#𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐭'𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 ᵃˡᵒⁿᵉ ( threads. )

[peloponnesianminute]

who: @wonderherc where: phil's gym

A visit to the gym was overdue but this trip had ulterior motives. She was pretty sure there would be a certain pectoral protege working there today. Meg actually went to exercise more than people expected, as her morning runs were solace from the real world. Most of the time that's where she was able to work out what was going on in her head more than her body. The more miles she ran the clearer her head got, she'd even go as far as to say that was one of the biggest factors in how she got through doing what she did. After finishing her last mile on the treadmill she went to stretch on the mats which so happened to be right next to the weights where she figured Mr. Muscles would be. The girl got set up to begin cooling down when she met his eyes and gave him a small smile. "You need a spot?" She joked, as he was far stronger than her and they both knew it. "Or you could come do some yoga with me if you think you can keep up." The smile curled into a mischievous smirk as she tried to get him to come over. Even though there was an objective, he was eye candy and actually a lot sweeter than she expected him to be. It was going to make everything to come a lot more complicated but this was her ticket to freedom, a ticket she wasn't ready to give up for a nice guy.

[peloponnesianminute]

- timeskip -

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While she hadn't initially wanted to go to the event it was her boss's attendance that assured her own. The last thing she was going to let happen was Hercles at the same event as his Uncle without her watchful eye, it had been enough knowing they were in casual conversation. That was where she came in. The brunette was playing both sides with impending doom approaching, her series of lies started to get tangled in the truth and the ones Hades had created. Somewhere amidst all of it, she'd developed actual feelings for the mission, a man who deserved far better than she had provided or would ever be able to. Hercules was more than any of the gods could wish to be, uncorrupted by his ego with a heart of gold that she knew she'd eventually break. Meg waited outside of the hotel for her date's arrival and took the opportunity to light up a smoke which was just another bad habit she couldn't quit. It didn't come as a surprise that after a few puffs, he was walking up to her meaning the night had officially begun, no longer able to hide beneath her smoke cloud. "You clean up nice, Wonderboy," Meg smirked once he was within earshot. The cigarette was put out on the cement wall behind her before tossing it to the ground and taking hold of her date's arm instead. "You think you can help a girl find a drink around here?"

It wasn't exactly what he was expecting her to do, to simply start to walk out of the bar without so much of a second thought, but Hercules wasn't going to complain--he would take any opportunity to make up for lost time with Meg. As she headed toward the door, Hercules reached for her hand as she guided them out of the crowded bar. Maybe it was too early to make such a gesture, given how long it had taken him to ask her out to begin with, but Herc kept his hand in hers as they headed down the street, simply praying she wouldn't let go. The Lair wasn't nearly as packed as the Duckling had been, the clubbers blissfully unaware, or simply ignoring, of what had happened outside the walls that night. He took a stool beside her, grateful to be somewhere they could talk without risk of eavesdropping over the loud music. "To making it out of the shitshow," he proclaimed as their beers arrived, tapping his glass to hers before he drank. "Y'know, by chance, I guess. I'd taught a class at Phil's earlier today, and I figured I'd just stay after to work the desk--people wanted to go to the boardwalk, and I didn't mind doing it. I was just at the right place at the right time," he admitted with a shrug, the story not entirely exciting. "And you're sure you're okay? I didn't miss anything big, did I?" Hercules quickly added, unsure if she simply hadn't wanted to tell him earlier with a crowd around them.

[peloponnesianminute]

@blaiselumi cont. from here

The fact he thought he stood a chance against her was enough for Meg to need to put him in his place. He was all too cocky and she was the perfect person to knock him down a peg. This being her favorite thing to do, putting men in their place and making sure they stay there. Blaise never quite seemed to fit into that but she enjoyed the challenge. He always made her fight a little more, igniting a fire in her every time he even came into her work. There was something about him. A part of her couldn't stand him and still, she hated the blonde bitches he always brought in. Every single one the same as the last. He was almost predictable, on occasion he would surprise her though and maybe it was that exact thing that drew her in. "Don't mind if I do." The girl moved the ball in her hand to line up her shot before tossing it in, hearing the satisfying plop of it hitting the liquor.

