Hellenist

Questions of science; science and progress [Closed/ Incomplete]

2011-04-04T00:03:00Z

Characters: Melinoe & Phonos
Date/Time: April 1st; 11:30 p.m.
Location: O'Shae's Bar & Grill
Rating: PG-13 (We'll play it by ear)
Warnings: Drinking and drinking and possibly some fighting
Summary: Meli's had just about all she can tolerate; and it doesn't help that the new testosterone has shortened her patience. Phonos is coming to keep an eye on her

This was just ducky, wasn't it?

In one day, she'd managed to turn into a man, ostracize her best friend and still come out as the clear and undefeated loser of an ongoing attempt in getting someone she cared far too deeply for to realize that maybe it was all right to feel something. Well, maybe feeing anything wasn't such a great idea after all.

What works best for that? That burning numb of alcohol, best provided by someone else. At least she wasn't home becoming a slave to her couch anymore; just to a bar and barstool.

At one point, a girl came up and had the idea of wanting to chat He-Melinoe up. Luckily enough, Melinoe had the sense to not give her female mortal name. "Murphy." It sounded right and masculine enough. Her hand landed on Murphy's leg a little too high, and that just about did Melinoe in for the night in talking to anyone for more than "Can I get another, please?". Or standing upright. The pressure against the front of the jeans she wore was enough to make her thankful that she was not a man on a regular basis.

Many shots and some harder drinks later, Melinoe had some idea that checking her phone for messages was a good plan, which somehow lead to Phonos wanting to 'keep an eye on' her, and she was now waiting for him to show. "Stupid," she muttered to herself, throwing back what the bartender referred to as Jameson.

Still the One [Closed/Complete]

2011-04-03T20:15:28Z

Characters: Telemachus and Cassandra
Date/Time: After this.
Location: Telemachus's Place
Rating: PG-3 ish.
Warnings: Two people with plenty of gender issues attempting to deal with the new world order.
Summary: Eurterpe called it.

Things were better now that his Mother had put this version of himself in order. It was easier to breathe, to focus on his consistent mental state, with all this hair out of his eyes and the more distracting aspects of his person safely bound tight. It was still disconcerting but he could manage now. Clothes make the man.

He’d gotten back to his apartment an hour before Cassandra was expected- to put everything in order and to collect more clothes for her to wear. He used to love it when she wore his shirts but this was hardly the same. Telemachus practiced keeping his face in order, practiced how he would react, when he saw the most beautiful woman in the world as a man.

Hopefully well. She’d be here any moment now.

And there was the sound of the door opening. Right on cue.

--

Getting used to this body was easier than she thought it would be. Her body moved differently now but it wasn’t like she had extra limbs now. And it was nice to not be wearing a corset, even if she did love them.

She tried to be on time for when she saw Telemachus; it would be a huge adjustment to see him as a woman. Would she even really recognize him? After she let herself into his apartment, she called out quietly, “Telemachus?” Her voice still startled her. She wasn’t used to it being that deep.

--

“I’m here,” he called out in his high pitched new voice, but he went out to meet her as soon as he said it, better than making her search for him. “I’m right here.”

None of his practicing could stop him from staring at her. Him? Her. She was still Cassandra. Except in all the ways she wasn’t. The way she held herself, her eyes, her occasional uncertainty were all the same as they always were-- just in the body of a man. A very tall man with broad shoulders and-

“I have more shirts for you.” Telemachus looked at his shoes and gestured vaguely around the room. “Hi.”

--

Cassandra brushed her hair out of her face (why is it easier to control her hair than this hair?) and blinked at Telemachus. He was still him- she could tell by his body language- but he was very. Female. She reached out and tugged gently on a lock of his hair, not even thinking about what she did.

“Oh! Sorry! Thank you for the shirts though.” Should she hug him? It’s how she would usually greet him but this was all weird and awkward. “Um.”

--
So much hair. So much hair. Yank-able, grab-able, incredible hair tugged by a stranger who wasn’t a stranger at all. Cassandra. She was still Cass wasn’t she? Wasn’t she?

Telemachus didn’t particularly feel like himself.

“It’s not a problem.” Well if nothing else they were both obviously uncomfortable. They were on the same page with that. The two of them had been more natural when they’d first started dating and all they were doing was going to the Met together. It wasn’t supposed to be this way anymore. So Telemachus put on his man pants and attacked the elephant in the room.

He put his hand around his now unavoidable hips and resisted the urge to sigh. “What do you think? Of this?”

--

“I think you’re beautiful,” she said honestly. “It’s...different from how you usually look. But it’s nice.” She was really on the verge of babbling. So she had to ask him what he thought instead of continuing.

“What do you think? Of me?” Her hip was cocked in a way that would look natural on a woman but was a bit awkward in her male body- she immediately straightened herself out so she wouldn’t look as weird. “Is this body ok?”

It was taking most of her willpower to not reach out and touch Telemachus more than she had earlier.

--

Telemachus shifted uncomfortably and fell back to the couch. Beautiful would be a nice thing to be called, if he were a woman. But he wasn’t no matter what Khaos wanted this week and knowing he looked better as something he was not hurt even when he could articulate. He’d worked so hard to try and be the man people needed him to be.

And because they still needed him he smiled and stared at her as hard as he could to get his answer. She was still Cassandra. He wasn’t a woman. They were themselves. They had to be. “Your eyes are the same.”

It had to be enough until Khaos had her fun.

--

Cassandra couldn’t bring herself to sit down on the couch without an invitation. “I like you better as a man though.” She wasn’t sure if she liked being female more or not. Her body had been comfortable and hers, but she could defend herself better in this one. Men wouldn’t see her as just an object.

She also didn’t like being taller than her female body. Her head was going to be smacked on walls a lot. “It’s kind of weird that they’re the same. When everything else has changed.” She wrapped her arms around her waist, unsure of herself.

--

“... I like me better as a man too. For the record.” An afterthought, to be polite “Not that there’s anything wrong with being a woman. It’s … a nice place to visit?”

Telemachus sat up to take her hand. His were so small now. If he hugged her his arms might not go around her properly. “It’s only temporary.”

--

That made her laugh. “Being a man has always been better than being a woman.” They’re stronger and had more rights. It was evening out now, but they were still ahead. She took his hand in hers and silently marvelled at the size of it. Not being the smallest in the room was different. And odd. Very odd.

“Hopefully very temporary.” She sat down carefully, starting to cross her legs before she realized it would be painful to do that. Would she be able to pick up Telemachus and move him?

--

“I wouldn’t say that. It’s just the only thing I want to be-”

Telemachus was going to agree with the temporary, maybe lean against her to show they were in this together, but then she started to lift him up and he gave a terrible embarrassing shriek. The sort of sound a woman made when she spotted a man in her bathroom. He was so skinny. A light breeze and he would float away. “Cassandra!”

--

She laughed and set him back down again. “I couldn’t do that before. That’s part of why it’s better.” This was probably scaring him. He wasn’t used to being small and manhandled, he hadn’t had to live with it his whole life. “Sorry.”

Maybe if she kept her hands to herself, she wouldn’t keep touching and playing with her new body and his. She clenched her hands in her lap, twisting them in the fabric of her borrowed shirt.

--

“Maybe if you teamed up with your brother. Or snuck up on me.” Telemachus blushed and laughed and for a moment, one moment, he felt comfortable in his skin again.

“Hey. It’s okay.” She’d laughed but it was clear he’d upset her. Telemachus hadn’t meant to upset her. It was just surprise and embarrassment coming together to make everything difficult. He gently reached for her again; letting his fingertips wander across her cheek. “We’re adjusting. This is how we adjust. We try things. It’s okay.”

--

She tilted her head into his hand and smiled softly. “I could get you maybe an inch off the ground.” His reaction had worried her; she didn’t want to ruin what they had by being excited about her new ability to be strong.

“I don’t want to...drive you away. By being too physical or making you feel-” weak, female, like she had felt when Troy fell. “Uncomfortable.” She was so unsure of how to handle this all, it constantly felt like every move could be the wrong one.

--

“Two inches. With an incline.” If asked Telemachus would say she was plenty strong. A survivor. But she didn’t so he couldn’t so there they were. He snuggled himself a little closer instead, leaning against her abs, to show that it was alright instead of just repeating it over and over. The gender dynamic changed things: what would have been comforting felt almost passive with their size difference. But he still loved her. That was the important part. What made the difference. “I’m uncomfortable with myself, not with you. You’re fine.”

--
“Three with an incline.” That was really not true but she had to defend herself. It was instinctual. Cassandra wrapped her arms around Telemachus, running her fingertips gently up and down his arm. Petting someone who was pressed against her was just natural for her and it was almost easier to do in this body. It was more comforting? She hoped. “I love you.” Trying to reassure them both it was alright.

--

“I love you too.” That part was easy, as was curling into her touch and wrapping his arms around his girlfriend. He was right when he suspected she wouldn’t fit the same as she used to but it was nice all the same. A new formation for a familiar feeling. Still Cassandra, the words he had repeated to himself before still Cassandra felt more like a yoga mantra now. Peaceful. There were doing fine.

“My chest,” he commented idly. Now that the moment had calmed. “I’m so small compared to you. Would look terrible in a corset.”

--

She snickered. “My corsets made me look bigger than I am. ‘Sides I like you the way you are.” If he had had big breasts it would have probably made her uncomfortable. Or just weirded her out, since this way he was still kind of remotely close to how he had looked as a male.

To prove her point, she leaned down and stole a kiss. It was soft; she wasn’t trying to be forceful, just kiss him and let him know she appreciated him.

--

Surprised, again dammit, Telemachus took a moment to be befuddled. It wasn’t bad. There wasn’t enough to it for it to be unpleasant. It was just kissing, the most gender neutral thing you could do, more so than even cuddling since that required touching all the strange parts of things involved.

So he kissed her back. It seemed like the right thing to do.

--

The kissing was very nice. She deepened the kiss a little, silently inviting him to take control of it. Even though she liked being in charge to a certain extant, it felt right to let him do it now. After all, he was the one who suddenly was in a position where he had less control than he had had before. It made sense to her anyway.

She did twist a bit, though, so she could reach him easily.

--

Eurterpe had called it. Telemachus was thoroughly enjoying himself on top of her, his body knew how to respond even when he didn’t. Kissing and grabbing and smiling the whole time. The sounds he made still didn’t feel right but he could ignore them still. He could try.

--

Her arms went around his waist and she settled under him, happy to let him take charge and be on top. Now that she was more comfortable- in territory she understood- she reached up and cupped his cheek, making equally embarrassing noises.

At least they could be embarrassed together.

--

It was in this moment that Telemachus’s brain turned itself on again. It was nice to know that it was just as hard to do in any form. “Wait.”

“Are we-?” Telemachus removed his hands to gesture back and forth between the two of them. “Right now-?”

--

Cassandra froze, blinking up at Telemachus. “Um. Are we? Do you want to?” That would be...new? Weird? She didn’t know how she felt about the idea of them being together in these forms.

She loved him and it could be, well, fun. But.

--

“Not- really? I mean- not that. Not like this I would rather not,” he smiled at her awkwardly. “It just wouldn’t feel right. For me. I’m sorry.”

Inching himself upwards Telemachus allowed himself to stretch. “Because yeah.”

--

“No! Don’t apologize. I understand.” All things considered she didn’t really want to either. What if she hurt him? What if she got hurt herself? Somehow.

Still, she leaned up and kissed his cheek, smiling softly at him.

--

“Movie?”

--

“Okay.”

and at the end of all your lines [closed/complete]

2011-03-28T21:17:49Z

Characters: Polyxena
Date/Time: March 25th, midnight
Location: Polyxena and Paris' apartment
Rating: R
Warnings: Angst, blood, violence, death
Summary: Polyxena has her own private reaction to Helenus' breakup and comes to realize a few things. ETA: After a conversation with her brother, his words and the requirements of the event take a turn for the worse. (Reposted to include a few things that unfolded)

The bright screen her eyes had never quite adjusted to was the only light in the room. The sun had long since gone down, but even the moonlight was obscured by dark curtains. Sitting at the desk, in the uncomfortable chair with her back straight, hands folded loosely in her lap, head and eyes straight ahead. Piercing blue eyes staring intensely. Staring at the words on the screen.

Was she supposed to feel guilty? Did she need to blame herself? Was she the cause of the unhappiness that her brother was undoubtedly feeling?

Did she even care?

Right now, the answer was no. Logically, she knew that she should. After all, how many times had she said that her family’s happiness was most important to her? Besides, did she not prove that in Troy?

She glanced at the door, last she had seen Paris was laying on the couch, napping, suffering the same apathy that had overtaken her. It wasn’t just for Troy, she thought, but also for him, for Deiphobus, that she had made a large sacrifice of her own.

Had she not given up the only man she ever loved to her beloved big brothers? Just because it was what they wanted? Because they asked it of her. Did they even care that she had loved him so? She had cared that Paris had loved Helen, supported their relationship, bonded with her new sister, never blamed him for the war. No such support would she have received for loving her own Greek.

All of those dreams they had, all the plans that they had made. No one had understood her like he did. It usually made her so sad, so guilty, to think of him. Now, she felt nothing. There were no feelings clouding her thoughts, she could think with clarity for once.

Yes, she could see it now. Polyxena had been in the same situation as her brother, worse over, really. After all, she had not asked Helenus to do anything but consider his own safety. She did not demand Neoptolemus’ death. Not for her own reasons, anyway. She considered him her savior in a way, giving her the punishment she deserved for what she had done to his father. That did not mean that she thought his sins against her father and nephew were to be forgiven. She could never forgive him for that. Never.

Even if she could feel, for once she believed she would put her own self before her siblings. If that was what they persistently asked of her, perhaps for once she would do so. Even if it went against everything she had ever said, she would not give her brother the sympathy and guilt that she had never received. Maybe then they would start to understand all that she was going through and stop treating things so lightly. As if they had never happened. As if she could ever, ever forget all the things that had occurred leading up to the day her blood was spilled upon the land that she had given up everything for.

With these thoughts set in motion, Polyxena took to the keyboard. The conversation that set out before her would have frustrated her endlessly, but she could only see the illogical nature of her brother's words.

And then the words appeared. A command. Something within her stirred to complete what had asked of her. Silently, she stood up and walked away from the desk and toward the mirror on the wall. Without hesitation she raised a fist and struck the glass, sending shatters all over the floor. Shards fell across her face and arms, leaving cuts that she could barely feel. She reached for a particularly sharp-edged piece and held it to her neck. Quickly, she ran it across her neck, struggling to keep the flow of the cut as the glass caught upon her trachea.

With a rasping gasp, she fell to the floor. As she lay there, bleeding out over the carpet alone, she knew that she would wake up at some point. What had happened before would happen again. When it would happen though, was unforeseeable. She wondered thoughtlessly if Paris would find her, or if knowledge of her death here would be witheld from her family a second time around. Regardless, she did not care.

Blue irises lost their vivid color and light and her eyes succumbed to the empty nothingness that she had felt up to her last breath.

Call in three months time and I'll be fine, I know [closed/complete]

2011-03-25T22:13:02Z

Characters: Neoptolemus and Helenus
Date/Time: Just before the current event
Location: Their apartment
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: A bit of swearing, a lot of angst.
Summary: Sex does not make a relationship, kiddies.

Helenus had been trying to avoid Neoptolemus to the best of his ability. It wasn’t mature but maturity didn’t really factor in. It was easy to get distracted around Neoptolemus and not think of any of his problems. Which was not what he should be doing, not with his family around. He had to think about them and factor in what they wanted now.

He had escaped to the kitchen, grateful that Neoptolemus didn’t seem to be around. Probably still at work or something. With Mina gone now too, the place was completely empty. It seemed strangely quiet now, uncomfortably quiet even though he knew that barely two weeks ago he hadn’t minded the quiet.

He busied himself preparing a cup of tea, if only to have something to do. Between that and his own thoughts, he wasn’t paying any attention to the world around him.

--

Neoptolemus, as it happens, had just got home from work and had thought all the drive back. It was a common thing, these days – ever since Mina had departed and he had been left with room to think again instead of dealing with a mouthy, only occasionally affectionate teenager.

…He misses her.

He misses all of his children, and often Andromache, but he wasn’t thinking about them this time. Instead he was thinking about Helenus, and Helenus’ avoidance, and Helenus coming back smelling faintly of alcohol and still not talking to them. Their relationship, in the past week or so, has receded to a point of non-existance.

He drops his keys silently on the table by the door, slowly unzips his coat as he heads towards the kitchen.

But no more, he’s decided, no more. They need to fix this, no matter what it takes, and they need to fix this quickly before it becomes another festering point between them. He isn’t willing to have Helenus unhappy, especially with him, and not talking about it.

…Ah, he’s in the kitchen. That makes things a lot easier, “Helenus?”

He leans in the door, making sure that his bulk (muscle, mainly, he still works out just in case) blocks over half of it. He half fears that Helenus would run out of the door and down the street if he did anything else.

--

Helenus froze at Neoptolemus' voice. It was a smart fear for Neoptolemus to have because one of his first thoughts as running. Coming up with some lame excuse and just going as far away as possible. Cass' room possibly. When he turned and saw Neoptolemus blocking him he struggled to come up with another option.

He leaned back against the counter, trying to act nonchalant. At the very least, leaning back give him the illusion of a little more space. His smile didn't quite match his posture and he knew it. It was a little too tight, a little too nervous. "Hey."

There was always the possibility of physically distracting Neoptolemus. His fingers clutched at the counter, resisting that option. It wouldn't help anyone at all. "Did you...uh just get done with work?"

--

Neoptolemus obediently backs up a step, just to give him breathing room, but still doesn’t vacate the door. He trusts Helenus, he’s never had any reason not to, but there’s obviously something that he doesn’t want to talk about and he fears running while that’s still hidden. He also feels that fearing running is a sensible fear.

Still, he manages a hopefully soothing smile from his position. Best to get started with vaguely nice things, best not to leap right into the dark discussion if he doesn’t have to, “hello.”

“Yes, just got back,” and best to ease it in slowly; not immediately jump forward and shove it down his throat. Neoptolemus is aware that he’s treating Helenus like a startled horse but he feels that it’s the sensible option; since screaming and anger and accusations have never solved anything for them and never will, “what have you been doing today?”

==

Helenus relaxes a little when Neoptolemus backs up, even if doesn't give him enough room for the escape he wants. Treating him like a startled horse is really the best option right then. All his thinking and he still had no real idea what he wanted to do.

"I- Not much." He gestured vaguely towards the mug he had just filled with hot water. "Made tea. Nothing exciting." He ran a hand through his hair in annoyance, feeling pathetic and awkward. "It's really quiet here now." He said quietly, not quite meeting Neoptolemus' eyes. It was probably the closest he would ever willingly get to admitting he missed Mina.

==

“…Yes,” Neoptolemus’ eyes to distant for a moment; before he forces them to refocus on Helenus. Moping will do no good, “yes, very quiet.”

Admitting that he misses Mina loud and outspoken and sitting in her bedroom most of the day will do no good. Crying over her departure, or mourning their loss, or admitting that things seemed quite happy in the fake future will help nobody.

…No, only talking will, “but you haven’t been very loud for the past few days,”

==

Damnit. This conversation was not going to lead anywhere good and it still looked like Neoptolemus wasn't going to move. "I haven't had much to say," or he's had too much and doesn't know where to start. Talking it out would be the best option, but he wasn't good at admitting his problems to anyone who wasn't Cass.

"Sorry." He doesn't know what he's apologizing for exactly but he's sure there plenty of things he's done. Ignoring the man who told him that he loved him wasn't very nice.

==

Nowhere good, no. But somewhere necessary and that really had to do… Great, he’s sounding like a self help book and they’re nowhere near the self help part yet. Best to keep pressing onwards and try to ignore the faint urge to talk like Freud.

…He’s using humour to cover his worry, pity him.

“Really, even after suddenly gaining a daughter and then losing her again?” He’s frowning a little now; not angry, but more… Questioning. Hoping to draw out the secrets of life, or Helenus, with a few wrinkles upon his forehead “Are you sure?”

==

Helenus felt as if something inside him was twisting up painfully. He had tried not to care about her. He hadn't wanted it to be real and if he had accepted her, he might as well have just accepted that somehow he had lost 20 years. And all the choices that would have happened in that time. He had accepted the fates were really really powerful and couldn't be escaped a long time ago, but to just skip 20 years had been too much to accept.

Despite all his attempts to stay out, he couldn't ever go far and she was there whenever he came back. Somehow in that short time he had cared. Even though every second she was around, was a moment he might have seen how she died. Something else to haunt him for the rest of his life.

He squeezed his eyes shut. Blocking out Neoptolemus and this apartment and time and maybe when he opened them again he would be back in Troy. At the moment, a burned out city and a people who hated him seemed safer then his conversation. But after a long minute, the counter remained just as solid against his back. "What do you want me to say?" He whispered. "I didn't want to be a father? I was terrified of caring for her?"

==

Neoptolemus desperately wants to reach out at that moment. Wants to pull Helenus to his chest and close his eyes and just avoid all the world until they can somehow feel alright again. It’s another thing that they share now, the loss of a child, and a even worse thing than hi loss. For while his children, his babies, might yet arrive here Mina is gone forever, gone away. And it’s terrible but they could mourn her together…

“No, of course not,” he spreads his hands awkwardly, keeps his place, “I just… Want to know why you’ve been avoiding me for the past week; that’s all.”

…But they cannot.

They have to have this conversation. And that means no getting distracted, no falling apart. And no matter how much he just wants to hold Helenus and be held… Well, he can’t. Because he suspects Helenus would just stiffen and avoid things and he can’t allow that no matter how much he wants to.

==

The one thing he hadn't wanted to talk about, and now it was out here. He could deny it, blame it on schedules or something, but that sounded weak even in his head. He wished he had just tried to distract Neoptolemus from the beginning. There was no teenager anymore to have to worry about walking in on them. But it was too late now, he highly doubted Neoptolemus would let him get away with that.

Reluctantly, he opened his eyes again, accepting that he was here. Stuck here. He still can't make himself look at Neoptolemus. Not sure what he'll see in the other man's eyes but confident he wouldn't like any of it. Instead, he turned around. Finally accepting that looking for ways to escape wouldn't work, and pulled his almost forgotten tea to him. Wasting more time by taking a long sip.

He took the chance to collect himself, to push aside thoughts of Mina and family and what could have been. "I've been thinking." He finally said. "Trying to think."

==

He wouldn’t. Even if he wanted to. There can be no distractions, can be no dropping this for a physical connection. There is sex, yes, but there is the relationship that surrounds it and the relationship is always more important no matter what.

…He hopes that their relationship isn’t just sex.

He licks his lips before spitting that out, tilts his head slowly instead and tries to keep sensible and calm. The only way to get though this is to get through this, the only way to get through this… “thinking about what?”

