Calypso

Leo - Part 4

I spend a whole day packing supplies for the boy's voyage. As soon as I'm done, I rush over to his forge to see if I can help with anything.
He looks up from a half-finished circuit board. "If I didn't know any better, I'd think you were anxious to get rid of me."
"That's just a bonus," I tease. I can tell he's examining my outfit. He'd asked about it recently. I'd found that his clothes were much more practical than that dress, so I'd made some for myself.
"So?"
"So... what?"
I nod towards the board. "So how can I help? How is it coming?"
"Oh, uh, I'm good here. I guess. If I can wire this thing up to the boat, I should be able to navigate back to the world."
"Now all you need is a boat."
I can't quite read his expression. Is he relieved to get away? Is he frustrated for being stuck here so long?
"What Gaea sad..." He hesitates. "About you getting off the island. Would you like to try it?"
I scowl. Does he really think that I'm going to change my mind and call Gaea up again? "What do you mean?"
"Well... I'm not saying it would be fun having you along, always complaining and glaring at me and stuff. But I suppose I could stand it, if you wanted to try."
I almost smile. "How noble," I murmur. "But no, Leo. If I tried to come with you, your tiny chance of escape would be to chance at all. The gods have placed ancient magic on this island to keep me here. A hero can leave. I cannot. The most important thing is getting you free so you can stop Gaea. Not that I care what happens to you," I add quickly. I must be the world liar on earth. "But the world's fate is at stake."
"Why would you care about that?" he asked. "I mean, after being away from this world for so long?"
I raise an eyebrow, surprised. "I suppose I don't like being told what to do--by Gaea or anyone else. As much as I hate the gods sometimes, over the last millenium I've come to realize that they're better than the Titans. They're definitely better than the giants. At least the gods kept in touch. Hermes has always been... tolerable. And your father, Hephaestus, is kind to me. He is a good person."
I realize that everything I just said is true. I didn't mention Zeus -- I'm still livid at him -- but Hermes isn't that bad. I most likely merely imagined him grinning after Percy left. That would be out of character for him. And Hephaestus -- though more attached to his automatons than any living being -- has been the most empathetic to my situation.
Leo's jaw is hanging loose. I reach out a hand and snap it shut.
"Now. How can I help?"
"Oh." He looks down at his project. "You know that flameproof cloth? You think you could make me a little bag of that fabric?"
He lists dimensions, and I wave my hand. "That will only take minutes. Will it help on your quest?"
"Yeah. It might save a life. And, um, could you chip off a little piece of crystal from your cave? I don't need much."
I frown. "That's an odd request."
"Humor me."
"All right. Consider it done. I'll make the fireproof pouch tonight at the loom, when I've cleaned up. But what can I do now, while my hands are dirty?" I raise my grimy, dusty hands. Leo makes a face that I'd label as 'drooling' if I didn't know better. He's odd.
"Well," he says. "You could twist some more bronze coils. They're kind of specialized..."
I shove my way onto the bench and reach for some of the wires. I start braiding them as quickly as I can. "Just like weaving," I muse. "This isn't so hard."
"Huh," Leo says. "Well, if you ever get off this island and want a job, let me know. You're not a total klutz."
I smirk. "A job, hmm? Making things in your forge?"
"Nah, we could start our own shop. Leo and Calypso's Garage: Auto Repair and Mechanical Monsters."
"Fresh fruits and vegetables," I add.
"And cider and stew," he agreed. "We could even provide entertainment. You could sing and I could, like, randomly burst into flames."
I laugh.
"See," he smirks. "I am funny."
I somehow manage to kill my smile.
"You are NOT funny. Now, get back to work, or no cider and stew."
"Yes, ma'am."
We spend the rest of the afternoon working side by side.