Shadows of Olympus: Chapter Two IC

[Kartha Rolein]

Poseidon

Poseidon made his way in ever so slow a manner towards the open bar. He had a deep seeded desire for some wine, which often was not something he tended to enjoy much anymore these days. He found such drinks worthy only of truly happy times, and since their fall he’d halted from the mere sight of it. For whatever reason this party was constructed and the family gathered however, he felt a need for it this day to calm his nerves. At the very least he could try to utilize the occasional sip to quiet his own tongue against potentially expressed insults.

He ensured not to knock over any of the servants, of move in their way. He had gained far more manners since his downfall from the full status of a god. Why shouldn’t he? He felt their arrogance, pride, and vanity finally got the best of them in their consistent quarrels. They were so human to begin with in all their treacheries, the greatest of ironies was bound to fall upon them. The day it did he was perhaps the only one to say within his mind, it’s not like I didn’t see this coming.
He strode in a kind manner towards the bar and quickly took a seat atop one of the high stools. He felt that if there was an immediate need for his voice to be heard or his eyes to be embraced his family would seek him out. Until then he would do all he could to prevent a conflict. He tapped the counter a single time offering the fair satyr a smile as he ordered himself a martini. It didn’t take long for the simple drink to be constructed, and it was soon delivered to him in the manner he often enjoyed. The idea of tiny umbrellas always made him smile just a bit. Mortals were so keen on tiny details.

He wrapped his fingers around the base of the glass with ever so gentle a grasp. The bottom glass plate lifted from the fine wooden counter as he brought the drink up to his lips. He pressed the glace to them then took a small inhale. The drink smelled wonderful. He then tipped the glass back a little and took a sip to taste its flavor. In full the drink was pleasing. He then took a larger sip taking half of the glass’ contents down before placing the glass back upon the counter top. He offered the satyr that made it a small nod of approval along with a brief swirl of his left index finger which was meant to imply for the satyr to keep them coming as Poseidon drank them down.

He had little desire to get drunk, as that more often than not lead to heated heads. Still, if the drinks would calm his tongue for the duration of the evening he would ensure he always had a fresh one in his grasp. As he turned a little feeling the presence of his brother his stomach wrenched a little. Hera was as lovely as always. He often felt some form of remorse and pity for her place and status. While it displeased him in a subtle manner that she despised his brother so, he took far more solace in the fact that she would sometimes support Poseidon’s perspectives, if at least to further annoy Zeus.

He took notice that Hera saw him, and with that he knew it would soon begin. Her voice offered itself to the air of the room, targeting him with an attempt to greet. “Poseidon?” His ears rang from the calling as she, with a smile, tugged Zeus after her. “How is the lovely Amphitrite?” He heard her offer in addition as she drew closer, almost near to him. He took one last swig of his first drink, finishing it off, before turning around to greet her in turn. He offered the finest of smiles he could bear with his brother so near. If it had only been Hera and Zeus had been tied up, figuratively or literally, the evening would probably have been unstained.

Before he could offer his worded reply he heard Zeus chime in with his usual condescension and clever stings. "Yes, Dear Brother. I've been wondering about her all this time. Have you worked that fish smell from her yet?" Poseidon took but a brief moment to himself within his mind to calm the words that so desired to burst forth from his lips. With that initial greeting from his brother he would have loved to do nothing other than knock him on his prideful ass, but he had made a promise to his love. He would not risk what is important, and until he knew what important event(s) were to unfold, he could not so openly risk them in ignorance.

“Lovely Hera, my how stunning you are this evening.” His initial reply focused upon Hera, and Hera alone as if to imply that she had far more value than Zeus. In Poseidon’s eyes as long as Zeus continued to treat her in so horrid a fashion it was so. He knew deep within he had done his own fair share of flirting and sleeping around during his time as a god so long ago. The main difference now was that he had chosen his wife, his true love, to embrace every night since there fall where as Zeus had not even considered holding back on his persistent lusts.

“Ah brother, I do so apologize. Be you here of your own will, or does your wife drag you everywhere these days?” He’d taken notice of the small, brief quarrel the two had shared as Hera made her way towards Poseidon. He’d return his brothers insult with no more or less than the insults pressed towards him. The sting towards himself was more of a sting upon both he and his lovely wife, and though the true equivalence would have been to offer such a statement to scorn both Zeus and Hera, he felt no reason why she should be treated so. Besides, it was so much easier to pinch Zeus’s nerves because of his ever standing, and god like pride that still had yet to diminish.

