Almost forgot
Jan. 5th, 2004 07:25 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
kriscatHere's part ten of Chaos in Corinth. Hopefully I'll get off my ass and do an update to my webpage soon. But until then it can be found here and on AJCS.
Part ten
The hall was dressed with flowers. In one end the main table was placed for Ares and Joxer and the other guests of honor. A smaller table was added at both ends of the long table, so any god who felt like attending would have a place to sit, which gave the main table sort of a u- shaped look if one had a little imagination. Aphrodite and her family where already seated at the left end table, making it a bit crowded. Deimos and Phobos sat so close they looked like they where sharing a chair, but they didn’t seem to mind. Strife sat next to Cupid, practically leaning on him. Partly because they where crowded, and because he loved Cupid, but also to make sure that everybody in general, and one person in particular, knew that Cupid and he were a couple now.
But Psyche didn’t mind. She just smiled and hugged Bliss closer, grateful to be made a goddess again, and that her former family had forgiven her so much that they’d invited her to this feast. She was just happy that Cupid had found someone to love, and that he was still willing to let her spend time with Bliss, after all she had done.
Aphrodite smiled at her husband, and Heph smiled back. They were both very happy the thistle ordeal had turned out as well as it had.
The rest of the hall was filled with smaller tables seating the most influential citizens of Corinth. All of Iphicles’ court was there, of course, and so was his council, but also the rich merchants and representatives from all the different temples in Corinth.
Ares and Joxer were sitting in the middle of the long table with Arion laying in a golden cot beside them. Iphicles sat next to Joxer since he was the host and king of Corinth and Thalia sat beside him. The chairs next to Ares were empty, waiting for the King and Queen of the Gods to arrive.
For everyone's comfort, Hercules and Iolaus were placed on Joxer's side of the table since it was unwise to tempt Hera's patience more than necessary. That put Xena and Gabrielle on Ares' side together with Auto, something that didn't please Gabrielle at all. Not only could people believe she was a guest of Ares, her seat was covered with dust that made her eyes tear. She glared at Thalia and sneezed. Why was the grace allowed to sit at the main table? Didn't Gabrielle have more right to that seat than she did? Normally, Gabrielle would've kept silent and just spent the feast glaring at Thalia, but for some reason, getting that seat next to Iphicles felt very important today. If she got the seat she could spend the evening trying to get Iphicles interested in Joxer...
With a loud voice she asked, "How come Thalia sits at this table? Shouldn't she be better of with the rest of the gods?" Gabrielle subdued a startled gasp. She couldn't believe she'd just blurted it out like that. Even in her ears, it sounded a bit rude.
An embarrasing silence settled around the tables. Xena looked like she wanted the floor to open and swallow her whole. Joxer just stared at Gabrielle. "What are you talking about?" he asked.
Noticing that the others were glaring at her, Gabrielle answered, "I just think it's rude of Thalia to occupy that seat. What if Iphicles wanted to bring a date?" She smirked contently, that should be a good enough cover. Surely they all would believe she'd acted out of concern for Iphicles.
Iphicles blushed. “Actually, Thalia and I have decided to start dating,” he said and took Thalia’s hand. "This is our first date."
Gabrielle sneezed again as Hercules grinned and with a pleased smile said, "Congratulations!" He wasn't sure that a relationship with an Olympian was the best for Iphicles, but Iphicles had been alone for so long, and if this was what he wanted, Hercules would support his brother, even if it killed him.
Gabrielle, on the other hand, had even less restrictions than before. She rose and with her face red of anger, shouted, "That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard. You should stick to your own kind, Iphicles!"
"Like Joxer?" Autolycus asked mildly.
"Yeah! Exactly!" Gabrielle blurted out, then realized what she'd said and put a hand over her mouth.
Cupid frowned and quietly whispered to Strife, "You didn't happen to misplace some of that powder you got from Grandmother, did you?"
Strife smirked and whispered back, "I might've put some on the bard's chair, accidentally on purpose..."
Cupid grinned, "I love you so much."
"Ditto," Strife answered and leaned into Cupid, "Now, let's watch the fire works!" They both focused on the scene before them.
"What are you talking about, Autolycus?" Joxer asked confused, at the same time as Iphicles asked Gabrielle, "Why in Tartarus would you want me to be with Joxer?"
