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Amazon’s nightmare on Strife street

Disclaimer: All the characters are owned by Renaissance pictures and Universal. All alphas are the propriety of the sorbo-list. The amazons own themselves.

Thank you to my wonderful and great alpha readers: Danaan and KalliSta. Without you i would not have made it. To Aphrael, my brilliant writer block buster. I owe you one. Great thanks to KalliSta who went beyond friendship and found the great pictures i needed for inspiration and to make the web version of this tale.  This tale is dedicated to Caren/Freya. We almost wrote it together. She is the inspiration, the heart of this tale. RL came and made all our attempts to write in duo difficult. But beware we will try again.. Bahhhhhhawwwwww..

Warning: There are mentions of Blairmuse and Methosmuse. Some dialogs or scenes might not make any sense. Don't worry sometimes i don't even make sense in my head. <g>

Enjoy

Happy Halloween

Chantal

Amazon’s nightmare on Strife street

Prologue

Ares’ temple on the outskirts of Sorboland

Strife sighed. Sprawled all over Ares’ throne, the vinyl clad god looked bored. Really bored. Really, really bored. Never a good thing because a bored Strife usually created major catastrophes.

Another sigh. "Boredom sucks" Strife wailed. "I need a project. An outlet. A way to channel this huge, untapped potential mischief I have" Strife sighed again.

In a burst of blue light and a rain of black chicken feathers Discord appeared. She spit out a few feathers out of her mouth.

"Smooth, Discord but you need a little more practice. The feathers are a nice effect." Strife chuckled.  "I see uncle Ares finally changed you back. What did you do? Got too attached to the Simple Herk alpha? SHerk did take a liking to you."

"Don’t even go there. I’m warning you worm…" Discord’s eyes shot lighting and Strife found himself slammed on the temple northern wall.

"Now.." Discord jumped from the black marble altar she was sitting on. "You want an outlet. You want to create mayhem.. I have just the thing for you…"

Dusting himself, Strife glided towards the volatile goddess.

"What do you have in mind?"

"These Sorbo amazons, I despise them all.." Discord started.

"And they despise you. And who wouldn’t.." replied Strife.

"Shut up!" lighting hit their target again. Strife was pinned on the eastern wall. " I’m talking here.. Where was I? Ah yeah.." letting go of Strife Discord continued. Strife hit the black marble floor with a loud THUD.

"What if we had some fun with these Amazons" Discord raised an eyebrow.

"We could. Of course we could." Strife was walking back towards Discord carefully. "But Ares is quite fond of those amazons…"

"Oh I don’t want to kill them. I do have some brains.." Strife smirked out loud and ended face down on the marble floor in the west side of the temple.

Ares let out a sarcastic laugh as he materialized in front of his nephew picking him up and throwing him across the temple.

"Strife why can’t you think like a god." Ares rolled his eyes. "And Discord…" Ares threw a fireball smashing the goddess in the eastern wall of the temple. "Don’t ever think of messing with my Amazons.. only I can do that." Walking towards his throne and sitting down Ares gave them a sinister smile " So what did you have in mind? Impress me…"

Discord tried to salvage some of her dignity. To no avail. Feathers were flying everywhere. Ares laughed. "The servants might collect enough to make a pillow my dear" Ares caught a wayward feather in his fingers.

Discord was not amused but she seized the opportunity. "Nothing life threatening great Ares just some good, torturous fun. You have heard of fun?" Discord advanced slowly.

"Fun is good. Continue.." Ares replied.

Encouraged Discord went on. "I thought maybe we could use the Halloween festival to create some mayhem. You know have the Sorbo amazons act in a different way they usually do towards our brother.."

"Go on.." Ares did not look *that* interested.

"Yes, uncle. We could you know have them act as the character they choose to impersonate.. let’s see one of your favorite ones.. what’s her name, the smug one…" Strife quickly ducked in case of incoming fireballs. To his dismay none came. Empowered Strife went on "She has a thing for black cats, plans on dressing like that girl in the Cat movie.." Looking directly at the God of War, Strife found him smiling. Strife gave Discord two thumbs up.

"Hummm… Amazons.. Mayhem… Amazons.. .Mayhem" Ares was pondering his decision. "Mayhem it is. But be prepared for surprises. You never know what can happen." Ares popped out.
"You won’t be sorry unc, you’ll see. We will make you proud." Strife groveled.  "Speak for yourself worm, I plan to have my revenge." Discord disappeared in a flurry of feathers. Strife followed.

Ares rematerialized on his throne. "I know you are here. Show yourself." As rainbow of color sparked and coins flew around Fortune appeared. "My, Ares always so polite aren’t you."

"Cut the chitchat Aunty. I need you to tag the dynamic duo in their little adventure. You may have some fun with them. You know. Roll the dice, throw the coin to see if they succeed in their enterprise. With each amazons, let Fortune decide if they have fun or if they have torturous  fun." Ares gave Fortune a wink and popped out.

"Fun or torturous fun? Ares you always amaze me nephew." Fortune snapped her fingers and disappeared in a shower of gold coins.

Part one

Midnight. Halloween. Sorbomart

Discord and Strife materialized in a flash of blue light in the Sorbomart storeroom.

"Do try to get a hold of the feathers, sister. I’m getting them in places I’d rather not. Unless I’m entertaining if you get my drift…" Strife’s hands moved to shape a curvy form.

"As if you’ll ever get that lucky, worm." Discord sent a lighting bolt towards the vinyl God’s behind.

"Hey! Cut it out! Don’t damage the goods!" Strife sidestepped the light bolt. Unfortunately the bolt made ashes out of the crates sitting right behind the god.

"Wooooooo heeeeeeee.. You have style sister! Now, how are we gonna put a spell on the costumes since you blew them up. Great aim…" Strife gave Discord two thumbs up.

"Enough!" Discord yelled. "Like you would know! It’s even better this way. We can pose as Halloween fashion consultants and create tailor made spell for those annoying amazons." Discord was more than please with herself.

"HUH?" Strife said.

"Get with the program worm. A bleach job. Some knee length leather pants and a lower IQ… You’ll be perfect." And before Strife could shielded himself he was swimming in black feathers and felt the transformations take place.

"See. Perfect. Now comes the difficult part… Improve on *my* perfection.." Discord popped out of the storeroom leaving a stunned Strife behind.

The disoriented god turned around and found himself facing his *new* look in the wall size mirror. "Not bad… I like the blond look… but the pants definitely *have* to go…" snapping his fingers the god disappeared.

Halloween morning. 7.00 am. Sorbomart.

Julie, LadyLegs, LadyLyric and Hilara were early since they knew they had a long day ahead of them. The Halloween costumes had only gotten in late last night. This was the last time that Hilara was doing business with that company. "I should have checked further. I knew we would have problems when I got the first invoice sheet.. "Delanay costumes' a subsidiary company of
Cremations inc. Alarm bells should have gone off." Hilara was fuming.

"I’ll make coffee.. We’ll need it I think…" Julie disappeared into the small kitchen.

The rest of the amazons made their way to the storeroom. Ladylegs and LadyLyric stopped in their tracks. "What in Hades?" said LadyLegs. "This can’t be…" LadyLyric added.

"WHAT?" Hilara came up next to her friends. "OH MY GODS!!!!" In place of the
costume crates was a pile of ashes.

"The coffee will be ready in a few.. What in Hades?" Julie noticed the ashes.

"Get on the phone girls.. we have customers to contact and ideas to find.." Hilara sat down on the floor. "Maybe if I send SHerk to each and every Amazon’s hut with a complementary find the ribbon telegram.. maybe I can survive this…"

Every single available hands were kidnapped to phone every Amazon with the bad news. Soon all of Sorboland was in a panic. Everyone would have to make their own costume. Oh the horror.

*******

Danaan was having the most wonderful dream. Sprawled in the tall, luscious grass near the Sorboland waterfall, she was cloud gazing. Trying to make out form and objects out of the clouds above her.

"See, that one on the left, it looks a lot like your delicious bum dear."

Sov growled. "Well, I see yours in that cloud  over there, luv." Sov pointed to this fluffy, marshmallow cloud.

"What?! My behind is not that soft. I have buns of steel your Tortureness." Danaan hit Sov on the chest. Hard. She was gonna hit him again when she found her wrists locked together in Sov’s right hand. Then she was pulled to rest on top of him.

