Welcome to AresJoxerCupidStrife

Aunt Hecate
Uncle Accord
Lots-of-Greats Granma Gaia

Title: Visiting Relatives: Aunt Hecate
Author: Scribe
Fandom: Xena: Warrior Princess
Pairing: None
Rating: PG13
Summary: Impetua has been visiting the Witch Goddess.
Archive: Mailing lists, WWOMB, and AJCS Archive
Feedback: poet77665@catlover.com
Status: Finished
Sequel/Series: Part of the Love and Mischief Series. Possible start of a sub-series.
Disclaimer: I did not create the recognizable characters here, I don't own them. I derive no profit from this effort. I mean nothing but respect for the creators, owners, and the actors and actresses who portray them. Some characters, such as Impetua, are original, and copyrighted.
Websites: http://www.angelfire.com/grrl/scribescribbles and http://www.angelfire.com/grrl/foxluver
Warnings:
Notes: Impetua is about sixteen in this story. My Muses are being stubborn bitches, and refusing to give me any help on my works in progress, so I'm going to try something different.

Visiting Relatives: Aunt Hecate
By Scribe

Cupid was nibbling around Strife's bellybutton. He was nibbling AROUND it because the resulting tickle was causing Strife to giggle so hard that Cupid had a moving target. Cupid intended to shortly move his efforts South, because what was down there was a lot easier to target--and even more fun. But before he did that he paused and glanced up his husband's pale torso. "Where are they again?"

Strife rolled his eyes. "Same place as evah. Geez, Cupe, if ya don't know by now... I mean, you bein a passion god an' all..." Cupid nipped him sharply. Strife yelped. "Awright! Bliss is visitin at Unc's, an' Imp is still ovah at Hecate's. Ya know that when Bliss an' Accord get tagetha we're good till supper, an' Imp ain't s'posed ta be back till tomorrah."

"I love and miss them, but--great." Cupid swooped. Strife whooped.

Impetua, Goddess of Jealousy and Envy, bounced (and the girl COULD bounce--her grandma was Aphrodite, so she came by the attributes and the attitude naturally) into her fathers' bedroom. Her gown was dark green, and filmy enough to please 'Dite, even if it wasn't pink. The color brought out the green tints in the wild crop of deep brown curls (her hair reached her waist when it was wet, but was so curly that it drifted around her shoulders when it was dry). It turned her eyes almost exactly the same shade as the fabric. Her eyes were like her father Cupid's--changeable--but she tended to stay in the green and gold range.

"Yo, Pops? Dad? Anybody t'home?" she called. There was an immediate scrambling and swearing from the large bed on the far side of the room. She giggled at the sheet covered pile in the middle of it. "It's yer own fault. You should know by now t' at least leave up a 'DO NOT DISTURB' sign if yer gonna have an afternoon playtime."

The sheet lowered enough for Strife to pop his head over. "Like ya pay any attention tah them."

"Sure I do." She continued over and plopped down on the edge of the bed. "I read 'em all before I go right ahead." She stuck out her tongue at him.

He grinned, and did the same. "I'm proud of ya."

Cupid, right beside Strife (and a little irritated, because he'd been right ON TOP of him a few seconds earlier), lowered his side of the sheet. "She's never going to learn any manners if you keep encouraging her."

Impetua tipped her head toward him and said fondly. "He never gives up, does he?"

"Be grateful for his stubbornness, kiddo," said Strife. "It's a big parta yer own personality, an' if he WASN'T a stubborn cuss, ya might nevah have got here. I thought ya were gonna be with yer Aunt Hecate anothah day?"

She scratched under her arm (a charming habit Aphrodite accused Strife of deliberately teaching her. Strife expressed surprise that Dite took offense--he'd resisted teaching her to pull her underwear out of her crack. Of course he didn't mention that this was helped by the fact that Impetua only wore underwear when she felt like 'dressing up'.) "I was, but Priss gave me a hard time."

Cupid frowned. "How did that cut your visit short?" Priss, a small black-and-mostly-white cat, had been Ares and Joxer's first natal day gift to Impetua. In the normal course Priss would now be to the toothless and tottering stage, if not passed on to Kitty Elysia (or Kitty Tartarus, as Cupid had predicted when Priss had amused herself by demolishing a large stock of his fletching arrows). That was the normal course. However, this was Olympus, and normal was a relative concept. When she was just past two Impetua had proudly informed her daddies that kitties did SO like fruit, 'cause Priss had helped her eat a golden apple. Gaia had warned the household that all ambrosia was to be strictly guarded from then on. The last thing they needed was a divine cat. Scribe, Goddess of Erotica and Cats, informed them that cats already THOUGHT they were gods, so why give them a solid debating position?

"She wanted to visit her boyfriend, natch." Just after Imp had been scolded for giving golden apple to Priss, she asked what the fuss was all about? Mjau hadn't been hurt by the bit she'd given HIM. Joxer didn't bother to act disapproving when he heard this. Ares muttered something about it wasn't just the people Caesar nailed to crosses who were martyrs. There were rumors about a certain incident involving Ares squatting to retrieve a towel when he was fresh out of the bath, not realizing that Mjau was in the room... and bored... Do the math.

Cupid sat bolt upright. "Did Hecate--?"

"Chill, Dad. Auntie Heck gave Priss her quarterly no kittens charm. Geez, when are you going to let her get knocked up again? It was so much fun the last time."

Cupid snorted. "She may be a feline, but she's a bitch when she's pregnant. Besides, you know what Gaia said about that."

Impetua nodded wistfully. Since the tom involved was Mjau, and both parents were immortal--so were the kittens. Gaia had explained it to Imp as simply as possible. "Dear, they won't ever die, and if they have babies together, the babies won't die. And if THEIR babies have babies together, THEY won't die. Do you understand?"

Imp had been four at the time. She nodded, and threw her arms wide. "Kitties ALL OVER!"

Strife chimed in. "We could quit worryin about the Twilight, cause we'd... Well, we'd probably get eaten at some point."

"So, dear, this time can be allowed. Priss only had two kittens, and both were boys. As long as they don't have babies with Priss, all kittens will be mortal cats."

Imp thought about this, then frowned. "But Priss their mama."

Strife was giggling. Gaia said simply, "You'll learn eventually that in some ways, cats and Olympians aren't that different. Family relations, for instance."

"Anyway..." Impetua frowned, then shifted so that her back was partially turned to them. "I got a wild feather. One of you fix it for me?"

Strife knelt up (not forgetting to flash on a pair of pants first--this was his daughter, after all, and he wasn't QUITE catlike in that area). "You got more'n one, baby girl. I'll fix it."

Cupid watched with a feeling of warm affection. Preening Impetua and Bliss was one of the greatest joys of their childhood years. There'd been hours of warm, thoughtful interaction as Strife or Cupid had groomed their children. But when they reached the teenage years these together times had almost disappeared with the surge of adolescent independence. Bliss usually turned to Accord these days, but Impetua, thank Zeus, still felt the need to be a 'daddy's girl' occasionally.

Strife carefully straightened and smoothed all ruffled feathers, occasionally wetting his fingers to repair a split. While Cupid and Bliss had wings of snowy white, Imp's were silvery-gray, with a green tinge. Cupid had teased her most of her life that she was lucky because she could go longer without looking like she needed a bath. Depending on her mood that would bring a smug giggle, or cost him a few feathers. "Awright, hon--yer good." He gave her a hug before sitting back. "Did ya have a good time at Heck's? Didn't drink or eat anythin but what you made yerself, huh?"

"Duh, Pops. I'm not a dumb bunny." She giggled. "Not like Aether last month. He ended up with the longest ears I ever saw. I had a cool time." She tipped her head, grinning at them. "She took me t' visit Janus."

