[hr][color=eed853][sup][h1] [center][img]https://i.pinimg.com/originals/29/23/41/292341f227b49e658a9595a7aede7ce4.gif[/img][/center] [b][center][color=#c9964a]𝕣𝕖𝕗𝕝𝕖𝕔𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟 𝕥𝕚𝕞𝕖[/color][/center][/b][/h1][/sup][/color][indent][sub][COLOR=#c9964a]ᴊᴀᴅᴇ ᴊᴀɢᴜᴀʀ[/COLOR][/sub][/indent][indent][sup][right][COLOR=#c9964a]ʜᴏᴇs, sǫᴜᴀᴅ ᴜᴘ[/color][/right][/sup][/indent][hr] [color=BFAFB2] After her well earned meal and heart to heart discussion with the Egyptian goddess, Laz found herself wandering towards the club only after shooting a text to the honorary hoe squad inviting them over for the four d's; drinks, dancing, dick and drama. [quote]To: [color=#c9964a]honorary hoes🌟💖[/color] ayy, swing by the jj need some advice. dick troubles. drinks on me[img]https://i.imgur.com/NwNNCCm.gif[/img][/quote] Pleased with the message she soon found herself unlocking the backdoor to the club and let herself in, delighting in the mundane tasks of getting the place operational for the evening. A few notifications in the form of instagram posts and snaps told the Aztec that Herc would be throwing another one of his infamous parties. [color=#00CC99][sub][i]"Maybe we can head back that way later...?'[/i][/sub][/color] the temptation was not lost on her and any form of distraction from a certain Grecian War God would do her wonders. Now all she had to do was wait on Freya and Eros and she started by pulling some whiskey off the top shelf.[hr] To say that Freya was down in the dumps was an understatement. After the meeting with Odin that morning and for the rest of the day, a dark, moody cloud of gloom had been hanging over the girl's head. The doubts and insecurities she fought so fiercely to keep at bay came back with a vengeance, taking the opportunity to strike now that the target's defenses had been weakened after a hit to their ego. No matter how hard she tried, the little voice in her head continued to drill the same old script... She was a goddess of war who hadn't seen combat since the siege. A goddess of fertility unable to carry her last child to term. A goddess of love having spent centuries eluded by it. The lady of the Norse pantheon had been reduced to a pitiful young woman who drowned her sorrows in strawberry cheesecake ice cream and Xanax pills, and who tried to fill the empty spaces of her heart frequenting the beds of strangers. [I]How fucking pathetic.[/i] This bad mood was the reason why Freya was, surprisingly, home on a Saturday night, wearing an oversized T-shirt and curled up in bed alone watching rom-coms. She had just taken another bite of the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream pint she'd been devouring when her phone chimed, signaling the arrival of a new text message. Frowning, the brunette picked up the device, ready to fling it out the window and off the balcony if it was Odin asking for another ‘catch-up’ again. But when she realized the sender was Tlaz asking her and Eros to meet up, the young woman's mood immediately brightened. [color=BF225D][I]Be there in an hr! 😘❤[/i][/color] Freya quickly texted back, wasting no time in jumping up from the bed and starting the preparations for a night out.[hr] A sigh escaped Eros as he pulled his expensive, yet practical, SUV into a parking space in the empty lot. Seattle’s nightlife had yet to venture out, or perhaps they had all decided to attend Jackson Drake’s impromptu rager. [color=FF80D4][b] “Fuckin’ Herc.[/b][/color] The grumble rumbled through his chest switching from his social media app to his messages, scrolling along the phone past the worried texts from his clients and network partners to the conversation with Apollo. [quote] To: [color=EED853]Sunshine[/color] Looks like we’ll need to rain check that hot date? I’ll be over for the party after a quick stop at JJ.[/quote] With the blue bubble sent the God of Love clambered out of his vehicle, swiping hands along the breast of his peacoat and started his way to the Jade Jaguar. The annoyance of the party, and some last minute schedule changes in his career quickly dissipated with each step forward, there wasn’t time for annoyance, his friend needed his expert advice and he would gladly step up. The doors to the Jade Jaguar were heavy, which meant they were high quality and Eros appreciated that. That fine quality extended well into the actual building, which was big without losing it’s feeling of being an intimate space. Eros walked his fingers along the pristine bar that greeted him, his eyes focused on the beauty already hard at work whipping up the first of many drinks to be had in the night. [color=FF80D4][b] “I think I’ll have to sneak in here before the doors open more often. I bet the drinks taste better without a sleaze trying to slip his fingers up the skirt of a waitress besides me, [i]and[/i]my knuckles would certainly fare better.”