On the Neritum isle, not far from Ithakē and Kefaloniá lived a maiden, with flashing eyes of gleaming green. A gift, beauty rare; the shadows of Nýx in her hair with lips that shame the red, red rose; this princess walks with springtime wherever she goes. The song of the sea sang within her veins as she moved about her isle. Around her was her friends—the horses and bulls, hares and foxes—followed her around as she started her day. They watched over her since the moment she washed upon the shore of grassy meadows on either side stood thick with violet and wild parsley.
The girl was beautiful; a favorite of the divine gods that resided in the heavens. Kállos, her friends called her for she had no other name. Powerful that she was with her dark braided hair and strange powers that allowed her to switch forms; her preferred being a mare in the same shade of her hair and eyes. A child of Poseidón Hippokourios of whom they had no doubt with a voice gifted from Apóllōn Mousāgetās as she set about the chores that she planned for the day.
On the shore, pacing across the sand with long slow strides, she ventured down to the sea, gathering the waves in her hands to take a drink. Birds with long wings roosted there, owls and falcons and long-tongued sea-crows that had their business upon the waters. It was there that the winged god saw her, turning aside and circled overhead and hovered round on hungry wings. He gazed upon her, she lovelier than all he gazed upon; a maiden unrivaled in beauty that held clear favor with his sister, Aphrodítē and beloved by the Khárites; she who was the fairest jewel he had ever seen.
Flowers of many colours; dyed in the flowers of spring,—in krocus and hyacinth and flourishing violet and the rose's lovely bloom, so sweet and delicious, and heavenly buds, the flowers of the narkissus and lily adorned her figure. A splendid robe made from the foam of the sea, enriched with all manner of needlework, which shimmered like the moon over her tender breasts, a marvel to see. Ζεύς' son, Hērmês, was seized with passion, breath-taken by her loveliness; he smoothed his hair, arranged his robe to hang aright, to show the whole long golden hem, saw that his wand, the wand he wields to bring and banish sleep, shone with a polish, and his ankle-wings were lustrous, and his sandals brushed and clean—such trust in his good looks!
She recognized as a divine being instantly; a wonder for she had never left her island, yet she knew from the way that his curls, colored like the same shade as the skin of Gaia, the sort of brown that brought comfort of a time unknown, memories under the star-speckled skin of Ouranós, sitting before the warmth of Hestia's hearth with others that teased the mind. Tiny wings of gold were projecting from his locks, in which they had been fastened symmetrically on both sides. His eyes, bright as polish jade, looked upon her, marking her in a state of vulnerability though she met his gaze evenly, taking in his ambrosian colored skin like the sun hugged him tenderly every morning. He was naked except for a youth's cloak draped over his left shoulder; his cheek emits a smile mingled with wrath that made him the cynosure of all eyes.
"Mi'lord, whoever of the blessed ones you are that come to this house, tell me the thing that is in your mind; my heart consents to it already if it is something I can do and something that has been done before."
And with these words the maiden drew up a table by him, a feast worthy of the gods, though immortals such as himself have no need for mortal food. Still, Hērmês began to eat and drink; when the meal was over and his spirit refreshed with food, he answered Kállos thus: "At my entrance you put a question to me; I will tell you the whole matter frankly, as indeed you wish me to. I'll not invent a reason; only that you may lay your virgin body in love with I in a soft meadow and among spring flowers."
Her lips part in surprise, eyes widening in shock at his words, but she gathered herself quickly enough even as she tried to laugh off his statement. "My, my. Such bold words, mi'lord," and her smile was sharp while her eyes glinted with cruel amusement. "Yet I know naught of whom you may be. How can I give my maidenhood to a male of no name lest I lay with a criminal that spurns the gods in the heavens?"
His heart sparkled in joy at her words, the mischief that curled in each tone while he took in the crystalized emeralds of her eyes, the soft smile that danced across her face as she stood before him; the earth and the winds reaching for her as if they knew that he would tear her from their embrace.
