[DanMachi/Percy Jackson] Prytaneum

Chapter 62: Caramelize Part 2

Ishtar froze. Not just her; everyone around us abruptly stopped what they were doing and turned to stare at us with wide eyes. At me. All of a sudden, I was the center of attention again and everyone was watching me. What seemed like the entire room, but what was probably just our little corner of it, had fallen silent as if they couldn't believe what I's just said—and then Ishtar began to twitch. It was nothing major, but her large, wicked smile suddenly appeared to be having trouble holding itself together under the sheer weight of her rage. She tried anyway, but all that did was make it spread from her lips to her left check, even as her trembling fingers tightened on my arm.

Somehow, that centered me—the knowledge that I was pissing people off, that a god was outraged at my sheer disrespect, brought something back that I felt like I'd been missing. I wasn't sure if it made me feel bolder or stupider, but I felt oddly glad to have it back.

And then slowly, someone began to twitter. They were quiet, as if struggling not to be heard, but you could have heard a pin drop in the area around us—and, what's more, it spread. Another voice, just as quiet but markedly different in tone, joined in the laughter and more followed. Soon, I caught sight of people turning away or finding some excuse to cover their mouths, but I wasn't sure if they were laughing at my words or at my bad decision making.

Apparently, neither did Ishtar, because the fury in her eyes abruptly ignited to new heights, filling them with a metaphorical fire that promised retribution. I met them calmly, though, because I'd met people with literal fire in their eyes and it was hard for her to compete. After a moment, though, Ishtar laughed herself, the sound high and clear and beautiful—and completely forced. It was the laugh of someone who didn't find the joke funny at all and, what's more, promised horrific vengeance upon anyone who did. The laughter around us died a quick and gruesome death.

"My, my," Ishtar said, smile as fake as her laugh and looking jagged, like a broken piece of glass. "Someone's gotten quite arrogant, it seems, to be trying to make enemies. While it's true your accomplishments, if they're true, are quite impressive, only a fool would let their pride consume them—even if you hold the record for Leveling Up, keep in mind you've only done so once. You would be wise not to speak to me that way."

She was sowing doubt, I noted. Even as she made a threat. The words themselves were just that, but Ishtar was an unbelievably attractive woman—and if the gods were known for with their real heads, half the people I knew wouldn't exist. Unfortunately for her, I not only took no pride in that accomplishment, but I didn't care what a bunch of gods thought of me. I was a bit worried about how she'd go about trying to get back at me when the time came, but Ishtar didn't strike me as the subtle type. And even if she was, she wouldn't dare strike at Welf, especially this soon after what Zanis did and with Hephaestus on guard. She might go for Lili, but Lili now had a skill to avoid the worst of what she had to offer and the rest...the rest I'd handle, if it came to that. Really, though, the most likely scenario was that a bunch of big, burly men try and rip my limbs off in an alley somewhere, and what else was new?

"It's not about strength," I said after a moment, brushing her off. "I'm just impertinent. Are we done?"

As I spoke, I tried to walk right by her and end the conversation as simply as I possibly could, but she kept her hand on my arm, squeezing my bicep in fury. Frankly, I barely felt it; as a goddess in Orario, her strength was on par with that of a normal human, making her far, far weaker than even Lili, in terms of raw strength. If she was trying to hold me back, she was going to be very disappointed.

But that wasn't what she was trying to do.

"No," She said, a slight growl in her voice as she rose up on her tiptoes to speak into my ear. "I will speak and you will listen."

The words all but punched me in the brain. It was all I could do to just sway slightly in place—to not break out into a cold sweat, to not start panting, to not fall to my knees or burn or...or do something embarrassing in front of the entire crowd. The words didn't have any obvious implication to them or anything particularly sexual, but I suddenly felt an enormous desire to take off my clothes and start engaging in various forms of worship. I swallowed hard as my heart skipped a beat and then began to hammer against my ribs, only partially in horror. Her hand on my arm, weak as her grasp might have been, felt like an molten, adamantine chain; unbreakably, by simply virtue that I didn't want to break it. It seemed like nothing, but it felt good in an unbelievable, bizarre sense.

