The Pantheon

Catching Up

By the time Ashley made it back to the Indigo Plateau, the adrenaline from Hoenn had finally burned itself out. She wanted one thing and one thing only: rest. A hot shower, clean clothes, maybe an evening where nobody asked her to plan, perform, or smile for a camera.

She almost made it.

The idea started the way most bad ideas did—offhand, half-joking, said out loud to the wrong person. Someone mentioned a congratulatory dessert. Someone else joked about branding. A staff member laughed and said something about how the Pantheon could probably sell anything if Ashley put her name on it.

Lance heard that last part and, traitor that he was, did not shut it down. The worst part is that Ashley only heard about it when it was all over and done. Months had passed since the marketing team brought the idea to Lance, and only when she returned from her second ribbon win, did they deem it necessary to drag Ashley into it.

Isn't she the face of the campaign? Were is the courtesy?!

Ashley stared at Lance, after being dragged form the Indigo Plateau teleportation pad. "I just got back."

"And you won," he replied smoothly. "Which means people are watching and will be more receiving to the campaign. At least, that is what the marketing team thinks."

"People are always watching," Ashley protested with a groan. "I cannot stop them from watching!"

Ashley tried to protest. She really did. Somehow, less than forty-eight hours later, she found herself standing under professional lighting with her entire team arranged around a long, absurdly elegant table of glassware, mist, and spoons.

AMBROSIA.

It was a catchy name and fitting for a sundae collection inspired by Ashley's Pantheon. After all, ambrosia was the nectar of the Gods.

Publicity photos came first. Ashley smiled until her face ached, and adjusted her stance when asked, as she rested a hand on Chione's shoulder, or nudged Mercury back into frame when he drifted. Juno sat perched near the edge of the table on a raised cushion, her own sundae carefully positioned in front of her, eyes wide with fascination rather than nerves. Diana kept trying to steal the sugar moon off her glass between shots, until someone (*cough* Venus *cough*) gently but firmly to get her to stop.

Eventually, mercifully, the photographer called it. "All right, that's a wrap."

The moment the cameras lowered, the tension evaporated, and Ashley dropped into the nearest sofa with a groan, boots stretched out in front of her.

"Please tell me we're allowed to eat these now," she said.

Lance gestured grandly. "That was always the point."

Mars claimed his immediately. The Solar Flare Sundae was still faintly smoking, dry ice curling dramatically over the rim. Mars stared at it, impressed, before digging in with zero hesitation. The cinnamon heat hit fast, and he made a pleased sound that turned into a warning rumble when Mercury leaned too close.

Vulcan's Blazing Hearth Bowl lived up to its name. He settled down with it like it was a reward earned through hard labor, carefully crunching the little bone cookie before licking melted hazelnut ice cream from the edge of the bowl. Ashley watched him relax with a fond smile.

Neptune's Tidal Dream Float was gone faster than anyone expected. He floated contentedly nearby afterward, maw decorated with stray whipped cream, looking pleased with the world.

Proserpina approached her Bloom Tempest Parfait delicately, sampled it, then immediately went back for more, clearly offended that anyone might think she was only pretty and not devastating. Venus's Mist Veil Sundae fogged softly as it was set down, spun sugar dissolving the moment she touched it. She ate slowly, savoring it, posture elegant even while seated on the floor.