Olympus College

Penelope

"I have no clue what I'm going to do," I groan, rubbing my head in anxiety.

"Yeah, wish I could give you some advice," Circle chuckles. "Maybe you shouldn't have made that bet with Apollo. It seriously looked like you two wanted to murder each other."

"I was half tempted to, if it was even possible," I mumble.

"You'll figure it out," she comforts. "So you don't know how to play an instrument, you can do something else."

"Like what? I certainly can't compose."

"Well, what are you good at?"

"Uhhh," I scratch the back of my neck. "Honestly, not much that is palatable. I can cook, pretty good at negotiation-"

Circe snickers. "I'm sorry, negotiation?"

"Don't laugh," I sneer. "I just haven't bothered to use it."

"Sure," she says, bending over with laughter. "Go on."

"I'm pretty good at innovation stuff, inventing, things like that."

"Hmm, maybe you can do that?"

"Do what?"

"Build something, I dunno. As long as it's related to music I doubt the professor will care."

"Oh oh!" I cry out, jumping around. "That's it! I'll just build an instrument!"

Circe looks at me with doubt and amusement. "Make one? Isn't that sort of difficult?"

"I'll make the best one anyone's ever seen," I say with confidence.

"Sure, do what you want," Circe says with a chuckle. "If it were me, I'd choose something easier though. You only have two days."

"That's plenty of time," I assure her. "Just you wait."

Circe stands up and chuckles. "Alright, Hermes. Surprise us all."

...

"Aaaaand, done." I step back and beam at my newly constructed guitar.

It's taken me all of my free time and significant sleep loss to create, but it sure has paid off.

I'm a genius! I pat myself on the back and gasp as I suddenly remember to add the final touch.

I grab a small paintbrush and paint a strip of blue along the outer edge of the guitar, leaving the brush in a cup of water once I'm done.

It's a wooden and polished acoustic guitar, intricately painted with clouds lit by a vibrant sunset.

I chuckle to myself. Thanks to the Arts Center for the cloud inspiration. Maybe it will give me a few extra points.

The color palette itself is gorgeous, purples pinks and oranges lighting up the exterior of the instrument. I'm quite the artist.

I'm actually quite a gifted painter, the building part is what was difficult. I had to call up a few old friends to ensure the instrument would actually produce sound, but that's hardly cheating.

I pick it up and strum lightly. I haven't got the slightest clue how to play it, but the tuning is perfect and the sound is heavenly.

This may be the most beautiful thing I have ever created. I almost tear up.

"Ah, I need to name it," I realize. "Hmmm. How about... Penelope?"

The guitar doesn't respond.

"Well, I think it suits you perfectly, Penelope." I check the time, and we've got ten minutes before class starts I turn to Penelope. "Let's go knock everyone's socks off!"