I don't own Percy Jackson & the Olympians. If I did, I would be called Rick Riordan and I wouldn't be writing here. I am just borrowing his characters:)
Oh and thanks Maroo for helping me out again! Really, you do that a lot lately ;) Oh and the first part is sort of fluffy, so you be warned! Enjoy!
The extraordinarily beautiful courtesan leaned forward, at the same moment that the tall, imposing and strikingly handsome prince did. Their eyes locked, sending an identical message of love and devotion, and they paused for a moment.
The moment seemed to last an eternity, but to them, time didn't matter. All that mattered, was that they were together and loved each other. Everything else paled in comparism by their love.
They both smiled, little, blissfull smiles, and their lips finally met after the eternity that was only a moment, but made them already impatient, impatient for feeling their other's half lips again. Every moment that they weren't together, felt like an eternity in hell.
The kiss started simple, just a brush of two lips that were made for each other. It was tender, fleeting, perfect like only true love's kiss can be. The two lovers savored the sweet moment and sighed softly, inhaling each other's breath.
Then, the sweet moment was over and the kiss turned passionate, heated. Like they knew how limited their time would be, how soon this moment would come to a stop. Or like they could no longer life without becoming one, complete.
The courtesan pressed closer to her prince, forgetting the cruel reality for this moment while he eagerly deepened the kiss and allowed himself to forgive responsibilities and duties and was lost in the moment, this fleeting moment with the one he loved.
Their tongues battled, conveying not only their love and devotion but also passion, and they pressed even closer. It was hard to see where one started and to other began by now and they relished the proximity while their tongues kept battling, stroking each other, the pleasurable sensation spreading through their entire bodies and overwhelming them until..-
" Ah not again! Seriously guys, get a room!".
The courtesan and prince - or actually Poseidon and Athena- interrupted the very passionate kiss when someone screamed loudly, the piercing sound finally urging the couple to break their kiss. Catcalls hadn't worked, whistling hadn't, but this did work. The fact that the same person that screamed had shot an arrow towards them- that brushed the man's head- might have something to do with that.
Athena reluctantly took her arms away from Poseidon's neck and started to take a step back. Poseidon wouldn't let her though, he grabbed her wrists and pulled her towards him, giving her another kiss before allowing her to break free from his grip and compose herself. She succeeded in the first, but had some difficulty with the second.
Athena turned to Artemis, who was glaring at her with disgust and annoyance. She might have accepted the fact that her best friend had fallen in love- which hadn't been easy for her to accept-, but she still didn't want to see it. Like she had told Athena every time she and Poseidon were in the same place. And numerous times when Artemis and Athena were just spending some time together.
Artemis sighed. " Really Thee? The script says you guys should kiss , not eat each other's faces. Or lick each other's tonsils".
" We were simply getting into character Artemis, but I apologize for the inconvenience. I am willing to admit we might have exagerrated".
Poseidon threw her arm around her and Artemis glared at him. She had accepted the relationship, but had not quite accepted him. In her eyes, he was still one of the males she disliked so much.
" Just try to stop this, all right? Because really, I -".
" Don't want to see it. I know. We will be on our best behavior from now on Artemis" Athena said with a smile, desperately trying to control her breathing and heartbeat , which were both still erratic from the kiss, bann all thoughts of Poseidon's lips- and body in general- from her mind and look apologetic instead of annoyed. She was more annoyed than embarressed or guilty now they were interrupted, wanting Poseidon's lips too much to care about something else much.
Artemis sighed again, glaring at Athena and Poseidon one more time to tell them she hadn't yet forgotten but they might be forgiven.
" I hope so. Really, the play will be in an hour and you guys still mess up the kiss scene".
" They didn't mess up! That was a really great kiss, I wouldn't mind being kissed like that" Aphrodite said, who was grinning broadly. She had been listening quietly, but apparently decided that she had to say something now.
She had been insufferable ever since they had shared their first kiss. She kept insisting they were together thanks to her ( Athena kept repeating it wasn't she who had brought them together, but a badly maintained stage and badly secured music box, but Aphrodite always ignored her) and gloated about it all the time.
She also insisted on giving Athena advice- claiming she needed it desperately now she a boyfriend- and Athena and she had had various arguments already because of this. Athena almost never accepted help, especially not from someone like Aphrodite.
Artemis glared at Aphrodite, apparently deciding that was slightly more important than glaring at Poseidon and Athena.
" You would like to be kissed period. Seriously, I don't think you even care who kissed you".
" Well, it is always better than being a lonely, grumphy maiden goddess that spends her time with girls that are just as grumphy and annoying as her".
Artemis turned red in the face and bit her lips hard, signs she was rapidly becoming very angry,but Aphrodite just continued and even had the audicity to smirk. She either was very stupid or overly confident.
" Or maybe that is because you want those girls to kiss you hmm? I have always wondered what you guys actually do for fun ".
Artemis was breathing shallowly like Athena right now, but for a very different reason. She was actually trembling with barely controlled rage, her eyes narrowed to slits as she glared at Aphrodite. Aphrodite had bothered her all the time and had been even more annoying and smug towards her, insisting Artemis would be next. And now she was also insinuating things like that, Artemis exploded like a volcano. Except that a volcano was less lethal than Artemis.