[/b][/color] A chuckle fell from his lips as he slid easily on to a plush stool, [color=FF80D4][b] “Four D’s, huh? Guess I should start with something strong then if [i]you’re[/i] having dick problems Azzy.”[/b][/color] A roll of her lips between her teeth was enough a response in itself to anyone [i]other[/i] than Eros and she knew it. Nonetheless the old nickname brought a smile to her face and pushed the nerves of the future conversation to the back. At least for now. The whiskey helped. [color=#00CC99]"You wouldn't be the first to beat the shit outta clients in recent times, had an incident just a few days ago. Kinda the reason why I needed to talk with you both,"[/color] throwing back her amber liquid she reached below the counter of the bar and pulled two more glasses, filled them with a sphere of ice before eyeing the man before her all but lounged about on her stool. [color=#00CC99]"Still sucking down [url=https://i.pinimg.com/564x/0e/3c/81/0e3c81b13feabab1af0c96f6b1b4fe45.jpg]kamikazes[/url] like they're water?"[/color] Laz didn't wait for his response, of course he did if the knowing glint in his eyes were anything to go off of. And so she climbed atop the back counter, her small stature being absolute shit when it came to grabbing anything off high shelves, and pulled down an onyx bottle, engraved in bone white letters of the brand and a number of milk thistles on the cap. After mixing his drink, and a [url=https://i.pinimg.com/564x/27/68/30/2768303e663f8464ac5e775180eb6e3c.jpg]Love Potion[/url] for Frey, the Goddess of lust slid the drink across the bar top and placed it before his waiting grasp. Laz snatched up the bottle of Pincer Shanghai Strength and began to pour herself a more than generous dose of poison before leaning across the bar, glass hanging precariously between her fingers. [color=#00CC99]"Any new dick stories you wanna share 'fore Frey gets here?"[/color] Eros' lips slipped into a mischievous smirk, but he let her question hang in the air. The fruity mix of vodka and fruit juices beckoned to him and he’d have to quench that thirst first. The sweetness was a much needed sin to satiate the woes of the day for the time being, until he could get his hands on a certain Sun God later that night. For now the alcohol provided to him by the best barkeep in Seattle would be a very suitable substitute. The glass made a small clink as the base met the surface of the bar, with his hand freed Eros reached forward to tug affectionately on a perfectly curled ringlet,[color=FF80D4] “Less new dick, and more [i]reclaimed[/i] dick, nothing beats a century long reunion in the making like sex for lunch, dinner and dessert.”[/color] Eros let out a wistful sigh as he leaned back away from Tlaz again, it had barely been twenty-four hours and he was yearning again for Apollo, [color=FF80D4] “But I didn’t come to brag about my [i]spectacular[/i] choices. I came to hear about your terrible ones, and offer what I can to you.”[/color] [color=BF225D]“Gossiping and judging each other’s bad choices? Sign me the fuck up!”[/color] As if on queue, the missing piece of the trio had made her arrival, surprising everyone by being at least ten minutes ahead of schedule. [color=BF225D]“No need to clap, loves. Just revel in the joy of my incomparable presence,”[/color] [url=https://i.pinimg.com/736x/46/20/79/462079a30d160dac6f286d5f01b4cd87.jpg]Freya[/url] declared brightly as she waltzed to the bar and gave her friends a playful little twirl, in contrast to how she was [i]truly[/i] feeling on the inside. She hoped that the self-medication and being with her friends would help boost her spirits somewhat. Smiling, the Norse goddess took a seat on the empty stool next to Eros and addressed her beloved Tlaz. [color=BF225D]“So what’s up, Peaches? Is Sugar Bear already boring you to tears with his bragging?”[/color] the brunette chuckled, shooting the handsome man beside her a wink to assure him she was just joking as per usual. Eros raised an amused eyebrow at Freya’s jest, but calling him [i]boring[/i] no words further from the truth could have been spoken. [color=FF80D4]“I could [i]never[/i] bore Azzy. In fact I had to entertain her while we awaited your delayed arrival, darling. Incomprehensible certainly explains dressing like a slutty school girl [i]and[/i] showing up high as a kite. Apparently the SOS wasn’t just necessary for Azzy.”[/color] Eros voice went from playful to worried as he looked over the woman who sat next to him, [color=FF80D4] “Alright, well let’s intoxicate ourselves as we get on with our woes, Azzy summoned us here and I quite like hearing the sinful stories our filthy girl shares.”