Harry Leferts
Around her, everything... was dark.
It wrapped around her entire being, whatever she was. Darkness was the only thing that she could see and feel at first. It was not a warm darkness, nor was it a cold darkness.
The darkness simply was.
Eventually, she felt something. Her body felt heavy in some way, as if it was made of stone or metal. Immovable. At least she knew that she was a she now. A woman, the word drifted up from the depths of her consciousness supplied to her. But still, her body would not respond even as she slowly felt more. It was not that she felt pain, not really. Or at least not something that felt like pain.
Something else drifted up from her mind, from the murky depths. Her body felt like it had when she had slept in uncomfortable conditions in the wilderness. A stiffness, but no pain accompanying it. Nor any cold as it were. But the darkness was ever present.
Finally, she could hear something.
Whatever it was, that something was muffled. Incomprehensible as she was currently. As if... as if she was hearing it from far beneath the ways. Despite that, she could tell that one voice was male and the other was female. The female one tickled something within her mind. Memories that were currently impossible to grasp even with her slowly clearing consciousness.
However, she suddenly felt something deep inside her, like... a spark.
Yes, a spark, that was the word.
The spark was followed by another feeling, one that confused her greatly to no end. Something told her that it was important, even as the voices became clearer. The odd feeling was inside her, deep inside her... chest? What? What was...
*Thump-thump*
Another word rose up in her mind, Heartbeat. Yes! Heartbeat! That was her heart beating! Even now, she could feel something moving along her body, warming her... blood! Her blood was now flowing! There was an elation of sorts that drifted through her mind, telling her that this was somehow important.
Moments later, she finally felt pain as her chest expanded and her lungs filled for the first time with air. Eyes snapping open for the first time with light shooting into them, the woman coughed and hacked as her lungs expanded and contracted for the first time in... how long? But it also hurt.
Her blurry, though clearing vision was suddenly taken up by a face of a woman, a beautiful one. And one that was achingly familiar in some manner. She could feel hands on her shoulders as she sucked in air and expelled it in coughs, "There, there, Atalanta! It is okay... everything is okay... just relax."
Rapidly blinking, the woman blinked. Atalanta? Was... was that her name? Yes! Yes her name was Atalanta! And... and the woman above her was.... "Medea."
A brilliant smile appeared on Medea's face as tears began to run down her face, "Yes... yes, its me, Medea, Atalanta. Welcome back."
Confused, Atalanta furrowed her eyebrows, 'Back? I... where did I...' Moments later, her eyes widened as memories rushed in. Her life, the voyage of the Argonauts, meeting Medea and becoming close friends, nearly sisters with her. The boar hunt with Meleager and what had happened there. Her father attempting to get her married, her challenge. When she met Hippomenes and fell in love with him, and how she did not mind much how he cheated. Their marriage to each other and their first night together...
How on the way to his home, outside a cave both of them were overcome with unnatural lust for each other. Tearing off each others clothes, even as their minds attempted to stop themselves, but were too buried under their lustful needs. Their slow transformation into lions and their lives afterwards...
Medea coming across them and using her magic to calm them. The Sorceress even calling her Aunt Circe to help, only for the Demigoddess to state there was nothing that she could do for them. All the attempts to change them back as she grew older and older. Hippomenes death of old age...
When she died, held in her friends arms as the other woman wept and wailed about how sorry she was. How she had failed her only true friend in the world. The woman's near legendary beauty marred by her grief and sorrow, covered in salty tears and discharge from her nose as she held the elderly lioness close. And how, just before her last breaths, a small bit of her, Atalanta's, human self managed to rise up enough to lick away the tears on her friend's face before laying down and closing her eyes as her heart beat the final time...
This all went through Atalanta's mind and she jerked in her friend's grasp, eyes wild with panic, "MEDEA! What, where-"
Hands firm, Medea held her, "Calm down, Atalanta. Everything..." With one hand, she began to stroke her friend's head, "Everything is fine. It is fine, you are safe."
A male voice spoke up a bit with humour, "Well, at least for now considering what you have gotten into. And what she did when she was last, well, you know."
Frowning, Medea looked at the tall man who had an amused smirk on her face, "That is enough, Hades."
