#i can FINALLY work on next erebus chapter oh we are finally at the Place no one will be excited but me

[brutal-nemesis]

E&T: A Day in the Sun

Hell yeah it’s time for all that lore on Taiyorum I dumped on y’all to be in the story ✨ Please enjoy whatever the hell sort of possibly fluff with angst sprinkles this is and we will resume the pain next chapter :) 

Also fair warning: this is a GIANT monster chapter of 4.4k words (the longest chapter to date ��) because I got really carried away so I apologize and uh have fun with that

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Ingredients: threatened vivisection, noncon touching, vague-ass nsfw mention, premarital handholding AGAIN（⊙_⊙;）

“Ready to go?” It had been a few days since the plan to go out and see the city had been made, and the time had finally arrived. Erebus was a bit nervous to go out in public looking the way he did, but it’s not like anyone knew him. Neteri had come in after he’d eaten breakfast, a bit of a bounce in her step.

“I think so,” he replied from where he was seated on the bed.

“Alright! Before we go though, I want to make it clear to you,” Neteri leaned in over him, grabbing his chin and forcing him to look up at her, her voice dropping as she continued to speak, “that there’s no point in running. You’re my legal property, so any guards who catch you will bring you right back to me, and anyone who tries to help you will be breaking the law. I assume you don’t want to get someone thrown in prison because of you. Even if you somehow manage to hide or get away, that brand will tell us exactly where you are, and we will capture you again. There is no possible scenario in which you will escape. And if you try…” she glanced down, placing her free hand on his heart, “well, I don’t have any explicit reason to, but I would love to take a look at the inside of your chest cavity. Understand?”

“I-I understand. I won’t try to escape.” The temptation was always there, every time they hauled him out of his cell, those precious few moments where he wasn’t tied to something, but never once had he given in to it. Not because he didn’t want to escape, but because he knew it wouldn’t work. It would only make things worse for him, so why bother? He deserved to be here, anyway.

“Good boy.” She reached to pet him on the head, but he jerked away, glaring at her.

“Don’t push it.” She laughed, poking the end of his nose before he could dodge and turning to get something from her bag. She fumbled around a bit in it before pulling out-he felt his face grow red. Not the leash, anything but the leash. “Do...do I have to wear that?” He wished he didn’t sound like a child pleading with his mother.

“What’s so wrong with it? You can have your hands free.” 

“It’s humiliating?! I’d rather have my hands tied in front of me. Or behind me.”

“That’s way more inconvenient though. Plus it’s not as cute.”

“I have never once agreed with your definition of that word.” Her mouth fell open in shock.

“Not even when I said-you don’t think you’re cute?” He shot an annoyed glance at the corner before looking back up at her.

“No,” he said flatly.

“Oh, oh Erebus,” before he could lean away, she grabbed his head and hugged it close to her chest, “you poor sweet thing, you’re just the most absolutely adorable, and that is a fact.” 

He wormed his hands in between them and pushed her back. “Get off of me.” He stood and crossed his arms. Neteri pouted and crossed her arms back. They stared at each other like that for a few moments before Neteri relented, sighing.

“Fine. If you’re that self-conscious, do you want me to make the leash invisible?”

“You ca-I mean...I, um, fine. If you’re going to make me wear it.”

“I am,” she said as she reached up and attached it to his collar. His stomach twisted at the weight of it, even as she ran her finger along it and said the spell, the links of the chain fading from view. Part of him was starting to regret this, but he really, really missed being outside, and this was a small sacrifice to make. It’s not like anyone else could tell it was there anyway, all they could see was the...collar. Well, better a bunch of random people he’d didn’t know saw him like this than his former subjects. If the emperor had wanted to make sure Erebus would never want to show his face in Berké again, he’d certainly succeeded.

As he did last time, Erebus tried to walk side-by-side with Neteri so he didn’t have to feel the pull of the leash, which wasn’t hard given how short her strides were compared to his. She began humming, and soon enough he could hear her singing softly under her breath.

“Going out to the outside~. Just me and my cute pet...demon...prince...thing...whatever.”

“Person.” 

“My pet person.”

“Just person.”

“My person?”

“Just you and a person.”

“Me and a person. On a leash. I am holding it.”

“Remember that part about how you felt bad about making me endure horrific agony twice and getting assaulted by your boss? And how you wanted to make it up to me? Because you’re doing a terrible job.”

“You say that now because it has not yet been meat pie time.” 

“I-I can’t really argue with that but just. Stop singing.”

“Fine,” she sighed. They walked in silence for a few more minutes until Neteri stopped suddenly, the leash jerking Erebus to a halt. “Shoot! I forgot to-” she glanced up at Erebus sheepishly, “...you wouldn’t happen to know where we are, would you?”

“Of course not how the hell would I-did you get lost?” She grinned devilishly.

“Oh no, I know where we are. I just might have totally forgotten to blindfold you, but since you don’t know where we are anyway, it doesn’t matter.” Erebus was an absolutely terrible captive, why hadn’t it even occurred to him to try to memorize the layout of the castle? Or did that make him a good captive? Either way, it wasn’t something he wanted to be. He cleared his throat and tried to justify himself, though whether it was to himself or Neteri, he wasn’t sure.

“W-well you said if I tried to run you’d-”

“Yes I did, and I meant it! And you’re such a good, smart boy.” She pulled the leash down, forcing him to bow his head so she could pet the top of it. He straightened as soon as he was able, flushing red for what must have been the thirtieth time today, briefly considering if avoiding the risk of vivisection was worth the nearly constant humiliation that had become his life. 

But when they finally made it outside, everything else was forgotten. Erebus found himself smiling, really smiling, at the sight of the blue sky, the warm sun on his skin, and the feeling of a cool sea breeze. He could hardly stop looking around, taking in all the sights of the foreign city with its wide streets and tan buildings, radiating out from the central plaza in front of the castle entrance. And the plants, oh, they were everywhere, vibrant splashes of green and an array of other brilliant colors sprouting up from planters and beds and windowsills. He was jolted out of his amazement at the feeling of something cold pressing into his palm and small fingers wrapping around his hand.

“It looks more natural than the invisible leash.” Neteri was looking up at him with a smile. “Plus, since it’s a cold element enchantment, our hands won’t get sweaty!” 

“Why did we need the leash at all, then?”

“Yeah, like we’re going to hold hands the entire time.” She pulled him along without waiting for a reply. “Come on, I want to show you something. Well, a few somethings. But not all at the same time! Because that doesn’t make sen-”

“I get it, Neteri.” They resumed walking, and Erebus glanced over his shoulder as they continued along. A massive cliff ran along the backside of the palace, towering over the entire city. It was made of reddish-tan rock raked with diagonal stripes that were cut by deeper horizontal lines every so often. But even more noticeable were the green and black stones set into its surface, outlining the shape of a huge pointed sun. The same sun that had been burned into his chest. He winced and looked away, even though he knew he was going to be catching glimpses of it all day. 

“That’s the Midnight Sun that the city was named for. It glows at night!” Neteri’s face fell a bit as he returned her gaze. “Though I guess that’s a symbol you’d rather not see, huh?”

“I...it’s fine. I see it often enough,” he sighed. Even if he’d wanted to pretend things were normal today, that sun looming over him wasn’t the only reminder of what he’d been through. Between the arm that he hadn’t managed to change at all yet and the constant sweaty itch of that awful collar, with the weight of the leash attached to it, what was one more little indication that he wasn’t free?

He tried to put it out of his mind as they walked along, marveling at the lively bustle around him as people of all sorts of races and cultures shopped and dined and chatted, paying him and Neteri absolutely no mind. The air smelled of a comforting mix of the salty sea, the beautiful flowers growing in planters all over, and delicious food. He was soon lost as Neteri led him through the streets, but she seemed to know exactly where she was headed. 

“Have you always lived here, Neteri?”

“Hmm? Oh, no, I grew up in a smaller village in what used to be Alpinan. I moved here to go to school about...eight years ago?”

“Wait are you still in-”

“No, no, I graduated after three years and I’ve been working for the Empire ever since, mostly as a military medic.” That both made sense and didn’t at the same time to Erebus. Of course Neteri was a medic, healing was something she was incredibly skilled in, and he’d certainly experienced it enough firsthand. And could be genuinely kind and caring when she wanted to. But when he imagined a healer, it was usually someone who wouldn’t hurt people on purpose or do...the sorts of things she did to him. But here she was, in all her contradiction, her little hand in his, their palms separated by cold links of the chain attached to his neck. 

Soon enough, the street widened into a large open area, like a sort of park. There was no grass, but paths wound in between large beds containing a wide variety of plants, some of which Erebus recognized from books he’d read, but a large number were completely foreign. There were benches here and there, and children played in the many smaller stone squares within the area. Soft music drifted through the air, though he couldn’t pinpoint exactly where it was coming from or what instrument it was. 

When they arrived in the center of the park, they came upon a pool with an elaborately carved stone structure in the middle of it, like shallow bowls on a pole with a statue of a person with their hand raised to the sky on top. It shot water up into the air, creating rainbows as the droplets fell back into the pool. Erebus couldn’t help but look on in amazement. “I have to admit, the spells you guys have for water manipulation are a lot more refined than anything we have in Berké. Between this and the little rainstorm in the-”

“The what?”

“You know, the thing you guys have instead of bathtubs where you pull the lever and it makes a little rainstorm?”

“Wait do you mean sh-” she clamped a hand over her mouth. “You didn’t-” She lowered it again, revealing a grin. “That’s what you call it?”

“Well I didn’t-what’s it called, then?!” Neteri shook her head.

