Shadows of Olympus: Chapter Three IC

[May]

Persephone

The Queen of the Underworld looked about her, taking int he awful mess that was Tyche's room. It was awful, but she couldn't help but feel that not all of it had come from the fight that her and Ares had had in here with the creatures. There was something off about it all. But she hadn't been around scenes like this enough to really say. Only what she'd learned from Athene, an the little she'd coaxed out of Ares in their short time together. But neither of it was enough to say that she really knew anything. She was still just the silly girl who only knew flowers and the passing knowledge she needed about the realm she was now queen of. She needed guiding help, but she refused to ask for it.

"For her blood?" she echoed, turning back to face him again. "I didn't think I'd see the day where misty vampires were going to be a threat to us." She huffed and rolled her eyes some, stepping closer to Ares again and reaching to pull his arm down and wrap her arms around his one, so much larger than her own. "Come on, I don't want to be in this room anymore..."

She had the same chilling feeling at the thoughts that were going through her head. It wasn't quite like what had happened to her, had happened to Artemis a few months ago. But it still had that feel to it. It couldn't be Her though. She was dead. Apollo had made sure of that, and then their father had trapped here there for ever. As she was tugging him out of Tyche's she couldn't help the shiver that passed over her. Now that she wasn't distracted, the feeling of something that didn't belong there hit her. But she couldn't place it, couldn't figure it out.

"You...did you?" she asked, looking up at Ares to see if she was going crazy or if he'd felt it too.

[Fallenreaper]

Nemesis
Location: Police Station
Time: 3:00pm- 3:10pm

Eyes, deep and red, stared at her from the reflection of the mirror. Water drips danced along her facial curves while they dropped off one by one into the white porcelain sink below, her hands moved slowly from the cheeks running across the skin to expose her face. Hairs that stray too far to the edges of the face became damp and pressed to the sides wiping away more than the sweat from Nemesis’s expression, clearing the stress and anger from her. She leaned over the sink, pressing her hands into the smooth hard edges while putting her full weight on it with freeing one hand to twist a quick flick, ceasing the water’s rush down the drain. Her breath was steady and calm, inwards harsh and unsettled from the events of the previous encounter that nearly ended her involvement in the case.

It was close one. Too close and that was the closest she would ever get again, her feelings and personal drive had peered out to Mr. Vice, a complete stranger, as well as to Jeremiah. This bothered her most of all. It made mistakes, questioned her clarity and even her motives to do the right thing. Nemesis stared farther into the mirror with expecting to see beyond the glass surface only to fail. The restroom had not been all impressive when he entered seeing it in the background behind her image, the walls a slightly duller aquatic blue with white grout in the cracks-few odd ones scattered about and mended over time- with a line of five tall toilet stalls against the wall other side of the sinks. Her eyes glanced to the side, noting one on either side of hers before traveling to the left finding what she sought after. Her boots clicked on the hard tile bring her to a brown paper towel that she easily pulled clear from the black cylinder with a loud rip, crumbling the sheet in her hands while dabbing to dry away all the wetness left behind.

Now feeling the sensation of her escort’s eyes bearing down on her forcing, the tingles raced up her spine, her head to twist catching the woman watching her directly. Taking a slight moment to full examine the female cop before her, Nemesis absorbed every detail into her memory just to avoid thinking of her reactions to Mr. Vice allowing it a distraction, even a short one. She was African American with short tightly curled black hair that fell short of her ears, her rounded figured with mostly hips and little top was leaning against the light blue tile of the restroom wall. Her feet were crossed over in front of her with her back pressed flat against the wall between the stalls and sinks determined to keep her given task with pure pride in her work, the badge rested on her breast pocket on her blue uniform with her belt holding the familiar gear basic to any cop. The normal gun, locked in with a hostler, large bulky radio and handcuffs that began to jingle as the woman pushed herself off the wall towards Nemesis with a swagger in her hips.

The motion itself drove a nail annoyance into Nemesis while her words only added to it,” Are you done now? I don’t want to be here all dang day.”

“No, I still have a phone call to make,” Nemesis spoke with a sour look, her lips unfazed by the woman’s lack of patience and more so crude way of speaking to her making it more clear the way they viewed P.I.s.

