Hera's Olympus

6

Hera stares at the plastic contraption next to her head. The phone was deciding her fate with every second that passed by. Hera sits up, punching her mattress in frustration. I'm too desperate. The last time I was needy for a man's attention, I hunted down the competition. "And now I'm single, and men are a pain," Hera mutters, moving to the washroom. Hera gives herself one look in the mirror, seeing mascara smeared around her eyes and her hair a tangled mess. "Ugh."

Hera takes a quick shower and then brushes through her brown hair, sitting in front of her dressing table.

"Hera?"

Hera looks behind her in the mirror and sees her daughter, Hebe. Hebe radiates positive energy, gliding to her mother's side with a wooden cup in her hands. "This should give you a boost of energy." Hebe sets down the cup onto the table.

Hera sighs, "Thank you, Hebe. I don't know how this will fix my situation, but it'll do." She drinks the ambrosia and feels light, calming energy wrap around her.

"It did what it was meant to do," Hebe says in a calming voice, her hands on Hera's shoulders, massaging her. "Why are you tense?"

Hera rolls her eyes. "As if you don't know."

"Are you going to go on a rant on how all men should burn?" Hebe smiles slightly, teasing Hera.

"No." Hera looks away from the mirror, then says, "Not yet at least."

"Okay, well, eat some breakfast, and then start plotting their demise," Hebe says, chuckling lightly.

"What a wonderful plan." Hera smirks and stands, tidying up her white robe. "What's being served?"

"Whatever Ares thinks is proper for a queen," Hebe shakes her head, smiling.

Hera walks down the stairs, smelling a mix of savory aromas in the air: eggs, syrup, cheese, bread, and coffee. "What lovely dishes are you serving us, Ares?" Hera calls out to the kitchen, reaching the bottom of the stairs, hearing other familiar voices. "What do we have here?"

"Enyo, if you're not going to set up the table, then go back to Olympus," Ares raises his voice. He was tossing an egg aggressively in the pan.

"Shut up already. Your whining is aggravating," Enyo is smirking while setting down everyone's breakfast which is placed on white porcelain plates. She was enjoying how she was getting on her brother's nerves. Enyo glances at the doorway, seeing Hera. "Mother, you look well." She nods her head in greeting.

"You cut your hair. It suits your face," Hera compliments her, walking to her to play with her curls.

Enyo could be described as a female version of Ares since they looked so alike, but if Ares had an attitude.

"Ares, do you need any help with anything?" Hebe asks, watching him cook.

"No, unless you want to serve the coffee." Ares turns his head to point to the freshly made coffee.

Hebe takes the pot and fills up the four clear glasses.

Enyo raises hers to Hebe, then drinks. She sloshes the liquid around her tongue. "This has a spicy taste, but it's satisfying."

"Oh, that wasn't meant for you guys. It was that other one," Ares puts the omelet onto an empty plate, Enyo immediately snatching a bite from it. "That was for me." Ares glares at her, then focuses his attention on everyone else. "Would you like something else to drink?"

"No, thank you, Ares," Hera takes her seat and digs into the pork and egg. "Excellent like always," Hera tells Ares, who nods his head at her compliment.