25 - ARACHNE
My friend Artemis was quadruple the curmudgeon; so, naturally, we got on great. For an Epona, or deer-like shifter, she was feisty; unlike most of her kind, who typically chose to reside in silent settings.
It was amazing that she brought the tapestry competition back. The last was ages and ages ago, but I won it and all of those which preceded it. Naturally.
So, this time, I arrived at the gallery early. Even assisted the crew with setting up. Artemis had instructed them to clear out the art, so the walls were glaringly blank and empty as I settled behind my table.
“Think you’ll win?” My beautiful friend asked, her plum hair matching today’s suit. That particular shade was screaming to be included in my piece. I was glad to have brought dyes.
“It’s for charity, so it doesn’t really matter.”
“Liar,” she volleyed.
Rightfully so. I wasn’t planning on publicly roasting anyone, though.
“What gave you the idea to bring it back?” I questioned.
“The Council wanted to sponsor a charitable contest for the arts,” she replied with a shrug. When met with my frown she tacked on, “They’ve been chasing positive press since Athena stepped down.”
I hoped she didn’t notice the way my eye twitched.
Unfortunately, there was no escaping the former general, she was everywhere . The public was rioting over her retirement, keeping her on the front page. Companies were resurfacing dated ads just because of her spike in popularity and the fact she hadn’t been seen since. It was fucking ridiculous.
It was becoming so suffocating that I was considering relocating to another planet just to escape it. Because no, I couldn’t stop fucking replaying those hours we spent on the side of Soul Mountain.
??
I did, in fact, roast everyone. While also raising the most funds for social impact. All in all, a delightful day.
My tapestry was of Idyll’s skyline, with each of the buildings perfectly rendered. Behind it, I used a simplistic pattern to make the details pop. Overtop, I placed a feathered wing. One with patterns too familiar to forget.
Blossom’s eyes fell out of her head when I finished, but thankfully kept her jaw locked tight. It was a pink wing against the plum cityscape. Obviously not Athena’s. Hers were copper and a mix of creams and khakis.
“Should we celebrate with ice cream and walk home?” Blossom suggested as we made our way out of the gallery.
“I thought we could grab something from a food hover-truck and rift back,” I said, motioning toward the half-a-dozen options parked on each side of the street. My friend frowned and my hackles instantly rose. “What is it?”
“Well,” she said with her gaze over my shoulder, “I didn’t think you’d want to do that, considering Athena’s here.”
My stomach fell out of my body. I couldn’t turn around. The mere thought of doing so was emptying my lungs and rendering me dizzied.
This reaction was ten times that of running into exes of the past, and I couldn’t tell you why. Felt too sick to pick it apart.
“She quit, Ara,” Blossom revealed. As if knowing that helps! Now I was susceptible to toppling over. “She quit because she couldn’t stand to be apart from you.”
How does she know that?!
“Why the fuck are you telling me this?” I crossed my arms, scowling. Faking the shit out of it, but welcoming the distraction from my recent overwhelm. I still felt a little woozy, however, more manageably so.
“Because you still care .” She clapped her hands in emphasis I didn’t appreciate.
The glare I shot Blossom would melt the skin from a lesser being.
“Don’t make me handcuff you with an audience, Arachne.”
That voice. Her voice… it sent a thrill down my spine.
Even after everything.
Damn her .