Jeremiah had decided to stay outside, even after Nemesis had given a look of disapproval while she turned on her heel right toward the door. Her back away from the woman, Nemesis felt more like a villain as she walked out of the restroom pushing the single swinging door open with a loud squeal in the rusty hinges. She noticed him there while her head jerked to the outside door heading though a hallway leading to the main area and to the parking lot exit, ensured she was slowing her pace enough for him to keep up, before the chill of the air hit her face dead on creating a frosty hurt. A sick twisting feeling wormed hole in her stomach but the source was undetermined as she flipped out her cell phone, fingers rapidly dialing moving quickly over the pad with sharp click clacking sounds followed by beeping tones while inputting Hephaestus’s number. Finally a loud ring erupted though the receiver prompting her to pull it up to her ear to hear the familiar sound of the Forge master’s gruff voice come though surprisingly clearly, her coat back pressed into the icy cold wall to lean against it before Nemesis replied.

[Squrmy]

Orion jumped at the sound of a pain-filled scream; he hadn't been expecting to hear such a noise. He abruptly moved away from Artemis, spinning on his heel, ready to pick up his chair and do battle again.. when he saw that the scream wasn't from one of his companions or an innocent, but from the bartender of the shady, disgustingly dirty place they found themselves in now.

The Great Hunter folded his arms over his chest, a slightly interested expression on his face as he watched the crippled God of the Forge deal with 'Frank'. It seemed like a strange name for one tending to the bar which drug addicts frequented, as he was liable to be anything but frank to the Police if they ever came calling. He winced a little at the sound of popping bones - he was very glad he was on the same side as Heph, as the God destroyed Frank's fingers with brutal effeciency.

The mention of this drug, however, was a worry - 'nectar' - nectar of the Gods. Could it be more of Echidna's sinister workings? When Heph finished with the bartender, and threw the snivveling gutterrat to the dirty, glass-covered floor of the bar, Orion cleared his throat. "Maybe we should leave - he could have called more of his goons. Roaches usually travel in groups, you know."

He moved over to Frank, kneeling down and smiling at him softly. "You've messed with my family, too - and I don't take kindly to that." As he spoke, he pulled back his left arm, balling his hand into a fist - sending it rocketing down, toward the poor man's nose. There was a sickening 'crunch', Frank's nose breaking - blood dribbling down into his mouth, the breathing of the unconcious man becoming slightly more laboured as his mouth filled up with the metallic-tasting liquid.

Orion rose to his feet, shaking his hand out and moving back over to Artemis, giving her a reassuring smile. "It's up to Art, though. She's the boss."

[Fallenreaper]

Tyche

Tyche felt a ripple of something off, something she hadn’t caught on to. It felt like a digging thing that tore her soul and made it bleed yet for all the world, Ty couldn’t place why. She only spoken the truth as she saw it or would he rather she turn her back and never spoke it? It didn’t mean it was right in the end, then again she wasn’t perfect. To be honest none of them were built on the flaws of humans, each immortal was just a more powerful version man or woman in a sense so is it possible to be prone to the effects of the world they crumbled so far to? Or did their divine blood prevent that? She was a minor goddess, nothing special or amazing, nothing worth protecting at all. Or saving even.

She watched him move away, backing up like one would from a sick companion leaving a void where his body had been to be swallowed up by the comforter’s form. Her heart sank at the lack of his presence but not a word was given to make him stay, just her eyes moving with him and Ty didn’t blame him even when the bed seemed to protest as well. It all felt hopeless. In the end she wished it would all go away, cut by the dagger she held once until it bleed away into nothing leaving just her to exist as she wish to.

It's time to stop thinking about this, she knew deep inside it only made things worse and that was something that didn’t help anyone. Tyche didn’t need a keeper as Areion put it, her eyes shifted to her hands curled together in her lap with no sureness discovering her mind wondered to the Underworld ironically. Even in a place without depression or gloomy, the very symbol of death, Ty felt the same here in the light as she did in the darkness. Did it matter where she was in the end? The only difference was Aerion, he seemed to understand and think Ty was really more. A soft sigh came out of her nostrils escaping into the air before she thought, deeply turning Areion’s suggestions about how to clear the demons out. Everything else was tried; all seemed to either be temporary fix or not work at all so Ty had little to lose.

