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[color=BFAFB2][sub]ѕтяєєтѕ σf ѕєαттℓє | ѕєαттℓє υиινєяѕιту[right]ᴄᴏᴍᴜs & ʜᴇʟ; ᴡʜᴏ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅᴀ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛ[/right][/sub] [hr]	
	After having laughed her way out of the bathroom Comus made sure to snatch a few more pieces of bacon on her way out the door, dodging a petite redhead that looked a little too peppy for even Coco's liking. She did however have her hands full and Comus is nothing if not generous. A quick, [color=#b2617f]"Let me help you with those,"[/color] was falling from her pale painted lips and she was grabbing one of the cups from the young woman’s grip, not at all ignorant of the pointed stares she was granted. Some mumbled words of thanks were uttered and before anything else could transpire, Comus planted a quick kiss to her cheek and she was out the front door.

The crisp autumn air bit at her exposed skin and she was kicking herself for forgoing her leather jacket back at the Acropolis, [color=#b2617f]“[i]Skatá...[/i][/color]” the warmth in her hands doing nothing to help keep the chill from traveling up her spine, nipples hardened from the exposure.

Comus continued on her way through the streets, bobbing and weaving through the steadily growing crowds occupying the Seattle sidewalks. Mortals are too busy with their noses in the phones either catching up on the latest news and trends or conversing with late night lovers and friends alike. It didn’t matter, it was all the same.  The coffee in her hands was quickly downed and just taking up space in her grasp, something to do with her hands as she strode towards the university. 

Flashes of the last conclave meeting jumped to the forefront of her mind, souring her mood. How could she forget that the Morrigan, along with half a dozen other gods, threw her name into the lotteries accused of starting the last great war. [sub][color=#b2617f][i]’Gamiméno geloío’[/i][/color][/sub] Which must have translated quite easily to her features because she garnered more than a few uncomfortable glances her way. [sub]Honestly it could have just been her attire, it was a lot of older mortals who were the ones to give the odd looks... [/sub] She wasn’t alone with her thoughts for very long, having noticed a black Mercedes tail her a good two blocks ago. The vehicle slowed down and as soon as the grecian beauty spotted the driver the muscles in her body began to ease out of their tension. At least somewhat.  [color=#b2617f]“Heya Hel, you come here often?”[/color] Body language teasing and suggestive just as her tone, but what was anyone to expect coming from Comus? Chastity and naïveté?

[color=A24AFF]“Not really.”[/color] Hel answered through the opened passenger seat window with a faint smile, ignoring the suggestive tone Coco was using entirely. Her features hadn’t changed in the last few decades. Her eyes were still sunken and sullen, yet the sapphire color in them was bright and full of life. As if she was both deadly tired and brimming with energy. She looked pale and gaunt, and had seemingly forgone make-up all together. None the less there was an icy beauty to her still. The goddess looked at Comus with a worried expression. Like a mother who had finally found her child after a long night searching. [color=A24AFF]“Do you want a lift? I was told it’s cold today…”[/color] The car would’ve been as cold as well, as Hel rarely felt the freezing temperatures of Seattle during winter. It was only after she spotted the half-dressed goddess that she began to blast hot air throughout the car. Though again, she could hardly gauge how warm it was now. [color=A24AFF]“…and a girl like you shouldn’t walk alone on the streets.”[/color] There wasn’t an ounce of chastisement in her voice. Only worry and kindness. On the speaker system of the car you could hear the soft, droning Norse music Hel was so fond of, and of which she had been slowly and softly singing along for the past half hour.

The dark, dry sounds of the culturally appropriate music seemed to calm the small turmoil within her as she just smiled towards the older woman, [color=#b2617f]“A ride would be lovely.”[/color] With the door soon unlocked, Comus found herself climbing into the luxury car, the leather seats squeaking under her movements and she stifled a chuckle, the gang would have made an inappropriate comment at the noise alone. Like she would be any better. As soon as the seat belt clicked into place Hel pulled away from the curb and they were off down the road.

    It was very unlike Comus to be silent in the presence of others, but there was just something about hitching a ride with Hel, specifically, that just felt like she was riding with her mother to school. There was a calmness in the relatively silent cab, enough to prickle the hair on the back of her neck. It just felt like she was in trouble. Like she had been caught sneaking out in the middle of the night. [color=#b2617f]“So, uh, what do you think the meeting’s about this time?”[/color] Coco tried to keep her voice even, body threatening to sink into the warmth surrounding her, but she couldn’t afford to lower her guard in the company of a god from another pantheon. Even if it was Hel.

