The Ghost Queen

Chapter Ten: Chemistry

Archie found himself smiling again when talking to Patrick in this new restaurant he only would have known about thanks to Atlanta. Patrick had recommended Archie the pineapple mango smoothie and the refreshing tang did improve Archie's mood.

"So how did you end up in New Olympia?" Archie asked Patrick.

Patrick cocked his head and his smile looked like it grew to Archie before he answered. He could have just imagined that. Either way, it was a cute smile.

"I had never been out of the continent before. I thought it was a good opportunity."

Patrick grabbed his strawberry hibiscus tea and took a sip, glancing our the window.

Archie meant to ask him what the opportunity was in more detail but Patrick had his own question in mind.

"What about you -Archie was it?" Patrick volleyed back. "Or are you from here."

"Eh- kinda. I was brought here...for a job "

"What kind of job?"

"Um. It's different every time. Sometimes we deal with-" Quick, what word could Archie use for monsters? "-pests. Sometimes we have to guard old books in museums."

"Sounds like a weird job."

"Tell me about it. It gets exhausting after a while. You forget what having a life is like."

Patrick chuckled in a way that made Archie's chest tighten. He hadn't felt that since he first met Atlanta. This felt wrong. He should talk to Atlanta. Things have been kind of rocky between them. And it wasn't just from getting their butts kicked by Cronus's new minions.

********

It was that boy again. Herry. Pomelia found herself staring for a few seconds at the burly teen before catching herself. She had wanted to visit Olympus High's library to check out some of their architecture textbooks  (their selection on Greek art was more extensive than Romulus high), when she spotted him.

Herry had a bunch of books stacked around him at his table. His eyes were glued to a paper. He looked like he was studying. The grimace told Pomelia he was miserable. He started biting his pencil.

Should she approach him? Maybe gather intel. Would she be covert enough? Herry didn't' seem hostile when he approached her at the park. She had assumed he was gathering intel himself at the time. Maybe she can even the playing field. Let's give it a shot. She walked towards him with her stack of books.

"Herry?"

He looked up from his paper. The corners of his lips perked up a little.

"Pomelia. Hi."

Was he smiling? She couldn't think of anything to say. An empty chair happened to be situated across from where Herry was trying to study. How convenient.

"May I sit here, Herry?"

"Oh yeah! Sure." Herry moved some of his books around so Pomelia could set down hers.

"Whachu got there?" Herry pointed to the stack of books Pomelia set down.

"Oh um. Architecture books."

"You got a history test too?"

"I'm sorry?"

Herry blushed.

"Oh I thought-"

Pomelia took a look at Herry's own stack of books. Herry's books were about the Greek influence in ancient Rome. 

"With your books. And you being here-" Herry continued.

Pomelia chuckled. This boy amused her.

"How is the studying going?"

"Oh uh - fine." 

Pomelia smirked, remembering how miserable he looked moments before. She replied. As coyly as she could-resting her chin in her hands, "Do you feel confident then?"

Herry hesitated.

"I'll be okayyy..." Herry avoided looking at Pomelia directly in the eyes.

Pomelia had an idea. She wasn't sure this would work but it was worth a shot to get her and her friends the information they needed about the heroes. Plus this could be fun.

"Do you need a tutor?"

Herry blinked. In a single moment  Herry felt that every decision he made up to that point had prepared him for everything else imaginable but this. A girl he knew for a fact was working for Cronus-his archenemy- was asking him to help him with his grades. Gods and monsters seemed easier than this. He didn't have to think about the long term ramifications of fighting gods and monsters. 

Herry should say no. He should definitely say no. Pomelia worked for Cronus, who stated his desire for world domination on many occasions. This could just be a way to get information about him and his friends for Cronus. But would she do that? She seemed nice. Herry talked to her once though. The fact that she was charming, cute and not a total creep like every other minion of Cronus did not prove anything. 

No matter how lonely Herry felt, he should not spend any more time with someone clearly working for Cronus then he has to. But something still nagged at Herry. The way he noticed Pomelia and her friends talk to Cronus. The hostility in their voices when Cronus barked orders to them. The glares directed towards the god of time when his back was turned. Instinct told Herry Cronus had something on them. But what would he know. He was just Herry. Jay probably had a better idea on this. Maybe even Odie or Theresa.

"Herry?"

"Huh?"

"Did you need a tutor or not?"

"Oh, uh I do!...Are you offering to be my tutor?"

Pomelia widened her slight smile she wore a little more. Herry couldn't help but smile himself, then he looked away. Her blue eyes were too pretty. Even under Olympus High's dim library lighting, Herry thought they sparkled.

"I am offering. Are you accepting?"

"Yes!"

After some small talk about what was going on in both teens' respective academic Pomelia asked Herry what he needed help on. The history Herry needed help on primarily focused on the rennaissance period. This topic intersected with Pomelia's own interests in art and what her family made her study in her magic studies. Plenty of powerful alchemists and magicians came from that period in time from what she was told growing up.

The science Herry needed help on was primarily chemistry. Pomelia internally sighed in relief at this. Coming from a family of alchemists, Pomelia had to learn chemistry to learn the basics of alchemy. She was expected to follow in the footsteps of all her brothers. Pomelia excelled at chemistry quite well, however her calling was in witchcraft. Her skills in both fields is what made her friends decide her to be the leader of their group of misfits when Cronus found them. Pomelia Fuentes was an adaptable pawn for the god of time, so she was the most useful. Cronus agreed for her to be their leader. 

Melinoe thought this was a good idea too. It was a good way to keep Cronus at a safe distance. Prove yourself a competent leader and Cronus won't be down your necks as much about his orders. You'll have some room to figure out where Marco is. And how to get out of this contract Cronus has put you all under. These were the words of advice given to Pomelia by the goddess of ghosts. Pomelia managed to meet her for the first time right before Cronus got her and her new friends out of Tartarus. Melinoe was hard to read but the familiarity Pomelia felt when meeting her told her that she was a trustworthy goddess.

Pomelia checked her watch, and asked Herry, "So when would you like for us to start?"

"We weren't doing this now?"

"Well I have an appointment to get to. I was just here for your school's book collection."

"Right. Um. Does tomorrow evening work? Say... 5pm?" Herry's disappointment managed to creep up in his voice. He wasn't sure if it went unnoticed to Pomelia.

"That works for me. See you then."