Chapter Text
It had been two months since the God Games and roughly a month and a half since Odysseus returned home, leaving the suitors’ corpses in his wake.
Athena and Odysseus had somewhat repaired their friendship—yes friendship—since their falling out ten years earlier and their recent reunion a month ago. Their relationship was broken but they’re trying their hardest to make something new, something better. For Odysseus, Athena was his only friend left after his voyage. Of course he had his son and wife, and his sister too, and truly they were the greatest joys of his life. But as for a friend… he no longer had those. As for Athena, she didn’t have friends; no more said. She hadn’t for a long time. She had her siblings and her step-mother, except that was a recent development. Athena wanted more and felt as if Odysseus deserved more. So she holds onto whatever relationship they have and she nurtures it.
Now she sits in the halls of Olympus at an unreasonably long table with her siblings and mother at her side. They all await the presence of Zeus, seeing as he was the one to summon them all with no explanation.
“What is taking him so long,” Dionysus asks from across the table.
“I have no idea,” Hera starts. “But if he doesn’t show soon, I’m dismissing us all so we can get back to our own jobs and lives.” She finishes, a slight scowl on her face from her husband wasting everyone’s time.
There were murmurs of agreement from around the room. Athena herself agreed as well, really just wanting to go back to Ithaca so she could see her new friends.
No longer than a minute later the golden doors to the room opened. The seated gods and goddesses went quiet, their eyes on the door waiting for their King to walk through. Except he doesn’t.
Instead, in walks a small girl with dark skin and wild hair that is twisted down her back in long ropes. As the child approaches they take notice of her form. Much like Athena’s wings, Artemis’s antlers, or Dionysus’s tail, the young girl also has a distinct animal trait. She has the tail of a wolf and fluffy ears atop her head to match. Although as she walks forward, her tail is tucked between her legs and her ears flat against her head.
When the girl stops in front of the table, she holds out a letter toward Queen Hera, her eyes never leaving the ground. “I-it’s from L-lord Zeus, your majesty,” the girl states quietly, tripping over her words.
Hera takes the letter from the girl, “Thank you.” The girl only nods a little, taking a step back and waiting for the letter to be read.
Athena, being as observant as she is, notices the child has unshed tears in her eyes and her lips are quivering ever so slightly. Athena’s attention is brought back to the table as their mother opens the letter and begins to read.
“Dear everyone,” Hera reads, “the wolf kid’s name is Kallistrate. Her mother is gone. She’s a godling; she’ll be a goddess eventually once her domain is established. And she’s my kid. Meeting dismissed.”
When Hera finishes reading the letter she breathes out heavily and her eyes are full of fury. She’s not angry at the child, nor the child’s mother, not even at her husband’s infidelity. No she’s angry because of Zeus being so insensitive towards the girl and her losing her mother.
Hera had stopped being angry over her husband’s affairs a long time ago, as she was trying to be better for the kids she had—whether they were hers by ichor or not. Hera, unlike Zeus, was trying to change and the games only made her try harder.
‘I be damned if I let this get to me.’ Hera thinks to herself, looking at the children that sat around her. ‘I’ll take care of them. We all will.’
Athena notices their mother trapped in her own thoughts and her siblings all waiting on a response or even an order of some sort. So Athena speaks up, “I suppose we should all introduce ourselves then, right mother?” She asks, laying a gentle hand on top of Hera’s own, hoping to grab her attention.
Hera looks up at Athena, a small smile gracing her lips. But still her eyes lingered on Athena’s, now blind, left eye and the scars littering her face. They’d all felt guilty about what happened, despite Athena’s insistence that they couldn’t have done anything.
Athena notices where her mother’s eyes were. So she squeezed the God Queen’s hand in reassurance. “I’m okay,” she whispered softly. “But she’s not.”
Hera squeezes the hand on her own and nods before turning her attention back to the wolf-ish child in front of them. “Kallistrate,” she calls softly.