Yet again, Atalanta felt a bit of panic at that before resignation set in as she looked around. The "Room" they were in was obviously in some sort of cavern, the work hewn into something approaching a temple-like structure. Gemstones, gold, silver, copper, and bronze made their ways along the wall in beautiful murals. Her senses told her that they were deep underground which made Atalanta sigh, "So we are in Hades, then." At the nod, she continued as she felt tears prickle at her eyes, "Then we are dead as well, Medea. You are dead."
Blinking, the Sorceress stared at her for a few moments before the God of the Underworld laughed uproariously, "Dead? Hardly! Not after the negotiations that Medea here had with those of us who are gods." Much to Atalanta's shock, Hades gave her friend a look of pure respect, "She drove a hard bargain to aid us, one which included bringing you back."
Jaw dropping, Atalatana looked down at her hands, Slowly, she clenched them and unclenched them, "I... am alive? You..." Looking up at Medea, she stared for a moment, "You managed to convince the gods to let me live again?"
Slowly, Medea nodded with a relieved look, though there was a look in her eyes, "I did. Zeus is unhappy as are... certain others. But I gave them no choice in the matter if they wished for my services. And I have also made it so that they cannot interfere for some time."
Understanding just how much of a risk her friend took, and for her, Atalanta gave her friend a silent question. One that was answered without any words, just a look of her own and made the Huntress feel a burst of appreciation for her friend even though there was a hint of worry.
Because the Olympians never took being shown up well.
However, that was something to worry about at another day. Instead, a laugh bubbled up and out of her throat as she threw her arms around the shoulders of her friend who squeaked a bit in surprise, "Only you, Medea! Only you would be willing, and capable, of doing such an act!" Softly, she nuzzled Medea , with the other woman squirm a bit even as she could hear Hades cackle. Pulling back, Atalanta smiled at her, "Thank you."
Medea was heavily blushing, but nodded, "You're welcome, Atalanta."
It was than that Atalanta looked around and felt her heart fall a bit, "Medea? Where is Hippomenes...?" At the wince, she sighed as she knew what was coming, "Ah..."
The Sorceress shook her head and swallowed, "I... could only convince them to bring you back, and that was hard enough as it was. Please..." Voice small, Medea continued as a few tears dripped from her eyes, "Please forgive me, Atalanta..."
Eyes widening a bit, Atalanta wondered what had happened since she died that would make her friend, one of the strongest women that she knew, seem to be so... broken. The grief in her was swallowed up by worry as she noted that Medea, not getting an answer, had started to pull away and seem to withdraw into herself. Grasping her closely, Atalanta shook her head as she softly whispered to her friend, "There is no need to ask for forgiveness, Medea. Because there is nothing to forgive. You have given me a second chance at life. And for that, there is nothing that I could do to thank you."
Arms coming up, Medea grasped onto her as if she was a piece of wood that a drowning person was trying to keep herself afloat on, "Just... just do not hate me and stay my friend."
Lips curling into a slight smile, the Argonaut chuckled, "You do not even need to ask me such... sister." As Medea shook with near silent sobs, nearly broken ones, Atalanta just held her close. Once more, she wondered what had happened that broke her friend so. And a glance towards Hades was not the answer as the god looked... ashamed. Upon noticing the silent question in her eyes, the Lord of the Underworld shook his head slightly and turned before walking over to one of the murals. That only brought more questions to Atalanta's mind. Ones... she was not sure that she wanted answers to, 'And yet, I do if I am to help her.'
For how long she simply held her friend, Atalanta did not know. But, eventually, the tears slowed as did the sobs. And when they finally stopped, Medea pulled back and wiped at her face before waving a hand that made the tears and mucus there vanish. Her eyes were still red and, upon seeing the tear stains on Atalanta's clothing, she flushed a bit before vanishing the wetness there, "Sorry-"
Eyebrow raised, Atalanta cupped her cheek, "There is nothing to be sorry about, Medea. It reminds me of when we were on the Argo. And as I said there, I am available whenever you need such."
Still blushing a bit, Medea nodded before stepping back and helping the Argonaut off the raised dais. With a deep breath, the Sorceress turned and bowed towards Hades, "Thank you, Lord Hades. I am sorry to cut this short, but we must be off so that I... can explain things."
Waving her off, the god chuckled, "You have no need to be sorry, Medea. And I wish you both the best of luck."