There was apprehensive silence. Strife put a hand on Cupid's arm. "Don't panic--her nipples aren't pierced."

"I noticed. And Imp, I've asked you to wear a top when you go out in public," said Cupid.

Imp shrugged. "Oops." There was a shimmer, and she was wearing a halter top--the only kind that was really possible with her wings. "I can understand for when I go to visit Earth, Dad," she complained, "but up here..."

"You're still underage, and there are people around here who don't NEED any encouragement to get ideas," he said firmly. "When you move into your own place--then you can dress as you see fit."

"Great!"

"As long as you don't mind killing your poor old father."

She rolled her eyes. "Great."

"And to get back to the subject--as you well know, there are OTHER places for piercings."

"I didn't get a piercing, though I think a little silver ball on my eyebrow would be..."

"What DID you do?"

She blinked at him innocently. "What makes you think I did anything?"

"I know you." He glanced at Strife. "I know who bore you."

Strife giggled. "So, if it ain't a piercin, it's a tattoo. An' it obviously ain't on her boobs. She's sittin too easy fah it to be on her ass. Spill, kid. Where an' what?"

Impetua hopped up, placed her left foot on the mattress, and daintily lifted her long skirt. Cupid didn't squawk, but he suddenly was BEHIND Strife. "Imp, I've asked you to keep Hiss away from the bed!"

"Dad?" Imp pointed to her throat. Hiss was in his necklace form, dangling there like any other respectable piece of jewelry, jaws clamped around his own tail, garnet eyes glittering.

"But..." Cupid leaned over and looked closer. There was still a slender, bright green snake spiraling around his daughter's lower left leg. The tip of the tail was half-way up her calf, and the head rested on her foot top. "Imp! What possessed you?"

Strife shrugged. "If she was with Heck--no tellin. But it ain't like tha lil poot needed encouragement. Just be happy she din't end up lookin like wunna those Nippon ganstahs--tha Yahoozahs, or whatevah."

Cupid sighed. "I guess you're right." His voice was a little reluctant. "And it IS kind of pretty."

Imp pounced on him, giving him a big hug. "Who'ere the two coolest guys around? My two dads!"

Strife looked at Cupid. "I have a feelin I'm gonna use that some day. Imp, go show that to ya brothah. He's at Unc's, with Accord."

She grinned. "Natch." She disappeared in a shower of silver and green sparks.

"Now..." Strife slanted a look at Cupid. "Where were we?"

"About here." *pounce*

The previously interrupted frolic reached a sweaty and satisfying conclusion. Afterwards, when he'd regained his breath, Cupid said, "Natch?"

"Pahdon?"

"When I mentioned that Bliss was with Accord, Impetua said 'natch'--almost like she did when she mentioned that Priss wanted to visit her boyfriend."

Strife rested his chin on Cupid's chest and gazed up at him. "Ya find that odd?"

"Not at all. I've known for quite a while now that there's potential between them. I just didn't think Imp would have noticed."

"Ya weren't there when Bliss saw wunna tha mermen tryin ta coax Accord inta lettin him comb out his hair. Imp did loop-tha-loops ta burn off tha energy jolt she got."

"Oh." He glanced at Strife. "It doesn't bother you?"

"Heck no! I love both tha lil boogers. If anythin comes of it, I couldn't be happier." He gave Cupid a sly look. "Oughta be interestin ta see Unc's reaction. Like we said about feline-ish family relations, we're flexible on Olympus. But Ares' son gettin tagetha with his grandson?"

"But I'm Accord's half-brother, so wouldn't that make Bliss just Accord's half-nephew?"

"We don't gotta worry 'bout that--certainly not right now. I don't think all tha nuances of formal family relationships have been hashed out. That'd be, uh, Hera's department, I think." He chortled. "I gotta get her ta let me help lay out tha rules." He settled into Cupid's arms, saying dreamily, "Just thinka tha mischief possibilities--wedding guest lists, table seating at holidays..."

"More instances for you and Imp to work together."

"Take yer daughtah ta work..."

The End

Title: Visiting Relatives: Uncle Accord
Author: Scribe
Fandom: Xena: Warrior Princess
Pairing: Pre-slash
Rating: PG
Summary: Slice of life. Just Bliss and Accord spending some time together, though maybe something is clarified, near the end.
Archive: Mailing lists, AJCS, and the WWOMB. Otherwise ask.
Feedback: poet77665@catlover.com
Status: Finished
Sequel/Series: Visiting Relatives Series
Disclaimer: I did not create the recognizable characters here, I don't own them. I derive no profit from this effort. I mean nothing but respect for the creators, owners, and the actors and actresses who portray them. Original characters such as Impetua and Accord are copyrighted to the author.
Websites: http://www.angelfire.com/grrl/scribescribbles and http://www.angelfire.com/grrl/foxluver
Warnings:
Notes: In this story, Accord is about sixteen, and Cupid is about twenty-one or twenty-two. Whim is the redheaded, freckle-be speckled God of Sudden Impulses from Unexpected--the one who precipitated Hercules getting knocked up. :)

Visiting Relatives: Uncle Accord
By Scribe

Bliss flashed into the Halls of War, sending gold and silver sparks to the upper corners of the room in a starburst effect. Joxer looked up from the scroll he was reading. "You're getting good with that."

"I hope so, as much time as I've spent practicing it. Whatcha doing?" He strode over and dropped down to sit beside Joxer on the sofa, tossing an arm casually around his neck. Bliss was one of the few males in creation who could do this without worrying about how Ares would react.

"What else? Reading petitions. I felt a little selfish, asking my followers to submit anything involving more than ten people in writing, but Ares pointed out that it was the only way to tell the really SERIOUS pleas from the ones that were just whining. I mean, I have one here..." he shuffled through the pile on the low table before him, "from a girl in Thebes who believes that the entire population of town has declared war on her--because she was only chosen a handmaiden and not the Queen of the last Festival of Apollo."

"Want me to zap her for you?"

Joxer smiled at him. "Thanks, but she's going to have to learn to deal with disappointment without the personal attention of the God of Joy." Bliss held up his thumb and forefinger an inch apart. "No, not even a little, unless you normally would in your course of duty. We don't want to spoil them." He shook his head. "If I didn't know that Ares is alive and kicking, I'd think I just channeled his spirit."

Bliss poked him in the side. "They say that old married couples grow more alike." He slouched back, then gazed around the room. Voice casual, he said, "Where is everybody?"

Joxer was a lot less naive than he had been when he first came to Olympus. He smiled. "He's out in the garden."

Bliss turned wide blue eyes on him. "Grandpa Reese?"

Joxer rolled his eyes, but didn't call him on his transparent ruse. "Ares is trying to drill some strategy into the head of a particularly dimwitted warlord. I just hope he doesn't do it literally. He can always replace the warlord, but he knows I hate it when he comes home with icky stuff on his clothes. I meant Accord."

"Oh." Bliss stood up (again casually) and stretched. There was a lot of him to stretch. He'd inherited most of his father's physical traits--thus he was big, buff, blonde, and gorgeous.

Most blond hair got darker with age, but Bliss had flaunted the trend, his hair paling to flaxen. At the age of twelve he'd allowed Imp to give him a haircut. Aphrodite had almost fainted at the sight of the butchered hairdo, and had swiftly tried to even it up, cutting it even shorter. The result had been a cap of soft, springy curls, and he'd liked it so much that he'd kept it that way, never letting it grow out more than a couple of inches. Some wags on Olympus had dubbed Accord and Bliss 'The Long and the Short of It'.

"I think I'll go chew the fat with him for awhile," said Bliss negligently.

