Silencing The Siren

31. Picking up the Pieces

(...And Yet, I Smile)

"I still can't believe it's finally over," Calliope said, sitting at the bar inside of the Tipsy Piano. It had been a week since Raiden died and she was still reeling from everything that she had gone through.

"I can't believe it's been a week already," Nagaveni said in response.

"I can't believe you're gonna be leaving soon," Amarok said sadly, wrapping an arm around Calliope's shoulders.

Calliope laid her head on Amarok as he held her, and she said, "Well, you have my number. Plus, I'm obviously gonna come back to visit. After all, I'm still alive, and I still haven't bore witness to the beauty of Mardi Gras."

Amarok let out a deep, rumbling laugh. "You definitely can't miss Carnival now," he said. "Though I'm pretty sure the festival craziness won't be anything compared to this past month for you."

"It has been quite the month," Calliope said, laughing with Amarok. Zephyr slid everyone a drink then, and she picked hers up with a grateful smile.

"I'd like to propose a toast," Nagaveni announced, standing up. She smoothed her short pink flower-print dress, which matched Calliope's. Then, she said, "To New Orleans–apparently the city where you can find answers to all of your questions!"

Amarok stood up next, raising his glass. "To meeting amazing new people... People who make you feel as if you've known them your whole life," he said, winking at Calliope.

Dysnomi stood, wrapping an arm around Nagaveni. He looked down at her, smiling, and said, "To relationships no one would've ever seen coming... Long may they last." He kissed the top of her head then, causing her to blush.

Xena stood with Zorya. The two women were holding hands as Xena said, "To bein' reunited."

Zorya smiled and said, "To gettin' rid of the Shadow Realm's hold on me."

Zephyr raised a glass, laughing as he said, "To the most interesting group of people I've ever met... And that's saying a lot when you live in the Crescent City, brah."

Asmodeus stood and cleared his throat, saying, "To Calliope... I know we've had more than a few ups and downs over the years, but my life wouldn't be the same without you in it. Te amo, hermosa."

Calliope stood then. As she did, she noticed a familiar figure appear in a dark corner behind her friends. She smoothed her flower-print dress, winked at the figure, and said, "To Baron Samedi... For helping me believe in myself, and for allowing me to finish what Raiden started. I could never thank him enough for his generosity."

They all drank from their glasses before laughing and talking with each other. Calliope grabbed two glasses of rum from Zephyr and walked over to the man who was hiding in the shadows.

The man's ebony hand reached out, accepting a drink from her. "Darlin', you really do know the best way to a man's heart, don't you?" he asked with a mischievous smile. "See, this is what I like so fuckin' much about you."

"Really?" Calliope asked with a sly smile. "And here, I thought you liked me so much because of my beauty and uniqueness, Baron Samedi," she joked.

"Oh, I do love your uniqueness," the Baron replied. "It's not every damn day you learn that La Siréne and Shango have a child together. And as for your beauty," he continued, trailing his dark fingers along Calliope's jawline and making her shiver. "Well... I would never lie about that. You are one of the most beautiful young women I have ever fuckin' met. ...And I do so love making you shiver and blush like this," he said as she looked away, blushing.