--

Helenus mentally berated himself for being so cowardly and weak the he couldn't face Neoptolemus. So he made himself turn, made himself now meet Neoptolemus' eyes. His fingers were clutched tight enough around his mug that his knuckles were white. He'd faced down an angry council of old men, he could handle one man. "I've been thinking about us. And..." if his hands had been free he would have waved one vaguely, but instead he settled for a shrug. Trying to encompass their whole relationship and whatever that meant. "This. Being here."

His gaze trailed down to his tea. "Having family here." If they had never shown up, this would have all been so much easier.

--

And Neoptolemus has faced down… Nobody, really. Somehow he has always managed to slip out of most confrontations, like a Karma Houdini who really never wanted to be a karma Houdini. The fact that he was his father’s son (and that his father’s sperm apparently made his son magical and shiny and always right despite being a irrational teenage boy, thanks dad) meant that the commanders took a long time to realize his faults, the swift ending of the war meant that he was never confronted for those faults, He just fell into the manipulation of that old seer, and he left so quickly with only two Trojans basically in deep shock… Yes, he’s basically properly faced down practically nobody before.

…But he has to do it now.

Great.

“Have they been… Confronting you again?” He asks, softly. Half wanting to confront them again and half thinking about what they awakened him to when he dared.

--

"No." Helenus straightens slightly because something in the question touched on his pride. "I can handle it if they were." Which was a straight up lie but the best liars always believe themselves. Right now he was certainly convinced he could handle it, though his current state and the tension that seemed to haunt everything he did said the exact opposite. He was a prince and they were family. Their family might be deranged and dysfunctional, but he didn't want to lose the few he had left. It didn't help that everything with Cass had been off ever since that stupid event when they'd all been so angry. And Neoptolemus was...something else.

Not quite an enemy anymore, but he wasn't (couldn't be because of the family Helenus was actually related to) family.

He sagged against the counter. "What are we?" His confusion leaked into his voice and he immediately pursed his lips, hating himself for that slip of perceived weakness.

--

“Of course” …Of course not. But Neoptolemus knows and has known Helenus’ pride. He has no wish to call the man weak as well as force him into a uncomfortable confrontation that neither of them really want to have but both of them must have. There is enough risk of being punched in the face as it is; to increase it would be the opposite of sensible.

...The opposite of what you should do in a relationship.

Not that (he barely allows himself to think it) they’re definitely in a relationship, some days he’s really not sure.

…Like today, “I don’t know.”

Today, when he looks inside and honestly doesn’t know the answer – they’ve been to Paris, yes, they’ve fucked… But one trip to Paris does not make a relationship (especially when they’ve only seen the hotel room of Paris) and fucking makes even less of one no matter how much he doesn’t want to think about that and let things carry on as they have been for the past month or more.

“Is this… What do you think it is?”

The first question still hovers on his tongue though, even if Helenus doesn’t know the answer himself: is this just sex to you?

--

He grimaced at the question being turned back on him. "I don't know either." He answered softly.

Most of the time Helenus felt a little bit lost around Neoptolemus. It was really weird sometimes. Being with him. Neoptolemus knew him, but Helenus had nothing more then reputation and some brief visions to go off of. Part of him was scared to find out more. Whenever it was just them he couldn't help but hear Polyxena and Paris and their parents' voices nagging at him. Reminding him of everything Neoptolemus had done.

During sex was the only time the guilt stopped.

"You showed up...kind of expecting me to be your friend. I don't know..." Sometimes, more often then not, he wondered if this was all another stupid game of the fates. He was supposed to end up Neoptolemus' friend and it felt like it was out of his hands.
"It's all happened really fast. Did you-stupid question. Never mind." Neoptolemus probably knew any random fact about himself that Helenus threw out.

--

Neoptolemus knows that, is actually quite perceptive under his reputation and the many things that he’s been forced into, but tries not to think about it. Tries not to think about how much opposition they face, how few people are truly happy to see them together. Definitely tries not to think of how they’re probably not even Romeo and Juliet, two against the world, because maybe, maybe, the passionate love and need for only the two of them isn’t quite there.

“I couldn’t help that-“ He stops, bites down on the whining just like he bites down on so many inconvenient thoughts. Whining will do no good, has never done any good and has never fixed anything either.

“…Did I what?”

Only getting through things, accepting the suffering and pain and the fact that he’ll never be fucking happy, will do any good at all.

--

"I'd never really-I didn't have any serious relationships back home. First I was too young to want that and then the war started..." And then he got dumped here. "Sex is good but I don't know much about the rest. Love." He thought about the kiss with Melinoe and how easy that was (with lots of alcohol but still) and how hard this was. Standing here and just talking.

"Maybe we were never supposed to be more then friends." Saying it like that made Helenus feel a little bit better, it made it all not his fault. If it wasn't supposed to happen then it wasn't supposed to. Nice and simple.

It still hurt to say.

He had wanted this to work, but he had to accept that what he wanted was not important.

--

…And that’s the point, really. Perhaps they were always too different for this to work, too separate for this to carry on. He loves quickly and deeply, Helenus has never quite experienced such a love. He’s used to relationships, Helenus is used to one night stands. He wants more, Helenus-

He’s not sure what Helenus wants.

…He wanted this to work so very, very badly. Has wanted it ever since he realized it, has wanted it more than anything else – but what he wants never seems to happen. And perhaps that’s for the best.

“I-“ don’t want this to end, want to keep struggling on in a basely unhealthy way, want it to be just you and me against the world “…I agree with you, we hurried into this too fast. And we can’t keep pretending that that’s alright.”

A pause “…Can’t keep pretending that we actually have a relationship.”

--

Helenus isn't sure what he wants, so at least they have that in common.

"I'm sorry," knowing that as much as it hurt him to end this, it had to be hurting Neoptolemus worse. He had confessed to love and Helenus still had no idea what to label what he felt.

"If you want, I'll stay somewhere else for a few days. It's my turn probably." He stepped away from the counter. He would have to get used to not touching. To sleeping alone again. They would have to talk now when they were in the same room.

"I...enjoyed when we hung out. My family might still be upset, but I don't think you are who they say you are. You said we were friends before and I believe you so can we do that?" He felt like a teenager. All awkward and unsure.

--

“It’s not your fault,” he shrugs, well aware that it hasn’t quite sunk it yet, well aware that he’ll probably want to bang his head against any number of counters once he realizes that this is it and that they’ll never be able to touch again, to kiss again, to curl together so tightly ever again- no, such things haven’t sunk in yet, “I haven’t been completely honest with you… And we just weren’t meant to be together, anyway. Just fate, nothing else.”

Just fate.

…Maybe he’ll get over love, in the end. Maybe friendship is better, actually holding meaningful conversations instead of just throwing themselves together in a mad lust for flesh.

“I… I think I need to get out of the apartment too, just be by myself for a few days,” he shrugs, attempts a smile, “you can stay, if you wish, I just need some time.”

Time… Perhaps time will be good for the both of them, “I like the idea of friendship, though. We can try it?”

--

Helenus managed a hesitant smile. If their positions were reversed, he wasn't sure he would be ok with going back to being friends so easily. He really, really hated fate.

"I'm gonna, I think I left some clothes in your room." He closed the distance, not quite meeting Neoptolemus' eyes until he was there, right in front of him. Neoptolemus was still blocking the door. "I really am sorry, you" loved me and I was scared to love you back, "deserve better."

He kept his hands buried in his pockets.

--

He’s still in shock. He still hasn’t quite comprehended that it’s over. He’s probably going to smash up a hotel room when this is all over: his company can probably pay for it.

…Fuck fate.

“Alright,” he nods slowly, smile fading at Helenus so close – he could go for one final kiss now. Could go for one final bout on the floor. Could try to convince him into another go. Could try and convince them both that they’re fools and they can work this out… “And I really don’t, but thank you for saying so.”

And he steps aside, “I’ll see you in a few days, Helenus.”

--

Helenus hesitated, feeling like there was something more he should say or do. Finally he nodded. "Right. A few days." He heard himself repeating. There was so much he wanted to say. Maybe if he could voice some of it. none of this would have to happen.

But it was too late for that. He walked around Neoptolemus, headed for Neoptolemus' room first and quickly gathering everything (possibly accidentally grabbing one of Neop's shirts in his haste). He could have waited, Neoptolemus had said he would be gone for a bit, but he knew if any time passed he'd never have the courage and he really liked some of those shirts.

Hopefully it would be easy, going back to being just friends. Helenus could hope but he knew it was pointless. He just didn't want to accept that either. He wanted something in his life to go right. And if that meant he wouldn't leave his room and face anybody for the next few days, that was fine with him.

Tie your hair and gently fall from grace...

2011-03-23T04:54:35Z

Characters: Helenus & Melinoe
Date/Time: The Saturday after this (March 19; around 12:30 a.m.)
Location: The bar, the cab ride, and Meli's apartment
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Drunkenness, realizations and awkwardness. And magic couches.
Summary: Sometimes there is such a thing as drinking too much.

The bartender had called the cab for them, though Helenus wasn't sure if it was because he wanted to be rid of the two giggling and trying to sing along and growing louder and louder the more they drank, or if he was just being a good and responsible human being. They hadn't danced on tables and Helenus still planned to keep his promise to keep Melinoe from doing that a few days ago.

When the cab came Helenus held the door open for Melione, partly because it came him something to lean against until he could slide into the cab with her. It wasn't so much as a slide as an inelegant flump, and he fell into the cab, doing his best not to fall on Melinoe.

The seat was way more comfortable then the hard chair he'd been sitting on in the bar and he melted down into the seat, leaning slightly into her as he did so. Everything felt fuzzy and distant and he was more then fine with that. Without even realizing it, he started humming the song they'd been singing in the bar before they left.

~

Melinoe was somewhere in the middle of a chuckle when the warm body of Helenus leaned against her in the back of the cab. What else was there to do but lean back? Of course! It was so simple. And so comfortable. And so sing-songy... ”Do you beLIEVE in life after love?!” Much to the dismay of their poor cab driver, who finally had to ask, “Where to, kids?”

“To my apartment!” said a very determined-to-not-act-completely-drunk Melinoe. Mentally, she counted on her fingers and determined that she’d had less to drink than Helenus. Those shots that the guy at the end of the bar was buying didn’t count. They were tiny!

The driver, who was named Sergio according to his information on the dash board, sighed. “Well, where’s that at?”

“It’s where I live!” was Meli’s reply, and she dissolved into her purse to find her license. The address was really hard to remember right then... “Wait.” She turned to her partner in crime, eyeing him with that suspicious eye. “You know where I live, right?”

~

"I really don't think you're strong enough!" The muses were not with them tonight, but their...gusto made up for it.

Helenus bit his lip to try and look serious when Meli looked at him. He was serious and innocent and he faded into sniggers. "I know where you live. We live in the same place. Kinda." He leaned forward so he could inform the driver who was looking less and less amused. “Even though...I don’t think I’ve seen the inside of your apartment.” His nose scrunched up as he tried to remember but gave up when the driver cleared his throat loudly.

“Address?” Sergio asked again.

He managed to remember about half the address before he had to look to Meli for help. Helenus could very confidently describe what it looked like but even right now he realized that wouldn't be helpful.

~

“I got it!” Meli exclaimed, holding her license high in the air-- or at least as high as the vehicle’s ceiling would go. She rambled off the address, including the zip code, before Sergio put the car into Drive and headed that way. It wasn’t horrifically far, and much as he wanted to, he did not start the meter while sitting in the parking lot. He couldn’t take advantage of them. For kids out having a good time, they were pretty damn cute for being drunk.

Melinoe shoved her ID back into her purse, all the way to the bottom so it wouldn’t escape, before she looked at Helenus and rested her chin on his shoulder. “You know what? You are so fun. You are one of the best. friends. Ever! You didn’t let me dance on the bar...And you can totally see the inside of my apartment if you want to. It’s not essiting, though...” Ah, slurred speech. So much for being incognito. She finally rested her head on Helenus’ shoulder. “My couch is nice.”

~

He wrapped his arm over her shoulder. She was warm and nice and didn’t make him feel vaguely like pond scum (whatever pond scum felt like) and these were all Good Things. “You’re even better because well...you are.” He rested his cheek on top of her head. The thought that they might be getting too close didn’t even occur to him.

“Not exciting is good. Because Khaos is exciting and she’s bad.” Usually. Did he ever apologize for being a jerk about the muffin? It didn’t seem to matter. “Annnnd most of my life was pretty exciting I guess. But mostly bad.” His normally precise and princely way of talking was gone and just forming complete sentences was a minor miracle. This whole train of thought sucked though so he jumped on anything else to say. “I wanna see your couch.”

~

“My couch is fantastic. It’s remarkably comfortable in ways you just cannot ever imagine! It’s like magic!” The last bit came out in a conspiratorial whisper as though Sergio would somehow sneak into her apartment and take all the couch wonderfulness for himself.

Meli’s soused brain realized that she really did enjoy cuddling up next to her friend. And she came to the revelation that all people in the world should have a cuddly friend of the opposite sex because the size difference made all the difference. She had sometimes cuddled with Orphne, especially on not-so-great nights for one or the other. But this! Helenus suited Melinoe just fine! You just didn’t get this living in the Underworld and walking the streets at night with a line of ghosts trailing behind you. As much as she adored Cerberus, it just wasn’t the same.

She found a small case of the giggles and reached up to poke him in the nose, missing by a mile and finding his hair instead. “You are welcome to my couch of magical proportions. And Cher. And possibly my wine. Maybe we should invite Muses over!” Ah, Melinoe. You do not know what it is you are asking for when Muses are involved, pretty drunken goddess with your handsome drunken princely friend.

~

He reached up and as carefully as he could and took her hand from his hair before anything got pulled. The only girl he ever usually got close to was his sister (or at least the only one he'd been close to since Troy) and hair pulling was exactly what Cass would do. He didn't let go of Meli's hand though, didn't really see any need to, and let their hands flop to his lap. They fit well together. If he’d been sober it would have made him nervous, instead he found it very comfortable.

"Who needs Muses when we've got Cher?" He giggled. "Unless they have more alcohol." He whispered back. Because you never know, Sergio might be after the couch and their alcohol. "Everyone's welcome with more alcohol." He stated very matter of factly.

“And...and there might not be enough room on your couch if they were all there too.” Helenus pouted at the thought he might get squeezed off of the magical couch by a hoard of sister-goddesses.

~

Any other time, the fact that she was holding his hand would likely have confused her and she would have scolded herself mentally and politely taken her hand back. This time, however, her fingers laced easily with his and, well, it was just sweet. Comfortable. It came so easily.

She pouted. “But, they’re fun. I have chairs and a floor to sit on. The couch, though. It shall be ours! And they will bring us drink! And that will also be ours!”

Shortly thereafter, Sergio pulled up to the front of the complex and Meli started fishing about for the $10.49 that lit up on the meter. “Here’s, um... Fifteen. Keep it, ‘kay? Sorry if we were too loud for you. Thank you for taking us home!” She smiled sweetly, however drunkenly it was, and Sergio smiled back. At least they were polite. Drunk, but polite.

~

The image of the muses waiting on them - on him - make him blush. “That wouldn’t be right. I’m only mortal. They’re goddesses.” He told Meli, as if she might not know. “Maybe they’d wait on you.” Hopefully Sergio is willing to discount most of their conversation as drunken nonsense. “You’re a goddess and you’re beautiful.”

He tries to make a mental note to not let her pay next time, but he forgets it once he’s focused on opening the door. At least he manages to throw Sergio a quick, slightly slurred thank you.

Helenus is a tangle of legs as he gets out of the cab, still holding Meli’s hand, trying to help her get out as well. “I have...” Triumphantly, he held up his keys. And then almost dropped them while trying to find the right one.

~

“Oh! Stop it.” His words did, indeed, make her blush. Melinoe wasn’t entirely sure she’d ever been called beautiful by anyone, and did not notice that her hand gripped his just a smidge tighter. “We’re all mortal, now.”

She slid easily across the seat as Helenus was being ever the gentleman. Unfortunately, her dress did not stay where it was meant to and decided to be far less ladylike, sliding right up her thighs. The wind was chilly and she squeaked in surprise at the sudden snap of cold across her milky skin where cold was not meant to go. Melinoe managed to hold down most of it with her other hand along with her purse as one heeled foot stepped onto the concrete, followed surprisingly smoothly by the other. “Oh, darling. Don’t lose your keys. Or are those my keys?”

The car door was bumped closed with her hip and she held her death grip on her companion’s arm as they figured out how best to get back into the building. And up to her magic couch. “This is the best night ever! Do you beLIEVE in life after LOVE?!” She waved happily at the passersby who either skirted around her or gave a chuckle at the sheer silliness of the drunken public.

~

Helenus' eyes widened when her skirt slid up and he uncomfortably looked at his feet. He knew very certainly that since they were friends he should not be looking. Telling himself not to think about it had the opposite effect and he was very grateful when she was standing. That meant he would look down and see eyes.

"They are my keys." He gave them a jingle which for him was enough to prove his point. "Why would I have your keys?"

Her happiness was infectious. She hadn't said anything about dancing in the street even though dancing in general was probably a bad idea with such poor balance. That didn't stop him from wrapping an arm around her waist and swaying them as he joined her in singing along to Cher.

~

And dance she did, along with her friend, and oh! It was a glorious time! She twirled under his arm and she swayed and sung along until someone politely mentioned that they might not want to stand outside for much longer as they were because the police could possibly come and cite them for public intoxication. Well, that just wouldn’t do. “Come, darling,” Melione tittered, taking Helenus’ hand and tugging him towards the front doors. “There is a couch and wine awaiting us! The night, dear Helenus--it only begins!”

So, up she took him to the 9th floor, and to that magical couch that she didn’t just share with anybody. Well, maybe Orphne because the nymph had really been the only one to visit her on any basis aside from Persephone, but that visit was not entirely good. Tonight, the magic would be enjoyed by the two of them, music and some wine.

Or, at least once she found the right door key, anyway. Melinoe frowned in a pout-like fashion and held her keys up to Helenus while her blue eyes went cross trying to focus. “Which one looks like yours?”

~

He was ready to inform their interrupter and whatever police showed up that he was a prince and could do whatever he wanted thank you very much, especially dance on the street. The reminder of a couch and wine distracted him enough. Helenus would deny any giggling on his part in the morning, but there might have been some when she dragged him off.

In the elevator up he continued humming and swaying slightly. The feeling of the elevator moving underneath him threw off his balance too much to even try dancing.

He stared at her keys, not quite processing what he was looking at. Finally he ended up just holding up his own keys to compare. There weren't that many but it took him a second to find the one to his room and held it up right next to hers. "There. That's my room key." He poked one of her keys with his that looked kind of like his room key, but he really probably should not be trusted with judgements like this right now. "I think thatsit."

~

The keys were eyed suspiciously before the connection was made and a couple of misses were made at the lock. Meli finally got them inside the place, snapping a light on in the process. “Here we are! There’s the couch...” She pointed over to a rather large, overstuffed suede-type piece of furniture, decorated in shades of brown and blue. The rest of her apartment had taken on a similar theme of earthen tones--greens, blues and browns. “Make yourself at home,” she said, closing the door behind Helenus. “I’ll go find us some wine. I’m sure I’ve some...” A stumble over her own foot sent Melinoe trotting into the kitchen rather clumsily. “Put on some music, if you like..!”

She managed to find a sweet white Moscato hidden behind a sack of potatoes that she kept in her very small pantry. Humming prettily as she uncorked the bottle, Meli began considering a few things in her inhebriated mind. She truly did adore her time with Helenus, and for the first time really wondered what might be if A) he wasn’t dating Neoptolemus and 2) if he were interested in her like that. They had fun together. They could tell each other anything without worrying about the judgment and disapproval that would have likely been presented by their families, depending on what had to be said.

“What was I thinking,” was mumbled to herself, contemplating the events over the course of the past week. Her mistake of popping that kiss on Phonos had simply lead to a nowhere discussion and made her realize that no, she did not know him as well as she’d thought and no, he was not interested, even though she thought interest had been shown on his end... as much as Phonos was able to manage, anyway. In hindsight, he had more in common with her sister, so perhaps that’s what would be. “Such is life.” It was time to move on. Maybe she should give her former employer a shot, even though that whole futuristic Khaos shenanigan had shaken her up.

All smiles, she came back into the living room bearing two nearly-full wine glasses. “Here we are...”

~

Helenus poked around in Meli's music but didn't recognize much of it. There was nothing labeled Cher which was really the only thing going through his head. He finally grabbed something random off the shelf and put it on but it felt wrong so he put on something else. He had no idea what it was but it wasn't bad.

He flopped inelegantly onto the couch. Unconsciously a low groan escaped him. "You're right!" He yelled in the general direction of the kitchen. "The couch is magic!" It was easily something he could sleep on. If he didn't move soon chances were he would be sleeping on it. Sitting there while he waited, he realized he should probably at least let Neoptolemus know where he was. But he liked having this one thing, his relationship with Meli, being completely his.

When she came out with the wine, he made himself sit up so there was room for her. "Thank you." He took a long sip of the wine. It was different then the wine back home, not as thick but it was good. "This was...is a really good night."

~

The shoes came off as she sat down, one flung reasonably elegantly towards the door, the other landed somewhere in that direction. Meli smiled, albeit a bit boozily before sipping on the wine herself. She wasn’t sure what had gotten her to start keeping some around, but she had some vague inkling that Orphne was behind it. “It really is, Helenus. It’s sort of like...” A pause, looking for the word she wanted to use. “... Like our own exclusive club. Members only. Initiation by invitation.” Another smile. She wasn’t entirely sure she’d ever had a reason to smile so much, but it seemed to be just one of many things that Helenus seemed to bring out of her.

“For the record, you are always welcome to my couch, darling. If I had a spare bed that was just as insanely comfortable-- or a spare bed at all-- that would also be yours.” A small raise of her wine glass. “If you need me or my humble abode, the offer is there.” Did that sound right? A thoughtful, but reasonably amused narrowing of her eyes followed another sip of wine.

~

He clinked his glass against hers. He was smiling just as much. "Best club. Ever." His arm settled comfortably across the back of the couch, it wouldn't take much for it to slip to her shoulders. Some tiny little voice, the one that was supposed to warn him about stupid ideas but had never been good at its job, yelled at him to back off. But he couldn't remember the last time he'd been able to be this relaxed with someone.

"Don't say always." It was supposed to sound threatening but his grin probably took away from the overall effect. "Otherwise I might move in before you know it." He took a sip of his wine, losing himself for a second thinking about the offer and Meli and how easy this was. It wasn't this easy with Neoptolemus and he couldn't help but wonder...maybe. "But thank you. I'd offer you my couch but well...it's not magical." He pouted, slightly jealous of Meli's couch.

~

“Nope. I say always, and it will be. Unless you steal my things.” Without another thought, Melinoe found herself comfortably tucked under that arm of Helenus’ and fitting up next to him like a puzzle piece. It didn’t feel weird or awkward; there was no embarrassment and wanting to make a run for it. The problem was that she wasn’t sure if it was the alcohol making her brave or if it really was just the way they were, but tonight was more appropriate for a bit of cuddling. “Well, magical or not, I am not sure Neoptolemus would be keen to my sprawling out on your couch at random times.”