"Uh-huh." Joxer watched him amble out, then turned back to his scroll with a smile, murmuring, "Right. And maybe there'll be some nibbling, too?"

The garden was a relic of the long ago age when Aphrodite had been staying with Ares during her pregnancy with Cupid. When she'd returned to her own temple she'd taken the baby, since Zeus had decreed that Cupid belonged to the House of Love, and Ares had allowed it to fall into neglect. Then Joxer had saved Ares life, being gravely wounded in the process, and Ares had brought him home to recuperate. Ares needed healing himself--of a different sort--and so Joxer stayed.

Some on Olympus had cast a jaundice eye on the marriage, but others had known from the beginning that it was meant to be--and Bliss was one of those. Given his godhood he could tell when people were happy, no matter what front they put up, and he know that Ares was happy when he was with Joxer.

Joxer was a natural nurturer, and he soon had the abandoned garden blooming again. It was said that there were only two gardens that could compete with it--Gaia's, and Hera's--and no one would be dumb enough to try to compare them point-for-point. As he walked down the hall to the exit, Bliss reflected that he had spent some of his happiest hours playing here with Impetua--and Accord.

He stepped out into the warmth and fragrance of the garden, eyes darting alertly in search. He spotted his best friend stretched out in a particularly sunny patch near the back wall, and went to him, moving silently. As he neared, he slowed, studying the scene before him.

A stranger coming upon this scene might have been startled, because Accord lay so still that you had to look closely to see that he was still breathing. He was lying on his stomach, arms folded before him, head turned so that one cheek rested on his forearms. Bliss paused a few feet away, admiring him.

Accord had gotten height from both his fathers--he was the same height as Bliss now, which meant that he'd probably end up the taller of the two. But instead of being lanky, like Joxer, or big, like Ares, Accord was slim, but fit. Bliss could recall one time when Accord had bloodied the nose of another godling who'd called him 'willowy'.

No one was entirely sure where Accord's hair color had come from. Both his parents had dark hair, but Accord's was as black, shiny, and soft as seal fur. It was considerably longer, though. Accord had confounded Ares by stubbornly refusing to have his haircut--pretty much from the time he had learned that HE could say 'no' just as easily as his parents could. The last time they'd measured it was longer than Bliss' arm--fingers outstretched. That meant that the wavy mass usually swirled around the base of his shoulder blades, but reached almost to the base of his spine when it was wet.

Right now the hair was in one long, thick braid--and Accord, eyes closed, was chewing on the end of it. He smiled, eyes still closed, and mumbled around the tress, "Hi, Bliss."

"I know you didn't open your eyes, so how did you know it was me?" Bliss dropped down to sit, cross-legged, in front of him.

"I always know when it's you."

Bliss reached down and tugged the braid so that the damp end was pulled away. "Stop that. You remember how miserable Mjau was when he got hairballs." He stroked the length of the braid, feeling the silky texture of the careful weaving. "And how long have you been laying in the direct sunlight?"

Accord opened his eyes, only to roll them. His eyes were as dark as his hair. "You're not my mother, Bliss. Come to think of it, technically I don't HAVE a mother. I guess you could say I have a maternally INCLINED parent, but Joxer couldn't qualify as a mother because he's never given me the 'if So-and-So jumped off the edge of Olympus would YOU have to jump, too' lecture, and I think that's required for..."

"There's no question that you're related to Joxer SOMEHOW," said Bliss wryly. "And you're not going to distract me with babble. How long?"

"Did you realize that with you sitting there, I can see right up your kilt?"

"Like we never skinny dipped together. What does the sundial say?"

Bliss glanced at the alabaster sundial that had been a tenth anniversary gift to Ares and Joxer from Aphrodite. "Quarter after eleven."

Accord rolled over on his back and sat up. "About fifteen minutes, and you're right. Time for me to get into the shade." They both got up and went to sit side-by-side beneath a slender cherry tree. "You know, my complexion is a royal pain in the ass sometimes. I sure do wish I could tan like you and your Dad." Accord seemed to have only two shades--creamy white, or strawberry pink. He could go from one to the other in only a few minutes, if he wasn't careful.

"I think you look cool," Bliss said firmly.

"Really? I don't look--I dunno, washed out?"

"No. I mean, you aren't as pale as a Bacchi." He elbowed Accord. "And at least you don't get freckles, like Whim."

Accord chuckles. "He's got so many that it ALMOST looks like a tan." Accord leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, and his chin in his hands. "So, whassup?"

"Oh, nothing in particular. Just dropped by to shoot the breeze. Imp got a tattoo."

Accord grinned. "Coolness! I knew she would, sooner or later. I'm thinking about getting one, too, but I'll probably wait till I'm about eighteen. Might as well spare Daddy Jox's heart."

Bliss planted his palms flat behind him, slouching back. "What are you going to get?"

"Something to do with my godhood. I'm thinking about a little set of scales..." he touched his bare chest, "right over the heart."

Bliss nodded. "Good one. I'd like a tattoo, but I have no idea what to get. I haven't figured out anything that would be appropriate for my divinity. I mean, blue birds and rainbows are just too damn wimpy."

"Maybe a dog?"

"A dog? Where did you come up with that off-the-wall suggestion?"

"Don't look at me--I got it from your own dad. Strife came back from the future once saying something about 'happiness is a warm puppy'. Made sense, in a senseless kind of way."

"I'll probably just have to go for geometric. I can't even use symbols like glyphs or runes, since it would be kind of rude for a Greek god to mark himself with a foreign symbol, dontcha think?"

"Just a bit. I think even Strife might draw the line at that. I have an idea, maybe a ring of stars..." he touched a fingertip to Bliss' bicep, "here."

Bliss became very quiet and still, looking down at where the pale finger rested against the tan skin of his arm. After a moment he glanced up, and saw that a blush was coloring Accord's cheeks. Accord dropped his hand, and Bliss immediately missed the touch. Accord leaned forward, hunching over, and started playing with his braid.

Silence lay over the garden, thick and warm, but not exactly uneasy. After a moment Accord, not looking away from the tip of his braid, said, "Bliss?"

"Yeah?"

Accord was quiet for a little longer. Just when Bliss was beginning to formulate what he would say, Accord said, "Something's gonna happen between us, isn't it?"

Bliss bit his lip. There was no mistaking what Accord meant. He said slowly, "You're kind of young, Cord."

"I know. I didn't mean right now. I didn't even mean soon. But--eventually." Now he looked at Bliss. His dark gaze was shy, but open, and you could see a lot of Joxer in his expression. "Right?"

Bliss nodded. "I think so." He nodded again, and there was conviction in his voice. "Yeah--if you want it." Accord's answering smile was blinding, and Bliss felt a tiny bit of coldness, an apprehensive chill that he hadn't even been aware of, melt away in the warmth. "Just not now."

"I know." Accord's tone was cheerful. "I'm not ready yet. But I WILL be." He bumped Bliss with his shoulder, and wiggled his eyebrows. "I know where Scribe keeps her slash stash." Bliss collapsed with laughter. Accord hopped to his feet. "C'mon, Old Man. One of the priests made a tipsy trifle last night, and he uses LOTS of wine." Bliss stood and they walked in, side-by-side, moving so close that their arms brushed.

In the cave of the Fates, Lachesis smiled as two shining threads were woven just a little closer...

