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[relentless-fate.insanejournal.com]

Who: Athena & The Fates
What: So apparently everyone in our pantheon is crazy
When: Friday afternoon
Where: A Thread In Time


The air inside the shop resembled a wake, a stark contrast to the usually open and inviting atmosphere. Clotho has taken care of the remaining customers, following them to the door and flipping the sign from 'open' to 'closed' as soon as the door shut behind them.

"This is madness," Lachesis was saying. "And we said Hades is in the wrong for keeping his wife? That is nothing compared to this. Zeus is king. Zeus has always been king. That's just the way it is, the way it has always been."

Atropos sighed and rubbed her hands over her face. "I'll be the first to admit I'm not his biggest fan, but trying to knock him off his throne is going to send our world into chaos. You may as well try to re-write the myths. And who in Hades does Styx think she is? And who will she choose?"

Clotho shrugged. "Athena will be here soon," she reminded them, and Lachesis put the kettle on the stove for tea.

"And thank the stars for that," Atropos said fervently. "It seems like there are too few reasonable people left."

They all shared a grim look. Any way you sliced it, things were not going to end well.


wise_counsel
2011-07-22 02:27 pm (local) (link) Select
Athena would always remain loyal to Zeus, and him alone. There was nothing in the waters of Styx that could possibly change her mind. Her father was king, and that's the way it would remain. As long as Zeus breathed he would be above them all, even Hera. Her disappointment in her fathers lack of ruling as of late did not need to be displayed. Even to Zeus she would not yet reveal such feelings. They were what could cause a cascade of unnecessary emotion and hurtful words. Athena gave wise counsel, that was her job above all others. And that was exactly what she intended to do.

But now Wisdom needed counsel from those who truly understood the meaning of loyalty and truth: The Fates themselves. She rarely called on others for her own lack of understanding, because it seemed everyone believed Athena knew exactly the right solution to any problem, but she did not. It was most unfortunate indeed. That was why she sought out the Three. They would be able to help.

While the sign read "closed" Athena slipped in and after a glance around she followed where the powers came from. There was a knock at the door as she waited. She would only go so far without permission.
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relentless_fate
2011-07-22 02:47 pm (local) (link) Select
The fact that there was still someone with a level head left in the pantheon gave the three of them a small measure of comfort. The goddess of wisdom would be a welcome addition to their brainstorming, because gods knew they could use all the help they could get. No one seemed to care about what they had to say much anymore, but now, with the threat of disaster looming, hopefully they would.

Clotho pulled the door open, saying, "Please, come in," then closing the door behind her.

"Gods, are we glad you're here," Atropos said, gesturing to the chair beside her.

"Would you like some tea?" Lachesis asked, hospitable even in the most tense of circumstances.

Once Lachesis had gotten through the pleasantries, Atropos held up the message Hermes had delivered. "The insanity has begun," she said heavily. "Does Zeus know? And more to the point, I want to know why they chose to do this now. I can't disagree that he's been rather disappointing as king recently, but if they've all been feeling this way, why wait until now? You think they would've acted long ago."
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wise_counsel
2011-07-22 02:57 pm (local) (link) Select
Even now when things were so tense and on the verge of unhinging, Athena took whatever means necessary with Fate. They were in some ways above her, but she did not necessarily think herself above them in any respect. They each governed areas which none other did, just as other had their own reigns. When Athena sought counsel certainly things were falling apart.

"Good day," she greeted respectfully, giving each of them a nod and sitting down where motioned. "That may be of some comfort," was her reply to Lachesis.

In even the worst of times Athena usually remained levelheaded and far from emotional. It was what made her Athena. It was what gave her the power to give counsel where it was needed, even to Zeus. And apparently even to the Fates.

"Zeus knows," she nodded. "I have given him reason to believe he will need to fight if it comes to it. He knows I am loyal to him and that I offer my sword should it come to that. I do think that had I not urged him to see reason to fight that he would have sat back, which is most disappointing. But I am not here to discuss that. Do any of you have any ideas as to what we must do? Styx has clearly made her opinion known. and I'm inclined to believe there are others besides Hermes who would side against Zeus."
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relentless_fate
2011-07-22 03:58 pm (local) (link) Select
Lachesis poured the tea and set out a tray with milk and sugar, then distributed cups to her sisters.

"The whole pantheon is imploding, and you're making tea," Atropos grumbled. "Priorities."

"Hush," Lachesis replied, stirring sugar into her own cup. "Five minutes to be hospitable won't kill you, I'm sure." Atropos didn't reply, just made a face into her tea.

Atropos listened to Athena's words, and they helped to calm her, at least a little. "If it comes down to a fight, we will side with Zeus," she said at last. "The balance must be maintained. He is our leader, of sorts, and he is King." She said it very matter-of-factly, and to them, it was. Zeus had been king since time out of mind, and to change things would most likely bring disastrous consequences.