The wine made her feel a little warmer, or perhaps it was the body next to her. Either way, Melinoe had no reason to complain about this moment on her sofa of magic. She had found it at a local furniture store not long after she’d been dropped off in the complex--it was the most perfect purchase she’d made. After a beat and another sip, her head was resting in that place between one’s shoulder and chest, and suddenly, it was time for Drunken Honesty Time. “You may be one of the best gifts I’ve ever received, Helenus. I’ve never really known what having someone in your life that you could tell your troubles to without being told that you weren’t logical was like. Because you had feelings. Cerberus usually takes that role for me, but it’s not the same. Not like you. I always heard stories about other mortals’ lives as they’ve told them to me. How they lived, how they cried and had joy and sorrow all at once. How could something so precious as love be so ridiculous to them? These things that are so rare?” Them, meaning most of her familial unit. Persephone had always kept an even balance, so it wasn’t completely an unknown to her. But her mother wasn’t Helenus.

Meli’s voice was a bit softer than it had been all night, a little bit more husky due to the loud singing, the cold air and the drinking. It was all a very surreal moment, but sometimes things just needed to be out in the open, didn’t they?

~

Her saying Neoptolemus' name out loud made it all much more real that he was here with her. For a second that little voice yelling at him grew a little louder but Helenus didn't want to deal with it. This wasn't the time to feel guilty. "It doesn't matter if Neoptolemus cares. We share the apartment. You can sprawl on the couch if you ever want to." He pushed aside the lingering guilt with a long swallow of the wine, barely tasting it. Pretty soon he would have to get more but that would involve getting up. With her so fitted against him, moving was the last thing he wanted to do.

His jaw dropped as she started talking. He couldn't remember anyone ever considering him a gift before. Usually it was the exact opposite with some pointed reminders of why. Love and feelings were way beyond him, most of the time he couldn't figure out his own.

"Melinoe..." he mumbled when she finished, but cut himself off. For once he felt truly speechless. "You understand love better then most of us mortals I think. It's made you better then the rest of your family." Maybe it was the alcohol destroying his inhibitions or maybe the moment and the emotions (gratitude and happiness and a little bit of love), he'd come up with an excuse later. He wasn't really thinking when he leaned in and kissed her gently, barely more then a brief touch of lips before he pulled back. The flush from the alcohol hid his blush.

~

She had looked up at him as he said her name, smiled faintly as he professed his thoughts of her, and held her breath as he leaned in and released a small gasp as his lips touched hers in such a light brush, Melinoe could barely tell that it had happened (add into the fact that her face was slightly numb from the night’s consumption of alcohol). The only telltale sign that it had was the expression on his face. She couldn’t tell if Helenus was feeling guilty, pleased, embarrassed or all of the above and even if she were stone cold sober, she likely wouldn’t have been able to decipher it..

Melinoe had not expected such a thing to occur, and if her cheeks could have felt any hotter from the blush and wine that crept up into them, she would have surely caught on fire. And still, she did not run away, she did not boot him from her magic couch. She had not minded this: The kiss made her pulse race a little faster, made her pull her bottom lip between her teeth quite shyly, but now it was her turn to feel guilty. Helenus was in a relationship, and for all intensive purposes, she had assumed that her friend preferred the company of men. Now, at least. History dictated that he had wives and children at some point, but other details and truths could always find ways to be hidden away.

She was vaguely aware of the music that filled the silence, Starsailor she remembered, having been reasonably clueless as to what Helenus had put on earlier, given the giggly nature of their moments. ”Let’s watch the clock until the morning sun does rise...”

“Helenus.” Her throat felt a bit tight as his name came out in a whisper. Helenus what? She didn’t want him to go home, but she didn’t want him to stay uncomfortable if that’s what he was, being so close to her, his arm around her... Her free hand now gripping the front of his shirt where her fingers had simply laid in relaxation. If she were honest with herself, Melinoe wouldn’t have minded another kiss from him--Helenus was so sweet with her. But it would be wrong, too, given the current relationship status of her friend.

Meli didn’t know what to say, so she searched his eyes and features for an answer. It was her turn to be speechless.

~

Helenus was suddenly very aware of how close they were. His hand was still on her shoulder and she felt solid and real. It would be so easy to lean in and kiss her again. Truly kiss her. Gender didn't mean much to him, in Troy he'd slept with various people who caught his eye. He'd left the big, epic romances to his brothers. Most of his partners had a hard time relating and were put off by his visions or the crazy twin. But...this, here with Melinoe, was different.

"I...I really shouldn't have done that." He admitted feeling slightly shellshocked that he had had the nerve to kiss her in the first place. Just because things weren't going great with Neoptolemus didn't give him the right to kiss Melinoe. Not to mention, it wouldn't be fair. To her, or Neoptolemus.

There was something captivating in the way she looked at him. He wasn't sure what she was thinking but there was nothing that seemed upset or angry. "Really. Shouldn't have." He repeated, trying to convince himself. "I'm sorry." He leaned in again, but this time pressed a kiss to her cheek. Lingering longer this time before he made himself pull back. She deserved better than him.

He didn't want to leave though. If he’d ruined their friendship he would never be able to forgive himself.

~

“Don’t...” she said softly, narrowing her eyes slightly. “Don’t apologize. I don’t believe that I would have stopped you had I known.” The more chaste kiss pressed at her cheek had made her sigh softly. “It would be wrong of me to lie and tell you that I wished for that to some extent. It’s also wrong of me to wish for such a thing, especially since you belong to someone, so to speak.” Melinoe bit her lip and pulled away briefly to sit her wine glass on the coffee table.

She leaned back after a moment, painfully aware of the man sitting next to her as her stomach knotted a bit, unsure of the next step. “It was sweet of you, Helenus. We’ll just think of it as ‘our moment in time’. And I want you to remember that I meant every word I said.” Meli had something of a crooked smile as she reached up to brush at his hair. “You are so much more than you believe you are. As long as I am able, and as long as you’ll have me, I will be your friend. No matter what happens. With Neoptolemus, with your family. Anything.”

There were those little tiny niggling feelings that were deeper than their wholehearted friendship that had been lurking about when she wasn’t paying attention, when she wasn’t looking, and they snuck up at a really, very inopportune time. And Melinoe, the goddess turned woman who thought that feelings were important, that emotions were what made someone someone, pressed them down into a little box inside with his name on it, and tucked it away. It was meant for another time and place.

“Hey. Are you hungry?”

~

He was thankful for the brief moment of reprieve when she leaned away. It gave him a moment to collect himself, to try and sort out everything he was feeling. Kissing her didn't seem like a very sweet thing to do, it seemed kind of cruel since now it was out and something they would have to deal with. It could become one of those things that eats away at friendships. He pushed away that thought quickly. There was no way he would let that happen. Without this escape from family, he'd probably be as crazy as Cass.

"Thank you. But it was still...I still have to apologize. I like having you as a friend. I kind of need it. Especially,” he had to pause, he’d never really said anything out loud but she was a friend, “right now, nothing seems to be going right, except this. Being your friend. It was stupid to risk ruining that. You can feel free to throw a muffin at me at any time." His lips curved into a tiny smile, trying to tease. Hopefully it wouldn't fall entirely flat. He risked reaching for her hand, giving it a quick squeeze. Making sure this was real.

The sudden topic change made him pause for a long moment before answering. He hadn't really thought of food until she mentioned something but now that he was thinking about it he started to feel hungry. "Um yes. I think so. Are you?"

~

There was a gentle elbowing at his mention of throwing the muffin, and Melinoe found something of a chuckle. “There are so many missile options.”

She wavered a little and leaned on the couch arm for support as she stood up, aiming to change into pajamas and find the phone. “I am. There’s a fantastic Chinese place not far from here that delivers until something like, three in the morning.” Meli turned, determined to make the best of their ‘Best Night Ever’, even though a strange little wrench had appeared that neither of them seemed to be aware of. “We could have food and watch a movie on the magic couch if you want to stay.” She hoped he would. “Even though I don’t have any pajamas for you or slippers or anything. I offer you the magic couch!” Her arms spread as though she were presenting him with a brand new car on The Price Is Right. Bless her, Melinoe was trying.

~

Sorry Melinoe, but you can’t live down throwing a muffin at someone.

Helenus stood as well, feeling all the wine hit him as he stood and he almost gave up and flopped back onto the couch. “I want to stay.” Partly because the risk of facing Neoptolemus right then was not worth it. And spending time with her, even awkward time, was much more fun. “So I will go find that bottle of wine you opened, while you order that Chinese?”

~

“That... sounds wonderful. And I hope you don’t mind, but I think I have also had enough of this dress tonight. So... I will find a menu, and you can pick out what you like while I go put on some nightclothes. And I will get some blankets... It gets rather chilly in here during the night. The cold wind seems to hit here the most.”

Meli rambled as she went into the kitchen, pulled open a drawer where she kept this and that, mainly her various menus from around the area, and flipped through to find the appropriate one. She smiled as she handed it over to Helenus, then made way for her bedroom, finding the most comfortable and least revealing pajamas she could possibly manage: A pair of dark gray sweatpants and a green t-shirt with a unicorn printed on it that had showed up in her belongings when she first came here.

Blankets were produced, phone was found. “Okay!” she said, being as cheerful as she could as drunk as they both were and the moment in time they were both trying to ignore still lingered in the room. “What sounds good?”

hellenist @ 2011-03-16T02:20:00

2011-03-16T08:20:35Z

Characters: Melinoe, Phonos [COMPLETED.]
Date/Time: Late night of the 15th, during work.
Location: Their work (the morgue at the state hospital).
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: None?
Summary: Melinoe is curious about kissing, Phonos is awkward.

Quiet. More than anything else in this life, Phonos had come to find a deeply embedded appreciation for silence. New York City was a loud place by its nature and the hospital was often worse, bustling with activity and constantly setting out pages over the intercoms. Though the morgue was contained in a "separate building" (he wasn't certain why they called it that when the buildings were all connected), it was still subjected to many of the same demands for attention. It was only when everyone else had gone except for Phonos, his superior, and the secretary that his boss had given him permission to turn off the speaker and to perform his work in peace.

Tonight was a night where "Benjamin Roth" was resuming his work on a suspected murder victim, where his superior was hidden away in an office somewhere, and where Melinoe was out at the desk in the other room. These kinds of night shifts were the most enjoyable, for they offered few interruptions and distractions. The fluorescent lights created the dismal kind of atmosphere that Murder loved, though the body itself was laid out beneath a much brighter, white light.

Phonos began retrieving the last bullet from the entrance wound he had finished documenting moments before. He could not help but wonder if Melinoe would come speak to him again tonight. It was a casual ritual he found himself enjoying and their boss didn't mind so long as she prevented any unauthorized visitors, so there was no reason for them not to speak.

I'm not so much a fighter [Closed/Incomplete]

2011-03-15T01:39:00Z

Characters: Pallas, Nike
Date/Time: During the last event
Location: Pallas's apartment
Rating: PG-13?
Warnings: Violence
Summary: Nike and Pallas spar. WHO WILL WIN

Fighting one's daughter wasn't the usual way to go about bonding with your child, but Pallas liked to shake things up. That and he wasn't really adept at expressing how he cared for his kids outside of fighting with (or for) them. Teasing worked too. It was easier to express himself that way rather than speak of his emotions anyway.

That probably explained why he had offered Nike the chance to spar with him in order to get out her aggression. He knew she would win, seeing as how she was Victory, but he wasn't too worried about her hurting him. He knew how to take a hit. So he just got out padding she could wear; he wouldn't forgive himself if he injured her seriously.

All he had to do was wait for her to get to his place and get the gear to fit her.

and we shared our history

2011-03-09T01:51:21Z

Characters: Helenus and Cass
Date/Time: During the current event
Location: Helenus' room
Rating: PG
Warnings: Yelling
Summary: A sibling fight between two twins who really suck at it. Cass yells at Helenus, ~~totally disrupting his world~~ and so he yells back. Various accusations and secrets are revealed.

Cassandra rarely got truly pissed off. She could do smoldering anger and revenge quite well, but yelling mad? That hadn't happened since she was cursed. Most of her energy was spent on trying to convince people that her visions were real instead of at yelling out in rage. Now, though, she couldn't stop herself from bursting into her brother's place and flat out screaming at him.

It had started small. Little things he had done this past week that, for some unknown reason, You betrayed Troy! You left us and led them straight to us!" Her hands clenched in fists. "You left me to them!"

~

Helenus had been minding his own business, for once feeling not quite so guilty. Things with Neoptolemus hadn't gotten any less awkward recently but for once he had not been feeling like seeking anyone out outside his apartment. Not even Cass. Everything seemed annoying recently. The strange noises at night weren’t helping, he slept little enough already.

Then she was suddenly there in his apartment. He was stunned into silence at first. He had never heard Cass yell at him before. Maybe a stupid fight when they were kids and a broken toy as the end of the world but not recently. "What the hell are you talking about?" He finally snapped back, wanting to sound calm but failing.

~

"You left me in Troy, Helenus! You had to go and sit on the mountain, even though you knew the Greeks could raid there!" She pushed her hair out of her face, not caring that the action just made it an even bigger mess. "I was raped and given to Agamemnon! The man who went about destroying our city!"

She had thought that she had mostly gotten over this by the time Helenus was brought to New York City. Clearly she was wrong; though why it took this long to surface, she didn't quite understand. It was too much to expect her to keep all that anger inside her right now, though.

~

"I-what?!" He couldn't quite believe that this was coming up now. But at the same time, he thought, maybe it should. Maybe she'd just grown tired of standing up for him. "I wanted you to come! I asked and you insisted on being there! You who knows fucking everything! You have always seen more then me!"

He was yelling back at her and he couldn't stop, it was if all of him had been itching for a fight. It was
unnatural, and not him but he didn't care.

~

"I tried to stop you! And leaving with you would only have put me in more danger! Moping over Helen was more important to you than our city!" That she never meant. She knew it wasn't true, yet she couldn't stop herself from yelling it out. Anything to spur on the arguement.

"And nobody ever believed me! I taught you how to see the future! And you used it to get more attention from our parents!"

~

The comment about Helen stung most. There was so much more to his leaving then that. And she should have known that. He stepped closer. "I left because I knew the city would fall. I left because Paris had just killed a man in a sacred space! If you had cared about anything besides your visions, you would have known leaving was the best option at the time!"

"I used it to try and tell our parents that you were right!" His fists were clenched now and some tiny part of him was trying to get him to back off, let her win but couldn't stop. He had to prove himself right to her.

~

"If I had cared about anyth-" she broke off with an angry gasp. "I cared for our city! For our people! I didn't run off to save my own skin!" He knew that when her visions were at their worst it was hard to see anything beyond them and the world they created. Cassandra got up into his space, getting louder as she continued. "You didn't try hard enough."

~

His eyes narrowed and everything she said hurt except he refused to let her see. He wasn't a child and she was only a girl. There was no way he would back up. "If our city was that important maybe you shouldn't have said no to Apollo!"

~

"Maybe I should have! Then I wouldn't have had to live to see you bring Troy to its knees!" The moment she said that, she wished she could take it back. Helenus didn't deserve all the blame for Troy's fall, she knew that. But she also wouldn't have wanted to make him go on alone. Neither of them coped well with being without the other.

~

"Would you have just asked our parents to throw me over the wall then in place of Paris?" His anger hid his hurt. Later he would curl up into a ball and cry forever. "You would have loved that, wouldn't you? Not having to share anything with a twin!"

~

Cassandra didn't even have the words anymore, she was so mad and hurt. He knew that she cared more about him than anyone else in their family and that she loved having him with her. She reached out and pushed him- not all that hard, but enough to move him. "Of course I wouldn't have! You always assume the worst of me!"

~

Surprise made him stumble a bit more then he normally would. She might as well have punched him in the gut. Without thinking, since thought seemed to take too much work right then, he pushed back. "I tried to defend you!"

~

"Never that hard!" He pushed her too hard and she stumbled back, tripping over her own feet. Cassandra had never been all that graceful when they fought. She stared up at him, wide eyed and shocked that he had actually retaliated like that.

~

He was just as shocked as her- he hadn't meant...he took a step back on his own. He didn't trust himself to extend a hand to help her up. "Maybe I didn't want to. Maybe I hated you for sharing your sight with me." The anger was still there, refusing to go away.

~

She got up slowly, glaring through her hair as she did so. It hurt to move. "Maybe I never should have. You obviously don't deserve it, seeing as how you can't appreciate it for what it is." Her voice was quiet and harsh. The time for shouting was over.

~

He glared back even as he felt the guilt for hurting her settle in his stomach like a heavy weight. "What is there to appreciate? Getting to see your family die years before it happens? Or maybe you didn't share it all with me. My sight never was quite the same as yours."

"The ability to be given a chance to save people." She wrapped her arms around her waist and continued to glare at him. "I trusted you to do it. I trusted you to protect us and help me protect them."

~

"I tried to save people. I had to go out and fight! I risked my life for people. For you!"

~

"And yet you didn't look for me once the city fell." She turned away from him, unwilling to continue the fight anymore, even if she was still angry.

~

"And how exactly was I supposed to do that? I was a prisinor of the Greeks." He wanted to reach out, make her turn around, make her look and see how much this hurt. Instead he crossed his arms over his chest and waited.

~

"You didn't even try to find me, did you? You could have tried to escape, but you didn't." She stopped to glare at him, tears welling in her eyes. Whenever she got mad enough, she cried. Without fail.

~

"I don't know! I don't know what I did or didn't do. As everyone likes to forget I hadn't even met Neoptolemus before being swept away to this place." He hated the tears. The tears were not helping with the mess of emotions going on inside him, but he glared back. Angry that she was probably right.

~

She took a deep breathe to continue but just seemed to deflate instead, sighing heavily. What more could be said? "I wanted to die, Helenus. Killing Agamemnon was the only thing I had that kept me going."

~

"At least you had that much." He looked away, as if she was a reminder of everything he had done wrong.

~

"I never killed him. I was taken before I even got to see him die." It would have been terrifying to die, but at least she would know he went with her. Revenge would have been had for her mother. Her whole family.

~

"I was steps away from given as a slave to our father's murderer." He pointed out dryly. "I had a vision...years ago...of you dying." He admitted softly. The argument - whatever had caused it - had been draining and he considered just sinking to the floor for a little bit.

~

He had never told her that before. "What...what did you see?" She wasn't as angry now, just tired and hurt. It was still there but in the background. Unimportant now.

~

"You dead in someone else's home. Nothing specific. I just knew it was you." He took a deep breath, trying to hold off the pain that always followed thinking of that vision. "I think you were screaming. I might have just imagined that later." He had certainly thought about it enough.

~

"I know how I was to die. Clytemnestra stabs me while I have a vision. And scream." So his vision was right. She never really knew a lot about his future; just that she saw him and Andromache together sometimes.

~

"I never saw much of my own future." He added feeling suddenly defensive. But after that argument, maybe he did need to explain his actions to her. "Otherwise I wouldn't have left."

~

"I only saw mine closer to when it happened. Outside of what happened to the city." If she had seen more of it, she blacked it out. It wasn't really something she wanted to think about.

~

"I'm- I wish I knew any of my own fate." He said, a little snappier. He was jealous that she had seen anything. He felt he was fumbling around and he hated it, hated making so many mistakes that seemed so obvious when he looked back.

~

That just made her snap back. "I'm sorry I can't control what I see." It wasn't her fault that she hadn't been able to see his fate. It's not like she had control over her visions though, especially not since she had been cursed.

~

He knew that, and he knew it was stupid to get upset about but even if he wasn't strangely upset with the world, his nerves were still frayed. "Don't say it like it's my fault."

~

"You're acting like it's my fault! It's not something I learned to control, Helenus! It's amazing that I could even teach you." She doubted it was ever intended to be shared, but she didn't keep things from Helenus.

~

"Maybe you shouldn't have!" Though he knew that if she had sight and he didn't, he would have felt even worse. "It's not like any good came from sharing it with me."

~

"You would have hated me if I didn't." Nothing good had come from either of them having it, honestly. "I can never do anything right for you, can I?:

~

Any other time he would have rushed to assure her she was the only good thing in his life. Right then the words seemed stuck on his tongue. "I guess not. You should leave." He couldn't look at her as he said it.

~

She couldn't even say anything to that. Cursing had never been something she was good at and it seemed like the only good response. So she just turned and left, slamming the door shut behind her.

~
Helenus stared at the closed door, not quite believing she had actually left. He turned and punched the wall, needing some way to get out the tension that he still felt. He didn't know what just happened. Wasn't sure if he wanted to know. All he knew was he felt tired and upset and the oh so familiar guilt was still eating him and it would just be easiest to crawl into bed for awhile.

[Closed/Incomplete] Everything you say to me

2011-02-25T21:11:36Z

Characters: Styx and Melpomene
Date/Time: This afternoon
Location: The elevator
Rating: Pg-13 possibly R, don't know yet
Warnings: Tension in a confined space.
Summary: Styx and Mel end up stuck together in the elevator.

She hadn't been able to stay still since the end of the event. She couldn't stand to be in her apartment, or sleep on her own bed. She was considering taking it out to an alley and burning it in defiance. She had been in the mood to torch things since she'd gotten her own mind back. She wanted to cleanse, burn and destroy the memories. Every last one.

But then part of herself wouldn't - couldn't do it. But that part wasn't real and she knew it. So until that fake piece of her faded enough, she was avoiding everything that reminded her of what happened. Which was exactly what she was doing now. She was going to get out for a while, maybe find a place to crash on the street. It would make her feel more like herself.

The elevator dinged and slid open and she stepped on. She pressed the button for the ground floor but it refused to light. Instead the arrow still pointed up and the doors closed on her, taking her up instead of down.

"Fuck my life!"

Something's lost, but something's gained; [closed/incomplete]

2011-02-24T13:04:30Z

Characters: Pallas and Styx
Date/Time: February 24th.
Location: Their apartment.
Rating: I'll let you know.
Warnings: None that I can think of.
Summary: Pallas and Styx reunite after the event.

Styx was sitting on the bed she'd once shared with Pallas, staring out the window lost in thought. The week had been strange and just when she had started adjusting to all the twists and turns her life had taken everything had changed again. It's not that she wasn't pleased that things were back to normal - or as normal as they could be - but the constant distortion of time and events was making her feel dizzy.

But now she would have Pallas back again. How she had missed him! He had promised to meet her soon, so now all she could do was wait for him to arrive.

Goin' through the vacancy that you leave behind

2011-02-20T19:12:58Z

Characters: Helenus and Cass
Date/Time: February 20
Location: Cass' apartment
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: None?
Summary: Cass and Helenus disagree about the past 20 years and Cass starts to lose it.

