#athemedu

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"Kitchen duty today?"

Athena looks up to see Medusa at the doorway, her arms crossed and tail lashing against the planks. "Ah, yes. I meant to inform you but it must have slipped my mind. My apologies."

Medusa huffs. "Whatever. If you make me something to eat, I'll forgive you for forgetting about our plans!"

"Of course, Medusa." Athena looks down at the counter, looking through all the ingredients laid out on the counter. "The only spare thing I can make is rice balls. Will that be enough for you?"

"... can't mess those up, sure," Medusa says. She comes further into the kitchen, leaning on the other side of the kitchen. Her expression looks the same as ever but Athena can see how the tip of her tail curls upward and wags slightly in anticipation. Well... now she can't disappoint Medusa, then. It has always been Medusa who prepares food for her and Athena now has the chance to repay her; she will take care not to squander this opportunity. With that thought in mind, she scoops out some rice with the nearby paddy, getting ready to form the rice ball—

"Oh?" Right at that moment, Wilnas comes into the kitchen, his massive body taking up the space of the doorway. He looks over at them unable to hide his more than curious gaze. "I thought I heard someone in the kitchen! What sort of culinary technique are you using there?"

"Oh no," Medusa mutters.

"A rice ball," Athena answers, shooting Medusa a strange look but the lashing of Medusa's tail suggests she's irritated now rather than excited.

"A rice ball!" Wilnas excitedly makes his way over, staring at her hands with an intensity that nearly rivals his own flames. "Please, I ask that you allow me to observe you!"

"Observe?" Athena looks over at Medusa, who only sighs and shrugs afterward. She's agitated to the point Athena can see her tail swishing furiously but that might just be because Wilnas is suddenly next to her; his mortal form is always much bigger than he realizes though he takes care to be considerate about it... when he remembers. "Are you interested in learning?"

"Of course!" Wilnas nods his head furiously to the point that it reminds Athena of Medusa's tail doing the same motions.

"Ah... I hope to be a good teacher then," Athena says. "First, you scoop out the rice, about this much that I already have." She shows her hand to him and he nods just as furiously as he did seconds ago. His enthusiasm, while nice, is... a bit overwhelming for Athena.

"You are free to make it plain but..." With a spoon, Athena scoops some tuna while making a hole for her to put it inside. She glances over at Medusa and sneaks in a little bit more. Now, with her hands, she pushes it all together, carefully shaping the sides and squeezing down until they come out in their signature triangular form that the crew taught her. Though, now that she thinks about it, they don't always have to be in this form, do they? She'll have to ask Medusa later.

"And... there," Athena says after she finishes adding the piece of dried seaweed at the end. She hopes what she demonstrates is easy and clear enough. She remembers being just like him, eager to learn.

"Oh! Just like that, huh!" Wilnas says loudly, the grin present on his face. Athena nods at him.

"Yes, just like that," she says, holding it out for Medusa. "Here you go, I hope you enjoy."

Medusa takes it from her hand, shooting a glance over at Wilnas before taking a bite out of it. Her face lights up, her tail swishing back and forth in what Athena has recognized is a pleased manner now. "Heh, not bad! I mean, I could make better, but feels nice to have someone else make it!"

Athena watches her, a small smile spreading across her face as well. To see Medusa enjoy something that she's made, even as something as simple as a rice ball, brings her a content feeling, makes her want to keep seeing more of it. "I'm happy you enjoy it, Medusa," she murmurs.

"I-I mean, yeah, not bad," Medusa mumbles, looking away from Athena now, her face strangely red. She gulps down the rest of the rice ball and her tail is lashing but she's not quite agitated.

"Interesting... I thought with those fangs, you would have preferred biting into a piece of meat instead," Wilnas comments, having stood there watching Medusa.

"I don't mind that either but these are snake fangs! We swallow prey whole!" She makes a face. "Well, real snakes do. I don't want a nasty rodent getting stuck in my throat."

"Oh! Even amongst you who've been created from the stars, you are all so different from each other as well, just like the mortals."

"Of course we are!" Medusa crosses her arms, puffing her chest out. "You won't find any other primal beast as great as me!"

"Ah, so small and yet so much pride! What a good attitude!"

"H-hey! What do you mean small!" She glares at him, some of her snakes forming to hiss at him too, but all Wilnas does is laugh, the grin never falling from his face.

"Interesting, interesting! Just like Fediel's three heads!"

"Huh—"

"Wilnas, would you like to try making a rice ball? Experience is also the best teacher in this case." Athena interrupts before Medusa's temper flares even hotter. He turns to her as if she's never suggested anything better, nodding eagerly and dashing his way over to her side of the counter. Picking up the paddle, Athena scoops out a handful of rice for him. Wilnas is nearly bouncing from foot to foot as he holds out his hands, almost like a skydweller child about to play with a toy.

"You are right! No better way than to learn!" Wilnas says.

He holds up the rice in his hands as if he's cradling something precious, his eyes sparkling with reverence and excitement. Then, as he moves his large hands carefully... his hands smash together suddenly, with so much force that the rice splatters all over himself, the counter... and Athena's face. "Ah! My apologies! It seems just like my flames, I need to watch my strength as well!"

"It is... fine," Athena says as patiently as she can, reaching for a towel to wipe her face off. Never would she had thought she'd end up with a face full of rice today. "Perhaps, you should... ah, learn to reserve your strength first," she suggests.

"—thena? Athena? Hey!"

Athena blinks awake, blinking several more times as she comes out of her light doze. Her senses go into alert—being woken up suddenly never means anything good—but there doesn't appear to be any immediate threat. At least, Medusiana, still slumbering behind them, hasn't moved at all. She looks around for a moment before remembering exactly where she is and looks down to her lap. Medusa, having taken Glafkos' usual spot by laying her head down in Athena's lap, is tilting her head back now to look up at her. The tip of her tail taps against the grass in a slow rhythm, a sign of her contentment.

"Oh, you really were sleeping," Medusa finally says and moves her head back down. "Never mind then."

"No, no," Athena shakes her head and though a yawn comes out of her, she keeps her eyes open, rubbing at them. "I hadn't meant to. I was looking up at the stars and you know how the skydwellers say that they count the stars when they have trouble sleeping? I wondered if it was truly possible so I tried and—"

"You fell asleep."

"—I fell asleep—yes." Athena smiles sheepishly. Medusa tilts her head back again and smirks at her.

"Heh! Just like you to do something like that." She's amused though Athena's not sure why.

"Is something the matter, though, Medusa?" Athena asks instead. "If it was important to wake me up for it."

"Yeah, sorry about that!" Medusa says with a huff, looking away from her now.

"Forgive me, I did not mean to fault you." Athena reaches over, patting Medusa's cheek with her hand. Medusa huffs again and still doesn't look at her but the tip of her tail is furiously moving back and forth now. The sight of it makes Athena smile, resting her hand at the crown of Medusa's head now.

Medusa finally shifts back to her original position after some time, muttering something that Athena can't quite make out. Perhaps it is because of moments like these that makes their tongue loose. It is the only reason as to why Medusa would suddenly look up at her and stare at her and not even look away when Athena returns her gaze. There's moments where Athena knows she is being watched but when she catches her gaze, Medusa hurriedly looks away and huffs, as if Athena was not meant to see her. At these times, she trains herself to keep from meeting Medusa's eyes but Medusa had been staring a bit too intently for Athena to ignore.

"Medusa? Is... something really the matter?" Athena asks again. It must obviously be something important on her mind. Athena steels herself, ready for lend Medusa her aid whether in listening to her woes or to offer advice.

"Hey, what would you do if I became a snake?"

Athena blinks. And blinks again. She furrows her brow. "If I had heard you right... you are asking me what I would do if you became a snake? Do you mean to ask if you were always a snake? Or if you were always one? In the latter situation though, if your snake form is all that I have known, then I wouldn't know of any other form then—"

"What—why are you making this even more complicated than it has to be?" Medusa frowns at her. "I just meant what if I turned into one right now!"

"Right... now?" Athena thinks to herself. There are many, many factors and possibilities to consider in this event...

"—ey! Hey! Do you really need that much time to think about it?" Medusa's pulled herself up now, sitting on the ground next to her with a frown.

