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[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/pmtfct5.gif[/img]                                                       [img]https://i.imgur.com/XRl6ArM.gif[/img][/center]
[b][center][color=cc2d9e]DIVINE DAY DRINKING[/color][/center][/b]
[/h1][/sup][/color][indent][sub][COLOR=cc2d9e][I]SEATTLE UNIVERSITY >> THE JADE JAGUAR[/I][/COLOR][/sub][/indent][indent][sup][right][COLOR=cc2d9e][b]HEL & HATHOR[/b][/color][/right][/sup][/indent][hr][color=gray]A shadow fell over Hathor, together with a slight breeze. Looming over her was Hel. Dressed in her coat. Having fled the scene of the Conclave as well. She couldn’t bear the sight of her friend suffering. Even when she was in the hands of Bastet it tore her heart out through her chest. So when Hathor fled, Hel followed. Though when she finally found Hathor plopped down in a grass field of the university, the goddess of Helheim didn’t really know what to say. Gods were much harder to comfort than dead mortals. Yet they seemed to need it the most. Hel knelt beside Hathor. [color=A24AFF]“That was very kind.”[/color] Hel finally managed to say, only hoping it was the right thing to say. It was kind, what Hathor did to Hera. It was kind and brave and Hel doubted the proud Grecian Queen would ever fully realize what Hathor did to herself just for her. Even Hel could only guess through what suffering Hathor went through. Made probably only worse by Aphrodite’s mist.

Dark eyes slid their attention from the clouds drifting on the breeze to the woman that knelt beside her, one of the many she had just been thinking of. She hadn’t thought any of the others would follow her, at least not to comfort her and more to escape themselves. A small smile made its way to her lips at Hel’s words, trying to fight back the raging emotions so that her friend didn’t have to worry about her as much. Her voice however betrayed most of the pain she spoke weakly, almost gravily when replying,[Color=FF0927]”Thank you….I just couldn’t sit by and watch her suffer, not when I could help.”[/color] She wanted to add that she has not been prepared for Hera’s intense emotions but kept it to herself. She had never had a child let alone lost one but now she grieved as if Hephaestus as if he was her own but it also had her own emotions of indifference which was conflicting. Hathor turned onto her side, looking to Hel and letting her mask slip a bit more, feeling strange being the one to need someone to talk to or distract her.[Color=FF0927]”Can we talk about something else? Anything else? Like, how are you doing? How have you been?”[/color], she asked.

Hel lowered her head, looking down at her own knees and the grass. [color=A24AFF]“Not well.”[/color] She finally admitted. Letting her own mask slip a little as well. She didn’t want Hathor to worry or feel bad for her though. The Egyptian goddess had far too much to work through already. Hel said that because she wanted to show Hathor she wasn’t the only one going through stuff right now. Though she didn’t want to betray what was gnawing at her in the past few years now: Ragnarök. With every passing year she felt it come in closer. Worse, it kept her away from her father and brothers. A lot of people could’ve been fooled by the icy embrace she gave Loki back at the Conclave. In truth she wanted nothing more than to hold him close and never let go. The absence of Fenrir stung deeper still. She kept sending letters but never got a reply. There had been days she wanted to visit him. But no, that was too dangerous. Yet her heart ached with mortal weakness. For a second she pursed her lips. Trying to bite away the sadness in her chest. She wouldn’t talk about it. It was her pain. She would bear it alone. Always alone. So with a little sniffle and a weak smile as she looked, Hel changed the subject again: [color=A24AFF]“So how’s the club going? I heard your DJ skills are getting pretty good.”[/color]

Hathor could tell from Hel’s body language that she had hit a sore spot before she had even answered. She instantly felt regret in asking, the distant look of being lost in her own thoughts making her feel sorry but she didn’t voice it. Instead, she sat up, tucking her legs to her chest and placing her arms onto her knees, waiting for her to speak again since sometimes it was good to work through your own thoughts without interruption. She would still be there to support and listen to her friend even if she had turbulent emotions stirring within her. They were similar creatures when it came to guarding emotions and who they let see them. [Color=FF0927]”It is a nice change from the Lounge Bar. I wasn’t sure when Tlaz first approached me about it but sometimes you just have to take a chance. It is nice to be working with a friend and I feel like I am more free to let loose and it helps me cheer up on a bad day. I’m starting to get better at DJing but it’s not quite up to par with my impeccable bartending but I’ll get there. You should really come by sometime, even if it isn’t your usual scene.”[/color]

Clubbing not being her scene was the understatement of the century. When the night called for Hel, as it did often, it called from the graveyard. Never the main streets or from the flashy lights of a club. She probably didn’t even have any real clubbing outfits. Still, the idea was intriguing. She hadn’t gone to a good party since… well too long. But then again… so many people. She wasn’t comfortable amongst so many living, breathing mortals. Especially when they danced. Hel couldn’t dance. Not even a little. It would be an embarrassing display of flailing arms and weird moves. But she still wanted to see the club. She still wanted to let go and distract her friend from what just happened. 