"Let’s find out if I’m right or not." Sov ran his free hand on Danaan’s back, caressing her spine and making its way to her bum…slowly. Sov growled again.

The growls were getting louder and louder. Danaan was abruptly waken from her nice dream by the insistent sound of the phone.

*******

"Up. Down. Up. Down. One more time. Up. Down. And breathe. Deeply. This closes our daily aerobic program. Coming up next dance as exercises." DHerk was a sight to behold. Drops of sweat trickled down his chest, caressing his pecs and washboard abs.

"I did say breathe ladies…" Chuckling DHerk grabbed a towel and dried himself slowly. Astrild, Freya and Castalia were enjoying the show. Each amazons grabbed their own towel and under the disguise of drying themselves, they wiped out the drool. Discretely.

Castalia’s phone rang.

"I thought I said no cell phones, no beepers during class. I’ll have to invent a proper punishment dear." DHerk was shaking his finger at Cas.

"Hey, my cell phone is programmed to reactivate after class. I’m not breaking the rules. Although I wouldn’t mind discussing your ideas of punishments." Cas gave DHerk a sultry look.

Cas clicked the phone on. "Yeah, this better be good. Talk fast."

Freya and Astrild rolled their eyes. "Cas always direct."

"WHAT?!!! Are you serious? What am I gonna do? Yeah.. well it’s a little too late for that.. " Cas closed her phone. Turning she had panic written all over her face. "FREYA!!!! I’m raiding your closet… Sorbomart has lost my Halloween costume!!!!!!"

******

Dessy and Feral were discussing the costume crisis. Both had decided to meet for breakfast in preparation of an hectic if not traumatic day. Both had gotten *the* phone call very early.  The news of the total destruction of the costume crates had traveled fast. Julie’s voice had been very solemn.
"The costumes are no more. You’ll have to use your imagination and your closet or your friend’s closet. The arts and crafts department is open at SorboMart if you are so incline. Sorry girls, really but maybe you can come up with costumes even better then the rented ones we ordered."

Dessy was playing with her food. Scrambled eggs with sausages. Again. The chef at the SorboMart breakfast inn was good but she had tasted every single variations on the menu.   Looking over to Feral’s plate, Dessy considered stealing a bite or two. "Eggs Benedict… hum.. I would personally had some side dish to make it more colorful…" Dessy thought out loud. "Hey, these eggs are mine.. I’m not sharing my breakfast with you last time I ended up having to eat…. What was it? The Mexican egg fiesta you ordered. Wasn’t bad you know.. in fact it was pretty good. You’d make a good restaurant owner Dessy." Feral quipped.

"A chef.. that’s it.. I’ll dress up as a chef.. I can even experiment some recipes on the Alpha.. Oh the mind boggles.. Fettucine alfredos set on perfect muscular washboard stomach of ForgeHerk.. Feral you are a genius.."

Dessy was up and running towards SorboMart. "Now even if I have to rummage thru the entire cooking section.. I’ll get my costume.."

"Great. She knows what she needs. What about me? I get all these great ideas for my friends but for me.. nothing. I can even see her costume.. nice apron.. great chef hat.. a few kitchen utensils.. spreading peanut butter on Herk’s big toe… Wait a second.. I know.. what I’ll dress up as… I even have all the stuff I need.. well almost.. I’ll need to find a crystal ball.." Feral smiled and signaled waiterHerk that she would pay for both breakfast. A grand total of 12 kisses. Sorboland restaurants don’t accept any other payment.

******
At the gym, a few Amazons were working out their frustration. The AlphaHerks were making themselves invisible. It was worst than PMS week.

Boo dressed in black sport bra and black silk boxers was spending her anger in a high energy kick-boxing work out.

Her choice of sparring partner made the protective equipment required almost non existent. No headgear, no mouth piece, no foul-proof chest protector or pelvic protective girdle. But the basic foul rules were in effect.

Definitely in effect was the no biting rule. <g>.  Nannyboo’s   sparring partner felt the anger, the rage and he was more than happy to help her work it all out.

"Again. Hit me harder. You really can’t hurt me." Nannyboo raised an eyebrow. "Well, not much anyway." Herk smiled.

Nannyboo was boiling mad. "This Halloween was suppose to be safe and the party was supposed to be fun. But noooo. Of course not. Whom ever is responsible for this catastrophe will pay." Every word was followed by a kick or a hit to Herk’s chest. "And what am I supposed to wear anyway? This is sooooo unfair." Nannyboo moaned. "Okay enough. You stop right there. You are not moaning. Not on my watch. Herk hit her on the shoulder. Turning Boo had fire in her eyes.

"Moaning.. I’m moaning.. I’ll show you moaning…"

Nannyboo advanced towards Herk landed a hard kick on his chest, making him fall to the ground on his back. Laying herself over him Nannyboo bit Herk’s throat. Herk moaned. Nannyboo raised her head for a few seconds "Is that a moan I hear…"

"FOUL!!!! Nannyboo you know the rules NO BITING!!!" Nball was standing near the ring. Hygea and Herkite just looked at Nball and started to laugh.

"Right. Sure.. No problem."

*****

Aphrael was in a hurry. Carrying a big plastic bag, she was almost running. Mumbling to herself, she wasn’t really looking where she was headed.

"So stupid. Should have been more careful. What was I thinking. DUH! I wasn’t. But who would be. He’s so irresistible. But why oh why didn’t I cover it with plastic." Aphrael was still mumbling when she entered SorboMart. She made a beeline directly to the cleaning counter where Cokie and And Hebea were waiting in line. Each holding a plastic bag to. Aphrael looked at Cookie, then at Hebea. Then at Cokie again.   A smile started to appear on her lips. "Kull, ice cream, fur? You?" Hebea chuckled. "Humm not bad. Sov, tequila shots, leather cushion." Both amazons turned to Cokie and waited. Cokie blushed, then fidgeted and finally whispered… "Lace table cloth, grape juice, Iolaus… on the table.."

*****

Melite was pacing her office. She just had *the* call. "This can’t be happening. I planned this for months. I had that costume flown from Norway. I was gonna go as a Walkyrie…horn hat and all. This isn’t fair…" Melite whined.

Josée was busy trying to gather all the evidence she could find. But ashes were ashes. And well… who else could incinerate a half dozen crates without burning the whole store. It had to be a god thing. And well she didn’t want to be in the middle of a god thing. She would not mind being sandwiched between a couple of alphas but gods.. no way. Hey she was on to something
here.. an alpha sandwich costume.. but which ones… With a wicked smile Josée took out her whip. "Time to lasso myself a couple of alphas.. "

Hestia was in her kitchen putting the last touches on the food for the party. Cutting finger sandwiches she was trying to think of a costume since her Cleopatra was burned to a crisp. Putting the last of the sandwiches on a tray, she started on the plate decorations. "So no Cleo and I was so looking
forward to have Herk in a Roman skirt… Parsley, baby carrots… Oh baby what a hoot it would have been to try to get a hand under that skirt.. grapes.. red, green, purple…Oh oh oh oh.. I know. I have all of these purple balloons.. I’ll go as a grape clusters.. Herk hang on to your britches… "

*******
At SorboMart the tension was high. The ears of the volunteers were still ringing. Binky was holding the phone away from her ear. And still she could hear the high pitch voice of an hysterical Amazon.

Kistik was trying to console an heartbroken Baucis. "I know, I know. You had your heart set on the Princess Kirin costume. I know you have PHerk as your escort, Baucis! Get a grip. Go raid Chantal’s closet. She has numerous medieval dresses. I’m sure you’ll find one to your liking. And you’ll score bonus point with the GOW. He’s soooo tired of seeing her in medieval clothing. Go. Seize the opportunity." Kistik hanged up with a loud sigh. "That’s the last one. I’m done."

Still holding the phone a good feet away from her ear, Binky shouted at the phone. "Yes. I know but we told you we didn’t order any Xener costume. A month ago!" The voice grew louder. Out of desperation, Binky put done the phone and looked at Hilara.

Hilara sighed. "Put her on the tape machine Binky. I don’t think she’s all there…"

"Goodie, I’m done too." Binky said hitting the tape machine button.

"That leaves only one phone call to make. Hilara, you’ll have to do it…" Kistik smiled and handed out the list of names. All were done except for one… Chantal.

