“They are growing finely.”

“Medusa.” Eugenia turned her ear around as she noticed the Gorgon approach from the fixed entrance to the now open garden. There was a wooden fence erected around it to prevent the hares from eating the vegetables, but they had found gaps countless times before.

“I have never seen such odd growth.” She remarked looking at the green vine like growth with small leaves sprouting from it.

“The truth is, I don’t know what this is either. Zosimos special seeds come from the far east. They might be a type of cucumber.”

Medusa eyed the green growths which were gaining in length each day. Their shape was not incredibly appealing, but they would feed humans and animals well for their quantity.

“Do they taste well?”

“Hmm, mostly watery. I once ate one that was very sour.” She recollected lazily as she combed the earth. She was kneeling in the garden to uproot weeds that had already began to grow.

Medusa made a note in her mind not to slip one of those from the garden. When eating was pure pleasure, one had every right to be picky.

“I wish we could grow an olive tree around here.” She put her chin into her hands and sighed sweetly.

“That woman’s trees were all destroyed.” Medusa said with satisfaction.

“Did you fell them all?”

“Of course.”

Eugenia sighed again.

“Do you not have more than enough in your rations?”

“I can’t preserve them for long, so I had to eat most of them already.” She replied listlessly.

Medusa squinted and crossed her arms. The girl had been acting absentminded and odd for a while now. It was like she always had something on her mind, but was too wrought by melancholy to go past it.

“If you take issue with my actions you should not have returned.” She said mockingly.

“You don’t understand how other people feel at all, do you?” Eugenia pouted. “Stheno was right about you…”

“…”

“…”

“What did you just-?”

“I forgot to take care of the laundry!” She suddenly exclaimed and rushed off.

“You forgot one piece right here.” Medusa said in a deep voice and tugged on her own chiton.

Eugenia anxiously stopped in her tracks and slowly turned back. The nervousness was written all over her face, but she forced some countenance into her steps. She slowly returned and moved her head left and right as if to avoid Medusa’s gaze. She stopped in front of the Gorgon to receive the clothes, but…

“Did I ever mention my sister’s name to you?” Medusa whispered as her tail already wrapped around Eugenia’s back, completely cutting off her escape route.

“S-surely when you talked to Hermes.” Eugenia said with sweat running down her face.

“Oh? That might well be.” Her memory was perfect so she knew exactly what had been said and what hadn’t. “But we never spoke of what they thought of me.”

“I w-was just assuming-“

“Where and when?” Medusa’s face was so close that Eugenia could feel her breath on her skin.

“Before I came here.” She admitted shivering like a hare in a sling trap.

“How odd that you did not deign to mention that in your stories.” The Gorgon’s perceptive nature was terrifying.

“I promised not to tell you.”

“Haha. You will tell me everything.” It was not a request, but an order. “The laundry can wait.”

Some time ago on the endless sea.

After confronting Athena, Eugenia was miraculously allowed to continue her journey. The boat kept moving through the waves, guided by a strong wind in its sails. Eventually that wind took form and sat atop the mast.

“You seem to be in ill spirits. After you finally obtained your freedom and stood your ground so valiantly.” The ever present and clever Hermes had been with her the entire time, albeit hidden in the breeze. He must have watched her exchange with Athena.

Eugenia leaned on the side of the boat with a horrible expression.

“Do you regret it?” He asked softly.

“Yes.” She said as she wiped a single tear and sniffed.

“Do you feel relieved?”

“…yes.” She nodded.

“Then henceforward you shan’t think of your grief and only focus on that small gladness you have earned. That is how a hero continues on in the most perilous journey.” He appeared right beside her and let his legs dangle over the side of the boat.

“I am no hero.” She said with a sunken face.

“Do you remember what I told you on that lovely island?”

Eugenia nodded slowly.

“Sublime as heroes who slay monsters may be, every human is a hero if they fight for a goal. To me your journey to return to the Gorgon is no less impressive than the feats of Heracles.” He said poetically.

“You don’t have to cheer me up.” She said quietly. His exaggerated words had the opposite effect.

