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[[Location]]: Verdant and Orpheus’ apartment - rooftop
[[Time]]: 2:03 P.M.

The sun was shining brightly upon the tiny little apartment complex that was nestled between so many larger buildings, like a sapling amongst a grove of maple trees. The breeze was pleasant and not too strong, just enough to give relief to the two brothers resting in the garden they’d started a week ago. It was already starting to look like Elst and Aoi’s home, with beautiful flowers and aromatic herbs growing frenetically over the edge of the roof. There was even room for a large kiwi vine that had been espaliered specifically to give shade to the occupants of the garden. Yes, the tenants had all pitched in to make the dreary rooftop into a sort of oasis for themselves, a place to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. This is where Verdant and Orpheus Lindtstrom had decided to enjoy their day off.

“Oh, what are men compared to rocks and mountains?” Verdant inquired as he lay under the kiwi’s shade, an ice cold glass of nectar in his hand. Though he loved working at Elysian Gardens, even he had to admit that the idea of having a day off sounded pretty sweet. Besides, it’d been quite some time since he could just relax and not give a rat’s a** about problems and issues that had arisen as of late.

“Or men who don’t bed everything with a pulse,” Orpheus replied as he skimmed through his favorite anthology of Greek myths. He’d just finished reading about another consort of Zeus’; that guy had a libido that rivaled even Faolan, Dorian, and Verdant’s combined. “And women who don’t have a curiosity that dooms at least somebody.”

Verdant laughed and stared at his little brother with interest. “What are you talking about, Orpheus?”

“Well, Psyche looked inside the box that Hecate gave her to give to Aphrodite. I mean, it came from Hecate, of all people! You don’t trust an Underworld goddess, brah. Then, the original woman herself, Pandora; that was one dumb chick, brah.”

“In all fairness, I would have done the same thing if I were in their places, sweetie.” Verdant had to admit, he loved opening up boxes, but after he found a raccoon mating with a cat that one time, he kind of got over it.

Orpheus shook his head and pecked at Verdant’s forehead sharply. “That’s what worries me, brah. Anyways, there’s something I wanted to ask you about Pandora’s story.”

Verdant rubbed at the soon-to-be-bruise and took a quick sip of his nectar. “What’d you want to ask?”

“Well, I don’t understand what elpis was doing inside the jar. I mean, all the evils in the world were locked inside, so what business did elpis, a supposed blessing, have in there with them? And why was it the only thing kept inside the jar after the evils escaped? Was elpis another evil, merely a false promise to keep us from tossing our life away? I mean, if that’s the case, then I should think it’s the most evil of all evils because it keeps us expectant of a good outcome while keeping us tormented by the other evils. Then being hopeful is just a waste of our time, brah.”

Verdant stretched a little bit before taking off his shirt; he found he thought best when he was shirtless. He thought long and hard about Orpheus’ philosophical question, wondering how best to word it. The little wyvern had put quite a bit of thought into this story and it clearly meant something to him. He deserved a good answer, something that wasn’t half-assed.

“Well, this is my take on the Pandora myth, just my opinion, really, so take it as you will. Elpis was kept inside the jar because it's the one saving grace that we are all entitled to. Elpis is expectant hope; it makes us strive for something great, for the brilliant light at the end of the tunnel. It can strengthen the weakest of souls and gives us a promise of all the blessings that left us when she opened the jar. Yes, there were evils locked away inside along with elpis, but it no longer serves as a prison. It’s now the sanctuary of elpis, of expectant hope, a blessing reserved for all of mankind. Hell, the only thing that keeps me going sometimes is the hope of something new and good and look where it’s gotten me! I have two best friends who I love dearly, two beaus who I adore and cherish above all else, and a little brother who fills me with more and more pride every day. If elpis is so bad, then why have I received so many blessings, huh?” Verdant stared into space for about a minute before grinning like an idiot. “Dude, I have got to start writing this s**t down!”

Orpheus remained silent as he thought about what his brother had said. After a few moments, the wyvern turned back to his brother with what one could take to be a smile, despite his lack of lips. “I think you’re right, Big Brother. So, um…” -Orpheus flicked his tail shyly before mumbling the rest of his sentence- “would… would Aoi like it if I were his elpis?”

Verdant smiled warmly at the little Proto before picking him up and planting a kiss on his forehead. “My dear Orpheus, I haven’t a doubt in my mind that Aoi would love it if you were his elpis. After all, everyone needs a little Hope.”

Orpheus chirped merrily in agreement, his wings flapping like a little bird’s. “Then it’s settled, brah! I’m going to be his elpis and when I grow up, I’m going to show Aoi how much he means to me!”

“And how will you do that, if you don’t mind my asking?”

Orpheus giggled mischievously and filled his older brother in on his plan. The nereid smiled wider and chuckled louder as he heard more and more of the plan; Orpheus was turning out to be quite a sneaky little b*****d! “Well, what do you think? Will you help me, brah?”

“How can I possibly say no?”

It was the string of swear words that had woken Verdant from his peaceful slumber. He had been dreaming about the third temptation of Paris, the fall of Troy, and the ruthless pawns of Eris when he fell out of his hammock with a jolt. He rubbed his head and stood up to rub his back and find out what the hell was going on. He pulled on a pair of boxers and walked into the living room to find quite surprise. Maybe he was still dreaming or something.

“What the hell’s a cute guy like you doing this early in a place like this?” Verdant asked groggily as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes. This guy didn’t look the slightest bit familiar, so the nude emo twink must’ve broken in. “Get the hell out, yo; I’ve got two boyfriend’s already and I’m happy as is. Shoo, git!”

The boy murmured angrily and puffed out his chest like a cockerel facing an adversary. His sparkling pink eyes shone with indignation and his white skin was quite flushed. Yes, everything about this boy said “Rage!”

“I cannot believe you don’t recognize me, you sex-crazed siren! I lose the fluffy tail, scales, and claws and all of a sudden you don’t know me? I bet you Aoi would recognize me!”

Verdant’s jaw dropped and his gaze went back up a little to meet the boy’s eyes. “Holy ********, Orpheus! When did this happen?!”

“Overnight, brah! Trust me, it was kind of a surprise for me too.” Orpheus turned around so his butt was facing the mirror and smiled. “Not that I’m really complaining, of course!”

Verdant continued to stare at Orpheus in shock- he’d hit Alter… in his sleep?! He knew that it wasn’t something you planned, but in his sleep? Really? REALLY?

Orpheus looked back at Verdant and blinked innocently a few times. “Brah? Close your mouth; you said you knew a sailor who drowned that way.” Orpheus turned around and faced Verdant, still looking a bit miffed.

“Haha, alright, alright, go get some clothes- WHOA.”

“Huh? What’s wrong?”

Verdant’s eyes were still locked on a certain part of his younger brother, an expression of sheer pride on his face.

“I see the family resemblance.”