Authors note: YAY! Part two is here! Not that I'm sure anyone is still paying any attention but hey, I promised it years ago and since some of us have probably got a bit more time on our hands now due to... circumstances that shall not be named, I thought I'd do a mass edit and dump some new content here whether anyone asked for it or not. Next chapter in the adventures of Icarus and Narcissus ya'll.

PART TWO: Living

Nineteen: New

Icarus

I've been waiting all day for him to get up, first in my room, then in the inner courtyard – but apparently he doesn't wanna move. He used up all his energy last night I guess. And I'm not going to the baths by myself.

I tried dipping my head in a bucket of water – well, more like just my hair, its not like I want to get water all over me – but its not working. I still feel dirty, the smell is still in my nose. I dried my hair, but its still dripping.

Its dripping red.

How much is in there?

I should go get another bucket.

No, hot water.

I should just have bath here, but I don't know who to ask to draw it. It would take forever to do it alone. All the servants, Tyndareus and Desme too, even though they said they would stay… they've gone, got work somewhere else or took their chances not having a job at all. Better than staying in the cursed house apparently. Even the hunters who kept trying to check on Narcissus a couple weeks ago disappeared somewhere.

The only ones left are the slaves. It would be their job anyway, but I don't really want to ask any of them. Its like, who am I to order them around, right? Aias, the one who likes Eliana a lot, and Jua, the really tall dark man with an edge in his voice, and Chloe the blonde girl, who goes around with… I can't ever get her name right, Ziree? Those guys especially, they've started looking at me weirdly. If not they've just been ignoring me, I dunno. Some of the other guys I've never really talked to at all so I can't tell if they hate me or if they've just got better things to do. Like because there's no servants telling them what to do, some just do whatever the hell they like but some just get on with things as if it were normal. But its not. Everything's tense and twisted. It's like we're all just waiting for Narcissus to come back with his arrogant charming face and scrape away the weirdness of the past two weeks.

Maybe I'm just making excuses. Not like anyone needs to know that though...

Either way, I still need to get the blood out of my hair.

They were gonna be free. I realized it about three days after I told them he was going to live. I woke up with him in my arms and still damp from the lake, and there were some of the guys all crowded around the edge of the flowers. I think they were coming to… to… finish him… collect his… they thought he would have been gone already, by then. But then I told them, I explained. The looks on their faces were more horrified than relived. They had their plans and they were all set and they had their hopes for lives of freedom and I ruined it for them…

I burned up their wings.

And there's still blood in my hair. And I'm trying and trying to draw water from this well, but its not working, its only coming up red…

This blood though… its not just from sheep.

The first bucket was rams, but the second was pigs, the third and fourth human – there's a lot of people blood in here, why's that?

And the fifth bucket… and the sixth and seventh and eighth and ninth –

All birds. And now its less blood, more feathers. There's feathers in the bucket.

A lot of things died in this well.

I keep trying to draw water. But it won't work, it won't work.

The bucket's on the ground now, bloody feathers blowing all over the place and they want to stick to my hair now –

Stupid bucket. Stupid. STUPID!

'Icarus, what are you doing?'

Gold.

Gold red hair.

I can talk to her.

'…Hi Elli. Nothing. I'm just trying to get water.'

'Well you won't do that by smashing our best bucket will you? That's the lightest one with the least leaks. Or was. '

'I'm sorry. I'll make you a new one. One that doesn't draw up so much blood.'

'Blood? What blood?'

Can't she… can't she see?

'All this - '

I point to the pool of… wait… there's nothing there, just water. How?

Why is she looking at me like that?

'Icarus, are you feeling alr – '

'I'm waiting to go to the baths. I can't go alone. But he's not awake yet.'

'Right… We could just draw you a bath you know. I'll get – '

'Why would you do that? You guys don't owe me anything. And now you can't go anywhere.'

Eliana looks at me again. A long time. Why does she keep doing that?

Something grabs my wrist and I pull it away quick–

'Ouch! You do not have to be so violent! I was just holding your hand!'

Holding my…

'S-sorry.'

I need to go.

I stand, I need to go – but I need to clean up the mess I made – but –

'Icarus… what happened to you?'

Turning back, she's looking at me with her sycamore eyes –

'What are you talking about?'

'You are nervous. Around us, around everything. You don't need to be, you know.'

Is she looking in my head? How does she know?

'I'm not…'

'You are. It is obvious.'

She breathes out, heavy,

'You know the only reason people are so suspicious around you is because… well they don't know who you are. I've heard some things.'

'What things?'

My heart starts punching my ribcage.