“Alas, I am not the most capable of companions, but I do love a happy ending.” The wind seemed to playfully stroke Eugenia’s hair, like a father’s hand.

“Why are you still with me? I already did the unforgivable… the gods will hate me now.”

“The gods, the gods, well what gods are those? We are not truly of one mind on anything.” Hermes said with a smirk. “My dearest sister has her own ideas and I follow mine. For instance, I am duty bound to finish all my deliveries. Being the poor messenger I was destined to ever stay.”

“You said you would deliver me… didn’t you mean to Lady Athena?” Now she was confused.

“Haha, not at all. My sister could have taken care of such a task herself. Remember, I told you that whether I finish my delivery entirely depends on your choices. And as you chose freedom, I have now a reason to finish my task.” He materialized his Caduceus staff and pointed into a specific direction. “There is an island far to the east on which my clients await you. They have asked for an express delivery of one Eugenia of Lamia~”

“Huh? W-who wants to meet me so far away?” She was anxious already. “It d-doesn't matter anyway, I want to meet Medusa again!”

“Yes of course. It would be cruel of me to deny you that sweetest of reunions, yet there is good reason for you to meet these clients first.” He said with a witty expression. “They have little time to stay on that island, so time is sparse. Will you accompany me?”

“Why do they want to meet me?”

“Because you have a common acquaintance.” He said mysteriously.

“Just tell me.” She said with a dry expression. After all the trials and riddles she was tired of his twisted words.

“Oh my… They know your friend, the Gorgon.” He said with a bemused expression. Humans rarely used that tone with him, not that he minded.

Eugenia folded her hands and thought about the situation. To return right away was her only desire, but if these mysterious people had something to do with Medusa and could command Hermes to do their bidding, they must have been very influential. Perhaps it was dangerous to ignore them, or worse, they might have been a threat to Medusa.

“Take me to them.” She decided with a heavy heart.

“It would be my pleasure.” He vanished into thin air. Literally.

It took them a few days to get to the unassuming small island far from any common sea routes. It was sporting two large cliffs and a long and winding crevice between and nearly nothing else. An uninviting place that nobody could live in.

“We have arrived.” Hermes said from atop the sails. He had been mostly silent throughout the journey, allowing Eugenia to work through her inner turmoil. It seemed that he could be tactful after all.

“What a strange place.” Eugenia muttered as she fastened the ropes around a large protruding rock.

“They will stay here for not much longer. Twas all for the sake of meeting you in a safe place.” He explained and then jumped onto the front of the boat. “From here on you will be on your own. Leave the boat watch to me.” If he stayed behind the boat would not float away on its own.

“Why aren’t you coming with me?” She asked suspecting the worst.

“I have my reasons. There are things that even a poor messenger would prefer to keep to himself.” He dodged the question with a twitchy smile.

So whoever waited here scared even a god. That boded well.

Eugenia stepped on the shore and hesitantly clutched her clothes in the cutting wind. Her hair fluttered aimlessly as she advanced through the gap and made her way along the crevice. Weird noises seemed to echo all around her and made her wish she could turn back.

“…humaaaannn…” The word reverberated through the corners of the rocks and made her stiffen up.

“…fooooood….” Another deep echo hit her from behind and she scaredly turned around.

There was nobody there. The voices were just hitting the walls and flying all around. But such scary voices could only come from a true monster! She held on to the rocks and then stepped forward.

“There you are.” Someone said right in front of her face.

“AAAAAAHHH!” Eugenia shouted her lungs out and slapped the monster with all her might.

“Sorry for scaring you so dearly.” The girl with braids so long that she tied them around her waist seemed apologetic. Her face had a rather red imprint of Eugenia’s hand now which took its sweet time to recede. “I am Stheno and this is my sister, Euryale.” She introduced herself and the girl next to her cheerfully.

“Hello.” Euryale said in a quiet and emotionless voice. It was hard to get a real picture on her, because she barely even moved a muscle. If Stheno hadn’t introduced her, Eugenia might never even have noticed the other girl existed. The occasional strong gust made the twin sister’s ankle long hair flutter a bit though, so she was at least aware of that.

