it is affirmed by some that Medousa was beheaded because of Athene

[mycursedface]

Medusa is sitting in a tree, jeans and sundress and hair in braids and no glasses, today. If anyone comes out here, she'll just...close her eyes or something of the like. She's in that kind of mood, contrary and a little out of sorts and have to be outside can't stay need to-

Only, she couldn't think of anything to do, so climbing the tree and watching the lake in the semi-twilight seemed the better alternative to pacing.

Or paying attention to the dull throb of a hangover.

Comments

[mycursedface]

"No?"

Medusa claws are against her throat, wet from Athena's blood but not pressing. The Gorgon herself has her head tilted, eyes dark with hate and bright from battle-joy.

"No?"

[lady-of-athens.livejournal.com]

Athena's body is as limp as a rag doll's, dress soaked deep red. It's no longer a fight.

"No, no I don't," she whispers, arms at an odd angle on the ground, not completely seeing.

In one swift movement, she unpins herself and gets up, stance unsteady. Her face is twisted into a grimace.

"I hated it," she says, words oddly detached. "I still hate it. I hate myself for it. Everyone says I'm so fucking smart for following the rules, but they're wrong --"

She quickly wipes her face with her arm, managing only to smear blood over her face.

The fact that the majority of her regrets having just said that makes her sick to her stomach, and she doubles over, coughing out blood. Straightening up, she's cursing softly in Greek.

[mycursedface]

Medusa stays crouching on the ground for a long moment, head twisted up and watching her. Her snakes are bloody, as is her face and with her wings she's just blood and gold and those dark, dark eyes.

She says nothing, just watches with those damaged eyes in her bloody face.

[lady-of-athens.livejournal.com]

And grey eyes stare out of a mask of red. Athena's expression is the sort that could almost be called scornful, but in reality is more the face that people make when they're only inches away from breaking down.

Her breathing is ragged, and despite her wounds she still stands straight, so determined to keep her proud demeanor.

And, oh, it hurts. That stare, that stare.

It hurts.

Everywhere, it hurts. Inside, outside, everywhere.

It hurts.

[mycursedface]

Slowly, the Queen of Gorgons stands up.

"Once," she says softly in that musical voice of hers, "once I swore in front of Sky and Sea and Earth that you...that you would know what you did that day.









Do you?"

[lady-of-athens.livejournal.com]

"Oh, it's not a matter of 'would know'," Athena replies, still staring back.

"If you want the truth?




"I always did."

[mycursedface]

And Medusa

(and the goddess turned away)

just shuts her eyes.

[lady-of-athens.livejournal.com]

"I'm sorry."









She feels foolish saying it. It isn't as if those two words are going to make anything better, but --


It's a start.

[mycursedface]

Somewhere, the world is spinning. Up is down and left is right and the blood is roaring, crashing through her ears.




I'm sorry





She nods. Once, then twice, a small gesture and not a verbal one, but it's...

A start.

[lady-of-athens.livejournal.com]

She's trying so hard not to cry.

Her entire body is trembling, from physical fatigue, and from the sudden sensation of having part of a great weight lifted from her shoulders.

[mycursedface]

Medusa runs her fingers through her hair, looks down and up and then at her and she doesn't feel anything.

Just...

Empty.

[lady-of-athens.livejournal.com]

For one second, there is a guilty, guilty smile, and then Athena turns, off towards the lake, leaving a trail of red in the grass behind her.

I'm sorry

I'm sorry

I'm sorry

[mycursedface]

When next she looks up, Medusa has long since gone.