"I am he who bears his father's mandates through the sky. My father's Ζεύς, who holds the aigis. My mother is one of the seven sisters, the Pleiádes. Great Átlas, who carries the axis of the heavens on his shoulders, is one of my grandfathers." Stepping closer, he took one of her hands in his own. He looked into her eyes, and she looked into his, and both of them knew that they had found the one that was meant for them. He was beautiful; and she was overcome with the need to lay him down and touch him until he was drunk on being worshipped. He was a god, after all. "And what do they call you?"
Her smile was soft, alluring and secreting desire into his heart. "There is no name that I remember when I was raised in my Father's lands, whomever he may be, but my friends, the animals that attend to me and the nymphai who inhabit this lovely island and the springs of rivers and grassy meads; they call me Kállos for they swear that I was sculpted to be a sweet, lovely maiden-shape, like to the immortal goddesses in face by the undying beings that reign in the starry heavens." She laughed, a sound like twinkling bells, as if the very thought of it was preposterous.
"I cannot find fault in their words," he murmured, moving almost impossibly closer to her. "Let us seek heaven's heights together. You shall share my bed and you will share my name." It would seem that they were of one mind for his smile mimicked her as it sharpened with mischief. "I make merry bridal with you and enter your delicate bed and my rod shall be beholden as a gift to adorn your chamber. I will have you, and through our union, you will stand beside me before my Father and his Fathers before him, for our love will be as deathless as the gods that walk the earth."
"And this you swear, O Radiant One? By Gaia and Ouranós that you will take me to the heavens above us and make me your blooming wife?"
"Ναί, swearing by the bright sky of heaven, the swift-winged breezes, the river-waters, and infinite laughter of the waves of sea, universal mother Earth, and the all-seeing orb of the sun, that provided your demands are not impossible for not even I bear witness to the path that the Moirai; who spin the threads of life, at the helm of necessity, direct fate, and watch that the fate assigned to every being by eternal laws might take its course without obstruction; and Ζεύς, as well as the other gods and man, have to submit to them, may dole out I will marry you as you wish."
She smiled, and so placed her hand in his, and he rose to heaven's peak on swift wings with her in his embrace.
There was laughter upon the mountain; there was no sweeter sound.
Hērmês leaned against Apóllōn, struggling to hold his weight up as they all watched Aphrodítē dangle Daeira over the edge of Olympos using some of Hḗphaistos' rope for her hand in Leaneíras' disappearance. The younger goddess screamed and begged and blubbered a mess of apologies and pleadings, but Aphrodítē would hear nothing of it. She was one of the many deities that he had unraveled from that ball of power that took his blessing away; that attacked a blessed pair. That would piss Aphrodítē off on its own, but to add in the fact that they made Drew and Eliza cry in their worry for the girl was unacceptable. Many of them became intimately aware of why she held the titles of the Dark One and the Killer of Men, and just when they thought they managed to escape her, they turned to find Apóllōn Latôios who had sworn to be fellow and friend to Hērmês, vowing that he would love no other among the immortals, neither god nor man sprung from Ζεύς, better than Hērmês.
It was wondrous! Neither Khrysos nor Kairós could look at their Brother without flinching! Khrysos, himself, avoided mirrors because Apóllōn's golden eyes terrified the daimon of gold and riches.
If it were not for what was obviously shaping up to be a war, Hērmês had no doubt that Father would also be punishing them for he too led the gods of marriage.
Daeira screeched even louder as Aphrodítē let the rope slip even more. Usually they avoided such actions, mainly because the Olympioi Major were always around each other and none of them wanted to make Hḗphaistos uncomfortable, but his brother refused to allow them to use the rope without his supervision and Aphrodítē was sadist; evident in how she swung the younger goddess as if she was a pendulum. The goddess of love cackled, the muscles in her arm shifting as she forced the swings to go wider, laughing gleefully as she reeled Daeira in before flinging her back down.
If she thought this was bad, he couldn't wait to view her face when Poseidón stepped in to have his fun.
A throat cleared behind them, and they turned to look at Aineías, who watched his Mother with a fond smile, before he stated: "The children's quest has started. Father Iovis would like everyone to report back to the throne room and if you have need to leave the mountain, then to take extreme caution." They all sighed as Aphrodítē jerked the rope upwards and Daeira landed harshly on the ground in front of them. The child of Ouranós passed it back to her ex-husband before they followed her son back into the throne room.