"If I'm going to be lucky at one thing in life I'm glad it can at least cost you something," she said with a shrug watching him take down his shot of punishment. Meg couldn't help but stifle a laugh at his comment, watching his expression and knowing before he even spoke how he felt about it. "You were the one who suggested this so I think it's what you get." He was amusing, she'd give him that. Blaise had this strange ability to always make her smile. He was a bit of a fool but it was kind of charming in his own strange way. "Bring it on, let me show you how to properly drink tequila." It was her personal favorite and at this point, she knew her liver could take just about anything.

[peloponnesianminute]

who: @punzieeeee where: alley of the snuggly duckling

While it wasn't how she'd expected her shift to go, it ended with her navigating people into the bar to hide from the ongoing attack. This wasn't the first time she'd been around that much chaos and the brunette feared it wouldn't be the last. It was during one of the shuffles that she'd felt something slide into her flesh and make a home just below her ribcage. "Fuck," she muttered before shoving the door shut one more time to keep everyone safely locked inside. "Fuck, fuck, fuck," the girl continued while hobbling around the building and into the alley. Blood was already oozing through her shirt, her hand pressed to her side in a sad attempt to stop the bleeding. Her fingers traced the arrow, knowing better than to pull it out but fearing what might happen if the tip had been laced like many of the others, and with that, she ripped the object from her side. The girl slid down the wall as the crimson liquid continued to coat her body. Meg was fumbling with her shirt to take it off and press into the wound when the blonde glow of a familiar face caught her eye. "What're you doing here? You should be inside the Duckling where it's safe," she instructed, worrying about the other female's safety more than her own.

[peloponnesianminute]

who: @wonderherc where: alley ;; meg's apartment

For once in her life things felt right or at least like they were going in that direction. Hercules might be her mission but somehow he was also her missing piece. As much as she'd been denying it and hiding it from those around her, she'd fallen. Silently and secretly she'd started to fall in love with the person she was tasked with betraying. He'd even stayed late at work with her as usual, being a gentleman who walked her home and made sure she got in safely. It wasn't like Meg needed it but only from him would she appreciate such a gesture. He'd never made her feel fragile while somehow still making sure she always felt safe. Little did she know was going to backfire before their very eyes.

It all happened so fast before she was even able to react. The gunshots, his face, Hercules falling to the ground. Meg immediately fell to her knees and her hands pushed against the wounds to try to stop the bleeding. This had been Hades' dirty work, knowing the devilish eyes and soulless actions of someone else fighting for their freedom. "Stay with me, okay Wonderboy? You're gonna be okay, we're going to get you help." Right now all that mattered to her was making sure he got a tomorrow, not having another soul to give up to save him if she needed to. He was Wonderboy nothing was supposed to hurt him and she hadn't been able to protect him, something that she would carry with her.

After years of being Hades' errand girl, she got one thing out of it which was being able to remove a bullet and sew herself back up. Still, she'd never wanted it to be Hercules that she was pulling lead from. Somehow they'd gotten him to her apartment where she'd already told Persephone to come over and start to try sewing him up. Calling the police simply wasn't an option, they'd ask too many questions that she couldn't provide answers to. He'd passed out in her bed somewhere between sewing up wounds two and three. Now that she'd at least gotten him sewn she waited, silently praying this wasn't the last time she'd be able to sit next to him. Meg sat on a chair with a glass of whiskey in her hand and a shaking leg, searching for signs of life in him. When he finally stirred she sat up and reached out to take his hand in case his eyes cracked open. "Hey, take it easy," she instructed when he tried to sit up. "It's a long story I owe you but your aunt is on her way, okay? She can help us, she can help you."

[peloponnesianminute]

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She was playing with fire to put it lightly. The man who held her soul in his hand was tightening his grip which meant she had no choice but to comply. While her feelings for his nephew had blossomed, Hades' hand on her wasn't something she had control of, and when he said jump she was forced to ask how high. Meg had fought as much of his involvement as she could once realizing how she wanted to protect the very person she was tasked to destroy. "Isn't that what you wanted? He's letting me in, he's trusting me, all part of the plan, right?" There might've been more beneath the surface but the brunette prayed it would continue to fly under the radar. Her eyes rolled at his assumption, wondering if she was doing the job he wanted and how else he expected it to get done. "Yeah and? He's a guy, isn't the best way to get to know him through his pants?" While they hadn't actually gotten that far she didn't want to share the intimate details with her employer. "What would you suggest? It's not like he's taking me out to nice dinners and texting me good morning or anything." The girl's jaw tightened as she observed the man who held her eternity and there was no sight of an end if she didn't do her job how he wanted. "He doesn't have any weaknesses that I've found yet. I don't even know if he realizes he has one yet."

