Grecian Urn...

Iris had enough. Steping off the small porch of her small home off the highway in Oklahoma. First the coup, then their powers went all out of whack and now things were back to normal but all the mortals seem to have been frozen in time. Normally, Iris was laid back and let those in charge do whatever they wanted without question but now that things were directly affecting her she was rapidly getting annoyed with them.

"POTHOS" she shouted wondering where her beautiful son was at, seeing as she hadn't seen him at the meeting at Dite's temple.

Waiting, she calls his name again finding it odd that he did not appear in anyway or form. Frowning she shuts her eyes and reaches out for her son, hoping that when she finds him, it won't be any sort of embarrassing situation. Instead, she feels absolutely nothing not even a faint trace of her son.

Worried now she quickly vanishes from the dry plains of Oklahoma and reappears in the front of Dite's temple, intent on getting some answers. Hurrying up the steps, she is quickly met by an attendant that informs her of Dite's absence. With a sigh, Iris wonders if anything is going to go her way today as she allows the attendant to show her into a sitting room to wait for the mistress of the temple.

There was a dissatisfaction she felt as she moved through the temple that, if she thought about it, had started creeping up a few days ago. She was back to being Love and Beauty, which she thought would have offered a feeling of completion, but there was something missing. It wasn't the crown of the sea, she was sure - Gaia knew that regent or not, the responsibilities offered to the Queen were still hers de facto, regardless of what Cronus wanted to play at.

The only thing she could think of was the children... and those she saw on any sort of regular basis were all fine, she could tell. There were others, Hymenaios in particular, who felt... off at the moment, more distant... but he hadn't been one for Olympus in ages. She tried to summon him to no avail - still not sure if that was a sign of a problem, or mere insolence on the part of her cherub. Granted, of all her children, the Erotes were the least likely to be problematic in any way, but given recent situations, it was always a possibility that he was still nursing the wounds of having been cherub of divorce and separation for a while.

More troubling was that when she tried to find him, she was unable to pinpoint a location, but again some no longer dwelling on Olympus were known to give up a corporeal form, preferring to be more of an *essence*. None of these thoughts were doing anything to solve a mood.

There were of course a few who'd be able to tell her where he was, without much effort... the messengers were one source, but she didn't feel like explaining what was going on to any who weren't asking at the moment. The other answer was her daughter.. if everyone was back to normal, Harmonia would know the general idea of where to find a sibling. Only problem there, of course, was where she tended to be.

It really was unavoidable.

With a soft growl she left her home, making her way quickly to that of Ares, heels offering an angry staccato across the marble of his entrance way. She offered an annoyed glance to the closest attendant, a brow lifting slowly. If he even thought of collecting Ares, well... it might not be pretty.

She had left Deimos with clear instructions not to return to Othrys, or to seek out a fight with Cronus... As irritating as her brother was, she wasn't quite prepared for that level of animosity. She could feel people in her temple as she returned, and after a brief moment of thought, left immediately, transporting herself to the lobby of a posh Upper West Side building... she wasn't technically queen at the moment, so taking a bit of personal time wasn't going to hurt anyone... besides, Cronus had made it clear that time sure wasn't going anywhere.

Hitting the cal button for the elevator, she blinked as it opened up showing a car holding a frozen couple, caught mid-fight it seemed. Deciding against that, she let the door close once more, and simply relocated herself to the hallway outside the penthouse. Given the hour (and her previous encounter with her friend) She knocked lightly, leaning against the door jamb as she waited.

*backdated before the Dite cast her spell*

There was a disadvantage to many who suffered from a powered polarization of powers. Zelos himself was not as badly off as others, which was to his advantage. While his skill with manipulating his talents was hardly as proficient, he had far more talent than Athena did. That was her down fall, ultimately.

In the mist of the night, and turmoil, the entirety of the mountain was far more obsessed with their individual woes to take notice of one star fading.

His work had been ugly, and she had cost him more than few injuries. But when it was all said and done, one Goddess of War was no more… He would have to remember to thank Apollo for his ignorance at some point.

He had been quite pleased to send a message to Aphrodite, informing her the task was done and he would await a audience with the new Queen of Olympus. As for his mother, he would simply explain that sometimes blood was needed to assure her that plans could unfold without suspicion. And in both cases, the once god of Jealousy would have his way.