"I don't know why," Autolycus answered, "but Gabby has tried to hook someone up with Joxer for quite some time now. I know she's tried to get me alone with Joxer on more than one occasion. It stands to reason, that she's tried the same with others. Haven't you, Gabrielle?"
Gabrielle shook her head and opened her mouth to vehemently deny it, but what came out was: "Damned straight I did! Anything to get Joxer away from Ares!"
“Gabrielle!” Xena exclaimed in shock.
Joxer stared at the bard, “I can’t believe you would do such a thing!” His chin shivered, “I thought you were my friend. That you where happy for me.”
“Oh, Joxer. I only try to do what’s best for you,” Gabby explained in a convincing tone. “Ares is not the right one for you. You’d be so much happier with Iphicles.”
“But I’m not interested in men!” Iphicles protested.
Gabrielle pretended she didn’t hear that. “Even Autolycus would be better than Ares,” she continued.
Auto frowned, “I have to agree I am a great catch, but I don’t love Joxer, and he doesn’t love me. And even an idiot can see that Ares and Joxer are in love. Why mess with that?”
“But Ares isn’t right for Joxer!” Gabrielle protested. “He’s evil incarnate!”
“But that’s not up to you to decide who I’m with,” Joxer said quietly with tears in his eyes.
Ares remained quiet, and just reached out for Joxer’s hand and gently held and stroked it as a silent support. But his eyes where flashing red, showing his anger towards Gabrielle. This far, he was controlling himself.
“I love Ares, and he loves me,” Joxer continued. “As my friend, you should respect that, even if you don’t agree with my choice. Trying to break us up, secretly trying to make me break my marriage vow, isn’t what a true friend would do.”
“But he’s not good for you! Think of Arion!”
“Hey! Dad is a great father,” Cupid protested.
Joxer shook his head, “You really think it would be better for my son to have a broken home than to live with two parents that loves him and each other?”
“Ares can’t love anyone! He’s war!” Gabrielle practically screamed.
“Yes, he can,” Xena interrupted. Her voice almost a whisper. “Everyone knows that Ares loves his children. Even Hercules would agree to that!”
Hercules nodded. “And although I still think that Ares is an asshole, and should leave all mortals alone, there’s no doubt that he cares about Joxer.”
Gabrielle shook her head. “I did it to help you, Joxer,” she pleaded.
Joxer looked at her sadly, “But instead you hurt me. How am I supposed to trust you, when you went behind my back like that? You hugged me and told me you were happy for me, and then you turned around and did this… It hurts Gabrielle, It hurts so bad!”
“But I only wanted to help,” Gabrielle insisted. When Joxer looked away from her, she turned to the warrior princess. “Xena...” she pleaded.
“Oh, no! I’m not going to help you get out of this!” Xena answered. “I really thought that you’d realized what you were doing when you told me you accepted that Joxer was with Ares. I guess you lied to me too,” she said bitterly.
“That’s not true!” Gabrielle bit her lip. “I really did think I could accept it, at least until Joxer figured out what a big mistake he’d done. But then I found out about Arion, and I just had to do something!”
“But it wasn’t your place to do something!” Xena hissed. “You have to stop trying to control other people. Just because they don’t do exactly what you want them too, doesn’t mean what they’re doing is wrong for them. Don’t you realize,” Xena was practically pleading with the bard at this point, “by trying to control and direct Joxer’s life like you’ve done, you’ve acted exactly as you’ve accused Ares of doing.”
Gabrielle shook her head. “No…” she whispered.
“Yes,” Ares said with a growl, “and you’ve hurt Joxer, so I’m going to make you pay!”
Joxer put a hand on Ares arm. “No, my love. Please don’t. She was my friend once, and she might be it again someday. She truly believed she was doing it for my own good. And maybe if she gets some help, she can realize what she was doing.” Joxer turned to Gabrielle. “I don’t know if I’m ever going to be able to trust you again,” he started. “I don’t want to be around you right now, but I don’t want anyone to hurt you either. So I’m just going to ask you to leave me and my family alone. And maybe after some time, if you realize that what you did was wrong, I might be able to forgive you.”
Until now, the mortal guests in the hall had sat quietly, with their mouths half open, taking in the drama that took place in front of their eyes. But now one of them reacted.
“What a piece of sentimental crap!” A man sitting at the table reserved for Iphicles’ council had risen and now walked up to the main table.
A bit surprised, Iolaus recognized him as the rude customer he’d met at Falafel’s market stand.