Normally he’d be more offended at the implication that anyone liking him was in bad taste, despite the fact that even Hades could admit that was likely true, but right now he hardly cares at all about her little quips. No, what he was focused on was getting his fucking answers finally. Because it was clear as day now that Meg had been holding back something, and while he had a fairly good guess at what that may be, he was ready to dig until that suspicion was confirmed. “I don’t have to tell you shit. I’m the one in charge here, not you, and it’d be smart for you to remember that,” he reminded her sharply, moving to stand over by the window again, leaning against the wall with his eyes still glued to the girl like a hawk. “Oh you’ve been getting close alright, I heard all about how close he feels to you.” Though she offhandedly admits to dating the boy now, it’s too late, and he feels she likely knows that. Her question of what she’s needed for anymore is one he plans to address in a minute or so, but for now he still has a few more buttons to push, just to ensure he gets the entire truth out of his little nut. “When were you planning to tell me that you started fucking the kid? I told you to get to know him, find his weakness, not turn him into your new boyfriend.” He already knows what’s going to come next. She’ll deny it meaning anything, claim that dating him was all an act to do her job like he’d asked, and Hades would be ready for his own move right after hers.

[peloponnesianminute]

who: @blaiselumi where: les trois compères

After the night in the alley, she hadn't heard from Blaise at all. Not even a snarky text with a funny photo or a single visit to the bar. He'd actually disappeared, just like she asked so why then did it bother her so much? Maybe she'd missed the friend she thought she had in him but wondered if feelings had really gotten in the way. Meg knew Blaise well enough to know he wasn't good news, bringing in a different flavor every week. After her ex she promised herself she wouldn't go down that road again and Blaise had paved his too similarly. She knew that look, that flirtatious attitude that never ceased even when it should. He'd call in a girl with just a glance and that was enough for her to know better. Then once Patrick and Dane caught a whiff she knew it was all over. That didn't mean she wanted to lose her friend and yet it happened anyway even though she was only trying to protect him. Meg had enough and decided to take things into her own hands, showing up at the restaurant just before closing and sneaking back into the kitchen. "You've been avoiding me," she said bluntly once she'd found him, coming up behind him with her arms crossed.

[peloponnesianminute]

who: @blaiselumi where: the snuggly duckling

Meg was finishing her post-work cigarette in the alley when someone wandered down trying to avoid some girl. He always seemed to have a way of finding himself where she was that she couldn't ignore it every time. Something in the world kept bringing them together even when she tried to avoid it. She had a job to do and this wasn't what she had time to put any extra thought into. Of course, one thing lead to another, like it did before, and she was remembering what it felt like to kiss him. Reoccurrences weren't her style but he hadn't bored her yet. Regardless, she didn't have the time to waste doing this when she had her freedom to be focusing on. Meg pulled away and looked at him seriously. "We really can't keep meeting like this and doing this again."

[peloponnesianminute]

who: @angelangeliques where: les deux compères

There were more times than she could count that Blaise had come to visit where she worked. Some he had come with someone, rarely left with them though. Others there seemed to be no reason at all. Meg didn't mind having some company at her bar, mostly her regulars. Not that she would admit it but she hadn't seen quite as often him recently. Maybe it had become time to see where this place was that he always talked about. She had a good tip week, she'd earned a nice drink at the end of a hard week. With the best cocktail dress she could manage, Meg came to this boujee French place. She sat at the bar and ordered herself an old-fashioned knowing it would be good while observing the details. One of them being the blonde sitting in a chair near her, feeling a little hysterical to be here like this. "Okay, be honest does my dress like I got it from a clearance rack? And if it does... From, where?" She said slowly looking down at her dress, and twisting in her chair.

[peloponnesianminute]

༝༝༝ ϟ ༝༝༝

Meg let out a scream into the dish towel she held to her face before looking back at the man who understood her best. It wasn't easy to explain, not even able to find the words for it, but knowing that he wouldn't ask too many questions. Blaise never pushed her to give more than she wanted to and she appreciated it. "It's not that simple though, if I am lying I keep him safe, and if I tell him then he hates me and I don't know if he's safe. I'm not loving my options here," she explained, folding her arms over her chest in exasperation. Whether she wanted it to be true or not Meg knew he was right. The guilt that ate at her gut would only be satisfied if she came clean and hoped he could keep himself safe once she folded her cards. Her gaze averted only when she had to stomach what she'd lose in the end, even if it was for the right reasons. "I won't once I tell him the truth..." The brunette shook her head to force that kind of thought out for the time being. "Not like it matters anyway." Or that's what she'd tell herself.

