[color=gray][sup][h1]
[center][img]https://thumbs.gfycat.com/HospitableSourGander-size_restricted.gif[/img][/center]
[b][center][color=gray]T h e  R o m a n s[/color][/center][/b]
[/h1][/sup][/color][indent][sub][COLOR=gray][I] 𝓒𝓪𝓷𝓵𝓲𝓼 𝓡𝓮𝓼𝓽𝓪𝓾𝓻𝓪𝓷𝓽 11:30 AM[/I][/COLOR][/sub][/indent][indent][sup][right][COLOR=gray][b]#familybondingtime[/b][/color][/right][/sup][/indent][hr]
[sup][right] interactions: [@fledermaus]x [@gothelk]x [@Heart of Thorns] x[@icy hot] collab mentions:[@metanoia][@smarty0114][/right][/sup]


[indent][indent][indent][color=gray]
Vulcan’s strides were slow. He was still carving away at the skin of his forefingers with his thumbs, his arms dangling idly at his side as each approaching step made the event even more vivid. There they were, just like the pillars of Rome, except they were flesh and not carved stone. Regardless, they were still remarkable with their presence, casting an aura that effortlessly enforced an appropriate superiority. The three of his brothers and the once love of his life adjoined at a table with an empty chair remaining. He felt out of place, not deserving a seat at a table with gods of Rome. Vulcan set his jaw, unsure of the underlying intentions behind Janus’ beckon.

Vulcan stopped by the table side, his body in an obvious state of apprehension. He reached for the still water and filled an empty glass, though the water spilled over a little before filling the glass with ice-cold purified water. He would take a large gulp just before easing himself with a big breath.

He shoved one hand in his pocket, his eyes staring at the condensation of his glass as he swished the water around in delicate circles.[color=C44A00] “It has been a long time. I hope you all have been well.”[/color] And his introduction was weak, but his regret was strong.

Behind stoned eyes and a suddenly parched throat was a myriad of emotions most preferred unwrapped. That second glass of wine turned into a third, and a fourth and then a fifth before Vulcan took his seat. Servers watched the only woman at the table burn through seven thousand dollars as she beckoned wordlessly for another bottle of [i]the best[/i]. Which for the elite class meant the [i]most expensive[/i]. 

A jumble of thoughts presented a challenge to the usually outspoken goddess. Venus could count on one hand, the times she had been rendered speechless, and this was the fifth occurrence. It was uncomfortable; it reached deep into a part of herself she had tried to separate from, a yearning for something outside of Rome. A desire for a love that she had deemed forbidden. Vulcan had always been a distraction to her, his love, his demands, and dedication to desire had always been the devil on her shoulder, whispering for her to give in, to give up. At this moment, after a handful of centuries believing he had fallen to their circumstances, hearing the rich gravel of his voice was both enchanting and haunting. Venus yearned to touch him, to caress his face to affirm he was real, but there was also a desire to strike him, to yell and throw a fit about his disappearance and the unease he caused to his brothers, to [i]her.[/i]

Venus settles on a more tactful approach, her neutral gaze glued to Vulcan, [color=2aa6a6] “Why are you here? I thought you had been lost to the colossus Vulcan.”[/color] There is little warmth in her words, but hurt and controlled anger simmers in her tone, for a moment, she casts her eyes to Janus, who had been watching her intently. Venus feels herself bristle in response, apparently even she wasn’t off-limits to the games Janus played, and that pissed her off.

A hum dripped from Mars lips, eyes following the figure that left the elevator. They only left the men the second he seated, and soon his eyes were upon the pearl at his side, wondering as to how tight she had shut away. He could see she was torn between prying herself open and sealing herself away. Were Mars in her situation, he’s certain the same would have befallen him.

A whispered thank you honeyed his words at the server who brought his own wine, less expensive than Venus’ own, but tailored to his own tastes. He poured it himself; eyes slowly cast toward Vulcan. [color=#A62A2A]”Wouldn’t that be quite the story,”[/color] Mars chimed in finally, [color=#A62A2A]”Do share it, won’t you brother?”[/color]

He could feel the heat of Venus’ gaze even when it fell upon another. It soured with radiation, and Mars had to wonder at the same thing Venus likely had. But, he daren’t goad Janus on; if he wanted to reveal his hand, he would in time. Rather, Mars kept an eye on Vulcan as he grasped Venus’ wine in his own hand, twisted the top off, and graciously poured her a fifth. Sixth. Seventh? Mars lost count after her third. He carefully slid it back onto the table, not daring to taste for his own safety and peace of mind.

