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

[DarkRawen]

"Sure, whatever you want,"

Nicole said, before walking over to the merchant she needed the blood for. In the meanwhile, he started healing Prometheus, feeling both knowledge about titan physiology and a throbbing pain in his wrist get brought back. It was painful, causing him to wince, but he knew it would be over soon. Besides, he had felt a lot worse, and the pat on the back from Prometheus made it a little better. Even the sound of a horn filling the room didn't manage to annoy him right now.

If I keep understanding the Ambrosia, then I can use it perfectly sooner or later.

It was a thought he quite liked. What he didn't like so much, however, was the merchant Nicole was dealing with, the man lifted her up and gave her a hug.

Who is that man?

Andrew frowned, and barely heard Prometheus speak.

"Thanks, I appreciate that. Pick something nice up for yourself?"

He handed the bag over to Prometheus. "Yeah. Take a look for yourself, though, be careful," he muttered, and walked over towards Nicole. Andrew wasn't exactly worried, but he didn't particularly feel comfortable with someone picking up his friend like that. It was an odd gesture, and especially from one who was likely a stranger. Making sure that the other's attention was drawn to Prail, he looked at Nicole.

"Hey, Nicole, I want a burger later, okay? Also... you know him?" he asked, then noticed the armor she was holding. Leg-guards and gauntlets. "Is that what you needed the blood for?" He smiled, walking away from the merchant ever so carefully, wanting to lead her away from the suspicious dealer. "I suppose you made almost a good a deal as I did, then. What kind of material are those?"

Getting armor is probably not a bad idea. Then again, I suppose I just keep in the back either way.

So he was slightly less likely to get killed. Unless, of course, someone shot an arrow that could kill a demigod in one hit.

Right.

"I'm glad that you'll be safe either way. Well, safer."

 

[IFS]

"Hey, Nicole, I want a burger later, okay? Also... you know him?"

Nicole had been surprised by the man's sudden hug, I guess titan blood is pretty damn valuable then, I wonder what it's used for... But the man wasn't unpleasant so while it was strange she didn't mind it much. Andrew seemed somewhat worried though so she smiled and waved it off.

"He's just a merchant," she said, examining her newly acquired armor "sold me this stuff."

"I suppose you made almost a good a deal as I did, then. What kind of material are those?"

"I'm not sure," she said "they were worn by Bercilak, and are supposed to be invincible or just about."

She started attempting to put the armor on, it wasn't exactly a process she was familiar with but she was sure she could get them to fit well enough with some trial and error. They were surprisingly light and certainly seemed protective enough, though she knew the only way to really test that would be to get hit, which was something she intended to avoid.

"I'm glad that you'll be safe either way. Well, safer."

"Yeah, hopefully they help," she said "I think another merchant was selling some hide or something if you want armor, I don't know how good it is though."

She shrugged "Anyways should we go get you that burger now?"

 

[Lunar Templar]

Rias covered her ears as Hymir blew his horn, apparently, to get Heimdall's attention, and every one else from the look of things, Rias was to busy rubbing her ears from being so close it to. "WATCH THE DAMN HORN!!" Rias snapped with a light growl, she then turn to the vendor. "I'm not keen on putting the hurt on some one I don't know or some one that's not in some way wronged me. But in this case, I'll do it." Rias said then turned and left to find this guy and 'deal' with him.

As she left though the stall with the two pedestals and broadswords caught her eye for some reason, she didn't really need a new weapon, her claws where fine, if in need of a bit of TLC after the fight with the bronze man, still she was compelled to stop. "Hey, shop keep, what the story with the swords?"

 

[CrazyGirl17]

"I hope this helps!" Shiro bowed gratefully and carefully accepted the scrap, mentally kicking himself for forgetting to bring something from home.

Off in the background, someone was blowing a horn, making him wince slightly. His gaze then fell on the man's tattoos, which piqued his curiosity.

Despite himself, he asked, "Excuse me sir, would it be rude if I asked about your tattoos?"

 

[DarkRawen]

"I'm not sure. They were worn by Bercilak, and are supposed to be invincible or just about."

"I see, kind of difficult to test out then. Let's hope we never find out what makes them break, in any case, at least not through experience," he remarked, smirking, and watched as she put them on.

They're certainly easy to notice.

He thought to himself, the green made them stand out a bit. Then again, they were probably meant to be worn under clothing.

"Yeah, hopefully they help. I think another merchant was selling some hide or something if you want armor, I don't know how good it is though. Anyways should we go get you that burger now?"

