"So you're telling me that she passed out and everything turned to ice?"
"Yes!"
Zeus took a deep sigh and palmed his forehead, he dreaded the stress that came with this. He's been able avoid it for so long yet here it is, finally presenting itself before him.
"And why was she distressed?" Asked Zeus.
Hermes hesitated, he didn't want to admit what he did and was sure Zeus would be in a fit of rage. So he did what he did best. He lied. "I-I was showing her Persephone's garden, I think she might have been overwhelmed."
Zeus stared at the god for a moment, questioning if he spoke to truth. But he took his answer, not wanting to bother with anymore conflict.
"What are we going to do!" Exclaimed Hera, she stood next to Zeus fidgeting nervously.
Zeus places his hand firmly on her shoulder and squeezes it, "We'll just have to wait and see dear wife."
"I say we get rid of it. Slice it to pieces like Kronos." Boomed Ares' voice from the other end of room, he stood in the archway; his arms crossed over his chest.
"Yes because another enemy Titan is JUST what we need." Retorted Hera.
"He has a point. This has gone long enough and day after day she proves a larger threat." Athena cut in,
Zeus watched her intently as he considered his favorite daughters words.
"All the girl did was fix a broken pin and fill a green house with snow. Her displays of power have been anything but destructive." Said Poseidon, his eyes glaring into Athena's grey ones with hatred.
"They were destructive! She killed all Persephone's gifts!" Snapped Demeter who sat uncomfortably in her throne, her eyes screamed rage and her hands trembled.
"You mean those plants? Oh come on-"
"They are living beings too!"
Zeus slammed his fist on the armrest of his chair interrupting Poseidon and Demeter's bickering, everyone looked at him seeking answers. "Let's take a vote then! All in favor of keeping the girl alive raise your hand."
They all hesitated and after a few moments hands shot up. Poseidon, Hera, Hermes, Apollo, Artemis, and Aphrodite raises their hands. 6 out of 11 of the gods voting voted she could stay.
"The majority has voted she remains alive, and thus she shall," nodded Zeus.
Athena sighed, "then what are we do with her?"
Zeus pondered for a moment and then finally spoke, "As far as I'm concerned she's just as dangerous as one of us. Maybe it's time we treat her like an equal and gain her trust."
Everyone was taken back by his display, rarely did he show such mercy.
"Are you saying we should treat her like a goddess!?" Groaned Ares.
"For now, yes." Nodded Zeus.
Although that was a lot harder to ask of the gods and goddesses than he expected. They all saw her as a Titan, a being warned against them by a prophecy.
Later
"You know your name?!" Asked Hera, her eyes widened with shock.
I slowly nodded, "Yes. I heard a voice speak to me. It called me by a name."
Hera bit her lip, her eyebrows furrowed In confusion. "Shiva huh?"
I nodded again.
Hera took a deep breath, she placed her warm hand on my arm reassuringly. "Okay. Then you shall be called Shiva."
Frankly I felt relieved. No more foolish nicknames. I can finally be addressed formally rather than called after like a dog.
"So we're naming the brat now?" Ares voice spat from the other side of the room. His dark brown eyes shot daggers into mine.
What I've done to cause such a strain between the god of war and I is beyond me. I have a feeling he just doesn't like me.
Hera glared at her son, annoyed by his incessant harassment towards me. "What is it Ares?"
"I need to speak with you and father for a moment, the brat can watch after herself for a moment can't she?" Said Ares, his eyes never breaking contact with mine.
Hera glances at me seeking an answer. I nodded for her to go. She smiled gently and left to speak with angry god, leaving me alone in the large empty hall.
I didn't bother waiting around and took a stroll, I walked down the hall when I heard a fit of giggles from nearby. I followed the sound and peered around the doorway leading into a room. I felt a deep coldness wash over my body as my eyes landed on The God of the sun, Apollo sitting on fine chair; one of the muses was sitting on his lap. They were talking about something, something that elicited laughter.
I wanted to feel bad but I didn't. I didn't feel anything. I felt cold. And with that I walked away, never turning back.
I remember when I was just a child. Hera said I wouldn't stop wailing as a baby. I cried and cried. My cries shook Olympus and kept the gods on the edges of their thrones. Perhaps that's why Ares hates me so much?
She would cradle me, take care of me, and try to reason with me but I wouldn't stop. She said it was as if I was in pain. The only thing that would stop me from crying was Apollo. He said it was because I was cold but that doesn't make any sense... I spent a lot of time with him as a kid, he spent time with me as I grew up because he was the only one who could stop me from crying. When Hera needed a break or when the gods had enough then I was thrown in his arms. He was my friend. At least I think he is.
He always brought me happiness as child but had I ever brought him anything? Did he truly wish to elicit happiness from his heart? Or did he simply keep me company to shut my cries up. Because he was obligated to. Seeing him with someone else who easily makes him happy hurts. Despite the kindness he's shown me I couldn't help but sense resentment from him. Like he secretly hated me.
Did anyone of Olympus like me?
Athena wants me dead. Aphrodite pretends I don't exist. Ares swears my existence. Zeus sees me as a burden. Hermes treats me like a toy. Hera cares for me out of pity. Demeter ignores my existence. Hephaestus doesn't talk to ANYONE. Dionysus just hates me. Poseidon is wary of me. Artemis doesn't even speak to me. And Apollo resents me.
I don't belong here...
"Dear, please keep still." Said Hera as she ripped a needle through the broken fabric of my skirt. She pulls thread through and out attempting to salvage what was left of the fabric.
I would be lying If I said I wasn't scared of the needle possibly pricking my thigh, I jerked at every sudden movement. "It's sharp-"
"Shiva you're immortal!" Hera scolded me, her eyebrows furrowed in frustration.
"B-but it doesn't make it hurt any less..." I stammered.
Hera shook her head disapprovingly and continued to sewing the material, she swiftly finished tying the thread into a knot.
I stuck my leg out to examine the stitching, it was ALMOST perfect. But I assume that was because of my lack of cooperation. "T-thanks..." I said while forcing a small smile.
Hera nodded in response and left to put away her sewing kit.
As I was left alone apart from Zeus who sat at his throne scanning through scrolls and documents. I sighed and shuffled on the step I was sitting upon,
I jumped in fear as the doors of the throne room swung open with great strength. I narrowed my eyes and saw Ares walking down the hall. He was breathless and covered in blood. He just returned from war.
He stopped before the row of thrones, he looked around as if he was looking for someone. Zeus sighs at his loud and sudden appearance, he slammed his scroll shut.
"How was it?" Zeus Asked.
"Same as always." Said Ares shrugging.
Ares continued looking around. "Where's Aphrodite?" He asked.
A small grin tugged at Zeus's lips, something scandalous was in the air...
"Who knows... probably in somebodies bed?" Zeus shrugged.
Ares eyes glinted with flame, yet his body remained firm. All that man's emotions were read through those eyes, all the rage and sadness.
"She's meant to be here... waiting for me..." his voice trailed into sadness, his tone growing ever so softer.
"Son, perhaps you could find someone else to clean you of blood?" Zeus said, his eyes landing on his documents before him.
Ares pondered for a moment. And in the most devious and repulsive manner his eyes landed on mine, a wicked grin tugging at his lips. "Perhaps I could." Ares whispered.
My eyes widened in horror. I watched as he strode over to me, the grin remaining on his lips.
What did this mean?! What was he going to do?