“I always knew you were a wimp, but this takes the prize.” The man’s face was red of fury. “I forgive you,” he mimicked Joxer. “You don’t forgive those who do you wrong! You make their life miserable!”
Joxer stared at the man “Father,” he whispered.
“I always knew you were worthless. But this, this is unbelievable, even for you!” Jonus face showed his revulsion as he looked at his son. “What kind of man gives birth to a child? That’s women’s work!”
“Hey!” Ares rose but Joxer’s hand on his arm made him sit down again.
Hercules stared at Jonus, and then turned to Strife, “I’m so sorry I interrupted your work to make his life a living Tartarus. Please let me know if there’s anything I can do, to help you out.”
“Hercules!” Strife moaned and hid his face in his hands. “That wasn’t supposed to be made public!”
Hercules had the decency to look sheepish. “Sorry,” he apologized.
Joxer stared at Strife, and then at Ares, “I thought you promised to stop the hazing?” he asked. Hurt and betrayal clearly heard in his voice.
Ares took his husband’s hand, “I did, and I have nothing to do with this, I promise.”
Strife nodded. “He’s telling the truth, and this wasn’t my idea. I only did what I was told to do.”
“Told by whom?” Ares practically growled.
Strife bowed his head and mumbled, “Sorry, Unc. But it isn’t my place to tell. It wouldn’t be very professional, would it? Client confidentiality, and all that. Let’s just say you’re not the only one who is pissed off about how Jonus treated Joxer.”
Now Ares did growl, but Joxer nodded, “I understand. But please tell your clients that I want them to stop. He is my father, after all.”
“That’s exactly what I mean!” Jonus sneered. “You’re so weak. Giving birth, forgiving everyone. I am ashamed that you are a son of mine. And if it wasn’t for Jett, and the fact that you three look exactly like my father did, I’d think your mother cheated on me. In fact, I blame you and Jace on her!”
“Really!” Jocasta huffed. “You shouldn’t say things like that. True, our sons are… different. But they are our sons, and you shouldn’t put them down in public. And if this has hurt my chances to see my grandson, I have to hurt you. Besides, Joxer might be married to a man, but can you think of any family better to marry into? Think of the connections. They’re better than royalty!”
Jonus had looked a bit scared when Jocasta threatened to hurt him, but now, he rolled his eyes. “Oh, woman! You have no idea what you’re talking about. I bet no decent god accepts Joxer as anything else than a toy or pet. I bet just the weak minor ones that no one cares about would even talk to him. He doesn’t even have anything to be god of!”
“Actually,” a voice interrupted Jonus’ rant. “I am one of the gods who hired Strife to make you miserable. And I doubt you would call me weak or minor.” Zeus appeared in a flash of light, “Would you?”
Jonus just stared at the king of the gods as Zeus walked up to the table and after giving Joxer a comforting touch on his shoulder, and Arion a pat on the cheek, sat down on Ares left side. “Sorry we’re late.” He said to Ares. “It took longer than expected to get ready. You know your mother.”
Ares nodded, “Yes, I do. You’ve misplaced something and while Mother was looking for it, you got bored and went ahead without her.”
Zeus nodded a bit sheepishly, “Eh, yes…”
Cupid snickered, “What did you lose?”
“Arion and Joxer’s presents,” Hera answered as she entered in a shower of purple sparkles. She walked up to the main table and gave Joxer a kiss on the cheek. “How are you dear?” she asked before she bent down over Arion and cooed. After finishing her grandmotherly duty, Hera sat down next to Zeus and glared at Jonus, "Now, what were you saying about my favorite son in law?"
Jonus looked ready to faint, but he still felt forced to say what was on his mind, "He's been a disappointment since the day he was born. I blame his mother and that no good midwife. They obviously screwed something up. My wife was probably busy whining about the so called pains she claims she went through."
"Oh, really..." Hera said mildly. "Then perhaps you should get a chance to show them how it's supposed to be done." She raised her hand, "From now on you will feel the pain of child birth every time you, eh, every time nature calls, and I'm not talking about Gaia..."
Joxer rose, "Please don't!" he begged. "Please, Hera, don't hurt him for my sake. I don't want that on my conscience. Don't interfere with his life, please."
Hera sighed, "Very well. But he really do deserve what ever all the gods on Olympus could come up with..."
"Now, dear," Zeus interrupted. "We should honor Joxer's request." He cleared his throat and with an important look on his face declared. " I, Zeus, King of the Gods, here by declare that from now on Jonus of Corinth, former Athens, is to be completely ignored by all gods and goddesses."