On the screen, the son of Troia had a look of panic and terror and was paler than a child with tuberculosis as the trio left New Roma. Mercurius was abruptly reminded of the curse that was on his family. And while the boy had made peace with it, it was an entirely different thing now that he had actually found his blessing. A part of him wondered what Athḗnē would do considering that Annabeth was a part of that bond but considering that she regularly sent her children on an impossible quest that had only just made its way to the tapestry of fate, then he figured she wouldn't care if the girl died because Octavian also died. Though, he supposed she wouldn't want to fight a war on three-four-five? fronts considering that Poseidón would attack and Aphrodítē would attack and Apollō would attack which meant that Dīāna and Árēs would also attack. Hm, όχι, it would be seven because he had no doubt that Lea would find out and then she would attack, and he would have to attack in her defense and because Apollō was his favored brother.
The three of them were riding alongside Bomon, the pixie from Hyperborea, that just never seemed to return after being kidnapped by Lea, Magnus, and Medea towards Alaska. The couple had seemingly adopted the pixie as their companion. But more importantly, "Why are they not taking Magnus' ship?" He wondered. It could fly. There was no need for them to use the sad excuse of roman navy. They controlled the Mare Nostrum at one point in time, utilizing it to the full extent for their trade even after Neptūnus had laughed himself sick when Caligula called himself declaring war against him and his armies stabbed the water.
"Only Magnus is able to fly it," Vulcanus reminded him. Ah, how could he forget.
"You know, I do not think I ever asked," Pudicitia, goddess of chastity, started. "But is the Son of Troia actually attracted to males or is a result of his—" She was cut off by the loud laughter of Apollō; the elder god almost falling from his throne with how hard he was laughing.
"Sorry, sorry." The son of Latona snickered. "It's just... that boy is as straight as spaghetti." Mārs gave a roaring sound of laughter as he threw in, "His gun is pink" just as Līber, around a bottle of beer, stated: "He has a little sugar in his tank."
"That wrist has always been broken, darling," Mercurius snickered.
"His porch has a swing," Vulcanus jumped in, delighting in the giggles of his wife.
"The boy is funny," Hēdonē, daughter of Cupido and Psyche and also the goddess of pleasure, started. "But he doesn't tell any jokes."
The real kicker, however, came from Athḗnē; who hated the boy and everything that he stood for and yet with a slight smile on her face she said: "The boy would hold one in his mouth until the swelling went down.". There was a moment of silence before they were all roaring with laughter, the entirety of Olympos shook from the force of it. This was what it should always be like, a place for the gods of feasts and banquets to feel empowered by their joy. Did they need to use various southern colloquiums to explain that the boy, who was proudly and loudly pansexual, actually enjoyed the touch of males regardless of his trauma? Όχι, they did not, but it broke the tension that made been lingering within the mountain since the doors had been closed.
On the screen, the trio and pixie were making their way towards one of Îris' storefronts. Mercurius pursed his lips. Time had always been strange to move so fast and yet change so little. He inwardly sighed. If Lea was there, she would have called him an old man and directed him to the nearest nursing home. Medea cursed as Octavian helped Percy into the storefront, swinging out with her magicka. "Make them see, what cannot be, Flames that leap to make them flee!" Bright green flames burst from her hands, quickly setting the ground alight as she joined them. The basilisks backed away hissing. There wasn't much that could scare the little creatures, but nothing could truthfully withstand greek fire. As the trio stepped through the doors to the storefront, lights came on and Medea sank to the ground. No doubt that the strength of the spell drained her. Trivia may carry flames, but she had no true power over fire as she held dominion over the heaven, earth, and sea. Though Mercurius supposed that being the goddess that held dominion over witchcraft and all that came with it made it easier; for her though. Not her offspring.
Medea was more of an earthen witch. She could use all forms of magicka, but hers were more suited towards the earth.