The End

Title: Visiting Relatives: Lots-of-Greats Granma Gaia
Author: Scribe
Fandom: Xena
Pairing: None in this one
Rating: PG-13
Summary: The little ones are taken to visit Gaia, and an early introduction to Hercules' and Iolaus daughter (-to-be, in Unexpected. :))
Archive: Mailing lists, AJCS archive, and the WWOMB.
Feedback: poet77665@catlover.com
Status: WIP
Sequel/Series: Visiting Relatives
Disclaimer: I did not create the recognizable characters here, I don't own them. I derive no profit from this effort. I mean nothing but respect for the creators, owners, and the actors and actresses who portray them. Original characters, such as Accord and Impetua, are copyrighted by the author.
Websites: http://www.angelfire.com/grrl/scribescribbles and http://www.angelfire.com/grrl/foxluver
Warnings:
Notes: I believe I made a good in time lines in one of the other stories, and had Impetua and Accord being teenagers, when Hercules had just had his baby. This isn't what I want. I want for Hercules' baby to be around a year younger than Accord and Imp, so that's how it is. I'll go back and correct the mistake later. In this story, Imp is about four or five, Accord is a year older, and Bliss is about ten or eleven. Polytimos--Greek for 'precious'.

Visiting Relatives: Lots-of-Greats Granma Gaia, Part A
By Scribe

Part A, Getting Ready to Go

The House of Love

"Imp," said Bliss. "Put on your dress."

"Don't wanna."

"You gotta. You know the daddies don't let you run around bare outside the house."

"Mommy-daddy don't care."

"That's cause he's God of Mischief, and if someone sees your bottom and is surprised into falling down it tickles him like it does you when Hera sees Zeus staring at one of the Muses."

Impetua giggled. "I like that!"

"I know, but you still gotta put on your dress. Grandma Dite said you gotta get in the habit, so that when your boobs grow you'll remember to do it."

Imp made a face. "Don't want boobs. Wanna be an Amazon."

Bliss rolled his eyes. "Amazons have boobs."

"Really?"

"Yeah. It's just not really smart to notice them. Iolaus taught me that. Anyway, we're going somewhere, so you gotta be dressed."

"Poop." Imp found her dress (she'd stuffed it under her bed) and slipped into it, then went to Bliss. "Tie me."

"Okay. Turn around and fold your wings tight, so I can see what I'm doing."

Imp turned her back to him, folding her silvery-green wings tight against her plump little body. "Make a bow, Bliss. Make a big, pretty one."

Bliss gathered the ends of the bodice and brought them up behind her neck, forming the halter top of the dress. "You pick your times to be girlie." He carefully tied a floppy bow. "What do you say?"

"Can I be a harpy and not have boobs?"

Bliss rolled his eyes. "No. They have the upper bodies of women, so boobs are included. I meant..."

Imp turned and planted her hands on where her hips would some day be. "I KNOW. Thank you."

"You're welcome."

"Where we going?"

"We're going to visit Gaia."

"Is she our grandma, like Dite?"

"Sort of, but farther back."

"Huh?"

"Well," Bliss started ticking off on his fingers. "Dite is Daddy Cupid's mom, so she's our grandma. Hera is Dite's mom, so she's our GREAT grandma..."

Imp wrinkled her nose again. "Great?"

Bliss smiled. "I don't think it means, like, really good. Anyway, Hera's Mom is Rhea, who would be our great-great grandma, and Gaia is HER mom, so that would make her our great-great-GREAT grandma. I think. Any way, we're going to visit her. She hasn't seen you since you were a teeny baby."

"Can I bring Priss?"

"Better not. Gaia has all kinds of flowerbeds and stuff, and you know how Priss is with them--she uses them for potties, then eats the plants."

"Okay. Does Gaia have boobs?"

Bliss shook his head. "You're boob crazy." Imp smiled angelically. "Oh, well. Daddy Strife says that a girl is only obsessed with one set of boobs--her own--but guys are obsessed with EVERY set of boobs in the world."

The House of War

"Cord, what are you doing? Aren't your ready yet?"

"Almost, Daddy. I just changing my tunic."

Joxer peeked into his son's room. "What on earth for? Did you get some of your breakfast on it?"

"No. I just want to put on a nicer one."

"Oh?" Joxer came in and sat down on Accord's bed. "Which one?" Accord showed him the rich maroon and black robe. "But Cord, those are your formal robes. You're only supposed to wear those on very special occasions."

"I know."

He stroked his son's dark, sleek hair. "Grandma Gaia will be flattered, but she doesn't stand on ceremony." Accord gave him a slightly blank look, then Joxer was surprised to see him blush. *Oh, ho. I think I see where this is going.* "Imp probably isn't going to wear anything fancy." The blank look was back. *Or maybe I DON'T see where this is going. Unless...* "And Bliss will probably just wear some of his plain pants. Kids almost always get dirty at Gaia's."

"Oh. I better put on my plain tunic, then."

As Accord carried his dress clothes back to the chest, Joxer thought, *Of course he hero-worships Bliss. It's only natural.* Joxer watched as his child managed to get himself tangled in his clothes, then called for his father to help get his head free. As Joxer gently disentangled him, he thought, *After all, Bliss is older, and he's going to have all sorts of people throwing themselves at him by the time he hits puberty. It isn't all that likely he'll pay much attention to my sweet little klutz.* Accord gave him a thank you hug, and Joxer reflected, *But I could be wrong.* He found himself smiling. *After all, Bliss' grandfather fell in love with a klutz.*

On Earth

"I just don't know about this."

"Ah, c'mon, Herc. You can't keep Polly wrapped in silk for the rest of her life," said Iolaus reasonably. Hercules was holding their daughter, Polytimos, protectively on his knee, and Iolaus squatted down to put his face on level with hers. "Can he, sugar-booger?"

"You sound like Strife when you do that."

"Hey, a lot of people could learn parenting skills from Strife, and you know it, even if you don't want to admit it. Any way, you take Polly to visit your mother and your brother all the time. You need to give the other side of the family more time. She's part of that, too--whether you want to admit it or not." Hercules grimaced. "Don't make me play the paternal rights card, Herc."

"Oh, all right."

"Good. Anyway, it isn't as if she's been invited to an orgy with Bacchus. This is Gaia we're talking about here--Mother Nature herself. There aren't too many others you can point to who can out-do Gaia when it comes to nurturing."

"I know." Hercules smiled almost reluctantly. "And at least Polly probably won't come back with a sugar-high, like she did when we took her to visit Hestia."

Iolaus laughed. "She polished off that entire plate of honey cookies."

Hercules rubbed Polly's sandy blonde curls. "She takes after you in more than just looks. I could have done without Hestia asking if we were sure she wasn't Strife's kid, though."

"She was teasing you, Herc. If you'd just mellow out a little, they wouldn't aim for the buttons so much."

"Am I really that easy?"

"The only way you could be an easier target would be if you painted a bull's eye on your back. So, she's going?"

"We're ALL going. I'm darn sure not just sending her along."

"Suits me." Iolaus rubbed his nose against his daughter's snub one. "You'll like it there, babydoll. Gaia has all kinds of little animals."

Polly looked interested. "Roasted?"

Hercules and Iolaus burst out laughing, and Iolaus chuckled, "Yeah, she's my kid, all right."

Title: Visiting Relatives: Lots-of-Greats Granma Gaia, Part B
Author: Scribe
Fandom: Xena
Pairing: None in this one
Rating: PG-13
Summary: A visit with many greats-grandma Gaia.
Archive: Mailing lists, AJCS archive, and the WWOMB.
Feedback: poet77665@catlover.com
Status: WIP
Sequel/Series: Visiting Relatives
Disclaimer: I did not create the recognizable characters here, I don't own them. I derive no profit from this effort. I mean nothing but respect for the creators, owners, and the actors and actresses who portray them. Original characters, such as Accord and Impetua, are copyrighted by the author.
Websites: http://www.angelfire.com/grrl/scribescribbles and http://www.angelfire.com/grrl/foxluver
Warnings:
Notes: I believe I made a goof in time lines in one of the other stories, and had Impetua and Accord being teenagers, when Hercules had just had his baby. This isn't what I want. I want for Hercules' baby to be around a year younger than Accord and Imp, so that's how it is. I'll go back and correct the mistake later. In this story, Imp is about four or five, Accord is a year older, and Bliss is about ten or eleven. Polytimos--Greek for 'precious'.

