Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Daughters of Artemis ❯ Chapter 6

The Daughters of Artemis: Morning's light

 

The intense looking blonde stretched out gracefully in the middle of the floor, the light streaming in through the open window, a gentle breeze stirring her hair. Athena smiled wryly as she walked back towards the bed, her oversized shirt making a simple nightie, otherwise still mostly undressed. What was visible of her body was marked by war, old scars and burns scattered across her arms and crisscrossing those long legs.

 

Moving with a kind of wary energy the lady dug out clothes from the closet nearby, tossing a clean shirt and pants on quickly and easily. Athena tied her hair back with an elastic band, peering in the mirror a moment then decided to skip wearing any makeup. Slipping socks and shoes on she was off, only pausing to lock the door with a casual wave of her hand.

 

The old apartment building was just behind the Daughters, owned lock stock and barrel by Circe and Diana as well as under the same soft of protections the bar had. While a little run down looking on the outside the apartments were all quite comfortable, though Athena had been mildly surprised at some of the neighbors.

 

"Good morning Athena," Jasmine said, the purple haired lovely smiling up at her impishly. One of the semi-regulars she kept a room in the building, frequently sharing it with her lovers like the police officer Alex Conner.

 

"Morning Jazz," Athena said with easy familiarity as they fell into step together going down the hall to the elevator.

 

"You're still all alone?" Jazz teased, "I could always stop by and keep you company."

 

"I'd think Alex is keeping you busy enough," Athena said dryly, "and besides, I'm too old for you," She still wasn't quite sure how to take the other woman's teasing offers, and after much thought had decided just to politely ignore them.

 

Jazz chuckled as they stepped into the older lift and headed for the lower floor. "You can't be much older than I am," she protested.

 

The former goddess of war tried to hide her amusement. "Trust me, I have a few years on you," Athena said as they came to a stop with a bump, the door sliding open.

 

Jazz lead the way outside, tossing a grin to Athena as she said, "I always liked older lovers." With that she was off, bouncing out of the little lobby and out onto the street.

 

Shaking her head with a smile Athena walked over the lawn towards the Daughters itself, using the key that Artemis had given her to unlock the door. 'I have to remember to call her Diana,' she reminded herself once again.

 

"Urrgh," the soft groan drew Athena's eyes up to where Circe was laying on the bar, her long blonde hair fanning out around her.

 

"How did...?" Athena blinked, walking up to the polished surface and gently but firmly shaking the woman's arm.

 

Circe opened one oddly orange eye and groaned again. "God I have a headache," she managed, pushing herself up so that she could clutch at her head.

 

"Hung over?" Athena asked sympathetically.

 

"Shhh," Circe winced. She carefully slip off the bar and onto the floor, her leather skirt and white top splattered by beer and other stains.

 

"And where is Diana?" Athena asked as she reached out to help steady Circe a bit.

 

"Here," the voice came from behind the bar, then Diana's hand appeared as she pulled herself up, smiling a bit sheepishly under her sister's glare. Her long brown hair fell messily out of it's usual ponytail and she looked terrible, bloodshot eyes and all.

 

"Did I miss a party last night?" Athena had to ask them.

 

"It's not what you think," Circe winced as she clutched the side of her head, "we had a full Circle last night, to upgrade our defenses."

 

"I didn't feel...." Athena blinked.

 

"You have to admit you're not the most mystically sensitive of the family," Diana reminded her gently. She rubbed at her eyes as she said, "We proofed the place against most kinds of semi-divine attack, we think."

 

"Think being the operative word," Circe sounded a bit sheepish. "Nobody has tried this kind of defense before, we think," she revealed.

 

"What did you do?" Athena was curious as she led the two women over to a table, sat them down then went for some coffee.

 

"We cross-connected our protective shields and wards to several other-wheres," Diana related once Athena returned with the two steaming mugs, "like Hel, Asgard, Olympus itself, the Dreamtime and a few others."

 

"So any magical or divine attack will simply be bled off into those other realms," Athena nodded, "but won't the gods in those realms object?"

 

"We have Lady Hel's permission," Circe smirked, "and Asgard got conquered by the Frost Giants back in the fourties. The others are either unruled or...."

 

"And I don't really care if this bounces back on the remaining Olympians," Diana admitted with a dangerous little smile.

 

Athena shook her head, even though the purely rational side of her personality admitted she was probably right. She looked at the two of them thoughtfully before changing the subject, "Do you two want some breakfast?" Both women nodded vigorously and Athena fought back a smile. A few moments later she emerged from the bar's little kitchen with eggs, bacon ad porridge, all balanced on a large tray.

 

"You know, with cooking this good I'd marry you if I weren't taken," Circe said happily.

 

"Aren't you having any?" Diana asked her sister even as she dug in.

 

Athena munched on a piece of toast even as she blushed slightly from Circe's comment. "I don't usually get hungry until I've had my morning run," she answered her sister.

 

"Way too healthy for me," Circe shook her head with a smile. "How far do you go?"

 

"Several miles," Athena admitted, "closer to ten if I want a real workout."

 

"If you head west that'd put you out by Sisterhood books by the time you're done," Diana mused, knowing the city's layout pretty well.

 

"True," Athena smiled slightly, "I stop in for a coffee occasionally."

 

Circe smirked as she scooped some of her eggs, a bit of salsa dribbled over them. "Has Hunter hit on you yet?" she asked.

 

Athena's cheeks colored faintly. "Well, yes," she conceded, "but I turned her down."

 

Diana was calmly eating her food as she said, "You should take her up on the offer, I'm told she's very educational."

 

Athena early choked on her toast, "Sister!"

 

Diana looked over at her lover with a wry smile, "As you may have noticed, my sister is remarkably traditional in some ways."

 

"Straight?" Circe asked.

 

"Bisexual," Athena said firmly, "not that it's any business of yours."

 

Diana looked interested, "So who was the lucky lady, if I may ask?"

 

Circe looked amused, "Or are you bi in name only?"

 

Athena had a pained look on her face as both women looked at her eagerly. "You two are terrible," she sighed.

 

"Yes," Diana smirked, "so?"

 

"Hippolyta," Athena finally conceded, "the queen of the amazon tribes." She smiled wryly as they blinked at her in surprise and continued, "She called upon me as her patron goddess and as I got to know her I... fell in love with her."

 

Surprised Circe blurted, "Hippolyta, she was the one that Heracles raped...." She trailed off in pure embarrassment.

 

A muscle in Athena's jaw jumped as she clenched it in sudden anger, "Yes." She smiled grimly, "Another debt I owe Zeus and his favored son." With that she pushed away from the table and strode from the room with barely an, "Excuse me."

 

"Way to go," Diana sighed, "she was actually cheering up a bit until you said that."

 

"Sorry," Circe sighed meekly.

 

To be continued....