*****

Part two

"Moving from the loft to this old renovated church was a good idea. More space, more light, quiet…" KalliSta was putting the finishing touches to her Halloween costume.  Chantal was going thru her snail mail. "Yes. Space was needed. Having two more muses in residence do change things. Light… yes. I love how the stained glass windows turned out after the big washing party. But quiet… humm… you haven’t been around long enough…" She was interrupted by the sound of swords clashing, boxes falling to the floor. KalliSta looked up at the ceiling. "Is it strong enough to withstand the action?"

"I think so. I hope so.. Turn around so I can see if your costume is okay.." Chantal got up. More boxes fell to the floor on the second floor. A ouch was heard. Then a "Watch what you are doing old man!" Chantal grinned. "It looks great Kal.  You found that in a fleet market? It’s a great find. I just hope Hilara got my cat woman costume. Wonder woman looks great on you. I like that costume better than the first one she wore." More thumping on the ceiling. A "You better pick those up if you don’t want to lose your head" was yelled. Chantal laughed, rolled her eyes. "Man,   a Blair muse is a bossy muse."

"I hear you. I like this version of her costume better too.  And I almost forgot. I have the cape too." KalliSta rummaged thru her bags. "Here it is."

The phone rang. KalliSta picked it up. "KSHQ main office. How can I help you.. oh oups.. sorry force of habit." Kal mouthed I’m sorry to her friend. "This is Charntal’s new dig. Hi."

Hilara laughed. "You are working on your day off Kal. Wow."

KalliSta giggled. "Nope. I’m not. I’m trying out my costume. So Hilara, how are things at Sorbomart. The costumes are ready to be picked up I guess."

Chantal hearing Hilara’s name smiled and loudly asked  "Yeah. When do I pick up my Catwoman suit? I have the whip and an appointment with Ares to keep." More thumping and a "Bloody h*ll child! How many boxes do you have?" was heard. "Or a cranky old immortal. Which ever makes me mad first!" replied Chantal to the ceiling.

KalliSta’s grin disappeared has she listened to Hilara. "I understand. I hope you added security. I can’t even imagine the state of the craft section of the store. Good luck my friend and I’ll deliver the news don’t worry."

"Well, boss, I have good news and bad news. Which do you want first?" KalliSta started when the front door opened and there stood Baucis out of breath and near apoplexy.   "You are my last hope Obiwan Chantal.. Help me!!!"

*****
At SorboMart mayhem was the name of the game. The craft section was in chaos. Beads, ribbons, gazes, feathers, glitter body paint were scattered everywhere.

Josée was trying to decide on the flavor and the color of the glitter. "Grape or lemon? Peach or chocolate? What do you think boys?" Josée asked CowboyHerk and CountryHerk who were sitting at her feet. All tied up. "You want to taste before I decide? Okay." Josée dabbled a touch of grape glitter on her inner wrist and held it to CowboyHerk. Cherk’s tongue came out. Slowly, he licked the glitter off never losing eye contact with Josée. "Hummm. I think grape is fine…" Josée took a deep breath. CountryHerk kicked his rival. "Hey I get to decide to. I’m half of the sandwich!"

"Oh yes. Right. Hang on a sec…" Josée grabbed the lemon flavor glitter and squished a drop on the inside of her elbow. CountryHerk smiled. "Can you sit by me so I can really taste it?"

Josée dropped to the floor between the two alphas. CountryHerk kissed the inside of her elbow, caressing with his lips the soft flesh. "Hummm, lemon is good." He gave Cherk a wick. "Switch over I want to taste the grape one." Before Josée realized what a mistake sitting down had been, she was the meat between the alpha sandwich, being eaten alive by the two eager alphas who had gotten free of the lasso ties and were laying glitter all over her.

Boo and Hebea were trying to decide the best color of veils for Heb’s costume idea.

"You are sure you want to belly dance Hebea? How many layers of veils to you need? You already have five?"

"Boo, the key is the unwrapping. More veils, more unwrapping." Hebea gave her friend a sly smile. "And besides I lost my beautiful harem costume.. I need a replacement fast… Now I need a bronze veil to go over the deep red one…" Hebea was back to the rack of veils.

Boo picked up a craft book describing how to make your own chain mail. "To long to do. I don’t have the time." Boo was disappointed but then closed the book and smiled. "I know. Heb, I ‘m heading out to the hardware section…"

Melite and Hilara were piling up glue bottles. Both looked at one another. "Paillettes" said Melite. "Feathers" answered Hilara. Both let out a sigh of relief and went back to stocking glue bottles in their shopping cart.

Binky was pilling up the white gauze rolls. Cokie gave her a weird look. "Gauze? What are you gonna do with gauze woman?"

Binky just smiled. "Dearest Cokie" and she put her arm around Cokie’s shoulder "all I need is gauze and transparent duct tape and voilà! Mummy extraordinaire. And I know an alpha who will loooove to snip away the layers."

"Brilliant and simple. Why didn’t I think of that." Cokie gave Binky two thumbs up.

"When the going gets tough, the tough gets creative my friend" replied Binky sauntering toward the exit of the store.

Eyeing a roll of bubblewrap, Cokie grinned. "Oh I think I can make myself an eye popping dress with this. " She threw the roll over her shoulder and made her way to the cash register where Aphrael was waiting in line with a red hair wig in her hands.

"Red hair, Aphr? What are you going at?" Cokie was curious. Aphrael smiled, made a karate move and then stood still. Hygea who was paying for a black lace teddy and a yarn of white wool smiled too. "Stay away from NorseHerk, Aphrael of you will freeze."

"Tell me about it, I’ll stick with Kull thanks." Aphrael handed her gold amazon card to CashierHerk.

In the hardware aisles, HardHatHerk had his hand full with desperate amazons. Boo was trying to decide what metal mesh fences design would make the best chain mail. Herkite was in the automobile section. She already had her dark blue coverall in her shopping cart. She was trying to decide between two tool belts. "Come here HardHatHerk, help me decide which will be better? Which one will be the most useful for an errr oil change. Yeah, that’s it, oil change?"

The alpha passed Danaan perched on a ladder trying to get to a box of hub caps. She was about to fall off when HardHatHerk grabbed her and helped her down. "Hub caps?" he asked.

"Darling, hub caps are all I need to rev up your engine." Danaan pinched HardHatHerk’s behind and left with 6 shinny hub caps. "All I need now is some chains to hold them together and a glue gun for the hat. I have all the plastic grapes I need at home."

In the sewing aisles, Nball and Astrild were playing hide and seek in the tulle and lace. "I need pink tulle for my tutu!" pleaded Astrild. "I think Kistik took the last roll, Astrild. She was saying something about an Aphrodite costume." Nball was eyeing a roll of victorian lace. "Oh bummer.. what do you think of light apple green?" Astrild was applying the tulle to her ballet tights. "Nope.. trying the deep forest moss one.." Nball finally decide on the antique lace. "This will make a great mantilla. I have the
fan. I have this great Spanish dress." "Okay.. how’s this?" Astrild had finally found the moss tulle. "Hummm… no too dark… how to you feel about purple?" Nball asked a disappointed Astrild. "Purple? I like purple.. Let’s see if there are any left."

In the cooking aisles, Dessy was putting lots of stuff in her cart. "Knifes. Check. Chef Hat. Check. Apron. Check. Two of them. Oh what a cute sauce pan. I need this. Oh oh oh would you look at this cake pan in a heart shape. I love it."

In the produce section, Feral was trying to find the roundest melon she could. "I have the white pain, all I need is a ball."

*****

In her kitchen while the Halloween cake was baking, Hestia was blowing balloons. Purple balloons. She was almost done when SHerk came into the kitchen drowned by the smell of the cake.

"Oh… balloons… I love balloons.. " and started to grabbed them and popping them one after another. Soon SHerk was in tears… so was Hestia.

"You apply to much pressure luv. Press less forcefully."  Hestia was trying not to hyperventilate at the though of blowing for more balloons.

"But KalliSta tells me to press forcefully."

SHerk sat down on the floor and pouted.

"I know. Why don’t you blow some balloons for me while I take the cake out and frost it." SHerk had a smile back on his face in second.

"Sure, I’m good at blowing." He was up on his feet and by Hestia’s side in seconds. "See…" and he blew a raspberry on Hestia’s neck then licked. Hestia moaned.

"Kal does that too. I’ll blow up the balloons now."  SHerk went to work.

