GOD3
by ipam
Smashwords Edition
Copyright 2011 Pamela Joan Barlow
Smashwords Edition, License Notes
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
PLAYERS:
Mrs. & Mr. Windsor, mistress and master, Windsor Manor, Birmingham, Alabama
Granny Hanover, god and goddess mentor, Windsor Manor
Teen gods and goddesses:
Archibald, Jamestown, Virginia, teen god, Shango, Africa
Bibi, London, Minnesota, teen goddess, Nikki, England
Chun, Tibet, New York, teen goddess, Kuan Yi, China
Fabio, Naples, Florida, teen god, Mithras, Italy
Kruti, Bali, California, teen goddess, Shivaa, India
Hansel, Lund, Utah, teen god, Balder, Sweden
Josefina, Carlsbad, New Mexico, teen goddess, Is Chel, Mexico
Liam, Waterford, Maine, teen god, Lugh, Ireland
Marcus, Athens, Georgia, teen god, Ares, Greece
Noako, Sapporo, New York, teen goddess, Dainichi, Japan
Rachel, Memphis, Tennessee, goddess, Isis, Egypt
Thian, twin brother of Thianne, god, Birmingham, Alabama
Thianne, twin sister of Thian, goddess, Birmingham, Alabama
Yaffa, Maui, Hawaii, teen goddess, Pele, Hawaiian
September 29, schoolhouse, classroom, sunny & cool day, 71*F, 7:30a.m.
Darkness surrounded the large room except for pockets of laser lights in selected corners of space, illuminating the well sharpened silver blade on the wooden guillotine. SNAP!
Ares and Thianne POP! inside the classroom, arm in arm followed by Pele, Kuan Yi, Isis, Is Chel, Dainichi and Nikki popped beside the love birds one at a time into the black space witnessing with their eyeballs the gruesome sight highlighted by the glaring bright spotlight.
The blade dropped with a steady pace, slicing through the head of the person with bundled yellow hair. The head hit the side of the small basket, circling off the edge, rolling like a bowling bowl three feet in a perfect straight line on the white floor, resting on the chomped neck muscles. The distorted face was pouring with bloody eyes, nose, ear and mouth.
“Ahhh!”
“Who-hoo!”
“Good one!”
“Again, sir.”
“1000.”
Loud obnoxious laughter exploded in the air waves.
“Punishment…” Ares yelled. “Granny’s back.” He sat the Dolce & Gabbana calf leather grey briefcase containing his god toys onto the concrete floor, next to his black Gucci tasseled leather shoes and clapped his hands together, and chuckled, swaying his six feet and six inches of deep Mediterranean complexion with short curly black midnight hair on a heart shaped face, aristocratic nose, and chiseled cheekbones, turquoise eyes and thin pink lips with amusement and fun. He straightened the jacket of his Ralph Lauren black pinned striped tailored wool suit with the matching silver cotton pocket handkerchief and re-knotted the solid silver necktie against the white long sleeved dress shirt. He flexed his muscles curving them around hugging Thianne with delight and whispering in her ear in his sexy deep baritone Southern accent since he’s from Athens, Georgia, not Greece. His real is Marcus by his real mom and dad when he was born on Earth. He prefers hearing “Ares, the Greek god of war” as his nicknamed while play fighting among the teen gods and divas. His parents left him with smart and nice guardians in the fosterage ritual until he reaches 18 years of age, then he can find his parents and hug his mom and dad.
Thianne giggled, leaning her tall five feet and ten inches sun tanned slender frame against Ares dressed in the Mui Mui ankle-length electric blue and pure white print flowing cotton V-line sleeveless dress with the electric blue leather Ferragamo tote bag over her shoulder containing her collected treasures from her mom and dad standing on Chloe high heeled white leather ankle-strap sandals on her bare feet and the Tacori diamond cuff bracelet on her left arm since her other hand was holding onto Ares. Her hair was silver-colored and wavy down to her waist with grey eyes. Thianne was born in Birmingham, Alabama. She doesn’t know her parents, except one is a divine deity and the other one mortal.
Pele shouted. “Neat-o.” She stood five feet and eight inches with long dirty blonde hair and aqua eyes with dark skin tone. Her real name is Yaffa, the meaning is ‘beautiful’ in Hawaiian but she liked her nickname better, Pele, “diva of fire.” She laughed with a hardy amusement also. She is from Maui, Hawaii. She wore Paul Smith green and grey wool ankle length skirt paired with Prada cotton T-shirt of horizontal wide green, white and black alternating strips jumping up and down on Ruco suede gray platform with silver rhinestones mews tossing the navy blue leather Yves Saint Laurent handbag containing her protective gear onto the concrete clapping her hands wearing the matching Paul Smith green and gray bow tie wool gloves with white angora beanie over her skull and ears.
“You gods,” Kuan Yi yelled. She was five feet and an inch with short straight bobbed black hair to her neck, and slanted hazel green-brown almond eyes. She was dressed in the Prada brown, tan and navy horizontally striped dress with a Fendi orange fur covering her neck and shoulders without any gems and precious stones. The Stephen Venezia fabric and leather black block sandals secured her feet swinging her Marc Jacobs yellow leather tote bag in the air holding her weapons. She switched her unique personal attire from the pretty multiple colored flowered patterns and jewelry when Dainichi for some strange and un-known reason started copying her fashion style. Her real name is Chun, which means ‘spring’ in Chinese. She preferred being addressed as Kuan Yin, “diva of mercy.” Kuan Yi hales from the city of Tibet in the state of New York, USA, not China. She shook her bob side to side, turning to see Thianne frown and purse her lips together as Thianne crossed hands over her chest with displeasure of the horrible scene.
“I wanna play.” Dainichi screamed. She was five feet and six inches dressed in the Dondup grey silk flowing short dress covered on neck, wrists, ankles, ears, fingers from the entire collection of Bulgari jewelry made of rubies, sapphires, emeralds, diamonds and gold with a flat diamond Tiffany tiara covering her shoulder length straight black hair with brown eyes as she was stomping the JC de Castelbajac platform four inch heeled snake leather sandals, shaking her Bottega Veneta red snake clutch in her one hand crowded with her weapons for fighting. “Noako means ‘esteemed one’ in Japanese. She is from Sapporo, New York with the same city sister in Japan. She picked the “goddess of wisdom, Dainichi” as her diva name. She possesses the special power of invisibility. She disappeared from sight for three seconds, then materializing in plain view with a different designer outfit by Vera Wang.
The man screamed with a piercing yell jumping from the plank into the water. SPLASH! The water leaped and jumped high landing inside the ship’s wooden floor.
“Nice splash, Thian!”
“I give it an 800.”
“800, man that’s a 1000!”
“Not enough water on deck or in the air. Shango’s water got all the sailors wet.”
“That’s because he wet his panties and it leaked.”
“THIAN.”
Thian was a silver-head six feet and six inches teen with gray eyes wearing Levi faded jeans and one of his many favored comfortable cotton T-shirt with the letters Alabama Crimson Tide sewn into the fabric, and Jack Purcell white sneakers. His head covered in an Alabama dark blood maroon baseball cap, backwards, not forwards as he turned to look at his sister. “Hi, sis, wanna join my winning team.” He laughed, bending to pick up the overturned Alabama nylon backpack with his weapons. Thian doesn’t have a god nickname since the United States of America is a mixture of numerous culture, peoples and traditions. The only pagan tradition he worships is college football and bows to the national championship team of the University of Alabama Crimson Tide pack. Roll Tide!
