The Son of Somebody

Son of Apollo [part two]

"You've done some remarkably stupid shit before, brother," Artemis cackles gleefully. "But by the gods, I don't think anyone expected this."

Apollo winces. It isn't every millenia he sends his sister into hysterics, and not once has it ever been a good thing.

"I mean," she says, grinning like a madwoman, "it's one thing, to claim parentage over another god's child, but," and then she breaks down into laughter again. Apollo fidgets, uncomfortable. "But, fates be damned, Apollo, the kid had already been claimed!"

Apollo shrinks into himself, regretting his very existence. "I know," he says mournfully. "I just thought--"

"I'm almost impressed," Artemis interrupts, a wicked gleam in her eye. "The level of chaos caused by you attempting thought is truly remarkable."

"Arrrr-tieeeee!" Apollo whines, and feels a instant shot of gratification when the smile immediately vanishes from her face.

"Don't call me that," she snaps, irritated. Apollo raises his hands in surrender.

"Sorry," he says, carelessly. Artemis scowls at him. "Are you going to help me or not?"

His sister snorts. "Help you? How?" She shakes her head. "Even if you do apologize to Uncle, I don't think--"

"I'm not."

Artemis stops dead. She squints at him suspiciously. "Not . . . what?"

Apollo draws himself up tall, ignoring the panic that's been fluttering around his brain for the past hour, ever since he touched down at the demigod camp. "Apologizing," he says. "I'm not apologizing."

Artemis stares at him, silent. Then, in a rush of motion, she turns on a heel and stomps off, back toward the half formed camp her hunters had been setting up. "Nope," she calls over her shoulder. "Nope, nope, nope, I am so not getting involved."

Apollo scrambles to follow her. "Artie!" he complains. "You're really just going to leave me hanging like this?"

"Yes," his darling, beloved sister snarls, viciously. "Get out of my camp, you maniac. Don't follow me. Don't talk to me. I am not involved." She turns her head up to the sky. "Hear that, everyone? I'm not involved!"

The hunters closest to them startle at their leader's shout. Artemis makes frantic motions at them.

"Pack up," she orders, and they blink at her, hesitating. "Pack up right now, we need to leave."

"But," one of them says cautiously, glancing at the others. "We just got here?"

"Don't care," Artemis says. "Pack up. We move in ten. Spread the word."

For another moment, they all remain still. A few shift in place, unsure. Artemis's aura flares angrily.

"Well?" she demands, glaring. "Go!"

The hunters scatter, all muttering amongst themselves and glancing back at her as they run off. A couple even glare at Apollo, as if his sister's temporary insanity is somehow his fault.

"Artie," he starts, trying not to sound desperate. "Come on. Please?"

"I said don't talk to me," Artemis snarls, whirling around. Her expression is dark, terrifying, and Apollo finds himself frozen in his tracks. "You're insane, if you honestly think this is going to end well for you. I won't be a part of this."

"Come on, sis," he pleads. "We're twins. Doesn't that count for something?"

"You've dragged me into your messes in the past," Artemis says furiously. "But this one? You'll have to clean up on your own." She takes a dangerous step forward. "Now get out, before I make you."