The store wasn't a bad place to go. In fact, Artemis liked going there but the only problem came with the other people who frequented the establishment. Folks she didn't like because they were clear on their dislike for her.
So she wasn't too surprised that upon entering the store, a few heads swiveled to stare with searing eyes. But Artemis kept her head up and sidled up to the counter. "Dad wants the porch painted. Color ideas?"
"White's always a safe bet," the woman smiled. She was stunning, with tanned skin, dark hair plaited with care, and eyes the color of damp soil.
"Perfect," Artemis nodded. "Hey, uh, how's Mr. Doomsday?"
"Hades? He's fine. Only sulking because your father is being a stickler about giving a loan."
"I would say I could butter him up," Artemis smiled, "but I'd only irritate him more."
"The thought counts."
Persephone, the former heart throb of the town, had left many a men frustrated that she'd married a pale, black haired, dark eyed, silent type of fellow over their 'burly, manly, and strong' selves. Artemis couldn't have been more pleased. Persephone needed someone as level headed as herself and someone equally as passive unless provoked.
"You know, I keep waving to the priest. Ever think he'll wave back?" Artemis smirked, tapping her knuckles on the countertop.
"Honey," Persephone laughed, returning from the back room, "it'll be a miracle if he does and I sure as hell hope to see it."
Setting the large can atop the counter, Persephone waved off the complaint of a customer that she was taking too long. Artemis aided in the process by staring down the older woman.
"Some people need to be less impatient," she sighed, "but let's talk business. How much for the paint?"
"No charge."
"Blasphemy," Artemis grinned, "you can't do that. I won't let you."
"I don't take no for an answer young lady," Persephone insisted. "If you want to repay me then whenever you have the time take Cerberus out on a walk."
"I'd love to," Artemis beamed. She loved the large dog with all of her heart. There'd been a handful of times when he'd escaped and she had to chase him about the town until she could get him back.
"Then it's settled. I'll tell him and he'll be very excited," Persephone joked.
With a little tip of the hat, Artemis took the paint can and left. She was careful not to drop it on the way home and after searching for the wide paint brush set to work. It was difficult, however, to keep Benson and Matilda from trying to eat the paint.
"It's not for you," Artemis huffed, gently nudging Benson away as he tried to sneak up on the paint can. "I'll put you in with Winnie if you won't behave."
This seemed to steer Benson away at least for the time being. Without the threat of accidental pig paint consumption, Artemis was able to breeze through the paint job with ease. It was relaxing to say the least, and if it was all she really had to do for the day then so be it.
When the first coat was done, she let it dry in the evening sun. Unfortunately, today was not a day for adventuring because the sun was already setting and the second coat needed to be done. Though it did little to motivate her, she'd at least be home for dinner and be able to turn in early for the night. Stella would just have to forgive her.
"Mighty fine job little lady," Apollo teased, stepping into view and setting his hands on his hips while examining his sister's work.
"Why thank you," Artemis laughed. "It was a chore keeping Benson and Matilda from eating the paint."
"That can't be good for digestion," Apollo agreed. "Wanna come help make dinner?"
"Sure," Artemis nodded, "just let me wash up."
Placing the lid back on the can to protect the remnants of paint, Artemis headed inside and washed her hands in the small basin of water they kept by the back door.
"We got beans," Apollo noted, setting a bowl of them upon the table, "corn, corn bread, and beef."
"Chilli?" Artemis asked.
"That's the plan, though we don't really need the corn," Apollo thought aloud. "Can I give it to the pigs?"
"Why are you asking me?" Artemis laughed.
"I know you keep them just thin enough not to be eaten," Apollo noted. "Wanted to make sure I wasn't affecting their diet."
Rolling her eyes, Artemis gave him a playful shove and nudged him to the door. "They're fine."
The two spent the rest of the evening fighting over kitchen space and sharing a laugh or two until Zeus returned home. He was more than surprised to see Artemis there but was quick to hide it.
