Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Gundam Wing on Mount Olympus ❯ Another Fine Day ( Chapter 4 )

Chapter 4: Another Fine Day

Roku and Alexa crouched in the doorway of their bedroom and peaked outside. The birds were just starting to sing as the first light of dawn turned the sky gray.

“Is anyone awake?” Alexa whispered.

“No,” Roku replied. “But Papa Duo and Papa Wu-Fei aren't here.”

“I'm hungry.”

“Me too.” Roku sniffed. “I smell Papa Duo.” He sat up and looked toward the main hall. A moment later, Duo came trotting into view, a slender body draped over one shoulder. Roku and Alexa trotted out to meet him.

“Who is that, Papa Duo?”

“Hermes.” Duo eased the unconscious young god to the ground. “We started drinking with Dionysus and he passed out. Someone told me Hermes ends up getting violated all night when that happens, so I figured I'd rescue him since it was my fault he got drunk in the first place.”

Roku tipped his head to one side. “Weren't you planning to violate him yourself?”

“You wound me to the quick!” Duo exclaimed. “I never take advantage of a sleeping man.”

“What about Papa Wu-Fei last night?”

Duo grinned sheepishly. “He wasn't really asleep.”

“I see.”

“Anyway,” Duo shouldered Hermes again. “I'll just dump him in one of the bedrooms to sleep it off.” He carried Hermes to an empty room and poured him onto the bed. “There. He should be fine here. You got any food, Roku? I'm starving.”

“I'm hungry too, Uncle Duo.”

Roku produced a loaf of bread from his storage space. “Do you suppose they know how to make porridge?”

Duo separated the loaf into three equal chunks and handed one to Alexa. He tossed the other to Roku before chomping into the third piece. “Won't hurt to ask. I like porridge too.” He looked around. “Well, Hera said to just clap our hands if we wanted anything, so let's try it.” He clapped his hands.

A moment later, a pretty young serving girl appeared. “May I help you, sir?”

Duo grinned. “We're hungry.” He indicated himself, Alexa and Roku. “Do you know what porridge is?”

“Yes sir!” The girl smiled brightly. “Would you like fruit and roast pheasant with that?”

Duo's eyes gleamed. “Sounds great! Bring milk, too, please.”

“At once, sir.” The girl hurried away.

Duo stretched out on a divan on the veranda. “Man, I'm wiped! Hermes started a dice game and got a whole bunch of other gods and goddesses to play. Then Dionysus opened up a fresh barrel of wine and everyone started getting really drunk. Hermes probably shouldn't drink. He can't hold his liquor. He started losing badly right before he passed out. So I did the gentlemanly thing and cleaned him out so he can win it back from me later.” He yawned hugely but then perked up because the serving girl reappeared carrying a heavily laden tray of food. She was followed by another young woman carrying a large pitcher of milk, two goblets and a shallow soup dish. The second serving girl poured milk into the dish and set it on the ground for Roku with a smile before filling the two goblets and offering them to Alexa and Duo.

When the sun came up, Duo sent the servants to fetch more food, as the three of them had finished off everything that had been brought the first time. The servants were just returning with the food when Heero appeared, frowning darkly.

“I want tea!” he snarled at the nearest serving girl.

“I beg your pardon?” she gasped fearfully.

“Any kind of herbal brew will do,” Duo interceded. “He's just grumpy because he hasn't killed anybody for a couple of weeks.”

The girl's eyes went round.

“Don't worry,” Duo reassured her. “He doesn't kill just anyone.” He turned to Heero. “Sit down and eat. I'll spar with you later if Wu-Fei doesn't come back.”

“Hmph!” Heero grumped. He plopped down on an empty divan and snatched up a leg of roast pheasant.

Treize and Zechs appeared looking very content. Zechs immediately went to pick Alexa up and hug her.

“Good morning, sweetheart. Did you sleep well?”

“Yes, Mommy. Roku purred until I went to sleep.”

“That was nice of him.” Zechs smiled at Roku.

