[hr][color=eed853][sup][h1] [center][img]https://media1.tenor.com/images/0a2cb058596555fa36496f5b29f66b52/tenor.gif?itemid=15948346[/img][/center] [b][center][color=eed853]APOLLO[/color][/center][/b] [/h1][/sup][/color][indent][sub][COLOR=eed853][I]CASA DE ACROPOLIS → SEATTLE UNIVERSITY[/I][/COLOR][/sub][/indent][indent][sup][right][COLOR=eed853][b]GOD OF THE SUN[/b][/color][/right][/sup][/indent][hr] Once the house had emptied and the leftover breakfast had been stowed in the fridge, Apollo piled the dirty dishes in the sink and returned to his room, in need of a shower and some clothes. Still fighting off a hangover, he stepped out of last night’s boxers and shut his door behind him. In his bathroom, he waited while the shower heated up, admiring his reflection in the mirror. Sure, he looked [i]way[/i] better two centuries ago, but who didn’t? Herc dragging him to the gym did have it’s perks he supposed. The sunrays that he’d summoned had disappeared behind the clouds once more by the time he’d stepped back into his room, drying himself off with a towel that had long ago surrendered to the pains of a machine wash. His room was a mess, though, he had to ask, when wasn’t it? White sheets and a down comforter were strewn across his bed, the aftermath of his night with Britney? Wait, that wasn’t right. Bethany? Bella? Eh, whatever, the mortals he slept with were hardly ever important. It didn’t take long for Apollo to get [url=https://i.pinimg.com/originals/1b/39/78/1b3978c562f70bf7ac0d69dd67e8547e.jpg]dressed[/url], and head out to the garage, where his [url=https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1683/2303/products/30_car_Red_Mercedes_Convertible.jpg?v=1546226650]car[/url] was waiting. The red, two door beauty had been a gift from Zeus, a replacement for the car he’d wrecked last year. That had been an unpleasant time for sure. He didn’t envy the mortals and the time it took them to heal. The car was only one of many gifts he’d received since Zeus’ apology tour had started, but easily a favorite. Of course, nothing could compare to his original ride, the [color=eed853][b]“Chariot of The Motherfucking Sun”[/b][/color] as he’d taken to calling it. Alas, nothing short of a miracle was bringing his baby back to him, so good ol’ Sgt. Pepper would have to do. He might’ve waited for CoCo, or made sure Dio and Ben weren't passed out somewhere upstairs, awaiting a wake up call, but today, just for this morning, he’d like to be somewhat selfish. If he drove alone, he’d have a free seat coming back, and his dream had reminded him of somebody who he desperately hoped would make an appearance; somebody who wasn’t dead, just missing. [color=eed853][i]Just missing.[/i][/color] [hr] Seattle University wasn’t a foreign location to Apollo. He’d graduated as Alexander Calimeris last year, with a degree in music theory, and he regularly attended frat parties here with the rest of the squad. His fifteenth music degree so far by the way, but who’s counting? Once he parked, he took a detour, putting off the Conclave and any potential disappointment off for a few moments longer. The drive hadn’t cleared his thoughts. If anything, it had muddied them. He strolled across the quad, his eyes focused on his shoes as they charted an ambling course towards a dwindling patch of sunlight. He snapped his fingers and watched as it began to grow. [color=eed853][i]Could he see that? Does he know I’m here now? Would he care?[/i][/color] He kicked at the grass, once, twice, a third time. Self-pity and longing, now those were some friends he hadn’t spoken with in a while. He and happiness had been doing quite alright, with some occasional parties with jealousy and rage every now and again. These two were unwelcome intruders in the sanctuary of his thoughts. [color=eed853][i]All hot and bothered over a few nights, a century ago. When did I turn into Hera?