Happy Halloween? - chapter eight.

So a chastised angry royal couple - perhaps remembering that Aphrodite is considered a war goddess in some quarters - promised to let Johnny go home with Meeps.
But pleading business and apologizing for the inconvenience claimed that he had to stay to after the Halloween party the next day. They couldn´t expect their staff to work both on getting ready for the party and work on the paper work in connection with Johnny going home at the same time, they said.
Meeps mumbled "Hooey!" But Aphrodite just nodded and said that Johnny - and Meeps - could occupy her suite at this palace since she had to go away on business and would only be back just in time for the party.
Johnny was a bit worry because Meeps didn´t look happy. But his eternal curiosity also want to explore this place now that he knew he didn´t have to stay.
How many did get the change to see the Land of the Dead while still alive after all?
And since Cerberus promised to keep an eye on them - to Persephone´s great dismay - she wanted the dog to donned his extra heads in order to follow tradition, as she said and he refused - Meeps accepted the invitation.
So after having said goodbye to Hades and his wife the three friends followed Aphrodite to her luxurious suite on the ground floor of the palace. Which to Johnny´s great delight had huge walk-through windows leading out to a luxurious garden on the edge of the Elysium Fields.
All was therefore joy and happiness up until the party. And even that started off on the right foot since Aphrodite returned with a gorgeous cream coloured dress with darker coloured flower embroideries on for Meeps and a very becoming black tuxedo for Johnny.
The party was a gigantic affair with just about everybody who had ever been anybody present. Johnny noticed Napoleon with his Josephine. And Caesar with the adorable Cleopatra.
Then he heard and a moment later saw Juliet having a tremendous fight with her Romeo ... There was one relation ship which hadn´t survived death. Something about Romeo being too childish and boring and irritating Juliet ... TO DEATH!
Yes, the young lady really did scream that at the top of her lungs ...
Johnny felt rather sorry for the young man and tried with a bit of big brotherly advice to better the situation. But wasn´t sure it worked since Romeo as most teenagers - and quite a few grown-ups too - was quite sure he knew best, thank you very much!
Meeps on the other hand suddenly giggled and ran over to hug Daredevil - the stallion, you know -o* And a moment later the Headless Horseman came up and said "Hello" with a big smile. He liked Ichabod very much for being sensible enough to have given him his head back.
... wonder if one should start to call him the Headed Horseman?
Nah - sounds silly *O*
All in all everything went fine. Although Johnny noticed Meeps stuck very close to him. But she was always nervous around strangers and since he wasn´t that brave himself he rather enjoyed having her close at parties too and after a bit thought no more of it.
But even chickens have to pee - or something - so after a rather long while Meeps excused herself and went to find a bathroom. Johnny went out on the terrace in front of the palace to cool off a bit and wait for her out under the stars.
And don´t ask me how you can see the stars in the Underworld. You just can - in great numbers and shining very bright!
And looking up at these stars and enjoying the peace and quiet of the night Johnny got rather spooked when a gorgeous young woman suddenly stood beside him and apparently had said something to him.
"So-sorry ... I didn´t hear you c-come" Johnny stuttered. Then took a deep breath and said "Sorry. You scared me a bit. You were saying?" But the woman just smiled seductively and tossed her beautiful blond hair. She was wearing a thin tight dress which seemed to hang on her only by the tremendous power of super glue.
Johnny sighed internally. Here was another one who thought appearance was all. Then he corrected himself. For some men blond hair, blue eyes, big breast and mile long legs was indeed EVERYTHING!!!
With a bit of a smile Johnny slap himself mentally - and gently - and tuned in to listen to what the woman said.