"When you say you've just turned into a snake... I am merely considering all the outcomes. Would you be as big as Medusiana? Or would you remain the same size as you are now? Or would you be smaller instead? Ah, and your hair as well, would you also have snakes on top of your head—ah, do you mean to ask if you were a regular snake and not a primal beast? Or a snake primal beast—"

"Gah! You're overthinking it now!" Medusa glares at her. Athena closes her mouth.

"... none of those?" Athena finally says, her brow furrowing deeper.

"Nothing complicated like that!" Medusa crosses her arms with a huff. "I was just having a conversation with Yuni the other day and she was wondering if she should go back to being a dragon since she has trouble keeping her feet on the floor. I think if she transformed into a dragon in front of people, she'd just end up scaring everyone!"

"But we have Vyrn, do we not? And..." Athena blinks, suddenly coming to a realization as she counts on her hands, "we also have... a surprising amount of dragons on the crew."

"... huh, now that you say that." Medusa seems to come to the same realization as her, her eyes widening as well. But she shakes her head afterward. "Wait, no, that isn't the point here! I just meant if she were doing something like she was in the middle of conversation with someone and she just suddenly turned into a dragon! That kind of thing!"

"... oh." But now that confuses Athena. "So you mean to say if you had that same ability? To shift between your form now and a real snake?"

"Huh? Wait." Medusa pauses then, now thinking to herself. "I guess yeah, if I could just turn back and forth between a snake and this form!"

"With that clarification then... I would still enjoy your company regardless of what form you take. After all, what you become does not change the memories we've made."

Medusa whips her head toward Athena, mouth falling open. Athena blinks back at her, unaware of what she might say to have caused that sort of reaction.

"That's!" Medusa covers her face suddenly. Her snakes form and hiss though not angrily from what it seems like to Athena. Agitated, is what she would describe them. Athena has learned that there are certain things that embarrass Medusa though she still has yet to figure out their reason. Speaking so candidly though seems to be one of them. Athena has no bone nor wish for deceit though when it comes to her feelings. She thought Medusa would appreciate her honesty but sometimes, she can't tell.

Despite Medusa muttering to herself though, there's a few snakes slithering in the air toward Athena, drawn instinctively toward her warmth. Athena holds out her hand, watches as they reach her fingers and begin to coil themselves around her hand. She runs a thumb over one as it moves past her, tongue flicking against her skin—oh, that's brought a thought to her now.

"There is one detriment though, now that I think about it."

Medusa makes some kind of muffled sound behind her hands before hesitantly looking up, eyes narrowed. "What is it?"

"If you were to transform into a snake so suddenly," Athena reaches over, tugging free one of Medusa's hands, "as snakes do not have limbs, I would no longer be able to hold your hand like this."

Medusa seems to freeze. She looks from Athena to their hands and then back up at Athena again. She stares, and Athena offers her a light smile—oh, that seems to have done it, Medusa sputtering as the color spreads across her face and up to the tips of her ears. Her tail is lashing furiously in the grass, a sign of her agitation.

But Medusa has not pulled away her hand.

Athena allows her smile to grow, threading their fingers together now. Medusa makes another sound, something that sounds like a squeak, and the color on her face deepens, almost as red as Athena's armor, and she can even see the color extending down toward her neck. If Athena must confess, it's slightly tempting to see just how deep Medusa's flush can go.

"I-I guess it's good that I can't do that then, huh!" Medusa finally says. She's very pointedly looking away from Athena though. It's just a little funny to Athena, because Medusa is the one who's clamping down on her hand, like the jaws of a snake.

"I suppose so, but I would still like your company either way," Athena says, and Medusa makes something that sounds like another squeak. "Hm, what if the same were to happen to me? If I were able to somehow transform into another form."

"... you?" Medusa looks back over at her. "What would you even want to be?"

"An owl," Athena answers immediately.

"... of course. I don't know what else I expected," Medusa mutters with a shake of her head. She huffs afterward. "Hold on though, owls don't have hands either! A wing isn't the same as a hand!"

"Oh! You're right. Then, I am glad that we currently take this form then," Athena finishes, running the back of her thumb over Medusa's hand. Medusa makes another sound like she's disgusted or displeased but her tail's settled down into a slower rhythm rather than the agitated lashing of before.

Medusa kicks at the dirt for what feels like the hundredth time. It might as well be at this point. They're supposed to be resting but she feels like doing anything but that right now. How can she rest when these two next to her are having the most boring conversation?

"—if you had been surrounded, would it not have been a more prudent decision to fortify the surrounding area with barricades and traps to provide for a better defense?" Athena says.

"Yes, I had the same thought at the time too, but I had received intel from Raphael that our enemies were planning a strike at dawn—"

Medusa tunes out before Michael can finish.

She takes a look around the camp, trying to see what might scratch her itch of boredom. That human man with the dragon blood wandered off somewhere but Medusa had caught him staring a little too intently at the grass earlier and she decided in that moment she was better off not knowing. There's Silva off to the side and while Medusa could grace her with her presence, Silva's cleaning up her gun and she looks too focused on her task for Medusa to feel comfortable to bother. Medusa doesn't know a lick about guns but looking at all the parts laid out makes her feel like she's going to make something explode if she touches it wrong. Won't be dangerous for her but it might be for Silva so... no thanks! She doesn't even know where Djeeta and the others are, probably off somewhere with that other erune girl with the guns.

Ugh, where did Satyr even get up to this time? Medusa can't believe she's even asking for Satyr to keep her company. How desperate must she be? She's just... so annoyed. Maybe she should risk the cold and find a nice spot somewhere and curl up with Medusiana instead. Anything to get away from listening to these two going on and on and on about the most boring things!

"Being commander of an army is... a huge undertaking. There are many things to consider and—"

"—can only imagine. I have only overseen local militia and very rarely do the places I visit have trained soldiers—"

... ugh.

Medusa stretches herself out, wiggling her toes and grimacing at how much they ache. She'd spent most of the day running circles around the monsters and primal beasts so her feet are killing her. Spending the night resting will put her back in top form for the next day...

"—rd to connect to the mortals as well, our interests do not always line up but you profess to acting—"

"—ther hard, isn't it? The lives of mortals are so quick and they seem to—"

... but she's not going to get any rest if she listens to them any longer. But maybe they should go back to their previous conversation. Anything's better than this downer of a subject.

"At least talk about something interesting!" she mutters. Nothing but hearing the two of them talk like this for the last... how much time has passed? It feels like hours and hours and hours. But if she has to hear one more thing about battle tactics—

A pair of hands cover her eyes suddenly but Medusa already knows who it is before hearing the laughter. "Ahaha, Meddy! Stare too hard and you might end up petrifying them!"

"Hey—let go of me!" Before Medusa can grab Satyr's wrists, her friend is already letting go and giggling next to her instead. "Where did you even disappear off to?!"

"Just taking a look around the island and seeing if anything's changed since the last time!" Satyr says with a cheer that sounds out of place given the island they're on. Walking around this old battlefield, a remnant of a time neither of them really want to think about? No thanks! Unless Satyr means the last time the two of them had been here in the past year—yeah that sounds more likely. Medusa looks around. No, doesn't look like anything has changed, except since they're here just right after the start of the new year, it's cold.

"It all just always looks the same as always," Medusa mutters. A chilly wind blows across at that moment and she shivers, wrapping her arms around herself. When's the last time she came here? It should just be summer for the entire year! Why did she even agree to come to this mission?

Satyr sits down on her other side, still grinning. "Are you cold, Meddy? Is that why you're so grumpy? I'm not Athena but I'll keep you warm too!" Satyr puts an arm around her and pulls her closer.

"What—" Medusa is struggling but at the same time, Satyr is is warm, she can't deny that. Well! If Athena's going to spend all her time with her new friend, then what's it to her!

"Medusa?"

Except Athena, and Michael too now, are looking at her. Satyr's eyes are sparkling; Medusa doesn't like that look in her eyes.

"W-what is it?" Medusa asks, voice coming out gruffer than she'd intended. At least Athena doesn't notice it though, but she can hear Satyr giggling next to her again so she elbows her in the side to shut her up.