" YOU. TAKE. THAT. BACK, YOU PESTY PUPOSELESS EXCUSE OF A GODDESS" Artemis yelled while grabbing Aphrodite's neck and almost strangling her. Aphrodite just laughed, although you could see a flicker of fear in her eyes and she flinced when Artemis glared at her.
" Calm down Arty. Don't get all emotional and please, stop making bruises on my flawless, amazing skin".
Artemis pulled Aphrodite a little closer, making sure Aphrodite could see the anger and contempt in her eyes perfectly and feel her aura. A goddess couldn't destroy another goddess with her aura, but it could give away her mood. Which was complete, uncontrollable rage at the moment.
" Do NOT taunt me! You might be immortal, but that you can't be killed, doesn't mean you are unable to feel pain" Artemis hissed, her fingers digging into Aphrodite's skin. Aphrodite winced, but didn't stop smiling. Athena was suspecing she might actually be insane instead of gullible or arrogant.
" Calm down Arty, I am not taunting you, I am just curious".
" You aren't. As love goddess, you know these things, so you are just saying this to annoy me".
Aphrodite actually leaned towards Artemis, allowing their noses to touch. Her smile was rather evilly by now and she ignored the fact Artemis was still digging her fingers into Aphrodite's neck.
" But that is the thing.. I don't. For some reason, everything I normally use to sp- I mean inspect couples or people and know these things, doesn't work when I try it with you and hunters. It is almost like you are hiding something".
Artemis snorted. " I just don't want you to bother my hunters. I have nothing to hide".
" Hm. Funny, because you keep all the information I ought to know, carefully hidden from me".
" My business is none of yours. All you ought to know is, that I don't engage in relationships and I never will. I don't want anything to do with love or lust, so just Leave. Me. Alone " the last part was said in a low, ominous voice that sounded a lot like a growl.
Artemis pushed Aphrodite away from her, turning and walking away. Aphrodite followed the still raging goddess with her eyes while she rubbed the bruises on her neck. Then, she turned to Athena and Poseidon and smiled as though nothing had happened.
" That was decidedly imbecilic" Athena remarked. She had been following the argument closely and frankly, she was surprised Aphrodite had only a bruised neck. Artemis never took kindly to people insulting her hunters. They were like family to her, a family she actually liked and wanted to have.
Aphrodite merely shrugged, seemingly unimpressed. " Hardly. I just asked some questions. Not my fault Artemis is so damn defensive".
" I am surprised she refrained from doing something far more hurtful. You are wholeheartedly aware she doesn't like people speaking about her hunters in such a tone or insinuating things like that".
" So what? Not my fault she is oversensitive. I was just trying to- ".
" I know what you were attempting and you better desist attempting it if you value your health. Seriously Aphrodite, Artemis is not a person that you should anger".
" I didn't want to anger her!".
" Please, do not lie to me. I might not be Apollo, but I am still able to tell when a person is lying. You enjoy provoking Artemis".
" So what if I do? She is just so - so composed and tense! She should have more fun".
" And you believe angering her will make her have fun? I doubt it will do anything except inflict harm upon her direct environment".
" Or she might actually feel better. She keeps all her feelings bottled up inside, like you, and that isn't good".
" I wasn't aware you were a psychologist. Or even knew what Artemis is like".
" I don't. And I really don't. Because she won't let me! Really, the woman keeps refusing to be friends with me".
" Perhaps there are just too little similiarities between the two of you to make a friendship plausible".
" Or perhaps she feels intimidated by me. Women always do. Even you do!".
Athena arched one of her eyebrows, looking down at Aphrodite figuratively and literally. " What makes you think I am intimidated by you , of all people".
" You are intimidated, because I am really beautiful and guys always want me! Women always are intimidated".
" I assure you that I am not intimidated by you. And up until now, I have never desire men to want me, so that is a preposterous notion".
" Well I - ".
" Really Aphrodite, I am not intimidated and I doubt Artemis is. Your behavior and lifestyle just bothers her. Apologize and perhaps she will be less ... hostile".
Aphrodite shrugged. " I suppose, but why would I apologize? I haven't done anything wrong!".
" You did the worst you can do when dealing with Artemis. She is really protective of her hunters" Poseidon cut in, surprising Aphrodite who had forgotten he was there as well. Athena looked just as surprised, but she was just surprised he defended Artemis. Artemis and he didn't get along that well, after all.
" And where did you learn this piece of wisdom? " Athena teasingly asked,curious and surprised.
Poseidon grimaced. " I once made a joke about one of her hunters. After that, I spend weeks apologizing to Artemis until she no longer tried to shoot me, send wild animals after me or the worst, tell Apollo I wanted to hear all his haiku's".
" Why did I never hear about that? I would have loved seeing you on your knees, begging Artemis for mercy".
" I didn't go on my knees! Seriously, she might have thought I was proposing. That, and it would be humiliating".
" Well if you really said something obnoxious about her hunters then it would be the least you could do. Seriously, I knew you could be gullible, but I didn't know you were completely insane!".