[tirgesfu]

Hermes


Hermes knew the place of course, he picked it. The structure, the fawns and nymphs made little impact upon him. His eyes were scanning the room to see who still answered his call. Hermes smiled. Part of him was sure after the last gathering no one would accept his invitations. It’s not as if he felt anyone blamed him for the Hecate – Echidna imposture or the crack that released the Titans. But, he had gathered, helped convince, and encouraged them to all take part in what Hermes could never call a success. For some reason he was glad Tyche was by his side and was not involved in that escapade.

His eyes first went to Zeus, Hera and Poseidon along the bar. He chuckled seeing them gravitate together so quickly. That was a slight surprise and he knew it must have been Hera’s doing. She was skilled in making things uncomfortable. Whatever she endured under his father’s wing she more than deserved. Never once did Hermes view her as a victim. She was right where she put herself, most likely because she wanted to be there.

With that small bitter taste in his mouth, Hermes turned to the group that brought a genuine smile to his face. Apollo, Artemis and Hecate stood at closer end of the bar. Their faces held smiles that looked much more sincere than the ones just down the counter. Although when he looked closer Apollo’s glow seem dim.

Of course Hephaestus was in the far corner with Athene attending to him as she always did. He knew she would come but Hephaestus was a slight surprise. Not as much of a surprise as seeing Persephone. Good for her, he thought as he watched her move across the floor to approach someone. Wait who was that? A party crasher? Hermes laughed out loud enjoying the fact that somehow Areion had stomped in. Hermes always enjoyed a sneak.

Then he squinted to see who was not here. No Aphrodite? How could she not come? And of course if she was not here Ares was not either. He glanced to Ty sure she would be disappointed if her mother didn’t even make an attempt. Well, it is not as if disappointment was a new emotion for any of them. But where was Dionysus? Is he thumbing his nose at them as if to say once again he was right and the rest were wrong?

Hermes took a breath and patted Tyche’s arm. He took a broad wide step into the center of the room and laughed. It was loud and joyful, echoing off the art and high walls of the Parthenon. “Welcome. Thank you for coming.” He yelled in a smooth singing voice. He thought he would say more but instead he released Ty’s arm and took a deep dramatic bow. As he did more nymphs scurried through the room with trays of food, grapes, figs, cheeses and breads. Fauns began to play soft music from one corner. The lights dimmed showing the constellations on the ceiling above.

He quickly took Tyche’s arm again and winked to her. “Since it is not your mother you seek out first, and she is not here yet, a late entrance always suited her, who it is you want to greet? Grandfather?” He asked with a glint of mischief in his eyes.

[Killerclover]

Hecate

She noticed the looks pretty much all of them gave her, she sighed they probably would not recovered from the trick the false her put in play, but she is the real one, nothing will change that. Apollo was the worst it seemed, seeming to shy back from everything being very nervous around her, for obvious reason. She just starred at him blankly, then Artemis's voice cut in, twice.

"It is well considering," Hecate heard, then, "I've been reunited with my dearest brother and now a dear friend. What more could a goddess need?" Hecate blinked, she doesn't resent me? After all they were good friends, she relaxed slightly, but surfing through aura flows personalitys would give, she didn't sense any lies or false deed in the words or posture and relaxed fully.

Hecate nodded, "Yes, not much would one want other than that. I am still...well, that doesn't matter," She had a hint of saddness in her voice but it turned rather calm again, Hecates eyes switched zooming to the small conflict between Hera, Zeus, and of course Poseidon in whitch all three didn't notice her or didn't want to pay attention, she didn't care. Her eyes zooming across the crowd again noticing some other strange twists, such as a missing Ares and Aphrodite, usual thing there, fashionably late.
In a way Hecate did not like the way Aphrodite strode thinking she is the most beautiful being in the universe, even though she was the Goddess of love, personality gets bad alot. But, of course. Hecate respected all of her new family as long as they didn't purposely make her mad.

[Fallenreaper]

Tyche

"Welcome. Thank you for coming.”

Even if her eyes didn’t know, it felt like her father’s outburst of welcome had all eyes on them now. Already Ty’s “box” flapped its lid a bit, emotions tried to push their way with little success when she slammed it shut once more. Music, sights, darkness, and the nymphs she hoped would hide her presence even as she stood like an elegant statue. Among the Faun band was her previous greeter piping his flute, his blue eye winked at her with her jacket held within his grasp. Fauns were well known to chase until rewarded and judged from his position, he had plenty of “fun” with his group of admirers. Ty realized her luck was slightly improving-not just for her but for others as well- as she took in the moods of everyone around.

