Chapter Twenty-One
Why did we do that? Why? Safe inside his raccoon’s form, Marty knew exactly why he’d encouraged his animal side to test the magic table that let them see anything they wanted. He hadn’t been near his family in so long, and for all his happy face and cheery attitude, there was always a part of Marty that wished… He wished a lot of things, but when it came to his family, he wished that things could have been different.
So, when provided with an opportunity that could only come from being the mate of a god, Marty and the raccoon were in agreement. They wanted to check on their family home. But Marty quickly realized that absolutely nothing had changed. The house still hadn’t been painted, the yard still hadn’t been tidied, and the drinking party on the front porch was still in full swing, just like it had been the day their taunting had sent him packing.
It was heartbreaking but expected, nonetheless. At least we know they’re still there, he sent to his raccoon. If they’re still there, they are nowhere near us, and that’s a positive.
Ares was being so sweet, and while a part of Marty thought he should shift back so he could at least comment on the things Ares was saying, it was also nice listening to him talk – sharing parts of his life that Marty never thought he would. Just being on Olympus – well, it wasn’t a dream come true because Marty didn’t have dreams like that – but it was a special adventure.
“So, what do you think?” Ares asked as they stood by the window. “It’s hard to imagine now, but back when so many of the gods were worshipped – not me, but others – this place was always so busy. People wanted to be close to Zeus, hoping to have his favor. There were beautiful companions flitting around the columns, hoping to catch Zeus’s eyes. They weren’t there for me, my cute raccoon,” he added. “Don’t get your fur in a knot. I was never in Zeus’s favor, so I wasn’t someone worth flirting with.”
I would’ve flirted with you if I had known how. Marty tried to imagine the scene as Ares described, seen through his raccoon’s eyes, but it all looked like an abandoned movie set to him, and that was rather sad.
“We can go down there. In fact, you should know there isn’t anywhere on Olympus you can’t go, except personal suites that belong to other gods. But unless you see a big door lock, assume you have access. You’re my mate so you have the same rights as I do, even though you will never be an Olympian.”
I don’t remember saying I wanted to be. Marty had no idea what made Olympians different from other gods, but it wasn’t anything he aspired to. He was happy that Ares wasn’t just keeping him in his room, that he wanted to show Marty, or rather the raccoon, around. Marty just hoped no one was mean to his mate. Ares was trying to make things right between them, which meant no one else needed to interfere.
“There are a number of staff here,” Ares said. “If you see anyone in a short white robe, or white pants and a white shirt, then they are most likely staff and they will help you or direct you to where you want to go. We have some people that have been here for decades and others who seem to change regularly. I don’t know if Zeus is responsible for that or the realm itself, but just remember everyone in a short robe will treat you with respect.”
Do they respect you, too? But Ares was off on another topic and through his raccoon’s eyes, Marty could see why.
“I can see you looking at that banister,” Ares chuckled. “I think we’d need to make sure no one was around if you wanted to slide down there, and it probably wouldn’t be a good idea to do that in your furry form. I don’t think your claws would be good for sliding.”
Marty made a mental note to tell Ares he wouldn’t want to slide down a banister on Olympus. The place didn’t have the right vibe for fun activities.
When Ares got to the bottom of the stairs, he wandered out and around through one of the many arches that led into the main amphitheater. “This is it,” he said, spreading his arms wide and turning around slowly, making sure not to dislodge the raccoon. “If you look up, you can see the whole universe depicted there in the ceiling.”
Look up. Look up. I want to see.
The raccoon looked up and started chittering. That can’t be real. There is no way that’s real.
We’re not on Earth anymore, Marty reminded his furry half. It could be real for here.
This whole place looks fake.
It wasn’t likely that Ares understood raccoon chatter which was probably fortunate. “Yes, I know. It looks like a painting from the Renaissance period, doesn't it? But then, isn't that where all the world came from? It was art, and dreams, and ideas.”
Ares indicated the columns and marble benches. Everything was white except for tasteful displays of dark green vines, which didn’t look real, either. “This is where everybody used to meet up. We’d sit on the benches, eat, drink wine, and dance. Music would be playing…”
Ares heaved a big sigh, and the raccoon made sure he still had his balance. “Back when we were worshipped, it was party central here all the time. But oh, ho, ho, if these walls could talk. There were so many arguments, petty fights, and shouting, as well. Gods used to get upset over the silliest of things – all in the name of honor, of course. I used to wonder sometimes how anything got done at all.”
For a moment, Marty worried that Ares was sad again, but then his mate deliberately smiled – close to a fake smile, but with just enough genuine smile behind it to make it believable. “So, this is where I originally came into being. I wasn’t born in the traditional sense, I was just here one day. But as I look around here now, all I can see…”
“What is it you see, brother?”
Ares stiffened as Marty thought I know that voice. Twice in one day? What were the odds? But rather than translocate, which Marty expected Ares to do, his mate turned around, facing Athena with a half-smile.
“I'm showing my new mate around Olympus,” he said, and Marty hoped he was the only one who heard the slight tightness in his mate’s words. “Don't be alarmed, we don't plan on living here together, but Olympians do have the right to visit, and I simply felt that Marty would enjoy seeing where I used to spend so much of my time.”
Marty, Ares, and his raccoon all froze as Athena glided closer. It wasn’t a regular walk, it was more like she was on one of those elevators that moved a person across the floor. Marty, through his raccoon’s eyes, kept looking to see if her feet moved, but she was wearing a long robe made up of about a dozen layers of gauze, and he couldn’t see them. She still looked incredibly beautiful, but instead of being angry, Marty got the impression she was intrigued.
