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

[DarkRawen]

"Of course! I understand the desire to keep your mind to yourself."

"Thank you," Andrew replied, finding it a bit odd that Hymir's response was as friendly as it was, but not questioning it. Not everyone was as fond of holding a grudge as he was, actually, most weren't.

Following the others to the hotel, he was not exactly pleased when he saw their hotel room. It wasn't as bad as he had feared, but with as greasy as the owner had seemed, and the stained, maroon carpet, he found himself not wanting to stay there for too long. Not to mention, there were no food, and the running and healing combined, he felt somewhat hungry.

Most of all, however, he felt soaked, though discovered that the clothes underneath his jacket had managed well. The leather jacket itself was soaked at the shoulders especially and felt heavier than usual, but hanging it up should work. Of course, that meant that his t-shirt would be quite sweaty, and he pulled it off as well. He stopped as he did it, for a brief moment, as he could hear a message through the connection from Rias.

'If you have something to say to me, say it.'

Andrew wasn't sure, but it didn't feel like it was directed at him. And, even if it was, it was better avoided than anything else. He decided to push it to the back of his mind.

No need to get involved with negative situations.

And the statement really did not sound too friendly. It sounded like someone was starting a fight, actually.

Seeing as the others inside so far had chosen to not shower, Prometheus was lying around in his underwear, and Hymir had decided to play chess, Andrew figured that he might as well take a short shower. He didn't think Hymir wanted anyone to play with him, and Andrew had never really liked chess either way, it moved too slowly and wasn't relevant to anything, ever.

"I'm going to shower," Andrew told the others, as he found another shirt to wear and a pair of not wet pants and briefs. It was only when he had undressed, and turned on the shower -though not entered it yet- he realized that showering might not be the best idea.

Right, that goddess.

However, even if she knew where they were, she had no interest in them anymore. Jon had gone elsewhere, and Andrew had no idea. Still, he took caution as he showered, if the water suddenly turned too hot, he would not hesitate to grab the closest towel and get out of it. He got in, and started washing himself, halfway wondering if he had lost any weight from the healing yet, or if the hamburger and alcohol had screwed that up. His thoughts quickly went from that to Kirsten, however, he missed her a lot, yet calling her... She was fine, right?

After what seemed like five minutes, but was closer to fifteen, Andrew got out, and got dressed again. Nothing had happened with the supposedly South American woman, which was good. However, he felt a bit empty as he got outside, curly hair lazily pushed back -so it stood out a bit too much- and taking a seat on one of the couches, before curling up and putting the earplugs back into his ears.

 

[Athol]

While Rias showered, Keshi went about getting dressed, changing into a clean and dry version of what she?d been wearing before; worn jeans, a battered t-shirt, and a light weight long sleeved shirt. Retrieving her swords from where she?d propped them, she was sitting on the bed checking them, when Rias exited the bathroom. Me-ow! And I'M the bad one eh? Hey! I keep those thoughts to myself...you'd be trying to stick your tongue down her throat. Pfft...lower than that...

"So, you wanna start the start the Q&A or should I?"

Pushing the more 'personal' thoughts aside, she carried on with her weapons check. "Well let's get the most obvious one's out of the way first. One, since you lot seem to know what is going on, who the fuck is trying to kill me, and why?" Despite everything that was going on, she seemed rather calm for somebody who seemed to have a price on their head.

 

[Lunar Templar]

"Well let's get the most obvious one's out of the way first. One, since you lot seem to know what is going on, who the fuck is trying to kill me, and why?"