“I’m winning, dude.” Mithras of Naples, Florida, not Italy barked. Mithras means “the soldiers’ god” when the Roman god slayed the mighty bull giving life to the earth and gathering fans from the Roman army. His real name is Fabio who happens to measure six feet and five inches with light blonde shoulder length hair and intense mint green eyes. He’s wearing the Lanvin cotton blue and white plaid button down dress shirt over the Old Navy white turtleneck and D&J gray cotton shorts with Santoni crocodile silver slip on shoes and his Marc Jacobs green canvas duffle bag containing his personal god gear.
“No, you ain’t, man. Thian’s winning the race.”
Laughter exploded in the air waves.
The spotlight jerked 20 feet to the left displaying the female wearing the blindfold over her eyes, tied at wrist behind her back, holding a cigarette in her mouth as she stood tall and straight in front of the armed firing squad of six men. The captain standing at the side shouted.
“Readyyyyy! Aimmmm!” He paused for drama.
Laughter exploded in the air waves.
“Good pause, Mithras!”
“1000 points for drama.”
More laughter exploded.
“Firrrrre!”
The six African male elephants turned to face the gods, seated in the floating dais, blasting water from their massive trunks at the boys. Thian was quick, erecting a god-shield before the waves of water hit the guys. Shango turned the water into dust with his magical powders.
“Game over.” Kuan Yi called. She waved her hands transforming the soldiers into mammals at the last second using her new and growing goddess powers. She giggled.
Ares roared with laughter, punching Kuan Yi in the arm. “Good one, babe.” He continued to laugh while hugging Thianne, pointing at the moving dais that Thian was trying to control with his waving hands.
Divas patted Kuan Yi’s arms and shoulders with complimentary remarks against the arrogant teens gods.
“Go, girl.” Rachel hollered as the diva nicknamed “Isis” from Memphis, Tennessee, not Egypt. She measures five feet and five inch beauty with blonde hair asked with emerald green eyes. She chose “Isis” as her diva name, meaning the goddess of fertility. She continued to groove side to side on her Proenza Schouler gold leather and black tied booties, DNKY baby blue with wide black diagonal striped pool pants and white and black vertical silk Calvin Klein jacket and shell holding her tan leather Dooney & Bourke saddle bag with her weapons and Anzie necklace, bracelet and earrings of silver and precious stones of amethyst and aqua and jade.
“Nice touch, diva.” Josefina called as “Is Chel” which is the “diva of medicine.” Josefina’s real name means “lucky.” She is from Carlsbad, New Mexico and her sister city is in the country of Mexico. She giggled twirling her long brown hair around the D&G strass, silver and brass black onyx drop earrings on her five feet and six inches with shoulder length curls and bronze eyes dressed in the John Galliano violet wool Bohemian waist jacket paired over the orange spandex shorts, Church’s blue and white ballerina slip on shoes with the Hogan blue, silver saddle handbag in her hands holding her protection items from her mom and dad.
“You’re a poor sportsman, Kuan Yi.” Dainichi chilled. She changed her outfit…for a third time…to the Balenciaga short silk dress made of tiny pink and red buds interlaced with green vines, tied at the waist wearing the same collection Bulgaria gems on every limb and finger standing on Dior pink leather Mary Jane’s pumps with four inch heels carrying her Viktor & Rolf black patent leather rose clutch with her weapons under her armpit.
Nikki didn’t comment. She didn’t want to upset the divas or her boyfriend, Balder. On her first day at the Sanctuary Balder had announced in front of the other teen devas and devis. “Pixies are the world’s cutest fairy-like little girls with bouncy ringlets and a squeaky voice along with a cutesy personality.” Her real name is Bibi from London, Minnesota, not England but she adopted the Scandinavian pixie named “Nikki, protector of children.” She’s five feet even with long curly red hair and violet colored pupils with a pink tie bowed Paul Smith headband wearing the blue multi-colored satin halter top from Juicy Culture paired with the Juicy Culture baby blue wide legged cotton pants over Fendi open toed high heeled sandals of honey, berry and green, dropping her Tod’s pink canvas handled purse containing her weapons to watch on the floor. She giggled and winked at Balder. He blow her a good morning kiss to her pink cheek. She felt the small tiny echo blast that was warm and wet. She giggled.
“Naw, not until I win.” Balder countered with a sneer for all the gods and divas to hear. The tall blonde wearing the Banana Republic blue and green plaid Bermuda shorts and Armani pullover pink cashmere sweater over a long sleeved white T-shirt and Havaianas purple flip flops with his Calvin Klein small red and white duffle bag. He possessed bright baby blue eyes and short cropped baby fine blonde hair on six feet and five inches of muscles standing he pointed an index point at himself. He likes to tell ya he’s the “love god,” nicknamed as Balder. However, some of the other teen gods and divas tease Hansel which is his real name from Lund, Utah, not his sister city in Sweden. He represents the god in the Norse mythology associated with light, beauty, love and happiness, only for one the young lady named Nikki.
“That would be when…Balder…after we defeat Satan’s grandmother. You’re behind by 4000 points.” Standing six feet and four inches with no hair and dark brown eyes displaying the conservative bright green Roberto Cavalli polo shirt and Guess khaki slacks bucked by a tan leather Aigner belt and tan Caboots zip boots on his big feet, Archibald joshed. He moved the Long champ tan leather bag to the other side for protection from the rowdy gods which housed his weapons. He’s known as the god named Shango, rain, thunder and sorcerers from the Thunder pantheon of Africa. He’s from Jamestown, Virginia, not Africa.
“Watch this move.” Balder told waving his hands in the air.
The trap door sprung opened. The person dropped down into air as the skull separated from the neck muscles. The body fell onto the bloody cement floor covered in red. The skull with short bobbed straight black hair and slanted hazel-green brown almond eyes hung lifelessly with the rope clinging around the throat suspended in the air.
“Hey, I know that face.” Ares pointed, and then turned to see the familiar face on the girl next to him.
“That’s….that’s me.” Kuan Yi shouted with fury and annoyance and embarrassment.
“Right-o.” Balder smirked with an evil grin, roaring with laughter.
Kuan Yi shot an emerald shiny green wide echo blast at Balder’s shoulder, hitting with accurate and causing intense pain and suffering. Balder tumbled backward as him and the chair performed a slick mini-somersault in the air before landing on hands and knees as opposed to smashing his handsome face. He stood and yelled.
“You’re dead…babe.” Balder promised the diva, and then god-leaped 20 feet rolling into a ball in the air towards Kuan Yi. She moved three paces forward to encounter her enemy.
Teen gods and divas shifted, shuffled and shoved each other to the side wanting to view the fight.
Shango snapped fingers creating a Roman gladiator pit simulated in 60 BC used for men fighting men, men fighting wild animals, Balder fighting Kuan Yi until death. The teens circled the cold steel railing used as a protected barrier from the depth of the pit below. The pit was 10 feet deep allowing a nice vertical view of the show.
Pele waved her hands and materialized a 70-inch plasma TV monitor displaying the horizontal battle of Balder and Kuan Yi in true living color.
“What’s her beef?”
“Balder.”
“What’s his prob?”
“Kuan Yi.”
“Someone spit, what’s wrong with the fairy tale, here?” Shango inquired, scanning faces of teens.
Some bodies shrugged shoulders. Some bodies shook heads. Some bodies stared at the action.
