Willing benefactor

It fell silent for the next few months Athena expected correspondence from Persephone but she kept everything close to her chest, she didn’t reveal where James had gone and simply said that it was the best place for him. She sent out letters to people but no one could answer the question but despite their “break up” Athena still wanted to know where he was and if he was well.

James sat in the wooded forest waiting for his “carer” as Persephone and the others called it but Artemis saw the phrase as Slavery or that he was her pet and therefore called it her companion just like Orion once was. The difference being James was better; he didn’t have the sexual urges anymore like Orion did and didn’t gloat over his skills but merely observed hers. He cared for the animals emotionlessly; he treated them, killed the infected, tamed the untamed and unlike prior used his skills taught by Athena to log the creatures with their species, diets, weaknesses, size and other important data; the only critique she raised was his lack of empathy for the creatures who suffered but this was down to his condition she also didn’t mind the occasional peck on the cheek and holding the man’s hand believing it didn’t mean anything serious and enjoying that her relationship can be non-sexual and sleeping together didn’t have to be sexual. The aim was he would stay with her for a few months and then in that time help Athena think of a cure but Artemis after realising what was available now decided against it; she wanted him here and Athena... well she had blown her chance.

It was eleven months later when Athena found him; Hera had tried to patch things up between Zeus and Hades which still wasn’t working but between herself and Persephone and not wanting to be overheard by the other Isu invited Persephone to the large Woods which belonged to Artemis, it was there where she saw Artemis holding his hand as she smiled cherishing the company that they now shared and Athena who was trying to act as peacekeeper stopped in shock seeing how affectionate Artemis was and how he was willing to play the part even if he didn’t understand. “James?!” Athena squealed and turning to her she saw how he mimicked how she would work and pose. In his hand was the board and quill placed on top of it and speaking to her his words were simply, “It has been a while!” “I missed you. What are you doing here?” “I’m recording the animals information down. Their habits, diets, health, mating patterns, size, defences, among other things. It has helped Artemis a lot” she studied the documents before smiling stated, “Just like how I taught you!” “Yes!” “It’s perfect. It’s nice to see you do something that you love” “I don’t think I love it” “Wrong phrasing; you enjoy it. No, like it well... interests you. It at least keeps you intrigued” “The animals are all different, more docile and calm compared to the other Isu and humans who live in the other realms” “That we can both agree on and Artemis?” “She’s my companion. I study the animals and she allows me to stay providing I don’t irritate her like Orion did” “She seems fond of you...” he just shrugged before looking down heard Athena jealous by this snap, “So she wants you? Let me guess it because don’t try to seduce her?” “We aren’t together like that... if a relationship could just function with me occasionally kissing his cheek and holding his arm then yes, I would gladly accept it but it can’t be and he doesn’t show anymore affection to me as he does to you, Persephone, Hera or anyone else!” Artemis explained, “He’s mine!” “No, he is own person. Who doesn’t understand the weakness in us; emotions. Animals can cry in pain and he just studies them as if it’s foreign” “I’m his carer!” “Then care for him. Find him a cure and then if he desires you; love him” “I’m here you know!” James spoke unsure on how he should react to the argument, “Yes we know and we are finding solutions. This is why we were here!” Athena snapped pointing to the other Isu who just watched on.

Artemis attacked with the argument it was Athena’s fault in the first place and Athena flung the insult of stealing her mate leaving James to slip away to find his quiet place to think and seeing the familiar pup walk up scared by the larger animals in the forest beckoned it closer so he could feed it some fleck of cooked meat. She was the runt of her litter and despite Artemis’ orders to leave her to die as the rule of nature stated he carried on caring for it, seeing her abandonment like his but this was different, she wouldn’t survive without him. Artemis in turn knew this and after seeing them constantly together she didn’t have the heart to punish him by killing the pup to explain the lesson of nature, in fact the only one who could was the one feeding it or petting it. As he sat there was an crack of branches from behind and running behind his legs so she could look out from safety saw the Isu walk out, she remained unsure seeing the new face walk towards the man. “It’s okay girl!” he stated encouraging her forward before seeing Athena join his side studied the animal, “I’m sorry James, I shouldn’t have said those things about you. You aren’t mine and are free to make your own decisions; it’s just Zeus did this to you because you loved me, I don’t want anyone else to feel like they must keep you when it’s my punishment for not standing up to him” “I’m your punishment?” “Most would say yes but I don’t see you as that and we are one solution away from me putting things right!” “Why?” he asked, “What do you mean why?” “Why apologise? You stated facts. I’m your burden as you have just proven them” “You’re not my burden. I was the foolish all those years ago and I keep hating myself thinking of what I’ve missed. So it’s my fault, I’m: jealous, foolish and wrong in what I said about you and what you did to yourself. I thought maybe we could make it work like this but it’s came to knowledge that it can’t and what you did to yourself was wrong. I must fix it.”

There was silence for a few moments, this was the first time they had spoken in almost an year and she didn’t want it to end. Whether he was like this or before, “I’m surprised Artemis allows you to keep an pet, it breaks her laws of the forest!” “It wouldn’t survive on its own. It’s a runt abandoned by his family, much like I was” “Did she allow you to name it?” he nodded before saying, “Athena. Because she is lost and unsure of what to do next next” she smiled seeing he still thought about her but it made her question why, “Is that how you see me?” he nodded before explaining, “You always were and that’s why you never stood up to Zeus. I realise it now; I have to study people’s body actions and voices to understand their emotions; through these eyes I see the true you and that’s what you are. You are lost in your endless thoughts and worries, because of that you aren’t sure what you should do next” she stood up looking at the forests life before looking back stated, “Not anymore because I know what I’m going to do next. I’m going to find you a cure and when you feel emotions again, whoever you love and care for, I will be there for you and if... if it’s me, then we are going to start a family and live in the way you always wanted” “And if there isn’t a way?” “Then I have failed you and will join you in this state. Together like we should be!”