******

"Kal, the bad news first. Baucis hold your horses a sec!" Chantal waved for Baucis to get inside.

"Well, it seems the costumes have been pulverized. All that is left is ashes…" started KalliSta.

"Yes! Ashes! My beautiful princess Kirin gown is ashes. PHerk expected that costume. I’m doomed!" Baucis had tears in her eyes. She sat on the couch near Chantal, pushed a few books to make herself some space and started to cry.

A big bang startled her and stopped her tears. "Do you have mice in the attic Chantal? And they must be really big ones" Baucis asked.

"Man, watch the sword. These are ancient works of art."

"Kid, who are you calling ancient?"

"You are so not a work of art man"

The yelling came from upstairs.

Baucis asked again intrigued "Mice?"

Chantal smirked. "Mice are small and cute. This is an immortal muse rat. A big one!"

"I heard that! Kid, how about a beer?"

"There are some in the fridge."

Chantal picked up the book nearest to her and threw it at the ceiling. "Hey, don’t pillage the fridge. It’s my fridge!"

"Pillage? I haven’t pillage anything since the Bronze Age" was yelled back and foot steps could were heard leaving the room upstairs.

"Okay" Chantal turned to KalliSta. "You are telling me that SorboMart went up in flames? Why wasn’t I told. I would have loved to watch FiremanHerk at work."

"No. Just the costumes' crates. Which is kind of bizarre since they were burned to ashes. A fire that intense should have burn down SorboMart." Kal replied.

"Hummmm. Why do I get a funny feeling about this. It smells of mischief. A god’s mischief. But first thing is first. Baucis what do you need?"

*****
Castalia had examined then discarded each piece of clothing in Freya’s closet. "Gee, Fre and here I thought you were the adventurous kind. You know. But tweed… And how many little black dresses do you have? 8? Where’s that leather thing you had on last month?"

Freya, who had been on the phone trying to get her hand on a costume for herself looked at Castalia in surprise. "TWEED!  I’ve never ever own tweed in my life. " Speaking in the phone "Hold for a second please. I have an existential emergency here." Freya put down the phone.

"TWEED! Are you out of your blond.. errr.. red head mind Cas? I never go near tweed…" Freya was on a roll.

Cas chuckled than showed her the skirt she had found. "Really? Could have fooled me, unless this isn’t tweed and we aren’t in your apartment."

Freya heard the laughter in Castalia’s voice. "WE are in my apartment. I don’t think we traveled to another realm. But Cas, dear, you are going thru my goodwill stuff that was collected  a month ago. My closet is the door to the left."

"Oh, DUH! I was getting worried here, Freya." Cas opened the mirror door and let out a whistle.

"Oh mamma, I can smell the leather… Oh oh.. here it is. I can go has a go-go dancer from the 60’s. I love your forest green leather hot pants Fre. I only need white vinyl high boots.. " Cas was rummaging thru the closet.

"On the right behind the cowboy boots…" answered Freya.

"All right! Now I need a smiley tee-shirt. Frey you wouldn’t by any chance…"

"On your left, second shelf." Freya has gone back to the phone. "What do you mean I’m a little late. Listen buddy, we had costume. They got incinerated last night. How? We don’t know and I don’t care. I need to borrow you set of decorative wings… I know they are museum property. I only want to borrow them for one night. Come on, you let me take out the armor last year. Be a pal, let me have the wings. What do you mean will I be responsible for the cleaning bill?  Oh.. that.. well.. yeah.. I know.. did you try club soda on it? No. There you go. You should have used club soda. Oh.. yeah.. gum.. you found gum on the front. Ice cube. You rub ice cubes on the gum and when it
hardens you cut it off. Why was there gum in the codpiece? Do you really want to know… didn’t think so.. What do you say? Can I have the Da Vinci wings.. please… Please. Can I? You want me to what? Repeat after you.. an oath.. You are recording it.. You are soooo mistrustful but fine.. good.. I’ll take the oath. I, Freya, solemnly promise not to stain, break, glue the precious white dove made by Da Vinci wings. I will bring them back in one piece. Unharmed, unchanged and in the conditions that I got them. Are you happy now? When can I go get them?"

****
Part three

Hilara was putting the finishing touch to her costume. "The wig needs a little more powder." Hilara was very proud of herself. On the table sat her hat, gluing the last feather without burning her fingers had been nothing short of a miracle; her handkerchief, her petticoat was ready. So was her
fan. The crinoline dress was laid out on the chair.

Hilara was dabbling a little more powder on the wig when she was startled by a loud knock on her door. Powder went flying everywhere. All over the room. On the hat, on the petticoat, on the dress. Everywhere. Hilara shrieked. "My dress ! ! !" and knocked the glass of water sitting on the table. Wetting the hat, the petticoat, the dress, the wig. Now she had one big white yucky mess on her hands.

"Whom ever you are you are gonna pay…" Hilara was furious. She opened her door ready to take a bite out of the intruder. At the door stood Althea accompanied by a skinny, bleached hair, very weird looking young man.

"Hilara, I’m so glad I found you." Althea grabbed Hilara’s hand and shook it hard. "We got lost on our way here."

"Yessss. We took a left turn at the corner of Aphrodite’s lane and Iolaus’ crescent. DUH!" The strange young man spoke fast and kept sticking his tongue out. Very gross, very unappealing.  Althea’s feet made its way to the man’s back knee.

"Ouch.. why did you.." started the bleached hairhead. Althea gave him a fake smile then smiled at Hilara "Excuse Damos Ungaro my temporary assistant.  He got hit on the head too often as a child and the bleached hair doesn’t help either". Althea moved forward and put her arm around Hilara’s shoulder. "See I got a frantic phone call from the Delaney president begging me to make sure you and your customers get the Olympus service. She also mentioned the unfortunate accident of the storeroom. All those crates incinerated."

Althea let out a sigh. "So I immediately jumped and grabbed my assistant…" Althea hit the annoying man behind the head stopping the very strange monologue he had been spouting and disturbing his insistent staring of Hilara’s chest. " to help you out in this desperate time."

Hilara was a little suspicious of the duo but she have met Althea before and well the girl was strange in a clumsy, bizarre way but she had a good heart. She smiled at Althea. " You have great timing. I just powder cake my costume. You wouldn’t have a XVIIIe century French aristocratic costume with you? Or a way to get all the white powder off?"

"Take the white powder off? Of course we know how to take it off. Don’t we? Sure we do. No you don’t. Yes, we do. Idiot! Stupid! Moron!…" Hilara watched Damos Ungaro argue with himself. One voice was high pitched, child like. The other a deep bass tone.  This was getting weirder and weirder by the second. Althea punched Damos in the stomach. "Enough!!!" Getting a last push on
Damos’ shoulder she told Hilara "He doesn’t get enough oxygen to the brain poor dear."

Hilara shook her head. "How tragic! But can you help me here?"

"Of course we can. All we need is distilled water, a little salt and voilà!" Althea waved her hands.

"Voilà!" Damos repeated and was hit by one of the hands behind the head.

Hilara became a little suspicious but Althea stepped in between her and the mess and began asking for a list of the customer she thought would need the help. Distracted, Hilara didn’t see Damos sneer and throw a shining ball at the dress, wig, hat and fan.

"See, I didn’t even need the water. It needed just a little fluffing." Damos stood proudly next to the repaired costume.

Hilara joyfully embraced Althea. "You rock. Thanks."

Althea  smiled "Thank you. Seeing you in the costume enjoying yourself will be reward enough." Althea grabbed Damos by the sleeves and dragged him outside leaving Hilara in front of her mirror putting on the wig.

"Seeing you in the costume, enjoying yourself will be reward enough. Please!!!! Can you be more solicitous!" Damos glowed and morphed into Strife.

Althea pinched Strife’s nipple hard. "I know you are incompetent. You know you are incompetent. WE don’t want the amazons to know you are incompetent. " Althea’s voice became more vicious as she morphed into Discord.

"Hey.. stop it. Friends? Truce? Go team!" Strife was rubbing his chest and grimacing.

"Bite me, baby. Now let’s see if your spell works. It better or else.." Discord disappeared and popped into Hilara’s house. Strife followed seconds later.

Meanwhile, Hilara had put on the crinoline dress, the wig and she was pinning the hat on her head when the door bell rang.

