Hestia let out a warm laugh. “You’re right. But it’s something to keep busy—and to post about on the Hellenagram app.”
“The…what?” Geri asked, blinking.
“Hellenagram!” Hestia chuckled. “It’s a social feed where we share updates, selfies, recipes...”
“Or stir up drama?” quipped Geri.
“Now you get it!” Hestia laughed. “Do you have it?”
Geri shook her head. “I’m…not really into social media.”
“Neither am I,” Hestia confessed, lowering her voice as though sharing a sacred secret. “But sometimes it’s good to go on and see what everyone’s up to. Keeps the peace, you know?”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Geri smiled.
“I’m sure Artemis will make you get the Hellenagram eventually,” Hestia teased, eyes twinkling. “I’m surprised she hasn’t already.”
“Oh, she’s busy helping out my pack since I can’t,” Geri admitted. “There’s just…some drama. Apollo suggested she step in so I wouldn’t freak out.”
Hestia nodded and then handed her a small crystal cup of the sparkling drink, and Geri took a cautious sip. A burst of tropical fruit exploded on her tongue, leaving a gentle warmth and a faint giddiness dancing through her veins.
Hebe, who had been observing them with keen interest, beamed. “That’s the feeling of youth!” she declared.
They lingered a few minutes longer, chatting politely, before Hestia guided Geri back out into the agora. Merchantscalled out in melodic Greek, divine beings bartered for silks, perfumes, and glittering jewelry.
Overhead, rainbow prisms shimmered as Iris, goddess of the rainbow and divine messenger, zipped past. She clutched an armful of golden scrolls, her hair sparkling with iridescence, and seemed to be firing off Olympus-wide updates via rainbow-hued holograms projected into the sky.
Geri stared after her, thinking how life here was, in many ways, surprisingly ordinary—and yet entirely different.
A goddess with dark hair tumbling in glossy waves glided into view, greeting them. “Hestia! Geri!” Her sharp eyes sparkled as they landed on them. She beamed as though she’d just discovered her favorite audience. “Youwill notbelieve what’s happening. There’s a dinner party at Hera’s palace tonight, and guess what? Someone conveniently ‘misplaced’ Aphrodite’s formal invitation. Meanwhile, a few choice words were dropped about Athena’s rather…rigidconversation skills. Nothing like a bit of pre-banquet chaos to spice things up, don’t you think?”
She leaned in closer, lowering her voice conspiratorially as a swirl of market noise rolled around them. “I’m not saying it was me, but let’s just say the seating chart might be… fascinating. Hermes has been running scrolls back and forth all day, and Dionysus is already halfway into his amphora because he refuses to attend if Ares ends up seated beside him again. Hestia, youmustcome just to see it unfold. Geri, darling, welcome to Olympus—where dinner is neverjustdinner.”
She flashed them both a wicked grin, then blew a kiss toward Hestia. “Anyway, must dash! More seeds of discord to sow, you know how it is. Bye-eee!” And just like that, she spun on her heel and vanished into the throng, leaving a faint trace of sandalwood and chaos in her wake.
Geri blinked after her, turning slowly back to Hestia. “How did she even know me?” she asked, bewildered.
“Oh, Eris knows everything about everyone. It’s practically her hobby and her job. Consider yourself officially on Olympus’ radar.”
It reminded Geri of pack drama back in Alaska, but multiplied a hundred times, because here the squabbles involved divine egos, centuries-old grudges, and powers that could literally shake the earth. She couldn’t decide if it was fascinating…or utterly exhausting.
Hestia nudged her gently. “So…how’s it been for you so far?”
“It’s been…pretty chill,” Geri said honestly. “It’s nice settling into our home…” She remembered that very morning when Apollo had backed her against the kitchen counter and murmured, “You know, when you’re a goddess, you won’t really need to sleep…or eat.”Then, he lifted her onto the table to have her for breakfast and made her come two more times.
Her cheeks were burning.
Hestia gave her a knowing smile but didn’t pry. “Well, there are always new things happening here. Would it be okay if I told you whenever I hear about something interesting? No pressure to join, of course—but just in case.”
“Yes,” Geri said, meaning it. “I’d like that. It’s probably good to learn new things…or hobbies.”
Hestia brightened. “Do you have any hobbies now?”
“Plants, for sure.”
“Amazing! I have fruit trees. Why don’t we go to my orchard?”
“I would love that,” Geri smiled.