"We must convince them of the madness of this," Clotho continued. "And if they will not listen to Fate, on their own heads be it. This is stupidity of the highest order, and whoever wants to side against Zeus can do so, once we inform them of the folly of this choice."

Lachesis sat, sipping her tea. Then she asked, "You would consign all of them to a war, and inevitable punishment for those on the losing side?"

"They're all adults, for all that they act like children," Atropos said, and Clotho nodded. "But we can't sit back either, like she said. Perhaps the four of us could make an appeal. Use reason to illustrate our point. We have to try something."
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wise_counsel
2011-07-22 04:11 pm (local) (link) Select
Athena offered a faint smile to Atropos' words. "In times such as these it helps to have something calming, even something such as tea." She gave Lachesis a little nod, "Thank you."

Athena listened to their conversation and it eased her own mind to hear that there were others who saw the madness of this situation. "I told Hermes this is all madness, a mutiny against our one and true king. He promised me no hard feelings and I believe him, but it is not hard feelings that concerns me. It is balance and order. Zeus was given rein over us, to lead us and he may have missed a thing or two along the way, but he is still king regardless of what Styx may say. Hermes does not think Styx wishes the throne for herself, and even if that is true I would be fearful of any whom try to take it over. The things that would change..."

She paused, a thought rising and lingering for a moment as she sat thinking. "Convincing others will be difficult. Zeus has many enemies, even those in his service. After this broke out I thought I felt the city tremble with laughter and yet with fear. Athena of the City. Athens was named for me and while I am not there for Athens I will be here for New York. This is my city while I live here. What happens here I feel and it is time something is done for all of this madness, before it breaks us all."

She looked again to the Fates, "If we cannot convince them of their folly and Zeus is brought down, who would be suitable? Certainly none that go against him. They only do this for vengeance, not for the sake of keeping things in balance."
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relentless_fate
2011-07-23 05:54 pm (local) (link) Select
"See?" Lachesis said, lightly smacking her sister's arm and smiling at Athena. "And you're quite welcome."

"Finally, someone who gets it," Atropos said, relief evident in her voice. "No one understands that once you upset the balance, it has to be corrected as soon as possible, or the world starts to change itself to try and fix the problem, and almost never for the better."

"He is Zeus Moiragetes, and our king," Clotho said simply. "For all that he does not actually order us about, we have acknowledged him as king for centuries, and we will continue to do so." Her sisters nodded.

"Times like these, I wish we could just go around smacking people upside the head," Atropos grumbled. Lachesis smacked her again, slightly harder this time. "That sort of talk isn't helpful, and it would only earn us more ire from those we spoke to." Atropos didn't stick her tongue out, but it was a near thing.

Clotho smiled at Athena, ignoring her sisters. "New York has a good protector in you, Pallas Athena," she said. "And you know that we agree with you, but for all that we are Fate, there is only so much we can do without interfering. We will do all that we can, of course, because we do not want to see our entire pantheon fall into ruin, but eventually everyone must make their own choice."

Atropos sighed heavily. "They do," she agreed. "But only a few candidates spring to mind immediately. You, for one," she said, gesturing to Athena. "A few weeks ago I would have said Hephaestus, but after the beating he took at Zeus' command, I'm certain he hates his father more than ever."

Lachesis raised an eyebrow. "You really think he would go against Zeus, after he threatened Hephaestus' daughters?"

Atropos sighed. "Who can say anymore? I wish I could say for certain he wouldn't, but I don't know."
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wise_counsel
2011-07-23 06:09 pm (local) (link) Select
For all that Athena was, she was not one to give into frustrations or show when she felt defeated. Though she didn't feel it now she did feel as though trying to explain things to the pantheon that it would be fruitless. She sat in thought, listening to the Fates as they spoke and nodding here and there.

She looked at each in turn, "I thought of myself, if only because I do not wish to see things changed more than necessary. That is, if Styx indeed succeeds in her mutiny. The river of oaths telling all gods that their promises no longer mean anything will certainly bring about a tidal wave of followers. Zeus may have been lacking but taking him down is absolute madness."

She considered them again, "Let's say none will listen and Styx does indeed win this battle, would you be willing to support me if I offer myself to Styx in exchange for my father's seat? You must understand I wish for no power, as it's far too tempting a thing to take advantage of, but I do not wish things to change. I wish the Olympian's to remain the same, gods to keep their place. I fear that if any other tried to take the throne they would cause such devastation."

She nodded at Lachesis' question, "Anyone with enough reason to defy Zeus now has their chance to do so. Surely Styx will promise power to those who follow her. I wouldn't be surprised if she has taken back her own children to pass on to the next ruler, if it should come to that. But we must try and make everyone see reason in this madness. If Zeus would get past his own pride he alone could fix this. At least I've made him see he must fight."