A Hall of Mirrors

A Glinting Disaster

Tonight's only redeeming quality, Kath decided, was the delicious food that had been spread out before them. Cakes, roast pork and other meats, a seafood pasta that she had more than two servings of, plus some kind of sweet concoction served in little glasses that Hermes kept giving Kath and made her more loose and happy with each ‘shot’ as he called it. 

The conversation wasn't too bad either. On one hand, she was relieved that she was seated far away from a certain dark haired, onyx-and-gold eyed, olive skinned God of the Underworld. He was far too distracting and Kath didn’t want to unpack and breakdown his abrupt exit and mood swing just yet. However, as she eyed the blond, sky blue-eyed, gravitationally devastating God of Healing and Poetry and what-not, Kath didn’t think it was that much better.

He was deep in conversation with the white-winged Hermes beside her about some new local bar opening down at the valley while Hephaestus was grunting his responses to an idea Athena was pitching him. Kath had been previously talking to Hebe about the traveling she’d done just in the past year but the goddess lost her at Peru and Costa Rica, which she only assumed were places far from Greece. She would have loved to listen more, but Hebe talked so fast and so airily that it was hard to keep track of where her thoughts had even gone.

She looked down to her right, past Hermes’ manly profile, and saw Aphrodite. Her mother seemed like she was having a good time, laughing with her head thrown back in that model-esque way. She was seated with her son, Eros, and surrounded by a few other male gods that appeared as if they were fighting amongst each other for the goddess’ attention. 

Kath wondered how it must feel to be fawned over like that. She’d had the novel experience of being hit on earlier by Hades, but to be admired openly like Aphrodite? It was an experience she wanted to have.

Pushing that thought for now, Kath trained her focus back on her food. She’d just taken a big bite of gnocchi when Apollo had asked her, “So, Kath, what are your plans after being cooped up for a century?”

A blush she couldn’t control spread over her face, turning the apples of her cheeks deep pink, one that tugged a devious smirk to his mouth. Her eyes narrowed as she covered her mouth while she chewed. 

When she had swallowed, she replied, “I am not sure yet, but I’m going down to the village tomorrow.”

“Alone?” Athena frowned. “Do you feel ready for that, Kath?”

Kath nodded, shrugging as confidently as she could. “Why not? It’s not like I’m going to Peru. It’s just the valley.”

“Do you even know where Peru is?” Apollo asked with an arch of a brow. “Or even have the slightest idea of what kind of people you’ll meet at the valley?”

“I’m sure they’re all nice.” I glanced at him. “Unless they’re all a little bit like you, then I suppose I should bring a mirror with me.”

Hermes choked on a piece of salmon as Athena quickly hid her laughter under a napkin. Even Hephaestus coughed a laugh. A cheeky smile stretched across Kath’s delicately painted lips as a scowl darkened Apollo’s features.

“I think,” Athena said, “what Apollo is trying—and failing—to say is that perhaps you should find someone to accompany you on your first day out. To show you around and help you when you feel overwhelmed.”

Kath pursed her lips. She wasn’t stupid; she knew there were risks going into the valley all by herself, but she wasn’t wholly unprepared. To survive in unfamiliar situations and/or places, one only needed an openness of the mind. Hers had long been ready, waiting to be exposed and to explore the world around her. But, Kath would also be kidding herself if she didn’t acknowledge the teeny, tiny amount of fear she felt about her freedom.

It was daunting, to say the least, but maybe if she was open to being joined by a tour guide of some sort, then perhaps it wouldn’t be too bad.

Athena eyed the young godling with a spark in her eyes, already knowing that Kath would be agreeable to her suggestion. Meanwhile, Hermes pouted beside Kath.

“Well, that sucks!” he moaned. “Now I have to be stuck with Dionysus and his dumb meeting tomorrow knowing you’re off on an adventure with someone else.”

Kath chuckled under her breath, trying to get used to the fact that Hermes was a gravely dramatic character. Opposite her, Apollo was rolling his eyes just as Athena suggested, “I’m a little busy tomorrow, but perhaps Hebe can accompany you?”

Hebe blushed, ducking a little underneath her full, blonde bangs. “I’m sorry, my Lady, but I promised Eileithyia I’d help her around with the children tomorrow.” Her blue eyes flicked over to Kath. “I can talk to my husband, Hercules, and see if he’s not busy.”