[color=A24AFF]“Let’s go then!”[/color] The goddess of Helheim suddenly said, sound a bit more excited than usual. [color=A24AFF]“You got a key right? The club should be empty. Why not make the most of it?”[/color] Today was already looking to be a pretty bad day considering what just happened at the Conclave. Both of them deserved a drink for sure. An actual grin instead of a forced one made it onto Hathor’s features, excitement being a pleasant change compared to the other emotions.[Color=FF0927]”You bet I do! And after today’s catastrophe, I’m sure she wouldn’t mind. Let me just give her a heads up so she isn’t surprised if she gets the same idea as us.”[/color], she replied quickly shooting Tlaz a text that she was headed to the club with Hel in tow. 

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THE JADE JAGUAR 
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Keys jingled before the distinct sound of an unclicking lock rang out, Hathor dramatically throwing the door open before slipping away to let Hel enter on her own as she worked to bathe the club in the turquoise and royal blue glow of neon lights. The Jade Jaguar was not what one would call seedy or dingy by any means, the area stated is luxury and upscale without being too over the top for those that just wanted to have a good time without draining their bank accounts. If it weren’t for the catwalk stage with poles or the tables designed for a bit more of a personal dance that wasn’t strictly VIP, someone might think it was just a fabulously themed nightclub. It was tasteful in its execution, the jungle nature of the theme ringing clear in its design and gave the feel of actually walking into a exotic paradise. It was no wonder why it was one of the more popular spots.

Hathor was unfazed by the glamour of mixed industrial and modern contemporary tones or relaxed soft light which created a soft ambience. Instead, she moved directly to her world within the Jade Jaguar, the fully stocked ceiling to floor bar which was complete with a swinging ladder for her to easily grab what she needed. Royal blue lights dazzled the back splash, lighting up the bottles and glass shelves. The bar itself stretched and curved, the front was wavy panels of turquoise that had its own neons to make it pop, appearing almost like a river in design. The black counters a smooth polished marble, easy to slide glasses and sleek to look at. [Color=FF0927]”Come have a seat, Hel! What would you like to start with?[/color], she asked, already pulling down bottles for her own drink. 

A sudden buzz from her phone caught her attention, pausing for a moment to actually check her text messages. Bastet’s was deleted since she saw her at the Conclave, the text no longer relevant but the newest one was from Imentet when she promptly opened, just in case she needed to change her plans. Her pantheon was the only family she had, if they needed her then she would drag Hel along for the ride, especially when loss of family was still boiling in her system.

[indent][indent][quote]From: Tea Queen
[color=#CCAC00]I know y'all busy, but bottom room will be ready Saturday for good destressing and decompressing. 😌🍵 Felines get free treats and drinks 'til closing.[/color][/quote][/indent][/indent]

[indent][indent][quote]To: De Nilers
[Color=FF0927]You are a miracle! Count me in! Honestly, you lucked out on not being able to come. I’ll fill you in Saturday if no one else does it first. For now, a few well deserved drinks are in order.🍺🍷[/color][/quote][/indent][/indent]

Hathor quickly slipped the phone back into her pocket, her heart feeling a little lighter now that she was not only hanging out with a dear friend currently but was going to see her family on Saturday for a nice relaxing time. She wasn’t sure if all of them would show but either way, she would never say no to some down time, drinks, and family. Those were all things for another day though, as the current solution to her situation was to get some drinks in and hopefully drown or numb some of her sorrows with a good buzz and company since she couldn’t use her powers on herself. 

Meanwhile, Hel was totally consumed by the club’s aesthetic. Unlike Hathor, she wasn’t yet used to. In fact, she wasn’t used to any club at all. The Jade Jaguar was certainly an eye-opening experience for her. The soft, turquoise lights appeared oddly ethereal as Hel moved through the club. Observing every nook and cranny she could find. Discovering something new and exciting every time. From the boots to the poles - which she tentatively touched – and even the main catwalk. It wasn’t like she had imagined. It was clean and sleek. When Hathor called her to the bar to have a drink, Hel ran her hand over the cold, hard marble top. [color=A24AFF]“It’s so smooth.”[/color] She whispered, mostly to herself. Then she looked up at a questioning Hathor. Hel rarely drank, and when she did there was nothing fancy about it. It was either cheap, sparkling wine at a work reception or it was strong vodka when things got a little bit too much. [color=A24AFF]“I-I don’t know.”[/color] She admitted, as her eyes darted from bottle to bottle. There were more names on them than there seemed to be glasses to pour them in. Normally today would’ve called for clean vodka but that didn’t seem like the right choice in a club. Her eyes caught a few other things as well. Fresh strawberries, simple syrup, some more colorful drinks. [color=A24AFF]“A cocktail!”[/color] She finally exclaimed. [color=A24AFF]“Something sweet.”[/color]

