Children of the Gods: Arc 2 [Game/Closed]

[Dogmatic99]

The last of them got through the door and Able grabbed it with both hands, slamming it shut behind them. Well he tried, it was too old and stiff to slam and instead it just slowly swung to close. He tried pushing it shut faster but it wasn't having any of it. Oh screw it! He gave up and ran off to join the others.

He got out the cave and back into the light, glancing back the way he came from time to time, still a little paranoid that something might follow them. It's okay she can't leave the cave, they said so, magical things have to follow their own rules right? He just had to get on the bus and they could get out of here. there was a gust of wind and Able came over in a clamy shiver. He checked his hoody. Oh that's right I'm covered in wine. Almost his entire body had been splashed in a deep purpley colour and he reeked of alchohol. You could probably get drunk just from sniffing him. It seemed this adventure of their's was against him keeping any of his clothes.

The others were all either crashing on the bus or giving a situation report to Prometheus. He went over to Nicole and Remus after they were done with the titan. Remus certainly seemed happy to see him as he leaned forward, arms open. Ooop I'm getting all the hugs today.

"You didn't get hurt yourself, did you?"

Able brushed it off. He was a little sore and soaking wet but no broken bones or anything serious. He gave a half hearted attempt at wringing his sleeve out but it looked like he was going to be dripping over the bus for a while. He stuck around for a little while to check that people were okay, besides Andrew everyone seemed fine. Considering what they'd just gone through they got off lightly, like feather lightly. He made a note to thank Nicole for helping him out in there once he had his pad back, the sight of her wings popping back into his head. That was... something else. He was still pretty sure that the other's had won the power lottery but looking around at the cuts and scrapes, Able had to admit that his had come in handy.

He got back on board the bus, checking on Etna as he went. They had both taken a nasty tumble back in the grove and frankly Abe was sceptical of how well a job he'd done of helping her while Gaia was using them both as stress toys. She seemed okay though, a little moody but hey everyone handles near death experiences differently... he thought. Wait... did I almost die in there... could I have?

He slumped back into his seat, pressing himself tightly against the window, a small pool of red forming around him. Crap. He messed around with his hoody for a while, trying to get comfy somehow, his writing pad was already dampening around the edges.

"Now. Were going to drive to the nearest town, resupply, and get some plane tickets. , the witch in the back, is going to materialise some cash whether she likes it or not. Take a breath of fresh air and pile in, I want to get to a motel by early morning."

Please! I desperatly need a shower, I think my skin's getting wine stained.

 

[IFS]

Nicole was glad to see that Able was unharmed, though she had to laugh when Remus hugged the wine soaked demigod getting his own clothes spattered with the stuff. Had he not been soaked through with it she would have hugged him herself although this shirt is already ruined... Eh still he smells like booze, I'd rather not get that on me. Able climbed into the van, dripping wine as he did so.

"Now. Were going to drive to the nearest town, resupply, and get some plane tickets. , the witch in the back, is going to materialise some cash whether she likes it or not. Take a breath of fresh air and pile in, I want to get to a motel by early morning."

She sighed almost happily sounds like we get a bit of a break before the next big trip, good I need to calm down to focus on finals. She followed Able into the van, sitting down next to him, it was almost habit by now. Still the wine was pooling beneath him, staining the seat and dripping onto his writing pad, he needed to do something about it. An idea struck her and she grabbed a water bottle from under the seat "Here, try and rinse some of that off, I dunno if we have a towel or something but I'll look," she said offering it to him.

 

[Dogmatic99]

"Here, try and rinse some of that off, I dunno if we have a towel or something but I'll look." Nicole said, offering him one of the water bottles they had stashed under the seat.

'Thank you' Able hand flicked at her. He took the water and scootched past her to back outside the bus. He quickly whipped off the drenched hoody and wrung it out, leaving a little pool of wine to be sucked up by the sand under him. He flapped it around for a while like a half-drunk victorian house maid before rinsing his sticky hair out with half the water and shaking his head out and rinsing the taste of bad wine out of his mouth before heading back to his usual spot on the bus.

'Thank you' He signed Nicole again, looking like a drowned rat.

[So that went well!

I liked your wings by the way, very cool.]

 

[IFS]

[So that went well! I liked your wings by the way, very cool.]

She laughed in part due to his appearance at least he's not going to prune up from wine, end up looking like a giant raisin. She'd been able to find a towel though and handed it to him, it was a little dirty but ought to do the job of drying off his hands and face at least.

"Heh yeah, thanks if you want I can show you them when we aren't fighting stuff. Maybe give you a lift again, I've never had to carry anyone before today," she said grinning, at least this time I didn't kill anything using them, and its not often I get to show them off. The thought that one of them could have died still seemed strange to her, almost like something she couldn't really think about.

