"Hephaestus!" she called out, making her way towards him. "You wouldn't believe the terrible date I just went on. This mortal thought he could keep up with me, intellectually and physically. Ha! As if."
Hephaestus grunted in response, not looking up from his work. "I don't know why you even bother with mortals, Cady. They're all the same in the end."
Cady playfully insulted him as she approached, "Oh, come on. You're the most eligible bachelor in all of Olympus, if you don't count that whole lame lameness thing you've got going on."
Hephaestus finally looked up, a wry smile on his face. "At least I don't have to worry about some mortal stealing my secrets and selling them to the highest bidder."
Cady rolled her eyes and smiled, "Oh, please. Like any mortal could even begin to understand the brilliance that is my mind."
Hephaestus chuckled and agreed, "True. But still, it's nice to have someone who can keep up with you, intellectually and physically."
Cady raised an eyebrow, "Physically? Are you hitting on me, Hephaestus?"
Hephaestus blushed and stuttered, "N-no! I mean...well, you are very attractive, for a goddess."
Cady grinned, "Flattery will get you everywhere, Hephaestus. But I'm still not interested."
Hephaestus feigned hurt, "Ouch. You wound me, Cady."
Cady laughed, "Oh, come on. You know I'm just teasing you."
Hephaestus smiled, "I know. And I appreciate the company. It gets lonely down here in the forge."
Cady's expression softened, "I can imagine. You're too good for the rest of the gods, Hephaestus. They don't deserve you."
Hephaestus looked up, surprised and touched by Cady's words.
Cady winked, "But I'm not good enough for you, right?"
Hephaestus chuckled, "You're something else, Cady. Something else entirely."
The two of them shared a laugh, the sound echoing off the stone walls of the forge. And as they worked and talked, the forge seemed a little less lonely, and a little more alive.
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