"Hey!" She said; "Grab your things, I've come to take you home!"

[mistresswanda.livejournal.com]

Saturday, August 7th, Well past dark
Neither here nor there

I had been checking into days and times that might correspond, position of the moon and the sun...
but when the storm blew in, lighting splitting the sky and thunder making Excolo sound like we had a rail station?

The time was now.

I bundled Rose off to Lucien's. He was concerned of course. Where was I going on such a night? Was someone in trouble? Was I doing something stupid? Well, yes, I am sure it's stupid, but I couldn't rightly tell him that. I kept assuring him everything was fine, it was just something that had to be done, and I would be back as soon as I could. Rose took much more convincing, and she was still agitated when I left. "Mummy loves you and will be back soon!" I called out as I dashed back into the storm. I hoped I was not lying to her.

Changed into something bettered suited for the task at hand; threw on my coat, strapped on my sword and took up arms. Out, into the night, into the storm, into the woods. I had thought of sacrificing a young black calf, burning it as offering, finding the right herbs... but something else guides me now. I know, without knowing, what to do. Stride out with purpose to the clearing in the woods, where I practice my knife throwing. My space. My circle.

I stand in the center of the clearing now, the rain beating down on my upturned face. My leather trench keeps the chill out, but my tank top and jeans are soaked to the bone in spite of it. I watch the sky, the light that illuminates it, and suddenly there is a crack that makes my ears ring, and a flash that turns the night into day. Hold up the shield to protect my eyes and when I lower it again I see one of the trees has been hit by the lightning, and has split down the middle, still smoldering and on fire in some spots.

“Well. If that's not a doorway...”

I take a deep breath, back up several paces. With a battle cry, I run towards the V-shaped opening and hurl myself through it. Using the shield, I keep the flames from my face, and drop into a roll once I clear the blackened wood. Come back up to my feet and---

"Fuck me, it worked." I breathe out, staring up at the mountain before me. The rain still falls and lightning illuminates the clouds that obscure the top from view. Squinting my eyes, I can see a break in the terrain and scrub about 20 yards before me. The break seems to lead upwards in a barely discernible line. I take a deep breath, and exhale. He never said it would be easy. Firming up my resolve to see this to the end, I put one foot in front of the other and begin the trek up.

(open to Ares)

Comments

[mistresswanda.livejournal.com]

I am not sure how long I’ve been trudging up this mountain. Hours? Days? For all I know, it could be years here, yet a blink of an eye in Excolo. I only pray it is not the other way around. Along the way, there have been ragged warriors blocking my path or minor obstacles like wild animals or falling rocks. They were easily avoided at first, or overcome, but the farther I get up the path, the more difficult the obstacle or seasoned the warrior. Coming up on a blind corner, I take a moment to catch my breath, then spring around it, spear at the ready and shield up---

To defend myself against a sightless old man, sitting on a boulder and leaning heavily on a staff. I know that I should assume nothing in this place, but I do relax my stance a bit. I look about warily as I approach him, but there seems to be no danger eminent. “Are you lost, Grandfather?” I ask gently, edging closer while still on guard. The whitened head turns towards the sound of my voice, a slight smile hovering on his lips. “If I were, would you lead me home?” He asks, and oh, I have the distinct feeling I stepped in it royally. “I am a stranger to this land, and I am not familiar with its layout…” I say cautiously, looking back down the mountain at the distance I have covered thus far. I am about a quarter the way to the top. It feels like I have been walking forever, and to have to start over…

“…but if you need assistance to get to the bottom of the path, I would be happy to lead you back down.” Damn me. Damn me and my honorable sensibilities straight to hell. I shift my shield to my back and help the blind man up. "I do hope I am not keeping you from anything important, dear child." He says, with what may be a trace of amusement as he leans heavily against me. "I have something I must do, I admit as I start to lead him back the way I came. "...but nothing so important that I can't help someone out that might need a hand." Truly, I really didn't make it that far, and I'd hate myself if someone got hurt and I could have done something to prevent it. "That is a very kind gesture, to divert from your path to help me with mine." I pat his hand as we descend. "It is no trouble, Grandfather. Come now let us get you to the bottom. I shall worry about my task once you are on safer ground." I assure him as we round the corner...
and walk right into a fog bank. "Bloody hell!" I hiss, and slow my steps even more. "The fog has moved in, and the ground is slippery. Please be careful." Again, time slows down as we all crawl through the dense soup that envelops us. It's a trick, but finally the mist starts to thin out. "Are we in the clear yet" The man asks, and touch his hand again. "Yes, the path is leveling out, and the fog is clearing, so we should be near---