“M-my n-name-“

“You’re that human girl, Eugenia.” Stheno interrupted her loudly. “We know, we were told a lot about you by that small-minded impotent Hermes.”

Eugenia’s face was a mask. A mask of no emotion whatsoever. If she let up her stiff muscles for even a single moment she might have lost it.

“Where is that coward anyway? Is running all he is good for?” She looked around with big motions, expecting the gods’ messenger to appear.

“He… stayed on the boa-“

“Ah who cares about him?” She clapped her knees and leaned forward to inspect Eugenia closely. “Hey, do you really not see anything?”

“I am blind.” She confirmed. But even if she was, she could definitely tell how closely she was being looked at. The hands touching her hair were also pretty hard to ignore!

“You are scaring her.” Euryale suddenly intervened and tripped Stheno’s legs, making her fall flat into the rocks.

“Oh no!” Eugenia gasped, but the energetic girl immediately got up again without showing a hint of pain.

“What was that for Rya? I did not scare her at all. We are just getting to know each other, right?” She was asking Eugenia to support her, but she was way too intense.

“Don’t mind her.” Euryale said in her small voice and sat down on a flat rock in the most fragile pose Eugenia had ever sensed. It felt like a single breeze could shatter her like an earthen vase. “Something you want ask?”

Although her tone seemed sleepy and absentminded, Eugenia was far more cautious of the quiet twin. Something about her serene attitude felt very wrong.

“You two are Medusa’s sisters, is that right?”

“Yes! Dusa is our older sister.” Stheno confirmed excitedly. “That means she is talking about us! What did she tell you about me?” Already she began her interrogation again. This time both of them seemed to be very interested.

“Medusa… she never really talked of you. I was there when she received your letter, but she wouldn’t answer my questions.” She said apologetically.

“Ah, that does definitely sound like Dusa. She is such a thick-headed child.” The energetic twin sighed loudly. “Can you believe this sister?” She put a hand on Euryale’s shoulder, which seemed to magically invert and thus she fell over.

“Medusa is focused inwardly.“ Euryale closed her eyes and ignored the painful gasp of her sister who had to get up again.

“Sure, sure, but she never pays any attention to how others feel! What a pain she can be. She doesn’t have a sense for the arts either.” She crossed her arms and frowned.

Eugenia listened to their talk, but even if she could not imagine the intensely long separation between the sisters, they were still talking so familiarly of Medusa. As if they had just been together yesterday. What did this mean? Where they just that good at reading their sister or was Medusa simply unchanging? If they returned today, would anything have changed at all?

“Why did you call me here?” She asked with an unknown irritation in her heart.

“Oh yes, I almost forgot. We wanted to take a look at Medusa’s little human pet-GNHA?!” A sandal had lodged itself into Stheno’s bare foot, so she gasped.

Euryale’s dull eyes managed to pierce right through her sister. The message was unmistakable.

“W-what I meant is, we wished to know more about Medusa’s new friend. We cannot just let anyone live with her.” She turned serious.

“Then you are testing me?” Eugenia asked with a shadow covering her face.

“Not really, no.” Stheno reassured her. “That useless Hermes told us so many stories, so we just got curious. Dusa never answers our letters with anything concrete, so there is nothing we could do, but move you here.”

“...then you should know that because of me Medusa might be in a horrible state. She might even die.” Eugenia said with a lowered head.

The twins exchanged a glance and then heaved a sigh in unison.

“Dusa is not the type to die from such a pathetic punishment.”

“She will come out as hardheaded as before.” Euryale agreed.

“Then you knew?!” She rose up emotionally.

“Hermes told us. Almost all the gods should know by now, it was a big deal.” The louder twin was taken aback by Eugenia’s reaction.

“Why did you not come to help her then? Are you not as strong as her? You are Gorgons too!” Eugenia lashed out, but her expression was just one of torment.

Stheno looked a bit guilty, but then stood up and pushed the girl down almost gently. She sat right next to her and spoke sympathetically.

