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Post by Nariku The Avaricious on Jul 23, 2021 13:24:43 GMT -5
Irene couldn’t help but give Gwen a bit of a smirk when she seemed upset about her phone getting crushed. Sure, it wasn’t as much damage as she liked, though it was still a decent hit. Hopefully, it would stop her from calling for backup if she did try to take them on all alone. Better safe than sorry, Irene wasn’t taking chances with Dillon and Enzo there. The pantheon didn’t need any more disasters.
Once Irene moved her dagger back to her side, she moved in again, using her hands to grab at the Exile’s arms, hoping that she could use her own strength to get her to release her hostage.
“Yeah, no sh*t Sherlock, you think we don’t already know that?” She sneered, still trying to grapple with her as she spoke. To her, it was fairly obvious the gods never cared and caused more problems than they fixed. Especially with her Zeus issues. All of her current problems were because of him. That Atticus guy still wanted her head just because Zeus decided to pick someone who happened to look like his last champion and not tell her about it. He took no responsibility and put that squarely onto her shoulders.
No, this was a situation where she didn’t need any god to tell her what was right or wrong.
When Gwen started to shift and transform, Irene did everything in her power to not let go. She wrapped both arms around the arm with the hostage and held on tight as she was lifted into the air. The arm shifted a crab hand, and the champion couldn’t help but snort. Sure, she was a lot bigger and thicker, but it probably meant she was slower too.
Along with that, Irene knew more about fish and crustacean anatomy than human anatomy. She pulled herself up onto the claw, making sure she was steady enough, before she readied her knife and jabbed it into the joint between the knuckle and the thumb. She was armored, that was true, but her size wouldn’t help that much if she knew where to avoid the armor where she attacked. She hoped she could do enough damage and make her drop the girl.
Hopefully the boys could handle themselves in the meantime.
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Post by 𝕊𝕙𝕒𝕕𝕠𝕨 on Jul 23, 2021 15:29:33 GMT -5
Sitting alone at the desk in the darkened room as Luka and Lucien left, Cleo let off a long sigh. They were worried, of course, but they felt terrible.
They had been the reason River felt so pressured, and he almost died because of it. Some kids' may have died because of it. That would be on them, wouldn't it? For not doing good enough. For trying to make River feel like he had to everything alone. But they blamed Lucien and Luka too. For not being there, for not being the leaders they were voted on the be.
Resting their palms to their eyes, they held back the frustrated cries that wanted to escape them. They didn't know what to do, they never did. They wanted to do what was best, for everyone, for their guides. Because that's what was expected of them. They were expected to be cold and harsh judgement, meant to be the order.
So why did it feel like everything was so much more chaotic than it had ever been before? They would have though that without Laurie's silly drinking games, and Luka rambunctious attitude, that things would feel peaceful. But even when both were gone, it still felt chaotic. Because things were quiet.
Taking to doing research on their laptop instead, Cleo started looking into incidents where fights may have occurred, charting places with had storms, that held abandoned factories. Any scrap of information they learned, they looked into.
That's all they could do.
---
Further off, Guinevere cuddled her head against Griffin's as well, looking down at Theodore as well, and offering him an arm to hug as well.
She felt bad, of course she did. She felt stupid for having left on some stupid candy hunt. But she also felt like even if they were there, that not much could have been done anything. Like it would have been too late, no matter what.
She thought of Echo, of Laurie, of Pascal, and tears welled in her eyes. She helped each and every kid she could, offering empathy or love advice, she tried so hard to help everyone, and it felt like she failed them.
"Yeah," She agreed softly, through the tightness in her throat, voice wobbling slightly, "Lorenzo's in Italy, we'll need to learn how to cook while he's gone."
And together with the group, clinging close to the both of them, she made her way to the kitchen, eyes falling on the torn up pink fluff littering the floor as they passed it.
---
The first place Luka had gone was to her locker in the training room's locker room. Changing as quickly as she could, she barely noticed the smoke arising from the cotton of her costume as she held it in her hands, before she threw it in the trash. The pungent smell of the cotton burnt her nose, but she still pushed on, grabbing a ponytail from her small locker, and throwing her hair into a messy bun.
Dawning a black shirt and leggings, she threw off her shoes, and stormed into the training room in her black socks and training clothes.
The room was bare, but was built to deal with them and their powers. Some burnt marks littered the wall from herself or Sanna or sometimes even Jason's spells. There were tattered dummies and punching bags, from River himself, and there was a bow set on the wall for Lucien.
There were various rooms, different stations, and she didn't pay attention to the one she walked into. But as she entered one, she pressed her palm on a screen near her, eyes lingering on it.
Where were they? Were they even alive?
She was snapped from her thoughts as she picked up the sound of a sword, turning on her heal and lunging to the side, rolling onto the ground before raising back in a kneel, looking to the side to spot her attacker.
An automaton, with a sword raised in her direction. Blade having just barely missed her. Fiery eyes narrowing, she pulled herself into a run as it took chase, running along the walls, fingers skimming over the walls, until they took hold of the hilt of a weapon.
Pausing, she picked up the weapon, a sword, it would appear, and parried a blow from the creature. But in the process lost her footing, pushed back by the force of the blow from the automaton.
Which sent her crashing into the wall behind her, knocking over a few of the weapons in the process. She firmly decided that once again, swords were boring, and she hated them. Throwing her weapon to the side, she picked up a new set.
A twin set of daggers.
Racing back towards the creature, she traded blows with it for a while, avoiding hits, making her own at it. And as time went on, the metal of the blades closest to her hands turned more red.
It was when she got a good hit on the automaton, knocking it over, sweat clinging to her skin, that the automaton retaliated as she went to deal the last blow, hitting her to the side like a fly, that she snapped.
"Nothing I ever do is ever going to be bloody good enough!" She hissed out, pulling herself to stand, daggers still in her hands, red hot.
Stepping closer to the automaton, she hissed out more, "It's jus' bonzer, isn't it?" Ranting more, she swiped once at the automaton, scowling when it deflected the attack. Swiping again, she panted out more words, "Laurie's gone to the woop woop, Luka, so now you can be a leader!", she mocked, blocking another hit, "Oh but wait, there's more! When ya get the job done we're just gonna replace you! Happy tidings!"
In the midst of her rant, the machine got the upper hand, knocking Luka's weapons away from her, and swept it's feet under her, causing her to fall backwards, a sword point at her chest. Heavy breaths escaped her as her eyes locked on the blade.
"Do you concede?" The robotic voice questioned her, speaking out from the speakers in the room, surrounding her, taunting.
Grinning slightly, she raised her hand, tipping the blade away from her, a fiery burst of flames rising from her other hand, pointed towards the machine.
"Never."
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Jul 23, 2021 18:29:13 GMT -5
After dropping off the things for River, Lucien‘s next stop had been the training room. After all, Cleo hadn’t been wrong about there being so few leaders left. They had to do something now, they couldn’t just wait for Dillon and Irene to be back from Italy. Who knew, they might have been taken too. Which meant the pressure was on for those who were remaining.
The boy had entered and could hear Luka training in another area. Normally he’d go over to say hi, but this time he couldn’t bring himself to. As much as he wanted to go and talk to her, the last thing he needed right now was to waste a single second of this training time. He especially couldn’t afford to distract both himself and Luka.
Instead he made a beeline to the area of the training room that he was most accustomed to. Sure, he needed to train in weapons he didn’t often use just in case so that he could pick up any weapon that was lying around. But right now he had feelings to process and he needed to just train. He needed to just work on the stuff he’d be most likely to need, prepare for a fight.
The boy had already gone to his room to change out of the princess costume, instead opting for simple dark workout clothes. The ones provided in the Pantheon, which had his initials stitched into them on the chest of the shirt and Apollo’s lyre symbol just above them. His blond hair was getting a little long at this point. Not a crazy amount longer than he usually liked it, but it did need a cut and it was getting in his face. Which was why he’d some of it back to keep it out of his way, trying it back to create a kind of half-up, half-down style.
He’d also grabbed the bow and arrows which Apollo had provided him, and it was with the former in hand that he now approached the archery range.
Taking an arrow from his quiver and nocking it, he focused his gaze on the first target. He had to remember what Apollo had taught him the very first time he’d shot the bow.
Feet shoulder-width apart, stand side-on to the target. Knees slightly bent, back straight, shoulders relaxed. Focus on the target. Draw, elbow not too high, string back to the corner of the mouth. Don’t delay too long. Loose the arrow.
Lucien watched as it sailed past the target.
Shit.
He let out a disappointed breath, grip tightening on the bow as his knuckles whitened. He was a failure. How was he supposed to help his friends this way? How was he supposed to be the chosen of Apollo this way?
Frustrated and disappointed, he moved to stand in front of the next target, drawing another arrow. He had to remember what he was doing this for.
Cleo had made him feel like nothing, less than nothing. Basically told him that they’d rather literally anybody else be leader but they were stuck with him because everyone else was kidnapped. What kind of messed-up thing was that to imply?
Feet shoulder-width apart, stand side-on to the target. Knees slightly bent, back straight, shoulders relaxed. Focus on the target. Draw, elbow not too high, string back to the corner of the mouth. Don’t delay too long. Loose the arrow.
This time, the arrow struck the bullseye.
Lucien, filled with rage even reliving the conversation he’d just had with Cleo, barely even registered this. Instead, he just stepped over to the next target.
He had potentially been the reason that the others weren’t safe back in the Pantheon that night. If he hadn’t goofed off, they might have been able to save them. River might have been able to get the backup he had so sorely needed, and Luka might never have blamed him for the events of that night.
The fact that everyone was suffering now was his fault. And if any of the others were hurt, that blood would be on his hands.
He was so angry at himself, for making excuses like that. For being so weak and childish. For pretending that he was anything other than a stupid little teenager who would rather do anything than take any responsibility or take the consequences of his actions. A child whose self-centred need to spite Cleo by doing something utterly immature had potentially cost lives that night.
Feet shoulder-width apart, stand side-on to the target. Knees slightly bent, back straight, shoulders relaxed. Focus on the target. Draw, elbow not too high, string back to the corner of the mouth. Don’t delay too long. Loose the arrow.
Bullseye once again.
Lucien wordlessly just moved to the next target. He was so filled with white-hot disgust and anger, now mostly at himself, that he couldn’t even acknowledge that his arrows were hitting.
He had betrayed River and let him and the group be put at risk by leaving like that. River, who he thought of as a brother. River, who had saved Lucien’s life in their very first fight. River, who supported and stood up for him no matter how much of an asshole he might be to him. River, who’d been so relieved to see he was alive after he’d been injured by Styx that he’d pulled him into an emotional hug instantly.
River didn’t deserve that. Lucien didn’t deserve River as a friend, in fact. And the Pantheon sure as hell didn’t deserve him as a leader. He’d been treated like shit and so he’d finally broken down. And that would never have happened had Lucien behaved like he should have, as a leader.
Feet shoulder-width apart, stand side-on to the target. Knees slightly bent, back straight, shoulders relaxed. Focus on the target. Draw, elbow not too high, string back to the corner of the mouth. Don’t delay too long. Loose the arrow.
Bullseye once again.
And now there was only one final target.
He was doing this for his friends. For Daniel, Pascal, Laurie, Echo, Naida.
He fired arrows in quick succession at this last target, got angry tears pricking at his eyes and threatening to blur his vision. Because these were people he cared about. People the exiled dared to threaten. Good people, who never asked to be Ascendants.
One arrow for each name peppered the target, a satisfying and resounding thud for each arrow that hit its mark.
This time none of them hit the bullseye, instead strewn about the target in his haste and lack of focus. But he didn’t care. Despite the hopelessness of the situation, he now felt somehow more confident than ever.
He was willing to do anything it took to get them back. He didn’t care any longer. What did he have to lose? Not his role as leader, which was in jeopardy anyway. Only his life.
He would get his friends back no matter what it took, or he’d die trying. The exiled had crossed a line now, and he wasn’t sure if they knew what they might have just unleashed in the remaining members of the Pantheon.
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Jul 25, 2021 14:12:27 GMT -5
Normally, Laurie was quite used to waking up in strange places, with bad headaches and generally feeling like shit. The problem was that in his experience, these were generally symptoms of a bad (or good, depending on how you looked at it) night out and were usually caused by alcohol.
In this case, it was not. And Laurie felt far worse for it.
When he first came to, he became aware first of his ragged breathing. Then an intense pain; he had a headache strong enough to make him want to drive a nail through his skull, and a terrible ache in his jaw. The pain that hit him in that moment caused him to let out some kind of groaning sound. In general, actually, everything hurt. He could only imagine that he hadn’t been anywhere particularly comfortable.
He couldn’t remember much at that moment, but he recalled entering the abandoned factory. And by the feeling of dread thinking about the factory had given him, something bad had happened there. Even imagining the place sent an icy chill through his blood. Was he still there? Had he been unconscious? He must have been, he concluded with the limited power of reasoning he had available to him at that moment.
Blearily, he opened his eyes, and immediately wished he hadn’t. He couldn’t make out much of what was happening in that moment, because it was like everything was spinning. It was like his head was filled with cotton wool, an intense impenetrable fog filling his mind that seemed to prevent him from focussing on anything or really stringing together a thought properly.
He blinked, brow furrowing as he tried to get the scene around him to stop spinning and come into some kind of focus, but to no avail. He shifted slightly to prop himself up better, doing so slowly so that the movement didn’t aggravate his current issues or make him feel sick.
This was worse than the worst hangover Laurie had ever had. And given that he had plenty of experience with that unfortunate result of alcohol consumption, he felt that he of all people would know how bad they could be.
Every part of his body felt weak and heavy, as if every movement was through treacle instead of air. It felt like his head was filled with static.
“Merde…”
The young man lifted a hand groggily to his forehead, even that small movements somewhat slow and unsteady, as if it might somehow help him to dispel the confusion he was feeling. Unfortunately, but perhaps unsurprisingly, he wasn’t having any luck with it.
”Qu'est qui s'est passé?” Laurie muttered to himself, pressing his eyes closed again for a moment just until the wild spinning stopped, ”Où suis-je?”
Perhaps still somewhere in the warehouse, but he couldn’t be certain. He had clearly been unconscious, even if he didn’t remember losing consciousness. For all he knew he could have just tripped and hit his head or any number of clumsy things he might be liable to do. But some wretched feeling in his gut told him that wasn’t what had happened.
Where was Dionysus? Laurie couldn’t hear his guide. What’s more, he couldn’t feel the metal of the ring that was his key back to the Pantheon; it should be on the hand he had lifted to his forehead. He noted this simple fact absently, almost detachedly, as if he didn’t know the implications of not having his key. Some part of him knew that it should be concerning, but his mind was too fuzzy to be able to focus on why. After all, he told himself, there was no need to panic. All he had to do was see if he could find the others, everything would be okay then.
He kept half-expecting to hear their voices. Naida, Pascal, Daniel, Echo, someone. He almost expected to hear River’s voice, asking if he was okay. Or maybe he was back in the Pantheon. Maybe any second he’d hear Luka, chuckling at him because he’d done something clumsy and gotten himself knocked out somehow. Maybe he’d panicked when he got separated in the warehouse and started running and hit something or fallen? She’d probably give him some funny nickname because of the incident that he’d never shake, and he’d laugh every time she called him it.
But the voices he expected never came. Just an eerie silence apart from the disconcerting ringing in his own head.
Not even Dionysus.
The whooshing feeling of motion that Laurie had been experiencing began to fade, and finally he felt able to open his eyes again.
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Jul 29, 2021 14:08:38 GMT -5
CHATFIC 2 Shortly after the first fights… Simp: Come down to the kitchen, guys, Enzo made food
Sunshine: I’m not hungry, Dillon
Simp: Oh come on, so you got your arse kicked. Come down and eat.
Sunshine: First of all, River and I did NOT get our butts kicked. Secondly, respectfully, shut the f**k up.
Thanos: Why don’t you BOTH shut up?
Sunshine: Well since you asked so nicely, no. No, I don’t think I will
Sunshine: After all, Dillon was the one talking about butts. Is it the fact that he says ‘arse’ that upsets you? It upsets me, frankly.
Thanos: I’m going to pretend I didn’t read that.
Thanos: But regardless, Lucien, you have to eat.
Babbling Brook: No, no, don’t make him eat.
Babbling Brook: I for one would love to see him starve.
Sunshine: See, even River agrees
Sunshine: Let me starve, I’m honestly chill.
Simp: I mean okay but he also baked cookies for after
Sunshine: …
Sunshine: Damn it, Dillon
Babbling Brook: I hope Enzo poisoned them.
Babbling Brook: Or just Sunshine’s
Buzzkill 2.0: I got stabbed by a branch today. They better not be poisoned or I’m going to fry us some Italian food.
Sunshine: Please, this is Enzo we’re talking about
Sunshine: If anyone has poisoned food it’s Luka
Hiss Hiss G’day Mate: Arsenic is a totally acceptable cookie ingredient.
Hiss Hiss G’day Mate: I’d also just like to say that I’d love to see Irene fry Enzo simply so I could see an angry Dillon.
Simp: I wish you wouldn’t do that, Enzo and I are just friends
Simp: And for the record, I’d like to make it clear that I’d be angry if anyone got killed, because that’s a reasonable response for murder.
Sunshine: Yeah, you and Enzo are just friends. And Luka is six feet tall.
Hiss Hiss G’day Mate: Watch it, Luci.
Hiss Hiss G’day Mate: But also, Dillon, when you have to describe it as JUST FRIENDS that’s kind of telling.
Sunshine: You can’t get mad at facts, Luka
Simp: Okay, then how else am I supposed to describe it? Please tell me, Luka, the other response to people implying Enzo and I are a thing?
Sunshine: Acceptance. As I said to Luka, can’t get mad at facts.
Hiss Hiss G’day Mate: No one implied anything.
Hiss Hiss G’day Mate: I just said that you’d be angry
Hiss Hiss G’day Mate: Interesting conclusion though.
