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Friday, late afternoon.
In a graveyard a few blocks away from Blackmore Academy, Darcy Graves was resting against a headstone, holding a flier in her hands with a pensive look.
Behind her, an ensemble of floating skulls was forming, trying to peek at what their caretaker was so intent on reading.
Unfortunately for them, they had no eyes.
-What has you so captivated?- asked one of the deadheads.
-Oh. This? It’s a flier from my school.- the girl replied, tilting her head upwards, waving her snowy hair out of the way to see the flock of skulls that gathered around her.
-They want to perform Homer’s “Odyssey” on stage, and are inviting whoever’s interested to answer their casting call.- she continued, highlighting the paper with her finger.
-Are you going to try for a role? Who’d you want to play?- they asked as one.
-Scoffs Technically I’m enrolled in the theater club… Despite my attendance saying otherwise.-
-As for who I’d like to play, I don't know. I remember reading it back in middle school. I liked some of its characters, I guess. If I had to choose I’d say I want to play Circe or Athena. Penelope wouldn’t suck either.- she said, her gaze still fixated on the flier. Stashing it into her bag, Darcy got up, ready to resume her work in service of the lost souls.
Darcy stayed true to her word and on Monday afternoon she headed towards the school auditorium, where a bunch of students were gathered. She quickly moved to a table where a teacher asked her to write her name on the list before telling her to get comfortable and wait.
One by one the teacher called each student over, before pointing them to a separate room.
A few hours later Graves finally heard her name called. Way too loud for her liking.
She hurried towards the teacher.
-Well hello Darcy, it’s been a while since you joined us! what convinced you to come to these castings?-
Graves rolled her eyes, annoyed by the remark.
She was starting to think about getting up and leaving, but decided against it.
The teacher was right and he was one of the few in Blackmore who Darcy thought didn’t completely suck.
-I’ve been… Busy. I’ll try to be more active in the club going forward…
As for today, I had nothing better to do.-
-If I didn't know better I’d almost believe you. So, I take it you read the source material? Who’s your favourite character? Let me hazard a guess, Circe?-
-I guess. Although she’s not the only one, I also liked Athena and, strange enough, Penelope.- Graves replied, fidgeting a bit with her fingers.
-Interesting. Anyways, I’m now going to give you some lines from different characters and you’re going to act them out for me, okay?-
The teacher picked up a clipboard from a nearby table and handed it to Graves. She began reciting each phrase, trying to gauge the teacher’s enthusiasm after each take.
-Thank you for your time Darcy, you may go now.- the teacher gave her a pat on the back as she took the clipboard, setting it on the same table.
-We’ll post the results as soon as possible, be sure to check the corkboard outside the auditorium from time to time.-
A week later.
Graves was leaving chemistry class, followed by her lab partner.
-I need to make a quick detour before going to the cafeteria. I need to check my club’s info board.-
-You? In a club? Since when?- Apollo asked in a tone that threaded the fine line between curiosity and teasing.
-Don’t start it.-
-I’m just surprised to hear you spend time in other places other than the graveyard.- he replied, trying to sound as less of an asshole to her ears as he could.
-Whatever, let’s just go.-
During the walk she began to wonder why in the hell was Apollo even tagging along. Sure, they recently fought together in a death ritual and somehow won, their relationship had drastically improved from being at each other's neck everyday and they were now able to hold a conversation, but she wasn’t really thinking of calling him her friend.
Whatever the reason was, she probably didn’t care.
They arrived in front of the big wooden board. On it was an unassuming flier with on it written “The Odyssey - Cast”.
-Oh, so you’re in the theatre club. I figure you auditioned too.-
-Yeah, I am. Wait, what the hell do you mean too?- Graves asked, her eyes darting between scanning the list to practically boring a hole in his soul from how hard she was staring at him.
-Why are you staring at me like that?-
-You didn’t audition for a role, right?- she asked, almost offended by the thought.
