"It wasn't intentional," he promised."If you believe me or not will depend on how you feel once we've finished our conversation."
I laughed."Fair enough."
"You want to know about the anger," he said.
"If you're comfortable telling me.I can have a copy of the article sent to you in advance if that makes you more comfortable."
"My former reputation isn't anything I have to hide.I certainly had a temper.I was quick to anger, and long to hold a grudge.I can't say that I'm proud of that time in my life.It was at the height of the power of Ancient Greece, and people had already linked me to the sea, so they started seeing my temper and the sea's dangerous nature as connected."
"Are they?"
"I've never had any control over the ocean.That's far beyond the scope of power that the gods have ever had."
"I know," I responded."You were mortals who became immortals and then gods."
He raised an eyebrow."I wasn't aware that had become common knowledge."
"I don't believe it is.My best friends are both dating gods."
An intrigued expression crossed his face."That's interesting."
"I'm at a Jinx event," I pointed out."It's probably not that much of a stretch to think that I'd come across gods enough to know a bit about them."
"Perhaps not.Which gods are they dating?"he asked.
"I'm not sure that's something I should say."I wasn't entirely sure how public either of their relationships was, even if theyhadboth brought their boyfriends to his restaurant, so maybe it would be fine.
"Understandable," he said."Anyway, I was known for my temper, and nothing bad happened to me because of it.If anything, a lot of good came my way.There were offerings, riches, and all kinds of worship from people wanting me to make sure that their journey was a safe one, or that the catch of fish would be safe."
"I can see how that would be appealing."I finished my glass of wine, surprising myself with how easily it had gone down.
Poseidon lifted the bottle in a silent question and refilled my glass when I nodded.
"And then the influence of the Greek gods faded, and the Roman ones grew.Neptune took a lot of my followers away."For the first time since he'd started speaking, there was a hint of anger in his voice, but he cleared his throat."After that, my angerdidstart having consequences.Followers turned away from me, people cursed me instead of worshipping me, and others didn't want to be around me at all.I was lamenting about it one day inThe Underworld, and that was when Persephone told me that I was incredibly unlikable."
Despite myself, I laughed."I'm sorry."
He chuckled."Don't be.It surprises me that she didn't tell me earlier.Persephone has always been outspoken.She told me that, and then I was angry and didn't want to talk to her for a couple of decades."
"Sounds a bit like a temper tantrum."
He snorted."It was one.After a while, I realised I was being childish and started working on my anger.It was around that time that I really discovered food.I'd been eating it the whole time, obviously, but discovered exactly what a joy it could be to make it."His face lit up as he said it, leaving no doubt as to the truth behind his words.
"Ah, so you are on topic," I joked.
He grinned."Yes."
"So, the love of food and anger management is what you're claiming helped you?"I leaned forward, curious to hear his answer.
"Yes," he agreed."And here I am now."
"I'm sure there's more to that story."
"You've probably not got enough years for me to recount all of my journeys to you," he responded.
"I've got a few hundred left."
A surprised expression crossed his face."You're fae."