Vengeance and greater power.

She stepped out of the temple on Othrys and began walking up a path ignoring the lovely scenery that had sprung up into bloom since her last visit. The path was probably quite lovely if one was meandering along on a nice sunny day... Aphrodite, however, was more akin to being on a war path. She walked in silence, Deimos beside her as she made her way over once-familiar paths until she stood in front of the largest temple, hands sinking to her hips as she glared for a moment, before calling out.

"Cronus!"

New moon or not, she was prepared. She had gathered the materials she needed, Helios had been sent a message not to fly, Deimos had been warned not to do anything but watch, the scroll had been retrieved from Cronus...All that was left was execution. She still had her wirroes about trusting Cronus with something of such importm but his knowledge of spells far outstripped her own, and she gathered that of Hades and Ares as well.

She was on Cyprus, near a temple dedicated to her birth, having choses it as a place of hopefully neutral ground. She stood skyclad in front of a marble column, a copper bowl perched on top of it, a scroll hanging in the air beside her. She had taken the things she brought with her and situated them around the column - earth from Olympus, Stygian ore from Hades, Water from the sea, fire from the eternal flame kept at Hestia's hearth.

She lifted her arms to the moonless sky, witnessed only by the stars and her son, the words she chanted that of a greek considered ancient even to those on Olympus. One by one, in turn, she added the various elemental samples to the bowl... first earth, then sea, then underworld, then fire, bending lightly to blow on the mixture, adding air, the breath of the gods.

The words spoke of balance, of putting things to rights... they spoke of all three realms the gods had seperated into, and the world as a whole. The spoke of those chosen, youngest in each realm, symbols of those who would choose those who would lead. It spoke of ancient ideals, held high even now.

And as she spoke the air around her moved, the dark sky offering a strange glow, the waves of the sea crashing high on the nearby rocks.

There was no guess as to when the change happened - the earth lurched, and suddenly everything was calm - sea, earth, and sky.

The world of the gods had been put to right.

But for mortals, Time stood still.

She had collected just about everything she needed, save the last key ingredient... and it had to be easier than the last. Really, who thought a bunch of virgin temple attendants could be so bitchy? She hadn't really liked pulling the seniority card on them, but it had gotten her what she needed. The last bit she could get from her own temple, and she was in the garden, carefully using a hand spade to gather dirt, moving it onto a linen napkin sitting on the ground beside her.... a few more moments, and she'd be able to get out undisturbed, and get this over with...

"What do you mean they are still together?"

Deathly low, her voice shouldn't have been so loud in the room, but the junior reporter's lip began to quiver in fear. There was no one scarier than Veronique Ossa when she was pissed, no one. She could literally make you or, rumor had it, break you into tiny, tiny little pieces if she chose. And right now? She looked ready to break something. The twenty-one year old just hoped she didn't have the inclination to break him.

"Umm...ahhh...well...ehhh..."

"Spit. It. OUT!"

He coughed. "Well, it seems the rumors just aren't true."

Ossa began to breathe deeply through her nose in an effort to calm herself. Of course the rumors weren't true. She'd started them herself, damn it! But they were supposed to drive the famous couple apart! Just like they did every other DAMN TIME. This was happening way to often for her taste. In the past week she'd driven one actor into scandal when she had wanted him in good standing and another into good standing when he was supposed to be scandal ridden! Now this!

Her teeth began to grind in impatience.

"WELL. Get out there and make them TRUE."

The reporter jumped as her voice grew louder with each word.

"I...I...I...don't think I can."

The screech and crash echoed throughout the building.

After they had finished their meal, she had brought them both back to Olympus, conversing quietly as they moved from her temple towards that formerly of Zeus, not that far a distance. She didn't want to be having this conversation already, really... but the Eros situation had shifted her opinion on an appropriate time line for change. Her arm slid through Anteros' as they walked, and she smiled absently at him.

"I do appreciate your serving as distraction. Hopefully it will be no trouble."

She doubted there would be much trouble at all... no matter what his power, he was a charming man, And she didn't think Styx so petty as to visit assumed sins of a parent on a child... though she'd not put it past her, really. She paused as they reached the entrance to Zeus' home, and looked up at him.

"Ready, then?"

"Worse. Honestly, I'm glad she doesn't come up here often. She absolutely hates me for no real discernible reason. There are plenty of people with a reason to dislike me, sure, but I've never done a thing to the bitch."

