metempsychosis_dw | [Phone Call to Bes]

Hello? *Slight pause and a guess.*

Dorian? Uh... Apollo?

Right on. I think we're a bit overdue for a chat regarding a certain young Muse.

Is she okay? Does she need anything?

She's fine. More than, actually. In fact, these past few days have been the happiest I've seen her in months. And, suddenly, you're all she'll talk about.

Oh. I... *Sheepish laugh and Apollo can practically hear the goofy grin in Bes' voice.*

I'm glad she had a good time visiting. She's really amazing.

She really is. I'm very proud of my girl. [There's just the slightest emphasis on the "my" there]

Listen, mate... The last time I saw her anything like this was summer two years ago. When she was falling for Achilles. Falling hard and fast, I might add. Do you see where this is going?

... Yes. It's a warning.

Apollo, if she wants to be with me, I would never abandon her like that... guy did. I swear it. Even if she doesn't want me like, well, like that, I will be her friend and I still won't abandon her.

Oh, mate. It's too late for that. She wants you. Trust me, I've known her for her entire existence.

Good to know you'll stick with her, though. I trust my Muses to make their own decisions, but anyone who hurts one of them answers to me. She did explain the whole Mousagetes thing to you, didn't she?

She didn't but I know she thinks the world of you and her sister. Which is only right.

And I've done some research. I just wanted to know more about her. To know everything. I want to be there for her. I've never met anyone like her and she's... She makes the world sing.

In that case, allow me to explain. Of course, you have to understand my role in all this. Music, medicine, sun, poetry, prophecy, travel, athleticism... These were all domains of mine. I was Zeus's favorite son--don't let anyone else tell you otherwise. And, therefore, I was the one who knew his intentions. And, when he decided the world needed someone more to keep records of and enrich culture, of course I was on board with that. So, Zeus and the nymph Mnemosyne--Memory, in English--spent nine nights together, each one under different circumstances. Thus were the Muses conceived. I can't tell you how excited I was for this. I followed their mother everywhere before they were born. Made sure right from the start they would never be wanting. Sang to them while they were still being carried... And then, after nine months, I helped bring them into the world, one at a time. I was the first one to see their faces. I was the first to hold them. I named them. Erato... She was the most beautiful baby I've ever seen. You couldn't help but love her when you saw her. It's why I named her the way I did. I taught them, played with them, raised them... I was father, brother, teacher, friend and lover to them all. I would have married the whole set, except our father wouldn't allow it. That was when he broke them up.

Erato's had to be strong for a long time. She alone was singled out and separated from me and her sisters by Zeus, married off to a mortal man. It broke our hearts, but there was no arguing with Zeus. I've always done what I could for her, but it seems I always have to entrust her to someone else. Achilles is a git. Was the first time around too--I was only to happy to make sure that arrow hit just the right spot to kill him. So, can't say I'm surprised it's come to this with them. But you... You're the wild card here, lad. I want to be sure I can trust you with my girl.

[Apollo's information download is met with a few heartbeats of silence but there is no sense of hesitation to the quiet. It's more like Bes is processing things, choosing his words carefully. When he finally speaks, his voice is low and fervent. Honesty is over everything.]

You can trust that I care for her more than any other woman I've met. She deserves all of the love and happiness and support in the world. I'm good at support. It's what I do, what I am. I want to be support for her. I want... I want her to be strong if she wants or weak if she wants and I want her to be okay with being either around me.

Those three words, though, the three important ones... I'm not going to say them now on the phone with you because she's the first who should know and she should hear them from me.

Apollow... I don't know how but she's got me. Just like that. And... If it would be alright with you, I would like to visit her.

Oh, I know how, mate. Believe me. One look from those baby blues of hers, or a kiss from those lips, and that's all it takes. I love her too.

Mate, if you can make it out here, she'd be thrilled. But I'm not the one to ask about that. You'd have to deal with Achilles first. Of course, knowing him, he'd just go sulk off by himself if you swept her off her feet and into your arms.

... They're still... You mean...