The goddess glowed with belonging and Ty realized this was her place to be, not among mortals but those like herself. Maybe she inherited grandfather’s pride as well as his temper. Once the beauty showed though from a long time ago, Ty’s mortal fears stood down even just for a time. It was hard to tell which group, each one had their own tension left unchecked only to breed at this moment, but it seemed there was still joy from a few. She sighed to release her head from the chaos of choices.

There was grandfather Zeus with his wife Hera, their relationship seemed not to change at all since her departure. A faked unsettling tie of marriage, it was less about love, more about pride,vanity, and selfish delight by both. In that way, the top gods seemed more and more mortal than either would opening admit. When she went over, the situation would need a bit of finesse Ty currently lacked especially with her great uncle and Hera ignoring him completely. The idea of becoming a neutral country among the war made her unsettled; once the final brother arrived it would become a feud of blood just like old times. In the past she got along with either brother, fondly stayed out of their sibling rivalry that prompted their connection. So it was hard to know how they would react, how any would react with the black sheep back from the mortal influences they disliked so much.

Two souls much once alike were in the corner, aunt Athene and Hephaestus. They fit each other so well yet they weren’t married, it almost criminal. Persephone was talking to another family member, one she didn’t even recognized. The lead rock in her chest fell from not being the only discarded family member to arrive. Tyche shrugged at the oddness of her without Hades,Ty dashed the sense of missing something away. Nothing was strong enough to kill a god…

“Let’s start with simple and with the least likely group to kill me. What about Uncle Apollo, Aunt Artemis, and it seems Hecate is here too,” Ty said as she walked with her father to least threatening of the group, the idea of her reception was growing into a flower of beauty,” Uncle Apollo doesn’t look like himself. I wonder how he would receive a friendly niece kiss on the cheek or a hug, maybe the luck will cheer him up.”

Inside her head, the idea of touching them with mortal signs of love made her realize that they might not receive it too fondly. Her face fell as after she said the words, cursed their ease and false ideas of comfort. With white and black curls pressed into her father’s shoulders, a common sign of want for fatherly comfort when she was little. The grip tightened with time consuming steps towards the group. It was only matter of choice at the moment of recognized her only to to walk away or embrace her.

[MerlotBeauty]

Areiôn

"I might have finally cracked," she said as she stepped in front of Areiôn, dropping his hand, and looking worried almost that she had actually done just that. "But I do believe that you look rather different than the last time I saw you, brother."

For a minute his eyes searched hers, uncertainty flashing across as lightening and fading just as instantly. He smiled brightly, then lighting up his entire face. “Why dear sister Persephone, I did not realize you or any Olympian actually watched-in on the wars and quests of the old era where I led the greatest of kings and heroes in and out of danger. Mother never even did that. Really, I’m little more than a footnote, or in my case hoof-note.”

Turning to the bar, not far away, he leaned against the edge casually. Without looking at the Faun serving drinks, he ordered a shot of whiskey with a lager chaser. After shooting the whiskey he took his bottle of beer and strolled back to Persephone. “In either case, it doesn’t matter. It’s been over a millennium since I was able to glide across an open field, the ground pounding under my hooves.”

Areiôn looked beyond Persephone then, as he remembered the fields open to him as he would race across, his herd following him. As a horse he had no destination, no goal, and no purpose other than to feel the wind on his neck and boy, the rising of the dust with every gallop. It was freedom. It was life. It was long since gone.

“And how has your immortality faired sister?” He turned his gaze back to his sister, his pleasant expression returning. “Which, by the way, since your skin looks fair and smooth as any I should say that you are far from ‘cracking.’” He smiled then, and chuckled at his own abominable humor while taking another long draught of beer.

[Lillian Thorne]

Hera

Hera let her nails bite into the arm of her husband through his expensive suit when she heard his ill-tempered comment to their brother about their sister-in-law. She was irritated beyond belief that he’d been the one to start things, surprised no, exasperated yes. Even so she kept her face serene, her smile wide and her jaw unclenched, lurking in her soft brown eyes behind their thick lashes, eyes even Aphrodite couldn’t top, seethed anger. She’d mastered the knack so long ago of only letting her anger show when there was something to be profited by it. No there was nothing to gain from it, they were after all only family here and everyone knew their steps in this immortal dance. Even so when she withdrew her hand from around his elbow she knew she’d left marks behind, nothing to pierce the skin and make his ichor flow but enough to remind him of her displeasure and its cost.

She stepped away from Zeus, giving him her back and held her elegant and perfectly manicured hand out to Poseidon and took his within her small grasp. She squeezed gently and smiled at him, taking in his appearance with pleasure. Whatever may be said of them, Cronos and Rhea had handsome sons.

