[SP-F17] Perfection is Overrated | <<Challenge of Olympus>>

[Acanthus 0]

I don’t remember the hallway being this long on the way in.

The pair had walked in silence for some time. Apollo had kept his gaze forward the entire time, and Acanthus nervously shot him looks every few meters. She was about to try and start a conversation when he saved her. “So, how did you like your time with the muses? They can be a little overbearing at times.”

“Not at all. I enjoyed my time with them very much.” Apollo remained looking forward. “That is good to hear.”

 The hand draped over Apollo felt like it was lazing in the perfect sunbeam. Her mind began to gently wander. “And I take it you are enjoying your time here?” He glanced down at his arm, and Acanthus was suddenly aware she was lazily drawing a circle with her finger. Like a child, she thought angrily. She fought the urge to jump for the nearest window. There’s probably no fall damage in Olympus. It might be worth the risk.

Edited August 13 by Acanthus

[Acanthus 0]

Apollo merely shifted his inscrutable gaze back forward. “I do apologize. When I scale back my presence, it tends to have an overly calming effect. One of the men I escorted to the feast actually fell asleep halfway to the banquet hall.”

“You’re just saying that to make me feel better.”

“Not at all. He left a smear of drool on my tux from where his head connected with my shoulder before it hit the ground.” She eyed his shoulder suspiciously. Apollo’s mouth twisted up in a half-grin. “I do clean my formal wear. You can ask Hermes about the drool if you don’t believe me.”

“I will.” The two finally approached another massive set of double doors. Everything here seems to be a grand entrance. The doors swung open to the sound of a bright fanfare as they approached, and a disembodied voice announced the two: my lords and ladies of the banquet, welcome the lord of light, music, and medicine, and his esteemed guest!

[Acanthus 0]

The feast itself was a bright whirl of sights and sounds. All the gods were present, and many had players by their side. Hephaestus had two aspiring blacksmiths by his side. He was chatting idly with Aphrodite, who had an enthralled artisan in tow.

The size of the venue was breathtaking. As Apollo escorted her to the head of the feasting table along with the other players, she lost count of the number of people. Hundreds, at the very least.

As Apollo gently deposited her in a chair at his table, she craned her neck to see if Elpis was there. No such luck.

“If you’ll wait here, we’ll have the toast soon. I’ll be right back. Zeus mentioned needing a quick consult about something burning. I do hope he’s just having a good joke–he’s supposed to be giving the toast.”

In a room of hundreds, Acanthus now found herself alone.

[Acanthus 0]

Acanthus sat, staring at the decadent trays of nearly every food imaginable. She picked up a goblet to occupy her hands, and caught herself admiring her blue and white nails. Erato had painted them so perfectly that she swore they looked like clouds rolling along the tips of her fingers. She had never painted her nails before. She had also worn a dress like this before. And her hair—

The thought didn’t even finish. The noise of the room became muted. Acanthus had the vague sensation that she was in another place, watching another person. The woman swirling her goblet and observing the crowd was a stranger. The stranger looked calmly over the guests, and even began to chat with a few of the people sitting next to her. She talked like a normal girl, laughed like a normal girl. I wonder who she is.

S—

“Hey stranger! Couldn’t help but notice another player. The name’s Titania.”

[Acanthus 0]

The noise assailed her—Acanthus was back. Across the table, another player sat, grinning from behind a plate piled high with a little bit of everything.

“I’m Acanthus. I’m sorry, what did you say your name was?”

“It is kind of loud in here. Want to head out to the balcony?”

“Don’t we have to wait for the toast?”

“Eh, the game just checks to see if at least one player is here to do the toast. I’ve had plenty of friends who skipped out and the quest completed. You don’t even have to come to the feast if you don’t want to. I’m just here for the food.” Judging by the three empty plates next to her, she was deadly serious. “But I think I’ve had plenty. Want to go chat outside?”

Desperate for any reason to leave the crowd, Acanthus nodded. “Lead the way.” Titania wiped her hands on her leather armor and grabbed Acanthus’ hand. “Don’t fall behind!”