[/color] Eyes like rich pools of honey rolled about inside the Aztec's skull, dipping her head a curtain of curls shielding her bemused smirk from the likes of them. The atrocious nicknames Fre came up with never failed to set her face alight with mirth of the most unbecoming kind. [color=#00CC99][i]"Boring isn't the word I would have chosen to use..."[/i][/color] muffled voice trickled from behind her lips as she straightened her spine pulling herself to her full height and sliding the pink drink towards the newcomer. This would be easier than expected, Eros seemed in high spirits-- albeit a little annoyed but overall glowing-- and Freya, well, [i]Fre was just high.[/i] [color=#00CC99][sub][i]'Perfect'[/i][/sub][/color] [color=#00CC99]"Alright, so,"[/color] it was then she turned her full attention towards Eros more so than the Norse beauty, [color=#00CC99]"Your father came onto me the other night,"[/color] she couldn't help but roll her lip between her teeth, bringing her glass to her lips in another shot hitting the back of her throat. The burn doesn't even affect them, not this swill, but if enough is consumed and at the rate she's going [i]something[/i] was bound to take effect. [color=#00CC99]"And I didn't mind it, I just, [i]I don't know what to do...[/i]"[/color] there wasn’t any guilt felt within her bones as she thought there might have been, given the relationship between one of her closest friends and his father. However being the embodiment of [i]Sin Eater[/i] relieved her of any base emotions. His response would give her everything she needed, she just prayed that it wasn’t to sever his tie from her. With a flick of her gaze, Tlaz gauged Fre’s reaction. She had suspicions of her previous encounters with the war god, and she was a close confidant of the priestess, it only made sense to have her there and privy to the knowledge as well. [color=BF225D]“What do you not mean, ‘you don’t know what to do’? You shag him, of course!”[/color] Freya replied immediately, taking the pink cocktail her bestie had so lovingly made for her, downing it in a few sips and sliding it back across the bar to Tlaz for a refill. [color=BF225D]“It’s a no-brainer, really. The man’s an absolute [i]beast[/i] in bed: and I mean that in the best of ways. Even if it doesn’t go anywhere, it’s definitely a good experience to have.”[/color] She was talking, of course, of the time she and Ares had spent together on Halloween many years ago. Her she-devil costume and the alcohol had lowered the man’s inhibitions enough to let desire take over and consume them whole for one intense, passionate and unforgettable night. Eros' face morphed from confusion to disgust as the conversation carried on and left little for him to question. At first he was amazed that Tlaz had found Freya’s father, but that was quickly cleared up when the sex fiend herself spoke up. Freya was a whore, everyone knew that but she didn’t give off the Greek Trademark vibes, and so that meant Tlaz was talking about- [color=FF80D4]“ARES?”[/color] his voice was loud and interrupted Freya’s reminiscing of sluttier days. Just saying his name left a film of distaste on his tongue, his handsome feature screwing up into an obvious display of disagreement. There was no way, there had to be someone else in the room, someone past him that Tlaz had been focused on. Eros looked to his left and then spun on the stool to look behind him and saw a whole lot of [i]nothing[/i]. [color=FF80D4] “Tlaz.”[/color] His voice was accusatory as he turned back to face the Aztec, [color=FF80D4] “Please tell me I’m jumping to the wrong conclusions.”[/color] Eros almost begged her leaning forward to peer deeper in her eyes as if he’d find Ashton Kutcher hiding in her brown irises, but there would be no ‘punk’d’ surprises jumping out at him tonight. With a groan he threw his drink back and only shook his head for a moment. What the fuck was he supposed to say? [color=FF80D4] “What do you mean by ‘came onto you’? And spare me the dirty details I’ll throw myself outside of the Colossus’ range if you dive into them.”