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

[Green Shoes]

Prometheus looked on in fascinated silence as Hymir raided his fridge for an impressive amount of meat. The strange and somewhat overwhelming aroma of whatever sauce he concocted quickly filled the room. The Titan quickly grabbed an orange from the counter, before it could be added to the Northmans platter.

"I'm impressed you picked computers up so fast. Took me a good while. As for Loki, do you have a plan for when you find him?"

Pausing to consider his next words, he spoke carefully.

"Removing Loki means one less power between Zeus and any who could challenge him; Odin, your father. And even with your...enthusiasm, he may well just kill you and claim your father's heirlooms."

Noticing Shiro waiting patiently for food, he made a gesture to the fridge.

"Training is good; research is better. I assume your sword was a gift from your father?"

 

[IFS]

"I'll ask them myself, though, to go a little easy on me. Do you think I should... I don't know. Talk to Prometheus to start with? I'm sort of... hesitant to ask why he reacts like he does, but if I do find out it might help me understand what I'm doing wrong, and if I should change it."

Nicole nodded, happy that her words seemed to have helped, though she had to think about how to respond to this question. Well it can't hurt I suppose.

"Yeah, that might be a good start," she said"Just don't be surprised if some of them don't want to 'go easy on you'."

"Would you like to come along? I saw a pretty decent-looking restaurant close to the hotel. It's on me, since I'm inviting you and all. As friends, of course. I might have had... a number of girlfriends, but I've never cheated."

"Hmm, dinner would be nice," she said, considering the idea "though it might be safer to just order something to the room, someone might spot us if we go walking around outside."

Is that a little too paranoid? Hmmm.

"Though if you're buying I suppose its your call," she continued, then grinned jokingly and spoke again her tone making it obvious she was ribbing him "And it damn well better be as friends, if you tried to pull anything I'd call up your fiance."

 

[DarkRawen]

"Yeah, that might be a good start. Just don't be surprised if some of them don't want to 'go easy on you'."

"I know," he replied, a bit absent-mindedly. "I honestly doubt it will do much, I don't really think I've got the chance for any of them to be a friend. But something less than openly hostile would be nice, I don't really react well to getting insulted," Andrew continued, then sighed.

"I suppose you already know that, given what I said earlier." Being calmer made it easier to see that he'd been in the wrong, there was a difference between being careful and being paranoid. Andrew decided to let Nicole continue, as he had asked her about something else.

"Hmm, dinner would be nice, though it might be safer to just order something to the room, someone might spot us if we go walking around outside."

"You have a point," Andrew started, walking into the bathroom. He realized that he probably should have asked Nicole if she wanted to go first, but she'd probably address it if she felt a desperate need to take a shower. Turning away from her and taking off his t-shirt -door still open because they were talking- he continued.

"Being careful is good. I don't think we're in too much danger, however, as long as we keep to the main streets and stick together. I would be very surprised if anyone out to kill us would attack us among other people, in that regard we might actually be less safe in here. Then again, even if there's not an awful lot of attention around the matter yet, that doesn't mean that some creature or god can't decide not to give a damn."

"Though if you're buying I suppose its your call. And it damn well better be as friends, if you tried to pull anything I'd call up your fiance."

"You have her number?" Andrew asked, surprised. "Since when?" He then turned back to her, a little. Andrew assumed she'd seen enough bare chests to not care, seeing as she was an athlete. "I'd rather you didn't, though. Call her, I mean. It pains me, but contact should be kept to a minimum, I wouldn't want to put her at any more risk than she already is. Of course, I told Kirsten to call me if anything happens, but hopefully, nothing does." He sounded worried.

"Regardless, unless you have something else to say right now, I'm going to shower. I'll let you decide on the restaurant thing, if you don't feel like going outside would be safe, we don't do it."

 

[IFS]

"I'd rather you didn't, though. Call her, I mean. It pains me, but contact should be kept to a minimum, I wouldn't want to put her at any more risk than she already is. Of course, I told Kirsten to call me if anything happens, but hopefully, nothing does."