While everyone had their eyes on Vulcan, Jupiter had [i]his[/i] on Janus. Jupiter trusted Janus with Rome; a good leader trusts the intuition of his advisors. If Janus thought it fit to unearth Vulcan from wherever he was hiding, then the only logical conclusion was that he had something in mind for their smithy brother. The likelihood of Janus bringing Vulcan from the aether just to piss Venus off was low; Janus had higher priorities that he aspired to. There was no way around it, Jupiter would have to ask Janus later. Not here, though, in front of the others.

[color=#496281]“I’m also interested in hearing this story, but more importantly: why did you come from the woodworks now?”[/color] [i]Let’s see what bait Janus dangled in front of the god of fire[/i].

[color=C44A00][sub]Because he missed her —[/sub][/color] an immediate response in his head that jolted from his subconscious, pulling the strings of his badly repaired heart. He felt it; the pieces of a lost love glistening like broken glass under a spotlight. And in his audience were the culprits to his morose indignation, their eyes and questions like knives to his skin. 

It was true that Vulcan had a faint fantasy that a part of him hoped would come to fruition. An idea in which Venus would be ecstatic to see his face again, with gleaming eyes and open arms only to accept him back into her life as the man he once was to her. He knew her, though. He knew her voice and her tone, her mannerisms and her body. What little warmth she projected in her speech only felt like ice to his fire, extinguishing him just as she was always capable of. Vulcan replied to her without even a glance in her direction, [color=C44A00]“Why am I here? I thought you all would be a little bit more excited. Lost, yes — to the colossus, no. But if I was, I would’ve assumed you would’ve felt the least bit of happiness knowing I’ve come to resurface myself.”[/color] And his response was a mixture of fire and ice, too.

[color=2aa6a6] Excited? Hardly. Relieved? Definitely. [/color] Venus left her thoughts unsaid, only issuing a halfhearted scoff at his words. Even in a less than glorious appearance he still had that flame burning in him, it made her nostalgic. Their many passionate nights, anger burned into a scorching lust that sizzled into a love that was taken and rarely given on Venus’ behalf. The goddess was not unaware of the hurt she brought Vulcan nor to the selfishness she treated him with, and even that extended to this moment. She wanted him to look at her, the aversion of his gaze irritated her and her need to be acknowledged made her restless. A single finger tapping against the table top to the beat of her heart as she remained focused solely on the man of the hour.

A waitress came over to offer wine, probably in hopes to catch him up with the lack of sobriety the rest of them had, but Vulcan kindly rejected. Seeing Venus was enough, and wine was a strong association to her that he couldn’t handle in the moment. Scotch and liquor was his preferred beverage since her leaving.

Vulcan looked up to Mars, and their eyes met for a split second before Vulcan would shamefully break away. Mars was everything he depicted since birth: a god welcomed by flames, not ones similar to Vulcan, but ones of a different intimidation and menace. He wasn’t pure destruction like Vulcan, but more tactical and full of honor and glory. [color=C44A00]“There isn’t much story, or at least not one that would be thrilling enough to tell. Maybe I can bore you with it another time when there aren’t more important matters at hand.”[/color]

And Vulcan went back to the initial question that stung him. His gaze moved to Jupiter, an equally stalwart god much like his brothers, so full of might and zeal. [color=C44A00]“It seems we’re becoming too distracted by the [i]‘whys’[/i] when we should be more celebratory that I’m here, right? Unless the invitation was misplaced. Perhaps we should get into the specifics of the reason we’re [i]all[/i] here.”[/color]


[color=ff8c4c] “Our talented brother here is right. Tales of his journey are best suited for another day. We’ll all have plenty of time to catch up after this reunion.”[/color] Janus intervenes in an encouraging tone, though they all know he’d be the last to engage in “meaningless” catch up. The past was useless to him, he cared not what Vulcan had distracted himself with up to this point, but instead what he had to offer them here on out. [color=ff4d00] “There’s a god killer frolicking about in Seattle. While you’re hardly a being of war or strategy, it’s common knowledge there is power in numbers.”[/color] Piercing blue eyes shift from Venus and land on Vulcan, and Janus offers a sly smirk before standing from the table.