The ruler of Helheim had no such reservations. Ancient prophecies that foretold her and her kin’s doom now served as her protection. She couldn’t be present at Ragnarok if something had happened to her. And the prophecies were clear in her presence. At least at the start. Instead of guarded she felt good, happy perhaps, to help out a fellow deity. Mortals were… tough to care for at times. The dead were easier. There was more time, more patience, more space of kindness and understanding. It gave her purpose and satisfaction. Not a day went by that she did not yearn to return to her frozen realm. In that place, there was even room for silence. Comfortable, contemplating silence. Quite akin to the silence inside the car.

Which was soon broken by Comus. Hel did not blame her for it, though she was much worse at small talk than silence. [color=A24AFF]“I don’t… know for sure.”[/color] The goddess of the dead admitted. Some time ago she thought she felt something happen. An unnatural shiver had traveled through her whole body. It felt like an omen of something terrible. Something grim, even though she could not pinpoint what it exactly was. Though she did not want to laden the pretty goddess with such grim thoughts. [color=A24AFF]“So how are you doing… In Seattle, I mean?”[/color] She said, attempting to switch the subject, with a reassuring smile. While at the same time hoping the girl was comfortable. Was she warm?

Being asked about herself was something Comus was good at. Great even, if she were to brag. Which she did. It also helped that speaking about something that wasn’t conclave related was just what she needed to keep her mind off of the shit show that was bound to take place within the hour. Taking a steadying breath she began spewing anything and everything; it wasn’t until she paused for air that she grimaced at the thought that maybe she was talking [i]too[/i] much. She knew enough about the goddess to know that she wasn’t one for the company of the living, at least not in the same ways that Comus was, and therefore wouldn’t really care to listen to her recalling the time that the party squad got shitfaced and tried to extra money from an ATM using Yugi-Oh cards, or the armpit smelling competitions that take place a little too often for her liking.

[color=#b2617f]“Sorry…”[/color] she muttered under her breath turning to look out the car window, head in her hands. The comfort of the car’s warmth was well appreciated and she made sure to mention it to the goddess before another small silence engulfed them. But silence begets thinking. And in this instance it is not something that Comus desires, so she once again breaks into the space between them, words tumbling from her mouth as she slowly turns her attention back to the blonde woman, [color=#b2617f]“So, [i]umm[/i], what about you? How’s Seattle been for you? I mean, you must be doin’ well to be driving this baby around on a daily!”[/color] Affectionately running her fingers over the stitching of the seat beneath her a reminder that not all the gods were on equal footing here amongst the mortals. A bittersweet thought.

The next few minutes were quiet again. Hel was about to tell Comus she could keep talking if she wanted, when the Greek goddess turned the tables on her. One thing Hel genuinely just sucked at was talking about herself. What [i]was[/i] happening in her life? Same old really. Talking with the dead. Tending to the cemetery. Dissecting bloody corpses. Cooking, a little bit. Now that she started thinking about it, those were the same things she did before in Washington. Before that only the dissections were new. And before that… nothing changed. She came to earth and just started working in graveyards. Waiting for the inevitable to happen while simultaneously trying to keep her mind off it. [color=A24AFF]“I… guess not much had changed.”[/color] She admitted, rather absentmindedly. [color=A24AFF]“Just same old routine.”[/color] No sleep. Only work. Hel couldn’t remember the last time she had slept. It must’ve been early spring...her eyes grew a little heavy. Realizing how long it’s been. Was she tired? What even was tired? Maybe tired was her normal now? Could she know?

Tires shrieked, horns were honked, lights flashed. Hel’s eyes went wide open. Realizing at the pivotal second that she was about to slam into the car coming from the other side. She swerved, dodging the car. Turning sideways. G-force threw her against her own door. Momentum threw the Mercedes towards the parked cars on the side of the road. Incomprehensible computer systems took over. Making sure all four screeching tires remained on the ground. The steering wheel was flung the other way as Hel slammed and pulled every break there was in the car. It stopped, standing straight on the road again. It all happened in less than six seconds. The car she had nearly rammed passed her showing something obscene. She hadn’t seen it though. She was still shocked, wide eyed and breathing heavily behind the wheel.