He looked over the store, taking note of the things that Lea might like. There wasn't much. She had peculiar tastes. A nebula with hair that resembled cirrostratus clouds appeared before the trio, smiling at them pleasantly. "Hello! Do you need any help? Demigods are always welcome, you know. It's all right. You're not like those awful monsters. They just want to use the restroom and never buy anything!"
"Fleecy," Îris called out. "Don't scare the customers, now. Bring them here, will you?"
"Your name is Fleecy?" Medea asked as the pixie hid behind her.
Fleecy giggled. "Well, in the language of the nebulae it's actually—" She made a series of crackling and blowing noises that honestly just translated to Woon in korean. Why did the nymphs have to be so complicated? He didn't know, but whatever. He'd let them have their nicknames. "But you can call me Fleecy."
"Nebulae. . ." Percy muttered in a daze. "Cloud nymphs."
Fleecy beamed. "Oh, I like this one! Usually no one knows about cloud nymphs. But dear me, he doesn't look so good. Come to the back. My boss wants to meet you. We'll get your friend fixed up." The nymph led them through the produce aisle, led them through the produce aisle, between rows of eggplants, kiwis, lotus fruit, and pomegranates. Îris stood behind the counter in the mortal form of a middle-aged woman with olive skin, long black hair, rimless glasses, amber necklaces, turquoise rings and a T-shirt that read: The Goddess Is Alive!
"Hello!" She leaned over the counter, which was lined with dozens of little statues—waving Chinese cats, meditating Buddhas, Saint Francis bobble heads, and novelty dippy drinking birds with top hats. "So glad you're here. I'm Îris!"
"The greek rainbow goddess?" Medea furrowed her brow.
"Well, that's my official job, yes. But I don't define myself by my corporate identity," Îris sniffed as she grimaced. "In my spare time, I run this!" She gestured around her proudly. "The R.O.F.L. Co-op—an employee-run cooperative promoting healthy alternative lifestyles and organic foods."
"What about Arcus," Octavian asked, raising a brow. "Our rainbow goddess."
"Same thing," she shrugged.
"And you throw Ding Dong at monsters," the boy continued judgingly.
Îris looked horrified. "Oh, they're not Ding Dongs." She rummaged under the counter and brought out a package of chocolate-covered cakes that looked exactly like Ding Dongs. "These are gluten-free, no-sugar-added, vitamin-enriched, soy-free, goat-milk-and-seaweed-based cupcake simulations."
Mercurius hated the fact that he knew Lea would like them and even more so that Octavian liked the sound of it also.
"All natural!" Fleecy chimed in.
"I stand corrected." Octavian smiled as Medea smacked the pixie's hand away from it.
Leaning against the counter, Percy looked as if he was going to vomit as he struggled to say, "Monsters marching south. Going to destroy our camp. Couldn't you stop them?"
"Oh, I'm strictly nonviolent," Îris said. "I can act in self-defense, but I won't be drawn into any more Olympian aggression, thank you very much. I've been reading about Buddhism. And Taoism. I haven't decided between them."
Father sighed while Hḗrē snickered. Of course, she found it hilarious whenever her handmaiden went searching to find herself. The swift-footed goddess really took "at the end of the rainbow" phrases seriously.
"But..." Medea looked mystified. "Aren't you a Greek goddess?"
Îris crossed her arms. "Don't try to put me in a box, demigod! I'm not defined by my past."
"Um, okay," Medea said. "Could you at least help our friend here? I think he's sick."
"Iris-message," Percy said, reaching across the counter. "Can you send one?"
"Iris-message?"
"It's..." Percy faltered. "Isn't that something you do?"
Îris studied Percy more closely. "Interesting. You're from Camp Iūpiter, and yet...Oh, I see. Iūnō is up to her tricks."
"What's that supposed to mean," the goddess in question grumbled.
"What?" Medea asked.
Îris glanced at her assistant before spraying one of her ailments in Percy's face. "There, that should balance your chakra. As for Îris-messages—that's an ancient way of communication. The Greeks used it. The Romans never took to it—always relying on their road systems and giant eagles and whatnot. But yes, I imagine...Fleecy, could you give it a try?"