" I am not! I just wanted to make her laugh".
"By offending the people she cares most about?".
" Uhhm. I didn't think it was that offensive".
" So it was highly offensive. I am surprised Artemis even forgave you".
" She did".
" And what did you have to do to-".
" Forget it Athena, I am not going to humiliate by telling you what I had to do".
Athena smiled, leaning towards him until their lips were almost touching.
" Pretty please?" she asked, knowing she would get him to talk soon enough.
Poseidon looked at her lips, so close to his, before shaking his head. " No".
" Come on, I asked nicely !".
" Still, no".
" You know, if you tell me this, you might get a reward " Athena said suggestively, watching Poseidon's expression. He looked thoughtful, contemplating this offer.
She knew she had him where she wanted when he asked " A reward?".
She nodded, not giving away her real intentions. He obviously thought he knew what kind of reward she would give him and grinned, oblivious to his girlfriend's little smirk that meant he was in trouble.
" All right then. But Aphrodite has to leave first".
Athena looked around and smiled when she saw Aphrodite had already left. She obviously had been more interested in getting Artemis to talk then them.
" Well, she is, so tell me!".
Poseidon sighed, before succumbing to his girlfriend's persuasive techniques.
" Well, I had to- he mumbled something Athena couldn't hear, blushing faintly for possibly the first time since she had known him. She rolled her eyes and got closer to him.
" I am unable to hear that Poseidon. Please repeat yourself".
He didn't look her into her eyes, staring at his feet like they were the most interesting ever when he complied.
" I had to be their maid for a few weeks". "
You had to be their maid? What did they urge you to do?" Athena asked, carefully hiding her grin.
" Pretty much everything. Sharpen arrows, prepare meals - without using my powers apart from summoning some necessary materials- , take care of Artemis' animals and so on. They actually started to make up things I had to do, like swimming to the bottom of a lake and getting a 'special' stone. And Artemis made me wear an uniform!".
That was when Athena couldn't compose herself anymore ; she started laughing. The image of him in some strange uniform was, although slightly disturbing, quite hilarious. The fact that he had said it in a whining voice and was pouting only made it funnier.
" She.. she made you wear an UNIFORM ?" Athena managed to say, stopping laughing long enough to speak.
Poseidon narrowed his eyes at her, looking more angry than embarressed. Athena didn't notice, too busy with laughing.
" Yes! And stop laughing, it wasn't funny! I have never been that humiliated in my life!".
" Well you didn't have to do it" Athena said, now more chuckling than laughing.
" Yes, I did! Or she would have never forgiven me and I would have gone nuts! Seriously if I had to hear one more haiku that started with there once was a goddess from Sparta-".
" So you wore a maid's uniform just so you didn't want to hear any more haiku's? And you are one of the big three?".
" He wouldn't stop following me! Artemis is a very cruel, sadistic person and-".
Athena kissed him on the lips, effectively silencing him. " Calm down seaweed brain, I am just teasing you. Although I am surprised Artemis never told me this. She usually tells me these kind of things". She didn't want to listen to a rant about Artemis after all.
Poseidon shrugged, obviously no longer interested in talking as he was staring quite intently at her lips. " Yeah weird".
He grinned at her, placing his hands on her waist and pulling her towards him until their hips were connected. " You know... we still have to practise the kissing scene" he said.
Athena chuckled and threw her arms around his neck. She wasn't ready to let him get away this easily, but she would have him let his way for now. She could always ask Artemis for the entire story.
" You now what, I believe you are right" she whispered, offering him her lips. He didn't waste time, immediately capturing her lips and kissing her just as passionate as before. It was they had never been interrupted and were just finishing what they had started.
They were interrupted again not too long after that, this time a lot more forcefully when Zeus grabbed Poseidon's hair and pulled him backwards, scowling at him. Hera was standing behind him, looking slightly annoyed.
" You know, if you didn't have to act in a half hour, I would fry you" Zeus growled at Poseidon.
Poseidon narrowed his eyes. " And if I wasn't so sure Athena would be very displeased if I did that, I would use your own lightning bolt to hit you on the head".
" And if either of you want to have a nice evening with the women you love, you better stop that" Hera said, with a small smile towards Athena who looked just as annoyed as she did. Athena nodded, ignoring the fact that Hera was actually smiling - really, it wasn't the weirdest thing that had happened the past weeks.
" Exactly. Do release my confidant's hair Father".
Zeus gave her a look, but shrugged and let Poseidon go. Poseidon straightened and glared at him before walking towards Athena and kissing her again. Athena glared at him when she realized he had mainly done that to provoke Zeus, but relaxed when he gave her an apologetic look and a kiss on her cheek.
" So pumpkin - Athena scowled a little when her father used his nickname for her- are you ready for the play"? Zeus grinned at her, looking very much like a little kid on Christmas' eve. He ignored Poseidon completely.
She gave him a small smile. " I believe I am".
"Good. Good. Then you better go change, because it already starts in thirty minutes".
