Sorry I didn't post sooner. It was raining this morning and I love the rain, so I took a walk. After this chapter, my updates might take a few more days. I want to write quality content people (haha, or at least try). Enjoy.
When I woke up I could hear the clopping of hooves. I sat up quickly practically throwing myself out of the chariot. I looked in fear at the moving ground and then at the arm that had kept me from falling out. I turned to find the arm belonged to Eric. I was about to push him away when I realized my hands were thickly bandaged.
"Wait-" the moments I last remembered slowly trickled into my mind.
"You really scared me," Eric chuckled with a smile. "Simon thought you were trying to sacrifice yourself to the gods when you lunged at the fire like that."
Simon laughed from where he was standing with the reigns.
I glanced down, realizing Eric was still holding on to me. He realized the same and helped me stand up.
"How long was I out?" I asked gripping onto the wall of the chariot. I could see how tired both boys looked.
Simon yawned, "Oh only since last night. I healed you, we broke camp, we started heading west, and just now Eric just saved your life. Or at least your face." I could feel my cheeks go red. My first quest and I'm the first one to get taken out.
I looked back up at Simon. He looked beyond tired. I knew healing was exhausting work. "What time is it?"
"It's time for lunch now. Do you guys want to try and take this thing through a drive-thru?" Simon joked.
I almost nodded. A cheeseburger sounded way better than the apples and peanut butter sandwiches we had packed.
"Hold up!"
"What did you find us a burger joint?" Simon asked excitedly.
"What? No-" I jumped out of the chariot. Simon pulled back on the reigns and Eric quickly followed me. "Did you guys not see that?"
I could see a dove. But something felt- special about it.
"You guys stay here, I'll be back." I started walking after it as it lit upon a farther fence post.
"Hey wait!" Eric's footsteps stopped, almost unsure whether to listen to me or not.
"She's completely crazy," Simon said. "But like in a totally cute kind of way." I thought I heard an audible punch. I chuckled to myself. I guess Eric was still like my big brother. Maybe we could still fix our friendship.
It made my way through a corn field finally stumbling out to find a small town. I looked at the road sign. 'Missouri.' We were way farther than I thought.
The dove continued across a road where a little café sat. There were tables and chairs sitting outside where the dove had landed, sitting on the back of one chair. I crossed the road and sat down in the chair next to the bird. The bird and I just stared at each other for a few minutes.
"Here you go miss," I jumped up knocking into the table. The man who had just spoke showed no emotion on his face. He just held out a coffee for me. My name was on it.
This was getting freaky.
I took the coffee from him and he left me.
I sat back down and looked at the dove, "Do you think I can trust this coffee? Like was that a monster in disguise?" I sniffed the coffee. Maybe it was just the air that was infected, I mean I was talking to a bird. My stomach gargled and I realized I should have brought something to eat with me. I sniffed the coffee. It smelled familiar. I took a sip. It tasted like my mom's cream cheese pie, but I could still taste coffee too. I was sure there was nectar in this coffee.
I looked around me to see who could do something like that only to find myself staring at Aphrodite and Arese. I squeaked, jumping up and bowing low.
"Lady Aphrodite and Lord Ares." I realized how I must have looked. Bandaged hands, soot all over my arms, pieces of corn stalk in my hair. I looked like a real winner today. I wished I at least didn't have such a big oil stain on my shirt.
"Sit child," Aphrodite cooed. Her whole appearance kept changing, but every time she was just as beautiful as before. I sat down and kept my face low, not daring to look in her ever changing eyes.
"Darling, do you mind leaving us for a moment?"
Ares grunted, but he complied. For a moment, I could still feel his fiery eyes. He had a way of bringing out anger in people. I did not like that feeling. It was hot and made my judgement poor. Aphrodite though also brought out a feeling. It was something like what love should feel like. In my head, I could feel these feelings chasing each other around and around until he stepped out of the vicinity. I took a deep breath with him finally gone.
"How are you Charlotte?"
I felt like she could read my mind, and if so, it was pointless to answer her. I looked like a child that got sent to the principal's office, with my head facing down and my hands balled up in my lap. "Fine ma'am."
"A girl with manners. I like that." I glanced up at her face. She was smiling, for a moment she looked like my mother. I smiled too. She continued, "So my husband has sent you on a quest, and I thought you might need a little help."
I froze. Oh no, she was totally gonna zap me for being Hephaestus's daughter.
She giggled, "Why are you nervous suddenly?"
"Well, my dad is your husband. And I'm his kid and you aren't my mom. So, that means…"
"Yes," her soft voice made me look up at her. "But you've seen all my children that are not your fathers." I nodded slowly, showing her that I was listening. "Anyways, I like you. You're cute. So, I thought I would help you out with your quest. Also, because Ares boy is with you. He may never act like it, but I think he's proud of his son." Aphrodite was looking thoughtfully at her bird as she petted it. "You can take Aγάπη (pronounced as Agápi) as a guide." The bird hopped over to me and let me pet her for a moment.
"Now back to the important matters." Aphrodite said almost way too excitedly.
"The what?" I asked. I gave her a really confused look. Aphrodite just gave me a smirk. Then it dawned on me. "No that's totally ok. We can ignore that little instance. That was like two years ago. So not important. I'm good the way I am." I was tripping over myself trying to make excuses.
"I never forget a challenge," the goddess was looking triumphant. "Plus, I know you like." She sounded like a middle schooler with that last sentence. Aphrodite stirred her latte. "Do you ever feel like changing your appearance?"
"Wait-what?" This goddess was going to give me whiplash how quickly she changed subjects.
Before I knew it was sitting in a dress. It was very greek, and would have been cute if it was my style. "Hm… No. How about we try something else." Aphrodite snapped her fingers again. This time I was dressed in a blouse and skirt. I raised an eyebrow and she laughed. She snapped her fingers again.
"Now this? This I like." She said motioning for me to turn for her to get a full look. I liked this too.
"Look in the mirror. I think the hair looks fabulous too. And no makeup. I know how you feel about that," she said with a roll of her eyes.
I bowed, "Thank you Lady Aphrodite." Because, what else do you when a goddess gives you a makeover?
She sounded so motherly. "Don't thank me. Just love and trust yourself more. It's something I'm trying to teach my dear Piper. You're self-doubt it your fatal flaw darling."
I nodded. If I was going to be stupid and doubt my abilities I was going to get my friends killed.
Ares reappeared, "Tell my boy he better be practicing with those new weapons you gave him."
I bowed, "Yes sir."
He grunted with appreciation at me calling him sir.
Aphrodite put up a finger, "Oh, and darling, those gloves aren't just a fashion statement. I just really don't like the ugly ones you use at the forges."
I smiled and was about the thank her, but they were already gone. The café was suddenly replaced with corn field.
"Holy-" Eric shouted so loud. I turned around finding myself back at the chariot. Simon had an arrow almost notched, while Eric at his hand on his sword.
"Er- hey guys?" I gave them a small wave.
I just love it when di immortales start to meddle. ;)
