The muses gathered round the cauldron.
“Not again,” said Erato.
Elektra actually laughed. “Another war story?”
“No,” said Calliope, looking around.
“Battle? Fight? Argument? Anything?”
“No,” she said again, and looked to each muse in turn.
Clio, the newest edition, sat at the edge of the cauldron, her finger tracing the waters of the cauldron. Erato smiled, her gossamer gown showing everything; behind her were two naked men, one feeding another some grapes, and the two men laughed. Next was Thalia, who always stayed close to the cauldron. Euterpe didn’t sit too close, but sat off to the side, seemingly pouting, but just waiting for the summons to the cauldron that came once in a while.
Elektra put a hand on her sword. “Well, what is it, then?”
“There were only four days missed this month.” Calliope smiled. “Four days.”
“Every day was something,” said Thalia. “Something here, something there, something said, something done. Every day.”
“No wonder I’m tired,” said Calliope. “Maybe I’ll go to the Cape.” With a twitch of her nose, she changed before them into a woman in a black dress, meant to go out for a night on the town.
“Bring me back more men!” cried Erato. “We’re going to need them.”