Music

                       Warning: Spoilers for Blood of Olympus ahead
             
   Hermes was flattered. He had to admit, his brother’s kid had spunk. Leo Valdez may not have been very original, but Hermes knew a smart idea when he heard one. When he first heard Leo’s story of trading a musical instrument for Apollo’s cooperation, he had to smile. It brought him back to the good old days of stealing cows and wearing diapers.This, though, was uncalled for. He cringed as another note rang out from Apollo’s room, the god had been playing constantly since returning to Olympus. The worst part about it was that Hermes could do nothing for his splitting headache as the god of medicine was the one causing it.
   
   All the other Olympians were too busy dealing with the aftermath of the Giant War to worry about trivial matters.  Unlike his counterparts, whom must obviously be deaf, Hermes was at his breaking point. Besides, the music was giving off sad vibes and bumming everybody out.
   He marched over to Apollo's room and pounded on the door. “Open up!” Hermes growled. The music came to a halt.
 
   “What do you want?” a voice screamed back. And with that, the moment of blissful silence ceased.
 
   “You have been playing for a week straight, give it a rest!”
   
   “I will not,” Apollo answered indignantly, “I am the god of music and I can play as much as I wish.” Overwhelmed with annoyance, Hermes reacted as any reasonable god would; he incinerated the door. The sight that welcomed him was not one he expected. Apollo looked as though he was thirty, as opposed to his usual appearance of a seventeen-year-old, his hair was not flawless, and his skin was without a tan. Something was definitely wrong.
   
   Apollo looked up, shocked, “That was a perfectly good door!”
   
   “Yeah, yeah. I’ll get you a new one. So explain, what’s all this about?” Hermes gestured to Apollo.
   
   Apollo sighed, “I was just so sure he was a good kid.” Hermes nodded, realizing Apollo was speaking of Octavian.
   
   “He could have been, but sometimes those we expect to be good do not act the part, like Luke.”
   
   “Like Luke? Luke died a hero at the very least, he realized his wrongdoings in his last moments. Octavian, on the other hand, was a brat until the very end.” Hermes thought this over.
   
   “Luke did horrible things, he betrayed the people who loved him and cared for him. Octavian did not betray the gods or his friends, he was just trying to prove he, and the Romans, were best. You’re right about him being a brat, but he wasn't completely bad.”
   
   “Yeah, I guess”
   
   “By the way, it’s been a week and you still haven’t mastered the Valdezinator?”
   
   “Of course I have, I’m the god of music. I’m the very best there is! In fact,” Apollo grinned, “I’m having a concert tomorrow. I can’t keep my many fans waiting. I better get practicing!” Hermes shook his head. He needed to call Annabeth tomorrow and see if she could soundproof Apollo’s room.