'Just stupid rumours… about you. Probably started by that fool Eubalus. Or Chloe, she is a major gossip - '

'What things!'

'Calm down.'

Her voice cuts through my ears low and quiet but somehow it's working. I sit back down on the well wall.

'Stupid things. Someone said you were a male temple… prostitute… who ran away. Someone else thinks you're a creation of Circe come to curse the proud. Another-'

Something like relief washes across my face. She sees.

'I told you they were stupid,' she smirks,

'Besides, I set them straight as soon as they surfaced. Now, what really happened?'

The relief is gone.

'I can't tell you. You might…'

'I might what? Icarus, if you think I'm going to spread your life story like feta cheese amongst the people of Tenos then you don't know me.'

'How do I know you won't just use it against me later?'

She gives me a look. Oops.

I know I made a mistake.

'Icarus, I may be deceptive at times, but believe it or not, I don't get pleasure out of causing people pain. I have nothing against you. You helped my mother's recovery after all.'

She sighs. She's annoyed. Then a gleam appears in her eyes.

'Look, let's make a deal. You tell me your story, and I tell you mine.'

'Your… story?'

'Yes. You're not the only one with a past they'd like to forget, you know.'

'Oh… okay.'

'Is that a deal then?'

'I…guess – '

'Eliana!'

Both our heads turn at the sound of the voice. I nearly panic again, is it the others –?

But no, it's the last person I expected to see.

'I've been waiting all day!' I pretty much yell at Narcissus, before feeling a bit bad. He's still pale and shaky, but he's dressed finally. He's carrying a small scroll and a… is that a seal? I thought he only had his ring…

He frowns at me, confused.

'Waiting?'

'The baths?' I explain. His eyes light in realization.

'Oh, right. I'm sorry Icarus, not right now. Have the girls not yet drawn you another?'

'Uh…'

'Anyway, I need to speak with Eliana in private. It's a matter of great importance.'

'Is my mother alright?' it shoots out her mouth seemingly without a second thought, leaning on desperation. It's funny, not "ha ha" funny but "not normal" funny. She never would have done that before the curse…

'Y-yes. Susanna is well, as far as I know,'

Narcissus tells her with a bit of a weirded out look on his face,

'This concerns a different matter. Please come.'

She nods, casual. She doesn't seem surprised at all to see him awake which is even weirder. He's looking at her, but he can't quite hold her gaze and there's something unsure in his eyes. Something as weak as his body is right now. She's looking at him and she's noticed the seal too and I hope she isn't thinking what I'm thinking because in his state she could pretty much take him and the seal and force him to–

'Yes, master,' she gives a small bow.

'Please,' he interrupts almost instantly,

'Just call me Narcissus.'

He seems to take a breath, as if preparing himself for some great challenge, and makes a gesture for Elli to follow before turning to go inside. Eliana looks at me with wide eyes that scream "What in hades is going on?" I just shrug. She rolls her eyes before following after him. I give her what I hope is a reassuring smile and wave, before she frantically gestures that she wants me to follow.

And I thought my days of being sneaky were done.

Narcissus

'You… you what?'

The girl stares up at me, eyes wide, before her eyebrows crease up in an expression merging suspicion and disbelief.

'You heard me Eliana. I'm offering you a paid position as head housekeeper, since Desme has moved on to other things. She mentioned oftentimes your quick mind and resourceful thinking. In time, this job will pay well. Or at least better than what you get now. Here's the contract.'

I nearly pass it to her, but the glower she gives stops me in my tracks.

'I cannot read. If I can't even read the contract, how am I supposed to fill out the role? Housekeeping requires administration, am I right?'

Well, obviously, my brain is still shattered, otherwise I would have thought about this long ago. As I said, my followers usually do the thinking for me.

Did the thinking for me.

'Good question.' I admit. She looks surprised. She hides it fast with a cool, unimpressed gaze.

'Why should I do anything you ask of me anymore?'

…This is not the docile teen that tended to my frivolous fancies for these past couple of years. She doesn't have to wear that mask anymore. It seems that curse broke the spell of my – very literally – charming looks as well. Once you've seen someone at their worst, I suppose it's past the point of no return.

It occurs to me that life might just be a hell of a lot more difficult from now on.

And a lot freer.

'I'll hire you an assistant.'

The girl looks star struck for a moment, before the light in her eyes darkens once more. A wave of what I can only describe as pure bitterness sweeps over her face. Her lips twist in a most unattractive manner. Is this the honest visual of what she thinks every time she talks to me?

'Where would you get the money from, master?'

That… was unexpected.

Reality apparently hits in the form of cynicism.

'You've given up all your trade partners, and I'm not sure your other clients would take kindly to your recent condition.'