Once more bowing slightly, with Atalanta bowing a bit deeper beside her, Medea lead her friend outside the temple. Upon exiting the temple, the Huntress sucked in a deep breath as she looked up at what should be the ceiling of the cavern. But there was only darkness... and the glitter of what looked like stars high above. It took her a few moments, but she realized that the stars were, themselves, gemstones embedded in the rock and softly glowing. Beside her, Medea chuckled a bit, "I may not like most of the gods, but I will admit that Hades does have a certain... flair, let us just say. And being as he is the ruler of all the riches that comes from the underground..."
Just nodding, Atalanta decided to look around her. In an odd way, her surroundings reminded her of the above ground. Even in the low light, she could see fields of grain gently rustling in the breeze, and a distance away she could even see a lake. But here and there, she could see... shadows. And with a shiver, she realized what they were.
The Dead.
Following her gaze, Medea only nodded slightly and held out an arm, "It would take us several hours to reach the Styx. So just take a hold and I will get us there."
Confused, and somewhat curious, the Huntress grasped her friend's arm. Before she knew it, everything swirled around them and she felt like she was being squeezed hard, though there was no pain. When it stopped, she stumbled a bit and was caught by Medea, "What was that!?"
Amused, Medea helped her straighten herself out, "That was a magical form of travel invented some time ago called Apparation. It allows for travel over large distances." Softly snorting, she shook her head, "I could travel from the Mainland to Crete in a single jump like that."
For several moments, Atalanta stared at her before frowning, "I... suppose that it is useful then. But not something that I like."
Lightly laughing, Medea shook her head with a grin, "No, not everyone does. Though we shall need to use it at least once more." Starting to walk, Atalanta following, she continued, "But that will not be until we're fully out of the Underworld."
Simply nodding, the Huntress followed her as they walked until they came to a pier that jutted out into rushing water. Looking down into it, Atalanta could see... forms... beneath the surface, "What are..."
However, she was jerked out of her thoughts as Medea yanked her back, "Do not get too close to the waters of the Styx." Rapidly blinking, Atalanta looked back only to find that there was nothing there but water. When she turned to her friend, the Sorceress grimaced a bit, "You would die if you were to touch the waters."
Atalanta frowned a bit at that, "I was under the impression that the waters could heal or make one invulnerable."
With a hum, her friend nodded, "Yes, that is quite true... if one was of divine blood. But for those who are truly mortal? It is a case of too much healing which is just as bad."
Even though she was confused, the Huntress nodded, "I... see."
It was then that she could hear something pushing against the water and turned to see a boat coming out from the mists above the river. Pushing it along was a ferryman who had a large, unkept beard and was somewhat dirty looking with a reddish brown cloak over him. He turned flashing, grey blue eyes upon them as he arrived. With a slight bow of his head, he spoke with his voice sounding like grave dirt falling upon a body, "Medea... Atalanta. Please, come aboard." Seeing Medea pull out two coins, he raised an eyebrow, "Lord Hades stated that there was no need for payment."
Thinly smiling, Medea chuckled, "Perhaps, but I feel like appearances must be met. For luck, if nothing else."
As she placed the gold coin upon her tongue, and handed Atalanta one to do the same, Charon ran grimy fingers through his beard, "I see, very well then, Medea." When they each stepped up, he reached out and plucked the coin from their tongues and placed it into his robe. Waiting until they were seated in the boat, he pushed off and began to drive it across the Styx. None of them spoke as they made their way across the infamous underground river. But, eventually, they reached the other shore with Charon gesturing at the pier as they pulled up, "And here we go, welcome back to the World of the Living." A light smirk played across his lips, "I do hope that it will be quite a long time, as mortals count it, before I see either of you again."
Looking at him as a shadow passed them and entered a boat, a coil appearing in the Ferryman's fingers, Medea only nodded, "And I do hope that you are not insulted that I wish much the same." All Charon did was grin as his eyes widened a bit before he pushed off again with a chuckle. Soon, he vanished into the mists and Medea began to lead Atalanta away from the River Styx. The cavern soon narrowed into a tunnel which they made their way down, a small orb of light floating above Medea's hand as she guided her friend and fellow Argonaut through the twists and turns.
Every once in a while though, she paused and took a look around before continuing. There were offshoots from the main one. From some, foul air blew which nearly made Atalanta choke before they were past. Others, pleasant smells wafted from and made her want to investigate. But she could see... things... in the shadows moving and decided it was best not to. Instead, she stayed as close to Medea as possible.