She grinned at Anteros, looking at Psyche as she mentioned never having Chinese.

"At least tell me it's from some hole in the wall... they make the best spring rolls. You'll like it Psyche."

It seemed like it had been some time since she had had the luxury of visiting her husband's forge, and it was strange to enter it now, when nothing was going on. It was a rather desolate place, cold and dreary when it lacked the heat of the forge itself, or the spark of metal on metal.

At first she thought the place was empty, then spied Hephaestus sitting near a work bench, idly glaring at what she could only assume was once a work in progress. What was it with men and the sulking over this thing?

"Well, aren't you looking glum."

"I can not work."

"Well... luckily, no one else is doing much either, so there is little need for arrows and such."

"But there is a need to make things. And I can not do that."

"And how about your new found throne?"

"I think we both know I was not made for such things."

"So why did you do it with us?"

"You needed a Third. And I desired materials. I fooled myself into thinking it would be fine, but now..."

"Now?"

"I dislike fighting. You say Hades has escaped, and so there will be fighting."

She shrugged lightly, absently fingering a bit of filigreed metalwork that looked like it was destined for something lovely, but now forgotten. "There doesn't have to be." She leaned back against the work bench and watched him, making a point to keep her distance. She wanted to see first if he'd even need coercion.

"No fighting? That is unlikely, Aphrodite."

"There's only fighting if you want to hold on to it. You don't seem that enthralled with the Throne."

"And my other option is to just hand it back over to Hades with an apology?"

"Why not? Hephaestus... you don't want it. Why fight to keep it?"

"It is a matter of honor."

"Forget honor. Selfishness was never something you shied from."

"It is tempting. What of you and Ares?"

"What of us? We'll be fine. Ares is not my concern or yours, and I do not think I will have to fight too hard to keep my position. They may not like it much, But at the least I've shown I'm capable."

"He is my brother."

"Then help him keep what he has, Heph. I do not care. Are you going to fight for your throne or not?"

"I do not wish to. But I can hardly just hand it over with an apology."

"Forget the apology. Let me handle it. I'll even get you access to your metals or what not."

"And you think you'll get Hades to go for it?"

She just smirked lightly and pushed away from the table, leaning over to kiss his cheek. "Honey... I get what I want."

"I do not think I wish details of your methodology. But it will be appreciated."

"Don't worry.. I'll take care of it. Someone needs to get things done around here."

She kissed his other cheek, then stood, moving toward the exit, leaving Hephaestus stewing over how she planned on accomplishing the task... sometimes, it was all so easy.

Never once during the trip from Aphrodite's to the bed at Anteros' did Psyche even make a peep. The stress of the day had caught up to her and she was exhausted. It wasn't until several hours later that she was awoken by the sun streaming into the window near the bed she was tucked into.

Slowly, she sat up, groggy and confused. This wasn't Aphrodite's temple. The bed was comfortable and the sheets were crisp, but she'd never seen them before. Getting out of bed, she looked down and saw that she was still wearing the sweater and pants combo she'd changed into the night before, so it couldn't have been a dream. Spying a door, she poked her head out and looked around. Nope, did not look familiar at all.

Leaving the bedroom, she walked down the hall until she got to the first door she saw. She pushed it open.

"Hello?"

She just sighed, pausing outside the dor to her temple.

"Seriously, love...remind me of this if I ever decide the world needs a change that results in me having to be in charge of anything."

She shook her head and slipped back into the temple, leading Anteros back to the salon where Psyche and Morpheus were still... though it looked like one was asleep, and the other almost there. She eyed them both as she debated waking them, letting them sleep, or sending Anteros off with Psyche now, before she could argue.

She paused a moment as she watched Hades leave before reentering the room that held her son... and it seemed, only her son.

"Ahh... did Psyche leave?"

Not that she was that surprised, really... or even all that concerned. While the whole leaving when she asked them to stay thing was a tad annoying, it left her to talk to her son alone, which she appreciated. She closed the door behind her and stepped over to Anteros, curling fingers to lift his chin a bit, and leaned her brow against his for a moment.

"I'm sorry, love. Seems I'm always getting pulled away. Minor crisis... then interesting guest. But now I'm yours."

She released his chin and took a seat beside him, idly running her hands along his back as she looked at him.