My whole body freezes up and I can all but feel my pupils contract. The past seems to be biting me in the arse a lot lately. I'm caught between shocked, embarrassed, furious and… impressed? Zeus, she is feisty.

'Do you really have enough to pay those of us who are left, far less hire new people?'

I could get angry here.

I could become so enraged that I order her beaten for insubordination, then sold on the market as a prostitute – how dare she be so ungrateful?

You have been spared.

A – at least, that's what I would have done. In a past life.

'Eliana -'

'Ah. So now you know my name.'

Ignore that.

'I am… aware that your rage stems from the many injustices in your life. My past treatment of you… cannot have helped things.'

There are several instincts within me screaming that this isn't how things go. I do not owe apologies. To anyone. Especially not slaves. In fact they owe m^e an apology, for not getting me out of that damned mess sooner –

'I… I've um…'

Say it.

'For lack of better terminology, I've acted like a spoilt brat my entire life.'

If she could see her own face. I continue,

'It happens when people do nothing but swoon at your feet. You think you're entitled to everything. Including treating others like they don't… like they're nothing. Which you, Eliana, are most certainly not.'

Her blank stare continues. A few seconds pass and she takes a slow, considering breath. She looks up and my eyes are caught. We stare at each other for gods know how long.

'You are serious, aren't you?'

'Of course, I am. I'm through playing games with people. You saw what… occurred. What I became. Now that I'm in my right mind, it is humiliating to say the least.'

'Try being the one who had to feed and clothe and… wash you. And that was before it got weird.'

A smirk, subtle, but existent. She must know that fact alone would bring nothing but shame, and I nearly turn away in embarrassment. Apparently, just because I'm done with games doesn't mean she is. This Eliana, she wants to see how far she can push.

This is my first real test. I must carry on.

Time to change tack.

'Icarus… he told me of how you helped him.'

'I…'

She gazes into my eyes longer before she blinks, turning away.

'I don't know why I'm telling you this,' her voice sounds much more uncertain now, rushed,

'It will probably change your mind and I'll be worse off than before. But I won't lie. Everything I did was not for your benefit. Or even Icarus'. I did it because I had a sick and dying mother – '

'Who needed the physician that I was selfishly hogging in all my cursed glory? Yes, I am aware.'

Her gaze shifts. A sigh escapes me.

'Trust me, if I'd had any choice in the matter, Eubalus would have been out of my hair by any means –'

Ugh!

A sudden and strange emotion wells up in me suddenly –

'Is it true I… tried to kill him?'

Speech occurs without my thinking too well on the implications of my statement. I wait for an answer, the words dangling in the air. Finally, she nods a small, silent nod. Though there seems to be no menace in the action, it still feels accusatory.

'You should've just dragged him away and left me to my fate. Zeus knows, your mother deserves life more than me.'

…

I wish I hadn't said that. An awkward gap in words hangs in the air and I have nothing to rectify it.

'…Icarus found a way though. To help… us both.'

Her voice comes staggered and hesitant. I hazard a glance up. Her mask is fully broken now. I can't criticise her, I'm having the same problem.

'Yes. He did.'

'He's a really weird person.'

'Ah, he's not that bad. I've met stranger sorts.'

She gives me a curious glint, but it's fast gone.

'Where did you find him?'

'Pardon?'

'One day he turns up out of nowhere, this skinny, nervous boy with bruises and cuts and burns and broken limbs. Don't expect me to think you met him at the agora that day. You tell none of us where he even comes from, and now everyone is suspicious for no reason.'

'What do you mean?'

'Where did you find him?'

That amphora of red wine is looking extremely tempting right now. Maybe after this messy business is over. I need a clear head for the next few days. The last thing I need is the additional shame of public drunkenness.

'You're assuming that I instigated this. I'm pretty sure he was the one who found me.'

'That doesn't answer the question.'

'It's not my place to tell his story. Why not ask the boy himself?'

'I did. He might have actually told, but then you interrupted us, and now I fear he'll never speak of it again.'

I find myself uncomfortable in my own skin. My weight shifts from foot to foot, it's a difficult thing to get used to, having weight once more.

'Wow. You really care about him, don't you?' she murmurs, almost as an afterthought, but now it's my only thought. Heat rushes to my face. Everything I've just been through and that's what makes me blush? The girl obviously thinks the same as there's this smirk on her face which speaks volumes.

'Well, he did save my life,' I snap at her quickly before she can insinuate anything. A light little laugh emerges from her mouth, almost reminds me of a certain nymphet -

'It's funny. He once said the same thing. I guess you owe each other a lot then.'