Roku looked up from lapping his milk and grinned.

“This is a nice looking breakfast,” Treize said. He kissed Alexa on the cheek. “Did you eat already, honey?”

“Yes, Daddy. We've been up forever waiting for the rest of you.”

“Forever, eh?” Treize chuckled.

“Good morning, everyone,” Quatre said. He strolled onto the veranda with a contented smile on his face, trailed by a very satisfied-looking Trowa. “I hope you all slept well.”

“Quite well, thank you,” Zechs replied. “What do you think we should do today?”

“Well,” said Quatre, “Trowa and I were thinking of doing a little exploring. He wants to find the flying horses Roku and Alexa saw yesterday.”

Roku sat back and pointed with one paw. “Look, someone's coming.”

They all turned to look as Athena came into view, walking sedately toward them with her owl perched on her shoulder. Artemis walked lightly beside her.

“Good day to you,” Athena greeted them as the pair drew near. “How fared you on your first night on Mount Olympus?”

“Quite well, thank you,” Quatre replied. “Please join us.”

“Thank you.” The two goddesses took seats and the others all sat as well, with Alexa occupying Zechs' lap.

Athena inclined her head to Roku. “I wish to thank you, Young Wizard, for coming to my defense yesterday. I find I am too often on the barbed end of Aphrodite's tongue.”

“You're welcome, Miss Athena,” Roku replied politely. “Mama taught me that it's not nice to say mean things about people, especially right in front of them.”

The owl blinked and clicked his beak.

Trowa, who unfortunately was sipping his tea at that moment, nearly choked.

Everyone stared at him in surprise.

“Do you take exception to the young one's statement, sir?” Athena asked, a little confounded.

“Not at all,” Trowa spluttered. He pointed at the owl. “Didn't you hear what he said?”

Athena glanced at her owl. “Horam spoke?”

Trowa nodded. “Yeah. He said Roku is wiser than Zeus. But I'm surprised.” Trowa regarded Athena quizzically. “I would have thought that you understood him, since he's been your companion for so long.”

Athena shook her head. “Sadly, that is not my gift, though his company has always been soothing to me. Artemis is the one who speaks to animals.”

Artemis frowned slightly. “Well, not to all animals. Mostly just the four-footed ones.” She looked at Trowa. “Are you able to understand all flying things?”

“Not just flying things. I can talk to any creature, feathered, furred or scaled.”

“Is that so?” Artemis shifted slightly. She seemed less than pleased. “That is a great talent. Was it a gift from the gods?”

Trowa smiled. “Sort of. I did a favor for a magical creature once and this was my reward.”

Horam regarded Trowa fixedly and opened and closed his beak three times.

Trowa nodded. “Yes, I have often found that to be so. But not everyone is that way.”

Horam hooted softly.

Athena gazed at her owl in amazement. “Pray tell me, if you will, what did Horam say?”

“He said that humans and gods alike are rather arrogant in their assumption that they know all that there is to know. But then he added that he is pleased by your inquisitive nature and eagerness in seeking knowledge. That is why he stays with you. He likes reading over your shoulder.”

Athena beamed and stroked Horam's soft breast feathers. “I am pleased to know this. I have often felt that he was a fellow seeker on the path to knowledge. It is good to know that I was not mistaken.”

“But can you truly communicate with any creature thus?” Artemis interrupted. “Owls are unusually intelligent creatures, so I am not surprised to find Athena's companion so well spoken, but the common beasts surely have less to say.”

“It varies from creature to creature,” said Trowa, “but I haven't met one yet that didn't have something to say.”

“I see.” Artemis' brow wrinkled. “I would be pleased to examine this skill in more detail. Might I invite you to accompany me to my woodland realm? There are many creatures there with whom I would be glad to communicate.”

“Of course,” Trowa agreed immediately. He turned to Quatre. “You don't mind, do you?”

“Of course not. Have fun.”

Trowa finished his tea and he and Artemis set off across the grass.