Cassandra stretched her arm out, tracing an imaginary pattern in the air. This didn't feel real, it didn't feel right. She wasn't supposed to be comfortable around most men. Why did she marry someone who wasn't from her time? Why did she have a stepdaughter? It didn't make sense. It was like she had forgotten everything that had happened to her in her life. While she was comfortable with Telemachus, that...felt different. He knew about the war, he knew about what life was like in the past.

"Helenus?" She called out.

-

Helenus had been sitting on Cass' couch. Cass' place was safer then his own. He had a daughter in his own. It wasn't the most mature thing, to hide here away from her but he had never wanted a child. He didn't know how to raise a kid.

At the sound of his name he slid down to the floor to sit beside her. He still wasn't comfortable with this. Her being married. Him having a kid. None of it felt right. But she was his sister so even if he was annoyed at her for trying to tell him he'd forgotten 20 years (not just forgot, he couldn't see anything from them), he still loved her. Now seemed like a good time to be there for her.

"I'm here." He grabbed the hand she was waving about. "What is it Cass?"

-

It was comforting that he hadn't left her after all of these years. She had been half afraid he would, honestly, if only out of annoyance at her sanity coming and going. "This doesn't feel right. Not real." She pushed herself over so her head was in his lap.

"Something isn't right but I can't-I don't know what."

-

The idea of leaving her had never occured to him. Maybe smacking her around a bit but defintely never leaving.

He shifted his legs to better fit her. The heavy weight of her head told him that unfortunately this was all very very real. "The date maybe?" He suggested, slightly sarcastically.

-

That brought a frown to her face. "I remember those years. I know that it happened." She pulled his captive hand down and held it against her chest. "The man...my husband? I don't. Why did I tell him? Why do I trust him?" True, he had never hurt her. He had been incredibly understanding of everything, all things considered.

"It's not-" she paused and bit her lip. "I don't know why it happened. It just did and it confuses me and it's clouding everything up."

-

"I don't know why either." He said softly. He wanted to help her, to give her an answer. "You seemed very attached to Telemachus last I saw."

"Did you...did you tell him about your sight?" It didn't make sense that those two Titanesses were into this. Where did they get off on messing with them so much? "Does he believe you?" He would be offended if some fake husband took his role (and he did kind of see it that way after being the only one to believe her for so long).

-

"I don't know why we broke up. I know we did but. I don't know why." She was distressed by this. Admitting it bothered her and made the issue even more important than it would have been in the past. Why hadn't she thought about this in the past few years she was her husband? Surely it should have occured to her.

"I did," she whispered. "He's seen visions. My stepdaughter hasn't. But he has." Cassandra still wasn't sure if he believed her that they were real, but at the same time, almost no one believed. That part of the curse still had affect.

-

"Think Cass." He pushed. Needing her to believe him now. This couldn't be real. Gaia and Khaos must have messed with their heads again. They'd turned the building upside and brought in people from their past. They must have something to do with their strange new family members. "Why would you break up with Telemachus?"

-

Cassandra turned her head pressed her face into his leg to hide. "I don't know!" It didn't make sense. They would have had to really fight for it to happen. Or he would have had to have found somebody else. But she couldn't figure it out. She felt her memories slipping out of her grasp as she attempted to force herself to remember. "Whenever I try to make myself it slips away. Like light in fingers."

-

Helenus took her shoulder and pushed gently to keep her from hiding. "Because it doesn't make sense." Because this couldn't be real. He just didn't want to say that in case it made her lose it again. "The memories aren't there. Wouldn't I be able to look into the past then, even if I couldn't remember it all now?" He felt terrible for doing this to her, but he had to.

-

"Maybe they hid the past from you." It wouldn't be past their abilities, considering everything that had happened in the past. They were strong enough to bring Zeus here, strong enough to take most of Olympus and bring them here. Cassandra refused to move, though. She had to keep hiding as long as she could.

-

Fair point, Khaos and Gaia could probably do that. It didn't make him feel any better. He wanted his sight to work again, properly. These past few months had left him feel rather useless. "Then...then what about Mina? My...daughter." He grimaced when he said it but it wasn't like she would notice. "Can you really see me as a dad?" He gave up on trying to push her over and just ran his fingers through her hair.

-

The petting calmed her a little bit. No one but Helenus had ever really been able to do it right, it never really made her feel safe. Maybe she just didn't trust anyone else as much and that was why. "I remember her being little and you holding her," she said. The memory felt weird though. "You never wanted a child though. Why did you have one?" It wasn't that she didn't think of the fact that he couldn't really answer her, she just needed something from him that would maybe clue her in.

-

He kept up with the petting. "You have to tell me Cass. I don't have any memories of the past 20 years you say happened." If this really was the future he at least wanted the memories. The woman with him...sounded like and looked like his sister. But if there 20 years she had lived that he hadn't, Helenus wasn't sure what that meant for them. Was she still the same person? "What do you see?"

-

"You and Neoptolmus talked about it. I think something made you want them?" It sounded right, but that didn't make it true. She couldn't come up with an answer that really was true. "It's not. I can see you. Talking to me. But I don't know what you're saying." She looked up at him, striken. One of the few things she had been able to count on was her memory of the past, even at her worst she could tell what had happened in the past that was real and what wasn't. Now she couldn't.

-

"Cass-" his voice caught, she looked scared and he didn't know what to protect her from. "Cass," he tried again after a deep breath. "Maybe that's your mind telling you it didn't happen. You can't come up with anything I would say that would make sense. I'd be a shit dad."

"Neoptolemus told me her parents were close friends of his when they were apparently killed and so we took her in." It was still just a story to him, but maybe telling it would help her. It could give her some fact to latch onto. He just hoped it didn't help her sink deeper into this fake future that had been created for them.

-

"I don't understand why they would make us think it was the future though. It must have happened." She pushed herself up and wrapped her arms around Helenus's neck. Physical contact was soothing and it helped her focus. Her thoughts still swirled and she couldn't tell some of the past from reality but at least she had her brother with her.

At his words, she pressed her face to his neck and nodded. It sounded like it might be right. So what did she remember then? Maybe she was thinking of something else. "That makes sense," she whispered.

-

"Why have they done anything Cass?" He sighed but hugged her back. She was still his sister. He still loved her despite his growing frustration that she wouldn't listen. "We've been turned into kids and had people from our past show up to haunt us. And that's just since I've been here." He wanted to be home. Though he wasn't sure what that meant anymore.

"You'll have to explain my own actions to me then." The very idea of still being with Neoptolemus in 20 years, raising a child with him, freaked Helenus out. This future wasn't what he wanted.

-

It wasn't that she was deliberately chosing not to listen. There was just something that was making it hard for her to accept this. Everything about it. "I'm sorry." She paused and went on, "It's all muddled. Nothing is sticking and I know it's not 2011 anymore but it feels like it should be."

A sigh. "You felt bad for the child." She pulled back and smiled at him. "You're not cold hearted, Helenus."

-

"It only feels like 2011 to me." He snipped and then immediately felt bad for it. "Sorry. This is making even less sense for me."

"Polyxena probably feels different about that." But he managed to smile back. It felt good to have someone believe he was a good person. He wasn't exactly feeling like it himself. After all, he was hiding from his new daughter in his sister's room.

-

Cassandra wanted to point out that at least his head was working normally (besides the time displacement) but she wasn't feeling that unchartable yet. He was lucky he had her as a sister.

"Polyxena is afraid," she said as she rested her head on his shoulder again. "She still loves you, though. She always has." Cassandra believed that, even if Polyxena did get extremely angry at them, she still loved them.

-

Except Helenus was fairly sure his head wasn't working normally.

"Maybe, but that isn't the point." He shifted so he was leaning more against the couch. "We're trying to figure out what's going on in your head." One crazy drama at a time. They'd think of the war and Polyxena after this was all figured out. "You don't look 20 years older you know."

-

"When I look in the mirror, I look older to myself. And you look older too." She reached out and traced what she saw as a smile line on his face. "Maybe it's part of the trick. Which ever of us is right sees how it really is, the other sees the trick." Admiting she could be wrong was still too much, it wasn't possible at the moment. "And trying to figure out my head never went well."

-

To him it was just a random line. "Something's wrong Cass. You can't ignore that." He took her hand and squeezed it. "Believe me this time Cass." If she was right about all this, maybe that meant this time he was starting to lose it. Helenus couldn't accept that he was wrong either.

-

"If I accept it," she said quietly, sounding almost heatbroken. "What does that mean about me? About my memories and what I know?" She squeezed Helenus's hand and didn't want to let him go.

-

"It means Khaos and Gaia got to you. Nothing else." Please don't go crazy again. Helenus had been getting spoiled by her recent bout of sanity. It was like being kids again. He had let himself get to used to it. "You said they could block my sight. Why couldn't they give you fake memories?"

-

"Then I let someone else in my bed. I. How do I know he didn't hurt me and they're just hiding it?" IT was one of her biggest fears. Even if another man did hurt her, knowing about it was less frightening than having no idea it had happened.
-
"I don't know Cass." He'd barely met this guy. There was no way he could judge him. This conversation was turning way more draining then he expected when he'd first come over. "I feel like I don't know anything right now." He pressed a kiss to her forehead. "If he has though, I'll beat him up for you."

-

"I know," she said before she pressed a kiss to his cheek. "I'm sorry." About not being able to tell what was happening. About not being able to help him and being a burden like she was. When this ended it would probably be worse, regardless of who was right.

-

"Don't be sorry." He tried to smile, wanting to look comforting. It probably came out more as a grimace. He wasn't very good at lying to her in anyway. "It's not your fault."

-

"Still." She smiled softly at him before she reached out and moved his mouth into a real smile. Or it would be if she wasn't forcing it on him. Physically harassing him usually ended up distracting both of them from whatever serious discussion they had had and she wanted him to relax.

-

Helenus stuck his tongue out at her. Seeing her smile made him smile a little more on his own. They couldn't ignore this forever. "It's not your fault." He repeated.

-

"It's not whose fault it is that matters. I'm still sorry for not being able to know. Or help." At least she got to the point where she could admit that she didn't know what happened. "It's still swirling."

-

"What's still swirling?" His expression turned confused and worried and he took her hands off his face.

-

"Everything. I can't tell if it really happened or not and I don't know how to prove it. Or whose right." She twisted her hands around and gripped his hands in hers. Still, she wouldn't meet his eyes, though.

-

"You're not alone in that." He wanted to lift her head and make her look but that would involve freeing his hands. "I don't know either."

-

She shook her head. "I don't-" Reality was not making itself known to her outside of her brother being here with her. Explaining that to him wouldn't make it him feel better though. So instead of saying anything more, she just curled up against Helenus and rested her head on his shoulder.

i get up, i get up [CLOSED/INCOMPLETE]

2011-02-15T04:55:47Z

Characters: Phonos & Makaria
Date/Time: The morning of February 14th.
Location: Their apartment.
Rating: PG-13?
Warnings: References to sexual content, maybe? idk.
Summary: Phonos and Makaria wake up in bed, married.

Phonos awoke slowly, much like any other day, his thoughts of the present piecing together individually as the haze of his fatigue lifted away. As he slowly opened his eyes to gaze up at the ceiling, however, his mind dully began to realize that something was wrong. He lifted a hand to run through his hair and immediately shifted to sit up, finding himself surprisingly nude, something which was not a common act for him.

Sitting up to rest his bare back on the headboard, he glanced down beside him to see a sleeping figure there, with a bundle of black hair hiding her face; luckily, the sheet covered most of her form. He sat silently for a long stretch before he reached up with the opposite hand to scrub at his eyes. Glancing down to the side of the bed, two things stood out: the black titanium wedding band sitting there and the display that told him today's date was 2031. Clearly something larger was amiss.

Still, no solution presented itself automatically, so he waited in silence for the other form to awake, hoping she might be able to offer some kind of explanation.

you are a thunderous thing, wonderous king [closed/complete]

2011-02-13T03:29:32Z

Characters: Zeus and Hera
Date/Time: January 10, the night of Hera's arrival. (Backdated log is backdated)
Location: 12F
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Intimacy.
Summary:The King and Queen of Olympus are reunited and spend their time speaking of killing Cronus, appreciating each other without actually saying it and getting it on to celebrate.

Zeus was genuinely pleased that his wife had been restored to him. While the sensible part of his brain would have rather she stayed in Olympus, to aid Hestia in keeping the fire burning and to keep the last remaining gods in line, his heart had missed her. Of course, in her absence, Zeus had had more of a free rein than usual and he had been enjoying himself with various women who had crossed his path.

But Hera was here now. That was all he could think of. He left the office without telling anyone but, in truth, they were used to their eccentric CEO coming and going as he pleased. He sat, impatient, in the cab and overtipped the driver when they finally reached the complex.

Finally, finally, he let himself into his - their - apartment and said not a word as he closed the door behind him.

§

Hera was feeling the same amount of pleasure in their pending reunion. At first she had quiet enjoyed that little surge of power that one would get when she is the sole ruler of so vast and mighty a kingdom. But then came the loneliness. There was no one on Olympus that she could truly talk to, confide in. No one to turn to for help with important decisions (and there were many to be made with a great number of important gods missing). She had missed her husband, her brother and her best friend and the resulting pain was quite inconsolable.

But here she was now, in their new apartment. She sat on the couch, back straight, a graceful arm resting on the arm of the couch, legs crossed with a Louboutin-heeled foot shaking up and down at a slow and steady pace.

When the door opened it took all her power not to jump up. Rather, she stayed seated, putting on a rather demure smile for that husband of hers that she’d so missed.

“Darling.”

§

Zeus looked at her for the longest moment. It was not Olympus and it was not an appropriate throne for his queen but at least she was in the same temporal and physical plane. What a novelty; after all his years spent dodging Hera for his own entertainment, she had surprised him.

Finally, he walked towards her. He smiled down at her and studied her. Though mortal, with all those attendant frailties, Hera was beautiful.

Zeus sank down onto his knees in front of her and bowed his head.

“My Queen.”

§

The long look exchanged between them gave Hera time to examine his mortal self in the same manner. Handsome, as he always would be no matter the form, a beard much less magnificent than his immortal one but still lovely all the same, and a face that would seem to look strikingly young without the facial hair. Even so, Hera guessed her mortal self to be younger than his, though men did tend to age better. Her lips could not help but twitch up at the corners at the sight of him.

Uncrossing her leg before he knelt before her, she leaned her upper body forward and took his head in her hands. Gently, she kissed the top of his head, then lifted his face upwards to plant another kiss upon his forehead.

“My King,” she said firmly, “We are reunited at last.” This last utterance was much softer, deeper, affectionate.

§

Zeus smiled at her, his entire face lighting up and though he appeared rather young, there was a light in his eyes that spoke of a wealth of history. He tilted his face up to capture her lips for a gentle kiss.

“If I may be entirely selfish, my darling wife - “ (And see, now she was his wife and there was no mistake.) “- Words cannot express how happy I am to have you with me again. I make a very poor king without my queen.”

He gathered her hands together and kissed her knuckles. “Though, for your sake, I am sorry you must suffer this ignominy with the rest of us.”

§

Leaning into the kiss, Hera couldn’t help but mentally sigh with relief. She had missed this. More so than she would ever dare to say. His flattery made her happy, and deep down she could do nothing but want to believe all that he said.

“You could never be selfish, husband, you know that I am all yours. Even in the circumstances, degrading as they are, I am always happy to be at your side where I belong.”

A small sound of amusement. “You are a wise man, though, for recognizing that we are best as a pair, as a team,” her tone was quite serious but it also held a lot of affection in it. “Now darling, what have you been wasting your hours with here?”

§

Zeus sat up onto the couch, then, happy in that moment to forget that they were king and queen, preferring instead to gather his wife into his arms and bury his nose in her hair, inhaling deeply.

“I have been plotting our father’s demise. I like to think it is a worthwhile use of time. I doubt very much it will greatly affect our current position but it might be rather cathartic.”

He moved his head then, to touch his lips to the side of her throat. “You will stand with me, of course.” (It was not really a question.)

§

Up until the moment Zeus had walked through the door, Hera had been entertaining thoughts, doubts really, about what kind of infidelities he had committed here. They were passing thoughts, in the back of her mind, but still present. Until she saw him.

Now she was leaning against his body, wrapping her arms around him, laying her head on his chest. A true lovers’ embrace. All bad thoughts had gone away for the time being, as they so often did when he treated her this way.

She was tracing circles on his chest with her fingers while he talked of their sweet revenge. Nothing could have made him more attractive to her right now. She did not turn her head to meet his eyes, not wanting to break away from his lips on her neck, but her voice was firm. “Of course. There is no other place I would be.”

§

Zeus smiled, a slow smile. He was glad that he and his wife were of the same mind. When it came to the important things (or those things Zeus deemed important, at any rate), they were often united. It was all the other little details that sometimes passed him by and made his wife angry but now was not the time to think on it.

Now was the time to crook his finger under her chin and guide her face to his so that he could kiss her. “There is no other place for you, Hera, but here, by my side.”

§

She leaned into the kiss only to break it away teasingly, “And here I shall be.”

Lingering right in front of his face with the edges of her lips twisted up ever-so slightly, she tapped her fingers softly on his shoulder. “Now, darling. Tell me more of what you’d like to do to Daddy dearest,” a pause, biting her lower lip, “It... excites me.”

§

Zeus chased that kiss once more. He wound his arms around her. “We-ell,” he said, a musing tone entering his voice. “There will be mayhem, no doubt, and death and he will endure a most unpleasant end but it is no less than he deserves for what he has done.”

§

A small smile still playing at her lips, she moved herself from beside her husband to on top of him, legs straddling his hips and arms wrapping around his neck. “Mayhem,” she repeated, kissing the right side of his neck with the lightest touch. “And death,” another kiss to the other side, just below his ear. It was less soft and more intense.

It was important to please him. Now more than ever. To secure him to her, as she always seemed to do, for however long she could. Their unity was important now than it had been for a long while.

Sucking on that one spot that she knew her husband so liked in his more godly form, she unwrapped a hand to work on the buttons of his shirt. When he was exposed enough to her liking she left a trail of kisses from his neck to chest.

§

Zeus’ eyes half-drifted shut, his eyelids suddenly heavy as he gazed up at his wife from under his eyelashes. A rather satisfied smile crept over his lips and he rested his hands on her waist, briefly. He sighed his pleasure at her attentions to him and, to give him some manner of credit, he did not spare a single thought for the women he had had since arriving in New York, whether modern mortals or Muses or goddesses. At this precise moment, he could not spare a single thought for himself. His mind was filled with Hera and there was truly no other to please him.

He dropped one hand to her thigh, rubbing, caressing, as his other hand skated over her collarbone, his large hands delicate and knowing as he sought to touch skin.

§

That sigh was all she needed to know her place was secured, if only for the time being. It had done her so well before, and the fact that she could please him and fill his mind so (as she knew she did, a marriage as long as theirs would make his feelings apparent to her) was just an added bonus. A pleasure in and of itself. A wife should please her husband, after all.

And a husband should please his wife. Mortal caresses were different, but still euphoric in a way that a lover’s touch would always be. That delicate touch left her in goosebumps. She raised her head and locked her heavy-lidded eyes with her husbands for a moment. Trying to wordlessly say how much she missed him, as if it could never be spoken aloud. If her message was not clear in her eyes, it was in her lips which locked to his with an intense intimacy and passion.

§

Zeus understood his wife perfectly in this moment. It was not as much of a novelty as some might suggest (those who didn’t understand them were only too keen to identify the flaws in this marriage) but, every time he was on the same wavelength as his wife, he felt secure. No, more than secure. He felt close to invincible and that was an invaluable feeling when one was only mortal.

He returned her kiss heatedly before murmuring against her lips. “Shall we take this to the bedroom, my queen?” He had it in mind to lay her down on the (sumptuous, large) bed and have his way with her and, preferably, not leave that bed till they regained their divinity (or till morning, at the earliest).

§

And at times like these, where they were on the same wavelength in both body and mind, were when Hera felt most secure herself. No one could ever fault her for being a weak woman, as many flaws that others might see blatantly, she would never, ever give up on her marriage.

“Let’s,” she whispered. She’d gotten at the bedrom earlier, it was in definite need of a woman’s touch, but would be much more tolerable to be in with her husband.

§

With a grin he stood up, abruptly, and swept her up into his arms. His queen and a powerful goddess she may be; in this form, she was quite a delicate mortal. He carried her into the bedroom and set her down on the bed, with all due care. Bending his head down, he place a soft kiss on her forehead, another on the tip of her nose and, finally, he reached her mouth.

Zeus smiled. This would be a beautiful night.

let's go down town and meet the modern kids [closed/incomplete]

2011-02-12T10:09:18Z

Characters: Calliope, Epiales
Date/Time: Friday afternoon
Location: Manhattan
Rating: tbc
Warnings: Unlikely
Summary: Calliope not entirely enamoured of New York right now. Let's see if Epiales can help.

Calliope had had enough. The weekend hadn't come soon enough. She had come to the conclusion that the children in her class weren't the problem, precisely; it was their parents. They were so demanding. They didn't seem to understand that little Johnny and little Freddy and little Janey were not musical prodigies. There was very little prodigious about them, in truth. She had expected to leave the school about an hour previously but there was a line of parents waiting to speak with her.

It wasn't her fault that she gave bad grades. The children didn't deserve any better. They weren't applying themselves. They didn't love the music and she could only inspire them so far. After the last father had left (and Calliope didn't use her flair once; he was a stammering, stuttering idiot), she slung her bag over her shoulder (a lovely leather satchel, given to her by one of her wonderful sisters) and walked back towards the complex.

At least it was only cold and not snowing or raining today. At least it was the weekend.

Dinner in Manhattan

2011-02-11T04:19:23Z

Characters: Morpheus, Echo
Date/Time: January 29th (+)
Location: Complex/Restaurant/?
Rating: PG
Warnings: N/A
Summary: Echo and Morpheus have dinner to celebrate her acceptance into NYU.

It was simple to say that the weather was cold outside, the chilling wind waging a close battle with Morpheus' coat, the winner deciding on his mood for the moment. But it would be nearly impossible to completely dampen his hopes and oddly cheery demeaner, since the reason that he was waiting outside was for a certain girl that had promised him a date.

Or was it the other way around? He didn't have the faintest clue. Morpheus leaned against the wall near the front of the complex, checking his watch for the nth time as he reassured himself (here and not there, right?). With a dark peacoat jacket with pants and shoes to match, the only lighter clothing he had was a scarf - but that was gray, nothing of color.

Morpheus hoped that he wasn't too early or maybe late enough to have completely missed her, his thoughts filled with questions on if he had the correct time (around 7PM, supposedly) or on how he thought the dinner would go. Nicely, was all that he asked for.

(a proud father of me you have already made)

2011-02-09T21:47:34Z

Characters: Melinoe, Zeus
Date/Time: Shortly before Zagreus' arrival
Location: The complex, at first.
Rating: PG
Warnings: Angst
Summary: Melinoe finds out something she didn't want to know.