And I stop. We are no where near the bottom. If I had to wager a guess, we are over halfway up. "But we were descending..." I whisper, looking about. "Oh fuck me, we were going the wrong way and I was so sure... I'm sorry. We must have gotten turned around in the fog. We'll backtrack and start again..." I offer, but the old, blind man merely chuckles and pats my hand. "No, dear child. You are heading exactly the right direction." He gently reclaims his arm, and shuffles over to another boulder. "Better get a move on, you still have a long way to go, and it will not get any easier." He chuckles again, pointing without seeing to a path leading up. "Thank you, Sir." I say honestly, and he grins. "Do not thank me, it was all your doing. May fortune smile on your quest."

"Thank you, Grandfather!" I call out as I take up my shield again and start sprinting up the mountain path.

[mistresswanda.livejournal.com]

Again, time seems to crawl by as I make my way up to the top. The rain still falls steadily, and the terrain is slick, but somehow I still manage to press on. I come upon another fog bank, and I pause only for a moment. This is certainly no ordinary mountain, and knowing that, I make sure I am at the ready when I come out the other side; spear in hand and shield blocking as much as my body as I am able---
The growl is the only warning I have. I dive to the side and roll as giant teeth snap at the air where I just was standing. Whatever it is, it's big and black and massive----

*SNAP* *SNAP* *SNAP* Not one, but three massive jaws lunge at me, and I just barely escape being mauled by all three. Hopping and dodging back and forth I still manage to spare a second to look and see what I am being attacked by...

"Aren't you in the wrong place, pooch?" I ask, jumping out of the way of a massive paw that belongs to the three headed dog from Hades. The sad part is... this is not the strangest thing I have ever seen. My problem of the moment seems to be that the canine the size of a freakin' grizzly bear is neatly blocking my way up the path. Scanning the area quickly, it seems my only option is to try and go above the damn beast. The mountain face to my right should give me enough handholds and scrub brush for me to use... but I have to distract it long enough for me to stand a fighting chance. Quickly moving, I sling my shield behind me, strap my spear across my chest, and start flinging knives from the hidden pockets within my trench coat. I don't think any of them hurt more than a mosquito's bite to something that large, but it's enough to be annoying to the creature and give me enough of a space to scramble up the mountain face. Not enough of one though, for as soon as I reach a small outcropping, the beast has re-focused and is jumping and snapping at the air right below my feet. Another quick scan tells me there's no more possibility for up, only back down. Son of a bitch. I let my body slide down to a sitting position and I tilt my face to the rain for a moment, opening my mouth to take a drink. Once my thirst is sated, I look back down to Cerebus, who glares up at me with three sets of angry eyes and a growl so low and deep it sounds like thunder. "Well, now what?" I ask the creature. The only answer I get is the snapping jaws of the head in the middle.

I sit there for a bit in the rain, not only resting for a space, but trying to figure out what to do to get around this. While trying to puzzle my way off this ledge, I start singing under my breath. Quietly, and no particular song; just whatever comes to mind that might help calm my nerves a bit. With a sigh, I stop singing and rub my face trying to focus, when the sound of a high pitched whine catches my attention. I look back down to the beast and see it has laid down and is looking up at me expectantly, one head cocking one way, one to the other, the third panting and looking up at me with almost a puppy like expression. What the hell...?

All at once, the light bulb goes off in my head, and I smile down at the canine. "Do you like the sound of my voice?" I ask it softly in a sing-song voice. The tail thumps in agreement, making the ground shake a bit and little pebbles to rain down on my head. Maybe I don't need to defeat it, per se....

Grinning, I start singing an old gaelic lullaby to the beast, and that seems to please it. The tail swishes from side to side, and all three tongues loll out in contentment. I sing several songs in this fashion, all sweet and clear and soft. Nothing loud or shrill, and by the eighth or ninth one, I am creeping slowly back down the incline as I croon. I manage to hit the ground to the far side of the hell-dog, but I don't run up the path and away. Instead I approach it, still singing, and get close enough to hold out a hand. The closest head sniffs my palm, then nudges my hand so I know it's alright. With a smile, I stroke it's muzzle as the other two heads sniff about me. I would almost compare it to being in a room full of puppies, but I don't think I can quite go that far. Before long, I am scratching at multiple ears and crooning about what a good boy they are...

