WHO Erato and Calliope WHEN Sunday evening (backdated) WHERE Calliope’s home WHAT sisterly support WARNINGS none
It was funny how the tearful knock at the door sounded so alike between mother and daughter. Calliope opened with less motherly compassion and more sisterly sympathy this time around, as Erato fell tearfully into her arms.
“He’s such a beast,” she sobbed. Calliope sighed and guided her emotional sister to sit down in the living room, in the same spot Theo had occupied a couple of weeks earlier.
“I know he is, my love. We all know he is. But he has always been that way, from the very first.” Calliope cupped Erato’s face in her hands, wiping away her tears, and pressed a kiss to her forehead. Erato sniffled, her lower lip wobbling.
Erato had always been this way too. She fell in love as easily as falling out of bed, which she also did, moving from one bed to the next. But while Calliope had been measured and considerate and purposeful when Apollo came to take her to his bed, Erato had been desperately in love, as she had been for years with her teacher/mentor/leader. Apollo had been her first on many levels, before Zeus had ordered her married off to some forgettable king. Because men could do that then. Calliope was so eternally thankful that times had changed, and was glad she got to live to see them.
Erato leaned her head against her sister’s shoulder with a shuddering sigh. “But why does he always do this to me?” Calliope tutted under her breath and stroked Erato’s hair.
Was it cruel to point out that Erato’s love made her a safe bet? Surely she knew. “Because he can, darling. He was ever thus. Didn’t he swear off marriage because he said he couldn’t choose just one woman? Your love is your strength, but he thinks it means you will always be there if he wants you.”
“I can’t stand up to him.” Erato’s voice was small and weak.
“Yes, you can.” Calliope pushed Erato away from her and held her shoulders, giving her a small shake. “And you did! You have done it! Didn’t you make up with Melpomene?”
At the mention of their sister, Erato fell into a pout. “She brought me a cake. Apollo won’t want her much longer anyway. She’s pregnant.”
Well, that was a statement Calliope had not been expecting. She blinked and frowned. “...to whom?” she gasped after a minute. “Surely not Apollo already-?”
“Ares, of course. She’s been fucking him since Peitho’s symposium. But they broke up because he’s a cock and thought she got pregnant to trap him, which... I mean…” Erato rolled her eyes at the uselessness of Ares.
Calliope held her breath and counted to ten. She was going to have to talk to Melpomene when she got a chance; clearly they hadn’t spoken enough lately. With a sigh, she got up from the sofa and moved into the kitchen to set the kettle to boiling. Erato followed her, and perched up at the dining table.
“You’re going to have to decide what you want from Apollo, and until you’ve decided, just keep away from him,” Calliope said firmly. “And stand fast to your decision! Or find someone else to fall in love with.” That last would help. Erato rarely wavered once she had a new infatuation. It was probably the lack of any decent alternative that was making things worse for her now.
Erato made a sound of derision. “I can’t just decide to fall in love with someone. The magic has to be there,” she said, and Calliope turned and placed a cup of coffee in front of her.
“I know how it works. I know you. And I know Apollo. Decide if you can share him or not. And give Melpomene a break. Who would you choose between Ares and Apollo? He’s nigh on irresistible to all of us, not just you.” Erato shot Calliope a look, but Calliope’s face dared her to disagree. “I’m just better at controlling myself. Now. Are you going to stay for dinner and finally greet your daughter properly? I’m sure she would be happy to see you.”
Erato fidgeted, but she nodded and reached for her coffee cup. As much as she liked Theo (and she did), being reminded of motherhood was not something she enjoyed, which Calliope well knew. Well, too bad. Erato had a duty to her offspring, and Calliope was going to see it done. But she smiled at her sister with affection, and felt a grudging smile in return. Erato would be okay with Apollo, one way or another. She always tended to work these fits of jealousy out in one way only, and it was just a matter of time before Apollo reeled her back in.
“It’ll work out,” Calliope reassured her sister.
Erato ran her finger around the rim of her mug. “I just want him to appreciate me,” she said.
“Then make sure you dress your finest when we perform at Hecate’s Equinox Ball. Remind him who you are.”
At that, Erato perked up a little, her mind already beginning to run through the best options in her wardrobe to project power, femininity, and how great her body looked in the right dress. Calliope laughed and shook her head, and sat down to join her.