Balance And Control

Greece 500 B.C.E

Babylonian bliss did not last quite as long as any of us hoped. We were gone before the century was over, moved on to Greece. We went from one sandy farmland with sweltering summers and minimal rain to another. The Greecian city was slightly more developed than Babylon, just as alive and thriving despite being in the middle of the Persian war. Why is it that Deviants were so attracted to newer civilizations? Fresh meat? 

“Phastos, I know fashion doesn’t really count as a technological advance, but is there any way you can create something to replace the toga?” I whined, tugging at the scooping neckline of my own. 

“Sorry, they like them, and if they didn’t, they’d craft something themselves,” he replied. 

“I feel like I’m going to fall out of the top of this at any moment!” 

“Well perhaps if you stopped fidgeting with it…”

“Not helpful.”

“To spill out of it, you’d have to actually have a chest,” Sprite insulted. 

I glared at her, “who pissed in your porridge this morning?” 

“How come you guys get to look like grown-ups and I’m stuck in a child’s body?” she complained. 

“Arishem didn’t leave you in the oven long enough,” I teased. 

“Why doesn’t he put me back in then?” 

“Because Arishem does not make mistakes and you are perfect just the way you are, Sprite,” Ajak interjected. 

“Whatever,” the illusionist grumbled, crossing her arms and pouting. 

“Have the locals chosen a name yet?” I asked as the rest of our crew boarded the Domo. They had been supervising a city council meeting, watching carefully for any signs of Deviant activity. 

“They rejected my idea: Kingo City,” Kingo sighed. 

“And then a Deviant decided to object and, Thena being Thena, she took it down,” Gilgamesh said, “so they chose to name it Athens, after their savior Athena, goddess of war.”

“They misheard my name,” Thena said, “but I am flattered nonetheless.” 

“Athens, Greece. Has a nice ring to it,” I smiled, nudging Thena with my shoulder. 

“Still think Kingo City would be better,” Kingo muttered. 

“One day you will be as famous as you are handsome!” I jeered, performing a sweeping bow at his feet. 

“So, not very,” Gilgamesh joked. 

“Hey!” 

“Sorry, Kingo, but we all know I am the best looking,” Gilgamesh said, striking a pose with a  wiggle of his eyebrows. 

“Careful, you two, vanity can be a curse. Just look at Narcissus,” Sersi lightheartedly reprimanded. 

“I am the most beautiful man in all the world! All the women want me, but I just want to stare at myself for hours and hours, admiring my beauty!” I imitated, portraying the conceited. 

“Wonderful Narcissus impression, Ereida. Anyone ever tell you that you should become an actor?” Druig snickered. 

“Actually, that was my impression of you,” I shot back, narrowing my eyes at him. 

“Even better!” Phastos laughed. 

“I hate to interrupt this fun, but there are for sure more Deviants out there,” Thena said.