Percy POV
"Wow, you really picked a nice place, Artemis," I said, offering her a genuine smile. Her silver eyes met mine, and for a moment, I saw a hint of satisfaction in them.
"Only the best for my love," she replied, a playful smirk gracing her lips. I chuckled, realising how true her words were. After all, we were dining in a place that catered to the divine tastes of couples.
As we entered the restaurant, the hostess greeted us with a respectful nod. Artemis led the way to a secluded corner table, surrounded by tall potted plants that added a touch of intimacy to the setting. We took our seats, and I couldn't help but admire the soft glow of Artemis's silver hair in the ambient light.
"So, how's godhood treating you?" I asked, trying to break the ice. Artemis raised an eyebrow, her expression playful.
"The same as it was treating me yesterday, and the day before, and the day before…" She flashed me a grin, before becoming serious."
"It has its perks," she admitted. "But it also comes with its share of responsibilities. The affairs of the gods are intricate, and maintaining balance in the world is no easy task." I nodded, understanding the weight that must accompany the divine duties she now bore. Our conversation flowed naturally as we discussed the challenges and rewards of godhood.
Just as we settled into our discussion, the waiter arrived at our table. She was a young woman with a courteous smile, and her eyes lingered on me for a moment longer than necessary.
"Good evening. You both look splendid tonight," she remarked, her eyes still fixed on me. I offered a polite thank you, but Artemis shot her a glare that could freeze the sun.
"Your compliments are unnecessary," she said coldly, her gaze unwavering. The waiter, seemingly unfazed, took our orders and retreated, leaving an awkward silence in his wake.
I couldn't help but chuckle nervously.
"Easy there, Artemis. I think she was just trying to be polite." Her silver eyes narrowed, and for a moment, I thought I saw a trace of jealousy.
"Polite or not, I have little patience for mortals who overstep their boundaries." I couldn't resist teasing her.
"Jealous, my lady?" Artemis's glare intensified, but soon enough, a rare sight adorned her face—a faint, begrudging smile.
"Don't be ridiculous, Percy. I am above such mortal emotions."
As Artemis and I continued our conversation, the night air seemed to hum with a divine energy, amplifying the significance of our dinner date. The soft glow of the restaurant enveloped us, creating a cocoon of intimacy within the bustling world of the divine.
"You must admit, Percy, there is a certain charm in witnessing the mortals go about their lives," the goddess remarked, her eyes observing the other patrons. I followed her gaze, noting the diverse crowd engaged in their own conversations.
"Yeah, it's a different kind of existence. Simpler, in some ways." Artemis nodded thoughtfully.
"Their mortality gives them a unique perspective, a sense of urgency to live in the moment. Sometimes, I envy that." I raised an eyebrow, surprised by her admission.
"You envy mortals?" She tilted her head, her silver eyes reflecting a hint of longing.
"In a way. They experience life so intensely, with passion and fleeting moments of joy. Immortality can be a double-edged sword, Percy. We have eternity, but sometimes, it feels like we lack the intensity of their finite existence."
Her words lingered in the air, casting a thoughtful atmosphere over our table. I contemplated the weight of her revelation, realising that even a goddess like Artemis could yearn for aspects of the mortal experience.
The waiter returned not too long after, bearing a silver tray with our carefully plated dishes. As she set them before us, the tantalising aroma of the divine cuisine filled the air. Artemis's eyes sparkled with anticipation as she surveyed her meal.
"Well, this looks divine," I commented, unable to resist the pun. Artemis shot me a playful glare, her lips curving into a smirk.
"You and your wordplay, Percy. I suppose I should expect nothing less." I chuckled, savouring the banter between us. The waiter, sensing the relaxed atmosphere, offered a genuine smile before departing to attend to other patrons.
Artemis picked up her fork, eyeing the meticulously arranged dish. She'd gone for a fancy chicken parmesan with feta cheese and it looked delicious.
"Shall we?" she asked. Looking down at my own Italian pizza, I grinned, mirroring her eagerness.
"Let the feast begin."
As we took our first bites, the flavours exploded on my palate, a symphony of tastes that transcended mortal cuisine. Artemis savoured each mouthful with a discerning palate, and for a moment, the world outside our small corner of the restaurant ceased to exist.
The atmosphere around us hummed with the quiet symphony of clinking cutlery and hushed conversations. The divine flavours of our meals mingled, creating an experience that surpassed the finest mortal banquets. Artemis set down her fork, her silver eyes reflecting contentment.
"This is truly exquisite, Percy" I chuckled, nodding in agreement.
"There's something magical about the way this place blends flavours and creates dishes that linger in your memory." She tilted her head, a strand of silver hair falling gracefully across her shoulder.