Hathor took a moment to try and nail down what she could whip them up. She had been debating on a few different ones and had taken down quite a few bottles for various options. Usually, she might have worked with a Sangria but she had a feeling that just wasn’t going to cut it today. A cocktail would be nice and there were quite a few with a good flavor with not much needed ingredients. The quicker the better if she had anything to say about it and it needed vodka for sure after the day they had. A bright and shining smile played on her lips before she pulled out two hurricane glasses. [Color=FF0927]”I’ve got just the thing!”[/color], she stated, scooping out some ice to place in the glasses as well as into a seperate shaker. She poured in vodka, peach schnapps, orange juice, cranberry juice into the shaker before adding in a little Chambord for some added flavor and flair, giving it all a good gentle shake. Hathor took no time in pouring both drinks, leaving off the drink garnishes this time seeing as she planned to have more than one and the added fruit just got in the way but she did slip in a straw for each one. [Color=FF0927]”Voilà!~[/color], she announced while placing it before Hel, taking a sip of her own and almost purring at the flavor on her tongue. This was exactly what she needed. Just a couple more of these babies and she would be back in business. [Color=FF0927]”So, what do you think?”[/color]

There was just no way Hel could ever guess what had gone into the cocktail beyond the vodka. In normal circumstances that would mean she wouldn’t dare touch it. However Hathor made it, and even though it looked quite red even in the lighting of the club, it still looked delicious. The goddess of Helheim first took a tentative sip through the straw. Flavor exploded in her mouth and there wasn’t even a hint of alcohol. Even though Hel had spotted vodka. It didn’t even burn. [color=A24AFF]“Oh my god!”[/color] She exclaimed. The saying was something she mostly just picked up from mortals. Normally she would find it weird to call upon godhood, but it felt appropriate this time. [color=A24AFF]“It’s delicious!”[/color] With that said she began to drink through the straw. Perhaps faster than she should. How could she know though, the drink tasted far too good to be dangerous. [color=A24AFF]“I get why mortals come here now! This is amazing!”[/color] She added with a big smile before drinking even more. Before soon her glass was empty and she put it down on the counter, before making her bar stool rotate in circles. The swirls, which would normally feel odd, felt pleasant now. The lights became somehow interesting in her inebriated state. [color=A24AFF]“Can you make more?”[/color]

[Color=FF0927]”Hm! Of course I can! Stopping at just one would be a buzzkill anyway.”[/color], she answered, finishing off her drink before getting them started on another round. She was glad Hel was enjoying herself, hoping she could snag the other into coming back to the club again soon. It had been too long since they had really gotten to chat over drinks like this. [Color=FF0927]”Here we go! One more for the both of us. I’m going to go throw on some beats to listen to while we drink. Be right back!”[/color] That being said, she took her freshly made drink with her before heading to the sound stage, sipping it all the while. She wasn’t going to be DJing at the moment but at least they could have some background music as white noise instead of the silent place plus dancing and just being silly like singing to the lyrics was just fun. It didn’t take too long for [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3QeVuU-pgE]music[/url] to pour out of the speakers, Hathor making her way back to the bar and having a seat once more, giving a small spin around as she did. 

Hel just smiled at Hathor from over her straw as she was already drinking the second cocktail. The taste never dulled. It was always the same explosive, delicious taste that made Hel just want to down the entire drink. Though the straw made her pace herself. Not so much for the alcohol but just so she could enjoy every bit of flavor. Her thoughts and worries receded further back in her mind. Replaced by a pleasant, warm buzz. Then, quite suddenly for the Helheim goddess, music blasted through the speakers. It surprised her at first. Especially how she could feel the bass in her entire body. Under normal circumstances Hel would’ve fled the scene. But the alcohol made her melt into it instead. With both hands on her drink and her mouth sucking on the straw Hel was moving her body on the barstool. Whipping her hair around as she tried to become one with the flow of the music in her own, slightly awkward way. To anyone with clubbing experience, it would probably have looked a little ridiculous. It didn’t matter to her now though. She was here with Hathor alone. Who cared how she moved her body on the stool? [color=A24AFF]“This is amazing!”[/color] She yelled over the music, probably a bit too loud, as she put the emptied cocktail on the bar again. [color=A24AFF]“Is it always this amazing?”[/color]

