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[/h1][/sup][/color][indent][sub][color=#8fc8b2][I]CATMOSPHERE[/I][/COLOR][/sub][/indent][indent][sup][right][color=#8fc8b2][b][i]HEBE & JULIE[/i][/b][/color][/right][/sup][/indent][hr]


[b][i]Two days after the Acropolis party...[/i][/b]

[color=D87093]“Oh my gosh! He’s soooo cute!”[/color] Hebes voice squeaked in excitement as she knelt down in front of the object of her excitement. Wide eyes peered back up at her, a gentle vibration emitting from within his chest. He was beautiful.  She wanted to pick him up and take him home right away. Of course, she knew she couldn’t, but it did make her wonder whether Coco would be agreeable to getting a pet...

Reaching a hand towards him, Hebe first allowed him to tentatively sniff her before moving to pet the soft fur atop his head. The ginger ball of fluff gave Hebe a rough lick with his sandpapery tongue. Her lips parted to let out a small laugh, head turning to look at the waiter who was standing patiently behind the pair. ‘Catmosphere’ was a small but cosy cafe nestled into a side street in the centre of downtown Seattle. It was one that you wouldn’t know about unless you heard about it by word of mouth or, like Hebe, had done some rather excitable googling. The goddess of youth, when given the option to choose an outing, would always prefer to pick somewhere different. Sure Starbucks was nice but getting to cuddle cats was so much better! Though she hoped Julie wasn’t allergic...in her eagerness she’d forgotten to ask.

[color=D87093]“What’s his name?”[/color] Hebes eyes widened eagerly as her attention flitted between the server and the animal in question, scratching gently under the latters chin. 

“Rupert. Y’know, you can take him to your table if you’d like...” The waiter looked like he had dealt with far too many teenagers squawking over adorable felines but Hebe seemed not to notice this. Instead she gently scooped the kitten into her arms before scrambling to her feet. [color=D87093]“I can?!”[/color] She grinned happily. Excitement reeled off the goddess in waves as she clutched the creature to her chest. She’d had no idea that she’d actually be able to [i]hold[/i] the cats. This was great!

“Yeah, sure. Whatever.” The ever disinterested waiter muttered, whose name Hebe ascertained was Trevor by his cat-shaped badge, before leading her to a table that was located next to a large set of bay windows. It only afforded a view of the street below, where she could see mortals busily going about their everyday business, but she was happy to watch them whilst she waited for her companion. Taking a seat, she gently placed the kitten into her lap. As Rupert curled up into a comfortable ball, she glanced at her phone, trying to ignore the slight nervousness she felt creeping into her stomach. Gods, she hoped they got along.

“No! No! No!” Julie kept saying as she was literally running past people. How could she be late now!? Every now and then she checked her watch. Angry with herself for every minute she was late. Eventually, after getting the wrong address two times she finally found the little hidden gem in Seattle. It was strange, she had lived here for over seven years now and not once had she heard about something as amazing as Catmosphere.

Bewildered and a little exhausted she pretty much stumbled into the cozy place. The cats, quite to her surprise, didn’t even mind her just barging in. If she had been early, as she had planned, she probably would’ve played with the cats a little bit. “I’m so sorry.” She whispered at the lounging cats as she past them. In truth she really shouldn’t have been here. Cats being one of her weaknesses, she probably would probably end up adopting one right now.

Still, first she wanted to meet the very first family member of Alex! Julie’s phone was in her hand with an Instagram picture of Hailey Cooper as her eyes darted from table to table. Hoping to find the brunette with such a wonderful, bright smile. Eventually she [i]thought[/i] she had found her. Well, the girl was looking down at her phone and looking away. Quite sheepishly the blonde approached her. “Hi…I’m sorry but… are you Hailey?” She asked with a slightly worried but also hopeful smile.

Head shot up when Hebe heard her mortal name, face lighting up in excitement as her eyes landed on the woman standing cautiously in front of her. She’d had no idea what Julie looked like but as her eyes passed over her, she couldn’t help but admire how beautiful she was. 

[color=D87093]“Yep that’s me! Oh, are you Julie?!”[/color] She blurted out, enthusiasm quickly etching itself across her features. When Julie had contacted her she’d been more than excited to meet with her big brother's girlfriend…even if it was kind of disappointing that he hadn’t mentioned her before now. But she figured that Ares [i]must’ve[/i] had a good reason to keep it secret. [color=D87093]“I’m so glad you managed to find your way here! I was a bit worried because it’s kind of hidden…”[/color] She added as she took one last glance at her phone before placing it face down on the table. 

Normally she would have shot up to give her a hug but with the kitten fast asleep in her lap, she simply stayed put, basking in the warmth that his small form radiated. [color=D87093]“This is Rupert by the way!”[/color] Hebe smiled, nodding her head at the curled up kitten. Clearly used to the hustle and bustle of humans, he seemed completely unperturbed by her excited outburst, remaining fast asleep throughout. 

“Yep!” The mortal said in response to Hailey’s blurted out question. Julie took the seat in front of Hailey but then looked over to see Rupert on her lap. “Awww!” She exclaimed, wanting to reach over to pet the kitty. But seeing it so fast asleep on the girl’s lap stopped her. She really didn’t want to annoy him with her own attention. Which was frankly limitless when it came to cats. “He looks really cute on your lap!” The mortal said as instead she outstretched her hand towards Hailey. “So yeah, it’s a real pleasure to meet you Hailey. I’m so sorry I couldn’t make it for breakfast yesterday. Work just suddenly bombarded me with a photoshoot but it’s really nice to finally meet someone from Alex’s family!” The pure, unbridled excitement was quite evident on the girl’s face.