-Of course I didn’t. I was invited by your teacher personally and thought it worth my time.-
-Of fucking course.-
At the top of the list lay written in bold “Apollo Lyceus Areios - Odysseus”. Graves rolled her eyes, as if there was ever any doubt that Golden Boy wouldn’t be the center of attention.
-Oh, there you are. I must say, it’s not a role I’d expect to see you in but I see the vision.-
She quickly darted to what he was pointing at, reading “Darcy Graves - Penelope” on the piece of paper.
-You don’t seem particularly thrilled.-
-No. I’m not.- Graves replied, not even looking at him.
-Why? Is it because we have to act together?-
“Why would he say that?” thought Graves.
-Partly. I may tolerate you now but I know your adoring fans aren’t going to be thrilled seeing you… With me.-
-I thought you didn’t care about what others think.- his gaze was fixated on her.
-I don’t, but it’s hard to miss when every two days I get sideways glances and insults thrown my way for merely existing in your presence.-
He thought on for a bit before deciding it would probably be better to drop the conversation.
-Will you be at the first rehearsal this afternoon?-
Graves took a deep breath.
-I’ll try.-
2 months later, premiere day.
Graves was standing near the entrance stage left, waiting for her cue.
She observed the scene in front of her play out. Apollo, dressed in a white tunic with a golden trim and a blue mantle, was holding a sword at neck height towards a girl, dressed in fine pink silk robes and sporting various silver flower ornaments on her arms and hair.
The girl who was playing Circe recited her line and Graves recapped mentally what she had to do: walk slowly on stage, extend her hand to Apollo, pull away slowly at the last second and leave.
Graves looked up from her recap to see Circe reach for Apollo as he was turned towards the audience and guide his gaze back to her with a hand.
She felt her face grow redder and her knees slightly giving out.
Circe then pushed Apollo down onto a sofa and crawled on top of him slowly. Graves was still uncomfortably looking on, one of her hands clenching hard on the hem of the dress she was wearing, her stomach churning at the image.
Graves’s discomfort was finally interrupted by Apollo’s voice ringing out, signaling her cue.
-I can’t.- Apollo lamented as he pushed Circe off him and stood up from the sofa.
-Back at home, my wife awaits for me.- he said, raising his arm towards Graves’s entrance as she stepped out slowly.
-She’s my everything, my Penelope…- he continued, stepping closer to her, as she began raising her hand slowly towards him.
-And she’s all my power…all my power…- Apollo lamented, giving Graves a look of pure longing. He slowly raised his hand to meet hers, their fingertips slightly brushing against each other.
-But it’s been 12 long years!-
This was the other cue Graves was waiting for. She slowly pulled away from Apollo leaving him to look desperately at the place where she stood, now empty.
As soon as she was off stage Graves quickly hurried off further behind the scene as Apollo’s voice was still lamenting how he’s been away 12 years from home and all the rest. She crouched down near the props used in previous acts, between the windbag and Polyphemus’s puppet, and placed a hand over her chest.
She felt her heart beating like crazy, her breath quickened as she saw two dark circles appear on her white dress as stray tears settled on it. She cried in the darkness as her mind went back. To the ritual, to the days following, to how she reacted to seeing Circe act with Apollo; it was all painting a picture she wasn’t ready to accept.
She dried her eyes, her mind still focused on her realization. Graves let out a small chuckle at the irony.
They’d been cast as one of the most famous couples of history and here she was, actually falling in love with her lab partner. She spent the rest of the play mulling over how to tackle this, while she had accepted the fact, the nugget in her chest was still a huge discomfort, one she wanted dealt with as soon as possible.
Graves stood up, it wouldn’t be long till she’d be called back on stage. She went back to the dressing room to check how she looked, her makeup was smudged and needed to be reapplied, her dress was slightly crumpled, she wasn’t really in any condition to show herself.
At that moment her teacher and director, the same from the auditions, entered the room.
-Darcy, what happened?- the teacher asked gently.
-I… Umm. It’s nothing. Stage fright. It’s over, I promise.”