Jonus smirked, he couldn't believe his luck.
Both Aphrodite and Hera looked ready to smack Zeus in the head.
Ignoring the glares, Zeus continued, "Any prayers made by Jonus will be ignored and he will be banned from all activities that honors a god. For the god's, Jonus will not exist, until it is time for Hades to call him to his domain." He smirked evilly at Jonus, "And when that happens, I'm sure my brother can work out a schedule for all Olympians who want to help you getting your just judgment. Knowing my brother, he'll end up selling tickets to those who want to watch."
Ares let out a cheer, then looked guiltily at Joxer and said, "I'm sorry if this will cause you pain."
Joxer sighed, "I'm not presumptuous enough to interfere with how people get judged in the after life. I'm sure that Hades will give father what he deserves, nothing more, nothing less. But that won't be just because of me. That will be based on his entire life, and I accepted a long time ago that my father might not have such a nice after life."
Jonus stood shaking, staring at the King of the Gods in horror.
Zeus glared at him, "What are you still doing here? This is a godly festival, one of the things I just banned you from attending."
Jonus slowly turned around, put his hand on his wife's arm and began to lead her away from the hall.
"The ban doesn't include his wife? Does it?" Hera asked Zeus.
Jocasta turned around and looked at Hera and Zeus with hope in her eyes.
"No," Zeus answered. "Jocasta of Corinth is not included in the banishment. However, it's up to Joxer whether or not he wants her near his child."
Everybody looked at Joxer, who looked down at the table. "If she want to stay she can," he simply said.
"I'd love to," Jocasta said and went back to her table, completely ignoring her husband, who sighed and left the hall.
Hera smiled at Joxer, "As a grandmother, I think you made the right decision."
"I hope so," Joxer answered.
Ares put his arm around his husband and hugged him tightly, "I'm sorry if tonight have reopened old wounds and added some new." He glared at Gabrielle who sat, pale and shivering on her seat between Auto and Xena. Both was leaning as far away from her as possible. "Do you want to leave?"
Joxer shocked his head, "No, let's just try to make the rest of the evening better."
Ares smiled kissed him slowly and tenderly.
Strife giggled, "You heard the man!" he shouted. "Let's party!"
End part ten
Part ten
The hall was dressed with flowers. In one end the main table was placed for Ares and Joxer and the other guests of honor. A smaller table was added at both ends of the long table, so any god who felt like attending would have a place to sit, which gave the main table sort of a u- shaped look if one had a little imagination. Aphrodite and her family where already seated at the left end table, making it a bit crowded. Deimos and Phobos sat so close they looked like they where sharing a chair, but they didn’t seem to mind. Strife sat next to Cupid, practically leaning on him. Partly because they where crowded, and because he loved Cupid, but also to make sure that everybody in general, and one person in particular, knew that Cupid and he were a couple now.
But Psyche didn’t mind. She just smiled and hugged Bliss closer, grateful to be made a goddess again, and that her former family had forgiven her so much that they’d invited her to this feast. She was just happy that Cupid had found someone to love, and that he was still willing to let her spend time with Bliss, after all she had done.
Aphrodite smiled at her husband, and Heph smiled back. They were both very happy the thistle ordeal had turned out as well as it had.
The rest of the hall was filled with smaller tables seating the most influential citizens of Corinth. All of Iphicles’ court was there, of course, and so was his council, but also the rich merchants and representatives from all the different temples in Corinth.
Ares and Joxer were sitting in the middle of the long table with Arion laying in a golden cot beside them. Iphicles sat next to Joxer since he was the host and king of Corinth and Thalia sat beside him. The chairs next to Ares were empty, waiting for the King and Queen of the Gods to arrive.
For everyone's comfort, Hercules and Iolaus were placed on Joxer's side of the table since it was unwise to tempt Hera's patience more than necessary. That put Xena and Gabrielle on Ares' side together with Auto, something that didn't please Gabrielle at all. Not only could people believe she was a guest of Ares, her seat was covered with dust that made her eyes tear. She glared at Thalia and sneezed. Why was the grace allowed to sit at the main table? Didn't Gabrielle have more right to that seat than she did? Normally, Gabrielle would've kept silent and just spent the feast glaring at Thalia, but for some reason, getting that seat next to Iphicles felt very important today. If she got the seat she could spend the evening trying to get Iphicles interested in Joxer...