Simp: What do you mean? My name on this groupchat is Simp
Sunshine: The man has a point
Sunshine: He’s still in denial, but he has a point
Hiss Hiss G’day Mate: Now who would do a thing like that, Dillon?
Simp: I hate you so much
Hiss Hiss G’day Mate: That doesn’t answer the question.
Hiss Hiss G’day Mate: Anyways Luci’s right, you’re in denial.
Hiss Hiss G’day Mate: It's like River claiming he doesn’t like that sweet, sweet French cuisine.
Babbling Brook: …
Babbling Brook: Please never say the words ‘sweet, sweet French cuisine’ again
Sunshine: I mean, knowing Laurie, he wouldn’t object to being called that
Sunshine: He’d probably be flattered
Sunshine: But for once I agree with River, the less I have to hear Laurie compared to food the happier I will be
Hiss Hiss G’day Mate: Speaking of food.
Hiss Hiss G’day Mate: Chiara almost became dog chow.
Thanos: And here I was hoping we’d talk about dinner.
Thanos: Which is steadily getting colder as you guys waste your time arguing about relationships.
Sunshine: In fairness, we were talking about dinner. Just Fenrir’s
Sunshine: It still has relevance. But fine, I’m on my way now. Once Apollo shuts up about the f**king sunset for five minutes.
Hiss Hiss G’day Mate: He doesn’t sound so bad. It’s better than hearing Dillon wax poetic about Enzo.
Hiss Hiss G’day Mate: Also I’m already here, I’m just a little preoccupied.
Sunshine: Preoccupied how? Poisoning the food?
Hiss Hiss G’day Mate: No?
Buzzkill 2.0: She literally just poured cayenne seasoning into the food.
Buzzkill 2.0: So yes.
Thanos: That would explain why Enzo is crying.
Simp: What the hell, Luka, he spent hours on that.
Simp: His disappointment is immeasurable and his day is ruined
Sunshine: Did you just… reference a meme because you were angry?
Simp: Shut up okay none of us respond to anything in a normal way
Buzzkill 2.0: No no you misunderstand.
Buzzkill 2.0: She poured the entire thing of cayenne seasoning onto the cookies.
Buzzkill 2.0: Enzo was taste testing them.
Sunshine: Luka, why the cookies? They were legit the best part
Sunshine: Now look what we have. F**cking cayenne cookies.
Hiss Hiss G’day Mate: Because there was excitement.
Hiss Hiss G’day Mate: Now there is only pain
Sunshine: Why are you like this?
Sunshine: I just know you’re trying to eat those cookies too, I can imagine it now. IT IS NOT TRUE THAT YOU CAN EAT ANYTHING IF YOU TRY HARD ENOUGH. We’ve had this conversation
Hiss Hiss G’day Mate: No, I saved a few for myself.
Hiss Hiss G’day Mate: But I stand by my words. It’s just a little cayenne, it never killed anyone.
Thanos: Two words; Anaphylactic Shock.
Sunshine: “Saved a few for myself”, she says, as if anyone is going to eat the other ones
Sunshine: Luka, my friend, you are truly the strangest person I know.
Hiss Hiss G’day Mate: You never know, River likes Laurie, so it’s obvious some people have weird tastes.
Sunshine: That’s true, but idk if even he is up for that level of spice
Babbling Brook: Laurie’s a ‘weird taste’, coming from the person who’s besties with him? Actually, no, that tracks. But no I won’t be eating your demon cookies.
Hiss Hiss G’day Mate: Well they weren’t just meant for you, I’m currently watching reality show level drama right now.
Buzzkill 2.0: Enzo is still in actual tears.
Buzzkill 2.0: Oh and now he’s drenched and his mouth is on fire.
Ocean Man: I heard “my mouth is on fire” and I reacted that’s all you get.
Simp: Gods, I’m on my way
Sunshine: To check on your boyfriend 😌
[Sunshine changed Hiss Hiss G’day Mate’s name to Cayenne Rogue]
Cayenne Rogue: Okay, fair.
[Cayenne Rogue changed Simp’s name to Posh Spice]
[Cayenne Rogue changed Sunshine’s name to Coward]
Posh Spice: Okay, you know what, I’ll accept Posh Spice.
Coward: Why coward? Cos I won’t eat your cayenne cookies?
Coward: Okay, whatever
Posh Spice: On a different note, have you all realised that Lucien is our token straight? The rest of us are all in the alphabet mafia
Posh Spice: This whole group chat a little 💅
Cayenne Rogue: So what you’re saying is…
[Cayenne Rogue changed Coward’s name to Token Straight]
Token Straight: Fair, honestly
Token Straight: I’m okay with this development
Cayenne Rogue: Wow, I’m so glad for you.
Cayenne Rogue: You basic bitch.
Thanos: Stop.
Token Straight: I feel like ‘stop’ is the only word you know
Token Straight: This group chat was your idea, you must suffer the consequences
Posh Spice: Correction, we all must suffer the consequences
[Cayenne Rogue has changed Thanos name to Stop]
Stop: Stop
Token Straight: Stop stopping us, Stop
Posh Spice: Luka, love, what the actual hell have you done?
Posh Spice: I just got down here and Lorenzo has stuck his head in the fridge.
Cayenne Rogue: Yes, I know.
Cayenne Rogue: I hope he understands that the pitcher he has isn't iced tea.
Token Straight: Dare I ask what it is?
Cayenne Rogue: Oh, you know, normal tea.
Cayenne Rogue: It’s just spiked with a lil bit of chili powder.
Token Straight: How the hell would you expect him to know that? You know he doesn’t know that
Token Straight: You need help
Posh Spice: Actually, Enzo needs help. Badly.
Stop: I’m getting a pitcher of green tea made.
Stop: Wait, why is the ice orange?
Cayenne Rogue: About that-
Token Straight: CAN WE HAVE NOTHING EDIBLE IN THIS BUILDING, LUKA?
Posh Spice: I hate to make a vine reference at this point, but Enzo has had way too much spice. He needs milk
Token Straight: For f*ck’s sake. I’m on it
Cayenne Rogue: Oh yeah, milk...
Token Straight: EW WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO IT?
Cayenne Rogue: Cinnamon milk.
Stop: That’s actually surprisingly tame, but what about the ice?
Cayenne Rogue: That’s food dye. And some cumin.
Token Straight: Cumin in the ice? I-
Posh Spice: Okay, to make things easier I feel like there’s something we need to establish at this point. Luka, is there any foodstuff in this entire building that you have not spiked or in some way messed with?
Cayenne Rogue: No, pretty sure that covers it all.
Stop: Luka, the juice looks redder than normal.
Cayenne Rogue: So there was the orange juice that I put paprika in.
Cayenne Rogue: But that’s it.
Token Straight: Okay, I’m done. Cleo, I’m bringing you the cinnamon milk for Enzo, it’s better than nothing. I’m going to go and try and get some food that won’t kill us all.
Stop: Yeah, sounds good.
Buzzkill 2.0: Gonna be real.
Buzzkill 2.0: The dinner still tastes good, so like, we can probably get stuff later.
Token Straight: Okay, fine, I’ll go out later. Easier to lay low anyway if I go out to a little 24-hour place later on
Token Straight: But is Enzo okay? I can still go out and get him some type of medication cos I feel like the man’s about to die
Buzzkill 2.0: He’s shoveling ice cream into his mouth, so I think he might be doing better, yeah.
Buzzkill 2.0: Echo is a whole other story.
Babbling Brook: Okay where’s that snake hiding?
Token Straight: What did you do to Echo, Luka? Where is she?
Cayenne Rogue: She for some reason likes the Cayenne Cookies leave me alone.
Cayenne Rogue: She’s dipping them in the cinnamon milk, I’m honestly kind of concerned tbh.
Token Straight: Oh, you should be concerned
Token Straight: Okay, I’ll fill up an ice tray with water so we have more because she’s gonna need all the ice we have left
Token Straight: In the meantime, Posh Spice, you get those cookies away from her
Posh Spice: On it
Babbling Brook: I don’t think Echo has taste buds. What is this?
Cayenne Rogue: Listen, her weird tastes aren’t my fault.
Token Straight: She might not have tastebuds but she has a mortal human body that I’m very concerned for at this point
Token Straight: My healing powers don’t deal with the digestive system, not unless someone stuck a sword in it.
Cayenne Rogue: That can be arranged.
Cayenne Rogue: WAIT RIVER THAT WAS A JOKE
Cayenne Rogue: I’D NEVER DO THAT TO ECHO PLEASE AHJAJ
Stop: I wonder if she realizes she can run faster if she puts the phone down.
Token Straight: Ah, justice
Stop: Sweet, sweet justice
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Demisexual
Leo
Surviving off Thai tea and Miguel O'hara
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Post by Leo on Aug 2, 2021 3:49:35 GMT -5
Ripley had stored Laurie in his room when everyone was able to go back. Locked him there to make sure he couldn’t get out or communicate with his friends. Why they didn’t do that for every single one of the ascendents baffled him. Why should they let them figure out a plan to run? If they were going to keep them complacent then they needed to be broken first. Then they could start rebuilding.
But, he wasn’t in charge right now was he? So he dumped the Echo girl with the others and managed to sneak Laurie away to experiment with how he could turn him to their side.
After that he went and cleaned his knife before showering. Part of him wondered if he should keep the war boy’s blood on it so there was evidence that he was dead. But, doing that would only backfire against what they wanted. Especially if he wanted them to listen to him and him alone. So, he couldn’t be the one that gave the boy a second smile. That blame would have to go to someone else.
Setting the newly cleaned knife to the side, Ripley took a quick shower to wash the blood and dirt off of his hands. He wondered if the River boy had actually made it back to his so-called pantheon. Or did he bleed out on the factory floor? Given how much of a problem Gwen had with him and another he figured it would be the former, the cut hadn’t been life-threatening.
Well, at least he wouldn’t die immediately but absolutely suffer. But, what did he know he didn’t have a medical degree.
All that mattered was that everyone else believed what he told them. Especially, Laurie.
“Don’t get distracted by this one either, boy,” Set warned darkly in the back of his mind as he finished getting dressed.
Ripley turned and faced the mirror scowling at himself- or more so at Set burrowed somewhere in his brain- and leaned forward against the sink as he muttered his own words laced with a threat. “I know what I’m doing, old man.”
And then he was off, going back to his own room with a towel laying around his neck and water dripping from his hair. Opening the door he noticed Laurie was awake, looking confused and speaking in a foreign language.
Managing to catch the tail end of what he was muttering in French, Ripley’s attitude flipped like a switch and he was approaching Laurie slowly with his hands up. “Facile,” he muttered quietly and sat in a chair a few inches from the foot of the bed. “Tu es en… uh,” Ripley stuttered and snapped his fingers quietly trying to think of his neck word. “Damn I really shouldn’t have stopped taking french. What’s the word…?”
A moment of silence passed when Ripley suddenly looked up and gave one final snap with the word he was thinking of. “Sécurité.” Moving to rub his hair with one end of the towel around his shoulders Set’s champion continued in English since he couldn’t remember and just didn’t know too many french words.
“We brought you back to our little base here. Keep you safe while we get you all up to speed on the situation at hand,” he explained nonchalantly. Calm soothing tone and a safe distance away from Laurie in case he felt threatened at all.
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Aug 2, 2021 4:57:14 GMT -5
By the time Laurie was fully able to concentrate on the scene around him, the door to what seemed some kind of bedroom (one he didn't recognise as being owned by anyone from the Pantheon) opened to reveal a figure that was familiar but in all the wrong ways.
That boy with the sand powers. The exiled who'd hurt Echo that time. He couldn't forget him. And here he was strolling in with a towel around his neck and soaking wet hair like whatever this situation was was completely and totally normal. Just another Tuesday for this asshole, apparently.
Seeing him brought back the memory of what had happened, or at least some of it. He remembered there had been some kind of confrontation (if one could call it that given that Ripley had been very much in control) with him during the mission. The whole losing consciousness thing suddenly had a much better explanation
Laurie felt another rise in panic, moving back a little, but Ripley held his hands up and approached slowly, speaking in French. Somewhat rusty French, but French nonetheless and Laurie honestly didn't know whether it was wrong for him to appreciate the attempt to speak in his language considering this guy had just kidnapped him.
He blinked, shaking his head slightly as he tried to figure out what to say. He was confused, overwhelmed. Why was he still alive? Why was he here? Why was Ripley being so unthreatening and...even kind of gentle? Just in general, what the hell was going on?
None of it made sense, he was thrown off. He wanted to put his defenses up but didn't know how after being thrown for such a loop. He didn't know what to expect at all, didn't feel like he was in a position to really do anything at that point. Even if he used his powers on this kid and ran, he was clearly in the middle of the exiled base and wouldn't be getting very far.
Still, by this point he was feeling much less woozy and more able to focus. Any confusion he was feeling was due to this rather unusual scenario he seemed to have found himself in rather than the events that had caused him to fall unconscious. Hearing this man speaking in English seemed to help him switch his brain back to that mode, more and more of his second language returning back to him.
“And what would that be?” Laurie asked warily in response to the exiled second-in-command's words about 'the situation at hand'
But that was when, a little delayed, he realised something.
"Wait-"
Ripley had said 'you all', not 'you'. The chosen of Dionysus realised with a sinking feeling what that meant. He wasn't the only one here, their whole mission really had been a trap and it wasn't just Laurie's own bad luck that had landed him in an exiled's bedroom of all places. Quite literally, he couldn't think of a worse place for an Ascendant to be.
But still, that wasn't important. The important thing was...
"Where are the others?"
His tone there was more urgent and demanding, clearly concerned about the welfare of those who had gone with him. He sat up more, a nagging feeling in his chest. His heart, which had slowed its panicked thudding after he'd realised that Ripley didn't intend to harm him at that point, sped up again at the idea of the others being hurt, in danger or worse.
What about River, where was he? Was he safe? Laurie hadn't seen him since the group had split up at the start of the mission, anything could have happened to him.
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Post by 𝕊𝕙𝕒𝕕𝕠𝕨 on Aug 4, 2021 17:02:17 GMT -5
Takes Two To Tango and Luka
After Laurie and the others had been reported missing, Luka had made it a personal goal to bring them back. Which is why she found herself pondering the halls of a dusty abandoned building, countless aisles and shelves full of cobwebs and discarded items.
Even her footsteps left marks on the dust, and using a flashlight from her phone, she could see other footprints left behind, smudged into the packed dust on the concrete floor.
Switching direction into a new aisle, she paused for just a moment, rays of light turning with her as she looked behind her to locate her ally. They did have a mission, after all.
She was taking up her position as a leader, because for once she could do that without Cleo and the others acting like she had no place to do so. Since River was out of the running for helping, Cleo had given Luka the coordinates of the last place their missing friends were seen. The location that almost saw River’s end. The place where her friends most likely were last, before they got taken or worse.
So Luka was there to see if the Exiles left any clues. To see if anyone was still there. But so far, there was nothing. Some footprints on the dusty floors, but no real way of knowing who they belonged to. So all they could do was follow them.
“Can you hurry up?” She questioned Theo, who she had chosen to accompany her. While he may not be the best fighter, he was someone she could stand, and someone who had an ability which could help them get out of danger. Even without said ability, she was sure he could annoy any threat away if he tried hard enough.
He survived various different enemies, somehow, so it was good enough for her.
Returning to a brisk pace, she followed some of the footprints, following a specific set in hopes of finding any clue of what happened to their friends. Though so far, all they found had been dust, cobwebs, footprints, and maybe a spider or two that Luka picked up and showed to Theo to simply see his potential freakout. But in regards to what they came looking for, they hadn’t exactly found a lot. Just some keys of their friends, which was concerning.
Meanwhile, Theo dreaded every step he had to walk through that cursed building. Not only was it the same place all the others went missing, the place looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in half a century. If there were any potential Exiles still hiding in the building, he was sure they would have been alerted to the many times he almost jumped at the sight of a giant spider.
He really didn’t need Luka talking about how big the spiders were back in Australia either.
When they came along a more open area of the factory, Theo took a moment to hunch over and let out an exasperated sigh. Despite how it looked, he wasn’t nearly as tired as he acted. Instead, the whole weight of the situation seemed to weigh down on his shoulders. The place was like a real life haunted house, with missing kids and everything. It was hard to not feel the sense of gloom and doom. Especially if you’re Theo, who’d rather bask in the sunlight than trudge through a dark and unlit building.
“I feel like we’re going in circles at this point,” Theo stated, “Other than the footprints and keys, there isn’t really anything else here.” The only conclusion he could think of was that they were taken somewhere else, though it was still unclear if the kids were even still alive or if they were elsewhere. Though, if they were dead somewhere, what was the reason all their keys were still in the building? It didn’t make sense if they just wanted to kill them.
“What do you think?” He finally looked over at Luka and asked, “at the very least, there’s more of a chance of them still being alive.”
Still wary in her steps, Luka glanced at another spider sitting on a shelf, contemplating if she should try to scare Theo with it, or if she should just move on. Making the logical decision, she held her hand out to the spider, watching as it climbed onto her hand with a grin.
Holding the little guy in the palms of her hands, she shrugged when Theo made the statement about going in circles. Truthfully, they may have been just going in circles. Though she wasn’t exactly sure, given that this place looked pretty much the same throughout with all the cobwebs and knocked over shelves.
Plus the discarded cardboard boxes and other assorted items.
Putting the spider on a new shelf, she looked around, thinking through the options they had. She had noticed that they’d been there for a while, and they found some keys, but not enough to be conclusive. There wasn’t any blood thus far, which seemed like a good sign. But she had hoped they’d kind the others there, hiding, and they hadn’t found anyone.
So far Luka and Theo had retrieved Daniel, and Naida’s keys. But Laurie’s was still missing, and as was Pascal’s.
Part of that made sense, Cleo had checked the Key Map, a sort of tracking that could be used for missions, and had seen indications of activated keys in a desolate cove by the sea. But they couldn’t exactly go and get them back, especially with the obvious trap that it was.
It was disconcerting but strangely comforting to find the keys. To see not so many signs of struggle. They still had to find Echo’s, but the smaller footprints that were smudged and muddled with others indicated that multiple people had been there. It was a bit of a clue itself, so she set to follow that.