Balder body slammed Kuan Yi hard into the dirt, drawing blood from her nose and mouth as she bit her tongue and smashed cartilage within her nostrils. He dropped his full weight of 220 pounds of his six feet and four feet frame aiming to crash her rib cage when Kuan Yi diva-rolled to the left out of range of his massive bulk.
Kuan Yi stood, smiling as the blood poured from nostrils, ears, mouth and a cut over her right eye.
She shouted. “Pretty good, babe….but I’m best.” Kuan Yi goddess-twisted her body sideways landing on her hand performing a cartwheel, and then round-off and, then three forward flips alternating hands, and then feet in the direction of Balder. So quickly, he couldn’t see her diva-speed. She planted her Stephen Venezia fabric and leather black block three inches of sandaled feet deep into his shoulders between his skull standing for three seconds before she goddess-leaped high like a trained acrobat artist landing on the soft dirt. She giggled.
Balder crumbled to the dirt in pain and surprise. He yelled. “Heck fire.” He stumbled to his knees and hands, inhaling and exhaling hard trying to breathe H2O.
“Stop it, Thian.” Thianne told standing up on the platform watching the pit fighting.
“Hold your ponytail, Thianne.” Shango baited, chuckling at the god-diva performance. He smiled.
“It’s just getting good.” Dainichi cheered with delight at the bloody violence of two gods fighting each other.
“Ares, make them stop fighting.” Thianne begged her guy to do the honor, wrapping long arms around his fit waist.
Ares didn’t stop the fight, he stared at Thian. “Dang it, tell! Why does Balder hate her?” Thian and Thianne were the first god and diva housed at the Sanctuary. They know everything about every teen. Ares didn’t like seeing his friends fight each other especially when the teens had a future rough and tough battle with Satan’s grandmother once she was found. On the flip side, Balder and Kuan Yi had to get their differences past themselves to face a more mighty challenge.
“Do you need a reason? I don’t like Kuan Yi, either.” Shango confessed.
“That’s because she can whip your little fanny, Shango.” Dainichi remarked with a giggle without eye burning the big god.
“Hey, little girl for the record, I don’t like you, either.” Shango head spun staring hard brown eyes at Dainichi. She shrugged the comment off her shoulders, smiling.
“Shut up, Shango.”
Lugh spoke. “Dainichi saved our lives. She’s cool and she’s sweet. Kuan Yi is a…”
“Enough, cubs.” Thian barked at the bickering teens.
Thianne snuggled closing to Ares, whispering. “Please stop the fight. Balder might get hurt.” She giggled.
Ares held her close. He could feel Thianne’s worry and her passion for him and the other teen gods and divas. He eyeballed down at the bloody fighting. The little thing was doing at good job of holding her own with the huge guy. Ares turned to Thian, again. “I want to know the facts before I toss Shango down to assist Balder.” Ares head spun to smile at Shango, chuckling. Shango neck snapped and sneered in his direction.
“So, do I?” Nikki demanded crossing arms over her chest. She was very worried for her guy, Balder. He was kind and nice to her but he didn’t act that way to Kuan Yi. She was always curious in their nasty partnership.
Lugh spoke. “It’s so obvious even I figured it out.” He stood on a metal step ladder he popped to see the fight wearing the red Armani sweater and wool pants over Hugh Boss brown tasseled loafers, sitting the Calvin Klein leather brown messenger bag on the floor. Lugh is from Waterford, Maine, not Ireland. He likes to be called “Lugh, the Celtic god of light.”
“What’s obvious, Lugh?” Pele eye burned the small god, asking.
“She’s the spy.” Lugh announced, pointing at her in the pit.
“What spy, footstool?” Mithras eye burned fireballs at Lugh, questioning.
“The spy, the only one we got.” Lugh continued.
“Explain, footstool.” Ares demanded moving to stand behind the little man. He didn’t like tattlers, fibbers or spies with Satan’s grandmother running around whacking and hacking teen gods and divas while seeking the marked god and goddesses with the golden god-blood to open the gates of Tartarus.
“She told us all.” Lugh repeated.
“Tell us again, I seemed to have missed that classroom assignment, Lugh.” Isis ordered also since she didn’t trust the small teen with her dinner or homework assignment.
Lugh mentioned. “Kuan Yi mentioned it first. There are two divas from the same city, New York.”
“So….” Is Chel pondered and questioned.
Lugh lectured. “My adoptive parents versed me in Goddom, too. We as infants, separated from our moms and dads were given to a set of protective guardians as stated in the fosterage ritual…”
“Skip down to the next paragraph.” Shango ordered, still eye burning fireballs at Lugh.
Thian waved his hands. “Forget the paragraphs and the rest of the chapters, go directly to the ending, Lugh.” He commanded with a frown.
Lugh emphasized. “Only one teen is raised in one city in the US for protection and isolation and exclusion…”
“Kuan Yi told us she’s from New York….” Thianne commented.
“New York City in the state of New York….” Isis mentioned.
“I’m from New York City…also.” Dainichi stated with seriousness.
“You see. There are two teens from the same town.” Is Chel theorized.
Shango added. “New York City is a big wide geographical place on the map with hundreds of suburbs and villages.”
“No. No. No. Lugh’s right.” Pele confirmed. “I understand the same principle, concept and idea. One teen, one city.”
Lugh asked. “How can Kuan Yi come from New York when Dainichi lived their first?”
“I can’t answer that question, footstool.” Mithras commented.
“We can ask Kuan Yi.” Thian proposed.
“She’s not going to know the answer.” Pele retorted knowing how strong and stubborn the diva is in her natural personality without her goddess attitude.
“Yes, she will, if she’s a spy.” Lugh stated.
“Stop saying that, footstool.” Shango threatened.
“There are two divas from New York City. Why isn’t Dainichi a suspect of spying?” Mithras asked, staring fireballs at her. He didn’t trust her. He noted she didn’t look at him but continued to move closer to Shango as if hiding.
Lugh protected. “Dainichi saved our hinnies, remember…Mithras at the cemetery.”
“We all remember.” Pele relayed.
Ares asked. “Why question Kuan Yi, Lugh? I still don’t understand your reasoning.”
“Ares is right. What kind of proof do you have on Kuan Yi regarding spying?” Thianne inquired.
Lugh listed. “One, she is the second diva from New York City. Two, she figured out the mosaic, first.”
“I found it inside Kruti’s room.” Thianne reminded the teen gods and divas.
Lugh announced. “Thianne, you aren’t from New York City. You’re eliminated as a suspect. This is called ‘selective hypostasizing.’ ”
“Sounds like snitching hockey pucks to me.” Ares grunted and fumed.
Laughter exploded in the air waves.
“Kuan Yi is very smart, an intellect….” Is Chel told.
“More evidence, three, her insulting language to the real gods and divas…’you gods’….” Lugh repeated and chuckled.
Isis added. “Kuan Yi is very funny, entertaining.”
“Five…” Lugh started.
“You are only at number four, he can’t count, either.” Pele commented, laughing her head off.
“Four….she sides with Granny for not fighting.” Lugh continued.
“I don’t want to fight, either.” Nikki told.
“I protect ya, babe.” Balder tenderly kissed her forehead.
“She’s a peace maker.” Thianne noted.
“Five, how’s it possible for her to beat the snot out of Balder?” Lugh asked, pointing down to the pit.
“Kuan Yi is strong.” Ares spit crossing his arms over his chest.
Thian stood tall and announced to all the teen gods and divas. “All pantheons are not created equal, Lugh.”
