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The following is a fan-based
FICTION
Lore Olympus is owned by Rachael Smythe.
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Chapter 4: Fast Teasing
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"I'm sorry, am I being too blunt?"
I was tempted to sigh at Hecate, the goddess proving to be quite the... lovable nag. Obviously she wasn't being too blunt with her questions, but she had a thing on repeating this very question a lot through this conversation. Then again, I was half-listening to it since I was on my work shift. She had taken 'shelter' by leaning by a nearby tree while I was working the land and the blue woman was... inquisitive. Not that I minded, it was refreshing to get someone to talk from time to time, and with Demeter suddenly feeling quite protective of Kore out of nowhere, limiting the times she was free to talk to me, I found any chance to talk with someone just great.
Some of the nymphs had started to warm up with me, and that was good in the long run since I wasn't sure I had currently the means to leave and explore. Not without venturing in a world I wasn't familiar with. I didn't have a date- or better, I don't have a precise conception of time. I knew what the week was, the month too. The 'year' even, but I didn't have a way to measure the difference between the classic Anno Domini standard and the one this dimension was using.
Not even Hecate could help me in that regard despite her best efforts. There were events I was familiar with, but none of those really matched with the ones I knew could get a temporal setting within history itself. In Greek Mythology there are some myths one can discern by the specific reigns of Greek kings or tyrants, but I couldn't recognize any of the kings here in Sicily or in Greece.
"You're not, 'Cate. We were talking about... Hades?"
"Yep. Boss is quite great at times and I was contemplating smuggling you in the underworld?"
I frowned, my gaze aimed at the soil as I planted some seeds. "Wouldn't that kill me?"
"Yes. Which is why I thought it a silly idea. But a fun one to think about," Hecate admitted. "Also, there's something else I wanted to ask you. Nothing big but... call it a curiosity. On behalf of Demeter."
I actually paused at that bit and hummed while moving my gaze at the smiling Goddess of Magic. "And that would be?"
"Are you falling in love with Kore?"
"...No?"
"You seem doubtful."
"I'm more confused on where this came from," I rebuked flatly. "I can appreciate her company, but I would say that if things deepens for us it wouldn't be for a romantic reason."
Hecate frowned thoughtfully at this. "You mean like... family? A sister?"
"She looks up at me as if I was some sort of middle ground between herself and her mom," I remarked mirthfully. "I think Kore is really putting an effort to stand beside Demeter but she feels like she can't be... what Demeter wants. Which, I think, is quite true."
"Shouldn't a brother be always supportive of their siblings?" The Goddess argued and I scoffed. "What?"
"That's such a silly expectation. It is true that older siblings have a responsibility to help the younger ones, but we can't delude them with expectation they can't fulfill out of matters beyond our control. The reason why Kore can't match up with Demeter's design is because Demeter herself expect a perfect copy of herself-"
"Which will never happen," Hecate agreed and then smiled. "So, you are single and ready to mingle?"
"I would warn you first if some threat to that status may incur," I jokingly offered and the woman giggled.
"I'm so tempted to have you swear on that," She admitted, and my smile twitched at that. "Still, I also noticed you were also... confused about something?"
"Hmm?"
"You looked lost when I came by, as if you were thinking of something important."
I blinked in surprise at that, not expecting for Hecate to pick that bit up. Admittedly I have been thinking of something- which was the bizarre feeling I had while helping Kore back to her home. The eyes- it was so frustrating to feel those through the whole walk and even more when I felt those follow me in my lovely hut. Everything was closed, the windows were blocked, nothing could have allowed a gaze to peer on me and yet... I felt it. The never-ending watch from someone I knew existed and was nearby, but couldn't see.
"There's... something. I mean, I guess part of it is a bit of a secret Kore told me but... recently, I have been having issues about it too."
Hecate's composure changed at this, the Goddess perceiving the true unease in my voice. "What about?"
"Well, it happened about two days ago. Kore came to check on me and we spared a few words. She mentioned that... I think that should be something you should ask actually. It's a bit of a secret, and one she is keeping from Demeter-"
"But?" Hecate interrupted with a serious tone.
"But when I escorted her home, I did feel watched by something intense. I thought it was some animal but it persisted through the remainder of the day even as I shut myself in the hut. Everything was closed, and no one could potentially see me as there was no space to do that."
...
"Do you have anything else to provide me? Any other hints or-"
"While I was looking around to understand where the staring was coming from, I noticed something passing around fast. It was a... yellow eye or something but-"
"And I think I know who it is but... I doubt she will be around for the time being," Hecate interrupted, her tone dry and yet smiling a fake one. It had to have been a big issue if she snapped like that and... who could it be... it's a she, I guess that was a new detail to keep in mind.
"Why are you so sure of that?"
"Oh well, that's because Hades will come by to visit quite soon. Something I have yet to tell Demeter..." The woman paused, giving me a different pair of eyes. I could perceive a degree of want. "Which reminds me that I wish to make a proposal. It's not a demand but... would you like to spend the night with me while Hades is around?"
... "I am flattered, but... why when Lord Hades is visiting?"