"Ah, it is..." Athena looks confused for a second, which confuses Medusa too. She only holds up her hand instead of speaking, and Medusa's horrified to find that her tail's wrapped around her wrist.

Medusa makes a sound. What kind of sound, she's not sure, but some kind of sound comes out of her. Or maybe that's just Satyr cackling. One of those. All the while, Athena continues to hold up her arm, expression otherwise unflappable if it weren't for the confused blinking.

"That! That's!" Medusa uncoils her tail from Athena and pointedly stares ahead of her, refusing to look at either Satyr or Athena. This is the last thing she needs right now! Aren't they supposed to be resting? Why are they working her up right now?

"I'm sorry, Medusa, are you upset?" Athena asks, and moves closer to her. Medusa freezes when she feels Athena's arm brushing up against hers. Luckily, or unluckily, before Medusa can say anything, Satyr comes between them, throwing her arms around the both of them.

"Meddy isn't upset! In fact, she'd wish you'd sit closer—ahaha, don't glare at me like that! But don't worry about it, we're all primal pals here in the end!" Satyr turns to Michael, who's been doing a terrible impression of trying not to eavesdrop. "And that includes you too! Even if you're a little older—ooh, maybe you'll just be like a senior primal pal! Like how the skydwellers sometimes give discounts to the elderly skydwellers!"

"... and what would that even do for her? We don't even sell anything!" Medusa points out with a huff, still miffed about Satyr's earlier comment.

"She can have front row tickets to one of Baally's concerts!" Satyr answers without even missing a beat.

"Baal is holding a concert?" Athena perks up suddenly. "I would like to attend."

"No he's not!" Medusa quickly says before she gets any more funny ideas. Well, actually, she doesn't really know that, but she's not about to correct herself right now about it either.

"This Baal..." Michael suddenly speaks up, looking thoughtful suddenly. "He is also a primal beast like us? And he performs in front of people?"

"Yeah! He's so amazing, you should hear him!" Satyr leaps at the chance to gush about her friend and Medusa takes the opportunity to pull Athena away from the other two before Satyr talks both their ears off. Hmph, it's nothing Medusa can't say either—wait, not that she wants to talk about that grump right now. She feels sorry for Michael though, who looks like she's bitten off more than she can chew.

"Medusa? Is something the matter?" Athena asks. She's confused, and Medusa scowls at her.

"Don't give me that! We've got two more days of being out here and you're not getting proper rest!"

"Proper rest? I am—" and Athena happens to yawn right at that moment. She smiles sheepishly. They don't exactly need sleep the way the mortals do, but it helps them conserve their strength so it's not exactly a bad idea to sleep, especially for someone like Athena.

"Forgive me, Medusa. I had simply lost track of time when conversing with Michael. To learn that there is another being far older than even Sandalphon himself, and that she'd been the steward to elemental fire itself—ah, my curiosity might have made me... overenthusiastic."

"Yeah, yeah, she's amazing," Medusa mutters, wishing there wasn't this terrible knot forming inside of her. She knows what it is, and it isn't like she wants to feel this way, but seeing Athena get so awed over someone else... bleh, just a few more hours and she'll be able to take her frustration out! But who would've thought that they've managed it, finding someone even more serious than Athena.

But it also isn't to say that Medusa's not impressed too! It makes sense to Medusa that the Astrals have always been experimenting with making living weapons, and that she and those created five hundred years ago aren't their first experiments... but she's never thought that it was possible for the older primal beasts to still be around. At least, like Athena said, it's never occurred to her that there might also be other beings that are as old or even older than the Supreme Primarch himself.

"I confess though, I'm curious about something else. You feel it too, don't you?" Athena glances over at Michael, who's still forced to listen to Satyr as she regales her about further feats of her primal pals.

"Hmm." Medusa crosses her arms, her tail swishing side to side. She knows exactly what Athena is talking about but trying to put it into words is hard. Since joining their team, there's been a sort of... underlying empowerment to them that they've never felt before. She knows it has to be something with Michael because for all the times they've gone through this ancient battlefield, this is the very first time she's ever felt like this. Even Satyr keeps remarking about how she's raring to go even after hours of fighting. And it isn't only affecting the primal beasts too; it seems to make the other mortals who've come with them stronger as well.

What exactly is that power, then? Is it something because she's one of the first primal beasts? Or is it because of her former position as primarch of fire? Medusa's core element isn't even fire so why does she also feel the same way as Athena? Does being a primarch come with other perks? She can't even begin to understand exactly what being in that role calls for but whatever the case, Michael's very presence is making them all stronger. Somehow.

"Just some other weird Astral stuff," Medusa decides, waving her hand. "I don't even understand half the things they were trying to do but hey, if it makes us all stronger and get us through this mission faster, then I'm not going to complain!"

"The Astrals, hm..." Athena looks lost in thought now, and Medusa doesn't doubt all the strange conclusions running through her mind. Wait, no, the last thing she needs is Athena's imagination running wild.

"But never mind that! Regardless of whether or not we're stronger this time around, it doesn't change the fact that you"—she jabs her finger at Athena—"need to get some rest! You think I don't notice how you can barely stand after our battles?!"

Athena blinks at her, surprised. "You've noticed?"

"Of course! Why wouldn't I!" Medusa huffs at her. "Seriously, never a single thought in your own head about yourself!"

"Oh..." Athena looks away, now looking down at her hands.

"Heheh, Athena! You should have heard her before we left on the mission!" Satyr's suddenly next to them, grinning widely that Medusa feels like her face is going to hurt the more she looks at her. "'Of course we're gonna be fine, Athena's with us! She's going to cover us and we can go all out!'" She giggles afterward. "And she was right! I've never seen Meddy so pumped up before! I mean she's always so cool and cute but this time around she's even more fired up—mmmmphfghfgmmm!"

"Stop! Stop talking! Why are you telling her this!" Medusa hisses, struggling to keep her hand on Satyr's mouth. Satyr is still waving her hands all around but she looks at Athena and gives her a thumbs-up. Medusa slaps that hand away too and Satyr is giggling again, the sound muffled behind her hand.

"Medusa, you..." Medusa freezes before slowly turning around, half afraid of what she's going to find. Athena is looking at them, and her eyes look a little misty—oh no, this is terrible, why is Athena such a sap?

"I understand completely now, Medusa. I must get my proper rest so that I will be able to support you as the rearguard. I swear on my shield that I will not let you down!" She looks so grave and solemn about it that Medusa makes a choked sound. It's always unfair, how honest Athena can be that Medusa doesn't know what to say.

"Why do you always have to take it so seriously," she mutters.

"Yeah!" Satyr uses the distraction to break out of Medusa's hold, pumping a fist now. "We gotta make sure Meddy is out there in top form! Go out there and do your best, Meddy! We'll be cheering you on too!"

"Wha—don't make me do all the work!"

"Of course not! But you're so cool when you're acting so tough and giving it your all up there and it just makes me want to stop and watch you instead! Isn't that right, Athena?!"

Athena blinks, looking back and forth between them. To Medusa's horror, she agrees with a nod. "Yes, I understand. Medusa always works so hard."

"Gah! Stop saying that—stop!" Medusa wishes there were a way to hide out red her face is. Somehow, listening to the both of them makes her feel even more embarrassed than Satyr's teasing. Of course she's strong and powerful but they're laying it on a little too thick right now!

... it feels nice listening to them talk about her like that. She's never going to tell them that, because then Satyr will never shut up about it if she does, but it feels nice to hear that from them. It's good to be appreciated around here! That terrible feeling from earlier is going away, and Medusa wants it to not come back.

Wait, why are they suddenly on this topic? What were they talking about before—"Gah!" Medusa turns to Athena, hissing. "This wasn't supposed to be about me! You still need to make sure to get your rest!"

"Oh!" Athena nods her head, smile turning apologetic. "Of course, Medusa. I will need all my strength to keep up with you tomorrow."

"Like I said, you don't have to keep laying it on that thick..."

"Rest is important, yes. If our battles for the next few days will grow tougher as the Singularity tells me, we will need all our power," Michael says as she now stands over them where they've been sitting on the ground. She doesn't have her wings or battle regalia right now, only dressed in those simple skydweller clothes they had first seen her in. Medusa's glad for it, because the glow of power and fire from her means no one would get any sleep if they had a literal lantern next to them all the time. Still, even in these regular clothes, Michael cuts an impressive figure, Medusa will admit that.