“How so?” Lugh asked, turning to stare up at the tall god of six feet and six inches compared to his three foot frame and one inches.
“Pantheons are marked by distinguishing characteristics….” Thian continued the lecture.
“Or flaws?” Pele added to the lecture.
“How so?” Lugh inquired, again.
Thian commented. “Eons again, pantheons warred with each other over property….territories…”
Dainichi told. “He means ‘joes’ and ‘marys’….”
“Not nice, Dainichi…” Is Chel reprimanded.
“I used Kuan Yi’s description.” Dainichi nodded, pointing her manicured red nails down to the pit.
“Another bead in her Gucci spy purse. She doesn’t like the humans.” Lugh emphasized.
“Shut up, Lugh.”
“Therefore, pantheons were conquested and absorbed and vanquished, creating bigger and tougher ones.” Thian lectured.
“Like Titans.” Is Chel pondered and guessed.
“Right, more so, the Greek and Roman gods and goddesses boxed them into Tartarus, hence being the strongest of the pantheons.” Thian continued.
“I’m strong.” Lugh blabbed.
“Quiet, footstool.” Shango ordered with a smile.
“Pele and I have exchanged working theories that intermarriage of the panetheon weaken the deva while intramarriage strength the deva.” Thian explained, nodding at Pele.
“Ya saying my mom’s inferior to my father.” Lugh equipped with angry.
Thian clarified. “I’m suggesting a deva from two gods is more powerful than a deva from a god and human.”
“We were told that we had…” Isis started.
“Part of the fosterage ritual, we have one divine parent and one mortal to keep the peace among devas and devis. If that data was shared, it would cause war….” Thian continued.
“Or chaos.” Pele ended.
Thian concluded. “I’m referencing the theory a long, long time ago that was implemented to save the remaining gods, goddess and pantheons.”
“Good theory, Thian.” Mithras complimented, nodding.
“Now, today, Pele and I are suggesting Kuan Yi might be from both a god and a goddess, giving her powerful fighting skills.” Thian applied the theory.
“She’s definitely beating the heck of Balder.” Shango grunted and chuckled, punching at Mithras. He sniggered.
“Stop her, Thian.” Nikki asked. When the leader god ignored her, she head spun to Shango. “Please, Shango, stop her.” Shango placed his arm around the goddess, smiling.
“I buy that theory. So, she’s of two divines. Where do I stand?” Lugh accepted and nodded and then asked.
“Well, within the panetheon, there are major and minor gods and goddesses. To carry our theory through, two minor deities produce minor deva while two…” Thian lectured.
“Got it!” Lugh interrupted.
“Lugh, your theories are flawed….all of them.” Thian noted.
Skulls nodded up and down with agreement.
Pele addressed. “You have exhibited failure in science, history, math, and literature. Can you spell your name?”
“L…A…”
“I’m nervous.” Lugh yelped.
Pele teased, shaking her head. “See, double below minor deva…”
“I thought that was a twit.” Shango added.
Laughter exploded in the air waves.
Lugh shouted with a loud tenor tone. “MY….final evidence, the JANES didn’t directly attack us. They were studying us like they were waiting on the signal to capture us.”
“Bull frog crap.” Ares spit, shaking his head and his fists and eye burning Lugh.
Thian lectured and warned. “Agreed, Ares. Lugh, you’re posturing some harsh and dangerous assumptions…”
Shango warned. “Yeah, little man. Assumption means ‘ass of me and you,’ mostly you.”
Pele added. “Be very careful here.”
“Tread softly, footstool.” Mithras added to the threats.
Lugh continued to bellow like a cow in heat. “All these facts, don’t add up….that’s the problem.”
“More bull frog crap…” Ares spit.
“BALDER….” Nikki cried as she POP! leaving the platform.
The teens ended the debate, scanning the pit below. With god/dess-sight. Balder laid on his back with arms and legs spread outward, blood flowing smoothly from open vestibules of his body… looking dead.
“Heck fire.” Ares bent knees, god-jumped high, somersaulted and landed five feet from Balder, strutting to his rescue.
Thian POP! landed beside the wobbly and weak Kuan Yi, steadying her by the shoulders before she fell face down into the dirt. “This is over, cub.” Kuan Yi shook her head slightly. She didn’t have any energy left to speak, argue or spit. Thian pulled her close and snapped his fingers. POP! back to the schoolhouse for Isis to heal her body of cuts, bruises and broken bones in jiffy time. Kuan Yi would be sore for a couple of hours and then completed recuperated, the powers of a half-way goddess. He snorted.
Thianne, Shango, Pele, Is Chel and Mithras and Lugh popped circling around Balder like hungry vultures.
“Is he dead?” Mithras asked, chuckling. He knew Balder wasn’t dead but defeated by a diva. He snickered again. He couldn’t wait to tease the gingerbread man for this stupid stunt.
“Balder.” Nikki whispered, touching his sweaty forehand with her hand as she cradled his skull in her lap. She cried tears of unhappiness and worry.
“Just beaten….” Pele kneeled next to Balder, holding his hand, checking his pulse.
Is Chel added. “….and bleedin’…” She ripped his shirt, examining the cuts and broken bones, hoping Kuan Yi didn’t accidentally or purposefully pierce a lung.
Lugh stood over Balder’s feet gawking. “You kill a god by cutting….”
“We know…Lugh.” Pele reprimanded, eye burning fireballs at him.
“O! Yeah! Right! Duh! Forget not to mention the ‘secret’ password.” Lugh told, frowning.
“What…. a-mess?” Mithras posed, snickered.
“Man, Kuan Yi is a tough tiny little thin’.” Shango chuckled, looking at Mithras. They chuckled together, pointing at ripped body parts on Balder.
“I thought the ‘diva of fire’ a…big bad goddess.” Mithras winked at Pele. She giggled.
“Everyone stand back.” Ares barked, waving his arms sideways like parting the Red Sea, moving closer to the unconscious body.
“What are you going to do, Ares?” Thianne asked as she stood from Balder, blocking Ares.
“Giving Balder a jump start….” Ares spit, using hands shoving teens aside for his new neat god-trick.
“You’re not a healer….Ares.”
“Or a doctor, man.”
“He ain’t dead, bro.”
“He might be soon…”
“Is Chel, what’s his status?”
Is Chel was moving her healing hands over the open wounds, first before working on the inner bruises. “Pfft! Unconscious, bleeding and immobile….does that please ya, Shango?”
Ares clapped his hands. SLAP! He rubbed the palms fast and furious creating heat. His normally white palms were turning bright red.
Shango nodded, laughed, and then asked. “What’d ya doing, Ares?”
“Healing him, in one sucker punch. Watch this?” Ares kneeled, placing palms down in the air. He inhaled and exhaled. He lowered both palms simultaneously onto the exposed bleeding and cut chest cavity. When he connected his hot hands with the destroyed skin tissue, Balder jerked and jolted for one second his hands, arms, legs and feet like an electrical shock.
“Don’t Ares…” Nikki cried. Thianne hugged her.
Thianne whispered in her face, reassuringly. “He’s going to be fine, Nikki. I promise.” She trusted her guy.
“You’re killing him, Ares. Stop!” Is Chel stood, yelling to the rafter of the schoolhouse.
“Naw, wait!” Mithras told. “Do it, dude.”
Ares closed his eyes, kneeling and merging his hands deeper into the wounds, sinking fingertips and thumbs into the tissues. Balder jerked and jolted for five seconds, flinging hands, arms, feet and legs.
