Chapter 10: Reunion
Three years of living with the royal family has been nice to Athena. She was constantly taken care of by Penelope whenever she needed it, and Penelope had a sixth sense for when that was. And the happiness that Telemachus brought her let her overcome most obstacles. But there was still this sense of loneliness creeping its way into Athena. Staying locked up barely being able to talk to others had given her a sort of cabin fever. Granted she loved the royal family to death, but the lack of communication with others was driving her slowly insane.
One night Hypnos was running late for whatever reason and so she went out for some air, hopefully to clear her head to help her sleep. She began walking along a river that ran parallel to the palace. As she walked she began to hear singing. The same singing she had been hearing in her dreams. She quickened her pace, determined to discover who it was that was singing.
As she turned around the curve of the river she had made it back closer to the palace. She could now see the window leading into the room she slept in. And there lying on the edge of the beach was her. She had been singing the reverse of what her kind usually do, she was pouring her feelings out into the world.
Athena stood there mesmerized by the singing. Not because it had drugged her mind, but because it was genuinely beautiful. Athena listened to the concert that was all for her, but then she shifted her leg. Some stones crackled under her step causing enough sound to alert the siren. She turned to gaze at her attendant, her face turning a shade of dark red. She retreated under the water not knowing what to say.
Athena rushed after her, but was unable to reach her. She sat beside the river unsure if she should say what entered her mind or not because the siren might just be gone, but she did anyway. “Uh, I’ve heard your singing in my dreams and tonight hearing it in person was better than any dream could ever be,” silence persisted but so did she, “I’ve kept this piece of coral you gave me. I still don’t understand its meaning, but I know, to you, it’s important for me to keep this,” she said, after pulling out the red coral she hadn’t taken out in three years, “If you decide to come out I’ll be waiting over here,” Athena said vaguely gesturing behind her.
Athena slowly moved away from the water hoping the siren would reappear. Noticing the lack of reemergence she settled down on the oddly soft grass, using her cape as a makeshift pillow. As she lay there half asleep, the siren cautiously came out of the river. She slowly crawled towards Athena, of whom could hear her approach. Once the siren got to Athena it paused for a moment. She then curled up beside Athena, resting her head on Athena’s chest. Athena then moved slightly so that she was now embracing the siren while she slept, which caused the Siren to blush again. The white noise generated by the purrs of the Siren aided both in their search for sleep.
Penelope came into Athena’s room to wish her good night only to be surprised to see that she was gone. She looked out the window to see Athena slumbering with the Siren. She smiled happy that Athena had found another friend. Suddenly the irritating demeanor of the god of sleep made itself known. “Hay Athe-“ he was cut off by the shushing of Penelope. She then gestured out to where Athena slept. “Why didn’t she bring ‘er into the room,” he whispered, “would’ve been more comfortable.” Penelope glared at his ignorance. “You think they’ve had a bash?” He said with a mischievous grin which was contrasted by the bags under his eyes. Penelope clamped down on his cheek like a coconut crab while staring at Hypnos in disgust as she hadn’t known what he meant, but made an assumption of its meaning. “Settle yourself, I made a joke about if you thought they’ve kissed. Jeez get your mind out da gutta,” he squicked out. “Still rude to ask about a relationship you don’t know about,” Penelope said through a scowl. “Ya think she needs my help this time?”
“No, and I want you to stay away from them. I know you’ll ruin their moment.”
“Alright then, I guess Athena 1, Hypnos 1195,” he says, chuckling in tone mocking defeat, whilst flying away on his winged ears.
Penelope stood there with her arms crossed, but with a softer expression. She stared out at Athena smiling as it seemed the two had gotten closer.
The sun warmed the two bodies residing beside the river. Athena opened her eyes to see the scaled fish-like body of the siren resting partly on her left, somehow not triggering pain within Athena. Athena smiled happily to finally get to see the person who had allowed her to be in Ithaca. Athena slowly began to sit up carefully moving the siren’s head so it now lay on the left side of her lap. She began to brush the siren’s hair waiting for her to wake up so she could for the first time talk to her. The siren purred as it woke, then realizing that it was being touched, it turned to look at Athena who was smiling down at her. The siren’s face became a dark maroon hue as it felt a strange version of happiness and fear. Her body tensed unsure about what to do, until Athena spoke, “Hello, I don’t think I caught your name,” her face only grew more and more maroon. She spoke for the first time in years, “Pithera,” she whispered out her barely opened mouth. “That’s a wonderful name,” said Athena. Pithera smiled, having been charmed by Athena’s nice words. “Oh,” Athena continued, “I said that I still had this, but I didn’t know if you heard me,” She said, pulling the piece of coral out. Pithera’s eyes grew as she saw the coral. “I don’t know what it means or why you wanted me to have it. Could you please tell me?”
“We give those we love coral. If they keep it that shows they also love us, but if they don’t that means they don’t love us,” she quietly said looking off to the side, “b-but you’re the first one who’s ever kept the coral I gave,” she said with an overjoyed smile. Athena embraced Pithera. First surprised by Athena, Pithera then embraces her back, nuzzling under her chin.
Ive also started work on chapter 11, and edited the earlier chapters a little, but that’ll have to wait until I get and AO3 account, the edits that is.