Blaise paused, his head still down as he contemplated her question. It seemed so easy, somehow — at least to him. “Yes,” he answered firmly, his voice gentle yet filled with certainty. His lips curled into a smile when he looked her in the eyes, and despite the dark shadows around her, Blaise could vividly see how utterly vulnerable she was in her eyes. “Lying never really gets us anywhere,” he added. He was an awful liar, that was quite true. “And if you really love them, you tell the truth. There can be nothing else,” he admitted. He had learned that the hard way, and he could sense that Meg was trying to protect someone. “For what it's worth, you have a partner to figure out the mess with you,” he added, shrugging his shoulders lightly.

[peloponnesianminute]

who: @blackwidowbug where: the snuggly duckling

The night had been slow and she wasn't complaining, besides the fact it meant she wasn't getting any big tips. Most of the time weeknights were like that and she'd be lucky to get much of anything at all. Her regulars tipped her well but it was the randos that came in for a drink and had five then needed a taxi home that were the worst. They wracked up the biggest bills and never gave her what she knew she deserved, not like that was of any big shock. Meg knew her job here was to fill time when she wasn't playing Hades' little errand girl which was a whole lot harder than watching people get drunk on a Monday. This felt like a break from the real stuff so she took it as such. That didn't mean she didn't get bored every now and then, like on this particular night when there was no one besides the local drunk in attendance. When she saw a familiar face walk through the door she released the sigh that had been sitting in wait and actually found herself smiling. "Look who's back from the dead," she said while setting down the glass she was drying and grabbing a fresh one. "The usual?" Meg raised her eyebrows and waited for a response, though her hands were already at the ready. Rosie was good company and someone who understood a little more about the messier side of her occupation. Friends weren't common for her but she was thankful for the few she had.

[peloponnesianminute]

who:@imatinker where: fix it felix repair shop

Another day and she was off running another errand for Hades. This time it was to pick up something he'd dropped at the repair shop. From how it sounded she assumed it was something for his dealings with Hopper, meaning it could need to be handled with care. Instead of asking questions she knew she wouldn't get the answers to she did her job and showed up. At least the person at the front was the employee she could actually stand. "Hey Tink," she said giving her a small wave as she walked up to the counter. "I'm picking up something for Hades." The girl made her way up, leaning her hip onto it once she got to her. "He didn't tell me what it is I'm looking for but I figure you probably know what I'm talking about?"

[peloponnesianminute]

who: @painnpanic where: patrick & dane's apartment

They knew something, she was sure of it. After watching Hercules collapse, his blood covering her hands, she needed to get answers. Whoever that man was she sensed was involved in something of the undead variety. Those eyes, the desperation of a man fighting for freedom were ones she wore even herself. If anyone was going to have their nose in someone else's business it was going to be these two. "Do you know who the fuck almost blew my cover?" She asked, looking up from her beer and to the duo across the living room. "Someone came in shooting him up leaving the Duckling. Did Hades get a new pet to do his bidding?" The girl had fought to keep him alive and she knew next time she might not be so lucky. These were details she would keep from them, especially her involvement with the goddess of Spring herself. The less they knew the better.

[peloponnesianminute]

༝༝༝ ϟ ༝༝༝

Things never seemed to slow down for Meg, by now she was just hoping in death she'd finally be able to rest. Being surrounded by the dead had made it all too comfortable to where she was worried one man, in particular, wouldn't let her rest in peace when that day eventually came. Besides, she had been betraying him and knew it was a matter of time until the truth about Hercules got back to his uncle. As long as she could get him out of Hades' grip then it would be worth it or that's what she told herself in the hopes that it actually came true. While Meg had never been one to believe in things going well, it was the demigod who changed everything. Now she sang louder in the shower, smiled at occasional strangers on the street, and hoped there could be real good in the world. Of course, it was short-lived, reality always finding its way back to her when he'd depart. That had happened today, the bar becoming a little less bright when he left to meet up with Phil. She knew his friend wouldn't approve of his field trips to the Snuggly Duckling but she savored the moments Hercules filled her mute life with his light.