Taking the yellow rose lying on the table and slipping it in her corsage, she turns, straighten her shoulders and vigorously opens the door. "Oui?"

There stood Robert in his highwayman garbs. "I am Robert… highwayman extraordinaire" He leers at her. "Give me your…" looks at her breats "money…"

Hilara sees red. She slaps him. Hard. Then picks up her rapier in the umbrella stand.   Robert is stunned. Hilara takes advantage and shreds Robert ’s shirts in pieces. "Can you give me any reasons I should not run you thru on the spot?" she asks adding in a soft voice " Nice chest."

"Oh.. I can think of a few…" Robert answers getting into what he thinks is a game.

"See I told you it would work. She’s gonna make  a shikebod out of this French excuse of an alpha. Ohhhhhhweeeee.." Strife was gloating.

"Oh drop it. Let’s move to the next target." Discord threw Strife a lighting bolt before leaving.

"Touchy." Strife snarled dusting black feathers off himself.

Hilara had her rapier at Robert’s throat. She was about to push and break the skin when a coin flew into the room thru the window. It spun around and finally stopped. Head. An amazon’s head. At the window, Fortune stands. The coins from her hair and ears softly dandling, making a soft music. "Score one for the amazons" and in a orange flashing ball she disappears.

Hilara tingled all over. Taking a quick look around she found Robert standing in front of her, shirt shredded to pieces with a devilish smile on his lip. Alarmed at seeing her rapier at her lover’s throat, Hilara slowly took down her sword and pressed it on his chest instead. With a malicious grin, Hilara took the yellow rose from her cleavage .. and slowly ran it on Robert’s jaw then she whispered "Robert, do not blow this for me…"

"But of course, mademoiselle.." Robert pulls down the rapier and pulls Hilara into his arms. Carefully he blows a raspberry on her neck.

Sometimes later after some very deserved TLC, as Hilara puts the last touches on her wig Robert whispers "Just like Hercules, oui?" then nibbles on her neck.

Hilara blushes. "A lady never tells" as she gets up from the floor she asks " You are coming with me are you not?" then she was up and running.

Robert jumps on his feet "Try and stop me.."

*****
***
Castalia was standing in front of the full size mirror, adjusting the leather jumper. "Now, I have the tee-shirt, I have the boots…  I need to do my hair and find the right accessories. Mood ring? Love beads? So many choices…  I need music.  I need mood music. Let’s see what Freya has in her
collection."

With a last glance at the mirror, Cas zeroed in to the CD collection. Browsing thru the collection Castalia was a little bored.

"Kull, Herk, Herk, Herk. Bitter Suite… That has to be on loan from Chantal’ s.  Backstreet boys, Spice girls, Ricky Martin, Sentinel, Enrique… Woah.. Sentinel CD?!!! Oh man Freya is a closet Jimbabe!  I have to borrow that one. But I want sixties music. No Beatles, no Rolling Stones. The Doors.. Been there. Done that. Oh, oh … The Monkeys!  Cool! And what have we here… This is perfect." Castalia put the 2 CD’s in and pushed play. Nancy Sinatra’ s voice came on. "These boots are made for walking…"

Castalia danced back to the mirror. "Now. Do I get a headband or do I go for a beehive. I wonder if Freya has any mood ring in her jewelry box?" A knock on the door interrupted Castalia’s musing.

"Coming!" Castalia raced to the door. "Hi. Don’t I know you from someplace?"

Althea rolled her eyes. Damos laughed. Cas gave the young man a stern look.

"You should learn how to laugh. That hyena sound is quite annoying. So. What do you need? Freya’s not here right now."

"Castalia right? We’ve kinda met a few months ago. You were on your way to vacations. I’m Althea. This is Damos Ungaro, my assistant. Hilara hired us to help all of you in this time of crisis. I’m a fashion consultant. I see you chose the 60’s look. Very creative." Althea walked into the house
followed by Damos who clapped his hands frantically and giggled  "Very creative!"

Castalia gave him another freezing look. "Your giggling is even more unappealing. Can it!" Castalia turned . "We will be more comfortable in the living room. Follow me."

Althea turned and grabbed Damos by the throat. "One more giggle and I’m zapping you."

"Easy on the neck. Don’t mark the neck!!"

Dropping the whimpering god, Althea followed Castalia. Damos arranged his clothing and followed.

"Okay. So what can you do for me?" Cas was sitting and tapping her right boot on Freya’s coffee table.

"Direct aren’t you?" Althea asked.

"Always. Helps cut thru the crap. So?"

"Damos, jewelry box please?" Althea smiled at Cas.

"What jewelry box… OUCH!!!" Althea kept her smile but nailed her high heel into Damos’ toes.

"Oh *the* jewelry box. Yes… of course… I’ll be right back." Limping Damos left the room and came back a few seconds later.

"That was fast" remarked Cas.

Swirling his tongue, Damos leered at her. "Hey, I’m fast baby."

"That’s *not* a quality women are looking for." Cas snapped back

"Give me the jewelry box" Althea grabbed and opened the box. "Here it is." Discretly she waved her fingers over the love beads in the box. They glowed for an instant.

"The perfect accessory. Love beads. Pink, green , black, they go with
your outfit. Try them on."

Cas took them "Oh, nice! I like them. I’ll put them on after I do my hair. Beehive or headband… What do you think?"

"Beehive" "Headband" Both Althea and Damos answered.

"Well I might toss a coin to decide. Thank you for the help." Cas replied showing the duo to the door.

"Oh I almost forgot. We ran into Freya on our way and I told her I’d leave her something to go with her costume." Althea rummaged thru her side pocket. She handed Castalia a little box. "It’s for Freya only. Do not open it."

"Me? Of course not. Who do you think I am? Good day." and Castalia pushed her visitors out the door.

*****

Freya was sweaty and hot. "I should have gone for  the Godiva look. Always follow your instinct but nooooooo… I had to get creative, imaginative. More like totally insane. These wings weigh a ton. And no Alphas in sight. Boy are they heavy and they aren’t even glued to my back yet. How does Cupid do it?"

Reaching her place, she found her front door opened. "CAS?!! What happened here?" Freya kicked close the door and dropped the wings. Turning she found a note stuck on the door.

"Fre, like I’m off. Searching for love, life and rock and roll. PEACE. P.S. Groovy make up sister!"

"Groovy? Peace? Make up? Gee, Cas really got into character. Okay, now I have to find something to built an harness for these wings. Archangel Freya. Has a nice ring to it if I do say so myself. And I do." Freya let out a giggle.

*****

Castalia had a peace sign painted on her right cheek. She had a bunch of flowers in her hand. Swaying and chanting slowly, Cas gave every amazons she encountered a flower.

"Peace my sister." Boo gave Cas a ferocious look. "Peace are you out of your mind Cas?"

"Like totally Boo. Have you seen YIolaus by any chance?"

"He was in the armory. Check out the incredible blade I got from Althea. Ivanohe. One of a kind."

"War is so not cool Boo." Cas stepped forward and gave Boo a hug. "Love is the ultimate power. Use it. Feel it." Then Cas marched towards the armory.

"Weird. Love… please." Boo twirled her sword and shouted "Watch out Joan of Arc.. Boo is on her way."

*****

Freya was putting on the last bindings to her harness. That harness was holding steady the large white wings on her back. She straighten her flesh cat suit of any wrinkles. Looking tru her stuff, she finally found the discarded box on the coffee table.

"Good. Now one thing left to do. Make up." Opening the box, Freya smiled. "Oh this must be the make up Castalia used." Freya tried a little bit on her inner wrist. "Great. It glitters and it glows. Cool. Just what I need. " Freya applied the make up on her arms, neck, throat and face.

In a matter of seconds, she felt a burning glow enveloping her. Then a devouring hunger started. Freya felt hot. She was thirsty. So thirsty. She needed to clench her hunger. Or else she would burn. She left in search of fresh blood.

*****
Astrild was pacing around the dance studio, trying to get excited about her costume. The colored tulle she got from Sorbomart hadn’t turned out like she thought.  So she had pulled out her classic ballerina costume. Black leotard and a long white tulle and silk tutu. "I can go as Giselle… it’s not that bad.. it’s romantic.. it’s classic.. it’s…. boring. I wanted my Argentina’s tango dancer costume." Astrild sighed.

"And I had been practicing my steps so hard." Twirling she went to the CD player and pushed the power button.

