First Day (01)

Eudora's eyes on me during such an intimate moment make me feel strange, especially when I'm still naked myself, but I convince myself that she's so overwhelmed by the moment that she doesn't even realize where she's looking. Of course, that facade only lasts until she asks me a question.

I glance at Iao, almost checking in to see what he's making of this moment, before I look back at her. "If...if you want to, you can move your hips in time with his, or-or touch his body."

I hesitate, all of this still feeling just a shade off to me, but then I think of my art project at school - shades of gray - and how I embraced them. I can live in the gray. Plus, Eudora was part of me finally getting what I wanted. How could I decline returning the favor?

I move up onto my knees by her side, sliding a hand up to cup her cheek as I lean down to press my lips to hers. The kiss is chaste at first, but after a moment of lingering, it deepens, testing her response.

Seeing the moment of awe on Eudora's face just before I kiss her fills me with a kind of resonant power, like I am bigger than my body, more powerful than I realized, more desired, the granter of wishes and fulfiller of dreams. It feels almost benevolent of me as my tongue dances with hers, and when I sense her nearing a peak, I smirk a bit to myself, thinking that I won't be part of granting that wish with my lips on hers just yet. Just like with Red, it's important to keep them wanting.

I pull back from our kiss and stroke her shoulder, trusting Iao to continue pleasing her. "That's it," I encourage her softly. "Just let it happen. Don't hold back."

Eudora nods once at your command and turns her head to look up at Iao for the first time since he deflowered her. Her breath comes in ragged gasps and whimpers as she clutches at his shoulders. Then, she climaxes suddenly and you can tell she didn't quite understand it was coming. She lets out a long, low moan and her legs quiver as she clenches her tummy and freezes. Iao continues thrusting, a confident smile on his face as he relishes his conquest. When you glance over at him, he huffs a laugh in a way that tells you he's pleased that you shared this moment bringing Eudora to climax.

It's heady and, honestly, kind of hot watching Eudora reach her first peak in front of me. My heart beats harder and my own insides clench like I'm experiencing some of the pleasure myself all over again.

My focus moves to Iao when he poses his question to me, and I can't help but glance down to where he an Eudora are still joined. I raise an eyebrow and look back at him, tempted. Sorely. "Me, then Eudora, and back to me?" I ask with a small smile. "You are impressive, as always, Iao." I take a breath, considering it. It would be nice, to have a time when I'm less desperate for the release.

I sigh softly. "But I should go get cleaned up. I have...an appointment I need to be prepared for."

Even though he can be a bit pretentious about it, I'm glad to see Iao being confident in his body. I still remember him angrily accusing me of being unattracted to him after he adopted his new form, telling me that Medora told him I would like his body, that it was built, in part, based on what she - what I - would like.

"I hope so," I tell him before I slip off the bed and gather my dress up again. I turn back to meet Eudora's face as she whispers her thanks the same way I did to Iao earlier. I wonder if he felt the same sense of power that I do now, if my words brought him a sense of worship like hers do for me.

I give her a quiet nod of acknowledgment before I head out of the room and to the bathroom where I quickly wipe down my body with a damp washcloth before slipping back into my dress again. I'm not sure exactly what Iao did with my underwear, so I'm still without them when I head back downstairs to join the party, looking to see if my mother has arrived or if grandmother is still in her booth with Galinthias where I left her.

"Great," I answer Galinthias as she perches on my shoulder. I'm feeling much more focused now, even if the music is still pumping and the wine is still flowing and I'd much rather be partying than dealing with whatever business waits. At least now I can deal with it without being constantly distracted and uncomfortably unsatisfied.

"Where is she?"

Galinthias points with her tiny paw around the corner. You follow her directions to the area near the portal and the dance floor and see her. Circe. Your mother.



She looks resplendent, like the true goddess she is. Dionysus is bowing to her, other Olympians and Titans look at her with awe. Even Hestia seems impressed by her appearance.

Galinthias is hopping around on your shoulder excitedly.

What do you do?

My mom takes my breath away. She looks so beautiful and so powerful, so in control. The way everyone else looks at her sends a shimmer of power and pride and reverence over me.

It takes me a second to remember that she's mine, and I'm hers, and that my association with her here can only help me down the road. I smile and move toward her more quickly. "Mom!" I call in greeting over the din, maybe also to remind anyone in earshot that she is indeed my mom. I open my arms to give her a hug.