“I think they’re alive,” She commented, honest, though scared of the potential that she may be wrong. What if the Exiled were leading them into a false sense of security? She worried over that possibility, that the kids were dead, and that this was a wild goose chase for nothing but heartbreak.
Finding herself at the path where many of the footsteps ended, she quickly moved her flashlight over the area.
This area held more clues, small droplets of scarlet that had dried up, but not enough to indicate any serious injury. There were several fallen shelves, and the dust was somewhat cleared from the area.
Her gaze fell on a pipe nearby, nudging it with her foot as she looked at it. The pipes, from what she had seen, were fairly broken, but mostly in a pile. This wasn’t a part of that pile, but instead sitting in the middle of the floor, in the open clearing.
Plus, the presence of an open closet nearby was disconcerting.
As she did another sweep of the area, a small object reflected a bright sparkle, sparkling as the light moved, and she quickly picked that up too. Inspecting the golden fine chain and emblem with wings, she pocketed it with the other keys they had collected. “Echo’s key,” She informed Theo, thinking of the situation at hand with a more worried look on her face. “But there’s no sign of where they could be.”
“Indeed,” Theo squinted at the key in Luka’s hands, before glancing back at the keys that they’d already managed to pick up. The two missing ones were accounted for in some way, but he still found the whole thing odd. At least it was very likely they were still alive somewhere. Good thing, too, Theo wasn’t wanting to deal with the posibile reality where they could have died.
Though, it wasn’t much comfort to him. They were alive, but not safe. The Exiled were a dangerous bunch, and if they didn’t outright kill them, it meant they had ulterior motives. The thought made his skin crawl, especially since it reminded him of the scary ghost girl.
“Would be a shame for such a useful pawn to die so early.”
He didn’t like it, he didn’t like it one bit.
“Well, what do you suppose we do, leader?” Theo asked in a serious but slightly playful tone, emphasising the ‘leader’ to see how Luka reacted. If the Exiled were smart enough to capture an entire group of kids in an ambush and take them somewhere, it didn’t seem impossible for them to use that incident as a way to lead the rest of them into a trap. Why else would the other keys be in a far off location instead of being dropped like the rest of them.
It would be stupid of them to walk into a trap, but it also seemed like they didn’t have many options either. Either way, Theo felt he wasn’t prepared to deal with whatever the outcome was going to be. He’d rather leave that up to the kids who could actually fight.
Well, only if the whole situation could be resolved through fists and not words anyway.
Being called a leader, even if teasingly, reminded Luka of the fact that now she really was someone people would listen and look up to. It felt different than the times in the past when she told the others to follow her orders in jests. Especially Chiara and Theo, who she’d always tease about following her orders, as their leader.
Laughing softly under her breath, she mumbled out a quick “Shut up,” to the boy, before pondering his actual question. “We found what we came for,” she stated, shrugging as she picked at some dust on the ground near the bloodstains.
Ready to go, and rather bored by the dusty surroundings and disappointing lack of people and clues there, she pulled out her umbrella, nodding at her friend.
Except, then she heard a series of soft footfalls, and she went alert. Her hand halting on its track as she quickly looked at Theo. But her friend hadn’t moved. Plus the noise came from behind her. Accompanied by a voice, “Leaving so soon?”
Raising the umbrella into a more defensive position, like someone holding a spear and not an object to protect against the rain, she turned to investigate the source. She had expected an Exile, boastful and full out ready to attack, prepared with a monologue about their sad life’s story.
Instead there was a figure, standing around 5’9, donned in a dark colored fancy looking overcoat type cloak, with some dark curls of hair visible. Though Luka’s attention immediately went to their face, finding a notable feature of a golden fancy mask covering the upper half of the face. On the lower side of the face, Luka could see a smirk on show, and below that, the cloak sat over a fancy shirt and collar.
Stepping forward, the figure inched slightly closer, as if circling prey. They had platform black shoes on as well, giving them a bit more height than was likely normal for them.
Their smile widened as Luka took notice of them, seemingly marking something off on a notepad they carried, before placing it inside of their fancy cloak. Circling the two some more, the figure then bowed, grinning up at the two.
“My, what a pleasure it is to meet you,” The voice was masculine in sound, and he straightened up. A show of theatrics as he glanced at the two, “Though this place is such a mess. Why could you not pick a better place to do…” he paused, thinking over the words, before gesturing to the room in disgust, “Whatever it is you guys do?”
Theo’s blood went cold when an unfamiliar voice acknowledged them. It was wishful thinking for them to assume that they’d be alone, so this should have been expected. The young man tilted his head up and peered over to where the sounds came from. As the person circled them, Theo made his way next to the loose pipe on the ground. Hopefully, if he needed something to defend himself, he could use it as a weapon. Honestly, he wished it wouldn’t come to that.
“I’m sorry, but you do realize it’s not Halloween anymore? I don’t believe this is all necessary,” Theo replied, seriously judging the fashion sense of the man approaching them, emphasizing ‘this’ in his sentence as he waved a hand in front of his own face, gesturing to the mask. He wasn’t entirely sure if this person was an Exiled or not, but he really wasn’t in the mood to jump to conclusions just yet. If they could avoid conflict and leave, it would be for the best.
“And if you must know,” Theo said, brushing his hair with his fingers, “We’re urban explorers, if it wasn’t that obvious. We heard about this abandoned factory and felt it was an interesting place to go and take pictures,” as he spoke, he put a little of his powers into his words, hoping it would help to convince this person that they weren’t a threat. It was worth a shot, especially if it turned out this person was just some guy practicing their cosplay in an abandoned factory.
“What about you?” he finally asked, raising a brow in the person’s direction.
Luka had remained at the ready for attack, raising her umbrella and an eyebrow at the newcomer. But didn’t make a move to attack. For all they knew, this could just be some masquerading boy who was drunk and forgot it wasn’t Halloween.
Which is why she let off an amused chuckle when Theo even asked the boy if he knew it wasn’t Halloween. No matter the situation, one could count on Theo to judge the fashion sense.
The newcomer didn’t seem as amused, an offended scoff escaping him. “This isn’t some costume,” he practically pouted, “This is my work outfit.”
“You mean your cosplay?” Luka laughed out, looking at the masked man with a gleam of humor in her eyes.
“It’s not cosplay!” He snapped back, exaggeratedly gesturing at the two before him, a pout on his lips still, before he rolled his eyes at the two, “I’m just not stupid enough to let myself get recognized.”
Which, in his opinion, was important. He had no idea how none of these kids got caught yet to be honest.
At Theo’s insistence that they were mere urban explorers, he snorted. A part of him convinced himself that the words were true, but the facts he knew combated that instinct. These weren’t just some people looking at weird and old abandoned buildings. They were much more elusive than that.
Sauntering a bit closer, he placed his hands on his hips, looking over the two, “Urban explorers?” He questioned, ignoring the whole question about why he himself was there, and acting as if believing the other man. He moved closer to Theo, brushing past the boy, a faux friendly tone to his voice, “I’m sure you're fairly interested in this place. But regardless, you both just seem so familiar!”
Chuckling then, he leaned closer to Theo, mocking tone in his voice, as if chastising the two, “Recognition,” he commented, quieter than before, his grin back in place, “You Chosen few don’t seem to worry about it.”
“Yeah, keep telling yourself that, you dress like you’re still 13,” Theo rolled his eyes, the words just barely loud enough for the other man to hear. Honestly, he couldn’t fathom what job would require someone to hide their identity like that, since there were so many better ways to go around changing your identity if you needed to. Posture, hair color, make-up, glasses, all of those things this man clearly didn’t think about when he decided to dawn that outfit.
He knew he shouldn’t be mean to someone who was clearly suffering from a lack of clothing taste. It wasn’t his fault he wasn’t as refined as Theo, but still, he wasn’t being particularly friendly.
When the man made his way over to the both of them, Theo didn’t lower his gaze and kept his attention squarely on the man, watching him closely to make sure he wasn’t planning anything. “Familiar you say?” He replied, adjusting the collar of his jacket, “Well, I can’t say I know what you’re referring to. Care to elaborate?” Hopefully he could get him to talk more.
Though, as he leaned in close to speak to Theo, the young man put out a hand to the other’s forehead and pushed him back, “not only do you lack any fashion taste, you also don’t have any respect for personal space. Take a few steps back.” The mention of them being chosen made his expression harden, and his last statement came out as a command with his powers. It was clear this man knew something, but he didn’t know if he was an Exiled or something else. Either way, it didn’t bode well.
Luka herself had taken a step forward when the apparent Phantom of the Opera decided to approach Theo, a vicious look overcoming her face, just about ready to tear this new guy to shreds. But the guy scoffed at Theo’s comment about fashion, making a show of looking over Theo’s clothes, “Like you have any room to talk.”
Theo seemed to have it handled though, pushing the guy back using his hand.
Said guy was like a vulture at the current moment, if vultures had had 1800s gothic fashion. But when Theo commanded he backed up, his smirk fell into a straight line, but he did take a step back.
The act immediately confused him, and he then glared at Theo. “Yeah, I’ll elaborate,” he ground out, wavering in his new spot, his footfalls slightly more noisy as he stepped from foot to foot. He didn’t exactly want to move back, but after the man before him said to do so, he did. Maybe something to do with that whole Chosen business. “But I made it pretty obvious earlier,” he shrugged.
Deciding to turn his attention to the smaller girl, he stepped closer to her then, “You’re the Chosen,” he stated, as if it was obvious, waving his hands around emphatically, “I don’t know by what,” he admitted, “But I know you are dangerous.”
Luka rolled her eyes, “Great,” she commented under her breath, before looking at Theo, “How specific.”
“I know!” The masked guy chirped, tapping his right foot up and down as he spoke, “Your people wrecked this place up real good, didn’t they?”
“Not our people,” Luka spat out under her breath. This guy was annoying her. He knew stuff he shouldn’t, but obviously not quite that much either. All he had was the word ‘Chosen’ and danger. Looking at Theo, she just decided on a new tactic, since he already gathered that they were dangerous, which really, they weren’t. They were kind of pathetic, actually. Especially Theo. Luka herself was totally cool and dangerous. Regardless, maybe he’d leave them alone if they just acted dangerous enough, “Looks like we gotta take this one out too.”
Was that a good strategy at getting people to leave you alone? Probably not.
The guy™ looked a bit concerned, looking between Theo and Luka, but wrapped his hand around the sheath of a sword he carried. Revealing the sword, he held it in his hands, ready if one of them attacked, “No,” he corrected the dark-haired girl, “It looks like I’ll be the one doing the ‘taking out’.”
Theo shot a little glance at Luka and seemed to get on board with her little idea of scaring this man away. He’d been pretty rude and creepy, but honestly, it was for his own good. If he’d run into someone with actually scary powers, it was possible they wouldn’t let him off nearly as easily as they would. Like, seriously, he doubted some dude in a mask and trench coat would fare well against a murderous ghost girl or a giant dog.
“Taking out?” Theo stared at the man and raised a brow, giving him a little smirk, “How forward of you. I didn’t realize you were that into me.” Honestly he was just teasing the man, since he didn’t feel that threatened by him. He had Luka and if they needed back up, he figured he’d be able to carry his voice all the way to the other group in the building.
He hoped to anyway.
“I’m going to be completely honest here,” Theo stated, “You’re out of your league in more ways than one.”
The guy™ had settled his attention on Theo first, as he seemed the quickest to respond. Approaching with his sword, Luka took the chance to sneak up behind the guy, angling her umbrella for a swing. One to luckily knock the guy out.
Both paused when Theo flirted with the guy. The flirtation completely threw off the guy, and he floundered for words for a moment. “That’s-” he started, “I am not-”
“What?” Luka questioned, looking between the two with wide eyes, the umbrella still raised as if ready to attack. Because honestly, she thought this was going to be a fight and she could handle a fight. She could not handle... this.
Regaining his bearings, the now flustered man crossed his arms, glowering slightly at Theo though his mask had most of the glare for a few moments. Though he gave a smirk of his own, “Or maybe I’m just out of your league.”
“What is happening?” Luka asked, once more, though her words were practically ignored.
The masked guy turned then, pivoting on his foot and grabbing Luka’s umbrella, which the girl pretty much had an iron grip on, and pushed her away by swinging it to the side. Not that she was really prepared for the attack, given that no one in the Pantheon had a proper response to danger.
Especially Theo. She heard about the earlier fights against Fenrir but like, that didn’t mean she necessarily thought that was like, a danger response thing.
Despite the fact that the guy pushed her, she just shook her head, standing off to the side. There was no way she was dealing with this. She signed up to go scouting, not dealing with whatever just happened.
The masked guy had turned back to Theo, swirling his sword around as he approached, his shoes making a distinct heavy footfall as he came closer. He didn’t outright attack yet though, instead waiting to see what Theo would do.
Theo seemed to snicker at the man’s initial confusion, taking it as a sign that he was at least one step ahead of him in something. Of course Luka showed her distaste for his little joke, which wasn’t particularly surprising. Not everyone was into that sort of thing, which made it all the more intriguing when the other guy seemed to go along with it. Seemed he learned quickly.
“Cute, but no,” Theo replied, using his foot to prop up the metal pipe on the floor enough so he was able to pick it up in his left hand. He pointed the pipe at the man’s extended sword and met his gaze with his own. From the man’s own words, it was obvious he didn’t have any special powers, which seemed to give him a slight advantage for once. It wasn’t him having to face down a 15ft wolf or survive a demon girl, it was just some dude with a sword.
“Reiterating other people’s words isn’t a particularly clever move, you’re going to have to try a bit harder than that to impress me,” he stated, lightly hitting the side of the sword with the pipe. It wasn’t enough to knock it out of his hands of course, but enough to show the structural differences between the two weapons.
This should be interesting indeed.
The man in return shrugged at Theo’s initial reply, “Cute? Awe, thanks,” he started, “But I’m not exactly interested in…” he trailed off, using his offhand to gesture to Theo. Seriously, this guy was calling him a fashion disaster? What was the fun in dressing all modern? It was much more fun to have a style and stand out, at least in his opinion.
Then the other man used a pipe he had gotten to lightly bat at the sword, and the masked guy pushed back, “Impress you?” He questioned, practically laughing, “I hate to break it to you, but I have standards.”
Finally swinging the sword at Theo, a clean left sweep, he put his offhand on his hip, scrutinizing Theo for a few moments, “You’re very flattering though!” The guy commented, sarcasm evident in his voice, “Good at talking too! Is that what your whole deal is? You talk people to death?”
Despite his sarcastic and teasing remarks, the man was learning some about Theo, notably that he apparently talked nonstop. Second was the whole incident from before, where Theo had commanded him to back away, and for some reason, he had.
Though there would be further things to help, he recognized both of these people as some of those missing people reported a while back. Admittedly, he understood that much, and so the fact that they were here now was rather telling. He should have known their names, because he knew they were from that missing list, but everyone gets distracted during work and that wasn’t his fault.
“You know, all this talking and I still don’t have your name,” He intoned, sword still in hand, pretty much still ready on the attack.
“I would have never guessed,” Theo laughed, at the other man saying he wasn’t his type, “One would have assumed, considering you seem to be obsessed with me. It’s obvious to see, isn’t that right?” His question directed itself to Luka, hoping she’d at least be able to play along with what he was doing, since he wasn’t completely wrong about his observation. The man seemed to know a bit about their whole deal having powers, but it was hard to say if that was the limit of what he knew.
Plus, Theo continuing to talk kept his attention off of Luka for the moment. Hopefully she could sneak in while he wasn’t looking and do something.
Theo held onto the pipe as the other man took a swing at him, bringing it up to block and deflect the sword away from his body. Thankfully, he’d been getting some fighting practice done in the pantheon, but not nearly enough as a lot of the other kids. He’d been trying, though it frankly seemed like a wasted effort given how it felt he was never getting any better at it. Not to mention how he didn’t really want to get help from the others out of fear they’d laugh.
Guess this was just another thing he’d have to bluff if it turned out this guy actually knew how to use a sword.
“Oh, we’re on a first name basis then?” Theo replied, raising a brow, “What’s next, you going to ask me for my number?” Sure he was messing around, but he was still fully aware that he shouldn’t give his name to this person. Especially since he seemed to be hellbent on hiding his own identity from the two of them. Wasn’t exactly fair.
“I’ll only give you one if you give me one, sounds good?” He gave him a little wink.
The man raised a hidden eyebrow at Theo’s original rebuttal that it was obvious that he had an obsession with Theo. When Theo asked the girl, he too turned his attention to her, sword lowering while he waited to hear the answer, inputting himself, “Yeah, what do you think?” He questioned, curious to see her opinions on this situation.
Looking up from her phone, Luka glared at Theo, before turning to typing on the screen before her, “Don’t bring me into this.” She commented, smirking as her phone dinged, indicating a message. She rapidly started typing again.
“See, even she agrees! If anyone is obsessed it’s you. You just can’t resist the allure of mystery!” The guy boasted, having made his attack, and his sword met Theo’s pipe. Despite fighting, he wasn’t going to skip out on the chance to throw his superiority over this puny ant boy.
“I didn’t say that,” Luka replied, still typing, chuckling at whatever reply she had gotten to whatever she had texted, “I think you’re both being bloody galahs.”
Deciding to ignore Luka and her confusing slang words, the guy™ scoffed at Theo’s comment about the number, though he backed up, moving his sword to attack Theo again, a quicker attack, thankful for his mask hiding his face. “If you’re going to offer, then sure,” he agreed, pulling back to attack again, his training having taught him to aim for multiple attacks as quickly as possible, almost like the moves of a dance.
At Theo’s insistence, he almost wanted to drag it out and demand for Theo’s name first, but that would have been petty. Which made him want to do it even more. But regardless, the more he could find out, the better.
“I asked you first,” He replied, “But I digress, I am Eidolon-”
Luka broke out into giggles, looking between the two as she waited for Lucien or one of the other leaders to reply to her texts.