Frowning Tyche shifted finally, moving upward and towards the head of the bed, her pace slow and mindful of the tray holding the bowl of soup on her way. It was cold now. The aroma less pungent then before, the broth creamy yellow seemed murkier as well making her stomach slightly growl before she set it to the side with a loud clank shaking the orange juice and the ceramic bowl still holding the spoon along the edge. It spin about the right then back left before stopping once she managed to sit it upon the table beside the bed.

The goddess’s body felt ten times heavier though it was empty as a canyon, pulling the large identical pillows against the head board. Her eyes catch an image of herself before shifting her eyesight away sinking her body deeper into the softness trying to keep her mind blank, empty as her stomach. A sick feeling at seeing the tired eyes stare back at her, the pale skin with each flaw marred by tiny dark freckles and the sensation of giving up embedded in her gaze was spine chilling to her. Without thinking, she gathered a blanket up in her arms before heading to the mirror feeling discomfort on her approach like facing an enemy in front her, feet forced to close in her walk while the anxiety and hate settled fresh in her head. It was likely ridiculous but it was that or something else.

Weak…Pathetic…Worthless pounded words though her mind making her determined to shut it out. Though Ty wanted to shatter the image that was looking back, the sound and broken shards would hard to explain but most of all, she didn’t want him to see her lose it. The surface reminded her of too much with a simple glance. Areion’s voice nearly made her jump as he spoke, playing attention enough only to catch the words need and help she nodded meekly while his hands came forward slowly. They helped her move the blanket over it while she moved away, a flickered of light flashed though her eyes at having the objected covered before moving to the meal.

Tyche took it slow, eating over half of it- something she was surprised her stomach could accomplish- and about a third of the juice before settling back for a moment with a deep breath. Eating anymore was likely to have it come up. The idea of facing her punishment nagged at Tyche even while she tried to think of sleep. Inside she knew she was only delaying it and it was unlikely she would rest anytime soon, her head turned to Areion with a weak smile. The broth did make the difference it seemed even though Tyche didn't believe it would have. She pulled a curl of her hair back, facing him with her body before the words came tumbling out in her steadiest voice.

“It might be better to face Athene sooner than later… I've a feeling even remembering what happened will likely not change anything. Besides, it’s likely to not help me sleep to have that on my mind. Maybe I'll get some answers but I don’t want to go alone. Will you come with me? ” Tyche asked as she moved to the door, her bare feet scrapped the carpet while she found herself stalling for him before going out into the hall.

It was time to face Athene and whatever may come. This time...she wasn't alone.

[Hale]

Dionysus...

He took the conk to the head from his aunt's cane with a dour wince, the reprimand more in line for disciplining a misbehaving child rather than a god of Olympus. He held his tongue, however, she was one of the few gods that he could mildly tolerate. Still, he had lost face in front of those standing present in the room; “Have it your way, aunt.” Dionysus said between clenched teeth. He did remove himself from within Demeter's striking distance, stepping back only to find Aphrodite defending his honour. That was nearly as hard a blow to his pride as the rap of the cane, for now he remained silent and listened patiently as the love goddess explained they would not remain here much longer. Gods, and not a moment too soon! Dionysus paid a nod, feeling her touch to his bare flesh and suppressing a shiver that came with all of her fiery passion.

“I doubt this means much given our circumstances but should you require it, the staff here will tend to your needs... in addition to the security detail who came highly regarded by Deus Inc.” Dionysus gave a thin smile, not that bullets would amount to much if whoever brought down Hecate was immortal; they at least would slow any intruder trying to make their way up. Dionysus moved his arm about Aphrodite's waist, tugging at the shirt in his firm hold and bringing her closer to him.

“Now then, my love,” Dionysus gazed into her eyes, “...you should get your things together and I will arrange a flight, never mind the clothes you purchased... I'll have them waiting at the plane.” he slipped away from her and walked from the kitchen to the bedroom, he ignored the sudden wave of nausea that passed through his body. Fingers twitched at his side, he was feeling weary and assumed it was from the family being around. Maybe it was from what had taken place earlier, though that rarely made him tired. He looked about the room as hospital staff were still moving things about, his hands went for his face and moved along his forehead before resting on the back of his head.

Dionysus...