“You need not concern yourself about your companion's faithfulness,” Athena said. “Artemis is quite adamant about clinging to her maidenhood. No man has even come close to violating the sanctity of her chaste purity.”

“Thank you for saying so,” Quatre smiled, “but I trust Trowa. We've had our moments of infidelity, but they only served to strengthen our bond.”

Athena smiled. “Well said, sir. Faithfulness is as great a virtue as chastity, to my mind. But last night, your son said that you possess a sorcerer's skills as well. As a goddess, many forms of magic come to me naturally, but the skills of the gods vary greatly and our understanding of magic alien to our native skills is quite minimal. I have briefly studied the teachings of the Eastern magicians, but I would greatly love to study first hand someone skilled in such arts.” She leaned forward eagerly. “Might I impose on you to spend some portion of your time here in learned conversation with me?”

Quatre inclined his head. “I would be honored, Lady Athena,” he said graciously.

“I have several texts in my study on the subject of magic and sorcery. Would you care to review them with me and perhaps demonstrate some part of your skill?”

“Certainly.” Quatre stood up, but then he leaned over and tugged Roku's tail. “Even though Athena thanked you, you still owe Aphrodite an apology. Don't forget.”

“I won't, Mama.”

“Good boy.” Quatre patted Roku on the head. “I'll see you later.” He left with Athena, already deep in conversation.

A moment later, Hera appeared approaching from the opposite direction with Wu-Fei beside her.

“Good morning, my friends,” Hera greeted them with a warm smile. “I am returning your companion.” Wu-Fei was grinning broadly.

“What are you so happy about?” Heero growled.

“I've been throwing thunderbolts!” Wu-Fei announced excitedly. “It was a blast, literally. They weren't full-sized bolts like the ones Zeus uses, just the bits that get chipped off when Hephaestus is hammering them. But they work just the same, just with smaller explosions.”

Heero perked up a little. “That does sound like fun.”

“It is. Come with me later. I told Hephaestus I'd come back. He's curious about my scales and I said I'd let him examine them when he's done making thunderbolts.”

“You mean he hasn't examined them already? Especially the ones on your butt?” Duo said. “You were gone all night.”

Wu-Fei sniffed. “It's none of your business. And who are you to talk? Isn't he here with you?” He pointed at Hermes, who stood in the doorway of the bedroom where Duo had dumped him, holding his head and looking a pitiful shade of green.

“What happened?” Hermes moaned. “My head feels like it's in the grip of a Titan!”

“At least your butt's not sore,” Duo replied cheerfully. “I rescued you from Dionysus after you passed out. You shouldn't drink, Hermes.”

“What?” Hermes squinted painfully at Duo. “You kept filling my goblet!” he accused.

Duo grinned. “How was I to know? You kept emptying it.”

Hermes put a hand on his backside. “But no one…?”

“Nope,” Duo shook his head. “It didn't seem right, since you were in no condition to say yes or no.”

“Then I am in your debt.” Hermes staggered over and sank down next to Duo.

“In more ways than one,” Duo informed him cheerfully. “You lost pretty badly after you got drunk.”

“I lost?” Hermes managed to focus his eyes on Duo's face. “How much?”

“Pretty much everything.”

Hermes put his head in hands and groaned.

“Cheer up!” Duo patted him gently on the back. “I'll let you win some of it back from me later. Have some tea.” He handed Hermes a cup and Hermes sipped it gingerly.

Hera regarded him with a maternal smile. “You were fortunate to befriend Duo last night, Hermes. Sometimes I think Dionysus starts these drinking bouts just so he can get under your skirt.”

“I wouldn't mind if it was just him,” Hermes said. “He's usually too drunk to manage more than one time. But once he finishes, everyone seems to think they should have turns as well. Half the time, I don't even know who's been in me.”

“It's a curse having a pretty backside,” Duo assured him with a grin.

“Indeed it is,” Hermes agreed mournfully. He squinted at Duo again. “I suppose you would rather I earned back my losses rather than try to win them back.”