The girl visibly tenses up, but her eyes don’t leave the ground. “Y-yes..?”
“Come forward child.”
When she does, Hera reaches toward her, hooking one finger under the girl’s chin and making her look up. “Hey there, I’m Hera and these are your siblings.” She says gently. “How about you introduce yourself?”
Kallistrate seems to calm a bit at the gentleness of the God Queen, probably having heard the stories about her being cruel towards her husband’s bastard children. She finally looks around with her sparkling amber eyes at the other gods and goddesses, “Um- my name is Kallistrate, and I’m one and a half years old—I’m almost two though.”
“Nice to meet you!!” Hermes yells from the end of the table.
Kallistrate’s ears flatten on her head and she lets out a nervous giggle, desperately trying to hide her discomfort.
“Hermes,” Hera scolds before sighing and turning her attention back to the little girl. “Sorry about him. He can be a bit much sometimes.”
“It’s okay,” the little goddess mumbles. She then raised a hand to wave shyly at the messenger god, who in turn excitedly waves back tenfold.
Hermes’s enthusiasm makes Kallistrate giggle a bit, this time from actual joy. She proceeds to go down the line, waving at the next few gods and goddesses at the table, who all smile at their new little sister and wave back. At some point Hera lifted her new daughter up to her lap, allowing her to better see her new siblings. As Kallistrate waved at everyone, Hera gently told the girl who each god was.
Athena was the last of the gods to be introduced as she sat directly across the table from Hera. Athena didn’t mind though, she just enjoyed watching the interactions between the godling and her older siblings.
Kallistrate’s attention was finally fully on the owl-like goddess in front of her. She’d tried her best to be patient but she’d been really wanting to know who this sister of hers was. She was mostly drawn to the goddess due to the beauty of her wings; they were auburn—like her hair—and speckled with white. Kallistrate thought that they were very pretty and really wanted to touch them, but she didn’t want to be rude, so she remained patient.
“And this is Athena,” Hera states as Kallistrate waves. “She’s the Goddess of wisdom, war, and crafts, and she’s the eldest daughter.”
Athena waves back at her little sister, a small smile playing on her lips. “Hello Small-Lady Kallistrate. It’s nice to meet you.”
“Hi,” Kallistrate says bashfully, blushing at the title Athena had bestowed on her. “I- um.. I like your wings. They’re, uh, very pretty.” She stuttered out, embarrassed.
Athena for her part wasn’t expecting that, none of them were. The young goddess hadn’t said much of anything to their other siblings other than a cordial “hello” or “nice to meet you”.
“Oh,” Athena starts, taken aback. “Well, Thank you. I quite like your hair and tail. If you think about it, we kind of match.” She says shrugging a bit at the end.
Kallistrate seemed confused by the last statement so she looked down at her hair and tail then back up at Athena’s wings, trying to find the similarities. Her hair and tail were a dark brown—almost black—and they had streaks of copper locks and fur running through them, thanks to her wolf form and godly heritage. Kallistrate continues to look at her own appearance, comparing it to Athena’s before she turns to note her other siblings’ appearances. None of them had two-toned hair or other animalistic traits. Although, Kallistrate was positive that if her siblings and stepmother were to transform fully into their sacred animal forms they would surely have two-toned traits, right?
Still, the godling found it funny and cool that as it was she and Athena were the only two there with their multicolored traits. She began to giggle at the realization and her tail began to wag excitedly.
All of the gods immediately became smitten to the new addition of their family when they heard her amused laughter. In the background, a few of them caught themselves ‘aww’-ing at the child.
Even so, the new interactions couldn’t last forever. They all had work they needed to get back to, knowing that soon Zeus would find out about their “slacking off”. Except no one knew what to do with their new little godling. Hera would have taken the girl with her except her work included being around Zeus for extended amounts of time, and nobody wanted that for their new addition.