“Brother,” she said with affection when he’d dismissed her husband so sweetly and deftly when he’d focused on complimenting her. She stretched up to plant a kiss on the cheek of the tall god and beamed up at him feeling a little envious of the lucky Amphitrite.

“Thank you, it’s just a pleasure to be off the campaign trail. When we are working and not with family it is someone else’s job to lead him about, I only get the privilege on such special occasions such as this. How is your boy Triton? Is he still about doting on his mother? He was always such a charming and devoted son.” As she said this, her eyes darted around the room looking for her own boys, neither one so loyal or doting as Amphitrite’s son but they were hers and she loved them after a fashion, certainly more than their father did. She hadn’t noticed the way his eyes had sought out his girls and the concern for that vapid, insipid Persephone that had flashed across his features.

She smiled as the bartender offered her an appreciative smile and a flute of champagne. She smiled back idly, well above the attentions of a mere faun though the flattering attention wasn’t entirely unwelcome.

[Unlit]

Zeus

Zeus saw his chance for escape.

"And such a pleasure it is to be led about by my beautiful wife," Zeus gushed with syrupy sweetness, sugared enough to make a house fly gag. His huge hands settled upon her shoulders from behind, and he bent low, gifting her cheek with a chaste mmwah of a kiss. Then he glanced towards Poseidon, smiling that bright fake smile.

"And such a pleasure to see you, Brother. I think of you often. Every time I hear a toilet flush, in fact. I always worry what might plop in your lap down there beneath the sea. Speaking of which... I believe I'll go visit the little god's room and make my own contribution to your kingdom. Excuse me..."

The king of gods turned and beat a hasty retreat, his lip curling with contempt as his face aimed elsewhere. If his wife wanted to kiss and fawn over Poseidon while the two bandied insults at Zeus' expense, then they could by all means have at it. But Zeus wasn't going to stand there and listen to it. He'd no doubt pay for it later in a hundred of Hera's petty little revenges, but he was accustomed to such. He drained the last of his wine glass, and swapped the empty for a full when a faun passed him by. His eyes scanned around, catching sight of those nearest to him and already mingling.

"Athene!" his voice boomed. "Artemis! Come give your Father his Hug and Kiss before the heavens tremble!" A pointed finger shot out towards Apollo. "And you too, boy! Even with that rat's nest on your face. The mortals have made a great stride in recent times, you know. It's called Norelco." Zeus rubbed pointedly at his impeccably groomed beard and released a deep belly laugh that resonated through the spacious room like earthen thunder.

[Lyzan]

Ares & Aphrodite

The Wargod reached out and took her delicate fingers in his. He pulled it towards his lips and kissed the back of her hand before placing it on his left forearm, hooked under his elbow. Ares then lead her towards the lift, leaving behind the disaster of his office interior. On his way, he glanced towards a camera on the ceiling, sending the man that was monitoring, scurrying off to his communication gadget and to contact the pilot for the boss' personal helicopter. Ares called for the lift and waited. His mind lingered on the possible outcome of this get-together party. He knew naught could be gained by it. Nothing good will come from it but he will do his best for the one he cared for the most. The one that now stood beside him, it should've been her rightful place to be in, since eons ago.

"Did you come here straight from work?" Ares finally asked after the long silence as they made their way to the roof.

"Pretty much. I mean, I took a while to get ready, you don't look this good without putting in some effort." She laughed.

"You'll always look good, my Love. Regardless of the effort you put in," he smiled as he signalled the pilot to start "her" up.

"Well that's kind of you to say. All this living with mortals bumps up paranoia about looking good sadly."

"Needless, my Love. Needless. No mortals could ever come close to your beauty. Even in your casual state, let alone when you're all dressed up." he said as he climbed on board the helicopter.

"Where to, sir?" asked the pilot.

"To that temple's replica they made into a museum.." he turned his head to his lover. "What do they call it, again?"

"The Parthenon, my love. An amusing setting for a divine party no doubt."

"Right away, Ma'am." the pilot nodded before the chopper soon took off.

"The idea of having a party for our dysfunctional family itself is amusing enough! Let alone the address for it," the Wargod grunted.

"Do you even know what the party is for? It's not like we have anything to celebrate, is it?"

Ares' head turned, almost sharply towards Aphrodite before he said, "I thought you knew. You should know me well enough that I can't be bothered with any sorts of celebration the family held!" he paused. "But knowing Hermes, it's probably an event held for a family reunion instead of a celebration and I'm only going to be reunited with you, my Love."

Aphrodite shrugged, "You're probably right. But family reunions aren't exactly any of our things, so I don't know what Hermes was thinking." She paused for a minute. "Are we entering together, my love? Or would that cause a disruption amongst the family?"