Melinoe was having a bad day. It was interesting how she felt her emotions come so easily being mortal than she ever had as a goddess--appeasing the ghosts that were given up by those who walked the earth wasn’t always simple, but it was what she was meant to do; she did it well and without much issue. But now, being mortal meant more frustration, more emotion as a whole. Someone in particular who’d gotten under her skin today had been a physically disabled man who could not function without help in life and who didn’t realize he was dead. He no longer needed the help, and yet he was yelling at her and begging her to help him up. She had to keep her voice down at work so they wouldn’t feel the need to cart her off to the asylum, but he eventually rescinded after some hours and went in much the same way that Cronus had when she saw him. By the time it was over, Melinoe was in the perfect mindset to drink and drink heavily, even though she never had.

Why couldn’t she possess the same stoic manner that her father seemed to have? It would have made everything easier. Or not. She suspected it would have mostly just frustrated the ghosts instead of easing their worry.

The elevator, being the finicky thing it was, was Out of Order as Meli came home from her rather long evening at work. She sighed heavily, still bundled up from the cold, and made her way up the stairs. She didn’t always enjoy the venture, but it would help warm her up tonight and perhaps get her mind wrapped around the events of the day. Melinoe absently counted the stairs and lost herself in her own thoughts, paying no mind to the surroundings.

§

Zeus was going out for the evening. Just a spur of the moment decision but he was bored of being cooped up by the weather. In truth, he was insulted by it. He should have more influence over the weather than this. He was pretty certain he hadn’t had anything to do with the recent blizzards and that was very humbling indeed.

He was engaged in pulling on his gloves and entirely not looking where he was going (damned elevator being out of order meant that he was getting far more exercise than strictly necessary) and, therefore, he walked straight into the young woman coming up the stairs.

Instantly, he stuck his hand out to grasp her wrist so she didn’t fall.

“Apologies,” he said, instantly. Whether his apology was sincere or not was still to be decided.

§

Her blue eyes went wide and blinked several times as she looked up at the body that she had bumped into and nearly gone back down the stairs head over feet. “No need,” she managed, once her balance was finally restored and she realized just who it was that had a hold of her wrist. “I am usually not so careless, and so the apology is mine.” Melinoe relaxed (just a bit--this was Zeus, after all--can’t let your guard down too far) and gently took back her arm. Somewhere, she was able to at least find a smile to offer, even if she wasn’t entirely sure just what it meant.

Being polite, she thought. “How are you this evening? What brings you to make yourself go out in this weather?”

§

He smiled just as soon as he recognised her. Persephone’s children were such a delight, it must be said. “Oh, I am quite bored by being confined to the indoors so I thought I might venture out.”

He frowned, then, again a reasonable facsimile of concern (fatherly or otherwise remained to be seen). “Though you are rather late back. You’ve not been out on your own, I hope? This city is not the safest of environments for unaccompanied young women, I gather.”

§

“Working late, actually.” She tugged at the rather silly-looking blue and black striped stocking hat on her head and covered her ears just a hair more, smiling slightly sheepishly, in spite of herself. “I’ve no other reason to really venture out on my own. But I do understand the want to get out of this building after being snowed in. I’ve begun learning arts and crafts from the internet just to stay occupied.” Melinoe wouldn’t mention her nightly visitors that would often keep her up, though it seemed to be getting better. As a mortal, she was learning different methods to keep their voices at bay. Maybe once that was kept in check, she would try to meet others outside of the complex and at work...

“At any rate, don’t let me keep you, Uncle. I hope you have a pleasant time tonight, whatever it is you find yourself doing.” Well, Meli, we know what that ‘whatever’ usually is. There’s just no need to reiterate it.

§

Zeus laughed. “I will have a pleasant time, I hope, though I’m not sure what I make of these ‘arts and crafts’. It is why I have Muses, you know. They may craft beauty and I shall enjoy it with so very little effort.”

His smile grew wider (Uncle, indeed) and he offered her his arm. “If you are not too weary after your day’s work, why don’t you accompany me? I promise not to be an utter tearaway and simple go to the coffee shop down the street. They do an excellent dessert, did you know?”

§

She chuckled at the mention of Muses. “Well, it keeps my mind occupied, just the same, learning new things in this mortal way of life. Perhaps I can create something, too.”

The slender eyebrow that shot up at his asking her to come with him was completely out of her control. Hades had essentially forbade any real association with Zeus, and truthfully, she hadn’t expected the man to extend the invitation. Normally, Meli didn’t follow her bit of a rebellious streak, but after the events of the day, she was definitely feeling the need to go down that road just to relax her mind, if nothing else. Shaking herself out of her sudden look of surprise, Melinoe shrugged lightly and turned herself so that she might take Zeus’s arm. “You know, I truly do not go to these places much, unless Mama wants to go. I think I shall join you. I might as well make the most of this mortal life, hm?” Her smile was genuine (albeit mildly suspicious), and despite her father’s warning, Meli was feeling pretty darned good about herself right in that moment.

§

“It is important to take this mortal life by the scruff of the neck, I find, or else we shall be old and grey before we quite know what to do with ourselves,” said Zeus, agreeably. While on the topic of agreeable, he couldn’t quite believe how amiable Persephone’s children really were. Well, Melinoe was his own child but he wasn’t sure what Makaria’s excuse was, for being quite so divine.

He kept pace with her, walking back down the stairs. “What is it you do, to pass the time here?” he asked. “I assume my father and his allies gave you some sort of occupation that they deemed appropriate.”

§

It interested Melinoe, for some strange reason, how short she was as compared to him. What was that the mortals often said? Had being a resident of the Underworld ‘stunted her growth’? She doubted it very much, and not many of them looked just like they did in their own times and places--especially not Melinoe. The lack of her half-white, half-black skin had not gone unnoticed. There were times when it felt strange to see herself with her current fair complexion, but found her dark hair to be quite lovely with her eyes. “I am employed at a mortuary,” she answered, turning the last corner around the stairwell before they reached the lobby. “I prepare the dead for their funerals in whichever manner that their beliefs dictate I should. I often work later because, well...” She looked up at him and shrugged lightly. “Because they come and speak to me as they would any other time, and I have to be mindful when I speak to them to not reveal too much. My employer is sometimes concerned, but I think he finds my, erm... eccentricity endearing. He’s very nice, but I am not interested in anything beyond work or friendship, so I’ve started working later.”

Why did she simply spill that all out? It made no real sense, other than she was satisfying his curiosity about what Cronus had done with all of them. No harm in that, was there? “What about you, then?” She pushed open the door to the chill outside. “What does he have you toiling
at?”

§

Zeus reached over Melinoe’s head to push the door open too and to hold it open for her. He frowned. “That sounds rather draining. Having to hide who you are yet be unable to have any respite while at work. Do they come and speak to you very often?”

He smiled, rather grimly. “Oh, my father has given me some position suited to my station, I suppose. I am, allegedly, a rather high-powered CEO. I have money and companies and staff though it is all terribly wearisome at times. Meetings with people who think that I have any interest in being remotely democratic in how I run a company.” He was rather amused, though. If he ran Olympus (or the world) the way he was expected to run his companies, he would have quit a long time ago and settled in some off-planet tax haven, if such a thing could only exist.

Zeus offered Melinoe his arm again. “Do be careful. The paths are very slippery in places.”

§

“They do,” she replied. “Most times, they’re quite pleasant and happy to be going wherever it is they could be going to. Sometimes they do not know they’re dead. The times I try to sleep seems to be the worst, though I am getting better at ‘tuning’ them out. It’s tiring, but it appears to be working. I’ve slept more than five hours a night this week, so that’s good.”

Melinoe canted her head gently at the mention of his position in this mortal life. “Well, no one said any of this was meant to be easy, but I doubt you would have been given something you weren’t capable of handling, Uncle. Handling Olympus could not have always been wine and roses--” She stopped herself, a rather sardonic grin resting suddenly on her pretty features. “Well. Maybe it was for you.”

Her arm tucked neatly into his and, for once, she was glad of the warmth coming from her current companion as they walked. “Oh yes. I found myself on my rear more than once in the last week. I am learning the art of ice-walking, despite the bruises I have to prove my inexperience. Thank you for your concern.” The sincerity behind anything that Zeus did was often to be questioned. For now, though, Meli would take the company happily.

§

Zeus frowned. “That sounds all rather tiring.” Of note, he didn’t say tiresome. Zeus knew not to question or belittle the gifts of other gods. He knew enough to be grateful for his own blessings and not to comment on the curses of others.

“Handling Olympus is a walk in the park by comparison,” he said, a smile restored to his face. “At least in Olympus, I am not questioned. My word is law. There are no board meetings, thankfully, and with Dionysus and Demeter, I never want for wine and roses, you know.”

Zeus guided Melinoe into the coffee shop which was quiet, though not empty, and was pleased when the hostess guided them to his favoured table, towards the back, in a quiet corner. “I know I have dragged you out but being inside is certainly more favourable then sliding about on the ice,” he said, cheerfully. “A change in scenery is often welcome, though. How do you find this city? It must be terribly different to your home.”

(Zeus’ experiences of the Underworld were limited, of course, save for that time when in Hades’ guise, he had begotten the girl who sat in front of him now. A sweet victory over a humourless brother.)

§

Melinoe slid into her seat easily, finally becoming warm enough to pluck off her mittens. “I find it intriguing, I must admit, although it’s all very mechanical and gray. I am appreciative of the color that I have found--and that’s a nice change from being at home.” She tucked her mittens into her pockets. The place was cozy, and she found herself enjoying the atmosphere despite her current company. This was the most time she had ever spent with Zeus and could likely count on one finger any conversation she recalled ever having with him. “I am trying to decorate my apartment to lessen the drab. I’m finding myself rather addicted to blues and greens.”

Her blue gaze rested on his features easily. “So, Uncle... what’s this dessert that you find so delicious here?”

§

“Blues and greens? Your Uncle Poseidon would be so very proud.” Zeus smiled as he picked up a menu. “You should see Olympus sometime, though. Wine and roses and every bursts of colour imaginable. Hestia does a fine job.” Some shadow passed over his face, briefly, as he thought of the gentlest of his sisters and he wondered how the remaining Olympians were faring. “Though I daresay your mother must be a help in decorating? She always had an eye for brightness.”

He slid the menu across the table towards her. “Banoffi pie. I do not know why but I find it utterly enchanting.”

§

“Actually, I did the decorating on my own.” She found herself smiling just a little because of that. It wasn’t that she wouldn’t have wanted her mother to help, but it was her own space, and she wanted very much to make it hers. “Mama is very fond of her springs and summers. Sunlight and flowers.” Melinoe sighed softly. It was interesting how she did spend her nights for so long leading the dead, making them happy when she rarely took the time to do such a thing for herself. It wasn’t that she never experienced daylight or took in a fresh summer day... but it was so few and far between. Now that she was mortal, there was a certain sense of bliss she’d not quite experienced before, and even though she still needed to tend to her godly job, things seemed brighter, now. Meli wanted to enjoy things... the things mortals would talk to her about like kissing and coffee and the beach.

She snorted softly at the name of the dessert Zeus provided to her. “What in the world is that made of?” The smile on Melinoe’s face only exued her good-natured tease. “It sounds... fun?”

§

“Sunlight and flowers are rather beautiful. Wait until spring and you’ll see the true beauty of spring.” Zeus tapped his fingertips on the table top. “I supposed this little trick of the Titans isn’t all bad.” He didn’t quite believe it, of course; he thought that being trapped in a mortal body in 21st century New York was on a par with being stuck in Tartarus. Still, it seemed appropriate to encourage his daughter’s unexpected optimism. “At least we are discovering new experiences. Life outside the Underworld isn’t so bad, no?”

Zeus laughed at the expression on Melinoe’s face, again strengthening his opinion that she was considerably sunnier than any child of Hades could be. He was pleased that her upbringing hadn’t spoiled her. (Of course, their upbringing had produced the entirely lovely Makaria so it can’t have been all bad.) “Banoffi is a wonderful combination of bananas and toffee. I highly recommend it.”

§

“Well, then,” she finally announced. “I think I will try that. I’ve never had either, so it’s a good way to start, perhaps?” Meli was, indeed, trying to figure out modern food. It had changed quite a bit over however many centuries or millennia she’d passed over from the last thing she remembered until Cronus (or Khaos or Gaia or whoever was having a bad day) brought her here. Meals seemed quick-prepared and one plate seemed far too much for one individual. So far, her favorites were milk chocolate and fried chicken (not together, thankfully).

Melinoe tucked a rogue lock of hair that was threatening to poke her in the eye back up and under her hat. She wasn’t sure why she liked it, and no one else seemed to mind... In fact, several people had their hats or whatever they wore to keep their head warm still perched on their heads. “So, Uncle, I do not mean to offend, but why do I have the feeling you have motives other than just a friendly chat over a slice of pie?” Her gaze lingered on Zeus’s face for a long moment. “I do not recall you ever wanting to take a moment to talk, but then, I suppose I can understand with you and Papa not exactly seeing eye-to-eye.” Oh, Meli. You really don’t know. Her gaze dropped to her folded hands sitting quite prettily on the table. “But then, I suppose I never really spoke with anyone outside of my home, other than the ones who follow me.”

And she hadn’t. Melinoe’s friends truly consisted mostly of any of the Underworld league and whatever ghosts she couldn’t seem to shake. In truth, she had an itching to at least try to make a friend in this strange place; someone from the complex, and not necessarily the mortals she worked with. Not that they were bad, but they would never understand.

§

Zeus watched her carefully; the girl was thoughtful, clearly, and where that trait came from was anyone’s guess.

“Must I have other motives?” he asked, his expression neutral, though it took some effort. Another tactic might be required. “But you are right. Hades and I are not desperately close, it must be said. I am not particularly close to your mother, either.” He bit his lip, affecting an air of pensiveness. “Though we usen’t be particularly distant.”

§

She shrugged good-naturedly, but declined to comment. He was Zeus. When didn’t he have an ulterior motive? At least, anything she knew about him seemed to indicate that he did and he definitely wasn’t shy about it. At his latter comment, Melinoe canted her head with an eyebrow lift to follow. “Are you speaking of my parents as a whole? Or perhaps one or the other?” Why did she have the inkling that there was going to be far more to this situation than he was letting on?

Probably because with Zeus, the general consensus is that, well... there usually was.

§

Zeus grinned, somewhat pleased by her curiosity. “Both of your parents. Either or. In truth, I haven’t ever been close to my siblings, Hera aside.” He shrugged. “Demeter and I - Well. I haven’t been close to my brothers, at any rate.” He didn’t mention Hestia because it was unnecessary; Hestia was a goddess unsullied. “I haven’t been close to many of my children, either, but your mother is one of the few-”

He paused. The waitress had come with his coffee. Coffee was one of the few things that pleased him these days. Stirring sugar into it, he looked up at Melinoe, wondering how well she was following the implications of his words.

§

Melinoe asked the pretty waitress for the pie that sounded so delicious and appealing, though she was beginning to debate whether or not she wanted to stay to finish. It didn’t take much for her to gather that her uncle had laid with her mother. Things like this were not uncommon in their world, especially when it came to Zeus. She held a hand up and forced an uncomfortable smile. “That will do, Uncle.” While she knew how these things worked, she wasn’t exactly versed in them, and any lessons Zeus was looking to give... he could keep right on looking. “Whatever was between you and Mama is in the past, and it is done.”

Isn’t it?

§

He picked up his coffee mug, cradling it between his hands and continued to look at Melinoe. “Oh, you are right, to a point. What was between us is done but it is hardly over. There is cause and there is effect.”

He shrugged, again, waiting to see what she would take from that. “I do love my children,” he said. “Some more than others and, yes, I play favourites. I am not a good father.” He flashed a smile. “But I’m a very effective father.”

§

Melinoe narrowed her pretty eyes and straightened in her chair. She wasn’t entirely sure if her lack of sleep was getting to her, but something hit a nerve. The man had been dropping words pertaining to his children all night. That last phrase made her take pause. “An... effective father? What in Tartarus does that even mean?”

Right about then, the young waitress returned with the pie Meli had ordered with a somewhat disgusted expression, but her tone was lighthearted as she spoke: “We, uh, don’t serve tartar sauce here. Sorry.”

§

Zeus waited for the waitress to depart, flashing her a truly charming smile which caused the youngster to blush very prettily.

“Effective? I am very good at becoming a father, though I suppose acting a father is something else entirely, or so I gather. It is strange. Most of my children know me.”

§

As he began to speak, Melinoe almost picked up the fork to take the first bite of her pie. But as he continued, she instead rethought the food portion of the program and decided she suddenly wasn’t all that excited about the dessert. She set her line of vision at Zeus’s eye and gave something of a short and quiet laugh, very little amusement held within it. “All right, Uncle. I’d much rather you stop tip-toeing around and say what it is you mean to say. None of your children that I have knowledge of have denied you as their patriarch, so your telling me any of this is simply reiteration on your part.” Meli had a sneaking suspicion of exactly what it was that he meant to say; he’d certainly hinted around about her mother enough.

So why was she getting that sinking, sick feeling in her stomach that she’d only really experienced when she had the feeling that something she feared was closing in?

§

Zeus was solemn. His easy smile had slipped away and there was something rather cold in his eyes. “I daresay your mother will not be pleased. I am surprised that you do not know. I wonder if you ever-?” He paused.

Not unkindly, he said, “I’m your father, Melinoe. Did you not suspect?” Thoughtfully, he tapped his fingertip on the table. “Arms of black and white, daughter of the Underworld and Olympus. I do not know why you have not been told.”

§

Meli wanted so much to call him out on some great lie that Zeus’d built up just to mess with the family, but she couldn’t. Zagreus, she knew, was his son--that fact had never been hidden, but no one ever gave her reason to not believe Hades was her father. The thought that he might not be had never crossed her mind until just before Zeus began dropping hints.

Her jaw clenched in sync with her stomach and she frowned deeply. Melinoe felt immediately cold and physically ill, inwardly devastated because she knew what he said was true. She wanted to scream at him, call him the liar she hoped he was. Wanted to throw that stupid pie at him, bloody his nose with the small china plate that it sat on. She had known he’d had other motives and hated herself for giving in to the want of something of a break from the day instead of just going home and attempting to sleep. Why would he make up her being his daughter? What gain would he have in this?

Instead, Meli grabbed her gloves in a very calm, but angered way (were her hands shaking?). ““I want to say that I do not believe you, but I have no reason to do so. Why did you tell me?” she whispered as she looked down, fighting back a sharp burn of tears that threatened to overflow. Why didn’t they tell you? “Things were fine as they were. He’s the only father I have ever known, and I love him more than almost anything. You have plenty of children, including my brother. Isn’t that enough?” Never mind that currently Hades knows practically nothing of you, Melinoe. She pulled her gloves on very deliberately and forced herself to look up at Zeus. First one tear... then a few more blurred him out. Melinoe never remembered actually crying before, but she tried to blink the flood back. She suddenly hated her parents and brother for never saying a word--at least that she could remember. To her knowledge, Makaria had none of this knowledge either, but who knew? “What about my sister?” She grabbed her scarf and began to bundle up, feeling less than worthy of a lot of things as she stood to slide on her coat. She needed to get away from him.

§

Zeus’ response was entirely calm. “Your sister remains your sister. No more and no less.” He reached out and lightly grasped her wrist. “I am not asking you to love Hades any the less but I would not deny my own child. You are a creature of the Underworld and there is nothing I can or wish to do to change that. I would have you know the truth, though.”

He smiled then, almost kindly (almost pityingly). “It is not the worse thing in the world to be a child of Zeus.”

§

She tried not to recoil at his touching her, but the contact made her jerk her arm away from him almost immediately. Melinoe finished putting her coat on as he continued talking, her miserable attempt at ignoring him allowed for his words to seep in. “What purpose does it serve you for me to know? You said yourself that you’re a terrible father. What, other than my newfound disdain for you, changes? Nothing. Do you think you deserve some sort of reward for your efforts, now?” She kept her voice low, but it was far from easy.

Melinoe zipped up her dark winter coat as he said his last piece. If looks could kill, those blue eyes of hers would have been throwing poisoned daggers and fire at him. “You’ve not given me reason to believe otherwise, Zeus, and I lack any sort of faith in your ability to provide proof of it.” Without fanfare or farewell, she simply turned and walked for the door. Meli was not overly enjoying the stares and whispers she was getting about what had just transpired between the gentleman and young woman--especially since she was exiting in tears and heading out into the freezing night.

To where, she did not know. Once outside, Melinoe’s composure completely dissolved into quiet sobs. It took her a moment before she traversed down the treacherous and now blurry sidewalk with no destination in mind.

§

Zeus had half a mind - quarter of a mind, perhaps - to go after his daughter but he had established enough to realise that she wouldn’t appreciate it. He turned his attention, instead, to the Banoffi pie and the waitress. He learned that her shift was over in half an hour.

He could wait.

[Closed/Incomplete]Tears of unprecedented beauty reveal the truth of existence

2011-02-08T04:36:16Z

Characters: Melpomene and Epiales
Date/Time: Feb 7th, around 9pm
Location: Subject to change
Rating: I'll let you know
Warnings: Muse of Tragedy and the Oneiroi of Nightmares hanging out together
Summary: Epiales asked Mel to show him around. She obliges.

He'd said "tomorrow". He hadn't said what time, and she was very against early morning, and mid-morning. And at noon she'd had lunch, and once that was over, well it just seemed like something anyone would to, to take someone out in the early after noon. If he wanted her to show him around, she'd show him the places she liked. The touristy stuff he could get from anyone.

So it was late when she knocked on his door. Her clothes were her usual eclectic style. The top was styled like a Victorian dressing gown, fitting tightly across her torso with a long back hem that fell down to her ankles; it's neckline starting wide off her shoulders and plunging deeply, showing off her excellent cleavage. The sleeves belled at her elbows, the fabric trailing. The fabric was a dark teal, felt touchably soft and shined when it caught the light. The rest of her outfit was completed with black pants that vanished into knee high black leather boots.

She leaned a shoulder against the door frame, lounging carelessly as she waited for him to answer.

Tea for Two

2011-02-07T06:15:24Z

Characters: Helenus and Melinoe
Date/Time: A couple of days before this
Location: A small cafe not far from the complex
Rating: PG, maybe.
Warnings: Various complaints on siblings (forgive Meli's rambling, pretty please...)
Summary: Helenus and Meli have figured out they get along very well, as awkward as it seems, and have a lot more in common with the other than originally thought.

She was in the lobby at 3:57 p.m., bundled up in her blue stocking hat with the strings (Meli never did figure out why she liked it so much, but she did and could care less who thought she was silly for it), dark brown winter coat, scarf and warm boots. As much as she hated the winter, she hated being cooped up even more. And getting out to have tea with someone she seemed to have a lot more in common with than one would normally consider when it came to the two of them was just sort of different in of itself.

Tugging on the gloves that matched her hat, Melinoe waited patiently (almost) for Helenus. How could anyone be even a little excited about tea?