[/i][/color] Everything had been fine, until he heard about the Conclave. The Morrigan’s summons had brought memories of the last godly reunion rushing back, and with them, a face that seemed determined to hang around his subconscious, Apollo sighed, and did what he could to recenter himself. Closing his eyes, he began to count backwards from five, a trick Ben had taught him, inhaling and exhaling as he did, continuing past the end of his countdown, until he was back to his usual, more chill, less obsessive, state of mind. [color=eed853][i]Sunbeams… lyres strumming… calm breezeeeee, okay we are good[/i][/color] Confident in his ability to keep his head on straight, Apollo set off towards the Conclave, each step bringing him back to his usual self. He held the door for a couple of sorority girls, and flashed them an impeccable smile, earning him a look that he recognized all too well. He grinned, now certain that he was bringing his A game to this meeting. Throwing open the door to the conference room, Apollo made an entrance typical of the sun god. [color=eed853][b]“Ladies and gentlemen, the moment you’ve all been waiting for, me!”[/b][/color] Apollo committed to his act with a fittingly melodramatic bow. As he brought his torso back up, he blew a kiss to his sister, who only rolled her eyes. [color=eed853][b]“Arty, always the critic,”[/b][/color] he said, shaking his head. Eyes landing on Zeus and his danishes, Apollo snatched one up and took a bite, one graceful, fluid motion. [color=eed853][b]“Ooooh, thanks Pops,”[/b][/color] he said through a mouthful of pastry. Spinning on his heel, Apollo surveyed the room, realizing very quickly that the one person he’d so desperately wanted to see today, was absent. The disappointment stayed inside, his smile still as bright as his old domain. Crossing the room, he nodded to Ares and saluted him with his free hand, before taking a seat. His sister might ignore the seating charts, but Apollo found a certain pleasure in gracing his older brother with his audacity. [color=eed853][b]“So, uh, we gettin’ this little party started or what? Who the hell are we waiting for?”[/b][/color] Apollo called out, very much aware of who the hell he was waiting for. [color=8157b6][b]“Well, me, I’d hope.”[/b][/color] [color=eed853][i]Fuck. Me[/i][/color] [hr][color=8157b6][sup][h1] [center][img]https://media1.tenor.com/images/f9e7dad2ce8229c438e489bee3aff15b/tenor.gif?itemid=10669545[/img][/center] [b][center][color=8157b6]HERA[/color][/center][/b] [/h1][/sup][/color][indent][sub][COLOR=8157b6][I]CASA DE ACROPOLIS → SEATTLE UNIVERSITY[/I][/COLOR][/sub][/indent][indent][sup][right][COLOR=8157b6][b]QUEEN OF THE GODS[/b][/color][/right][/sup][/indent][hr] The first cries of a baby girl rang out, echoing off the walls of the OR. Dr. Karen Bailey smiled, though it was hidden behind her surgical mask, and cradled the just-cleaned newborn in her arms. Cooing softly, she carried her over to the mother, who reached out a hand to touch her child. Dr. Bailey leaned forward, allowing them to meet for just a moment, before handing the child off to a nurse. [color=8157b6][b]“Alright Emily, Dr. Han is going to finish up here, and get you ready to go hold your baby girl, okay?”[/b][/color] [color=gray][b]“Okay,”[/b][/color] Emily said, her voice tired and raspy, and Karen Bailey exited the OR, scrubbing out and washing her hands before heading out into the halls of the hospital. Emily Baker had been her last surgery of the shift, an emergency C-section at the last minute. She’d been up all night, slicing and sutchering, filling out paperwork, but the little Baker girl was the only baby she’d delivered today. Her years on earth had done little to dim the light that began to warm her everytime she aided a mother in meeting her child. It was divine, the first cries of a child as it’s soul adjusted to the cruel plane of mortals. Beautiful, the way a mother’s eyes lit up when they landed on her newborn. Of course, the warm never lasted long. It was a mercurial high, fleeting yet oh so enchanting. Once inside her office, Dr. Bailey slipped off her lab coat, and she was Hera once more. Her short, platinum hair was disheveled, no longer the sharp, severe cut it had been when she arrived last night. The overnight shifts were unpleasant, and Hera shuddered to think about how they’d make her feel if she was [i]truly[/i] mortal. She pushed through the exhaustion that was beginning to creep its way up her legs. As Hera strutted out of her office, and down the hall towards the exit, her colleagues smiled and waved. Some offered kudos for some complex surgeries that had been completed since they last spoke. Dr. Bailey was a well respected OBGYN, and one of a handful who specialized in maternal-fetal surgeries. Of course her colleagues loved her, and she loved their love. Outside, a cab pulled over for the Queen of the Gods, and saved