~ { Shadow and Beauty } ~

Yep. That God Is Crazy

{Kiara}

Aeolus kept going like that—forecasting each area of the country and changing his prediction two or three times as he got messages over his earpiece—the gods apparently putting in orders for various winds and weather.

   "This can't be right," Jason whispered. "Weather isn't this random."

   Mellie smirked. "And how often are the mortal weathermen right? They talk about fronts and air pressure and moisture, but the weather surprises them all the time. At least Aeolus tells us why it's so unpredictable. Very hard job, trying to appease all the gods at once. It's enough to drive anyone..."

   She trailed off, but Kiara knew what she meant. Mad. Aeolus was completely mad.

   "And that's the weather," Aeolus concluded. "See you in twelve minutes, because I'm sure it'll change!"

   The lights shut off, the video monitors went back to random coverage, and just for a moment, Aeolus's face sagged with weariness. Then he seemed to remember he had guests, and he put a smile back on.

   "So, you brought me some rogue storm spirits," Aeolus said. "I suppose... thanks! And did you want something else? I assume so. Demigods always do."

   Mellie said, "Um, sir, this is Zeus's son."

   "Yes, yes. I know that. I said I remembered him from before."

   "But, sir, they're here from Olympus."

   Aeolus looked stunned. Then he laughed so abruptly, Kiara thought Jason almost jumped into the chasm. "You mean you're here on behalf of your father this time? Finally! I knew they would send someone to renegotiate my contract!"

   "Um, what?" Jason asked.

   "Oh, thank goodness!" Aeolus sighed with relief. "It's been, what, three thousand years since Zeus made me master of the winds. Not that I'm ungrateful, of course! But really, my contract is so vague. Obviously I'm immortal, but 'master of the winds.' What does that mean? Am I a nature spirit? A demigod? A god? I want to be god of the winds, because the benefits are so much better. Can we start with that?"

   Jason looked at his friends, mystified.

   "Dude," Leo said, "you think we're here to promote you?"

   "You are, then?" Aeolus grinned. His business suit turned completely blue—not a cloud in the fabric. "Marvelous! I mean, I think I've shown quite a bit of initiative with the weather channel, eh? And of course I'm in the press all the time. So many books have been written about me: Into Thin Air, Up in the Air, Gone with the Wind—"

   "Er, I don't think those are about you," Jason said, before he noticed Mellie shaking her head.

   "Nonsense," Aeolus said. "Mellie, they're biographies of me, aren't they?"

   "Absolutely, sir," she squeaked.

   "There, you see? I don't read. Who has time? But obviously the mortals love me. So, we'll change my official title to god of the winds. Then, about salary and staff—"

   "Sir," Kiara said, "we're not from Olympus."

   Aeolus blinked. "But—"

   "I'm the son of Zeus, yes," Jason said, "but we're not here to negotiate your contract. We're on a quest and we need your help."

   Aeolus's expression hardened. "Like last time? Like every hero who comes here? Demigods! It's always about you, isn't it?"

   "Sir, please, I don't remember last time, but if you helped me once before—"