"Ease answer, Zeus, though we are down here after another, Loki. As to why Zeus would send some one to kill you, simple, 'you aren't on his side'. You remember those mass deaths a year ago? The ones chalked up to some weird cults? Those, among a few others, where the mortal casualty's in a war between gods." Rias started, then thought a second, "Well, perhaps 'rebellion' would be more apt." she continued as she slightly shift her sitting position. "Zeus, yes, that Zeus, refused to step down when it was his appointed time to do so. In response to this, Dionysus, along with many other gods and goddess, my mother included, gathered and began an armed rebellion against Zeus with the goal of removing him from power. Dio and his allies failed, sadly, but Zeus, being a petty and childish little shit, has not only sent out kill teams for Dio's allies, but those who didn't opt to take a side in the fight, and in some cases." Rias smirking a little at this part "His allies, and even those whom are responsible for him retaining a throne he's no longer any claim to, have found them selves on the same list as those who stood against him."

Rias chuckled a little, then reigned it in "I know not who's side your mother chose, or if she chose one at all. But that's one reason." Rias explained, though paused a moment to let that all sink in. "There is another theory I have as well though, and it better explains why the children of Apollo and Nike are counted on the same list as me and my mother. You see, when a god or goddess dies, or is killed rather, they do not 'vanish' as human would, their power as well as the knowledge they gained over the century's they've lived, transfers to whatever children they have, I believe its the eldest in the case of multiple offspring, and they in effect become they're parent in terms of power and domain. As I understand the process is both automatic, and unstoppable, so long as the heir lives anyway."

Rias sighed "Though my situation as different then the others. Anyway, I hope that answers your question" she said, not realizing that during her explanation she'd actually started taking a firmer and more formal tone.

 

[IFS]

Keshi's hovel fit the term pretty well, though Nicole was somewhat grateful to have a place to dry off. Once again she was glad to have brought extra clothes, and once Andrew was done in the shower she took a quick one herself and changed into her dry set. Her shower only took at most five minutes, you learned to clean up quickly when you were sharing a locker room after all.

Man it feels good to be clean again. This still leaves the question of who is sleeping where, I'm sure some of the bedding is less filthy than the rest of it. Why can't we ever stay at a high end hotel or something? Although I suppose we stayed in a god's mansion at one point.

"So I'm calling one of the fold out mattresses," she said "where is everyone else sleeping?"

 

[Athol]

As Rias dumped a whole lot of information on Keshi, she just sat there fiddling with her weapons, eyes not really focusing on anything. "Damn..." She muttered after a minute of two had passed; it was a lot to take in. "I can't speak for certain about my mum, but I'm pretty sure she'd have stayed out of things. Only really met her once, but I kinda got the impression she didn't really travel a whole lot." Laying back on the bed, she rubbed the heels of her palms into her eyes as her mind was still trying to process everything. "Still, as powerful as I assume Zeus is, it strikes me as phenomenally stupid idea to go and piss off a Goddess of time, change, and destruction, by either targeting her or gunning for her offspring."

Sighing a bit, she sat back up and ran a hand though her hair. "Well no use worrying about that, not like I can do much about it." Returning her attention to Rias, she gave her ex a small smile. "Well thanks for the info dump Riri, and now that we've got the heavy shit out of the way, I assume you've got questions for me as well."

 

[Lunar Templar]

"Still, as powerful as I assume Zeus is, it strikes me as phenomenally stupid idea to go and piss off a Goddess of time, change, and destruction, by either targeting her or gunning for her offspring,and now that we've got the heavy shit out of the way, I assume you've got questions for me as well.""

"Well he is one of the Greek Gods, 'selfish and stupid' tends to describe well for the majority of them in my experience with them, 'short sighted' as well." Rias said off offhandedly. "I do actually, as I imagine you have a similar question for me as well. If you where a Demi-Goddess like me, why didn't you ever say anything? and what was that about 'the other me' you mentioned before?" Rias asked, curious about why her her ex never mentioned being 'like her' before.

 

[Athol]

"If you were a Demi-Goddess like me, why didn't you ever say anything? And what was that about 'the other me' you mentioned before?"

