Food:

To the gods, riches weren’t worth much but for mortals like Muse, it was a necessity to earn money and amass riches to live a plentiful life on the little planet known as Earth. Boredom flickered through the young adult’s eyes as she dazedly watched the morning news, alerting mortals of the upcoming weather warnings, recent events occurring all over the world and the occasional gossip about the private lives of famous figures.

The human world was still an odd place for the female halfling, having lived her childhood at the home of her father, the trickster god known for his lies, deception and thieving ways. Muse had never met her mother, much to her chagrin, but her father was an oddball of a god and was always busy, leaving her to be entertained by her abundant amount of aunts, uncles and cousins. Muse enjoyed their company, though the majority would avoid her because of her mortal lineage but her aunty, the goddess of war, grew quite fond of her. It was a surprising development, after all, she was known to not like mortal women. Maybe it was because she had ichor running through her veins that she was even willing to converse with her. Due to this, she was more immortal than mortal. The beautiful lady would bestow upon her infinite knowledge which would leave the young Muse confused, earning vibrant laughter from the old goddess.

When an eagle paid a visit to her father’s home on Mount Olympus, Muse was immediately tossed out and ended up living alone on the little planet, contact with the immortals became scant. Muse sighed sadly, missing the mystical place where powers known as magic was abundant unlike on Earth. She twirled a pen in her hand when the sound of bells rang all around her, the harmonious sound made her spring up from the sofa in elation. The window bursts open, the gale of wind causing her hair to flail wildly, a glint of happiness sparkling in her caramel eyes.

“Hermes!”

“Call me father, you brat!” A male clad in winged-shoes, a pointed hat with the caduceus in his right hand. Muse giggled fondly at her father’s usual response, he hadn’t change one bit.

“Why are you here? Today isn’t the day of your monthly visit.” Muse said in askance but the blooming smile on her face betrayed her curt response. The handsome male snapped his fingers and a little black book appeared with the snap. The book floated softly into her hands, her caramel eyes looking curiously at the small black book that fitted nicely in her palms. Muse turns her gaze to her father with a tilt of her head, waiting patiently for an explanation.

“It’s your trial,” Hermes responded, quickly calling upon the wind to continue his work. “Good luck, kid.” He waves and with a tickling breeze, he was gone. The young adult was beyond confused, or rather her father just came and gave her a book without explaining things other than it’s a trial.

“Wait, my father is a trickster god then could he be lying about this being a trial?” A scary thought that was. “But then wouldn’t he expect me to think that way to trick me into thinking he’s lying? Is he using reverse psychology on me now?” Muse’s brain continued to swirl in confusing thoughts. Mindlessly, she opened the black book and a slip of paper fell out while a line of cursive text appeared.

Muse bent down to pick up the rectangular slip, examining it closely it was a cheque worth 20,000 dollars! Muse held the cheque in her left hand and the little black notebook in the other. Her gaze turns to the contents of the notebook and recognized the exquisite writing.

“Aphrodite? Well, I guess this was pre-scribed.” She hummed. “Let’s see what she has to say.”

D aughter of Hermes, child of a mortal,

How have you been faring child? The mortal world is full of dangers but I, Aphrodite is assured, for you have learned from me, the daughter of Zeus, the king of the gods. The slip of paper, from what I’ve heard stores riches thus I shall share the riches I’ve accumulated. Use it as you wish, I’m sure Hermes, that foul trickster, must’ve told another lie to deliver this notebook to you but rest assured. No harm shall come your way for you have the protection of I, the goddess of war. Anything written in this black notebook will be sent to the book I own, it is a treasure that allows communication from the mortal world to our home.

May the gods bless your journey in the mortal realm, Muse, daughter of Hermes.

Muse delightedly laughed at the message, it seems like there was no trial at all. That deceitful father of mine and his silly pranks, he can never get enough of it. With little effort, Muse had already entered the money she received into her bank account. Splitting the money in half, transferring one half into her savings account and the other for her own spending.

“The best way to spend money is, of course—” phone in hand, she quickly booked a flight to Korea and settling for an inexpensive hotel, “—food!” Muse’s fingers moved swiftly across her smartphone reserving a spot for a famous Korean barbecue restaurant. There wasn’t much to pack as she only needed the bare minimum plus if she needed something, she could just buy it.

In her bag, she shoved a toothbrush, a bundle of clothes, a second pair of shoes, her wallet, the small black notebook and a pen. Headphones hanging around her neck, smartphone in hand, glasses on, backpack on her shoulder, and a mask covering the bottom half of her face. Muse was ready to travel to every region in the world, to eat!

Muse wasn’t worried at all, her father wasn’t all bad as he was also the god of language thus Muse was efficient in all languages. It was how she landed her job as a freelance translator for books, videos, comics, and even in person. Muse had never travelled because she never had enough money and having an active father made her incapably lazy, she would only accomplish the bare minimum. Earn enough to live and survive, no need to make more than necessary. But now that her aunt decided to send some cash, she immediately jumped at the opportunity.

Muse decided that she would try to at least earn money as she travelled so that she wouldn’t run out while travelling. She thanked the goddess of war for her generosity as she made her way to the airport. Nothing will beat travelling and eating the delicacies from where they were made— but that wouldn’t stop her from eyeing a few shops in the airport for appetizers. The idea of all the food waiting for her made Muse’s mouth water, causing her to audibly gulp in excitement.

“Alright, first stop, Korea!”