I think they were lovers (Ovid says otherwise but the ancients hit patrochilles with the “historians say they were best friends” beam so….)

First meeting:

Callisto’s thoughts on Artemis:

Callisto’s past:

Quick is Artemis's expression to sour, what lingering concern soon wiped clean by displeasure. ❝Do you mean to say you allowed him his first shot? With the bow I'd carved him, while Olympus had me trapped?❞ Where her words end is a hair's breadth from danger, undecided if the mishap is retaliation served efficiently or calamity narrowly avoided.

The Huntress finds herself approaching regardless, lithe fingers lifting the soiled pelt. There are few others than her beloved that the goddess would tend, skirts already muddied where she's knelt. Callisto's sister nymphs might have nursed the wound just as well as she, but they'd do little to address the other half of it.

❝He's wilful.❞ Much like you. The surest proof of his parentage, if not the warmth of maternal instinct. Nevertheless, it is her duty to guide him well in childhood. What might the little bear wish for next — to drive her chariot to the seat of her father? ❝But he'll have to learn to heed your word. The sooner the better, for both your sakes.❞

❝I'd thought to supply him a dozen blunted arrows, and my blessing for good measure. And I'd intended to witness his first draw myself... Still, it appears he's good instincts if he managed to hit you.❞

her eyes veered away, the frustration she felt building in her chest and forcing a pinched frown onto her lips, “ allowed really isn't how i'd put it... you did hear the part where I so nobly tried to stop him, right ? ” barely out of walking and this was the trouble he was getting into— she tried not to think how that boded for the future, not since that was where she came in. whether he chose to stay or leave, it was her one duty to impart something in him that differentiated him from all of the other men in her family. shooting well was next.

she knew she'd tried her best to rein him in, and yet she couldn't look her in the eye, unwilling to admit her wrongs. she sighed; perhaps she'd been spending too much time with a child. “ i am sorry, my heart... i know i should have been able to get through to him, somehow. but not even telling him you would be displeased was enough, he had his heart set on the hunt... he was missing you. ”

there was no reason to lie. where all the other children often heeded her words, her own son was easily won and just as easily lost. was the closest she'd ever get to feeling guilt for her own father, so she relented, “ it's me, i know. hardly set the best example, fleeing my family and all of my responsibilities to do as I wished, without so much as a farewell... should have saved that one until he was old enough to make his own choices. ”

she was momentarily thwarted in her attempt to prevent making another enemy today. she'd just need a moment, when her words stung more than the arrow she'd taken. she expelled it from her lungs to release the pressure of it, “ you know, all of a sudden i'm not in any physical pain any longer, ” the wound to her ego was starting to suppress it, even as she winced at the way her body wholeheartedly rejected the remark, tensing in response. of course he'd hit, when she'd stood right in his path, walking towards him rather than putting up a fair fight.

“ I’m- glad to hear you’re proud of the hunter our cub has become... ” her fingers reached towards hers, brushing up the side of hers, “ ... but it was hardly a proper go. most of the little ones practise before seeking your aid, anyhow. you won't miss his next shot, and hopefully neither will he... you're more than welcome to swoop in now. ” she knew her place, just like all the other young hunters her Lady always was his hero, coming in to save him from whatever distress she'd caused.

❝Then here, take it.❞ The Huntress extends her instrument of choice. This bow's nondescript, hardly the creation of pure gold gifted by Olympus; but her own hands had hewn the wood and curved its length, and made it far more practical and valuable thus. To have sat on her back for as long as it has, its weight all but a part of her — there could be no more fitting a gift to bestow Callisto now, in reconciliation.

Well then... The resolve takes her by surprise. Hadn't crossed her mind when she'd retrieved her from the Underworld's depths, nor when she'd answered this call. Couldn't let herself so much as imagine any such outcome after the hurt and harm and failure of a scale only the gods can accomplish. But Callisto more than wishes it, and she... there'd been a time their wills were all but the same.

Unstrung, it stands the nymph's full height, but she'd little doubt of the She-Bear's strength to wield it. But the weight off her is hardly missed. Might even be better for it, now it's in her protection as she'd once lent her heart.

Her tongue glides a little easier over the words now, no longer so cautious around talks of the future.

❝Neither here nor there suits me just fine. I'll not take for granted your hospitality while in this area, so long as I have your promise you won't force any more fish-offerings on me.❞ Would be nice to tarry awhile, so long on the move. Had nigh forgotten what downtime felt like, the reliability and peace of a scent-marked shelter. Always knew to offer what the goddess sorely needed before she'd realise herself, Callisto did.