-You’re doing great, don’t worry, I’m sure you and Apollo are going to crush this last act. Now chin up, you’ll be fine. Put on some makeup and I’ll go fetch a spare costume.-
Graves took a deep breath and started re-applying all the makeup on her face. Foundation, eyeliner, a tinge of eye shadow and lipstick. The teacher then returned and helped her put on the new costume.
She quickly went to her spot on stage, sitting in front of the great loom.
As the curtains finally opened, signaling the beginning of the last act, Graves began reciting Penelope’s deceit, how she tricked the suitors for 4 years, pretending to weave a shroud for Odysseus’s father Laertes and unthreading all the work late at night.
She pushed away the loom as a pair of girls, acting as Penelope’s servants, brought her a bow and a quiver of arrows. Graves continued her narration, stating how it had been 20 years since Odysseus left Ithaca and how she couldn’t hold on any longer.
The stage quickly filled as all the suitors and Apollo, currently covered by a heavy rugged cloak, lined up on her left. The servants from before pushed in front of her the fabled 12 axes and she finally resumed speaking.
-Whoever can string my husband’s old bow and shoot through these 12 axes cleanly will be the new king, sit down at the throne with me as his queen.- Graves began, raising the unstrung bow to the ceiling.
-Let the Arrow fly once you know that your aim is true.-
She lowered the bow onto a stand, placing the quiver beside it, then turned her back to the suitors, heading for the exit.
-Because I would rather die than grow old without the best of you.-
As soon as she was off stage she was approached by the teacher who congratulated her and told her to get ready for the final scene. Graves prepared herself, rereading her lines and approaching the entrance, looking on as Apollo was acting out the massacre of the suitors. The curtains closed and he flashed her a smile before exiting the stage opposite of her.
Graves sat back at the loom, the curtains opened, and she awaited as a pair of footsteps approached from the left.
She turned on her stool and stepped off, looking at Apollo.
-Is it you? Have my prayers been answered? Is it really you standing there? Or am I dreaming once more?- Graves began, taking slow, uncertain steps towards Apollo, who looked down at his feet the whole time.
-You look different…Your eyes look tired, your frame is lighter, Your smile torn…-
She continued, finally reaching him, placing a hand on his cheek, with him taking it and gently caressing it.
-Is it really you, my love?-
-I am not the man you fell in love with… I am not the man you once adored…
I am not your kind and gentle husband…-
Apollo looked away in grief while reciting the line.
-And I am not the love you knew before.-
He fully knelt in front of her.
-Would you fall in love with me again if you knew all I’ve done? The things I cannot change. Would you love me all the same? I know that you’ve been waiting, waiting. For love…-
Apollo asked, raising his arms towards her.
-What kind of things did you do?-
She asked hesitantly, slowly offering him a hand to stand up.
Apollo took her hand and turned towards the audience.
-I left a trail of red on every island. As I traded friends like objects I could use.
Hurt more lives that I can count on my hands! But all of it was to bring me back to you. So tell me…-
He turned towards her, taking her hands in his.
-Would you fall in love with me again if you knew all I’ve done? The things I can’t undo. I am not the man you knew. I know that you’ve been waiting, waiting…-
Apollo asked again but was cut off by Graves.
-If that’s true, could you do me a favor? Just a moment of labor that would bring me some peace?- She lowered his hands back to his sides and stepped away from him, towards a rough wooden bed that was placed on stage.
-See this wedding bed? Could you carry it over, lift it high on your shoulders and take it far away from here?-
-How could you say this… I had built that wedding bed with my blood and sweat, carved it into the olive tree where we first met. A symbol of our love everlasting…Do you realize what you have asked me?-
He raised his voice stepping in front of her.
-The only way to move it is to cut it from its roots!-
-Only my husband knew that, so I guess that makes him you!-
Graves shot back, looking him dead in the eye with a determined expression.
-Penelope…-
Apollo let out almost wordlessly.
-I will fall in love with you over and over again, I don’t care how, where or when. No matter how long it’s been, you're mine!-
She shouted, her voice carrying both the required emotions of the scene and her own.