[/color] Tawny hands, decorated with bands of tarnished metal, moved on their own shaky accord to grasp the stemless conical glass from where Freya had tossed it, setting it off to the side as she prepared another roseate drink. Of her close knit group of friends, Freya would be the one to have the most [i]physical and intimate[/i] response to her predicament, as she expressed her notion for just getting it over and done with. It would be ignorant to dismiss the notion. Though the pure disgust and disappointment in her and the situation radiating from the blonde male was enough to make her flinch under his gaze. A sigh upon her lips, unspoken words danced on her tongue as she rolled around the right words. Before she knew it she was confessing like all those who came before her altar to pray and ask for purification. Laz mentioned how it was only supposed to be her taking action in dressing his superficial wounds and how he spoke about Aphrodite and her mist, [color=#00CC99]"Which was a shit show in it of itself,"[/color] she threw the cryptic explanation to the brunette, along with her new drink, seeing as how she was not present that morning. When she got to the part where they shared a passionate lip lock she paused, she could feel her hands shaking and where her confusion took root within her chest like tangle vines seeking out a life force to smother. Leaning forward against the counter she ran those same tawny fingers through her curls, tugging at the roots in order to ground her in something. [color=#00CC99]"He kissed me. Something about not seeing who he was supposed to or whatever in that fucking misty visions. Of course it couldn't be me,"[/color] a broken attempt at a laugh passed through her, the shaking ever present still though more so out of contempt, [color=#00CC99]"Because he already [i]has someone[/i]. Your old man just got caught up in a moment of convenience that happened to involve me since he just pushed me off and bolted..."[/color] The Sin Eater pushed back up from the bar top, stretching like a cat in a window, rolling her neck before plopping back onto her elbows and staring at her friends with what she [i]hoped[/i] was a mask of indifference. She was over the incident, over the feelings. She had to be. It was a mistake. [color=#00CC99]"No Colossal suicides please, I need my best man to help me drown, and Freya can only do so much,"[/color] it was her attempt at a blasé attitude to the situation, which she punctuated with a cheeky pout while gesturing to the numerous bottles of booze behind her. Disgust melted into an easier to digest neutrality. Eros had to remind himself that Tlaz had asked them to come here because she needed [i]help[/i], and it was wholly unhelpful to put his feelings for his “dad” onto her. So he listened, he held her gaze when she looked at him and nodded his head in encouragement for her to continue her recollection of events. Able to set aside his personal indignation, he felt a protective anger rise in him as her voice quivered with uncertainty and an insecurity flitted in her averted gaze. [color=FF80D4] “[i]You[/i] are more than a ‘momentary convenience’, Tlaz. You’re a fucking goddess, [i]literally[/i], and someone that doesn’t kiss the ground you walk on isn’t deserving of you.”[/color] Eros spoke with conviction but ended up chuckling at his own words, [color=FF80D4] “Despite me being grossed out that my ‘dad’ is giving you the eyes, if all you want is to fuck him, then yeah, what Freya said: get it out of your system so you can move on to better. There’s a person out there for everyone. Sometimes you find them right away, and other times you gotta try on a few before you get the perfect one. Like a great pair of jeans that hug your ass just right, it takes time.”[/color] Eros gave a warm smile as he leaned forward, the bar between them prevented him from wrapping Tlaz in his arms but did not stop his affectionate tap on her nose, [color=FF80D4] “Don’t rush into anything, and who knows your knight in shining armor might just reveal himself when you least expect it.”[/color] Freya had carefully listened to Tlaz and Eros’ exchange while sipping her second cocktail more slowly. She had to admit, the developing story was certainly providing plenty of entertainment already. Nothing spelled ‘drama’ better than one friend getting hit on and passionately kissed by the taken father of the other friend, and said friend being completely horrified by the prospect. In Eros’ defense, Freya was sure she would also be put off if her father came onto one of her best friends-- especially if he was in a relationship with another woman. But in Tlaz’ defense, [i]Ares[/i] had been the one to seek her out, and not the other way around. So if the chance to take things further presented itself, why not take it? It’s not like Tlaz had anything to lose. What Eros and Ares’ girlfriend didn’t know couldn’t hurt them. What Freya [i]did[/i] agree on, though, was the young man’s statement that Tlaz would indeed find the right person for her. She was beautiful, successful, and a hell of a woman. The man that eventually got her would need to count his blessings for the rest of his existence-- be it mortal or godly. [color=BF225D]"Damn… Where was this motivational speech yesterday before I ran off like a dumbass to Father Asshole's place in the middle of the night?"