open: all harmony of instrument or verse, all prophecy, all medicine, is mine. 1

[papadopoulos]

Poetry is great.
You don't have to take my word,
try it for yourself!
___________________________

Somewhat unexpectedly, Apollo is indoors. It’s been some time since he’s had the time or energy to dive into poetry and books: though Tyson and his harpy² girlfriend did run a bookshop at Camp Jupiter; Apollo had had no time to look in on things in the midst of battle and trying not to turn into a zombie. He is taking some time today to appreciate the quiet of the library; immersed in any and every kind of poetry he can get his hands on. There are books of sonnets piled about him, Dante’s Inferno, some of Byron’s works, and a collection of Oscar Wilde’s poems. He has even managed to find some examples of Chinese poetry, and is sprawled out across a couch dressed for the beach, but looking as content as a cat who’s gotten into cream and like he's quite happy to stay inside all day.

It feels like it’s been an age since he’s properly gotten to dive into the written word as much as he likes to; and he is more than willing to take advantage of this peace and quiet.


¹Actually, he hates terza rima, but this poem is about him so it will do.
²Complimentary.

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[vineleaves]

Dionysus comes over, dressed in a red jumpsuit and holding a book of various Tennessee Williams plays. Does he already have copies of every play in this book in his room? Yes. Is that going to stop him from reading them again here in the library? Absolutely not.

"Scooch," he says, wanting to sit with him but lacking space on account of Apollo's inability to take up anything less than 100% of whatever he's sitting on at any given moment.

[papadopoulos]

“You scooch,” he says, as absently as if it were Meg coming to bother him. He does, however, move over slightly.

“Whatcha got there?”

[wickedwit]

Claudius will say one thing, and it's that he certainly appreciates the amount of eyecandy Apollo provides for the mansion. Not out loud, of course, and not with the word eyecandy, but he does stop what he's doing (only carrying a stack of books to a table) to look Apollo slowly over in his scanty clothing. Like one of his husband's knit sweaters, but leaving considerably less to the imagination. He wonders whether Galahad would like the color.

Regardless, "Apollo," he says, with great cheer, setting all his books down somewhere between Petrarch's sonnets and Rilke's, "it's a pleasure to see you well."

[kadewest]

Kade is making his way along the shelves, dumping every interesting-looking romance novel into a picnic basket. He notes Apollo's presence, but the guy seems engrossed in whatever it is he's doing, and Kade doesn't want to interrupt so he juts offers a genial nod.

[papadopoulos]

Apollo is well aware of the effect he has on most people. It’s hard not to be, after 4000 years of existence; and he can’t help but turn a slow smile on Claudius when he feels eyes on him.

“You too,” he says sunnily, stretching a little. “How’s married life?”

[vineleaves]

He holds up the book so Apollo can read the title. "And I see you've decided to take it upon yourself to read every other book in this library. All at the same time."

[papadopoulos]

"Oh, just whatever poetry I could find,' he says cheerfully. "It's been a while since I had time to sit down and read, y'know?"

[papadopoulos]

He's not exactly engrossed; he is extremely familiar with all the poetry in these books, but he had a mind to read some old favorites today. "Hey!" He offers from his reclined sprawl on the couch, grinning. "Kade, right? How's it goin'?"

[wickedwit]

Claudius will, he thinks, never tire of hearing that question. There will be a time when he isn't newly married, and people will stop asking, but he'll feel rather wistful and bittersweet about it. It will mean they've grown comfortable, that their marriage isn't a novel topic of conversation, but he'll savor the novelty while he has it. "It's the life I was meant to live. Know thou," he says, slipping very easily into familiarity, "I was once transformed to a child here, and a now-lover of mine told me of the life I would lead. It seemed to me an improbable fantasy, something I would have to bargain with demons to attain. And that was the life of a passably charming and handsome courtier who wanted, what? To negotiate a successful treaty with Norway? I am far happier here, away from courts and courtiers, with no greater ambition than to be my beloved Galahad's husband ... and perhaps extend the human lifespan for a few generations using the means of botanical cultivation. For all this, I only had to bargain with one or two demons, one of whom is a loving friend and owes me a favor." He's bragging, he knows it's insufferable, and he knows most etiquette books advise against it. He doesn't care. He smiles at Apollo, eying him over once more and appreciatively. "And then there's thy company to enjoy. How hast thou been?"