her from the Seattle breeze tugging at her coat. [color=8157b6][b]“80th and Burke,”[/b][/color] she instructed the driver, checking her watch to confirm that she wouldn’t be late to this Conclave. Conclaves, gods, those had been something. They’d grown fewer and farther between as the years turned to decades, and the decades turned to centuries. As much as she despised most of those attending, this was an invaluable chance to get her own eyes on her fellow deities. The information that could be gathered here could prove useful, and she still needed to talk to Hephaestus about some funding for the hospital. His mortal alias was the newest mayor of Seattle, and he’d promised her more money from the budget would be directed to the hospital. Figures, once she actually needs his help, he turns off his phone. No matter. She’d certainly see her youngest son in a little less than an hour, and she already knew Ares was attending. In an effort to keep her sanity in check, Hera made a very pointed effort to avoid any and all thoughts of who else might be there. Ares (and Hephaestus) held the most important place in her heart, and that was why she was going today. To be a good mother. Or at least, that’s what she told herself. [hr] Forty-five minutes later, Hera sat in the back of a different taxi, heading for Seattle University. Of course The Morrigan couldn’t have splurged for somewhere a little less… dingy. Maybe she should start arranging these meetings? Hera had always had an eye for party planning after all. The [url=https://cfbloggers.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/CF-Bloggers-Take-Your-Fashion-Cue-from-Cate-Blanchett-pink-pantsuit.jpg]pantsuit[/url] she’d put on at her apartment hugged her frame tightly but, not uncomfortably so. There was no way she would have shown up right after her shift, clad in sneakers and scrubs. Hera insisted on making an entrance, especially at big gatherings like this, and everyone knew the first step to a killer entrance was a gorgeous outfit. Casually ignoring a No Smoking sign that was plastered on the window, Hera pulled out a cigarette and set it alight, rolling down her window and exhaling the nicotine laced smoke out into the city. The taxi driver glared at her in the rearview mirror, but he didn’t say much else. The aura of authority that she exuded was evident to mortals as well as gods. This was not a woman to be trifled with. By the time she’d burned the cigarette down to it’s filter, she’d paid her driver and was standing outside, leaning against a stone pillar. Mortals who passed her gave her curious looks. Who was this woman, dressed in pink, a lost member of the royal family choking down a cheap cigarette? The smoking was a guilty pleasure, truly. Most everything she owned was absurdly expensive, the highest quality items for the highest quality goddess. When it came to cigarettes though, she’d developed a taste for the cheaper ones, thanks to her last husband. Flicking the remains to the ground, Hera brought the toe of her shoe down, smothering the embers between her foot and the concrete. [color=8157b6][i]Show time.[/i][/color] Now, Hera had found that, while a gorgeous outfit can really make for a killer entrance, a perfect setup makes a more memorable one, and Apollo really did tee her up perfectly, though she was sure he didn’t mean to. [color=eed853][b]“So, uh, we gettin’ this little party started or what? Who the hell are we waiting for?”[/b][/color] [color=8157b6][b]“Well, me, I’d hope,”[/b][/color] Hera replied, her voice haughty and full of a self-importance that put most gods to shame. Heads turned as she made her presence known, mostly staring daggers at her. She smiled, as if the hatred of others fueled her. In some ways, it did. [color=8157b6][b]“I know everyone was just dying to see me after all, sorry I’m a little late. I had the busiest night, and ugh! Surgery is hard fucking work.”[/b][/color] Hera let out an exasperated groan, reveling in the uncomfortable silence she’d created. She waved at Ares, beaming at her baby boy, but didn’t get up to get closer to him. Antagonizing Apollo was more fun if it was a slow burn. As she scanned the room her eyes caught Zeus’ and they narrowed and she glanced away, the first genuine reaction she’d had since arriving. She found a table on her own, and took a seat, hopeful that her former husband had learned his place.