Apate, Goddess of Deceit, Guile, Fraud & Deception (apate) wrote in deities_dot_com,
Several times throughout his tirade, Apate had opened her mouth to respond, but he just kept talking. And the longer he talked, the stranger she felt, because there seemed to be something really off in the way he was delivering his monologue. He spoke as though he knew her, and he was close on some of it, but the things he missed, he missed by a mile. Still he pronounced them as though they were facts. Maybe to him they were. Prometheus was that certain that he had her all figured out, and somehow felt that because of that, he was in a position to judge her.
That was unbelievable to her. Astounding. When he finally paused for longer than a breath, before he could vomit more words at her, she held up a hand to forestall another speech. A disbelieving giggle escaped her. “Omigod. You’re insane. I finally get it. You? Are off your rocker.”
The hand she’d been holding up now moved to cover her mouth as she tried to hide her nervous titters. “I am shocked I didn’t see it before. The sheer ego involved in you telling me what’s in my own heart and mind, that’s just staggering. I think there is a psychological term for that. Meglomania. That explains so much.
“Okay, okay.” Apate scrubbed her hands over her face, removing any remnants of tears and trying to get her thoughts back in order. “Let’s look at a couple things here, because I think the ego has blinded you to some obvious flaws in your summation of my character. I would consider forgiving my parents if they ever fucking apologized or even acknowledged that what they’d done hurt me. I am happy for Dolos, because I love him more than I hate him and if I didn’t, I would have walked a long time ago. If he leaves me, I’ll deal with it, because I’m not six years old this time. Excuse the fuck out of me for being upset, but I spent most of my formative years wondering if the next misstep I made was going to get me shipped off to who knew where myself. It has an impact, especially when you face it alone.
“And why,” her face and voice showed her utter confusion on this point, “would I ever come to you about anything, Prometheus? I doubt I’m the first person to have noticed, but maybe nobody else has mentioned this before, so this might sound a bit blunt, but... you’re an ass. A smug, self-righteous, irritating prick. I don’t want to discuss the weather with you, let alone have a deep, meaningful conversation. I barely do that with people I like. Talking with somebody that’s always got to be right, always has an argument, always has to push you down to be on top, that’s not exactly my idea of fun. And not a particularly inviting idea, so why would I tell you how I felt and give you more ammunition in your perpetual crusade to always be right?”
She uncurled herself from the corner of the couch, standing slowly. There was an urge to stretch, but she didn’t give into it just yet. “Oh and I didn’t say I couldn’t say no to Aphrodite. I said it was unwise, and you know I’m right. She’s a vengeful bitch, and I don’t know what you’re doing putting Eos in her path. She’s… she gave me wine, and had roses in her hair, and thanked me when I broke her heart. She is nice. Hurting her is like kicking a bag of puppies, but I think that might be what the love bitch does for fun on Sundays. Ever think that it might be in her best interest if she wasn’t with you? She’s squishy and has no defenses and Aphrodite will eat her for breakfast.”
Apate shook her head, then turned to walk into the kitchen. “I need coffee. Or a shot of something that will burn my nose hairs. Or both. This conversation is exhausting.”