Bemused Quotes

“Our group name is the Muses," Calli said.
Zeus smiled. "I like that. The Muses, Goddesses of the Arts and Proclaimers of Heroes.”
― Farrah Rochon, Bemused

“You made quite an impression on the people of Thebes. Even Dionysus noticed, and he's usually so wrapped up in himself that he doesn't pay attention to anyone else."
"Dionysus?" Thalia screamed. "He's the fun one!"
"Thalia, please," Ree said.
"He knows how to have a good time, just like me!”
― Farrah Rochon, Bemused

“Oh my gods, there you are!" Mel slapped a hand over her chest and sucked in several deep breaths, as if she had just escaped the clutches of the nine-headed Hydra. Of course, her sister would have the same reaction if she were to encounter a tiny field mouse. When it came to Mel it was either serene calm or full-on hysteria; there was no in between.”
― Farrah Rochon, Bemused

“A cunning smile tilted up the corners of Calli's mouth. "Clio said it best during our concert for the gods. Those other writers had better move to the side, because there's a new voice in town, and I plan to write the most epic tales this world has ever seen. And after I write them, the Muses will sing them in our own unique style."
Thalia lifted her hands in the air and sang, "And that's the gospel truth!”
― Farrah Rochon, Bemused

“It's nothing to fear," Mel said. "They are just souls longing for someone to care about them."
She put a hand to her chest and closed her eyes, then began a hauntingly beautiful requiem to those floating in the waters below. The wailing eased and the waters calmed.
"Oh, Mel," Calli whispered. "Your ability to empathize truly is a gift.”
― Farrah Rochon, Bemused

“Where is our mother?" the one with long, wavy hair asked. Hades could practically smell the fear rolling off her. Goodness, he loved that scent.”
― Farrah Rochon, Bemused

“The five of you are never more powerful than when you lift your voices together.
How many times had her mother spoken those words? Ree now realized that they were not just words; they were a prophecy. There had always been something special about the connection she felt with her sisters when they sang together.”
― Farrah Rochon, Bemused

“Suddenly, an ethereal haze formed above their heads, and images of the words they sang began to dance in the sky. The gods all tilted back in their seats, expressions of awe and delight illuminating their already glowing faces.
Ree nearly lost track of the lyrics when she glanced over and noticed that same glow radiating from Thalia. Then Mel. Then Calli. Then Clio. She looked down at her own body and marveled at the incandescent sheen covering her skin. She and her sisters all shone like the gods of Olympus.”
― Farrah Rochon, Bemused

“Even though some of the so-called generosities expounded on were not very generous at all, Mel had a way of making each action seem like the most magnanimous gesture ever performed.”
― Farrah Rochon, Bemused

“Now, what should we call ourselves?"
"Well, in the old language, mousa means a source of inspiration," Clio said. "Why don't we call ourselves the Muses?”
― Farrah Rochon, Bemused

“She sketched the figure of a dancing nymph, capturing the rhythmic flow of her movements with precise detail. This one would be headstrong, but her energy and passion would balance well with
Melpomene's sweet nature.”
― Farrah Rochon, Bemused

“"Not only will the masses forever sing your praises for saving them from Titan rule, but they will associate you with feelings of warmth and safety and pleasure and all things good. It will be beautiful, Zeus. I promise."

Technically, she had delivered on that promise by creating the most beautiful, most compelling, most delightful beings the world had ever seen. She'd gifted them with the ability to bring joy to everyone, both god and mortal.”
― Farrah Rochon, Bemused

“The heart can be as delicate as the petals of a rose, but strength lies in the empathy and kindness it possesses.
Empathy.
Mel had described sensing what strangers around her were really feeling, and not just the image they projected to the world. That must be her gift.”
― Farrah Rochon, Bemused

“Every time they shared their talent, they discovered that one of them had a unique gift. Clio had always possessed a keen mind and an ability to remember and recite facts after hearing them only once, but after they performed that skit for Apollo and Hermes, Clio's powerful intelligence had amplified. Just as Thalia's ability to make people laugh and forget their troubles had intensified so much that it cleared the clouds away and brought in sunshine.”
― Farrah Rochon, Bemused

