[color=Gold][center][img]http://i1150.photobucket.com/albums/o620/Vicier/Vicier%20-%20Percy%20Jackson%20Roleplay%20-%20Characters/Banners/Banner%2001%20-%20Aphrodites%20Dove%20Quest_zpstoca8qbo.jpg[/img]
[h1]Lady Aphrodite, Lord Ares, Lady Hera, Lord Hermes and Lord Zeus[/h1]
[h2]Olympus ~ New York[/h2][/center]

[h3][i]Throne Room of Mount Olympus...[/i][/h3]

New York, the City that Never Sleeps. And of all the buildings that the gods had decided to claim their home, the largest most [i]obvious[/i] skyscraper was the ideal choice. 

One figure among dozens of others stepped through the front doors, stopping just inside the entrance to adjust his tie and lapels. 

The man seemed ordinary enough to the normal passerby; he was tall and well-built with a broad physique. Though appearing to be at least in his early-forties, the man still held an attractive air to him, with a strong jaw and styled up chestnut brown hair. 

Garbed in a gray pinstripe suit, the man looked as though he was ready to attend a business meeting of some kind. Stepping into a vacant elevator, the man waited for no one as he immediately pushed the 'Close Doors' button, waiting for the sliding steel doors to shut before doing anything else. As the doors closed in front of him, the elevator grew totally silent aside from an instrumental version of [i]Call Me Maybe[/i] playing in the background, causing the man's lips to twitch most irately. 

Reaching towards the button panel, the man's hand slid across its length before stopping at a distinct button that sat separate from the others. Pressing it with his pointer finger, the elevator lurched suddenly, as though being yanked by a force much stronger than it. It shot up at an intense speed, the only indication of whatever was going on outside being the blindingly bright sliver of light that beamed through the slit between the two doors. 

Finally after an intense ascent, the elevator practically slammed to a stop in a stomach-turning lurch, causing the man to briefly lose his balance before quickly recovering. 

"Keep telling them to fix that damn thing." He mumbled to himself, briefly fixing his hair before the elevator doors slid open with a resounding [i]ding[/i], revealing Mount Olympus to him in all its glory. A thin stone bridge, wide enough for two people to walk side-by-side lit with eternal-burning torches led the way to Olympus itself, a massive palace, tall and daunting in the stormy dark sky. Tendrils of lightning emanated from its roof, scattering through the clouds and illuminating the entire area in an electric blue glow. 

The man was undaunted, clearing his throat before walking down the path, his steps casual yet dignified as well. But the man could tell something was amiss -- and he knew that for whatever reason he was summoned...it wasn't a good one. 

Ares sat indolently upon his throne, one leg thrown over an arm while laying against the other. The god of war glowed a sooty red, rage bubbling underneath the surface as he held an upset Aprodite's hand. He stroke the back of it, one of the few loving gestures he might show to another being. He seemed almost haughty as he looked at his father, Zeus. How could the king of gods be such a pussy? Didn't he realize that Hermes' children should just be wiped off the face of the world, they were more trouble than they were worth!

"Father... we need to address this issue, we all know Hermes' oldest child is to blame! I say we make an example and flay him in front of his brothers and sisters." Ares grinned broadly, taking a perverse pleasure of the idea of inflicting so much suffering. "I could use his hide as my new bike seat and he could finally be of use." His eyebrow cocked, as if challenging the idea that a demigod was worth more than the flesh and bones they were made of. "What do you say? I could be there and back, find my love's dove, all before that insufferable Hermes actually arrived. Who was late to their own summons?" The nerve of the god of messengers set Ares to grinding his teeth.

“Enough, my son. We sit here to discuss what is to be done about this matter- do not allow the anger you feel towards your brother cloud your judgement.” Bringing his hand up from where it had been resting against the arm of his throne, Zeus lightly rubbed at his temple, trying his best to relieve some of the stress that had accumulated since the matter had first been brought to his attention. His son was angered far beyond anything he had seen in many millennium… his beautiful daughter was curled up upon her love's lap, tragically distraught and crying at having her beloved pet dove stolen from her domain… his ever loyal wife sat dutifully by his side as the voice of reason among those which were occupying the room… and his other son, Hermes, was running late for his own summoning- things it seemed could not get any worse at this point in time…

“We shall await Hermes arrival; then we shall seek out the course of action to be taken. Though do not think that this matter shall be taken lightly- it is a serious crime, I agree that as such, the punishment of which should also indeed be severe…” Lowering his arm back down so that it was once more resting upon the arm of his throne, Zeus turned his head so that he was able to meet with his son's gaze, his grey eyes narrowing and his lips pursing together as he let the gravity of the situation once more fall down upon his shoulders, “..but until such time, I believe the best place for you is by your love's side, do you not agree..?”

Keeping a quiet eye near her husband's seat, Hera watched her children carefully. Her husband's voice rang true in her ears and she turned to Ares to see if he had heard what he had meant. She reached up a careful hand and stroked over the back of Zeus's, watching her son carefully as he sat protectively over Aphrodite. "Zeus is right, dear child," Hera's calm voice rang out over the area. "You must be patient and wait for your brother to arrive before you decide the fate of his children." 