~

Helenus was a little late, but it wasn’t his fault. Really. He smiled sheepishly as he came up to her, pulling on a hat. “I’m sorry,” he said immediately. “Cass was being a brat.” He pulled up his scarf to cover more of his neck and chin. He was excited to get out and talk to someone who had no connection to Troy. There had been too many familiar (and unwanted) faces recently and they all seemed to be watching him. It would be nice to escape, if only for tea.

He held out an arm for her to take if she wanted. He was still a prince, and he would be polite as possible. “Shall we?”

-

That sheepish smile was returned with one of her own, chiding herself for being a bit early. “No need to be sorry,” she mused. “I have a younger sister. I know how these things can be.” Meli tucked a bit of her scarf down into her coat. It was nice to be able to associate with someone who wasn’t her family--not that she disliked her time with them, but it had been quite taxing on her as of late.

Melinoe’s sheepy smile had turned into more of a pleasantly demure one as he offered to her his arm. “We shall. I may not enjoy this weather, but going out in it with company is leaps better than staring at four walls all evening. I’m glad you decided to come.” As they reached the door, she automatically pushed on it to allow the freezing air inside to nip at their cheeks and noses. Her nose, in turn, wrinkled in mild protest.

~

Helenus cringed at the blast of cold air too, but he had even less desire to go back inside. He led her outside but then had to wait for her to lead the way from there. “I hope I don’t let you down. I’m pretty good at that”, especially if Paris’ reaction was anything to go by.

“You can pull your scarf up to cover your nose.” His hand gestured vaguely towards her scarf but he didn’t dare touch it. This was so far nice and comfortable and he wasn’t going to risk upsetting a goddess. They wouldn’t be able to talk much during the walk if they were both so protected from the cold, but that would make getting to the café that much better, right?

~

“Well, you came to meet me and we’re going to have tea together... So far, I’d say that you’re doing well at not letting me down.” Meli smiled, trying to melt away whatever worry he had about the evening even though she wasn’t exactly Miss Confidence at the moment herself. She just didn’t have a lot of experience with, well, almost anything involving those who weren’t spectral or the Underworld residents. There was only so much you could accomplish with a family of five and a three-headed dog.

She tugged him gently around a corner the next street up. “Oh, I know, and thank you for the suggestion, but I find that I feel trapped when I do.” Maybe ‘trapped’ wasn’t the right word, but it was close. “That and I somehow always manage to get the yarn in my mouth when I try to talk. It sounds silly, I know, but licking wool is not my idea of good conversation.” Melinoe chuckled softly, taking a moment to wave at an elderly gentleman who owned a small antique store that was sweeping the dusting of snow from his front stoop.

~

Helenus smiled back. “The evening is still young, don’t challenge me.” Not that he would actually do anything. He wanted this to be a good time, without any stress or awkwardness.

She was sweet, not at all like he expected from someone from the Underworld. He didn’t really mind that though. It was a pleasant surprise, something that was too rare recently since most of the surprises in the apartment led to mayhem. “It’s not silly,” he assured. “Wool does not leave a good feeling in your mouth.” He noticed the wave and it was so normal it was almost weirder then discussing scarves. Helenus considered asking how she knew him but decided it was better not to. He didn’t know what she might say that could be so bad, but she did see spirits, he’d spent enough time talking about the dead recently.

~

“No, it really does not. Tongues were not meant to be fuzzy. Oh, by the way, the elderly gentleman is real. I’ve stopped into his shop a time or two so that I could see what items are considered ‘antiques’.” Melinoe looked up at Helenus with something of a grin. She could tell the wheels were turning in his head, and she thought she would try to lighten his mood. “Trust me, I try not to react too much to the spirits while I am in public, though I see them far less in the streets during the day. Nighttime, though...” A frown. A sigh. “The night can be hectic for me.

“If you don’t mind my asking, why was your sister being a brat?”

~
Helenus blushed at being figured out so easily. It did make him feel better though. “Anything interesting in there?” He glanced back at the old man and his shop. “I know how that is…trying to hide what you can do out here. But the streets are so crowded here sometimes, can you really tell them apart?” So much for avoiding the subject, but he couldn’t deny he was curious.

“Cass...” he shrugged and smiled warmly. He still had moments where he couldn’t quite believe she was alive. He had seen her die. “She has taken it upon herself to be my conscience. Even when I insist I don’t need it.”

~

“It’s somewhat surprising the things that are considered antique to the mortals. In his shop, he has items from one-hundred to two-hundred years ago... But then, I suppose time to a mortal is much different to experience and think about than it has been for someone like me. And actually, there’s a piece of jewelry there I’m rather fond of, but I’m not sure it’s for me.” A brief pause weighed in while she considered how to explain the difference between the living and the dead. “As for the ones who aren’t of this plane any longer, they have an... unusual tinge to them. Something similar to the pallid a body takes on once it has given up its ghost, yet there’s a rather ethereal, but muted glow about the spirit.” She hoped that she hadn’t disturbed him with her description. He had seen a lot of things, she knew, but the last thing she wanted was for him to feel uncomfortable.

Melinoe lead him to a small coffee shop on a corner, some six blocks from where they began their journey. She tugged at the large brass door handle, moving to get inside the enclosed space rather quickly. The scent of coffee and baked delicacies washed over her, the warmer she felt inside and the more Meli realized she really wanted a warm muffin to go with her tea. She stomped the bit of snow from her boots as the hostess greeted them and lead the duo to a booth towards the back.

After shrugging her coat off and hung it on one of the hooks provided that was screwed to a large wooden beam before sliding into her seat easily. Her hat and gloves stayed on for the time being. Waiting until Helenus sat down, the waitress left them with menus and Meli mentally went back to what he’d said about Cassandra. “I understand what you said about your sister, though mine seems to feel that not getting her way is just cause to pout and tell me I’m the one who’s being illogical. And mean.” Melinoe regarded Helenus for a long moment, deciding that he was a nice-looking gentleman.

~

Helenus made a mental note of where the shop was to look in later. “I’ll have to check it for Polyxena then,” he had never gotten her a birthday gift and the day had ended up getting ruined anyway. Polyxena might not get over it so fast, but something shiny might help. Or he could keep it and hold it up like a shield the day she found out about Neoptolemus and came to kill him. Choices were good.

It wasn’t gruesome details of death so he didn’t mind. It was actually interesting, and kind of daunting to hear about how much he couldn’t see despite his own gift of prophecy

He sighed happily once they stepped inside. There was something almost…dramatic about the place with the brass door and heavy wood and he had a suspicion that was why she liked it. At their booth, Helenus gratefully shed off his coat, hat and gloves, letting the warmth reach his skin. He didn’t understand why people would live in a place that was so cold they had to wear so much. “At least you only have one sister here. Though yours sounds much worse than either of mine.” He pulled over a menu to look at while they talked. “Cass cares and Polyxena is generally ignoring me.”

~

After a few minutes, Meli decided that warm but sweaty hands were not very ladylike and finally pulled off her gloves, laying them politely on the table. She looked over the menu as she listened to him speak of his sisters. Siblings seemed to be the same across the board, and she was sure that there was more than one time Makaria thought ill of her. It was times like this she missed her brother terribly. “I swear, it’s as though you’re living my life. What you said about Cassandra sounds very much like my brother.” Blue eyes that were framed by dark lashes looked up from the list of tea flavors to see if she could tell what her companion was thinking. “But do you think that Polyxena thinks any less of you because you don’t get along as well?” She would not mention what she knew of Polyxena’s willingness to help her father. That... would be another day and another mood altogether.

~

“Your brother?” Helenus felt kind of stupid for having to ask but there were a number of gods and he had never been the best with all of their connections. “You must miss having him here then.” He sighed softly and shook his head. “Polyxena doesn’t think highly of me because I support Cassandra and Telemachus’ relationship. She grew up with nothing but war.” He would never blame Polyxena for how she felt. “If she found out about me…” He trailed off before he could finish the statement, it wasn’t like Melinoe should have any opinion in who he slept with but it was habit to keep it a secret.

~

“Zagreus,” she replied with a fond smile. “I apologize for not offering a name. There are times even I cannot keep up with our sort and relations, I admit.” Satisfied with the choices she’d made for her part of the tea, Melinoe pushed the menu off to the side. “I do miss him so.”

Her brow narrowed at his last comment. Family disapproving of lovers was as old as time itself, not that it ever eased the burden on the individual bearing the weight of the glaring eyes and clandestine meetings away from those eyes. She felt bad about asking, but he left his sentence with a whole lot of silence and not much else. “Forgive me if I’m prying, but what would Polyxena find that was so terrible? If you do not want to say, that’s fine, too.” Meli leaned on her elbows, keeping that ridiculous hat on that she loved with the puff ball on top and waited patiently for his answer.

~

“It’s alright,” it’s not like Helenus could probably list off all his siblings if asked. “I’m sorry he’s not here...or you’re not there. You would probably prefer to be back there. I don’t know what I’d do without Cass here.”

He shrugged and sat back. Absently he spun the menu around on the table while he thought of his answer. He had no problem with telling her and it was nice to be able to tell someone else who wasn’t involved. “She doesn’t like that he’s the son of Odysseus. She doesn’t trust him because of what his father did but Telemachus was never in the war.” The hat really was adorable and he couldn’t help grinning at it. “I don’t mind the prying. If you don’t mind me prying back.”

~

She took notice of him skirting around the subject of ’If she found out about me...’, but it was fine. If it was something he’d find more comfortable to discuss at a later time, or not at all, there was no worry there. “I think a lot of us would prefer to be back in our rightful places, but as I said... New York is growing on me. I’m not sure if we did go back if we’d remember any of this, perhaps it’s best if we don’t. In the meantime, having someone here who cares for us gets us through the rough spots, no?”

Melinoe tucked a leg underneath her behind and relaxed somewhat. “That’s unfair of your Polyxena to jump to dislike Telemachus without knowing him. If the entire world felt that way about the actions of the generations before, nothing would ever be accomplished.” Not that it hadn’t already been happening on this planet for eons, but sometimes the younger ones broke away. “I’m sorry that you’ve been caught up in the middle of it--and if you ever need an ear, feel free.”

“As for prying? Well, turnabout’s fair play. I admit,” she glanced down at his hands for a reason unbeknownst to her and then returned to his face. “It’d be nice for someone to pry because they want to know about me. Not because they have an ulterior motive.”

~

“I never thought about it like that...that we might not remember it. I guess we shouldn’t because people know their futures now and might try to change them.” He realized warning against people knowing their future was was a bit hypocritical coming from him, but shrugged it off. “And I agree, it’s good to have an ear. It’s not like we can talk to anyone from today about it.”

“I’m glad you agree, convincing Polyxena of that is much harder.” He shook his head, brushing away her apology. He believed - had to believe - that if Polyxena could be convinced to meet Telemachus it would all work out. “Thank you, I’ll probably end up taking you up on that.

He held up a hand solemnly, as if about to take an oath. He’d noticed the way her eyes moved but didn’t think anything of it. “I promise, no ulterior motives. I don’t know what I’d gain from it anyway.” Mainly to keep himself from fidgeting more, he folded his hands neatly on the table. “So if I can ask, what happened between you and your sister?”

~

Her smile regarding his promise of no ulterior motive was sweet, and she couldn’t help but chuckle a little at it. “And since you promise, so shall I. Though I agree... I don’t know what either of us would do with it if we did have another motive.” The waitress appeared, rather cheerfully, and asked if they would like to order anything. Melinoe ordered a hot green tea (Joe at work had turned her onto it when they went to a Chinese restaurant for lunch one day), and a cream cheese danish. She found that it all melded together so well for her.

She waited politely for Helenus to order and for the waitress to walk away before she answered his question. Meli sighed, resting her chin on her propped up hand. “I care deeply for my sister, trust in that fact. But as the youngest, she seems to have ways of getting what she wants, and our parents seem to oblige, whether my protests are legitimate or not.” A smirk cropped up before a pretty frown found a place in its stead. “This situation is the latest one, and though things have calmed somewhat, it's where feelings and fear are illogical." She paused briefly, recalling the memory. "I am terrified of dogs, and my sister desperately wanted one. It was discussed on our forums, but for reasons I am still trying to figure out, I completely missed the entire thing. I suspect my lack of sleep had a lot to do with it.” Oh, she still hated herself for missing it, but it didn’t seem to matter. Even if she had known and protested during the discussion, Makaria would have managed to get her dog. “I know that Cerberus cannot help us in his current form, not without bringing trouble. I understand it. But she was offended at the names I chose to call her pet when I was highly upset. And what frustrates me the most, I think, is the fact that no one ever considered that the one thing in this world that I am most terrified of is the one thing my sister wanted would be worth perhaps asking me about personally.”

Meli folded her hands instead and sighed, looking up at Helenus and feeling sheepish for pouring it all out on the table. “After I had calmed down, I told our mother and her that I would try, but I would not be able to love the beast immediately, and it would have to be when I was ready to do so. Since then, she has refused to see me or spend time with me in a room because I would rather not be around her dog every waking moment. I do not think the creature has feelings, currently, and I understand her hurt feelings, but I also feel mine were ignored because, as she, my father and mother all stated, ‘Fear is illogical.’. And every time I had an example of their own fears, it mattered not. I am still wrong for feeling as I do. I love my sister, but I just can’t make Makaria happy. I know I am far from perfect, and I know I make mistakes, but she’s just such a teenager.”

A light blush rose in her cheeks as she caught herself rambling in a lengthy complaint. “Oh... I am sorry, Helenus. I did not mean to dump everything on you. It’s really not a very important thing for sisters to bicker over, is it? It isn't just about the dog, though.” Melinoe felt silly, but was glad to see the appearance of tea and danish to at least cut her embarrassment a little. After all, she barely knew Helenus, only some of the stories.

~

He ordered an Earl Grey and then turned back to Melinoe, silently waiting for her to continue.

He couldn’t help but smile a little bit at how…normal the whole thing was. It was so domestic. He was fairly sure he’d complained about some of his younger sisters it just the same tone as her. The appearance of the waitress gave him a chance to sit back and think about a response to all of that. First though, he had to wrap his hands around the tea cup and just let the warmth seep into him.

“It’s alright,” he finally said. “I would have to agree with you. No one can expect you to just get over a fear. They don’t just disappear because you will them to. I’ve tried, especially since coming here. I’m sorry you don’t have family who can understand that.” He took a sip of his tea. “My brother acts like your sister, coming in and expecting everything to be how he wants it. It gets annoying fast.”

~

“Mama seems to understand better recently,” she replied, picking up the butter knife that was once wrapped up alongside her spoon and fork in a napkin and proceeded to cut her danish in half. She took up the half that she touched and laid it on that napkin before sliding the other half over to her companion without a thought. “They sound like a pair, don’t they? Our siblings, I mean. I can’t imagine anything would get done if the world went around like they want it to.”

Her hands mimicked his as she wrapped them around her nice, warm cup that had a snowman and some snowflakes painted on it. Meli couldn’t help but think she’d seen enough of those for a while. She looked up at her new friend, still surprised that someone actually understood her, even if the things she was frustrated with were seemingly minuscule as compared to the big picture. “What is it about him that grates you the most?” she asked while looking over her mug before sipping the hot brew.

~

“Thank you,” Helenus said in surprise at the danish. He tore off a small piece and popped it into his mouth. It was better then he’d expected. It went well with the more bitter tea. “If my brother ruled the world...he would have a harem.”

What about Paris grated? What about Paris didn’t grate. “I respect him, as my older brother,” he said, figuring it was better to start with something good. “But he won’t take any of the blame for bringing Helen to Troy and starting the war despite warnings from me and Cass. There is always an excuse with him. Usually involving gods and fate. I guess he’s right in some way, but it doesn’t make what he did any better. He was always more concerned with showing off then being a good brother. He tricked Polyxena and killed Achilles in a temple. I didn’t understand why he had to go and anger one of the last gods who cared about us. Now here, he is upset with me for who I choose to sleep with.”

He smiled sheepishly and sank slightly into the seat, running a hand through his hair in frustration. “Sorry, I guess it was my turn to rant a bit.”

~

She picked pieces off of her danish and ate them fairly daintily as he vented about Paris. He had every reason in the world to grit his teeth when it came to his brother, even though the events that had taken place were an extremely important part of history in this world. There was nothing noble about the situation with Polyxena or what he did to Achilles; more specifically where. What puzzled her is that of the things Paris could pick to be angry with his brother with, his brother’s relations was likely the least of his problems.

Of course, Meli supposed, that would also depend on what a certain someone actually did to offend Paris. With some individuals, it just didn’t matter.

“That’s why we’re here, yes?” Melinoe smiled gently before sipping at her tea once more. “Rant away. You listened to me complain about my sister and her dog. You’ve got a much bigger burden to carry than I do, and that is never easy to manage alone.” She propped her face between her hands and smiled again, her cheeks a bit red from the mix of the cold and heat. “I listen. It’s what I do. I may not always have an answer, but I will try to help. Even if that means watching you throw dishes against a wall to let out frustration.

“Whoever you choose to sleep with or love or whatever it is you want to do with someone is your business. We all want acceptance from our family, don’t we? I’m sure my mother would be ecstatic if my grandmother approved of my father in the slightest degree.” Though she was curious, and she was growing rather fond of him, Meli would let it be. So far, Helenus was the closest thing to a real friend inside the complex that she had and she didn’t want to be rude. Even if today was the only time they would sit and have a chat, it meant so much to her.

~

He felt better now actually, having said all of that. “There probably is no answer.” He shrugged because away from the actual cause of his problems made it seem less important. “No offense, but I don’t know if I want an answer from a goddess of death. Though you are not what I expected.” He added quickly, hiding his embarrassed blush behind the tea mug. He couldn’t believe he’d just said all that out loud. Hopefully he hadn’t just ruined things in one shot. “But um...unless I managed to get Paris’ plates to throw at the wall, I don’t think it would help that much. And Neoptolemus would probably be upset if I destroyed our plates.”

He was kind of surprised she hadn’t asked yet, he’d jumped around the topic enough that she had to be curious and he was fairly sure anyone else would ask. “Your grandmo...Demeter?” It was still strange to actually be on speaking terms with some of the gods, he was fairly sure he would never have the guts to talk to Zeus or Hera. “So the story of your mother being kidnapped is all true?” He leaned forward, curious now since how often did you get to hear these stories from someone who was living them.

~

Goddess of Death sounded much more sinister when it came from a mortal who lived. Perhaps knowing she had a real mortality of her own in this body made it sting slightly, she wasn’t sure. She winced slightly and shrugged, speaking in a lowered voice. “My only duty is to appease the ones who have already stepped over the threshold. Bringing death is not part of it.” And said no more about it, at least for today. It was for another time and place. Maybe she was not what he expected, but she wondered what it was that he had been expecting. She was who she was; no more, no less.

Ah, Neoptolemus-- wait. Her thoughts started rummaging through the stories and the history. Neoptolemus would kill Polyxena... The light went on in Meli’s skull for a variety of reasons. That explained a good chunk of everything that plagued him, and she wondered from what point in time they were all pulled from when they were brought here... Could they amend before they left this place? And even if they did, would it make a difference? For whatever reason, Helenus had found his lover in his sister’s assassin, and that had to be an incredibly heavy burden to carry. One cannot readily control their heart.

She found a chuckle after his conspirator whisper about her parents and nodded. “To some extent, yes. The histories make it sound far worse than my mother says it was, but as in everything, there’s his side, her side and the truth. Grandmother would likely rather have his head on a silver plate to feed to that dog of Makaria’s than have Mama have anything further to do with him. They all bicker like children.” Melinoe tittered lightly over the irony that they should be discussing such things. “Mama seems to love him, so there is not much I can say.”

~

He bit his lip, realizing he’d said something wrong but since she hadn’t gotten up and walked away, he hoped it wasn’t that bad. “I’m sorry,” he said quickly. He made a mental note to avoid the general subject of her and what she was for now. He’d gotten too relaxed, caught up in their ramblings at each other and hadn’t been thinking.

He laughed with her, the image of Hades and Demeter bickering was amusing. “So that dog might have use at some point,” he pointed out. “Hopefully not with your father’s head but just in case.” Ah love. All his conversations recently seemed to be circling that word. With lots of people like to think he said it. “I keep on hearing that love is special.” He tore the last bit of his danish into little bits. “It seems hard to find. Do you have someone? If it’s not too personal to ask.”

~

She coughed quietly on a tiny particle of danish that went down the wrong way when he asked if she had someone. Her tea chased after the pesky pastry as she shook her head and patted her chest gently; the question had been completely unexpected--to her, anyway. “Pardon me,” came out in a small voice as she regained her composure over her dessert. “Er, no. On both accounts. My employer has asked me on a date once, but I did not feel as I thought I should for him, and I declined. No one at the complex has taken interest...” Melinoe frowned, somewhat embarrassed at herself and glanced at her hands. “I’ve no experience with things of the nature. Only what I gather from stories, those around me and films. I know what it is to love an individual, but there are so many levels that I have very little knowledge of.” She could feel the blush as it crept into her cheeks. Wow, her hands were suddenly really interesting. Maybe she needed... what was it? A manicure?

Meli felt a fool and even more of one still for being unable to pinpoint the exact reasons why. After all, it wasn’t exactly her fault... “But you!” She looked up. “You seem to have love for your someone. And that’s important.”

~

“Sorry,” he said when she coughed. He hadn’t meant to startle her like that. “It just…seemed like it would be easy for you to find someone.” He grimaced at how awkward that sounded. “You understand emotion better than most people I know.” He hid his stumbling for words behind with a swallow of tea. “I think the only person who maybe understands all parts of love is Aphrodite, but from what I’ve seen of her here she prefers the…physical parts.” This was silly, he was a grown man, he should not be blushing right now.

“What...me? I don’t know.” He had been avoiding using that word like the plague. But everyone seemed intent on using it for him so maybe he shouldn’t be fighting it so hard. “…maybe. It’s complicated.” He tried to make it as clear as possible with his tone that he really wanted a different subject. Then he sighed because it wasn’t fair to just cut it off like that. “I’m sorry, I just have my whole family trying to give their opinion on him. At least you don’t have to deal with that.” He managed to come up with a tiny smile for her.

~

“I can be painfully shy, unfortunately. And perhaps people just do not wish to associate themselves with a daughter of Hades. Either way, no matter how much I understand emotion, I can’t make someone love me or vice versa.” Meli found herself picking up her mug at the same time he did. Here they were, a couple of seemingly sensible people being as awkward about a very normal subject as though they were young teenagers.

Melinoe sighed softly as he voiced his disdain of his family sounding like they were being in any position against Helenus’s lover that they could be in except for accepting. But there was one thing that she did understand. Reaching across the table she touched his wrist reassuringly, but briefly. “It may not be significant others my family seems to fight with me on, but I do understand feeling as though I’m on the outside and looking in. Don’t apologize to me for something you’re working through.”

Her hand came back; her smile sad, but as sweet as pie. She finished off the last of her half of the danish and the rest of her tea, too. While Melinoe wasn’t sure what exactly had been accomplished today, she felt marginally better than she had just hours before. She also wasn’t entirely sure she wanted to go back home right away. An empty apartment was the only thing that awaited her.

