11th September 2012
14:32 GMT
A bowl of fruit sits on the table next to my right hand; a species like unusually large grapes and another like strangely misshapen apples fight for my curiosity. Given that agricultural goods are one of the few things that planets like this can offer the wider galaxy in trade, I make a point of not scanning them.
Melinoë's eyes are fixed on the grand entrance to the waiting room. I'm not sure whether she's eagerly awaiting them opening or if she just doesn't want to lose out on any scowling time. Gaudia is more interested in the attendants who lurk nervously at the corners of the room. Teal-skinned examples of the local humanoid species, their clothing puts me in mind of oriental styles… And their slightly larger than average eye orbits reminds me uncomfortably of the qwardians.
Aporia's on her third near-apple.
"What?
"
Melinoë closes her eyes for a moment, and I can practically hear her think 'give me strength'.
"You are not as resistant to poison in this form as you are in Erebos. And gorging yourself will slow your mind.
"
Aporia's eyes widen as she swallows.
"You actually expect me to use my mind?
"
"Yes. We are dealing with a break away pantheon who rule an entire
world. I assume that you have at least enough ambition to envy them their achievement.
"
Aporia waves her half-eaten near-apple.
"Not really.
"
"Really? I'd have.. thought that the Goddess of Desire would feel that more strongly than anyone.
"
"No? I mean, aside from the fact that I got 'desire' because no one else had picked it yet and I thought it sounded good, you would not
believe the crazy people I've seen.
" She shakes her head.
"They just fixate on something, like that one thing will fix their life if they get it just right, if they… Forge a perfect sword. Persuade that merchant to give them an extra coin per barrel of wine. Win a little more glory. And they never
learn. Six thousand years of new flavours of
stupid.
"
"Did you ever think of teaching people not to do that?
"
"No? I mean, it's kind of funny to watch sometimes but they-
" She rolls her eyes.
"-
have to go
on about it. I'm like, 'it's a whale, they're all basically the same', you know? Who cares if it's white?
"
For a moment I freeze as I try and remember whether Ahab was a real person in DC, or she's just referencing the book.
"Not big on divine responsibility, then?
"
"You worship Eris, right?
"
"Yes.
"
Aporia leans slightly towards me.
"Hera, Athena, Aphrodite. Three goddesses who are supposed to be responsible. And look what they did.
"
She flops back on her chaise longue.
"Troy. We didn't have many cities… I mean, most of them were towns with ambition. But, poof, gone.
"
I frown, pick up an applish and scan it.
Ah.
"So what's the point of being responsible if you're going to be fine anyway and everyone else is going to get it
wrong anyway?
"
"What are the Greek rules on hospitality? Particularly relating to narcotics?
"
Melinoë slowly turns her head towards me.
"Poisoning a guest would be a gross violation. But if the guest can't handle their liquor and decides to drink like a barbarian, that is their fault.
"
"Or eats like one, I presume.
"
Our eyes move to Aporia.
"What?
"
I raise my right hand and wave it to get the attention of one of the servants.
"I don't expect their eminences to drop everything because I turned up, but do you have any idea how long they're going to take?
"
She takes a moment to see if she can persuade one of the others to field my question with her eyes alone. She can't.
"I'm sorry, lord. I don't know."
Empathic vision… Power through, she's engaged with
us. Yes,
fear. Fear that paralyses. Perhaps there are senior… Clerics? Who are accustomed to dealing directly with their rulers, but to
this one, the very idea of questioning the hierarchy inspires fear. Could mean a variety of things, and none of them inspire confidence.
"That's-.
"
The doors are thrown open, and
a man dressed in a tunic made from the night sky strides in,
a woman wearing a dress of the same material just behind him. Their hair is.. of similar construction, normal hair marking an area which is overlaid with a skin of deep space. Their skin is slightly odd;
nearly Caucasian, but with a little gold added into the mix. Or-. I remember hearing that Helen of Troy was referred to as 'golden' not because she had blonde hair but because she used olive oil as a moisturiser. Maybe that's what it does?
Melinoë comes to her feet, her grim expression very clearly not matching the smiles of our hosts. I stand too and smile, aiming at 'polite diplomat' rather than 'schmoozer' as he appears to be. Gaudia stands after the two of us, making a slight effort to fade into the background. Aporia sits upright, sways slightly, then decides to remain where she is.
The man spreads his arms wide in greeting.
"Welcome to New Cronus! I am Coeus, God of the Moon. I apologise for not being here sooner, but a deity's work is never done."
To the best of my knowledge, the titan Coeus was killed during the titans' war with the Olympians. This man clearly isn't a titan in that mould, but I doubt that he got hair like that from his shampoo.
"Quite alright. I apologise that I can't greet you in a similar fashion, but my name has been taken from me.
" I offer him my right hand.
"I am the Illustres of the Orange Lantern Corps.
"
He comes closer, firmly gripping my arm rather than my hand. I return the gesture, mildly pleased that this form of greeting doesn't degenerate into a test of strength anything like as often as the handshake.
Still holding on, he turns to his companion.
"This is Phoebe, Goddess of the Moon and my sister-wife."
I nod, smiling.
"So you
are Greek, then?
"
He releases my arm. "We.. are descended from the gods of the Greeks, yes." He looks curious, though not suspicious. "How is it that you know of us?"
"Allow me to introduce
my companion. This is Melinoë, Goddess of Nightmares and Madness, and daughter of Hades.
"