"I'd love to eat right about now, but I don't think we should go ahead. I have a feeling that Prometheus would get more than a little upset if we left the group just to get something to eat. Who was this other merchant? It might be worth looking into, if nothing else."

He glanced over at the table with the books, but Shiro appeared to be keeping the seller's interest, and Andrew had little intention of interrupting possible business because of his curiosity.

"Besides, me wearing an armor means that I'll be slightly less likely to get killed before I can hinder everyone else's deaths," he said, jokingly. "Or that I'll be better off if I piss of someone in the group and they try to murder me."

He gestured for her to lead the way to this merchant, scanning the crowd for where she might have meant.

 

[IFS]

"Or that I'll be better off if I piss of someone in the group and they try to murder me."

She nodded and led him to the merchant "Let me know if you need help paying for it," she said, she hadn't caught the entire conversation between that merchant and Prail but she was certain that the price would be something unusual. At any rate she owed Andrew for his help with paying for her armor, so it was the least she could do.

It didn't take long to find the merchant again, given how close she'd been to the man Nicole had already dealt with and Nicole left Andrew to make his purchase while she continued shopping.

"Let me know if you need help," she said "I'm going to go check out some other stuff."

She wandered back through the market glancing over the stands, a few items caught her eye though she couldn't help but wonder what properties they actually held. No doubt most of them are magical, except maybe the jar of dirt. The question is how are they magical... Two stands in particular caught her eye though, one featuring a number of items including a bag of teeth that made her think of the story of the Argonauts and how Jason had grown soldiers with dragon's teeth, the other featured a sandal. I doubt they're dragon teeth, and would one sandal even be useful? No harm in asking I suppose. Might as well ask about the other items too while I'm at it.

Starting with the table with the teeth she walked up and began looking over the wares, before turning to the merchant "So what is all of this?" she asked, hopefully no one here is a snake oil salesman.

 

[hiei82]

"Hail Hymir, a thief to rival Thrymr, both in the importance of items taken and the care taken to cover his trail! What troubles you?" Hymir heard in his mind. The good news was he didn't sound upset. A good sign.

"I seek your guidance and aid father. At long last, my hunt may be drawing to a close for I have found a source of information on Loki All-Traitor that leads to his scent and have gained allies of great power to strike him down. However, in exchange for the information, the source requests to cross the Bifrost into safe-shelter in Asgard. No doubt you see the risk of allowing an outsider into Asgard in such dire times. So dear father and brightest of gods, I seek your guidance in this matter; should I take the risk of allowing her into Asgard or risk allowing the trickster slip through my hands once more?"

While he spoke in his mind, Hymir remained quiet and still with his eyes closed standing in the middle of the alley.

 

[Green Shoes]

Prometheus carefully withdrew the arrow from it's bag, grasping it by the shaft with two fingers. Holding it before his eyes, he ran his thumb over the tip - feeling the sheer blade tug against his skin, he made a worried expression, before returning the arrow into it's bag. Keeping a firm grip on it, he checked the time on his phone, before striding over to Nicole, intent on re-uniting the group.

Loitering is probably not best. Just have to keep moving.

Addressing Nicole, he spoke lightly, careful not to poach away from a potentially volatile salesman.

"Buying or browsing? I think we should be heading off soon. No doubt Hymir will have news of some sorts of where Loki may be. Either that or he's home-sick."

Catching site of Rias being accosted by the strangely attired lady, he made a signal for her to come over. Prometheus had yet to chat to the newcomer, and was interested in gaining at least some mutual ground.
---------

Nicole's question was met by a rather ordinary man; his horn-rimmed glasses and suspenders reminded her of stereotypical intellectuals - though his New York - American accent reminded her strangely of home. Placing his thumbs behind his suspenders, he gave an apathetic shrug.

"To be honest, I'm not really sure. Except the dragons teeth. You know, from legends and stuff. I think the swords are Chinese? Maybe Han, maybe older. I'm just minding the stall for a friend..."

Giving Nicole a tired smile, he rubbed his eyes.

"If you have anything to barter with, let me know and I'll give him a call. He should be back tomorrow otherwise, if all's well that ends well."

----------

The man looked from his tattoos and to Shiro, pausing, as if to study the youth, before answering casually.

"Not at all! I assume you've heard the expression 'A cat has 9 lives'? Well, supposedly, my associates think I have 19. When they first told me, I didn't believe it, so I had 19 marks made. Each time I come close to perishing, I have on struck through. You could say I'm keeping track - when I'm on the last one, I'll have to look out for myself!"

