Lady Aphrodite, Lord Ares, Lady Hera, Lord Hermes and Lord Zeus
Olympus ~ New York
Throne Room of Mount Olympus...
New York, the City that Never Sleeps. And of all the buildings that the gods had decided to claim their home, the largest most obvious skyscraper was the ideal choice.
One figure among dozens of others stepped through the front doors, stopping just inside the entrance to adjust his tie and lapels.
The man seemed ordinary enough to the normal passerby; he was tall and well-built with a broad physique. Though appearing to be at least in his early forties, the man still held an attractive air to him, with a strong jaw and styled up chestnut brown hair.
Garbed in a gray pinstripe suit, the man looked as though he was ready to attend a business meeting of some kind. Stepping into a vacant elevator, the man waited for no one as he immediately pushed the 'Close Doors' button, waiting for the sliding steel doors to shut before doing anything else. As the doors closed in front of him, the elevator grew totally silent aside from an instrumental version of Call Me Maybe playing in the background, causing the man's lips to twitch most irately.
Reaching towards the button panel, the man's hand slid across its length before stopping at a distinct button that sat separate from the others. Pressing it with his pointer finger, the elevator lurched suddenly, as though being yanked by a force much stronger than it. It shot up at an intense speed, the only indication of whatever was going on outside being the blindingly bright sliver of light that beamed through the slit between the two doors.
Finally after an intense ascent, the elevator practically slammed to a stop in a stomach-turning lurch, causing the man to briefly lose his balance before quickly recovering.
"Keep telling them to fix that damn thing." He mumbled to himself, quickly fixing his hair before the elevator doors slid open with a resounding ding, revealing Mount Olympus to him in all its glory. A thin stone bridge, wide enough for two people to walk side-by-side lit with eternal-burning torches led the way to Olympus itself, a massive palace, tall and daunting in the stormy dark sky. Tendrils of lightning emanated from its roof, scattering through the clouds and illuminating the entire area in an electric blue glow.
The man was undaunted, clearing his throat before walking down the path, his steps casual yet dignified as well. But the man could tell something was amiss -- and he knew that for whatever reason he was summoned… it wasn't a good one.
---
Pacing back and forth hastily, like a trapped animal in a cage, the god of War snarled quietly to himself as each and every second ticked on. Ares, by no means, was known for his patience on a good day. On a bad day... well, most people never lived to discover just how quick he could snap. A faint, red glow emanated off of his body, leaving a blurred trail of crimson behind in his movements that lasted no longer than but a moment before fading away. How could his father be so blind? Hermes... his entire line was nothing more than inconvenient little shits - the lot of them. If he had his way, they would all be wiped from the face of the Earth forever. The very thought drove him over the edge of impatience, his pacing intensified as he turned back around and let out an agitated yell of frustration, the flames in his eyes glowing brighter and more angry.
"Where is he?" the god of War demanded, now stalking over to Zeus. By the love of Tartarus, who was late to their own summons? God or not, Hermes still had to play by the rules - they all did. Apparently none of his children got the memo. "Father, we waste time. While his godly self is probably too busy primping his hair in a mirror to show up, his son continues to get away with this thievery! Summon the welp and I will take care of this issue straight away! I can think of a few uses for that empty head of his."
“Enough, my son... we sit here to discuss what is to be done about this matter- do not allow the anger you feel towards your brother to cloud your judgement.”
Lifting his hand up from where it had been rested over the arm of his throne, Zeus rubbed ever lightly at his temple, doing his best to relieve some of the stress that had accumulated since the matter at hand had first been brought to his attention- his son was angered… far beyond anything he had seen in many a millennium… his beautiful and normally enchanting daughter curled up upon Ares’ throne; tragically distraught, and crying at having her beloved pet dove stolen from her domain… his ever loyal wife sat dutifully by his side; the voice of reason among those which occupied the throne room… and his other son, Hermes, was running late for his own summoning…
Things, it seemed, could not get any worse at this point in time…
“We shall await Hermes’ arrival… and then we shall seek out the course of action to be taken. Though do not think that this matter shall be taken lightly- it is a serious crime; I agree that as such, the punishment of which should also indeed be severe…” Lowering his arm back down so that it was once more resting upon the arm of his throne, Zeus turned his head so that he was able to meet with his son's gaze, his grey eyes narrowing and his lips pursing together as he let the gravity of the situation once more fall down upon his shoulders, “..but until such time, I believe the best place for you is by your beloved's side, do you not agree..?”