"Well I wasn't always like this." She said quietly. "You remember that trip to India I went on just before we met? The one I wouldn't shut up about? That was when I met Kali. She explained who and what I was, gave me these swords, unlocked my powers all that...heady stuff to dump on a fifteen year old girl who is still coming to grips with such 'mundane' stuff as teenage hormones and being a lesbian." Reaching over, she began to absent minded-ly play with the tuft of fur on the end of Rias? tail.

"Can you really blame me for not saying anything? Introducing myself as the daughter of a Hindu Goddess of Destruction to the hot new girl seemed like a pretty good way to get labelled as 'That crazy dyke who thinks she's some sort of God'. High school was bad enough as it was." She chuckled. "As for 'the other me'...we're sort of two sides of the same coin. When Kali gave me my power, and created the 'Goddess-form' she also created a second 'me'. She controls that body, I control this one, but we share the same mind...I don?t know how to describe it better, it just is. She's a bit more like Kali though, impulsive, quick to anger...and seems to be as horny as a rabbit in mating season." I should be angry about these libellous descriptions...if they weren't all true. Keshi couldn't help herself, and let out a small snort of laughter at that. "Anyways...that's also the reason why I turned down the offer to 'link' with you and your friends. She's either drive you and Nicole nuts by trying to hit on you, or just rage at that So-Cal asshat of a doctor." HEY! I do more than hit on or rage at people! Like? ...I'll get back to you on that...

"So, that's the Cliff's Notes version of my weirdness; and anyhow why didn't you say anything?" She teased. After another moment or two, she perked up as she'd just realized something. "Hey, why can I see your 'kitty-bits' now?" She said, waving the tip of Rias' tail at her. "Earlier I couldn't."

 

[Lunar Templar]

Rias snickered, how could she forget? Keshi was pretty stoked about the trip to India and she did talk about it a lot. "You mean like me and my trip to Egypt?" Rias said with a smirk. "I never mentioned it cause you never said anything." Rias said as she got up, pulling her tail free of Keshi's grip, walking over to the table where her ring lay and then heading back over to the bed and showing her the ring "You remember this right? The ring I got from my mother? It actually enchanted, a creation of the Goddess Isis mother had made for me that I might have some semblance of normality among the humans." she said as she put the ring on, her feline traits vanishing from Keshi's view. "It hides my 'true form', if you want to call it that, from the eyes for mortals. Only works on half breeds like us and pure blooded gods though." Rias removing the ring after she finished that statement.

"As for why you couldn't see it before, I donno, probably has to do with your dual forms if I had to guess though." A smirk crossed Rias face "Just think, all that time we where together you where really sleeping with a real life 'Cat-Girl', your the envy of every basement dwelling Otaku everywhere." Though Rias humorous tone faded rather quickly "You've no idea how tired I am of having to wear this thing though. But you know how humans are about things that are 'different' then they are"

"Anyway, My trip to Egypt was more or less like your trip to India, with the added benefit of ... sort of ... having my mother in my life from then on. You've actually met her to, Layth remember?" Rias kinda stopped there for a moment, and waited for that first meting between between her and her mother to pop back in.

 

[DarkRawen]

Andrew sat in the couch, eventually laying down with his head turned towards the others. He didn't react When Nicole got out of the shower, but as he saw her mouth move, he pulled out one of his earplugs.

"--I'm calling one of the fold out mattresses. Where is everyone else sleeping?"

"I'll be fine here,"Andrew replied, smile back on his face. While it wouldn't exactly be comfortable sleeping in a couch, someone would have to, unless two of the others opted to share the double-bed. Besides, it wasn't short enough for it to hinder him falling asleep, he would simply have to curl up a bit. He was not sure he could say the same for Hymir or Shiro, and even Prometheus was taller than him.

Not that it matters, though.

He sat up a bit more, stretched, before unplugging the earplugs and leaving his music-player on the nearby table. After that, he went over to the fridge, hoping to find something there.

 

[hiei82]

'If you have something to say to me, say it.'