"Well, Demeter will keep her entire attention on him since... she has a bit of an issue with the brothers. If you're related with Zeus- I will just say the two don't see each other well."
I slowly nodded, but another thing concerned me. "And Lord Hades-"
"Will hardly cause an issue. Heck, if he gets drunk he will just fall asleep without causing a ruckus. I would say he is professional, quite kingly as his role demands but..." Hecate cracked a grin. "He is also a lonely individual, quite keen to be shy and very polite with people."
Deciding against pointing out about the myth of Persephone's kidnapping by Hades, I hoped I was wrong that it was going to be like that. I doubted it was this occasion since the original myth had Demeter distracted to the point she was unable to watch over Kore, but I could tell Hecate wasn't lying and... I sighed.
"I see. I suppose I can pass by. But will you at least tell what you're looking for in that night?"
"Many things," She hummed, walking up to me with a happy smile. Soon her hand was resting on my shoulders. "But I believe it's clear I want to see how good you are at warming the bed."
"...With cuddles?"
"Obviously! You would be my lover, not some cheap woman Zeus use and then forgets about," She half-snapped, her mood still soaring as I nodded.
"I guess I will do my best, Lady Hecate."
She walked away with a giggle leaving her lips and I resumed my work for a few more minutes as my shift was close to be concluded for today. With the job done I could walk back with the intention of getting a bath. It was odd for me to consider but... I really hoped to find Kore there too. To make things clear, there was just something relaxing and soothing, barely sensual, of chatting while bathing with Kore nearby.
I guess it's the innocence of it all and the fact no one was inquiring about each other nudity. Very odd, but at least no Nymph was laughing when they caught sight of me. In fact, the staring from their part was... awkward. But bearable. Still, on my way to the warm and clean lake that everyone used to wash, I stumbled on quite the unexpected fixture on the path. A fairly large cage, two nymphs armed with lances standing by guard and a red-colored guy whining at them.
"Come on, I didn't mean to."
"Shut up..." One of them muttered and she turned to look at me with a strained look. "John."
My brain picked up the familiar voice and the right name.
"Egeria. Tough day?"
"That's an understatement, sir," The other said, surprising me as it was one I didn't met just yet and she was quite polite towards me. Truly a rarity.
"This is all just a misunderstanding. I'm innocent. In part."
I frowned at the guy, dude looked quite sporty with long hair tied up and an overall red face that just felt so 'off' in terms of color-personality. Normally I would have attributed hyperactive nuts either yellow or light-blue. Not... red. Still, he offered a shaky smile and I sighed.
"So... what's up with the cage?"
The red guy sweated up a bit at the glares coming from the nymphs, but he managed to speak. "I-I may have been caught peeking on the girls while passing by for a delivery."
"That sucks. I got almost stuck in a similar predicament when I first come here."
I was about to leave, getting back to my chores, when the red guy interrupted my plans.
"Wait a minute! You're the mortal Kore told me about?"
I paused at this. This guy knows Kore? How? He didn't look that approachable by Demeter's standards so... how did they met?
"I mean, I'm the only mortal in this domain so I suppose that's me," I replied and the man grinned.
"Name's Hermes. Kore is a bit of a friend of mine and she told me you're quite cool and nice. So... can you tell these nice ladies to let me off the hook?"
Oh lord, it's Hermes. The messenger of the gods and- Wait, is this a Flash reference? He is red, he is fast and he talks a lot... Dear lord, it is... is it?
The nymphs gave me an intense look, but so did Kore's friend and... I hummed. "I can ask lady Demeter to commute the punishment to something else. Just for the sake of you stopping pestering the poor guards."
"Ouch, that's unfair on me. Also, shouldn't you be cowering before a god? I will prank you if you piss me off!"
I blinked hard at him and I saw his bravado falter instantly. "Sir, I am respectful of those deities that are respectful of their own title. Do you think this situation dignify your status?"
"Well no, but... can we catch up?"
I frowned, that was a bit sudden. "What?"
"You sound like you are really cool. Just pricky. But worry not, I will mellow you down with my unquestionable charisma."
More like 'torturing you until you like me' which sounded atrocious.
"I'm a very busy individual. Plus, I have to speak with Demeter now so-"
"Oh, please go. We will catch up soon, new buddy!"
...God, I'm not looking forward to this.
AN
Tragically, Kore is looking forward for this.
P.S. This version of Hermes is like 'I like to make a mess' but in the light way of the term. He learned to not fuck things up too badly by having his mother around to keep him focused on being a good person. And his bubbly personality makes him the perfect 'excited friend' kind of buddy.
REVIEW Q&A!
Coldblue2015:
1) I would say it was a primordial deity behind it;
2) Yes;
3) Maybe-ish;
4) Yes;
5) Nope;
6) Dunno;
Austin: I will just say that I will keep close to how Lore Olympus portrayed all gods. When I say that their representation is somewhat pleasant in most occasions, you all need to believe me that it will not be crude (for most). There's an asshole tho, but it will be quick to spot once he appears in the story.