“He flies.” Shango barked, chuckling.
“Shut up, Shango.”
Thian POP! down into the pit, observing the action with a frown. He walked to Shango. “That’s good, right?” He pointed dirty fingernails at Ares.
“Maybe…” Shango offered, shaking his bald head.
Pele moved beside Thian, commenting. “You should never leave Ares un-supervised, Thian.”
“I’m learning.” Thian commented, chuckling.
Balder suddenly opened eyes, bolted upright at the waist, grabbing Ares by the wrists, tossing his body to the side of him. “Hot, that’s hot.”
“It’s heated, man.” Ares corrected, rolling out of the god-throw, smirking.
“It’s healed.” Is Chel rushed to Balder eye burning examining the pink scars.
“It’s alive.” Shango tooted with a hoot.
“The wounds are closed and cauterized.” Is Chel announced with care and relief.
“Stolen trick, Ares.” Shango teased with a grin, punched his bicep.
“Emerging talent, man.” Ares told with a smile, chuckling.
“Good, cub.” Thian slapped Ares’s shoulder with a force god-punch for fun and irritation.
Shango slapped Ares on the back with a less forceful hit. “Makes you wonder what he’d do to ya if he told ya ‘bad, cub.’ ” He laughed.
“Right!” Ares laughed. Thianne moved to hug Ares and talk softly in his ear. Ares giggled.
Thian kneeled on the hard dirt, staring at Balder. “This is over, cub. She won and you lost.” Balder only nodded, pondering the statement. Thian helped him to stand. Pele and Is Chel grabbed an arm as Pele popped them to the schoolhouse for treating his bloody body parts.
Thian walked and parted Ares and Thianne with his hands and body. “I need your touch with the watches, sis.” He ordered knowing she would help him. He turned to Ares. “Bad, cub.” Thian snapped fingers holding his sister’s hand as they popped out. Ares snapped fingers, laughing, leaving the pit to rescue his princess.
The watches assigned to the teen gods and divas:
French solid yellow gold, diamond and turquoise inlay made in 1840 wrist watch, priceless to Thianne.
1975 Rebel by Lambretta $89.00 for Is Chel.
Casio G-shock priced at $625.00 for Mithras.
Jelly rhinestone electric blue leather band sports watch $12.00 to Pele.
Cartier Santos-Dumont yellow gold squared face with brown alligator band dress watch for $14,375.00 to Thian.
Patek Philippe Calatrava white gold round black leather band wrist watch for $19,800.00 to Balder.
Blancpain fifty fathoms automatic sport watch with black face and black leather for $12,500.00 to Shango.
Timex carriage watch for ladies silver plated and gold plated wrist band white faced for $15.00 to Isis.
Van Cleef & Arpels, white gold oval face surrounded by diamonds on black calfskin strap for $2,550.00 to Dainichi.
Bertolucci stainless steel round sports ladies watch for $2,400.00 to Nikki.
Bedat & Co. solid rose gold watch with diamonds on the face for $2700.00 to Kuan Yi.
Audemars Piguet gold circular face with brown alligator strap for men’s priced at $2,220.00 to Lugh.
Thianne finished handing out the watches moving to sit beside Ares admiring the 1840 French solid 18 carat gold thick chain watch in her hand. If she slapped onto her wrist, it would activate as a golden shield for protection or battle which is coming very soon with Satan’s grandmother.
“Beautiful….the gold is so soft.” Thianne commented.
Ares touched her delicate arm and purred into her ear. “You’re soft and more beautiful.” Thian sent the green echo blast into the leg of the chair causing the object to break and plummet to the hard wood floor. Ares jumped into the air, sneering.
Laughter exploded in the air waves.
“One day….Thian…” Ares promised. Thianne smoothed his arm, levitating another chair from the corner for him.
“Pink cat eyed sunglasses for Shango.” Lugh told, repeating the statement.
Laughter exploded in the air waves.
“Pretty pink princess phone….” Lugh told, chuckling. “That’s hard to spit, right, Shango. Pretty. Pink. Princess. Phone…..for Mithras.” Lugh added to his repeating statement. “I have come to the major conclusion that Mithras and Shango are both…”
Mithras drew his sword on top of Lugh’s left right while Shango perched his sword tip on bottom of Lugh’s right ear. Mithras threatened the small Leprechaun. “I dare thee to challengeth me.”
“Simmer, beanie weenie.” Shango added to the delicate and dangerous situation for Lugh.
Laughter exploded in the air waves.
“You gods, we don’t need weapons to fight.” Kuan Yi hollered for attention with her continuous lecture of non-violence and fighting.
“Why not, Kuan Yi?”
“See, the spy.” Lugh told with a snort.
Shango held his sword in the air, eyeing Lugh. “Remember what I told ya, footstool.”
“She’s right. We find the cave first, we win.”
“We turn 18 next week. We wait it out. We all win.”
“Polly said she needed the blood of a god….”
“Or…a goddess…”
“We’re half gods...”
“…and half goddesses…”
“I don’t understand. Why’s Satan’s grandmother after us, or three…of us?”
“Because…there aren’t any full blooded gods and goddesses here on Earth.”
“Fact, Is Chel.”
“We are defenseless.”
“Good fact, Is Chel.”
“Our blood is strong…stronger than GREGS, FREDS, JANES and humans.”
“Great fact, Is Chel.”
“Why kill Kruti…then? That move doesn’t make any sense to me.”
“Kruti wasn’t a marked goddess. She was eliminated from the pack.”
“Her blood wasn’t needed…”
“Her blood was used…”
“Wait a minute, you are suggesting Kruti’s blood was obtained and then used by Satan’s grandmother on the gates of Tartarus.”
“Yes, I am.”
“New theory.”
“Bad theory.”
“Only theory.”
“I want my mommy and daddy.”
“Blood can survive lots of stuff, disease, pollution…”
“Humans have blood transfusions to survive all the time and live very long lives.”
“God blood is no different.”
“We gods.”
“Ye gods.”
“You gods.”
Laughter exploded in the air waves.
“The remnants of god-dess-blood from our bodies stored in laboratory test tubes doesn’t change the texture or content.”
“Right, Is Chel.”
“Ah, and that means…what exactly?”
“Satan’s grandmother doesn’t need us alive to use the god-dess blood.”
Silence loomed in the air waves.
“Change subject?”
“The cave…remember?”
“Where is Tartarus?”
“What is the description of Tartarus?”
“Someone….”
“Anyone…”
“Here, it saids. Tartarus is the lowest region of the world.”
“That’s Earth.”
“As far below Earth as Earth is from Heaven.”
“Way far.”
“Greek poet, Hesiod told...”
“Never heard of him before.” Lugh commented.
“Are we surprised, Lugh?”
“No, footstool.”
Pele listed, giggling. “You failed science, history, math, literature and spelling.”
“Shut up, Pele.”
Laughter exploded in the air waves.
“An anvil falls from Heaven would take nine days and nights.”
“24 hours times 9 equals….”
“Anyone.”
“….to reach Earth and that object would take the same amount of time.”
“24 hours times 9.”
“To fall from Earth to Tartarus.”
“Clueless.”
“It’s a riddle.”
“Yeah, a riddle.”
“Hey, Balder, master riddler…answer the riddle?”
“I don’t know the answer.” Balder shook his head, smiling.
Thian read out loud. “Ambrosia is a concoction of honey, water, fruit, olive oil and barley.”