As Rias said it, Hymir was busy moving a black pawn (as represented by a lose penny) to take a white pawn (as represented by a thin, empty tube of lip balm). In addition, Hymir didn't really recognize the statement as directed at him. As far as he was concerned they'd finished their conversation. While they were still at an impasse, he'd long since accepted that he'd have to kill Loki likely against the will of some of the group.

As such, he continued to play the game for a short time before recognizing no one had answered the question. At long last, Hymir took it to mean the question had been directed at him and answered. 'Was that directed at me? If so, I do not.' he replied, his tone suggesting he meant it literally, not sarcastically.

A few minutes later, an anguished yell went through the link. 'Damn! I knew I should have moved the bishop to D5.'

 

[Athol]

"You mean like me and my trip to Egypt? I never mentioned it ?cause you never said anything. You remember this right? The ring I got from my mother? It actually enchanted, a creation of the Goddess Isis, mother had made for me that I might have some semblance of normality among the humans. It hides my 'true form', if you want to call it that, from the eyes for mortals. Only works on half breeds like us and pure blooded gods though."

"Wow, that's pretty cool." Hmm...I could use one of those. How ?bout nooo... Spoil sport.

"You've no idea how tired I am of having to wear this thing though. But you know how humans are about things that are 'different' then they are"

"Aww, not a fan of pitchfork wielding mobs are you?" She added with a chuckle.

"Anyway, my trip to Egypt was more or less like your trip to India, with the added benefit of ... sort of ... having my mother in my life from then on. You've actually met her to, Layth remember?"

That prompted a rather strong reaction from Keshi, mostly her blushing furiously; a remarkable accomplishment considering her skin colour. Despite her best efforts, the memories came back, clear as day. Being upside down with her face between Rais' legs, and Rias returning the favour, her ass in the air; then she heard a voice that she didn't recognize. "Rias dear, it's not an ice cream cone it's not going to melt away...take your time." Letting out a small groan, Keshi reached over and cuffed Rias in the shoulder. "Thanks you ass." She muttered. "I thought I'd successfully repressed the single most embarrassing day of my life."

 

[Lunar Templar]

"Anytime, that's what friends are for right?" Rias said with the kind of smile that was almost 'punch to the face' inducing, even though the event in question, at the time, made Rias her self wanna crawl into a hole and die from embarrassment.

'Was that directed at me? If so, I do not.' Hymir finally reply, though it caused a bit of a mental eye brow quirking. 'Yes it was aimed at you. Why would you ask that? Or did I assume incorrectly in thinking I could use this link to talk to only you alone? I find that surprising given how against my plan for Loki you are, but if thats how you feel then this will be quicker then I figured.' Rias thought back

'If I am outvoted in what to do about Loki, then I am out voted. I disagree with it, but that is moot now. I shall make this sole statement in relation to your plan for Loki before leaving you to your chess game. Do not waste your breath questioning him after the battle, he will undoubtedly find a way to use that time to make good an escape while lying to our collective faces in regards to what ever questions asked.' Rias thought before redirecting her attention back to Keshi.

"So, Wha cha been up to since High school anyway? and why are you even in South America anyway?"

 

[Athol]

"So, wha' cha been up to since High school anyway? And why are you even in South America anyway?"

Keshi shifted a bit, so she was now leaning against the headboard, with her swords propped against the bed beside her. "Well I did a couple of years at an art school to work on my composition skills." She said, motioning to her camera bag. Ever since she'd been given a camera as a little girl, she'd carried one with her everywhere. "Managed to get a couple of lucky breaks thanks to one of my instructors, and now I've been working as a freelance photographer for four or five years now. Been to Iraq, Libya, Syria and most recently Mexico; as to why I'm here? Work. There's been rumours that the illegal logging operations around here have getting a bit more 'forceful' in their attempts to dissuade environmentalists. Usually they'd just thump the hell out of 'em, but then bodies started getting found."