~

Ever since he had made the comment about her being a goddess of death he had been trying hard not to think of her that way. And well, now of course the image came back. “No one can make someone else love them.” He pointed out. Though it probably wasn’t much reassurance.

The touch surprised him, or maybe it was the fact her skin was warm. Between the weather and who she was, Helenus had been expecting her skin to be cool.. “Thank you.” He always had Cass there to go to but it was nice to know someone he wasn’t so directly related to understood. “Family is really good at getting in the way.” He made a face, thinking of everything his family had done. Ruining things was practically an art form in Troy.

They were a bizarre fit, but Helenus was enjoying it. He finished his tea a few moments behind her. Now would be the time to call for the check but he wasn’t in a hurry to leave. Neoptolemus would probably not be home for a while and he didn’t have any plans for his evening. Except they couldn’t sit there forever. “This was really nice, thank you for inviting me.”

~

Meli smiled and nodded. “Well, thank you for coming. I think we both were in need of something non-familial.” She bit her lip gently and looked at their empty mugs. There was no rush to part ways, not really. At least she didn’t think so.

She shifted a little in her seat to release the leg she was perched on while biting her bottom lip in thought. “Um,” she began, a little reluctantly, not wanting to step on toes. “Would you like to stop by the antique shop? If you’d like to take a look to see if there’s something you’d like to get your sister. I mean, that is... if you have no plans for a little while?” Maybe one of these days they would move up to ‘hanging out’. They were a bit like a pair of odd socks: They didn’t quite match up, but they were comfortable and close enough to work so that no one would really notice unless they looked really hard.

~

“I...” He shrugged because there really was nothing he had to do. He would probably end up with Cassandra if he headed back now, and she would be there later. “Yeah, ok. Maybe you can help me pick something out.” He gave her a pleading look because one thing he definitely did not have experience in was buying his sisters presents. Especially a sister who was so much younger then him.

He was already gesturing for the waitress to bring them the check, and getting out his wallet to do the polite gentleman thing and pay.

~

“Fear not. I will definitely help you.” Meli smiled, pleased that he accepted and, really, it would be nice to spend a bit more time.

Her head canted gently as he pulled his wallet out and her hand was at her small purse lying in the seat. “I refuse to let you pay, since I’m the one that asked you to come. Put that away and let me.” Melinoe could frown in disapproval very, very well, though this time it was slightly less severe. “Please.”

~

Helenus balked slightly at the frown. “Fine,” he conceded since it seemed the safer route. The frown reminded him of his mother. “But I pay next time.” Once the words were out he realized it sounded very presumptuous, assuming there would be a next time. It was her idea to go to the antique store so she couldn’t find him that terrible. “Deal?” He wouldn’t put his wallet away until she agreed.

~

Her features immediately brightened as the waitress dropped off their check. “Deal.” She looked at the total (a whole whopping $3.77--most of that was her danish) and plopped down a five dollar bill--that would cover the tip, too.

Replacing her own billfold in her purse, Meli grabbed her gloves and slid them on before sliding herself out of the seat to reach for her coat. “Right, then. What sorts of things does your sister enjoy? That’s a good place to start.” She took a moment to pull her long hair out from down the back of her coat and allowed for it to cascade just so before bundling herself up. She wasn’t sure why, but Melinoe had a feeling that this new friend would prove to be a good one.

Well. She hoped, anyway.

hellenist @ 2011-01-28T21:50:00

2011-01-29T04:50:21Z

Characters: Achilles and Nyx
Date/Time: Night, the day of Nyx's arrival
Location: All over Manhattan and maybe other boroughs too!
Rating: PG-13?
Warnings: ~~who knows. none that i can think of right now.~~ New York being hellish.
Summary: A tour!

As the sun set, Achilles went to knock on the goddess' door. It was refreshing to be given some respect, and by so esteemed a goddess too. He could feel his sense of honor returning, even amongst the humdrum activities of the New Yorkers and their terrible movies and internet videos. Oh, he hated New York and the people who lived there (with the few exceptions of the people from his own world, of course). Though he was still new, he intended to give Nyx a proper tour of the areas he was familiar with and thoroughly warn her in advance of the shocking behavior she would no doubt witness. New Yorkers were barbarous apes, after all. He was clearly the best man to give a new arrival a tour! Arriving on her floor, he knocked on the room she had told him was hers and waited.

Closed/Incomplete

2011-01-29T00:03:29Z

Characters: Pallas, Styx
Date/Time: after the Epic Battle against Cronus
Location: Their apartment
Rating: PG-13?
Warnings: well there was violence
Summary: Pallas returns from the battle

Pallas was a bit disappointed that he didn't get to kill anyone, but the violence was nice. Very nice. Everyone had enjoyed themselves so there was nothing to complain about. Except the not killing bit, but he would get over that eventually.

Either way, he sauntered out of Cronus's place and jogged up the stairs to his place. He was too keyed up and hyper to take the elevator and he needed to work off some of that energy. Once he reached his floor, he scrubbed his hand through his hair and pushed into his apartment.

I won't deny I'm gonna miss you when you're gone [OPEN/INCOMPLETE]

2011-01-27T21:32:56Z

Characters: Zeus and the complex
Date/Time: Right here, right now.
Location: Outside Cronus' door
Rating: tbc
Warnings: Violence
Summary: It's time for Operation Die, Cronus, Die to get underway

It was time. How wonderful. Dawn was the ideal time to spring a surprise attack. Cronus was unlikely to survive the day.

Zeus was armed. He knew his limitations in this mortal form and without his thunderbolts, he was, at best, a relatively fit, relatively young man but mortal all the same. He was carrying a cheeky semi-automatic but there was also a tazer clipped to his belt; with his affinity for lightning, it promised to be a powerful weapon.

He stood with his brothers and sisters and Hypnos and Melinoe were safe behind them (a good bit behind them; nice and close to the stairwell). Zelos was the bridge to the front line and Acheron, Cocytus and Medusa stood with him, ready to enter the apartment and inflict such torture on Cronus as to make him suffer unimaginably.

Zeus smiled. Today was going to be a good day. With a moment of concentration on his part, the electrics that controlled the elevator fried. If nothing else, Father should know that it's not safe to use an elevator in case of an emergency.

[ooc: thought it was time to get this baby on the road. if you have characters who i have overlooked (and i apologise) and who you feel can contribute, please slot them in accordingly. also, please add your characters' tags as you add them to the scene because i'm a lazy mare.]

[Closed/Complete]

2011-01-26T23:43:16Z

Characters: Jason and Orphne
Date/Time: Jan, 26. Early afternoon
Location: Their apartment
Rating: Pg-13 at best
Warnings: A tiny bit of violence and sexytimes
Summary: Jason decides to teach Orphne some self defense.

Orphne studiously ignored the existence of the dish washer. She preferred to actually do the chores for Jason, rather than have some machine do them for her. Well with the exception of the vacuum cleaner, she had to use that since the rugs were glued down impossibly to the floor. But it was the evening dishes that had gotten her up on the counter.

She found it difficult to reach the top shelf and had climbed on top of the counter on her knees to reach. While up there though she'd noticed that the glasses weren't organized and had started to arrange them all by height and thickness. She was at an odd angle to do it, since she had to lean slightly back away from the cabinet, so she used the thin edge of the cabinet to keep her awkward balance. The idea that she might loose her shoddy grip and fall backwards really never entered her mind (neither did standing on a chair for that matter) as she reached down for one of the clean glasses to put away.

~*~*~

Jason didn't mind letting her do the chores. If she wanted to do them, who was he to argue? Especially since he either didn't want to do them or would do such a bad job it would have to be done again. And hey, he made it up to her when she did them, so it was basically a win win situation.

He went into the kitchen to get a beer when he saw her on the edge of the counter. "Orphne what are you doing?" He asked sharply. While he was all for her having fun and doing the chores the way she wanted to, he wasn't really one to see her fall and break herself. He moved to go behind her and help hold her up, hoping that she wouldn't fall in the few seconds before he got there.

~*~*~

She turned her head when he spoke her name and blinked at him blankly. "I'm cleaning..." And so saying went back to her work. When his hands went came around her waist she stopped and twisted to look at him over her shoulder, which required her to lean back into his hold. Good thing he was there. She did that birdlike tilt of her head, which made her neck bend in an uncomfortable looking way. "Did you... want me to do something for you?"

~*~*~

He kissed the small of her back, nipping lightly since he knew she liked it. "No, I just want to make sure you don't fall and break your head open." It didn't hurt that he had a nice view of her ass while he held her like this. One had to enjoy the little things, life was hard otherwise. "You should be more careful."

~*~*~

The nip had her eyes closing and a slow breath being drawn in and let out before she could actually think again. Jason was being very generous about her needs, and so she was always striving ever harder to please him. So his direction did cause her some concern. Her brow knitted in puzzlement. "Careful...?" She tried to turn around to face him, the girl not thinking a whit about physics and the fact that moving the majority of her weight off the edge of the counter would make her fall, because, you know, gravity, and ended up suddenly tumbling on to him.

~*~*~

Jason would have answered but he suddenly found himself staggering, then falling under Orphne's weight. She wasn't heavy by any means, but a human still weighs enough to suddenly make you fall when they fall on you. He landed with a grunt, managing to not do more than bruise his pride. He shook his head and answered dryly, "So that doesn't happen." She would need to learn to balance herself. Maybe fighting would help with that?

~*~*~

She flushed, fearing his displeasure and his injury. She was aware that she was unique in her preferences and that others disliked the sensation of pain. She winced, biting her lower lip. "Oh...." She lightly touched his forehead with her fingertips, then ran them through his hair, gently searching for bumps, though not thinking that perhaps she ought get off of him before playing nurse. "Are you wounded?"

~*~*~

Oh, he was quite content to keep her on him. He was shameless. "No, I'm fine." A smile of encouragement. "We're going to have to improve your balance, though. I think I know how to do it." He brought a hand up to brush along her side, petting her in an encouraging way.

~*~*~

She smiled at him when he petted her. She understood it meant he was not displeased and that made her feel better, but she also wished to make him pleased with her. She sat up, her back side resting on his thighs and she pushed her hair back behind her shoulders. "How?"

~*~*~

"I'm going to teach you how to fight. It'll help you learn your center of gravity and help you have better balance." He paused and rested his hand on her rib cage, unsure if he should say what he was thinking about it hurting her. "Plus it'll make you stronger and more fit. And you can protect yourself if anyone ever comes after you that you don't want."

~*~*~

She pondered it a moment, and then pertly nodded. "Yes...that would be useful. I can't drive unwelcome people mad anymore...." It was vague but she did just say that some people were to be disliked, though she'd always shown a very obliging and easy going nature. But mostly it was because she hadn't yet met anyone she disliked. She had often used the cues of her Mistress to tell her when a person was unwanted company, and she would likely use Jason's cues now that he had effectively adopted the position of her owner.

~*~*~

Owning someone had never really been something Jason thought all that much about. After all, he had had slaves and that's sort of what she was. Only slavery was illegal now so he couldn't call her that out loud. "Useful skill that." He let his legs fall and slid out from under her, standing slowly. Ow that hurt. Holding his hand out to help her up, he said, "First lesson is now. So you need to get changed into something comfortable and meet me in the living room."

~*~*~

He took his hand to stand because he offered it, and she felt she was obligated to take it. And when she was on her feet, she took off like a shot to her room to change. It didn't take her long since she ended up putting on less than what she'd had on before; a pair of those short-short exercise pants that by some divine hand managed to cover her ass cheeks, and a simple thin strapped tank top. She had left her hair down, because it just didn't occur to her that it might get in her way with whatever they were doing.

~*~*~

Pull your hair back, Orphne," Jason ordered. He was back in full on leadership mode. Not the kind where he let his crew walk all over him, but what he would do when they were in danger and needed to shut up. While he did enjoy joking and fooling around, there was no need for Orphne to get herself hurt because she had it down. He finished shoving the furniture out of the way and waited for her to pull her back before he got into the fighting stance.

"Try and stand like I am right now, muscles loose, but ready to move at any moment."

~*~*~

She obeyed the order like the well disciplined pet she was. Once her hair was tied back in an elastic banded, she did her best to mimic his pose as he instructed. She stared at him in a rather blatant way as she positioned her feet like his, her shoulders like his. If Orphne was good at anything it was following directions, and she mimicked his stance fairly well for a first timer.

~*~*~

Staring was, at this point, good. Needed, even, so she could absorb everything she needed. He straightened and walked over to her, repositioning her as needed. "It seems silly, to focus on this, but the point of this stance is to be prepared. You can either attack or defend easily from it. Whenever you finish a move you should fall back into it unless you're going to another move or getting out of the way." Grasping her hips, he moved them so they were even. "While it's not something I normally tell people to do, once you get someone down, you run away."

~*~*~

Her eyes (and head) followed his hands as he moved this or that limb, making mental notes of where he left them so she might repeat it on her own to his satisfaction. She let him talk, absorbing what he said without comment (though she didn't quite understand why he would say his instructions seemed silly, as she found the details to be very important. She would excel if she focused on the details, and that would please him.) Though she understood, she knew it was desired that one acknowledge instructions verbally from time to time to prove you were listening. "As you like..."

~*~*~

"You're too small to really fight someone in a long battle," he said. "I'm going to show you how to punch now." Once he moved next to her and made sure she was looking at him, he threw a punch. "Never lock your elbow. If you do, you can break your arm and it won't be very effective on those you're fighting. Fist not clenched but closed." He turned and motioned for her to show him.

~*~*~

She tried to repeat what he'd done. She did her best to mimic him again, though it seemed odd to punch air with much effort. It was air after all and easily penetrated by just about anything. So maybe she didn't quite have the appropriate force behind the move. And she left her thumb along side her fist instead of wrapping it over the other fingers.

~*~*~

"No, don't hold your thumb like that. Fold it across your fingers, underneath. You won't be able to do anything if you do it that way." He moved her finger and stood in front of her. "Hit my hand. I want you to hit it hard enough that it forces my arm back. That way you know you're doing it right." He held his hand up, palm out towards her and braced himself. Not that he really expected it to be hard.

~*~*~

Well that direction made far more sense, and she did as he instructed. Maybe a little too well. She focused on where his hand ought to end up rather than just impacting with it, so she followed through without really thinking about it, putting her weight behind it. She figured she would have too, as he out weighed her by quite a bit.

~*~*~

The force of her hit pushed him back and he caught himself after he stumbled a bit. A laugh escaped him. "Good!" He had to shake his hand after that. It hurt a bit. "Very good. Don't let yourself fall because you hit so hard though. How did it feel?"

~*~*~

She was pleased by his praise and it brought a smile to her face. Though his question made her head do that weird bird tilt again, though she answered as honestly as she could. "It...felt like an impact." Which is what it was. The girl was sometimes just a little too simple for her own good.
~*~*~

Again, he laughed. "That wasn't quite what I meant. But anyway, try again." This time he braced himself. "After you get this down, I'll teach you how to block. Which is actually way more important than hitting." He let her go on for a few more minutes. He was going to have to get her to hit a cushion eventually. It hurt to have her keep on hitting his hands.

~*~*~

Her fist did begin to sting after a few times and she stopped, seeing how his palms were turning red. "Have I caused you pain?" He hadn't complained but few people knew how injuries presented themselves better than Orphne. She'd seen them all in her time. And unless he requested it of her, she had no desire to injure her Jason.

~*~*~

"It stings, that's all. We're going to have to get you pads to hit so that you can toughen up your hands without having to hit me." He shook his arms out and showed her how to block. "It'll hurt when you block something, but it's better than being punched in the face. Now I'm going to punch at you-not full force- so you can block it."

~*~*~

When he said it would hurt to block, her pupils dilated a little bit, but she tried to hide her enthusiasm. Except for her almost too eager nod, and her slightly quicker breathing, she succeeded. She readied herself to block as he'd showed her. She licked her lips slowly, eagerly anticipating his hit. "Okay..."

~*~*~

"I'm going to do high-middle-low, like I told you." He punched, going exactly where he said he was and making sure that he wasn't hitting hard or fast enough to seriously hurt her beyond a sting. It was almost like tapping really, for him anyway. After he did the high punch, he did middle, then low. "See?"

~*~*~

She blocked the blows, and the slight sting was nice, though a bit of a tease. She wondered how it would be had the blows been their proper strength, though she kept the curious thought to herself for now. Perhaps if she could get him into a very giving mood she might cajole him into striking her. But in the here and now she nodded at him again. "I understand."

~*~*~

"Alright, I'm going to go faster and harder." Yes, he knew how that sounded. And no, he wasn't above being amused by his own dirty minded ways. "Block again." He hit just as he told her he would, the sting would end up being more and if she didn't block right it, it could actually hurt. He was going a bit fast but he would go over it again with her every day.

~*~*~

She fully intended to do it correctly, she wanted to please him and do it right. However, you can't dangle a carrot in front of a hungry man and expect him to just lie there in the face of his temptation. And Orphne was not one who steered away from that which tempted her...ever. She did raise her arm for the block but it was weak and his high blow was barely even slowed. His fist hit her nicely across the face, staggering her sideways.

~*~*~

"Shit." Jason immediately stopped and gently took her face in his hand to inspect where he had hit her. Yes, he knew she liked pain, but that didn't mean he should hit her like that. Especially since it wouldn't really work when it came to teaching her self-defense. "Oh you're going to get a nice little bruise there," he said quietly as he released her. Ice. He needed ice.

~*~*~

She was grinning like a fool, even though the swelling was already starting to slowly close her eye. She reached after him, though she had to grope a bit because her depth perception was off at the moment, but she caught his elbow. "No...it's fine... I don't mind, Jason....it was my own fault."

~*~*~

"Still shouldn't have hit at you that hard yet." He covered her hand with his for a second. "Let me get you some ice, alright?"

~*~*~

She didn't really want ice. He'd taught her to appreciate her wounds, but his need was obvious so she gave him a little smile and nodded. "As you wish." She went with him though so he wouldn't have to go back and forth.

~*~*~

Once they got to the kitchen, he took some ice from the freezer and put it in a towel before he gently pressed it to her eye. "It should keep the swelling down a bit, but you'll still have a black eye." He brought her hand up and had her hold the cloth to her eye as he put the ice away. "How does that feel?"

~*~*~

"Cold." She held the ice pack obediently. She was pleased that she would have a black eye. She'd never had one before and wondered what it would look like. Though she would have to come up with some reason for having a black eye. She didn't want anyone to be angry with Jason. It was an accident after all. Well...kind of, on his part at least.

~*~*~

"Well, that means it's working." He pulled the ice pack away to press a gentle kiss to her eye. Someone would probably think she was a victim of domestic violence and that would....clearly not end well for him if they thought he was the one who did it. Even if he was. Well, he would deal with that shit when it happened.

~*~*~

When he kissed her eye, though he was gentle, a nice throb when through the wounded flesh. And unlike everyone in the world, instead of wincing she smiled at the sensation. She didn't want Jason to be unhappy with what had happened. She wanted him to relax and she also wanted to reward him for his kindnesses. So before he moved away, she tilted her head up and caught his mouth with hers. She wasn't usually so forward but whenever she was freshly wounded she a lot less demure. Besides, she had started to like kissing Jason, just because.

~*~*~

Jason knew he shouldn't have let himself get distracted from taking care of her eye, but he couldn't help it. Kissing was kissing, after all. And it was much more interesting than holding ice to someone's eye. He slid his arms around her waist and pulled her a little closer as he deepened the kiss.

~*~*~

She was glad she'd distracted him, and she smiled a bit while they kissed. She put her arms around his neck and pressed herself closer to him. The nymph was feeling very eager, and not just to please. She felt....happy. And she wanted to share that with him.

Having people be happy around him made things much easier for him, so he enjoyed it. Jason slid his hand up the back of her tank top to rest on the small of her back as he pulled back to kiss her neck. He nipped her lightly before soothing the bite with his tongue.

~*~*~

Jason so had her number, but that was okay, she'd told him what it was enough times. The little nip drew a sigh from her lips. She moved her hands down and slipped them under his shirt, dragging her nails feather light over his abs. Jason had excellent abs.

Why so serious? [Incomplete/Open to MUSES]

2011-01-26T03:10:36Z

Characters: Starts with Terpy 1 & Terpy 2, go and guess who is who~
Date/Time: The 24th / Night.
Location: 3A (Euterpe's apartment).
Rating: PG-13 for swearing perhaps?
Warnings: Muses getting druuuuuuuuunk.
Summary: And I mean druuuuuuuuuunk.

Drinks, background music, and a muse to talk to. What could be better? To be a muse yourself.

Wait, Euterpe was a muse herself. Oh, this was just grand.

"I must say, Terpsichore dear, that I have no idea of what sorts of crazy shenanigans you and the rest of the pack have been doing here, but if it involves getting drunk every now and then and acting like this doesn't really matter..." --dramatic pause as she filled their glasses with wine-- "...then I gotta admit I'm a little jealous of y'all." Sure, she had been immortal and powerful and all that jazz, but her sisters were down there, trapped, or so she had thought. Truth to be told, she had missed them all a good deal. Yes, even some of the pesky minor deities and the mortals long gone, all of them. Because she was that much of a nice girl, at least with the right amount of booze on her veins.

"So tell me more about this dancing place thingy you are working on."

hellenist @ 2011-01-23T13:55:00

2011-01-23T20:55:14Z

Characters: Patroclus and Achilles!
Date/Time: The 21st / Achilles' arrival.
Location: 5C
Rating: I don't know yet?
Warnings: They aren't "cousins."
Summary: Reunion!

Achilles wasted no time. He pressed the same button that had turned the computer on, and thankfully, the machine went silent, cutting off the insolence of the Trojans. They could be dealt with later, and more effectively, in person, he had decided. For right now, he needed to see whether it was true that Patroclus was here, with Briseis, or whether it was another cruel prank pulled by whatever trickster god had sent them here. This new world was beginning to seem a place where anything was possible for whatever god or king held the proper power. The rest, however, seemed helpless against his might, even Zeus, which was new and different.

Knowing his fate and what awaited him were he to return to the battlefield made him more accepting of this new situation, though he already loathed the New Yorkers and their city with a passion. Perhaps there was another way the three of them (Patroclus, Briseis, and himself) could escape, but not back back to Troy.

He hurriedly moved up the stairs to the fifth floor, not bothering to stop and talk to any of the familiar faces he was now beginning to recognize (even in their ridiculous modern clothing.) Finding the room designated "C," he knocked: curtly, loudly, and impatiently.

So take a chance and Don't ever look back [Closed/Complete]

2011-01-20T18:41:03Z

Characters: Helenus and Neoptolemus
Date/Time: About a week after This
Location: Their apartment~
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Swearing, kissing, great consumption of alcohol, angst that could've stopped Hannibal
Summary: The boys discuss their issues with the aid of drink, the boys then get closer with the aid of drink. Drink then takes Neoptolemus as his main priest and raises a army.