“Defying the gods will never end well. Even if we had the power to go save Dusa, she would never have taken our hands.” She explained.

“That is so wrong…” Eugenia felt the stress of her confrontation with Athena weigh on her conscience every day. If confronting the gods was so horrible, then why did Medusa defy them in the first place? What was the purpose of all this suffering?

“We know that she took her punishment with a strong will and has returned to her exile. It might even have chipped her ego a little, but I am absolutely confident she will bounce back.” Stheno laid an arm around Eugenia to support her.

“You speak of her so fondly, but you left her all alone, didn’t you?” Eugenia said with unwanted accusation. Her heart seemed to rebel against her mind today.

“We sure did!” Stheno said with a defiant expression and suddenly rose up, turning her back to them. “The likes of the great Stheno cannot be confined to such a painfully boring backwater island!” She claimed with crossed arms.

“Wha-?” Eugenia felt her heart rage against such a selfish attitude.

“It is not that easy.” Euryale pointed out. “That day Medusa-“

“It was my choice and I dragged Rya along. I don’t care what Dusa or anyone else thinks of us. This freedom is what we were destined for!” Her harsh interruption seemed out of character, but Euryale did not chide her this time and just turned her head away. “We were never cursed to stay, so this was obvious.” She said as if to reassure herself.

The silence between them grew nearly unbearable afterwards.

“Well, well, ladies, you have a temper worse than Hephaestus’ forge.” The jovial tone of a certain messenger interrupted their brooding.

“So the coward arrives.” Stheno turned towards him.

“Why is it that all of you Gorgon sisters have such sharp tongues? Someone will get themselves cut when involved with you.” The god of trade was silver tongued himself, but it was hardly shaped like a sword. “I delivered her here, just as promised. If it was your intention to simply yell at my dear Eugenia you should have said so. This humble messenger would have thought twice about visiting this home then.” He leaned against the cliff with a sardonic smile.

“This isn’t our home. You made us wait much longer than you said!” Stheno complained.

“Alas, that was entirely out of my hands. I told you, Eugenia would take as long as she needed. Perhaps she could have chosen a path that went into the opposite direction entirely. That is why I asked you to move on if you are tired of waiting.” He sat down next to Eugenia where Stheno had been just a while ago. He winked towards the former priestess.

“Unreliable.” Euryale spoke up.

“Pardon?”

“You believe yourself to be so clever and your smugness is an affront to all the gods. Our divinity is not lesser than yours, yet you show no respect. To make us wait on this gods’ forsaken rock while you enjoyed Athens is shameful.” To Eugenia’s shock, the quiet twin could rattle down words quickly and intensely.

“I apologize if that is what you-“

“You have no decency. To arrive here naked again when we told you to honor the dress code. You have no manners whatsoever, is that it? Even Hephaestus was more of a man. At the very least he threw us out without a belittling smile.”

Hermes retreated with a pale face. Euryale seemed to have just warmed up as she followed him and kept pushing her finger into his chest. They disappeared into the deep cracks of the cliffs and left the other two girls alone.

“Hahahaha.” Stheno suddenly laughed in amusement. “I have not seen her go off on anyone in a while. A wondrous decimation of all foolish people in the world, that is what it is.”

“Does she hate Hermes that much?”

“I do not think she hates him at all. She has very special standards, though.” The twin shrugged and then put her hands on her waist. “Sorry for being so mean spirited. Being stuck here has not been enjoyable.”

“You waited this long just to meet me…”

“Indeed. We might not get along, but Dusa is still our sister. Knowing who will be spending time with her is a matter of family. From the tall tales that impotent coward told us, you two are quite close. Unbelievable.” She said with a raised brow.

“I don’t know.” Eugenia let her shoulders sink a little. “Medusa did so much for me, but I felt like there was something between us that kept us apart. Right before she carried me away, we agreed on some things… but she might not remember. I might not even be the same person I was back then.”

“Humans are such curious things.” Stheno sat down and stretched her legs with a moan. “I am sure Dusa is the same as she was when we left deep down, but there are a few things that shocked me too. Whatever you did to her, she is becoming softer.”