Eventually they all narrowed it down to Aphrodite and Athena after dubbing that the other siblings’ work was either unfit or unsafe for a one year old goddess. Both Aphrodite and Athena were going down to earth to be with their champions, however…once Aphrodite revealed that she was going to be training her newest chosen in the art of lust and seduction, they all quickly decided that Athena was the safest option.
Athena though was not in complete agreement. “I don’t know about this, guys…The plan was to spar with Telemachus and Odysseus today, so my attention would be elsewhere. I don’t want her getting hurt in the crossfire or from me not paying close enough attention to her. Who knows what could happen?”
“Athena,” Aphrodite starts, “we know you wouldn’t make any decisions that would put her in harm's way—by Hades, you wouldn’t do anything that put any of us in harm’s way. You’re very protective, you know?” She finishes, a teasing lilt to her voice.
Athena goes to rebuke that and argue her point some more until the goddess, whom the conversation is about, peaks up. “But I want to go with you,” Kallistrate states, looking at Athena with wide, amber colored eyes. “I’ll be good, I promise!” She says, basically vibrating with excitement.
Athena just sighs, ‘Yeah…She’s going to be a problem. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to say no to those eyes. I’m never going to live this down, but honestly I don’t think I want to…’
Athena rises from her seat, “Alright, I suppose we’re going to Ithaca then,” she says with a small smirk. “Although, I will warn you. You won’t be the only little wolf there.”
Kallistrate all but squeals in happiness, crawling out of Hera’s lap to bounce on the balls of her feet next to the table. A collective laugh passes through the room and the girl’s excitement.
Everyone also then begins to stand, pushing their chairs back and communing near the doors. Artemis then walks up to the Kallistrate, gently lifts her up and gives the girl little scratches behind the fluffy ears on her head.
“Looks like someone’s chosen their favorite sibling, huh?” Artemis asks teasingly. Kallistrate just giggles loudly, leaning into the attention she was being given.
“Artemis,” Apollo says, rolling his eyes in mock exasperation. “Leave the girl be.”
“But she’s so adorable,” she says, pinching Kallistrate’s cheeks, who in turn just laughs.
“Alright, alright,” Hera starts, “let us all get out of here before your father throws a hissy fit.” She says, holding the door open for her kids to walk through. As they each pass through, Hera makes sure each of them gets a hug and a kiss on their head or cheek before they leave.
Athena and Kallistrate were the last to leave and when they cross the threshold Hera closes the door behind her. “Hey owlette,” she says, grabbing Athena’s attention before they walk away. “Don’t overdo it, okay? You’re still recovering.”
Athena smiles at her mother, “I won’t, I promise.”
Hera just smiles back at both of them before walking away, leaving her two daughters alone.
Athena and Kallistrate walk in silence towards the gates of Olympus, however Athena can practically feel her new sister’s eyes burning into her. When Athena looks down at the small goddess she turns her eyes away, focusing back on the path in front of them, as if she wasn’t just staring at the elder goddess.
‘This is awkward,’ Athena thinks to herself. She then starts to think about things to talk about with the kid, hoping that would make things less weird. However, it seemed like Kallistrate herself beat her to it.
“Um, Sister Athena—uh, wait s-should I not call you that…?”
“You can call me that. Or you can just call me Athena.”
“Oh—! Uh okay..Athena?”
“Yes Small Lady?”
“Can—eh, um…nevermind.”
Athena stops and looks down at the girl. “What’s wrong Kalli?” She asked, not realizing the nickname that had slipped from her tongue.
Kallistrate looks down at her feet and fidgets with the skirts of her chiton. She mumbles a response to Athena’s concern but not loud enough for the goddess to have heard her.
Athena kneels down to the young girl’s level, “You’re going to have to speak up, I didn’t hear you.” She says, but when Kallistrate doesn’t go to repeat herself and begins to tear up—from what Athena assumed to be frustration and embarrassment, she just sighs. “Come on Kalli, I’m sure whatever it is, isn’t a reason to be embarrassed.” Athena said gently, trying not to scare the girl.