Another night since “the event,” another night spent lurking futilely around a bar and hoping desperately, desperately, that if he decided to drunkenly sleep with somebody it wouldn’t turn out to be his father’s ex-lover in the early morning when his head pounded and his tongue ached.

…Or, y’know, anybody at all for that matter. Neoptolemus is steadily starting to believe in the view that, really, he doesn’t deserve to get laid. It only leads to bad things.

He tramped up the stairs, a sigh trapped in his throat and the steady burn of alcohol in his belly.

Bad things…

He was born for bad things. The moment that he popped out of a screaming girl (at least he wasn’t perverted before 15, he takes solace in that) the fates cackled and danced, the moment that he opened his eyes for the first time the gods rubbed their hands together with glee. ‘That,’ they probably cackled, perched up on a mountain, ‘is a boy who we can have fun with.’

Hyperbole, perhaps, but he was far too drunken and miserable to care.

He slumped against the door, one movement smelling more of defeat and cheap beer than anything else, and groaned for a second at the thought. Then propped himself up and reached for the door handle, reached for the safety inside and the relatively small chance of getting punched in the face by fate yet again…

And instead encountered Helenus, a meeting just as surprising and just as guilty as last time.

Great, another night of this.

==

Helenus kept himself busy with his sisters, going to the park, finally getting to know more of the other residents, anything that kept him out of the apartment. Or at least in his room behind a very firmly shut door.

He’d planned on being out later, but the whole time in the bar something had nagged at him that this wasn’t right. So now he was back, still slightly tipsy but the buzz was quickly fading to his disappointment. He had just gotten up to search the apartment for more when he heard someone at the door.

Helenus froze in surprise as the other man stumbled into the apartment. He wasn’t expecting that and he was already too sluggish from the alcohol to try and hide.
One of them had to do something so he mumbled out a ‘hi’, unable to think of anything else to say.

==

Neoptolemus, shortly, was still not expecting that. Eve after a few minutes of staring, and gawping, and looking faintly confused at life in all ways.

Eventually his gaze swept down, landed awkwardly on the floor for a few moments before sweeping back up. Focusing awkwardly on the man before him like that will suddenly make the alcohol disappear and the room feel a bit more steady “…Hi.”

He gulps for a second, sways in silence.

“…I’m sorry,” for everything, especially the mouthing his name into Patroclus’ neck, “I just came back from a club.”

==

“I figured.” Helenus shrugged, he still felt frozen under Neoptolemus' gaze so he looked away. It was kind of adorable and Helenus really didn't want to be thinking about that. Even if he had talked to Cass about things, it didn't feel right.

"You um...alright?" This was early for him, wasn't it? He had heard him stumble in on other nights and it always seemed later. Not that Helenus paid attention or anything.

==

“Well enough,” gods, that was awkward. The kind of awkward that makes all other times (bar one, obvious moment) fade into the background and look slightly embarrassed at their pretentions. This is the king of embarrassment, the queen of embarrassment, the high ruler of embarrassment that sat up at the very beginning, looked around, straightened its crown and set off to cause mayhem to all who dared twitch…

…He might be very drunk.

He shuffled his feet, looked down at them again as if they had a script written there in glowing ink “…You?”

==

Helenus blinked, not quite sure what answer he was expecting but that wasn't it. The silence stretched out and he realized that he had to answer question too. Attempting not to stare did not equal a conversation. "Fine," he tried to sound calm and collected and felt guilty for the obvious lie.

"I was looking for alcohol," volunteering information was supposed to be a good thing for relation-friendships if they even had that. "Do we have any?" Or did you drink it all? He bit his lip hard to keep from saying it but he could practically see it. Hanging there.

Uncomfortably.

==

“I-“ Neoptolemus raised his head, slowly and dazedly, and attempted a small nod that almost sent him shaking “…Good, very good.”

He didn’t notice the lie. And even if he had he would’ve remained silent on the matter. He was a liar, a constant liar, and the lie of being alright was the biggest lie he had stocked away. Being alright was a myth, a fallacy for other people to explore the truth of and reach conclusions on.

…He always was a morose drunk.

“Oh, yes,” but he blinked out of it, raised his head carefully higher as if to avoid an embarrassing fall, “in the cupboard, the top one.”

He paused again, shifted slightly on his feet “…I’ll get it, if you want.”

He’d already started to move.

==

Helenus shrugged, not really having any problems with letting Neoptolemus do the work. "Sure."

Part of him was kind of disappointed Neotpolemus had missed the lie but it would only be petty to say anything now. He had enough problems without adding petty to his list.

He let Neoptolemus move, hanging back to give him space. He realized the last time they had seen each other, Neoptolemus had been essentially naked. And now that he'd started thinking about that, it was really hard to ignore it.

The alcohol still in his system wasn't making this any easier and he physically turned his head so he wouldn't look. Which wasn't helping because now he was imagining it. He groaned softly in frustration.

==

But Neoptolemus didn’t notice, yet again, he was too busy moving forwards – too busy making sure that every step hit the floor perfectly; one, two, three with a faint shake soon corrected…

He felt that if he doesn’t move so carefully, doesn’t hold himself together, he’ll fall apart into nothing. Painful and sharp… And he can’t do that in front of Helenus, he can’t break apart so sharply it hurts.

He grabbed two bottles from the top shelf, stretching with a carefully balanced hand upon the counter, and turned back – carefully walking across (one, two, three…) with his chin held high and his hands carefully clenched, “I’m sorry; we only have cheap beer-“

…But then he had bigger problems.

For his careful steps (one, two, three…) fell out from under him just as he got to the couch, and he ended up slumping, ever so undignified, into the soft fabric smelling entirely of Helenus-

And closely into Helenus’ side, smelling far more of him than before.

==

Helenus felt like someone had punched him in the gut. Breathing was really overrated anyway. He had been going to say something before like 'cheap beer is ok' but even that thought was destroyed. All he could think was Ohfuckohgods over and over.

He didn't notice if it was undignified, he was fairly sure dignity didn't even factor into his life anymore. It's not like anyone knew he was a prince and Neoptolemus was the only one who got close to treating him like one (except for the naked bit) and that train of thought wasn't helping him.

He licked his lips carefully, trying to do something about how dry his mouth had suddenly become so he could say something.

"You um...I" He held out a hand for a beer, to avoid anymore touching then they were already doing. Neoptolemus was warm and he could feel it. "I'll take it," he finally managed to get out, praying it didn't sound like a squeak.

==

Don’t worry Helenus, don’t worry. Neoptolemus felt much the same way; much the pressing agonizing weight down on chest and windpipe and throat and all other places where air dared to move. So close, so intimate, so near to something impossible to have…

Gods, he wanted it. Wanted it so bad that it was a constant, pounding pressure. Wanted it so bad that it was a fisting hand in his gut. Wanted… Well, everything: to be allowed to give casual touches, to be allowed to kiss like the world was burning, to be allowed to be inside him on the sofa, to be allowed to cuddle him in the afterglow, to be allowed to get so close that there was barely them anymore and more one.

…He shifted back instead, cleared his throat soft and harshly, “sorry.”

==

No that was not a whimper from Helenus. And no, he definitely did not miss the weight of the other man. He didn't get how Neoptolemus managed to make everything so confusing without even seeming to try. Did he practice?

The warmth still lingered but it wasn't the same. He could hear Cass' voice yelling at him to do something if he wanted it. The real Cass generally gave good advice so he figured the one in his head couldn't be that bad either. He would think about the fact that he took advice from an imaginary version of his sister later. He slid slightly closer to Neoptolemus, not as close as before but there was some definite contact. He couldn't make himself move any closer, not without something to drink.

He reached out and took a beer from Neoptolemus, trying not to think about any touching of hands. "Thanks," and he tilted his head back and took a very long swallow.

==

A… Whimper?

And, in the surprise of the century, Neoptolemus looked up, narrowed his eyes just slightly at the sound. Something akin to him, in every heated moment, something akin to heat and lust and perfection that he could so slowly reach…

But he dismissed that sound, and returned to his bottle with the heady assumption that he’d caught Helenus when he’d moved away, “are you alright?”

He’s noticed the shift back towards him, too, but his head is too muzzy and confused to process such an odd thing, such a strange occurrence.

==

Your derp will not get in the way of this forever Neoptolemus.

Helenus was feeling almost relaxed enough now to answer that question truthfully. Which freaked him out. He was fairly sure he should not be feeling this comfortable around the Greek but he was finding it hard to move. For being so awkward, the other man was pretty comfortable physically.

"I thought you knew me so well. Can't you tell?" It was said almost sadly. He was jealous of his future self and whatever friendship they had had. All he had was a destroyed city that hated him. "Everything's a mess." He grumbled, more into his beer then to Neoptolemus.

==

Neoptolemus will personally punch his derp if it does.

Always has been, always will be. Neoptolemus is a ball of awkwardness inside, a shape so different from his famed father that it’s clear that the man wasn’t around, but on the outside he has always… Hidden that, shoved that down with the skill of practice.

On the outside he’s relaxed, calm and ready to anybody kept on the outside of his fears. On the outside he’s positively sexual in his movements… Which is good, since that’s the only thing he feels that he can really do.

“You’re upset,” he tilts his head, faintly worried in the usual way “…What’s the mess?”

==

Helenus had noticed the sexual, despite all his denial (and he was damn good at denial). Once upon a time, Helenus had had that same relaxed ease. And it had all been slowly destroyed since he'd first left Troy.

Helenus was quiet, trying to sort out what to say which was getting harder as he continued to drink his beer. "Everything." He finally decided was the best answer. "This...this place is messing my sight up. Polyxena would kill me if she knew I was here, so close to you." A faint blush crept over his cheeks, thinking he wouldn't mind being closer.

He felt like a girl, he'd had sex plenty of times and he hated being so awkward about it now.

==

Neoptolemus remembers that. Remembers the first sight, when they brought him to his tent, remembers being shaking and covered in blood, remembers being stared at by a still-proud man with eyes that’d lost everything, that’d seen friends and family burn…

Their real first meeting, at least for this Helenus, had gone a bit differently – and he kind of resents that, kind of resents that the old world was so hard and yet so simple. Kind of resents that he doesn’t have the ten years of firmly built friendship and regard, resents that he can’t be so sure that he’ll turn and reach out and that Helenus will reach back and smile.

This Helenus is different, just as good but different, earlier. And the problem is that he can’t quite remember what he did to make the other Helenus forgive him, can’t quite remember what he did to make the other Helenus accept, at least vaguely, his families death and move on.

…He took another sip of burning alcohol, it helps hold back the embarrassing feelings, “I’ve hurt so many people.”

==

"I know," Helenus murmured. His father and sister and Astyanax. It always hurt the most when he thought about the little boy. He'd seen the boy's death the first time he'd held him and had loved him anyway. They'd shared a birth name. Helenus wondered if future him ever told Neoptolemus that.

He didn't want to think about it anymore, he wished he could forget for once. If Cronus was going to mess with his sight here, the least he could do was take it away completely. Instead he still had nightmares of Troy with perfect detail.

"Did your Helenus really forgive you?" It made him uncomfortable to say it like that, he was still talking about himself. Except it wasn't his life anymore. He had...New York. And Neoptolemus here on the couch, neither looking very much like princes or heroes.

==

“I was sixteen when it happened,” another sip, another gulp almost down to the bottom – keep the pain back, keep the pain back… “But I still remember, amongst it all, committing those acts, seeing them die, standing with their sickening blood on my hands.”

He paused, tilted his head down to stare at his hands “…I wish he hadn’t told me to do it.”

The seer; the old, mad, smug seer who ruined everything and took a normal, guilt-free life of a hero as his rotted payment, as a thing to sling over his shoulders.

…But this isn’t about him, he can’t think of him too, “I think so, by the end. I think we had a friendship, better than with all those lords that saw me as my father, anyway.”

He tilted his head back, felt a final drop of alcohol slip down his throat “…I think I might’ve loved him, too.”

He didn’t notice the thought slipping out, didn’t notice one bit with his head tilted back to the ceiling and his eyes closed tight to shut out the world. He thought he was silent, he thought he’d kept it to himself…

How wrong he was.

==

Helenus appreciated the honesty. He couldn't forgive, not now but he was starting to understand how he might one day. He remembered the first time he had seen the other man in a vision, only knowing that he would come to Troy and help tear it down. He remembered telling the Greeks as much after they had captured him. He was grateful this body didn't have any of the marks from being tortured, he couldn't bear that much of a reminder.

The after of Neoptolemus' arrival had always been blurry and Helenus knew now it was because he was involved. Now it seemed there was so much his sight never showed him.

When his head tilted back, Helenus was tempted to move closer, kiss the stretch of skin. It was such a fucking tease and he almost did it. Neoptolemus' words stopped him short.

The feeling of his throat and lungs closing up was back but for a completley different reason then last time. Of course, Neoptolemus wasn't really thinking of him.

"I'm not him," he snapped, angry and hurt and embarrassed that he had even let himself be tempted. He pulled away, curling up tightly at the edge of the couch so he wasn't touching Neoptolemus at all anymore.

==

Neoptolemus remembered hearing that, remembered hearing that from jeering soldiers and proud leaders as they came to tell him, ‘We’ve captured a filthy Trojan,’ ‘we’re going to sack Troy,’ ‘he spoke of you…’

How odd, that a man had already known him before they met. How almost soothing, to have a man that already knew the rough basics of his personality and what he wanted to be.

How soothing, to have a man to remind him what those pieces were and attempt to piece him roughly back together.

…But this one won’t do the same.

His eyes snapped open, an expression of utter, hopeless loss flickered over his face as Helenus moved away, huddled away like he was the worst creature in creation, “What? I know that, Helenus…”

==

Was it crazy to be jealous of yourself? At least if he went crazy he had Cass there to help him.

Helenus didn't realize how cold the rest of the room was until now. He was starting to regret pulling away, especially looking back at Neoptolemus and seeing that expression. All he could do was hurt people.

"Are you sure? I get it, if you love him and that's pretty much me plus ten years. I probably don't even look that much different from him. It's confusing for me too." He cut himself off before he could accidentally reveal anymore secrets. He squeezed his eyes shut but then he saw flames and that didn't help so he reluctantly opened them again. His own (mildly terrified) confusion was written clearly across his face.

All of this was too overwhelming. He wanted to sink into himself and hide. Not that hiding had ever worked for him before.

==

Good. Neoptolemus would much prefer having that; if he goes crazy he has... A wall, most probably. Since at the rate he’s going Cassandra will probably decide that it’s not worth it and dump him off the coast of Mexico, or something.

…But screw Mexico, as lovely as it is, he has more important matters to dive after, “Love him? Yes, I probably do. But I love you-“

And then he realizes.

The he realizes with a sickening feeling that punches him in the gut and takes all his money.

He shoots back, right to the other side of the couch, sits there with wide eyes and shaking hands. Heart pounding in his ears; boom boom boom like a drum that can’t be stopped, can’t be placated no matter how many times he asks nicely like mama said.

…Much like this situation, the drum is, unable to be stopped or reversed or undone so very easily.

Shit.

==

And Helenus is staring back, equally wide eyed. It took a minute but he figured out it wasn't a lie, or it was a very damn convincing act. Neoptolemus didn't seem the type though, so reluctantly Helenus had to accept that it had been the truth. At least, Neoptolemus thought it was the truth.

He didn't appreciate having this all dumped on him. He had only just accepted that he liked Neoptolemus and wouldn't mind sleeping with him. Love was too much. Even back in Troy he had stayed away from the word and anything to do with it that didn't involve family.

"You must be wrong," he said quietly, denial was always a good fall back. "I'm not- you can't-" He could see his father, shaking his head in disappointment at how he stumbled over his words. "Why?"

==

“Why?” Neoptolemus repeats, tone small and shaky – like he can hardly believe that he’s having this conversation, being forced into this conversation as fast as the universe can manage it.

…But he should’ve expected that. The universe is frequently cruel and never, ever kind. He should’ve known this would happen from the day he realized it.

“…I don’t know,” and so he continues to speak, tone still tiny and terrified like that will stop the world, “I’ve always liked things I could never have, I suppose; it’s a very bad habit.”

But his eyes, if he looks up, tell the whole tale – the tale of lust, fear, love and all the bits in between.

==

Helenus slowly, carefully loosens. He's not relaxed like before. He's not sure what it is, maybe the look in Neoptolemus' eyes. Maybe he just wanted to know what it was like for someone to love him. It can't be said he makes very good decisions.

"I don't love you," he said bluntly. It would be cruel to keep that a secret and Helenus was tired of that being angry.

Slowly, as if waiting for something to leap out and stop him, he slid further over on the couch. Towards Neoptolemus. Almost close enough to touch but he left that up to Neoptolemus. "And I can't forgive you. Not yet."

"But I want you," he admitted, barely louder then a whisper. Someone would have to be blind to not want him. He spoke slowly, carefully thinking over each word before saying it. "I told you it was confusing."

==

And Neoptolemus just watched, eyes wide and wary as Helenus slowly started to slide over, slowly started to get closer as if he half fears but half desires all the stronger.

“I know,” he whispered, and his heart doesn’t break: he knew that as a fact long before this day, “I know.”

And he nodded again, head inclining low as he somehow kept his eyes on Helenus all the way, “and I know that too.”

“I know-” But then his eyes widened, bulged wide in their sockets like he could barely believe a word of it “…What?”

==

Helenus chuckled. He couldn't help it. Bulging eyes was not Neoptolemus' best look.

"I am human. I...I didn't think about it then, but I did walk in on you naked." He was feeling more in control of the situation now, at least he wasn't blushing. And he managed a smirk.

Then the idea hit him that maybe he was just reading this all wrong. He couldn't remember the last time he had to work to get laid, Helen? That didn't count. Helenus had grown up in a home of one wife and a number of concubines, love and sex didn't have much to do with each other for him. "Unless you're not interested," he added awkwardly.

There went his feeling of control.

==

Well, at least he can take solace in the fact that it’s nobodies best look. It’s very hard to look your best when the man you’ve been unknowingly lusting over for, oh, years turns around and invites you to know him in a carnal manner.

“Yes,” Neoptolemus muttered, still obviously in a faint state of stupor, “yes, you did…”

Hm, he might just stay like this forever. Stay staring into space, stay gawping like a blank wall until a meteor hits or the sun explodes or an apocalypse suddenly happens. It seems the easier option, it seems the calmer option, it seems…

A way not to get sex, an insistent part of him shrieks.

He slowly, very slowly, looked across at Helenus. Slowly, very slowly, narrowed his eyes “…Not interested in sex?”

He’d already started to edge closer.

==

"You never know," he licked his lips nervously. The narrowing eyes were not making him feel anymore comfortable.

"Maybe-" he bit off the sentence before he could finish. He really needed to stop talking before he made things worse again. He'd have to deal with future him and Neoptolemus being the son of Achilles later.

So Helenus settled with a shrug. It covered lots of things, including his own stupid insecurities.

==

“Mmm,” still he moved closer, closer by the second as it happened. The alcohol in his body making him bold; not getting rid of the thousand reasons yammering in his ear but… Dimming them, making them an acceptable noise in the background.

“Maybe a man with a wife and a concubine would be entirely celibate,” he licked his lips, edged closer again… Until he was right next to Helenus, leant comfortably into him with eyes glittering, “maybe such a man would have no interest in such wonderful things as licking and biting and thrusting.”

He tilts his head slightly, lets the alcohol buoy up a smirk “…Perhaps.”

==

Helenus mirrored Neoptolemus and slid in. Eyes following his tongue and he was momentarily overcome by how close they were.

"Such a man would have to have lots of experience," they were so close. Pressed together but he couldn't make himself go over that last line and do something. His doubts were still there, trying to tell him this was a bad idea.

He leaned his head in, almost close enough to kiss. "But is he any good with a man?"

==

Neoptolemus is trying not to think about it too much. He doesn’t want to slump away again, now would be a terribly bad moment for such wimpiness.

“Perhaps the man does,” he tilts his head; and, despite all resolutions, girds himself deep inside, girds himself not to leap and run like some kind of terrible idiot, “And perhaps the man there, if nowhere else, feels pretty confidant about that…”

One final breath, one final push deep inside, “and perhaps the man will surprise you.”

And, with that, he leans in – and finally kissed Helenus ever so softly, ever so skilfully, ever so daringly.

…Hm, he almost feels like thanking Patroclus for the practice in his dazed state.

==

Helenus groaned. Fucking finally. The soft kiss was sweet, he let it go for a little bit, learning the feel against his. Until he felt more comfortable then he curled his hand around the nape of Neoptolemus' neck, pulling him in closer. Pressing his lips against Neoptolemus' harder.

The only way they could probably be closer was for Helenus to be in his lap, and that didn't seem like such a bad idea so he went with it. Sliding over deftly (all that training as a boy finally coming in handy), trying not to break the kiss.

Clothes would get in the way eventually but for now he was enjoying the kissing.

==

Oh, the kiss was sweet. Terribly sweet, wonderfully sweet in a way that’d rarely been tasted before. All Neoptolemus could do was lean into it, keep kissing with all the skill he possessed; all the skill that was rarely used in such a climate, with polite dates and quick one-night stands and…

Hm, actually he wasn’t using his full skill then.

And so it suited him when Helenus deepened the kiss, hardened the kiss. It was, in his eyes which were dazed by very good kissing, a downright invitation to show what he could do; pressing in harder, pressing in longer, flicking his tongue in and out with a quite obvious sense of joy…

Oh, and then Helenus is in his lap and Neoptolemus’ arms just have to go around his waist. It’s the only sensible option that’s left in his path besides more tongue and a harder kiss, really.

…Really, this is fast becoming one of the best nights of his life.

==

Helenus liked the arm, it felt nicely solid. He let it weight him down, pushing him forward until there was no more space between them.

His fingers ran through Neoptolemus' hair, gripping a fistful and using it to change the angle, tilt the other man's head just so. He parted his lips and met Neoptolemus' tongue with his own. He'd once been very good at this, back in Troy where it had never been hard to find company.

This was good, better then good. He couldn't remember the last time he'd kissedbeenkissed like this. His free hand fumbled with the edge of Neoptolemus' shirt, seeking out skin to touch.

==

Mmm, Mmm. No more space, it sounds (and feels) so very… Perfect; like something that should be but rarely is. Like something he feels truly comfortable with instead of throwing up a face and grumbling behind it.

And, for that matter, he likes the hair too; the forceful way that Helenus just goes and grabs it. He can’t help, not that he would help, arching up into it – going with hand right into the answering tongue, tangling it with his own ever so daringly and ever so… wonderfully.

It helps that they’re both good at this; it really does. It makes the world seem a lot more… Brilliant, in its way.

Unfortunately, with them pressed together so tightly, finding skin is very difficult; but Neoptolemus tried to help anyway, wriggling about a bit (without breaking the kiss) until his shirt had ridden up enough that skin to skin contact could, with some effort, happily go ahead and bring pleasure to all and sundry.

…Yep, a truly excellent night all around.