Public Relations Part I – The Summoning
He just gave me that look. We both knew I was going. There is no sending “regrets” when you get a summons.
Mach-c. Mock See. Moxie. Get it? No? Mach-c is sound that travels faster than light. That sound is me whispering in your ear dropping some brilliance into your brainpan. Mock See is that image that flashed into your mind’s eye. I put it there. You thought it was you, but it was Me. And I did it all without begging for kudos, adulation, and sacrifices, unlike some other Gods, Goddesses & Muses who shall remain nameless. They really won’t remain nameless, of course. They don’t have it in them because they are all attention whores. I give it less than a decade before they are over here claiming credit for My handiwork.
He just gave me that look. We both knew I was going. There is no sending “regrets” when you get a summons.
I knew that my mother had her hand in this somehow. Very little gets by her and odds were that she was the reason for my summons. I needed to get to the bottom of things before I made the trip to The Mount. Before I spoke to Zeus.
On such short notice, I would need to travel light, so I stowed my mortal at a Holiday Inn Express. With any luck, I’d be back before housekeeping was making their rounds.
The redhead that I was wearing attracted more than her fair share of attention. One appreciative admirer kissed his fingertips and cooed, “Bella,” then fell from his ladder when I looked up at him to smile my acknowledgement.
I rolled my eyes and groaned. I had enough information to see where this was going and I wanted no part of it. I had no interest in Zeus’ comeback scheme or Hera and Gaia’s matchmaking plans for Hephaestus and me.
I know him. He doesn’t do idle chit chat. He was trying to disarm me with pleasantries. He also knows me and should know better, but the more he wants something, the nicer he is…until he is told “no.”
“This is all sport to you. Fun and games. Well, Mr. Perfect, we are all familiar with some of your less than stellar moves. I mean, who tosses their own son off a mountain just because he needs corrective shoes? Oh. That would be you.”
“Alright. That’s enough!” he bellowed, causing the windows to rattle. “Here’s what’s going to happen. Everyone is getting a job so that we can better connect and integrate with mortals. And that, my dear, includes you.” “No.”
She wondered where she was. Who was that guy leaning out of the window? Why did her hip burn? Why was there a bird in her hair? Where was her coffee?
I had to stifle my delight every time the angry sky spit out a rush of hailstones that pelted him mercilessly. It was about time that he got a taste of his own medicine.
“You were screaming about…” she stopped to gauge my reaction, “about Nightgoyles, Moo.”
As the days grow shorter and the nights longer, we creep closer to Samhain and the veil between worlds grows ever slimmer. That means many of those in Hades’ care will be visiting soon.
I followed and watched over them, and her grandchildren, and even her great grandchildren, as they lived, loved, mated and died. How could I be too young?
It was as if he didn’t quite recognize her or had seen her for the very first time. He drew me to him and kissed me, first tenderly. Then he kissed deeper, passionately.
“To the woods, my love, go now!” Spiros yelled out as he struck the beast on the head with his torch. The creature screeched in pain and anger as the flame lit its flesh.