It's never good when an impromptu family reunion shows up on your door or balcony for that matter. Was the last thing she'd expected after returning from an outing with Brenton. Thank god he hadn't came over for a night cap..or two.

"So I told the guy to grab her butt and he'll be in for the time of his life." Dionysus laughed, swinging a chalice of wine back and forth so it sloshed on all those gathered in the splash zone. "He did! Talk about hell fire and brimstone! That girl lit up his arse like the Fourth of July. Man oh man, Eris can ruin a good time."

She closed the door slowly listening to the gathering as they told the same old tales heard time and time again. By now there were a few twists added Eris knew were embellishments. From the kitchen, she took a lean just out of sight against the counter taking in all the voices. Dionysus, Ares, Eros, Athena, ...hmmm, one it took awhile to place.."Orion.." Grumbling under gritted teeth. What the hell was he doing here" "I should damn them all to Hades for a scalding vacation."

"Hey! When did the guest of honor get here?" Aphrodite chimed all too happily after too many glasses of wine. She was a sloppy drunk. "Surprise!! My bad..it's too late now isn't it. But, anyway, here we are to wish you happy birthday! What are you now" ooooooh, a few thousand years old?"

"It's not my birthday." Eris growled back.

"Happy anniversary?"

"No."

"New Year" Bar Mitzvah' ..St. Patrick's day' Oh come on, there's a holiday somewhere nearly every day of the year girl! Come have a drink with us. After all, we came all this way to see you!"

"Uninvited.." The goddess of Chaos mumbled softly.

"What' I'm sorry, I didn't get that?"

"UNINVITED!"

"Oooooooh, well THAT I heard. But honestly, you would never give us an invitation anyway." flipping those golden locks with a wistful sigh which only served to irritate the darker goddess further.

"You're right about that."

"So.." Aphrodite eyed the room in a search for you know who. "Where's the guy?"

Playing dumb, Eris replied. "What guy?"

"Oh, don't play coy with me." Using her sexiest walk, Aphrodite sauntered around the counter to curl a dark lock of Eris hair around her alabaster fingers. "That cool, drink of water with the washboard abs and.."

Whatever else had been left to say was silenced by a paring knife conveniently whisked out from the drawer to be pressed firmly against those cherry painted lips. "Mine." The message was clear in the swirl of those obsidian orbs matched with the angry set of her jaw. "Leave him alone."

Unphased, Aphrodite leaned back an inch further. "A man belongs to who he wants unless Cupid says otherwise." Finding out too late the joke was taken too far when Eris pressed hard enough to break the skin. "Ow!..you drew blood! Evil wench! Just wait..you wait. Father won't let you continue this ruse for long! ..you think this guy loves you? Please, you're the same as the devil in his world! Your heart is black as night!" Storming to the balcony to gather the others. "Party is over! She appreciates nothing!"

Just like hen pecked slaves, the rest of the gathering turned to leave. All save one..Orion..who waited until the others were long gone before approaching Eris. "Don't listen to her or the rest of them. Do what your heart tells you. Is he nice" This guy?" Couldn't help but be curious.

"Thanks.." glad at least one of them had some sense of decency. "And yes, he is."

"Bring him around. I'd like to meet him someday." turning to leave himself. "I swear to keep him safe while visiting, okay?"

"Sure thing." Watching as he vanished into the night.