Shadows of Olympus: Chapter Three IC

[MerlotBeauty]

Areiôn

After helping Tyche with the mirror’s Areiôn flipped on the TV, and quickly ordered the movie Tangled from the hotel movie selections, while Tyche finally managed to take in some food and juice. He let the movie play softly in the background. He desperately hoped it gave Tyche something light—even comedic—to focus on while focused on bringing Athene to them.

“If Athene wants to dole out punishment and discipline she can come to us.” Frankly, the Prince of Horses could care less about what other business she might be doing, or what new crises were arising. The more Areiôn spent time among the gods, the more he was convinced whatever happened to them was more than likely something they caused through their own carelessness. As a child of Poseidon and Demeter, he was honor bound to assist them, he did not even mind being a meat shield, pack horse or whatever else they needed. But so help him, the more he spent time with the lot of them the less problem he had stooping to their level of stubbornness. Did that make him more like them? Perhaps. However, as the saying went, if you can’t beat’em, join’em.

Areiôn picked up the phone dialing the front desk. “Just hang tight, Lucky. I don’t care how pissed your family is, I am not going to let them do anything rash or unjust.”

“Yeah, this is Aaron, in room 717. I need you to connect me to the conference room for Deus Industries. Oh my gods, No, I don’t know the conference room number. Just connect me! Look my name up, Lady! I’m on the list. I was given a room under that group. Areiôn sighed. “Would you connect me to a manager, please? Thank you. Yes, I need the Deus Industries conference room please. Thank you.”

It was several minutes of arguing with the operator—who seemed to forget that Aaron Wyatt was a guest under The Deus Industries corporation—finally managed to connect him to their own conference room. Much to Areiôn’s relief Athene picked up the phone quickly.

“Yeah, your friendly neighborhood horsey here.” Areiôn let the word “friendly” drip with contempt. “Lucky’s here and wants to see you. Room 717. She’s in no condition to come to you.”

Areiôn put the phone back on the receiver giving the formerly-virgin goddess little opportunity to respond. Either she would show up in the next few minutes or she would take her time. There was a knock on the door only minutes later.

Areiôn waved at hand a Tyche to keep her sitting and comfortable on the bed, watching the movie while he answered the door, opening it just barely more than a crack. He let his rather massive frame block the goddess’s entrance

“The only reason I called you is because she asked for you. But so help me I really don’t give a shit who you are, if you hurt her for things that were not her fault, you and I will have more than simple words. Areiôn spoke in low tones, but his glare spoke volumes of his intent behind those words.

However, as much as he would have liked to postpone the inevitable, he opened the door the rest of the way and moved to allow the goddess of “wisdom” pass.

[Vanquished]

Hebe

Aphrodite's torn garments were in the garbage, the sheets changed to ones of an herbal green color she had found. Hebe laid a rather intricate duvet cover over the bed and took a step back to gauge how Demeter would like it. The gray against the green sheets was masculine and lacking in life, but it was Dionysus had to offer. She sighed, doubtful Demeter would care either way, but she wished there was something here in the penthouse to bring a bit of natural life to the place. Something bright and blooming, Hebe made a mental note to get the mortals to bring in some flowers, even if it was just the ubiquitous pointsettas that mortals seemed to adore this time of year.

Hebe turned to leave and report back to Demeter that all was prepared for her and Hecate, the silent and unmoving goddess positioned next to the window. Hercules stood guard over her, his hulking frame silent and Hebe felt a pang of guilt as she took a few steps towards the door. He probably wanted to talk to her, but he wouldn't shirk his duty anymore than she could. So many years and the same issues remained, Hebe sighed but stopped short as Dionysus entered the room.

She watched as his eyes glazed over, her lips pursing together. "Danny, are you alright?" He made no response and Hebe took a step back from him, nervously biting at her lip. He looked lost in his thoughts, and while she hoped it was to do with the horrifying events cascading around them, eons of knowing the whims of the gods told her it was something else. She watched him for a sign, what exactly she wasn't sure, but her eyes stayed on him until he moved.

She backed away slowly, certain that he was very much in the present, before turning to go find Aphrodite and Demeter.

Aphrodite

Green eyes followed her love as he left before returning them to the crone. Ares would not have walked away so calmly, his rage would have boiled over and Demeter would not be left sitting so prim and proper. But Dionysus was not Ares, and while there was an anger bubbling beneath his calm veneer, it would stay well contained. Aphrodite frowned but turned her thoughts elsewhere; musing on the mad dog would get her no where.