After a few warnings from Zeus that he didn't want to see them get carried away again - Athena felt rather offended, but assured Zeus in a cold tone that wouldn't happen while Poseidon just grinned and said he didn't make any promises- they all seperated and changed into their costumes.
Pricisely twenty minutes later, Athena saw Poseidon again. He had changed into his costume and was now wearing goldish orange dress shirt, white churidars ( trousers) and a ivory Sherwani ( A/N it is a coat, you can look it up if you want to know what it looks like) that reched until his ankles. His dress shirt and coat were decorated with little pearls.
He also wore a turban; a big, saffron turban with silver colored threads that decorated the turban, forming a pattern. It was the equivalent of a crown.
He had a golden belt - made by Hephaestus- tied around his waist and it held two weapons; a Dhup- a sword with a broad blade four feet long- and a khanjar- a dagger. He looked amazing. Handsome, impressive and dangerous.
Poseidon smiled and walked towards her, taking her hand and placing a small kiss on it.
"Hello Anarkali, my pomegranate blossom, how are you on this beautiful day that pales in comparism with your beauty?".
Athena made a small obeisance. " I am very well, my lord" she said, admiring the way he looked now he was dressed up as prince. It was the first time she had actually seen him wearing the costume and she decided it looked good on him.
He gave a small tug on her hand and she willingly fell into his arms, inhaling his salty scent that she had grown to love. He gave her another small kiss, this one on the top of her head, and wrapped his arms around her.
They stayed like that for a moment; not talking or even looking at each other, just enjoying the proximity that was still somewhat strange and forbidden.
Poseidon stroked her hair while Athena was content to just inhale his scent and forget the rest of the world for a moment. His arms had quickly become the place where she would find tranquility and peace after a long day.
Eventually, Athena pulled back a little to look up until his eyes. She was enthralled, drowning in them like always. His eyes were one of the things she liked most about them; they were the perfect shade of green and showed his emotions so perfectly. And when they were filled with such admiration and love like now, Athena couldn't- and didn't want to- break the eye contact or even blink.
She kept staring into those amazing eyes, that were always filled with such strong emotions unlike her own grey ones that could be devoid of any emotions. Those eyes fascinated her.
Poseidon smiled when he saw the awestruck look on Athena's face. He loved the idea of having that effect on her, of being noticed and admired by her. Nothing was more flattering than the fact that it was him who filled her steely grey eyes with emotions, with the same love and admiration he felt. He had never felt appreciated and loved like this.
Suddenly struck with the desire to show her that love with more than his eyes, Poseidon leaned in to kiss her. Athena seemed willing at first, leaning into him, but suddenly moved before he could connect their lips. Instead of kissing her lips, he ended up kissing the place where her shoulder and neck connected. He didn't mind that much, because he simply loved the taste and scent of her skin.
" Poseidon, we can't do this! The play is going to start in ten minutes".
Athena tried to talk some sense into Poseidon, but he was too occupied with kissing her skin. Firstly, he kissed her collarbone, then her neck, to end up placing a kiss beneath her ear and making her feel his warm breath when he murmered " we have some time".
Then , he moved down again and placed kisses on her collarbone again and her shoulder after which he bit her shoulder softly and started making a trail of kisses that started at her shoulder and ended with a kiss on her earlobe.
Athena felt the will to say something or push him away leave her, even though the small part of her brain that stayed conscious while Poseidon kissed and licked, screamed at her to stop him.
Athena, deciding that she at least should try to regain some semblance of control, grabbed Poseidon's head and pulled it towards her mouth. She forced her tongue inside his mouth and gave him the most passionate kiss she was capable off.
Athena was obviously a very talented woman, because - although she had been very inexperienced a few weeks ago- when she pulled back, Poseidon was not only very breathless ( something the sea god didn't experience often), but his pupils had dilated so much his eyes only had flecks of green, his hair was a mess and he also looked overwhelmed, excited and had a very hungry look in his eyes that told Athena she might be in trouble.
She actually tried to take a step back when she saw that look, but Poseidon tightened his hold on her and pulled her towards him. She gasped slightly and he immediately attacked her mouth, sucking, nibbling and licking until she moaned and complied to his unspoken order. She threw her arms around his neck again, pushed her body against his and kissed him just as passionately as she had moments before.
They kept kissing like that; deep, passionate kisses that made them both moan. Because they were gods, they didn't necessarily have to pull back to breathe and both took full advantage to that, not seperating their moments until the moment that somehow grabbed Athena's hips and pulled her back.
Athena immediately reached behind her, grabbed a wrist and threw the person on the ground. She was just about to beat the person for interrupting one heck of a kiss when she saw who it was and paused.
Artemis immediately got up again and hissed at Athena. She looked even more annoyed and disgusted than before.
" What on earth do you think you were doing?".
Athena, annoyed and not really interested in talking, glared at Artemis.
" Kissing" she hissed, contemplating whether she should waste valuable time that could be used for kissing Poseidon by punishing Artemis or just jump Poseidon. The second option seemed a lot more appealing to her, so she turned and took the first step towards Poseidon on wobbly legs.
Before she could reach Poseidon - who looked just as annoyed as her- , Artemis grabbed her wrist and pulled her back. Athena almost lost her self-control, but managed to keep herself from hurting Artemis.
