Strange Love

Arei chuckled as he nodded. "Sure. I can see the questions dancing around in that beautiful head of yours, ask away."

Her eyes brightened and her smile widened. "What is all this? There's so many different creatures and beings I've never seen!"

Arei shrugged. "This is my father's kingdom. All creatures of the sea are welcome at any time they choose." He replied simply. He pointed to a group resting on semi-submerged seating jutting up out of the waters that surrounded the lower half of the palace. "Those are mermen and women. They reside in the lower portions of the palace along with some of the nymphs."

Jos's eyes trailed over the brightly colored tails of the merpeople below, mesmerized at how very different each of them was. The women had long flowing hair that matched their fins in various colors, pinned up in elaborate braids and twists, and decorated with various shells, pearls, and flowers. Not a single one of them looked the same. Some teal had black stripes tipped in the most stunning bronze, while others were purple and orange, resembling some sort of tropical fish with long flowing fins and a golden tipped dorsal fin. One reminded her of the lionfish she'd been looking at the first day her and the giant of a man beside her met. She smiled up at him, but before she could say a word another strange creature caught her attention. She pointed into the sky as a large beast tore through the thick clouds of mist and plunged into the water emerging seconds later with a large fish in its sharp talons. "What is that?" She asked in awe.

"That would be a sea dragon." He answered simply.

Her mouth dropped in astonishment. "A sea dragon?" Her eyes took in it's shimmering royal blue scales. "It's beautiful, but I thought dragons were only..." Her words trailed off.

"Myth?" He chuckled. "Yes, well I'm sure there are many sailors who would say a beautiful shape shifting Kraken could only be a myth." He nodded toward the creature. "They are only found nearest their elemental gods for the most part." He said as he watched the large beast carry it's catch to the highest peak of the palace to feast.

"Elemental god?" She asked.

Arei nodded. "There are several different types. My uncle Hades for instance has one that breathes fire-"

Arei busted out laughing as he turned to greet the mammoth of a man that lumber toward them.

Jos's mouth dropped as the word 'father' left Arei's lips. She backed up against the railing of the moss-covered bridge and fought to make herself as inconspicuous as she could.

The mammoth of a man clasped Arei on the back before holding him back at arm's length. "It's been quite a while since I've seen your face, son." He smiled into the face that mirrored his own.

Arei cleared his throat, stopping his father before he said anything else. "Father, I want you to meet Joslyn." He turned holding his hand out to her, but she didn't budge. Her worried eyes shifted uncomfortably back and forth between the two men. He laughed and walked over to her as Poseidon crossed his arms over his expansive half bared chest. He wore a white toga adorned with golden trim and gold tridents pinning the garment at the chest. He lowered his lips close to her ear and whispered. "There's nothing to be worried about. My father means you no harm."

Her wide eyes held his, "But... but..."

"No buts, come on." He smiled widely at her.

Poseidon let out an impatient sigh. "Come girl, you're not going to make a god wait, now are you?" He said in mock sternness.

Arei held her gaze, "You're safe here with me. My father would never do harm to someone I cared so deeply for." He arched a brow then glanced over his shoulder to where his father still stood. "Isn't that right... that is right... right?"

Poseidon let out a bombing laugh. "Ah yes! Safe as rain." He said.

Jos frowned. "Rain isn't really all that safe... It can cause flooding and mud slides... and..." Her words died off as the man's brows lifted at her defiance. She tried to shield more of herself with Arei's large body.

Poseidon let out another earthshaking laugh and turned away. He gestured with his hand for them to follow him. "So, what brings you two here anyways." He asked as he made his way across the thick lush grasses that lined the shores.

"I wanted to introduce Jos to Chary and Scylla. I assume they are here this time of year." He answered as he led Jos through the above water palace grounds.

Poseidon nodded. "They are." He arched a brow as he glanced back at them and particularly down at Jos. "But I can't understand why you would want to introduce such a fragile little thing to the likes of Charybdis and Scylla. Even in their human form they would likely swallow her whole..."

Arei smiled widely at his father, before turning his gaze to Jos. "Because Father, this frail 'little thing' is THE Kraken."

Poseidon's eyes bugged. Completely taken by surprise, he turned and backtracked to where they were now standing. He stroked his chin as he studied the girl with new eyes. He crouched down taking her in from several different angles before finally standing and shooting his son a skeptical look. He pointed his finger toward the girl now clinging to his son with trembling hands. "This tiny girl is THE Kraken?" He arched a brow at Arei. "The destroyer of ships? The cursed beast plaguing the seas, bringing down entire fleets... anything that nears the shores of Ogygia? Really?" He gave his son a doubtful chuckle, "I'd believe you shot lightning bolts from your arse before I believe this meager girl was the Kraken."

Arei shrugged. "Well as painful as that sounds, I guess I better go prepare myself... How would one prepare his ass for the release of a lightning bolt?"