“Softer?”

“Mhm. To a human anyway. She was always quite soft in the head! Can you believe she would always abuse me and my art? She has no sense or rhythm and every time I tried to be nice she just had to act a like a total-“ She realized she was mouthing off again and cleared her throat. “So looking at you in person, there really isn’t anything special about you, though. Too thin, not beautiful or ugly. Your voice is forgettable and I can’t even tell whether you are emotional or too timid.”

“…” Those words had to be digested for a while.

“Your hair isn’t even half as long as Euryale’s either.” She chuckled.

“Why does my appearance matter so much?” She sulked. It’s not like she didn’t know these things already. Since she had seen herself through Athena’s eyes.

“If her interest isn’t physical then she must see something else in you. Not that I could tell.” Stheno smirked.

“I was her hostage… then her life was in danger, because she had to protect me. La- Athena would have smited her if I didn’t survive.”

“That’s not how Hermes told it.” She said with a questioning gaze. “Clashing like fire and water, yet inseparable as the night and day. That does sound like something Apollo would write. I knew I could not trust that coward’s stories! I pressed them out of him until he squealed, but even with all that pain he still played around.” She clicked her tongue.

“I am back.” Euryale returned, pulling Hermes by the ear. The gods’ messenger seemed to be utterly devoid of energy now. She let go of him and then sat down with an even expression.

“Lady Euryale is as relentless as ever.” Hermes sighed. “I am not surprised my brother threw you from Mount Olympus.”

“That was not my fault.” Her dull eyes turned sharper. “Stheno simply had to lust after the smith.”

“How is this my fault? I had Aphrodite’s approval!” She retorted loudly.

“Sneaking into his bedstead in his wife’s stead was a foolish idea.”

“W-well, maybe it was your fault after all for making ludicrous demands? We were secret guests!”

“It is Olympus, the least we could ask for was open lodging with a balcony and a golden spring.”

“We were not supposed to be seen! The king doesn't allow any outsiders, did you forget already?”

The sisters’ argument had just begun and already Eugenia could feel a headache come to her. Was this their daily life? Somehow she understood now how Medusa had become so incredibly stoic.

“They are quite lively, hm?” Hermes whispered to her.

Eugenia nodded hesitantly.

“They are traveling the world and bring trouble wherever their steps cross people. Young Stheno will claim it to be for her own satisfaction, to explore the world.” He spun around his winged cap on one finger and glanced at Eugenia. “But in my humble opinion they are searching for a home.”

“Home?”

“Yes indeed. A place to call their own, where they may live as carefree as any of us can. That is what they owe to their oldest sister.” He acted like he was just making casual conversation, but his insight was quite eye-opening. “Your role in all this is unclear to them. You are an unknown variable in this complex equation.”

“I am not…” She wanted to say ‘important’, but then she let his words sink in. The sisters’ breakup had happened long ago and was shrouded in mystery, but despite it all, Medusa still was fond of her distant sisters. She hid behind her stoic mien, but Eugenia knew so. Meanwhile the twins seemed to be unconcerned with Medusa, but they still went out of their way just to investigate Eugenia.

“They can never return, therefore the new unknowns are out of their reach. Eventually, their part of the equation will become meaningless. With that knowledge ahead, they have no choice but to become what they tell the world.” The god of trickery knew all the deceptions of mortals and deities alike. Even those that fooled the self.

“Have you been badmouthing us behind our backs again, you impotent errand boy?” Stheno glared him down all of a sudden.

“I would never.” He denied without a hint of guilt.

“I-if I may ask…why do they call you… that?” She blushed a little.

“Ah. On our first meeting I may have overstayed my welcome and made a few questionable advances.” He admitted with the patience of someone who was used to it. “When I made clear that I was merely partaking in friendly banter, they turned on me with scorn. The Erinyes hold weaker grudges than them.”

Eugenia scowled. Medusa had been right after all. Hermes really was unbelievable.

“The Gorgon’s warnings were ever a companion, so I truly had no lustful intentions. Will you believe me?”

“No.” Eugenia replied resolutely.