Visiting Relatives: Lots-of-Greats Granma Gaia, Part B
By Scribe

House of Love

Cupid came into the room, and stopped, a smile spreading over his face. Bliss was attempting to put Impetua's wild hair into some sort of order, but the little girl was notorious for not being able to stand even the smallest tug on a tangle. She wasn't making it easy. "It's a noble effort, son, but you might as well give it up. I think that if Imp ever showed up anywhere completely neat and pristine, people would have heart attacks."

Bliss stepped back, staring at the comb he'd been using. "I think I left some of the teeth in her hair, and I wasn't even pulling hard."

"I'm glad you're so gentle with your little sister."

"I better be--she kicks and bites. At least I got her to put on her dress."

"That you did. I think you may be the main civilizing influence in her life right now. Are you ready to go?"

"Yup."

"Come here, Imp." Imp pelted over to her daddy and leaped as she approached. Her little wings beat hard, and she lifted, smacking solidly into Cupid's chest. "Oof!" He grabbed onto the giggling child.

Imp looked up at him with sparkling green eyes. "Dinar-back sack!"

He tweaked one of her curls. "You learned that from...?"

"Mommydaddy!"

"Big surprise."

"Where Mommydaddy?"

"We'll meet him at Gaia's. He's going to pick up Polly."

Imp wrinkled her nose. "Polly's a girl."

"So are you."

"No'm not," she contradicted him. "I a force of nature. Mommydaddy says so."

Mommydaddy is a lot wiser than many people give him credit for. Let's go. Joxer and Accord are probably already there."

Gaia's Valley

Gaia was sitting at a table under one of her grape arbors, hulling a bowl of strawberries. Anyone seeing her would never have known she was anticipating the arrival of four children--three with godly powers (which meant divine disaster potential)--and one of them the direct blood descendant of Mischief himself. It was a prospect to make even the strong quail, but Gaia looked as serene as ever. Still, it was nice that the first to arrive were the ones who'd probably be the least strain on anyone's peace of mind.

*Flash*

Gaia looked up to find the gods of Peace and Mediation standing before her. She smiled in welcome. "Joxer, Accord!" Accord waves shyly, and Gaia laughed. Putting aside the berries she held out her hands. "Come and give me a hug, Cord!"

Accord broke into a sunny smile and dashed over, throwing himself against Gaia and doing his best to wrap his arms around her waist. "Hi, Great-great."

Gaia returned the embrace. "Hello yourself." She looked at Joxer over Accord's head. "And I suppose Ares isn't coming?"

Joxer looked embarrassed. "I think there's a border skirmish..."

"Don't make excuses for him, dear. You can tell him from me that he'd BETTER come next time, unless he wants every battle he fights to be rain soaked or blizzard buried."

Joxer grinned. "Yes, ma'am."

"He's just remembering all the times I got him to work on my compost when he was a boy. He thought it was beneath his position. Well, he had to be taught that War isn't all grand processions and glory--there's dirt and stink in it, too."

Accord was looking around. "Where's Bliss... and Imp?"

"They're not here yet, but they're coming." Gaia looked up, thoughtfully. "In fact, I can feel their power signatures. It shouldn't be..."

*Flash*

Cupid appeared, holding Impetua on his hip. The little girl immediately started squirming. "Down, Daddy!"

"All right, all right!" He set Imp down, and she was moving almost before her feet hit the ground.

Imp rushed over to Gaia and looked at Accord. "Hi." She shoved him out of the way and started to scramble up onto Gaia's lap.

"Imp!" scolded Cupid.

"It's okay," said Accord calmly. "She don't know better."

"She does--she just doesn't care sometimes if there are goodies involved." After a brief hug for Gaia, Impetua had started stuffing strawberries into her mouth.

Accord was leaning to one side, obviously trying to peer behind Cupid. "Where's Bliss?"

Cupid looked around, frowning. "He left at the same time we did." He raised his voice. "Bliss?"

*Flash*

A thin sprinkle of silver glitter pattered down on the grass as Bliss appeared. He was blushing. "I got lost. I ended up in the Muses' room. Boy, were they surprised." His face lit up. "Hi, Cord."

"Hi." He held up the hem of his tunic. "I didn't wear my best clothes."

"Oh. Uh... that's fine." He gave his father a confused look, obviously thinking that Accord had inherited Joxer's tendency to occasionally make little sense. He looked back, then frowned. "Imp, you're going to get a belly ache."

"She'll stop when she has enough," said Gaia.

Bliss gave her a look that said Gaia meant well, but obviously did not know whereof she spoke. "But aren't you s'posed to take those green things off the top first?"

"Oh, dear." Gaia moved the bowl out of Imp's reach. "Dear, that's a little more roughage than you need."

"No more?" said Imp, her voice clearly discontented.

"You can have some other goodies--when ALL the children are here."

Impetua was frowning. Then she got a sly look on her face and held up her hand, showing off her armlet--a bright green snake with red eyes. "I gots a pretty bracelet. Wanna see?"

Cupid's expression acquired a faint gray tinge. "Impetua."

Gaia had bent down to look at the armlet, her face close to it. The snake's tongue suddenly flickered out, almost brushing her nose. Cupid gasped, but Gaia just said calmly, "Oh, that IS pretty! What a sweet little snake." She held out her finger toward the snake, and it slithered up, coiling around her forearm. She delicately stroked its head. "This is Hiss, isn't it?"

Imp was watching her with wide eyes. "You not scared of Hiss?"

"Why, no. Why should I be."

"Daddy-daddy is."

Cupid flushed. "I am not. I... just don't like snakes."

"Isn't your daddy silly?" said Gaia. "Snakes are wonderful creatures. They keep away the mice who eat my seeds, and they eat bugs that eat my plants." Gaia tickled Hiss under the chin, making his minute tail almost vibrate with pleasure. "I'd LOVE to have a nice little snake like Hiss living in my house."

"Mine!" said Imp firmly. She plucked Hiss off Gaia's arm, but was careful, even in her agitation. The little snake slithered quickly up her arm, gave her a flickering tongue kiss on her chin, then looped himself around her throat and went back to necklace mode.

"She's always trying to freak people out with Hiss," said Bliss. "That'll teach you, Imp." Imp stuck her tongue out at him. "Bet you can't make it flick like Hiss does." Imp tried, and everyone ended up laughing.

On Earth

*Flash*

Strife appeared in the kitchen of the cottage shared by Iolaus, Hercules, and Polytimos. He looked around, hands on hips. "Hey, nice digs. Cozy, without being too peasant-y."

Hercules was holding Polytimos on his lap. His expression when he looked at Strife was a little stiff, but not as cold as it had been in years gone by. "Strife, you like trying new things, don't you?"

"My middle name is novelty. Got a suggestion?" He winked at the little girl, who giggled. "One fit fah young ears?"

"How about trying coming through the front door sometime? Oh, and you could get REALLY daring. You could try knocking first."

"Ya took lessons in 'How ta be Borin' at that academy, din't ya?" Strife looked around. "Where's tha othah blonde in yer life?"

"He's getting a shawl for Polly."

"A shawl? Herc, we're goin ta Gaia's valley. Tha weathah there is so consistent it can get on yer nerves aftah awhile. It don't rain or change more'n five or six degrees unless Gaia needs it ta help somethin grow."

"I just want to be sure."

