World Men à la Mode

Chapter Twenty - Cats

        Hercules has been particularly quiet during dinner last night, but you found out that he had a particular distaste for Sadık, had a brother that lived in Cyprus, and fostered a bunch of cats until they could find their forever home. You thought him fostering cats was adorable since you didn't see too many single men doing that. He offered to take you to his house to see his cats, but Alfred quickly shot that idea down, knowing the Greek male's track record of bringing women to his house.

        It would have been cool to see his foster cats, but if Alfred said no to going to see them that day, then so be it. You'd just have to live without your kitty fix for now. Maybe you'd get to see a cat during your first full day in the country since Greece had such a large stray cat population. Speaking of your first full day, Alfred was the one to make sure everyone was awake for breakfast at six o'clock sharp.

        You sat between Valerie and Lily during your morning meal. Everyone was in good spirits and didn't show any signs of tiredness. Alfred hinted that you'd have a busy day, so you figured those good spirits and energy would disappear sometime later that day. That was okay with you though. It just meant that you'd probably sleep pretty well that night. Your thoughts were interrupted by Alfred, who wanted to dish out the schedule.

        "We've got a lot of ground to cover in the morning, but you have a generous amount of free time in the afternoon. This morning we'll be hiking up the Acropolis to see the Parthenon, the Erechtheum, and the Temple of Athena Nike. You'll also have a good view to snap some pictures of the surrounding area up there. Because of the taking beginning of your day, we'll then hike back down for you to start your free time for lunch and whatever else you want. You'll have three hours to yourselves. We'll then meet back at the bottom of the Acropolis to get on a bus to drive to the Temple of Olympian Zeus. We have dinner after that and then we'll go the the Temple of Hephaestus," the blond explained.

        "Why so many temples?" Darcy asked. "They couldn't build just one to all of them?"

        "Each god wanted specific offerings, or say that's what ancient texts tell us. Gods and goddesses each reigned over their own aspect of life, so getting the same offerings in the same temples would become confusing to not only them but the attendees of the temple. I think that's why they had separate temples. Not to mention the feuds between some to the gods and goddesses," Hercules explained in a monotone voice.

        "... Okay. Fair point," she replied while crossing her arms over her chest.

        "Anymore more questions?" Alfred inquired.

        The group shook their heads.

        "Alright. If you're all done, to the bus we go!"

        The group headed to the bus with your day bags in hand. You sat by yourself near Alfred and Hercules, but you kept to yourself and watched out the window to take in the passing landscape. At the bottom of the Acropolis, you were let off the bus. Hercules led the group up the hill and stopped when he needed to for the sake of your burning legs. The long walk seemed to have no effect on him as he was barely winded when you all reached the top of the Acropolis. He showed you around the other two structures before the Parthenon.

        "You see where all the missing sculptures are?" the Greek male asked, gesturing to empty spaces.

        The group nodded.

        "It's because the English stole them."

        "Now, Hercules. That's a strong word," Alfred said.

        "It's what happened though. Greece asked politely to have them returned so they can be in their rightful place in the Acropolis, but they refuse to give them back."

        "Who took them?" you questioned.

        "Good question. It was Bruce Thomas, the seventh Earl of Elgin from Great Britain who took them. He was the ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, and between 1801 and 1805, he removed half of the remaining statues left behind from the explosion during the 1687 siege with the knowing consent of the Ottoman authorities. He had them in his temporary museum before giving them to the British Museum in 1817."

        "But he had permission to take them," Valerie argued.

        "He had permission from the Ottomans, whose control we were under at the time, but they really should have been asking our people if they could have a few of them. Maybe it wouldn't be such a big deal if that was the case. They're an important part of our history. You don't see us going to Great Britain and stealing statues of their beloved past kings and queens to put in our museums with the permission of the Irish, now do you?"

        "The Irish never ruled over the British though," Amilia said with a head tilt.

        "My point still stands," the usually laid back man said bitterly.

        "Okay, I think it's time for lunch and free time! Back down the hill we go!" Alfred chirped as he ushered the group away.

        Finally back at the bottom of the Acropolis, the group got lunch together at a cafe. It was just something quick for you all to eat before parting to go shopping. Alfred went with Lily, Amilia, and Samantha while Charlotte hung out with Valerie and Darcy. Hercules and you were the only remaining group members left outside the cafe.

        "Wanna meet my cats?"

        "Do I ever!"

        He gave you a gentle smile and held your hand as he walked you to his house, which wasn't too far away. It was just outside the busy section of the city. His house was sort of tucked in an alcove of sorts. There were vines growing on it. You noticed a few cats sitting in a window watching the two of you at the front door. When you entered behind him, he was greeted by two cats. He scooped them up in his arms, letting them nuzzle his face.

        "These are the two cats I own: Cassandra and Alexios."

        "They're very cute!"

        You reached a hand out and let them sniff it before you pet them. They purred loudly. Alexios even wiggles out of Hercules grip and into your hold. You giggled and pet him happily as your companion gave you a tour of his house and introduced you to his fever foster kittens.

        "Cassandra and Alexios watch over them while I'm away. My neighbors have been coming to feed them and give them attention while I'm with you and your friends."

        "That's very nice of them. They're all such sweet kitties."

        Sitting yourself down on the floor, you began to play with a few of the kittens. They rolled around and pawed at your fingers, gently nibbling in them occasionally. Hercules sat next to you. He was awfully close, but you didn't mind. His presence was relaxing in a way. You eventually had to leave his house and regroup with your friends and Alfred.

        Once together again, you went out to the Temple of the Olympian Zeus. Hercules gave another history lesson, but he was much less salty during this one. Afterward, you went out to dinner at a fancy restaurant in the city before hitting up the Temple of Hephaestus. By the time everyone was back on the bus, you were all wiped out. You managed your way back to your room after saying good night to your tour director and guide. You fell asleep after changing, dreaming of your tour guide's kitties and his muscular physique.

~Author's Note~

DreamsForDays here! Finally, some good quality time with our Greek hunk. The update is early today because I have a family dinner around the update time. I really don't have much to say this update, but keep a look out for a belated Christmas fic either later tonight or tomorrow! It's going to be a fluffy one with the possibility of shenanigans. Thanks for reading! Feedback in the comments is always appreciated! Until next time!