[vineleaves]

He is suddenly reminded of the alternate universe Sagramore and Laertes, of bringing them here and letting them, for what seemed the first time in an incredibly long time, just relax and enjoy being with one another. He hopes they're doing alright. "Have you found anything new yet, or just reading Earth stuff?"

[papadopoulos]

Claudius' lingering looks are not lessening his desire to preen. However, he manfully resists the urge by imagining how dumb he would look doing that as Lester. He had tried that with Reyna, and look where that had gotten him. Absolutely nowhere and embarrassed to boot -- which, really, one would expect of a hapless seventeen-year-old. At least he looked the part at the time.

He shrugs, all affable friendliness, but there is definitely still some intention in his gaze. "Oh, you know. Trying to keep my hyacinths alive, re-meeting previously dead people, the usual."

[papadopoulos]

"Mostly just reading old favorites, at the moment. But I'm sure I'll find some new favorites too." He pauses a moment. "I was sort of looking for stuff about this place, too, but I couldn't really find anything."

[vineleaves]

"What sorta stuff specifically?"

[papadopoulos]

"I dunno. The newer girl, Constance -- she was looking for information about the astronomy here. I was kind of on the lookout for stuff about the constellations; but no such luck."

[vineleaves]

"If we're all the only people here, then there probably aren't constellations. I mean, not, y'know, named ones. Or books about 'em, for that matter." He shrugs. "I guess it would depend on if there's other people on this... planet or whatever, past the area we're all able to get to. Mansion spirits themselves are probably too busy coming up with unique ways to annoy us every month to sit around and name stars."

[wickedwit]

Claudius laughs, delighted for the small flirtatious game in-between sharing news. "Ah, so thou art familiar with both sides of botany. I presume the person in question was our resident underground orchid, recently emerged." He takes a seat on the arm of the couch by Apollo, sidling himself closer. "I thought to enlist thy aid, knowest thou. Such resurrections require a precise balance of sunlight and moonlight energy and I know the former is thy domain. Wouldst be willing to lend me thy time, and even more of thy company?"

[papadopoulos]

"I've met a couple previously-dead people, but usually that tends to be in dreams or I've been extremely mistaken for the past 3500 years. This one went much better than the last previously-dead guys I ran into." He'd rather talk about the almost-imminent zombiefication from aforementioned dead guys than the dreams, but he'll continue past that. "But yeah, I met Shen Yuan. He's nice. Has good opinions about the hotness of guys from Star Wars."

As if echoing Claudius' movements, Apollo shifts his sprawl a little closer, somewhat inviting, and grins. "Sure. As long as my uncle doesn't catch wind of it, the last time I tried to resurrect someone was, um. Unappreciated. By both him and my father." Though he did get to meet Admetus out of it, that was a bonus.

[papadopoulos]

"We might not be the only people here, though," he says thoughtfully. "There's that tower off in the woods, after all, and that fountain a ways out. Lots of mysteries. If Artemis were here, she'd hate it. Mostly because of being stuck in one place."

[vineleaves]

"...Yeah," he says a little quietly.

[papadopoulos]

“…Sorry. I just, um.” He sighs. It’s weird, being somewhere without his twin. Even at home, she was around. Even if she wasn’t allowed to talk to him while he was mortal, they got by. Her Hunters had found him, and if he is really gone at home, she’s probably worrying herself sick.

“Bad subject,” he continues, waving his hands to push that to the side. “Tell me about your book. We’ve seen some of those, haven’t we?”

[futaille]

Grantaire will be wandering in for one of his brief forays to the library to pick up whatever looks interesting. Of course he sees the god with the stacks of books. Of course he chooses a greeting that has nothing to do with said stacks. "Ah! Good day, Apollo Sauroktonos!"

[kadewest]

Kade turns to face him more directly. "Apollo," he says, smiling. "Living the dream. You?"

[vineleaves]

He knows Apollo has to be missing her terribly, but he does welcome the change in subject either way. He doesn't feel like getting into his complicated feelings regarding being trapped here. Not today, at least. "I mean, I've seen all of these with my Apollo, but I know your version of me ...doesn't get out as much."

[papadopoulos]

"Not a single lizard to be had in here, sorry," he says cheerily. "Unless you count Temeraire, and I don't think he'd like being referred to as a lizard."

[futaille]

"Of course there aren't any lizards to be had. It's because you're doing an excellent job."