"Your power seems useful too, at least it does if its what I think it is, you're really strong and tough right?" she asked, she couldn't really think of any other way he could be so uninjured after all they had been through.

 

[Dogmatic99]

"Heh yeah, thanks if you want I can show you them when we aren't fighting stuff. Maybe give you a lift again, I've never had to carry anyone before today."

[Today's been full of first times I guess. You did great.] He patted his gut for emphasis.

"Your power seems useful too, at least it does if its what I think it is, you're really strong and tough right?"

Able dried himself off, well as much as the little rag would allow, at least his paper would survive the rest of the trip.

[Pretty much. I can take a beating like a trooper. Something I'll be doing a lot of by the looks of things.]

Though the group was handling their first bout with near-death-by-monster pretty well considering most of them were new at this.

[How do your wings work if you don't mind me asking?]

The whole made of light thing was curious for him. Sure it looked bad ass but Able couldn't believe that light feathers were very aerodynamic.

 

[IFS]

[Today's been full of first times I guess. You did great.]

"Thanks," she said geez if he keeps this up I might start blushing, heh. It did feel good to know she had helped, though she still wished they hadn't needed to rescue her. It wasn't that she wasn't thankful for the help it just felt embarrassing to have needed the help get over yourself, this is a team isn't it?

Able dried himself off a little before answering her question about his powers, confirming her suspicions. It seemed like his power had saved him and others several times already on this quest, though she doubted it was as fun as her power it was certainly impressive in its own right.

[How do your wings work if you don't mind me asking?]

"Umm, I never really thought about it, mom called them the 'wings of victory' so I guess they're made of win?" she said, somewhat joking, she paused for a moment and thought about it, it had been quite a while since Nike had shown her how to use them, never-mind the limited explanations she had received about them, my own fault I suppose, always more interested in flying than knowing how I could fly.

After this bit of consideration she spoke again "More seriously they just sort of form when I need them to, probably made of magic or something its the only explanation I can think of that works, they make me feel stronger, luckier too... mom always called it my divine blood surfacing, so I guess its me calling out that part of my nature, making it more prominent. Does that make sense? I'm not really sure how else to explain it."

 

[Deu Sex]

After letting go of Able, Remus picked up a familiar scent on him. He looked down and saw to his dismay that he clothes were stained with wine. Turning back to Able, he saw that the mute was utterly drenched with the stuff. "Dammit, why didn't I notice that earlier? Whatever." Tempted at first to take off his shirt-vest and leave it on the top of the van to dry, Remus quickly pushed away the thought. While he didn't personally have a problem going shirtless, it would no doubt earn a few stares from his companions. Specifically the girls.

"Now. Were going to drive to the nearest town, resupply, and get some plane tickets. , the witch in the back, is going to materialise some cash whether she likes it or not. Take a breath of fresh air and pile in, I want to get to a motel by early morning." Stepping into the van, Remus reached down and pulled out his suit, folded carefully under a compartment of his previous seat. If he couldn't dry out the stains right now, he would at least cover them up. He slipped the black suit back on and began buttoning it up as he took his seat with Nicole and Able. He then remembered something Prometheus had said. "Plane tickets? Where are we heading off to now?"

 

[Green Shoes]

"Plane tickets? Where are we heading off to now?"

Prometheus turned and grinned at Remus. He knew he'd like his answer.

"Sicily, my good man. We're going to Syracuse; or whatever it's called now. That was where Gaia said Dionysus is. Or at least, last was."

He took a long drink from his flask, his bristling stubble itching slightly. He knew he couldn't take the drink with him on the plane so best to make use of it now.

He spoke again to Remus.

"I suppose you're thrilled to go home, no?"

 

[Deu Sex]

"Sicily, my good man. We're going to Syracuse; or whatever it's called now. That was where Gaia said Dionysus is. Or at least, last was." Remus' entire face lit up in surprise. "Sicily?" he said, eyes wide as though he could hardly believe what he had heard. He face broke into a smile. "I suppose you're thrilled to go home, no?" While delighted by this news at first, a worrying thought passed through his head. "Dionysus was in Sicily..." The smile on Remus' quickly faded away and he spoke in a stoic, serious tone. "Did he do anything there? Has he been anywhere other than Sarausa?" He recalled the sight of the corrupted Gaia they fought moments before, and feared what effects the rogue god's influence might have on mortal beings. Or crops.

 

[Dogmatic99]

...mom always called it my divine blood surfacing, so I guess its me calling out that part of my nature, making it more prominent. Does that make sense? I'm not really sure how else to explain it."