With a loud voice she asked, "How come Thalia sits at this table? Shouldn't she be better of with the rest of the gods?" Gabrielle subdued a startled gasp. She couldn't believe she'd just blurted it out like that. Even in her ears, it sounded a bit rude.
An embarrasing silence settled around the tables. Xena looked like she wanted the floor to open and swallow her whole. Joxer just stared at Gabrielle. "What are you talking about?" he asked.
Noticing that the others were glaring at her, Gabrielle answered, "I just think it's rude of Thalia to occupy that seat. What if Iphicles wanted to bring a date?" She smirked contently, that should be a good enough cover. Surely they all would believe she'd acted out of concern for Iphicles.
Iphicles blushed. “Actually, Thalia and I have decided to start dating,” he said and took Thalia’s hand. "This is our first date."
Gabrielle sneezed again as Hercules grinned and with a pleased smile said, "Congratulations!" He wasn't sure that a relationship with an Olympian was the best for Iphicles, but Iphicles had been alone for so long, and if this was what he wanted, Hercules would support his brother, even if it killed him.
Gabrielle, on the other hand, had even less restrictions than before. She rose and with her face red of anger, shouted, "That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard. You should stick to your own kind, Iphicles!"
"Like Joxer?" Autolycus asked mildly.
"Yeah! Exactly!" Gabrielle blurted out, then realized what she'd said and put a hand over her mouth.
Cupid frowned and quietly whispered to Strife, "You didn't happen to misplace some of that powder you got from Grandmother, did you?"
Strife smirked and whispered back, "I might've put some on the bard's chair, accidentally on purpose..."
Cupid grinned, "I love you so much."
"Ditto," Strife answered and leaned into Cupid, "Now, let's watch the fire works!" They both focused on the scene before them.
"What are you talking about, Autolycus?" Joxer asked confused, at the same time as Iphicles asked Gabrielle, "Why in Tartarus would you want me to be with Joxer?"
"I don't know why," Autolycus answered, "but Gabby has tried to hook someone up with Joxer for quite some time now. I know she's tried to get me alone with Joxer on more than one occasion. It stands to reason, that she's tried the same with others. Haven't you, Gabrielle?"
Gabrielle shook her head and opened her mouth to vehemently deny it, but what came out was: "Damned straight I did! Anything to get Joxer away from Ares!"
“Gabrielle!” Xena exclaimed in shock.
Joxer stared at the bard, “I can’t believe you would do such a thing!” His chin shivered, “I thought you were my friend. That you where happy for me.”
“Oh, Joxer. I only try to do what’s best for you,” Gabby explained in a convincing tone. “Ares is not the right one for you. You’d be so much happier with Iphicles.”
“But I’m not interested in men!” Iphicles protested.
Gabrielle pretended she didn’t hear that. “Even Autolycus would be better than Ares,” she continued.
Auto frowned, “I have to agree I am a great catch, but I don’t love Joxer, and he doesn’t love me. And even an idiot can see that Ares and Joxer are in love. Why mess with that?”
“But Ares isn’t right for Joxer!” Gabrielle protested. “He’s evil incarnate!”
“But that’s not up to you to decide who I’m with,” Joxer said quietly with tears in his eyes.
Ares remained quiet, and just reached out for Joxer’s hand and gently held and stroked it as a silent support. But his eyes where flashing red, showing his anger towards Gabrielle. This far, he was controlling himself.
“I love Ares, and he loves me,” Joxer continued. “As my friend, you should respect that, even if you don’t agree with my choice. Trying to break us up, secretly trying to make me break my marriage vow, isn’t what a true friend would do.”
“But he’s not good for you! Think of Arion!”
“Hey! Dad is a great father,” Cupid protested.
Joxer shook his head, “You really think it would be better for my son to have a broken home than to live with two parents that loves him and each other?”
“Ares can’t love anyone! He’s war!” Gabrielle practically screamed.
“Yes, he can,” Xena interrupted. Her voice almost a whisper. “Everyone knows that Ares loves his children. Even Hercules would agree to that!”
Hercules nodded. “And although I still think that Ares is an asshole, and should leave all mortals alone, there’s no doubt that he cares about Joxer.”
Gabrielle shook her head. “I did it to help you, Joxer,” she pleaded.