His eyes shut; and for a brief moment he was not with them anymore, he was elsewhere in his thoughts... a windswept beach, the warm sand beneath his feet and the surf washing against the shore. The distant cry of the gulls sounded pleasant, the moist air was refreshing. Yes, that was where he wanted to be, those islands so far away from all the chaos and death. It rose up inside like bubbling water, pure and invigorating, he chased the vision for as long as it would allow him to. His hair moved with the breeze, sun beating down on his brow and bare chest and those soft hands reaching about his torso delicately. Ah, is that you? How I have missed your touch, your rebellious spirit, yes. Dionysus drifted before he let the vision fade back into the cold, bleak surroundings that was the bedroom; the dream as painful as his reality. His hand extended slowly to the VID and began to speak the number for the airport...

[May]

Artemis

She pulled back from Orion some, a flash of anger in her eyes at his words. She was so over people treating her like paper, like a useless little girl. Or a one trick pony. She could track, and that was all that they cared about. She didn't say anything to Orion though, just moved herself out of direct contact, her one hand coming up to feel at her shoulder wound as she watched her brother take care of the bar man. He was a fool to think that he could talk to a god like he was doing. Even more of a fool to do so to a man who was bigger than even him. Had he not seen what they'd just done? And still he persisted in not answering the questions.

She watched him, watched Hephaestus, with grey eyes gone very stormy. She was still so angry, so worried. None of this felt like it was getting her any closer to finding her brother. She didn't understand half of what was said. She didn't know those...drugs where they? Whatever they were, they were words that her divine mind could not find meaning to. But she gathered through the way they talked that this drug was an addiction. And addiction that stemmed from something of theirs. And if it had been on the market for over a month, there were other gods who'd been taken down before Hecate then.

Oh Apollo...

"There is nothing more for us to learn by lingering here," she said after a moment of worrying her bottom lip. "I suggest we get rid of the bodies though. Burn them to make sure. They were inhumanly strong, I don't trust just leaving them here. But we should take that one," she gestured at the form of what was once the junkie called Stu. He was the worst of them, he'd been addicted longer. "And take him back to Athene. Perhaps she can learn something about this drug from its body."

[Lyzan]

Ares

He watched Persephone as she leaned in and tugged at his forearm, pulling to unravel the fold about his chest so she could wrap her arms around his. His scowl settled to a frown then, utterly confused by her new request and gesture. She'd spent no more than a brief moment here and already she's eager to get out. Perhaps she was unable to bear the sight of the aftermath. Or perhaps it's not necessary to linger and be thorough with the search. It'll probably be somewhat safer to just say that this incident was but a random attack, unimportant. Safer to assume that there were no clues left behind by these creatures. No breadcrumbs whatsoever to follow. Or did they just missed the ride at the same time those things had escaped? But what would've happened should they'd found something then? Of course Ares would've gone after them, at least as long as the course of their search wouldn't have led him to the surface. Fate could curse at him all they want but he would've reminded them over and over again if need be that it was Zeus who'd thrown him here, Zeus and those who'd supported the verdict. It was their fault.

With a familiar but painful silent, Ares followed the Queen out of the room in a humbled gait. His mood returned gloomy once again as if the fire within him no longer burn. He's back to his quiet self, sinking deeper into the depression he had been loitering in for the couple of months. But it was merely for a moment as the familiar intruding feeling suddenly appeared. His head whipped to Persephone, just in time to catch her expression.

"I did!" exclaimed the God of War before he quickly grabbed Persephone around the waist in one hand.

In an instant, confident that Persephone too would've wanted to investigate the essence, he dashed forth and leapt towards the location they'd felt it at with her in his arm. The speed of his jump alone rivaled that of a falling star. It wasn't a boost he could hold for long but just enough to get them to places within their own domain. The landing was thunderous and it's impact lifted the dust and sands to their ankle before settling. Time almost ceased, drapes of clothing held in place, fanning out as rushing wind gets trapped under. Ares then seemed to slowly stand. He set the Queen down beside him before allowing time to resume. The dead at present were startled at their presence and immediately bowed at the ruler of the Underworld.