She carefully crossed her legs and rested her palms on the edge of her knees. All in all, she was nervous, as she knew that Ares could be rash and jump to conclusions. She would not believe that Hermes' eldest would have stolen the dove until there was absolute proof of it. Yet she would not reveal this to the group that approached, as a fight would more likely break out against her with her son at the lead. She leaned back in her chair, her careful eyes scanning over the room. The air was thick with tension, between father and son as well as the anger of the son pierced through the air. The two children who sat in that chair sought vengeance against the culprit, and the anger and distraught was taken into the air. She rested her hand on Zeus' once more and waited, falling silent. 

"You could say that father. Or you could say that me and taking care of the perpetrator of this crime would be the BEST use of my abilities. After all, my love wouldn't be upset if not for the thief!" Ares roared, slamming a fist upon the arm of the chair he lazed against. Even with such relaxed posture, any of the gods could tell he was close to bursting. One could almost pity the demigod that faced Ares' wrath. His hand relaxed and resumed its comforting gesture against his wife's hand.

 "Action is what we need, not petty talks! I should be out there, finding the fucking whelp!" the god of war snarled the last, eyes glowing red now. The children of Ares should feel that rage through their divine connection to their father, so great the turmoil in the god. He breathed out a sigh of frustration, settling into the back of his chair once more. He'd heed his father's words... for now. "But as you wish, father, mother. We'll wait for Hermes to lie to our faces and say, once again, it could never be HIS child that could enact such a crime--"

"Sorry for being late, folks." A fourth voice cut into the conversation straight in the middle of Ares' rant as the man in the gray suit -- Hermes appeared in the throne room of the gods, both hands planted firmly in his trouser pockets. 

"I had lunch at the most amazing sandwich shop, seriously, best cheese-steaks you could ever ask for." Hardly skipping a beat, Hermes sauntered forth into the room, eyeing each of the gods on their thrones, paying special mind to Ares and Aphrodite. 

"Did you want a Snicker's, Ares? You don't seem to be you when you're hungry." Grinning in amusement at his own quip, Hermes' demeanor quickly turned somewhat more serious as his attention turned to the largest throne that belonged to Zeus. 

"What did Griffin do this time, Dad? Put another stink bomb in Dionysus' room? Though...I gotta admit, that one [i]was[/i] pretty funny..." Trailing off, Hermes appeared to become lost in his own train of thought, though his clear gaze never left his father's. 

“..how dare you… how dare you defend such an ungrateful little thief..!” Not sure when exactly she had sat up upon her love’s lap, Aphrodite stared over at her brother with tear-stained eyes, her light blue orbs flicking back and forth as she searched his own for reason as to why he was playing such a serious situation off as light… answers as to why he was joking around when it was clear to everyone that it was no time for such petty games.

“You know what he did, and yet you stand there as though it is nothing more than a joke for your own amusement..! He-… He-…” Seemingly unable to go any further in her explanation as the words caught within her throat, Aphrodite shook her head, her long blonde locks flying back and forth before eventually they once again settled against her back, her body turning until she was able to hide herself against the warmth and safety of Ares chest, her body pressing ever closer against his as she once more began to sob into him.

"This is no joking matter, you insufferable buffoon!" Ares roared, hand cradled against Aprhodite's hair, trying to console her as best he could. His eyes burned with undisguised accusation while staring at his mercurial brother. How the man could stand there, keeping them waiting, even as he tried to deflect his son's obvious guilt! He itched for his sword or shotgun respectively, just to teach his brother a much needed lesson. Yet... Zeus would never forgive such an act of aggression. 

"This is no child's act of mischievous fun, this is as serious as when your other disgrace, Luke, tried to topple Olympus! Where is my love's dove? OUT WITH IT!" Ares made the throne room vibrate as his rage bubbled into his voice, a sonorous tone that no mortal would've been able to withstand, but which the Gods would find no more than an annoyance. He couldn't help his anger, however, Aphrodite still weeping uncontrollably upon his chest. That alone was enough reason to start a war, for the god. If Hermes couldn't see that... he'd suffer the consequences. "Perhaps you would sing a different note with your staff, surrounded by snakes, shoved up your lying ass!" Ares' throat bulged with his roar.

Hermes initially remained silent, staring his brother in the face with a blank expression. "Do you have proof that Griffin stole your...precious bird?" He finally said, his tone remaining even, though one could detect thinly-veiled anger beneath it. 

Breaking his brother's gaze, Hermes looked down at his watch and sighed. "You know, I was gonna go see a movie right about now..." 

"Missing the show time is the least of your worries. How long your son will live is the greatest." Ares growled, allowing himself to rise to the bait. Hermes was not helping his son's case in inciting the war god's ire. He'd just as soon disobey Zeus's orders and kill the boy outright, but none knew the location of Aphrodite's divine symbol. 

