"The question is whether or not everything in the Shining One's power would be enough."
Friendship jumped slightly when Doc echoed her thoughts, putting it in words she’d been afraid to broach. Against Moros, would any one god be enough? And it wasn’t just Doom; he had Pain with him. Apollo, strong and intelligent as he was, might not be able to stand against her siblings.
And then where would that leave Asklepios and Philammon? Lottie’s eyes followed the brothers as they moved in the kitchen. She couldn’t ignore that after the afternoon she’d spent with Apollo that she would be unaffected by his loss; he’d found a way into her affections. As upsetting as the idea of the Shining One’s death was to her, it would be far more so to the gods who stood nearby. If Apollo fell, they would not have lost only their aunt, but their father as well. After suffering that herself recently, it bothered her deeply to think of either of them having to deal with that as well. Especially Doc.
Going to Apollo might not be a bad idea, but Philotes knew that if she went, it would be to encourage him to take others with him. She would be unable to do otherwise, her fear for him would push her into saying something, to beg him not to face her brothers alone. And if he took others, then it wouldn’t just be a squabble, it would be the beginning of a war. It would only escalate into the very thing she wanted to desperately to avoid. How did she weigh that against the need to see that Missy received the respect and honor she was due with a proper funeral.
Maybe her original idea was the best. She would go to her brothers. She would speak to them herself. Perhaps she’d have more success that way, because as angry and unpleasant as they could be, they were still her brothers. Moros might… he might hurt her. He was unpredictable on the best of days, and Lottie had always privately wondered if he even considered her his sister. But Akehron, until recently she’d never had a doubt at all that her brother loved her. He loved their family, just as she did, and she loved him, so the thought that he would not reciprocate was inconceivable. But with his latest actions, other thoughts had been creeping into her head. Still, though, she did not think that he would cause her harm. Not if she went to him, spoke with him. If she needed to, she would even beg for his help. Maybe… maybe… Whatever happened, it was better than Apollo being dead.
Running her hands through her hair in frustration, she glanced into the kitchen again. Doc would argue with her if he knew what she was thinking. She understood that, understood why. In some ways, Apollo’s son understood her and her motivations far better than even her own family. Friendship was not ashamed of who or what or how she was, but with some of her siblings, she would keep things in check out of consideration for their temperaments and inclinations. It was one of the things she loved best about her friend, that she could be exactly who she was when she was with him, that nothing had to be hidden.
Most of the time.
Trying to appear casual, Lottie stood from her chair and glanced toward the door. “I don’t know that we should go to Apollo. I’m sure… I’m sure that he’s already got a lot to deal with himself right now, y’know? And I would guess that you do as well.”
Her face turned toward the kitchen, but she did not truly look at the brothers who stood there. She couldn’t meet Doc’s eyes and lie to him, he wouldn’t buy it. She was terrible when it came to deception, and she knew it. So she had to be quick about this. “I’m interrupting here. So I should… I should be going, I think. I’m sorry.”
Despite her intentions, her gaze collided with Philammon’s and she found herself repeating, “I’m sorry.” Though she wasn’t certain what for. It just seemed like the only thing to say.