Ares scanned his surroundings, his dark armor and cape still glistening from the sudden feed of power upon the change. Whatever it was that they'd felt earlier, it was no longer here. His gaze then found Charon's. What he saw within those eyes were clearly a stare of disapproval. It was as if the boatman was accusing him for what'd happened. Wrinkles briefly formed above Ares's brows. Perhaps this pathetic creature have gotten too much of a beating from back then to have actually remember what had happened, to be giving the God of War with such a welcome. Was it ever his fault that the god in charge was summoned to deal with godly matters? Was it his fault that their King then fell and left the Queen by herself? Was he to blame for the monsters that'd taken over this realm? Nay! In fact, he'd just recently stayed here. A mere couple of months and if anything, he'd changed the place for the better. The Queen had neglected nothing as well and had remained professional at her task. Also, he'd not been the Ares they'd known when he was here. He was brooding. Amused, Ares almost grunted at the boatman's disdaining glare. He'd better things to do then to entertain this fool and it's accusing look. Perhaps Charon should have looked into things a little closer and paid a lot more attention at the situation before he decided to give him such a gaze. But who could blame the narrow-minded character for his role was simply to pole.

"You!" Ares barked as he pointed at Charon with something that'd just started manifesting, his spear. "What just went by here and where is it heading to?" he asked before he glanced over to those awaiting for their ride, demanding an answer from them as well.

[Pockets]

Hephaestus

He ignored the lovers issues going on between Orion and Artemis and instead focused on the ideas she had presented. He gave Stu's filthy corpse a disgusted look. Yes they needed to bring someone for Athene to inspect, it was quite possible that she could gather information from the body that none of them could. The problem was going to be moving said body. Not so much the fact that it was the middle of the day in New york City and they needed to move a human-ish, corpse through the cities streets. That wasn't the issue.

No the issue was that Stu was so completely filthy that personally Darin wanted absolutely nothing to do with having to touch him. They would have to though.

He went poking around through the rest of the bar including the storage area and all other back rooms. When he returned he had a wooden crate filled with bottles of highly flammable liquids held on one shoulder and a less than clean, but still cleaner than stu, sheet bundle up under the other arm.

"Here," Darin said and tossed the bundled sheet to Orion. "Wrap Stu up in that would you?" He walked over to Frank and grabbed him by the back of the shirt. Dragging the unconscious and bleeding bartender over to the door he threw it open, and Frank out. He landed heavily with a pained groan but Darin ignored him and slammed the door.

Destroying evidence was one of the more important moments here. Darin looked carefully around the bar. The central room was the largest area of the entire bar and unlike some of the older structures in the city did not include the occasional support pillar to keep the roof up. With modern construction techniques they weren't as necessary as they once were. That just made things easier for Hephaestus though. The God of the Forge he was, be built things, made things, crated things. But to be able to build something you also have to know how to take it apart.

He climbed. One cane held in one hand he moved several of the tables around the room and climbed on top of them, pounding at the ceiling above with the titanium pole until he had shattered much of the thing ceiling tiles and exposed the internal support structure of the building. Finding two load bearing post he lifted himself up between them and planted one hand on either post. All of his weight supported by his hands planted against the posts he pushed as hard as he could, grunting and straining from the effort until finally, with a resounding crack the beams broke, a large crack spreading through them and he dropped heavily back to the table, so heavily that the table itself shattered under his weight.

"Ouch," he muttered wryly. A quick check showed that the bottle of Bourbon in his pocket had not broken during his fall.

"Alright, evidence ready to be destroyed." He started pulling bottles from the crate and threw them about the room, letting the glass shatter and sending out sprays of flammable spirits in all directions. The the damage to the ceiling a good fire is all that would be needed to send the entire building collapsing in on itself. He set the other bodies in random chairs throughout the room, dousing each with copious amounts of alcohol.

"Ready when you are guys," he said and took another pull of the bottle he'd opened previously.

'It falls apart, from the very start it falls apart. It falls, apart, everything around me.' Darin sighed and dug into his pocket to pull out his phone. Swiping one giant finger over the tiny screen he accepted the call and put the phone to his ear. "Afternoon, Nems," he said with a cheerful grin on his face. "I'm glad you called. I need you and Jeremiah to come to a bar. I'll give you the address in just a moment but we need to discuss something with you and with Athene." He gave her the address to Pockets' and then asked. "When you get here I think it would be in everyone's best interests to get Athene on a conference call so we can discuss what Orion, Artemis and I discovered. This problem is bigger than we thought and we might be in far more trouble than we could have ever expected."

[tirgesfu]

Hermes and Anansi

He had to flash the old man a bright smile of his own. Not that Anansi would notice, his eyes caught on Iris’s sport bra. Cards, he asked. Hermes chuckled. Playing card with Anansi was like the old carnival game where the ball or nut was hidden under a cup. Which cup, as hands moved quickly? Ya right, never there.