“There is no way that’s your name,” She replied through chuckles, “Jolly good day, ma name’s Eye-Da-Lawn, wanna pash?” The words were broken up by some laughter, pausing for a moment before a new text came through and she resumed laughing at whatever it was she was sent.
Eidolon himself tensed slightly at the mockery, more confused than anything, but kept his attention on Theo, “Well, pretty boy, what’s your name?”
For a moment, Theo’s expression shifted to one of uncertainty when noticed Luka was texting on her phone instead of helping out. He’d hoped she’d at least lend a hand in dealing with this guy, though it seemed he’d have to deal with this on his own. No biggie, he just had to step up his game. Somehow. Against a man who was hellbent on slashing him to pieces with a sword. Could have been worse, he supposed, but he didn’t like the idea that he may have spoken too soon.
Well, he did that all the time anyway, what was new?
As the guy stepped forward and slashed at him with his sword, Theo was forced to take a few steps back as well, doing his best to block the attacks with the pipe as best he could. Unfortunately, his form wasn’t particularly strong, and while he managed to deflect most of the blows, he still managed to get a couple cuts on his arm and a shallow one on his shoulder. On the surface it looked like the sword barely grazed him, but to the owner of the blade, it wouldn’t have felt like a simple graze.
Knocking the sword back away from him, Theo gracefully stumbled backward, blocking his own discomfort at the situation with a smile. It was easy to tell Eye-da-lawn wasn’t his real name because no sane person would name their child something like that. Not in this time period anyway. It made him want to give his real name even less.
“You may call me Mr. Cross,” Theo replied, resting the pipe in his other hand as he spoke. Yeah, he used the same fake last name he gave when he introduced himself to the other ascendants, he couldn’t think of anything better for the moment.
Though, as he stood there and eyed the man, he had a light scowl on his face once a thought came to mind. Hmmm, I wonder… he thought for a moment. By that time, the cuts on him seemed to have stopped bleeding, and he looked directly at the man’s sword.
It was worth a shot.
Pointing at the man’s posture, Theo stated, “Oh dear, now that I look at you, your posture’s all wrong! Look at your sword, it’s in the wrong hand for gods sake! You should really fix that if you want to hurt me” He feigned sincerity and surprise, using whatever powers of persuasion he had to hopefully do its magic.
Luka watched the two fight, before glancing back at her phone. One of the others questioned her along the lines of ‘What are you doing if they’re fighting?’
To which she replied gleefully with ‘Watching’.
Though when Theo said his name was Mr. Cross, she raised her head, raising an eyebrow at him and spotting the chance to cause some mayhem. “Actually,” She corrected, a mischievous smirk overcoming her features as she pocketed her phone for the time being, “His name is Sirius.”
Eidolon, after Theo pushed him away, leaned on his sword, facing the blade towards the concrete ground, dramatically sighing as he looked at Theo. Mr. Cross, huh? Formal, not exactly a first name. But then the girl filled in the first name. Scoffing at the name, he chuckled slightly, “You’re here mocking my name, while his is Sirius Cross?”
“No, no,” Luka replied, holding her hands up, emphatically gesturing to Theo, “His name is Sirius Ishu.”
Eidolon chuckled at that, grin returning to his lips, “Nice name, Sirius Ishu.”
He had paused in his attacks, taking the time to catch his breath. Though he stood up a bit more, putting his weight off the sword when Theo began talking again. He had to switch targets if he wanted to find anything out, especially since he had no idea what the raven haired girl did other than being incredibly short and narrating mockingly.
However, his lips turned to a straight line when Theo spoke, his sword moving to his left hand, and body remaining there for the moment. Looking down at his hand after, he gave a triumphant smile, “Thanks! Now that we got that figured out!”
Lunging forward to attack, he was surprised that when he swung out with his right arm, nothing happened. No sword was there. Realizing a bit too late that his sword was in the wrong hand, he tried to swing out with his left arm at Theo, only to throw the sword by accident.
Which, well crap, that wasn’t good.
Theo started out being incredibly annoyed with Luka for contradicting his point, though his annoyance went away when he heard the name Luka gave. Hell yes! Sirius was such a cool name, cooler than whatever he thought of.
“Why thank you,” Theo replied to Eidolon, his eyes flickering with pride as he spoke. It was very obvious the joke behind the name sailed right over his head.
Per the champion’s instruction, the other man switched the hand his sword was in and tried to attack him with his empty hand. The sight of which nearly had Theo laughing his ass off. Though, when the sword was mistakenly flung in his direction, he let out a “yipe!” sound, and moved away as the sword sailed past him, clattering to the ground behind him. Quickly regaining his composure, the young man ran and grabbed the sword before turning to face Eidolon again.
“You, sir, have just been out-played,” Theo said, projecting his voice in a weirdly prideful way, as if he was some superhero. Now, the other guy didn’t have a weapon, which made the champion feel great. It was one thing he didn’t have to worry about.
As he stood there, facing Eidolon, he started flinging the blade around in front of him and doing cool tricks with it. He spun it around in his hands, but accidentally tossed it into the air too hard. It soared above him in an arc, before spiraling down and slamming into the ground right next to Theo. He stared wide eyed at his opponent, then Luka, then down at the sword. Slowly, he picked it back up, hoping the stunt didn’t accidentally crack the blade.
When the name she gave Theo seemed to sail over his head, she started laughing her ass off, phone forgotten in favor of watching the inevitable dumpster fire before her. Her laughter only increased tenfold when Eidolon threw the sword, a weird mix of chortles and wheezes escaping her.
Eidolon stared at his empty hands, to the sword, to Theo, to Luka, and then back again. He offered a more sheepish smile, backing up and placing his hands behind his back as he toed the ground. The enemy had his sword. The enemy was going to kill him and like...eat him or something. He didn’t know what fueled these people. He just hoped it wasn’t eating him.
Like honestly, he knew he was a snack. That didn’t mean he wanted to be theirs.
Though that didn’t seem to be a concern because Sirius Ishu was trying to be cool and then failed miserably and threw the whole ass sword in the air. Looking up to watch the arc of the sword as it flew up and then landed, his head comically following it. As soon as it hit the ground he laughed, head turned towards Theo in a gloating way, “Looks like you’re having a Sirius Ishu there.”
Luka, who had just recovered from her laughter, practically choked on air as new laughter spilled out of her. In her defense, two grown men were throwing swords and one was completely oblivious.
Fishing her phone back out, she started a video in hopes that these antics would continue. It started with Theo now having the sword, and a weaponless Eidolon looking skeptically at him.
“No offense, but I don’t think you know how to use that.” He commented, meaning to completely offend Theo. He even stepped forward closer, crossing his arms, just waiting for Theo to drop it again.
“That’s not true,” Theo muttered, in response, tapping the flat side against his hand as he spoke. He took a quick glance over at Luka, noticing how she started filming, and immediately straightened up. With his free hand, he fished around in his pockets and pulled out a comb. He brushed his hair back a bit and preened himself before giving the camera a thumbs-up. Not only did he not want to look like a fool on camera, he wanted to look his absolute best.
“Alright, since you don’t have your weapon anymore, I think this is a fair time to get some answers, wouldn’t you say?” he said, getting back on track. No matter what this person was trying to do, it felt wrong for him to just walk up and hit this guy with the sword he was carrying. It was kinda messed up when all he wanted was for this guy to leave them alone. Though, not before they got answers from him.
“You mentioned ‘chosen’ before, but what exactly did you mean by that? How much do you know and where did you get that information from?” His tone was surprisingly serious when he asked his questions. Not only did this guy seem aware that they had powers, he was also pretty well trained too. Even if he looked like he got his clothes from the gothic version of a dollar store, he knew something.
“And what do you know about the Exiled?”
When Theo fished out the comb, Luka chuckled softly, narrating to the camera, “Sirius Ishu is trying to look his best for his new friend.” She said the last word with a wiggle of her eyebrows, unseen to the camera, but practically easy to hear it.
Eidolon lifted his head, mask bopping with his head, appearing taller as he waited for Theo to say his piece, making a rushing motion with his hand. Maybe if he talked to the guy he could distract him and get his sword back.
Shaking his head at the questions, he crossed his arms, making a decision right then and there to be completely unhelpful. “Where did you get your powers from?” He shot back, looking back at Theo. When all else fails, being obstinate is always fun.
Though his lips fell into a confused frown, tipping his head at Theo when the boy asked him about the Exiled champions. “Exiled?” He questioned, looking between Luka and Theo for a moment, “What’s an ‘Exiled’?”
Theo’s face narrowed to a scowl at the other man’s general unhelpfulness. Great, so they had to deal with a smartass. Guy didn’t even bother answering Theo’s questions before asking some of his own. Honestly, how rude could one person be?
The detail about this man not knowing who the Exiled were also seemed kinda weird. Did his knowledge about them really stop at them having powers? Or was he just lying to save face? He didn’t want to discount the possibility of him being an associate to them, but it was still something he was unsure about.
“Oh yeah, our powers come from love and friendship like a damn cartoon.” Theo replied, not obviously being sarcastic when he said that. “Now answer my questions, since you so rudely ignored them!” At this point, he wasn’t sure what to do to get him to answer his questions. He had his sword, and could hurt him, but he really didn’t like the idea of injuring some guy with a weapon that for sure could kill him. He could try threatening, but it didn’t seem like anyone was taking this seriously enough to actually work.
Also, threats kinda sound like an exiled thing to do and he wasn’t sure he wanted that association.
Eidolon watched Theo closely, more questions coming to mind. These people didn’t get their abilities from love and compassion or whatever. He knew that. If they did have powers truly meant to help, people wouldn’t get hurt. Like the person those bloodstains belonged to, whoever or wherever they were now. His eyes trailed on blood dried on the ground back up to Theo.
So no, he wasn’t planning on answering Theo’s question. He tipped his head, however, a grin coming to his face, “No,” he chirped, “I don’t think I will.”
Without warning, he raced forward, making a grab to wrestle his sword out of Theo’s grasp.
When Eidolon did so, Luka started narrating the events of the fight. “Here we see the Grass-Boy engage in an embarrassingly sad battle against Sirius Ishu.” The words came out rather monotone, though she was barely concealing her laughter.
“Well fine then,” Theo grunted, rolling his eyes when the guy made it clear he wasn’t going to answer the questions. It left the young man stumped, thinking about what he was going to do, when his opponent suddenly lunged at him to get the sword. The movement was so fast that the only thing the champion could do in response was let out a yelp and start running to the side.
Okay. Okay. No. This was not okay.
“Thanks a lot, serpentine, you’re being very helpful!” Theo shouted out, clearly being sarcastic as he ran across the room with the sword in his hands. “I hope your phone dies!”
Eidolon kept chasing Theo, an annoyed pout on his lips, which yeah, this was getting useless. But who could blame him? This man had his sword, and had no idea how to use it, and honestly that was just downright disrespectful to his sword.
“You're welcome!” Luka replied gleefully, zooming in on a running Theo, a dark chuckle escaping her.
This was very funny, indeed. She took chase after the two, eager to not miss what was happening, but also be there to help if Theo truly needed it.
Eidolon himself kept chasing after Theo, racing past shelves and broken pipes.
As Theo ran down the corridors of olden shelves and boxes, he couldn’t help but find the find the entire situation to be freakily stupid. First it started off with him and the others trying to find what happened to the other kids, now he was running away from some masked freak who was clearly insecure about himself if that’s what he wanted to wear.
Of course, Theo was never insecure about his appearance. It was what he was good at, so he had to show it off.
Soon enough, he came to a crossroads in the shelves, and was instantly relieved. Clutching the sword, he darted to the left and screamed back, “If you want to catch me, keep going straight!” He wondered if that would be enough to get the guy lost, but he also didn’t consider the possibility that Luka would be affected by the command.
“Whatever,” Theo muttered, figuring she could take care of herself, “It's what she gets for being on her phone the whole time.”
Luka watched the two zoom through the halls, her blue eyes narrowing as they two disappeared into the dark hall framed by deteriorating shelves. “Well, it’s been fun,” she narrated for her video, before swiping her thumb over the end recording button on the screen, pocketing the phone in her jacket, before chuckling softly under her breath. She too started following the two, albeit much slower.
Eidolon himself was close to Theo, gaining ground as the two entered the threshold of this cursed place’s maze of dusty shelves. Reaching out to snap his sword, he floundered when he heard a crash behind him, followed by a yell from before him. A yell from the boy, who was no longer in sight. A suggestion about where to go.
Straight? Okay then!
Racing forward, he soon came upon a dead end, and he looked around for the boy for a few moments, scanning shelves and various places. How could Sirius have disappeared so quickly? Where could he have gone?
Oh. Wait.
“Again?” Eidolon practically shouted in annoyance, kicking at the ground, “How?” He questioned, looking around. Sirius Ishu was becoming a...well, a serious issue. This whole magic command thing was really getting annoying. Pouting, he walked along the shelves, trying to move boxes to peek at the aisles the shelves blocked him from, “You know, you’re really living up to your namesake.”
Finding nothing of use, nor clues, he turned to return the direction he came from in hopes to find where Theo went. However, he froze when he spotted a figure in the shadows. Theo’s little ally, the girl, who seemed to watch him with snake-like eyes. Focused and alert.
He stared at her in confusion for a moment, but she simply moved to the side, as if waiting for him to pass. As if she had any control in what he did. She was making a mistake, and he was sure of that. If he had to threaten Theo’s ally to get his sword back, so be it.
Stepping forward, he flashed her a faux apologetic smile, “No hard feelings, I just want my sword back-”
“You should run now,” Luka warned, not seeming concerned at all, her smile turning a tad bit more threatening. “He might talk you to death,” she commented, “But I? I’ll boil you in hydrofluoric acid and make pottery out of your bones.”
Eidolon decided he didn’t like this one.
He didn’t like this one at all.
“Okay,” he squeaked out, gulping down fear, “Cool.” Taking a few wary steps, hands held up in surrender, eyes on her, he turned and ran off, back towards the area he originally lost Theo in. He’d rather not find out what the tiny one could do. Or mess with her. Or be near her. He’d really just like her to stay very far away, honestly.
Even though his opponent seemed to go the direction that Theo commanded, the young man didn’t stop and continued to run for a while before he had to stop and catch his breath. He couldn’t hear the man running anymore, so he assumed he was at least somewhat safe. For the time being anyway. He didn’t mean to be dramatic (well, he did), but what a mess the whole situation turned out to be. Though, at least he had a moment to think about what he was going to do next.
Currently, Mr. Eyeing the Damn Lawn really wanted his sword back, which was fair. Theo would probably feel the same way if someone like Luka decided to steal his comb. The difference, however, was that a comb couldn’t kill someone, or cut their arm to pieces. Instinctively, the ascendant rubbed the arm that the man had cut into. He wasn’t bleeding thankfully, but his coat was completely ruined with cuts and bloodstains.
Guess that goes into the pile of clothes that got ruined in his time as a champion. Just a constant reminder to him that nothing could ever be easy.
Clutching the sword, Theo leaned against one of the shelves as he pondered. One option he had was to just leave and go back to the pantheon. He didn’t want to deal with this situation anymore. Sure, he wasn’t taking it too seriously, but he was expecting Luka to be the one fighting, not him! He just wanted to sit on the sideline and look pretty, while getting some flirting and trash talk in as well. Sure, not long ago, he was planning on taking things into his own hands, but he didn’t mean that second! He meant later.
As his mind kept spiralling around the question, he suddenly heard a crashing sound behind him as the shelf he was leaning on gave way and slammed into the ground. The contents of it lay scattered on the floor. Meanwhile, Theo stood where he was, completely frozen at the noise and the attention it was sure to bring. Instinctively, Theo dropped the sword onto the floor, and dove under one of the shelves that were ahead of him.
Eidolon was getting far away from the tiny menace and was still trying to find the taller one. He didn’t like these people, he decided. Especially this Sirius guy. He didn’t like the whole sweet talk thing he could do. He also didn’t like that the guy had his sword.
So one could imagine the pain he was in.
Slowly, with just his own fists as a weapon, he neared the place he realized he lost Theo at. Glancing around and through shelves for several moments, he froze when he heard a crash, turning to look for it.
Rushing towards the noise, he quickly made his way through some of the maze of shelves, spotting the tumbles shelf ahead of him, he ran towards that. Now Eidolon wasn’t an idiot and he knew some supernatural things existed, like these people, but also, what else would have knocked that shelf down? A ghost? Nah, Eidolon was sure it was Sirius Ishu’s doing
Plus, there was a sword on the ground. That was his sword. Looking around, grin on his lips, he approached the sword, directing his attention to it. “Well, it’s been fun, siren,” he spoke aloud, picking his sword up, checking it for any scratches and running his fingers along the silver blade, as if to make sure it was okay.
Well, his boss would probably kill him if he went back and asked for a new sword, again. Looking back up, he shrugged, “But I’m going to have to cut this short.”
With those words, he stepped forward, further into the room. Scanning it, as if checking the perimeters of the room. He wanted to leave, in all honesty, but he’d rather not be followed by either of these people.
If it wasn’t for his current situation, Theo would have snorted at the pun. However, the fear of getting spotted seemed to weigh more heavily on him when the other guy got his sword back. He should have tossed it somewhere else, but there wasn’t really anything he could do about it. Only thing he could do was agree with the man
This had to be cut short.
Quietly grabbing a nearby pipe, Theo slowly made his way out of hiding while the other man had his back turned. As he made his way over, he pondered the moral repercussions of what he was going to do. Was he really going to harm someone with their back turned to him? Most likely in the same manner as to what happened with the other kids? What sort of person did that make him exactly?
Then he remembered all the times he got attacked and beaten until he nearly died, how this person chose to attack the two of them without seemingly questioning it himself. Not to mention his ruined coat.
“Won’t you hold still for me?” Theo spoke in a sickeningly sweet voice before he swung the pipe, swinging it up right at the man’s head.
Luka, herself, had followed after Eidolon from a distance, rolling her eyes at the sound of the crash. Because of course Theo couldn’t keep up the badass vibes for any time at all.