“You’re suppose to call ‘subject change’ when you can the subject, Thian.”
Laughter exploded in the air waves.
Shango barked and laughed. “Lunchtime.”
“It’s not lunchtime.” Pele teased.
Kuan Yi joshed. “Subject change.”
Laughter exploded in the air waves.
Isis told. “I didn’t know ambrosia is a concoction of honey, water, fruit, olive oil and barley.”
Shango told. “I think I’m going to be sick.”
“Shut up, Shango.”
Shango commented, frowning and making disgusting nosies with his mouth and hands. “Who mixes olive oil with honey?” YUCKO! BLOBO!
“Shut up, Shango.”
Shango continued, grinning. “Now, honey and fruit with nuts sounds delicious! I’m getting hungry, again. When’s lunch?”
“Shut up, Shango.”
Thian told. “Ambrosia is the food of the gods.”
“…and goddesses…”
“Why do you gods leave us out?”
“Subject change…”
Laughter exploded in the air waves.
“Ambrosia is the food of the gods and goddesses.”
“We know that.”
More laughter exploded.
“We all know that expression.”
“Like, I said it’s not lunchtime, just ate breakfast.” BURP!
Additional laughter exploded.
“Thank you, gross ‘food’ god, Shango.”
Thian offered. “If we find the ingredients that make up ambrosia we have found Tartarus.”
“No, they’re gods...”
“Without their god powers since they’re underground.”
Thian lectured. “The honeybee is in the kingdom of Amimalia and Phylum of Arthropoda and Class of Insecta and order of Humenoptera and Family of Apidae and Genus of Apis.”
“Impressive, Thian.”
“Subject change.”
Laughter exploded in the air waves.
“What’s Thian saying?”
“Talking...”
“Like a computer…”
“That’s Thian’s real brain.”
“O!”
“There, the pictures of bees displayed on the big plasma TV.”
“Bumble, killer, carpenter bees...”
“They built houses.”
“Honeycombs, dummy.”
“That was Lugh…”
“No, I didn’t comment.”
“ Cause he doesn’t know that honeycombs are the houses of bees.”
“Most bees have specialized branched or feathery body hairs that helps in the collection of pollen.”
“Why’s this important?”
“Finding…the honey in the honeycombs.”
“Female bees have a defensive sting.”
“Like female gals.” Shango told, snickering.
Laughter exploded in the air waves.
“Subject change.”
More laughter exploded.
Pele offered. “Listen to this…in the bees and wasps category, not only are bees and many of their relatives pollinators of flowering plants, it including fruits and vegetables.”
“What does that mean, Pele?”
Shango told. “They sting, bite…when mad….”
Balder finished, grinning. “….at Shango.”
Laughter exploded in the air waves.
“Shut up, Balder.”
Balder continued the tease. “That’s why he doesn’t have a girl…”
“Shut up, Balder.”
“They pollen fruits and vegetables.”
Balder joked. “Shango doesn’t pollen…”
More laughter exploded.
Shango threatened. “Hey, remember what I told Lugh…”
Balder head spun to Shango with a big grin. “Naw.”
“Simmer, ya big weenie.” Shango insulted with a laugh. Balder stood. Thian sent a mint green echo blast to his exposed ankles since he likes wearing flip-flops.
Balder jerked down to the chair, rubbing the burn. “Thian…”
Extreme laughter exploded.
Thian commanded pointing with dirty fingernails. “Shango, shut up and Balder, sit and heel.”
“Vegetables.”
“Wild vegetables.”
“I don’t know.”
“Bees are flying insects related to wasps and ants, known for their role in pollination…”
“Redundant 411, bro.”
“For producing honey and beeswax.”
“Beeswax used in the honeycombs.”
“Another great clue, beeswax and honeycombs.”
“…in the wild.”
“Yes, in the wild.”
Balder told. “They ain’t tame. They’re wild and free…like me.” He snickered. “Hey, I riddled.”
“Forget Balder, he just lost his god-mind.”
Nikki offered. “Bee products offer earth-friendly natural skin care, beauty and personal care products.”
“No time for free advertisements, Nikki.”
Nikki told. “My point’s all the products are sulfate free, paraben free, phthalate free and petrochemical free...”
“It’s free…”
“Shut up, Shango.”
“I’ll free.”
“Shut up, Shango.”
Nikki added. “The natural toothpastes are clinically enhanced to prevent and improve oral health and discourage tooth decay…”
Is Chel pointed with manicured orange fingernails to the book in her hands.
“What, Is Chel?”
Is Chel told. “Together, these creatures pollinate plants including many crops that turn over the soil...”
Pele read. “It takes the nectar from 10 million flowers to make one liter of honey. The worker bee can carry half her weigh in nectar and pollen and still fly to the honeycomb.”
“Another important hint.”
Shango told. “In the movie, The Swarm, great clouds of angry bees attacked entire cities and sting hundreds of people to death.”
Pele eye burned to him, and reprimanded. “What are you reading, Shango?”
Shango moved the article under the table. “Uh...bees...”
“Pure science fiction, man.”
“Concentrate on honeybees, Shango.”
“There are Africanized Killer Bees.”
“In Africa, man, not here, in Alabama.”
“Could be….a-coming?”
“Shango?”
“Sorry, honey.” Shango smiled at Pele and winked.
Laughter exploded in the air waves.
“Nectar is eaten by the gods.”
“So…?”
“Nectar is honey based, also.”
“So….?”
“Honey comes from bees.”
“Be mine, honeybee.” Ares whispered staring into Thianne’s face. She giggled. Thian shot a green echo blast at his hip. Ares yelped since he was engrossed in concentration, turning to see Thian’s smiled and waved like a little kid.
“Ares?” Pele called.
“What?” Ares spit.
“Pay attention, Marcus.” Pele eye burned to him and reprimanded.
“Fine.” Ares waved his hand in the air, crossing it under his armpits turning to the speaker.
“Move to the side of the room, Marcus.” Thian ordered. Ares didn’t move but smiled.
“I’m not following the logic to the ambrosia/nectar/honey thing.”
“You’re dumb, bro.”
“Shut up, Balder.”
“Honeybees produce honey daily. Ya see. The Titans need to eat….”
“….and drink and pee.” Ares added to the talk, grinning about his participation. Thianne slapped his big bicep. He grinned at her and whispered into her face. She smiled.
Laughter exploded in the air waves.
“Shut up, Ares.”
“Trapped in Hades.”
“Forever….”
“They still need nourishment or die from something.”
“Look it up.”
“Forget the library.”
“My theory is the nectar is produced inside the cave.”
“Impossible. They can’t get out.”
“They can’t leave the cave due to the curse of Zeus.”
“Ah ! I see where you’re heading. Titans are trapped by magic, not imprisoned like thieves.”
“Exactly… Zeus must provided food and water for them.”
“Party Center.”
“Maybe….”
“Hotel California scenario.”
Laughter exploded in the air waves.
Shango sung in deep tenor. “Dadadada….if you find the door…”
“….ya can never leave…dododododo…” Ares ended with the baritone note.
“The cave’s in California.” Lugh inquired with confusion.
“The song by the 1970’s popular musical group, the Eagles called Hotel California.”
“What song?” Isis asked.
“Is-is is young.”
Shango whispered to him, teasing. “She’s 12 going on 18, Thian.”
“Shut up, Shango.”
Shango asked. “How old are you, Isis?”
Isis giggled. “In kid or goddess days?”
“Forget it!” Shango smirked and laughed.