[/color] Freya finally spoke up with a loud cackle, hoping it would downplay just how furious at herself she really was for falling back into known toxic patterns. [color=FF80D4]”I don’t know, I think booty call is a cute color on you… What do you think, Azzy?”[/color] Eros replied with a cute smirk on his lips, playful mischief twinkling in his dark eyes. Not one to pass up a good razz on one of her closest friends, Laz finished off her own drink, trying to use the glass to hide a cheeky yet telling look that slipped across her features. Licking her lips clean of the residual vodka the former priestess tilted her head in acknowledgement to the two before her, [color=#00CC99]"Definitely one of the better looking colors Fre has in her ensemble of choices..."[/COLOR] Freya rolled her eyes at both her friends’ answer, although her smirk mirrored Eros’ own. [color=BF225D]"I know it’s cute! But even the best of players get tired of the game at some point,”[/color] she replied matter-of-factly, once again sliding her empty glass in Tlaz’s direction across the bar and turning her full attention onto her friends. [color=BF225D]"And this MVP’s [i]definitely[/i] tired of it. Someone induct me to the fucking Hall Of Fame already so I can retire in peace.”[/color] A prominent pout and a roll of her bottom lip between her teeth was the only indication of an answer towards her fellow brunette as Laz went about fixing her, and her company, another round of drinks. The vodka flowed freely from the neck of the bottle within her grasp and she refused to stop her words spewing from her mouth, much like she refused to stop her heavy handed pour, [color=#00CC99]"How many times have you stated you were done with a man to only end up back between their sheets?"[/color] Her words weren't intended to bite but even she flinched at their misinterpreted implications. [color=#00CC99]"Fre, you know how to use that cunt of yours, [i]too well it seems[/i]. It's not like you [i]need[/i] them. More like the opposite rings true."[/color] She punctuated her spiel with a slide of the cocktails across her bar, leaning forward with a wink before diving headfirst back into her own drink of choice. [color=#00CC99]"A shame you're wasting time on the Allfather. Isn't there like, [i]anyone[/i] else?"[/color] Eros snickers into his glass at Tlaz’s word. She speaks the truth, but her question could be asked of herself as well. Odin and Ares? Apparently after some hundreds of years roaming the earth, good taste and 20-20 vision had been claimed by time. [color=FF80D4]“There are plenty of ‘anyone else’s’ for [i]both[/i] of you-“[/color] Tlaz could feign ignorance all she wanted but the truth was there as she mumbled into her nearly emptied glass, [color=#00CC99][i]“Point me in their direction then…”[/i][/color] Eros feigns a glare at Tlaz before turning his attention to Freya, pushing her glass closer to her and raising an eyebrow, [color=FF80D4]“Odin is a peculiar choice, Freya-- even for a CEHoe like you. What’s the problem? Having wet dreams about Jan again that you can’t shake?”[/color] The unexpected mention of Janus took Freya by surprise, and there was no way of hiding how she flinched at the sound of his name. She was thankful that there was no glass on her hands, because it would’ve clattered to the floor and shattered into a million tiny pieces-- much like her heart had whenever the Roman Ice King had put an end to their heated affair so many centuries ago. Why Eros had chosen to bring up that particularly painful part of her life was beyond Fre, but she wasn’t about to show exactly how much the topic bothered her. [color=BF225D]“[i]Janus[/i] can go crawl into a hole and die, for all I care,”[/color] Freya spat, venom dripping from her lips when speaking about the man responsible for her last big disappointment. No matter how hard she tried, there was no denying those negative feelings still bubbled underneath the surface, waiting for any and every chance to erupt. [color=BF225D]“But if you know of any available gods willing to be faithful and commit to a healthy, stable relationship with [i]one[/i] woman, please don’t hesitate to give them mine and Tlaz’ number. We would greatly appreciate your assistance with this matter.”[/color] Eros lifted his cup in a ‘cheers’ motion before slamming it back, [color=FF80D4] “There is love in the air, ladies. Try opening your hearts instead of your legs and you might just capture it.”[/color] Eros let a deep chuckle exit his parted lips as he ruffled Freya’s hair and slapped an obnoxious kiss to her cheek before turning his attention to Tlaz and giving her an equally annoying show of affection,[color=FF80D4] “But I have a sun god waiting for me and alcohol only provides so much relief to my long day. Don’t drink your woes away and end up in the Allfather’s bed again, Fre-- and please don’t make yourself my stepmother, Tlaz.”