“Oh, I am not telling you, that’s just too adorable oh my god.” He shot an annoyed glare off to the side as she laughed. She was never going to let the cute thing go, was she? 

“Uh…” he looked around for something that could change the subject. “Hey, I recognize that plant.” He pulled her over to a vine-like plant with small purple flowers. “It’s called a parakius. The flowers are poisonous, but the roots can be used for medicinal...stuff. We have a few in the palace gardens.”

“Interesting...what about that one?” She pointed at a plant with a tall, thick stem dotted with yellow bumps that had bright red berries at the top. 

“That’s an...atsunai, I think it’s called? The berries contain this weird neurological poison that can only be cured by the fluid in those yellow bumps. I’m surprised they have it in a park like this, but I guess it’s not really dangerous to people at this size. See, how they work is small animals will eat the berries and get sick and go to the stem to get the antidote, and when they try to climb the stem to get to them, they can get stuck since it’s sort of sticky. I’ve read that they can grow to be really huge though, and...” he stopped himself. “Sorry, I don’t know if this is boring for you.” She laughed.

“Are you kidding? That’s so cool! I love learning about this type of stuff, so tell me more!” She gripped his hand tightly in her excitement, and he couldn’t help but smile at her enthusiasm. They went all around the garden, Erebus explaining everything he knew about the various plants there while Neteri listened attentively, posing questions as they came to her. They barely noticed how much time had gone by until their stomachs started growling.

“Okay, okay, that was fun but we should probably eat something and I have some other stuff I want to show you. So let’s go!” They left the park, diving back into the city streets. Neteri took a zig-zagging path through them, and Erebus wasn’t quite sure where they were headed until they stopped on the edge of a street running alongside the rows of docks jutting out into the glittering ocean. Neteri tapped her foot, thinking. “I think it might be easier to leave you here while I go get the food, but…” She looked him in the eye, her face hardening. “Are you gonna stay put?”

“Yeah,” he sighed. “You said it yourself, it’s not like there’s any point in running when I have this brand, and anyone who tries to help me is just going to end up getting punished.” He sat down, his lower legs dangling over the edge. “Plus if I was going to run, I would at least do it after we ate.” Neteri smiled and shoved the back of his head playfully.

“If you say so. I’ll be right over there, anyway,” she pointed at a nearby stall that had people crowded all around it, “so you won’t really be out of my sight. I’ll be back in a few, then.”

Erebus looked out over the port as she walked away, trying to crush the foolish instinct that was screaming at him from deep within his chest. He wanted to run so, so badly. He wanted to sprint into the unfamiliar streets or jump in the water and swim to some ship headed out to sea, just to be free for even a moment. But he would be found and grabbed and sliced open. Running would earn him nothing, he knew that. Neteri did too, seeing as she was actually confident enough to just leave him alone here unsupervised. Well, no, there was a guard staring at him. And now he was coming over. Great.

“What are you doing just sitting here, slave? Where’s your owner, huh?”

“I’m not a-” he stopped himself, sighing. There wasn’t any denying the collar around his neck, and he’d rather not have to say why it was actually there. “She’s over there, alright?” He pointed at Neteri. “She told me to wait for her here.” 

“And you’re waiting like a good little slave, aren’t you?” He squatted down next to him, studying his face. Erebus tried to turn away, but the guard grabbed his chin, so he settled for glaring at the man. He could have struggled more, but the last thing he needed was to make a scene. “You’re quite a pretty one. You her little boytoy?” 

“Wha-no-I’m not-she would never-I don’t-” the guard laughed as Erebus’s face twisted in disgust, burning red. 

“That’s a waste.” The guard cocked his head, smiling slyly. “I can’t imagine you would be, but you’re not for sale, are you?” Erebus’s fists clenched in his lap.

“I most definitely am not.” That was the one good thing about how possessive Neteri was of him, and that was that there was absolutely no way she would hand him off to this creep. 

“Excuse me, sir, but could you kindly get your filthy hands off of my property?” Blessedly, the guard complied, quickly standing and backing away as Neteri approached. She stopped in between the guard and Erebus, her hand stretched out in front of him protectively, a terrifying smile on her face. 

“I didn’t mean any harm, ma’am, I was just-”

“I don’t care. You don’t just go messing with things that don’t belong to you. Now, I suggest you get out of my sight before I make sure you can’t touch anything ever again.” Once the guard had scurried away, she dropped down and started looking Erebus over worriedly. “Are you okay? He didn’t hurt you, did he? I-”

“I’m fine, Neteri.” Erebus waved her off. “He was just being…” he shuddered, “just being creepy.”

“Ick. Well, I’m sorry I didn’t get here sooner, but the spell notified me that someone was touching you right as I was paying for the food so I just glanced back and I saw that you weren’t being hurt and figured I should just finish up so-”

“Really, it’s fine, can we just-”

“Okay, if you say so. Here.” She handed him one of the large pastries she was holding. It was wrapped in some sort of paper, but he could feel the heat through it. But there wasn’t any sort of...

“Isn’t there...wait am I supposed to just, like, eat this with my hands?” Neteri gave him a concerned look.

“As opposed to what, exactly?”

“There’s no plate or utensils or-”

“It’s. It’s street food, Erebus. You’re supposed to eat it while walking around. With your hands. That’s the point of it. Have you seriously never had something like this?”

“No. I mean I ate in the palace most of the time, so…”

“Okay, princey boy,” she sighed. “It’s very complicated, so pay close attention. You bring it up to your face,” she said as she did so, “and then you bite it.” 

“Thanks, not sure I could have figured that out.” Neteri rolled her eyes as she finished chewing.

“You seemed pretty confused to me, bud. Well, go on then, eat the peasant food.”

“I never said it was-whatever.” He followed her lead and began eating. It was quite good, not that anything wasn’t anymore the way his tongue was now. But he’d been getting better at telling when the flavor was coming from the food and when it was being simulated by the tongue, and it was barely doing any work. The pastry was buttery and flaky while the meat curry in the middle was tender and flavorful. They ate in silence, watching people go about their business at the docks. Erebus ended up watching a particularly beautiful sailor woman carrying crates onto a ship. She was quite strong, and he could almost imagine her beating up the guards and rescuing him, and then they could sail off somewhere far away...

He noticed Neteri was watching her as well, a dreamy sort of expression on her face. Once the woman was out of sight, she turned to look at him and nodded sagely. “You have good taste in women. We should discuss this at a later date. It’s one of my many topics of interest.” Ah. That...that made sense, somehow. 

After they finished eating, she showed him a few more spots in no particular order. There was a street paved with colorful stones from all over the world, another statue that shot water into the air in a complex pattern, and a hidden little bookshop that she loved going to. She even let him pick out a couple of books, which he really was grateful for. The hours in that cell could be terribly long. After stepping back out into the bright sun, she led him through another series of twists and turns.

“Okay this next one is just, like, really funny but kind of dumb.” She pointed at a tattered poster advertising some sort of concert. “It’s been here for like, two years.” She stifled a laugh.

“That’s...it? It’s just a poster someone forgot to take down. Is it really that funny?” He gave her a confused look, and she burst out laughing, pointing weakly at the man on it.

“Th-there’s just-just something about his face,” she squeezed out before dissolving into another fit of laughter. Erebus just stood there in silent bewilderment, trying to understand why this was so funny to her. The man on the poster did sort of look half-asleep, even though he was supposed to be playing an instrument. Maybe it was the absurdity of Neteri’s amusement, or the sound of her laugh, or the man’s face really was just funny. Whatever the case, Erebus soon realized he was laughing too. He tried to stop, but he just couldn’t help it. Every time he or Neteri stopped, they would look at the stupid outdated poster or one another and completely lose it again.

When they finally both calmed down, Neteri smiled up at him. “You know, I don’t think I’ve heard you laugh before.” 

“Well…” Erebus looked away. “I haven’t exactly had much reason to recently.”

“Yeah no it makes sense I just...it’s nice. You have a nice laugh.” Erebus turned away from the poster. Maybe you’d hear it more if you weren’t experimenting on me.

“What’s next?”

Their final stop was back towards the palace, at the foot of the massive cliff that loomed over the city. By now, the sun was starting to set behind it, and the stones set in it were giving off the faintest light. Along the base was a bustling market, stalls crowded with handmade goods of all kinds and piles of brightly-colored spices lined up one after the other facing the cliff. Neteri wormed her way through the crowd, Erebus awkwardly trying to follow, gripping her hand tightly as he tried to squeeze through gaps she’d fit through easily with her small frame. He was afraid that if he lost her hand, she’d pull him along by that leash, or that if they were separated entirely he’d be punished for trying to escape. 

Thankfully, they made it to the cliff without letting go of each other’s hands. Now that he was closer, Erebus could see that the rock was made up of what looked like grains of sand cemented together. Here and there, large dark green crystals jutted out of the rock. People were laying their hands on them and muttering to themselves, like some sort of odd ritual.

“This is where everyone offers their prayers and energy to the sun,” Neteri explained. She placed her hand on a crystal. “You just touch it and think of whatever prayers or wishes you have and let it take some of your strength in return.” She pointed up at the giant crest of Xerna, barely visible from their vantage point at the base of the cliff. “Everyone’s energy is sent to the sun there, which is what allows it to glow when it’s dark out. The thought is that it sends your prayers up to the actual sun, or whoever you believe in, that way.” She took her hand off the crystal and pointed to it. “Do you want to give it a try?”