She continues to smile. Like she's got it all figured out.

This conversation has gotten way off topic.

'Look, do you want the job, or not? I can find a way to pay you, I just need some time. Since I'm managing everything myself again, it will take a little longer…'

My heart judders at the prospect of facing all those people once more. I've barely remember speaking to anyone since… Him. I've lost so much… it is evident something is wrong with me still, she should not be acting this way. Maybe I simply look unwell? I hope that is all, if not… the humiliation might be more than I can bear.

I will be needing that wine after all, perhaps mixed a little stronger than is decent.

'Alright. I will take the job. Thank you, ex-master.'

'Narcissus will do just fine.'

'Of course.'

'Wonderful. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a message to send off to Boeotia. There is an esteemed tutor who worked for my family. Taught me as a child. Said it was an honour to help educate such a handsome young man.'

I feel her roll her eyes from a mile away. I continue nevertheless,

'I'm sure she wouldn't mind an island getaway for a year. Would twelve months be enough? Or would you need longer?'

'Longer for what?'

'Well, you already speak Greek fluently, it shouldn't be a far stretch.'

It takes a moment. The girl's mouth drops.

'Y-you'd teach me how to read and write? But what about the assistant?'

'You were right, I can't afford to hire you an assistant. Well done on your first test, I can tell you'll be fine managing the household duties. Now, back to the point: you become literate within the year, and the job is yours indefinitely.'

She says nothing. She's facing away from me so her expression is unreadable.

'So, is that a yes or – '

'Yes, yes! A thousand times yes.'

Eliana's voice is barely a murmur but there's overwhelming passion.

'Thank you.'

Droplets of water that seem to materialise from nowhere fall from her eyes to the floor. She moves to cover them, but instead of swiping the tears her hands stay over her face.

This is even more awkward. I'm not good with crying teenagers…

'Are…you okay?'

She breathes in sharply, a half-sob, half-laugh.

'Yes. Yes. I'm sorry. I… when Icarus told me that there was kindness somewhere in you, I thought it was a sick joke. But now… I think I see it.'

Again, tension clings to the air like incense smoke.

'Th-thank you,' I cough.

'That's good to know.'

I can tell she wants to go.

'You may take your leave, Eliana. Oh, but before you do, could you send through Dareios? I am aware he is proficient in numeracy?'

Eliana pauses, then nods silently, curtly. With that she slips out the door. I sigh, glancing down at the still unsigned document in my hand. I place it to the side of the pile of similar forms, and prepare for my next meeting.

Icarus

Elli runs out of the study like her sandals are on fire. She doesn't even notice me semi-hiding in the alcove nearby. I tried to catch even a glimmer of what they were talking about, but the doors were shut tight. I can't hear through solid walls.

She runs through the atrium, through the inner courtyard and to the outer courtyard. Before I know what I'm doing I'm following her, feet splashing in the puddles by the well and making mud from the dust on the ground. Out of the side gate –

'Elli!'

I'm calling but she doesn't seem to hear – or doesn't want to hear –

'Eliana, wai-'

Argh!

The other side of the gate, something crashes into me, I crash into something, something, someone – trips me up –

'What's going on?'

A figure stands over me, dark shadow against the sunlight. I stand, getting steady again, but I'm pushed back against brick –

'I'll ask again, what's going on?'

My eyes hit a face, Aias' face.

Aias? But he's always so… calm. Why is he snarling at me like I'm some…

Try to push him off – shoves me back – ow –

'What did you do to her?!'

Voice is low and I can feel his breath spitting on my face and he's holding me down –

'Nothing! Nothing!'

I don't like it, I can't I can't I can't be, I can't be held down, no no no no –

'Let me go, let me go, get off get off – '

My shoulders are coming undone again I can feel it –

'I swear, if you touched her, then I'm going t - '

'Aias! What are you doing? Stop it!'

Hands let go – I'm free again.

Looking at the ground, looking up, check, checking everything is still there… okay. Fine.

'Eliana, are you okay?'

'Of course I am okay, what in Sheol is wrong with you is what I'm wondering!'

'He was chasing you, you looked terrified – '

Eliana gives a look, first to him, then to me, then gives a snort of laughter.

'I wasn't running from him. I didn't even know he was there until you started beating the poor lamb around!' At that she whacks him in the back of the head.

'Poor Ica, minding his own business and you pounce on him like some wildcat. I am sorry – '

She's with me now, rubbing the shoulder that Aias pinned. I resist the urge to flinch away.

'Aias gets protective.'

Back to Aias,

'Apologise, you brute!'