But Hermes guessed Anansi didn’t know who Iris was. There was that look of question in those bright eyes under dark wrinkles. A game of cards might be interesting. They could pretend to wager the sparkles they usually played for. Pretend. If Iris had any skill, maybe fast hands of her own, and they managed to come out ahead they could outright ask for Asclepius. That would throw Anansi in a spin. If they lost, well, maybe Iris was really a team player.

“Cards!” Hermes chuckled and patted the old man’s shoulder. “How did you know, you old koot? I am feeling pretty lucky. Beside you have something that should be mine.”


Anansi’s eyes glittered as he grinned his wide grin at the light footed fool. It was hard not to rub his hands together in glee, but that wasn’t how the game was played, not yet. Besides, they were up, out and about breast height, reaching for those sparkly titties. With a very feigned start, he acted as if surprised by his own forwardness and shoved his hands into his pants. Grateful for his dark completion that would have made any blush he should have been feigning invisible. He adopted a shamefaced expression, one that fooled his wife more often than not and shuffled forward.

Divide and conquer, that was his trick here. Mama Web weaver might think she had the corner on the strategy market but ole Anansi might show her a few tricks. He relished the shocked and angry expression that crossed the uptight one’s face as she glared at his old friend. Oh yes, Anansi knew what he was doing. Such fun, such fun. He suspiciously fished around in his pockets, accompanied by soft and suspicious grunting sounds and when sparkle-tits was good and red he pulled out a deck of cards, unopened and sealed.

“There’s a little Café that doesn’t sell piss water just inside the Airport or we can head over to that Bar” Anansi said with a smug tone. Oh yes, this would be fun.

“A bar an airport? What? Has the heat and dirt dried you completely up?”Hermes shook his head in pretended disbelief. “Are you telling me we flew all this way and that is the slice of this wild land you show us.” He sighed, “An airport bar.” Hermes shrugged. “In that case that fine air craft my father so willingly allows me to play with has better piss water than this whole country I am sure. What do you say we head back there? Have you seen that thing?”

Hermes looked at the cards and wondered if he could get old tit pincher inside Zeus’s plane. It was worth an effort. Could be the power of his father as felt through the steel and fine interior would be enough to halt Anansi’s some.

“Course, if you’re scared of something with all that modern stuff.” Hermes put his hand on Iris’s arm to lead her along a bit. “I mean we understand backwards.”

"It wasn’t what the old coot meant, but now that it had been said Anansi knew full well that to do anything less than casually and carelessly stroll onto that plane was to admit weakness and fear. Even if he felt those very things he could never admit them. He’d forgotten how clever old feather-foot was. Those sparkly titties better be as perky as they looked or he was gonna be pissed.

“Sure thing ole friend!” he said casually. “I’ll head back in there, drink up the sizzler’s firewater and pinch a few things along the way. You won’t mind will ya? I here they got some pine pillows on those luxury tin cans.”

He sidled up to sparkle-tits and slipped his spindly arm through hers, grinning down at her, appreciating her tight jawed smile and the way her panicked eyes showed the whites all around. Sweet ambrosia to the dirty old thing. She flashed Hermes a glare but didn’t move to pull away, if anything she pulled the messenger tighter. It made Anansi think of the golden rule and that made him perk up considerably and almost comically, his long shirt hiding most but not all of it.



Stacks of fine pillows, Hermes chuckled as they walked right back toward the jet, the old wrinkled dark man and the hippy surfer dude sandwiching the rainbow between them. As they made their way back onto the stairway leading up Hermes wondered about that deck of cards. He knew never to play with the hand dealt by that spindlier. How could he switch decks? Well, that might be a price he has to pay.

“So, tell me, why have you hidden here and not run amuck to taste other treats?” Hermes made sure to say the word treats to sound very close to teats. Anansi needed to get out more than was clear. His shirt screamed as much.

The staff of the airliner greeted them hiding any surprise or question. Instructions were given for a table for cards. Hermes ordered food, snacks and drinks. He even requested cards. “Name your piss, Anansi.” He waved a hand at a rather attractive stewardess as she stood ready to serve. When asked how soon they would depart Hermes very causally said, “As soon as I win.” He winked to Iris and crossed his fingers that she knew how to play.

