Chapter Text
Odysseus stared into the water of the crystal clear lake. He needed to find a way off this island, Calypso won't be able to keep him forever, he’ll make sure of that.
The water rippled. A breeze flowing through his salt matted hair. The smell of too fragrant flowers invaded his nose. A blinding light.
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Telemachus was playing with Argos when the blinding light hit. He shut his eyes tight, before opening them to a strange room. It vaguely resembled a theatre but smaller and enclosed, with a lack of stage. He looked around, he felt Argos’ fur rub on his legs. He saw his mother next to a man that he didn't quite recognize. He looked familiar but he couldn't be a suitor because he and his mother were hugging. Before he could approach however, he saw three other men. Two he also didn’t recognize, but the third he knew all too well.
Antinous. Luckly, he hasn't seen Telemachus yet, or at least not acknowledged him. The other two men walked toward his mother and the familiar man clinging to her. One had glasses and a red ribbon tied on his head. The other was a tall, darker skinned man whose posture commanded authority.
Telemachus walked over as Antinous turned his attention to him.
“Mother? Where are we?” The prince asked, Penelope turned to him to respond but the familiar man spoke first.
“Telemachus?” He said, quietly as if he would disappear if he spoke to loudly.
Oh. Is this? “Father?” Telemachus questioned. Surely this is a dream, right? After 14 years, he finally sees his father. In person, not just stories or tapestries.
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Odysseus almost fell over when Telemachus rushed into a hug. After so long, he gets to meet his son. He prays to whatever god will listen that he isn't dreaming. Finally seeing his wife and son, even if he’s not quite home, it’s enough. Even if just for a moment. He’s already missed so much, he doesn't want to miss any more.
“Captain?”
He freezes. No… He turns around, almost making himself dizzy in the process.
Eurylochus and Polites stand before him. Alive. Alive and not ghostly at all. “How…?” He asked himself
“My friend, do you know where we are?”
All Odysseus could do was shake his head. Was he dreaming? How else would he be seeing his closest friends alive and well? Had he fallen asleep at the lake? Would Calypso find him and-
“Ody?” Penelope said, bringing him back to reality.
The sound of a man clearing his throat got the attention of the group.
“You know, I hate to break this reunion and all, but I say we focus less on hugging and more on getting out of here” The strange man said with annoyance in his voice.
“And who are you?” Odysseus asked
“Antinous” He replied simply, Odysseus noticed Telemachus, who still held onto him, tense up when the man turned his attention to him.
“Now, Now, lets not have any conflict here”
“Who-?!”
“No need to get defensive, I am a friend. I am simply going to show you all the happenings of the past four years, and perhaps a bit of the future as well”
“How? Are you a god?” Polites asked, as welcoming as ever.
“You can say that. I am Angelos”
“Why are we here Angelos.” Antinous said, who seemed to be getting impatient.
“Like I said, to watch”
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Penelope sighed. At least this could buy her some time to avoid choosing a suitor. Maybe Odysseus could even come home after this. Oh how she would love for the suitors to finally leave. Despite them only arriving at the palace a pair of months ago, they’ve made their presence quite known.
“And how long would this take?” Eurylochus asked, she still recognized the man. Penelope’s glad to see he’s doing well, Ctimene would be glad to hear about this.
“About an hour and a half, possibly a bit more”
“And why should we comply? Some of us have better things to do” Antinous replied, Angelos didn’t.
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Polites took a seat in between Eurylochus, who sat on the edge of the row, and Odysseus, who sat next to Penelope. He was a bit confused by Ody wearing his ribbon as a hair tie but he was also confused as to how they got teleported to a strange room, so he let it slide for now. He also appreciated the cushions on the seats, much more comfortable than anything he sat on in recent times.
Telemachus sat next to Penelope, with the man who called himself Antinous sitting next to him. And though Polites may greet the world with open arms, something about Antinous strikes him as off. Whatever it is, he doesn't quite trust him. Although it could just be a bad first impression, maybe he’s actually a really nice guy .
His thoughts were interrupted when the flat black box in front to the seats lit up with words appearing on it.
The Horse and the Infant