Reaching over, she grabbed her camera back, and extracted the DSLR, and began playing with it. "Reuters will pay good money for photographic proof of shit like that, so that is why I'm here."

 

[hiei82]

'Yes it was aimed at you. Why would you ask that? Or did I assume incorrectly in thinking I could use this link to talk to only you alone? I find that surprising given how against my plan for Loki you are, but if that's how you feel then this will be quicker then I figured. If I am outvoted in what to do about Loki, then I am out voted. I disagree with it, but that is moot now. I shall make this sole statement in relation to your plan for Loki before leaving you to your chess game. Do not waste your breath questioning him after the battle, he will undoubtedly find a way to use that time to make good an escape while lying to our collective faces in regards to what ever questions asked.'

Hymir wasn't quite sure what to say to that. There was so much to say. In the end, he decided to start with the easy part first. 'you can communicate with individuals alone, but you did not. You said it to everyone over the link, just as I am now. You need to... "focus" on the person you want to communicate with if that makes any sense.' he said, trying to help Rias understand the mechanics of the connection.

'As for our disagreement over what to do with Loki; I stand by my point that it's both useless and dangerous to keep him alive, but I know I'm not going to be able to convince you of it so I'm not going to try. I also maintain no illusion that Loki will say anything of use after his capture but I won't deny others that chance. If the group decides they want to capture and use Loki so be it; but the consequences are on you and those who vote to keep him.' he finished, more than done with the conversation.

He tried to return to the chess game but by that point the Egyptian had long since frustrated him beyond the ability to focus on such things. He focused his mind and tried to remember; one way or another, he'd kill Loki. Which way it went was up to them.

 

[Lunar Templar]

'You misunderstand me son Heimdallr. I'm no longer under any illusion that we can secure him as an ally. It's foolishness to think anything of value will be gotten out of him if he's been cornered or thinks death is imminent, so if anything, I'm now sharing your opinion of what to do with him once he is beaten.' Rias replied, openly over the link. Though her tone carried with it an air of defeat to it, rather then the firm confident tone she'd been using.

Physically, Rias body language also shifted to match the tone of her reply to Hymir, she sighed, and basically looked like some one who just 'lost'. "I remember you talking about being a freelance photographer back then as well, good to hear you made it into that field" Rias said, though her tone was off at the start, and while her body language shifted back to what it was before it was still noticeable.

'I should have stayed on that train ...'

 

[Athol]

"I remember you talking about being a freelance photographer back then as well, good to hear you made it into that field."

Keshi smiled a bit, remembering how more than once Rias had complained about her constant need to drag a camera everywhere she went, though it faded a bit as Rias seemed a bit 'off'. "Okay, now your turn; and don't say 'nothing much' because that is clearly bullshit."

Ask her if she's banging that other chick. What? No! If she's not, then more for me! Nonono, leave Nicole alone too. We just met these people, and if things are as fucked up as I fear they we'll probably need their help, so I don't need you molesting every woman we encounter. Ice Queen What is with you? Usually you?re not THIS bad. You have any idea how boring it's been stuck in here for the past few months? I guess I'm a little stir crazy.

Shaking her head, Keshi realized she'd probably been staring blankly into space for at least a solid minute. "Sorry 'bout that." She muttered, blushing slightly.

 

[Lunar Templar]

"Okay, now your turn; and don't say 'nothing much' because that is clearly bullshit."

Rias was silent a moment "Remember all that stuff about the war between gods a year ago? and how Mom took Dio's side? I was not idle during it and joined in at my mothers side, mostly as a 'gofer', while the others here are the ones who ended up defeating Dio for Zues's side." Rias started, and smirked a little "Nice guy that Zeus huh? He put a hit on the very people who are the reason he's still in power."

