Calliope was Bastet's ray of sunshine, a sentiment many of the Allag shared back in the day, though honestly, it wasn't a conscious effort on the girl's part. She had a natural tendency to see everything and everyone in the best possible light, and if it happened that someone around her felt under the weather, she would not rest until she found a way to cheer them up.

Callie saw it as her existence's mission to make others happy – especially after her only attempt to secure her own happiness backfired so spectacularly it became legendary within the Allagan lair. And despite her Mother's assurances that she wasn't to blame, Calliope did believe with her whole heart that it couldn't be true. Not because she didn't respect Her words – far from that – but because agreeing with Bast would make for a very poor precedent in her cheerful worldview.

Enough said, Bastet long ago stopped trying to convince Her cobalt-haired daughter that her naivety would be her undoing. She reasoned – as She stated once to Her retainer's amusement – that someday She would find Her innocent daughter a mate that would see Calliope's wonderful character for what it was and would be smart enough to know to protect her heart above all else.

Moros definitely wasn't that – and She more than understood Her daughter's refusal to be the God's of Doom shiny trophy or a toy. Sadly, not even Nox – honestly embarrassed about her son's behavior – could convince the obstinate Primodial to undo the curse He cast upon the girl who, with her naïve honesty, stung His pride. Callie's obvious dismal and terror at Moros's idea of courting become so widespread among His siblings that He literally doomed the girl to never utter another honest statement.

The only positive that came out of the whole situation – in Bastet's opinion – was the fact that to make up for Her son's behavior, Nox solemnly swore to Bast that, opposite to Her other children, for Calliope alone, Bastet could personally pick a soulmate – and the Goddess of the Night would weave Her pick within the tapestry of fate, making it a fact. Considering that She – as the All-Seeing-Eye – could see the upcoming events, She believed that with Her vision thanks to that She would be able to make the most fortunate pick for the literally walking disaster Calliope became because of the Moros's curse.

Callie's one true statement, depending on how honest she was about it – or how important to her whatever truth was behind her words – could cause anything from a small stumble that would cause harm only to her alone, up to the point of earthquakes that could collapse whole cities – a fact that led the cobalt-haired Allag to very quickly develop her unique speech. The language of lies she used, some found irritating, insulting, or funny – and Bast swiftly learned to highly appreciate those who had a good sense not to hurt the girl's sweet heart by blaming her for something she couldn't control – especially when Callie's language by itself came from the place of care in the first place.

All that meant that when Calliope reached the threshold of hundred and five, she was the first Bastet put into slumber, ahead of the necessity of that, by then still unable to find a good match for the girl among the possibilities of the future. Also, by then, the goddess learned that it was the moment that Her children, if unable to fulfill their existence's purpose, grew so unhappy that their magic turned them into a danger to their surroundings.

So, though reluctantly and quickly missing Her daughter's sweetness brightening the corridors of their lair, She created a most beautiful and cozy nest within Her own nook, and after explaining the situation to Her eternally cheerful girl, Calliope went to sleep about five hundred years ahead her kin so-called 'extinction.'

Truth be told, Callie, in reality, was Her firstborn Allag, so Bast was very aware that She was quite biased about her, too. But who wouldn't? Calliope's one smile was enough to catch even Her heart into a vise grip. Not because of her undeniable beauty or how similar she was in it to Her, but Callie's innate drive to make the world around her better and people happier was, in Bastet's opinion, the very reason why She wanted to create the Allag in the first place. Why – despite how uncanny that was back then – She discarded Her pride and humbly asked the Primordial court of Nox for the blessings that would serve Her idea.

Plainly, in Her personal opinion, Calliope was the very epitome of the best Her favorite children were meant to achieve.