Hathor laughed with an ear splitting grin, spinning the bar stool until she was gazing out at the empty club. [Color=FF0927]”I know, right?! If you think this is amazing though, you should really see it with the dancers. They are phenomenal, both the men and women alike. Diamond has helped me learn some of the more complex moves. It really does take a lot of strength and flexibility to appear that graceful. It keeps me in shape when I find myself too lazy to hit up a gym, I’ll tell you that.”[/color], she replied before hopping off the bar stool, flicking her empty glass. [Color=FF0927]”You want another? I’m making myself one.”[/color], she questioned, headed behind the bar and swaying softly to the beat. She had a pleasant buzz and could feel her muscles relaxing. This is what she had needed, a few drinks and helping someone else smile. 

[color=A24AFF]“A gem taught you how to dance?”[/color] Hel asked, feeling only slightly confused. Of course a precious stone could teach Hathor to dance! Just like she was the eldest sister of a giant wolf and a world spanning serpent. It all made sense in her mind. Right until she realized she wasn’t a goddess, her brothers had human shapes and a gem absolutely couldn’t have taught Hathor how to dance. With a combination of shame and wanting to laugh at her own mistake she continued drinking from her cocktail through the straw. Seeing as the vastly more experienced Hathor had already downed hers and she didn’t want to fall behind. So as Hathor asked for another Hel – with an overly grandiose gesture – put the glass on the counter while saying, at the top of her lungs: [color=A24AFF]“Yes!”[/color]. Then she looked out at the empty club, the same club Hathor had looked at. [color=A24AFF]“And then you have to turn on the lights like you would on a club night and teach me how to dance!”[/color] She didn’t ask because she wanted to learn how to dance. Even though she did. She asked because Hathor was lighting up so much in the club. The way she talked about it. About the dancers and the music. Clearly the Goddess of Many Names was really enjoying this.

She let Hel’s slip up go, biting back a full blown laugh at the thought of an actual sparkling diamond teaching pole dancing of all things. Their pantheons had some interesting stories but if that one were true then it would be the most wild one she had heard or maybe the most ridiculous, she wasn’t sure. Hathor nodded after her loud enthusiastic declaration to indeed make another drink and set to work, making note that she probably shouldn’t let Hel have any more after this. The last thing she wanted to do was explain why she needed help getting a drunk Hel home. Who do you even call for that kind of help after the day pretty much everyone else had? Hathor was pulled from her thoughts when Hel spoke of dancing, her mind instantly scratching out that the other woman could mean pole dancing and guessed that she just meant dancing in general. She wasn’t sure she was actually a good teacher but hey, you never know until you try. 

[Color=FF0927]”Sure! Why not? Come on and follow me.”[/color], she answered, handing Hel her drink and headed over to near the stage, placing her own drink on a random table nearby before moving to the back to get the lights fully on as if a show was about to begin and coming back to center stage. [Color=FF0927]”I’m not sure how most like to do it. Everyone has their own style but you can usually never go wrong with just swaying your hips to the beat. Dancing is expression and letting yourself be in the moment without care. It doesn’t matter how it looks, it’s all about fun!”[/color], Hathor replied, getting a feel for the beat before letting her hips roll in time with the music, swaying as she bent her knees to shimmy down a bit before letting herself straighten back up, her hands gliding up the back of her neck to tease her hair as she raise her arms up in the air, hands gently resting on each other.

Hel followed Hathor as she kept sipping from her drink. When they approached the podium her heart skipped a beat. She wasn’t sure… the podium made it feel so much more… real. But as Hathor put away her own drink and got on the elevation, Hel bit down and did the same. She listened carefully to what Hathor said, but then just kept standing still like a board. She never danced. Nobody danced in Helheim. Valhalla and Fólkvangr where the places of jubilation when life ends. Not Helheim. Yet Hathor’s moves and the music and the lights were infectious. She slowly moved her head and legs. It felt familiar, like she was doing on the bar stool. Soon the dancing bug moved up to her hips and before she knew it she was dancing. With her eyes closed so she could feel the beat and guide her. She wasn’t dancing as well as Hathor but somehow…it didn’t matter. It wasn’t about not looking like an idiot now. It was about feeling good. She looked at the Many-Named goddess. Yes, she felt good. She felt happy and so what Hathor, that she knew in her heart.[/color]