It was a relief when she caught the scent of salt upon the air and the tip of her tongue. Same, the sound of seabirds calling from far off. Medea suddenly dismissed the ball of light and Atalanta realized that she could once more see, though the light was dim. Minutes later, the two women walked out of a cave on the seashore and the Huntress looked around as gulls circled high above, "Where are we?"
A small smile on her face as she took deep breaths, Medea glanced at her, "We are at Cape Matapan on the shores of the Aegean not far from where Taenarum once stood."
Recognizing the name from when Herakles had told her and the others about capturing the Cerberus, Atalanta smiled and lightly laughed, "I see." Looking at the waves, she glanced at her friend who nodded. Thus, walking a short distance, Atalanta laid back on the warm, sun drenched sand as the waves gently washed over her feet and calves. Leaning back, she closed her eyes as she felt warm sunlight upon her skin while taking deep breaths. Sensing Medea sitting beside her, Atalanta just smiled before opening her eyes, "Thank you."
Tears pricking at her eyes, Medea laughed, "No, there is no need to thank me, Atalanta." Calming down, she also leaned back some, "I am just happy that you are here with me, that I have my friend and my... sister, with me."
Head tilting to the side, Atalanta patted her friend's shoulder, "And as I told you on the Argo, Medea. There are few others who I would consider less my sister than you. We may not share the same mothers or fathers, or have the same blood, but you are my sister."
Only nodding, Medea wiped away her tears before they both laid back and simply enjoyed the Sun after what seemed like forever underground.
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With another pop, Atalanta grimaced as they reappeared somewhere else. After straightening out, she looked around and blinked. They were on the grounds of some large residence. Part of her noted that it was as large as some palaces that she had known various kings had used. The style was somewhat different from what she was used to, but... there were familiar bits and pieces in it, "Where are we?"
Medea shrugged a little as she began to walk, "We are at one of my main homes..." Pausing for a moment, she turned to her friend, "Which is in Arcadia."
Her eyes widened slightly, Atalanta looked around the countryside that she could see from where they were. Some aspects were... familiar to her. Then, she looked down at the strange road leading up to Medea's home and placed a hand against it, "And what is this material? Did you make it from magic?"
Lips twitching in amusement, her friend shook her head, "No, I have not made it with magic. It is a material known as concrete and can be poured like mud before it hardens into a rock that can take quite a bit of wear and tear."
Still rubbing her hand against it, Atalanta frowned before looking towards Medea, "I do not remember such a material. If it had existed, then I am sure that some of those Kings, or my Father would have made use of it."
Grimacing, Medea sighed a little, "You... wouldn't remember, because it was not really around when you were alive. It came about some time after your death."
Now looking around the visible countryside, Atalanta was struck at how much it had changed, "How long have I been dead for, Medea?" Not getting an answer, she turned her attention to her friend, "How long?"
With sigh, Medea closed her eyes, "It has been... nearly three thousand years as one would count. And the world has greatly changed in that time."
Thoughtful frown on her face, the Huntress softly whispered to herself, "Three thousand years... I... I can almost not imagine how long that has been..." Seconds later, Medea's eyes snapped open as she felt her friend's arms around her, "But then, that just means that the two of us will be having more adventures together if the world is that different."
Looking over her shoulder, the Sorceress didn't see anger or dismay, just gentleness and understanding. Swallowing, Medea smiled a bit, "And I would love to show you how the world has changed, Atalanta." She then twisted a bit and hugged her friend, "So much has opened up to the world. Trips that would have taken years when we were with the Argonauts can take days, or even hours."
Intrigued, Atalanta stared at her for a moment before smiling, "I look forward to seeing this new time then."
Unable to help herself, Medea chuckled a bit, "Well, we'll wait until your settled in a bit more." Pulling away, she nodded, "Come on, we should head up to the house so that we can get something into you."
As if to agree, her friend's stomach growled a bit. Lightly blushing with a grin, Atalanta shrugged, "That sounds like a good idea."
Entering Medea's Villa, as she called it, Atalanta looked this way and that to take it all in. When she glanced up, she spotted an odd device that began to spin when Medea flipped a switch. Seeing the unasked question, Medea smiled, "It is called a fan, it helps move the air around in a room and create a breeze. I also have some air conditioning for the summer months here as well, just in case."