"Relax, I was joking," she said "I know better than to call people who should stay uninvolved in this."

"Regardless, unless you have something else to say right now, I'm going to shower. I'll let you decide on the restaurant thing, if you don't feel like going outside would be safe, we don't do it."

"Alright, I guess I'll think it over while you're showering," she said, before lying back on one of the beds to try and relax. I suppose some real food would be nice after the stuff I got on the plane, so long as we're careful it shouldn't matter too much...

 

[hiei82]

"I'm impressed you picked computers up so fast. Took me a good while. As for Loki, do you have a plan for when you find him? Removing Loki means one less power between Zeus and any who could challenge him; Odin, your father. And even with your...enthusiasm, he may well just kill you and claim your father's heirlooms."

Hymir frowned at the question and paused his eating. "My plan is simple; once I find him, I'll kill him." he said, pausing to let that point sink in. "This is Loki; he's not the type to fall for cheap tricks or cunning plans. To combat him, you must be unbending in will, merciless in stroke, and observant and quick enough to counter his many ploys."

Once that was said, he moved to the point of the "politics" of it all. "Loki is no aid to the All-Father and certainly no ally of Heimdallr. His removal would allow them to focus their efforts away from the enemy within in toward those without. As to Zeus, if the self-proclaimed "King of the Gods" is so cowardly as to ride the waves of our victory, than so be it. If he tries to harm those I care for than he shall be my next prey." he said, not caring one bit of Zeus or his minions had enough omniscience to hear him. He would not make an enemy of Zeus, but if Zeus sought to make an enemy of him, than Hymir would be ready to strike down all who stood in his way.

 

[Green Shoes]

Rias struck hard at her foe, cleaving away the nail the fastened the strange vein, just as Prail plunged her weapon through the fluorescent bulb. The nail clattered to the floor, rolling to a stop by Rias' foot. Blood began to flow from the wound - glinting in the small amount of light that came down through the skylight. The colossal man slumped in the darkness, nursing his injury, grunting.

The door above the staircase opened slowly, and the door-guard from earlier peaked his head around. Noticing a distinct lack of both his companion and light, he cursed, pulling his jacket hood over his head, and fled, slamming the door behind him, his hand smearing small amounts of blood where he pulled. The noise of sirens soon filled the air - those belonging both to police and medics. Their footsteps could be heard pacing straight past the door, and down towards where Prail had seen the guard follow the officer.

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

Turning the handle for the shower, Andrew brushed away the laminate sign, proudly claiming to use 100% recycled water. As he unwound in the spray of a rather ornate-looking shower-head, the fog gathering on the glass screen was parted, and the water turned uncomfortably hot. Steam began to fill the room, and the rough image of a womans face took shape, eyes level with his own. Her voice was airy, yet menacing - her accent hard to place - some form of South American perhaps.

"Murderers are not good company, Andrew. I want the Celt. Name a price."

The head of steam faded away to form two, large eyes, hanging on the glass, watching with patient determination.

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

As Nicole lay on the somewhat itchy bed, the sound of sirens outside quickly caught her attention. The red and blue flashes cut through the early evening dark, sending strange shadows sprawling erratically through the window looking over the next street. Her eyes caught the image of a hooded man fleeing from a large, red door - while the police interviewed people on the street, and the medics tended to an obscured body.

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

Prometheus was somewhat pleased to hear Hymir's willingness to oppose Zeus, if it came to it. The mans determination was certainly unearthly, though the Titan reckoned that alone, he wouldn't last a few minutes against the trickster-God. Keeping such revelations to himself, he added his heartiest support.

"You are truly committed to your cause. I don't doubt we could subdue Loki. All it takes is planning. Anyway - I'm going to go bathe and then rest. If anyone needs anything, don't hesitate to wake me."