A pulsing music filled the dance studio.  Astrild closed her eyes and let the music take control.

"Querés bailar?" she asked her invisible partner.

"Sí, gracias" he answered.

Astrild started the tango. She glided thru the first eight figure. Repeating twice. Then moved on to a SALIDA CRUZADA. Absorbed in the el ritmo, she didn’t notice the two shadowing figures shimmering in one of the corner of the dance studio.

Strife gave Discord two thumbs up. "This will be a piece of cake. Like taking candy from a baby."

"Do not count your eggs before they are hatched.." Discord started then stopped abruptly when she noticed Strife’s snarl.

"Did you say eggs.."

Discord hit Strife hard in the stomach. "Don’t attempt to grow a brain."

"Ooowwwwww. Scathing remark. I’m hurt" replied Strife. Clicking his fingers he shouted. "Show time baby. Time to spread some misery."

Astrild was swaying slowly, her eyes still closed.

"Humphr… Astrild?" Discord had changed into Althea in a pouf of black feathers. "Astrild?"

Astrild stopped dancing. "Who are you? How did you get in here? What do you want?" Astrild was marching towards the intruders in a huff.

"Astrild, don’t you remember me.. I made that beautiful costume you are wearing? I’m Althea. DHerk asked me to design it for you. Althea? Remember?"

Astrild stopped inches from the goddess in disguise. Narrowing her eyes she gave Althea and her companion the once over. "So now I know who you are. How did you get in? What do you want?"

"We have some great news. We were able to secure a new tango dress for you. I had to cajole this French historian out of it and make some last minute adjustments." Althea gave Astrild a fake smile.

"Yes. We got that dress for a song and a dance." Strife under the guise of Damos Ungaro did a little dance step.

"Oh really. Then you must have paid a lot since your dancing is not that impressive. I repeat how did you get in?" Astrild was still suspicious.

"DHerk unlocked the door for us. He said to brush up on your engache." Discord put the most gracious smile on her face. "And Damos get the dress in the hallway please. Pronto."

Strife came back a few seconds later holding the most beautiful dance dress. Black, with lace, long lace shelves, long silk skirt. A beauty.

Astrild eyes glowed. She wanted that dress. She needed that dress. She would kill for that dress.

"How much do you want for the dress?" Astrild asked casually.

Discord and Strife exchanged a glance. Strife mouthed "Hook, line and sinker.. "

"It’s for you. No charge. It’s the replacement dress. Enjoy. Also here is the complementary make up case." Althea produced a small box and pushed it into Astrild’s hands.

Astrild’s heart was going doble tiempo. She had her dream dress. She and DHerk would sparkled at the party later tonight.

"Thank you. Now I have to practice some more to be ready. And I practice without an audience. Sorry." Astrild motioned the duo towards the door.

"Oh we understand. Artists need their space. We understand. We are artists too you know." Strife grabbed Astrild by the shoulder. Astrild pinched Strife’s nose.

"Let go or you’ll bleed. For a long time" Astrild pinched harder.

"Hey I'm letting go." Strife stepped away from the amazon, holding his nose.

"Don’t mind my assistant. He sometimes forgets himself. "Althea hit Damos behind the head.

"We’ll leave you to your dancing." Althea took the dress and rubbed her fingers on the right sleeve. A glitter spark appeared briefly. "Here. Have fun. Dance the night away."

Astrild took the dress and marched to the changing room. Leaving the dynamic duo alone. As soon as Astrild disappeared Althea and Damos morphed into Strife and Discord. "Let’s go. There are still a few to visit." Discord was about to pop away. Strife made a face. "I want to go take a peek."  A light bolt hit him on the chest. "You are such an idiot. Get your behind in motion." Discord disappeared.

Strife whined. "Idiot. Who is she calling an idiot… " then a smile appeared. "behind in motion.. oh oh oh .. right the belly dancer…" Strife followed Discord in a blink.

*******

Freya was walking slowly in Herkspital main corridor. She was following her prey by scent. It had gone into the Herkspital building half a minute ago. Breathing deeply, she zeroed in on her new target.  A turn to the left. There he was. King Kull in all his glory, going into her office. Her office.
How easy. She let him go in and slowly approach her office’s door. She stood at the door. Staring at Kull’s broad bare back.

Moving in she stopped inches behind Kull. She kissed his bare shoulder, then licked her way to the junction of the neck and shoulder. Kull smiled. "I remember that touch. You’re my little devil angel…" Freya nibbled then licked again. Kull’s back arched towards her. Then without warning, Freya’s teeth punctured the flesh and she threw blood.

*****
Fortune was getting a little worried. She had lost count of how many amazons were under a spell. She had hung around Castalia too long. But the girl was such a hoot. " I like her. Reminds me of myself a long, long, long time ago.." Fortune sighed.

Discord and Strife were good at mischief. Not that good but good.  Fortune looked at Castalia coming her way. With a wave of her hand, a coin appeared in Castalia’s path. Noticing the shining object Castalia picked it up. Smiling Fortune popped out of sight.

******

Boo was putting the chain mail on her velvet dress. She was keeping a eye on her sword. "Now where’s my hat?"  Nannyboo was adjusting the feather on her hat when her door opened and her escort examined her from head to toe.

"Sheriff of Nothingham I presume?" Herk asked. He was dressed in Robin Hood garbs.

"Herk of Sherwood at your service." Herk bowed.

Nannyboo raised an eyebrow. "You are a thief and a scoundrel. Surrender to me or die!" Boo raised Ivanohe and let it rest on Herk’s shoulder.

"Surrender? How about a competition to see who will surrender to whom?" Herk pulled his own sword and hit Boo’s Ivanohe. Herk smiled thinking Boo’s competitive nature would raised to the challenge.

"Competition? Ah! More like a challenge. And not much one. The winner takes all. Engage." Boo pulled away and stoke the first blow. Both danced around each other in a deadly ballet. Hitting and destroying furniture. Herk grew more and more worried after each parry.  He knew something was amiss. Wet and hot, they both stopped for an instant. Their eyes locking. Hot, burning desire sparking.

On one of the remaining pieces of the sofa, Fortune appeared. "Oh, I am so sorry. I almost missed that one. Here. Catch." Herk snapped out of the share trance and caught the coin in mid air.

"Fortune? What?" The coin fell off Herk’s hand. Head. Amazon head.

"Now, nephew. Don’t get upset it was a fair toss. Have fun." Fortune shimmered out of sight.

Herk looked like a deer caught in head lights. "I am not ready for this…"

Nannyboo’s eyes cleared. She took in her situation. Her sword was at Herk’s neck inches from the jugular. The sword dropped to the floor. Boo’s arms encircled Herk’s waist.

"What happened? I can’t believe I almost hurt you. I would never hurt you. You know that don’t you? I would die for you." Boo was shaking and shivering.

Herk’s hand came to rest on Nannyboo’s face. "It’s okay. No harm done. You were under a spell. We are just a little sweaty. That’s all. Nothing a long warm shower won’t cure.."

******

Castalia picked up the coin. "Cool!" She entered the armory and searched for YIolaus. She found him trying on a new model of bow.  In seconds she was on him like a second skin. Kissing, nibbling, whispering. "Make love not war." More kissing. "All I am saying is give peace a chance." Her eager fingers were stroking YIolaus’ chest.

"What’s with you Cas? Not that I don’t appreciate the attention but this is a little much…"

Cas grinned. "Hey. Love can’t be hidden. She grabbed YIolaus’ neck and pulled him to her forcefully, dropping the coin she was holding on the floor. The coin dropped on Head. Amazon head. Castalia swooned and lost consciousness. YIolaus caught her seconds before she hit the floor.

*****

Freya left her office her hunger sated. She was in the mood for some hot, passionate blood now. Lying on Freya’s desk, Kull’s face was ecstatic although he looked a little pale.

*****

Hebea was practicing her dance of the veils. A nagging thought was distracting her. She was still unsatisfied about the color mix of her veils. She hadn’t found a deep burnt bronze one.  Swaying slowly, she tried to get back her concentration. The grass under her barefoot felt alive. Closing her
eyes, she finally let go of her worries and merged with the dance.

*****
Danaan was pulling her hair. Her idea to go as a race track groupie with only hub caps in strategic places was not working. Far from it. She was not amused.  Her door bell rang. Vigorously she threw  the last hub cap she had tried painting thru the window. Scarring the cat next’s door and hitting the
amazon’s neighbor dog, who had the bad idea to sleep under the window. Danaan charged to the door.