"Sure, boss!"
Îris winked at Octavian. "Don't tell the other gods, but Fleecy handles most of my messages these days."
Hērmês froze. So, while he was slaving away, working overtime by passing on messages and overworking his retinue to meet the demand, she was getting a break? Oh, he could not wait until all of this was over!
"She's wonderful at it, really, and I don't have time to answer all those requests personally. It messes up mywa."
"Your wa?" Octavian asked.
"Mmm. Fleecy, why don't you take Percy and Medea into the back? You can get them something to eat while you arrange their messages so long as Medea doesn't threaten to set you on fire like little miss Manahimeko Leaneíras did Money Maker." Medea flushed, fumbling over her words but Iris only waved her hand. "And for Percy...yes, memory sickness. I imagine that old Polyvotis...well, meeting him in a state of amnesia can't be good for a child of P—that is to say, Neptūnus. Fleecy, give him a cup of green tea with organic honey and wheat germ and some of my medicinal powder number five. That should fix him up."
Medea frowned. "What about Octavian?" Octavian who was eyeing the goddess up and down as if trying to decide the best way to take her down if it meant staying with his blessing.
"Oh, don't worry," Îris said as she turned to him, tilting her head to the side. "Octavian and I have a lot to talk about."
WORD COUNT: 3659
Timeline:
1) We are syncing up with SON and it will once again be a tradeoff between Hērmês and Lea but like also remember that she's not in the same universe as them so while she'd be gone for the same amount of time as the quest... she'd be experiencing days and weeks and months and even years.
WORDS TO KNOW:
1) Kállos - The ancient Greek word Kállos essentially means beauty and is associated with both the female and the male sex.
2) Poseidón Hippokourios - Poseidón, the Horse Tender
3) Apóllōn Mousāgetās - Apóllōn, the Leader of the Moûsai
4) Manahimeko - japanese name that is supposed to mean goddess of the sea
5) Nebula - what the romans called cloud-nymphs. their greek counterparts were nephelê
THINGS TO KNOW:
1) Neritum is an Ancient Greek name of an island in the Ionian Sea, near Ithaca and Cephalonia. In Homer's Iliad, book II, Neritum is part of Odyseús's kingdom.
QUOTES:
1) "One gift, beauty rare
Gold of sunshine in her hair
Lips that shame the red, red rose
She'll walk with springtime wherever she goes!" - Sleeping Beauty (1959 film)
COMMENTS FROM THE AUTHOR:
1) Lea is in her version of Barbie as the Island Princess.
2) I know people dislike purple prose for whatever reasons, but I just love it so much especially when it comes to describing the characters. Like when Lea and Hērmês describe each other so poetically... its like look at how loved that they are that one word is not enough to describe the feelings that they bring to the other.
2A) And prose is just... its just makes the story flow better. I don't really care for direct sentences all that much. It makes for a boring story even if it would make analysis so much easier in literature classes, but in some cases, there are hidden meanings within the prose. Maybe not all that bullshit that the teachers look for, but little easter eggs are there in some occasions.
3) Also, since it probably won't come up; probably... Lea does not want children. She does not want to ever get pregnant (Same girl same). She's happy with being an aunt/godmother, but she'd be damned before she pops a baby. And Hērmês is enough of a simp that he would go along with her (also the fact that he is a god of fertility and she'd be damned before he turned her into Keke Wyatt)
4) Îris definitely looks like Tia Dalma/Calypso from Pirates of the Caribbean
5) I'm imagining past Hērmês that's meeting Lea, as cocky and arrogant as teenGojo. Like, they're just cocky assholes. They know they're fine as hell and incredibly powerful. GODS AMONGST MEN!
5A) It's also funny because Gojo is like 2-3yrs older than Lea. That means with her being 16; he would be 18/19 and Hērmês has always presented himself to her in that age frame. Also, yes, she would sleep with Gojo because I would sleep Gojo (And hell yes, I will sleep with Hērmês and Apóllōn.) This is also because I've decided to start JJK over from the beginning so that I can ignore season 2 and the magna.