Head tilted to the side, Atalanta hummed, "And the torches? Or the scones? Where are they?"
Medea chuckled at that and flipped another switch, which caused a orb of light above to appear, "Humanity has learned how to harness lightning in a way to create light indoors. Needless to say, it is very useful, if only due to less of a risk of fire."
Watching as the Sorceress turned it back off, the Huntress could only nod. She could see how it would be useful considering things, though the bit about having harnessed lightning as the gods or some sorcerers had was impressive. As they walked, she noted other objects here and there as well as more fans and lights. Obviously, the home would be well lit at night if needed, which she agreed with.
But that brought the question of how the gods allowed for it as from her own personal experience, she could not see Zeus allowing anyone but him to control lightning. Smiling thinly, Medea shook her head, "One of the changes is that most have turned from the worship of the gods. There are still a few, but most worship a new god under the name of Christianity. Most seem to find him a kind one it seems, but I do not follow said god. Far too many times that gods have caused trouble for me to trust one. Though that does not mean that I have any issue with people worshiping them. Just do not do so myself." After getting a nod, she continued, "That, along with some other... issues has meant that the gods have withdrawn from the world. But that also meant that humanity has had to find its own way and has grown."
Not quite sure how to respond to that, Atalanta nodded and continued to follow until they were in a smaller room filled with various rectangular objects as well as a small table and some chairs. Running her hand along the wood, she nodded, "This is fine craftsmanship."
Chuckling, her friend smiled a bit, "It is, and I do not go for anything cheap." She then opened one of the rectangular objects and Atalanta felt her eyebrows raise at the sight of food within, though some looked strange. Closing it, Medea brought forth a bowl of fruits, a number of which Atalanta could not identify. Seeing the confusion, the other woman smiled and took one of the yellow ones which had a curved shape and peeled it, "This is a banana, it comes from the continents from beyond the Pillars of Herakles."
Her eyebrows raised, Atalanta took the offered fruit and took a bite of it. A hum escaped her as she chewed it before swallowing with a nod. Once she had eaten it all, she smiled a bit, "Pretty good, so this is a new food."
As she walked over to an indent in the counter, Medea nodded, "It is, and just one of many. There are so many new foods that, well..."
Bemused as she took another banana, Atalanta raised it in a salute, "Unlike the others, I had no issue eating strange things as long as it was edible. And I never bought into that 'Barbarian' food is not for us Greeks. Food is food, and that is all there is to it."
Moments later, her eyebrows raised as she watched Medea twist an odd object and water came out, "That is good to hear." Filling a glass, she brought it over and set it down. Seeing the cautious look Atalanta was giving it, Medea shook her head, "The water from taps is safe, far safer than it was in our day."
With a glance at her, the Huntress took a sip of the water and frowned slightly. There was a slightly odd taste to it, but she did not mention it, 'Perhaps it is how they make the water safe to drink?'
For her part, Medea went back to the sink and washed her hands, answering questions. Atalanta was surprised about the fact that washing one's hands helped prevent disease, but after thinking for a few moments, she decided that it did make sense. Much like how drinking dirty water would make one sick. After a stew, which she enjoyed with bread was tasted fresh, Medea continued to show her friend around their home. Opening one door, she stepped into a room that had one side composed entirely of glass.
But what caught Atalanta's attention was the pool that was there.
Gesturing at it, the Sorceress smiled, "I sometimes like to take a swim so when I had this place built, I also had a pool added. After some renovations, it is now a heated pool so even in winter, the water is warm. Like the rest of the property, it is open to you for your use whenever." With a glance at her stunned friend, she was unable to help herself and laughed, "Don't worry, no one really comes by. But if we go to a beach, we are going to need to get you a swimsuit."
Confused, Atalanta looked at her, "A... swimsuit?"
Suddenly realizing the problem, Medea explained that it was a form of clothing for swimming, which made her realize something else. Looking Atalanta over, she frowned a bit, "I suppose until you are settled in and we can go shopping, you can borrow my clothing. Though you might find a few of the styles... odd."
Eyebrow raised, Atalanta frowned, "Odd? In what way?"
Medea shrugged a little, "They are... different, than what you would be most used to. In some ways, they can be simpler and in others more complicated." Looking her friend up and down, she smiled a bit, "Though I cannot wait to introduce you to the miracle that is a good fitting bra."