Leaving to run a bath, he snatched a clean t-shirt from one of the many boxes. Removing his drenched clothes into a large garbage bag, he left only the boots. Sinking into the piping hot water, he continued to think with a rather stern expression, his thoughts endless and unhelpful.

 

[DarkRawen]

Andrew's shower took a turn for the more unpleasant when the water suddenly turned a little too hot for his liking. Normally, he would have just have left the shower and tried to fix it without risking it getting even hotter. However, that suddenly wasn't the main thing on his mind. Actually it was pretty far from that, as the face of a woman appeared in the mist, the rather misty face at the same level as his own.

"Murderers are not good company, Andrew. I want the Celt. Name a price."

The Celt? Jon, right? Why would they ask me? Wait, what's even going on?

"I see," Andrew replied, voice and facial expression making it clear that he was more than a little confused. He wasn't sure where to start, though he decided that the first thing to make sure of was that he stayed calm, even though he was tempted to leave the shower and pretend it had never happened, or even call for Nicole. Instead, he kept standing there, taking it all in, surprised, but certainly not so surprised that he was scared. Just... sort of unsure of how to react.

This is definitely real, though, I doubt I could imagine something as strange as this.

Of course, there was a number of concerning questions to deal with as well. Who was this woman, how did she appear like this? Surely a goddess or something, but still, it seemed... odd. And, how did she know his name and where he was? The way the eyes was hanging on the glass-sceen didn't trouble him too much, honestly, he certainly wasn't oblidged to cover himself up when she was the one appearing -partly- when he was showering. Besides, she sounded like she meant business.

Given her tone, I don't think that this is going to be something I can decline easily. I wonder if there's a personal interest in this for her, if so, I should handle it carefully.

"Who are you? And what do you want him for?" he asked, looking towards the eyes. "If you don't mind me asking, of course. Knowing what he's worth to you would help me figure out a better price, or if it's worth putting myself at risk for."

He wasn't going to sell out Jon, of course not, though, if there was an actual argument there, he might give it a second thought. Not because he disliked the guy, and certainly not because of the insults, but because justice made sense to him, someone killing someone else without a very good reason to do so should be punished. Not by death, though, and hopefully after this mess was cleaned up.

An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind, and all that.

Still, if this really was about that, wanting to punish a murderer, he supposed he could at least give the goddess a chance to make an argument.

"I doubt certain other people would be happy about me even talking to you, after all. So give me a reason to consider it, and I might."

 

[IFS]

"Shiiiit," Nicole muttered to herself, hopping off of the bed and yelling to Andrew "Hey, somethings going on outside, hurry up in there I'm going to check it out," before darting out of the door, not bothering to stop to grab her sword and forming her wings behind herself invisibly to move faster. Whatever happened the police missed that hooded man, I can't just sit by and let him run off...

She had to admit she had no idea what exactly had happened, and it was possible the hooded man wasn't actually involved, but that hardly seemed likely to her. This just had to happen right after I said we shouldn't leave the hotel didn't it?

She emerged onto the street quickly and took off after the hooded man, though she slowed her pace to try and avoid attention, only trying to keep the hooded figure in sight. Wouldn't help if the police thought I was the one fleeing the scene, I just need to try and keep pace with him and keep him in sight. I really shouldn't go too far from the hotel though, with that last thought her pace slowed even more though she still tried to keep focusing on the hooded figure.

 

[CrazyGirl17]

Shiro was lost in thought, so he didn't really notice when Prometheus addressed him. But by the time he looked up, the man had already gone to take a shower. So, he decided to turn towards Hymir and make some small talk, maybe get to know the guy.

"So, um... Hymir was it? I take it you're here to help us? What's your story, anyway?"

Spoiler: ooc

Yeah, sorry for the lack of posts, I've been a bit of a rough time coming up with ideas lately...

 

[hiei82]

Hymir called out to Prometheus as he left "Plan all you want, but Loki will find a way to break and exploit it." The best laid plans of mice and men do so often go astray and gods were no exception.