Thian told. “A bee finds the air hole and travels into the cave, making honey.”
“Making love….” Ares spit, chuckling. Pele drew a mint green echo blast into the same hip.
Ares head spun, yelling and rubbing the area with his hand. “Pele, babe!” She giggled.
The teen god and goddesshood powers were exponentially accelerating within the final week of their 18th birthdays. Suddenly, they were exhibiting good talents and bad behavior to do new and nasty kinds of stuff on each other.
“Making honey, Ares.” Pele corrected.
“Listen with both ears, bro.” Shango told.
“I’m listening.” Ares spit.
“….to Thianne’s heart beat.” Shango told, chuckling.
“So, what did Thian say, Ares?” Pele asked.
“The bees leaves…” Ares told incorrectly and grinned at the teens.
“The bees die. The cave is self contained. More bees find the entrance and make more honey so the Titans can live.”
“Sick. Mental.”
“Whatever.”
“There’s an air hole, somewhere. We break it open and climb down.”
“We use the bee’s path to locate the cave.”
“No one breaks anything until we stop Satan’s grandmother from opening the gate of Tartarus.”
“Good plan.”
“Excellent idea.”
“New plan, we find the honeybees and we find the cave.”
“Too easy.”
Ares spit. “There’s a catch.”
“No, Ares.”
“Yes, Ares.”
Ares nodded at Pele. “Told ya. There’s always a catch.”
“How do ya know that, Marcus?”
“I read.” Ares told.
“Comic books.”
“With big letters…”
“And bigger….br….”
Laughter exploded in the air waves.
“Shut up, Balder.” Ares stood drawing fists in the air for the fight.
Thian ordered. “Sit down, Ares. Stand down, Balder.”
Pele told. “The honeybees are unique to the nectar.”
Thian commanded. “Start the search….two teams, for bees and gear for….”
Is Chel pointed with manicured orange nails. “Wait, Thian….look the globe pin pointed the sight.”
“What’s it doing?”
“Flashing, beeping, chirping, clicking…..”
Shango listed and laughed. “Pooting, farting, peeing…”
Laughter exploded in the air waves.
“Shut up, Shango.”
“What’s it saying, Is Chel?”
Is Chel told. “The location is here…”
“Here, where….here?”
Is Chel nodded and verified her findings. “Here in Alabama on Sand Mountain.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
“Impossible.”
“I agree mega impossible.”
“What are the astrological probability super being odds of that?”
“I failed math. Someone else answer?”
“Let’s go and find out…and find the bees and the Titans.”
“Wait.”
“I don’t know how to fight.” Dainichi whined.
“Man, she got that right.” Mithras was standing next to Ares. Ares grunted with a deep cord.
“Leader leads.”
“Well, leader.”
Thian asked. “Show of hands to battle?”
“All hands, except Dainichi are waving like the American Flag.”
“Stars and stripes forever, Yankee doodle boys and babes.”
“Out of time, kiddies.”
“I want to stay.” Dainichi shouted.
“Chicken ears…”
“Chickens do not have ears.”
“That’s right. There are missing but they still hear.”
“She means she doesn’t want to participate.”
“Lugh’ll protect Dainichi.”
“Me?”
“Ya, man. Lugh is the supercalfragilisticexpliaidocious god.”
“…with the supercalifragilisticexpialidocious ego.”
Lugh whispered to Dainichi. “What did he say?”
“Forget them, they’re only stupid teen half gods.” Dainichi spit, crossing her arms over her chest, staring at Mithras and Balder.
“Sand Mountain, can you pinpoint us a trajectory, Shango?”
“So, how do we get there?”
“We walk as hikers.”
“Not happening.”
“We run like humans.”
“Away…away…away down South in Dixie…”
“One vote, here.”
Laughter exploded in the air waves.
“We POP! like gods.”
“Too far.”
“We fly like animals.”
“Very point idea, Shango.”
“You gods.” Kuan Yi slurred.
“Kuan Yi, do you have another brilliant idea?”
Kuan Yi told. “I’d like point out if we fly, we’re become dependent upon the status of the stratosphere.”
“We’re not flying into outer space.”
“Good point, Kuan Yi.”
“We can’t POP! without a locator point.”
“Or god….”
“Or goddess…”
“Unless someone wants to hike their arse up there for the touchdown!” Lugh told.
“I suggest we send Lugh with his arse fart idea and hope he can’t find his way home.”
“I don’t like that suggestion, Shango.”
“I do.”
“Majority rules. We fly as animals…taking our chances…”
“Ya mean, taking out grandma.”
Laughter exploded in the air waves.
KNOCK! KNOCK!
The noise followed with a female alto voice coming from outside the front porch of the schoolhouse. “Kids, ya’ll there?”
“Mrs. Windsor!” Thianne shouted.
“Hide them.” Pele hollered. She dropped her sunglasses, phone and watch into the red Marc Jacobs handle polished leather bag on the table. The bag coordinated with her new outfit she materialized after the fight with Balder and Kuan Yi. She wore the Tommy Hilfiger pink Bermuda short, baby blue and white striped open jacket on top of red and white checked shirt with a pink and white scarf around her neck.
The teen gods and divas followed suite popping assorted and colorful Gucci purses, Coach handbags, Chanel clutches, Hugo Boss briefcases, Calvin Klein duffel bags, Juicy Juice backpacks, Prada backpacks, and Jessica Simpson briefcases to hide their personal sunglasses, telephones and watches from Mrs. Windsor and Granny Hanover.
Mrs. Windsor entered the schoolhouse wearing her durable and functional painter’s blue jeans with her farm implements attached to the steady utility worn leather belt. She was a statute woman of six feet and two inches wearing leathery worn boot toes and wrapped around her waist a worn but sturdy brown leather utility belt filled with tools including a hammer, screw driver, nail pack, rope, flashlight, mini-first aid kit and cell phone. She dropped the large basket of bright red apples onto the desk of Granny Hanover. “Howdy there kids? Busy this morn?”
“Bee, man.” Ares pointed at the buzzing yellow and black insect launching from the top of the ripen apple.
Mrs. Windsor whomped it with her thick cotton riding glove. “Sorry, they like the apples.”
“Yeah, right!” Ares laughed.
“What’s going on this morn?” Mrs. Windsor repeated, wiped the blood from her glove.
Pele answered. “Wonderful, learning and studying our parts of our…”
“We’re doing geography, Mrs. W.” Kuan Yi quickly told as Mrs. Windsor eyed the 3-D globe turn around and around with bright lines on Sand Mountain located in Alabama of the US of A. She stared.
Mrs. Windsor spoke, nodding, pointing with short dirty nails at the 3-D globe. “Good, what’s this?”
“Part of our class assignment. We’re investigating mountain tops.”
“And bees.”
“And honey.”
Mrs. Windsor told without fanfare, surveying the classroom. “Good. Where’s Granny Hanover?”
Dainichi mentioned. “She has other duties.”
Pele mentioned. “That’s strange.”
Kuan Yi leaned over to Pele, telling. “We’re almost 18. We don’t need her. She doesn’t need us. There must be other baby divas she needs to train.”
Pele nodded her head to Kuan Yi. “Good point.”
Mrs. Windsor noted and offered with a smile. “Good. How about a change of pace?”
“We’re in the middle of this science project, Mrs. W.”
Mrs. Windsor commented. “It’s lunchtime.”
“It’s ten in the morning, Mrs. W.”
Mrs. Windsor explained. “By the time you complete your new assignment it’ll be lunchtime.”