Even so, when she blinked, the scene of an apartment smoldering and charred flashed across her mind's eye. Ares, damn you... No, he would not have taken such a petulant insult so kindly, nor would he have taken her intervention so willingly. Images of thousands of nights threatened to flicker across her mind, but she held them at bay. Those thoughts were best saved for when she was alone.

"You push too much Demeter." She hissed not a moment later, her fingers tapping against the counter. "I will not have you-" there was a tapping at her shoulder. She turned slowly to see Hebe behind her, a look of concern across her face. "Yes?" Her voice grated though her eyes and expression softened at the sight of the young goddess.

Hebe looked past Aphrodite to Demeter, "Hecate is taken care of, and I prepared the room for you mistress. The nurses are just finishing up if you'd like to see her again." Her attention returned to the impatient love goddess. She didn't want to say anything in front of Demeter, torn between the two goddesses, but this was something for Aphrodite's ears only. Relief washed over her as Aphrodite pulled on her arm towards the master's bathroom.

"Tell me as you help me prepare for my trip little one."

Closed off behind the bathroom door, Hebe set to brushing out Aphrodite's hair. She looked to where the bruise had been earlier, it was healing already and yellowed, the mar wouldn't last much longer. Aphrodite's attraction to violence had always worried Hebe, and in her gut she felt her mistress had fled too quickly to a danger of a more subtle sort. Hebe picked her words carefully around Aphrodite, the goddess was not naive to Dionysus' problems, nor would she take kindly to advice.

"What is it Hebe? You are obviously worried. Out with it now." Aphrodite sat staring into the mirror watching Hebe.

"It's Dionysus."

Aphrodite's eyebrows quirked up. "What of him?" Hebe was on thin ice here, her place was typically one of silence, though perhaps years spent with mortals had made her forget that.

"He had a moment, before he called to arrange your flight. Mistress, he looked as if he was seeing something not there." Hebe quickened to add, "you know him better than I ever could of course, but please mistress, until we know what is happening with this threat, watch over him." There, her concern was now for Dionysus and not Aphrodite's safety. If it was the beginnings of his mania, Hebe would worry indeed over the goddess, but that didn't mean she'd need to say so.

Aphrodite looked ahead into the reflection of Hebe's eyes. Madness, that was what the little one feared. She had seen it before, though the timing of this bout would be unfortunate if she was right. She was his lover, not his protector though, and the charge to watch after him chafed. "Do not fret Hebe, focus on Hecate and making her well again. Dionysus and I will return with more answers and we can soon set this all behind us." She patted the blonde goddess' hand though her mind was elsewhere. And when it was done and over with, Aphrodite would be no less busy. If Dionysus wanted to be king, there'd be much work to do, and scores to be settled. "I have nothing to pack or wear to the plane. I suppose what I wore here will have to suffice."

"I'm afraid not mistress, your clothes were not able to be saved. I had to throw away..."

Aphrodite's lips curved upwards, "Yes, well, I can't be angry over that. See if my love has a sweater, something cashmere. Plum, or black if not." She paused, musing over her options, "and find a belt, as thin as he has."

A few moments later Aphrodite and Hebe appeared back in the kitchen, the group of mortals thinning out as the last few were finalizing the details. Hebe and Aphrodite had found a way to make Dionysus' sweater, black with a v that was pulled down to show her cleavage, cling to her curves like a mini dress. The belt was tightened around her waist, the sweater barely covered her ass, her legs longer than they had any right to be. It would have to suffice.

She grabbed the bag Hebe handed to her, her phone and the little spy nestled inside it. "I'm ready Dionysus. Is everything set for us?" She was impatient to go, her tone making that obvious.

[May]

Persephone

She gasped at the strong arms around her waist. She wasn't used to him doing that and rushing off quite like that. But she didn't fight it, and instead made herself almost limp, easy for him to move as he so wished. He was set on finding out where that had come from, and she was in agreement, though silent, that they should go right away. When he settled her back down on her own feet she wobbled for a moment, trying to get her bearings back around her so she knew just where she was in her own kingdom.

When Ares spoke roughly to the Ferryman, she reached a hand over to place gently on Ares' arm to calm him. Yelling at Charon never got anyone anywhere. He was the slow, peaceful, quiet type, and had been for as long as she'd known him. Looking at him just reminded her of what state he'd been in a few months ago, looking on the verge of death. Not that he looked the spitting image of life at this moment anyways. But she couldn't help the guilt that bubbled up in her chest. He was one of hers, her charges, subject even if he so wished. But she was responsible for keeping this realm safe and she'd failed him. Distracted in her grief, her own pain, she had let her attention slack and he had paid the price for it. And now, things were sneaking in again. Was her attention so lax? No, she'd come right away this time. She'd felt it this time. And she would not let harm come to this lovely soul again.