As he turned back to the very interesting documentary on glaciers, the Japanese demigod - Shiro he thought the name was - asked him a question; what his "story" was. Hymir shrugged and answered; there wasn't much to it. "Like I said before, my father is Heimdallr; the god who watches over Asgard and the Bifrost. I was raised in Asgard; mostly by him, but in part by the other Asgardians Odin All-Father and Thor Odinsson. When the Loki aligned himself with the Greek drunkard to free Fenrir and Jormungandr, all Asgard realized Ragnarok could be at hand. In hope to stop them, Asgard sent most of their demigods and goddesses down to battle at the Hold where your group stopped Dionysus. I came with them." he said; all true.

It was there he had a decision to make; to be deceptive of his reasons or to be honest. If Prometheus's group of heroes proved untrustworthy, it would likely destroy any meaning he had in catching Loki and perhaps all the power he had to bring to bare. Yet, if he said nothing of them, it gave Loki the opportunity to destroy their team at a crucial moment. In the end, there was but one option.

The truth. "I however wasn't sent." he said. "I wasn't born strong in arm or fast in leg like most demigods; most of my power was lost to me before my birth. My only gift was insight; I inherited the intelligence of Heimdallr and as such no mortal skill is beyond me." he explained. "All my power comes from this-" he said, pointing at his necklace, "-this-" he added pointing at his horn, "-and this." he concluded, hoisting his sword. "All of these I took from my father to delay Ragnarok indefinitely and to stop Loki in the bought time." he explained.

He'd have gone into the explanation of how the apocalyptic prophesies of the Volsung were immutable and how the theft of Heimdallr's sword and horn delayed the apocalypse, but he felt the explanation might take more time and energy than the others were willing to commit at the moment.

"What of you Shield-Brothers? What tale have you to tell?" he said, indicating both Shiro and Jon

 

[Lunar Templar]

Rias's ears twitched at all the sounds.

The shattering light, the slamming door and cursing, the sirens, which where actually bothering her a little from the pitch.

The cops, and maybe paramedics where here, or so she was guessing from the two different types of siren, the other guy had fled, ether because his partner lost, or because of the police, she couldn't be sure which, though her more immediate concern was the person above them.

They hadn't come down when they broke the light, which struck her as strange, as they had passed on an opportunity to take advantage of the element of surprise. She knelt down and picked up the nail by her foot while she pulled out one of her knives. The nail she figured was important enough to not let her attacker have back. "You've been abandoned, and your defeated." Rias said to her attacker while still keeping an ear on whom ever was above her " You've a choice, you can tell me where your partner will be heading, and I'll grant you the mercy of a swift death, or you can refuse, and I'll leave you here, and to Zeus's 'mercy'. Assuming you don't bleed to death first."

 

[Lunar Templar]

A look of 'really ...' crossed Rias face, weather this girl saw it was another matter give how dark it was. "I very likely know many things you don't, that doesn't give you just cause to try and hi-jack my prey." she said, her tone understandably irate, as she pocked the nail and flipped the knife around so she had a hold of it by the tip. "Now leave, if you don't know what going on, then it doesn't concern you and your only, foolishly, making your self a target."

 

[Rogue Trooper]

"What of you Shield-Brothers? What tale have you to tell?"

?Not much to tell really? Jonathan replied ?Abandoned at a young age, raised in a catholic orphanage, left and travelled across Europe fighting every place I went and then I got involved with this group?

There was obviously more to tell, but Jonathan didn?t really feel like telling the new guy and Shiro his life story at the moment. I time would come when he would; but right now he was more concerned with eating and possible going to sleep, it had been a long day and sleep sounded like the best course.

 

[Green Shoes]

In the dark of the basement, the injured man grumbled and groaned, the deep sound rumbling beneath Rias and Prail. A slight chuckle escaped him at their bickering, as he continued to try and plug his wound.

