EOS

Eos's rosy fingers traced the rim of her wine glass. She was getting bored of her siblings' boring stories about their boring lives. A loud yawn escaped her mouth, getting Helios and Selene to stop talking.

"Oops, I didn't mean to interrupt your riveting conversation, guys." Eos took a sip of wine. Helios and Selene raised their eyebrows, preparing themselves for whatever their big sister was going to say.

"But while I have the floor, I might as well tell you what I did last night." Eos took her sweet time in the spotlight, pausing for dramatic effect.

"Let me guess, you fell in love with a dumb mortal like Selene," Helios said, laughing at his little sister.

"No, she probably did something idiotic like left the gate open and lost all her sheep." Selene jabbed right back at her brother.

"Helios's guess was closer," Eos said. Helios stuck his tongue out at Selene, but before he could say anything cocky, Eos kept going.

"So, I was hanging out with this guy, right? I was gonna do anything with him, just some mild flirting and maybe start a war with him. I don't know. And he was totally gorgeous, tall, strong, and had a body that was sculpted by Zeus himself."

"Wait a second. War...sculpted by Zeus... Oh my gods Eos. You did NOT have a fling with who I think you did." Selene was on the very edge of her seat.

Eos grinned. She knew she had won brunch and her story had just begun.

"It's not a big deal. Ares wasn't even that good of a kisser." At this, Helios' jaw dropped. He had definitely been zoning out until Eos mentioned Ares.

"ARES? The OLYMPIAN? God of war? APHRODITE'S BOYFRIEND?" Oh my gods this is bad. She's gonna come to our house and smite you, then Selene, then me." Helio was in full panic mode. He started shoving grapes into his mouth like popcorn.

"Don't get your toga in a twist, Helios. Aphrodite and I already talked about it." Eos seemed rather calm about the whole thing.

"So... she's okay with you being with Ares?" Selene was confused. Aphrodite had never been level-headed.

"Oh, gods no." Eos replied. "She burst through the door, saw me and Ares together, and turned red as one of Cupid's arrows. She cursed me on the spot."

Helios and Selene grew silent. Curses were serious business.

"Wha-What was the curse?" Selene put her arm on Eos's knee, ready to comfort her.

"She cursed me to always have an unsatisfiable sexual desire for mortal men."

The entire table burst into laughter.

"Eos, you already have an incurable thirst for mortals!" Selene was still laughing. "I mean, I do too. It's a family trait."

"Shhh! Aphrodite doesn't need to know that! In her mind, she just cursed me with the worst thing imaginable."

"I can't believe you actually had a thing with Ares, got caught by an angry Aphrodite, and got away without a real curse. I'm beyond impressed." Helios raised his glass for one final toast of the morning.

"Here's to curses," Eos started.

"And cattle!" Helios joined in.

"And to mortal lovers!" Selene clinked her glass with her siblings' and they all drank. Each one sat happily knowing their story was the best one, and already looking forward to next week's brunch.