[mistresswanda.livejournal.com]

The damn dog followed me up the damn mountain. Granted, it was nice to have a little company even if the dog breath could knock a elephant unconscious. Just a big puppy, really. "You need to be given lots more attention. I'll mention that when I see the boss up top, okay boy?" Cerebus yips and I try not to shy away when a huge tongue swipes at the
side of my head. "Attention and breath mints." I groan, but laugh as I push a huge head away.

We come up on another curve, and there's a loud whine from behind me. I turn back to see Cerebus has stopped and sat down, huge eyes looking at me from down turned heads. Look to the bend in the path, then back to my new friend. "I suppose I need to go it alone from here, huh boy?" I ask, giving last scratches behind ear and pets to noses. I get nuzzles from three directions, and I chuckle. "Alright, thanks for the escort and be a good boy." I tell him, then head around the corner.

There are a few more ragged soldiers, which are dispatched easily enough... almost too easy. I don't question my luck, just keep moving. So close to the top, I can almost touch the clouds above my head. I have been trying to conserve my energy, but now that I might be near my goal, I break into a jog. Round another blind corner, ready to defend---

"Anne!" I cry out in surprise. I never expected to see her again, but here she is; leaning against a tree in black leather jeans and a tank top, colorful tattoos, and a cigarette dangling from black tipped fingers. "Hey babe, what's shakin'?" She asks in a raspy voice, a shit eating grin on her face. Completely forgetting my task for the moment, I drop my shield
and spear and all but tackle her in a bear hug. She hugs me right back, laughing. "God, that hard up that I'm lookin' good now?" She jokes as I pull back and wipe tears from my eyes. "No... I've just missed you so damn much!" And now I'm laughing. "How in the hell did you end up here?" I ask, looking at her then around. "Neat thing about bein' dead... you can be just about anywhere you want to be." She winks, then flicks her cigarette over the side of the mountain. "C'mon, lets get you where you need to go, babe." Anne offers, looping an arm about my shoulder after I retrieve my weapons.

We start traveling the path up again, talking about the old days and what's been going on in Excolo since we last spoke. God I missed her easy grace and her laugh and grin and the way her energy would belt out what used to
be called hair metal whenever---

I slow my steps, still smiling and chatting... but I'm listening. Oh, that's good. Not fair in the slightest, but good. I stop my pace and let my free arm fall from her waist. Anne stops and turns back to me. "What's the problem babe?" I cock my head and study her again, still smiling. I shake my head and chuckle softly. "Nothing... I've just never seen you
impersonate anyone else before Lady Eris. It's very convincing. You certainly had me fooled." Before my eyes, Anne's black hair shifts to a lovely brown, her pale yet colorful skin goes to a creamy light olive, and the shit eating grin turns into something distinctly colder. Yeah... she intimidates me more than the three headed demon dog. I drop to one knee and bow
my head. She may not be my goddess, but she is Lugh's wife and Ares' sister, so I will give her the respect due to her. "At least you have manners." Eris concedes, but before I can think of something to say, the heel of her foot connects with my jaw and I go sprawling to the side. Warily, I leap to my feet, ready to defend myself if attacked again. Eris
just stands there, arms crossed.

[mistresswanda.livejournal.com]

"That was for how your repaid my husband's selfless act." I nod, wiping blood from my lip. "Probably deserve a lot worse." I agree, relaxing my stance a bit. "Are you offering?" She asks, eyebrow arching skyward. Oh... well. "I should, it would be the right thing to do." I start slowly... "But if something happens to me, then my daughter will be left alone with her father." Eris laughs, and it's cruel. "A bit late to think of parenting issues, isn't it dear?" She sneers, and again I nod. "Again,
I must concede that point to you... but I hope my trying to make better choices will shape hers in the future."