[/color] Eros made a grand gesture with his arms as he approached the doors, [color=FF80D4] “Call me again when you’d like to hear the details of my flourishing love life. See you later!”[/color] [color=BF225D]“Show-off…”[/color] Freya muttered under her breath as she watched the smug Eros make his exit, leaving the two women to their own devices. Sighing, the brunette turned her attention to Tlaz again. [color=BF225D]“But seriously, though: he’s got a point. We [i]do[/i] deserve better than what we’re getting. Men-- mortal [i]and[/i] godly-- are just complete and utter pieces of shit anyway…”[/color] she declared bitterly, downing yet another Love Potion in a few gulps. Seeing Eros strut out the heavy doors and having his words hang in the air struck a chord within the owner of the Jaguar. Laz stood there still leaning against the bar swirling the remaining contents of her glass listening to Freya and trying to intake their words and process them. It isn't like she [i]doesn't know[/i] she can do better, she probably can. With Eros motivational yet brutally honest pep talk she definitely felt more like the goddess she is and less of the doormat that's been taking over her body for the better part of five years. It's more the fact that these feelings came out of nowhere and inserted themselves in her subconscious. But her words were true, even if they were spoken with joking intonations, [sub][color=#00CC99][i]'When will I stop being some spur of the moment and find someone who wants me for me?'[/i][/color][/sub] Immediately her memory was assaulted with flashes of faces she once believed were there to stay. The smell of roasted honey dancing before her nose, enticing her and making her long for their touch once more. Beings that held a special place in her heart, the ones she thought were going to be different. They weren't. They were gone, lost to history and she was still here. The glass now sat there empty as Laz reached for the onyx bottle, opting to forego drinking etiquette and instead wrapped her lips around the bottle's neck, [color=#00CC99]"You know, I wasn't created to find something permanent, nothing I do is to be for me alone, always answering the whims of those who seek and call,"[/color] her eyes swept the length of the room before coming to rest on the woman still sitting before her, [color=#00CC99]"You're right though, we deserve better and I think it's time I do something entirely for me,"[/color] a renewed fire burned within her at her words and rewarded herself with another large swig. Before Freya could do more than give her friend an appreciative grunt, her phone chimed inside her bag. Frowning in suspicion again, the young woman pulled out the device and glanced at the screen. [quote]From:[color=B2BEB5]Hot Shot[/color] If you’re not too busy, let’s get a drink.[/quote] A flash of excitement immediately lit up the features of Freya’s beautiful face. Leave it to her favorite Aztec to have the most impeccable timing when it came to their [i]therapeutic[/i] meetings. Smiling, the Norse goddess rose from her seat and turned to Tlazōlteōtl. [color=BF225D]“As much as I want to stick around to rag on those walking, talking annoyances we call men some more, duty calls...”[/color] she half-explained with a little shrug, offering no more details about the plans currently in development. She was sure her friend wouldn’t exactly be too happy or approving if she knew what Fre and her brother got themselves into in their spare time. Other than the empty glasses decorating the counter top, and now the chiming of a phone going off, Tlazōlteōtl would have believed herself to be alone at closing time. However, the notification and words that soon followed after knocked the former priestess back to the present, the lingering smell of vanilla clinging to her subconscious. [color=#00CC99]"[i]Riiiight[/i],"[/color] a playful eye roll and a devilish smirk made permanent residence across her tawny features, the bottle of booze in hand ready for another tilt up to her lips, [color=#00CC99]"Go. Have fun, hopefully the poor soul doesn't give you too much shit,"[/color] there was no stopping the teasing lilt that pranced through the air between them. As Freya blew her a kiss and went off on her merry way, her own phone beckoned her to dive deep into her contacts and just do [i]something[/i], what though is the question. Laz resigned herself to [i]not[/i] sit around idly tonight and enjoy herself.[hr][right][sub][@KZOMBI3] [@Icy Hot] [@Venus] collab[/sub][/right] [/color]