[Kind of. I'm not sure this stuff runs on feeling more than logic.]

Able felt a pang of jealousy at Nicole's story. A little bit for how cool her power was, but mostly because she actually got to meet her non-mortal parent. That they actually spent time with her. Able had only met his father once and it was only for five minutes... and it was weird as hell. I guess it was my divine blood surfacing, maybe he heard it. He quickly buried any thoughts of Vidarr. He'd given up on ever meeting his dad properly a long time ago, hoping for it would only lead to disapointment.

He threw his rag to the suddenly purple Remus. 'Sorry' Able signed to him, his forehead creasing apologetically.

There was talk of going to Italy next, somehow this trip just kept getting bigger! I'll settle for finding somewhere to stay tonight.

 

[IFS]

"Did he do anything there? Has he been anywhere other than Sarausa?"

Remus had joined them, having put on more of his suit to cover up the wine stains, and began to ask questions about their next destination to Prometheus. She hadn't forgotten that he was from Sicily, but with everything that had happened she hadn't stopped to consider that his home might be in trouble.

"I'm sure your family will be fine, Dio seems more focused on bigger things like Gaia right now," she said, trying to sound comforting, although not knowing anything about Dio's plan while still knowing he could do things like what he had done to Gaia was still troubling.

[Kind of. I'm not sure this stuff runs on feeling more than logic.]

"Yeah I guess so," she said not like our parents are going to bother to explain things anyways. "So how did you discover your power?" she asked, directing the question mostly at Able, though leaving it open for others in the van to answer bound to be some interesting stories out there.

 

[Deu Sex]

Able's rag fell flat on Remus' face, the demigod's focus being entirely on Prometheus at the moment. He blinked slowly as he recognized the rag had landed on him and brushed it off, before facing Nicole as she spoke. "I'm sure your family will be fine, Dio seems more focused on bigger things like Gaia right now," Remus retained his demeanor despite Nicole's attempt to ease his concerns. Having a murderous Dionysus plotting global destruction was worrying enough, but finding out said God had been running amok in his homeland set his nerves on fire. "You really are getting too anxious about this..." he felt his head broiling like earlier in the morning. It was overly-anxious of him to be jumping to any hypothetical conclusions, but until he was in Sicily and could find out for himself, he worried that the worst might have happened.

"I'm getting too stressed about this." He could feel a headache coming. He needed to focus his thoughts on something else. "So...that warrior back in the cave. That was Vera?" Remus turned to Nicole as he said this, as the two girls were friends. "That was certainly a surprise to see - at first, I thought she was Mars coming down to help save his son!" His chuckle was a bit forced, but still made him feel better.

 

[IFS]

"That was certainly a surprise to see - at first, I thought she was Mars coming down to help save his son!"

"Yeah I think that was Vera, not sure who else it could be," she replied, Remus still seemed very upset about Dio being in Sicily well I suppose I'd be just as upset if we heard Dio was in Iowa... "Be nice if our parents intervened but somehow I doubt they will."

She wasn't sure what else to say to Remus, it seemed to her that nothing short of actually seeing them perfectly safe would calm Remus's nerves. I really hope Dio isn't going after our families, that would be horrible...

 

[Not G. Ivingname]

"Were going on a plane?" Steven said, turning to Prometheus, holding the shotgun, "You do know we are going to have problems getting this or my Colt through customs, and I paid good money for that 1911. Why can't Zeus teleport us there?"

 

[Green Shoes]

"Did he do anything? I don't know. I want to tell you no, but I don't know."

Turning to Steven, Prometheus laughed. He had the exact same thought.

"Zeus has washed his hands of us, and besides. If he zapped us anywhere near Dionysus, he'd feel it. And then kill us all before we could prepare."

It was concerning that Dionysus had amassed enough power to spoil the grove of Gaia. Unsure of Dionysus attention, Prometheus made a point to start jotting down in his weather-beaten journal when and where the sacrifices have been happening. Only remembering a few, he quickly made a note, before turning back around to Steven.

"As for your gun, I believe Hecate is going to work her magic, so to speak. "These are not the gods you're looking for!""

Prometheus cracked himself up, a loud booming laugh, shaking the van slightly.

 

[Not G. Ivingname]

Even Steven had to crack a smile at that.

"Well, I don't know much about airport security in Australia," Steven admitted, "But I bet there are more people looking through our carrying on bags than just those who are sitting at the gate, nor can they just allow people that set off metal detectors off without raising some kind of alarm. If I pack in just plain old luggage, what ever systems checks to make sure nothing is smuggled out of the country, including firearms, will be out of the reach of any of our powers. We may be demigods, you a Titan, but we will outright lose a direct gunfight with security and whatever is the SWAT forces in this country."

