160 A ball fit for Gods (2/2)
She smiled sweetly, ”No, dear. Surprise me.” She waited until the server had vanished before letting her smile fade away and turning to Jos. ”Whatever you do tonight, don't take a drink unless it is personally gave to you by either Chary, myself, my husband, or Rion. It is not uncommon for things to be placed in the drinks during parties like this, especially if the gods are scheming to gain something.”
Chary's eyes widened. ”You don't think father had something to do with the cloak going missing, do you?” She rubbed her chin thoughtfully for a moment before shrugging. ”I mean I wouldn't put it past him, but he hadn't had time to take it between the speech and introductions to you guys arriving... had he?”
Percy shrugged. ”I'm not so sure about that. We went upstairs to announce our arrival earlier and I had the cloak then. Had he recognized it; it could be possible...”
Chary frowned, ”Rion did say he thought father was up to something with this ball tonight.”
Percy blew out a long breath, ”Well I'm sure if it's in the castle one of the three of them will likely know it's location by the end of the night.” She turned her full attention to Jos. ”So, tell me a bit about yourself dear.”
Jos fidgeted with her skirts. ”I... I don't know what to say...”
Chary sent her a thoughtful look. ”She believes herself to be a cursed monster undeserving of happiness and very unfamiliar with life and all its many possibilities, even for creatures like us.” She said matter-of-factly.
Percy's eyes widened. ”Is that true, dear?”
Jos's face reddened and she looked away as the pain of Chary's words caused tears to build in the corners of her eyes. ”More or less...” She whispered.
Percy through her arms around Jos in a tight hug. ”Oh, dear girl! You should never think like that!” She held Jos's face in her elegant slender hands. ”You are a beautiful girl and seem just as beautiful on the inside. And if I know that big lug of a nephew of mine, it takes a really special girl to turn his head.”
Jos frowned as she stared up into the large warm violet eyes of the beautiful strawberry blond goddess before her. ”I doubt I'm all that special to him. He refuses to make me his in the one way it truly matters... He refuses to... to bed me... Plus... probably because... I've done some horrible things... I'm more monster than person.”
Chary wiped at the fluids she'd spat at Jos's admittance. ”As Scylla and I have both told you, your actions don't have to define you... especially if you're not the one in control of them.”
Percy tilted her head, ”You are not even in control of the actions you are holding against yourself so hatefully?”
Jos shook her head. ”It doesn't matter, it doesn't change the fact that I've killed countless innocent people.”
Percy exchanged a long look with Chary before finally turning back to Jos. ”Dear, we have all done hateful things... things we done out of anger that we wish we could take back.” She shrugged, ”Some things which were horrible, but we'd gladly do again if it meant protecting or keeping something we hold dear.”
Chary laughed, ”I can think of a few that fall under the 'just for fun' category myself.”
Percy laughed when Jos's questioning eyes moved between her and Chary. Percy shrugged as she subconsciously rubbed her growing stomach. ”Hades and I were going through a rough patch and his ex began going on about how she was going to get him back and whatnot...” Percy smiled as she shrugged forging innocents, ”I may have turned her into a plant.”
Chary laughed loudly, ”Serves her right!”
”Right!?!” Percy busted out laughing. ”And can you believe she's such a little hoe she still spreads herself out as far as possible! Almost like a disease, that one!” They both began laughing harder.
Jos could only stare, ”You mean... you really turned a person into a plant? Like a plant plant?”
Percy nodded as tears from laughing so hard streamed down her cheeks. ”Oh yes, dear. A mint plant... damn thing grows like a weed now. I swear it...” She placed a hand over Jos's. ”I guess the point is, dear, you have to forgive yourself if you ever want to be happy. You have to understand it is just part of our nature and accept that no matter how hard you try at some point with a life span like ours you'll sometimes give in to that nature.” She smiled sweetly down at Jos. ”It doesn't make you a bad person, sweetheart, it only makes you a person.”
The beauty of the moment was interrupted as a husky voice was cleared by the entrance to the back-seating area. ”I'm not interrupting?”
Percy smiled. ”Not at all, come in and join. I was just about to tell your dear Jos here that she should insist you introduce her to some people tonight. I'm sure there will be a few people that can help ease her burdens.”
Arei nodded as he held Jos's teary-eyed gaze. ”That sounds like a great idea, Aunt, I'll do it now... If she's ready to come with me.” He waited anxiously as she slowly nodded and pushed herself up, saying a parting greeting to both his aunt and sister. ”Not to worry, we'll be back here in a while.” He said to offer her assurance.