[color=ff8c4c] “We’ve had disagreements in the past on our loyalties to our people and country. Our objectives and motivations are not the same, and while your views on Rome are damnable, you are still a [i]Roman[/i].”[/color] Janus looks out the bay windows again his voice commanding in tone but softer in volume as if deep in thought, [color=ff8c4c]”We have an opportunity that we must capitalize on, and a mystery we [i]have[/i] to be the first to solve. A Grecian has been murdered, and I know neither who nor how, but I do know they were in cohorts for some time. I would bet the confidence of the killer only grows as their death pool does. We need each other. We have always been the strongest when we [i]all[/i] work together.”[/color]

Mars shifted his gaze from Vulcan, though his brows remained knitted. Disagreements would have had voice on what constituted pertinent information, but Mars conceded. Time could be made, set aside for later discussions.

With the glass pressed to his lips, Mars listened. Wine burned his tongue with sweetness as thoughts surfaced.Rome together lay in capable hands as his eyes washed over the faces of his siblings-in-arms. [color=#A62A2A]”Do you have anything tangible to cement our progress, brother?”[/color] Mars asked Janus, taking a sip of his wine,  [color=#A62A2A]”There’s something I have on the wind, but how it connects to everything is yet to be seen. I’m afraid I’m not quite as cunning.”[/color]

Janus shakes his head slowly and his eyes focus on the city line just beyond the large lake, [color=ff8c4c] “Nothing concrete. Whoever killed Hephaestus did so after decoding the tip I left them. Olivia and Oliver have been combing through the transaction history on his accounts and it seems they’ve found something worthwhile. I’m meeting with Oliver this evening to go over things.”[/color] Janus turned to face the seated gods crossing his arms over his broad chest, [color=ff8c4c] “If the disappearances can be tied back to Hephaestus it makes a better case for my actions, if not, we’ll consider it a necessary sacrifice.”[/color]

[color=#496281]"Any Grecian's death is a necessary sacrifice."[/color] Jupiter shrugged, downing another glass of wine. As he spoke, his phone buzzed in his pocket and the sender made his face sour. [color=#496281]"I have a meeting of my own tonight, it seems. Poseidon wants to meet with me; I'll see what he knows of the disappearances before I cut ties with him."[/color]

The betrayal still stung his pride and Jupiter glared at the now refilled glass of wine. If he keeps throwing them back, he won't be capable enough to dig his claws into [i]Peter[/i] and rip information out of him. Jupiter glanced out the window and the skyline taunted him; he didn't deserve to be on the ground, he was better than this and the sooner he returns to his place in the sky, the better. Jupiter sets his jaw, his eyes replacing the skyline of Seattle to a vision of Rome.

[color=#496281]"Make no mistake, Vulcan,"[/color] Jupiter said, his voice commanding like the King he is, [color=#496281]"we may side together now, but Rome [i]will[/i] rise again. I only hope you see sense by then."[/color]

Janus, Mars, and Venus were his equals — creators of Rome, heralds of his people. They created Rome together and that cemented their place in Jupiter's eyes. But Vulcan? Jupiter's lips twisted at the thought of considering Vulcan an equal. Vulcan was a menial god, and Jupiter was his ruler. If Vulcan refused to bow to Jupiter, Jupiter had no place for him by his side and he'll be persecuted like any of the other pantheons.

With a smirk playing at his lips, Mars took another swig of his wine. He swished it around slightly, looking up at Jupiter. [color=#A62A2A]”You quite like a fist of iron, huh, brother?”[/color] Mars remarked as a chuckle shook his chest.

Venus was quickly growing disinterested with the brunch. Halfway into Janus’ speech she had given up on the attempt to get Vulcan to look at her, instead turning her attention to her phone that she was tapping away at, in between her gulps of wine. A rather risqué picture of herself found itself somehow attached to her text message to her dearest friend, but that’d be an issue to deal with another day.

