[center][img]http://i.imgur.com/krev7SC.png[/img][/center][center][b]Aubrey Adkins[/b][/center] It has felt like it has been forever since I could just relax and not worry about some weirdo trying to achieve his twisted plans. Today, I can just lay in my bed and sleep in. Sure, classes will be starting back up on Monday, but I don’t have [b]that[/b] much homework to finish before my first class. When you have been thrown into the hectic world of superhumans, you learn to appreciate the mundane things in your life. You might not regularly think about it, but it is surprisingly soothing to hear your roommates stammering around your apartment since you know that it could be far worse, like a supervillain. Or a certain Goddess of Wisdom. “I see that you’re actually liking the garments that I made for you, despite your clear chagrin at their creation that you expressed yesterday.” Why did I have to jinx myself? Why could I not have thought anyone else, like Icon or Lyger? Heck, I would [i]almost[/i] take that playboy millionaire or that psycho who attacked me in his attempt to determine whether I was the shapeshifter. Almost. She was obviously referring to what use to be one of my best pairs of yoga pants that now could easily fit my arachnid lower body frame. Even though you sometimes see centaurs and such not always wearing clothing over their equine half, it still feels wrong in reality. Since they’re the only thing besides my [b]new[/b] superhero costume that I could wear on my lower half, my decision to wear them are more out of necessity. And they still feel like yoga pants, so at least they have that going for them. Athena stood beside my bed, holding in her arms about two or three more pairs of pants, if you could call them pants, that were similar to the ones I was wearing at the moment. However, it seems like Athena had learned from her first mistake when she made the first pair by using new pairs of pants rather than ones that I already have. She then walked over to my dresser and set them on top of it. [color=b22222]“So, where are you dragging me this time?”[/color] “Nowhere for today. Every heroes needs her day of rest.” Well that’s a first. I’m actually quite surprised by Athena’s response, although I’m definitely not complaining. [color=b22222]“Well, if that’s the case, maybe you could take me somewhere where [b]I[/b] want to go. You have dragged me into a demon invasion…”[/color] “They were not daemons. Those were interdimensional beings that originated from a realm that resembles what modern-day Christians would describe as Hell. Early Christians were the ones who corrupted that original term designated for gods.” [color=b22222]“And into that whole situation with that fake Greek god.”[/color] I continued, ignoring Athena’s brief discursion on the origin of the word ‘demon’. [color=b22222]“I also wouldn’t be surprised if you had been pulling some of the strings to get me involved with the whole Pax Metahumana crisis, too.”[/color] “What do you have in mind.” Athena furrowed her brow, not wanting to giving a blank check to me quite yet. [color=b22222]“Well, I have promised a guy that I would go on a date with him and since he lives out-of-state, your assistance would make things a little bit more convenient.”[/color] “Wait, is this the same guy whom that alternate reality version of yourself set you up on a Skype conversation? Where did the interest all the sudden come from?” I just shrugged my shoulders as my response to her question. Soon, I realized that that was not the type of answer she was looking for. The next thing I knew, Athena was standing right next to my bed again. She first placed the back of her hand against my forehead, as if she was checking if I was running a temperature. Then, she grabbed my jaw with her hand and jerked my head from side to side as if she was looking for something in my face. After she was done with that, she stepped back and finally spoke. “I’ll be back.” She then disappeared right before my eyes. I have to say, this is the weirdest I have ever seen Athena act. And this is coming from a woman who has been dragged around like a pawn by this Greek Goddess. After waiting a minute or two, I was about ready to climb out of bed when Athena suddenly returned. “Fine.” Athena said with a furrow brow. It was obvious that she was not liking any of this for whatsoever reason. Why? How am I supposed to know? I’m still trying to figure out why she has picked me out of all the people in the world. [color=b22222]“Well, since he lives out west, I still have a couple hours to get ready. So will you be ready in a few hours?”[/color] I began to pull off the covers from myself. From my past experience, useless I basically cocoon myself in my sheets and comforter, if I happen to rollover in my sleep, my spider legs would take the sheets with them, leaving me sleeping on top of my covers. And during the winter, that kind of sucks. “Fine.” Athena replied in the same tone as her first response had been. [color=b22222]“So, what should I wear? Decisions. Decisions.”[/color] [center][hr][/center][center][b]Olympus[/b][/center][center][b]Between Athena’s Departure and Return[/b][/center] Aphrodite soaked unblemished skin in a pool beside her abode on Olympus as he son, Eros, sat at the water’s edge. They both were focusing their attention at a cloud that was showing the Goddess of Love what was currently happening in Lost Haven, particularly her hand-picked avatar was doing. Christopher Arthur was facing three renegade gods who somehow disguised themselves as metahuman villains and recruited a mortal to their cause. Aphrodite pondered whether she should ask her lame husband to help turn the tides in their avatar’s favor or if she herself should become involved. However, when it became apparent that some of the other heroes of Lost Haven were also aware of the carnage that these rebels were causing and would soon be able to assist the Iron Knight. The laws of the Athanatoi is rather clear on those who step out of line. The punishment is eternal suffering or, if possible, death. Suddenly, a thunderbolt struck down upon the ground. Where the bolt scorched the earth, Athena appeared. Her face hinted at a bottled up anger and the tone of her voice as she addressed the Goddess of Love confirmed it. “Whore of the Gods and Stain of Great Zeus’ linage! It is clear to me why Hesiod claimed that you were born from the castration of Ouranos! I demand that you reverse what you have done to my pupil! I can clearly see the symptoms of your handiwork and it disgusts me!” “That’s about how I expected a Daddy’s Girl to act, thinking that everything should go her way.” Aphrodite told her half-sister as she examined the tips of her fingers as if she was expecting them to have become prune, despite her immortal body’s natural resistance against such phenomena. “The Genetrix of Rome and mother of Aeneas calling someone a Daddy’s Girl? What irony. I bet Hera herself would scoff at the very thought.” “Anyways, it’s not like you could do anything about what I did. It has been [b]centuries[/b] since the last time I could mess with the mortals. Since Zeus has given us some leeway due to the coming storm, I just couldn’t help myself.” Athena glared at her half-sister, the Goddess of Love. She then shoved her hand with her index finger extended in front of Aphrodite’s face as she spoke. “If you [b]ever[/b] again mess with my pupil, I will by the River Stix screw over your chosen hero.” “And I would just screw yours in response. And like always, it just becomes a vicious cycle. Do you really want that to happen?” Aphrodite replied as she pushed Athena’s hand away from her face. Athena was obviously not satisfied with her half-sister and her actions. However, she knew that she could not do anything to the Goddess of Love. Even though Athena was Zeus’ favorite, the Father of Gods and Men would not allow his children fight amongst themselves, or at least in direct hostility. No one wanted another Trojan War on their hands. And the unity of the Athanatoi was even more vital because of the harrowing predictions of the annals of fate. “This isn’t over.” Athena barked before teleporting back to Aubrey’s apartment in Columbus. “Of course.” Aphrodite muttered, knowing that Athena would not be able to hear her. She then turned to her son. “Go find Apollo and bring him to me. I have use of him.”