When the woman approached the bar Meg went to greet her as she did all the customers but had been beaten to it. Anyone who came in looking for her set off some alarm bells, knowing her other line of work didn't attract the best kind of people. "Depends who's asking," she said while sussing out the lady in front of her. "Can I get you anything?" The brunette maintained eye contact as she finished drying a glass and set it in front of Lilah, ready to be filled with her drink of choice. "Unless there's something else I can do for you?" A small opening in a tightly shut door, Meg knowing better than to let just anyone in on the information she withheld until they proved themselves. In her line of work, there wasn't room for blind trust, knowing that would only end in bigger problems.

closed starter for @peloponnesianminute location: snuggly duckling

It wasn’t a surprise to Lilah that getting any useful information regarding the mystery miracle man she had occasionally heard her clients speak about would be a challenge, but even she had been optimistic enough to think it would only take a couple of weeks to hear anything. In reality, it had taken months, and even then she hadn’t been given the strongest of leads. Many of her former clients refused to elaborate or even discuss the topic at all, stating that it wasn’t worth getting mixed up in or that they simply never had any real information on the man to begin with. Rumors it seemed to all be - a story told to get the hopes of those stuck at rock bottom with nowhere else to turn. Or at least, that’s what she had been ready to chalk it all up to be until she was given something real. All it was was a name - a singular girl that was said to work for the man in question. She hadn’t been given anything more than that - not where to find her or what she does for the man, but Lilah could figure that out on her own. It hadn’t taken much digging to find her own information on Megara Eurydice. She didn’t go too deep, not wanting to invade the woman’s privacy, but she did find her place of work and a picture to know just who she was looking for.

Which was what had led her to the Snuggly Duckling tonight - a bar she hadn’t stepped foot inside in years. Though it seemed very little had changed in that time, the atmosphere was still exactly the same and the few clientele scattered throughout were hardly all that different from the patrons she used to remember. It was fairly empty, thankfully, as Lilah had hoped it would be on this random midday, and she didn’t have to fight her way up to the bar where she was quick to find the woman she had specifically come here to see. ‘Excuse me?” she asks, catching the bartender's attention with a polite smile. “Are you Megara, by chance?” While she already knew the answer to be yes, she didn’t want to come across as too much of a stalker by confirming it herself.

[peloponnesianminute]

who: @angelangeliques where: meg's apartment

The pair had been an unlikely one but Meg didn't mind the company Angelique offered. Tonight they were staying in, though most of the time they could be found drinking at a bar stool the week had been long for them both, regardless of it just beginning. Meg wasn't the kind to label anything and considered the blonde a friend of sorts. Having anyone close to her was dangerous so she was sure to keep Angelique at arm's length. The less people that she cared about and cared about her, the better. This was fun for the time being but she knew it had an expiration date, as everything in her life seemed to. Nothing was able to last when at the end of the day she belonged to someone, to Hades and in turn, Hopper. Attachments were to be avoided at all costs. The girl took a sip of the margarita that she'd made for them, nodding in approval to herself. "Sorry I'm a little heavy-handed," she said while the blonde took a drink herself. "Makes me get great tips though." A laugh stumbled out after, knowing bartending had brought a certain sort of system to how she made drinks now. "No point in drinking if it isn't strong."

[peloponnesianminute]

who: @blaiselumi where: outside the snuggly duckling

This might have been the longest streak since she'd had Blaise come to bother her at work. A small part of her wondering if he'd found someone else to fill in his free time, not like she cared or anything. The attention was nice, sure, what girl didn't like attention? But he never made it easy for her, always pushing her buttons and waiting to see if she snapped. There were a couple of times when even she had bets against herself on keeping her cool. In many ways he was her opposite and yet they always seemed to find something in common. No matter how many times he came in and sat at her bar, they would have a new topic to talk about. Meg had almost gotten fond of having him stop by. Even though she wouldn't say it, he'd become one of her favorite regulars.

Tonight had been unreasonably slow which meant she could bounce out early if the other bartender didn't need help. She'd been there for long enough to make a few decent tips so it was easy to split once she got the okay. After doing what she could to make it easier for her co-worker to clean up later she put on her own coat and was out the door. The girl went to light herself a cigarette now that she was officially off the clock only to release she'd forgotten hers. "Are you fucking kidding me?" She groaned before grabbing the next person to start towards the bar, only to realize it was trouble itself. "Look who isn't dead," Meg said with a small smirk forming before remembering her mission. The girl held up her unlit cigarette with a raise of her eyebrows. "Think you could help a bitch out?"