[Acanthus 0]

Titania shot through the crowd like a rocket. Acanthus bumped and jostled a dozen guests like a ragdoll as she clung to Titania’s hand. With a final effort, Titania squeezed between two satyrs, and they popped out onto the terrace.

“Whew! What a ride!” Acanthus finally stepped back to observe her rescuer. Her hair fell in long red curls, all the way down to her waist. Her leather armor was carefully fitted to accentuate her frame. It seemed like just about every square inch of the armor was fitted with a sheath from a throwing dagger.

“You’re not in a dress.”

“I mean, it’s not part of the quest. Wait, you actually let them get you into that thing?” Titania raised an eyebrow. “Not that you’re not rocking it. But we’re in a death game. You never know what’s going to happen. Keep your armor on and your guard up. Always.”

[Acanthus 0]

Part of Acanthus regretted coming out here. She was missing a toast in her honor. But I guess I wasn’t having a great time in there anyways.

“Hey, I’m digging the flower motifs. Hyacinths, right?” Titania elbowed Acanthus. “Apollo dressing you up like one of his exes, huh?” Acanthus found herself turning red again. “The muses picked this out for me and I like it.”

“Oof, signal caught, new buddy. I’ll pump the brakes.”

“I’m not sure we’re friends yet.” Titania put a hand on her hips and the other on her forehead. “Straight shooter—that’s fair. Listen, I’ll make myself scarce. You just looked like you needed a friend to get you some fresh air back there, and I thought I could do the job.”

Acanthus let the statement hang awkwardly.

“But message received. It was nice to meet you, Acanthus. If you’re ever looking for company, I tend to hang around floor 22. I like meeting new people.” She frowned. “Something I try meeting people a little too fast. I promise my second impressions are better.”

[Acanthus 0]

Without waiting for a response, she went inside and melted into the crowd. Acanthus started to feel bad. She was just trying to meet people. I know how hard it is to make friends in here. And she was right—I really did need to get out of there. But now she wanted back in. She hoped she hadn’t missed the toast.

“—and to the brave new crafters of Olympus we say: congratulations!” Zeus stood at his full godly height at the back of the banquet hall with the guests. Thunderous cheers and applause erupted as they echoed the sentiments of the king of Olympus. Acanthus was a bit crestfallen.

“Ah, there you are. I was worried when I didn’t see you there for the toast.” Apollo had materialized from the crowd with a pair of golden goblets.

“Lord Apollo, divine spl—”

“You’ve bested my trials. No further need for flattery, little hyacinth.”

[Acanthus 0]

Again, she turned the shade of a bright sunburn. “I apologize, Apollo. I needed some fresh air. I completely neglected the toast.”

“Perfectly understandable. Zeus tends to invite too many people to his parties. It makes everything stuffy. Besides, I never liked that Zeus got to do the toast even though all he ever did was send out the invitations. Here.” He handed Acanthus one of the goblets. “Allow me.”

He raised his goblet to her, and she returned the gesture. With an almost song-like quality, Apollo began his toast.

“Sing in me muses, and through me tell the praises of a craftswoman fair! Even and patient in all things, quick to melody and humble in spirit. Hers are the songs that made the Maenads weep, and Prometheus laugh even as the eagle eats its fill.”

Acanthus was aghast. This wasn’t a toast—Apollo was giving a soliloquy. And people were starting to stare.

The song in Apollo’s voice rose. “Sing in me muses, and through me tell of her victory, where she discovered the soul of song and the truth of perfection. Grace against the odds, odd the request was. Flower of the field, fielding such impossible goals. May she ever rise in adventure until Olympus is below her as Hades is below Olympus. Of these adventures, Muse, daughters of Zeus, tell us in our time, lift the great song again.”

Apollo brought the goblet to his lips and drank, as did Acanthus. The beverage was intoxicating in flavor; it tasted distinctly of home. She quickly downed the rest.
 

[Acanthus 0]

As she brought the goblet down, she realized that a small circle of guests had stopped to listen to the toast and were now cheering and clinking forks against glasses. She found herself uncharacteristically pleased with the attention.