Hades: Hades swept through Love's temple, a skittish attendant guiding him to a sitting area to await the arrival of his brother's replacement. Hmm. Maybe it was stereotype talking, but he'd expected something a little more...pink. This place wasn't nearly as offensive to his over-sensitive senses as he'd assumed it would be.
Aphrodite: She had just returned from putting out the fire that was her youngest child's mishap, about to return to Anteros when an attendant told her she had a guest. She was content to tell them to wait, until she was told the name of who it was that was visiting her. She nodded to the servant, ordering wine and fruit to be brought in, and instead headed to the salon he was waiting in, opening the doors quietly. "Hades..."
Hades: "Aphrodite," he said, giving her a small nod.
Hades: "Or should that be Queen?"
Aphrodite: "Have you become a denizen of the sea, Hades?"
Aphrodite: She stepped in and let the door close, offering him a curious smile. "I can't say you're an expected guest."
Hades: He smirked. "Not quite."
Hades: "I can imagine I'm not, but I'm here nonetheless."
Aphrodite: "Make yourself comfortable." She lowered herself onto one of the chaises, motioning him towards another seat. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
Hades: He sat down across from her. "Business. "
Aphrodite: "Ahh... Not pleasure at all." She paused as the door opened, an attendant silently bringing in a tray of wine and fruit, waiting til they were once more alone to speak. "Why don't you lay out for me what you're here to discuss?"
Hades: "Simply that I want my kingdom returned to me. I understand why it was taken away, very clever I must say, but I would like it back."
Aphrodite: "An understandable request... But I don't have your kingdom, Hades."
Hades: "I'm aware of that. However, being...temporarily unwelcome there, I cannot make that request to its current sovereign."
Aphrodite: "Have you tried his temple here? He's probably in residence. Or are you asking me to intervene?"
Hades: "I might be."
Hades: "I have been told there was a meeting about the switch. A meeting that you held."
Aphrodite: "There was. If I was aware you were around, I would have sent an invitation."
Hades: "Isn't that the job of the sky god?"
Hades: "I don't recall Poseidon ever taking such an interest in Zeus' affairs."
Aphrodite: "Why? The sky is not the only place affected, Hades. All three realms were. And the change has affected some more than others. It seemed in the best interest of all to not quibble about responsibility, and to simply do what needed to be done. I think you'll find, Hades, if you were already unaware... I am not Poseidon."
Hades: "You aren't. And you make a good point. But since all three realms were affected, what's there to quibble over? The responsibility is shared. What did the other two regents contribute to your meeting?"
Aphrodite: "I believe that would be between myself and them, don't you? Do you think you would have done things differently, then?"
Hades: "Perhaps. If I had been in power."
Aphrodite: "Ahh.. .but were yourself and your brothers in power, would it have happened in the first place? Probably not." She smiled, reaching forward to take a bunch of grapes, plucking one lightly into her mouth and taking a moment before speaking. " So you wish your throne back... As I said, understandable. I have to admit to being a bit surprised that you're hear talking to me, and not just... planning to take it back with force. Are you looking for a non-violent return? And if so, are you thinking I will be of assistance?"
Hades: "Good point," he replied. Hades' hand dipped into the bowl and hovered over a pomegranate for a moment, then moved to pick up an apple. "I want my kingdom back, and mine alone. If I wanted all three, violence would be the better choice...but I don't. Making enemies of those presiding over the sea and the sky would only hinder me."
Hades: "I think you could be of assistance, yes. You organised the meeting on Olympus. You were the only regent on Othrys when Cronus made his return. Circumstantial, I know, but for someone who has no need to fill Zeus' shoes, you do a good job of it."
Aphrodite: "Compliments... I'll take them with pleasure, Thank you. You know your realm is currently held by my husband. I'm sure you can see the advantage there, both in me helping you, and in him keeping the throne. You say you're only interested in your own realm... how can I be sure you don't wish to then avenge your brothers?"
Hades: "At this point you can't be. Should I regain my crown, I'd still be outnumbered. While my subjects are loyal and greater in number, Olympus has more power." He turned the apple over in his fingers. "But if you want me to swear on the Styx, so be it. You can take my brothers realms with pleasure, the only thing I want is the Underworld."
Aphrodite: She laughed softly. "Styx hates me with a passion and fervor that goes far beyond the normal range of duties entrusted to a goddess of Hate. I'm sure Any oath made to me on the matter of maintaining my Crown would be fairly simple to work out of. So not to be mercenary, Hades... but what's in it for me?" She fingered another grape for a moment before sliding it into her mouth, thinking over the possibilities... with Heph in control, She had more influence to achieve her goals... With Hades in control, there'
Aphrodite: d be less to worry about. It was an interesting idea, at the least.