“Uh, sure.” Erebus didn’t really think of the sun as a deity, but he figured Drottkia, the Dragon Queen, would still hear him like this. But what exactly did he want to ask? There were a million things he could wish for, but he knew most of them wouldn’t come true. It was useless to wish that another part of him wouldn’t get hacked off and replaced, that he would be set free, but maybe...he placed his hand on the warm crystal. Please, he prayed, please let me go home someday, someday when it’s been long enough that no one remembers me. Someday when no one will recognize me. Even if I’m not free. Even if I’m no longer human. Just let me go home one last time. He felt some of his strength leave him as he prayed, and he quickly took his hand off once he was done, not wanting to be so weakened that he’d need help walking back.

Right. He’d have to go back. Back underground, in that lonely cell away from the sky and the sea, and now with the knowledge that the world outside was getting on just fine without him. He tried to savor every last sight of the city streets as they made their way back to the palace. “Sorry you won’t get to see the Midnight Sun glowing, but I don’t really want to have you out after dark. Maybe some other time.” She squeezed his hand. “Did you have a good day, at least?”

“Yeah. It was cool to see everything and be outside for once. So, uh, thank you.” It felt weird thanking the person who was keeping him captive, but...she didn’t have to take him outside or buy him food and books, and he’d been raised to give gratitude when it was due.

“Of course! Thank you for being so good all day. Let’s head inside now, shall we?” He took one last look over his shoulder as they stepped through the door, one last glimpse of fresh air and freedom and the world outside his own. It closed behind him with loud finality, blocking out the lights and sounds of the city.

The daydream was over, and now it was back to the nightmare.

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Tags: @dramaticcollapse @thehopelessopus @just-a-whumping-racoon-with-wifi @galaxywhump @as-a-matter-of-whump @mnmlover2002 @tears-and-lilies @yet-another-heathen @rippedjeansandfadeddreams @starnight-whump @unicornscotty @thebewilderer @kixngiggles @itallstartedwithharry

[demon-winchester]

Tremors Behind The Veil Chapter 8

-Chapter 8- Sylvia's POV: You need to pull yourself together I thought to myself as I was leaving my cover. "We meet again" I screamed at Abigor. He glanced at me and I could feel he was smiling. "Hahaha, the small girl survived... I still remember the splendid taste of your brother little vamp" Abigor replied. That broke something in me... Vengeance was calling my name. I started rushing towards the knight, he still had Aiden on his grasp and it was time to free him. I summoned my Twin Sickles and I started stabbing him. The attacks did nothing and I could see Aiden turning purple. I dashed back and I started rushing again. I jumped on some tables, I grasped my sickles tightly, I stretched the chain and I lept on Abigor. I tied the chain on his neck and I started hanging from him. He started sidestepping and I heard him choke, that's when I knew I needed to apply even more pressure. He threw Aiden on a wall, he grabbed my chains and he started gasping for air.

Aiden's POV: I started gasping and gasping trying to catch my breath. This fucker actually came close I thought to myself. I saw Sylvia hanging from him with her chains tied around his throat. "Oh so you finally decided to join the fun?" I sassed while getting up from the rubble. "Oh shit" I whispered. Abigor managed to free himself and he grabbed Sylvia pushing her to a wall. I picked up my gun and I started shooting him. The bullets were affecting him but he wouldn't stop. He kept hitting her while she was down. "You have no magic to help you this time little vamp" he growled. I kept shooting and shooting and after two magazines he screamed in pain. "Erebus...Drag your hand across its blade and let it cut you" Sylvia managed to say while Abigor started to push through the pain. I removed my gauntlet and I followed the instructions cutting myself. As the blood was touching the sword when I was dragging my hand, the blade started changing. It grew wider and somehow purple, it was shining and whatever was inside the blade it was moving around.

While the blade was getting transformed I started losing my armor and my wings, I was now a simple human with simple clothes holding a big shining purple sword. What the hell I thought to myself. I know I need to work fast. I rushed towards Abigor significantly slower than before and this time the sword was actually doing damage, it was really scratching his armor and it left an aftermath of energy after every attack. Red smoke was coming out of every scratch. He was in terrible pain... His screams would shake the ground but he would still not let her go. "You know what...You have taken a toll on all of us...I am ending you" I growled. He started laughing as I was letting the energy from the sword travel through me. I closed my eyes and I took a deep breath as I was trying to contain the energy. One breath, one movement, one moment and this torment would stop. I breathed out and a purple ray flew from the edge of the sword hitting Abigor on his chest. The blast left a hole on his body and red smoke was flowing out of it, he finally fell down helpess. I helped Sylvia up and we slowly approached him. I held the sword on top of his neck. "Sylvia, grab the handle along with me... It's closure for you too" I said to her and if she hadn't been through hell she would smile. "Any last words?" I asked Abigor. "Curse you, your children too. And their children, forever true." he answered as he was chocking. That made me smile. "So...Shall we?" I said to Sylvia. "May God have mercy upon your soul because I won't." I sighed and we pushed the blade through his neck. And with that, complete silence. He stopped moving and what was once the club was now a building in ruins. "Bastard" Sylvia said and she spit on him. "That's a great time for a drink" I said with joy and I headed to the few bottles that weren't destroyed with Sylvia right behind me. I jumped behind the bar. "Pick your poison love" I said.  We agreed on a bottle of red wine and we were ready to start drinking. "You know what, it's the perfect time for a toast." I exclaimed. "To putting an end to unfinished bussines." she said raising her glass. "To lady death and may she be on our side on the approaching fights." I continued and our glasses met. "Are you old enough to drink?" she asked. "We killed an executioner that had returned from the dead...Do you want to see my ID or does that cover you?" I sassed. She started laughing. "Calm down boy..let me jest" she answered and she kept laughing. "Anyways, with your club destroyed what are you going to do?" I asked. "Well, good question actually...I've always wanted to move to another country for a fresh start and I don't think I'm getting a better chance... I can't help but see hope throughout this mayhem and well, a fresh start is all I need...I hope. What about you?" she said. "Hm, now that I'm powered up again I need to find Circe though there's a talk I need to have with Lydia." I continued. "How so?" she asked. "Well, you see she doesn't have powers and she came all the way here in the middle of the night while we were fighting...She could've been killed, I told her to stay away from me" and as I was saying that a slap hit me. "She came here to help you, you fool and you're going to hold it against her? You know, you might know how to fight but you really need to learn to understand people more..." she said with anger in her voice. "So what do you think I should do?" I asked. "You should figure it out yourself" she said and she took a sip, "Also about Erebus" she continued. "Oh yeah what's up with that... My armor went away while I transformed it" I said. "Well that's the thing... The hunger this blade has while transformed is insatiable, it draws energy from whenever it can and your armor is a great source, you should remember though... Don't hold it in this form for more than a few minutes after your armor has gone away, it starts eating life force and that's not ideal." she continued. "Alright then, I'll have it in mind" I replied. We talked for a bit more, about her story and about mine too, the bottle had reached its bottom. She placed the glass on the table, she got up, she took a sealed one and she started walking away. "It's time to say goodbye Aiden and about Circe you should try searching in abandoned churches, those places are rotten grounds, perfect for Harbingers...Give her my regards." she sighed. "Bye then, I'll take your words to heart and I hope we meet again." I said with a smile. "You shouldn't hope." she said and she closed the door behind her. Time to head out I thought to myself so I grabbed a bottle of wine and I returned to the hideout..It was morning by now and people have started gathering around the ruins of the club. It took me some time but I reached the hideout and that pun in the entrance always makes me laugh. I jumped on the couch and I fell asleep almost instantly.... I hadn't slept that good in ages. I woke up and I checked my phone. A text from Lydia saying hello sent 10 hours ago....God how long have I been sleeping. "Hi there" I answered and she instantly started typing.

Hello                    Hi there                    What's up MY GOD YOU'RE ALIVE                    You're not getting rid of me that easily ...... Look we need to talk                    Okaaay, feel free to say what you want Not here... I mean talk in person                    What's going on? Look, can you be at the garden behind the hotel at 12?                    Like... Midnight? Yes                    Alright... I'll be there