Eris stares at me a long time. "And you think helping my brother will help your child?" Now I shake my head slowly in the negative. "No, not at all. I am helping your brother because he was... is my friend, and he thinks I might be able to help him return. I am helping him because it feels like the right thing to do, and I need to teach her to do the right things, and not choose the ways of her Father." Again, a long silence follows my words while she considers me. "My letting you pass is no guarantee that you'll ever make it back to Excolo, you do realize that." Let out a breath I didn't know I was holding, and nod. "Yeah, I am really hoping that's not the case though." I admit, wiping some sweat from my brow. "When you gamble, you gamble big Wanda." And finally, a shadow of a smile for her. "Balls to the wall, as it were." I sigh, and give her a smile. She shakes her head and chuckles, and points to the path again. "Through the mist, on the other side is the end of the path and the Palace. Good luck, you'll need it." She starts to saunter away and I turn back to my task, when she calls over her shoulder to me one last time. "Anything you want me to tell
him from you?" Look back at her, confused for a moment, then it clicks. Him. Lugh. I fell my eyes well up, and my mouth move to speak, but I can't find the words. So much, so much I would...

"Tell him that I sing, all the time. Can't shut me up." Laugh a little, and wipe at my eyes real quick. I bow my head to her, then take off at a run into the mists...

[mistresswanda.livejournal.com]

When I emerge from the fog bank, a huge palace stands before me of gleaming marble and massive columns. But the sky here is dark, and it is oddly...
empty. The only thing that has any life to it is a large cauldron with a fire blazing in it's heart at the top of the steps leading to the courtyard. My footsteps echo as I approach and ascend the steps, and for someplace so grand and storied... it seems silent and abandoned. I reach the fire and look about. "Well... now what?" I sigh aloud to nothing. The flames leap higher, and a deep voices floats to me on the wind. Present your offering to the fire...

"Offering?" I question out loud, looking around. "Besides my weapons, I have no coin, no laurels, no fattened calf..." I stop in mid-though, and groan aloud as it hits me. "A black calf." I say, and oh, I am not happy, not in the least, but he never said it would be easy.

With a determined scowl, I strip off my beloved black trench coat. Before I can regret it, I heave it into the flames and turn away so I don't have to watch it burn. "You owe me a new coat, you bastard." I mumble, then take up arms again and enter Olympus...

I make it about halfway across the courtyard when a figure emerges from the far end, each step he takes causes the ground beneath my feet to shake, and lightning streaks the sky. Well, I wanted to talk to him. I stop and drop to one knee, bowing my head, but keeping a hold of my spear and shield. The Father of the Gods of Olympus stops before me, and I really want to look up, but I keep my eyes fixed on the ground. It seems like an eternity before he finally speaks. "Is this the best he could come up with, a pathetic human?" A voice older than time scoffs down at me, and I have to bite my lip to keep from saying something stupid--- "And a feeble woman at that."

Damn.

"You can drop that misogynistic crap right the fuck now, buddy." I snap, rising to my feet and throwing him a look that I probably should not be throwing him, but after you've fucked the devil, it's kind of hard to be truly intimidated by much. Zeus merely arches an eyebrow. "I can see why he likes you." "Yeah, I've got a great rack and I suffer through his bad puns." I quip, not backing down. "So what do I have to do to drag his sorry ass back to the land of us puny humans?" Again, that long pause as I am considered. "Are you sure you want to pursue this? Would you not be happier if I made you into a Muse? You could inspire mankind and light a fire to their imaginations. Turn away from all this war and blood and death, and walk a gentler path."

Oh, I suppose he means well, but all I can do is laugh now. "I already can sing to make men weep, to move them to love, to inspire them to march to war... and I have already tasted blood, already sang along with the song my blade sings when it is in my grasp. I have walked both paths, and I must continue to do so to keep my daughter safe." It is the truth. I can be that, and I can be this as well. "Plus... I'm already here so... hey. May as well see it to the end." I can't help but give him a shit eating grin at that.

[mistresswanda.livejournal.com]

Zeus looks pissed but resigned. "Alright, Whore of Darkness..." I smile at that, not letting that little slur rattle me. "One last challenge." A
bright light appears in his hand, and with a loud roar, Zeus lets loose the lightning he created in his hand. It strikes the wall to my left, and from the smoke emerges a Spartan Warrior, clad in full regalia, armed and shielded; helm obscuring his face. I had thought the warriors blocking my way had been too easy to defeat, seems the best was saved for last. What stands before me is the epitome of the Spartan ideal, whereas I must look to him like a beaten down, half drowned house cat. I give Zeus a withering look, and he laughs again. "Just one warrior against another. If my son taught you well enough, you may be able to hold your own for a time..."
Waves his hand as he turns away. "If you actually manage to defeat him, then we can discuss my worthless son."