She opened the door and she was ready to tear thru whomever had the bad idea of knocking on her door.  "Whatever you are selling, I’m not buying. Go away. Or you will meet Zelda." Danaan closed the door catching Damos’fingers in it.

"Ouch!!! How rude!!!" Danaan quickly shoved the door opened. "What do you want Blondie? Didn’t your mama teach you to be careful where you put your fingers?"

Damos rubbing the pain away mouthed under his breath "I know where I want to put you lady." But he laughed his maniacal laugh and said out loud "Actually, yes, she did. And she also mentioned Amazon’s mouths."

"Really? Care to try?" Danaan gave Damos a come and try and you’ll get smack around look.

"Ohhhhh. My kind of play. Rough and dangerous." Damos sneered.

"Eat dirt." Danaan replied.

Althea rolled her eyes. "If you need to be alone, it can be arranged…" Danaan switched her attention to her other visitor.

"Althea? What brings you to Sorboland? I thought you were in Milano, preparing the showing of your new spring collection?"

"Well, I flew in just a few hours ago. After I heard about the tragic accident… " Althea noticed the mess in the living room. "Hub caps? That’s pathetic Danaan. You can do so much better than that."

"Hub caps? Really? That gets my motor rolling." Damos leered.

"I ‘m sure it does. What do you propose Althea? I’m out of ideas." Danaan still kept an eye on Damos. "Where have I seen him before?" she asked herself.

"I have just the thing. It’s perfect for you. Flashy without being obvious. Classic, yet definitely not boring." Althea pulled out a long, long blond wig form her bag.

"You must be joking. You want me to go as a blonde. Now way. I’d rather take my chances with the hub caps. There is no chances in Hades that I will be the object of every blonde jokes at the party. " Danaan was not amused.

"Oh oh. I have one. How do you know which house is own by a blonde?" Damos didn’t notice Danaan irritated look. Neither did Althea.

"No, how?" Althea asked.

"It’s the one with the magic eye on the patio door.." Damos answered with a laugh.

"That’s it you are dead meat, Blondie." Danaan was rummaging thru the umbrella closet for Zelda.

"Chill. Yo. Chill." Damos was a little scared.

"Yes Danaan. Don’t go ape on us. You can go as the ultimate blonde." Said Althea.

"And that would be? Who? Marilyn Monroe?" Danaan asked. "Although I can see myself singing Happy Birthday to Sov..humm…"

"NO. Not Marilyn Monroe. Lady Godiva.." Althea replied with a grin.

"Lady Godiva?!!! Are you out of your tiny little mind. Is your hair pulled to tight?" Danaan exploded.

******
Steam was enveloping Boo and Herk. Boo was holding to Herk’s shoulders and letting go of the guilt. Slowly rubbing her cheek on his neck, she kissed, licked, nibbled. The water was washing away the residual effect of the spell.

"I almost killed you." Boo nibbled on Herk’s ear some more. " I don’t understand." Boo kissed Herk’s nose. "You think it  was a spell?"

Herk raised his arms and cupped Boo’s face in his hands. "Oh it was definitely a spell."  Kiss. "But the idea is to accept it was a spell." Kiss.   "And not…" Kiss. "Go overboard…" Kiss. "On the guilt." Kiss. "Now, pass the soap…"

*****
Freya sniffed. She could swear she was following the right path. How did she lose the scent. Shaking her head, she turned and started back towards the KSHQ main building.   Form the corner of her eye, she spotted him. A second too late. Sov got her in an arm lock. "What have we here? Did my little angel turn to the dark side?" Sov growled.

*****
Hestia’s kitchen was a mess. A total mess. Flour everywhere. Syrup dripping on the floor. In a corner, Hestia.,wearing what seemed like a hundred purple balloons ranging from little to large; hand feeding chocolate covered grapes to SHerk. After each grape was truly eaten, SHerk popped one of Hestia’s purple balloon.

In an another corner, Dessy was applying what looked like frosting on a smiling Alpha. "Wait don’t wiggle so much. I still have to cover your belly button with strawberry jam. Then I’m gonna lick it all off. And start all over again with   melted chocolate…" Dessy’s  white chef vest had chocolate
hand prints all over. "I know. We already did chocolate once. But why mess with a good thing.."

Sitting on the steps of Hestia’s kitchen, Discord and Strife were pigging out on Honey Pumpkin cake. "This is good." Strife was licking his fingers one by one. "So where to next?"  Discord gave her partner a slap behind the head. "The art studio you worm. There are three of them there. Sitting ducks waiting to be plunked."  Strife snarled. "You and your feather obsession." And before Discord could react he vanished.

****

At the art studio, Melite was gluing paillettes  like there was no tomorrow. She was almost finished. "If I can’t be a Walkyrie, I’ll be a mermaid. Now if that shell bra would just stay in place where it’s supposed to be."

Binky was cutting the last strands of gauze. "Now comes the hard part. Wrapping myself."

Cokie was sewing the last button on her bubblewrap dress. A mini, of course. No use having too much bubbles to pop.

****
In the dance studio, Astrild was toweling off. "You look hot." DHerk whispered inches from her ear. "It’s unusually warm in here. And I’m glowing DHerk. Men sweat, women perspired, dancers glow." Astrild gave DHerk a knowing smile.

"No.. I mean you look HOT." DHerk repeated.

"Oh… " Astrild blushed.

"Hot and bothered. I know a way to let out some of that rising heat. Querés bailar?" DHerk asked taking her hand and pulling her to him.

"Cómo no." was Astrild whispered answer.

Both engage in a sizzling, steaming tango. That grew more intense with every beat, every step. They were caught in a frenzy and could not stop. And didn’t care to stop. Astrild wrapped her leg around DHerk and did not let go. DHerk turned her and dipped. The music grew louder. Their heart beats became faster.

Fortune walked into the studio out of breath. "I’m so sorry. I got distracted in the kitchen you know what it is.. can’t resist a good looking honey pumpkin cake." Fortune threw a coin up in the air and left in a hurry. "Now where to next… ah yeah.. the mermaid.."

The coin rolled over and finally stopped his travel by DHerk’s feet. Head. Amazon head. The two dancers abruptly stopped their movements, locked eyes and smiled. "You look Hot DHerk…" said Astrild. "Hot?" DHerk pulled his tango partner in his arms. "Let’s both be hot at the party my dear.."

******
Hygea was trying to glue her bunny tail on her black teddy but couldn’t reach.   "I think you might need a hand here my dear." Hygea turned and faced GHerk. "Did I ever tell you I looove bunnies." Hygea laughed. "Yes. And this is a special tail. Aphrodite sent it express mail. I tried to make one with wool but I wasn’t very good at it."

GHerk caressed Hygea’s back. "Oh I think of a few things that you are very good at. Let’s play hide the bunny tail and skip the party."

****
Aphrael had tried to adjust the red wig. To no avail. Only one thing left to do, she had to dye her hair red.

"Now how do I do that without destroying my hair?" Aphrael searched thru her hair products. "Oh harpies! I’ll have to go back to Sorbomart for some hair coloring product. Man, I don’t feel like it." Aphrael got her purse and opened her door. She bumped into Althea and Damos. "Oh… sorry. I didn’t see or hear you coming.  What can I do for you? I’m kind of in a hurry. "

"Oh I think it’s us that can help you Aphrael.  I have the perfect solution for that hair problem." Althea was smiling sweetly to Aphrael.

"Really. Well come on in." Aphrael waved the duo inside. "Excuse the mess but I didn’t have time to clean." Althea looked around and careful sat on the sofa, trying not to sit on a forgotten bowl of cereals.

"I think you want to go as the fire enforcer, right?" Althea bent to pick up the red wig lying on the floor. Then let out a loud shriek. "Harpies!!!!" Damos jumped up and ran like he had Hades after him. "Harpies??? I’m like out of here!"

Althea jumped to her feet. "I have this thing about Harpies.  They don’t like me. Here. Use this dye. It’s washable. Won’t hurt your hair." The awaking harpy was looking at Althea with narrowed eyes. It hissed at her. Then tried to grab her leg. "Cuddles, what’s wrong?" Aphrael gave her harpy
an inquiring look. Cuddles was not chasing the retreating Althea.