If anything, that left the Huntress even more confused about things.
The tour then continued with Medea showing her the rest of the house. Entering one room, she paused and turned to look at her friend, "And this... this is your room, if you want it."
Stunned, the other Greek woman walked in and looked around in complete awe. To her, the entire room was utterly opulent in a way that none of the palaces that she had stayed in could be considered. Fine, wooden furniture was set against the walls as was a leather chair next to a table. In one that held shelves, were collections of paper which she looked at. Finger trailing along the spines of the books, she muttered to herself, "National Geographic?"
Eyes widened a bit, Medea walked over, "You could read that?"
Opening her mouth, Atalanta paused and looked back at the book, "I... could." Frowning, she furrowed her eyebrows a bit, "How...?"
Just running a hand through her hair, the Sorceress shook her head, "I was wondering what Hades meant in regards to having decided to leave you a gift of sorts."
Her eyes lighting up, Atalanta opened another book and found pictures of various animals in it. Finger pressed against one photograph, she raised an eyebrow, "What is this?"
Looking over her shoulder, Medea frowned, "Do you mean the animal or..."
Glancing at the creature, which had an almost human look, the Huntress frowned herself, "Both?"
With a nod, Medea smiled, "The animal is from the continent of Africa to the south of us and is called a gorilla. It lives far in the jungle there. As for the other thing that you are wondering? It is called a photograph. Humanity has managed to discover how to take an image of something and still it. Like a frozen reflection in a way."
Atalanta considered that for a few moments before nodding, "Interesting..."
Flipping through the books, she took in the rest of the animals with a small smile. Eventually, she put it back and turned to Medea who only nodded, "I promise, Atalanta, one day we'll go around the world. So many animals that no Greek in our day knew even existed."
A smile on her face, Atalanta laughed, "I'll hold you to that, Medea..."
Soon after, Medea showed her the bathroom which shocked her. A personal bath?! And the idea of a shower, like standing beneath a rain cloud or a waterfall, except she could change the temperature... Amazing! Not to mention the various soaps and shampoos. The idea of the toilet was one that also stunned her before she thought it over. Once more, it was explained about it being to prevent disease among other things, which she fully agreed with.
That night, a clean and refreshed Atalanta was laying in her bed with a book of various animals open in front of her. Flipping from page to page, she smiled before closing it. She then set it aside before stretching out and closing her eyes as she fell asleep...
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Walking along the streets of 1980s Athens, Atalanta winkled her nose a little bit. Yes, she did not have too much issue with how humanity has advanced, besides a lack of wild places. But she could do without the smell of pollution. Granted, it was better than the smell of livestock and the like when she had last visited the city in what she knew was now called the 'Bronze Age'.
Still, as one car rushed past, exhaust coming from the back, she barely held back the look of disgust on her face before shaking it off.
Instead, Atalanta decided to focus on other things since Medea had finally allowed for her to go somewhere on her own. Part of the Huntress was amused by the whole thing, another part just sighed to herself with how clingy Medea was. Not that she could not understand, mind you. But... shaking her head, Atalanta adjusted her shirt some before stretching and jogging along. And that brought her mind to another matter, one that Atalanta was in full agreement with...
Bras were amazing.
Jogging along, Atalanta spotted a sign outside a theatre for a play. What caught her attention was the familiar name on the board for one of the plays. Eyebrow raised, she slowed down and looked at it before checking her wallet and nodding. Medea had given her more than enough, and she was interested in a play named after her friend...
A few hours later, Medea walked into an ice cream shop and found Atalanta at a booth looking down at a banana split in deep thought. Eyebrow raised, she got herself a milkshake and walked over before freezing at how Atalanta looked at her for a moment before the Huntress shook it off, "Medea."
Confused, and somewhat nervous, the Sorceress sat down, "Atalanta? Is... something wrong?"
Frowning, Atalanta shook her head, "I... came across a play." Her next words caused Medea to freeze, "It was about you and Jason."
To Atalanta's somewhat shock, Medea seemed to slump and look like she was awaiting execution, "Oh..."
Eyes narrowing, the Huntress frowned, "Medea..." When her friend kept staring at the table, she grasped Medea's chin and forced the other woman to look her in the eyes, "Medea, what happened? Why would someone write such an awful thing about you?"
