Reading The Dark Prophecy: Chapter 34 (SPOILERS)
"Apollo, sing!" Underwater?
"(Oh, I get it! That's why they were called cottonmouths!)" Awful fucking way to learn exactly what kind of snake is in this lake. They're usually native to southeastern US, but this is a magic cave, so what the heck. Also, their bites can be fatal.
"Water moccasins are poisonous." I think you mean venomous. That Lethe water must be getting to you.
"Your blood on my hands. The crushed rose I couldn't save." Who is Meg singing about? Off the top of my head, probably her mortal dad. I wonder if we'll soon learn more about him.
"Something told me this cave was not the right place to bare one's soul." Very true, Trophonius could be listening and he does not sound like a kind fella.
"soft, kind eyes. He held out a single red rose." Meg's dead father? A memory of him?
"Just outside the New York Public Library in Midtown, a man's corpse sprawled on the white marble steps." In public? "Police milled around, taking notes, snapping photos" Yes, in public.
So I guess we learned more about Meg's dad. That was a little sooner than I expected.
"swirling upward like a waterspout, forming the shape of a man." Trophonius! Meg, stop your solo! I know you've gotten into your rhythm and all, but it kinda sorta really does have to end here. At this rate, Trophonius is going to think you're here for the prophecy.
"Around him swarmed a host of phantom bees, his sacred creatures, small smudges of darkness." I'm sorry, this totally broke the tension. That's a cute image.
"I've waited a long time, Father." We already knew he was his son, but I gotta say, it feels like half the characters in this series are children of Apollo.
"I could answer them, for the price of her sanity." Thanks, but I think I'll come back for the Black Friday sale.
"Take me instead . . . Did you listen to me then, Father?" Ooh, truly unfortunate choice of words. If he wasn't going to take her before, he'll do so now out of spite.
"'She is precious to you,' said the Oracle." It feels significant that he's referred to as the Oracle here rather than as Trophonius.
"Yes, I would die to save Meg McCaffrey." CHARACTER 👏🏻 DEVELOPMENT 👏🏻
"Very good!" He let that slide wayyyy too easily. Getting Trophonius to give the prophecy to Apollo instead of Meg should have taken a lot more work and a lot more time. "Then promise me that you'll grant me a wish." . . . "I swear. Whatever you ask." There it is. Apollo is racking up favors faster than a kid's birthday party. "Oh, I didn't promise anything in return!" THERE IT IS! Good trick, Trophonius! Very good.