For a moment, I wondered if this was anything like how Soma felt—and nearly laughed at myself mockingly, feeling disgusted that I was being tempted this hard. I remembered how Lili had looked when Welf and I found her at the Soma Familia home, remembered the glimpse of what she'd gone through and overcome, and yet I was almost on my knees because of this bitch? A woman who used people, who bound and controlled them heedless of their will, who reminded me of so much I hated about the gods—I was almost giving in to her?

Water began to bead upon my skin, forming droplets like the condensation on a can of soda. I wasn't entirely sure, in that moment, whether I was summoning them or drawing them out of the air, but as I closed my eyes, moisture gathered inside my suit, soaking into the Undine Silk and making it feel vaguely damp, without changing its color or texture in the slightest—another perk of having the water's blessing, I guess. It was a slight thing, not even a match for pouring a glass of water on my head, but it helped take the edge off a bit and steady me.

"No thanks; I never listen," I said, opening my eyes again and looking down at the hand on my arm, not bothering to hide my annoyance at its continued presence. "Ask anybody."

Ishtar stopped, features growing taunt as she stared at me hard, expression apparently trying to decide between fury and disbelief.

"You'll regret this," She said.

"If you say so," I replied, shaking my arm as I tried to brush her off. "But you'll find I can take care of myself. Thanks for worrying, though."

She held on for a moment long, apparently stuck trying to think of something witty to say, when suddenly Ottar put a hand on my shoulder. It was heavy enough to make me feel lopsided, but while the man didn't say a word or even really look at Ishtar, the message was apparently clear.

"A pet after all," Ishtar said bitterly, but begrudgingly let me go, glaring at Ottar. "Fine then. We'll continue this discussion at a later date."

"No rush," I said.

"Hermes," Ishtar said, as if she were trying to brush this all off and pretend it didn't matter to her, but also failing miserably. "I'll expect that package as soon as possible. Be quick about it."

"Of course," Hermes replied, teeth gleaming as he gave a self-assured smile. I could honestly say I hadn't even noticed him or the woman at his side, despite the fact that they had evidently been standing there the entire time, and I doubted anyone else had been paying them much mind either. Whatever else she may be, Ishtar was distracting. He waited quietly until Ishtar was far enough away before turning that smile on us. "You seem to have a way of making friends, Percy."

"I don't need friends like that," I replied before looking at Ottar. "Sorry for dragging you into this."

"Please do not apologize," Ottar replied. "I suspect the fault was my own to begin with, as my Familia is an enemy of hers. It is likely our actions which drew her to you. May I also say that I did not mean to imply that you were unable to fend for yourself, but simply wished to help resolve things peacefully, at this time."

"...Uh, okay," I said, blinking and then scratching my head. I glanced at Aiz, who was standing off to the side, evidently a bit upset that she hadn't said anything but also appearing unsure of what to say. That was Aiz for you, though. Finally, I turned back to Hermes. "Anyway...what package was she talking about?"

Maybe it was nothing, I thought. But obscure references to vague objects routinely bit me in the ass.

"Can't say I'm afraid," The god replied. "It's business, you see. I'm Hermes, by the way. If you ever need anything outside Orario, come speak to me. It's rather me thing, you see."

He extended his hand with a bright, boyish smile. At a glance, he looked like the kind of guy who was friendly and easy to get along with, but after what I'd heard from Take, I was suspicious of...

...No, that was a lie. I was just biased against the guy, I think. Logically speaking, there didn't seem to be much connection between him and the Hermes I knew, but I couldn't shake away the memories or how much he reminded me of Luke now.

"I'll think about it," I said, taking a step and promptly stopping. "Actually, I'm going to go get some fresh air. Do you mind?"

I glanced at Ottar and Aiz as I spoke, the latter of whom seemed confused. Ottar, meanwhile, simply nodded and nudged me in the direction of one of the balconies, which I caught sight of a moment later. Nodding my thanks, I walked carefully away from the crowds, doing my best to avoid any more attention until I was out in the cold night air. Then, I shut my eyes for a long moment, concentrating on my breathing.

"You handled yourself admirably out there," A voice suddenly interrupted my reprieve, despite the fact that I was certain no one had been with me on the balcony. "Though some might call it foolishly."