Still, when she reached the area, she decided to climb up one of the shelves, quietly of course, and watch the impending doom that was going to happen, her legs hanging off the edge of the shelf she was on.
Palms planted on the dusty surface, she watched as Eidolon turned his back, and Theo snuck out. Eidolon stepped forward, inspecting one of the shelves before him, rubbing dust between his fingers when Theo came up behind him.
At Theo’s words, Luka watched as Eidolon froze up, dawning horror on his face, before he crumbled like a house of cards. Luka herself winced as she watched him fall, unsympathetically speaking up, “That’ll hurt when he wakes up.”
Glancing at Theo, she waved to her friend from her shelf, before jumping down from the top of her shelf. Her agility helped her to land smoothly, and she dusted herself off, placing her hands on her hips with a smile sent Theo’s way, “Well, he won’t be eyeing da lawn anytime soon.” Turning away, checking in the keys they collected, she marveled silently at how Theo was able to fight the guy on his own. Sure, they didn’t know anything about the guy, but it was a good laugh regardless.
“Good job, Theo.” Luka said, before sending him a teasing smile, “Or should I say Sirius ‘Siren’ Ishu?”
Despite the teasing, they’d have to get back to the Pantheon and report what happened. A thought that practically made her want to boil her own body in hydrofluoric acid. Reports. She hated them. Cleo thought they helped but they were boring. What was the point in glorified essays that no one ever wanted to read?
“Oh. We have to get back if I want to get my homework to Mx. Lester anytime soon.” She complained, fishing her umbrella out to open the portal. Though she flashed a taunting smile at Theo, “Or maybe you should do it, since you handled the issue.”
For a few moments, Theo watched the man fall in front of him, shaking a little bit once it dawned on him what he just did. “Oh shit, I hope that didn’t kill him.” Even after how freaky the guy was, he still felt bad for knocking him out in the middle of some random warehouse.
Though, his tone soon shifted to annoyance and a little bit of amusement when Luka spoke up and came over. “Yeah yeah, very funny.” At the very least, with how much the name ‘Sirius Ishu’ was being emphasized, he was starting to think it was meant to be more of an insult or joke. “And don’t use Siren, it’s weird.”
At the topic of the paperwork, Theo rolled his eyes when she started goading him to do it for her. Soon, he gave her an amused smirk and walked on ahead, “So sorry to disappoint you, but not only is that a job I don’t want to do, I am also injured, unlike you. You should get someone else to help you since I’ll be spending my afternoon in the infirmary.” Of course he was exaggerating the not-bleeding cuts he did get, but he felt it was payback at Luka for generally not being helpful in the encounter.
When Theo said he hoped he hadn’t killed Eidolon, she lightly kicked at the body, deadpan expression resting on her face, “He’s probably fine. Likely concussed, probably internally bleeding, but most likely will live to see another day.” She exaggerated a lot of those statements, except the concussed part. But he’d likely be fine. It was better than her plan to fry the dude if he kept being an issue. “Honestly it’s an improvement.”
Though Theo’s concern also opened the window for teasing, which is what she did, immediately, “What, worried about your flirt buddy?” she questioned, raising an eyebrow at him before continuing on with checking things and bringing up the report topic.
Though his response to said suggestion about him doing the report had her quickly following him, an umbrella in her left hand as she started poking at his arm with it, specifically, his ‘injured’ arm, “Doesn’t look that injured to me, the only thing injured on you is your ego.” She scoffed out, opening the portal, “But you know what, do whatever you please,” she decided on, throwing a mischievous grin at her friend, “I got all kinds of interesting things to report about this little run in with no longer eyeing da lawn over there.”
Theo just blinked in Luka’s general direction at Luka’s use of the phrase ‘flirt buddy’ to regard the man he knocked out, “No? Not for that reason, anyway.” He wasn’t lying, of course, he just had lots of thoughts going through his head about the situation in general. Maybe it was easy to think about it as his way of defending himself against someone who clearly wanted to do harm, or maybe there was something more to it. Either way, it felt weird to actually hit someone.
Guess it was something he had to get used to if this was what ‘being an Ascendant’ meant. They had more things to worry about than some masked dude, like the fate of the other kids. They took priority over figuring out what this guy’s deal was.
After Luka opened up the portal, Theo cast a short glance back at the knocked out man. He had a lot of questions about what his deal was, but no real answers. He shrugged at his own thoughts, finding them to be kinda silly, and walked through the portal. He was tired and wanted a nap, enough said.
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Aug 4, 2021 18:27:15 GMT -5
MEANWHILE ON OLYMPUS… Dionysus differed from most of his family in that he tended to have a greater concern for mortals than they. Sure, they all enjoyed embroiling themselves in the business of the mortal world, but they very rarely were genuinely concerned for humans. Aside from those with whom they had fallen in love, of course, or those who had incited their anger. There were exceptions, like Athena who was a renowned helper of heroes.
That was why the moment Laurie had lost consciousness Dionysus had immediately sought out members of his family that he felt might be of some use in his predicament.
His first stop was Hermes, for Dionysus knew his brother spent significant time on earth. Hermes was another of the gods who was known for helping mortal heroes. If there was a way to rectify what was going on and it lay outside the godly realms, Hermes would have the answer.
Dionysus found said trickster god with little trouble, at the highest point of Olympus and preparing to leave with a message. In fact, his foot had barely lifted off the ground when Dionysus grabbed him by the arm.
The messenger god looked mildly offended for a mere moment as he was pulled back to the ground, but in true Hermes fashion replaced this with nonchalance and was soon giving his signature mischievous smile.
“You really should warn a man before you accost him mid-flight, you know.” was Hermes’ response as he pulled his arm from his brother’s grasp. He was infuriatingly easy-going, really, and that was coming from Dionysus.
“Lucky, then, that your feet were barely off the ground.” the god of wine smoothly replied
Hermes rolled his eyes in that brotherly way, folding his arms. He almost seemed to be relishing this, raising an eyebrow.
“To what do I owe the pleasure of this manhandling?”
Dionysus sighed, wishing he didn’t have to do this. As much as he loved his family and his siblings and was very much a people person, he didn’t particularly enjoy having to go to them for help. He’d had to earn his place on Olympus and he didn’t like feeling like he needed the others.
“I have a problem.” was his answer, reluctantly given though it was.
Normally Dionysus would expect his trickster brother to mess with him, demanding he be more specific until he described the situation in detail. But it seemed that Hermes seemed to recognise the gravity of everything, or sensed the weight in the other god’s tone.
”I’m familiar.” Hermes responded “Who do you think this message is for? Our uncle in the underworld is none too pleased either.”
When Hermes said he was aware of the issue, Dionysus could swear he heard a hint of pity in his brother’s voice. Which hurt even more because generally Hermes enjoyed revelling in his siblings’ misery in that way only a younger brother or sister could do - though technically he was older than Dionysus. Either way, if Hermes genuinely showed pity or concern it generally meant the situation was actually serious.
There was something strange in Hermes’ tone when he brought up Hades, but Dionysus didn’t press it. He cared more about solving his problem at this point, and little about whatever was going on with Hermes and Hades.
“Then can you help me?” Dionysus questioned urgently, approaching the god of thieves ”This can’t happen to him on my watch.”
No, it couldn’t. He couldn’t let it. And he’d be damned if he wasn’t there with a solution the second that boy woke up.
Hermes stepped back with a chuckle, holding his hands up.
“No can do. I’m just the messenger.” said Hermes “Even if I knew something you could do on earth to help, you know it’s not safe down there. You’re not going to help the kid by putting yourself at risk.”
“Hermes-“
“It’s not going to help, Dio. You know that.”
With those final words, Hermes pushed off the ground again with his feet and was gone with a flash of his winged sandals, helmet glinting one last time as he vanished. Bound for Elysium, a long journey indeed that Hermes didn’t undertake lightly. He wouldn’t be back for some time, even if Dionysus thought pushing Hermes further would get him to change his mind.
With that dead end, his next move was to find another brother that he thought could provide him with some assistance. The problem was that Dionysus thought he might be less willing to help than Hermes, and yet even he had chosen not to get involved.
Apollo was also not difficult to find. He had a specific spot he chose to go when he liked to sit and think, out in the gardens. There was a pool he always liked to sit by, surrounded by hyacinths. It was a fairly magical spot, in Apollo’s defence, even as Olympus went. It was beautifully shaded and the waters of the pond always seemed glassy and calm,
Apollo’s lyre lay beside him, and if Dionysus had to guess he’d planned on trying to play but had found that he wasn’t in the mood. Which was concerning in itself; not being able to play his music, which was often something that relaxed him, was a sure sign that Apollo was in some distress or turmoil of his own.
Apollo’s eyes lifted from the waters of the pool at the sound of his brother, and he stirred to approach him.
“χαῖρε, little brother.” greeted the other god
Now, Apollo could probably spend all day talking about everything and nothing if Dionysus didn’t stop him. Nor would Apollo be likely to recognise Dionysus’ concern if he didn’t bring it up. So this time he felt that he had to get straight to the point.
“I need to know the future,” Dionysus rushed out “I need to know what’s going to happen to him - to them.”
First Apollo seemed taken aback by the suddenness and boldness of his little brother’s statement, then he frowned, clearly not impressed with the request. Dionysus could tell already that their father’s favourite son wasn’t inclined to agree to this request.
“I will not give prophecies to anyone except Lucien on matters of the chosen, and even that would only be in a true emergency. It would inevitably cause discord if I began sharing prophecies on the future of this project among the gods. Some things are for only the Fates to know, you know this.” Apollo chided
Dionysus knew the truth in his brother’s words. The works of the Fates could not become common knowledge among all the gods, at least not in this circumstance. It would affect their relationships with one another and it would affect the gods’ interactions with their chosen. Prophecies usually did nothing but damage mortal choices, regardless, and the gods did not usually fare much better.
But Dionysus was insistent.
“I need this, Apollo. I cannot let Laurent be put in danger like this and not have answers for how to help him.”
Damn it, because he did care about the kid. Mortals just had something about them that meant they grew on you. He supposed it explained why so many of the Olympians had been involved with them. Apollo included.
Apollo shook his head firmly, clearly not wishing to hear more of Dionysus’ pleading.
“I will not jeopardise this for the sake of your feelings, Dionysus. I’m not here to coddle or baby you or make you feel better because you failed to keep a mortal safe. You cannot protect them, Dio, as you well know. As I know.” Apollo answered, seeming to dwell regretfully on those last three words.
Dionysus knew who Apollo was referring to; Hyacinthus, probably the truest of Apollo’s dalliances. A prince he’d truly seemed to be falling for until he was killed out of jealousy. But he also knew who his brother was referring to when he mentioned mortals that Dionysus had been unable to protect. His mother, though really it was an unfair comparison given that Dionysus hadn’t even been a full-term baby at the point of his mother’s death. But he’d still always blamed himself, which was why he’d gone to the underworld to retrieve her soul.
”Very well,” Dionysus answered with a flare of barely contained rage such that his eyes narrowed and he could feel his hands wanting to tense into fists
That was all he said, turning to leave. But as he stepped away, he heard a voice call out to him from behind,
“Oh, and brother?” Apollo addressed him one final time “I know you feel kinship with the mortals but do try not to become over-invested. Trust me.”
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Demisexual
Leo
Surviving off Thai tea and Miguel O'hara
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Post by Leo on Aug 6, 2021 16:14:16 GMT -5
Ripley kept running the towel over his hair drying it. He seemed relatively unbothered by the questions Laurie was asking. Expected questions, especially in this situation. Though, he wasn’t exactly ready to answer the first question. He’d save that for when he could form the perfect sentence in response.
So instead, he answered the second question. Where were his allies? Well, he couldn’t very well give exact details to the boy. That might just upset him. Besides, he needed to keep him away from the others. So Ripley simply answered with; “They’re being looked after by another one of us.”
Dropping the towel back down around his neck, he leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest. Casting his eyes down at the floor, Set’s Champion sighed and curled into himself a bit. The body language read as… ashamed.
“Look,” Ripley started quietly. “I know I’ve done a shitty job of getting you to trust me from the jump so let me start by saying sorry. We were all ascendents, we all had really terrible lives before being chosen too. It’s a defensive tactic,” He tried to explain. He looked up sheepishly at Laurie and shrugging slightly.
Some of that was a lie. Ripley had never been an ascendant, he was always Set’s exile. Always bred for destruction besides protection. And his life hadn’t been terrible just… unhappy. Maybe a little lonely. But, no one else needed to really know that now did they?
“I, especially tend to put on an act when figuring out who can be trusted or not. Can thank my father for that one. Hurt them before they can hurt you....” Ripley joked bitterly as he looked up at Laurie. He sat there in silence for a moment watching a cautious Laurie huddle on his bed before standing and tossing the towel around the back of his chair.
“Are you hungry? I can bring you something,” He offered as he started moving about his room putting things away and finding extra clothes that the french boy could wear. Careful to not get too close to Laurie and spook him even more.
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Aug 6, 2021 16:58:29 GMT -5
Lorenzo’s light trick appeared to succeed in distracting the monster; the creature’s attention drawn by the glow. That allowed Dillon to prize the thing’s tentacle from his leg, which was no mean feat because this thing was strong. Now, given the urgency of the situation he hadn’t exactly given much thought to the fall which would be the inevitable consequence.
Thankfully, he found himself caught by Lorenzo, who had apparently thought of him enough to catch him. Dillon was soon back on his feet, and met the Helios champion’s gaze with a flash of a grateful smile. He hadn’t expected Lorenzo to be there, hadn’t expected him to do so much to help him.
”Thank you,” Dillon said, trailing off as if he wanted to say more but knew he didn’t have time.
It was too urgent, there wasn’t any time to waste. So he reached out to quickly squeeze Enzo’s hand in thanks before moving out again, this time making a move toward the sword he’d dropped.
Meanwhile, Gwen was on the receiving end of an attack by Irene. The monster let out grating, pained screech in reaction to the attack. Indeed, instinctively the claw had opened, letting the hostage girl drop. Angered at the pain and the loss of Felicia, Gwen then swung her claw rapidly towards the wall, probably hoping to dislodge Irene and either make her fall or hit the wall.
Dillon’s primary focus upon recovering his sword has been rushing to help the falling Felicia and catch her, but he wasted little time exchanging words with her either. This fight was moving fast, and as much as he was curious about this girl who knew Enzo, there was simply no time to interact.
Instead, he called out to Lorenzo.
”Get her somewhere safe!” he shouted to the other boy, indicating Felicia.
She was their first priority, as a civilian. Besides, he figured if she and Enzo knew one another it might give them more time to talk. The only problem would be getting her past the tentacles of the monster formerly known as Gwen.
Banishing those concerns from his mind, Dillon focused on the creature now. He knew they had to get the gemstone on the forehead, but how? He didn’t have any ranged weapons to hit it with, after all.
He’d just have to try and climb up somehow.
So, with Gwen mainly distracted by Irene at that point, the British boy made a run and a leap to try to grasp one of Gwen’s tentacles as it swung past. He couldn’t get far on the tentacles but at least it was a start.
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Aug 7, 2021 4:53:42 GMT -5
Laurie listened to Ripley’s words about the gods’ betrayal of the exiled, astonished at what he was hearing. Surely not, surely the gods would never do that. They’d never allow that to happen. Would they?
But he couldn’t stop the images flooding into his head. An unconscious and bleeding Chiara. Irene with that branch through her leg. Lorenzo with that giant cut after the last fight. Pascal’s panic as he tried his best to treat them while Lucien was down. He thought of Luka and Echo and Lucien, who were all far too young to be there and all had far too much on their shoulders.
What had the gods done to protect them? Sure, the attacks were from the exiled, but the gods didn’t seem overly concerned with keeping their chosen alive or protecting them from harm. What was to stop one of them being killed? Not the gods.
Maybe the gods weren’t bad, but at best they were ineffectual and didn’t mitigate their mistakes.
Then Ripley said six words that stunned Laurie. So sudden they completely floored him, a nauseating feeling growing in his stomach with the apprehension of what Ripley might say next. Had Ares really done all those things Ripley said the gods had done?
He continued, mentioning something about awful things Ares would whisper over and over again, and he looked so haunted. Had Ares been saying things to River al this time? Had River been silently suffering and never told anyone?
The next words were most haunting though, and Laurie felt a cold wave of fear and dread. His breath hitched, the words sinking in. It felt heavy, like the words were suffocating his skin.
”What do you mean?” he asked as if he didn’t know what Ripley was saying. Of course he knew, he simply didn’t want to believe it. He didn’t know what he was talking about, there was no way River was…
Not River, who’d lain next to him and talked about the stars. Opened up to Laurie and trusted him by sharing his story. Kissed him by that lake in that cool night air, both of them scented with the woodsmoke from the fire.
River, who cared so much about everyone. Who was so patient, and strong. Who would comfort Echo when she was scared and was the only person apart from maybe Luka who understood Lucien’s funny little moods. River, who had so much patience with him. River, who’d made Laurie feel so loved and whom Laurie had always loved just as much.
And their last true interaction had been their breakup. Those parting words he’d fired at him rung in his ears even now.
I think you and I took very different messages away from that fight
He’d looked so broken when they went out for their mission. Laurie had been so focused on avoiding him to stop it being awkward that he hadn’t even thought about the fact that they were going into danger. That maybe he should’ve just said something to say that they were going to be okay.
Because of course he’d still been hurt, he’d been devastated too. More than he’d ever been in his life. But if he’d realised that he was at risk of never seeing River again, he would’ve wanted him to know that he cared, that the two of them would be okay as friends again, once they’d had some time. That he didn’t hate him for the breakup, that he could never hate him.
But if Ripley was suggesting what Laurie suspected he was suggesting, it was too late.
His throat tightened, and he swallowed in a vain attempt to ease it. His eyes stung with tears he couldn’t blink away as he shook his head in weak denial and disbelief.
”You have to be lying,” he said, unable to keep his voice from wobbling. But what reason would he have to lie about something like that? Was this why Dionysus had been so quiet?
