“Hey, kiddo…”
Arkadin rolled his eyes as he turned away from the screen. Perched on the chair behind him was Kinisis, the Allmaker, the creator of this universe and, technically, Arkadin’s mother. Technically.
“You weren’t gone long.”
“Yep. I know. I got questions for you.”
Arkadin took a deep breath and turned off the computer he had been working at. He’d originally intended to relax and play some video games but he had somehow ended up researching gene splicing and the causes of cancer. Arkadin’s day off had essentially been wasted.
“Is it about that dumb party? Because I don’t want to go. I’m not a party person, I’m the sit-in-the-corner-and-sulk type. I don’t do well in social spaces.”
Kinisis shrugged, still perching on the chair rather than sitting on it. Her tail was coiled around the chair and trailed out of the room, through the half-open doorway and into the room next door.
“That’s a shame.”
“Why?”
“Because I got no one else to bring with me.”
Arkadin grunted. “You can’t take Kenon?”
“Voidborns aren’t allowed. Not since Themisara brought her deranged Voidborn boyfriend and he tried to murder some of the youngling deities then invite a Voidborn cult to come in and destroy all the alcoholic beverages. Kenon’s a good guy but… well, the Voidborn race is… a messy, complicated and overall rather dangerous organization.”
“And what about my fellow deities?”
Kinisis’s expression changed, from a vague joyfulness into a combination of confusion, worry and disgust.
“Tell me, Arkadin, how long have your siblings… been at it?”
“You mean the constant fucking of each other?”
The Allmaker nodded. “Yes, that.”
“Since you made us all mortal in a deranged bid to teach us a lesson in the worst way possible.”
“Oh?”
“Yes.”
Kinisis leaned forward on her chair, towards Arkadin. Her tail uncoiled from her chair and wrapped around the legs of Arkadin’s chair.
“Tell me more. What happened?”
“What happened?” Arkadin tutted. “Yisini got a taste for Kairos’s horrible, massive cock. Which is what happens when you put a permanently horny Temthan and very, very curious Thraki in a room together while the other two gods-turned-mortals do reasonable things like working!” The Thantophor closed his eyes, sighing loudly. “You have no idea how long it took for me and Tenuk to clear up that mess.”
“Oh. And Epani?”
“She wanted to join in after we became gods again and she got jealous.”
“Oh.”
“Yeah. “Oh”. Exactly. Your half-baked plans didn’t work.”
Kinisis shrugged, sitting down properly on her chair now. “Oh well. At least they’re having fun. I bet they’re slacking off though.”
“Undoubtedly.”
“And are you working extra to cover for them?”
“Fuck no!” Arkadin sneered, then suddenly stopped. “I, uh, did consider it though.”
“I bet you did. Which is why I’m making my offer to you again. You can sit in a corner and sulk at this party if you want, but you are coming with me. You need a break and I want to give you one. We’ll go to the party, chill out for a day, stuff our faces with exotic snacks then head back home. Sound good?”
Arkadin paused. “S-snacks?”
“Yes. Snacks.”
“How many?”
Kinisis smiled. “Lots.”
“Alright!” Arkadin beamed as he slammed his hands down on the desk. “I’m in!”