“Unh-unh.” Duo shook his head vigorously. “We'll dice for it. If you win, I'll give you back everything you lost. If I win, I'll keep it. Either way, we'll call it even and then decide as gentlemen if you want to bend over for me.” He winked at Hermes. “Because I wouldn't say no to a friendly invitation.”

Hermes' eyebrows rose in surprise. “That's a very fair offer, sir. I accept. But I think I need to sleep off the excesses of last night first. I'm not sure I could clearly see the spots on the dice right now.”

“Would you like me to fix your head, Mr. Hermes?” Roku offered.

“How's that, young one?”

“I can make your pain go away,” Roku said. He padded over to Hermes and touched his warm nose against Hermes' forehead. “Bene corpus,” he murmured.

Hermes blinked in astonishment. “My headache is gone!” he exclaimed. “It is as if I never drank at all!” He hugged Roku briefly. “You are a truly magnificent wizard, my friend.”

“You're welcome.”

Hermes turned to Duo. “I am ready to try to recover my losses, if you're willing, Duo.”

“I'm always willing!” The two of them trotted off side by side.

“He'll be in Hermes before lunch,” Wu-Fei predicted.

“But at least it will be Hermes' choice,” Hera said approvingly. “Your friend is very gentlemanly in his lust.”

Wu-Fei snorted.

Heero stood up. “Let's spar for a bit before we go visit Hephaestus. I'm feeling a bit antsy.”

“Sure. Hand-to-hand?”

`That's fine.”

The two of them set off across the grass, going back the way Hera and Wu-Fei had come.

Hera smiled at the remaining four. “Well, I came this morning to offer you a tour of Olympus. May I show you around?”

“You are very kind, Lady Hera,” Treize stood up. “We would love to see more of Olympus.”

“May I go too, Mommy?” Alexa snuggled her cheek against Zechs'.

“Of course, dear.” He rose and settled her comfortably on his hip.

Hera bowed slightly to Roku. “My invitation includes you as well, young Roku,” she said with a smile.

Roku hopped to his feet. “Thank you, Miss Hera.”

Hera held out one shapely hand. “If you will come this way, we will begin with a tour of the gardens and vineyards.” She led the way across the grass and under the arbor, but went around the fountain on the left instead of passing it toward the main hall. “Many of the kingdoms surrounding Mount Olympus have modeled themselves after us,” Hera said proudly. “The architecture and gardens are the epitome of modern civilization.” She led the way through beautiful gardens; some artfully sculpted, others allowed to take on a pleasing wildness. Marble statues punctuated the gardens. People, animals and artful blends of each were all represented in the sculptures. Roku stopped frequently to examine satyrs, fauns, griffins and other magical creatures curiously.

Watching him, Zechs shook his head resignedly. “He's getting ideas,” he murmured to Treize. “You don't think Quatre will blame us do you?”

Treize chuckled. “Roku turned into a dragon. I don't think anything he's seen here is worse than that.”

“That's probably true.”

“Look Mommy!” Alexa pointed. “What a pretty little house.” She squirmed, so Zechs put her down and she dashed over to the little round gazebo she'd spotted. A circle of fluted columns supported a carved roof of cherubim holding flowers and grapes. The columns rested on a smooth marble floor rising two steps above the grass. A circular marble bench in the middle had a smooth column at the center serving as a backrest that rose all the way to the roof and fanned out like a frozen spray of water. Alexa bounded up the steps and onto the bench seat. Roku followed her and they proceeded to walk in circles on the bench.

Hera stopped with a smile. “There are so few children living on Olympus, I forgot how pleasant it is to watch them play.” She folded her arm under her breasts. “Of course, if I allowed every brat sired by my wretched husband to take up residence here, we'd be up to our hips in youngsters.”

“Is Zeus really that prolific?” Zechs inquired politely.

“Why do you think we call him `The Mighty Zeus'? He thinks nothing of coupling with ten women on the same day.”

