Demitri himself had wandered off when Thelios stopped to speak to the other two creatures. So she lingered back from the group alone, that they might speak amongst themselves without being overheard, if they so chose.
She heard most of it anyway. The smaller one, it seemed, was the host, as he welcomed her master politely, though with little warmth and informed him of who had arrived, who was expected, and who had refused to join them. From what she could hear the names were not proper names, but some sort of code, a blend of nicknames and references. A few that had apparently opted to ignore the summons (as usual according to the cyclops) were Asta’s daughters and “The favorites.” She also heard Thelios’s arched response, that this was because they were clearly smarter than he was. She didn’t hear what was said to that, but the host didn’t look pleased… Thelios still looked like he could care less. He did look interested, however, when a fourth party appeared in the massive doorway which stood partly open behind them. Calliope could see why. She herself could hardly keep from staring.
The creature was not so tall as the other three, but was significantly longer. The lower half of her body was that of a great serpent, and it gleamed in the brilliant light of the many lamps filling the hall. Black as onyx were her scales, and they made a soft shushing sound, like waves over sand as she twisted and coiled across the patterned marble floor.
The top half of the creature was that of a woman, a beautiful woman, and completely exotic to Calliope in every regard. Her skin was also black, though not so dark as the serpentine length of her lower half, but her hair was a shock of silvery white, as were the fangs which descended to lay against her full bottom lip. Her ears were longer and pointed, but her face was exquisite… as beautiful as any of the nymphs that she’d seen flitting about the halls.
In the corner of her eye, she saw Thelios’s face break into a smile and felt a twinge in the pit of her stomach. The strange and stunning creature smiled back.
“Brother, I half expected you not to come. It’s good to see you.”
Thelios chuckled and Calliope took a few more steps back from the grouping and averted her eyes from the scene to give them privacy, choosing instead to examine a wall length carving of acrobats next to her.
“And I fully expected not to see you. This effects you less than most of us. What man could, or would dare to enslave a creature such as you?”
Calliope continued to feign disinterest as the creature’s silvery laughter washed through the hall. She could see in her peripheral vision how the sound drew all of what few eyes weren’t already watching closely, all except hers of course. She kept her eyes riveted to the bull’s head carved into the wall at eye level, examining with studious interest the curve of it’s ivory painted horn as it tossed a somersaulting tumbler over it’s back. The woman being tossed, she noted, had a serpentine arm band much like her own. Inwardly she cringed at the snake reference.
Her efforts to appear distracted were a mistake however, and it did not take long to realize this fact as she glanced around furtively. She saw instantly that her disinterest had only brought down the attention she’d been so desperately avoiding. Many off to her left had turned to look at her instead, no doubt noting that she was looking in the wrong direction. She cursed her lack of subtly then stiffened slightly as she became aware of the burn of eyes to her right as well. She slowly turned and another soft ‘shush’ filled the air beside her, making her skin prickle and bump.
Her eyes were…. violet, and there was a small smile tugging at her full, dark lips. “And who is this?” She tore her eyes from Calliope’s to look at Thelios, but Calliope continue to stare. She could only be grateful her mouth wasn’t hanging open in wonder or shock.
“Calliope.”
She waited a beat or two for him to elaborate… but he did not. Just… Calliope. The serpentine woman arched a fine brow at this as well, but made no comment, and only turned back to her with a coy smile.
“Calliope.” She repeated. “I have a cousin of the same name.” There was a brief hum of light laughter from around them. Well, she thought morosely, it was slightly more subtle than the usual comments or jokes. “Tell me,” she continued once the tittering had ceased, “I’m quite curious, you must have some very particular talent to capture my brother’s attention. What is it that has caused you to stand out so, hm?” Calliope prickled slightly, hearing the teasing lilt in her voice, and the possible insinuation that whatever it was couldn’t be seen from the outside. It didn’t seem like she was being intentionally cruel or vicious, but with so many still looking on, she couldn’t help but bristle. The second round of tittering didn’t help either.
Thelios, at least, looked unamused.