"This is where we found you parents' pendants." Hera explained, leading us through in to some ancient computer room or something. God, it's a wonder I didn't trip on one of the bazillion wires coating the floor. Hermes was sitting in a modern desk chair though. Wonder how he got it. It's not like he can really go out in a toga and flying shoes and all...
"Here we can transport you anywhere on Earth, just as we did your parents." Ok this next bit I'm not making up. The wall moved. I now right. Defo the weirdest thing to happen today...except the whole kidnap thing... the Gods...and the whole 'mythology come to life' thing...ok fourth weirdest thing.
"Ok...ummm...give me just one...ready!" Hermes muttered. I stand corrected! The bluey green portal thingy behind it defiantly takes the biscuit!
"Ok, now children before you leave I must tell you something important." The giggles and sniggers at the magic portal thingy died down almost immediately. The head god can do that to you...
"When your parents were here, they all had specific parts to play in the team. Jason, like your father you are brave, loyal and responsible. You shall lead the team, but make sure you remember that trust is the key ingredient of any successful team..." Oh God, she's turning into a senile fortune cookie..."...Louisa, you have already shown your mother's psychic abilities run though your veins, and you are much more advanced then she was at your age I may add..." She smiled at the girl still a bit confused about what was going on. "...don't worry about how they will change your life. Embrace it and become the hero within..." If I didn't want to offend her I would have taken a step back, just to be safe. "...Henry, though your skills in the academic field are less to dwell on, you heart is as trusting and kind as your father's was. I hope you wield your strength with the same caring and courteous manner he strided for all his life..." Why does she keep talking in the past tense? "...Oliver, Olivia, it's safe to say your intelligence would make any father proud, especially one who was the brains of a team who numerous times saved the entire world from destruction..." Cheery, thanks for the revelation of an impending apocalypse... "...my advice to the two of you is to believe in who you are. Odysseus as part of you as it was your father and you should remember that divided you are as smart as your father, combine you are twice as brilliant..." Oh god, she'll be getting round to me soon... don't be stubborn like your mom, be more trusting unlike your dad... "Daniella, your father was the last the join the team and found he had to prove himself to his friends to gain they're full trust. Thought all of your endeavours succeed because of your powerful luck, remember to have friends, you must be a friend, trust will come to those who trust back..." Trust her to turn her nose up at a God who just happens to be giving her sound advice, that, trust me, she should take. "...and last but not least, Josie." Here it comes... "...My dear, as an only child their gifts have become combined and you have probably become the most powerful. But with great power comes great responsibility..." She didn't just say... "...though both of your parents have their talents they both have flairs that mean their powers come at a price. Though Achilles was invincible, his heel and his temper were his downfall, and Atlanta was the hero most likely to end up injured and in the hospital wing because of her act first, ask questions later nature that usually found her running into seriously dangerous conditions. My advice is to use your brain. Control your anger and push through it. Otherwise...well let's just say your gifts would be wasted in the Elysian Fields..." What. Wait, am I gonna die? Cause that is seriously low on my to do list, I can tell you! Everyone stayed silent for a couple minutes, staring blankly at the mosaic flooring. Slowly, Olivia stepped out.
"Um...Miss Hera?"
"Yes, my dear?"
"Why do you keep talking in the past tense about of parents?" Ahh, poor kid. She's just that. A kid. Just a small innocent kid without her daddy. Hera just stared at her vacantly before memorising the floor again. Louisa stepped forward and bending down to the girl, pulling her into a tight hug.
"It'll be alright, honey. Don't worry."
"We'll find them." Added Jason, placing a strong hand on his sister's shoulder.
"Yeah, defiantly!" Henry chirped in.
"We can do it." Daniella included, Hera's little pep talk seemingly made her more concerned already.
"No worries, sis." Her brother placed an arm around her shoulders, protectively. I bent down to her as well.
"Never in my life have my parents been able to find from me. Not in a supermarket, or playing hide and seek. And I am not gonna let them win this time. That's a promise." I smiled.. She smiled back. Ok, good sign, means she doesn't think my little anecdote was that cheesy...
"Come on." Louisa stood up to her full height but kept an arm draped over her shoulder, as she led her to the portal. "You ready?" She asked affectionately. The girl nodded after a deep breath. They both stepped through at the same time, soon followed by Henry and Oliver, then Daniella, who had pulled out her father's mirror again. I looked at them I felt proud. Not like TV you've-proposed-to-your-pregnant-girlfriend proud, move of how a father sees his daughter on her wedding day proud. The kind of feeling you get when you're so proud you are part of something so important and special, and even more happy when you have the chance to take a step back and view the amazing situation you're in, ignoring any negatives, such as the price of the celebration or the impending doom to befall your parents, but to only think of the good in life...
"You coming, Jos?" Jason was standing halfway through the portal one leg through with his hand out stretched out to me. It's weird. Technically he's in two places at once, most of him here a random leg sticking out there...That would be weird; a leg waggling about in midair...though I doubt Jason would waggle. No be would wave. Subtly wave his leg through a portal to god knows where...But actually they do know, cause they're gods and all...
"Jos?" Ok...not like i was just standing there staring at him and his outstretched hand...I take it and climb through swiftly and rejoin the group, desperately trying to hide my blushing cheeks. But at least I did learn something, completely unrelated to waggles and waves.
He called me 'Jos'.