"Four of a kind!"
"Grrrrr...."
"I don't think..."
"I really think, as King of the Gods, that I should have..."
"SHUT UP!"
"SHUT UP!"
"SHUT UP!"
Autolycus, HerK and the Sov all glared in unison at the King of the Gods before returning their attention to Auto's (alleged) winning hand.
The King of Thieves twirled his moustache with a flourish "HAHA!!!! I win! See ya - wouldn't wanna be ya!"
Just as he jumped up from the table and turned to depart in what was decidely a hurry, a hand snaked out and restrained him in a bone-crushing hold.
"Not so fast, lover boy," snarled the Sov, shaking Auto's arm vigorously, causing the rest of him to jive. Roughly several dozen cards were dislodged from their hiding places all over his body and fluttered guiltily to lie in a forlorn pile on the floor.
Hercules rolled his eyes. "Autolycus, couldn't you at least TRY to be honest just once?"
The King of Thieves looked genuinely shocked and almost hurt. "What? And ruin my reputation. I think NOT, my good Hercules."
Zeus's arm rolled back and a ball of lightning appeared in his hand as he eyed the other "King" thoughtfully. "Son, if I were you, I'd leave while I was ahead - or even had a head," he murmured quietly, playing with the lightning in his hand.
"Now see here! I'm the only one out of all of you that both Zoni and Bt requested for their birthday escort! I really think that
I deserve to be first escort with at least ONE of them.
Hercules and the Sov both wore identical expressions of cunning enlightenment, which the Amazons would have found hilarious if they'd seen it. "You know what, Autolycus, for once I think I agree with you. You SHOULD be first, and then the rest of us will sort ourselves out and have time with the Birthday Amazons, after you."
The Sov stroked his beard, his eyes twinkling in what looked suspiciously liked approval at his good-hearted twin. "Buttercup Boy, I think I'm beginning to like you," he grinned at Hercules.
The beardless son of Zeus looked worried. "Uhoh..."
By now Zeus had caught on too.
"Yes, yes, by all means Auto, my boy - why don't you go off and party with Zoni and Bt and we'll catch you up, hmmm?"
Auto smoothed down his vest. "Say, that's mighty nice of you all. I'll have to find some way to thank you - maybe by not robbing you for a year, d'ya think?"
Hercules rolled his eyes. "Autolycus - just...go."
The King of Thieves needed no second encouragement.
After he'd left, the three remaining card not-sharps burst out laughing.
"Boys, I'm proud of you. If Auto has his fun now, before the party, we have..."
"The rest of the NIGHT!" yelled HerK and the Sov.
*********
Zoni was taking a walk in the valley behind the Forum. She'd been busy for what felt like weeks, and was really enjoying her birthday. The scents of the trees and flowers reached out and caressed her with their beauty, while a gentle breeze danced playfully through her long lustrous dark hair. She raised her face to the sun, her eyes closed, and smiled in sheer pleasure, as its warmth embraced her.
"ODELAYEEEEHOOOOOO!!!!!!"
The Birthday Amazon's eyes flashed open and she grinned, spinning just in time to see Auto swing into the small clearing and land lightly right before her. He smiled his charming smile and immediately swept her into his arms and kissed her to within an inch of her life. "Miss me, sweet thing?" He murmured against her lips.
Zoni smiled in bliss.
Several hours later, Auto tiptoed into the Forum residential area and crept, silent as a cat, into Bt's room. The other Birthday Amazon sitting by her window, enjoying the afternoon sun and leafing through a large album of pictures, a warm smile on her face.
Auto sneaked over to stand behind her and peer down at the pictures. For a few minutes he forgot himself and smiled down at them too - pictures of so many of Bt's extended family. Then he remembered his mission, and cleared his throat. Bt turned and smiled up at him. "It's so nice to see you Auto - it's been a while!"
Auto took her hand gently in his and gave it a most gentlemanly kiss. "You know, I have a family too," he confided to Bt, almost bashfully. "Would you like to meet them?" He asked her with his most winning smile.
Bt was both astonished and delighted. "Of course I would Auto. Where do they live?"
The King of Thieves scuffed his boot boyishly on the carpet. "I'll take you there, but you have to promise to never tell anyone else about it, or my family," he told her.
"I promise," Bt told him solemnly.
"GREAT!" Auto shouted, sweeping Bt into his arms and making away with her while the Forumites were absent and busy elsewhere. No one saw them leave - or return, just before the party. And as for where they went and what they did and who they saw...well, Bt is a lady, and a lady never breaks a promise
The Forum recreation room (yes, we do have one, so there!) was located far, far away from the sleeping quarters of the Amazons and Hunters who lived there. There was a very good reason for this - one which the best ear plugs in the world couldn't get rid of
Bt and Zoni were having a fabulous time, whirling around the dance floor between their chosen escorts, in between being congratulated and greeted by their many friends.
After a particularly energetic song (Girls just wanna have fun
), the lights were dimmed and a beautiful birthday cake was wheeled into the room and as Zoni and Bt blew out the candles together, everyone began singing:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR ZONI AND BT!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOUUUUUUUUU!!!!
Applause and stamping of feet told of wild approval for the two Birthday Amazons as their escorts stood around them, proudly puffing out their chests and trying not to elbow each other too obviously for prime positions.
Later, much later - after the party had begun to wind down and the Birthday Amazons and their escorts had retired to the hot tub room. Sounds of merriment peeled forth from the room as Auto paced outside the closed door in great agitation.
"I should have known they'd have something up their sleeves."
Then he grinned - a most dangerous, feral grin, as a light went on in that sneaky head.
Shortly afterwords, shrieks and shouts of surprise echoed from the room as Auto belly flopped into the hot tub.
"SURPRISE!" He bellowed, much to the delight of the Birthday Amazons, while the other birthday escorts all groaned in collective annoyance.
Happy birthday Zoni and Bt! I hope you both have a day filled with many and varied surprises of the most delightful kind!
Warm hugs,
Kendaa
