There are few things in this world that can bring actual fear and terror to Zeus and one of those things is before him, Nyx. She is elegant, the shadows silhouette her beautifully, and it takes everything from Zeus to not drop to his knees to worship her, the ground she is standing on, and to kiss her feet.

"My husband and I are having a celebration for Charon. We are extending our invitation to our Olympian cousins." Her voice sonorous, an old melody from the start of time, threaded throughout chaos.

"I am humbled and honored by your invitation. "He is careful with his words, always with her and her husband.

"Shall I add your names to our list?" Her smile is genuine, not malicious, but it still sends him on edge. He nods, he cannot speak.

"I look forward to it."

The shadows swirls and wrap around her lovingly and she is gone within an instant. Zeus slumps down in his chair, his heart racing.

Hermes lies flat on his back on the forest floor. Apollo came out of nowhere and Hermes honestly is not sure what he's done this time to irritate him. There are so many possibilities.

They are usually cool and tend to get over their issues fast. So, Hermes waits. Apollo knees at his side.

"I didn't do it," Hermes says lightly. Apollo click his tongue and tilts his head to the side.

"No?"

"Probably not."

"You're not spending time with my sister?"

"We share so many, with whom do you speak?"

"Artemis."

"Ah."

"Yes."

"So, yeah. That's happening."

"Are you in love with me?" Apollo asks as he sits down next to the younger being. Hermes sits up, dumbfounded by the question.

"What?"

"Is that why you're doing this? My sister? Spending so much time with Eris? Delphi." Apollo reaches out and his fingertips trace Hermes's exposed neck

"I am not—I don't know how to even—" Hermes breaks off into awkward laughter.

"We've shared a bed several times before," Apollo reminds him.

"Eris is practically my twin and I like Artemis."

"You can't have her." Apollo features darken and his touches became rough.

"I'm aware of that." Hermes removes Apollo's hand from his body.

Hebe is gathering flowers. It's a beautiful day like always on the mount. She waves at the sky and then bends down to continue to collect her floral splendor. A shadow passes and she looks up, Charon. He smiles and waves, he offers her a white rose, she giggles and accepts. He bows.

"Thank you," she smells the rose, breathes it in and closes her eyes as she exhales. His eyes are bright and green like apple trees in the dark forest. He offers her his hand, and she takes it.

The ground opens and he leads her slowly and with care into the darkness and the ground closes behind them.

Hebe's eyes are wide and dilate with glorious wonder and amazement. She and Charon link arms as he leads across the grand foyer. They are in the home Nyx and Erebus. Titians, primordial beings and other gods are among them. Hebe has never seen so many fascinating people and creatures, she covers her face in modesty and respect as she passes.

"Circe, how do you expect to find a mate if you keep turning them into barn animals," Hecate admonishes her daughter, who narrows her eyes and pouts.

"I do not need a mate mother!" Circe spills some of her wine on the grand marble floor. Her mother tsks.

"Keep your temper! You will behave yourself. You are a Titan not an Olympian ant."

"Perhaps I want an Olympian ant for a mate!" Circe glares at her mother as she drinks from her chalice. Hecate turns to Helios and sighs.

"Talk to her."

Hebe and Charon snicker as they pass. Nyx and her husband greet Hebe and Charon. Nyx kisses Charon cheek and holds onto his hands.

"My darling, I hope you enjoy your night." Charon bows his head in respect and kisses her hands. Nyx steps away and Charon and Hebe serve themselves the sweet nectar.

"There's my man." Hades, Charon's great king rubs his shoulders. Hebe drops to her knees. Hades is the god of this universe and Hebe is not one to forget. Persephone kneels and raises her up.

"We're all guests and equal standing here," Persephone kisses Hebe's forehead and then joins her husband.

"Oooh, queen Persephone, I am not worthy of you!" Hebe lowers her head, not wanting to insult the queen.

"You are my niece, you are not a subject." Persephone boops Hebe's nose. Charon massages her shoulders and smiles.

"This is Charon's party and if you are worthy of him, you are more than worth our time." Hades says. Hades offers his mighty queen a chalice and she accepts, he leads her away.

"There are so many important people here, how are you not freaking out?" Hebe asks, she is shaking. Charon shrugs.

Hebe looks over, many couples are dancing, including the hosts. She looks at to Charon.

"Do you want to dance?" He nods, he takes her arm and he leads her to the other dancers.

Hebe has not felt this at ease or happy in eons. She had brief bliss with her husband, but he died years ago and never thought to seek out another. She tests the waters, lays her head against Charon's shoulder and feels nice, warm. There is music in her head, heart and she does not want this dance to end.

Chauncey, the Tiny Bear runs passed them, Eris calls out and chases her pet, apologizing as she bumps into different couples.

"I told you to keep him at home," Apollo grabs her and brings Eris into a dancing pose. She is anxious and looks over his shoulder and behind her for her precious, precious furry little man.

"I wanted to know if bears could dance," Eris is serious, Apollo grunts and they begin their waltz.

Artemis is not one to attend fancy dance parties and she is not a fool and would never reject anything from Nyx, so she accepted with great apprehension and anxiety. She has on a nice white dress, she does not really own much in elegance, she is the goddess of the hunt and lives in the woods, you don't wear sequins in the woods. Hermes links his arms with hers as he walks forward and she is pulled along.

"Like we practiced," He brings her hands into position. Artemis would like to point out that they did not practice anything. It feels natural in away, their movements, and this keeps her tongue rested. Artemis is not sure how to feel about any of this.

She likes it, she thinks.