Chuckling quietly, he folded his arms and nodded to Shiro's sword.

"Would it be rude if I asked why you walk around with a sword on your back?"

--------

Heimdallr's voice rumbled back into Hymir, careful and considered.

"I appreciate your tenacity, Hymir, I do. But I worry about what you risk, chasing such danger as Loki. And the fact that you carry with you exactly what he needs to bring about further chaos! I - I wish you hadn't done this, Hymir."

There was a pause, before his father spoke again, this time with more vigour.

"But if you are convinced this is right, then you can tell...whoever it is...that my watch shall meet them at the Bifrost. Then we shall see if she may enter. If this deal doesn't persuade her, than I wouldn't trust her further than you could throw her."

A bellowing laugh, followed by a question.

"Before you go, tell me who you travel with? It would warm an old fathers heart to know you don't hunt the madman alone."

--------

Having seen Andrew approach, the woman screwed up her eyes and spat at his shoes. Matching gaze with him, she hissed through her teeth.

"What do you want, spawn of the wretched? Come to do your fathers bidding? You can tell him I'm happy to kill the next man he sends to intimidate me!"

--------

Rias caught the attention of an elegantly dressed woman in a red dress and black-heels. Her Roman candle of blonde hair bounced as she stepped towards Rias with a mixture of disdain and contempt. She spoke with a thick, pompous, British accent.

"The 'deal', as you so elegantly put it, is that they are the finest war-swords, able to be wielded only by trained and capable warriors. They are also devastatingly expensive, so I suggest you move along, unless you're hiding vast sums of wealth behind those adorable ears."

-------

 

[DarkRawen]

"What do you want, spawn of the wretched? Come to do your fathers bidding? You can tell him I'm happy to kill the next man he sends to intimidate me!"

"Excuse me?" Andrew asked, one eyebrow raised, rather confused and more than a little insulted. It was one thing to be yelled at, and a completely different thing to be accused of being an errand boy. Besides, Andrew wasn't particularly happy about being called "spawn of the wretched either", not when he was already dealing with hunger and that slight, rather annoying pain stinging with each heartbeat.

"I can assure you that I don't have a single clue about what you are talking about. I'm not here to do anyone's bidding but my own, so you better keep whatever assumptions you have to yourself."

Right, I'm here to ask about the supposed armor. I wonder what Apollo has gotten himself into, though...

He sighed, and rubbed his forehead, closing his eyes for a rather quick moment, gathering himself again. He'd really been taken by surprise by the amount of hostility. When he opened them again, he changed his expression, not to one particularly pleasant one, but at least a politely neutral one.

"I'm sorry about that, but I really don't know what you are talking about. I'm just here because my friend told me about that you had some sort of armor, is that correct? What do you want for such an item, should it be here?" he asked, trying to get the conversation back on the topic he was there for.

However, curiosity defeated sense for one rather rare moment, and he added; "Also, what has my father done to you, exactly? Or is trying to do?"

Unless she's just senile and confusing me with someone else.

That was a rather comforting thought, perhaps for once his appearance hadn't given away who he was almost instantly.

 

[Lunar Templar]

"The 'deal', as you so elegantly put it, is that they are the finest war-swords, able to be wielded only by trained and capable warriors. They are also devastatingly expensive, so I suggest you move along, unless you're hiding vast sums of wealth behind those adorable ears." A well dressed lady, she presumed was the vendor replied, in a manner that could only be interpreted as 'snobby rich *****'.

Rias initial reaction was, a look of 'Are you for real?' and an single twitch of her right ear. "Wonderful, NOT what I asked, I asked what it's story was, not its 'deal', do note the subtle difference in wording, thus meaning of the sentence. Secondly, if your oh so charming attitude hadn't killed the sale, your description did. I mean really, 'devastatingly expensive' for a pair of swords who's only trait is being well made, and presumably made of some high quality material is just silly" Rias started giving the weapons a quick once over "And since I know where I can get quality like that, free of charge and with out the bad attitude, I think I'll save my money for something better, like a cheeseburger" Rias added as she turned to leave "But thank you for the compliment about my ears, they are rather adorable aren't they." Rias having just the sweetest smile as she said it.