An elated shout had escaped her lightly painted lips as soon as Comus could feel the jolting of the vehicle beneath her, as if she were in the first cart of a roller coaster, and she had just hit the tippy-top and the drop was soon to follow. Along with her shrieks of joy and merriment Comus threw her arms into the air, or at least as high as she could given the cramped confinement of the cab. With the car back in it’s forward facing position, both goddesses staring straight ahead, clothing ruffled, hair tousled, Comus could [i]feel[/i] the shock coming off in waves from the woman beside her. [color=#b2617f]“What a rush,”[/color] she squealed brushing her tresses from her face and turning to look to the driver, [color=#b2617f]”Hey, you alright? You look like death warmed over…”[/color] a small chuckle passing through her at the senseless joke.

It took a second before Hel had processed everything. Including what Comus had just said. She blinked three times before she shook herself up from the daze. [color=A24AFF]“Yeah… yeah I’m alright. I’m…- I’m so sorry. I really didn’t mean to get you in danger.”[/color] Slowly she started the engine again and continued driving. Wide awake now. When they were on a straight bit of the road she turned to look at Coco. [color=A24AFF]“Are you okay? Did you hit your head? Not feeling dizzy? Not feeling nauseous? Tell me if something’s wrong.”[/color] Guilt washed over Hel, which was quickly turned into overly motherly worry which she projected towards the young-looking goddess. She kept up the barrage of questions, asking about every specific body part and if ached, felt warm, felt numb, broken, bruised, stiff. Pondering on whether or not she should just turn around and head for the ER. Perhaps luckily for the both of them the college where the conclave was to be held was looming in the distance.

[color=#b2617f]“Whoa, whoa!”[/color] Comus turned in her seat so she could face her, [color=#b2617f]“I’m OK. Seriously. If anything I’m feeling more like myself because of it!”[/color] She didn’t need to elaborate, she hoped, for the other goddess to catch her meaning, though she was honestly a little more than grateful for the near death experience. It energized her. Refreshed her, similar to the ragers she and the others throw and partake in. Makes her live like she did in the old days, when she was free [i][s]for the most part[/s][/i] to cause chaos as she saw fit because she was bored and it was something fun to do. Something that that cup of coffee from this morning could never hope to hold a candle to. 

As the adrenaline coursed through her veins she was vaguely aware of the motherly tones and concern being shown to her. Something that she wouldn’t forget. It was something not even her own mother would have shown her - let alone her father. [sub][color=#b2617f][i]’No… gotta remember that he’s trying… not like he [b]knew[/b]...’[/i][/color][/sub] Her heart thumping, skin prickled with goosebumps not associated with the chill of the outside air and her nerves buzzing she reached forward and grabbed Hel’s hand with both of her own and gave her a reassuring squeeze, [color=#b2617f]“Thank you.”[/color] was the only thing she could coherently utter that would convey her sentiment to her. She hoped at least, spotting the university’s parking lot come into view.

[color=A24AFF]“Are you sure?”[/color] Hel pressed at first. Though then she realized to whom she was talking to. The rebel. The living embodiment of excitement. What just happened… Yeah. It made sense. In a weird way. [color=A24AFF]“Okay. Okay.”[/color] Hel repeated, reassuring herself as much as she tried to reassure Comus. She tried to take deep breaths to calm herself down a little. To little avail really. The guilt didn’t want to go away. Not until Coco took her hand. Hel nearly jolted from the touch. But then she relaxed. Her nerves calmed down as the girl thanked her. With conjured up a small smile on Hel’s face. Somewhat at ease she pulled up into the university’s parking lot and found a spot to squeeze the car into a parking spot.

When the two goddesses got out, it instantly drew the attention of everyone in sight. A big black car. Two hotties, one clearly older than the other. One dressed… provocatively. It raised questions. Hel didn’t care. [color=A24AFF]“Oh wait!”[/color] She quickly said as Comus got up. She opened the car’s back door and pulled out a long, thick, high-class wool coat. It probably didn’t look as edgy or rebellious as the leather jacket Comus no doubt wore. Nonetheless Hel threw it over the car at Coco. [color=A24AFF]“To keep you warm to the door and well… in case you decide to take a walk after this is done.”[/color] She said with a small smile. Ready to let the goddess of parties go. Surely she wouldn’t want to walk into the Conclave next to Hel. At least not if she wanted to keep up a reputation. Hel wasn’t sure if she did. Still, few people chose to be near her for very long. It was normal. She cared for them. Nurtured them if possible. And then she let them go.

