Subreality: Calliope's Christmas
By Rossi (Rossi&BRM@macconnect.net.au)
This part of the Project is hosted by
The Writers' Cafe
Credits and Disclaimers: See the end of the fic.
Rating: PG. Two swearwords. In fact, the same one twice.
Feedback: Comments, criticisms, offers of marri-- er, money to Rossi@subreality.com
It was snowing again. Calliope, Queen of the Muses, otherwise known as That Bitch, watched the swirling flakes with an expression of vague annoyance. It wasn't that she didn't like snow, but to have it snowing now was so...cliched. At any moment she expected to hear the jingle of sleigh bells.
"My lady?" That would be her secretary. One of the more successful holders of the position: he still held it and had retained his chosen species. She turned away from the Christmas card scene outside to see him hovering in the doorway.
"Yes, Ganymede?"
"I thought I'd see if there was anything else before I left for the Dinner. Unless you're considering going yourself?"
"I don't think so, Ganymede. My presence would only spoil everyone's fun." Calliope allowed herself a brief, chill smile. "You go. Give Ambrosia my compliments of the season and try not to get too drunk, mmm? I expect you to be here first thing in the morning, as per usual."
"Yes, my lady." Ganymede bowed and left. No doubt thinking what a harsh woman I am, Calliope thought. As they all do. A necessary thing. The brief wistful expression was strange on her marble features. Then she banished the weakness with a gesture, and crossed to her desk. It might be the mid-winter holiday season, but there was still work to do, Muses' lives to arrange. There were the usual irritants in the form of minor rebellions. That medical Muse, Tadgh, encroaching on fan-fiction. The Captain, toying with the idea of reassignment. The usual conflict between Bronwyn and Ieuan preventing much actual activity between their Writer's drinking bouts... And she still had to assign Writers to the most recently graduated class from the Collegium.
At the thought of the Collegium, her gaze drifted across her desk to the small gilt-edged card propped against the dusty executive toy Ambrosia had given her one Christmas. The headmistress of the Muse school had an odd sense of humour, Calliope reflected, reaching out for the card. All very proper and polite; We cordially invite you to the Midwinter Muses' Dinner..., Ambrosia's penmanship as impeccable as always. A wasted effort, considering Calliope hadn't attended the yearly event since the Collegium was founded. Just after the Muse War...
Calliope shook off that last thought. Whilst it was common knowledge she'd been the hidden inspiration behind Scrooge -- Dickens' Muse's idea of a joke -- this was not the time to be following those dark paths. She laid the invitation aside and reached for the first profile. Argent, hmm, an interesting personality this one, questioning and somewhat cynical. She'd require a more optimistic Writer, to avoid wallowing in self-pity...
A pale pink envelope fell out of the file as she opened it. Across the front Ambrosia had written: "I thought you'd like to see what you've been missing. Come to the Dinner. These files can wait. A." With an impatient snort, Calliope sliced open the envelope, and pulled out a photograph. She looked at it for a long moment. Last year's Dinner. The Captain, Lyssie, Kassandra, Flame and someone she couldn't immediately identify. In Sailor Scout uniforms. Beside them, Frank, human and resplendent and as drunk as a lord in tuxedo and cape and mask. Calliope stared at the picture, her mouth twitching. Then the room rang with the seldom-heard sound of the Muse Queen's laughter.
Maybe she would go after all.
The End.
Credits and Disclaimers.
Subreality is a concept created by Kielle, and embroidered upon by all of us.
Calliope as seen here was first written by Ana, we think. She's considered public domain now.
Ganymede, her secretary/dogsbody was discovered by Yasmin.
Credit goes to Farli for the Imagination Collegium and its Headmistress, Ambrosia.
And the following Muses belong to the following Writers, or something like that:
Tadgh: Epona Harper.
The Captain and Argent: Yasmin M.
Lyssie: Ana.
Kassandra: Trisha L. Sebastian.
Flame: Farli.
Frank: Rossi.
Bronwyn & Ieuan: Phil Foster.
The Sailor Muses can be found in the Subreality Café Round Robin "Writer's Café: Shai's New Hobby." Incriminating pictures by Farli are imminent.