"Ooh, Michael, Michael!" Satyr gestures for her to take a seat next to them. Michael does so, sitting cross-legged, and she looks more like a confused snake thrown out of the grass now instead of... all her big fancy titles. Medusa can recognize that sort of look, considering how many times Athena's done it. "One more thing! You wanna listen to all the cool things Meddy's done in the last few centuries? Like that one time she saved me from a monster and she looked soooooo cool—"

"Gah, stop talking! What happened to getting some rest?!" Medusa tries to slap her hand over Satyr's mouth but Satyr leans out of the way and hides behind Athena, using her as a shield now. That's not even fair at all! And now Athena's looking at both her and Satyr, eyes twinkling with that troublesome curiosity.

"If you could continue, Satyr, I am very interested in hearing this story too."

"Stop!" But of course, no one listens to her and to Medusa's horror, even Michael is listening intently.

Red.

That's all Athena sees as she looks out over the horizon. There had been a clear boundary between the clouds below and the clouds above... now that separation is gone, the red of the once unknown horizon below seeping upward, taking with it the blue of the sky. It all happened so quickly that Athena knows not much time has passed and yet, it feels as if it's almost been centuries since she'd last seen the everlasting blue she'd never thought she'd taken for granted.

One of her legs begins to throb, the ache ever persistent even with her regeneration. She knows now that it is the blades and claws of the Otherworldly Beings to blame, cutting and tearing even at the inherent makings of her being. She can heal this but very slowly; a strange essense seems to burn at her wounds, halting the speed of her blessed regeneration. If it weren't for Medusa's encounters with the Otherworldly Beings before, then Athena might have foolishly continued her battle and succumbed to them in her very first encounter.

Athena sits down, the ache in her leg too painful to ignore now. She had prioritized her regeneration to focus on her arms first though she knows proper footwork in battle is just as important, if not more. It had just been... this particular ache in her leg has lasted longer than any of her injuries; it had been unfortunately been caught in the sharp fangs of an Otherworldly beast as she attempted to shield a skydweller. The pain had been immense in the beginning but now it's dulled to a throb. She wonders if it will ever regenerate.

Athena doesn't know how long she sits there, staring out over the horizon. It is a depressing sight; off in the distance, she can see that grotesque Otherworldly structure that seemingly sprang from out of nowhere, destroying whole islands the moment it appeared. Other than that... there's nothing else. There are no more airships that fly through the sky anymore, no more birds, nothing. The skies are vast and open... and there is nothing now in that yawning emptiness. Her thoughts wander, and none of them are good.

"There you are."

Before Athena can turn around, Medusa is already at her side, hands on her hips as she looks down at her out of the corners of her eyes.

"Medusa, hello," Athena greets, blinking. She hadn't heard Medusa approach... had she been more lost in her thoughts than she realized? That isn't good, she'll need to stay vigilant. "Are the fortifications done?"

"Getting there," Medusa answers, shrugging. "Didn't see the need to stick around if the skydwellers are finishing up. Nezha and the others are helping them anyway." She mutters something else under her breath that Athena doesn't hear but Athena does not prod her further. Medusa's moods tend to be a little volatile when she's injured.

Athena nods as Medusa joins her, sitting down next to her. The wounds on Medusa are healing slowly as well. One of her arms still has a discolored spot where one of the Otherworldly Beings had cracked through her armor. The cuts on her face haven't fully healed either, faded scars running along her face. She also knows that for as much as Medusa is putting on a brave front, she hasn't completely recovered from the trap laid by them the other day, when several Otherworld Beings converged on her and attempted to trap her inside a mass of writhing flesh. It had only been Athena and Nezha combining their flames to burn through the mass that forced the mass to let her go, and she had been so severely weakened that all of them feared she would retreat back into her core. Fortunately she hadn't, but the dread and fear Athena had felt then... she doesn't want to feel that again.

Medusa pulls her knees to her chest, hiding her face behind them as she stares out toward the horizon. Athena watches her for a moment before scooting closer, allowing the warmth rolling off of her to flow onto Medusa. She's not sure if it truly helps but Medusa leans against her arm, sighing softly.

Athena returns to staring back out over the horizon, trying but failing from keeping her thoughts going into a dark direction. Everyone... all of them, both skydweller and primal beasts... they're being broken down by the Otherworldly Beings. For as many of them she strikes down, three or five more soldiers seemingly take its place... and they only get stronger with each life they claim. Almost like a near limitless army... how does one cut down something like that? Even Athena doesn't know.

While she's no stranger to being on the losing side of battles and war, can this really be called losing? Athena knows that they're being toyed with at this point, being prodded and poked to their breaking point. She can hear the whispers of the skydwllers, the ones on the verge of despair, who stand dangerously close at the edges of the island, one step away.

Athena had tried to stop them in the beginning but she no longer has any heart to do so. If this is the only way out of their desperation... then how can Athena fault them for taking it when even she can see no possible end to this war? She had been created as a defender of the weak and yet, how can she accomplish that when even she can feel the fangs of despair slowly sinking into her as well?

"That's a long sigh coming from you," Medusa says.

Athena blinks. "My apologies, did I do that?"

"Yeah." Medusa pokes at her arm. "What are you overthinking in that head of yours?"

It would be easy to answer nothing, but Athena finds it harder and harder to engage in light banter nowadays. Something she had once taken for granted... she never thought that day would come. Instead, all she can do is let out another sigh, still looking off at the desolate horizon before them.

"Do you ever think there might be a day where the skies will become blue again?" she asks.

Medusa frowns and pulls her knees tighter to her. She doesn't say anything right away, but Athena can see the reluctant lashing of her tail.

"... I don't know," Medusa finally says, her voice quiet. "I... I really don't know." She reaches into her pocket and pulls out the cores of her sisters, looking at them now. "I wanted them to wake up, but if the skies aren't going to be blue... it might just be better for them to be asleep. Better than to wake up to this nightmare."

Nightmare... an apt way to describe their situation. Athena had remained optimistic in the beginning but with the news of the Captain's death and the rest of the crew of the Grandcypher scattered and even the elements being disrupted... Athena finds it very hard to find hope nowadays.

"You should escape from here, Medusa," Athena murmurs. "I don't know how much longer I can hold this island but I can certainly buy you—ah!" Medusa had grabbed her arm, the tips of her claws digging into her skin.

"Don't you say that to me," Medusa hisses. "Don't even say that again. I've had enough of being told to run away!" They stare at each other, until Medusa releases her grip on Athena, crossing her arms. Her tail is lashing furiously against the dirt now. "And where can we even escape to at this point? If those tentacle freaks can appear anywhere, then running is already useless! There's just... no other place to go..."

Athena lets out a low hum. Medusa is correct; as much as either of them wish for it to not be so, the entirety of the skies may already be doomed. Neither of them have seen any airships flying through the skies lately. The banner of Istavion had been a common sight back then but even the airships carrying the armies of the True King have lessened... and lessened... until none no longer fly through the skies now. Athena wonders what the situation must be in the other skydoms but the lack of airships must surely mean that it must be dire in the other skies. If only there were some way to know. She doesn't even know if there are any other survivors on the other islands.

How much longer can they hold out? The primal beasts here including Athena haven't been able to recover fully, and there's very few fighters among the skydwellers left as well. Their rations and spare materials continue to dwindle with none of them able to scavenge lest the Otherworldly Beings take advantage with their ability to appear. The dead need to be quickly disposed of as well. Their ability to appear at any moment is the real cause for distress. This isn't the first time Athena has had to deal with a foe that could move quickly and teleport but to continue to do so on a scale like this, even she's at a loss as to what to do now.

"How are you feeling now?" Medusa asks suddenly. "Your leg still giving you trouble?"

"Ah... yes, unfortunately," Athena confesses, a bit reluctantly. She does not want to admit this but she knows Medusa will be upset with her if she tries to pretend, and it isn't as if Medusa can't already see through her anyway. Medusa nods and moves her knees away from her chest, stretching her legs out for a moment before scooting down and massaging her bad leg. "Ah, Medusa?"