-Don’t tell me you’re not the same person! You’re always my husband and I‘ve been waiting…-
-Penelope…- Apollo replied, his voice soft and caring.
-Waiting for you…- her face was mere inches away from him.
They both held each other in a tight embrace, tears flowing on both their faces.
-How long has it been?- Graves asked softly, looking into his amber eyes.
-20 years…- Apollo replied, his voice shaking, quivering at every word.
The curtains closed before them, enveloping them both in shadows.
-Darcy.- Apollo called for her and she felt her skin begin to heat up.
-Yeah?-
Apollo opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted by the sound of footsteps as all the actors rushed on stage beside them and the curtains slowly parted.
Graves felt her head grow heavier as cheers and applause rang across the room. She looked on to the audience trying to find something to focus on and push out the discomfort but, unfortunately for her, she landed on a large group of girls glancing at Apollo with starry eyes and simultaneously shooting her glares full of scorn. She saw 2 of them engaged in whispers while still maintaining eye contact with her, she obviously couldn’t hear them but guessed they were probably hurling insults or spinning rumors about her.
She bit her lower lip in discomfort until she felt slow circling motions on the back of her hand. Apollo leaned close enough so that she could hear him and whispered.
-After the curtains close once more take the chance and leave early. Wait for me in the graveyard near our school, I need to talk to you.-
1 hour later.
In the same graveyard where she found out about the play, Darcy Graves was waiting. Waiting for Apollo to show up.
She sat down laying against a headstone and a few spirits rose from the ground.
-Darcy, what’s got you so worried?- asked one of the spirits.
-Shouldn’t you still be at the theater?- asked another.
-Hello to you all, I came here to calm down, all the attention on stage was starting to become unbearable.- Graves replied.
-Oh poor girl, did the show go well atleast?- asked the ghost of an elderly woman.
Darcy smiled, she appreciated her conversations with the dead, they had a certain kindness that the livings lacked.
-Thank you, Mrs. Fischer. It went great, my teacher said I have a knack for acting, maybe I’ll visit the club more often going forward.-
Graves looked toward the entrance of the graveyard and sighed.
“Where the hell is he?” she thought.
-Are you expecting someone, sweetie?- asked the ghost, interrupting her thoughts.
-Oh? Yes, I am. My friend asked me to wait for him here, remember the one with the horns and tail?- Graves replied, turning back to the ghost.
-Although I’m not sure he’ll show up…- She finished, sounding almost defeated.
-Talking to yourself once again?- Apollo asked, landing on the other side of the graveyard’s gate. Graves rolled her eyes.
-Ugh. Cut it out, you know I’m a necromancer, golden boy…Thank you for before, by the way.-
-Don’t mention it, I saw how uncomfortable you were, I’m sorry it took me this long to get here.-
Apollo sat down next to her.
-Don’t worry about it. So what did you want to talk about?- Graves replied, sitting up cross-legged to better look at him.
-Remember the day we saw the cast? I said your teacher invited me.- He asked, fidgeting with his ring.
-Yeah?-
-I never told you why I accepted.- Apollo continued, looking down shyly.
-I wasn’t interested initially, but then I saw your name on the list…-
Graves felt her whole body become lighter, she looked at him attentively asking for confirmation.
-What are you getting at, Apollo?-
-After the ritual I felt myself getting closer to you everyday, while I was trying to find a way to tell you, this play presented itself as the perfect opportunity.-
Graves lit up at his confession. She took his hands in hers.
-There’s something I need to tell you too…-
-I’m listening.-
-Earlier, when you were on stage with Circe, I was looking at you the whole time, waiting for my cue.
I couldn’t help but feel my heart sink at every caress, every single motion she did.-
-Graves…- Apollo moved closer, placing both his hands on her face.
-After I left the stage, I hid backstage and cried, trying to wrangle my feelings…-
She cupped his face with her hands as well.
-I couldn’t figure it out at first but I know what I felt.-
-Darcy Graves, would you fall in love with me?-
-I already have…-
She replied against his lips as she closed the gap.