Joxer looked at her sadly, “But instead you hurt me. How am I supposed to trust you, when you went behind my back like that? You hugged me and told me you were happy for me, and then you turned around and did this… It hurts Gabrielle, It hurts so bad!”
“But I only wanted to help,” Gabrielle insisted. When Joxer looked away from her, she turned to the warrior princess. “Xena...” she pleaded.
“Oh, no! I’m not going to help you get out of this!” Xena answered. “I really thought that you’d realized what you were doing when you told me you accepted that Joxer was with Ares. I guess you lied to me too,” she said bitterly.
“That’s not true!” Gabrielle bit her lip. “I really did think I could accept it, at least until Joxer figured out what a big mistake he’d done. But then I found out about Arion, and I just had to do something!”
“But it wasn’t your place to do something!” Xena hissed. “You have to stop trying to control other people. Just because they don’t do exactly what you want them too, doesn’t mean what they’re doing is wrong for them. Don’t you realize,” Xena was practically pleading with the bard at this point, “by trying to control and direct Joxer’s life like you’ve done, you’ve acted exactly as you’ve accused Ares of doing.”
Gabrielle shook her head. “No…” she whispered.
“Yes,” Ares said with a growl, “and you’ve hurt Joxer, so I’m going to make you pay!”
Joxer put a hand on Ares arm. “No, my love. Please don’t. She was my friend once, and she might be it again someday. She truly believed she was doing it for my own good. And maybe if she gets some help, she can realize what she was doing.” Joxer turned to Gabrielle. “I don’t know if I’m ever going to be able to trust you again,” he started. “I don’t want to be around you right now, but I don’t want anyone to hurt you either. So I’m just going to ask you to leave me and my family alone. And maybe after some time, if you realize that what you did was wrong, I might be able to forgive you.”
Until now, the mortal guests in the hall had sat quietly, with their mouths half open, taking in the drama that took place in front of their eyes. But now one of them reacted.
“What a piece of sentimental crap!” A man sitting at the table reserved for Iphicles’ council had risen and now walked up to the main table.
A bit surprised, Iolaus recognized him as the rude customer he’d met at Falafel’s market stand.
“I always knew you were a wimp, but this takes the prize.” The man’s face was red of fury. “I forgive you,” he mimicked Joxer. “You don’t forgive those who do you wrong! You make their life miserable!”
Joxer stared at the man “Father,” he whispered.
“I always knew you were worthless. But this, this is unbelievable, even for you!” Jonus face showed his revulsion as he looked at his son. “What kind of man gives birth to a child? That’s women’s work!”
“Hey!” Ares rose but Joxer’s hand on his arm made him sit down again.
Hercules stared at Jonus, and then turned to Strife, “I’m so sorry I interrupted your work to make his life a living Tartarus. Please let me know if there’s anything I can do, to help you out.”
“Hercules!” Strife moaned and hid his face in his hands. “That wasn’t supposed to be made public!”
Hercules had the decency to look sheepish. “Sorry,” he apologized.
Joxer stared at Strife, and then at Ares, “I thought you promised to stop the hazing?” he asked. Hurt and betrayal clearly heard in his voice.
Ares took his husband’s hand, “I did, and I have nothing to do with this, I promise.”
Strife nodded. “He’s telling the truth, and this wasn’t my idea. I only did what I was told to do.”
“Told by whom?” Ares practically growled.
Strife bowed his head and mumbled, “Sorry, Unc. But it isn’t my place to tell. It wouldn’t be very professional, would it? Client confidentiality, and all that. Let’s just say you’re not the only one who is pissed off about how Jonus treated Joxer.”
Now Ares did growl, but Joxer nodded, “I understand. But please tell your clients that I want them to stop. He is my father, after all.”
“That’s exactly what I mean!” Jonus sneered. “You’re so weak. Giving birth, forgiving everyone. I am ashamed that you are a son of mine. And if it wasn’t for Jett, and the fact that you three look exactly like my father did, I’d think your mother cheated on me. In fact, I blame you and Jace on her!”
“Really!” Jocasta huffed. “You shouldn’t say things like that. True, our sons are… different. But they are our sons, and you shouldn’t put them down in public. And if this has hurt my chances to see my grandson, I have to hurt you. Besides, Joxer might be married to a man, but can you think of any family better to marry into? Think of the connections. They’re better than royalty!”