I am sure the retort I had was a true gem, but it gets lost in my yelp as I just manage to block and deflect the Spartan's spear coming right at my chest. It grates across my shield, and as the momentum brings him closer, I spin and use the shield to push him away. I had hoped that the shock of a mere woman able to hold her own might buy me a moment to put some distance between us, but he just pivots and the spear comes swinging at my head. I duck, roll...

and run.

[mistresswanda.livejournal.com]

For such an unlikely pairing, the battle seems to be evenly matched. The Spartan is most certainly stronger than I, but I have the advantage to being smaller and quicker. He can jab with the spear better whereas I seemed to be more skilled in using it as a quarter staff. I let him do the majority of the attacking, in the hopes that he will eventually wear down and make a mistake...

but it is a long time coming. Spartans were trained to fight to the death, without food or sleep or rest. I am fairly certain my poor little body will give out long before his. Right. I am not sure how long we have been at this, but it's time for me to try and make my move. Race out to the center, dropping my shield and shifting the spear to my left hand. The warrior is right behind me, and it seems like a thousand pairs of eyes are on me right now. Turn on my heel as if to make a stand, and the Spartan comes barrelling down on me, sword raised and bellowing for hell to hear. I raise my sword as if to block, take a deep breath---

And just as he reaches me, I drop my weapons, fall to my knees and bring both my fists up. As I gambled, under that leather toga, there is only a loincloth. I connect and I hear a strangled gasp. It's just enough, just enough of a distraction. I grab his waist in a bear hug and throw my weight against his. If I had not caught him in such a tender spot, I probably would not have been able to bear him to the ground but I do. As he hits the ground, I grind my knee back into his groin as I grab my sword. It was a move of pure luck and stupidity, but I have him pinned with my blade to his throat. Even in his extreme discomfort, he goes still.

"Well fuck me..." I breathe out, amazed. "It worked. Holy shit... it worked." I might be near to laughing or hysterics, I am so exhausted. I can just make out wide eyes from within the helm, looking just as shocked as I feel. "Alright Zeus, I bested your champion, now we talk." I call out, but don't move. "No, you did not. He lives, finish him." Now I turn my head to look towards the direction of the sound. There stands the Father of the Olympic Gods, watching us with a critical eye.

"Finish him?" I know I must sound stupid, but it never even occurred to me that defeat equalled death. "Yes, slit this throat, gut him, end his pathetic life. Any Spartan defeated by a mere woman should be put out of his misery."

"Oh you have got to be kidding me..." I hiss, and before I can think, I am up and crossing to the figure sneering down at us. "You said defeat him and we would talk. I had him down with a blade to his throat, that's a defeat in my book. So start talking." I insist.

[mistresswanda.livejournal.com]

"You are not worthy of my time, Whore of Darkness!" The whole palace shakes when he yells, and I should probably scurry away, or bow, or something other than stand there with my hands on my hips and glaring at him. "Why my son entrusted you I will never know! A weak female who cannot stomach taking a life but will speak her legs for ---"

"ENOUGH!" I scream, and now the palace shakes at the sound of my voice. "I have taken lives you pompous windbag. I took them in defense of my
life! I would kill to defend the lives of those I love. I will not take a life for a tired god-king's amusement!" I bellow back at him. "How dare you disrespect me you impudent mortal, I should---"

"You should shut it!" My voice, as piercing as a harpy's, cuts him off in mid condemnation. "I give respect where respect is due, and you have done nothing to earn mine." I seethe, just barely managing to keep from attacking him physically. "I am not a 'mere human', nor a 'mere female', and I am most certainly not 'The Whore of Darkness'. My name is Wanda von SacherMosch..." And I feel an odd exhilaration in proclaiming that. "And you would do well to remember that. Now, are you going to release your son from that warped idea of a prison you have him mucking about in, or did I come here for nothing?"

I am probably a dead woman. I always let my mouth run a way with me, but I just could not stand here and take his insults any more. Zeus glower at me, trying to speak but failing every time his mouth opens. I find a tiny bit of satisfaction in that. With a growl, Zeus turns his attention from me to the Spartan. "I will grant your petition if you will just kill her already." The Spartan advances slowly toward me, and I turn to face him. This... this is a complication I did not gamble on. Still, I keep my head high and stand my ground. He does not attack though, merely comes to stand before me. I can feel his eyes boring into me, and I could flinch from such scrutiny, but I remain still. "Well, are we going to dance again?" I ask him quietly, arching an eyebrow at the figure before me. Finally, his arm comes up, and he holds out his sword at arms length to his side. I sigh and go into a defensive position ready to block the blow...

but it never comes. After a moment, then another; the Spartan opens his hand and his sword clatters to the ground, His arm extends towards me... and with a smile, I sheath mine and clasp his arm back. "It's good to know there is some honor in this place." I can see his lips quirk up through the shadow of his helm and I think he would speak, but Zeus roars in anger. "You are useless, the both of you."