An awkward silence filled the space as he took his place at the table. Apollo avoided eye contact as much as possible. He knew Zeus wasn't fond of him cooking their meals, but Artemis usually wasn't there to be yelled at for shirking the job onto her brother and someone needed to do the job anyways. He could do a non manly deed if it meant she got a break.
Setting the table, both twins took up their own spots. It was strange for Artemis to be eating something warm let alone fresh, but she also found it unbearable in the silence. She wanted to talk freely with Apollo but there were things she could get away with in private that wouldn't fly when expressed at the dinner table. As a result, she ate slowly, trying to prolong the time until her father left. Instead, he got talking to Apollo about the bank but Apollo was only half listening.
Grudgingly finishing her dinner, Artemis cleaned her own dishes and ventured upstairs. She'd have to find another way to spend time with Apollo.
— — —
"Come on Cerberus," Artemis called. She watched the large dog tromp along behind Stella occasionally chasing after a butterfly or cricket. "Don't go getting bit by any snakes."
Cerberus gave a mighty bark and pulled up alongside his temporary care giver. His tongue dangled from his mouth and his coat jostled with each step. He was a beautiful dog, but rowdy.
"Cowboy!" Cried a familiar voice. Artemis looked up to see Calypso wielding one of the holy buckets. "You brought a dog! Is it yours?"
"No," Artemis laughed, "just borrowing him."
Cerberus bounded over to Calypso and sent her toppling into the dirt with a series of barks and licks.
"You didn't come yesterday," Calypso rebuked, gently shoving Cerberus away. "How come?"
"I have responsibilities," Artemis pointed out.
"That's dumb," Calypso frowned, her nose wrinkling adorably. "Hey, what's this big boy's name?"
"Cerberus."
"Oooh, I like it!" Calypso decided, getting to her feet and running off. She'd forgotten entirely about her chore. Shaking her head, Artemis guided Stella to the house at the far end of the fields.
Cerberus ran by in a flash chasing after Calypso who darted about the house's corner. "Zoë, the Cowboy brought a dog! Look!"
"Cally," Zoë groaned, as Cerberus came running back around with a dress stuck on his head.
"Sorry, I forgot you were hanging laundry," Calypso's voice sounded sheepish.
"Cerberus, heel," Artemis called. The large dog obeyed and sat promptly in the dirt. Sliding off of Stella's back, Artemis collected the garment and went around the back of the house to return it. "He didn't get far. He's a much better listener than Stella."
"Well, at least there's that," Zoë sighed, taking the item of clothing and tossing it back into the pile of dirty items. "So, what brings you here this time? Your horse again?"
"No, actually," Artemis smiled, "I had leftover paint from yesterday. My father had me working on the porch. I wondered if you might want it."
"Sure," Zoë replied, barely sparing Artemis a glance.
"Now we can paint the shutters!" Calypso cried, jumping up in celebration.
"Yes, but only I do the inside panels. We don't need you slopping it all over the floor," Zoë warned.
"Sheesh, you act like I'm useless," Calypso frowned.
"Not useless," Zoë corrected, her demeanor softening, "just young."
"You're not that old you know," Calypso pouted. "I'm nearly your age."
"I'm nearly twenty and you're twelve," Zoë informed.
"It's not my fault dad had me late."
"If it makes you feel better I'm older than my brother," Artemis smiled, "and I never let him forget it."
"Minutes are not years," Zoë snorted.
"Minutes aren't years," Calypso mocked, setting her hands on her hips.
"Easy there Small One," Artemis mused. "Don't be rude. She takes care of you."
"I'm an independent," Calypso insisted.
Zoë only shook her head and continued pinning up clothes to dry. Artemis meanwhile retrieved the extra paint from where she'd fastened it carefully to Stella's saddle bag.
"Did the chicken coupe stay in on piece?" Artemis asked.