And so time came to pass... I dressed up and I headed to the garden. The place was beautiful. Bushes with unique colours all around... A fountain in the middle frozen from the cold with patches of icebound flowers surrounding it, benches placed under old lamps and snowflakes longing to hug the frigid landscape. I saw her and I approached her, we nodded and we both started looking at the frozen fountain. "Look" I told her, "I know I haven't been the most supportive friend. I've been so caught up with the -whatever the fuck this shit is- and I never took a moment to think that I didn't act the way I should have". She raised her eyebrow. "No matter how difficult this thing is, I should have considered how nerve racking must be seeing a friend you've known all these years put himself on the grasp of death..." I continued. "Could you please tell me what you did that you think was wrong?" she asked. "Well, for starters, when I talked to you about this situation you wanted to help and I did my best to stop you from that, even if I wanted to protect you I should have been a bit more careful. Next when I lost my bluetooth I didn't even try to contact you another way which led you to coming to help me.. I should have escorted you out of harms way that very moment but instead I screamed at you and I returned to the shitshow... Lastly, I should have contacted you the moment I was safe..." I replied.  "Hm" she said, "Do you know why I called you here?". "No" I replied. "Look, I do want to apologise myself... I felt like a burden coming on the club, I shouldn't be something else you have to have your mind on".  "Wait" I said interrupting her, "I never got to tell you that but thank you... You weren't a burden... on the contrary, I don't know how that fight would have ended if you hadn't stepped in at that moment".  "Nevertheless, we had a deal and I broke it... The moment that I saw those pieces of rubble fly towards us I knew that I shouldn't have been there and the fact that I made you endure the hit really made me feel bad" she continued. "Please don't do this... You were the best support I could have asked for" I said. "This world isn't for me and I can't pretend that I am able to withstand the anxiety that comes with it... I don't know if I can help you anymore and that includes comms... It's hard for me to say that you know" she sighed. "I understand... The moment I saw him approaching you... I've never felt so much concern and so much hate, not towards him... Towards me for dragging you into all...that" I said. "What I'm trying to say is I'm sorry and thank you.... You were a big help and I'd feel happy to have you on the comms if you're up to it..." I said with a small smile. "There's another thing... The trip ends in a couple of days and you'll be alone here which will make the situation even worse. I'm asking you... Leave this behind and come home with the rest of us" she continued. "I can't do that... I would love to return to how things were but now that's something I'm unable to do... My plan now is saving Circe, returning home and finding a way to get these stuff off of me" I sighed. "That sounds fair" she said, "So, all good?". "It seems like it..." I replied, "We still have a night to spare, what are you in the mood for?". "Okay, I have a great idea. We head to this great 24/7 diner, get a bite, a drink and then walk in the old city" she said excited. "You know what... I dig that, let's not waste a moment!" I replied. And so we begun. We headed to the diner and we bought some snacks and hot chocolate . We started walking around talking laughing and just enjoying this part of the city. The cold was stinging a bit but nothing we couldn't handle, I didn't really mind because it was just what was needed for the scenery to look like that. Roofs covered in snow all around, tall trees almost crystallised by the cold and snowflakes dancing in the breeze. The time was passing fast and after walking around for hours we concluded that we should return. We were moving in an alley to save time and we saw a person emerge from its end. I have a bad feeling I thought to myself, I looked behind us and I noticed someone was on our tail. "Give me your gloves" I said with a low voice and that's exactly what she did. I summoned my gauntlets and I covered them with the gloves. We had almost reached the end of the street but the man was still blocking, he now had his hand inside his jacket... We were getting closer and closer. "Look what we have here" the man said while drawing a knife , "such a great night to do a good deed and help my poor soul". We tried to step back but a woman was in the way with a knife on her hand as well . "I don't think they are really into charity love" she said to who I presume was her boyfriend. "Here's the thing kids, if you give us your stuff we'll let you go, it would be terrible to stain this street with blood wouldn't it" the man said to us, "I like your pink gloves dude, really... Manly" he continued and the couple started chucking. "Oh you have no idea" I said under my breath. "Don't" Lydia told me. "We don't have all night, start with your wallets" said the woman. "You heard the lady, now hurry... It would be a pity for something bad to happen to your lady friend... You get me dude, man to man, you know how that is, she looks like fun" the man said and I felt my heart pumping. "You done fucked up" said Lydia. "Stop talking girl" said the man while putting the knife closer to her throat. I grabbed the hand and I smashed his elbow, a loud crack echoed in the alley, the man fell down and he started screaming in pain and in disbelief. "You little shit!" screamed the woman and she tried to stab me but I blocked the knife with my gauntlets. "What the fuck" she muttered and I grabbed her head with my arm, I smiled and I smashed it on the wall letting her drop down unconscious. His screams were still going and I saw Lydia kicking him in the guts. "His stupid voice enrages me" I said to her and I approached him. "Nah I got it" she said, she took a few steps back and she kicked him in the head knocking him out. "Ouch, that's gonna hurt like a bitch when he wakes up" I chuckled. "Thank you... Exactly what I was going for" she replied and she started laughing. "I hope you won't kick me too but I may have stained your gloves with a tiny bit of blood" I said. "Nah they make them look less childish... You know, the blood really brings out a murderous intent the normal pink just can't" she replied smiling. "Cool point of view... Does that mean I should stain your pyjamas too?" I said with a grin. "Sheesh, I'm trying to make a joke here and you take it as a chance to hit more people" she laughed. "On my defense I read on a fashion magazine that scarlet red is gonna be worn a lot this year" I continued. "Admitting you're reading fashion magazines isn't a great defense per say but you do you" she replied with a laugh. "We should probably call the police shouldn't we?" I said and she pulled out her phone. "Already on it" she Said. She left an anonymous tip and we continued our wall back. Some time passed and we finally managed to reach the hotel. I followed her to the lobby "So I guess this is goodnight" I said. "Oh, you're not going to your room?" she asked. "We shouldn't give miss old hag the chance to ask questions should we" I replied. "Fair" she said, "That was fun... You know, up until the mugging part". "Attempted mugging you mean... But yeah, it was fun" I said. "The trip days are running out" she continued, "we should do something tomorrow". "I would love to but I have a lead for Circe that I need to follow... Can't wait for when I get back so we can hang out more" I said. "Likewise" she said and she yawned, "I guess it's goodnight then". "I guess it is" I replied with a smile, "Goodnight". "Night" she answered and she started going up the stairs. Time to go back to the hideout and be all alone I thought to myself and I sighed. I walked out of the hotel and the sun was rising.

[therkalexander]

The Good Counselor - Chapter 7

Book Three in the Hades and Persephone series. Seventy years have passed since Elysion was created, and Persephone's efforts to conceive a child with Hades have been in vain.  But a secret rite on Samothrace might  bend the Fates and give her all that they have dreamed of, or pave a path of untold suffering.

Chapter 7

After her first disastrous homecoming, Persephone’s return to Aidoneus’s side was always a joyful yet sober affair.

They would cloister themselves in their rooms, then hold a quiet feast in the main hall on the next full moon— their anniversary. Hecate joined them without exception, as did Hypnos and Thanatos, the twin gods of sleep and death. Their mother, Nyx, the Goddess of Night, would make an occasional appearance, as would Askalaphos and Menoetes. An assortment of Erinyes and Stygian nymphs rounded out the feasting company. Charon was a rare sight in the hall, which made his arrival so surprising.

The doors opened loudly, silencing the idle chatter between Hypnos and Persephone. Askalaphos straightened, turning away from Nychtopula, who grasped his arm and peered around him. Aidoneus sat up on his divan, then stood in mild astonishment. Charon leaned on his oar as a staff, his thin frame even more frail against the backdrop of the great hall, then moved to kneel.

“No, no, please, Charon.” Aidoneus stretched out his arms. “Come in, friend; it’s good to see you.”

“And you, my king.” He turned to Persephone, “Aristi.”

Persephone smiled at him and returned a slight nod.

Charon swayed, the motions of the Styx still deep in his bones. “I have something for you. A gift, of sorts.”

“For me?” Persephone said.

Charon fought back a smile. “Beg pardon, Aristi, but this one I saved for your husband. It is a curiosity I found eight days past. Or rather, it found me.”

Aidoneus glanced back at Persephone and shrugged. When he turned back, his eyes widened at the perfectly cut ruby Charon produced from the folds of his robes.

“It fell into my boat. Nearly hit a poor shade on the head.”

Hypnos immediately dropped his gaze and fought back laughter. Hecate pointedly brought her fingertips to her lips and exchanged a glance with Thanatos. The God of Death rested his chin on his folded hands, silver eyes boring into Aidon’s back. Persephone’s bewilderment was palpable.

“We have the whole earth above us, so pebbles and such fall all the time,” Charon explained. “But this stone was just… so finely cut…”

He turned it over in his hands, letting the light from the braziers shimmer through it. Thanatos cleared his throat, barely suppressing laughter. Aidoneus felt heat creeping up his neck and reddening his cheeks and ears.

He knew how that ruby had fallen into Charon’s possession.

Aidoneus would wait within the Plutonion for Persephone each fall, listening to her mother’s priests drone on as they prepared the masses for her departure and the barren winter ahead. His hand would reach out from the shadows, and take hers gently, not daring so much as a squeeze of affection in front of all of Eleusis. None knew it was him: he knew it would sully all of Persephone’s progress with the mortals if they knew that the feared Lord of the Dead stood in the shadows.

Once the door closed behind her, they would retreat through the caverns in silence. He would walk her to his chariot, hoist her up, and they’d be off, plunging through the scorching depths of the earth to emerge in the dark reaches of Erebus. Only then would he kiss her with all the uncaged fervor of six months spent without her in his bed. Normally, Aidon would stay away during harvest time, in part to let his wife work, but largely to avoid ever-present Demeter. By the time they were alone together it would have been at least two months since their last encounter. This year the wait had been  worsened by the fact that Aidon had forgone their usual midsummer visit.

“…and so auspicious,” Charon continued, “since this jewel fell into my boat on the very day our queen came back from the corporeal world…”

Aidoneus had been hasty with her. And she with him, he recalled, deepening his blush further. Her fingernails had gouged his neck and flanks in the dark as she had struggled to rid him of his himation and then his loincloth. His garments had fallen in a heap on the chariot’s podium. As he was wrapping the reins around one hand and tugging at her dress with the other, he’d grown impatient, and with a growl he yanked her jeweled girdle off her hips. The gold set stones jingled and clattered in the cart. Neither one noticed. By then, he was pressed deeply into her, a rhythm growing between them, his senses flooded by the warmth and scent and sound and taste of her surrounding him…

Afterward, in the waxing light of the Styx, she fished for her clothes and righted his, only to discover that a large ruby on her girdle missing from  its setting. Persephone fretted about the jewel as they alighted in the courtyard, but it was no matter to Aidoneus. He was the master of earth and all the precious things contained therein. Summoning a replacement would be easy. And so, amidst the following days of their private reunion, he had forgotten all about it.