It was then she noticed Prometheus trying to get her attention, she quirked an eye brow at this and her curiosity got the better of her and she headed over to him "Yes?" she said when she got close to him. "What is it?" What ever it was she hoped he be quick about it since she still had to go fulfill her end of the deal to find that Greek whore-son.

 

[IFS]

"If you have anything to barter with, let me know and I'll give him a call. He should be back tomorrow otherwise, if all's well that ends well."

"Buying or browsing? I think we should be heading off soon. No doubt Hymir will have news of some sorts of where Loki may be. Either that or he's home-sick."

"Browsing," she said to Prometheus, "Though maybe buying if I can afford anything. I won't take too long."

She turned back to the merchant and considered how little she had to bargain with. I can't exactly offer more titan blood, and I don't want to offer demigod blood or other parts either. I doubt they take any form of normal currency either, though if these are dragon's teeth like from Jason and the Argonauts they could be well worth acquiring.

"Well it's not much but I could make you less tired," she said, "well it'd be a bit more than that, you'd be energized for a while and generally better at doing things, especially if they're a competition of some sort. Might make you a better salesman while it lasts too."

 

[hiei82]

"I appreciate your tenacity, Hymir, I do. But I worry about what you risk, chasing such danger as Loki. And the fact that you carry with you exactly what he needs to bring about further chaos! I - I wish you hadn't done this, Hymir."

Hymir nodded his head. "I wish I didn't feel I had to. It is a risk, but to do nothing ensures the words of the Volsung will ring true. To do nothing is tantamount to death; death I can prevent." Hymir said, showing he was sorry his action was needed, but not regret for it.

"But if you are convinced this is right, then you can tell...whoever it is...that my watch shall meet them at the Bifrost. Then we shall see if she may enter. If this deal doesn't persuade her, than I wouldn't trust her further than you could throw her." his father continued with a laugh. Hymir nodded. "I will tell her the deal, though be careful; I can throw a long ways." he said, half-smiling.

The last question hadn't even occurred to Hymir to mention. Was his father just being polite or had the events of the last year really blinded the all-seeing guardian of Asgard? Truly, this was a terrible time if the later were true. "Great warriors one and all; Shield-Brothers and Shield-Sisters who've faced Loki once before. I travel in the company of the Heroes of Gleipnir Hold." Hymir said.

Hymir could only wonder at Heimdallr's reaction to this, but he supposed it would not be good. Sometimes, Hymir wished he had the blood of Volsung in him.

 

[CrazyGirl17]

Shiro listened to the man's story with some interest, wondering if he was a God too.

Would it be rude if I asked why you walk around with a sword on your back? He asked suddenly, and Shiro blinked.

"Er... It's meant for self defense," he said honestly, and added "It was a gift from my father."

Shiro wondered if he should mention who his father was, but instead asked, "Tell me, have you heard anything from the Shinto gods lately?"

 

[Green Shoes]

The frazzled-looking woman crossed her arms as Andrew spoke, sticking her tongue between her teeth. Clearly wary of any form of trick, she hesitated in her answer, flicking her gaze from Andrew to his companions. Laying one hand on the rolled hide, her voice was far calmer, though still full of venom.

"If you're not working for Apollo - and I'm not sure I believe you anyway - you are far too close to him for me to allow you to lay hands upon such an item. Had I known the creature-girl was with you, I would never have offered it! Not for sale!"

Sliding the hide off the table, she wrapped it in heshan, before sliding it into a canvas bag. Lowering her voice, she leaned across the table, staring straight through Andrew.

"If you truly don't know about Apollo's little 'operation', I suggest you call the man yourself! If you speak to him, tell him Al-Qutbay watches over me like a hawk."

With that, she rather emphatically slapped her hand on the table, before reclining into a slouched pose and picking between her teeth, clearly done talking.

------------

The burly man raised an eyebrow at Prail's request to take the blade. Frowning as he finished the contract, he handed it to Prail, while retrieving the curved blade. Keeping a firm grip on it, he spoke.

"If it's an appraisal you're looking for, then I hope you don't mind if I keep hold of it while it's looked over. Can't be too careful these days. Who are you with? Have a read of the contract while we walk."

Looking round, he waited for Prail to point out her destination.

Spoiler: Contract

I [Sign Here] agree to serve Wudga de Vayland for a period of

92 Days

In the position of

Body-guard

At the appointed time of

- Upon Request -

For the total price of

- Bartered Item -

Failure to fulfill this contract will result in:

Immobilization until the bartered item is reclaimed.