"I've seen the skydwellers doing this for each other when their aches get bad, and it sounds like it helps. Is it helping?" Medusa is looking at her now but there's a frown on her face, looking skeptical, and there it is, the coloring of her cheeks that Athena almost misses because of the redness of the sky. It makes Athena laugh softly and nod her head before Medusa gets the wrong idea.

"It feels nice, thank you." She isn't lying; the pressure Medusa is applying truly relieves the aching of both her leg and her heart.

There are times where Medusa wants to toss Athena into the Crimson Horizon. No, that's going too far, but sometimes, Medusa just wants to… knock some sense into her. For someone so rooted in logic and practicality, Athena can sure… make some baffling decisions.

This entire moment had been perfect. Medusa had planned for this, leading Athena through the cavern of this remote island. She had even come by days earlier to make sure that there weren't going to be pesky monsters to ruin anything! And on the other side of the cavern, it'd open up to a beautiful lake, filled with pretty ore and minerals.

"This is beautiful," Athena had said, her voice filled with awe. "I never would have thought a place like this would be inside a cave like this."

"Heh! Told you I had something nice to show you!" Medusa had said, holding out her chest as proudly as possible. It'd been coincidence that she stumbled on this place, and she knew exactly who she wanted to show it to when she found it.

Athena looks down at her just as Medusa looks up. The smile on Athena's face is full of fondness, the one that always makes Medusa feel endlessly embarrassed because of how happy she gets when she sees it.

Something warm envelops Medusa's hand, and it takes her a second to realize it's Athena, her hand curling around hers.

"I deeply appreciate this, Medusa. I…" Athena's voice gets thick, and oh no, Medusa forgets what a huge softie Athena can really be despite appearances. Even though it still feels embarrassing, Medusa shoots her a grin.

Perfect. Everything is going perfect.

Then Athena starts to glow.

Medusa stares at her. Athena blinks and looks down at herself. She takes her hand away from Medusa to reach inside her armor. The last thing Medusa expects to see is a primal beast core. "Oh, it is Enyo. She's been rather active lately, hasn't she?"

Athena speaks factually like she's talking about the weather and not that she's holding the core of a primal beast that, according to Athena herself, had been very adamant about trying to kill her. Or do worse. Medusa suspects that Athena hid many of the details from her.

Like the very crucial detail that she's kept Enyo's core on her the entire time.

Medusa jabs a finger at the core, curbing the urge to grab and destroy it with her own hands. "You've had her this whole time?!"

"Yes?" Athena blinks again. "Don't worry, Medusa. I took great care to seal her away. There should be no chance of her waking up, and if she does, I will be able to sense her doing so and deal with her swiftly."

"That's not—that's—" Medusa is too angry to finish the rest of her sentence, hissing at the core crystal. Some of her snakes form to move forward and circle around the core, hissing together with Medusa.

"I know it upsets you, Medusa, and I am also not fond of this arrangement either, but I could not risk the skydwellers discovering her core."

"If you're that worried about the trouble she could stir up, then you should destroy her core!" In Medusa's frustration, she lashes her tail back and forth. It's tempting, to just whip her tail out and knock the core out of Athena's hands so Medusa can destroy it herself. Medusa dislikes destroying primal cores but from Athena's description, this primal beast is far too dangerous to be allowed to run amuck.

"I should… but…" Athena grimaces. "Something is holding me back. I don't know what it is. Perhaps I pity her for what she has become. Perhaps I wish to see if she might be able to change back to those days where she wasn't…"

Athena trails off, clearly lost in a memory now, her expression wistful. Medusa feels a small prick inside of her at the sight. Athena had spent seventy-nine long years chasing after her but before that, there had been Enyo. Even after being betrayed by her partner, Athena still didn't have the heart to end her.

"Honestly, no selfish bone inside of you," Medusa finally says. She's frustrated still that Athena would even think to keep someone so dangerous so close to her. Athena takes great care, even great pains, to account for every single outcome when it comes to those in her charge, and then never remembers to think about herself too!

It doesn't make things easier for Medusa, at the very least.

And now the mood is ruined, ugh.

"Have no fear, Medusa." Athena reaches out to place a hand on Medusa's shoulder, a reassuring smile on her face. At least, as reassuring as it can be considering she'd been grimacing earlier. "If she were to ever wake, I swear I will protect you to the best of my abilities."

"Hmph! I can look after myself fine! Just make sure you know what you're doing!"

In Athena's hand, Enyo's core shines bright like she's trying to outshine the rocks in the cave, obnoxiously so to Medusa's eyes, but the core begins to dim, the light dying down now to a dormant state. Strange that it had become active though. On her own person, the cores of her sisters are warm, thrumming slightly like they're trying to warn Medusa.

"I should just turn the both of them into stone and toss them into the lake," Medusa mutters.

===

Months pass after that moment, and Medusa ends up spending most of them away from the Grandcypher, going out on missions with the crew and then getting taken by Satyr, who'd decided that right now was the best time to go on a trip together according to both Nezha and skydwellers for whatever reason. Medusa gets dragged all over the skydom, but it isn't as if she didn't have fun either.

It's still a small relief though when Medusa touches down on the deck of the Grandcypher. As much as she doesn't like to admit it, the bustle of the skydwellers, and the way that even some of the crew greet or wave to her as she walks past them is a nice feeling. Heh! Finally, the mortals are showing her some proper respect!

After making sure to find Djeeta, Lyria, and Vyrn (who seem strangely antsy for some reason) and leave them the souvenirs both she and Satyr had brought for them, she's already moving through the decks of the Grandcypher. Lyria had said that Athena was outside even though Medusa hadn't seen her when she landed. Maybe they had just missed each other?

Arriving to the top deck, Medusa finds Athena standing at the furthest edge, standing away from everyone. Strange; Athena isn't the type to shy away from people. Whatever the case though, Medusa is already moving across the deck, a small skip in her step.

"Hey! Athena, what are you doing right now? I've got—"

Athena turns toward her, which also reveals the person standing alarmingly close behind Athena. Medusa freezes in place, her eyes narrowing at the very new face. She can tell right away it's another primal beast, and Medusa doesn't need to be told who it is, not when the primal beast smiles and Medusa doesn't even feel an ounce of friendliness. It's the opposite, really, and the sheer bloodlust radiating off this primal beast is disgusting.

Athena quickly steps between them. It doesn't escape Medusa's notice that Athena holds her shield arm toward Enyo.

"Another friend of yours, Athena?" It's slight but the smile on Enyo's face seems to change. Medusa has never felt so unnerved from a single smile before. "You have so many friends on this ship… it's so tempting to trample all over them."

"Hah? Who the hell do you think you are?" Medusa is snapping back before she even realizes. She scowls, baring her fangs, and even some of her snakes form to hiss in Enyo's direction. "You think you could take me down?! Keep dreaming!"

"Medusa," Athena warns, and Medusa takes slight that it's her that Athena's chosen to address instead of Enyo. She knows it had been for her own safety, but her own temper is flaring hot now, and it doesn't help that Enyo's smile is curving into a provocative smirk.

"If you need Athena to protect you, you must be weak as well, just like the rest of them? Do you really like keeping all these weaklings at your side, Athena? You've always been so softhearted like that… and it makes you so fascinating, Athena. Keep gathering more of these friends… more of these people I can take away from you."

The smile hasn't fallen from Enyo's face at all. Her eyes are focused solely on Athena right now, like a predator cornering its prey… no, that isn't right. She's like a predator tormenting its prey instead, like a snake watching the life drain from its victim from a venomous bite instead of crushing its neck to finish the deed.

Not that Medusa cares about that!

"Listen here." Medusa is all but hissing at this point, her fangs fully bared. "I don't need Athena's protection. Keep talking like that about Athena or the rest of the crew and I'll toss you into the Crimson Horizon myself!" She doesn't know how much of it is goading from Enyo but she's got another thing coming if she thinks Medusa will let her talk about Athena or the crew like that.

The expression on Enyo's face still doesn't change but now her eyes move over to Medusa.

"Ah, you… you're..." Something seems to flash in Enyo's eyes, a recognition of something but Medusa has never seen Enyo in her entire life. "You're just like me, aren't you?" Enyo finally says, her wicked smile never falling from her face.