It probably wouldn’t fully sink in for a while, but Laurie could already feel the absolutely hollow ache in his chest, the heaviest emptiness he could’ve imagined. This wasn’t right, it couldn’t be true.
It was so surreal. He couldn’t even process the thought in his head. River simply couldn’t be dead. Laurie couldn’t bear the thought that he might have died alone in that dirty, dark, dusty old factory. That he might have died thinking the others had abandoned him or knowing he couldn’t protect them from the exiled.
This only confirmed the doubts about the gods that Ripley’s story had out into his head. Because Ares had let this happen just as much as the Ascendants had. Because River hadn’t been protected like he should have been.
He couldn’t bear the thought that he could be gone. That Ares could have let that happen. That his last words to River had been that hurt little jab.
He had to be wrong.
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Aug 18, 2021 6:26:23 GMT -5
Laurie barely took in Ripley's words. It was as if someone else was hearing them, or he was listening to them from underwater. All he could think about was River's smile, or the starlight in his eyes when they were by that lake. The way he looked out for Echo, the way he gave everything he had for the people he cared about. The way he stood up for what was right and had never hesitated to do so. He was so brave, even though Laurie knew nobody was completely fearless. He deserved more than Laurie thought he could have ever given him.
Nobody that good could just disappear. Their breakup had hurt so deeply but Laurie had never stopped caring about River, of course it broke him that this had happened. But River was apparently gone, and the world was still somehow turning, which Laurie couldn't understand.
Laurie was in shock. He wanted to scream and cry, it felt wrong that he couldn't, but he couldn't find the words or breath. It felt like everything was crumbling around him, like he was choked with dust and rubble. He blinked and swallowed, lightly shaking his head like he was still in disbelief.
This wasn't right, couldn't be right. But still, he couldn't see a reason to lie. Laurie couldn't see the benefit to lying about River being dead, especially since they already had Laurie and the others as prisoners. Not to mention that if they were lying, it wouldn't take long for Laurie and the others to figure that out - after all, the others would never just leave them there with the exiled.
Laurie looked at Ripley's sympathetic expression, hesitantly looking at the extended hands. This didn't make sense; the last time Laurie had seen this guy they'd been fighting. He'd been threatening them, trying to hurt Echo. But something about how unusual it seemed almost made it make sense. It seemed too much of a difference to be fake; surely if it was fake, he would've went with something more believable? Instead, it really did seem to back up his story about the exiled.
He didn't know if he trusted this man, but truthfully Laurie couldn't have cared less at that moment. He needed the comfort regardless of who it was, would have held the hand of anyone who was offering it. In that moment he needed an anchor to keep him steady as he weathered the rush of feelings, the pain, that he was swimming in. He felt like he'd just fallen into freezing water, that first jarring moment of shock. It hadn't fully hit him yet, but he knew he was going to start drowning. He needed something to hold onto for just a second.
So, without even really realising what he was doing, he suddenly felt the warmth of Ripley's hands as he took them.
'I know you and he had a...thing'
God, those words hurt. There had been no other way for Ripley to put it, though. And it was probably the better way anyway, because what he and River had been was kind of complicated. He'd thought he'd known until their breakup, when things became confusing, with all the doubts he had about whether River had felt the same way about Laurie as Laurie had felt about River.
Laurie looked down for a minute, not meeting Ripley's eyes.
As if it really mattered, as if the breakup had changed how Laurie felt or was supposed to feel about this. It didn't change that he'd loved him. It didn't change what the two of them had been for one another. And the breakup was hardly relevant now, as if it made any difference.
"We broke up a few weeks ago, but yeah, we did." he answered
The only reason he even mentioned it to Ripley was because it somehow felt wrong not to say it. As if by not clarifying he'd be perpetuating a lie that River no longer had the opportunity to correct. It would feel wrong and disrespectful to act like they'd still been together, regardless of how much Laurie cared about River.
There was a pause before Laurie looked up to Ripley again, looking at him with a kind of puzzlement.
"I don't understand..." Laurie began "I can't understand why you're being so nice. Why you care about us being safe."
Sure, perhaps Ripley's words about the gods being terrible were true. Perhaps the exiled really weren't quite as bad as they'd all been led to believe. But Laurie couldn't get his head around this sudden change. Was something bigger going on? Something to do with the gods? Were they planning something that had the exiled worried? If that were true Laurie didn't want something big enough to scare the exiled would look like.
He still didn't know if he trusted Ripley, but he did know he was confused and wanted answers.
"What is this about?"
Because, sure, Ripley had said his previous behaviour had been a defensive tactic. Laurie could see how that could be the case. But he wanted to know why Ripley was suddenly letting those defensive walls down, why he wanted Laurie to trust him.
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Demisexual
Leo
Surviving off Thai tea and Miguel O'hara
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Post by Leo on Aug 18, 2021 20:32:20 GMT -5
His hands felt soft in his own. Ripley looked down at their hands for a moment taking triumph in the fact that he could be Laurie's anchor. How sweet.
Glancing up through his lashes, Rip squeezed the boy's hands and sat them on his own knees. This poor thing was hurting so badly at the news of his boy toy being killed. He began wishing that the Ares kid was actually dead. More trauma for Laurie to go through and making his job of keeping Laurie on his side that much easier.
At Laurie's question though, he looked hurt. Then looked down at their hands again and leaned forward slightly. "I care because you don't deserve what the gods are putting you through. You're sweet and gentle and so protective of your friends. I can because I know you deserve the truth. You deserve to be happy and safe in a war none of us asked to be a part of."
Squeezing Laurie's hands again, Ripley lifted his gaze and locked his eyes onto Laurie's driving his next point home. "You shouldn't have to end up like the rest of us did. Not like River did..."
The wicked grin that wanted to form on his face when he said that. It was a miracle he didn't burst out laughing then and there. If all he had to do was keep mentioning his dead boyfriend to keep him complacent then there were going to be no problems. Ripley just had to make sure he didn't smile or laugh through all of it.
"You don't trust us yet, that's ok. You can even trust me less and I'll accept that," Set's champion muttered quietly not breaking eye contact with the french boy. Even when he raised their hands and pressed his lips to the knuckles of Laurie's hands, he kept looking at him with that soft expression. "But, I'll do everything to prove myself and my friends to you. Prove that we're the good guys."
Slowly letting go of his hands, Ripley got up and started towards the door to his room again. He looked over his shoulder as his hand landed on the door handle. "Get some rest. I'll grab you something to eat and come back in a bit," he said with a gentle smile. And before Laurie could protest to say anything, Ripley was gone.
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Aug 19, 2021 11:39:39 GMT -5
Ripley’s words and sympathetic expression did make Laurie feel safer. Didn’t completely get rid of the knot of confusion and doubt, but did ease it a little. He did seem genuine. Maybe just because Laurie wanted to believe this guy meant no harm. Maybe just because he felt a shadow of distrust of Dionysus himself and something about Ripley’s words about the gods rung true. Maybe because he was hurting and confused and wanted an explanation. He wanted something to hold onto, something to help him understand the confusing mess his life has become ever since he’d let the gods into it.
Maybe because he just wanted some comfort and didn’t care who it came from.
And he was right, the gods were putting the Ascendants through a lot. Making them fight a war that wasn’t theirs and that they didn’t understand. Sure, Laurie’s life hadn’t exactly been perfect before but at least he’d been able to make his own decisions, protect himself from things. As an Ascendant he hadn’t even been able to protect himself from falling for River, never mind from the exiled. It had been so much better before the spark of hope and excitement being an Ascendant had given him had made him vulnerable emotionally, physically and mentally. Before, he’d been able to close himself off, have mindless fun, be numb. Now everything was real and painful and people relied on him - which, for the record, was a terrible idea.
And he’d never asked for any of it. None of them had, maybe not even the exiled.
When Ripley kissed his hand, he caught his breath. He didn’t know how to react to that. Part of him wanted to balk at the touch, but for some reason he didn’t. He mostly felt shocked at the unexpectedness of it but also more bewildered than ever because he couldn’t for the life of him figure out how he felt about it. Something about it didn’t feel right, but it wasn’t unpleasant. It felt strange, but it was also gentle and comforting.
While he hadn’t expected it in that moment, it wasn’t entirely surprising in itself. Ripley had been flirting with him all the way through their last encounter, after all. This guy had never made any effort to hide that.
Laurie’s mind was whirling, unable to really process what was happening or settle on a feeling. This was overwhelming, a lot to take in. Laurie just swallowed, unable to articulate any kind of response even if he knew what he wanted to say.
All he knew was that at that moment he was safe and alive, and his first priority was to stay that way. Anyway, he wasn’t completely helpless if this man was less genuine than he’d at first appeared to be. Laurie still had his powers, after all. Granted, it probably wouldn’t end well if he used them, but he’d cross that bridge if and when he came to it.
Thankfully, Laurie was excused from the Herculean task of making any response because Ripley moved to leave, telling him to get some rest. It was around that point that finally, the familiar voice of Dionysus echoed in his head once again.
”I’m back, I’m here. It’s okay, kid.” Dionysus sounded kind of rushed, with even a slight frantic note in it. Laurie had never heard the god sound truly frantic before.
Was that genuine concern or had he actually been listening all that time and wa a just chiming in as Ripley was leaving so he could lie to Laurie? The Ascendant had his doubts now.
”I’m sorry, I was trying to get the other gods to help and-“ Dionysus continued but trailed off uselessly, unable to offer any more
It was like a bigger apology was hanging in the air, but one Dionysus didn’t seem like he was going to give. It somehow made the air feel heavy, if such a thing was possible inside ones own head.
Laurie didn’t listen, instead just nodding to Ripley to show he’d understood what he’d said as he left. Once the door closed again Laurie sat for a few moments in the quiet, staring at the door Ripley had just stepped out of.
”What did he say?” Dionysus questioned, and Laurie could hear his suspicion and dislike instantly.
Laurie shook his head, not taking his eyes off the door. He took one of his hands in the other, the knuckles still tingling as if with static after Ripley had kissed his hand.
After what the exiled had said, he didn’t know what to think anymore. Some of what Ripley had said rung so true for Laurie, recalling the very words he’d said to River that night by the lake about hoping the gods didn’t make them all Heracles. After all, the gods weren’t really protecting them. If they were, none of this would have happened. River wouldn’t be dead.
A seed of doubt had been planted already, and now he didn’t know how he felt about telling Dionysus anything. Why had he immediately trusted someone who’d simply seemed to assume Laurie’s allegiance and trust was a given?
He felt uneasy, but he didn’t know about what. So, cautiously, he simply opted to lie.
”Nothing.”
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Post by 𝕊𝕙𝕒𝕕𝕠𝕨 on Aug 19, 2021 15:06:30 GMT -5
It had been quiet in the Pantheon since the kidnappings. Since River isolated himself, tending to his own wounds, ignoring Lucien at any given chance. Luka had done a lot of introspection during that time.
Introspection about River, the confident, but prickly man. Thorny walls built up, threatening to cut you if you ever tried to tear those walls down. She was done trying to understand him, understand how he could be so silent and secluded while so many were gone.
It’s what Luka thought she would do when she came face to face with an issue. An issue that she didn’t need to be involved in, one that didn’t affect her. She had to look after herself, her own carefully crafted house of cards, and had to defend herself from the world. At least, she did before the Pantheon.
She didn’t expect to care as much as she did about them. She didn’t want to care as much as she did, but she did care, and that’s what sealed the deal on it all. Family. Luka had despised the idea of family for a long time, because it was something other people could have, but she didn’t. But the Pantheon had gifted her with friends who were close.
So she couldn’t seclude herself, couldn’t break and give up. Not when Cleo pointed out that Lucien and Luka needed to help. Not when Theo and her ran into that strange masked man. And certainly not after her argument with Chiara.
Which brought her into the Meeting room, 4 chairs left barren, and her being in a new spot. A spot usually held by Naida, by Cleo’s chair in the middle. There were only three people in there, Lucien, Cleo, and herself. Aside from them, there was a projection on the wall, a map with a single bright violet dot and a single darker colored dot.
Laurie’s key, which was located in a cove surrounded by ocean. Additionally, there was the darker dot, Pascal’s key. On the last mission to investigate the Warehouse, they had found the other keys.
Luka watched the two keys with tired eyes. They had been researching for a while, looking up some about the area, and other such. It was tiring. She didn’t like it. She’d much prefer if goodie-two-shoes Chiara did this instead. An annoyed look crossed her face at that.
Reading a few paragraphs of an article that they had printed off, the words blurred together, and she dropped her head onto the paper, sending some flying off the desk as she gave off a whine of annoyance, a petulant look on her face as she turning her head to glare at Cleo.
“I hate existing,” she said with finality, glaring at the other leader who hadn’t even looked up from their own paper, glasses perched on their nose, papers in their hand.
Cleo did spare her a glance though, and reprimanded her, as if talking to a child, “Can you stop?” They questioned, sounding very much like a parent, “We’re kind of busy.”
“I don’t think I can just stop existing, Cleo,” Luka pointed out, but did lift her head some, just for a second, before she set it back down, switching her look to Lucien then.
“Why are we so worried?” She questioned, deciding that if Cleo wouldn’t talk to her, she’d just talk to herself or Lucien instead. “It’s Laurie, they’ll probably return them soon with an apology note and offer us money if we take them back.”
Which was mostly a joke, but not completely. Honestly, she was surprised Laurie wasn’t back yet. She almost wondered if the Exiled had a lot of knowledge about the best grapes for making wine yet. Maybe Laurie would drive them insane soon, with that humor of his. Even when in danger, he’d make the dumbest comments about his shirts. Just thinking about it made her smile slightly, she missed her friend.
She missed that energy too. She too moped for a while. But how exactly did moping help anyone? Feeling sorry for herself wouldn’t fix things or bring Laurie or Echo or Pascal or Daniel or Naida back.
Still, they had to think about some movements. Research wasn’t really helping, and she was getting really tired of just sitting there.
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Aug 19, 2021 16:01:33 GMT -5
Lucien sat amid the many empty chairs in the leaders’ room, reading his own article as he held in one hand the dog tags that now hung on a chain around his own neck. River’s key that he had left in Lucien’s possession. He’d resolved to keep it safe in the hope that River would want it back, and so it stayed around his neck most of the time.
It reminded him what he was doing this for. For the kidnapped kids, and for River. He took responsibility for the part he’d played in River’s suffering and he was determined to do everything he could to make things right again. Not because Cleo wanted him to. Not because he was a leader and he was ‘supposed’ to. Because he wanted to.
Every now and then his eyes would flick to the map, the glowing dots that were by now etched in his mind. Two keys. Just two, not all of them. What was the significance of only those two being separated. Laurie and Pascal? Why their keys in particular?
He was drawn from this thoughts but Luka and her exchange with Cleo. God, this was not going to be an easy time. The three of them didn’t get along at the best of times, never mind when they were all stressed and sleep-deprived.
Luka than addressed him, making a joke about Laurie. Lucien couldn’t stop himself from giving a small snort of laughter. He knew how serious the situation was, but he appreciated Luka’s attempts to cheer them up.
”Maybe they got lost in the mail. Can’t rely on the postal service these days.” was Lucien’s reply
He would comfortably joke with Luka about this all day, but another part of him knew that while they were joking about this, their friends’ lives were potentially on the line. Hell, they could already be dead. They needed to keep moving.
That was why he slid the article away from him on the table, sitting back in his seat and looking at Cleo, addressing them.
”Luka’s right. We need to try something else. Or at least I do. This studying shit isn’t my thing, I can’t just sit here and read while all of this is going on. I need to go out and do something, I’m no use here.”
He felt too anxious. He needed to go out and do something, feel useful rather than trying to cram words into his head. Even if it wasn’t going out in a mission, even if it was just a support role in the Pantheon. But he needed something, anything at all that wasn’t reading or sitting around being anxious.
”I can’t keep staring at those damn keys on that map and not doing shit about it.”
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Post by 𝕊𝕙𝕒𝕕𝕠𝕨 on Aug 20, 2021 15:19:54 GMT -5
Luka had chuckled at Lucien's comment, and watched in fascination as Cleo choked back a smile. They were really fighting to keep an amused grin off their face, and it was obvious by the twitch of their lips.
Though in the end, Cleo's seriousness didn't waiver all the much, instead they only rolled their eyes at the boys comment.
Luka immediately piped up, a look of thoughtfulness on her face, "Honestly, between Pascal's anxiety, Laurie's excessive drinking, and Echo's fear of everything that moves, I can only hope the Exiles have a therapist."
The look she got from Clemenetine just made her cackle a bit, the raised eyebrow and straight-lined lips really helped get the unspoken 'Really?' across.
But then Lucien was bringing up the fact that instead of just reading, they needed to do something. That was what she wanted to do, without expressly saying it. Expressly saying it meant getting serious about the whole situation and she really didn't want to fall into the reality that her friends were really in danger.
Still, she'd have to suck it up eventually. She agreed with every word he said.
Cleo looked slightly hesitant, as one may expect, looking away from the two and back at the reports, "We've inspected the building already, we inspected Luka's videos about the mysterious newcomers, and we're looking into the region they are in," they carefully started, today they really did not want to fight. Everyone was tired. But... "We can't just put ourselves in an area of danger, we have to understand what we're getting ourselves into."
"But we can't," Luka retorted, straight to the point, sharp a whip as she turned towards Cleo, gesturing at the map, "We have no idea about the Exiled base. We have no idea what it's like there and no amount of reading will tell us anything."
Cleo sighed out, long expel of breath accompanied by a glare, "We can learn some about the building, about what it used to be like, we can find maps and information about where things could be and-"
"And what good would it do?" Luka inquired, "The Exiled live there now. That's like taking the blueprints for a house from 100 years ago and expecting it to look the exact same," narrowed eyes focused on Cleo and Lucien, a grin resting on her lips, "You may be the responsible hand of justice, Cleo. But Luci and I? We aren't."
Looking at the male, to see what he thought of what she mentioned so far, she shuffled her papers, placing them top the side haphazardly, glad to be doing something other than reading for once.