"Ya got tha mothah rap down. I bet ya tell her ta put one on whenevah YOU feel chilly."

"Well..."

"Evah try ta keep her from stompin in puddles cause ya think wet feet will give her a cold?"

"I don't have to. She wouldn't stomp in puddles."

"An' you think that's somethin ta be proud of? She's a KID."

Iolaus came in, a tiny, delicate shawl folded over his arm. "Oh, for Elysium's sake, not this again! Will you two just recognize the fact that you have different parenting styles and DEAL with it? Strife, Polly's going to have to live in the mortal realm, and let's face it--Hercules DOES have a better background to understand what will and won't work down here." Hercules would never have admitted to smirking, but that was what he was doing. "Don't look so smug, Herc. You ARE too stiff sometimes, but it's my job to loosen you up a little. Now, can we forget about this subject? This is supposed to be a fun day for the kids."

Hercules' jaw was set, but Strife was studying Polytimos. He said quietly, "Look at yer kid, hero."

Hercules glanced down at his daughter. "She looked back up at him with wide blue eyes and said hesitantly, "We go see Biss an' Imp an' Core?"

Hercules felt whatever stiffness had been inside him melt. "Yes, baby, sure." He gave her a hug. "We NEED to go see them don't we?" He looked over her head at Strife, and the smile he gave him was only a little forced. "After all, they're family."

Strife quirked an eyebrow in surprise, but nodded Strife acknowledging even the most tenuous family tie with Hercules was unusual. "Sure are. Now, let's blow." Hercules stood up with Polytimos, and Strife took his arm with one hand, and Iolaus' with the other. He grinned down at the little girl, who was staring up at him. "If I know Imp, she'll be makin her way through everythin edible in tha valley." Polytimos smiled brightly and patted her own rounded tummy, and Strife laughed. "Gawd, family traits all ovah tha place!"

*Flash*

Title: Visiting Relatives: Lots-of-Greats Granma Gaia, Part C
Author: Scribe
Fandom: Xena
Pairing: None in this one
Rating: PG-13
Summary: A visit with many greats-grandma Gaia.
Archive: Mailing lists, AJCS archive, and the WWOMB.
Feedback: poet77665@catlover.com
Status: Complete
Sequel/Series: Visiting Relatives
Disclaimer: I did not create the recognizable characters here, I don't own them. I derive no profit from this effort. I mean nothing but respect for the creators, owners, and the actors and actresses who portray them. Original characters, such as Accord and Impetua, are copyrighted by the author.
Websites: http://www.angelfire.com/grrl/scribescribbles and http://www.angelfire.com/grrl/foxluver
Warnings: Warm fuzzies? With teeth...
Notes: I believe I made a goof in time lines in one of the other stories, and had Impetua and Accord being teenagers, when Hercules had just had his baby. This isn't what I want. I want for Hercules' baby to be around a year younger than Accord and Imp, so that's how it is. I'll go back and correct the mistake later. In this story, Imp is about four or five, Accord is a year older, and Bliss is about ten or eleven. Polytimos--Greek for 'precious'.

Visiting Relatives: Lots-of-Greats Granma Gaia, Part C
By Scribe

*Flash*

Strife, Iolaus, Hercules, and Polytimos appeared in Gaia's valley. The little girl immediately declared, "Tummy funny, Daddy!"

"Uh-oh!" Hercules started to hold her away from his body, but he wasn't quite quick enough.

Polytimos made one of the daintiest, most lady-like upchucks in creation. She stared at the resulting mess on Hercules' vest. "Uh-oh. Sowwy, Daddy."

Hercules sighed. "It's all right, Pumpkin. I should have remembered."

Strife materialized a damp cloth and handed it to Iolaus, who started to wipe Polly's face. "Tha kid can aim pretty good fah someone her age. She hardly got any on herself."

"She didn't do that deliberately," protested Hercules.

Strife rolled his eyes. "Suuure she didn't. Ya bettah take that vest off, Herc, before tha sick set into tha fabric. I'm pretty sure Gaia can do somethin with it."

"I can." Gaia was coming toward them. She held out her hands, and Polytimos immediately reached for her. Hercules handed over the little girl, and Gaia carried her over to the edge of a small, sparkling pond. "Aquette!"

The serene surface of the pond rippled. There was a burst of bubbles rose near the center, followed quickly by a the head and slim shoulders of a young woman. Her hair and eyes were both blue-green. "My lady?"

Gaia tossed the vest out to her, and she caught it neatly. "One of the babies had an accident. Please take care of that."

"Of course! It was the little mortal?" Polly waved at her. "Oh, hello, pretty girl! Do you feel better?" Polly nodded. "You tell them to let you come wading later, and I'll tell the fishies to kiss your toes."

Hercules said quickly, "She's not like the others. She CAN drown."

"I know that," Aquette said, a touch of hurt in her voice. "I'm not stupid, you know. This is Gaia's place. All are safe here." She sank beneath the water again.

Hercules turned around to find Gaia, Iolaus, and Polly all looking at him with varying levels of reproof. He started to defend himself, but much to his surprise, Strife spoke up. "Leave 'im alone, you guys. When it's yer own kid, ya don't need ta apologize fah worryin about 'em. Bettah too much care than too little, huh?"

Gaia and Iolaus considered this. They remembered that Hercules had lost children before, and their attitudes softened immediately. "I understand, dear," Gaia said to Hercules. "And don't worry. The water nymphs will watch over any child who plays in the pond. If they try to wade out past the shallows, they'll be herded right back. But we don't need to worry about that right now." She smiled down at Polly. "There are some people here who are eager to see you."

Polly clapped her hands gleefully. "Imp! Biss! Core!" She twisted around quickly, eyes searching. "Where? Where?"

"My, what a wiggle worm you are!"

Polly looked back at her, mildly alarmed. "Don't make me worm."

"What?" Gaia caught her meaning. "Oh, sweetie, I wouldn't turn you into a worm! I wouldn't turn you into ANYTHING! I like you much too much as a little girl." She gave Hercules a look. "And you needn't look so relieved."

Polly had been considering something, and now she said, "Maybe make me butterfly?"

"Polly," said Iolaus, "we're going to have to have a talk soon about how dangerous it can be to get what you wish for." He looked up, and his face broke into a smile. "We've been discovered."

Cupid and the other children were approaching. Bliss was in the lead, closely followed by Impetua. They were both using their wings, flying short distances in their hurry. Accord was a distant third, slightly plump legs pumping manfully, and panting, "Wait for me! No fair, you guys."

Imp paused long enough to look back and stick out her tongue. "Is too!"

"Is not! I'm Mead=ashun--I know what's fair."

"Yadda, yadda, yadda."

Strife grinned. "My girl."

The first children were arriving. Impetua threw herself up in one last burst of flying, losing a few silvery feathers in her effort. She smacked right into Hercules--upside down. He caught her instinctively, and found himself holding a wiggling, kicking, upside down little girl. Of course, in this position, Imp's dress had fallen down. It was belted at the waist, and rather neatly curtained her head. "Wow," said Hercules breathlessly, trying not to drop her. "That was some landing, Imp."

"Din't want you! Was aimin' at Polly!" Imp declared. She kicked again. "Lemme down!"

Hercules was starting to blush. "Doesn't anyone on Olympus wear underwear?"

Bliss had arrived. "You don't know how hard it was to get her to put on the dress."

Imp's voice was rising. "DOWN! NOW!"

"All right, all right!" Hercules carefully turned her over. "I just didn't want to drop you on your head. You don't want people to be able to joke about that when you get older."

