remembered why she was in my office in the first place. She didn't give me the opportunity to ask my question though, cutting me off when I opened my mouth to ask.
"As much as I admire Apollo, I feel it's usually a good idea for every young lady to have a godmother. Someone to guide her on her journey through womanhood" "That's what we have our actual mothers for"
"So I take it your father is of no use"
I didn't understand if she was trying to make a point or annoy me but I was desperately trying to keep my temper in check.
"I beg your pardon my lady. My father is very much useful to me and his family"
"Then why have yourself a godfather?''
I took a deep breath. Of course she was trying to prove a point.
"It's tradition my lady. My parents chose Apollo to be my godfather and he didn't have a problem with it. When I have a child of my own he or she will be blessed by a god or goddess of me and my husband's choosing" I chuckled softly as a memory crossed my mind. "Besides, not all godmothers are the excellent role models you portray them to be"
Akna seemed very interested in why I had a reason to argue with her opinion. "Is that right?"
I nodded. "Very much so"
"And why do you say that?"
"Well you see my cousin Katsume married into the Sheamus clan and had a daughter. Her name is Jade"
"Quite a beautiful name."
"An exquisite one at that but the story doesn't end there. Usually, gods and goddesses with predominantly negative attributes are not allowed to bestow blessings of any kind upon the newborns because they...."
"Tend to pass down some of their attributes to the child by default" Akna helped complete my sentence and I nodded in agreement.
"Yes my lady. Now, my cousin and her spouse had agreed to have their daughter blessed by Aphrodite but were tricked by a goddess of mischief and trickery who had disguised herself as Aphrodite and blessed so she could bless the child instead"
Akna gasped at the horror of the situation. ''What an awful thing to have happened to such an innocent, sweet child"
"I assure you my lady, there is absolutely nothing sweet about that little rascal. She is still a good child regardless of what happened years ago but she can sometimes morph into an absolute menace" I unconsciously ran a finger across my eyebrows and sighed. "She once shaved my eyebrows while I was asleep and drew on new ones with a green crayon"
The goddess couldn't hold back her fits of laughter and let it out instead. She seemed to think that having your eyebrows shaved off for no reason was a hilarious event. I wondered what she would have done if she was in my shoes. She would have most likely struck the little girl dead or turned her into a cockroach like I desperately wanted to when I woke up with poorly shaved eyebrows.
"Children are known to possess some level of mischief in them. I am sure with time she will outgrow it"
"With time, she will run off and join some biker gang in America. My cousin is going to have a hard time getting her daughter to behave properly especially when the girl keeps taking advice from her godmother"
Akna chuckled softly and shook her head. "Gods of mischief do have their ways of lending issues to people who never asked for them." She clapped her hands once ''I suppose I stand corrected. Not all godmothers are perfect role models" "I'm glad we see eye to eye on the matter" "But on the bright side, at least it wasn't Aphrodite that ended up being your little cousin's godmother. You lot would have ended up with a selfish, self-absorbed brat with no regard for other people's feelings"
"Is it safe to assume that you don't care much for the goddess?"
She rolled her eyes and I almost burst out laughing. That was such a human thing to do and it reminded me of when I was a teenager who spent most of my time trash talking other girls that I was secretly jealous of. I wondered if maybe Akna was a little envious of Aphrodite; it wouldn't be out of character for one goddess to be jealous of another.
"As if you can call that weakling that. Completely undeserving of the title wouldn't you agree?"
I hated to be dragged into celestial drama and tried to conjour up a means to steer the conversation in a different direction.
"I almost forgot that we had an issue to attend to. So tell me my lady, how may I help you?"
Her expression hardened and she folded her arms in a fashion that showed how annoyed she was.
"As you know by now my dear, we gods all have our special roles to play in the creation and continuity of your species" I nodded and she continued "And I believe that you know sometimes these roles tend to clash into each other and if there is one thing we deities do not appreciate it's opposition"
I mirrored her body language to get her back to feeling more at ease with me. "And I can imagine that these inevitable clashes have turned both opposing sides into dreadful enemies''
She was smiling now, happy that I was understanding her. "Oh quite dreadful enemies. One side can barely stand the thought of the existence of the other not to talk of their presence"
I was beginning to suspect what was at the epicenter of her bad mood but it was much better to ask. "Did you by any chance come across any of your dreadful enemies today my lady?"
"Unfortunately, I have." her expression morphed into one of disgust. "And to find the repulsive thing staying on the same floor as me. This has to be resolved immediatly." her voice had taken on a more demanding tone.
"Immediately my lady?"
"Right this very instant would be much appreciated"
I took a deep breath and almost wanted to laugh. For all the might they possess gods sure do know how to behave like children and throw a tantrum just as well. This was an ethereal being in a bitter mood because another being that she didn't like was on the same floor as her. It was exhausting at times but Ayoki had taught me it was best to pamper their egos and indulge them.
"That's fine my lady. I'll see to it that you are moved to an entirely different floor; one with an even better view and wine just to show how truly sorry I am for the inconvenience"
Akna was beaming now. "Thank you very much child."
I slowly got to my feet and hoped I didn't look too worn out from having to conversate while dealing with being sad on the inside. "Will that be all my lady?"
She got to her feet as well and back to towering over me now that we weren't seated any longer. "Yes, yes that will be all. Thank you for your help"
"Of course. Please reach out to me if you have any issues concerning your new living arrangement"
She stared at me for a brief moment but it did make me a bit uncomfortable.
"Is there a problem my lady?"
She shook her head and smiled. "Not at all.'' She placed her hand on my shoulder. "I am sorry that your heart is hurting right now but soon enough the gods will bless you with a beautiful gift; one that will gladen your very soul"
Gift? "What gift my lady?"
She took her hand off my shoulder and waved her hand dismissively. ''When the time is right, he'll bring your gift for you"
Everything that she said confused and worried me even more. History and the experiences of others from days now ancient had taught me to be a bit weary of gifts from the gods. I didn't want one if I didn't know what it was or who was going to be delivering said gift.
"My lady, I assure you that I will be fine. Is a gift really necessary?"
"You shouldn't fear the gift of the gods, my child. We are not all like Aphrodite and your cousin's godmother you know"
"Yes" That was all that I could say even when I didn't believe it but I had to be careful not to annoy the goddess any more than Rhael had already done.
The goddess offered me a courteous goodbye and stepped out of my office and although I didn't get to see it, I knew she tossed Rhael one last glare before finally leaving.
I let out a long exhale. A gift? Whatever was she on about?