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Aug 20, 2021 16:04:27 GMT -5
Lucien had smiled at Luka’s joke, thinking fondly of their missing friends. But the ever-present knowledge that they’re ere in danger soured the moment a little. Their friends deserved so much better.
Lucien didn’t want to admit it, but the pressure had been getting to him more than ever. With only three leaders in the Pantheon, everyone was looking to them. And Lucien truly didn’t know if he could stand up to the scrutiny. If he was the person the Ascendants needed. But he was what they had, and he couldn’t step down as leader while they still needed him. Cleo had made that abundantly clear.
He’d spent more and more time either in his room or the training rooms when he wasn’t working with the other leaders, and he could tell that even Apollo was growing a little anxious about the change in his behaviour. He could hear the unspoken concern, the desire to ask if he was alright. But he wasn’t alright, and they both knew it. Nothing was alright in that moment, so what was the point in asking?
Still, like the other Ascendants Lucien had dealt with ‘not alright’ many times before. Forged signatures for his teachers so they’d think his mother was okay. Staying at band practice late to stay out from under Elara’s feet when things were bad.
This was just another thing to get through - and more important than ever, because his friends were in danger now.
He shook his head at Cleo when they started talking about it not being good to put themselves in danger.
”I think it might be too late for that.” he answered, but he knew they all knew that really. He was just bringing a truth to the surface that they were all aware of but refused to acknowledge.
Their chance to solve this situation in a safe way was so far in the rearview mirror that Lucien wasn’t even sure it had ever been there. And the longer they waited the less chance they had of finding their friends alive. If they were still alive.
But something about their keys blinking on that map gave him hope. Sure, it was an obvious trap, but it had to be more than just a cruel taunt, right? It had to be a distraction from the real mission, rescuing their friends from the base. Which would mean they’d have to still be alive. Maybe it was a stretch, but it was all he had.
He cared about these people more than he cared to admit. He had a family back home, sure, but he’d never connected with people the way he connected with some of the Ascendants.
”You said this was our chance to ‘change your mind’, though I still seriously doubt such a thing is possible.” Lucien continued to Cleo ”We’re neither going to prove ourselves as leaders nor help our friends by sitting around here. Leaders are kind of limited resources right now. There are other people who can read these.”
He was trying to put this in practical terms, because he knew that would appeal to Cleo. They could respect those points more, with any luck, than an emotional appeal about his desire to feel less hopeless, less directionless. His need to feel useful. His need to get out of his own head. He needed to know his friends were okay.
He looked at Luka, nodding to her, the corners of his mouth pulling up into a light smile. A tired one, but a smile nonetheless.
“I’m with Luka on this one. We need to know more about their base if we have any hope of ever getting the others out of there. No amount of reading will prepare us for what it’s like in there, and we can never do any better than make a guess about the security there unless we see for ourselves.”
There was simply no substitute for up-to-date information gathered in person when it came to things like this. They all knew that. After all, the most they could get through reading was old layouts of the place and then they could only make educated guesses about the rest. That wouldn’t be enough.
”I say a stealth mission to their base. They’ve got us on the ropes right now after taking so many of us, the last thing we should do is go on the defensive. Otherwise this fight is lost before it’s even really started”
After all, when someone had you up against a wall you had to fight back. Taking the fight to the exiled was their only move at that point in Lucien’s eyes. Now wasn’t the time for holding back, wasting time they didn’t have doing research.
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Post by 𝕊𝕙𝕒𝕕𝕠𝕨 on Aug 20, 2021 17:18:12 GMT -5
Luka looked at Lucien as he began to speak, his ideas she agreed with. She watched Cleo then too, to see how they'd react. Their face was full of doubt, but they swallowed it back, sighing.
"I guess that makes sense," They said softly, nodding towards Lucien. But a full out rescue would draw too much attention. Those keys were obviously some trap.
At least, that's how it seemed.
Luka tagged on to Lucien's words, a mischievous look crossing her face, but not quite her normal one. More so darkened, vengeful. Expression alight at the idea of finally doing something. "The Exiled think they got something over us, they think they can control us. They won't expect us to go on the defensive, especially if we do so under cover of night." She pointed out, pressing her palms on the table and standing, fetching a marker, and beginning to write on the whiteboard in the room.
Project: Retrieving our favorite fighting Frenchman + others
"We can call it Profff....o," Luka said, capping her marker and turning towards Lucien and Cleo.
"Stealth mission, set in the night..." Cleo seemed unsure, but seemed to be at least accepting the idea and listening. "Though, we'll need a better method of communication, either using your phones and headphones or something else. Part of our issues last time had to deal with that." The edge of warning in their voice was there, but Luka seemed to skim over it.
Writing some more notes that were some twisted form of what Cleo mentioned, Luka grinned at Lucien, "Looks like we're going to break into the Exiled base, Princess!" Despite the fact that this was a mission, she sounded somewhat excited about it.
It was cut short, Cleo looking between them and shaking their head, "No," at the confused glance Luka gave them, they looked at the notes, away from the two, "We can't risk anymore leaders than possible. One of you can go, but if things go..." they looked between the two, gaze settled then on Lucien, their healer, with some worry, "If things go wrong, we need the other to be here, safe."
Luka's eyes widened at the words, crossing her arms, looking at Lucien to see what he thought of the words. Cleo had a point, though a morbid viewpoint of it. As if expecting failure. Luka couldn't exactly blame them, but it wasn't exactly comforting, and she commented on it, "So glad you believe in us, Cleo."
Regardless, she wanted to see what Lucien thought before she even contemplated it.
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Aug 20, 2021 17:52:25 GMT -5
Lucien smiled as Luka wrote on the board. He really did appreciate the fact that she continued to joke. He understood she wasn’t doing so to trivialise the seriousness of their situation, but that she was trying to keep morale up. Keep some sense of normalcy when everything was falling apart. He appreciated that. And he did appreciate a good mission with an acronym, if nothing else.
When she called him princess, he folded his arms and rolled his eyes.
”Watch yourself, Bubblegum Bunny, two can play that game.” Lucien retorted, but it was all friendly teasing of course. He wasn’t actually upset at Luka’s joking reference to his Hallowe’en costume.
But when Cleo said that only one of them could go and Luka made her comment in response, Lucien held up his hands before the two of them could go into it further. There wasn’t any point in a debate here. Cleo was right.
He looked deflated, though, at the prospect of not being able to actually be there. He supposed he didn’t have to go on the mission to feel useful, but he wasn’t feeling stoked about sitting around in the Pantheon, anxious about whether or not Luka and the others who went with her would return.
He sighed, lowering one hand and running the other through his hair as he looked down, leaning forward to plant his elbows on the table.
”No, I get it,” he said eventually after a moment of silence, trying not to sound too disappointed ”I’m the only healer we’ve got and all that.”
He had responsibility on his shoulders as the group’s only healer, a responsibility that had been drilled into him first by his run-in with Styx and then with the kidnapping. He had to be there if people needed him. People relied on him. And if he wasn’t there and someone got hurt, they could die.
He couldn’t risk himself like this on a mission this dangerous. He could take care of himself in an open battle with lots of other people around him, but stealth missions like this were risky. Besides, the pantheon needed protecting and the leaders were few.
”Luka can go. She had to sit out the fight before the kidnapping anyway, so it’s only fair.” Lucien answered, sounding more certain and resolve now ”I’ll stay. Make myself useful and be ready if I’m needed for healing.”
It seemed to be the obvious answer, after all. He didn’t want to force Luka into the danger, leading a group on her own, but it was clear which of them Cleo thought was better off staying. And the logic made sense, after all. Besides, Luka was better at stealth than he was. Small and fast.
He looked at the board for a moment, furrowing his brows.
”The question is who else to send.” he murmured. It would have to be a team that could carry off a stealth mission well. People whose powers would be of some benefit in this scenario.
He looked once again then to Luka. After all, while he had plenty of ideas for who they could send, it was Luka who would have to lead that group and it needed to be a group she would feel comfortable enough working with. After all, it was a stealth mission and so there wouldn’t be much opportunity for communication. These would have to be people she worked well with already, so they could be a streamlined team.
”Who do you want in there with you?”
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Post by 𝕊𝕙𝕒𝕕𝕠𝕨 on Aug 24, 2021 13:37:00 GMT -5
Luka hadn't liked the thought that only one leader could go. She understood why, but she didn't like that it was either Lucien or her, separated. They did everything as leaders together, they were the black sheep, but they stuck together in their rebellion.
Sure, Luka and Chiara had to face Fenrir that once, and Lucien was with River at that time fighting Gwen. In another of the fights, Lucien was with River again, but Luka hadn't been on that mission either. It seemed obvious who should lead the mission, the person experienced with fights more. Lucien had been in the most, with Cleo and Luka both only being in one.
Except the other two had their own idea, apparently. Lucien pointing out he was the only healer after Cleo gave him a concerned look that Luka couldn't read.
Cleo nodded, words soft, "We can't risk anything happening to you Lucien," it almost hurt to say. Almost as if his powers made him more important to protect. But he got the gist regardless. They couldn't play a game of skirting around hurt feelings, so they had to be blunt. Turning to glance at Luka with Lucien did, the boy asking Luka who she wanted to bring, they waited to see what she'd propose.
With the two glancing at her, she blinked a few times, a bit surprised. Eyes bouncing between the two, but quickly the shock melted away. She was being trusted with a mission. Which was exciting, to be fair, but was also kind of stressful. Still forcing on a grin, "Real comforting," she commented, raising an eyebrow, "Nice to see that anything happening to be is really concerning," she sarcastically said.
With the question of who she wanted to bring, she thought for a few moments. Thinking about the best choices strategically, the best people to work with, and who could work well with her.
"Theo," she replied, automatically. There was no question of that. Regardless of his abilities, he was closely connected to her, worked well with her. He'd shown with Eidolon that he could stand his own. Plus, this was a stealth mission, and if they did face an issue, his powers would be helpful.
Cleo noted down the name on a paper in front of them. They themselves were deep in thought. After writing they returned their thoughtful gaze to Luka, waiting.
Luka herself tapped her chin, before brightening up some, having thought of two people she wanted on the mission. "Ariella, she's strong, very formidable, and she gets along with Theo well."
Cleo nodded again, noting the name, and waited for Luka to list off her last person.
"And-" She cut herself off. There were a few people she could pick from, and while she originally had an idea, she doubted it slightly. Chiara was one of the Norse Squad, could sense danger, Chiara was the obvious pick. Chiara had fought against Fenrir alongside Luka. But Chiara was also someone Luka wasn't exactly seeing eye-to-eye with right this moment.
Voice trailing off, she contemplated it, voice finally escaping softly, "I guess the other person doesn't matter, does it?"
Cleo looked up, frown present, "Listen, it has to be a small group, but you need enough people that if something happens, you can handle it." They pointed out, before rolling there eyes, "But if you won't pick someone, I'll suggest a person for you," they contemplated for just a moment, before offering up the name Luka dreaded, "What about Chiara? Her danger sense could be crucial, and you guys have fought side-by-side before."
Looking to the side, at Lucien, Luka sighed out, "Sure, whatever," she commented, eyes narrowing, "I mean, how would I know it's a mission for the Pantheon of all things if there isn't at least one person there to remind me of how bad of a leader I am?" She chuckled at her own comment, looking back at the board, and writing more cursed versions of the mission plans.
Her chance to show what she could do, and the expectations she'd always wanted were starting to suffocate her. Because right now, no one was expecting her to fail, no one was expecting dissapointment. They were relying on her. Expecting her to do well. The weight of their need for her to succeed was shackled to her wrists, around her body, making her breaths a reminder of what they needed her to do.
What Laurie needed her to do.
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Aug 24, 2021 14:58:11 GMT -5
Lucien had nodded in response to Cleo when they said they couldn’t risk anything happening to him. He didn’t like it, but he knew they were right. If he weren’t there to heal people he didn’t want to even think about what might happen. He might act like he didn’t care about these people but the irritating truth was that he did, and he didn’t want them to get hurt. Especially not if it was something he could prevent.
But when Luka commented sarcastically on their lack of concern about her, Lucien was quick to reassure her in that teasing way the two of them tended to do, offering her a flash of a smile.
”Oh, don’t get me wrong,” Lucien responded ”If something happens to you I’ll have to kill you. You have to be careful out there, okay, Snake Girl?”
How would he ever cope without Luka being a massive pain in the arse
Honestly, he was terrified. He remembered telling Apollo in a conversation the night before about how scary everything was now. How it felt like the world was ending and they were powerless to stop it. But that was a good thing, Apollo had said.
Because sometimes you had to feel like the world was ending at least a little to be able to fix it.
Lucien had noted the way Luka had trailed off when she was about to name her final pick, the way she’d looked at him after Cleo had suggested Chiara. Right, the two of them had been in some kind of little spat recently. He didn’t know what it was about, since Chiara didn’t tend to get angry easily unless it was with the exiled. But he knew the Heimdallr champion had been overworking herself. He’d seen her amid piles of books in the library, working whether there was someone there helping her or not. She always appreciated help, had clearly been so grateful for Ariella and Jason. But when she was on her own she continued to work. Once he’d seen her asleep on top of a book, unable to keep her stinging tired eyes open a second longer. If anything was going to make her more short-tempered on top of all the recent stress, it was that lack of sleep.
Still, he knew he could suggest another person. Hopefully someone who could help.
”What about Lane, too?” Lucien offered ”She’s fast, and her guide is literally the god of thieves. She has to be decent on a stealth mission.”
Not to mention that she was good at getting along with people - better than Lucien was, for sure. She would be good at dissolving any tension if necessary. Though Lucien was sure that both Theo and Ariella would be good at that too; Theo was socially aware and wouldn’t appreciate tension between Luka and Chiara, plus he knew them both well. Ariella… well she was so friendly and warm and kind. She would be sure to help everyone get along.
Still, he just wanted to be helpful to Luka, do his part for making this mission easier for her seeing as he wasn’t going to be able to be out there with her.
Next, he turned to look back to Cleo. He might not be going on the mission, but he still intended to make himself useful while it was going on.
”I’ll be on standby ready for if anyone comes through the infirmary. But I can help you find information on the layout of the place before the exiled were there so we can direct them if needs be.” he suggested
Even if the building was occupied by new people and the rooms used for different purposes, hopefully the room layout would hopefully be mostly the same so they could at least plan routes through the building.
This mission was not going to be easy, and Luka and the others would need all the help they could get. Lucien would not just stand around and do nothing. He couldn’t do that anymore. The nerves were too much, the pressure too high. It would feel wrong.
Knowing the others needed them, knowing that their situation was partly his fault, he couldn’t just stand by. He’d be as useful as he could. Not to please Cleo, because honestly at this point he’d stopped caring what Cleo thought of him. The two of them could get on civilly and work together and that was all Lucien was bothered about.
Nor was he doing it for the gods and whatever crazy fate they’d set out for him, whatever mission they thought he had to complete. He and Apollo were getting along better lately but he wasn’t going to make decisions based on what the god would think of them.
No, he was doing it for the rest of the Ascendants. Because he knew they’d do the same if it had been him. In fact, when it had been him. He recalled how concerned River had been for him when he was hurt, how much Pascal had done to help him. How Cleo had saved his life, which was an undeniable fact no matter how much the pair argued.
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Aug 29, 2021 17:55:49 GMT -5
FUTURE WRITING - NOT CANON, JUST PLAYING AROUND It was the night before Laurie and River’s wedding, and understandably Laurie couldn’t sleep. He never had been able to sleep the night before a big or important event, and the next day meant so much to him he didn’t know how to put it into words. River meant more than he could put into words.
As the digital clock flashed 2 AM, Laurie’s restlessness finally drove him out of bed. He rose to his feet, body buzzing with nervous energy as he grabbed a dressing gown, pulling it around his body as he crossed the room to seat himself on a window seat.
River was in another room, the two of them having separated earlier that day for their own celebrations and errands. Things like picking up their suits after the final alterations were done, and Laurie had picked up his sister after her arrival from France. She hadn’t been able to come sooner than that to help with the wedding preparations, as much as she would have wanted to have been there.
She’d brought some important things from France, though, for the wedding. Champagne, and coated almonds known as dragée. It was French wedding custom to give 5 to each guest symbolising health, wealth, happiness, longevity, and fertility. Laurie had never been big on traditions, but it seemed like a sweet (pun intended) idea for a wedding favour and it meant a lot to Denise. Besides, he was proud of where he came from, he wouldn’t miss an opportunity to honour it on their big day.
Still, Laurie and River wouldn’t see one another until they walked the aisle the next day.
But Laurie was so used to his fiancé’s presence, his familiar warmth, his smell, that he was sure River’s absence was part of the reason he was finding it hard to sleep, not just the anticipation of the day.
But was that really all?
Laurie looked out of the window, taking in the pale silvery moon and the scattered net of bright stars. It brought to mind that night by the lake. Laurie stretched out one leg but drew up the other knee, resting his head against the glass and feeling the cool touch against the side of his forehead.
But the illuminating light of the night sky also seemed to bring clarity, bringing into sharp focus a knot of anxiety in Laurie’s stomach.
It wasn’t that he had cold feet about marrying River, of course he didn’t. He loved his fiancé. And he should know; he’d seen about a hundred demonstrations of what was not love in his life. Ripley being the primary example. He had been consuming, controlling, had owned Laurie mind, body and soul. Had told him he loved him in the same breath as he insulted him. Had told him he knew what was best for him while causing him pain. Had manipulated him, made him doubt everything.
But River couldn’t be more different. Laurie had never felt more safe with anyone. Had never felt such absolute faith that he wouldn’t be hurt or lied to. Laurie had never loved somebody so much. He still smiled a stupid goofy smile whenever River entered a room as if it was the first time he’d ever seen him. Every moment felt new and exciting even though he knew River completely, had trust in him he didn’t have with anyone else, not even his sister or his friends.
There’d been so much hurt in their past but it felt so hopeful now. They were in a good place, were working together to support eachother through the things that wouldn’t heal. Sometimes one of them would need a little space, a little distance, and they understood that. Sometimes they needed closeness and security, and they understood that too.