Please mark blood and sign ---------​

----------

Prometheus was glad to see Rias come quickly, and made a face regarding the woman.

"Geez, someone fell out of bed this morning. Did you find anything you were looking for? I don't think it's wise to split from the group - you're probably the most wanted out of all of us. We'll be leaving soon anyway."

Nodding to Nicole, he was impressed by her quick thinking regarding her transaction. Looking over to the apathetic individual in question, he raised his eyebrows, as if to motion for him to take the deal.

------

The bespectacled man perked up as soon as Nicole mentioned competition, immediately placing his hands upon the table and leaning forward, an excited shine in his eyes.

"Really? Any competition? Like fighting? How long will it last? If it's good enough you can have one of the phials - I don't know what it is, but I'm sure it's worth something?"

Seeming eager, his forearm muscles twitched in anticipation.

------

There was silence from Hymir's father, before very deliberate, and carefully spoken words emerged from the aether. His fathers tone dropped, and Hymir could hear the concentration in his voice.

"I cannot see those who you travel with, nor can Freyja, or the others. I suspect you are near something that hides you. Though they are capable fighters, do not place your trust in them. Much of their family is unaccounted for, or worse."

With a sigh, the concentration left his voice, to be replaced with a dull melancholy.

"Much of the world is dark to me, Hymir. Dark to all of us. Fight well; stay safe."

With that, the link was broken, and the sound of the marketplace flooded back into Hymir's ears.

-------



-----

 

[DarkRawen]

"If you're not working for Apollo - and I'm not sure I believe you anyway - you are far too close to him for me to allow you to lay hands upon such an item. Had I known the creature-girl was with you, I would never have offered it! Not for sale!"

Andrew sighed, glancing around to ensure that no one caught the first part. Not that it mattered, if this woman got to it, she would probably tell the interested parties themselves.

Well, this was a waste of time.

He would have argued that, with the fact that he had no idea what Apollo was doing, where, or why, he couldn't be said to be close to the god either way, but the woman was clearly not going to care.

"Fine, if you're going to be that way, then I won't bother," he replied, eager to end the conversation and to leave. He bit his tongue, keeping him from calling her a crazy witch or something a lot more insulting.

No use being polite when she clearly isn't going to be.

However, she decided to speak again, because wasting his time wasn't enough.

"If you truly don't know about Apollo's little 'operation', I suggest you call the man yourself! If you speak to him, tell him Al-Qutbay watches over me like a hawk."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever," Andrew said, dismissive, as he turned away from her and walked away. He took note of what she said, but there was no reason to let her know that.

Perhaps I should call Apollo, to know what this little 'operation' is. I doubt he would even tell me, but it might be worth a try. Who is Al-Qutbay, though?

From the sound of it, some sort of middle-eastern god or person. Noting that Nicole was still busy dealing with someone -so she was having a lot more success than him now- he went over to Prometheus and Rias.

"Can I have the arrow back?" he asked, and motioned for the bag. "I'd like to remind myself of that the trip down here wasn't completely wasted. The woman I tried to make a deal with has an issue with my father, so she refused to sell me anything."

Should I let Prometheus know that I'll call him?

Andrew didn't know, but he got the phone he had gotten from Apollo from his backpack.

Well, I can at least give the man--- titan a fighting chance. If he wants to stop me, he can.

"If you'll excuse me, I'm heading outside for a little while," he said, knowing that he was probably making it rather obvious. "I have a phone-call to make."

 

[IFS]

"Really? Any competition? Like fighting? How long will it last? If it's good enough you can have one of the phials - I don't know what it is, but I'm sure it's worth something?"

"Yeah it works for fighting, helped me out in a number of scrapes," she replied "I'll try to keep it going as long as I can, but I can't honestly guarantee more than an hour at most."

She frowned for a second, unsure that she wanted a phial of god only knew what, and equally unsure of how to prove her powers efficacy. I guess I could just use it on him, he'd be able to feel it, people have said it makes them feel like running a marathon after all.

"Here why don't I just show you," she said, unfurling her wings invisibly behind her, concentrating briefly on delivering a blessing at full strength to the man "There, you should be feeling it now. If that's good enough then I guess I'll take the phial, though I'd like to know what it does, if that's not enough then I guess I'll just dismiss the effect and be on my way."

 

[Lunar Templar]

"Geez, someone fell out of bed this morning. Did you find anything you were looking for? I don't think it's wise to split from the group - you're probably the most wanted out of all of us. We'll be leaving soon anyway."