" Oh no, I don't think so! The play is going to begin any moment now and he is needed in one of the first scenes".
Artemis glared at her friend before looking at Poseidon and glaring at him. " And you should go freshen up because you are a total mess".
She glanced at Athena before adding " Both of you are".
Athena glared at her friend and tried to escape Artemis' grip, but the goddess only tightened it.
" We are not" she said, surprised when she noticed how breathless and hoarse her voice sounded.
Artemis snorted and rolled her eyes. " Yes you are. Your hair looks like it has exploded, your eyes are solely black now, your clothes are rumpled, your lips swollen and you are breathing so heavy I can hear every ragged breath you take. Everyone who takes one look at you will immediately know what is going on".
Athena glared at her friend again, still contemplating punching her, but had to admit Artemis might have a point. She probably did look like that and it just wouldn't do appearing at a stage like that.
" I am convinced you are exagerrating" Athena said, forcing her voice to be normal and not so damn breathless and slightly hoarse. It didn't work. Her voice was still breathless and hoarse, the traitor.
Artemis sighed and started pulling Athena with her, ignoring her friend's fruitless attempts to break free. She yelled " go freshen up, the play starts in a few minutes" over her shoulder at Poseidon,who was a total mess like Athena. He glared at her, but didn't come after them, despite his obvious desire to kiss Athena again.
Artemis only let Athena go when they had arrived at her dressing room. Athena glared Artemis- she apparently was unable to stop doing this- and vowed she would get back at her for this. She didn't like being pulled along like some disobedient child.
" It wasn't necessary to pull me along, I am perfectly capable of walking" Athena said, her voice still slightly breathless and hoarse.
" It was necessary, seeing as how you had lost complete control of yourself and seemed rather weak-kneed. Really Athena, I am very disappointed".
" Disist using that tone with me Artemis! I am not an adolescent that has done something wrong, I was just- ".
" Kissing an obtuse male and allowing yourself to be carried away to the point it is very obvious you are- she hesitated a moment before spitting the word out- aroused?".
" I am no-".
" You are".
Artemis sighed and closed her eyes for a moment, trying to control herself. She wanted to punch Athena's nearly as much as Athena wanted to punch her. When she opened her eyes again, she was calm and composed like always.
" Just freshen up all right? Throw some cold water in your face, spray perfume in your face and try to compose yourself to the point it isn't obvious what you have just done".
" Cease giving me orders!".
" Athena, just do what I say all right? We have a play that is going to start in a few minutes and it is very significant that everything goes right. All the demi-gods will be here, as well as the other deities. Do you honestly desire to embarress yourself in front of all these people?".
Athena sighed and felt her anger disappear. Artemis was just attempting to help her and she was behaving immature. She gave her friend a weak smile, deciding she should apologize later and not punish her. She had just been trying to help after all.
" My sincere apologies Artemis, I shouldn't have behaved in this matter. And no, I do not desire to embarress myself".
Artemis smiled back, although she still looked annoyed. " It's all right. I am just vexed because I continue to see you doing that ".
" I will attempt to not harm your virgin eyes" Athena teased.
Artemis snorted. " I have seen plenty of kissing, it is just that I don't want to see it. Especially when it is you. Are you aware of how peculiar it is to see that?".
" Not really, but I can imagine" Athena said while walking to the zink and using the fresh, cold water to wash her face and hands. She immediately felt her head clear to the point that she was fully aware of how horrible and out of character had behaved. She almost prefered the haze her brain had been in , when all she would have cared about was feeling Poseidon's lips on hers again.
She sprayed on a little perfume before turning towards Artemis, who was leaning against the door.
" So what do you think?" Athena asked.
Artemis looked at her and shrugged. " You still have to brush your hair and perhaps drinking something will lessen the hoarseness of your voice".
Athena nodded and quickly brushed her hair, noticing absently that it was a complete mess indeed, and drank a glass of Nektar before straightening her clothes and walking towards Artemis.
" I believe I am ready. Shall we go?".
Artemis merely nodded and they walked in silence until they reached their destination; the space under the stage where all actors waited until they had to come up. There was a stair that led to the stage and a few people stood around it.
Athena smiled at Artemis and thanked her before she walked towards the stairs while Artemis walked towards the lights where her brother was waiting for her.
Apollo looked rather sullen; his face devoid of the normally illuminating grin. He had been very upset when he had discovered he didn't have a role and apparently, he still was. He brightened a bit when Artemis reached him though, giving her a quick smile and saying something that made Artemis roll her eyes and punch him.
Athena watched the siblings with a smile. Artemis and Apollo always made her smile. They behaved - especially Artemis did that- like they didn't care that much about each other, but everyone knew they loved each other very much.
Apollo, for instance, had been crazy with worry when Artemis had been captured and Artemis was always sad when he didn't visit her for some time- although she would never admit it.
Athena entertained herself by watching the twins for some time until a familiar voice caught her attention. She couldn't see the actors, but she could hear them and she clearly recognized Poseidon's voice. This was the part in the play where prince Salim has just come back home from military training and greeted his father.