Hermes seemed to be a little closer to Tartarus all of a sudden.

Somehow their fight ended at a standstill and they returned to being their normal selves without any trouble. If Eugenia had a fight like that with anyone she may never have been able to approach them again, but clearly these sisters were in a league of their own.

“Listen here human!”

“Eugenia.” Euryale corrected her.

“There may be little you can do about our stubborn sister’s thick skull. She will never listen or understand anything you wish for unless you tell her directly.”

“I just want to see her again.” Eugenia said with a sad expression.

“Is that really all you want?” Euryale’s dull eyes were reflecting the girl’s twisted face.

“Dusa is a monster, but that’s not all she is. That’s not all she ever was.” Stheno said with a glint in her eyes. “Remember that when she becomes stubborn again. There will be a time you will wish to run away, but you cannot! Do you hear me?”

“I won’t run.” Eugenia promised.

“Be frank with her and do not let her get away with pushing you aside!”

“I will try.” She lost some of her confidence already.

“If she says anything bad about us, lecture her.” Euryale added.

“Huh?”

“And whatever you do, make sure she never sings.” Stheno seemed dead serious.

“A-alright.”

“Last but not least, you cannot tell Dusa about any of this. Never ever, got it?”

“Why?”

“Because I said so! Don’t test me human.” She glared and then turned away. “Hermes.” The sisters called him down from the cliff he had been standing on to survey the sea.

“I listen.”

“One last delivery from us to Dusa. I have no idea where we will go next, maybe we won’t even stay in Greece. So this will be it.” She dramatically pointed at Eugenia. “Bring this human girt to Sarpedon safe and sound!”

“But-“

“No backtalk human. This is a matter of family and pride. Leaving this to an impotent runner like him is horrible, I know, but he is your best bet to make it.”

“Take this pittance.” Euryale threw a coin at Hermes’ back, who caught it with shocking reflexes.

“Seeing the end of this tale would have been payment enough.” He said with a wide grin and then left for the boat.

As he was gone the Gorgon sisters spread their large wings, ready to take off themselves. It must have been a beautiful sight and a rare moment where Eugenia wished she could have seen.

“I am looking forward to hearing great things from these lands! Good luck with Dusa!” Stheno drifted away in the wind and was gone in an instant.

Euryale stayed behind for a moment and closed in on Eugenia, like a hawk did to its prey.

“Heed my advice: If you wish to get what you want you have to be uncompromising and assertive.” Her whispered words became deeply ingrained into Eugenia’s head and before she realized it she was alone.

A single feather sailed down from the skies and landed in her hair. She picked it up and held it in front of her face thoughtfully.

Eugenia ended the short retelling of her meeting with the two other Gorgon sisters and inwardly apologized for spilling the truth.

Medusa didn’t immediately open her mouth. She slowly digested what she had been told while drinking some excellent wine. Whenever she got contemplative she seemed to grab for the grape blood. At this rate she would run out quickly.

Then she lowered her half-closed eyes from the sky and looked towards the uncomfortable human girl.

“You are a pushover, huh?”

“Did you really have to say that now?” She put her face into her hands.

“I will remember not to share any secrets with you. Loose lips are an affront to me.” She smirked.

“You forced me.” She insisted.

“Hehe, if that is what you wish to call it.” Medusa was not perturbed at all. “Those two are doing well. The god or beast that could get in their way has not been born yet.” She chugged the rest of her amphora and sighed in satisfaction.

“Why did they leave?” She asked the same question to the opposite side this time.

“Because I threw them out. They do not belong here.” Medusa said dismissively.

“I don’t understand any of you.” She shook her head.

“This is troubling for me too, if you are not aware. The reason you made it here was due to their support. Even that messenger boy had to meddle.” She leaned her head against the tree they were sitting under and closed her eyes. “Nothing but fools around me.”

“Are you, uhm, happy that I came back?” Eugenia seemed to have gathered her courage and asked an assertive question. If only she could be as carefree as Bion or as direct as Euryale, she thought.

“Does it matter? You are here now, irregardless of what I think.” She said teasingly.