Ares' scoffed. How could Zeus remain so calm about this? His Aphrodite was in complete shambles by his side, and yet he had the gall to sit there, high and mighty on his throne, and tell him to wait and sit down? The red glow around his body pulsed brighter for a fraction of a second.
"I recall a time when you didn't take things so lightly, father." Ares said quietly through clenched teeth, his hands balling into fists. "A handful of years past, your fit nearly started a war over your precious lightning bolt, stolen by a son of the very man you're asking me to give patience to. Now that the tides have shifted, and I find myself in a similar situation... you tell me to sit down. I will not!"
Hera watched the scene play out, her eyes following Ares as he got continued to become angered, working himself into a fit of rage. Working himself passed that, in fact. Love always makes fools of us, we fail to see that we are as susceptible to it as mortals She thought to herself, watching her son as he balled his hands into fists, openingly challenge Zeus, based on the past. Hera shook her head, rising from her throne. “Dear child, your father is right. We must wait for Hermes” She raised a hand, a sign for Ares to not interrupt her, as she brushed a hand along Zeus’s arm, approaching Ares “the events of a few years ago should serve to teach you that we cannot jump to conclusions. Much harm came from that, child” Calm, collected and controlled, Hera sought to bring Ares back to control-however long that would last.
Yet Hera could match Ares anger for anger, and she said, her tone changing “Sit down, Ares.” Cool, her tone suggested this wasn’t an order he could refuse, “You think we won’t do anything and everything in our power to retrieve Aphrodite's treasure? You would be wrong to think that, but this is a time for cooler heads to prevail.” Despite this, Hera was nervous. Ares was known for his rash nature, and often would jump to conclusions, releasing his violent rage before all the facts were in. After the events of a few years ago, Hera wasn’t going to let her children, nor her husband jump to conclusions once more. She would not jump to conclusions, and would not believe Hemes’ child could do this, not after last time.
This was not something she would reveal to the room at large. The tension between Zeus and Ares was thick, and that would just be fuel for the fire. She had to be the voice of reason, and for now that meant keeping Ares in line, and preventing Zeus from becoming enraged as well. “We do not need a repeat of last time, child” returning to Zeus’ side, she sat down once more, resting her hand on Zeus’, as if she could soothe him, soothe the whole situation.
His nostrils flared at his mother’s calm, soothing words, though the fire in his eyes dimmed, as if giving his answer to her that he would listen. Snorting, however, to indicate that he wasn't happy about it, Ares returned to Aphrodite, taking a moment to scoop her small frame off of his throne in his big arms so that he could take a seat. He placed her onto his lap, adjusting her legs so that they were draped to the side and held her weeping head into his chest, his opposite arm rubbing her back to try and console her in what way he was allowed. For now.
"Am I a god then whose purpose is nix?" he asked, a very quiet anger to his tone. "Mother... Father... action is what we need, not these... summonings." His eyes looked to Zeus, and then to his mother. Sighing, catching her look, he relaxed back into his throne, letting Aphrodite mold into him. "Fine. But mark my words, the little shit is going to suffer. Both of them."
"Sorry for being late, folks." A third voice cut into the conversation as the man in the gray suit -- Hermes appeared in the throne room of the gods, both hands planted firmly in his trouser pockets.
"I had lunch at the most amazing sandwich shop, seriously, best cheese-steaks you could ever ask for." Hardly skipping a beat, Hermes sauntered forth into the room, eyeing each of the gods on their thrones, paying special mind to Ares and Aphrodite.
"Did you want a Snickers, Ares? You don't seem to be you when you're hungry." Grinning in amusement at his own quip, Hermes' demeanor quickly turned somewhat more serious as his attention turned to the largest throne that belonged to Zeus.
"What did my son do this time, Dad? Put another stink bomb in Dionysus' room? Though… I gotta admit, that one was pretty funny..." Trailing off, Hermes appeared to become lost in his own train of thought, though his clear gaze never left his father's.