Persephone stepped away from Ares again and padded softly along the bank towards the Ferryman. When he spoke she listened, following here he gestured and pointed, taking in the souls waiting for their turn across. It was not like them, he said. They moved quickly then, if they could cross without the boat and be gone faster than Ares could move. But who could they be after? Very few of the other gods dwelled below with her, and they kept so to themselves that sometimes she wasn't certain that they were really there. So if they were here, Ares and her, where those things off to?

She came back to herself, looking down at Charon looking up at her and she couldn't stop the sad look that leaked into her dark eyes. Lifting a soft hand she cupped his cool cheek, giving him a sad smile. She didn't doubt that he was telling her the whole truth, he had no reason to. "Thank you, Charon," she murmured softly. "Please, keep an eye out for more though while you attend your duties. I want to know what they look like if you can." Her soft fingers dropped from his face, but she did not step back right away. But she did slowly, turning back to Ares. "We should follow them, perhaps there is a trail we could find, use to track them..."

[Lillian Thorne]

Athene

3:05 PM

Athene knew the moment she answered the phone that she was going to have a scene on her hands. For a moment she was tempted to just let the two of them head off into the sunset or wherever they wanted to hole up and play tortured lovers. But then she remembered the hurt and betrayal in Hermes’ eyes as he explained what had happened. Hermes wasn’t one for displaying deep emotion. Not that he didn’t feel it, more that he didn’t share it. He’d shared it then, whether he meant to or not and she wasn’t going to lessen that sharing by overlooking it. Besides, attempted fratricide was something they could not overlook.

She spent a few moments in quiet reflection, pulling together all her resources, all her arguments and all the facts she would need to tend to the situation. She lifted her attaché case up onto the conference table and from a small compartment in the back of it she pulled out a small finely woven pouch made with fibers that seemed to be every color yet none. It was of such a pattern that the eyes skipped over it, sliding right on by. It was a useful pattern, one that was tricky to weave but one she invented and mastered. She’d never shown another the secret to it. Her fingers ran lightly over the fabric for a moment before she sought out the closure by touch and opened it. She extracted a small glazed clay vessel with a wax seal across the top of it. I was not alone in the pouch but it was all she needed for this.

Her father’s solution for the scene was merciful, more merciful than Athene would have been. It was elegant even. The goddess had crumbled rapidly in the two months since the battle. A mere blink of the eye to immortals. This after thousands of years of not progressing past adolescence. Something had arrested her development. This, this might undo that and give Tyche the change to start anew. It was certainly better than other punishments meted out over the ages.

Once she felt herself centered and ready she slipped the vessel into her pocket and walked down the hallway, one hand running along the wall, fingertips lightly touching, lifting only to skip over doorways. It wasn’t a far walk, not at all. She’d booked the whole floor for a reason. She paused before the door, her grey eyes distant and then, snapping back into focus she knocked a quick staccato upon it’s surface.

She’d got the sort of greeting she expected and let him have his little say, the white knight, blind to the faults of his damsel in distress. Never mind that the damsel was in distress of her own making, never mind that the damsel was the killer of thousands. She stepped into the room, past him without acknowledging him and as soon as the door shut behind her it began.

Soft at first, a rumbling like that of a subway passing underfoot, except that they were so high up that such rumbles would be distant memories by the time they reached her feet. By the time the rumble had registered it was increasing, rising in pitch and volume until the first of them arrived. They poured from the vents, swarmed up from cracks that weren’t quite visible and from countless places: spiders, more than it was possible to count. She came, summoned by their mistress, but their maker, their goddess. The spiders of New York knew her and had served her before.

She stood and watched as they swarmed over the horse, not having even turned from him to look at who she’d really come to see. The fool had merely provided her with a good example. Hopefully it would make the rest go more easily. In seconds he was covered from toe to neck, his arms bound down by his side by millions of tiny filaments of a strength that was unsurpassed in nature. She ignored his cries, his claims, his threats and promises. She watched it all with a cold, expressionless face. If the one lying on the bed moved she would find herself summarily bound just as he was. She signaled to them when they reached his face and they stopped, dancing along his skin just around the edges of his vision, a tactile presence but not a visual one. She stepped forward then, her eyes the grey of a lowering storm. She put one finger under his chin and lifted it just a little, peering at him for a long moment.

