Zili, 350 AD

[mycursedface]

Mauretania Tingitana was what the province was called. Is called. Definitions are hard when the legions are left, and people still live under Roman names. And Phoenician, and, yes, still Amazigh names, and, really, Zili is just another trading town on the outskirts of an empire that mostly forgets about it.

It's a quiet town, a little run down, maybe, but the farms sprawling out over the countryside are still prosperous. It is also a town that remains mostly unaware of Hera's Garden to the north, and the Gorgons' cave in the south.

All six sisters have worked hard at that, magic and protection and twisting of reality until unless someone knows exactly how to get there, finding either sets of triplets is pretty much impossible.

Especially when the sun will set soon.

(Luckily for Epimetheus, the Gorgon girls are out and flying)

Comments

[far-roaming.livejournal.com]

"These boys? About three years. In general? A few centuries."

[2020sight]

"They're beautiful."

(There's maybe a hint of personal pride there.)

"In any case -- bath?"

Now that he's all doggy, as well.

[far-roaming.livejournal.com]

Euryale points towards a stone building that appears to be about half as tall as it should be.

This is because half of it below ground, and connecting with the other caves.

"We were heating the water anyway, so it should be hot. Need clothes? There was a shipwreck the other day, so we could try and find...something. Although..."

She stands back and looks him up and down.

Gravely,

"There might be limbs showing out the ends."

[2020sight]

"I've worn worse lately," he says, dry. "As long as it keeps me warm."

[mycursedface]

"I'm sure we'll find something. Or else get creative with rugs," Medusa says, drily, even as she strokes the ear of one of the dogs (she doesn't look at him, can't).

"Mind the step, and one of us'll get you from the inside door."

Beat.

"And then we can feed you and show of our wonderful home."

[2020sight]

He shoots her a brief smile, even though she's looking away.

"I'm looking forward to it."

Turning, he heads into the bath-house.



He's in there a long time.

It's quiet enough that it's just possible he's fallen asleep.

[mycursedface]

There is a knock at the inside door.

"Epimetheus?"

[2020sight]

"Hm?"

[mycursedface]

worried you okay tell me-


"Just. Dinner's nearly ready."

[2020sight]

There's some splashing.

"One minute, then."

Shortly after, he opens the door, in a slightly-too-small tunic, and smiles at her. "Hey."

[mycursedface]

(You can go on being in love with me, and I'm gonna go on loving my favorite cousin.)

"Hey," she smiles back, a little crooked and a little giddy, but then again the light is mellow.

"Hope you don't mind soup."

[2020sight]

"Soup sounds wonderful."

He runs a hand through his damp hair, making it stick up in haphazard spikes. "Thank you for -- putting me up. I really -- thank you."

[mycursedface]

"Puting up?" She repeats.

[2020sight]

He spreads his hands. "Food, clothing, a bath . . ."

A laugh. "Some places, we'd practically be married now."

[mycursedface]

"Or. Actually considered. Um. It's not a problem! I mean, I like you. And we adore you. So, you know."

[2020sight]

He half-grins.

"You wouldn't have guessed from the reception Stheno gave me."

[mycursedface]

"She's always like that."

[2020sight]

"Well . . . true."

[mycursedface]

She smiles at him, and then glances down.

"So, uh. Follow me?"

[2020sight]

He gestures forward. "Please, lead the way."

[mycursedface]

She leads him down some steps and around the corner. The kitchen is a large cavern, doubling as their main living space, and it is back up against the bathhouse. No sense in wasting heat, after all.

A large table, working table, and it's a working kitchen for three people who love food and eat a lot.

[themiddlegorgon.livejournal.com]

Stheno, glancing up at their entrance, points towards the table with a large knife.

"Fresh bread, hummos, eat."

[2020sight]

"Yes, ma'am," he replies promptly, sitting at the one of the high stools and tearing off a hunk of bread.



The loaf doesn't last long.

What? He's hungry.

[far-roaming.livejournal.com]

The gorgons? Are the last people to comment on eating a lot. Still, Epimetheus gets a laugh from Euryale as she ladles the rich lamb soup into a bowl and puts it on the table in front of him. Three more bowls for the rest of them, and then a platter of couscous.

And cups of water.

[2020sight]

As the Gorgons sit down, Epimetheus starts in on the soup, and doesn't speak until a goodly amount has disappeared.

Then, casually: "So. Stories."