"Yep," Calypso nodded, "you had a good idea with the metal wire stuff. I checked on all the baby chicks this morning and they just go 'peep peep peep' all day long."
"Clothes are done," Zoë sighed, "did you finish your chores Cally?"
"Oh crap!" Calypso turned swiftly about and ran off towards the field again. She was quick to collect the pail she formerly abandoned and set to work at watering the ground.
Zoë watched her briefly from afar before turning her attentions elsewhere. She either forgot Artemis was there or made a point of ignoring her.
"So," Artemis began, keeping pace with the other girl, "does your father or mother work late?"
"My mother's dead and my father is absent," Zoë explained quite curtly.
"Oh," Artemis blinked in surprise, "I'm sorry to hear that. I didn't know."
"Why would you know of my mother?" Zoë laughed. "No one does. But all of Olympus knows my father."
"Who is he?" Artemis asked curiously.
"He's in prison," Zoë replied, "has been for nearly a decade. The banker caught him committing fraud, filed a case, and now he's serving an ungodly amount of time in jail for it. Not that I hate the banker for doing it. My father wasn't a pleasant man."
"My...uh, my father is the banker," Artemis admitted shyly. This seemed to spark Zoë's attention.
"You? The banker's daughter?"
"That's what everyone seems to think," Artemis smiled faintly. "But it's true. I'm not a liar."
"Well, aren't you just full of surprises," Zoë snorted, collecting an empty basket and journeying over to a small clump of trees not far from the house. "A banker's daughter."
"Listen," Artemis sighed, "I'm getting the impression that you're defensive-"
"What gave it away?"
"I just want to know why. I can go," Artemis offered, "it's not a problem."
"What I don't understand is why you insist on helping people who didn't ask for your help," Zoë countered, pausing on the outskirts of the small grove of apple trees. "I can manage things on my own thank you very much. I've been doing it for nearly a decade and I haven't asked for help from anyone. This place doesn't need fixing, it isn't broken, and I am quite capable of running a farm by myself."
The onslaught of hostile words left Artemis speechless. She struggled to process all that had just been thrown in her face. "I only offered to help because...well, people don't really help each other in Olympus. It would make life easier if they did but they don't. And my help isn't a sign of your incapability."
"Is it a way to make yourself feel better? Or so you don't feel sorry for us?" Zoë frowned, reaching up blindly and snapping an apple from its branch.
"I like being useful, that's all. And I was curious. I didn't really know places existed so close to town that still remained independent," Artemis explained, feeling quite out of her element at the slew of questioning.
"The only reason places like this get sucked up into your town is because they buy us out, starve us out, and chase us out. They don't buy what we grow and we're forced into the system for survival's sake or forced to leave," the farm girl's expression was one of quiet fury.
"I didn't know that," Artemis shrugged, "I'm sorry. It can't be easy."
"Pity gets no one anywhere."
"Empathy does." There was a moment of pause in their conversation. "I'm used to work. I do it everyday from sun up to sun down. I only get away at sunset and I've chosen to come here to offer my good graces and make someone's life a bit easier than my own. Is there a sin in that?"
"No, but what's your motive?"
"None. I just like being away from home, and frankly the wild can be lonely. It's nicer to have company even if they don't like me," Artemis explained, subconsciously holding her hat in her hands as a sign of sincerity.
"Fine," Zoë huffed, "if you'd like to help when you can then come at sunset. I'll find something for you to do, but if you put any adventurous ideas in Cally's head I'll shoot you. She's not old enough to be out alone yet."
"I won't," Artemis promised.
"Good," Zoë nodded, "now get the dog and go before she starts pestering me for one."
Stifling a laugh, Artemis gave an understanding nod and collected her steed along with Cerberus. "So long Small One."
"Bye Cowboy," Calypso waved from the porch of her home having finished watering the fields. Cerberus gave an excited howl and took the lead. Stella followed closely behind.