Ares had nearly calmed down, focusing more on Aphrodite than his thoughts but the moment Hermes finally decided to show himself... His nostrils flared and his eyes pulsed with fire - a warning to his half-brother.
"You defend him?" Ares asked, frankly quite surprised considering everything that had happened in times past. "You defend him?" he asked again, this time louder, raising his voice to a roar so great, the walls and pillars began to vibrate around them.
“..how dare you…”
Unsure as to when she had exactly sat up within her lovers lap, Aphrodite turned her full attention over to her brother, staring up at him through tear-stained eyes, “..how dare you defend such an ungrateful little thief..!”
Shaking her head lightly from side to side with tears still bubbling away behind her bright light blue orbs, Aphrodite took a few moments to flick back and forth between her brother's eyes, searching for reason as to why he was playing such a serious situation off as light… searching for answers as to why he was joking around when it was clear to all that it was no time for such petty games.
“You know what he did- yet you stand there as though it is nothing more than a joke for your own amusement..! He-... He-...” Seemingly unable to go any further with her explanation as the words caught within her throat, Aphrodite shook her head, her long and delicate blonde locks flying back and forth before eventually, they settled once more over her back, her small frame turning until she was able to once again hide herself against the warmth and safety of Ares’ chest, her body pressing ever closer as her sobs once more began to fill the air.
“Do not test me, Hermes.” Ares warned his half-brother with a venomous tone. His only grounding at that point was Aphrodite herself, curled up so closely in his arms that he couldn’t simply be parted from her even if he wanted to. He itched for his sword - the weapon, with the proper amount of manipulating, could make quite a decent shot-gun. One good enough to blow that smug smile off of Hermes’ face, anyway. But it was stowed away at his hip where his love’s body was currently occupying, soaking his shirt with days worth of tears. “This is no child’s act of mischievous fun. Your children are falling straight into the mindset of your lightning thief. While father may have shown mercy on him, I will not. I give you, and your bastard son, one chance. Return Aphrodite’s dove, or you shall have two dead sons to hardly miss this generation.”
Hermes initially remained silent, staring his brother in the face with a blank expression. "Do you have proof that he stole your… precious bird?" As Hermes spoke, his tone gradually became angrier, losing all the warmth and friendliness it defused moments earlier.
"But hear me, and hear me well. If you lay a single finger on him, I will make you regret it." Hermes swore, letting his words fall as he grew silent.
“The only reason your boy still draws breath is because only he knows where the bird is.” Ares retorted, ignoring the question about having proof. What more proof did he need? In times past, it was the seed of Hermes who had been stupid enough to steal from a god. Why should it be any different this time?
Letting out a short laugh that held no true mirth to it, Hermes stared directly at Ares once again, his deep blue eyes now cold and dangerous.
"You're losing your touch, brother" he finally said, his tone remaining even, though one could detect the thinly-veiled anger beneath it. Breaking Ares’ gaze, Hermes looked down at his watch and sighed. "You know, I was gonna go see a movie right about now..."
Ares clenched his jaw, the vein in his neck throbbing as he tried to stay his anger but it was quickly burning through. His hands once more tightened into fists, his fiery eyes narrowing on that of his half-brother who had the gall to make pointless quips while his son’s life was being threatened.
“You’re a fucking coward, Hermes. When will you ever grow up and start to take responsibility for your sperm vermin?”
“Enough..! The both of you..!”
Zeus’ deep and booming voice sounded out clear and strong through the halls of the throne room; causing loud claps of thunder to roll through, forcing all within Olympus to know that the King of gods mood was quickly souring- he had heard enough of their childish bickering. They were supposed to be a family; and it was high time that this matter was put to rest before it went any further than it already had, only to be ended in blood being spilt upon the floors of his glorious Kingdom.
Reaching over his body, Zeus lightly patted the top of his wife’s hand, his body hunching over ever so slightly so that he could sweetly place a kiss upon her delicate knuckles before finally, he lifted himself from where he had been sat upon his throne; his attention turning over to his two sons as they continued to lock horns, seemingly ready to wage war at but a moment’s notice should one push the other too far.