Treize and Zechs exchanged a glance. “We know someone like that,” Treize murmured.

“At any rate,” Hera continued with a slight frown, “not all of Zeus' offspring are as noteworthy as young Hercules.” Her pretty nose wrinkled with distaste. “I don't care for him that much myself, but many of the younger goddesses are quite charmed by him.”

“Is Hercules on Olympus?”

“Not at the moment. I sent him off to prove himself by performing a few minor tasks to show his worth. He hasn't returned yet.”

There was a rumble of thunder in the distance.

Hera shaded her eyes and looked in that direction. “It sounds like your companions have begun playing with Hephaestus' scraps. Shall we go watch?”

“Certainly.”

Roku dashed over pulling Alexa, who was clinging to his tail. “I hear thunder, Uncle Treize!” he cried. “Can we go see? I bet it's Papa Wu-Fei and Papa Heero.”

“That's just where we were heading,” Treize replied.

Hera led the way and the five of them traversed the garden with the gazebo and followed a shady tree-lined path until they came out above a wide valley of jumbled and cracked rocks. Smoking holes gave evidence of the recent explosions. Off to their right, on a platform extending partway out into the valley, Heero and Wu-Fei stood with Hephaestus. As they watched, Heero hefted something over his shoulder, took three quick steps and hurled it. A glittering streak of fire sparkled through the air, emitting a low rumble. Then it struck the ground with a loud bang and dust and pebbles flew up.

Roku bounced up and down. “I want to try that!”

“Me too!” squealed Alexa.

Zechs looked dismayed, but Hera smiled. “I don't see why not,” she sand, and led them along a path that skirted the ridge above the valley and took them out onto the platform.

“Welcome!” Hephaestus called cheerfully. “Come to join the fun?”

“Yes please!” Roku answered and he shimmered into human form. “May I throw thunderbolts too?”

“Of course, youngling!” Hephaestus went to a bin at the rear of the platform and took out a sliver of black rock with glittering streaks of gold and silver running through it.

Roku lifted his eyebrows. `It doesn't look like a thunderbolt.”

“This is the quiescent form,” Hephaestus said. “When it's like this, I can forge and shape it. But once you throw it in the air, it energizes into liquid lightning. Go ahead and throw it, but try to get it well clear of the platform.”

“Ok.” Roku took the rock and trotted to the edge of the platform. He looked over the edge for a moment and then backed up several paces. “Here goes!” He took four bounding steps and flung the rock using his best javelin form. The sliver morphed into a shimmering blur of flame and impacted with a satisfying spray of debris.

Alexa jumped up and down, clapping her hands. “Yay, Roku! That was cool!” She turned large adorable eyes and an enormous smile on Hephaestus. “May I try too?”

Hephaestus patted her head. “Who could say no to such an angelic creature?” He retrieved a small sliver from the bin and handed it to her. Alexa took it carefully with both hands. “Throw it as far as you can,” Hephaestus said with a smile.

Alexa walked carefully to the edge of the platform clutching her bit of thunderbolt. She peeked over the edge, hefting the bolt above her shoulder with one hand. Then she backed up as Roku had done, took three sideways skipping steps with her throwing hand trailing and then jumped up into the air, reversing her stance as she did so and flinging the thunderbolt up and out. Her thunderbolt arced out over the valley, flashing into fire and making a small rumble before it smacked into the ground with a sharp crack.

Alexa clapped delightedly. “I did it!” She dashed back to Zechs and grabbed his hand. “Did you see, Mommy?”

“Yes, I did. That was a good throw.”

“Very nice form,” Hephaestus rumbled approvingly.

Alexa beamed. “May I throw another one?”

“Go ahead.”

Alexa and Roku raided the bin for more thunderbolt scraps.

Heero watched with an almost paternal expression. “It reminds me of when I was young and had fun blowing things up.”

Wu-Fei nodded wistfully. “Ah yes, the good old days.”

Treize and Zechs smiled at each other. “You youngsters aren't old enough to have good old days,” Treize said.