"Tell me, Percy, have you found any mortal delicacies that rival the ambrosia of the gods?" I pondered for a moment, savouring the lingering taste of my pizza.
"Well, ambrosia has its unique charm, but there's this dessert called tiramisu. Layers of coffee-soaked ladyfingers and mascarpone cream—it's a slice of heaven." Artemis arched an eyebrow, intrigued.
"Tiramisu, you say? In all my years, I've never heard of it. Perhaps we should explore mortal dessert options in the future."
Our laughter intertwined with the ambient sounds of the restaurant, creating a moment suspended in time. The waiter, sensing our readiness for the next course, approached with the dessert menu. Artemis scanned the options, her eyes alighting on the decadent offerings.
"Shall we indulge in some divine desserts, Percy?" she asked, a playful glint in her eyes.
"Absolutely," I replied, a smile playing on my lips. "After all, what's a dinner date without a sweet finale?" As the waiter departed to fetch our chosen desserts, Artemis leaned back in her chair. Her gaze lingered on me, thoughtful and contemplative.
"Percy, there's something I've been meaning to discuss." I raised an eyebrow, curious.
"What's on your mind, Artemis?" She took a moment before speaking, choosing her words carefully.
"I… I want you to move into the hunt." I blinked, surprised by her invitation.
"Your hunt?" I frowned. "But why would you want that? You've always oiled your privacy and I'd hate to intrude. Plus, me and Thalia still aren't on good terms, remember." Artemis's eyes softened, a rare vulnerability seeping through her stoic exterior.
"Because, Percy, I find myself enjoying our time together. It's a rare occurrence for me to feel this connection, and I wish to share more of my world with you." The weight of her words hung in the air, and I felt a profound sense of honour at her invitation. However, my mind raced with the complications that might arise from a mortal in the divine realm.
"It's a generous offer, Artemis," I began, choosing my words carefully. "But is it really the best option? I'd love to spend all my time with you, but I feel like we're taking it too fast, you know?" Artemis's expression remained unreadable for a moment, but then she nodded, accepting my decision.
"I understand, Percy," she sighed. "It's just, I've never had love in my life, and now that I do, I can't stop craving more of it. However, if you ever change your mind, know that my hunt's doors are open to you." I offered a grateful smile, appreciating her understanding.
"Thank you, Artemis. Perhaps, instead, we could spend some time in a place familiar to me. How about a visit to my underwater palace?" Artemis's silver eyes lit up with curiosity.
"Underwater palace?" I chuckled.
"Well, when I first left, Poseidon ordered the mermen to create a beautiful palace down in the sea for me. It's not as glamorous as your moonlit palace, but it holds a charm of its own."
Artemis considered the idea, a hint of intrigue in her gaze.
"A visit to the sea depths does sound enticing. Perhaps, one day, we shall explore the wonders of both our realms."
Our desserts arrived, a tempting array of confections that beckoned us to indulge. As we shared bites and laughter, the air between us shimmered with the promise of adventures yet to come. However, just like all good things, the night eventually came to an end. The waiter discreetly presented the check, and as Artemis and I settled it with a silent exchange of glances, we decided to take our conversation outside. The cool night air greeted us as we stepped onto the quiet sidewalk, the city's lights casting a gentle glow on the streets.
Artemis and I walked side by side, the silence comfortable between us. The moon hung high in the sky, its silvery light accentuating the goddess's features. We strolled through the night, hand in hand, the connection between us growing stronger with each step.
I couldn't help but marvel at Artemis's beauty as the moonlight played on her features. Her auburn hair seemed to capture the essence of the night, and her eyes sparkled with a celestial glow. In that moment, I found myself utterly captivated by the goddess at my side. As we walked, my mind swirled with thoughts of the evening—the laughter, the shared moments, the exquisite food. Artemis, too, seemed lost in contemplation, her gaze occasionally meeting mine with a soft, mischievous smile.
Eventually, we found a quiet spot beneath the moonlit sky, away from the bustling city. I turned to face Artemis, the warmth of her hand in mine grounding me in the present.
"I've truly enjoyed tonight, Artemis," I confessed, my voice carrying the sincerity of my feelings. "Talking with you, sharing this evening—it's been something special." The goddess met my gaze, her silver eyes reflecting a depth of emotion.
"The pleasure has been mine, Percy. Mortal or god, your company is unlike any other." I sighed.
"Unfortunately, I've got to get to Hephaestus. He's narrowed down the location of Riptide quite a bit. In fact, it's somewhere not too far from your hunt, so hopefully I can visit tomorrow." Artemis furrowed her brows, her curiosity piqued.
"Are you certain, Percy?" I nodded.
"Yeah, it's strange, but somehow Hephaestus managed to get a vague location. Props to him I guess." Artemis's expression shifted, a mixture of concern and contemplation. She opened her mouth as if to say something, but I raised a hand, dismissing the unspoken words.