"Glad to know I've risen from worthless to useless, Father." My head whips around in time to see the Spartan remove his helm and give the Father God a smirk. "Oh you bastard..." I gasp as Ares give me a wink. "More trouble than your worth..." I turn back to Zeus and there is another shaft of light in his hands. "You want him, you can have him." His arm pulls back, and Ares wraps his about my waist and pulls me to him.

"Hold on Lamb, this is going to hurt..."

[ares-thracian.livejournal.com]

....and hurt it does. We hit the ground with a crackle so loud and hard it makes the ears ring and the body feel like it was turned inside out. Thanks, Father, you fuck. Steam rising from my skin, I loosen hold on Wanda only to tighten it again as she wobbles and slips toward the lightening blasted ground. "I told you it would hurt," I chuckle, tilting her head back so the rain wets her face.

"I'm finally back and you want to nap?" I laugh, "Where's the whiskey?" Where the fuck is my sword?

Sit us both on the ground, need to get used to the feel of a body again. Stretching out my limbs, I grin over at the crazy redhead by my side, "So was it good for you?"

[mistresswanda.livejournal.com]

I can't hear, oh dear Gods I can't hear and it's so bright and---

And then it's not bright thank fuck but there's still the matter of the ringing, no... screaming in my head. I try to stand on my own once the bright goes away, but the wailing in my skull and the fact that every goddamn piece of me hurts makes that just about impossible. And why am I wet? The sky rumbles and it makes my teeth rattle, along with the high pitched thoughts my daughter all but demanding to know where I am.

"Here baby... mummy's okay..." I think towards her, then realize I am speaking out loud.

"...want to nap?" "Sounds great." I mumble, leaning heavily against the body next to me as I'm eased down to the ground. "Where's the whiskey?"

Wait... whiskey? "But why do we need...?" I ponder aloud, and finally the noise in my head starts to recede and my eyes start to refocus and....

"So was it good for you?" I blink at him in absolute shock. I can feel his arm around me, and my shoulder against his, but I still have to reach up and touch his face.

"Holy shit... it worked?" I ask incredulously. "I'm not dead... and it worked?"

[ares-thracian.livejournal.com]

"Holy shit... it worked? I'm not dead... and it worked?"

"You're alive," I confirm, just as surprised, "Pray he sent us to the right plane of existence." It feels right, but it would be just like him to send us to some fucked up realm.

"You did fuck him off a bit," I laugh. Still not sure why I was allowed back. Sun's gotta shine on a dogs arse every once in awhile, I suppose.

Speaking of arse...

"You didn't, by any chance, bring any clothes with you, did you?" Eh, wouldn't be the first time I've strolled into a town wearing nothing but my own skin.

[mistresswanda.livejournal.com]

I'm not dead. Makes sense, I hurt too much to have died and come back. "Pray he sent us to the right plane of existence." I almost go into a panic at that. I try to leap up, but it doesn't work. Look around wildly---

And there's Rose in my mind again, worried and blessedly close. "No, we're back." I sigh in relief. "Couldn't hear Rose over in Olympus. I can hear her now..." Touch my mind to hers, and she settles again.

Ares mentions that I pissed off his father, and I snort at that. "I was trying to be good, you know I was... but he's such an ass!" I seethe for a moment, then shake it off. "Now I know where you get it from." I say, and give him a smirk.

"You didn't, by any chance, bring any clothes with you, did you?"

Look at him in confusion, then look down--- "Oh!" I gasp, then turn my head quickly. How, pray someone tell me how I missed the fact that he's stark naked? "Ahhhh.... no. Never even occured to me. I would have loaned you my coat..." Get over my slightly embarrassment to give him a stern look. "You owe me a coat, by the way."

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She confirms we're in the right place, mentioning that she can hear her daughter. That's a handy little trick. Wonder if she's thought of how handy that can actually be.

"I was trying to be good, you know I was... but he's such an ass!"

I laugh, "You caught him in one of his more amicable moods. You're lucky he let you out at all, pretty little thing like you could prove useful in many ways." Though I know I'll never hear the end of being bested by her.