“You’d best be careful at whom you level threats. You might unintentionally turn someone into an enemy. Such sloppy behavior does not do anyone any service. Now, I am here with a plan and reasoning behind it. I do not feel compelled to explain it to you. But I will allow you the use of your tongue if you think you can keep it in check. If not, well I can have my silence one way or another.”

One small spider moved from the rest and dropped down on a thread to hover in the air infront of the immortal’s eye. It swayed in the breeze kicked up by the blinking eye.

“That little fellow has just a touch of venom, not much, enough to cause a welt really. But it hurts. Hundreds of those bites would be enough to kill a man. I think that thousands would be enough to kill an immortal.” She turned from him then and stepped towards the bed, towards Tyche, the one she was there to see. All coolness and business, unfazed by the state she found her in. flashes of Hermes and his pain filled her and hardened her. She was a goddess of men, of warriors who faced down great odds and pushed themselves to overcome. She was there for them, supporting them, pushing them to their greatest potential. She was not a goddess of girls. Certainly ones who refused to grow up and in the face of such she was merciless.

“Tyche.” She said simply. “I have heard from your Father what happened. I have had other eyewitness recounting of what occurred and I'd like to give you a chance to explain away attempted fratricide before we proceed. What have you to say?”

[Lillian Thorne]

Anansi

Anansi stared at the cards in his hand, the piles of chips that were most certainly not in front of him and then up at the pink eyed chippie who had somehow bilked all the coins out of two tricksters. It was completely unfair!

And completely hilarious so that when he saw the flash of irritation on Hermes Face that mirrored his own, followed by the announcement of what she wanted he threw back his head and laughed loudly and long. Part of it might have been his intoxicated nature but most of it was for a game well played. For all that he loathed the light-footed one he couldn’t deny that he knew how to have a good time. When his laughter had died down to a manageable level he spoke, wheezing in between words as hilarity continued to escape him like a balloon slowly losing its air.

“Why didn’t ya say so man? Geeze, I don’t want him here. You can have him! You could have just asked.”

He chortled and stood, his spindly body skipping down to the door to the cabin upon which he banged loudly and continually until one of the polite and professional workers poked their head in. Man, they were some uptight people these Deus Drones, they made such good targets they were wound so tight. He gave them some directions and ignored their protests telling them to make it work.

He strolled back down to his rival and the one who defeated him so adroitly.

“Well we got a little time to kill, we are heading up country, you all get to the best of my lands and while you are there take a stuck up stubborn pain in my ass bit of cancer out. Now let’s try another round.”

This time he knew who he’d be watching.

[Fallenreaper]

Nemesis
Location: Police Station
Time: 3:15pm- 3:25pm

Nemesis was impatient to hear from her team. That much was clear to how quickly she moved to call, her mind retraced the information digesting it for about the hundredth time while she waited for Hephaestus to pick up the phone. Her body ceased to behave, restlessness surged though it and even though she forced herself to remain in one place it would not last long. More people were moving into the police station, another couple with a paper in hand temporary drew Nemesis’s gaze before it snapped back to the gruff sound of the forge master’s voice drawing her lips into a thin line clear even to Jeremiah that something had annoyed her and it wasn’t him.

“…..” There was long pause as Nemesis flinched at the shorten version of her name, breathing deeply so not make it clear it bothered her,” Yes, I can but that’s where the trail lead was a bar called Pockets. There wasn’t any trouble along the way?”

She expected it not to be this easy; simple as the task might have been since Hecate was mauled in such a way Nemesis expected the criminals to cover their tracks well. It seemed she was much closer to closing this case and once more return to her life until that notion came crashing down instantly. Her body tightened, feeling the simple pressure of stress building in her mind as Hephaestus spoke so easily about violence tugging at her instincts that something was she wasn’t going to like would be bearing down on her shortly. The faint sound of crashing made her think of battle, despite Hephaestus’s words it sounded as if the bar was still being torn apart. A flash of concern darted for a moment across her face paled at the idea of those under her charge were being engaged at the moment until the last part left his lips, her jawline clenched making the muscles taunt with knotted brows. Her wings shifted under her coat threatening to release from it in her agitation making the tan surface move like something alive before her one arm came about, pinning it hard enough to crush it about her body drawing a jerk of pain at the action’s harshness.