And feels even more of that lightness when she catches the look on her. Steals all surety from the goddess's footing a moment, her heart clenching and threatening to burst. How stricken she must look, the vigilant Huntress taken completely unawares by such depth of feeling. Not merely the excitement of a hunt, of that she is certain. But the fondness rising up and sending her thoughts scattering had been all but mainstay, before, near unrecognisable to herself by sheer delight and the too-easy smile when it came to Callisto. ❝Ambitious now, are we?❞

❝Well, far be it for me to caution you start small.❞ She remembers what it was like to stand over her shoulder and stare down the shaft of the arrow as one. Was always fiercely satisfying, watching her let loose into the target's dead centre, the triumph of achievement hers and Artemis's both.

The Huntress bends to press fingertips to the dirt. Erebus does not speak like any living woods, twisted and less clear of its meaning when it does. Still, the tracks say enough. ❝Alright, lead the way. Must've learned a thing or two about stalking from the bear. And perhaps felling the beast might win you Nemesis's favour yet. She's rather stingy with those things.❞

when she was actually had the great bow in hand she could do little else but stare as she slowly closed her fingers around it, suddenly drawing her back to long hunts with it in her grasp, determined as ever to keep up with her goddess no matter the toll on her body or the ache it would bring the next day. last thing she ever wanted was to let her out of her sight, not when she had a choice. at the very least she'd want to witness the moment it happened, and at most she wanted a shot at the creature herself. she was sure she never did like sharing, not when she was never afforded things of her own when walls closed around her, but she didn't mind it with her. her hunt was her Lady's hunt, she'd spoken her name into her arrowheads since the very first time she had let them fly.

her eyes travelled between her bow and the goddess standing in front of her, “ you're sure you don't want to take a shoot at it yourself? ” she tempted her, speaking absentmindedly as she stroked the smooth wood beneath her fingertips, tested its weight, “ you did say you'd hardly had the chance lately. ”

it didn't go unnoticed, as ears pricked at the sound of another request of hers granted. a warm fire, a full stomach, shelter and her... by her side again as they wiled away the night. looking at her, she was sure she wasn't the only one that could use it either.

but it filled her with a dread at the very same time, wondering again if she'd never really left those starved fields. she had to be ensnared in the most perfect dream, on her way to Tartarus as she looked into those eyes that felt like home. what lady nemesis had told her aside, this seemed— just far too good to be true for someone who had so selfishly broken her Lady's trust. she'd always prepared for the worst, expected there to be wolves where there weren't any, made sure she was ready for it, just in case. it was basic survival, now etched into her bones that still felt strange and unnatural as she ambled on two feet... should she be foolish enough to hope? could she even stop herself if she wanted to? that she'd- want her by her side again. everyone she had ever known had turned her away, but all that really mattered was this, was her greatest friend. she might never truly be forgiven, but she'd dedicate the rest of her life to healing the wound she'd created (and she knew it was there, recognised it before she'd— all but run from here.)

she had to set those thoughts aside lest she lose her mind over it. all that mattered right now was this, their hunt, like it used to be.

she actually laughed, real from her stomach, gave it to the forrest, “ oh, you didn't enjoy them then? didn't even have to catch them yourself and you never used to like— ... never used to like it either, but my claws don't miss a fish these days, ” her spear too, unlike the great weapon she towed along at her side. thought she'd appreciate that when she'd caught them, at least.

now this was familiar, the challenge reflected between them, taken up without a second thought as she followed after her, “ we're hardly spoiled for choice here, but i'd much rather hunt a blood thirsty creature than another mindless thing. i'm not that out of practise. ” not to speak of the unquenchable urge she felt to prove herself.

there was a moment of stillness as she closed her eyes to try orient herself in this strange place she'd just begun to know. after a long moment of it her nose wrinkled as the stench found her, had her coughing, “ gods, it doesn't help that everything reeks of death down here. ” it made it hard to focus, to rely on what she knew best these days. but when she had the scent she was off, eyes narrowed at the concentration of it ahead, decaying but something great, something the mortals told stories of. or so Lady Nemesis had seen fit to dangle for her.

of course this creature was also half way down to Hades. a resurrected, cursed thing doesn't know how to go down honourably, just like the rest of the masses around here. but at least it would be one less thing for Lady Melinoë to encounter, “it's a few glades down. isn't it? ... deserves a natural end after it's defeat up there. ”

so she got to one knee to prepare the bow while they were still far off enough. a hunt these days meant survival, for at least one more day. but as she looked up at her, still the most precious thing in her heart. her frown blinked away. she wasn't alone, couldn't be with her here. there was no helping the fierce determination that smiled up at her, like an outstretched hand wondering if she'd reach back. her stomach was in knots she'd never be able to untangle from it.

“ ... any chance your arrows can slay these things for good, or am i about to make a worthy enemy for as long as we're down here? ”

Her design did change a bit, I drew her in my sketchbook in 2025 but I still had to update her digitally so here you go !