[quote] To: [color=5E74EE]Arty 🖤[/color]
Have I told you recently that I loooove yu???? I mis you too Arty, these men are going to rot my brain w/ their politics and scandals, plz send help 😭 maybe this pic can seal the deal 😏😉[/quote]

Venus giggles to herself as she sends the text, satisfied with her bargaining skills, she knows she is hot, and now Artemis could agree with her. With a heavy hand she slams her phone on the table abruptly causing a waitress passing by to jump, [color=2aa6a6] “Imm tired of this,[i]Janoos[/i]”[/color] she grumbles with a short hiccup, [color=2aa6a6] “All this calculation is boring and pointless, you think you can all abandon your hearts to bring glory to Rome again?”[/color] she asked looking at each of them before her eyes landed on Janus icing over as she wrapped her fingers around the neck of the wine bottle, [color=2aa6a6] “I tried that, and look what our dear [i]brother[/i] brought for me, I’d rather you have just slapped me in the face, [i]vappa[/i].”[/color] 

Venus held her glare for a moment longer before stomping away, drinking from the lip of the bottle as she boarded the elevator and sent a classy middle finger to Janus as the doors shut.

[color=#496281]"That went...swimmingly."[/color] Jupiter said, pushing his glass of wine away as if it would infect him with the same drunkenness it infected Venus with. [color=#496281]"Mars, you should go take care of her."[/color]

It was only halfway through his venture to the elevator that he remembered Mars' detest for, er, Jupiter's [i]suggestions[/i]. [color=#496281]"I mean to say, will you go look after her? You are the best suited for the job. And hopefully you have the time. I do not, I have some fish to fry, unfortunately."[/color]

With that being said, Jupiter swooped through the place and into the elevator once it had arrived back up. He had a dinner date with a certain god of the sea, and this one doesn't happen to be in his pantheon. Jupiter scowls at the thought; the Greeks think they can make a fool out of him, he'll demonstrate the might of the King of the Gods.

A scowl bit Mars’ face, not bothering to throw it at the fleeing Roman. For a moment he stared at  Janus, taking a few sips of his wine. Everything was digital, but if Mars listened closely he could hear his internal clock ticking. His eyes swept the remainder of the room, til they fell on Vulcan. Sadness pressed his lips into a thin line, barely budging before they turned toward Janus.Truth rang in Venus’ words and perhaps he himself should heed them.

[color=#A62A2A]”At least we got a few things out of the way before the madness descended,”[/color] Mars said. He rose, adjusting his suit jacket and taking out a large bundle of cash. It landed with a thud as Mars gave Janus one last look. [color=#A62A2A]”Though Venus’ spoke with honesty, I think she forgot that you can’t quite lose a heart if one never beat in your chest to begin with.”[/color] He raised a brow and left the words at that, hardly giving Vulcan a side-eye before proceeding to the now empty elevator.

For a Father of Rome, he felt he had faltered at some point. Had he lost the heart he once held for Rome’s people. It took a lot to crack Mars’ face, but the man’s lips tugged down just slightly. It didn’t do to worry now, though, he had a ticking bomb ready to explode in a way he wasn’t quite ready to clean up tonight.

[color=#A62A2A]”Do be careful, Janus, not to tug the wrong strings.”[/color] Mars offered in his last parting words.

Seemingly unaffected by Venus’ drunk anger, Jupiter’s unamusement, and Mars’ parting advice, Janus pocketed the money Mars had dropped, intending to leave it for him back at home, [color=ff8c4c] “I’m sure you have your thoughts and opinions on how I tend to handle matters, but do know I have all of our best interest in mind…”[/color] 

Janus handed his black card to the waitress and finished off his single glass of wine, [color=ff8c4c] “It’ll be in your best interest to figure out what it is you want from this world. A storm is on the horizon, and Jupiter’s patience thins with the coming winds, be diligent in your decision making, young blacksmith.”[/color] Janus  offered a charming smile to the wait staff as he gathered his things, [color=ff8c4c] “I’ll be in touch, take care for now Vulcan.”[/color]
[/color][/indent][/indent][/indent]