The other lion that sat by Atalanta immediately recognized Zeus and started to run over to him, giving the same excited slobbers and licks that they gave Archie before.
Zeus was taken aback by the lion's suddenly tackling him, but admired it regardless. He happily chuckled as the lion lovingly nuzzled him,"Haha, why hello there Archimedes. I'm happy to see you too ol boy."
Atlanta politely walked up to the titaness and asked a little bit shyly, "Um…Miss…I mean, Lady Rhea…are you going to stay with us from now on?"
Rhea thought about this for a moment, unsure of what to say. She hadn't been planning on doing so before she came…but then again she also wasn't aware of the current situation before as well. Up to this point she had just come for monthly visits, and had talked more weekly with Gaia, who treated her as if she were her own. She spoke with a tone of uncertainty in her voice, "Well…I'd hate to be a burden…you all are so busy enough nowadays-"
As Zeus heard this he immediately refuted his mother's statement, "A burden? Nonsense."
After seeing a look of disbelief on Rhea's face, Artemis spoke with a gruff voice, "We know it is ultimately your decision, Rhea….but I strongly feel it would be best for you to stay here with us at least for the time being."
Zeus walked closer to the doubtful titaness and continued with concern in his voice, "I know you have been helped by Grandmother all of these years, and you have been doing well for yourself. However, Cronus is once again roaming the Earth….."
Hades chimed in, "Zeus is right. You simply CAN'T go back out there alone with that barbaric monster scouring about, Mother! It's too dangerous. What if he tries to hurt you?"
Rhea pursed her lips in discomfort at the thought.
She hadn't considered that happening all too much, mainly because she had been under the impression all these years that Cronus simply didn't care about her anymore. The idea still made her cringe in fear though, since that would suggest they'd talk again.
He was a different man after that war. The last time she had seen those intense red eyes of his, they had reminded her of a crazed beast, not of the once of the chivalrous man she had once loved long, long ago.
She was certain that "beast" did not give a single damn in the world about her. As much as it hurt her in the beginning, she was happy to be away from him for good and wasn't planning on that ending anytime soon.
She shrugged her shoulders calmly, casually brushing off the thought, "I understand your point, dear son. However, I am sure he has already forgotten about my existence, knowing how much he is obsessed about 'changing' the prophecy."
Hades did not look convinced at his mother's statement, and neither did Zeus.
After silently observing this conversation from the columns by the couch, Jay finally spoke up, just as unconvinced as the two gods, "I wouldn't get too comfortable with that assumption, Rhea. If there is one thing I have learned these past months we have dealt with Cronus is that he is incredibly unpredictable. You never know what he has got up his sleeve."
Athena nodded at Jay's statement and replied with a worried expression on her face, "I'd also like to add that it's highly unlikely he has forgotten entirely about you, Grandmother. It would be unwise not to be prepared for him being fully aware of your alliance with us."
As the game over screen made a little beep on his portable video game player, Odie added warily, "Plus, if you step outside of this building, any location is fair game for Cronus or his goons to drop by for a visit. Don't think he won't be crazy enough to do that, either. We had an incident last Christmas where he sent monsters into our off Olympus dorm house and Athena had to help us fend them off."
The titaness got angry at the thought of this and frowned.
Athena noticed the irritated look on her face as Odie said this and comfortingly reassured her, "Which is all the more reason why you should stay here in the palace. Plus, I'd be happy to cook for you, Grandmother. It's been such a long time."
Rhea smiled back at Athena, Jay, and Odie with a great deal of gratitude. It warmed her heart to see all of them care so much for her wellbeing and happiness, it was everything she could ever wish for.
She chuckled, and spoke softly, "Well in that case, I best stay awhile then. Seems you all could use every bit of help you can get…" she then turned to Athena and smirked lovingly, "….besides, I certainly can't turn down a well-cooked meal from my own granddaughter, now can I? That would be terribly rude."
Athena smirked back, realizing she missed her grandmother's happy-go-lucky nature more than she had realized.
Mount Olympus just hadn't been the same without her warm presence. Athena could not explain it in such an intricate amount of detail, but Rhea brought with her a serenity anywhere she went. There could be the fiercest storm raging outside but if she was around, somehow, they had a sense of peace throughout it all. It was an energy she aspired to emit as a goddess of wisdom, honestly.
She responded while lightheartedly chuckling, "Indeed. It would be considerably rude."
Persephone gave a happy little squeal hearing the titanesses response, and excitedly spoke, "Oh it'll be so wonderful to have you around again! We have so much to catch up on. I don't even know where to start, hehe."
As this was going on, Theresa took a moment to admire the titaness's long, curly, platinum blonde hair as she sat beside her on the couch. It was adorned with assortments of pink rose flowers and she wore a light purple see-through shawl scarf that hung around her arms. She noticed the tiny lion pendants on the shoulders of her purple chiton and a silver necklace of a swan rested on her neck, along with silver earrings.
When Theresa had read those mythology comics back in her previous classes, she had never imagined Rhea to look so young.
She would never say it to the Titaness's face, but it was so weird to see her look a bit younger than even Zeus and Hades. She looked to be in her mid 20s to early 30s in terms of age.