Until now. And of all the damnable places for it to turn up…

“I thought to myself,” Charon smiled, “I could keep this, perhaps with all the coin I’ve received over the aeons, but no, that wouldn’t do…”

Hecate snickered.

“Such a marvelous trinket should be given to you, so you could gift it to your dear wife,” he said, holding it aloft before dropping it into Aidoneus’s open palm. “In front of all of your gathered friends, of course.”

One of Hypnos’s silver wings arched forward to shield his face. Tisiphone didn’t bother masking her harsh cackle, her body doubling over,  one hand on Persephone’s shoulder. Nychtopula whispered in Askalaphos’s ear and his eyes grew wide.

“Which one of them put you up to this, Charon?” Aidoneus asked, his lip twitching into a smile.

“I swear it wasn’t me.” Hypnos shook with laughter. “I swear it!”

Thanatos parted his hands and raised one finger. Aidoneus looked at him in surprise, and Persephone smiled, her cheeks rosy with a mix of embarrassment and laughter. Aidon returned to his seat and sheepishly handed over the ruby. They exchanged a quick kiss and the laughter ended in quiet applause.

Charon smiled. “Now all's right with the world.”

The Minister of Death would have been the obvious culprit a century ago, but Sisyphus had changed him forever. He was more somber, and Aidon had heard no complaints from Hecate, no boasts or rumors about him chasing after the Lampades—  or any woman or man, for that matter. Aidon was relieved that this prank had been Thanatos’s idea.

“Won’t you stay, Charon?”

“Perhaps. You know the first days of winter can be busy—”

“Oh, please,” Persephone said. “Anyone newly arrived can wait a mere hour. Come share the nectar that was sent to us.”

“Nectar.” Charon’s jaw tightened.

“Courtesy of Hera,” Aidon said.

“Do you recall the last time she sent us a… gift?” He looked pointedly at Aidoneus.

“It’s in good faith, Charon. Persephone got on well with Hera this summer, and this was delivered by Hermes earlier today for the anniversary,” Aidoneus sipped from his cup; he had quietly vowed to have only one. Everyone who had witnessed what happened that night was eager to lay the blame at Minthe’s, or Demeter’s, or even Hera’s feet— anyone but him. Aidon knew the truth: if he hadn’t downed that entire glass— and so many before it— he wouldn’t have been so gravely affected by the ergot. “It won’t alter your senses, I assure you.”

Charon’s shoulders dropped and he sighed. “It had better not. If I forget to collect a single obol tomorrow, I’m laying the blame squarely on you, Aidon.”

Hypnos poured him a glass and they carried on well into the evening, trading stories and tales from above and below. Orphne and Clymena had brought a cithara and a tambourine, and with some encouragement from Tisiphone, Persephone rose and danced, showing them an epilinios she had learned during Anthesteria on Crete. Aidon’s gaze was fixed on Persephone the whole time, relishing her ease and happiness at being home again. Her potent glance in his direction edged him closer toward dismissing their guests so he could have her to himself.

But he could also feel her many questions for him lingering. She knew that he was withholding something. And he needed to tell her.

Warmth suffused and enveloped her. Warmth from his hands wrapped around the small of her back, warmth from each gasping breath where she leaned against his shoulder, and warmth radiating from where they were joined. The gentle breeze around them, his scent of cypress, and the sheen of sweat on Persephone’s skin provided a cool counterpoint that made the after effects of her peak all the more sublime. Aidon pulled her down hard and threw his head back, his fingers digging into her hips, and a final burst of heat made her shiver.

He leaned back into the grass and pulled her with him, then uncrossed his legs. She released him and rolled away, awkwardly unfolding her limbs to fall in a heap at his side. They stared up at the stars of Elysion, breathing in time, their fingers lacing together.

“Happy anniversary.”

“Indeed.” She kissed him on the cheek. She lazily raised a finger and pointed from star to star, tracing the winter constellation of The Hunter. Decades ago, they had stopped wondering why the sky here in Elysion, their Paradise within Chthonia, was filled with stars, why the moon shone at night and the sun during the day. Instead they had decided to just enjoy this mystifying world.  “The stars look just like this above, right now.”

“Yes. I remember.”

She rolled over and propped herself up on her elbows, her eyes trained on him.

He winced, then smiled at her. “You have questions for me. You’ve had them since we descended.”

“I wanted to wait before asking. I didn’t think they would be anything shocking. It was more in reaction to my mother hounding me just before the harvest.”

He tensed again. “I had seen to something early on in the season, and needed to think it over before I told you about it, sweet one. So rather than withhold, I avoided you. I hope you can forgive me.”

“Can you tell me now?”

“Yes.” He took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

“You don’t have to worry, husband,” she said, smiling. She folded her arms under her chin, propping herself up on his chest. “It’s just me.”

“After Eumolpus died, I spent months contemplating what to do with what he told us about Orpheus, about having a child. But I didn’t want you to hurt again. Not after last time.”

She looked down. Aphrodite had suggested going to a temple far to the east, and they had participated in the fertility rites there. She had cloistered herself on the temple grounds, abdicating her responsibilities in the first grain harvest, heedless of the fact that it would mean a hard winter for the mortals. Persephone had rationalized that it was only one year, that she would never do it again. When her cycle was late by a week she was overjoyed, and told Aidoneus to come to her immediately. By the time he arrived, she was spotting, and though worried, she was told by the attending priestess that it could be a good sign. But the next evening Aidon had awoke to find her collapsed in a heap on the stone floor, sobbing, blood streaking her thighs.

Persephone let out a long sigh. “I understand.”

“I didn’t want to give you false hope, either. I wasn’t going to subject you to that if I found out that it would just be more pageantry and nonsense. But this…”

“You spoke with Orpheus?”

“Right before I saw you at the villa. I couldn’t tell you then. And decided that I couldn’t continue to lie by omission in your presence until you were back by my side and we’d spoken about it.”

“And that’s the only reason you didn’t visit at midsummer?”

He nodded.

Persephone laid her head in the crook of his arm. “What convinces you that this will be different?”

“Do you remember what Eumolpus told us? That Orpheus honored a god of rebirth that was not yet born?”

“I do. But every fertility cult from Iberia to the Euphrates honors some unborn or unknown god or goddess.”

“Which I why I did not appear to Orpheus directly, nor did I tell him who I was. Though I suspect he well knew by the time I left.”

“We’ve done this before… masking our identities, appearing mortal—”

“We have. But this is something else, sweet one. I asked— no, I commanded him to name his professed god— the one yet to be born.”

She rose up and looked him in the eye, and he nodded. Persephone’s skin prickled and she leaned back on her haunches.

“Zagreus.” Aidoneus sat up with her. “Zagreus, Persephone, the name we want to give our son. Had you ever told anyone besides me?”

“Only Hecate knows, but no one else. Not even Nyx or her sons. If I had ever spoken about my wishes to Eumolpus, I used brimo, which means ‘the strong one’. And it’s an epithet given irrespective of sex.”

“Then how else could Orpheus have known?”

Persephone swallowed. What if this was just another stone thrown down another bottomless well? She couldn’t leave off her responsibilities ever again, and couldn’t endure a disappointment like the last one. “It might be coincidence.”

“Certainly. He could have heard the name somewhere else, though Zagreus isn’t any name the Thracians or Eleusinians would give a child. Maybe he divined it, though I know not how.” He looked off into the distance. “Or perhaps there’s something more sinister at play since he’s been sending mortals here with those gold scrolls, even though he seemed more earnest than anything else. Or…”

She was afraid to hope, but his half hearted excuses told her all she needed to know. He believed. Decades had passed since he dared to believe anything would come of their attempts, and yet here he sat, apprehension barely masking exuberance, waiting for her reply. She smiled and her eyes stung. “Yes.”

“Yes to what?”

“Let’s try.”

“I don’t want you to hurt again.”

“Wouldn’t it be worth it though? Wouldn’t all the years of past pain be worth this if it gave us our child?”

He let out a long sigh and leaned his forehead onto hers. “Yes.”

“What must we do? I cannot miss the planting or harvest again. Hundreds of mortals died when I stayed in Alikarnassos.”

“It  requires one day and one night, as the first shoots rise from the earth. No more.”

“What does the rite itself ask of us?”

“That was less clear.”

“Eumolpus said part of the sacrifice would be who we are… our most heartfelt desires.”

“Orpheus said the same thing, and would not say anymore. But he professes to abide by the will of the Fates. More so than most of the gods, even. I am confident we can leave this all to ananke. No one will know that Hades and Persephone are attending among mortals. As far as they are concerned, we will be a mortal king and his queen.” He glanced out at the shallow sea beyond and cleared his throat. “There is one thing though that could become… a problem.”

“What’s that?”

“The promise by which we will ensure his discretion.”

[agent-7-at-your-service]

Future Plot: Project Prometheus - Chapter 3 Part 1

(( Sandra, Justinian (Not in this chapter), Telemachus (Not in this chapter), Iruka (Not in this chapter), Pyrrhus/Chaodis (Not in this chapter) belong to me

Camille, Lee, Depiction of Callie, Janine (Not in this part of the Chapter), Marina, and Pacling (Not in this chapter) belong to @inklingleesquidly

Nebula and Wish belong to @myzzy and @agenttwo  

Mysteeri belongs to @dreadangel

Designs of Marina and Wish belong to @teamuntyblue

Emerald and Sapphire (Not in this chapter) belong to @twelvetailedkitsune and @son-of-joy

Celeste (Not in this chapter) belong to @alpinesquid

Arsenic (Not in this chapter) belongs to @a-demo-of-a-hero 

Champion of Janus belongs to [classified] ))

Camille is about to leave the Parthenon and return to the divine city of Olympus with Hephaestus. She needed to bring a party to Mycenae and investigate. For the sake of her parents and the Impending Doom that must be fought, she had to come to that city. Hephaestus advises her to stay in Athens for a while so that he can get the other Champions. Camille requested to the Blacksmith God that he gets Marina, Wish, Nebula, Mysteeri, and Sandra only; the rest will be reserved in case there are other activities in either the Mediterranean or the world.