Poseidon jerked his head back slightly still not convinced. "You're joking right? Trying to get me back for some prank I played on you or some order you didn't approve of?"

Arei shrugged. "Suit yourself, it was your request that w-I find the Kraken... Here she is, right in front of you."

Poseidon tilted his head as he extended out one of his crossed arms and poked Jos directly below the collar bone. She let out a surprised squeak and moved closer to Arei. He leaned down to eye level with her. "Speak up child, are you what my son says you are?" He said. Though his tone was low and even there was now demand evident in his voice. He wouldn't take silence as an answer this time.

Jos nodded from behind Arei's thick arm as Arei rolled his eyes. "Father, I'm telling you she. is. the. Kraken." He emphasized each word. "I watched the whole thing just last night."

Poseidon rocked back on his heels looking her over with shock and aw. "Well I be damned... Maybe it's my arse that will be shooting out lightning bolts next..." He didn't take his gaze from Jos as he added. "Your sister and her 'friend' are in their usual spot when they come here." He caught his son's arm as Arei went to walk past him. He leaned in and whispered. "Get her acquainted with them then come find me. There are some things I need to discuss with you." He motioned with his eyes toward Jos.

Arei nodded. "Aright, I'd planned to anyways. I was going to see if my old room was currently available and if you could send one of the servants to clean out any... lingering items that may have been left behind."

His father gave him a knowing nod. "Yes, I'll send Meg right away. It should be ready within the hour." He released his son's arm and nodded down toward Jos. "Hopefully once you are settled and a bit more comfortable, you'll feel more conversational?" His words were more of an order than a question.

Jos nodded again from her hiding spot behind Arei's arm.

Poseidon's eye twitched, but he didn't say anything farther, instead, he simply nodded and walked through the massive entrance of the palace.

Arei let out a heavy sigh before finding Jos's eyes. The dilated pupils covered most of the aqua pools he had grown to love so much. "There really isn't any reason to be afraid of him. I know the stories aren't the best about him, and he is... was... a bit of a man whore... but he's changed... mostly..." His eyes trailed after his father. "I hope..." He smiled back down at her. "As long as you're by my side, you should know you're safe here. Have fun and enjoy this place while we are here. There is so much for you to discover and learn." He tugged on his arm bringing her around to face him. "Wait until you see the library, part of it is made up of the recovered sunken library of Alexander the Great." His eyes lit up as he talked about it. "Many of the books in the collection were one-of-a-kind works, never released to the masses. And, added bonus, the books can't be brought out of the water, so we can enjoy them all while in the submerged portion of the library."

Curiosity won out as Arei continued talking about the many different aspects of the palace in both the above and below water areas, but nothing caught her interest quite as much as the thought of spending the night in his old room. She listened eagerly as he pushed open the massive doors of the library. "Chary and Scylla should be in here somewhere... or in the gardens..." He glanced around looking for his sister.

Jos tugged at his hand. "Why do you and your father both change your tones when you mention their relationship to one another?"

Arei frowned. "Because, Kitten, in some groups their relationship is considered wrong."

She scrunched her brows. "Wrong how?"

He gave her a sad smile, "Because they love each other dearly and find comfort within each other's embrace."

Her brows furrowed more. "That doesn't seem wrong at all, I don't understand."

His expression became sadder, "Neither do I, Kitten, neither do I."

His words only maddened the unhelpful. "But then why would others think it's wrong?"

"Ah!!! The black sheep has returned at last! Or rather the black stallion!" A sultry female voice called from overhead.

Jos and Arei's eyes both shot up at the same time to see a beautiful redhead leaning dangerously far over the lofty balcony of the upper most portion of the library. "Chary! There you are! Come down, I've brought a guest to meet you!"

Chary lifted from the rails and vanished only shortly before running full speed toward the railing and leaping over. She caught hold of a thin pillar and glided magnificently down it, landing in an elegant pose at the base, a wide smile spread across her scarlet stained lips.

"Show off." Another, more gruff feminine voice called from what looked to be a pool to their left.

Chary laughed victoriously, "What's the point in being in this form if I can't enjoy it." Her thick thighs brushed together, and her plump bottom caused the flowing materials of her skirts to bounce lively around her. Jos couldn't help staring at the dazzling jewels that lined the waistband. Her breasts pushed against the meager jeweled material of the outfit. Every sway of the woman's hips and bounce of her full breast were simply captivating... even to Jos.

Arei laughed. "Good thing you're already taken, Chary, or I may have to worry about you taking this one from me." He teased.

"Always room in my heart for a beautiful maiden... and my bed." Chary winked.

Arei laughed out loud, "beautiful she is, maiden... yes but only by the truest meaning of the word." He winked back at his sister. "But I fear she may take up a little more room in that bed than you expect, sister." He nodded down to Jos. "Meet Joslyn, the Kraken."