NSIS 12.31.07 - 5; Byron Quote
Note: The gods mentioned in this story are not meant to represent any of the gods that may currently exist in the variety of prompt and roleplaying communities on Livejournal or elsewhere. They are gods inside of Athena's universe only, and their actions and personalities have no relation to, or effect upon, any other characters but Athena.
"Words are things, and a small drop of ink, falling like dew upon a thought, produces that which makes thousands, perhaps millions, think." - Lord Byron
Of Names and Naming, and of the Storm That Came to the City
It was hot. Hot enough that most of the men of the city were walking around in little more than loin cloths. The women, of course, didn't leave their homes. But they were probably in their atria, hiding in the shade, getting fanned if they were wealthy enough to afford slaves.
It was just past midsummer, and a visitor had come to the city. She - though no one that looked at her would recognize her as such - picked her way through the crowds, moving towards the sea. She had business to attend to.
At the lip of the sea, where the waves crashed onto the beach, there were two figures. The first was standing, proudly, his jaw thrust out towards the water. The heat didn't seem to be affecting him in the slightest. The second was hunched over a small wooden table, scrolls of parchment unfurled beneath his hands.
The visitor ignored the second man and addressed the first. “Uncle.”
“Niece,” he replied tersely. “Let's get this done with.”
She hid her smile behind a respectful nod. “So. I was thinking Athens.”
The man who was standing rolled his eyes. “This is ridiculous. I have claim to this city. Take Sparta.”
“I have it already.” She canted her head. “Well, mostly. And you've got plenty of other cities to your name. Besides, they chose me.”
“Because they're fools.”
The woman said nothing. It wasn't her fault that they didn't like his bribe. Mostly. It wasn't her fault, either, that Nike favored her over him.
The man at the table cleared his throat.
“Besides, Uncle,” she smirked now, “Poseidonous is a stupid name.”
“Watch your tongue, Athena. I'm your elder.”
“Yes,” she shrugged, “but you're in my city. You know what that means.”
Growling, Poseidon took two steps into the sea. “Why this city?”
Athena thought about it for a moment. It had a nice view of the sea. It was in a good location. The market was enjoyable. All of those reasons were part of it. And, to be honest, she just wanted to beat him. “I've been told by oracles that the future holds many great things for this city. It will be the center of thought for this part of the world, for a long time to come. Great philosophers and lawmakers will come from here. And... no horse breeders whatsoever. So you're really not missing out on much.”
Poseidon looked at her. “Very well. I consent. The citizens will suffer for their choice.”
She nodded. “They always do.”
With a stiff nod, Poseidon walked deeper into the sea and disappeared beneath the waves. Athena turned to the man hunched over the table. “Well, Cecrops, how does it feel to be King of Athens?”
The king shook his head but said nothing.
“You're right, not quite Athens yet.” She gestured and he lifted his quill, scratching the new name of the city on the parchment. The sea breeze cooled the ink in moments. Athena clapped a hand on his shoulder, causing Cecrops to jump. “Good job. This writing thing is pretty handy. Go out there and teach the rest of the Athenites... hm, no. Atheners. Athenians. Yes, that's nice. Teach other citizens this craft of writing. Let them learn through written words as well as spoken ones.”
Cecrops took the parchment and ran from the beach. Athena didn't fault him; she knew he preferred ruling and not being ruled over. She turned her back to her new city and gazed once more to sea. Dark clouds were forming in the distance. “Oh, Uncle,” she murmured, and began the journey back to Olympus.