" King Akbar, I have just returned home and I am here to show you my appreciation and report on what has happened while I was absent, as well as hear it ".
" Very well son. I am glad you are home" another voice, that Athena recognized as Zeus', answered. There was a short pause and Athena supected the two men were hugging ( a part of the script both had protested against).
" Father, I - " Poseidon started , but he stopped talking suddenly. Athena frowned, wondering what had happened that had forced him to stop talking when she realized most people were snickering and heard Zeus spat " stop hugging me" in a low tone.
" I can't, I am stuck!" came Poseidon's whispered reply. He sounded annoyed and vaguely nervous. Something was definitely wrong if it made Poseidon nervous.
Athena really wanted to see what was happening, but she knew enough to form an image. An image of Poseidon and Zeus sharing what they called a 'manhug', frantically trying to pull back and scowling at each other. She had to admit, she would probably have laughed if she could have seen it.
She heard the sound of people moving above her and decided they were now not only stuck, but also doing some sort of weird dance, probably hoping that that would get them free. She really wished she could see it.
" What on earth are you doing!" someone said in a low, angry voice. Zeus.
" Trying to get away from you!" another voice answered. Poseidon.
" Well you obviously can't, so stop!".
" We might be unstuck if we just attempt to walk in two different directions!".
" I don't -".
" Just try it!".
She could hear her father mutter insults under his breath while he walked - tried to walk- backwards. Poseidon was grumbling and he walked the other way.
She didn't hear anything except the snickers and whispers of the crowd for a moment before she heard Poseidon exclaim " it is working, it is work- ". A weird sound followed, someone cursed and then he spoke again. " Never mind".
Zeus didn't say anything, but Athena could easily imagine him glaring at was probably ignoring him, like he normally did.
She heard other sounds, like footsteps but slightly different, and heard Zeus say " get your hand away from there " - which made her frown - before she heard another loud sound like people falling and Poseidon cursed as well.
" Fuck. Why can't we get up?".
" Because we are still stuck, vlacas!".
" He! A little respect for your older brother Zeus".
" You mean for the idiot who has somehow managed to get us stuck?".
" I didn't do that!'.
"Hmm".
" What are we going to do now, we are completely embarrassing ourselves!".
" You always do that".
" Shut up! We have to get off this stage, because we obviously aren't able to disconnect ourselves".
" Fine. Just roll over".
" Roll over?".
" Yes, if we can roll towards the hidden door and end up below stage and-".
" That will look ridiculous!".
" And laying on the ground basically on top of each other doesn't?".
Silence. Then, a sigh.
" Good point. Fine, I will roll over".
Athena, now having a giggling fit herself even when she couldn't see what was happening, heard some loud thumps before something behind her hit the ground and cursed loudly.
She composed herself as much as she could and turned, almost getting another giggling fit when she saw her father and Poseidon. Poseidon was laying on top of her father, their arms were around each other and both were staring at each other with shocked and disgusted faces.
" Hi" she said and both tried to get away- forgetting they were still stuck- and only managed to roll over and end with Zeus on top. They now only looked disgusted.
Athena walked towards them and kneeled, looking at Poseidon with raised eyebrows. She managed to keep her face composed when she asked " Should I be jealous? You two seem quite intimate".
Poseidon and Zeus both glared at her.
" Not funny Athena, not funny at all!" Poseidon said through gritted teeth.
" For once, I agree with him. Just help us Athena".
Athena decided she was spending too much time around Poseidon and Aphrodite when she could resist saying" Sorry, I am not into that kind of thing", which made the men look at her with shocked faces.
She smiled and grabbed her father's arm, trying to pull him off Poseidon. She quickly realized that wasn't possible and straightened, looking down at them.
" What on earth have you two done? It is like you are glued to each other".
" I don't know! Some weird substance appears to be gluing us together and I have no idea where it came from".
Other people were also walking towards them, but Athena shook her head and waved them off. She was certain just pulling them apart wasn't the solution here.
She kneeled again and tried to take a look at their arms, but that wasn't possible when they were laying on top of each other. She gently pushed them, so they were laying on their sides, and inspected their arms.
It turned out that the substance wasn't on their arms, like she had anticipated, but on their shoulders. It was a brownish gold, hold a faint resemblance to honey and Athena confirmed it seemed to be some sort of glue, because when she attempted to pull Zeus and Poseidon apart, it glowed and hold them together.
She sighed and got up again, knowing pulling them apart would definitely not work.
" I don't recognize it, so it is apparently invented by someone who hasn't registered it or I would have read about it. It appears to be some sort of super-glue. We will have to take you to a different space, examine the substance and attempt to discover how to dissolve it. This will definitely take some time".
" We don't have time" Zeus protested, trying to stand up, but failing miserably.
" We have to get up and do the play, they are all waiting for us!" he said, giving Athena a pleading look.
Poseidon rolled his eyes, looking not concerned like Zeus at all, only annoyed. " How would you suggest we do that brother? We can't get up without help and I assure you I do not want to embarrass myself further by trying to play my part stuck to my annoying younger brother".