Kallistrate’s eyes briefly flickered up to look at Athena before they found the ground again. She then lifts her arms in a silent request, hoping Athena would catch on.
Athena tilts her head to the side, looking on curiously at her little sister. “Do you want a hug..?” She asked, skeptically. In response Kallistrate just shook her head and made that grabbing hand motion Athena had seen human babies do before.
Instead of asking more questions, Athena dematerialized her armor in a wave of blue and silver light, simply leaving her in a white chiton and a blue cloak. When the magic faded Athena opened her arms and beckoned the girl forward, hoping she’d figured out what the kid wanted. Thankfully it seemed like it was; Kallistrate walked into Athena’s arms and immediately wrapped her own tiny arms around the elder goddess’s neck.
Athena stood with Kalli, picking her up and holding her close, making sure she couldn’t fall. “Was this what you wanted,” she asked softly, in a voice just above a whisper. There was no verbal response but Athena could feel the wolfish goddess nuzzle herself further into her older sister’s chest and neck before Athena felt a small nod.
Athena smiled to herself and started walking with the girl in tow. “Why didn’t you just ask Kalli?”
Kallistrate gumbled a bit before responding in a low voice, “C-couldn’t get the words t-to come out right.” She said before continuing in an even lower tone, likely hoping Athena wouldn’t hear, “It was already an embarrassing enough request…”
“Don’t say that,” Athena replied, her smile dissipating. “If it brings you comfort then there’s no shame in that. I had to learn that recently too, you know.” Obviously the younger god didn’t know, so when she lifted her head up from Athena’s shoulder and tilted her head in curiosity, Athena couldn’t help but to smile at the little wolf.
“When I was recovering in Apollo’s infirmary a couple of weeks ago, our siblings came to visit me. During one of the visits with Aphrodite, she came in and just held me for a while as we talked. I was confused but also way too tired and injured to fight her on it. After a while it became a routine: she’d visit everyday and every couple of days she’d just come in and hold me against her chest. Then, there was one day that was particularly rough for me because I got no sleep the night before. So when Aphrodite came to visit I found myself longing for the comfort of her embrace. Except I didn’t want to ask her nor did I want to initiate the touch myself. She caught on to it eventually and scolded me for not asking for what I want,” Athena paused to laugh a bit at the memory. “She told me I had to be kinder to myself and allow myself simple pleasures such as the contact of another person. Nevertheless, she did hold me for the rest of the day. Not even Ares could get her to let me go that day, not that I was complaining.”
Kallistrate looked at Athena with wide eyes, “So…you’re like me..? You like cuddles too?” She asked excitedly.
Athena chuckled a bit, “If you want to phrase it like that then yes I do.”
Kallistrate squealed happily and buried her head back into her big sister’s neck. It was antics like these that made Athena remember just how young this goddess was. ‘She’s not even two yet..’
Athena tightened her hold on the girl, trying not to think of the pain the girl would have to eventually go through as a god. “Kalli,” she starts, “If you ever want me to hold you, don’t be afraid to ask, okay? I’ll always agree, I promise.” She fully intended to keep that promise too. The girl was innocent and happy, and she deserves the chance and choice to remain that way. So if all Athena had to do was hold the child, then she would.
“Thank you,” Kalli said softly.
“Of course, it would be my pleasure.”
And it was. No matter what their father would inevitably try to throw at them again, they would all be ready to stand their ground. They’ll be ready to fight and protect one another. Athena didn’t know how she knew that her siblings and mother shared that sentiment, but somehow she could sense it. None of them wanted to be in pain anymore…
So even as the other residents of Olympus stared in shock at the oddity that was the Goddess of Wisdom, bar her armor and with a child in her arms—she didn’t falter. Athena refused to let the judgement get to her.
Besides, they weren’t the judgement she was worried about.