“There, a proper toast for a proper performer.” She bowed in response. “An honor beyond measure, Apollo.”

As people began to trickle away from the feast, Apollo walked Acanthus to the steps of Olympus. At the top of the stairs, Elpis waved. Acanthus and Apollo stopped out of earshot.

“I leave you in good hands, little hyacinth.” “Apollo dressing you up like one of his exes, huh?”

“Apollo… What does that mean?” Apollo blinked. “I am sorry if I was overly familiar. I was merely referring to the designs on the dress sleeves.” He traced the shape of the flower along her arm. A tingling sensation—not unlike a sword art—shivered up her back. “And there I go again.” He took two steps back and dusted his hands against his tuxedo. Even as the sun was setting, his brilliance was almost too much.

“I thought perhaps you had chosen the motif intentionally. Hyacinths reflect thoughtfulness and care.” Acanthus tried to recall her time in the garden with her mother. “I thought Hyacinths meant jealousy.”

“It depends on the color. Yellow Hyacinths are indeed a symbol of jealous affection. Blue, on the other hand, conveys a sense of sincerity and care. It’s a kind of relentless love that defies all odds.”

Love. She had moved past that in the real world.

“You care deeply. I can see your struggle to show it, but nevertheless, you care.”

Acanthus fumbled for words, but Apollo continued on. “I’d like for you to keep the dress as a reminder: about who you are, and who you can be.”

A message appeared in her HUD. [Item acquired: Cerulean Gown].

Speechless, she wondered: is this part of the quest? How many other performers ended up with Fancy Gowns and a scripted speech about how much they care? It was scripted… Right?

Apollo was already gone, leaving Acanthus alone to wonder.

[Acanthus 0]

From the gates of the main city, Elpis waved goodbye to Acanthus. “I don’t know how you did it. The perfect song.”

Acanthus played with her lute at the gate. It had taken her the whole journey down new strings back on it, but it had been worth it.

“Like you said: sometimes, people don’t know what they need until they hear it.” Elpis nodded. “So how was the performance? Were you scared?” Acanthus thought back to her trembling fingers, and she replied, “No, I just had a physical reaction. That’s different.” Elpis bleated laughter. “Speaking of, I noticed that you actually looked up on the steps down from Olympus.”

It was true. Acanthus had looked down at times, but she actually was able to gaze out for part of the journey down. And the view of the entire floor had been worth the slightly wobbly knees. Only slightly wobbly, she told herself. It gets better each time.

“Elpis, will I get to see you again?” Elpis’ ears dropped, and she said, “probably not, chief. I’m a bit of a wanderer, and I won’t have bodyguard duty for a while. Might be a few months before I’m back here.”

“I see. In that case…” She walked forward and gave Elpis the tightest hug she could manage. Acanthus was not much for hugs; even in the real world, she (her whole family, really) had never engaged in a lot of physical contact. But she knew she was going to miss Elpis. She wanted to feel close to her one last time.

Elpis wrapped her arms back around Acanthus. The strength nearly crushed the wind out of her. Acanthus smelled the warm spice in her fur, and felt Elpis’ steady, beating heart.

Whether or not your feelings in that moment are real, you must believe in them.

Satisfied, Acanthus let go. “Thanks, Elpis. I hope you can throw me in the quarry again.”

Elpis laughed as she set a wide, rugged hand on Elpis’ head and ruffled her hair. “Means a lot, friend. I hope to see you again too.”

[Acanthus 0]

THREAD SUMMARY

• Experience: 500 (Quest) + ((9,298/10) * 2 * 1 ) = 2,360 * 2 (New Recruitment Event) = 4,720 EXP (I rounded up 929.8 to 930. I hope that's allowed but I won't lose sleep over 4 exp)
• Col: 400 * 2 = 800 col
• Materials Gained: (10) materials gathered.
• Apollo’s Metronome | Crafting Tool | Meticulous: +1 CD when crafting in one’s workshop.

Edited August 14 by Acanthus