" You would have embarrassed yourself anyway and I won't let a tiny thing like this ruin all m hard work!".
" All your hard work? You are making sound like you did all the work yourself while you were actually too occupied with throwing yourself at Hera".
" I directed this play and made everyone cooperate. That is hard work! And you were the one throwing yourself shamelessly at a woman".
" Please, I did not!".
" You did and it was revolting! The only reason I haven't used my lightning bolt to electrocute you is because Athena asked me not to and I respect her!".
" I wouldn't allow you to electrocute me!".
" You wouldn't- ".
" Dad! Poseidon! Stop arguing".
The two men stopped their arguing to look up at one very annoyed wisdom goddess. They were silenced immediately when they noticed the look in her eyes. Both mumbled "Sorry", sounding very much like two little boys that had just been reprimanded.
" You ought to be sorry! Arguing at a time like this, it ludicrous really. I am almost tempted to leave you like this, if just to force you to cooperate!".
" Athena! You can't do that, I am the ki-".
" Do not tell me what I am attainable of, I know my abilities. And I reckon that means you know how to free yourself, king Zeus?" Athena said, arching one of her eyebrows and watching with satisfaction as her father silenced and shook his head.
" Very well. That means we have to find a solution. We will just relocate you and-".
" What about the play" Zeus interrupted.
Athena shrugged, not caring that much about it right now.
" Apollo has already offered to entertain the audience until you two are prepared to act again".
" Apollo? Athena, do you really think that is a good idea?" Poseidon, looking slightly worried, asked.
" It is the best idea we have at the moment. Let's get this substance off you" she said. She beckoned a few people forward and together, they managed to get Zeus and Poseidon on their feet again.
Athena led them away, right at the moment she heard Apollo say " Zeus and Poseidon appear to be in a sticky situation – he chuckled, apparently finding this hilarious- , so I am here to entertain you".
He ignored the crowd's groans and claims they didn't have to be entertained and started to sing. Athena was surprised to hear his singing voice was almost as bad as his haiku's. What made it worse, was that he was singing haiku's .
She quickened her pace, desperate to escape the failed attempt at singing, but had to slow down again because Zeus and Poseidon couldn't walk that fast. Actually, they couldn't walk at all and had to jump to get anywhere, which looked hilarious but didn't make things any easier for Athena.
Eventually, they tripped and both fell on the ground, groaning. Athena was shocked to see her father's eyes suddenly roll in their sockets while he made uncontrolled, jerky movements.
She kneeled down next to him, ignoring Poseidon who cursed when her dad accidently knocked their heads together.
" Dad! What is going on? Did you hurt yourself?" She asked, concerned the substance might be toxic even to gods and was harming her father.
Her father made a sound that was a mix between a hiss and a groan.
" Make it stop!" he said in a strangled voice, still making uncontrollable movements.
" Make what stop? Is it the substance dad, is it burning or-".
" Not that horrible sound!" Zeus said and Athena sighed. Her dad wasn't hurt, Apollo's singing was just driving him nuts. She could relate to that.
" I will just lead you away dad, then you don't have to hear it anymore" she said in a gentle voice while she actually wanted to hit her dad for making her think he was in danger.
She managed to get them on their feet – Poseidon started groaning at this moment as well but was silenced when Athena looked at him- and she carried them away after she had asked some people to help.
She was very relieved to get away from Apollo's singing ( if you could call it that), especially because his haiku's ( Haiku's rock. Prince Salim was handsome. I look better) didn't have 5,7,5 syllables most of the time and were about him. She actually felt sorry for the audience.
It took some time- and almost burned Zeus and Poseidon-, but she managed to get the glue off. Zeus immediately ran away while Poseidon rolled his eyes, thanked her and gave her a kiss before calmly walking after his brother.
Athena smiled and walked back to where she had been standing before everything happened. She also had ordered a few people to find the people who had glued Zeus and Poseidon together- she just knew it was a prank and not some accident.
She was just on time to see Apollo walk back towards Artemis- covered in rotten eggs and tomatoes. He said something – Athena thought it was " those people don't know real talent' – and cleaned himself by snapping his fingers.
Artemis just rolled her eyes and mouthed " help me" at Athena. Athena mouthed back " Sorry, I can't " and listened to the play again. She had to pay attention or she wouldn't know to enter the stage.
The first few scenes passed by without accidents and the audience seemed to enjoy themselves, so Athena had almost forgotten the 'prank' when it happened.
It happened during the scene where she met with 'Prince Salim' in one of the many gardens around the palace when the grass they were sitting on suddenly started growing rapidly, until it was at least as tall as her godly form, and wrapped itself around them.
They managed to get free and Demeter shrunk the grass, but right when Athena thought it was over, she discovered the grass wasn't the only thing that had grown. A worm that had been in the ground had grown as well and suddenly appeared behind them, towering over them. Athena and Poseidon jumped away when the worm struck ( since when were worms aggressive like that , Athena thought) and they shrunk it again.
This went on for some time; flowers suddenly growing, as well as animals like snails and butterflies until Demeter managed to make it stop. By then, Athena and Poseidon were covered in dirt and slime ( the snail had walked over them) , their clothes were tattered and the audience was laughing loudly.