"... what?"

"Unlike Athena, you're another primal beast made for destruction." Enyo takes a step toward her despite Athena's arm trying to keep her away. "The battlefields from the War, don't you remember it? How wonderful it was to destroy and trample all those skydwellers? Hearing their screams as they begged for life—oh! You think they're all weak, too, don't you? It's all too easy to—"

"Don't you dare call me the same as you," Medusa interrupts with a hiss. Enyo doesn't even blink, and there's just something about the way her smile still doesn't change at all that really gets under Medusa's scales.

If Medusa has any fond memories of the War, it's only the respites where she and her sisters were allowed to wander and explore the skydom at their own whims. No battles, no Astrals, no skydwellers—only her and her sisters, flying through the skies. Only her and her sisters, together. There's nothing more she wants than those moments back. For this primal beast to insinuate that they're the same—never!

"Don't worry, you'll see what I'm talking about. Every primal beast is the same; the only thing we're good for is destruction and war. That's the meaning behind our purpose, and the more you fight against it, the more you'll revel in your true nature once you awaken to it." Enyo places a hand on her face, seemingly regarding the two of them. Her face is serene but there's nothing but madness in her eyes. "You'll understand it, once I tear apart this whole crew."

"Gross," Medusa mutters.

"But you…" Enyo turns toward Medusa fully. That look in Enyo's eyes borders on bloodthirsty lunacy. Every nerve in Medusa tells her to slither as far away as possible. Her snakes hiss, both in fear and as intimidation. Despite this, Medusa stands her ground, baring her fangs back. She won't go down without a fight. "When I crush and trample over you, rip you apart limb by limb, watch you beg for mercy, all in front of Athena—"

"Enyo."

Athena's voice is firm as always but cold, the coldest Medusa has ever heard from her. Even Enyo seems surprised, blinking at Athena. Her eyes flit back and forth between the two of them before the smile on her face grows.

"I'll savor it all later… but remember, Athena, you're still my prey," Enyo says and though she speaks to Athena, she looks straight at Medusa. She walks away from the two of them, and Medusa hisses in her direction. She means to run after her but Athena's arm blocks her way, before Athena herself stands between the two of them.

"It's fine," Athena says, suddenly tired. "I… I can trust her to not harm any of the crew. She gave me her word."

"Yeah, just like when she betrayed you?" Medusa hisses. The flash of pain that flits across Athena's face makes Medusa feel guilty but she's too angry to apologize.

Athena closes her eyes and does not speak for a long time before she opens her eyes. "We… I… I had worked extensively with her and I know this to be certain: she will not harm the others."

Medusa narrows her eyes.

"Physically harm the others," Athena amends, grimacing as she sighs. "And I know our crew is more than capable."

"But why is she even back in the first place?! Didn't you say that you sealed her?!"

"Ah, that…" Athena smiles ruefully and explains everything to her. The more Medusa listens, the more Medusa wants to really toss Enyo right into the Crimson Horizon where she belongs. And maybe Athena too, but she'll at least drag Athena back out to yell at her for being an idiot.

"And now we just. Have her in the crew." It isn't as if there aren't other strange crew members onboard, but someone like Enyo—

Why did it have to be Athena?! It's tight inside her chest; that Athena can still trust Enyo so much even after everything is more painful than whatever filth Enyo can spew.

"If she tries anyway, I'm having Medusiana gobble her right up. I don't care what she says," Medusa finally says. She's agitated; her tail is lashing against the planks of the Grandcypher, scratching against the wood.

"Medusa." Athena's voice is soft and apologetic. "I do not wish to drag you into this. It is… my fault that she is back and thus she is my responsibility, you don't need to—"

"And so you can go and get yourself hurt again?!" Medusa jabs a finger right at Athena's abdomen, right where she said Enyo or that fake Enyo or whatever stabbed her. "This makes it three times she almost got you! You think I'm just going to stand by and let her destroy your core?! Think again!"

Athena shakes her head, a strained smile on her face. "Even not fully recovered, Enyo is still a force to be reckoned with, and… I know you can take care of yourself, Medusa, but the possibility of Enyo causing grievous injury to you is still—"

"Say whatever you want, you're not getting rid of me that easily!" Medusa crosses her arms. Just as Athena can be insistently stubborn, Medusa can be too! She knows what Athena is trying to do, and she won't have any of it. Athena stares at her, and Medusa meets her gaze, defiant. When she sees that Medusa is unwilling to budge, Athena finally sighs and nods slowly.

"... very well, Medusa, but I would still advise you to take caution around Enyo." Athena's voice becomes softer. "Please, tell me if she tries anything. I could not bear the thought if she were to bring her torment upon you as well simply because of your connection to me."

"Hah! She's got nothing compared to all the yapping I get from Baal and Vyrn, or even the other skydwellers," Medusa says with a wave of her hand. A small laugh comes out of Athena and Medusa feels a bit lighter at hearing the sound.

"Still, please be careful," Athena says again. Her voice is still soft and yet Medusa has never heard her so earnest before. No, that isn't right; Athena had sounded like this too back then after Lyria had taken her powers, when she had wished for Medusa to speak to her.

Medusa bites back the retort that instinctively rises, something she would have said to Satyr or Nezha. She can't do that—she doesn't want to do that, not to Athena, who's always been nothing but endlessly patient and honest with her even in her worst times.

"Look, Athena, look!"

Athena has very little warning before Medusa is suddenly at her side, shoving an arm out in front of her. The expression on her face suggests she's feeling proud of herself, with her lips pulled back with a smirk, and there's also the pleased lashing of her tail, a slow and rhythmic fashion that Athena has recognized.

"Your… arm, Medusa? Have you done something to it?" Athena asks as she glances down at the appendage. It occurs to Athena now that perhaps she should have thoroughly inspected Medusa's arm before speaking… and upon that thorough inspection, finds nothing out of the ordinary. Medusa narrows her eyes, the lashing of her tail now slowing down to near stillness, a sign of her dropping mood.

Athena feels loathe to even speak these words but she clears her throat and braves onward. "Forgive me, Medusa, I am… unsure of what I should be looking at."

Medusa's mouth snaps wide open like a snake about to lunge. Some of the crewmates within proximity of them balk at the sight but Athena merely blinks at her, unafraid. She's had more than enough experience from their previous confrontations to know Medusa is not going to attack. Instead, Athena recognizes this gesture as… disgruntlement. What Medusa is doing right now though is controlling herself from snapping an angry retort, such as what she might tend to do toward Baal or Noa.

Medusa's fangs catch the sunlight for a split second, glinting across Athena's eyes that makes Athena squint—and just as quickly as Medusa had opened it, her mouth snaps closed. She turns her gaze downward instead, the slitted pupils of her eyes staring at her arm. Her eyes squeeze shut and when she opens them, her pupils are rounded again.

"Oh," is all Medusa says as she's still staring at her arm, like she's come to a quiet realization. A snake comes to life, its tongue flickering as it gazes across Medusa's arm. It turns to her and softly hisses in her ear. It must be some sort of message because Medusa makes a small nod. Medusa looks up at Athena, seems to study her for a moment before looking back down at her arm, and turns it slightly.

The sudden assault of light on Athena's eyes makes her gasp in surprise and spin away, her eyes squeezing shut. She hears Medusa stepping toward her, a panicked cry of her name but Athena quickly holds her hand up. "I am fine, merely surprised," she says in a placating manner. It would sound more convincing if she certainly looked the part.

Athena turns back and allows herself to peek open her eyes at first, just to be careful, but the glare is still strong. Medusa, noticing her discomfort, turns her arm slightly, and now the glare lessens in strength. Now, Athena can see the source, the reason as to why the sunlight seems to strangely reflect off of Medusa's arm.

"Are those your scales?" Athena asks.

"Yeah. My scales weren't looking too great the other day so I decided to molt them, and they're growing back!"

Hmm. Athena is aware of the molting process in various creatures, but she hadn't thought that Medusa would… really go through one, or that their Astral creators would think to… install a transformation phase into them, for a lack of a better word. There's many things about other primal beasts that Athena still has yet to learn.

… do Medusa's sisters go through the same process?

