Stranger In A Strange Land
Part
Twelve

I tapped my foot, looking around at the obviously uncomfortable group of divine and semi-divine beings. Only Jett and Jayce didn't seem to be too impressed. Figures. I think only Ares, Hades, or Phonos can really impress Jett, and Jayce... Um, Dite--maybe. "What is it with you people?" That got me a lot of stares. "I mean, come on. If every prophecy came true the world would have ended a few thousand times before it got to my time od, od, that is if the aliens didn't come and take us away first."

Ares sighed. "Scribe, the Fates are a little different from your Psychic Friends Hotline."

"How do you know about that?"

His eyes shifted. "I got bored while I was waiting around to contact you in the future, okay? And I wasn't all that impressed with them. They told me I had family problems." He snorted. "Big stretch. Who doesn't? Anyway, their pronouncements have to be taken seriously."

"Why?"

Silence. "They just do."

"No one can get away with using that argument with me except my mother. Her--I'll accept 'because I say so'." I gave Joxer a look. "Amazing how something that's slapped into your butt will get to your brain and lodge there." He nodded. I winced, and patted his cheek. "Sorry, sweetie. Anyway, do you have any examples of what happens when a prophecy is ignored?" There were mutters. Everyone was picking through their memory. When no one stepped forward to volunteer an answer I said, "Thought so. Y'all have all been too nervous to try and find out." I turned to Ares. "Take me home."

"Let me put it this way--a huge, drunken, naked barbarian, sporting an erection and a leer as he comes toward you, might not intend what you think he does, but do you really want to risk finding out, or do you run?"

"Point taken."

"Enough arguing," boomed Zeus.

I wiggled a finger in my ear. "Hey, Thunder--did anyone ever tell you that you could draw more attention with a whisper than a shout? Still, I suppose it would make sense to get down to the nitty-gritty." Silence. Stares. "Hey, a new record for me! I managed to confuse everyone