A Musician on the Docks

Something interesting was occurring on the docks of Athens. Several people gathered to witness the spectacle.

A man with blood-red hair stood at the end of the dock, around eight people gathered around him, as he played the lyre with artisan precision. The notes that sang from the man's instrument rang across the sea and even somewhat into town, treating everyone to the beautiful music he was creating. But what made these few people stay for the show was a raven dancing to the music at the man's feet. A tin cup sits there too on top of a stack of envelope-sized papers, keeping them from blowing away. Several pencils stick out of the cup along with folded up pieces of paper. It is obvious not for money. In black letters across the metal cup it reads "prayers".

"Remember, ladies and gentlemen," the man said over his song. "I do not take donations! Please, if you must, write down a prayer for somebody you love or a wish for whatever your life is absent of and I will pray for you."

The dancing raven went "CAW!" as it danced.

A girl, waist length raven hair blowing in the sea breeze dangled her feet into the water. Her voice joined his tune in harmony. It helps him attract more customers, as they're drawn further toward him. More and more wishes are dropped in. One, an older woman, dropped a folded piece of paper into the cup. Seconds later, a delicate female hand plucked the paper from the cup to read it. It is the first of the lot she's taken interest in.

With a bow, the man finishes his song and thanks the civilians for giving him an audience. His raven flutters up to his shoulder after he picks up the cup full of scribbled on pieces of paper. He slips off his sandals and sits down next to the woman, letting his feet dangle into the water as well. Side-by-side, head-to-toe they were the exact same height.

"Take an interest in something, did you, sister?"

At once, both their feet kick through the blue green waters together, breeze ruffling blood red hair and raven. Though the color of tresses differed, both faces were simply a feminine and masculine replica of one another. The wish in the woman's hand lay open in her palm as she studied it.

"Hers was the only wish that came from a pure heart. She worries after her granddaughter. Only a teenager, but heavy with child." Eyes the color of the harvest moon looked to the side at her brother, gauging his thoughts of it.

The man's head hangs a bit lower. His eyes study the waters as if searching for some missing thought.

"Such a young girl should not be forced to take on such a responsibility... Or go through such pain. You answer this prayer, my sister."

He reached into the cup and withdrew another piece of paper. He held it in his hand without reading it, eyes closed in concentration.

The woman nodded. "I can ease her pain, but not her responsibility. A way to lighten the load, or should she carry it?" She asked her twin. Eyes fellto the prayer he held in his hand, and she awaited his verdict.

"If she can not carry this burden, neither child should be punished. We have rescued forsaken babes before. I shall speak with the Fates and see the infant's future. Depending on what I see will determine our course of action. It would not be the first time you've whisked a young one away to live on Mount Olympus."

He spoke in hushed tones to his sister. Unfolding the paper, he read it aloud.

"Ah yes, this one... This man wants his coworker to get fired because she annoys him."

He looked to the sky and thought for a moment with a mischievous grin.

"I think he'll be out of a job soon."

The huntress grinned with her own smile of mischief to match her brother. "Perhaps this co-worker should even get a promotion, before the man loses his own? The co-worker is not annoying. Only more diligent and skilled than he. It is time she be recognized." White teeth flashed in a slightly feral grin.

Mind still on the girl, she nodded. "That is a sound plan. It will be good to have a little girl wandering around the forest again, if that be the best plan of action." She reached out, plucking another wish from the cup. She held it in her hand for long minutes, before she gave a huff, and a roll of her eyes.