"I know, it's odd," I said, attempting to ease the tension. "I have no idea how Hephaestus pulled this off, but he did. We'll figure it out in due time." Artemis nodded, her eyes still holding a hint of worry.
"We'll deal with it when the time comes," she mumbled, though it didn't seem like she was talking to me.
I decided to shift the mood, not wanting our night to end on a note of uncertainty.
"Thank you for tonight, Artemis. It's been amazing." She smiled, a genuine warmth in her gaze.
"And thank you, Percy. I rarely find myself enjoying the company of others, but with you, it's different." As we lingered beneath the moon, I couldn't resist the pull of the moment. Leaning in, I pressed a gentle kiss to Artemis's cheek.
"Goodnight, Artemis." She looked at me, her eyes softening.
"Goodnight, Percy."
And with that, we parted ways.
Aphrodite POV
Great, another doorbell. Just as I'd been getting ready for bed. Grumbling, I made my way to the door, the soft glow of candles flickered in the room, casting a warm and inviting atmosphere. As the door creaked open, revealing the figure on the other side, I was met with the radiant presence of Apollo.
"Well, well, what brings the radiant god of the sun to my humble abode?" I greeted him with a sly smile, ushering him inside. Apollo entered, his golden hair catching the light as he stepped into the luxurious surroundings.
"Hello, Aphrodite. Mind if I stay here, just for a bit? I wanna talk to you about something." I chuckled, guiding him to a plush couch adorned with silk cushions.
"Of course not. My home is always open to charming people like you. Now, what brings you here?" Apollo took a moment to find a comfortable position on the couch, his expression slightly pensive.
The same thing that brought Thalia here, and Artemis, and Percy. Love, my dear Aphrodite. Love has brought me here."
I groaned loudly.
"Are you kidding me!? What happened to the days where people visited to talk and hang out and have fun!? Now it's just love advice."
"Well I'm sorry, but it's not like I can go to Artemis or someone about this kind of stuff. You're all us Olympians have when it comes to love. You even managed to fix Poseidon and Amphitrite's marriage after Percy was claimed."
"Alright, fine," I sighed. "What love advice do you want from me?" Apollo sighed, his eyes reflecting a blend of uncertainty and vulnerability.
"It's a complicated situation," he admitted. "But I think I like someone, only I doubt they like me, and after seeing Percy and Artemis get closer together, I feel like I want just that with someone else. This war has shown me a lot of stuff that I have, and a lot of things I still stand to gain." I leaned back, a mischievous glint in my eyes.
"Ah, the enigmatic love troubles of gods and mortals. It seems you're all quite tangled in the intricate web of emotions." Apollo rolled his eyes, a playful smile gracing his lips.
"You're one to talk, Aphrodite. Your domain practically thrives on the complexities of love." I chuckled, acknowledging the truth in his words.
"Touché, Apollo. So, tell me, what has the sun god entangled in the affairs of love?"
Apollo took a deep breath, his gaze fixed on a distant point.
"It's very simple. I like someone. I doubt they like me. I need to tell them I like them without telling them I like them, and long standing relationships have never been my strong suit."
"Hmm, well love, Apollo, is like a melody. It needs the right rhythm, the perfect notes, and sometimes a touch of improvisation. You, being the god of music, should understand the delicate dance required to compose a love song," I offered, a twinkle in my eyes. Apollo nodded thoughtfully.
"You're right, Aphrodite. But how do I convey these feelings to her? How do I show her that my intentions are genuine?" I leaned forward, my eyes locking onto his.
"Actions speak louder than words, Apollo. Show her the beauty of your music, let the melodies of your heart resonate with hers. A well-crafted poem or a soul-stirring song can speak volumes where words may fail." Apollo nodded. He opened his mouth to say something, but I quickly cut him off.
"Now, Apollo, I've helped you, but if you want more help, it comes at a cost." The sun god looked at me with a hint of unease.
"What's the price?" he asked uncertainly? I leaned back, savouring my moment of power.
"It's quite simple, honestly. I just want you to tell me who it is you like. Do that, and I'll help away." Apollo seemed to go silent for a moment, most likely debating whether or not to tell me. Finally, after a moment of thought, he looked at me, a hint of uncertainty in his gaze.
"Aphrodite, I need your word. Swear on the River Styx that you won't reveal what I'm about to tell you to anyone, specifically to Percy." I feigned innocence, a playful smile on my lips.
"Oh, Apollo, you wound me. But, for the sake of love, I swear on the Styx that your secret will remain locked in my heart." Apollo hesitated before finally revealing his hidden truth.
"The girl I like… It's Calypso."
There we have it. An issue of Riptide, and an issue of Calypso!