I roar with laughter over her shock my nudity. "The Whore of Satan embarrassed by the sight of a cock? Juno's CUNT I've been away for far too long!" Continuing to laugh, I wave my hand at the mention of her coat, "Eh, a coat, a hat, a favor.... so many things to be repaid." The thought of a leather trench coat sacrificed to Zeus in trade for his son makes me roar with laughter again. "We shall have to remember to bring him a matching vest and breeches next time. Oh! and a squeak toy for the mutt! Perhaps a fruit basket as well?"

Lugh would have loved this. Hopefully he wasn't too busy banging the fairy folk and missed it. "So aside from new found prudishness, anything else I should know?" I ask, laughter dying down to a smirk.

[mistresswanda.livejournal.com]

"That's amicable? Hate to see him in a bad mood." I say in shock and shake my head. "And he wouldn't have kept me..." No one does. "...I'm too annoying to keep around for long periods of time." I say, chuckling.

He's laughing at me again, but now that I remember; he does that a lot. "I am not embarrassed. You were clothed, now you are not. Just a bit shocking, is all." I mutter as Ares is talking about about a matching vest and breeches for his Father along with dog toys and fruit. "I am sure your family can get all the fruit they want, but the poor hell hound needs more playtime. Poor thing is starved for attention."

"So aside from new found prudishness, anything else I should know?"

With I sigh I lay back and rub my face, getting even more soaked. "It's raining and we should get indoors?" I smirk back. "Let's see... the things that you might be interested in; The Twins miss you terribly and you need to go say hello as soon as possible. Side note; they are not joined anymore." I add for good measure. "Valmont will be pleased to see you too. He married Hermia... the Greek librarian. We have a dance hall, still no permanent mayor, a psycho that mutilates people on the loose..." I can see I am losing his interest.

"...and it's not Whore of Satan. It's the Ex-wife of Satan." Hold up a hand devoid of rings. "Handed the form walking papers in June." I mention as if it's nothing. "Ex-wife and custody holder. Other than that..." Shrug, and wipe rain from my face.

[ares-thracian.livejournal.com]

"...I'm too annoying to keep around for long periods of time."

"Nothing that a proper gag won't fix," I wink, happy to see she's coming around from the daze. I laugh at her comment about my family and the three headed mutt. "He gets enough amusement guarding the underworld, believe me. Although, I think you might have made a friend for life. One much more loyal than the last few dogs you've played with." Must remember to keep her out of Hades reach, the girl is a fucking magnet.

"It's raining and we should get indoors?"

"Not as is we'll perish from a cold," I shrug, "Haven't felt the rain since I was last in mortal form." Some of what she says about recent events does surprise me. I wonder how the twins are fairing now that they're apart; And Valmont... "Married?!" At least he chose the Greek girl. The man always did display fine taste, I just hope his loose morality is still there as well.

We have a dance hall, still no permanent mayor "I prefer marshal law, myself," I shrug. Much good a mayor would do this town, politics have always been a fucking bore. "a psycho that mutilates people on the loose..."

Ah, now my attention is now restored...

"Can still taste it in the air." I've missed that. "How recent?" Something was very recent from what I can tell. Blood and pain. The combination brings a grin to my face. Standing up, I hold out my hand, "Come, Ex-wife-whore of Satan, let's to home, whiskey and getting you out of those wet clothes," My grin widens.

[mistresswanda.livejournal.com]

"A hell hound as a friend." I smirk. "I suppose I could do and have done much worse." I wink back as I look about for my spear as he goes over what I filled him in on. "May not perish from the rain, but I can get a head cold, and there's nothing worse than a Diva win a head cold." I grumble, but it's good natured.

Figures, the psycho is what gets his attention. "The victim was left in my kitchen back in March. It was..." I still have the image of Derek looking at me from lidless eyes burned into my memory, I always will. "It was terrible. The fact that he was kept alive while disfigured... I would like to have a go at whoever did it, that's for damn sure." I admit, taking his hand and letting myself get hauled to my feet.

"Come, Ex-wife-whore of Satan, let's to home, whiskey and getting you out of those wet clothes," I note the grin, and laugh. "Alright, Bare-assed God of War... let's sneak you back into town. But the whiskey and clothes will have to wait, I have to go collect something from Lucien first." Nod to a point to my right. "Looks like our weapons over there. Let's grab them, and I'll let you into the house then go on my errand."