“Count on Thalia to wrangle a laugh from her, even after the heartbreaking conclusion of their journey through the labyrinth.
Her sister continued her humorous musings about Thebes, making fun of the city's less than desirable traits, but in a way that had the local citizens stopping in the middle of their daily routines to listen and laugh.
After the day they'd had, Ree was grateful for her sister's ability to turn even the most depressing situations into a reason to smile.”
― Farrah Rochon, Bemused

“Clio shrugged. "I don't know everything." Then she tacked on in a cheeky tone. "Just almost anything."
A few days before, Calli would have called her on her arrogance, but so far Clio's smarts had taken them further than the help they'd received from the gods.”
― Farrah Rochon, Bemused

“Perception will blossom as a thirst for knowledge blooms. Feed it and watch it grow. The word will harvest wisdom if this flower is allowed to glow.
"Right here," Calli said. She showed the passage to Clio. "This is you. You are perceptive, and knowledgeable, and wise beyond your years.”
― Farrah Rochon, Bemused

“Thank you," Mel said, brushing each stallion's gorgeous mane as she climbed out of the chariot. They all responded with excited neighs.
"They like you," Thalia said.
"All animals like her," Ree pointed out. "The chickens lay more eggs for Mel than for any of the rest of us."
"It's because I take the time to get to know them," Mel said.”
― Farrah Rochon, Bemused

“Zeus wanted something that would bring healing to the people who had survived the war.
In my mind, there was nothing more healing to the soul than the written word, and music, and dance, and comedy, and inspiration. So that is why I decided to create." She looked them each in the eye. "I decided to create you. Each of you would bring joy through your own unique talents, while also singing Zeus's praises for saving the world from the Titans.”
― Farrah Rochon, Bemused

“Just a year younger than Calli, Clio was an absolute genius! Her intelligence was sometimes mistaken for pretentiousness--- okay, so her sister was pretentious at times--- but her levelheaded approach to life would serve her well. And Clio's seriousness would rub off on the never-serious Thalia soon enough, wouldn't it?
Not that there was anything wrong with Thalia's jovial, carefree disposition. Calli admired her youngest sister's ability to see the joy in every circumstance.”
― Farrah Rochon, Bemused

“As usual, Terpsichore, whom the girls called Ree, could not keep still. She twisted back and forth, moving her arms as if they were blowing in the wind. Mnemosyne's fierce little dancer had learned to perform before she learned to walk and had gracefully glided through life ever since. Terpsichore's energy and enthusiasm annoyed her sisters, but where was the fun in creating a family that always got along?”
― Farrah Rochon, Bemused

“Melpomene, my beautiful melody," Mnemosyne whispered, nuzzling the plump rolls of her baby's neck. The strong feelings this one evoked would never be denied. "You may be prone to dramatics, but that's what makes you so special, isn't it?”
― Farrah Rochon, Bemused

“Mnemosyne had designed Clio to be inquisitive, and her second daughter did not disappoint. No notion went uncontested when Clio was around. Mnemosyne was careful not to dampen her daughter's thirst for knowledge. It was her best asset. Clio would one day teach the world how to appreciate the history of what had come to pass and how to value all that now surrounded them.”
― Farrah Rochon, Bemused

“Calliope," she spoke into the wind.
Her first daughter would be the composed, unflappable leader of the pack; the sister the other girls turned to for guidance. Mnemosyne would give her the gift of storytelling. The thought of another being sharing her love of the written word filled Mnemosyne's heart with unspeakable joy.”
― Farrah Rochon, Bemused

“THE MUSES

Calliope (Cal-LIE-oh-pee) Muse of Epic Poetry
Clio (CLEE-oh) Muse of History
Melpomene (Mel-PAH-muh-nee) Muse of Tragedy
Terpsichore (Terp-SIC-or-ree) Muse of Dance
Thalia (THAL-ee-uh) Muse of Comedy

GODS OF TITANOMACHY

Mnemosyne (NEM-AH-suh-nee) Goddess of Memory
Ouranos Her Father
Gaea Her Mother
Cronus Her Brother
Rhea Cronus's Wife
Themis and PhoebeMnemosyne's Sisters
Prometheus and Epimetheus Mnemosyne's Nephews”
― Farrah Rochon, Bemused