Strife looked at Hercules in surprise, then tipped his head toward the demi-god while giving Cupid a 'Get him' look. The implication was clear--could Hercules be growing a sense of humor? Hercules set Imp on the ground, at about the same time Gaia set Polly on her feet. The Nature Goddess obviously didn't care to be Impetua's next landing point. Impetua pounded toward Polly, and Hercules forced himself not to wince.

It turned out that the wince wasn't necessary. Impetua screeched to a halt just in front of Polly. The two little girls examined each other. Polly's expression was one of wary pleasure, Impetua's was gleeful. "An' that," said Strife later, "is a sure sign ya oughta keep yer eyes open."

Polly waved at Impetua. "Hi."

Impetua grinned. "Hi." She leaned toward the other girl. "Wanna see my pretty necklace?"

"IMP!" Cupid protested.

It was too late. Hiss had flicked his tongue at Polly, and started to slither down Impetua's arms toward her. Polly might not have wings, but she still made an impressively fast dash, squealing. Impetua ran after her, giggling. Cupid started after them, but Hercules caught his arm. "Let them go."

"Herc, I've talked to her about scaring people with Hiss, and..."

"Polly isn't really scared," Hercules assured him. "She brings in garter snakes all the time. I've had to spank her about that, for fear she'll pick up something poisonous some day. She's scared because she WANTS to be scared." They watched the brown haired girl chasing the shrieking (and giggling) blonde girl. "She knows how much Impetua likes stuff like that."

"I'm glad you brought Polly, Unca Herc," said Accord. "Imp will be busy with her." He grabbed Bliss' hand. "You promised to show me the best place to find worms."

Iolaus looked at Gaia as Accord led away an obliging Bliss. "You let them fish your pond?"

"No, those fish are off limits," said Gaia. "Accord will take the worms home and feed them to the fish in Joxer's pond. Joxer says that they're getting so fat that he might have to take some of them out, because it's getting too crowded." She looked around. "Speaking of Joxer, where is he?"

"Well," said Cupid, "the kids found your blackberry patch."

"Oh, dear. I'm surprised they aren't scratched to pieces."

"It was a near miss. They were both making toward it as fast as they could. If I couldn't fly faster than them, we'd be unwrapping Bliss and Impetua from the brambles right now. Luckily I can still fly faster than them, at least in the straight away. If they dodge..." he shook his head. "I tackled them, and Joxer caught Accord. All the kids wanted blackberries, and Joxer volunteered to pick some for them."

Strife rolled his eyes. "I can hear Ares now." He made his voice a booming, creditable imitation of Ares'. "What happened to your hands?! Have you been trying to adopt feral cats again?"

That got a round of laughter, because it was just so like Joxer and Ares.. Joxer came out of a thicket, carefully holding the hem of his tunic up to form a hammock. He smiled when he saw everyone. "I THOUGHT I heard new arrivals." He looked around, frowning a little. "Where's Accord? He was begging for blackberries with big, puppy dog eyes."

"An' I wondah where he learned THAT," Strife whispered to Cupid, who hid a grin.

Polly was passing, Impetua hot on her heels, but she paused long enough to say, "Him wit' Biss." She took off with another squeal, barely escaping Imp.

Joxer blinked, then said calmly, "Oh." He nodded. "Sure. Gaia, can I get a bowl for these? They can have them later."

As Gaia led them back to the table set up in the shade, Hercules asked Cupid. "What did he mean by that?"

"Does he HAFTA mean anythin?" asked Strife.

"It's just that they're sort of young for 'oh, sure', aren't they?"

Cupid shot him a curious look. "Granted most boys Bliss' age don't usually want to hang around with little kids, but the relationship between him and Accord is special." He didn't notice the concerned look growing in Hercules' face--or maybe he did, because he continued, "They're best friends--DEEPER than best friends. They're growing up together. It's not quite brotherhood, but it's special, and strong. Right now it's just about the most innocent thing around. It MIGHT grow into something more." He gave Hercules a level look. "Can you understand that?"

Hercules looked away. Iolaus had joined Impetua in chasing Polly. Hercules knew very well that Iolaus was an expert at Polly-catching, but he kept missing now, making awkward grabs that let his daughter slip through his grasp. He took a comic pratfall. Polly rushed up to him, looking concerned, and he took the opportunity to snag her. They wrestled happily, and Impetua made a running start and dived on top of both of them. Imp and Polly exchanged a look--and started tickling. Soon Iolaus was weakly begging for mercy. Hercules looked back at Cupid, and there was a ghost of a smile on the demi-god's face. "Yes, I can understand that."

They continued on to the table, where Joxer was now holding a bowl of blackberries up around shoulder height, having his feet trampled by Imp and Polly as they tried to jump high enough to reach them. Strife and Cupid dropped back, letting Iolaus and Hercules arrive first, and Strife whispered to Cupid, "Ya do realize that if ol' Herc tha Jerk reforms much more, I'm gonna hafta come up with a new target?"

Cupid smiled. "I'll start drawing up a list."

Title: Visiting Relatives III: Lots-of-Greats Granma Gaia, Part D
Author: Scribe
Fandom: Xena
Pairing: None in this one
Rating: PG-13
Summary: A visit with many greats-grandma Gaia comes to an end
Archive: Mailing lists, AJCS archive, and the WWOMB.
Feedback: poet77665@catlover.com
Status: Complete
Sequel/Series: Visiting Relatives
Disclaimer: I did not create the recognizable characters here, I don't own them.
I derive no profit from this effort. I mean nothing but respect for the
creators, owners, and the actors and actresses who portray them. Original
characters, such as Accord and Impetua, are copyrighted by the author.
Websites: http://www.angelfire.com/grrl/scribescribbles and
http://www.angelfire.com/grrl/foxluver
Warnings:
Notes: In this story, Imp is about four or five, Accord is a year older, and
Bliss is about ten or eleven. Polly is a little more than a year younger than
Imp. Polytimos--Greek for 'precious'. Priss is expecting the kittens mentioned
in the Aunt Hecate story.

Visiting Relatives: Lots-of-Greats Granma Gaia, Part D
By Scribe

It was lunch time. The adults gathered at the table, but for the children, they
spread a blanket on the grass, in the shade. Utensils were done away with, and
everything was eaten out of hand. That worked easily enough for the things like
meat, bread, cheese, and fruit. The yogurt-and-honey was another story. It
wouldn't have been quite so bad except for the fact that Imp decided to wipe her
hands in Polly's hair and Bliss' wings. Bliss felt obligated to retaliate by
pouring the last of his fruit juice down her dress. Joxer opined that it was a
good thing they waited till they'd almost finished--there was less ammunition
for the food fight.

When a dip in the pond had been suggested as an obvious solution to the general
stickiness, Hercules had started to mention not going swimming for an hour after
eating. But Aquette had popped her head up and was watching with such eagerness
that he couldn't bring himself to say it--he knew that it would be heard as an
insult to her vigilance and care. The children would have preferred skinny
dipping, but the thought of going in the water fully clothed (on purpose) had a
certain novelty. As Polytimos, holding hands with Imp on one side and Bliss on
the other, waded carefully into the water, he had to admit to himself that the
impulse had been more of a reflex than anything else.

Accord was hanging onto Bliss's other hand. It didn't stop him from tripping
and falling face first into the water. Aquette darted forward, scooping him
back to the surface before he had time to work up a good splutter. Then she
gave a silvery laugh, kissed him on the forehead, and ducked him again.

That did it. There was an orgy of splashing, squealing, and ducking. Polly and
Accord got the worst of it, but they strove valiantly, and Bliss and Imp
received a good dowsing (though the adults were pretty sure that Bliss's were
mostly intentional). The adults trusted Aquette and her fellow nymphs, and
moved a good distance back, because between Imp and Bliss's brisk flapping it
was worse than standing around a birdbath at bathing time.