At the door, Althea was jumped by two flying harpies. "Let’s go you abominations." Althea changed and Discord appeared. Feathered lighting bolts were thrown at the Harpies. Discord was furious. She yelled at the little creatures as she disappeared. "Harpies… my revenge will fail because of
harpies….."

Cuddles laughed then went back to Aphrael sitting on the sofa. The harpy sat on Aphrael’s lap and caught the dye bottle in her chubby hands. "No no no no… " Cuddles whispered.

"I get the message. I get it loud and clear. I’ll use red cake dye. Don’t worry. I think I have a few phone calls to make." Aphrael picked up the phone and called Josée.

*****
Josée was busy. She was painting on CowboyHerk and CountryHerk skin. She wanted advertise the new services KSHQ security was providing. They were her sandwich alphas after all.

"Magic markers! That was a wonderful idea Cherk. Now turn a little to the left so I can put the price for the beeper on the right side of your bum." Josée was applying herself. She was tracing the numbers with a fingernail first then a wet finger. Then her tongue. Finally she used the magic marker.
It had taken all afternoon to do Country Herk and CowboyHerk markings. She was almost finished.

"Oh rats!  The purple color is smearing. What are you doing Cherk? Now I have to do your front all over again." Josée giggled. "Oh the torture!"

The phone rang. Josée pinched Cherk’s bum. "Don’t move. I’ll be right back." Josée answered. "Yes. Talk fast. My magic marker is hitching to write. What? Discord ? Are you sure? This is not good. I’ll get everyone. Just don’t use that bottle Aphrael. And get Fherk to wash and color your hair."

Josée hung up quickly. "Boys you are coming with me. We have trouble. Get your lasso Cowboy Herk. We have a chicken to catch." Josée was out the door.

******
At Chantal’s the phone did not let up. KalliSta was trying to get everyone to calm down. "We know about the fashion consultant. We are checking into it. No stay put Herk. No need to let alarm everyone."

Blairmuse was next to Chantal on the sofa. He was typing on his laptop. "I’ve checked twice. Althea is in Milano and that Delanay company did not hire any fashion consultants. They are bogus." Blairmuse announced.

Baucis was upstairs going thru Chantal’s closet with gusto. "No. Not purple. Not deep green. Burgundy… no I want blue. Royal blue. It’s not that difficult. Another purple." Baucis was now all the way inside the closet. She whooped. "Blue. Royal blue. I knew there had to be one." Quickly
turning, she was walking out the closet and ran into a tall, short dark hair man holding a sword. His hazel eyes stopped her.

"What do you think you are doing?" Baucis’ knees became weak. Oh what a voice…"Heu, I’m getting ready for the costume party. I found my Kirin’s dress. See.. Royal Blue!" Baucis replied cheerily.

The tall man was still blocking her path. "Really. Then let me help you get dress. We wouldn’t want the dress to get  stained or anything." Methosmuse (because that was who the tall man was) pulled Baucis in the middle of the room near the mirror. "Lovely. You’ll make a lovely princess. And I’ve known a few."

****
KalliSta grabbed her cape. "Where do you think you are going Kal?" Chantal watched her friend going thru checking her weapons. "SHerk is in danger. I can feel it in my bones. I’m off. I’ll call as soon as I can." KalliSta was off.

Blairmuse smiled. "Wonderwoman to the rescue. Boy I envy SHerk."

KalliSta almost ran into Josée at the door. "Oh, I’m off. We have a crisis. Get the details from Chantal."

Josée chuckled. "Once a super hero always a super hero."

Josée entered the living room and noticed Chantal on the phone. "No. Melite you can’t go swimming with NNHerk. You are not a mermaid. NOT A MERMAID! Melite, you don’t know how to swim. Stay put. Help is coming." Chantal rolled her eyes. "Josée go to the art studio. Assert the situation. It seems Melite caught NNHerk in a fishing net and she want to go swimming. Cokie has Iolaus in bubble wrap and she’s popping the bubble with a long needle. One by one. And we have a mummy on the loose chasing a giggling IHerk. Get them to the party. In one piece." Chantal gave Josée a smile.

"No problem. What about Discord and her accomplice. What of them?" Josée asked.

"Oh I’ll take care of them. My way." Chantal replied.

******
The party was in full swing already.  Feral was sitting in a booth reading Alphas and Amazons palms. Her crystal ball forgotten on the floor. GypsyHerk sitting next to her was massaging her neck.

Hebea was dancing for SheikHerk in a private alcove. The veils were dropping one by one. Nball was flirting with ZorroHerk, letting him teach her his sword technique. Kistik dressed as Bonnie was arm in arm with her ClydeHerk. They were discussing plans to hold up the Sorboland bank.

Astrild and DHerk were burning off the dance floor. The smoldering looks they were giving each other gave everyone shivers. Castalia was weaving YIolaus hair with flowers. Boo was whispering sweet nothing in Herk’s ear. Robert was quoting poetry to Hilara. Herkite was playing with HardHatHerk's tool belt.

Josée walked into the party ballroom with Melite and NNHerk in handcuffs. They were all wet. CountryHerk had Binky and IHerk both wrapped together in white gauzes. CowboyHerk had Cokie and Iolaus lassoed together. Everyone started. Then erupted. "What happened? What’s going on? Why are they wet?"

*****

In Hestia’s kitchen the situation was now critical. SHerk had only a few balloons left to pop and Dessy was on a chocolate down. KalliSta slowly opened the door. "Oh SHerk! Enough is enough. Dessy there’s enough chocolate frosting on your alpha’s bum. What to do? What to do?" KalliSta looked around and noticed a gold coin near a half empty plate of cake. "A Fortune coin? How odd? Could it be this simple?" KalliSta asked herself.

She picked up the coin and flipped it. Head. Amazon head.

Hestia shivered. "What happened? Why am I on the floor? With SHerk?"

SHerk saw KalliSta and ran to her. "Kal.. Kal.. take me home. My tummy hurts…"

"Ditto.. I think I need to go to the Herkspital and see DocHerk.. my stomach is not feeling so good."

KalliSta took SHerk by the waist. "We are going home. Hestia, take Dessy and .." Kal looked at the alpha lying on the table "sticky boy here to the emergency room. The gods are at work here. Better be careful."

KalliSta left with SHerk clinging to her.

*****

Baucis and PHerk made their entrance into the party room. A royal entrance. CJ dressed as a Valkyrie noticed the couple. "Come here. Have a drink with us. NorseHerk go get us some punch, darling. Baucis almost missed all the action.." CJ stopped talking. Her eyes got wide. "Oh by the gods.. would you look…"

At the door, Danaan sitting on a white horse. With only a long, long blonde wig. By her side a knight was keeping the horse still. "I told you my lady. You knocked them all off their feet. I’m never wrong." Methosmuse held out his hand to Danaan. "I live to serve you my lady. Your wish is my
command."And he helped her dismount.

"Lady Godiva, I presume…" Hilara curtsey and chuckled. "Oh Danaan you know how to make an entrance."

"And I know how to flip a coin, dear." Danaan gave Methosmuse a wink.

A bright light appeared in the middle of the room. Coins flew all around. Herk sighed.

"Oh man.. not again…" Boo pinched him.

Fortune arranged her costume. "Ladies, Gentlemen.. I’m sooo sorry. I messed up.. I know.. but keeping up with you all is exhausting.  Now I have one last coin to toss to break theses spells. Here goes nothing…"

The coin flipped, twirled and dropped in front of a Freya and Sov in the middle of the door. Freya had her arms around Sov. She was sucking on his neck. Sov was a little pale but seemed to enjoy it. Head. Amazon head. Again. Freya let go of Sov’s neck and briefly smiled. "Darn.. I’ll have to
stop faking the spell…" Sov chuckled and whispered. "Busted love."

Everyone erupted in laughed. All were safe now. Everyone could enjoy the night.

*********
Epilogue

Chantal walked into Ares’ temple. She looked at the western wall and smiled. "I see you already took care of the dynamic duo my lord. Tar and feathers are soooo appropriate."

Discord and Strife were hanging upside down from the ceiling. Dripping tar on the black marble.

"But it makes such a mess." Ares whispered in Chantal’s ear.

"What is going to be *your* punishment my lord? Shall I toss a coin?" Chantal chuckled.

The end.

Happy Halloween all.

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