Perhaps that was a part of the reason why She was quite honestly quite stumped when, after Her deal with Loki, she set to fulfill Her end of that bargain. Because as soon as She returned to Her throne within the Allagan lair, She didn't even have to try to summon a vision of the future that would reveal to Her the best pick for the said deal. No, instead as soon as She settled into Her seat and closed Her eyes, the vision downright slammed into Her senses – while the image itself was quite… surprising by itself.

Perhaps it shouldn't, as by this point, She somewhat vaguely recognized the flavor of the possible futures caused by Her twins…

Her sweet, compassionate Raha in his naïve wish to offer comfort, inadvertently created a wholly new string of fate: a future within which that seemingly simple gesture made the Black Wolf painfully aware of his loneliness. Made him aware of the possibility of a connection, and Bastet's vision latched upon that string, showing Her that moved like that, he could be the best possible candidate for her firstborn's mate.

Musing over it while considering Her options, Bast could somewhat see the possibilities behind it – especially after witnessing Wolf's tantrum and getting a somewhat better idea of what exactly was Loki's aim… and not only that. That the God of Mischief attempted to play Her… Well, who would that surprise? It was His nature as much as both of Her aspects were Hers, yes? Not expecting Loki to somehow try to 'scam' Her would be naivety edging on the insanity!

But in doing so, He actually played in Her hands, didn't He? While He had on His mind a 'simple' hybrid of a frost wolf and Her Allag… She promptly decided to aim higher!

Well, all the way to Nox's temple, She couldn't help laughing at His expanse – and when informed of Her long overdue pick, even the Mother Night couldn't hide Her amusement with Bastet's idea – quite honestly praising Her ingenuity and even apologetic about Her previous omissions. That, in the end, earned Bast another promised favor of Her to pick…

...overall, She was well pleased with the whole situation when She set to wake Her firstborn daughter.

Calliope instantly loved everything about Ares's lair, which she tried to express as soon as those two, wonderful girls who helped her so selflessly introduced her to the beautiful male.

"I can't express how much I hate this place," she announced with a grin before he could even open his mouth and – as usual – cringed internally when his eyes widened and his expression fell. "Oh, Mother… I'm so not sorry!" she exclaimed, feeling her eyes instantly burn with mortification. Usually, she remembered to first try to explain her… issue, but she was so excited…

"You have to understand everything she says backward," one of the girls, the wondrously dressed Jess, chimed in, and Calliope sent her a thankful smile. "She told us that she was cursed by someone called Moros to cause bad luck whenever she doesn't lie, Ares."

"Oh," the male blinked slowly, then looked toward his redheaded mate, who watched her with a strangely calculating look. "Doesn't the name sound familiar?"

"Moros, the Primordial God of Doom… I suppose," Damon said slowly, then smiled at her somewhat carefully before pointing toward one of the seats in the nook she and the girls were led to by one of the guards to wait for the leader of the lair. While both Alisaie and Jess seemed well acquainted with the nook, easily taking places by a big table in the middle of it, Calliope busied herself by admiring every detail of the interior, making the girls quite amused with her comments - if half the time she wasn't sure why. But considering how grateful she was that they didn't mind her speech…? Well, she was actually quite happy whenever they giggled or laughed at something she said – especially when they kept not being insulted or assured her that they 'got her meaning.'

Sometime later the plate of the nook was pushed open, revealing the gorgeous couple… and, of course, she had to instantly make the worst impression possible! No doubt that's why Damon's crimson eyes seemed so cold, while otherwise she was instantly completely enamored with how cute he was, and his long braid? Mother, but perhaps she should plait her long, cobalt hair like that? She wasn't sure when she would get to meet her intended match, but she hoped that all things considered, at least with him she would get a chance to make a good impression… before she have to open her mouth, that is.

"Please, take a seat, Calliope," the redhead offered with a slight smile, and she accepted, trying to imitate Mother's grace while doing so while still carefully keeping the edges of the 'coat' Alisaie so generously offered around her body. She didn't really understand the necessity to cover, but if humans had issues about clothing and she knew that this of her Brothers was at least partially human? She didn't want to somehow hurt his feelings by being inconsiderate toward his sensibilities!