"Why not? I'm sure everybody else already knew about us since the day we're snared on that bed. How disrupting could it get, besides, I don't give a damn about what they think!" he exclaimed. Not towards his lover but towards the fact that their love was denied in the eyes of the Olympians.

"I suppose that is true. It's not like it's been a secret, everyone is sure to know by now. How far away are we?"

"We're here, Sir!" the pilot turned and made the landing on the road itself. Ares stepped down and offered his hand to his lover. Aphrodite took Ares hand and stepped out of the helicopter, her long dress blowing by the spinning of the propeller. The Wargod nodded to the pilot and the transportation then lifted off the ground, leaving the couple standing in the middle of the road where the cars stopped. There were no honkings or curses as the mortals remained in their vehicle, stunned upon the arrival of two Godly figure. One, with a beauty they'd never laid eyes upon and the other, a majestic figure befitting a fierce ruler.

His head made no turn as his gaze was fixated upon the steps that leads into the hall where he felt the presence of the Olympians. Ares started walking. his demeanor and gait as intimidating as always even in the white suit he was wearing. There was no smile on his face nor was there hatred in his eyes. At least not yet but he knew there will eventually be, either sooner or later. Seeing the crowd that was gathered, Ares grunted almost disgustedly at the effort that was made for this party. Not because the function's standards was not up to a certain degree or on par with the Olympians' status but it was on the contrary. It would be a waste of time and effort to put up an event worthy of being in the gardens of Olympus itself and held especially to hold a family who might ended up destroying the place with their squabblings. Then again, it would probably be him who would be breaking the settings.

Up the steps and into the hall, Ares scanned the faces of those gathered. A few new faces that he'd forgotten was there. Apparently, the party this time spreads further than he'd expected. Upon having his gaze lingered over a few of the faces, like Athene's, Hephaestus and Zeus; his breathing grew heavier. His shoulder began to rise and fall, sychronised with his chest. He fisted his hands as he stood for a moment before heading for the bar. Champagne would be his mark and nothing else ...nobody else. For the sake of the beauty in red.

[Arbitio]

Hephaestus:

He remained silent. As the one who dared to call herself his 'Sister' spoke to him. I have no family, he thought to himself. I'm only family when they need an acolyte to serve them. No more, never again. The old man continued to scan the wall. Slowly moving from picture to picture. Trying to keep his mind off of ranting on how much he hated the people within this room. His scanning of the wall stopped when he noticed a painting of the Colossus of Rhodes. He enjoyed watching the smiths and workers among the mortals as they all came together, all across Greece and much of the known world at the time, to help construct this personification of the Sun. His thoughts were broken again by the sounds of discussion, the voice of his father cause him to grit his teeth, and merely turn away from them, and continue feeding his fascination of the paintings.

In all his centuries in exile, it was the development of what the Mortals called art had interested him. As they learned more about themselves and more about their world, their works of art improved.

He continued to move, walking quietly along the wall, his cane tapping the floor but no sound audible. dodging the servants, and just ignoring the other family members. His reasons for coming to this 'party' were his own, things in the world were shifting, power and destiny were entwining again, and he wanted to see if there was any chance at him regaining what he had lost.

[Lillian Thorne]

Athene

Athene stood there and felt yet another crack forming in her immortal heart as she watched Hephaestus move along the paintings with the aid of his cane, in his own world and deliberately snubbing her. She swallowed hard trying to hold back the pain she felt at his lack of response. She blinked rapidly, trying to keep the hurt out of her stormy grey eyes but she knew she hadn’t succeeded. In all things she was wise, all things but this. She watched him for a moment, wrapped in his cloak of pain and martyrdom and wished, not for the first time that she could let things go, let him go. Or even that things had been different so long ago, that her father hadn’t been so jealous of her time and had let her go.

It was as if the very thought had summoned him. His voice boomed out like thunder filling the hall and she turned, delighted to have the distraction of the only one who could take her away from the current painful scene with Hephaestus. She grinned and blinked her eyes a few more times to clear up the tears that formed in her thick lashes and then with an exultant shout of “Daddy!” the war goddess ran for him, dignity as forgotten as when she had entered the halls of Olympus playing her flutes.

She ran swiftly in her heels, her gray silk dress floating behind her like an owl’s wings. She ran almost as swift as Artemis with her hounds because just then she needed the comfort of his arms around her. She reached him and without pause threw her arms around his neck and buried her face in his broad chest.

“I missed you.” She said, pitched so that no one else could hear and with him, she let slip her hurt and pain, but only for a second.