Athena turns her attention back to Medusa. The scales are faint, nearly iridescent upon her skin. Truly, if it hadn't been for the trick of the light, Athena would have never noticed them. Then… that must be because they're newly formed? That must be why they look like that. The scales don't seem to wrap around Medusa's whole arm but seem to dot down the top of her arm instead in what looks to be a nonsensical pattern. Other than that… there's not much else Athena can really tell.

And now it is here that Athena comes to the sudden thought… that she is rather lacking on the knowledge of reptilian scales. Medusa isn't forthcoming with any other information, and Athena feels matters such as these… should not be asked.

The lashing of Medusa's tail catches Athena's attention, and now Athena recognizes that Medusa had been waiting for an answer, her impatience growing as her tail waggles faster.

"They're nice," Athena says, "I would love to see them when they're fully"—what is the word that she should use here—"formed," she settles on.

"Heh! They're gonna look amazing," Medusa promises with a grin on her face, and Athena is certain that the sight will, indeed, be amazing.

===

It is several days later when Medusa finds Athena again and unceremoniously shoves her arm out in front of her once more. Athena notes her proud expression before glancing down.

This time, Athena can see better the scales on Medusa's arm. They're still faint but Athena can at least notice the hint of something that isn't quite skin on her arm when she couldn't before. Where it had seemed like a random pattern appearing down her arm, it looks as if the scales have connected now. Curious. How curious! Athena bends down slightly to get a closer look

"They look better than last time, Medusa," Athena says. Medusa grins, and Athena furious movement behind Medusa, which is her tail wagging, obviously pleased at Athena's compliment.

"Of course they are! I'm taking good care of them now, but you haven't seen anything yet!" Medusa runs a finger down her scales. Athena is tempted to do the same but she holds herself back.

For the next several weeks, Medusa comes to show her the progress of her scales. Sometimes they shine with a silvery hue, similar to Medusa's hair; other times, they sparkle with a color that's reminiscent of light bronze, almost like the armor of Medusa's tail. Other times, the colors seem to blend together. Athena wonders what their real color is meant to be.

But that brings Athena's predicament back: how is she to truly judge how beautiful Medusa's scales might be?

The obvious solution to her lack of knowledge then is—

"Athena!"

Right on time, Medusa finds her as she does, a smile on her face and her tail wagging to and fro already as she comes to Athena. She's in an exceptionally good mood, Athena notes. Medusa is dressed in skydweller fashion rather than wearing her usual armor, which means her arms are currently covered by the red long sleeved shirt she's wearing. A… sweater? Jacket? Blouse? What had been the exact name for that fabric again—

Ah, but Medusa is at her side now. She'll have to put her thoughts aside for another day. "Hello, Medusa, you're in a good mood right now. Did something happen?"

"... what?" The smile on Medusa's face falls and even her tail slows down. "What do you mean?"

"Your tail had been wagging. It reminds me of a dog when it sees something it's excited for—"

"My tail doesn't wag!" Medusa cries out. Ah, now her tail is lashing furiously in her embarrassment. Medusa glowers at her, and it almost feels as if she's daring Athena to say something about it, but Athena is wise to know that even she should not point this out. She's tempted to clarify that she knows dogs wag their tails in a different way than Medusa had done, only the motions had been similar—ah, she's doing it again. Athena quickly nods in agreement before her mouth betrays her again, now also trying hard not to keep her eyes from following the movement of Medusa's tail.

Perhaps Athena should not have said anything. Medusa's good mood seems to have disappeared, and Athena does not like knowing that she had been the cause for it. Before she can speak though, Medusa is already moving ahead.

"Anyway!" Already back to business, Medusa pulls up her sleeve and holds out her arm. Athena bends down slightly to get a better look.

"They're coming along nicely, aren't they?" The grin is back on Medusa's face, and her tail is wagging again. She must be feeling proud. A snake even appears from her hair, tongue flicking out as it moves in the air toward Athena. It relieves Athena to know that Medusa's good mood is back, at least.

"They are," Athena says. When she had first seen the scales, they were barely formed, a single stripe of them running down the length of Medusa's arm. Now, more of her arm is covered in them but they're still faintly silver, and were it not for their iridescence, Athena could hardly see them. She can notice that they're starting to harden though. Perhaps these scales are meant for defense? There's many questions Athena wishes to ask.

"Heh! Not everyone can make such beautiful scales like me!"

"I don't believe others have scales in the first place," Athena points out, but now she starts to think to herself. "Except for that new primal beast Lyria had found, that tiny brown snake-like one, but he claims that he isn't a sna—"

"No way, he doesn't count—wait." Medusa narrows her eyes, her glare suspicious now. "Why are you looking at someone else's scales?!"

Athena blinks, caught off guard by the sudden outburst. Medusa is glaring at her now, with her tail furiously lashing in agitation.

"Is… is that a problem? Would I not need to examine another individual's scales if I were to compare them to yours?" Athena finally asks. After all, how else might she be able to ascertain how beautiful Medusa's scales are if she has nothing else to compare them to? The thought seems rather obvious to her. Evidently though, Medusa seems to think otherwise, given the pout adorning her expression now.

"You don't have to do that!" Medusa finally says. Her snakes hiss in agreement, or at least Athena thinks they are. She hasn't learned enough snake to decipher the sounds perfectly, but she gets that impression from them.

"... no?" Athena frowns. Medusa is clearly upset now although Athena doesn't know what she's done wrong. If she were to choose, she would agree that Medusa's scales look better. Perhaps she should have thought to mention that first?

"I mean, how would you like it if I went looking at other people!"

"Is… is that not normal?" As confused as she is about the notion, Athena begins to contemplate this. "How would you be able to communicate with others if you weren't able to look at them? It would be rather difficult—"

"What are you even—not like that! That's not what I meant at all!" Medusa puts her face in her hands, and now Athena can't see what sort of expression she's making. She can see how fast Medusa's tail is lashing rather agitatedly though, and it must either be annoyance or… embarrassment?

"Then, what did you mean?"

Instead of an answer, a choked sound comes out of Medusa. Curiously, her tail lashes even faster. Her snakes hiss but rather than hissing at her, they seem to be moving back, seemingly to burrow within the large volume of Medusa's hair. Somehow, Athena gets the impression that they are trying to hide their own faces too. Athena waits patiently, curiously noting how red Medusa's ears are, even up to the tips, but Medusa refuses to be forthcoming about any answers.

Then, Athena must solve this conundrum by herself. She runs through her mind what must be the problem. Medusa's mood had clearly changed once she mentioned the other primal beast. Is that the problem, then? That must be it.

"If you dislike me looking at another primal beast's scales, I will have to search for real snakes," Athena settles on. "I'll make sure to do my thorough research, Medusa, so I cannot promise to be back in good time, as I'll have to also tend to my duties as well. To be safe, I'll expand the categorization, to include lizards, drakes, basilisks, serpents, and the like. Ten years will be a polite estimate, but I do not wish to miss anything. Warfare will not be the only thing I hope to know!" Now she looks over at Medusa. "Does that satisfy you?"

Medusa stares at her. Medusa's snakes stare at her. Athena stares back. Perhaps it should be a good sign that she's no longer being hissed at? Medusa's reaction, or the lack of, is rather troubling to Athena though; glancing down reveals that Medusa's tail has stopped moving as well.

"How do you always manage to just—" Medusa does not finish her sentence, abruptly stopping to close her eyes and take a deep breath instead. It takes a very long time for Medusa to finally open her eyes, and longer still for Medusa to crane her head up to meet Athena's gaze. She's completely bewildered but as to why, Athena is unsure. She'd been certain that her proposal had been rather straightforward?

"First of all," Medusa starts, holding up her fingers as she counts down, "you've got everything wrong. Second of all, how did you even get all those ideas into your head?! Third of all, what I meant earlier was—" and here Medusa seems to go strangely quiet, her mouth still open yet no sounds coming out of it. Athena might now be confused but what she lacks in understanding, she makes up for in patience, as she now waits for Medusa to elaborate. No further elaborations come though, so that means Athena must now begin to fill in the blanks.

"Would you like me to visit you as I conduct my research, then?" Athena asks. "I know you get rather lonely so I was inconsiderate to suggest that I leave you—"

Everything goes black.