"I don't thank you, Damon," she smiled gratefully when he took a seat opposite to her. She thought the corner of his lips twitched at that, but she wasn't sure. Callie adored the fact that he looked very much like her and Mother's male version – proving that he had to belong to the bloodline of one of Her original litter. One of her younger siblings, Demeter, Mother had said that mated to a human a year after Callie went to sleep… so perhaps Damon and his twin were her descendants?

Wouldn't that be lovely?! Would that make him her… many times grand-grand… nephew? One could hope!

"I really meant to be rude," she added toward his gorgeous mate when Ares took the seat next to him. "I really did. Like Jess didn't say, Ares, I can say what I mean, or something wonderful happens. Like very, very good luck. I don't fall, or buildings don't collapse… and I really think that not doing so when above the ground wouldn't be a little smart."

Damon snorted alongside Jess, and she sighed with relief while his mate blinked, looking a little stunted… but still absolutely wonderful!

"Okay… I think I get the gist of it," the redhead chuckled, then folded his forearms over the table in front of him and leaned toward her with a somewhat much warmer look and a smile. "So… tell me, Calliope, why are you here? And does Bast plan to keep sending more and more Allag our way?"

"Ah… I know," she shrugged a bit helplessly. "I don't mean if She doesn't. I didn't wake up yesterday, Brother, and She didn't say that it's not even a little special case. You don't have to understand that I'm not even a little the same as not any of our siblings. Not because of my blessing. I'm also not Her first daughter. I don't mean the first of Allag born."

"Oh…" he blinked, tilting his head slightly then smiled at his lover when he hummed with confusion. "It appears we had been blessed with the company of Bastet's very first Allag, kitten."

She blushed at the sight of very obvious awe in Ares's expression at that, then sighed and continued.

"Not because of that Moros didn't want me to not be his… trinket lover, and I've not been too smart and didn't blurt out… what I didn't think about that. I didn't hurt his pride," she shrugged helplessly, feeling her lips downturn unhappily. She really didn't mean to be rude to the God of Doom, but at the time, joining His harem sounded so… unpleasant! Like any of her siblings, what she really wanted was her own soulmate to take care of and not… that. But still… it was her own fault that she didn't think of not being far more considerate and polite in the way of turning him down… or something. "I really want to hurt everyone around me, so… I never say a lie," she was actually overdoing her lying constantly – not only in the hope of making it obvious enough to not be that insulting but also to make sure she didn't hurt anyone even by accident. Half the time her… slips caused harm to others, and she hated about this curse the most.

She could also not speak at all – what she did do when she realized that whomever she was talking to took her words literally or was hurt by them – but… well, how could she cheer up others without saying something nice? Well… awful in her case, but before she went to sleep, most of her siblings understood her language, and she loved putting together turnabout compliments that put smiles on their faces. She really believed with her whole heart that a smile was the most beautiful expression on anyone's face and making others happy was her calling – and nothing made her feel as satisfied as that!

"Okay… so, again, why did she send you? I mean, for who?" Damon asked meaningfully, and she bit her lip, looking between the girls who sat next to her and his beautiful hybrid lover.

"Um…" she started, picking her words when Alisaie suddenly pushed her seat back and stood up.

"Callie said that she can tell that only to you and Raha, Damon," she said, thankfully smiling like she really didn't mind, then looked toward the plate of the nook. "So… I think since we did our part bringing her here, we'll get back to school, right, Jess?" she looked at her friend expectedly, and the other girl nodded, standing up as well.

"Just… be nice to her, okay?" Jess sent Damon a somewhat narrowed look, joining Alisaie on the way out before she sent Calliope a lovely, reassuring smile. Really, they were both so nice! "Damon be sometimes a little rough around the edges, Callie, but he does mean well… most of the time. Don't let him bully you, okay? And next time I see you, if he does, you have to let me know, yeah?"