Jonus had looked a bit scared when Jocasta threatened to hurt him, but now, he rolled his eyes. “Oh, woman! You have no idea what you’re talking about. I bet no decent god accepts Joxer as anything else than a toy or pet. I bet just the weak minor ones that no one cares about would even talk to him. He doesn’t even have anything to be god of!”
“Actually,” a voice interrupted Jonus’ rant. “I am one of the gods who hired Strife to make you miserable. And I doubt you would call me weak or minor.” Zeus appeared in a flash of light, “Would you?”
Jonus just stared at the king of the gods as Zeus walked up to the table and after giving Joxer a comforting touch on his shoulder, and Arion a pat on the cheek, sat down on Ares left side. “Sorry we’re late.” He said to Ares. “It took longer than expected to get ready. You know your mother.”
Ares nodded, “Yes, I do. You’ve misplaced something and while Mother was looking for it, you got bored and went ahead without her.”
Zeus nodded a bit sheepishly, “Eh, yes…”
Cupid snickered, “What did you lose?”
“Arion and Joxer’s presents,” Hera answered as she entered in a shower of purple sparkles. She walked up to the main table and gave Joxer a kiss on the cheek. “How are you dear?” she asked before she bent down over Arion and cooed. After finishing her grandmotherly duty, Hera sat down next to Zeus and glared at Jonus, "Now, what were you saying about my favorite son in law?"
Jonus looked ready to faint, but he still felt forced to say what was on his mind, "He's been a disappointment since the day he was born. I blame his mother and that no good midwife. They obviously screwed something up. My wife was probably busy whining about the so called pains she claims she went through."
"Oh, really..." Hera said mildly. "Then perhaps you should get a chance to show them how it's supposed to be done." She raised her hand, "From now on you will feel the pain of child birth every time you, eh, every time nature calls, and I'm not talking about Gaia..."
Joxer rose, "Please don't!" he begged. "Please, Hera, don't hurt him for my sake. I don't want that on my conscience. Don't interfere with his life, please."
Hera sighed, "Very well. But he really do deserve what ever all the gods on Olympus could come up with..."
"Now, dear," Zeus interrupted. "We should honor Joxer's request." He cleared his throat and with an important look on his face declared. " I, Zeus, King of the Gods, here by declare that from now on Jonus of Corinth, former Athens, is to be completely ignored by all gods and goddesses."
Jonus smirked, he couldn't believe his luck.
Both Aphrodite and Hera looked ready to smack Zeus in the head.
Ignoring the glares, Zeus continued, "Any prayers made by Jonus will be ignored and he will be banned from all activities that honors a god. For the god's, Jonus will not exist, until it is time for Hades to call him to his domain." He smirked evilly at Jonus, "And when that happens, I'm sure my brother can work out a schedule for all Olympians who want to help you getting your just judgment. Knowing my brother, he'll end up selling tickets to those who want to watch."
Ares let out a cheer, then looked guiltily at Joxer and said, "I'm sorry if this will cause you pain."
Joxer sighed, "I'm not presumptuous enough to interfere with how people get judged in the after life. I'm sure that Hades will give father what he deserves, nothing more, nothing less. But that won't be just because of me. That will be based on his entire life, and I accepted a long time ago that my father might not have such a nice after life."
Jonus stood shaking, staring at the King of the Gods in horror.
Zeus glared at him, "What are you still doing here? This is a godly festival, one of the things I just banned you from attending."
Jonus slowly turned around, put his hand on his wife's arm and began to lead her away from the hall.
"The ban doesn't include his wife? Does it?" Hera asked Zeus.
Jocasta turned around and looked at Hera and Zeus with hope in her eyes.
"No," Zeus answered. "Jocasta of Corinth is not included in the banishment. However, it's up to Joxer whether or not he wants her near his child."
Everybody looked at Joxer, who looked down at the table. "If she want to stay she can," he simply said.
"I'd love to," Jocasta said and went back to her table, completely ignoring her husband, who sighed and left the hall.
Hera smiled at Joxer, "As a grandmother, I think you made the right decision."
"I hope so," Joxer answered.
Ares put his arm around his husband and hugged him tightly, "I'm sorry if tonight have reopened old wounds and added some new." He glared at Gabrielle who sat, pale and shivering on her seat between Auto and Xena. Both was leaning as far away from her as possible. "Do you want to leave?"
Joxer shocked his head, "No, let's just try to make the rest of the evening better."
Ares smiled kissed him slowly and tenderly.
Strife giggled, "You heard the man!" he shouted. "Let's party!"
End part ten