Darin grunted and spoke into the phone as he continued throwing random bottles of spirits about the bar. "No, no real trouble on the way here. Took out some trash, broke some teeth, maybe a jaw."

Her eyes flicker noting Jeremiah’s location, his lean body propped up on a nearby bench much to her relief only to fade under the weight of her present emotion. Unable to stand still any longer, her boots hit the concrete with each step, mindful of her surroundings, smashing snow and scattering it out of her in her pacing from the front door to the bench where he sat. The arm holding the cell to her ears was rest its elbow on the wrapped one easing the effort while her thoughts examined Hephaestus’s words with discomfort. A bad feeling swept over her, a familiar feeling of wrongness seemed to tug at the back of her mind listening to Hephaestus’s words speak easily of such violent actions that seemed the reality of the world wasn’t at all on the front of the others’ concerned or where it would lead.

"You did what?" Nemesis's voice sounded strained, her teeth gritted as she talked slightly hotly into the phone," What's that sound and what sort of taking out have you been doing?"

The answer she received wasn’t one she had hoped for.

He grinned, his cheer at the mayhem he'd partaken in not the slightest bit diminished in the face of Nemesis' ire. "Well, Artemis broke some junkies wrist when he accosted her on the way to said bar. I kicked him in the face on my way by. When we got here I caught someone being thrown out and tossed him into the trashcans. Artemis, Orion and I went in and I spoke to the bartender. Friendly chap named Frank. We were attacked. The guy I threw in the trash came in the back door, and several others attacked us as well. After taking care of them I... persuaded.. Frank to part with information-"

Artemis broke a man’s arm, Hephaestus kick him in the face and now an attack. Her motion stalled out in its path, stopping almost in mid-step. Her body felt like it sank several degrees in temperature, a heavy stone seemed to emerge in her soul making her lungs stop working freezing her in place. A visible movement of swallowing went down her throat, wetting the parch insides even as Hephaestus’s continued, afraid that leaving them alone was a mistake.

Nemesis could feel her blood rising before interrupting, first she addressed to the fact of injuries and what sounded like mayhem,” Is everyone alright? Was anyone hurt?...” then she paused at Hephaestus’s word of choice of persuaded and added,” Hephaestus, how did you ‘persuade’ this Frank character for information?”

"Yeah everyone is in good form. Artemis was wounded a bit but she handled herself well." He glanced over at where Orion was still seeing to Artemis' wound. "After the fight Frank was very forthcoming. I bounced him off a wall a little bit and broke a few fingers." the last was said with some trepidation. He knew Nemesis' views on torture but it really was the most expedient avenue at his disposal at the time.

Her eyes closed, feeling the heat behind them while her forefinger and thumb pressed against the bridge of her nose pulling away from her unsettling wings. This was a nightmare. Centuries on centuries had passed in what would seem like years in their lifetimes yet the very immortals she left to their own devices seemed to forget this wasn’t their world anymore in a matter of a short time, her breath seemed far shorter than normal even realizing what a threat this could bring her. It could uproot her once more, worse yet bring Jeremiah with her and she wasn’t about to let that happen, not again.

The idea of Artemis being wounded bothered Nemesis but she didn’t let it show. The goddess knew the Huntress could handle herself well, even if she decided to call upon help it wasn’t out of weakness more than it was out of trust in others for better results. Hell was coming but it would be coming from both ends for her, the mortals as well as this new threat which could very well toss her from the job right into jail. It was a tangled mess now, choosing her words carefully Nemesis chided Hephaestus knowing inside it mattered little to him. He wouldn’t feel the price like she would…

“I’m proud Artemis handled herself well, I would not expect anything less from my friend.” Nemesis tone turned serious and any affection directed to her friend’s news was lost,” Hephaestus…you know I can’t overlook this, this is not ancient Greece anymore. We must obey the rules of the mortal when dealing with them, not torture. We are NOT the Dog, reaction to the attack I can accept but torturing for information even for our survival doesn’t sit well with me. There’s where the fine line exist Hephaestus and I request you do not cross it, unless it’s the only choice left after all others have been exhausted. Any information you have obtained and where it leads will likely have dire consequences for me but I will deal with those when they come. Anything else I should know?”

They were better than Ares so why was his influence worse now than it was when he was out of Hades? Wasn’t that purpose of putting him away, wasn’t it? It seemed like they forgotten times had changed; in order to exist they had to adapt to it. They were no longer the masters of this world, as painful as that was to admit, in this world it was the mortals that decided their fate now and not the other way around. Nemesis sighed, feeling like she was dealing with children instead of eons old immortals before being the only thing she could be: truthful.