“It matters to me. It really…” She stopped herself and walled up. There was no point in trying to get a straight answer out of the Gorgon. “Stheno really was right.”

“Tis possible.” Medusa seemed in a rather good mood and poured herself another cup of wine. The sweet aroma was carried across the yellow grass and towards the former priestess. “I am thankful that you are a pushover. It is better to know that…” She turned quiet and then simply sipped her wine.

Eugenia knew what she meant, but could not really focus. The sound of Medusa licking her lips and the constant swirling of wine in the cup really distracted her.

“You seem enthralled. Do you want to drink some wine?” She asked deviously.

“I don’t!”

“You are no priestess anymore. This is a cursed island far away from anyone who could judge you and it is all the same to me. Is there still a reason to deny the grape blood?” She was tempting her with the cup that spread the aroma in the air.

“…” The girl’s white eyes darted around and she fidgeted on the spot. The wine smelled really good. Sharing a drink with someone was a strong bonding ritual. If she only took the cup…

“I will allow it only today. Well?” She smirked alluringly and held out the cup.

The blind woman was pushed to the limit of her self-control and finally stretched out her hand.

But the cup wasn’t there anymore.

“I never said that you could have my wine.” Medusa said with an evil chuckle and downed the entire cup.

Eugenia was shaking in pure shame and her eyes turned moist.

“You… jerk!”

“Hahahaha, you are still far too naïve to measure up to my sisters.” She was entertained if nothing else. “They would have taken what they wanted without hesitation.”

“You are cruel.” She suppressed her tears and just clamped up.

“Before you resort to drinking the sailor’s alcohol around the wreckage, do reconsider. It is cheap and vile stuff that will give a lesser being strong headaches.” She explained as she rose up and slithered past the ashamed girl. Those words definitely came from experience. There must have been a reason why that wine was still around after all.

“You have no decent bone in your body, do you?” Eugenia complained. This cruel prodding was completely uncalled for. Had she not already been shamed enough?

“This is my last amphora already it seems.” Medusa said to drown out the girl’s complaints. “There won’t be any wine left after this. What a shame. It seems my gracious offer will expire quietly.” Her words were pouring copious amounts of salt into an open wound. In her expression one might have been able to tell that she wondered how far she could push.

“…you are no better than a bully. I don’t know why I even tried.” Eugenia whispered wearily with her back turned to her.

Medusa looked ahead with a slightly annoyed expression. “A coward to the end.” She muttered. “So you want my wine that badly?” She forcefully emptied the contents of the amphora into her mouth.

“I don’t care anymore.” Eugenia responded defiantly and got up. She would go to the garden and ignore Medusa for a while.

That was when she was grabbed by the shoulder and turned around.

In the matter of a heartbeat their lips connected tightly. At first Eugenia tensed up, but right away Medusa’s tongue forced her lips open and poured sweet wine into her mouth. They stayed connected until the last drop was exchanged and she had gulped it all down.

Medusa parted her lips from Eugenia’s and left her completely in stupor.

The girl touched her lips as if she was completely uncertain that they were part of her own body. She was out of breath and dazed.

“You… to my mouth… is this…?” Eugenia stammered.

“You wished to taste this forbidden flavor, so I gave it to you.” The Gorgon said provocatively and licked the last trace of spilt wine from her lips.

“K-kiss?” The girl was beyond forming coherent sentences.

“Pressing lips together has only as much meaning as you assign to it.” She said with a mysterious tone and then dropped the empty amphora onto the ground.

The sound made Eugenia’s hypersensitive senses jump.

Without saying another word Medusa left the confused girl behind. Deep down she understood from that reaction that her guess was correct.

It was troublesome to be so quick on the uptake. It might have been better to stay ignorant a while longer. Yet she would never play the fool. This was the only time she would give her a push forward. It might have been a mistake to go this far.

A single ray of the sun blinded her for a moment.

But they had tasted quite sweet.

She touched her lips tenderly.

A single assertive action could create the opportunity for lasting change. To tempt fate was to go beyond the status quo. Neither yet knew if they were ready for that battle against fate.