Blinking, Medea stared at her, "You... don't believe it?"
With a snort, Atalanta took a spoonful of ice cream and ate it, "No." Her frown deepening, she shook her head, "I know you, Medea. Enough to really suspect that something more is going on."
Several moments passed before Medea blinked away some tears, "Thank you."
That... shocked her friend, "Medea, what happened...?"
Just wiping away the tears, Medea took a deep breath before waving her hand to set up some privacy spells. With that done, she sighed a bit, "What you have to understand, is that I do not have the best reputation in this time. The play you saw likely was drawing on a play about two and half thousand years ago. It was a tragedy and at the time, I was in Colchis. It had me kill mine and Jason's children because I hated him. That... is not true. But..."
One eyebrow raised, Atalanta frowned, "But what?"
Shaking her head, Medea looked off to the side, "After Jason betrayed me, I was visited by Zeus. I do not think that I need to explain what he wanted." The look of disgust on the other woman's face was all she needed to know, "Well, I loved my children despite their father and one of the things that Zeus offered was to make them immortal if I gave myself to him. And I was tempted, but... I knew enough what would happen when Hera caught wind of such a thing. So I turned him down and kept doing so until he finally gave up and left. That was when Hera appeared."
Eyebrows furrowing, the Huntress frowned, "Why?"
Her hands clenching for a moment in rage and hate, Medea took a deep breath to calm herself down, "She told me that she was happy about me turning down Zeus. Extremely pleased with that fact. Thus, she would make my children immortal for my act. All I had to do was bring them to the inner sanctum of her temple and she would use her fires to burn away their mortality. At the time, I... was still a mess due to what happened with Jason and had killed his wife to be in vengeance, which I regret though I was madly in love with him and wanted him back, even as I hated him. And before you ask, yes, the play got the fact that Hera and Aphrodite cast magic to make me obsessively in love with him true. That I swear on my mother's name."
Already guessing where the story was going, Atalanta scowled, "Hera lied."
The Sorceress nodded with a sniffle, "She lied. When I laid my children where she told me, she instead used her flames to burn them to death. I realized what was happening and tried to stop it, pleading with her, but she would have none of it as Zeus still attempted to sleep with me, whether I did so or not. Thus, I had to be punished and that was to be by me accidentally killing my beloved children." Slumping a bit, Medea closed her eyes, "I sometimes hear them in my dreams, screaming as the flames consumed them. Which is still better than other dreams where they ask and demand to know why I killed them, where they hurtle abuse at me..."
Quickly getting up, Atalanta walked around the table and pulled her friend into a tight hug, "Oh, Medea..."
Swallowing, Medea shuddered a bit, "I did get some measure of revenge. Because Hera was speaking through her Head Priestess, who knew what was going to happen and agreed with it due to what happened to her King, I cast a spell that my Aunt Circe taught me. It bound Hera to the body that she was using... at which point, I leapt on her and began to beat her." A slight smirk crossed over her face, "According to Hades, who had been visiting, everyone watched as Hera screamed and was thrown to the floor with her nose being broken, followed by her jaw and the like by an invisible assailant. In fact, she nearly died, with it only being due to Hecate snapping the connection forcefully that saved Hera." Shrugging, she shook her head, "It is one of the reasons why none of them really try and go after me."
Rather than be dismayed, her friend only shrugged herself, "Good." Looking back at her ice cream, she sighed, "So that was why..."
A grimace on her face, Medea shook her head, "I don't know if that was part of it, or if Hera had something to do with his muse. But... it spread. Other ones as well, such as how I killed my innocent brother and spread his remains."
That made Atalanta blink and stare at her, "Wait, people think that you killed your brother? But I was there and it was Jason who killed him. Not you."
Only snorting, the Sorceress shook her head, "You know how people work as well as anyone. Do you really believe that they care?" Sighing, she took a sip of her milkshake, "Some call me the 'Witch of Betrayal' as if I was betraying people all the time. And I am used as a villainess so many times... and it has been like that for over two thousand years."
Eyes gentle and understanding, Atalanta pulled her into an embrace to comfort her, "Well, they do not know my friend, my sister, like I do. And I know better."
The slight smile it brought to Medea's face counted as a victory in her book.
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Not a thing was said as Atalanta stared between Medea and Herakles. While her female friend seemed embarrassed, her male one seemed inordinately amused. Taking a deep breath, Atalanta let it out, "I am sorry, but what was that?"
