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[b][center][color=crimson]Meet Me On 24th Street[/color][/center][/b]
[/h1][/sup][/color][indent][sub][COLOR=crimson][I]THE BALL[/I][/COLOR][/sub][/indent][indent][sup][right][COLOR=crimson][b]a [@baraquiel] & [@smarty0114] collab[/b][/color][/right][/sup][/indent][hr]
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In a previous life, the cameras would’ve turned towards Hera the moment she stepped out of her car, lights flashing to capture her [url=https://content.api.news/v3/images/bin/4cfde42840b90bbc9fa439fec2407bca]dress[/url]. Dr. Karen Bailey, however, was no celebrity. Outside of the medical world, her name held much less weight than others, and she was able to move to the entrance unscathed by the prying reporters. The interior left something to be desired, but it had been decorated well. She would’ve done better, of course, but what could you do? 

Hera made champagne her first priority, an easy decision once she saw how many gods had already arrived. Artemis and Athena were making rounds, Odin’s son was perched along one wall, and she could spy the shape of one of Mars’ wretched twins lurking in the shadows. And still, more were arriving, scattered amongst the mortals, dredged up from whatever depths they’d been forced to hide away in. If this night ended without bloodshed, she’d be surprised.

Sipping from her champagne flute, Hera gracefully made her way around the edge of the ballroom, eyes scanning the guests. Was her son’s killer here tonight? Watching her? Laughing at her? She felt certain they were. She still needed to set a date to meet with Ares, gather what he knows. She was losing time, she knew it. How much longer could she sit on her hands? She had found herself in desperate need of a devil to make a deal with.

Speaking of a devil, Bakunawa, or most known by mortals as Jessica Mondragon joined the party in her black party dress.. She didn’t receive any invitation to attend said festivities but a crime boss had her own connections. Her eyes scanned the crowd, looking at the various gods and goddesses milling with each other and other mortals. They laughed and smiled, seemingly enjoying the night in their ignorant bliss. Despite them being reduced to nothing but a fraction of their former god-like selves, they still couldn’t care less when one of their kin was mysteriously murdered. Bakunawa wanted to take the credit for it but eh, maybe next time.

 She blended with the crowd, taking a glass of champagne from a waiter’s tray before she casually walked to the edge of the ballroom. She crossed her arm beneath her bosom and took a sip from her drink when her eyes spotted a blonde woman alone a few feet away from her. She couldn’t believe Hera, the queen of Olympus, was here. A smile crept up on Bakunawa’s pretty face as she approached the Grecian goddess. She wanted to see if she could add this powerful woman as one of her connections.

[color=crimson]”Hope you don’t mind the company. It gets boring around these parts.”[/color] Bakunawa said as she casually stood beside Hera. [color=crimson]”I’m not really much of a party person myself but I must say, it’s nice to mingle and walk among these people of high status. Makes you realize that they’re just as human as you are, whatever that means in today’s society.”[/color] She chuckled before taking a sip of her champagne and then turned to Hera, offering her a hand. [color=crimson]”Jessica Mondragon, business woman and sea turtle advocate. Pleased to make your acquaintance. Love your dress by the way.”[/color]

Hera’s gaze traveled lazily over this strange woman’s form. There was something familiar to her face, not that she could place it. The nagging thought was quickly dismissed, in favor of forced pleasantries. Dr. Bailey still had a reputation after all. [color=8157b6]“Dr. Karen Bailey,”[/color] she said, taking Jessica’s hand and giving it a firm shake. [color=8157b6]“I’d tell you where I bought it, but I’m afraid it’s an original,”[/color] Hera continued, her voice rich with a certain privilege only the most powerful knew. [color=8157b6]“I’m sorry, you seem familiar. Have we met?”[/color]

[color=crimson]”I get that a lot.”[/color] The Philippine goddess said, finishing up what’s left on her glass before speaking again. [color=crimson]”Don’t worry, Dr. Bailey. I’m more of a business suit type of woman myself. Hm, you are not familiar in my eyes to be honest. I don’t get sick easily so I rarely go to the hospital.”[/color] She continued, the tone on her voice filled with amusement and a tinge of coyness. [color=crimson]”Compared to your people, my kin was comparably known less throughout the world. It’s safe to assume that almost everyone didn’t even know of our existence. I don’t suppose the name Bakunawa rings a bell?”[/color] Bakunawa said, her eyes almost twinkling as the goddess was having much fun with Hera.

Hera narrowed her eyes at Bakunawa’s words, shrewd mind easily cutting through the veiled words that slipped from the devil’s mouth. [color=8157b6]“I can’t say it does. Don’t fret though, dear. We can’t all be as renowned as myself.”[/color] Hera took a sip from her glass, eyes never leaving the woman who stood so confidently in front of her. It was obvious she thought herself an equal. The audacity. [color=8157b6]“Where are you from, and what do you want with my time?”[/color]

Bakunawa laughed as she sensed the poisonous pride from Hera’s words. Her thought of these famous gods and goddesses were right. Even when reduced to being lowly mortals, their pride still surpassed the heavens above. [color=crimson]”I am well aware of the death of Hephaestus, the god of forgery and one of your beloved children. I offer my deepest condolences to you.”[/color] She said, changing her tone to become softer and sadder. [color=crimson]”I too have lost a person close to mine many centuries ago. Their deaths still gnaw at my heart even to this day. I wish I had someone to help me, to stand by me by that time but I was all alone in my grief and sadness. That’s why I want to be that person to you, Hera. Allow me to offer you the help you need.”[/color]

Lips pursed and fingers clenched, threatening the integrity of the glass in Hera’s hand. Her instinct was suspicion, mistrust of this strange goddess who seemed to know her so well. Curiosity rose in her though, filling her mind with questions that she could not help but ponder. Should she not hear her out? Didn’t she owe it to Hephaestus to follow every path she could, until one led to answers? [color=8157b6]“And what, exactly, are you offering?”[/color] She couldn’t deny that she saw something in this woman, a fire that burned in so few; a fire that seemed lacking in her own family.

Hera’s interest seemed to be piqued. All was going well in Bakunawa’s plan. [color=crimson]”You might be one of the most powerful goddesses in your pantheon but here in the mortal world, I suppose your sphere of influence does not extend past the walls of the operating room. I am well aware you have connections of your own but I am offering [i]my[/i] own web of connections.”[/color] Bakunawa leaned over to whisper in Hera’s ear. [color=crimson]”Connections that will help you avenge the death of your son.”[/color] She leaned back and gave the Grecian goddess a friendly smile. 

[color=crimson]“I will give you a whole day to think of your decision. If you’re interested in my offer, meet me at the Filipino restaurant at 24th Street two days from now. I will be waiting there on that day. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Hera. See you around.”[/color] Bakunawa said with a wink, her chuckles filled with utter amusement as she left Hera on her own.

Hera watched Bakunawa leave, a million questions on her tongue. Whatever the goddess had to offer, it was clearly best left to private conversations, away from the prying ears that circled all around. She couldn’t lie and pretend that she did not thirst for answers. Had she not been stricken by grief, she might’ve been more cautious, but as it stood, she knew where she’d be found, two days from now.
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