"Yeah, yeah, I know Nems, but we're in a hurry here." He threw another bottle and pulled a pack of matches from behind the bar. "Anything else you show know..." he muttered and considered it for a few moments. "Nothing major really. I damaged the ceiling, I've now doused the bar in flammable liquids and I'm about to light it up to destroy the evidence."

Again the shortening of her name made her flinch before ignoring it to focus on the more important task.

Her eyes widened at the information, her mouth made a snarl at the idea of reaching their destination only find a burning inferno rising up in smoke. What was he thinking it would make headline, not to mention draw the wrong attention or worse, jerk Nemesis completely off the case. Her life would be ruin once again. Words about burning the bar drew her ire as she looked beyond pissed, her mask broken at the moment making her eyes flash a dark crimson like dried blood before her voice erupted loudly enough to make a passing man jump out of his skin.

“HEPHAESTUS! Stop, don’t. It’s bad enough you have assault and now you want to add vandalism on top of it? What happens if there’s more evidence to what is happening and you burn it away?” Snapped Nemesis, her eyes red hot and fingers tighten about the phone hard enough it seemed to creak with the pressure,” Just…just…..” Nemesis’s voice seemed to struggle as she rein herself in, her mind feeling like it was on brink of breaking,” Stay there… don’t burn anything and keep visual… I will be there with Jeremiah shortly…please, don’t do anything…rash…”

Darin shrugged and pocketed the matches. "Fine," he grunted. "It was Artemis' idea but we can wait until you get here. I've already searched the bar and the bodies. There doesn't appear to be much else here. Oh Frank might still be lying in the alley outside when you get here. His elbow and shoulder were shattered too." He shrugged.

Someone shot her, thought Nemesis feeling like she was giving birth to her own Athene as her hand slammed the cell closed immediately with her body covering the short distance between Jeremiah and her in seconds. Hand reached out instinctively for Jeremiah’s, grasping it tight enough he could feel the stress though the grip that even for a woman was unusually strong in her temper. His face turned up in surprise until her body moved, his cane nearly forgotten in the rush, pulling him along back to the car filled with anger that Hephaestus –despite her warning- would do something more stupid then what is already done. At the moment it was touch she had that kept Nemesis from doing something very ill advised herself, taking off and flying there just to prevent a fire from erupting. Why did she think they could be left alone without causing trouble?

“There’s the address, Hephaestus’s about to burn down a bar if we don’t get there soon. It’s a bar called Pockets,” Nemesis said handing off the phone to Jeremiah, the heat in her voice was likely hot enough to burn the paint off the car if given the chance.

She was hoping between the drive here to there would give her time to cool, sadly she doubted it as her hand let go of Jeremiah’s allowing him to walk around to the driver’s side while hers opened the passenger’s door. Her body bent in and even only half way in her hand flew to the seat belt, clicking it across her torso while thunk of the car door rattled shut in their ears. It had quickly fell victim to the sound of the sputtering engine’s sounds roaring to life while the gears protested to the haste, grinding and squeaking stick shifted, before the tires moved out of the parking lot and onto the road making its way to the bar. Nemesis only hoped not to see the rising billows of smoke as they arrive, her forehead firmly pressed into the palm of her head swallowed by her own thoughts at her recent knowledge.

[Squrmy]

Orion looked somewhat hurt when Artemis moved away from him, a soft frown furrowing his brow. He followed after her, somewhat like a lost puppy, wiping Frank's blood off on a dirty napkin he found on one of the tables. He padded after her - despite wearing heavy boots, his footfalls made little noise. He moved around so he was standing in front of her, frowning somewhat. "I'm sorry, Art." He offered her a small smile, outstretching his left hand. "Forgive me?"

The Demi-God turned his head when he heard Darin talking into his phone, the God of the Forge arguing with Nemesis, two bickering like children. This caused a smile to crease his lips, pearly white teeth visible as he chuckled - he could hear the Goddess yelling down the phone at poor Heph, his sharp ears picking up the sounds of their conversation. "I'll go outside and wait for them, I suppose. Be good and don't set anything on fire, eh, Heph?" He smirked, turning toward the door and padding out of the bar - touching Artemis' arm softly as he left.