In the meantime, Camille had this huge portion of time to herself here in the Acropolis. She can just go off to Mycenae alone, but she would rather wait for her friends to arrive. She decided this is the time to get together some more with Athena, and maybe she can retrieve the real Spear of Athena.

Athena is found in a viewpoint in the Acropolis, a few feet away from the Parthenon, surveying the city of Athens through a telescope.  Two little owls were companying the goddess, being recognized by Camille as Nyctimene and Noctua. The two owls weren't the massive nights-birds Camille knew.

Camille approached the Wise Goddess, and the owl Nyctimene flaps her wings, being glad to see Camille again. Athena noticed and turns to see Camille.

"Hi, again." Athena gave a smile of hospitality. "Came to see all of Athens from here?"

"Not really...," Camille pets Nyctimene before looking at Athena, "But I do want to spend time with you... I really miss ya."

"Oh, that's sweet of you, Camille," Athena complemented before looking at the view of her city. "Feel that breeze, Cammy?"

".....Yeah?" Camille can feel the wind lightly hitting her.

Athena was glad to answer that. "Whenever I hear the whispering the breeze makes, I can still hear the old Athens that thrived here. It tells me stories of

Athena and Camille lean against the rails that a construction team installed. They enjoyed the view for a moment and the breeze, remaining quiet. Soon Athena said something.

"...So Moros has your parents?" Athena frowned. "I wish I can join, but I have to serve my sentence for the war on Troy..... But there is something I can give back."

The Wise Goddess took Camille's hand and brought her back to the gazebo bedroom, she goes over a to a white pillar behind the gazebo. It turns out she can put her hand right on the stone structure, and what she pulled out is a spear of bronze. It was her heirloom.

"Your spear?" Camille took out the duplicate spear made of Promethean Glass. "...You want to give it to me? Are you sure?"

"I can count on you to take care of it." Athena hands it in front of Camille. "You've taken good care of it when you were facing the Titans and Typhon, you can do it again when facing Moros."

Camille couldn't help but take what her friend is offering her. Athena places it in her hands along with the Promethean Glass replica. The two weapons merged Athena's spear is complete gold instead of bronze. It still cloaked in the stars and space dust like it's replica.

Athena smiled and gave a little giggle. Then a scroll was handed to the goddess, separating her and Camille.

"Madam Athene, Letter from Artemisia."  It's the Messenger and Trickster Hermes. "Oh and hello, Athena's Champion." Hermes paused for a moment, thinking about how he addressed her. "That doesn't roll off the tongue, I'll just all you Champion of Athena still."

Camille rolls her eyes. "Rude." She then thought about Iris, the goddess she once met on the Greek island of Strofades. "How's Iris?"

"Her? Well..." Hermes wasn't that surprised. "She's doing the same job as me... she's still taking care of that island though... That's pretty much it. I've taught her all I can when it comes to being a messenger."

At the moment, Athena is reading the message she just received.

"I heard about your parents, Camille," Hermes mentioned, "If there anything you need--"

"Nah, I can handle this," Camille replied, "Moros has no idea what's coming."

"And where are you starting this new journey of yours?" Hermes asked.

"Mycenae." Camille puts Athena's spear away. "I have business there... actually, it's what I'm told to go to from dream I just had."

"Morpheus?" Hermes raised an eyebrow.

"Morpheus." Camille nods.

"Seeing your parents through his realm?" Hermes chuckled. "Moros can never each that dream realm anyway... except for..." He then shrugged it off. "You've face nightmare before, right? Good. Bye." He then speeds off in a few seconds.

"Hey wait--" Hermes is already gone. "Thanks a lot." Camille folds her arms before turning to Athena. "So what is Artemis tell ya?"

Athena rolls up the scroll. "She's in the Ukraine with the Amazon Descendants, protesting against the deforestations. She asked me to come help her."

"Well, then I guess both of us are busy, huh?" Camille smiled.

"Yup." Athena smiled back. She then wondered something. "Have you been taking care of Arachne for me before we went our separate ways?"

Arachne was once Athena's weaving rival turned spider companion, and now Arachne is Camille's spider companion, acting as a pet spider.

Camille realized that Arachne is still back in Shee-Booyah and probably taking over the apartment with webs and some spider friends. She isn't worried, but she feels a bit terrible for forgetting Athena's friend.

Athena giggled. "Don't worry, I'll have Iris and some of my relatives fix your apartment and pick up Arachne."

Hephaestus finally returned. "Miss Squidly, they're here."

Camille nods to the Blacksmith god and looks back at Athena. This is where they're part ways for now. The Wise goddess has work to do in Greek and Ukraine.

"Good luck," Camille cheered.

"Good luck," Athena cheered back.

Camille follows Hephaestus to the Parthenon's Entrance where the others were. Marina Squidly and Wish dressed up in some special excavation attires, ready to go and explore the Ancient Greek world.  Nebula and Mysteeri were in the Champion forms with Nebula dressed in scales and sea glass and Mysteeri dressed in darkness and precious metals. Sandra was still in the form of the humanoid white lioness dressed in bronze, gold, and leather.

"Next stop's Mycenae," Camille happily commanded.

((At this point in the chapter, narration is by Hephaestus))

So you're heading to Mycenae, Camille? I suggest going to the city of Argos, it's closest to the ruins there. I hear Poseidon is visiting that site along with a few other cities that worship him. He's going about as a professor, lecturing to college students about the value of the ocean and the life thriving there. His wife, Amphitrite, is also there, supporting her husband while trying to help the mortals like you to never fear water again like your ancestors. You'll find them at the Argo's Ancient Theater, lecturing about all these things to some college students.

But at the same time, I hear Zeus is coming there with Hera, inviting the two to dinner later. Maybe they could help you with your situation with Moros, but keep in mind that Moros is always watching.

While you're searching for clues on the whereabouts of your Grandmother and finding a way to free your parents, be on a lookout for someone associated with Janus, a two-headed Roman Time God with powers inherited by Chronos. Hermes is reporting that this "champion" is trying to focus on Moros as well, targeting those associated with a group called the Children of Nyx.

The Children of Nyx doesn't consist of all the children of Erebus and Nyx; it's more of an alliance than a family. But Moros is now using resources pooled in that alliance to make you suffer.

Whatever you need to do in Mycenae, come back to Olympus just in case.

((End of Narration))

Camille and her party arrived in Argos by bus, passing by the ruins of Mycenae, dressed in their usual attire. They were supposed to be sent to an ancient theater where Poseidon and Amphitrite were. However, something caught Sandra's eyes when they were about to pass by an ancient barrack, the Barracks Of Kapodistrias: A fight.

And this isn't just any fight; it's against ghost-like humanoid maidens with gnashing teeth, long sharp nails and knuckles, skin that's the color of decay, blood-colored warpaint from the mouth down to the neck, and wing-like cloaks of wolven skin and fur.

The one fighting these horrid fiends is a young girl. This girl is a green inkling dressed in a green dress and sleeves and dark gray vest and gloves. She has beige leather sandals and a gold pocket watch pendant. Her eyes obscured by a mask with two gold faces -- one of a young man and one of an elderly man; Her nose and her mouth can still be seen. Her hair is green with her two long tentacles being curled.

She was armed with two .96 Gals -- of them of the Deco style -- and both had what appear to be the arms of a clock attached to them. She was shooting her enemies down until she was surrounded.

"Stop the bus!" Sandra requested to the driver.

The bus stops near the Barracks with Sandra being the first to come out. Camille and Nebula followed and later Mysteeri, Marina Squidly, and Wish. Wish opened up her parasol.

"Sandra, wait! Where are you going?" Camille questioned.

"She must've found something interesting here," Mysteeri assumed.

"We better check that out I guess," Nebula suggested.

Camille rolls her eyes and then takes out Athena's spear. "Then let's see what Sandy was checking out." She looks to Marina Squidly and Wish. "You guys coming?"

"Wish and I and will go to the nearest bus stop and find you guys another bus," Marina Squidly answered, "You go help out Sandra."

Camille, Nebula, and Mysteeri continue following Sandra into the Barracks and into the center. When they arrived, the unknown girl that Sandra saw is already handling her situation. She was fighting with fierce grace, maneuvering around with ease while combating her enemies.

At one point, the unknown green inkling girl puts away her .96 Gals away, and two 30 cm ribbons out of her sleeves, and she magically wraps them around her gloves. She then slammed her fits into the ground and throws her enemies into the air, and they float in mid-air in slow motion. This gave the girl a chance to take out her .96 Gals and shoots the maidens down.

Camille took a close look at the .96 Gals that the girl is armed with, recalling that her family owned .96 Gals just like that. Then again, this could just be a coincidence. But the two-faced mask indicates the girl is associated with the time god Janus.

When the last enemy is shot down, the unknown girl flips her hair and turns to the Olympian Champions before her.

"Quite a show you put there," Mysteeri complimented.

"That mask." Nebula steps towards the unknown girl. "Are you associated with a god named Janus?"

"I am," the girl answered Nebula before replying to Mysteeri, "And thank you." When she looked at Camille, the girl looked eager to meet her. "Champion of Athena I presume?" Her smile was more welcoming.