And just as quickly as it'd had happened, the world returns to Athena, the sun shining back on her flesh, her entire body now feeling strangely leaden. The sensation had been rather familiar though, even if unpleasant—oh.

Athena looks down at Medusa with a frown. "Medusa, did you petrify me—"

"Just!" Medusa interrupts her before she can finish speaking. Medusa's eyes are narrowed, eyes still faintly glowing with her magic. "Just stop talking right now! You keep blabbering and making things sound worse! And don't you dare leave!"

Athena does not leave to conduct her research however tempting the idea might sound. Medusa had also seemed keen on wanting to keep an eye on her to make sure she didn't disappear either, even accompanying her on one of her routine patrols around the skydom.

"Just to make sure you don't go and do something with your strange ideas!" Medusa had said with a huff.

===

They're taking a break right now, resting on an uninhabited island, one too small to support the life of skydwellers. As much as they both enjoy the bustle and noise of the skydweller villages and towns, sometimes it's nice to be able to relax away from them as well, also considering how hectic things can get aboard the Grandcypher.

Medusa is certainly enjoying her time away from the crew, draped over Athena's lap as Athena sits cross-legged, the two of them basking in the sun as they rest on the open grassy plain of this island. Medusa's tail moves periodically from where it lays in the grass, a sign that Athena hopes to take as contentment. It reminds Athena of other creatures with tails when they are are in a state of relaxation. Athena's not certain if that really is the case with tails because Glafkos certainly does not express himself through his tail feathers, but she hopes it is. When they are away from the others or secure in the privacy of each other, Medusa allows herself to be slightly more open with her affections, Athena finds.

Athena idly runs a hand through Medusa's hair while staring out toward the blue skies. Clear today, with few clouds. Perfect weather for napping, as Medusa would like to say. Some of Medusa's snakes are already coiled around her arm, and even some laying over the top of Athena's legs, all of them lounging around just like Medusa is doing.

As Athena continues to watch the skies, a sudden glint from below strikes her eyes and makes her blink. Looking down reveals that she had inadvertently moved away most of Medusa's hair away, and now her back is exposed for Athena to see.

There are numerous scales on Medusa's back, glinting in the sunlight. Unlike the ones on her arms, these ones clearly have their own shape and color, the same silvery hue mixed with that same light bronze color, blending to make a faint cream color. If Athena thinks that if she were to tilt her head slightly, they might even make some prismatic rainbow.

Unable to help herself, Athena runs a hand across them.

Smooth, almost so that Athena thinks that if she were to close her eyes, she wouldn't be able to tell the difference between the scales or silk. Or perhaps even velvet. The feeling is so unlike skin that Athena entertains the thought that even skin itself might feel too rough and abnormal now.

So absorbed she is in touching the scales that it takes her a moment to realize the odd noises coming from Medusa along with the way her back is pulled tight, spine tense with trepidation. Athena immediately takes her hand away and rests it atop her knee where she's assured that Medusa knows exactly where it is.

"Forgive me, Medusa. I did not mean to cause you discomfort," Athena says. It's tempting still, to touch those wondrous scales that gleam so enticingly, but if it causes distress to Medusa instead, Athena would rather not risk any harm.

Medusa looks over her shoulder at her. The expression Medusa wears—her eyes slightly narrowed and brow knit together with a slight frown—is not out of suspicion and confused disbelief as is often the case when Athena speaks, but one that feels... inwardly contemplative. It's almost strange, seeing Medusa in this mood when she's known for her fierce temper, but Athena has noticed that she seems to explode less and less nowadays. Perhaps it is an influence of being around the skydwellers? That must be it.

Medusa closes her eyes and exhales loudly through her nose. "It's fine," she finally says, turning her head back down. Her voice is much quieter when she speaks her next words. "I-it wasn't like I minded!"

Athena drums her fingers against her knee. "Are you sure? Please don't feel as if you must oblige yourself—"

"Athena! Why do you always make me repeat myself!? I said it's fine," Medusa snaps out, her usual temper flaring before she repeats herself, in a softer voice now. "It's fine."

Medusa herself does not move but the snakes coiled around Athena's arm are trying to nudge her back, some of them hissing as they look up at her. Athena still does not understand what the language of snake hissing but she thinks she understands what feels like an appeal when she sees it, and so she moves her hand back to her original position. The snakes on her arm quiet down once Athena runs her fingers back down Medusa's scales, a motion she knows that Medusa enjoys. Medusa sighs, and relaxes again, her tail swaying back and forth in the grass.

"Ah, before I forget. Your scales are wonderful, Medusa," Athena finally says. She had forgotten to tell Medusa how they were earlier and thinks Medusa will appreciate the compliment. "As you had said in the beginning, they would look amazing, and I believed it, but now I truly see it with my own eyes!"

"Heh! Of course they are!" Medusa turns back to look at her with a smirk before leaning back down. She says that she does not wag her tail but Athena notices that it is moving slightly faster now, like she's pleased. Athena wants to comment on it this but she wisely chooses to keep that question tucked away for another day.

"I must ask though, are the ones on your back different from the ones on your arms? These seem…" Athena pauses to examine the scales closer, "softer. It is like the underside of a snake."

Seeing as this is Medusa's backside, though, this would make sense that she would have softer scales back here, but also not at the same time. Would it not be prudent to fortify these scales here the way Medusa would do with the ones on her arms?

"... Athena, do you know why some animals keep a different set of scales on them even if it wouldn't make sense?" Medusa suddenly asks.

"For a different purpose other than defense?" Athena thinks to herself. "I am unsure of what other meaning there might be. Is there another purpose for them?"

Medusa turns back to look over her shoulder at Athena again, and stares at her for so long that Athena's unsure of what to feel. It feels as if Medusa is studying her for something though what that might be, Athena is unsure of what that might be. It takes another long moment before Medusa finally moves, laying her head back down and sighing loudly, like she's exasperated.

"... it's whatever," Medusa finally says, more to herself than to Athena. "Just don't go looking at anyone else's scales after this."

That again. Athena wonders what the significance of that action might be, and it does not look as if Medusa is willing to be forthcoming with an explanation. And, does she mean to not look at the scales of creatures, or would this be instead similar individuals like Medusa?

… does that include Medusa's sisters, whenever they wake up?

Athena will have to ask her later for a clarification.

"I cannot make guarantees, but I will try," Athena says.

"Hmph! Good enough, I guess. It's not like I show anyone else these scales anyway," Medusa mutters. With her face turned away, Athena does not see the way Medusa's eyes widen at her inadvertent reveal.

"You do not?" Athena's surprised. "Not even to your primal pals?"

"No! Satyr bugs me but I'd never hear the end of it if I showed her! And Baal—" Medusa makes a face, "he or the geezer wouldn't appreciate it."

"Ah." Athena understands now. "So you have showed only me because I will make the least fuss about it."

"Wha—" Medusa abruptly sits up and turns to Athena, clearly unhappy now. "No! That's not why I showed them to you!"

"... no?" Athena no longer understands.

"I…" Medusa seems to clam up, her mout snapping shut as she averts her eyes. She mumbles something under her breath that's too low for Athena to hear before she meets Athena's eyes again. "J-just listen! I've only shown them to you, okay! That's all you need to know!"

Athena waits, just in case Medusa wants to continue but when it looks like no further words will be forthcoming, Athena finally nods. "I understand, Medusa. I am grateful that you've shown this side of yourself to me, and I will treasure this secret between us."

Medusa wrinkles her nose. "Ugh, when you say it like that, it feels like I've told you something worse than it should be."

"Does it?"

Medusa makes a sound that's half a sigh and groan. "Whatever. It's… it's whatever. Just stop talking now or you'll ruin the whole mood again."

"Mood? What sort of…" Athena trails off when she sees Medusa's flat stare, a pout on her face now. Perhaps it would be best to ask when Medusa is clearly in a better temperament, most likely after a nap. Satisfied that Athena is finally listening to her for once, Medusa settles back down again.

It doesn't take long for them to return back to their earlier state, Medusa half dozing off as Athena runs her hand down her back, down her scales once more. For as much as she fights against Satyr's very physical affection, she seems to like these smaller displays from Athena. Perhaps Athena should advise Satyr to make modest gestures instead.