“Marty, you say? Is this the shifter I insulted by calling him a scruffy urchin? And that man was your mate all along?”
“It’s only been about a month since Marty and I claimed each other.” Ares seemed embarrassed but determined not to show it. “I misspoke when I told you he was visiting, unsure of your reaction and surprised by your visit. Marty was understandably upset by my treating him so badly, but we talked about it, and he has forgiven me. I felt it would be nice for him to visit here, even if it is just the once. I wanted him to see where I spent so much of my existence.”
The raccoon got a long pat down his shoulder. “Marty fancied to shift for a while, and as Olympus was a safe place, I didn’t see the harm. We’re just taking in a few sights, and then we’ll be gone.”
Ooh, he’s warning her not to start anything. That’s adorable. But the raccoon was watching Athena, who had a huge smile on her face. It wasn’t fake.
“You are so lucky, Ares. Seriously, congratulations to you both. Can I just say you are the most charming little creature I’ve ever seen? Look at you. You have such a cute furry face, and your little mask around your eyes gives you such a unique character.” She reached out her hand, and Marty and the raccoon felt the tension in Ares’ body, but the raccoon reached out his front paw, and Athena shook it, letting out a delightful chuckle.
“You are too adorable for words. I am so sorry I insulted you when you first saw me, Marty. I had a lot on my mind, and I was fortunate my brother was around to remind me of a few things I should’ve considered before leaping into actions that could’ve been very problematic for the Pantheon. I do hope you forgive me.”
Yeah, well, don’t do it again, lady, or I won’t be so nice next time. But of course, that was conveyed in raccoon chatter, and clearly, Athena didn’t understand that, either, as she laughed again.
“I just love your fluffy coat, it has so many colors in it,” she said brightly. “Have you met Aphrodite yet? You really should.”
“Aphrodite.” The sudden increase in tension in Ares’ body almost knocked the raccoon off his perch on Ares’ shoulder. “I didn’t know Aphrodite was here. It’s not like she visits very often. I know she prefers to spend most of her time in her own glade.”
Marty could almost taste Ares’ panic in the air, and he encouraged his raccoon to nestle into Ares’ neck, in the hopes he’d feel better.
“She’s here to see Coda.” If Athena was aware of the tension she wasn’t showing any signs of it. “She wants her glade to be connected to the Zeus network, but because it’s not technically part of this realm, but it is…it all sounds very complicated, and there’s been some delays. I think the only reason she wants the connection at all is so she can keep tabs on Baby and his children. She’s become a very devoted grandmother, would you believe. Oh, there she is. Aphrodite, you have to come and see Ares’ new mate. He is too adorable for words.”
Marty thought Athena was stunning, and she was, but when Aphrodite came into the room, it was as if Marty could see bird song and feel the warmth of the sunshine entering the sterile room. But unlike Athena, who was encased in the long white flowing gown that seemed to float at the edges all on their own, Aphrodite was wearing blue jeans and a well-fitted pink t-shirt.
She laughed as she came closer, patting at her legs. “What do you think of these new pants? Baby suggested that I try wearing them, and honestly, I never realized women could have so much freedom wearing jeans and a top like this. I think I really suit them. Ares, is what Athena said true? Is this your shifter mate? Isn't he the cutest wee animal?”
Don’t get a big head, Marty warned his raccoon as his animal half sat up and held out his paw again like he was the queen graciously granting someone an audience. Aphrodite clearly thought it was funny, taking the paw and shaking it carefully, just like Athena had done.
“I can see why you’re enchanted, Ares,” Aphrodite said warmly. “Your mate has the most darling animal spirit I have ever seen, and full of feisty energy, too. I am sure your human half is just as cute.”
“He is, definitely, and the kindest person I know,” Ares said with a nod, but Marty could sense his mate really didn’t know what to say.
“Ares said Marty’s been teaching him to have fun,” Athena said, showing her teeth. “Long overdue, in my opinion.”
“I am so happy for you Ares,” Aphrodite said. “I truly am. I hope now you'll find so many more reasons to smile going forward as you build a new life and possibly have a family of your own. You so deserve some happiness and I'm so, so proud of you. Congratulations to both of you.” Turning to Athena, she added, “Did you want to go and get some coffee or something before I have to go? It seems like this network business is far more confusing than I thought it would be.”
“We can chat about it,” Athena said, taking Aphrodite’s arm. “I’m not sure if I can help, but I’ll try if I can. Ares, Marty, so lovely to see you. I’m sure we’ll see you again real soon.”
Marty watched them wander off, still through his raccoon’s eyes. Ares seemed to be frozen, as if he wasn’t sure what to say or do.
Do something, Marty insisted. Poke his face or tickle his nose or something. I’m not sure he’s breathing.
The raccoon pushed his nose into Ares’ cheek and then gently nibbled his chin. “I’m fine, I’m fine,” Ares said, although he still sounded dazed. “So, yeah. That was Aphrodite and Athena. They seem to think you're very cute, which of course you are in both forms.”
Ahh, he’s trying. The raccoon snuffled the edge of Ares’ hair, where it was swept over his ears. “We’ll go for a bit more of a wander if you like. I can show you the giant communication network that Zeus has built. It really is quite fascinating. And then perhaps we can have something to eat for ourselves. What do you think?”
Marty thought about his triple chocolate cake slice, still waiting for him back at the pool house. His stomach rumbled, but at least Ares thought it was his raccoon. “We’ll make it a quick wander,” he said with a laugh. “All in all, it’s been an emotional sort of day, and I’d like to get some cuddle time in later, if you’re agreeable.”
He was talking to me, Marty said to his raccoon, who decided to start purring.
He was talking to both of us.