"Uh... Yeah." Camille raised an eyebrow.

"Those things didn't hurt you, did they?" Sandra asked, stepping into the conversation.

"You mean the Keres, nah, I can take care of myself, so I'll be fine." The unknown girl still has her eyes on Camille. She adjusts the mask so that her eyes can be seen; they were familiar blue. She took a deep breath. "I heard about your parents, Champion of Athena. I want to help."

"Wha...???" Camille folds her arms. "Y-you're joking right?"

"I'm not," the girl simply replied.

"But you have no idea what she's up against," Mysteeri argued.

"I don't see why that's a problem," the girl replied, "I'll still want to offer help."

"If Janus has interest in helping us, then we will allow it." Nebula looks to Sandra. "But that's up to her. After all, she's the leader of our alliance, the Argonauts."

"Uhm....." Sandra didn't know what to say. She never made this kind of decision before.

"I will only answer to Camille alone," the Champion of Janus stated, "If she says yes, I will join the Argonauts and take the oath."

"But we just met," Camille pointed out.

"Think of this as my introduction then," the girl has thought up the introduction for some time, "My name is Jovana, the Champion of Janus Di Selecti, God of Beginnings, Gates, Transitions, Time, Duality, Doorways, Passages, and Endings."

Jovana takes out her .96 Gals, places them on the ground and gets on one knee, speaking in a more formal tone. She looks straight at Camille.

"Accept me as your Guardian, Miss Camille Squidly," Jovana offered, "I will shield your back from all foes and give my life for yours if it ever comes to that. I swear it to the Pantheon of Olympus, the Pantheon of Rome, and all Pantheons of the Mediterranean."

Camille looked dumbfounded. She could reject the offer, but she can tell somethings off about this Champion of Janus. Before Camille can figure out what's off, Sandra steps close to her and whispers in her ear.

"Hey, Camille, I were you, I would accept her offering," Sandra whispered, "Listen, I know how to respond to things like this and it's outdated, I mean like way outdated."

"Whatever, just tell me how to respond to this." Camille wants to get this over with.

While Sandra is telling Camille what to say, the Champion of Janus is waiting patiently. Nebula, Mysteeri, and Sandra were just looking at her; Nebula is already figuring out some vague idea about who Jovana really is.

After about 5 minutes, Sandra steps away from Camille, and Camille takes a deep breath and takes out her spear. She places the speartip gently on one side of Jovana's shoulder and then the other. Camille tried to respond in the same formal tone as Jovana, though she still sounded apathetic.

"Jovana, Champion of Janus, I vow that you shall have a place in my journey until its end and days after that. I shall never command you to do something that would bring you dishonor." Camille puts the spear away, gestures Jovana to get up and put her .96 Gals away, and the two place a hand on each other's shoulder. "I swear it to the Pantheon of Olympus, the Pantheon of Rome, and All Pantheons of the Mediterranean."

Camille and Jovana stared into each other's eyes, feeling some connection between each other. Camille overlooks this as coincidence, thinking there no actual connection between her and Jovana. Jovana, however, knows something about this connection. The two shrug off the sensed connection and smiled, taking each other hands off their shoulders.

"And if you accept my services to you..." Jovana looks to Nebula, Mysteeri, and Sandra, and raises her hand while placing the other where her heart is. "Until the end of Camille's Journey, I will sail with you."

Marina Squidly and Wish manage to catch another bus for Camille's party and their newest ally, Jovana. They leave the Barracks Of Kapodistrias and continue to make their way to the Ancient Theater of Argos. When they arrive, several college students passed by them, indicating that Poseidon and Amphitrite were finished with their lectures. Camille's party continued moving along, entering the center of the theater where an Orchestra would be seat to play music during a play.

The Greek God of the Sea and his wife can be seen in adult inkling forms, both dressed in navy blue and light pants. Poseidon was quite young, with developing a beard, dark hair with a green luster, green eyes, and tattoos on his hands that makes his skin look like scales. Amphitrite appeared beautiful with rusty iron-colored hair, brown eyes, light skin, and barnacle patterned freckles.

"Ah, my Champion!" Poseidon welcomed Nebula but not Camille. "...And Champion of Athena and Zeus."

"Just Athena, King of the Sea." Camille meant to address that to mock the sea god rather than a compliment.

"No, no, no, my son, Triton, is King of the Sea now," Poseidon clarified.

"Our son, dear," Amphitrite corrected.

"Oh right, my bad." Poseidon clears his throat before he continues talking with Nebula. "So what brings you to Mycenae, my Champion?"

"You heard about what happened to the parents of Athena's Champion, have you not?" Nebula asked.

"I do," Poseidon simply replied. He allowed Nebula to continue.

"We're going after Moros, and we need leads," Nebula demanded.

Amphitrite looked at her husband who began stroking his beard, thinking about the situations the Champions are in right now. Poseidon still shares hostility towards Athena, but the Camille did save the world from falling into Chaos. He knew Moros's divinity from his younger brother, Zeus, who has feared the Prophecy God for ages. And judging by the current status of the party, he knows their journey has just begun.

Still, Poseidon shakes his head, frowning.

"I'm sorry, but there's nothing I can do," Poseidon stated, "But I know a Goddess in this city that may help, and her husband is coming from all the way from Olympia. I'm inviting them to dinner tomorrow night."

"You mean Hera and Zeus?" Camille asked.

Poseidon looked at Camille with an annoyed look. "Yes."

"Then invite us to this special banquet," Mysteeri suggested, "Won't hurt for Zeus and Hera to see the Olympic Champions."

"Poseidon, you're going invite them too?" Amphitrite looked surprised yet concerned. "This was supposed to be a family dinner." She looks to Camille and Nebula. "Kids, you might want to visit them at your own time. Zeus would be arriving in Hera's place in Heraion, her temple that she's rebuilding."

"That's fine," Nebula agreed.

Before the party can head off to the Heraion, Poseidon stopped them to ask Sandra something.

"You have Heracles' lion cloak?" Poseidon asked.

Sandra nods. "I'm his champion."

"I see," Poseidon has something in mind to mention to the new champion, but he keeps it to himself, for now, replying, "He was a great hero."

Camille's Party arrives at Heraion on time, meeting for Hera and Zeus; both of the Greek deities are living among mortals as Mayors of Argos and Olympia respectively.

Zeus is a middle-aged adult inkling with fair skin, gold hair and beard, blue eyes, and fairly high muscle tone. He wore a simple purple polo shirt and beige slacks along with a small gold badge and brown leather slip-on shoes.

Hera is a beautiful adult inkling also with fair skin, gold hair, and blue eyes. Her dress has a peacock feathered pattern decorated with diadems and lilies. Her sandals were made of lotuses and green leather.

Zeus and Hera were very welcoming towards Camille for her past deeds of saving the world from Titans and Typhon. Towards Sandra, Hera wasn't comfortable with the Champion of Heracles but Zeus was proud that someone is carrying on his son's powers and heirloom. They didn't have anything to say about the Champion of Janus; Still, Hera recalls meeting Janus before in Italy but that's about it.

Hera provided Camille and her party a room to sleep in along with some servants. Zeus asked Sandra to stay with him and Hera to talk about the Argonauts.

In the meantime, Camille thought of this as a good time to sleep and visit Morpheus' dream realm. She has to see her parents again even if it means going through those trials that Princess Camilla has gone through.

Camille lies in bed to rest; she relaxes, closes her eyes, and slowly falls into a deep slumber.

In her dreams, Camille is Princess Camilla Penthesilea, and her parents are Orion the Giant of Boeotia and Princess Merope of Chios.

When Camille opens her eyes, she's on a boat with her parents, Lee and Callie; the Dream God Morpheus is on the wheel, escorting them into the nearest port of Mycenae. Camille can see the city from the distance with the Constellation, Andromeda, looming over this city. It's probably over the Heraion of Argos.

"Had a good sleep, my Princess," Morpheus asked Camille.

"Counting sheep like a shepherd, Morpheus," Camille asked with a smirk.

"I got word from messenger Iris about our opponents," Morpheus noted, "She was on the ship during the sunset before heading off."

"We're going to be facing against a King," Callie added.

"King Agamemnon the Steadfast, the goddess said" Lee added, "And she added that Agamemnon is mocking you for trying to seduce Achilles because..... 'you're an Amazon who attracts and kills just like your dying tribe'."

"Aga-- what now?" Camille raised her eyebrow, she didn't acknowledge Agamemnon's mockery. "And I'm flattered he thinks that way of Amazons." Camille gets up, takes out her battle-ax and carries it over her shoulder.  "Well once we meet, I'll give him a crown, and I'll ask if he'll want it impaled into his skull or up his a--"

"Camille, language!" Callie warned.

Camille paused for a moment and took a deep breath.

"Sorry, Mommy." Camille looks straightforward.

The boat finally enters the port and parks near a dock for The Hunt to get off. They still need to continue moving, this time to Heraion of Argos.

[brutal-nemesis]

E&T: Aftermath

Not much physical whump in this chapter or the next but that doesn’t mean there won’t be any angst or whatever so there’s that ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

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Ingredients: painful magical healing, referenced use of “it” pronouns

The days since the incident had been entirely uneventful, which was both a blessing and a curse. Erebus was certainly glad to have some time to himself without being examined and grabbed all the time, but just being stuck in this room with only so many things to do and no one to talk to was a little rough. He had nothing to distract him from the myriad of things he didn’t want to dwell on. Struck with a sudden urge, he picked up his pillow, walked into the bathroom, calmly sat down in the corner, pressed his face into the pillow, and screamed. 