Orion pulled the door open, allowing it to close behind him as he stood on the porch outside the building, the cold winter air cutting into him as he folded his arms over his chest, shivering softly - looking around with sharp, watchful eyes for signs of approach - whether from friendly or hostile sources. At the sound of Jeremiah's rusty old engine, his head turned - waiting for the car to come into his view, a small smile on his lips - his clothes still splattered with blood from the bar brawl.

[tirgesfu]

Hermes

That Akpeteshie was making Hermes’ head swim. Damn the old spider, he should have known to not enjoy it so much. He was feeling the hit of losing cards to Iris when all of the sudden Anansi made it clear he had lost to him as well. Anansi wasn’t hiding Asclepius? He should have just asked? Oh well, what would have been the fun of that. After all Hermes did get to drink, play cards, and fondle some nice tight dugs for a few seconds. Good time all around.

But all the sudden they were in the air again and Anansi was directing. That couldn’t be good. Even through the haze of palm wine Hermes could see the uptight stiff crew was pleasantly nervous. Lights were flashing on so Hermes buckled his seat belt. Anansi still sat across the table trying to encourage Iris to deal as all sort so warnings flashed. Anansi didn’t seem to notice. Hermes chuckled, “You always were a damn good time old man.” A young tight stewardess reached over Anansi to strap him down and Hermes was sure she was suffering from unsolicited feels.

Hermes looked out the window and realized the crews concern. The landing strip in some jungle spot was not really big enough for his father’s jet. How funny would it be to have to tell Zeus he crashed his plane? Sorry Dad we left it on the side of a jungle. The jet circled again and then dipped quickly and braked with such force Hermes was sure his eyes would end up in the back of his head. The cards flew off the table. The sparkles that so nicely fit under Iris' sports bra bounced off and danced through the wide open seating area. A bottle of half empty Ghana wine shattered on the edge of Hermes’ seat. The noise was like hundreds of nails screeching on a black board. Hermes’ ears popped. A very loud bang that was unmistakably a crash rang through the well made jet. Then everything was silent.

Hermes focused his eyes back into their sockets. He looked over the Anansi and smiled. Either the wine splashed onto the spider man or…”You didn’t piss yourself did you?” Hermes teased. Laughing Hermes unbuckled and looked out the window. The nose of the fancy Deus Jet was stuck in a thick of green vegetation.“Lovely spot for a getaway Iris. How nice and romantic for the old man to bring us here.” Hermes moved past the crew trying to asses things and forced opened the landing door. The steps did not pop out and it was a long way to the ground. He turned back to Anansi, “Need a lift?” Without waiting for an answer Hermes picked Anansi up and flew him to the ground. He was sure Iris would follow. As he carried Anansi he chuckled, ”I’ll let her carry you back up but she still might be slightly pissed about the groping so give it a time. Then fondle away on the return trip. She really is a trooper.”

Hermes put Anansi down and looked around. “This is not what it looked like on the brochure.” The place was just a small clearing with some Quonset Hut and old mobile homes that looked like shoe boxes with the shoes long gone. It looked as if the jet blew the whole place over. Dust from the crash hung thick in the humid air. There was one building that looked as if maybe it would be standing after the next rain storm. It was a taller, like a tower and had a rather large antenna. Beside it was a garage of some sort. “You think the pool and spa are in there?” Hermes pointed in the direction of the only real buildings on the ground.

He spun around and shouted back to the plan crew, “This is not a party leave so don’t you all come ashore and get knocked up by the locals. You turn that thing around and get ready to fly away when we get back.” He winked to Aanasi. “Come on Iris let’s find our prize.”

[Hale]

Dionysus...

He emerged from the bedroom with a passive glance to those assembled before setting his gaze on Aphrodite and immediately detected agitation, a thin smile spread on his lips and gave a simple shrug. What was there left for them to do with the others around? His aunt would be in poor spirits while she 'adjusted' to the penthouse and Hebe would likely overcompensate for her ineptness at being anything more than a glorified handmaiden to the crone. Poor thing, Dionysus thought to himself as he folded his arms together at his chest, nodding to his lover now that they were ready to depart.

“If everyone is comfortable here then we can leave,” Dionysus stroked his chin idly, “...Aunt, it was a pleasure, as always. We really should do it again, sometime.” the grin wasn't meant to look condescending but Dionysus had enough of family for one day, now it was time to put his attention on two things; getting his lover alone to finish what they had started before being interrupted and uncover what had taken place in Chicago. He moved to Aphrodite with an easy stride, standing over her as his arm bent to take hers and met her eyes.

