Game Date: 11.19.2002

A Little Bit of Crow

"Okay, so maybe you were right," said Brasidas. "But, you voted the right way anyway even though Marina shook the taint. The risk of that kind of thing is always too great."

I disagree a little bit, thought Chris. If she can do it, then others can do it. Besides, didn't Athena always vote for the accused as the tiebreaker vote in deadlocked juries?

"Watch it, runt," said Brasidas. "You are right, but that was an especially Athenian custom and you know how I feel about Athens."

Don't be grumpy just because they killed you, thought Chris. It's a noble custom and I intend to follow the grand tradition.

"Get a spear in your guts before you preach to me. I have a right to be grumpy. Besides, somebody has to challenge your cheerfulness, balance is important."

Maybe so, but what she did gives me hope. Maybe the Olmetecs won't be able to turn her like they seem to have turned everyone else they've publicly encountered, thought Chris.

"Watch they don't turn you," said Brasidas.

I won't get turned, thought Chris. They disappear the covert ones, remember?

"I remember," said Brasidas. "I also wonder where they went."

Don't you have enough pull with the Olympians to find out? thought Chris.

"Unlike you, I know not to push it," said Brasidas.

But I really need to know, thought Chris. It makes for better planning.

"I'll see what I can do," said Brasidas.

The two sat around for a while. It was a different kind of moment for them. Chris had actually stood Brasidas up on a point. Shadow Tiger had made the ultimate decision, but Chris, while he had argued against risking the Dark Influence coming out of her, didn't really feel good about the ultimate result of his stand. He still felt guilty about knowing that he would have readily voted to kill her, even if it was for the sake of all mankind. But now he had some leverage in future discussions with Brasidas. The internal taint could be beaten and Marina was the proof.

"Spontaneity time," said Brasidas. "I shall reward you with something you've always wanted to see."

Is that what I think it is? thought Chris.

"It is," said Brasidas, "and I'll even eat it without ketchup."

Okay, I know I was right, thought Chris. But really eating crow is carrying it a bit.

"As I said, even without the ketchup," said Brasidas.

Chris felt uneasy about it and soon he knew why. As Brasidas was eating the crow, he tasted it a little bit as well and it was as horrible tasting as it was rumored to be. You sucker punched me, thought Chris. It's as if I'm eating it, too.

"I couldn't let you get away completely," said Brasidas. "Now you know how I feel when you eat all that Thai curry and despite the fact that I'm not a Gator or a Seminole, this should be satisfying to you all the same."

Chris had to admit to himself it was. It was also something he never thought he'd see, but he wasn't surprised. Brasidas was a tough old nail. Chris surmised it was a side effect of being Spartan.

"It is," said Brasidas, "and in the future, keep those pizzas and hamburgers coming. They have no redeeming nutritional value, but I've grown fond of them."

I'll remember that, thought Chris.

"And keep visiting Helena. That woman isn't the greatest cook yet, but you give her motivation to keep getting better."

I'll remember that, too, thought Chris.

"I will see what the Olympians give me as far as the disappeared ones. I want to know what happened to them, too," said Brasidas.

Brasidas turned and left the room, which then morphed into Chris's room. Until he woke up, he hadn't realized his conversation took place in Spartan housing. I'm getting too used to this, thought Chris. But it's time to train the youngsters.