Things like that kept happening during the play; Zeus' microphone suddenly didn't work properly anymore and kept saying; I want my teddy bear in Zeus' voice instead of his lines, Ares' own sword started hitting him ( Athena secretly liked that), all the actors on stage couldn't stop sneezing and/or laughing, the floor was suddenly very slippery and Athena slipped- everyone could see her underwear thanks to this- and the music suddenly changed when someone had to sing.
Finally, even Zeus had to admit the play couldn't go on until the culprit's of all the pranks were found and this time, Hermes got to entertain the audience. He was telling jokes while Athena, Zeus and Poseidon searched for the culprit, as well as the other gods.
They finally found them, hiding behind the stage using the same invisibility potion Percy and Annabeth had used weeks prior. Two identical looking boys who tried very hard to escape when Athena discovered them. Which was smart, because the wisdom goddess looked like she wanted to tear them apart with her bare hands.
" Travis and Connor Stoll, any last words?" she hissed, for once not composed. These were the boys that had humiliated her. They were the reason that an amphitheatre filled with people had seen her underwear . They had to be punished and it had to be excruciating.
Poseidon stopped her before she could do anything however, placing a hand on her shoulder and whispering "Don't hurt them".
She turned towards him, still keeping each boy in a firm grip , and glared at him. " Why not? They humiliated us Poseidon!".
" I know, but I somehow doubt they did it on their own. Someone must have helped them, because they wouldn't be able to do this all on their own".
" You.. you are right. Since when do you actually think before you do something?" Athena, pleasantly surprised said, staring at her boyfriend like he had suddenly turned into the hulk.
He grinned, looking a little too pleased with himself for her liking. She narrowed her eyes and prepared to tell him to no become too arrogant when he said " Since I started dating the most intelligent, beautiful woman ever ".
Athena felt herself melt a little, but glared at him and made sure he couldn't see that. She did have a reputation after all. She couldn't become all friendly just because he said something nice like that.
She looked down at the boys that were looking both pleased with themselves and frightened. She pushed one of them towards Poseidon, who made sure he couldn't escape, and dug her nails in the wrist of the other. He winced slightly and she applied a little pressure to make sure it really hurt, but didn't break the bone or anything.
In a cold, steely voice she asked " Who aided you?" and he shared a look with the other ( she believed it was Travis) before saying " Hermes and Apollo" in a small voice.
Athena smiled – in a very creepy way, Poseidon told her later- and pushed Connor towards Poseidon as well. The boy was no longer interesting to her.
" Punish them , will you? I have to cretins to catch" she said before kissing Poseidon- Connor and Travis exclaimed gross! at the exact same moment- and walking away.
She quickly found what she was looking for; two gods who were standing in a corner, whispering together and didn't hear her coming. Which was why they were freaked out when Athena suddenly grabbed their heads, pulled them back into a room and locked the door.
" So do you have anything useful to say or shall I just punish you know?" she asked with a small smile and her coldest, meanest voice. She was glad to see both looked uncomfortable and took a few steps back, although they kept grinning.
" Of course we do, Theenie! I mean I am the awesome Apollo, I- " Athena cut him off by planting her heel in his lap and watching with satisfaction as he fell to the ground, moaning and cursing softly. God or not, that always hurt.
She turned towards Hermes and smiled at him, making him take another step back. He raised his hands, still smiling but looking a lot more nervous than before. He obviously knew she was really mad.
" Calm down Athena, no need to-" She kicked his legs away and then kicked him in the stomach. He lay on the ground as well, groaning softly.
She looked down at the two gods for a moment, thinking about what she should do next. Bringing them a lot of physical pain was tempting, but emotional pain was always worse and there were thousands of people who would be able to see their humiliation and tease them for a long time..
Destroying their dignity and pride it is. But how?
Athena thought about this as well, kicking Apollo again when he tried to stand up, and finally- after having to kick Hermes once and Apollo five or six times- had the perfect idea.
She grinned evilly- although she didn't notice she was doing it- and tied Apollo and Hermes up- after putting on them – with her godly powers- the perfect outfits. Then she knocked them out.
When they woke again, they were untied and on the stage in very embarrassing outfits. Athena wouldn't let them go until they had done what she had said.
The audience went wild – wolf whistling and laughing so hard some people were brought to the hospital-, Hephaestus recorded everything, Artemis had blackmail material enough to make Apollo stop calling her his little sis, other gods just laughed and pointed while Athena got what she had wanted in the first place; a play of Romeo and Juliet . She hadn't originally wanted Apollo to play Juliet and Hermes Romeo though.
Yes! Finished :D Sorry for the delay people, but my laptop has crashed, so I needed to borrow someone's laptop and lost part of the story.
I hope you enjoyed this ( I enjoyed writing it) and that it was a good conclusion to the menacing musical story.
Sorry if I made any mistakes when it comes to clothing/weapons/the tale of Anarkali and Salim, but I am not an expert on these things and had to get all the information from the internet.
Also, remember that Zeus wanted everything to be as authentic as possible? That is why they had real flowers, grass and animals on stage:)