Was that doubt in her eyes? Dionysus looked around but couldn't be sure, when his eyes caught Hebe's he thought he felt it even more so. His other arm raised to pass what could be taken as a wave to both her and Demeter, though it lacked any emotion from the god of the vine. A token gesture, with that done he led the goddess away to the door and exited the penthouse.

In the hall he grounded, relieved to put behind that bit of tiresome business and able to return to her needs, those fiery eyes sparking the god's unquenchable thirst. When leaning into her neck, his lips brushed over her skin and inhaled her scent.

“My love,” Dionysus said in a calm and even voice, “...when in the presence of vipers, you must know how to take a bite; the old hag has no venom and one day she will make a mistake. For now, we play the tune and charm them and let them think they have power but when the day comes I will have all their heads beneath my heel.” As if to show her, his teeth grazed the skin of her neck before withdrawing to meet her eyes, she wanted a warrior of him... that was still what she expected of him. What she really needed was patience, enough to allow him to begin pulling the strings that were in place. He walked with her at his side toward the elevator, watching the iron doors open like curtains to the beginning of the first performance of the night.

“After you,” he smiled, wondering if the first act would take place soon.

[Lyzan]

Ares

It was a gesture that was very much expected coming from Persephone. Very predictable. There's both kindness as well as a pinch of authority with her touch. Ares's gaze remained unto the gathered souls as he lowered his arm. The spear slowly faded and then vanished as he turned away from the approaching Ferryman. His task for the moment was done. He'd given the creature a reason to speak before the Queen. Taking in the sights of the souls by the thousands as they wandered along the coast, he listened to Charon's answer as he pondered just how many centuries had they spent their time here. Ares was curious all of a sudden, wondering if an obolus or a danake was still the currency needed to pay the Ferryman for passage, or had it changed to Euros and Dollars as time in the modern world changed. He wasn't at all pleased with what he'd heard then. For a God assigned with a sole purpose for poling the souls across the river, how can he not have seen what went about around him. Would it take another beating from the enemy or whatever thing they'd felt for him to then see where it'd went?

Pshaw!

Ares glanced over his shoulder as Persephone treated the creature with undeserving kindness, grunting at the gesture she'd unnecessarily awarded before returning his attention over the field where he'd last felt it landed. Fate sure knew how to toy around with them. The nudging on their will to this location seemed to be nothing more than a show of power, or of mockery when the trail abruptly ended just as quickly as it'd started. Ares clenched his jaws as he took a knee and touched the ground, his eyes shut as if seeking from the land itself for answers where not even Charon nor a single soul at present could grant them. His ears then perked at the Queen's comment.

"Follow them?" Ares began. "Under whose pointing finger, Persephone?" his eyes then fluttered open as he stood. "There was no news received that we haven't already knew... My Queen.." he turned to face her after a moment of studying the ground. "No trails whatsoever either.." he said after finding nothing on the surface. "For all I know, this could be a misdirection, set to have us out of the palace.. The question is, why?" Ares was almost amused at the lack of attention these souls had paid to their surroundings and for not having the initiative nor the balls to step forward and speak on what'd happened. "Is there something there that might interest them? Or do they want us here so they can observe us instead?" he paused while his eyes scanned over the landscape for traces of a peering head. "Now you know what I mean by going about on a wild goose chase... We gained nothing! This is why I wanted you to ensure that those kids have relayed the message across.." said Ares in a tone where Persephone have surely gotten used to by now.

He folded his arms once again and stood with feet at a shoulder-width apart. Wearing a stern expression, his brows furrowed, contemplating for a moment as he stared into her eyes. No matter how he looked at it, he couldn't find another way other than to persist on sending the Queen above. He took a beat or two longer though, searching a little deeper. There was naught.

"You know what I'll ask of you once again, Persephone..." whispered the War-God. "I'll stay put right here if it makes you feel better.. I'll watch over... the Ferryman for a bit.. Ensure that the threat no longer lingered here until you return with news of progress.. See what fate lies before your friend, Tyche.." Ares stepped forward and reached out for the fringe on Persephone's forehead, combing the strands behind her ear before he returned to hold her gaze. "I can take care of myself here.. Besides, you'd given me the strength I needed in order to hold against hordes of them.." he paused once more and shifted his attention to her lips briefly. "Let us make a deal.. We'll look around here for a bit.. If we came across no leads whatsoever, you'll have to go to the surface.. But if there's a track left behind... then we'll follow and I'll not bring up the subject anymore.. What say you?"