 

[Green Shoes]

Day 3: Early morning (2am)

The van left a cloud of dust behind it as Prometheus started driving down the makeshift dirt road. In the distance were a few lights; indicative of a small tourist town. The van drove quietly through the town; a few shops here and there in the centre, surrounded by a smattering of country houses. But most eye-catching for Prometheus was the tourist bus stop; it would take him straight to the nearest airport.

The bright red motel sign stood proud outside a small, two-story building. Though well-maintained, it was clear this place was old; the wallpaper and lino floors reminiscent of the 70's. A few cars were already parked outside, all notably in better condition than the van. As he pulled in, he turned to the group.

"I'm going to go in and book the rooms for us, seeing as you lot stink of blood and wine. I suggest a male/female room split, just to keep it easy. Someone wake Hecate and explain the situation. Don't untie her for gods sake."

Prometheus left the van in the carpark and walked into reception. A sleepy attendant sat wearily in his chair, behind the usual reception set-up. Prometheus laid his hands flat on the table and spoke calmly.

"I'd like to book two rooms for...10 guests? We're only here the night so bedding isn't a problem."

The attendant looked up nonchalantly and wrote in his ledger; clearly computers hadn't been a big hit here. With a sigh he handed Prometheus the two keys, and spoke.

"Up the stairs to your left, first and second rooms on the right. Enjoy your stay at Clear View Motel"

Prometheus flashed him a terrifying smile, startling the attendant out of his daze. But he was already gone; walking back towards the van, spinning the keys and whistling a jaunty tune.

 

[Lunar Templar]

Aria awoke to the glow of neon lights, groggily at first. She stared out the window, confused "Wha ... " after a few seconds of looking around she got her barrings, she about jumped in surprise. "Where are we? What happened with Gaia? Every one Ok?" she fired of rapidly, before looking around, seeing every one, was in fact there at least, and that Dan was next to her, which made her smile "Really though, where are we and What happened?"

 

[Dogmatic99]

"So how did you discover your power?"

Ah yes, the time I got the snot kicked out of me and accidentally leant on the volume button for real life.

To this day Able couldn't tell you how he did, or even what exactly happened. Most of the time he tried his hardest not to think about it. That day had cemented his reputation as a freak, forced him and his mum to pack up and leave... but it might have been the only time Able had ever met his father. He says might since it wasn't as if Vidarr was the type to introduce himself, it was just a gut feeling. It was like someone finally... heard him. All things considered it was an odd day.

[I got hit by a beatle one time and won.]

Technically not the day he discovered his powers but it DID happen. That little car drove off with an Able shaped dent in its hood, one of his favourite demigod moments. Take THAT volkswagen.

Somewhere in the back of the demi-van, Aria was stirring from her battle fatigue.

Someone should probably help her out. He thought, before he saw Dan. Ah, she's covered. No one wants to be the thrid wheel.

 

[DarkRawen]

"I'm going to go in and book the rooms for us, seeing as you lot stink of blood and wine. I suggest a male/female room split, just to keep it easy. Someone wake Hecate and explain the situation. Don't untie her for gods sake."

Andrew woke up when Prometheus spoke, and slowly sat up. It seemed the morphine was still in effect, although the "high" he had been under seemed to be gone.

That was... odd.

He had heard about the effects, but never taken morphine before. It took him a few minutes to come to his senses otherwise, and he went through what Prometheus had said in his head.

Right, rooms. There was mention of a hotel, right? But with as many as we are, I'm guessing we have to sleep on the floor. I'd rather not sleep then. And I'm not talking to that Hecate either. Someone with not fractured ribs and who's not full of morphine can do that.

He sighed, and checked his side again. Running his fingers over the ribs, it seemed at least one of the ribs had been broken so that it was just barely in place, that was going to be hard to fix. Andrew couldn't find any strength to fix any of it.

And we don't even have a bandage. I don't think any of the clothes we do have is usable, they're either not elastic enough, or drenched in wine and blood, it seems. The motel should have something, but that'll have to wait till Prometheus returns.

Aria had woken up, and was asking questions. Andrew couldn't be bothered to answer, both because he didn't want to, and because he couldn't really answer her question. He looked at the one they had called Hecate. Andrew had to admit, he didn't know who she was at all. Some sort of goddess, he supposed. He stood up, as carefully as he could, and went over to her, having changed his mind from before.

I might as well.

"Hey." He said. "Hecate? Wake up." Carefully, he shook her awake. "Prometheus told me to wake you up," he told her, when she finally opened her eyes. He took a step back, vary, but not afraid. "You listening?"