“..the boy in question must answer for the crimes in which he has been accused. Stealing the sacred symbol of a Goddess is something that cannot be forgiven lightly- though you have my sympathy, my son, I cannot allow such a thing to go unpunished…”
Slowly stepping away from his throne and his loving wife, Zeus made his way over to where the both of them were locked in battle with one another, making sure that he had their full attention before he continued on with his decision, “Ares speaks with wisdom; if the boy has nothing to hide… then allow him to prove his innocence to the court. He shall have but a single lunar cycle to return the dove to the Goddess Aphrodite; shall he not succeed, then the boys fate shall be left to the mercy of your brother.”
Turning to his father with an expression of genuine shock, "Dad, there's no proof! You can't… condemn my son when there's no evidence..." Trailing off once again, Hermes eventually grew silent, knowing that nothing he said could change his father's mind.
He'd lost too many children already, one whose death still pained him. He could not lose another. Not like this.
Looking to his father as he spoke, Ares couldn’t help the small, flickering smirk that crossed over his lips. Finally, Zeus was seeing reason, and putting action towards something rather than just sitting on his ass and spectating. His eyes, softer now, turned to his half-brother, the smirk spreading into a wide smile as he watched Hermes’ crestfallen features carefully. If Aphrodite’s bird had already been returned, witnessing Hermes as he realized that he had lost would have almost been enough penance for his insolence. Almost.
He sat back in his throne in a relaxed position, letting Aphrodite meld into him however she saw fit, and raised a hand to lazily start playing with the ends of her hair in a sort of comforting gesture.
“Poseidon was given the same, dear brother. And Percy managed to prove his innocence no matter the odds stacked against him. Surely your son, who you claim shares the same fate, can do the same?” Ares challenged with an amused expression plastered on his face. “If what you say is true, and the boy is innocent, then you’ve nothing to fear.”
Not bothering to wait for a reply, as Ares already knew that he had won, he chuckled softly to himself as he planted his feet down on the ground firmly, allowing him to use the strength of his legs to pick Aphrodite up from his lap and cradled her into his chest as he stood. Unless Hermes was about to lay an egg as a euphemism of shitting himself, then there was no further reason for him to stay.
“Father…” Ares connected his eyes with Zeus and nodded his head in respect and thanks. “The decision you have made is wise and much appreciated. Aphrodite and I will take our leave now.” He paused to nod his acknowledgements then to Hera. “Mother.” Holding Aphrodite securely, he made his way towards the exit, brushing shoulders with Hermes if a bit purposefully as he passed by, the sound of his chuckle lingering in the air behind him as he exited.
Bowing his head lightly in farewell to both his son and daughter as they left the room; Zeus waited until the grand golden doors had completely shut behind their figures before he turned his attention over to Hermes- his son’s expression saying it all… he was mortified. Terrified of losing yet another child…
The very sight of his son’s pain caused his heart to tighten within the very confines of his chest, though there was no way that he could go back upon his decision… he had given the young boy seven days to prove his innocence to the court- a longer deadline than he had given to his nephew after he himself had accused him of stealing his master bolt.
Taking those couple of steps that would close the gap that was left between the both of them, Zeus lifted his hand up until he was able to rest it lightly upon his son’s shoulder, his fingers molding to the shape of his shoulder as he gave it a gentle squeeze; an attempt at comfort, even if it should bring only the smallest of amounts, “..my son… the pain you feel is but temporary. Have faith in your boy; just as Poseidon had faith within his own, and I know that he will rise to the occasion and do you proud. I shall not interfere in the workings of the camp, nor shall I burden you with having to deliver your boy with such grave news- go to him, but only when your mind has had time to settle upon this situation… I shall have Dionysus and Chiron bring discussion to light.”
Hermes remained wordless at first, still attempting to process what had just occurred in his mind. He felt his father's firm hand on his shoulder, but did not react, a feeling of total numbness running through his body.
Nodding once, slowly, Hermes turned to leave Olympus, clearing his throat in an obvious attempt to hide its shakiness. "I best go. Don't want to miss that movie." He said, attempting to defuse his own feelings with an admittedly poor attempt at humor. That being said, the god of messengers left without another word.