"The proof is your own proclivities, god of [i]thieves[/i] and how easily your offspring seem to follow said nature... Speak to your son and find out the truth, make him find the dove. Or I shall do it for you!" the threat was there, laid out like a naked sword. Ares didn't heed subtly like Hermes, had no need of it as conflict was his nectar, battle his aphrodisiac.

Letting out a short laugh that held no true mirth to it, Hermes stared directly at Ares once again, his deep blue eyes now cold and dangerous. 

"You're losing your touch, [i]brother[/i], if your only evidence of my son committing this crime being one of [i]my[/i] titles." As Hermes spoke, his tone gradually became angrier, losing all the warmth and friendliness it defused moments earlier. 

"But hear me, and hear me well. If you lay a single finger on him, I will make you regret it." Hermes swore, letting his words fall as he grew silent. 

Ares stood quickly, depositing his wife in her throne in the same motion, hand going to the hilt of his sword as his mouth opened in a scream. "You mangy piece of filth, I'll gut you like a fucking-"

“Enough; the both of you..!” Zeus’ booming voice sounded clear and strong throughout the room causing loud claps of thunder to be heard along with it- he had heard enough of their childish bickering. They were supposed to be family; and it was high time that this matter was put to a rest before it went any further than it already had, ending in blood being spilled upon the floors of his glorious Kingdom. Reaching over his body, Zeus lightly patted the top of his wife’s hand a couple of times, his body hunching over so that he could sweetly kiss at her delicate knuckles before eventually, he lifted himself up from where he had been sat upon his throne; his attention turning over to his two sons as they stood before one another, seemingly ready to wage war at but a moment’s notice.

“The boy in question must answer for the crimes in which he has been accused of; stealing the sacred symbol of a Goddess is something that cannot be forgiven lightly. Though you have my sympathy, my son, I cannot allow such a thing to go unpunished.” Slowly stepping away from his throne, Zeus made his way over to where the both of them stood, making sure that he had their full attention before he continued on with his decision, “Ares speaks with wisdom; if the boy has nothing to hide, then allow him to prove his innocence to the court. He shall have a single lunar cycle to return the dove to the Goddess Aphrodite; shall he not succeed, then the boys fate shall be left to the mercy of your brother.”

Turning to his father with an expression of genuine shock. "Dad, there's no proof! You can't...condemn my son when there's no evidence..." Trailing off once again, Hermes eventually grew silent, knowing that nothing he said could change his father's mind. 

He'd lost too many children already, one who's death still pained him. He could not lose another. Not like this. 

Ares' demeanor had significantly calmed, hearing the good news from Zeus. He let his sword fall back into its sheathe, having been drawn halfway. He straightened from his charging posture, crossing his arms and grinning smugly. Finally, someone was being forced to take action! Optimally, he wished to do the deed himself and make Hermes' child piss in his little demigod pants. But he'd settle for Hermes having to suffer the indignity of telling his child that his legacy had made him guilty.That his father was to blame for his suffering. His grin widened gleefully as he thought of the hate that would foster between the two. Let this one meet the same fate as the last, Ares thought. 

"Poseidon said the same, [i]dear[/i] brother... And Percy proved his innocence. If your son has done nothing wrong, what could he possibly have to worry about?" Ares posed to Hermes, with an arrogant satisfaction gleaming in his eyes. Not bothering to wait for an answer, he gathered Aphrodite, taking her hand and pulling her to her feet. He held her close as he dipped his head to his father. "Thank you for your wise decision, Lord Zeus. We'll take our leave now. It's been a taxing day for Aphrodite." He dipped his head once more in farewell to Hera and walked past Hermes as if he wasn't there, unworthy of even acknowledgement. Let that be a thorn in his ass. They walked proudly out of the throne room, all too pleased at how events unfolded.

Bowing his head in farewell to his son and his daughter both as they left the room, Zeus waited until the doors had shut behind their figures before he turned his attention over to Hermes- his son’s expression saying it all… he was mortified; terrified of losing yet another son... the very sight of his son’s pain caused his heart to tighten within his chest, but there was no way that he could go back upon his decision. He had given the boy seven days to prove his innocence to the court- longer than he had given his nephew after he himself had accused him of stealing his master bolt.

Taking those couple of steps to close the gap that was between the both of them, Zeus lifted his hand up until he was able to rest it upon his son’s shoulder, his hand squeezing it gently in an attempt at comforting him, even if just a small amount, “My son… the pain you feel is but temporary. Have faith in your boy; just as Poseidon had faith within his own, and I know that he will rise to the occasion and do you proud. I shall not interfere in the workings of the camp, nor will I burden you with having to deliver your boy with such grave news; go to him, but only when your mind has had the time to settle upon this situation… I shall have Dionysus and Chiron bring discussion to light.”

Hermes remained wordless at first, still attempting to process what had just occurred in his mind. He felt his father's firm hand on his shoulder, but did not react, a feeling of total numbness running through his body. 

Nodding once, slowly, Hermes turned to leave Olympus, clearing his throat in an obvious attempt to hide its shakiness. "I best go. Don't want to miss that movie." He said, attempting to defuse his own feelings with an admittedly poor attempt at humor. That being said, the god of messengers left without another word.

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