Everything was so positive, if not perfect, but that was the problem. Laurie was so scared he was going to mess it up like he did whenever he had a good thing. That he was going to self-sabotage, or ruin everything. Or lose himself like his father. Most importantly, he was afraid he was going to hurt River. That he didn’t deserve someone good and caring. That he wasn’t good enough for him and he’d only end up causing him pain like he’d done before.
It wasn’t true, he knew it. He loved River and would never want to hurt him. He’d learned so much from who he used to be and he intended never to be that person again. Besides, they both had the support of their friends and their guides.
He would be okay, he told himself. He’d do it scared if he had to, because he knew it was the right choice. He’d never been more sure of anything. River was everything to him and he knew that.
He was choosing, and he would choose River over and over again each and every day. That was why he knew he was ready. Ready to work at marriage, which took work even when the spouses weren’t both carrying immense trauma they would likely actively be working to heal from for the rest of their lives.
But it was okay. It was all worth it, for River. Nothing was too much when it was with him. When they were a team.
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Sept 8, 2021 17:26:43 GMT -5
All Lane could think about was him.
The conversation the two of them had both had together sitting on the beach in Daniel’s room. Their conversation with Eydan back when they were camping. She’d been so stupid, dancing around things rather than telling him she liked him. Or telling him how much she enjoyed spending time with him.
Now he was gone, and he was in danger. She didn’t know if he was even still alive, or if she’d ever see him again. She couldn’t lose anyone again. Not just when things felt okay for the first time in a long time. Her high-energy, bubbly demeanour concealed a lot. And this time it just might have concealed from Daniel her true feelings.
After that night, Lane had kind of been lost amid the chaos. The remaining leaders had immediately set to making some kind of plan, and most of the others had taken to training or the library. Lane had trained a little, but she’d felt so empty and dejected that she could hardly focus.
Instead she’d tried to keep herself busy in other ways. Keeping the Pantheon clean and running while the others worked. She wasn’t an incredible cook but she’d cooked all her own meals for the last three years so she wasn’t terrible, so she’d made herself useful there. Relaying messages around the Pantheon using the intercom, carrying equipment and tools to where they needed to be. Anything at all, really. Anything that meant she didn’t have to face up to what was happening.
Because that was what she always did, wasn’t it? Run away from her problems? It was why she’d even ended up on her own far away from home in the first place. She’d run from her feelings for Daniel, and from being chosen as an Ascendant. Because after all, she loved her new powers but seemed determined not to take the realities of life as an Ascendant seriously. She hid her fears and denied harsh truths with her excitable, positive personality. She pretended Hermes had never told her anything about the fact that her soul hung in the balance.
But she couldn’t hide from the fact that her friends were missing and in danger. She couldn’t deny the fact that Daniel was in trouble.
She was in her room, curled on the bed as she stared into nothingness, eyes fixed on the wall but her gaze only on the thoughts racing through her mind. She couldn’t continue to do nothing, it was becoming to hard. The nervous energy was growing, and she was itching to take some sort of action. It was like insects crawling beneath her skin.
”Whatever you’re thinking, don’t do it.”
Right on cue, Hermes. There probably to spout his usual nonsense. There probably to tell her that she should look out for herself and forget about the others.
”Is that specific to right now or is that a general rule?” Lane muttered back, deciding she had nothing better to do so she might as well bite and let Hermes say when he wanted to say.
Perhaps he might by some miracle have some useful advice; he very rarely did. His thing was more captioning the obvious, despite the that helps was very clearly incredibly intelligent. She supposed he just used his brains for being a trickster - something she hoped would come in useful eventually.
”A general rule,” Hermes replied smoothly ”but I’d very much like you to pay attention to it now.”
Lane rolled her eyes, unable though to keep the mirth from her expression. Hermes did always seem to be able to bring a wearied smile out of her, no matter what was going on.
”We both knew I wasn’t going to be able to sit around here and do nothing forever.” Lane pointed out defensively.
She didn’t want to stay. She wanted to help, but it was becoming increasingly obvious to her that the missions they were going on at that point weren’t getting anywhere. They had to take the fight to the exiled, and she was starting to think that she shouldn’t wait around for that.
Every second they waited was another second the others were in danger. They knew where they were, after all. And Lane was starting to think that to get the answers to their problem they might have to start looking in places they’d never dared to before.
“Lane, I didn’t save your life and piss off my uncle just for you to make stupid choices. Hades wants my head, at least make it worthwhile.” Hermes chided, something that was unusual for the normally laidback god.
Then again, the wrath of Hades wasn’t a joking matter even for Hermes. The Underworld over which he ruled was a powerful realm, holding Titans and primordial deities far older than the Olympian gods themselves. Not to mention his wife, a terrifying force of her own.
Lane sighed irritated my, sitting up in her bed to run her hands through her hair, closing her eyes. She bit back frustrated words questioning why he’d even made her an Ascendant at all if she couldn’t take risks.
Instead she settled for placating him.
”Fine, I won’t.” she reassured him reluctantly, clearly unhappy about having to agree.
But she had a strong feeling that this wasn’t the end of this for her. It wasn’t the last time thoughts of this idea would tempt her.
As she opened her eyes again, she caught her movement in the mirror, eyes settling on her colourful hair. As her hands released it, the locks sliding out of the grip of her fingers, she noticed the brown coming through at the roots, visible against the yellow and blue.
She couldn’t hide any longer.
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Demisexual
Leo
Surviving off Thai tea and Miguel O'hara
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Post by Leo on Sept 12, 2021 4:13:07 GMT -5
( Listen to Found/Tonight- Ben Platt & Lin-Manuel Miranda)
Who knows how long River had been in the training room this time. Wacking the same few animated targets over and over again. Hitting them with either his fists or his spear. Until there were torn open blisters and bloody knuckles. Until his breathing was dangerously short. Until there was a semblance of feeling in him.
He didn’t care that he was still healing from the warehouse incident. He didn’t care about much except being alone and getting stronger.
Ares had gone quiet on request of River. Not talking to him and not pushing him to do anything that involved the other ascendents. Though the champion could always tell that he was there. A burning feeling in the back of his mind that told him Ares was there keeping an eye on him. It was both comforting and annoying.
“Hey.”
River had picked up his spear again and was moving back to the mat to continue fighting. He stopped before he could step on it and turned back around to see who had greeted him.
Jason was standing in the entrance to the training room, one hand on the doorframe and the other patting his leg awkwardly in a fidgeting way. He glanced around the room quietly trying to think of what else to say at that moment. Glancing down at the ground he settled on: “You’re bleeding you know.”
River scoffed and stabbed his spear into the mat in front of him. It stood up like he wanted it to but it threatened to lean to the side as it wobbled. River couldn’t give a damn about it. He was more focused on getting water and finding the spot where the bleeding was worse. And making sure that Jason left so that River could be alone. “What do you want?” He asked harshly.
“I know you want to be left alone but-“ Jason started as he moved into the room. Though he was cut off when he ran into a rack of swords and they made a loud ass noise. Grabbing the rack quickly, he tried to keep it from falling over, which was successful but some of the knives and short swords tumbled to the ground. “But I have a request,” he finished when he was certain that it was quiet and nothing else was gonna fall over.
“Go ask someone else,” River suggested rather coldly. Unfortunately for him, Jason wasn’t having it.
“Can’t.”
“Why not?”
“You’re our best fighter,” Thoth’s champion countered. He kept moving forward, head angled down at the ground and he was sliding his feet forward carefully as he went. He wasn’t moving quickly but instead very cautiously like…
“Try again,” River sighed heavily and took a large swig of water. He took a breath and wiped the sweat from his forehead and neck. With this long pause in the action, he was starting to feel the fatigue in his muscles. It’d be a miracle if he could move at all the next day.
Jason kept approaching River with his careful steps, his face souring and his voice taking on a sharper edge. Annoyed, River realized. He’d never heard Jason annoyed like this before. “Fine. You’re our most experienced fighter. And I know you won’t be easy on me.”
River glanced at Jason when he finally came to a stop in front of him and looked up into his eyes. Although not really. Jason was technically looking over River’s shoulder, at basically nothing but the empty training mat. “You want to learn how to fight while blind,” River put together. The turn in Jason’s head so that he was directly looking at River now was the confirmation that the Ares champion needed.
“It’s nice to know that someone sees promise in me for once…” Jason muttered quietly. There was a sadness that carried a lifetime of pain in his voice. The way that his hands started fidgeting at his sides again seemed like nerves mixed with determination this time. He wasn’t going to take no for an answer.
“Jason-“
“You’re just in a slump right now. You’re like…” Jason snapped his fingers together trying to think of his next words. Something that wouldn’t make his curse any worse. “You know the mentor that the protagonist has to go find in a story?”
River raised his eyebrows and scoffed at the question. Tossing his water bottle to the side he shook his head and moved to grab his spear. “I have never willingly sat down and read a book.”
“Don’t be a **** you know what I mean,” Jason snapped causing River to pause in his movement. “You’re the former hero with a bitter view on life after years of trying to do good. Reluctant to help the new heroes cause it might just turn out the same way over and over again. But, you’ll help us again. You’re stubborn and you care way too much about us to just give up.”
Again River scoffed and kept walking away from him. “This isn’t a story, Jason. Besides doesn’t the mentor usually die?”
“Like I said you’re stubborn.”
“So are you apparently…” River dared to laugh under his breath. The action of smiling felt ancient. It hadn’t even been that long since he’d last smiled and he’d definitely gone longer without doing so but… he still missed it.
Rolling his shoulders, River readied his stance in front of the automation which mimicked him, and took a fighting stance as well. The champion looked at the younger boy and raised his voice to a dismissive tone. “You should have been a leader. You give a speech like one,”
“And I certainly would have done better,” Jason replied back. Ares’ champion stared long and hard at Thoth’s champion after that statement. Looking for what he might have meant by those words.
But, there was no humor in his expression or his voice.
“Ready to begin?” The automation chimed in loudly. There was no way it could express emotion but it almost sounded annoyed as well. Everyone was just annoyed tonight.
“No,” River answered sharply and relaxed his stance. Fully turning to Jason, he gave him a hard stare even though he very much couldn’t see it. “Go find someone els-“
“We need help, River,” Jason pleaded and stormed up to him. The smoothness and the confidence in the walk caught River off guard and instinctively made him take a step back. Where was this confidence earlier when he was walking into the room? “We lost so many already we can’t lose you too…”
Long moments of silence filled the space. Long enough for Jason to fidget in front of River and cast his eyes this way and that. Unsure if he was actually in front of the other boy.
“I can’t yet,” River finally managed in a quiet voice. Almost as helpless and broken as he had sounded the other night. “I have to take care of myself first. Figure out how to… keep going for a little bit longer…”
Jason’s angry expression softened and he actually looked down at the ground. River didn’t have to say much more. He understood the feeling well enough.
“I understand that you need time,” Jason began slowly and carefully. “But, I’m letting you know right now we only have three leaders. All of them are intelligent in their own right but when left alone together make a disastrous combination and act stupider than a group of Chihuahua’s trying their hardest to kill a lion. I personally don’t trust those three to be left alone. Not after Cleo saying I was basically helpless and not after Luka and Lucien leaving without a word when people were on a mission. And especially since we don’t fully know what they are even planning to do next.
We don’t need River the God of War or River the homeless underground fighter. Not even River our fearless leader. We just need you.”
Stubborn ass River Gellis who wouldn’t tell us his name after days of being together. River who fights with Lucien only because your Gods have an ongoing rivalry. River who was comfortable enough to fall in love with a pretty french boy. The champion who cares for every single one of us regardless of how much you actually like that person.”
Even if it’s just one person at a time we need your help.” pressing his fist into River’s chest gently, Jason lifted his head and looked up at the fighter. “And I don’t think you should be left alone anymore,” he added quietly, worry in his brow.
“Are you ready to beg-?“
“Disengage.” River barked the order at the fighting machine. Quickly, it stood up straight and went back to its resting place. As it did so, River moved away from Jason and walked around him. “Fists in front of your face. One foot in front of the other,” the boy ordered, smacking Jason’s leg’s with the pommel of the spear gently.
Jason hesitated for a moment but moved after he got hit a few times, grunting mostly from the shock of it.
“Don’t tuck your thumbs in like that you’ll break them,” River corrected and moved to fixed his hands. When he was satisfied he took a few steps back and nodded. “Good. Now throw a punch.”
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Sept 12, 2021 17:54:13 GMT -5
SLIGHT FLASHBACK Lucien sat alone in the leaders’ meeting room, not long after Cleo and Luka had left following a meeting about a mission Luka was going to go on to investigate the warehouse.
The boy looked around at the empty room around him, eyes landing on each empty seat in turn. Naida. Irene. Luka. Cleo. Dillon. River.
He’s never been in the room when it was completely empty before, because he was never early enough to meetings to be the first one there. Maybe if he’d cared about this as much as the others obviously seemed to he might have made the effort to get there in advance at least once or twice.
The place was unnerving without any people in it. The unoccupied chairs loomed, polished surfaces reflecting a hazy and fractured version of himself back at him. The lights seemed harsher than they always had, like he could feel the cold beams burning into his skin. His stomach rolled, his hands tapping against the table nervously. He always did that when he was anxious, maybe because he was a musician. Like he was playing an imaginary guitar. Instead if soothing him, the sound just echoed uncomfortably around the room, a feeling of anticipation lingering in the air as if a response was expected.
The chaos the Pantheon was currently experiencing was clear. Papers were strewn across the table, particularly concentrated in front of the three seats occupied by the current leaders. He was supposed to read those, but at that moment Lucien’s mind was racing too much to allow him to focus on such a thing.
”Cleo was right,” he murmured, addressing Apollo. He could feel the god’s presence just as he always could. Almost like someone had turned on a torchlight in the back of his brain.
”You don’t mean that,” Apollo replied, a joke, before obviously taking in the turmoil Lucien seemed to be in and softening a little ”About what?”
”I’m wrong for this.” was Lucien’s response, taking a shaky breath before more words tumbled out ”I’m all wrong and I should step down as leader when this is over.”
As he spoke, he kept his gaze fixed down on the table, now busting his hands by taking one of the papers that lay there, folding and unfolding kne if the corners.
”I make mistakes, but choosing you wasn’t one of them. And the others wouldn’t have elected you if they didn’t see something-“
”I was elected because they thought it’d be funny!” Lucien interrupted, raising his voice ”nobody took it seriously. People saw me fighting with River and thought electing me would be a good joke.”
Nobody actually took him being a leader seriously. He’d be nothing in the group if he weren’t a healer, and that was only because he happened to have been given those powers by Apollo. The importance he had in the group was because of his powers and the stupid election of him as leader, not anything to do with who he was as a person.
”And the worst thing is that I’ve done nothing but prove them right.” he muttered bitterly
He saw River as a brother, but it was pretty clear that Lucien had a terrible track record as a brother. His relationship with his sister wasn’t exactly great, and a lot of that was of his own making. And River had been there for Lucien when he was at his most vulnerable, when he was scared and hurt after that fight. He’d felt so guilty that Lucien had been hurt while he had been distracted that he didn’t even have words for it. Just a silent hug.
And how had Lucien treated him in return?
All he did was push people away and hurt people. Apollo seemed to appreciate the twisted irony of making Lucien a healer, but Luci certainly didn’t. The only person he didn’t seem to hurt was Luka, but perhaps that was only a matter of time.
”I can’t be the person they deserve. Not even when I try.”
They deserved someone who fought, like River. Lucien just lashed out. They deserved someone organised and serious, like Cleo. They deserved someone smart and resourceful, like Luka. They deserved people like Naida and Dillon and Irene. They deserved someone else. Someone better.
There were lives on the line, and they shouldn’t be in his hands. They should never have been in his hands.
”That’s up to you to decide,” Apollo answered ”but I think we both know you won’t step down, because you care about them, Lucien. It’s tiresome to keep pretending you don’t.”
He frowned; he hated when Apollo was right. Which, frustratingly, was a lot of the time. Perhaps he couldn’t be the person he thought the others deserved. But maybe, just maybe, he could be enough. He’d settle for that, at least.
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Post by 𝕊𝕙𝕒𝕕𝕠𝕨 on Sept 13, 2021 17:18:58 GMT -5
Luka smiled at Lucien despite her slight agitation at the idea of going on a mission without him. His comment caused her to grin, "Me?" She questioned, "Like anything like that would happen! If anything I'm gonna have to keep the others out of trouble," she commented, simultaneously trying to help soothe his worries and also kind of honest. She had to save Chiara from becoming a squeaky toy, and Theo maybe didn't need saving but he also was fixing his hair during a fight. Not every Exile would stop to flirt with him (at least, she hoped not, she did hear stories about Ripley and Laurie though during that first fight though), and even people like Jason needed help from time to time too.
But then they settled on who to bring, and she wrote each name and silly comments. She paused at Lane's suggestion, pausing with her marker making a strange and loud squeaking noise on the whiteboard. Lane, she had nothing again Lane. Except the very obvious Lane and Daniel thing. Which nothing was wrong with project Dane, in all honesty Luka would tease both of them mercilessly about that development, but Luka had taken Lane from the Pantheon on the day Daniel and the others went missing.
Luka, as much as she knew she wasn't to blame for the events, that it was just coincidence, she knew Lane may have. Lane may as well hate her by now, and Luka couldn't exactly say "OK boomer" and leave it like that.
But Lucien was right, and as much as Luka felt bad for Lane for this, she wrote her name in her strange mix of fanciful and playful handwriting, turning around and capping the marker. "Lane's a good pick," Cleo replied themselves, and they nodded to Lucien's offers on ways to help, and slowly they all pieced together a rough plan.
Eventually, Cleo stood, stretching some, obviously exhausted, "I'll let you handle this one, Luka." They commented, fixing her with a stern but tired look, "Don't screw it up."
Luka nodded, rolling her eyes as soon as they stepped out. "Well, it's been fun Princess, but I'm going to go get together my troupe and prepare them for war."
She had some group training to do, after all. Because while she could just go all out and go unprepared, she'd like to have some semblance of what they were going to do beforehand, thank you very much.
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