Chapter 6: Gods come to visit
I just love the smell of fresh grass in the morning. The sweet, dewey smell that permeates the air makes living in the countryside very appealing, which is probably why I instinctively designed the place to look like the countryside. The sound of the trickling waters flowing in the river, the subtle beat of rain from the clouds that are overhead was quite the pleasing sound. 'Maybe I should keep rain as a default setting?' I thought as I gazed at the falling rain like it was a sheet of diamonds falling from the sky, a sky that was a nice clouded grey.
I got dressed in my clothes which were comfortable, a white button up shirt and black slacks to accompany along with black loafers. 'I wonder if I look like an old grandpa?' I thought as I made sure everything was tucked into the right place and made my way to the bar. The rain seemed to make a wide berth around me, no drop even making contact with my pristine shirt as I exited the home and came down to the bar level.
Looking and seeing how early it was in the morning, I decided to get some cleaning done. Cleaning, no matter how much of a chore it is, is somewhat therapeutic after a long day of battling and looking after people. "Oh my, my master is cleaning! What unfaithful cur I am!" said Selena dramatically as she materialised next to me in a modest dress that was almost military like, yet was refitted for civilian use.
"Yeah, you really are unfaithful" I muttered as I stood up, all surfaces wiped down and spotless, hell, there was even polish used to make the wooden surfaces glow amongst the room. "Ouch, you wound me master" she giggled as she sat down at a table and ordered a drink. "You like to drink?" I asked her. "Well, even if I'm an entity beyond dimensions, this avatar was designed by looking at your memories, so yes I want a drink" she said as I nodded and got to work.
I was making a simple drink, a fruity cocktail as I mixed the different liquors together. Pouring it into a glass, I walked over to her and handed it to her. She brought the glass elegantly to her lips as she took a sip, and her face seemed to be overwritten with pure joy and happiness. "What a nice drink!" she shouted as I nodded at my prowess of drink making.
Then the other customers began filing in, and I saw Gojo come in with his own students, and a very large group of Kyoto students as well. "So this is the bar you were talking about, is it wise to bring students in here?" asked the one named Miwa. "Of course, they got some kid friendly options as well" said Gojo as he sat at his barstool and ordered a long island iced tea on the rocks. The students ordered a variety amount of sodas and some even ordered coffee (Fushiguro).
"So, what's the news?" I asked the recent arrivals. "Tokyo won, so that's nice" said Gojo as he drank his drink. "My and Shoko's sacred gear is working well enough, were working on removing certain weaknesses from our sorcerers so we face less danger on the battlefield" said Gojo as he waved his hand in a so so fashion.
"That's good. I rather the artifacts get some use outside of the vault then just sit there" I said as I made the various sodas and coffees orderd by the students, accepting their thank yous and such as I was conversing with Gojo. "Thank you for lending me this artifact, it even is helping me with my technique usage" said Gojo as he laughed. It wasn't wrong, the gear was keeping him refreshed and constantly restoring his technique to full power in near instants.
"Yeah, I fear for your enemies Gojo" I said in earnest truth. The bell rung as Shuna came inside. "Hey Shuna!" I said with eager joy. I could hear Gojo immediately snicker at my side. "Heh, something you wanna tell me Thomas?" he said with a sly smile. "No, go back to your drink" I said immediately as me and Shuna began to converse.
-Hestia Pov-
The warmth of the communal hearth in the council chambers of Olympus envelopes me as I tend to the flames. The sputtering and waves of heat and fire are something I was intamitely familiar with. I was guardian of the eternal flames, the mistress of the house, and the one who kept the Olympus realm running. I suppose I was similar to gods of the house of many cultures.
As I was tending to the warmth, I felt the tinge of salt being infused into the air, and then came the warming smell of grapes ripe from the vine intermingling with the salty smell. "Hello brother, nephew" I said with kindness as I stood tall from my position, my form more mature than usual. While I generally took the form of a child(Innocence), I could take on the forms of an adult or an old grandma who was generally more connected to the old ways and traditions, as dying out as they were.
"Hey Aunty" said Dionysus as he was dressed in his camp counselor uniform. I sometimes wondered why Zeus acted as he did, considering how hypocrytical he was sometimes. I could only sigh at my nephew, though the fault did somewhat lay with him, disobeying the orders of someone higher than him.
"You ready to go?" asked Poseidon who was decked out in his usual fishing outfit, a button up Hawaiian shirt, a bucket hat, and some sandles of sea green color. It was something that did fit him, yet I couldn't help but find it somewhat tack. I guess all gods gotta stick with a theme, less they become insane. Insane gods are the most dangerous.
"Yes, just making sure the hearth is okay" I said to them, though it was mostly pointless as it was eternal burning, only able to be put out by someone whose powers exceeded reality. I began to follow my family as we exited the council chamber. I could feel the presence of one following us. It was bright and radiant, then came the thick perfume of the love goddess.
"Come out" I said in a tone that was motherly yet held some sternness to it. I may be called the youngest of the original six, but I was older than all of them. Apollo and Aphrodite emerged from the walls that barely hid them and joined our little group.
"Why are you following us?" asked Dionysus as he squinted his eyes in suspicion. "Well" started Apollo as he rubbed the back of his head. "We saw you guys gathering and decided to see what you were doing" said Apollo as he lowered his hand. "We just wanted to be noisy, its not a crime you know" said Aphrodite in her usually flamboyant flare. I stared at her as I said "With you, it should be".
I heard a snicker behind me accompanied by a small laugh by a certain god of the party. "Come one Hestia! Is that a way to treat me?" said Aphrodite with fake crocodile tears forming at her eyes. It was a skill she seemingly developed to win the hearts of men, and she was damn well good at it. Thank the heavens I am not like her, Bimbo goddess.
"I do know what you are thinking, Hestia" said Aphrodite as she closed her eyes in an attempt to seem intimidating. Not intimidating in the slightest. If I could survive my brothers outburst, you will do nothing to me. I am Zeus sister, I am immune to that crap. I swear, I hope this bar is good. It took us a minute to reach the place, like a high rise building made of a nice, oaklike wood.
"You sure this is a bar?" asked Dionysus as Poseidon nodded. "Of course. It is a bar plus a soda shop. It is a very exciting and interesting place" said Poseidon as he waved his hands. "Okay, I am going to give the benefit of the doubt" said Dionysus as he shook his hair. I sighed and went straight for the door.
The door had no presence to it like the other buildings which dotted the Olympian landscape. Usually all buildings had a divine presence to it, plus one more crucial material. The flames of the Olympian Goddess of the Hearth, Me. My flames permeate all of the homes, my divinity infused into each and every flame so I should have been able to sense it.
I placed my hand on the handle, the metal feeling cold to the touch. It was a comfortable cold and I twisted and pushed it open, the eyes of what I assume to be the owner landing on us, with a curious temperament.