The adults sat in the shade, watching the children and just talking idly. Joxer
was still learning to cook (when he had time from his duties--both godly and
familial). He still hadn't quite gotten the hang of leavening, and told the
group about the last batch of bread he'd tried to make--the dough seemed to be
trying to take over the kitchen. "I can understand you being amused, Strife,"
he said. "What I CAN'T understand is why you kept calling me 'Lucy'." Gaia
promised to send him home with some zucchini and a recipe for sweet bread. She
guaranteed that as long as he didn't let Accord watch him prepare it, he'd be
able to get the child to eat vegetables--and like it. Iolaus asked for the
recipe, too, and that led to a discussion of whether or not there existed small
children who actually ENJOYED eating vegetables.

Soon Joxer called for the children to come in. Accord had gotten QUITE enough
sun, and he didn't want to have to take the boy to Ace for a sunburn. The
children staggered back out of the water--tired, but clean (aside from an
occasional aquatic plant tangled in someone's hair). Nap time was announced,
drawing the required protests, which were duly denied. Gaia produced fresh
sleeping robes, and Cupid and Hercules held up blankets to provide dressing
areas for the girls and the boys. Iolaus remarked, "It just occurred to me--we
have four, count 'em--four--deities here. Why didn't one of you just zap the
children clean, or at least zap the CLOTHES clean?"

To everyone's surprise it was Hercules who answered. "Because THEN they
wouldn't have been able to go into the water in their clothes, of course."

Once the dressing was over, the blankets were spread under one of the many, many
trees. This one was a mimosa. It was in full bloom, a thick mass of fragrant,
feathery, deep pink blossoms sheltering the lush grass at its base. Imp and
Polly took one blanket, Bliss and Accord the other. Both pairs turned to face
their blanket mates, and the whispering and giggling commenced. Cupid, who had
just returned to his seat, called, "Kids..."

Gaia shook her head. "Leave them, dear. Morpheus will overtake them in no time
at all. There's nothing in the world as sleepy as a full, tired, CONTENTED
child."

She was right. The whispering died down quickly, and the adults returned to
their conversation. Joxer and Strife swapped cat stories about Priss and Mjau.
Priss was pregnant with her first litter, courtesy of Mjau, and her mood had
been rather nasty of late. "She's shredded two sets of curtains, a love seat,
an' several cushions," said Strife. "She's currently taken up residence in
Imp's closet, on what was once her dress robes. I think tha big event will be
any day now. I'm just damn glad we got tha 'talk' outta tha way. I hope it's a
small litter. It ain't gonna be easy ta get any of 'em away from Imp an'
Bliss." He eyed Hercules an' Iolaus. "I don't s'pose you guys...?"

"No," said Hercules firmly. Behind his back, Iolaus mouthed, 'Later.'

Strife shrugged. "Ah, well. Givin away kittens has been a major buzz fah me
fah a long time, an' it's gonna stay that way fah an even longah time."

Joxer and Gaia talked about gardening. Cupid made Iolaus laugh with a story
about a tavern wench, an Amazon, and a very startled and disillusioned
mercenary, who had thought that he was going to get SPECTACULARLY lucky. When
Hercules shook his hands at them, Cupid had pointed out that the kids were
asleep, so there were no innocent ears being offended.

Sure enough, the younger generation was snoozing peacefully. Imp was sleeping
on her tummy (she still hadn't quite mastered sleeping comfortably on her
wings), head turned to the side, cheek on crossed forearms, snoring lightly.
Polly was curled up on her side, using Imp's bottom as a pillow. Every now and
then Imp's wings would twitch in her sleep, feathers ghosting over Polly's face,
and the mortal girl would bat at the tickling feathers, her movements aimless in
her sleep.

Accord and Bliss had fallen asleep facing each other, on their sides. The
younger boy was held loosely in Bliss's arms, cuddled down against his chest.
Accord's long, dark hair half curtained his face, but what they could see of his
expression was perfect serenity--appropriate for the son of the God of Peace,
but Bliss's expression was just as contented.

Gaia's valley was, in its own way, timeless, but time DID pass, after a fashion.
The light deepened to the golden glow of late afternoon, the sun dropping
toward the west, and it was time to go home.

The various parents went to wake up their offspring. Iolaus gently shook Polly.
"C'mon, Sweet Pea. If you sleep any more, I'll never be able to get you to bed
tonight."

Strife was tickling Impetua's nose with a long strand of grass. "Wakey, wakey,
Poot."

Imp swiped blindly at the grass. "Don' wanna take nap, Mommy-Daddy."

"Okay," said Strife agreeably. "Ya don't hafta, if ya don't wanna, but ya gotta
get up now."

"'Kay, but I not gonna take a nap."

Accord grumbled softly as Joxer shook his shoulder, pushing his face almost into
Bliss's armpit. "Five more minutes?"

"Reasonable request," said Joxer, "but we need to get home, or your Daddy Ares
is going to start worrying about us."

Accord and Bliss had both sat up, and Bliss had his arm looped around Accord's
shoulder. Accord leaned back against him and said, "Can Bliss spend the night?"

"Cord," Joxer scolded, "what have I told you about asking in advance? It sort
of puts people on the spot when you invite someone like this." He glanced
sheepishly at Cupid and Strife. "He's figured out that sometimes the adults
don't want to say 'no' in front of the other parents, to avoid looking like...
um... No one wants to look inhospitable, or..."

"Yah, we get it. Nice goin, Cord," Strife congratulated him. Accord smiled at
him. "Well, personally, I got no problem with it. Cupe?"

"Not if Dad and Joxer are okay with it," Cupid responded, picking up Impetua.

"As if Ares wouldn't want a chance to have Bliss over," Joxer responded.

"Okay, then."

Impetua bounced in her father's arms. "Wanna go, too!"

Cupid shook his head. "Not this time, hon."

She stuck out her bottom lip. "Why not?"

"It's going to be a boys night this time," Cupid explained.

"Sounds stupid."

Bliss rolled his eyes, but he knew what would work with his sister. "If you
want to, you can sleep in my bed." She wavered. "You can play with my stuff."

"I do that anyway."

"Yeah, but this time I won't be there to watch you do it. You might even find
my secret stuff."

Her eyes gleamed, and she giggled. "Okay."

Accord poked Bliss and whispered, "You got secret stuff?"

Bliss whispered back. "Sure. Don't you?" Accord nodded. "You can show me
yours, an' the next time you come over, I'll show you mine. Don't worry, Imp
won't find it where I put it. Not even my dads can find it."

Strife shielded his mouth from the kids and mouthed, 'Loose stone behind
tapestry on south wall.'

The sleeping arrangements were settled, the clothes that had been drying on the
grass were gathered, and the groups left, with Strife once again returning the
Hercules, Iolaus, and Polly to earth. It was decided that Bliss could be
trusted to lead Accord back to the Temple of War, as long as Joxer followed
closely to make sure there were no accidental side trips.

Gaia watched the mingled silver, gold, blue, and red sparkles of divine travel
fade away, then set about tidying the picnic area. She could have easily done
it by mind power, but she rather enjoyed physically performing a chore now and
then. She smiled to herself as she folded the blankets, remembering how natural
the children had looked, sleeping together. No cares, no complications. Those
might come in the future, but for now they just accepted their relationships
with each other as good things.

Gaia considered cycles, and nature--bonding, and the strong need of most things
with sentience to belong to someone. She thought about Joxer and Ares, Cupid
and Strife, Hercules and Iolaus... In the future, almost certainly Bliss and
Accord. And even farther in the future, who knew--perhaps Impetua and
Polytimos? She smiled to herself. Young things. You had to love young
things...

The End

tbc