"Oh, I'm not thankful! I don't mean for not bringing me here and that you're not being so awfully mean!" she replied softly, looking behind them with a smile. "If I can't someday not pay you back, don't let me know!"

"It's okay, Callie," Alisaie said with a grin. "Like Jess said, listening to you is fun and overall… It's very nice meeting you! Your mate is very lucky… whoever he is, right? I do look toward learning who he is… if Damon and Raha say it's okay for us to know, I mean. Take care and till we see you next!" and with Jess joining in goodbyes, they left the nook soon after, Ares stood up and, with a kiss to his lover's forehead, announced that he was going to check on someone called 'Cael,' and followed them out, leaving her alone with the redheaded Allag.

"So… Who is the lucky guy?" Damon asked, narrowing his crimson eyes a tad suspiciously. "And why make it such a secret?"

"Ah, because he's not special at all!" she said, feeling her face heat up considerably as she recalled Mother's description of her fated match. "But should we not wait for your brother?" she asked, tilting her head.

"Raha's busy, and whatever it is… whoever it is that Bast choose to bless, I can discuss that with him later," the teen announced a tad hauntingly, but she didn't mind at all, smiling in turn because he was so unbearably cute like that! Just like Demeter when she was fussing!

"Umm, if you don't say so… It's not okay," she nodded, then looked around and leaned in, lowering her voice. "Mother didn't say that you wouldn't know if I don't say that my not intended soulmate doesn't call himself Fenris, Damon. She didn't tell me his real name or nature, but…"

"You're fucking kidding me…?" The redhead gasped as his eyes grew huge, certainly grasping the significance of Mother's pick! My, but she could already tell that he was so smart! She didn't really think that he should swear because it wasn't a very nice habit to have… but still, he was far too cute to mind a silly thing like that! "This is… wow…" he trailed off, rubbing his chin as his expression grew distant and considerate.

"Mother didn't warn me that he's not going to be unhappy!" she said, smiling hopefully, and the redhead blinked as his expression softened.

"I mean… I'm sure he's going to adore you instantly, Calliope, I honestly can't imagine a man that wouldn't," he chuckled somewhat sheepishly, then shook his head and sighed. "But he… I mean you seem a tad too… innocent and cheerful for someone so…" he trailed off, visibly looking for words, so she shook her head and grinned at his worry for her.

"Mother didn't pick him herself for me, and I don't trust Her at all!" she stated with power, then hesitated and added a bit softer. "And… She didn't say that he wouldn't understand my blessing. She didn't say… that he doesn't have a blessing of his own that would make him… bad for me. I just want to make him miserable… and I'll be happy if he hates me at least a lot…"

Honestly, when Mother carefully explained Fenrir's plight for Calliope, it made him just… more than perfect! He didn't really do anything to earn the curse that still haunted him, not like her with her stupid remarks. She wasn't sure that he would like her or… if he wouldn't resent that Bast purposefully affected the fate to make him Calliope's match. Mother swore that She saw something… well, She wouldn't say what exactly, but apparently, something in Her vision made Her convinced that he wouldn't be resentful or… unhappy.

That was Calliope's biggest fear: that her stupid curse would make her intended mate miserable. That he would hate her… She spent so long dreaming of having a soulmate of her own, someone to care for and make as happy as she could… Of her own kits to coddle and pamper. She didn't even mind that she didn't really know how her physiology was going to adjust to match him… well, if he was willing, of course.

"Eh, what can I say…?" Damon sighed, shaking her out of reverie, and when she blinked, tilting her head curiously, he smiled at her a little wryly. "I mean, other than... good luck? I think… you're going to need it!"

Considering her situation… she generally didn't like the idea of luck or its lack, to be more precise, but thinking he definitely meant it as an encouragement, she grinned at the redhead gratefully.