She deserves better and so does Alex. I don't want any fights but I can't say I'm impressed with the hints dropped about how he's treated her.

She's been staying with him on base ever since her parents found out she was pregnant. I don't know that she has any plans to move out.

Right... And he is Alex's father.

He is. He was also her first lover in this lifetime. And she did genuinely love him, although I think the straw that broke the camel's back was that he just couldn't be bothered to be there for her during Alexander's birth, even though she was scared and calling out for him. Frigg ended up being the one to comfort and coach her through the delivery. Asclepius and I would have done so, except that I was at Mel's side while she was in labor with our twins, and Asclepius was the one delivering all the children.

Thank god for you all. I'm glad she wasn't alone for that. Even if it wasn't... Him.

[Bes is a nice guy, really... He's just having an increasingly hard time referencing Achilles. What with his protective streak towards pregnant women and kids... And Erato.]

Alex is lucky to have her, though, as his mother. Erato loves him with her whole heart and won't let him hurt.

We all try to look out for her when we can. She's been through a lot. But that's just her nature, mate. Warm, loving and trusting.

She is. I... Apollo, look. I don't know what you want me to do, what you expect here. All I know is that I want to do whatever makes her happy.

And I'd really like for that to include me as more than just a friend. I'm going to be honest there... But if me being around is going to cause her problems with him and lose Alex any chance at a father and her a chance at happiness... I'll... go away.

I just... She deserves all the happiness we can give her.

I want you to take good care of her and Alex. For all of us. If Achilles isn't up to the task, someone else needs to be. She's smitten, mate. She'd want it to be you.

Oh. And you might ask Dite for her copy of the Iliad. The English one. Give you an idea of the sort of man Alex's father is.

I read it back in college... So that's all true then? Right. Of course it is. Figures.

Don't worry. She has me as long as she wants me. I'll do my best for both her and Alex. Erato is... She's the song I never thought I'd hear. I'll take care of her and Alex. I promise.

Oh, there are some exaggerations here and there. Wouldn't be nearly as good a story otherwise. But, it's mostly true, yes.

Quite the analogy there, lad. I admit, a lot of this is me going in blind, since I don't really know your stories that well, but my kids like you. Dite trusts you. And Erato cares a lot about you too. I'd say you come pretty highly endorsed, so I'm willing to trust you as well.

Besides... is it really true you gave her five orgasms before actually shagging her?

............................

Um...

Something like that, yeah. I, uh, wasn't really keeping a close count... But I guess she was.

First rule of working with Muses, lad: There are no secrets between the girls and me. They have this psychic connection of sorts between them, and it filters back to me to a lesser extent. If one is hurt, sad, frightened, or even extremely happy, the rest are going to know about it.

Even so, bloody hell, mate. I know she's easily pleased, but that's still impressive.

Uh, well... Thank you? I just wanted to make her happy.

[Bes gives a sudden, defeated sigh and his voice has traces of amusement hidden in the embarrassment when he continues.]

We're never going to be able to have any secret quickies, are we? Between you guys and my damn cat, it's like Twitter in the bedroom.

[He laughs]
Not a one, lad. Not a one. On the converse, you'll have people cheering you on.

If I find cameras hidden in my room...

[It hardly sounds threatening when his own laughter lurks beneath the words.]

You're probably safe on that one. Unless Hermes shows up.

Or Erato asks... God, I'm doomed, aren't I?

That might be a bit strong a word for it, but, think of it this way: it'll be a ride like none other!

And, to be honest, I wouldn't say no for the world. I'm in for the long haul. I think you picked that up already.

I'm sure you'll feel like part of the family in no time, mate.

... I hope so. I'd like that...

And I want to thank you again. I know it's important for you and her sister to be alright with us.

The most important thing to me is that she's safe and happy. I have to protect my girls.

I know and I swear to you that I'll do my best. You know, protecting is something that I do pretty well, I hear... And, well, I remember it now, too.

Good. So, we on the same page, then, lad?

Completely.

[Phone Call to Bes]

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