“I never hide! I’m here because this is my home. The people here love me and so I grace them with my presence and many fine strong grandsons. There is no hiding in that!”

That he’d begun to lose track of who was who had begun to be a problem, one he would never admit. He wasn’t a Greek god after all, Un like them he refused to dip his wick in something that truly started with him.

He was decidedly unimpressed by the plane. He had no patience for the acquisition of wealth of such a degree as to allow for the fine purchases that Zeus managed. But why bother when one could steal or borrow or trick it. Hermes knew that, clearly as he’d acquired this little birdie no problem. He squeezed past the servants, none of them interesting him, to polished, too squeaky clean with breasts that did not originate in living flesh. No, he’d take a small tit anyway over these falsely perky ones. He did feel and unsettling constriction around him as the metal, metal owned by a god who normally was greater than he, began to corrode his connection. He’d need to work fast, no doubt. Distracted by his problem at the mention of victuals, he smacked his lips as Hermes ordered. When asked what he wanted his eyes grew clever and he flashed his teeth when he answered.

“Akpeteshie, I’ll take some Akpeteshie and we can begin. I’ll even let you name the game as long as this pretty sits next to me.”

He winked at Iris who looked more than a little unsettled at the prospect, especially as the old man was peering at her breasts at the time.

“Well you heard the man, Akpeteshie, snap, snap,” Hermes called to the perky young woman who, to her credit, hide her questions rather well. Hermes pulled a deck of cards from the planes stash that appeared on the table and nudged Iris. A few fast hands that’s what they needed. Quick games, quick fingers, and quick squeeze of high flashing flesh and they would be on their way.

As Hermes shuffled he leaned toward Anansi and nodded, “Oh I agree. Really. Give me a natural and spot on the sand and you can have all this fancy. But, hey,” Hermes shrugged. “Sometimes you have to play the game.” He sat taller and grinned, “Seven card stud seems to fit.”

---many drinks later---

Iris played liked a girl, “I forget, does having one suite all in a row beat a pair?” Both Hermes and Anansi groaned and threw in their cards as well as their last chips. The damn rainbow had won. Stacks of both their chips were lined up neatly in front of Iris.

Hermes had started drinking the palm wine and sugar cane juice right along with the spider granddad. “It was her sparkles,” He leaned on his unsteady elbow and complained to Anansi, “They distracted us.” He groaned sharing Anansi’s pain in losing. But losing to Iris was sort of winning. Not as sweet as a victory but he had to remember his real task. What was it again? Oh right!

Hermes swung to Anansi and pointed his finger, “You are damn lucky I didn’t win this time.” Hermes sat up and nudged Iris, “So tell him,” he nudged her again, “Tell him what you want.”

Iris reached under her shirt and pulled Hermes light out of her sports bra. She tossed them back to him and then turned to Anansi. “I want Asclepius.”

[Lillian Thorne]

Charon

Charon heard the arrogant tone of the wargod before he saw him and chose not to acknowledge him right away. Instead polling his barge closer to the bank where the imposter and his puppet waited. Once upon a time the old ferryman would have counted on the protection of the monarch’s of the realm, but now he wasn’t certain he would get it. The small Queen whom he’d been half in love with was now the plaything of the brute and he wasn’t certain her loyalty wasn’t as addled as her thinking was. But His loyalty wasn’t, he knew to whom he would kneel, no matter if the loyalty wasn’t returned.

When the barge soundlessly bumped into the bank of the River Styx he bowed his head and bent one knee, his body curled like a dried leaf as he bowed to her.

“My Queen.” He said with no little love and reverence for the small queen. Calling up all the time he’d watched her wanted her adopted lands, the only spot of color this being had seen in time immemorial. She was all that was bright and beautiful in this dismal land and he was certain she deserved more than she’d ever gotten, even from his late lord. He shivered at such disloyal thoughts.

“My Queen,” he repeated, “I saw nothing come by here. I was busy with my duties and did not see.” It was not enough, not for a direct question and even if she didn’t ask it, even if her manipulator did she deserved an answer.
“I sensed something but did not see where it came or where it went. I only know that it was not like the others.” He gestured to the mingling silent souls that crowded the far shore, “and that it is no longer here.”

He risked looking up, his affection and devotion clearly written in his rheumy eyes that had seen the ages pass under the endless grey skies of Hades, eyes that sought out a bit of color now and again.