Hades: "Hephaestus doesn't have my influence. He may wear my crown, govern my realm and rule my subjects, but they aren't loyal to him. Styx, as you've mentioned, does hate you, but she doesn't hate me. My word goes, regardless of whether she grits her teeth over it or not. And she isn't the only one..."
Hades: "If you want to continue your reign in relative peace and concordance, restoring mine would secure that."
Aphrodite: "Do you think I didn't plan that far ahead? I'm not new to gaining influence... for myself or others. Granted, your return would make it a bit harder. And I'll admit Hephaestus is perhaps not the ruler you are. But he's not here, and you're asking me. What do I gain, Hades? If I use my influence on my spouse and convince him to relinquish something he worked for?"
Hades: "My return could make it a lot harder," he replied with a smirk. "If you want the loyalty of the Underworld, I can give it to you on a plate. You wouldn't have to win over any of my subjects. Your husband has trust on his side, but as you said, he isn't me. I can run a much tighter ship, I have done for millennia."
Hades: "I could change my mind on all of this, quite easily...but so could you. I have no guarantee that you couldn't or wouldn't remove me from power. You've done it once before, you could do it again."
Hades: "Taking that into consideration, I have no real position to challenge you once reinstated."
Aphrodite: "You're offering me logic... which I can't really refute. I don't wish to be at war with the Underworld, no matter who is the ruler. Realize, Hades... your removal wasn't personal. Just necessary at the time." She smiled lightly. "I like that you're not trying to flatter me into it. And between you and me, I think you've a much better position to rule from then Hephaestus. But I do not think he'll want to simply hand it over."
Hades: "Had you left Poseidon and I in power, we would have challenged you, there's no doubt about that. Your motivations for removing me are understandable. As for flattery, I've seen it often enough to know it's a waste of breath."
Hades: "It's a lot of power to give back. Considering the dearth of materials he has access to at this time, I cannot see why a smith would give it up with ease."
Aphrodite: "Perhaps a compromise, then. You want your throne. Hephaestus is happiest in his forge. Allow him access to the metals and materials he craves."
Aphrodite: She laughed lightly, thinking Hades was perhaps the first to ever think flattering Love was a waste of breath. "Let me offer him that, and I shall see what I can do."
Hades: Hades gave a nod. "A small price to pay for my kingdom."
Aphrodite: She nodded slowly... given her latest dealings with her lover (former lover) and her spouse, it seemed on the surface at least the best alternative... one she had already considered. She hadn't expected it to come to her so easily, however. " There are going to be changes, Hades. There will need to be. Do you think we'll be able to work together?"
Hades: "I worked with Zeus. I would be surprised if you did worse with your given lot."
Aphrodite: "I suppose not being Zeus is the one thing I have going for me... Or that Ares has going for him." She nodded again. "I will talk to Hephaestus. Offer him the mining rights, and with a bit of persuasion, I am confident I can get him to see the logic in my words. I will ask for time, however. It seems I'm quite in demand these days. But I will make it a priority."
Aphrodite: "Of course... I do not think return of your crown will get you back to your home before the switch..."
Hades: "Time is in short supply for a monarch, I'm aware."
Hades: "The god of the living has no place in the land of the dead. I noticed that on my last visit."
Aphrodite: "Thanatos is suffering the same, as I'm sure you're aware." Her smile turned a bit apologetic. "There's a solution in sight. Though I'm sure it won't be quite over then... the rest can wait until people are themselves."
Hades: "Yes, I've heard about the solution," he said, frowning a little in concern. Getting help from Cronus didn't sit well with him. The old goat had to want something in return for being able to reverse the spell. "Thanatos is also trying to figure out the mistake. Mostly for his own sanity, I suspect."
Aphrodite: "Have you? I was unaware I'd shared it fully with anyone yet. But then it's so hard to keep anything to oneself around here... everything eventually trickles through the grapevine. Once I speak to Hephaestus, where shall I find you to deliver any information I've obtained?"
Hades: "Then you should be careful who you entrust the information to. Cronus has a big mouth." And wasn't Hades well aware of that? "As for where I'll be? Try my brother's former residence."
Aphrodite: "He does indeed... But he doesn't know all that he thinks he knows. Which works just fine. Very well... give me two days. I will speak with Hephaestus."
Hades: Hades quirked a brow, but remained silent. interesting. "In that case, I believe our business is done."
Aphrodite: She unfolded her legs and stood up, Holding out her hand. "It's been interesting. And a pleasure."
Hades: "Indeed." He got to his feet and closed his hand over Love's, giving it one single, firm shake.
Aphrodite: She walked him toward the door, opening it and leading him out into the main hall. "I've kept others waiting. I trust you can find your way out. "
Hades: "I can." With that, he left Aphrodite's home, heading back towards his brother's palace.