It didn't bother her per se, but it definitely was something she would have to learn to get used to.
After a few minutes, Rhea noticed Theresa's gaze upon her and the teenage girl immediately felt embarrassed for looking at her for so long, "I'm sorry, Lady Rhea…I didn't mean to-"
The titaness put her hand on the girl's shoulder and smiled, "It's alright, dear. I know my arrival here has been a bit sudden for you and your friends. I do hope you won't find my presence here too bothersome."
Atlanta then politely added, unsure of how the titaness would take their observation on her physical appearance, "It's just that…well…you look…"
Rhea raised an eyebrow at Atlanta's hesitation, fearing that she had something immodest and inappropriate on her clothing for a moment.
Neil abruptly cut her off, admiring her hair as he rested his arms on the armrest at the side, "Absolutely stunning! I mean LOOK at that hair…" he makes a sigh and continues, "...I'd kill for flowing blonde locks like that. I mean I already have gorgeous hair and all, but still…"
Rhea was taken aback by the compliment from the mortal boy, but nevertheless appreciated it, "Why thank you, young man."
Theresa then witnessed a faint vision of future events cross her mind as she sat taking this scene all in.
The vision didn't last long, as always, but it lasted long enough for her to get a very scary picture.
She saw a familiar pink and black-haired goddess with her usual grunge attire cackling evilly while she twirled a dagger in her hand.
Her heart dropped as she recognized that face.
Eris.
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Eris groaned as she saw the titan of time standing beside a river of lava, seemingly lost in thought.
She pouted and then sat down crossing her legs while she did so, and whined, "Grandpa Cronus, I'm so BORED. Everyone is chummier than usual with each other lately…especially among those stupid Olympians. What does a girl have to do to see some chaos around here?!"
Cronus sighed. He was just as annoyed at the extended duration of world peace as Eris was, but kept his composure regardless.
He spoke sternly while looking into the distance, while chuckling at the sight of her pouting, "It's only a matter of time before those cursed gods slip into discord again, dear granddaughter. You just have to be patient."
Eris groaned while getting up off the floor to walk around and conjured up a spray paint bottle while doing so, "Tch, yeah I know, I know. It's just going to be even harder having fun now that this stupid lady is hanging around them."
Eris grew even more frustrated just thinking about how that blonde lady literally acted like she wasn't even affected by Eris's powers the other day. She tried everything to make her irritated, even making someone spill they juice all over the woman's clothes.
The punk rocker goddess gritted her teeth while ranting,"Ugggghhh, she's just as bad as my stupid sister Harmonia! It's like almost nothing fazes her."
Cronus's eyes widened at this, curious as to who she was referring to. There were not many immortal deities that were immune to Eris's powers.
In fact there were only a few that Cronus could list off of his hand at that moment: Harmonia, the Charities, and…Rhea.
He furrowed his eyebrows in suspicion at this thought. No, it couldn't be her.
Feeling incredibly curious about what the girl had just told him he questioned her, "Hmph, a goddess being immune to your powers? That's quite strange. Did you happen to catch what she looked like?"
Eris closed her eyes, trying to think of earlier that day as she first saw that irritating goddess's face, "Uhh…lemme think. She had long, curly platinum blonde hair… and blue eyes, I think. Then she had these white sandals and a long, flowing aquamarine sun dress with white stripes and had a tan, floppy sun hat…" Eris made a face of disgust as the image of the cheerful looking goddess flooded her mind, "…honestly, it looked just as stupid as mom's 'girly' chitons she tried making me wear when I was younger."
Cronus's eyes widened in shock. He almost couldn't believe the physical description Eris had just given him. That had to have been Rhea… there was no doubt about that.
But why in the gods' names was she HERE? It almost was like the Fates were on his side for a change.
He turned towards the goddess as she played on her phone, and spoke, "…did she say anything to you? Notice you at all even?"
The goddess smirked at him and pulled her attention away from her phone, and rolled her eyes, "Of course not. Why?"
The titan walked closer to her and explained, "That meddling woman, just so happens to be your dear grandmother Rhea."
It was now Eris's turn to be surprised, "Really? THAT'S her?! But she looks so….ugh"
Cronus still could not get over the fact that of all the people in the world, his granddaughter was the one who found her just aimlessly strolling in the city.
He thought for a moment. This could be his chance at finally getting close to her again…if he played his cards right.
He didn't even know how she would react to him. The thought of coming face to face with her again after all these years terrified him….yet he wanted to do it all the same.
After a minute of thinking it over, he replied, "I want you to keep a close eye on her. Where she's going, who she's with, and most importantly…what she is doing."
Eris smirked, "Oooh a little hunting game, huh? Sounds fun. As long as I am free to cause some trouble while I'm at it…right?"
"Of course, my dear." He smirked and held a smoky black dagger in his hand, with glowing yellow Greek engravings on it.
Looking at the goddess to see her reaction to it, he questioned her, "…Oh and feel free to eradicate those seven pests while you are at it…"
Eris's eyes lit up while an evil smirk creeped onto her face as she took the dagger, "With pleasure."
She then disappeared, leaving behind a glowing insignia of the letter "A" shortly after.