"She's not worth a second glance, and not really, the Son of Heimdallr seems to be in the process of voiding it out though" Rias said with a shrug "No matter, the fool will likely be back to try and finish the job later, I just need to stay on my guard till then." She said with a shrug, which it self said 'I'm used to it'. "Or do you really think I survived last year on luck or something?" She said taking offense to the implication she 'needed them'. Rias took a moment to let the irritation leave her tone. "When did I say I would join your group though? I don't recall saying I would, just that I was willing to make some kind of deal with you all." She asked, curious as to when she said she'd join them. "A certain member of your group a side, I'm not totally opposed to it mind you, Gods know I could use the kind of sleep you can only get when you feel safe enough, I just don't recall us ever coming to that agreement." She asked, her tone, surprisingly casual, a subtle clue she really was open to the idea of a 'team up'.

 

[Green Shoes]

"The Shinto Gods?"

His arms folded, the man stuck his tongue between his teeth as he thought. Raising his eyebrows at Shiro, he sighed apologetically.

"Nothing new at least. Rumor has it most of them are shutting themselves off on some island. The older generation never did want any part in world affairs..."

A grim smile sprouted, and he nodded again to Shiro's sword.

"Though I don't know if I can speak for the younger generation! But I wouldn't put much stock in rumors in this day and age. Information is now a commodity. It wasn't always so."

Shrugging, the man pulled a fig from his pocket, and twisted off the stem.

"Anything else I can help with?"

-------

Prometheus handed Andrew back his arrow, careful to face the point away from him. Looking past Andrew's shoulder to the woman in question, the Titan narrows his lips.

"I'm not surprised. Your father has a lot of enemies - which I suppose means you have a lot of enemies. Whoever, you call, try not to let them know where we are. Or how many of us are with you."

The Titan figured he probably couldn't stop Andrew from calling, so he hoped he would at least be tactful about it. Shifting his attention back to Rias, Prometheus was surprised she had called his bluff. Clearly she was more astute than he gave her credit.

"We didn't, I just assumed you'd be smart enough to travel with the rare collection of people who don't want you captured. Jon isn't a threat, and while you managed a whole year, the world is getting smaller for fugitives. The more people that are taken out, the less there are to hide among..."

Looking over to Hymir, he called out, eager to leave.

"Are we good to go, Hymir?"

-------

The man in suspenders bunched his knuckles and arched his back, a smile across his face. He quickly began packing the table up into a small chest at his feet, muttering as he did so.

"Good, good, take the phial. I'm sorry I don't know what it does. I'm sure you'll find out. Best not to drink it though, I'd say."

Having placed all items within the chest, he quickly snapped a padlock onto it with a hastily scrawled note, before vaulting the table and leaving, with a skip in his step.

Spoiler: Note

M,

Gone for a few rounds, feeling lucky.

Be back soon!

R.

​

 

[DarkRawen]

Andrew reclaimed the bag with the arrow in it, and put it into his backpack. The less obvious it was, the better, especially since he was likely going to be preoccupied for a while.

"I'm not surprised. Your father has a lot of enemies - which I suppose means you have a lot of enemies. Whoever, you call, try not to let them know where we are. Or how many of us are with you."

Prometheus didn't seem opposed to Andrew's intended action, and Andrew decided that was the other's blessing. At least, he figured the titan knew very well who he intended to call.

I mean, who else would I call?

"I won't," Andrew replied, and continued, muttering the latter part. "And I am not my father, his enemies shouldn't be mine. I don't have any intention of passing that woman's message on either."

With that, he stepped away from the group, hoping to find a place where he could talk without getting interrupted, or anyone listening in. Not that he intended to make it easy to know what he was talking about when he did, but it was good to be sure.

It seems like I won't get much privacy here, though.

Hesitantly, he motioned for Prometheus, making it clear that he was heading outside before leaving. Though it wasn't exactly the safest thing to do, Andrew was just eager to get it over with. Besides, the others wouldn't be too far behind. Finding the same bench as before, he sat down, choosing the only number in the phone-book.

Here I go.

Andrew thought to himself.

Hopefully he'll be in a better mood than I am. If not, this will end up being very unpleasant.

If, of course, Apollo even picked up. Andrew waited for the call to go through, intending to greet Apollo with a single statement.

It would be simple; "Hi, I don't know why I'm getting dragged into your problems, but I need you to tell me what you're doing," only worded with less hostility and annoyance, if still rather ambiguous and without mentioning his name.