Cursed

Chapter Four: Pantheon Panegyris

You arrive to the kitchen where Hestia and Hebe await.

"There you are, I was worried." Hebe says as she subtly looks for any sigh of hurt. She knows how reckless the others can be, "Did anyone hurt you?"

"Don't worry, I'm fine."

Hebe places a hand on your shoulder, "Are you sure? You can rest if you want, (Name)."

"Don't worry, Hebe, I'm seriously fine."

Hestia places her arms on yours and Hebe's, "How sweet. Now let us serve the dinner for the feast!"

You raise an eyebrow at all the food in the kitchen as nymphs and deities alike run around for the preparation. You look at the goddess, "Mama Hestia, what's the occasion?"

You accidentally called her that a few days you started working here cause her motherly aura just resonated with you. It feels as if you can tell her everything. The others thought you were being disrespectful but then the goddess herself insisted you call her that.

Her serene demeanor shines as she faces you. The nickname made her eyes twinkle with a deeper sense of connection, "Well, my child, it's the yearly Pantheon Panegyris. A grand feast where all the gods come together to celebrate and revel in their divine unity."

A nymph shakes her head, "Mortals like you should've known since it's like one of the most important feast."

"Hey, don't talk to her like that," Hebe says standing in front of you with a glare towards the nymph.

"Apologies, my lady."

A few minutes and you are serving food on the large table with the other servants, glaring at deities along the way who dared to touch you, good thing Athena is glaring anyone who she sees disrespecting other women, she even sent a god flying down Olympus for trying to hug a nymph who clearly looked uncomfortable.

It's a grand feast up on Mount Olympus, the gods are gathered around, a hushed silence falls over the room as they wait for Zeus to make a toast only . Everyone's staring at Zeus, whose expression is a mix of discomfort and "Oh, what have I gotten myself into? Uh, guys, excuse me for a moment," and starts fumbling around trying to figure out how to unzip his thigh or whatever.

You look at Hebe and whisper, "What's going on?"

Hebe whispers back, "Rumour has it that king daddy sewed a baby in his thigh, like the baby is in there..."

Hera, Zeus' wife and the queen of sass, raises an eyebrow. "Well, well, well, Zeus," she says, barely concealing her amusement. "Looks like you've managed to outdo even yourself this time."

Next to you, Athena, chuckles softly. "I suppose this is one way to demonstrate your commitment to fatherhood, Zeus."

Apollo, the god of music, smirks and strums a few chords on his lyre. "I think we've found the inspiration for my next epic ballad – 'Zeus and the Divine Diaper Duty.'"

"Silence!"

Hera, being the no-nonsense goddess she is, is seating beside him, tapping her foot impatiently. "Well, Zeus, it's not every day we get to witness a divine C-section, so please, don't keep us in suspense."

Zeus, sweating nervously, waves his hand dramatically and his thigh starts to shimmer like a cosmic disco ball. Suddenly, there's a blinding burst of light, a fanfare of trumpets, and Dionysus pops out of Zeus' thigh, surrounded by a shower of glitter (because why not?).

Hades deeply regrets coming to this feast as he rubs his temples.

Athena raises an eyebrow. "I believe that's not how childbirth usually works, but points for creativity, Zeus."

Apollo strums his lyre while humming a tune. "And in the realm of bizarre baby delivery methods, Zeus takes the gold!"

You ask yourself, "What in the world?"

Artemis nearby, hears you, "Welcome to our world, honey." She winks at you.

Dionysus himself, he's just blinking in confusion, covered in a mix of glitter, stardust, and a smidge of godly thigh juice.

Other guest excuse themselves or throw up in their seats, good thing it either turns to gold or whatever the deity is associated to or you'll be cleaning them up.

Zeus, trying to regain his composure, beams like a proud parent. "Ta-da! Dionysus, ladies and gentlemen! Now, who's up for some celebratory nectar and ambrosia?"

You're about to keep moving when you bump into a familiar lilac eyed winged god, "Excuse me, my lord, I have—"

As you're about to keep moving, you accidentally bump into Hedylogos, the god of sweet talk and flattery. His lilac eyes sparkle mischievously as he flashes a charming smile at you. "Well, well, what have we here? A mortal amidst the divine revelry. But oh, what a delight it is to encounter such beauty amidst the celestial beings."

You clear your throat and reply, "Thank you, my lord, but I'm just here to assist with the feast."

Hedylogos leans in slightly, his wings fluttering gracefully behind him. "Ah, assisting, you say? How fortunate the gods are to have you gracing their presence. Tell me, have the stars above ever envied your radiance?"

Your sassy side starts to kick in, and you raise an eyebrow. "Well, I've heard they tried to form a union, but negotiations fell through."

Hedylogos chuckles melodiously, seemingly undeterred by your sass. "A sharp wit to match your beauty, how enchanting. I must admit, I'm intrigued. Would you permit me the honor of serenading you under the moonlit sky?"

You can't help but roll your eyes. "No."

Hedylogos feigns a dramatic sigh, placing a hand over his heart. "Alas, my poetic endeavors thwarted by a mortal's pragmatism. But fear not, for my dulcet verses shall be at your service whenever you decide to surrender to their charm."

You stifle a laugh, trying to maintain your composure. "I'll keep that in mind. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some ambrosia to serve."

Hedylogos grins, his lilac eyes twinkling. "Ah, ambrosia for the body and sweet words for the soul. What a delightful combination you offer, my dear."

You shake your head, unable to hide your amusement. "You know, if you sweet-talked ambrosia, it might actually blush."

Hedylogos chuckles again, seemingly enjoying the verbal banter. "Ah, but your wit is the true gem in this divine tapestry. Farewell for now, lovely mortal. Until the stars themselves request your company."

Turning towards the corner, he clutches his heart, the sensation akin to soaring for miles. A shy warmth spreads across his cheeks, an unfamiliar blush that makes him giggle like a schoolgirl.

Out of the blue, Eros' voice drifts up, "Is she truly that enchanting?

"Hedylogos, his heart aflutter, his wings mirroring the sensation, unconsciously finds himself gently drifting to the marble ceiling. With a graceful descent, he whispers, "Indeed."

Back to you as the deities cheer at Zeus as he parades Dionysus around who already looks like a toddler since gods grow faster.

"What a weird day," You tell yourself.