“New assignment?” Pele questioned.
Mrs. Windsor suggested with a smile. “How about a different type of studying today, not involving books?”
“What books?” Balder joked, laughing. Isis punched his hard muscled bicep, giggling.
Mrs. Windsor said. “Ya’ll kids can snack with the critters.”
“What are critters?” Nikki asked Balder. He shrugged his shoulders without an answer.
Mrs. Windsor smiled, and was talking with her hands in the air pointing north in the direction of the forests and woodlands covering the rich, fertile dirt of the mountain. “They’re various plant and animal life living the woods on Sand Mountain.
Silence loomed in the air waves.
Is Chel explained. “You’re referring to a something similar to a picnic, Mrs. W.”
Mrs. Windsor nodded to Is Chel “Think of the event like an adventure outdoors not cooped up in this stuffy room.” She shook her head. “I don’t understand how ya’ll kids breath in here. So closet like. Ya’ll need fresh air and bright sunshine.”
Pele offered, nodding. “Of course, Mrs. W.”
“Thank, Mrs. W, we need the fresh air.” Thian told, motioning with his hands for the gods and divas to agree and acknowledged the kind suggestion.
“Good, come out by the barn in 15 minutes…” Mrs. Windsor commanded, moving to the front door. She paused and looked at the teens. “Change your clothes into wilderness stock.”
“Stock, what’s stock?” Nikki asked, again.
Dainichi told. “My jewelry doesn’t do outdoors.”
“I suggest leaving your gems in the jewelry box, Dainichi, dear.” Mrs. Windsor smiled at her.
Dainichi replied. “Yes, ma’am.”
“The roundup is 15 minutes get gear and get changed. Meet me at the barn on the west side.”
Thian told. “Yes ma’am.”
“Ya’ll need to choose appropriate outfits for this adventure….outside…outdoors with dirt, bugs and heat.” Mrs. Windsor chuckled, leaving and gently shutting the big wooden door of the schoolhouse.
“YUCKO.”
“I don’t want to go.”
“No choice.”
“Agreed. We have to obey Mrs. W.”
“Where’s Granny? She wouldn’t make us do this terrible social outing.”
Dainichi told. “Granny’s occupied.”
“We should change our clothes?”
“We’re divas. We can handle anything and anyone and any stuff.”
Laughter exploded in air waves.
“I’ll be warned.”
“You’ve been warned, Dainichi.”
“I’m not changing my beautiful clothes, accessories, shoes, jewelry….”
“We got the pic, Dainichi.”
“Ya’ll smell like horse.”
“Smell, ya feel like a horse, horse hair, horse mud, horse sweat….”
“Does horses sweat?”
“Like Balder, sniff him….” Ares told, laughing. Balder swing an echo blast a him as Ares lunged to the side with ease. The blast hit the wall producing a fist size hole in the plaster.
“Missed me.”
Pele jerked her open palm out with an extended hand creating as small orange ball of heat. “Do it, I dare ya.”
“Whose side are you on, Pele?”
“The side of everyone getting with the program, Balder.”
“No more fighting between the children.”
“Stay focused people.”
“You gods, too many mommies.”
15 minutes later, barn, west side.
The teens slowly paced around the corner to the barns and horse stalls. In the clearing road, there was a tulip shaped vehicle in the shape of an Old West stage coach complete with luggage rack, one rectangular door with a glass window and made of old maple wood with worn spoke wheels.
The next transport was an open square shaped oak made wagon filled with field yellow hay with carved pockets of bales of hay representing three people-seats covered in old ratty blue cotton blankets. The last vehicle was a buggy from the 1800’s with a footstool. Hitched to the transports were real alive and breathing horses from Morgans to Bays to Pintos.
“No motorized vehicles.”
Ares pointed with manicured fingernails at the horses and transports. “It’s a gravy train.”
“That’s dog food, Marcus.”
“This is called a ‘Wagon train.’ ”
“Close enough!” Ares pulled Thianne to him as they walked. He pointed at the horses, whispering in her ears.
Thian tore between the young couple with his body, busting them apart, saying. “Not close and enough for you, Marcus.” He pointed his index finger in his face since they were the same height and weight and chuckled.
“Ares, I’m Ares.”
Shango teased. “I thought you were Apollo.”
“Where’s Apollo?” Mrs. Windsor jerked her head with intense peaked interest looking straight at Shango.
Shango replied and grinned. “Nowhere, just a chat between Ares and Balder.”
Isis changed into an Anne Oakley two-piece long sleeved tan shirt with jeweled pins and curved tan skirt with a cowboy tan hat and red scarf, holding a .22 caliber rifle as the Long champ black saddle bag hung across her chest.
“Devi Isis.” Mrs. Windsor warned with a dirty short index finger. Isis banished the rifle.
“Sorry, I got excited.” Isis giggled.
Shango snapped his dirty fingers appearing in a buckskin dark brown beaver outfit complete with dagger.” The clothing consist of a suede dark leather of long jacket to his knees and the rest of the vertical limbs covered in leather leggings all trimmed with white fringe and a black flop hat over his bald head. He shifted the Hugo Boss black backpack on his back from the sheathed knife on the hairy animal belt.
Laughter exploded in the air waves.
Lugh pointed manicured and polished trim fingernails at Shango. “Hey, look at the cave man.”
“He’s mountain man, bozo the short clown.” Pele laughed.
“Deva Shango, is that a weapon I see?” Mrs. Windsor walked to his position.
“No ma’am.” Shango held the item in the air. He plucked it like a guitar string. “Rubbermaid.”
Ares snapped fingers. He was dressed in a baby blue cotton long sleeved shirt with white long white and red beaded fringe with red and white printed cotton scarves with matching baby blue pants. Thianne appeared in the matching set of blouse and pants with baby blue leather cowboy boots and white cowboy hats with red band of sequins around the rim. He transferred his god toys into red Aigner leather briefcase for him and white tote bag for Thianne’s goddess weapons.
“Ares, thank you.” Thianne purred in his ear.
“Hey, it’s Mr. Robinson.” Lugh told, laughing.
“Roy Roger and Dale Evans look a-likes.” Isis told with a giggle.
“What are you Pele?” Lugh asked.
“I’m a paniolo, a Hawaiian cowboy.” Pele explained wearing the bright red long sleeved shirt decorated in big white flowers with black tipped stems and center all over the fabric and bright electric blue poncho pants with a brown belt and brown cowboy boots and black hat surrounded with a red band. She shouldered the Burlington nylon brown bag with her weapons.
“You look like a pineapple.” Lugh told, laughing.
“Shut up, footstool.”
“He failed art, also.” Pele commented with a smirk.
Laughter exploded in the air waves.
“Told ya’ll. He really is an arse fart.”
“Do you know what a Hawaiian pineapple looks like, Lugh?”
Laughter exploded, again.
Some teens changed into brown cowboys hats with colorful scarves wrapped on hats and on necks, white cotton long sleeved shirts under long dusters, tan or white or black thick leather coats split down the back from the waist over their legs for riding Western saddles with any assortment of saddle bags from Long champs, Jessica Simpson and Hugo Boss containing their god and goddess weapons out of the eyes of Mrs. Windsor.
Some of the other teens changed into cartoon characters like Balder dressed as a cowboy from the musical group called “Village People” with the open vest and no shirt and his infamous flip-flops and a blue, pink and white tied dyed long silk scarf around his blonde hair.
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(Pages 1-53 show above.)