( Read more... )

( Family reunions all of the place.... Cronus and Aphrodite. )

Aphrodite eyed Strife and Harmonia as the trio reappeared in the courtyard of her temple, offering a stern look.

"It seems I need to go talk to Ares about what occurred... so if you two think you can avoid turning anyone into reptiles or raising the dead or starting global thermonuclear war or whatever it is you manage to get into for a while, I'd appreciate it. And Strife? I know you're going back there, no matter what anyone says... but don't let her go alone, or I'll have your head."

She smirked lightly as she swept past them into her home, she wasn't geting a break at all it seemed. And wasn't it just oh so kind of Hephaestus and Ares to drop all of this in her lap anddo nothing? This had been Heph's idea and Ares' goal for ages, and here she was the one holding verything together... or trying to at all.

With little effort she was able to work herself into quite a bad mood, grabbing the scroll of Apollo's spell to take with her as she relocated herself to Ares' temple. Ares, whom she was mad at to begin with... Ares, who was personifying the idea of good for nothing, and dared to hurt her in the process. Ares was going to gert the brunt of her temper, it seemed.

"Ares... Come out, come out where ever you are..."

She called out as she entered his temple, working her way to his throne room... he couldn't be that many places.

There truly was no rest of the wicked. The quick jaunt she'd taken to rectify the charred stump that was Momos' hand had offered a bit of distraction from her temple, but after that she really could not justify any further excursions, no matter how completely she wanted to just find some form of stress relief. Sadly, Love's temple didn't offer the same sort of venues for physical exertion that War's did, and what it did offer wasn't currently of much interest to Aphrodite.

It was noticeably quiet in her home, even attendants wise enough to stay out of her way. She found herself curled up into a chaise in front of a roaring fireplace, Apollo's scroll in hand. She wasn't a magician or sorcerer, such things best left to those such as Hekate or Kirke who devoted themselves to such... unfortunately, she didn't know where to even begin determining who would now have their powers. Of her peers, she'd normally seek out Brighid or Isis, but if Flidais was affected it was conceivable they had been also.

Still, the scroll made some small sense, and with careful concentration, she was able to see what it was he had tried to do... or at least what seemed like he was trying to do. The ricky part, of course, would be to see where he went wrong, and how to fix it.

As soon as Ate left, Momos moved to his office and tried to distract himself from the throbbing in his groin and the throbbing in his hand.

It was amazing, the entire time he'd been with Ate, his hand hadn't hurt a bit but now that she was gone, that was all he could feel. Well, with the exception of his libido. Gods, he was horny. Not that he blamed Ate at all, she'd been denying him for years, he really didn't expect her to just decide to give in because they kissed. The frustration was completely his fault.

He sighed. Looking around he saw that there was quite a bit of work that he needed to get done, but he couldn't even concentrate on it. If he was his old self, he'd go out and inspire some mockage, but it wasn't even as much fun when it was praise he made people shout.

Instead he moved to the one way mirror instilled in his wall, and just watched the people outside laughing at the random comedian on stage. He was never more at home then he was when he was here.

As soon as the last of the others left, Aphrodite brought the staff of the trident down on the marble floor of the temple, creating a thick wall of water that rose up and surrounded the room. She wanted no interruptions. Satisfied no one would be able to enter or leave without her leave, she leveled her glance firmly at Apollo.

"You're just so proud of yourself, aren't you."