"Anyway, as I said before, we're down here after Loki, who was also on Dio's side, sort of a public enemy number 1 kinda thing, anyway, we''ve been at odds on what to do with Loki once we have him." Rias sighed and rubbed the bridge of her nose "I only joined them because they seemed to want to fix the mistake they made in helping Zeus, but now ... they seem only interested in saving them selves." Rias just plopped down on the bed from her sitting position "I guess I was being foolish to think they would do other wise." Rias paused and then sighed "It's been good seeing you again, but if they are only going to turn Loki in to save them selves, I will have no part in it, I would rather die then beg that vainglorious fool and lier Zeus to for my life. I said I'd help them with Loki, and I shall, but after that ... I donno, go north I guess? See Dad and them one more time before I find a nice spot and take out as many of Zeus butchers as I can before I go down, or maybe trying kicking in his front door, see how poorly that goes ..."

 

[Athol]

Keshi listened while Rias went into a bit more detail about just how fucked up everything was in the circles she travelled in.

"It's been good seeing you again, but if they are only going to turn Loki in to save themselves, I will have no part in it, I would rather die than beg that vainglorious fool and liar Zeus to for my life. I said I'd help them with Loki, and I shall, but after that ... I dunno, go north I guess? See Dad and them one more time before I find a nice spot and take out as many of Zeus butchers as I can before I go down, or maybe trying kicking in his front door, see how poorly that goes ..."

?What!? What! Sitting upright, she reached out and placing her hand on Rias? face, so the other woman couldn?t look away if she wanted. ?From what you?ve told me Zeus is a gold plated asshole, and letting him or his minions kill you would play into his hands. Do you really want him to have that victory? Personally, we want whomever sent that asshole in the woods after us?s head on a pole. If it?s Loki, then we?ll hold him down if you want to cut his throat, and if it was Zeus?well I doubt trading Loki?s ass to him would let me get close enough to slit his throat.?

As she spoke, rage that until now she?d been controlling, started to burn free. Anger flashed in her eyes, as she let go of Rias? face, her hands clenching into fists. Taking a few deep breaths, she never broke eye contact. ?I may be less rash than my other half, but I am still a daughter of Kali and I will not let an attempt on my life pass; and if that means killing the King of Olympus so be it. Now there is no way I could do that without help, so regardless of how the shit with Loki plays out don?t do something stupid.?

 

[Green Shoes]

Sunrise

Prometheus had drifted into strange dreams and old memories, seemingly motionless from the moment he lay down. As rays of sunlight crept through the small, high windows, his eyes eased open. Hurriedly dressing himself in dry but crumpled clothes, he roused the others.

"We had best get moving. Don't leave anything here - no guarantee we'll be coming back. To here, I mean."

Freudian slip or genuine mistake? The Titan of Wisdom himself didn't know. Striding across the small hallway, he gave Keshi's door three sharp, hard knocks. Still unsure how Hymir's telepathic group-talk worked, he tried to reach Rias regardless.

We should be leaving soon. Shouldn't waste the daylight.

He waited in the hallway for the others, arms folded, foot tapping impatiently.

 

[Lunar Templar]

Rias just sighed "We will talk more about this later, for now we should just get some rest, we have deicide to commit tomorrow after all." Rias said, avoiding the topic for now. Keshi didn't understand what she was saying, and as much as Rias felt she needed to explain what the full reality of the situation was, she just didn't have it in her right now.

Rias simply climbed under the covers and went to sleep, though something of a restless sleep rather then a restful one.

Sunrise

We should be leaving soon. Shouldn't waste the daylight.

Rias groaned, a combination of not really sleeping and hearing the Titan's voice in her head did little to make her want to get out of bed, though as she became more aware of her surrounds she found she had kinda wrapped her self around Keshi. As she looked at her Ex, still asleep she gave brief though to slipping out of bed and sneaking away. To Rias, this wasn't Keshi's fight after all, though, Zeus's butchers where after her as well, so she couldn't simply abandon her like that, she wouldn't be able to live it down if something happened to her.

"Hey" Rias said, nudging Keshi a little. "Time to get up, we have a horse fucking ass clown to kill"