She shook her brown hair vehemently. “That’s not necessary. I don’t want to impose. I’m sure I’ll be fine on my ow—”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Apollo grumbled, glaring at her while he sipped and swallowed a mouthful of his ambrosia. “I’m free tomorrow. I’ll come with you.”

Kath could only blink at the sun god, trying to figure out how he had gone from insulting her mere moments ago to offering his day to accompany her around the Valley tomorrow. Surely he was joking? For some reason, he had a problem with Kath from the moment they met, albeit the hair-slapping was king of her fault but she apologized and he called her a brat, and yet now he was willing to prolong his stay in her company?

Strange did not even begin to cover it.

Misreading the blank look on her face, Apollo’s scowl deepened at her and Kath immediately felt her imaginary hackles raising. She crossed her arms as he challenged her.

“What? You think I won’t do a good job in reintegrating you to society?” Apollo scoffed. “I happen to be very acquainted with all the right people in the Valley.”

Artemis coughed a laugh, smirking at her twin. “The right people being every available beautiful nymph or mortal? Jeez, Apollo, Kath wants to see the sights, not your piss-poor attempts at wooing women.”

Kath watched the goddess of the hunt goad her brother on her behalf, realizing it may not be too bad to have the goddess on her side, especially if Apollo had made up his mind that he hated her. Apollo bit back nastily at his twin, telling her to back off, before those sky blue eyes pinned her once more.

“Well?”

Her head tilted to the side. “Well, what?”

Those eyes rolled at her, pointedly telling her how dumb he thought she way. It made Kath’s own eyes narrow at the god. 

“What time do I pick you up here?”

Oh. Kath frowned. Of course he wouldn’t think that maybe she wanted to walk all the way down to the Valley and absorb as much of her newly acquired freedom as she could. She didn’t like it, so she shook her head, causing another one of those arched brows to rise higher on his forehead.

“I want to walk,” she said simply. “No chariots.”

Apollo frowned. “You want to hike to the Valley?”

“Yes.”

He groaned. “Why the hell didn’t Aphrodite, Zeus, and Hera just raise you like a normal little goddess? You have no clue about anything!”

“Apollo!” Athena admonished Apollo sharply.

His head turned to her, unafraid by the warning flash in Athena's eyes. "Don't you dare, Athena. You've questioned that decision more times than I could count over the last hundred years."

"Yes, but I'm not the one who's being a—”

Kath left before she could hear another word from any one of them, her cheeks burning from utter humiliation. And anger. Oh, Kath was sure it was anger rising up like magma within her. For them to talk to her like that—

She was used to being seen as the naive little girl, a flower that was only supposed to be admired and not heard. Even now she expected it, but not in the way they would be so blatantly obvious in the middle of a dinner and an audience where they discussed her freedom and her upbringing like she wasn't even there.

Her feet carried her swiftly down the length of the table, wanting to be as far away from everyone so that at least none of these gods and goddesses would be able to see her cry, or puke, or make a general fool of herself. She might do all those things, but she would do so safely ensconced in her rooms.

No one stopped her. No one was able to catch her. It was as if her escape was being aided by the wind and the shadows... they flickered, nudging her where to go as she blinded navigated the unfamiliar halls of the palace. When the shadows went still, so did she.

Kath looked around her, astonished. The shadows, clever little things, have led her to her garden. The roses comforted her, as did the smell of the damp earth. She sat on one of the stone benches that flanked either archway that led to her small piece of heaven, catching her breath with a hand on her heart that beat almost as fast as a hummingbird’s wings. This part of the palace was as far as from the receiving halls as possible. Had she really run here on her own?

She shook her head, took off the combs and the tiara, and decided that it was the least of her worries right now. Now, her problem was Aphrodite and her guideless adventure tomorrow. There was no doubt her mother saw her storming off from dinner. Kath would be subjected to a questioning sooner rather than later. And tomorrow surely would surprise her, whatever may end up happening. 

Either way, she was glad she was alone now, nothing but the roses, the earth, and the open night sky with the stars winking down at her in their own conspiratorial way. Calming her, reassuring her.