Crossing his arms, Herakles let out a laugh, "My wife will be by in the next few days to provide an elixir of youth that will make you a child once more."
Just pinching her nose, Atalanta pressed her lips thinly together, "That is what I thought you said and hoped that you didn't." Turning towards Medea, she gave her female friend a look, "Why...?"
In reply, the Sorceress shifted a bit, "I... well, you decided that you were going to help me with what I am supposed to do. But to do that, you need to be in the system in a way that will not raise any suspicion at all." With a sigh, Medea waved her hand, "And the simplest way to do that, is to grow up in the system. You become a child and I disguise myself as one. Then, we get schooling and the like as a proper background."
Frowning, Atalanta crossed her arms, "Could we not do what you have done?"
A grimace on her face, Medea rubbed the back of her head, "Actually, this is what I do." Seeing the looks, she shrugged, "Every few years, I have my 'Daughter' go through the school system. Maybe once every forty or so years? It is not that hard."
With a groan, Atalanta closed her eyes, "So what you are telling me is that you are going to de-age me into a child and put me into school. A school in which I will have to grow up once more, all in order to make it so that no one will suspect us. Really?"
Simply chuckling weakly, the other woman nodded, "That... is what needs to be done, yes." At the look, Medea held up her hands, "I will be right there with you every step of the way. So you don't need to worry and... I'llbeputinasyourguardianaswell."
Utter silence met her at that and Atalanta threw her hands up into the air, "SAY WHAT NOW?!"
Herakles, meanwhile, just began to laugh hard enough that he fell to the floor and not even Atalanta kicking him in the face did anything to make him stop.
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"Ugh... finally."
Dressed in her school uniform, an eighteen year old appearing Medea snickered at her friend, "Come now, Atalanta, you enjoyed school and will miss it." Poking her in the side, the Sorceress smirked a bit as they left the private school behind, "After all, you were the track star of the school."
Smacking the hand away, Atalanta flushed a bit, "What can I say? I enjoyed it and it wasn't that hard for me." Eyes narrowing, she poked Medea back, "And you told me that we had to join some extracurricular activity."
A squeak escaped from her friend as she jumped away. Playfully glaring, she snorted, "Yes, but I did not mean for you to join something and promptly beat everyone to the ground in it."
Just shrugging, Atalanta smirked, "But you did not say not to." Reaching their car, she got into one side as Medea slipped into the driver's seat, "Though the boys involved... ugh."
Turning the key in the ignition, Medea shrugged, "What did you expect? Both of us are, to use current language, hot chicks. I'm the slightly bookish and nerdy hot girl, and you are the athletic hot girl. Add in that our 'Family' is rich and you got the perfect storm for people attempting to get in our pants."
Eyes rolling as she leaned against the door as Medea drove away, the Huntress sighed, "Yes, though I will admit that it was less frustrating than it was in Ancient Greece. For that, I am thankful." A frown on her face, Atalanta hummed a bit, "Though I will admit that I did learn some useful things. Still...'
Both of them chatted for some time, only stopping for some treats before Medea made her way up the road to their villa. Upon entering the property, they noted a letter in the mailbox and took it with them. Opening the letter, Medea frowned before looking at Atalanta, "We know where the disaster is coming from."
Sipping her juice, Atalanta walked over and looked over her friend's shoulder, "Where?"
In reply, the Sorceress pointed, "The ocean. And it is going to be big, to say the least."
Neither said anything for a few minutes as they digested that before Atalanta sighed, "So how are we to help negate a disaster coming from the sea?"
Folding the letter, Medea thought it over before turning to her friend, "How do you feel about joining the Navy...?"
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Opening her eyes in her bunk upon the Meleager, Atalanta yawned a bit before stretching. A glance at the clock made her nod as she woke up just a bit early though she hummed a bit as she thought over her dream, "It has been a while since I dreamed about that." Shaking that off, she got up and dressed.
Not that she had much she needed to put on.
It was several minutes later that she entered the Control Room and took in the activity there before turning to her XO, "Anything new?"
Just shaking his head, he gave a shrug, "Nothing. No new orders but to keep observing the island for now."
With a sigh, Atalanta rolled her shoulders a little bit, "I see... hopefully, they make their decision soon..."