He wasn’t entirely sure why, not that he didn’t have a multitude of reasons to. Maybe he wanted to do it without anyone hearing for once. Maybe it was because that arm still took him by surprise every time he looked down. Maybe the constant itch of the collar wrapped around his throat had finally gotten to him. Maybe it was the fact that he could hardly write his name anymore, despite his best efforts. Maybe it was because the only person who’d been kind to him since this whole mess began, the only person he could turn to for comfort, was also ripping him to pieces, making him into some kind of monster. And there was nothing he could do about any of it. All he could do was endure. Endure and hope things wouldn’t get much worse.

He heard the door to the cell open, but he stayed where he was, figuring it was just someone dropping off food or bandages. It wasn’t until he heard a tentative “What are you...you’re not asleep are you?” that he looked up. Neteri was poking her head through the doorway, giving him a concerned look. She looked a lot better than the last time he’d seen her, and Erebus almost smiled before remembering that A) she was the majority of the reason he was so miserable in the first place and B) her catching him doing...this...was embarrassing, to say the least. He felt his face grow red.

“Why are you...were you just going to look in here without knocking?” Now it was Neteri’s turn to blush.

“Well-you-the door wasn’t closed so I thought...whatever, it’s not like I saw anything. What are you even doing in here?”

“I’m-it’s none of your business.” He stood up, taking comfort in the significant height advantage he had over her. “Look, can we...not talk in here?” Neteri nodded and they went and sat in the main part of the cell, Neteri on one of the chairs and Erebus on the bed. He didn’t put the pillow down, hugging it to his chest instead.

“So. How have you been these past few days? Both with your arm and after the, uh, incident?”

“My arm hurts and it’s shaky and I can’t straighten it out or make a fist and I can barely write with it.” Erebus rattled off his grievances quickly. He’d tried to keep track of everything that he noticed was wrong with it in the hopes that Neteri could fix it, going over the list time after time in his head. She nodded slightly.

“Okay, not too bad. It’s about what I was expecting, honestly, so I should be able to fix it without too much trouble.” Erebus allowed himself to feel a small bit of relief. If he was going to be stuck with this horrific arm, it was at least going to work. 

“As for what happened with, uh…”

“Hjáll?”

“Yeah. I...I think I’m okay now.” Erebus looked down. “Being a person...helps.” He looked back up at Neteri. “Who is she, anyway?

“She’s...my rival? Kind of. And also my boss.”

“Wait that was your boss?! Does that mean that she can-”

“No, no, what she did the other day was completely out of line. She technically has a right to examine you every so often, but I have to consent to it and be present, which obviously didn’t happen then.” She sighed. “I...I’ll likely have to let her do it again in the future, but I promise it won’t be like, uh, that. I’ll be right there the whole time, and I won’t let her hurt you or do anything...weird.”

“So I’m just going to have to sit there and let her...look at me?”

“Well, most likely she’s going to request that you be restrained, since she seems to have gotten the impression that you’re some kind or feral beast, which is honestly hilarious. What, did you bite her or something?”

“No, I just resisted when she tried to take off my clothes. I pushed her back. And I kicked her.” Neteri burst out laughing.

“Wait, you kicked her? You?” Erebus nodded, and Neteri laughed again. “Oh, oh that’s fantastic. I love it. She’s so high-and-mighty all the time and it is annoying. For real though, if she looks at you again I swear it won’t be that bad. Ugh, she’s probably going to keep using “it” pronouns for you, but I’ll try to correct her.” Erebus hated that he was grateful that his captor was insistent on treating him with basic human decency in this one instance, but here he was. “Alright.” Neteri jumped out of her chair. “You ready for me to fix your arm?”

“As long as you’ll get it right this time,” he said as he stood up.

“Keep talking like that I just might not.” He was afraid she was serious for a second, but the mischievous smile she flashed up at him told him otherwise.

After she freed his ankle, her hand clamped around his right wrist and she began to gently pull him down the hall. He briefly entertained the thought of jerking out of her grasp and running, but deep down he knew there wasn’t much point. He had no idea where he was in the castle or where the teleportation stone was, and he’d honestly rather just let Neteri get his arm working correctly. So he let her lead him along without a fight, at least until they arrived at the lab. He stopped in his tracks upon seeing that table again, the horrors of a few days prior starting to overtake his mind. Neteri looked up at him.

“You’re going to have to get on there if you want me to fix it.”

“C-could I at least sit up or-”

“Nope, I need you to be as still as possible or else it’ll mess with the...things could get messed up, to put it in not-technical terms. You need to be lying down and secured.” She thought for a moment. “I can, like, not strap all of you down, would that make you feel better?” He steeled himself before slowly nodding, approaching the table on shaky legs. Deep breath. He hoisted himself up onto the table, every fiber of his being crying out in protest not to get back up here, not to lie down and let himself be tortured all over again. But he did it anyway, because it was either do it himself or be forced to. Neteri watched him intently the whole time, not moving even when he’d laid down.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” he asked.

“You’re...you’re really brave.”

“Huh?” 

“Well,” she said as she finally moved towards him, gently rolling up his right sleeve and unwinding the bandage,  “I mean I can tell how scared you are, and that’s justified, but you still got up here despite that, you know?”

“I don’t think that’s...I just know there’s no point in running or fighting.” He looked away, and his voice dropped to barely above a whisper, “I think it means I’ve given up more than anything.”

“In a way, yes, but that’s not a bad thing.” She tightened the strap around his right wrist. “You just understand that resisting gets you nothing, and you’d rather make the choice to cooperate, but you’re still…” she furrowed her brow as she strapped his chest down. “You still have...resolve or...I don’t know how to explain it. Just like...something.”

“Something. That really clears it up.” She smiled.

“In conclusion: you’re brave,” she declared as she shoved the rag into his mouth to prevent him from arguing further. He halfway reached up to pull it out, but stopped himself and laid his arm back down. Maybe he shouldn’t give her a reason to strap his other arm down, since it seemed like she was going to start with just his right arm and chest secured. He braced himself, fingers of his left hand curling into the fabric of his shirt as he looked up at Zander the rat.

The pain started out quiet and slow, crackles and pops of little agonies sparking throughout his arm, preludes to the coming blaze. They steadily intensified, and before he knew it he was screaming, head arched back and knees bent as the pain ravaged his arm. A thousand flames coursed through every nerve before the sensation changed to a crawling itch, and it was all he could do to resist scratching at his arm. Thankfully, the magic stopped flowing soon after. And after a few residual twinges, the pain stopped too.

Neteri was breathing heavily, but she seemed to be in a much better condition than she had been the last time she attempted this, no blood coming out of her nose or ears. She smiled at him. “The worst of it should be over, but I might have to make a few adjustments. Can you try to make a fist? You said you couldn’t do that before, right?” Hesitantly, he did so, feeling a bolt of elation as the foreign fingers obeyed with ease. She let him sit up, having him move his arm all sorts of ways, and they were both happy to find that there were no problems with it at the moment. She cut the stitches around the now-healed spot where red and bronze skin were gnarled together, and he couldn’t help but wince as she pulled them out, despite how gentle she was being.

Once they got back to the cell, Erebus realized he could finally ask Neteri the question he’d thought of yesterday. “Does it do anything?”

“What?”

“The arm, does it do anything...special? Like how the tongue-”

“Oh, yeah, it should be able to...well, have you ever met a lust demon?”

“No?”

“Alright well basically what they’re able to do is change their appearance to suit the, ah, tastes of whatever human they’re trying to prey on. We’re not exactly sure if this is something they’re consciously able to do or if it’s purely reactionary. But there is a possibility that you’ll be able to change the appearance of your arm with enough practice.” 

“Really?” Erebus looked down at his arm, imagining it changing back to look like the one he’d lost, feeling a small spark of hope.

“Mmhmm. Theoretically, at least. I can’t promise you’ll be able to do it, but there’s a chance.” She shrugged as she said this. “Oh, that reminds me of something else I wanted to ask you earlier. Is there anything you want? I...I feel bad about what happened with Hjáll, and the procedure on your arm was more painful than it was supposed to be. So, is there anything I can do to sorta make it up to you? Obviously I’m not going to let you go or stop what I’m doing, because no, but uhhh…” Erebus furrowed his brow. What did he want besides his freedom? He considered asking her to let him visit his home and say goodbye to people, but he shuddered at the thought of anyone who knew him seeing him in his current state, and he didn’t want to burden them with the reality of what was happening to him. They might blame themselves, and it wasn’t their fault. So he wouldn’t ask her to take him to Nathar, but maybe…

“Could I...go outside? I haven’t seen the sky or plants or anything in so long and I...I hate being stuck underground like this.”

“Sure! Ooh, I could show around the city! Yeah, yeah, that should work. I’ll need to get a few things in order first, so it might be a couple of days.” She got up to leave. “Until then, work on seeing if you can get your arm to change or whatever. I’ll be back with your food...at some point later today.”

After she left, Erebus stared at his arm, concentrating on the image of the one he’d once had, trying to imagine the skin fading from bright red to light brown, but it remained the same as before. Well, he didn’t expect it to work right away. But hopefully it would, someday.

Hopefully.

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Tags: @dramaticcollapse @thehopelessopus @just-a-whumping-racoon-with-wifi @galaxywhump @as-a-matter-of-whump @mnmlover2002 @tears-and-lilies @yet-another-heathen @rippedjeansandfadeddreams @starnight-whump @unicornscotty @thebewilderer @kixngiggles