"I think I'm going to die regardless. But I have no loyalty to Autolykus - though I don't know where he would flee to. Perhaps to barter for another bronze man..."

Sighing low, his breathing became laboured and shallow. Though slight tremors indicated he was still alive, it was clear he would soon die.

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

The hooded figure began to slow his pace to a brisk walk, and at the intersection at the end of the street, he stopped. Turning to scan the crowd, his eyes met with Nicole's. A bright grin spread across his face, before a sleek, black Mercedes pulled up quickly next to him. The car seemed strangely familiar, though Nicole couldn't quite place it. The man jumped in and the car sped off into the night, leaving a strange silence in a normally bustling city.

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

The eyes narrowed at Andrew's negotiation - there was no humour in her voice, but anger tempered with impatience.

"This is not market haggling. Who I am and why I want him is of no concern to you, as it is no concern to me what benefits you enjoy from his company. I can offer many things. What do you want?"

A small pause, and then her eyes crinkled at the side, as if some malicious smile had spread across some unseen lips.

"You dislike the Titan? I can disable him. Tip the balance of power. Name a price."

 

[DarkRawen]

"This is not market haggling. Who I am and why I want him is of no concern to you, as it is no concern to me what benefits you enjoy from his company. I can offer many things. What do you want?"

Andrew was unimpressed by the woman's dismissal of his questions. Annoyed too, but most of all unimpressed, if she really thought he'd deal with someone he had no idea was... well then she was either stupid or too proud. However, unlike her he didn't let his annoyance show, just shrugged.

"As you wish." His tone was warm enough for him to still sound interested.

"You dislike the Titan? I can disable him. Tip the balance of power. Name a price."

"If I wanted the Titan disabled I could do it myself," he replied, trying his best to sound like he didn't care. Honestly, he didn't dislike Prometheus, of course not, but if the supposed goddess really could harm the titan that easily, then it was best to pretend he didn't care.

"I see no reason to, it would just make the others angry with me. Now, let me think..." Andrew muttered, looking thoughtful as he washed the last of the soap off his body. Of course, what he was thinking about was how to deal with this. She had made the water hotter, and she probably could do that still, which was not exactly a pleasant or desirable outcome. That meant that he had to get out of the shower. Running off, however, as tempting as it sounded, seemed to be a bad choice too, making her angry was the last thing he wanted.

"I'm sorry, but I'm not interested," he finally said, and turned off the water, stepping out of the shower as he did.

Hopefully, this will work.

"I don't have any reason to believe that you're trustworthy, you know my name yet refuse to give your own, and your offer is vague. It's not worth it, I'm afraid."

Andrew was attempting to be a little polite as he put a towel around his waist and grabbed his clothes. Not waiting for a reply, he went towards the door.

 

[Lunar Templar]

Rias looked at the bronze man, taking in what he said, and back to this arrogant woman. "Really? You think you have control? That's amusing." Rias said as she started sizing her up "He's going to die regardless, and I have the only means to prevent that. There's a nail I removed during my fight with him that has left him in the state he's in now. With out it, he will bleed out regardless." Rias smirked "All your presence has done is made it easier for him to take his secrets to the grave with him."

"IF you stand aside and let me prevent his death, I may yet see fit you humor your request." Rias said as she sheathed her drawn knife and walked over to where the other two had landed to collect them "Cause if he dies, what exactly do you have to barter with again?" she continued as she walked over to her coat, shook it to make sure no glass fragments where on it, and tied it around her waist before returning to where she'd been standing to await this girls reply.

 

[CrazyGirl17]

"What of you Shield-Brothers? What tale have you to tell?"

Shiro shrugged. "Not much," he admitted. "My life was pretty dull until a few years ago until I found out who - and what - my father was. Then I got dragged into a struggle to fight a mad God... yeah. It's been an... interesting couple of years."

His thoughts turned to his mother, who must have been wondering how he was doing. "Hey, I need to make a call, but it's kinda long distance."