only fears me more now. Apollo said not to take it personally. She is not very social with men. I hope this information was satisfactory to you mother." He bowed again and I find myself envious of his devotion to his mother, so naturally the action irritates me.
"Tell me boy, is that all that you know or are you just as useless as your mother?" I asked in a slightly raised voice. His reaction surprised me.
"I do not respond well to insults Sir. And perhaps if you treated your children better they would respect you as I do my mother. That is all I know Sir because I would never deny my mother anything that she asked of me. And I resent the implication that I or my mother are useless, and would highly recommend that you watch your tongue Sir because you unlike your daughter are subject to my power. So try behave Sir or I will see to it that you fall in love with Medusa." After he finished his rant he returned his mother. "If that is all you require mother, I shall take my leave."
Aphrodite nodded blankly giving her son permission to leave us. He did so instantly, but instead of the magenta smoke he arrived in he vanished in an enormous cloud of black smoke with hints of red lightning. I then struck Aphrodite across the face.
"You will do well to teach that brat some manners." I turned on my heeled and left her on the ground where she belonged.
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Leigh: Hey Guys it's just me this update. Conscience is a bit tied up at the moment. I do have a small request though. Please vote in poll. I am suffering from major writer's block and I need inspiration from you my readers. I need you to vote. *gets down on knees* Please, please vote. *Hears loud sound and turns to look*
Conscience: HOW COULD YOU!?!?
Leigh: Conscience! Your hear I'm so glad that you were able to come. I was just telling everyone…
Conscience: You made him hit her. How could you? *tears up* You know better.
Leigh: I promise she will be avenged.
Conscience: *Shakes her fist * Please review so she will understand that this violence is unnecessary.
Leigh: Umm…. In cause I die it has been a pleasure.
Conscience: You are coming with me. *grabs ear*
Leigh: Ow…ow. Bye.