'I… I'm sorry,' he states reluctantly, I can tell,

'I didn't realise… but why were you running after her anyway?'

Until now I've basically bit my tongue, but his narrow eyes, accusing me of something before I've even spoken, are starting to piss me off.

'Well, you aren't the only one who gets worried about people. Eliana actually asked me to stay nearby while she had a meeting with Narcissus. Next thing I know she's… running out of the study.'

My words quickly lose steam as I realise what that sounds like –

'Narcissus. I should have known, that bastard – ' and he's started back on the warpath towards the house.

'Aias,' she pulls him back by his belt – 'stop being such a boar-head and listen to reason for one second. Give a girl the chance to explain the situation.'

Her tone is so sharp that he stops dead in his tracks. Eliana smirks in that way she does and speaks, all eyes on her.

'Now don't go spreading this around, but I've just been offered Desme's job. Full pay. Reading and writing tuition included.'

Aias' eyes widen. I can't talk though. Literally, I'm speechless.

'And I have an inkling that Dareios is up for Tyndareus',' she continues, smug grin only growing wider.

'There were a pile of contracts on his desk. All handwritten. We may not be the only two getting hired.'

When did he get time to do all that? Is this what he was doing all morning? He went from midnight sacrifices to business as usual in three hours flat.

Aias still looks like he's been slapped. Ha, the expression suits his stupid face.

Sorry, I'm still annoyed.

'I heard my name being mentioned. There somethin' I should know?'

Suddenly a new voice breaks in from behind us. Aias, finally breaking out of his dumb spell, starts to say something –

'Oh, hi Dareios,' Elli cuts him off,

'Narcissus wants you in his study. It is a matter of great urgency.'

Dareios frowns, then nods,

'Okay…'

He drops the feeding sack back over by the stables before heading off in the direction we've just come from. Elli turns to me and Aias.

'Like I said, not a word of this to anyone. You're my two most trusted boys. Now if you excuse me, I have housekeeping business to attend to.'

And then Eliana does something really really weird. She turns around, blinks with one eye and walks away, hips swaying in circles like a pendulum.

Oh great, she left me with Aias.

I back away, trying to be subtle – he might decide to start back where he left off.

But no, he's just standing there, staring after her, dumb as ever, his pale skin turning redder by the second.

'So... are you gonna carry on beating me up for no reason, or can I go?'

Haha, that woke him up. Oh crap, that woke him up. Now he's looking at me with a 'why do you still exist?' sort of glare. I shrug. I don't know why, just seemed like a non-threatening gesture. You learn to appear non-threatening in these situations.

'Look I don't want to start a fight. I would never hurt Elli – I care about her as much as you do.'

His head tilts slightly left, an expression that's trying to decide what to make of me. Am I a threat? Am I harmless? Seen it way too many times.

'Of course you do.'

Still undecided.

'Say, Icarus, we haven't seen much of you lately.'

'Well, uh, I um… I've been busy?'

'With what, exactly?'

'Uh…'

It's an attack – well maybe, not quite an attack – more like a threat – I thought Aias was nicer than this? I thought wrong. He's defensive about something, protecting something – Eliana? But I told him already that I didn't want to hurt her –

'I understand. It's only been a week or so since the… incident. We never got the whole story from you though, Ana mentioned that you had quite the part to play.'

Ana? Who's… oh right. That's what Susanna calls Elli too.

'Why not join me and the guys tonight? We can talk, maybe even drink a little, make a celebration of it, by the sounds of this news, by tonight we'll all have promotions.'

His words are meant to sound casual, but they don't, I can tell, there's something in his voice. Bitter. Sneaky. Like a king playing nice then condemning you to a lifetime in prison.

He notices me, my silence. Comes closer. I move back a little. He frowns.

'Woah, you're a touchy one aren't you?'

Silence. He keeps frowning. Finally, something breaks in his gaze.

'Look, really, Icarus, I'm sorry. I made a mistake I get that. Let's make it up okay? I'm sure Ana doesn't want to see us fight. You seem like an okay guy but… well, we don't know anything about you. You aren't one of us, you aren't serving staff, but you aren't like Narcissus either. You're just floating here. Floating is a risky place to be.'

No, sinking is a risky place to be.

'I'm just saying, for your sake, I would recommend coming along tonight. Can't blame us for being curious, can you?'

'I… guess not.'

'Perfect. See you later then. We'll meet at our place. Slave quarters, as you probably know them.'

I shrug again. He shrugs back, gives a small wave, and jogs off back to the stables, the two horses tossing their manes about, probably asking for the food Dareios left just outside the gate.

I breathe out. I didn't even know I'd held my breath.

What have I got myself into?