Looking down at the coat gripped in her clutches, the soft yet coarse fur brushing under the tips of her fingers, Comus couldn't help the swell in her chest. The warmth of the fabric she slipped over the sheer mesh she wore, was little compared to the pure concern radiating off of the older blonde. That alone made Comus’ heart soften ever so slightly, as she nodded and bundled herself a little deeper into the coat tossing a [color=#b2617f]“I’ll catch you inside,”[/color] over her shoulder before she began her trek towards the meeting.

It didn’t take her nearly as long as she thought it would have, to find the room where the Morrigan had decided to set up shop this go around. Upon entering the room Comus could feel the heat pouring off of her body, the heater must have been kicked into overdrive, that coupled with the amount of other bodies in the room made for a very, very warm Coco. She removed Hel’s coat, making a mental note to return it to her when she walked in. It was sure to raise some brows. For now, she preoccupied herself with stealing a few sour gummies from Hermes before sitting towards the back of the room, feet propped up on the table in front of her, legs crossed at the ankles. 

Hel watched Comus go for a bit, until she turned around to lean against the car. From her pocket she pulled a cigarette and lit it. Billowing out that first puff of smoke. She didn’t particularly like smoking. Nor did she love it. It was just something to do when you wanted to be alone but not appear that way. In the past century smoldering tobacco had become a loyal companion. It just allowed you to wait, in silence. When, after a slow burn, the cigarette was burned up she put it away. Ready to be thrown out in a bin, not on the ground. People who did that disgusted Hel. With that, enough time should’ve passed to appear as if she and Coco had come in separately. To her own surprise, still quite a few heads turned to look at her. Probably assuming she was some hot guest speaker. It didn’t take long before she found the room to which The Morrigan had called them. Probably thanks to the fanfarious way others had entered, Hel could slip in almost unseen. Quietly making her way to her spot.

As soon as Comus caught sight of the goddess who was generous enough to pick her up earlier that morning she jumped up from her lounging position in the back of the room and made a beeline towards where Hel had sat down, coat in hand. [color=#b2617f]“Hey,”[/color] she called out to the woman, a small smile on her lips, free arm waving erratically. As erratically as one could in a room slowly filling up. In no time at all she was besides her intended target, shifting the coat between arms, choosing to instead hold it out to her, [color=#b2617f]“Thanks again, for well, everything this morning. It was a shit ton more fun than me just wandering around the city. Next time you wanna crash a car, lemme know, ‘k?”[/color] Coco couldn’t keep the laugh from bubbling up, a small indication that the adrenaline from earlier was still present. 

For a second Comus startled the goddess. She didn’t expect to be approached right now. Perhaps only by her father? Not by the young goddess though. [color=A24AFF]“Oh…”[/color] She said, completely surprised by the kindness of Coco. Though it made her smile a little bit as well. Quite embarrassed she looked down at the carpet as Comus mentioned the near-car crash. [color=A24AFF]“I will.”[/color] She joked, before looking up to face Coco. [color=A24AFF]“And if you ever need a lift, just call me.”[/color] Hel took the coat, but then wrapped her arms around Coco to give her a deep, close hug. Sadly, Hel was not known for her warm hugs. The embrace of the dead had a chilling effect. No matter how much her heart wanted to give hugs that were comfortable and pleasant, they’d always be frigid. Numbing, when they have to. But not always. Realizing that, she quickly released Comus again. [color=A24AFF]“I’m sorry. I-I should take my place. Take care Comus.”[/color] With that said she gave her a small kiss on the cheek and passed her by to find her seat.

The feeling of Hel’s abrupt embrace was something that she didn’t expect, as cold and chilling as it was, causing the eruption of gooseflesh to coat her skin, there was something about it that picked at the back of her mind. It wasn’t like the embrace of a lover, nor really and truly that of a friend. Something a little deeper. If she weren’t mistaken [i]- which wasn’t often - [s]OK yes all the time[/s][/i] it was vaguely reminiscent of what a familial embrace should feel like. Comus had felt herself melting into the feeling, enjoying it a little too much. However, she didn’t get to enjoy it for too long, before she knew it Hel was pulling away and placing a quick peck to her cheek and moving away. Comus was operating on autopilot as she turned and began heading back to her previous seat, and just sit back, munch down on the danish she snatched up, that great uncle Zeus was so gracious to provide, and wait for the shit show to begin.

[right][sub]collab with [@Legion02][/sub][/right][/color]