These are non-canon stories for Favor of Athena

The early morning sun streamed through the open windows of “Café Catawba,” a local haunt on Main Street teeming with the promise of a Friday. Athena cradled her steaming mug in both hands, the rich aroma enveloping her in warmth. Across the small, round table, Liam flipped through a tattered sketchbook, scribbling furiously. He paused, glancing up at her, a smirk coating his lips.

“Sketching us into a comic strip again?” he asked, eyes glinting with mischief.

“Just capturing our vibrant lives,” Athena quipped, taking a sip. “Besides, I think Gertrude’s antics warrant an illustrated saga.”

At that moment, Gertrude rushed through the café door, a whirlwind of energy. “You would not believe the traffic on Assembly!” she exclaimed, diving into the line.

“Did you curse at anyone?” Liam teased, but before she could reply, Grant entered, carrying a cardboard tray crammed with pastries.

“Traffic’s never stopped you from getting here before,” he laughed, setting down the tray with a thud.

“Oh, you know me—always determined to spread joy!” Gertrude replied, grabbing a pastry with both hands. “At least the day has started with sugar.” She tossed a pastry to Waldo, who settled in at the corner booth, his focus glued to a newspaper but listening intently.

“Where’s the echo of laughter?” Waldo mused, his eyes still scanning the headlines. “I can only hear pastry munching and Liam’s ego inflating.”

“I think you just heard it,” Emaj chimed in as he entered, a breeze following him in. He slid into the booth beside Waldo, a mischievous grin playing on his lips. “Liam’s sketchbook is a bigger threat than the cake. What’d you draw, buddy?”

Liam shut the sketchbook quickly, a flustered smile creeping over his face. “None of your business, Emaj.”

Paige arrived last, bustling in through the door with her camera slung around her neck. “Perfect timing!” she declared, aiming her lens at the group. “Give me your best equine rumor.”

“Keep it PG!” Gertrude cautioned, laughing, a layer of flaky pastry dusting her fingers.

Paige clicked the shutter. “Low expectations, high outcomes! Shoot that laughter out into the universe!”

The lightheartedness spilled forth, laughter echoing against the café walls. In the middle of their chatter, a familiar tune drifted in from the street, a saxophonist showcasing his talent under the awning. The group shared glances before Gertrude bolted up.

“Field trip! We’re taking our laughter outside!” she declared, blooming with enthusiasm.

They all followed her out, spilling onto the sidewalk. The midday sun cast playful shadows as they wove through the bustling crowd toward Riverfront Park.

Each moment outside was a feast for senses: the tender breeze whispered secrets, laughter interwove with the saxophone’s notes, and vibrant flowers nodded at the footpaths.

“Look!” Athena breathed, pointing at the river, crowded with families enjoying the day. “All that joy, condensed into one space.”

Grant, ever the practical one, raised an eyebrow. “You mean we’re not the only ones aware of how wonderful this is?”

“Exactly!” Paige exclaimed, snapping candid shots of the scenes unfolding. “Nature gives us space for our echoes.”

Salem, who had silently joined them, chimed in wise beyond his years, “Or rather, we give the world space for our echoes. What we create together—that’s what matters.”

The group nodded, rolling with laughter and pretenses, forming a vibrant tapestry of levity and sincerity as if the sun had picked them from the earth just to showcase their joy.

“Let’s promise,” Waldo said unexpectedly, “that we’ll have an adventure like this again soon. Laughter shouldn’t be so rare.”

They stood beneath a sprawling oak, defensive against the inevitable quiet of routine. As the saxophone faded, the echoes of their laughter lingered on, weaving through the joyful streets of Columbia, forever imprinting the day they decided not just to exist, but to truly live together.