Taking Julie's hand in-between hers, Hebe gently shook it before bringing her hands back to absentmindedly scratch at the nape of Rupert's neck. He began to emit a small purr, which she couldn’t help but smile at. [color=D87093]“That’s alright! It’d been a while since I’d seen Alex so it was nice to catch up…”[/color] Despite the wholly unexpected news, which she was still desperately trying to push to the back of her mind, it [I]had[/I] been fun to catch up with him. Ares was always so busy that she couldn’t help but worry about him a little, but it was nice to know he had someone to look after him.

[color=D87093]“A photoshoot? Oh wow, are you a model?!”[/color] Briefly distracted by thoughts of her brother,  Hebe's attention flitted back to Julie when she mentioned the shoot, eyes widening. Leaning forwards in her chair, her eyes flitted over the woman more carefully, trying to remember if she had seen her in any magazines or on any billboards. [color=D87093]“What kind of work do you do? My best friend does some modelling too actually!”[/color]

“Oh yeah, I know how that feels.” Julie said in response to Hebe telling her how she hadn’t seen Alex for a while now. She hadn’t either. In the past it felt strange how he often just seemed to disappear. These days though, she got a little used to it. She still missed him every day when she wakes up alone. A small smile crept on her lips though when a thought slipped in her mind. She would see him again tonight. That was his promise. Hebe’s sudden questions about the photoshoot and modelling pulled Julie back into the present. “Oh no, no. I’m not – I mean I used to be a model.” Julie explained. “It was just some small scale stuff. You know some lingerie.” Her cheeks turned a bit flustered. “But these days I’m the photographer. I’ve been lucky enough to do some gigs for Aeon!” But then she heard that Hailey had a friend who modelled as well and instantly the blonde’s face lit up even more. “Really!? What’s her name?” She asked as excitedly as Hailey was. 

[color=D87093]“Aeon? Oh wow, I’ve seen some of their stuff! Their clothes are beautiful…though a bit too expensive for me unfortunately.”[/color] Pulling the menu towards herself, Hebe began to flick through it as she spoke, letting out a small laugh as she considered the dire state of her bank account. The goddess failed to omit that she did indeed know the owner of Aeon, feeling it would come across as strange for her to have any association with Venus. Or at least it would to a mortal. [color=D87093]“I bet you were a great model! I could never be brave enough.”[/color] She continued with a smile, her expression filled with genuine curiosity. Hebe hadn’t met any of Ares’ previous girlfriends but she for sure was liking Julie already. 

[color=D87093]“Oh my friend? She’s called Coco. She’s so pretty! I’ve seen a bit of her work though I’d love to see her on a shoot!…Ooh, pancakes—”[/color] Hebe gushed, briefly getting distracted as she spotted one of her favourite breakfast foods on the menu. They were shaped like cats too! [i]And[/i] came with strawberries! 

“Yeah… they’re very expensive.” There was a slightly cheeky smile forming upon Julie’s lips which she quickly hid behind another menu cart. Those dresses were expensive, too expensive for Julie. Not for Alex, who had surprised her with one only a few months back. “Leona’s so talented. I really wish I could meet her someday.” So far the blonde had only seen the world famous artistic designer from a distance, surrounded by people there were always vastly more important than a simple photographer. Maybe someday she’d get her five seconds. For now though, she was putting down the menu again to look at Hailey right when she name-dropped Coco.

“Wait...Coley ‘Coco’?” She asked. “Coley ‘Coco’ Merkouri?”

[color=D87093]“Yep that’s her!”[/color] Hebe nodded, the excitement that was splashed across her face now tinged with a hint of surprise. Forever struggling to remember their mortal names, it took her a moment to recall that Coco's chosen last name was indeed Merkouri. [color=D87093]“Wait, do you know her too? Oh! Have you worked with her or something?”[/color] She briefly wondered if Ares knew about their common connection. It would seem strange if he did, especially because he had never even mentioned Julie to her before now. [color=D87093]“That’s so funny! Isn’t she great though?!”[/color]

“She really is!” Julie exclaimed, almost jumping in her seat. “I’ve known her for five years already! She is one of my best friends!” What were the odds that they both were so close to the same person? Well, she certainly had to tell Coco about all of this, but only after Julie hit her friend on the arm for not telling her about Hailey.

Right then though, one of the waitresses came up to take their order. “Oh I’ll just take some pancakes with maple syrup.” The blonde said before she turned towards Hailey. “You can take whatever you want.” She assured the student before quickly flashing the black credit card she had in her palm and giving her a rather brazen face. Alex could afford some expensive milkshake and whatnot Hailey really wanted to eat. If he even noticed the charge.

Hebe listened happily as Julie spoke about Comus. She couldn’t wait to let her know about this and she found herself having to resist the temptation to pick up her phone and text her straight away. 

[color=D87093]“Aw thanks but you don’t have to! I can pay for myself. I’ve got enough…I think.”[/color] She trailed off awkwardly before turning to the waiter. Trevor still looked equally as disgruntled but amusingly had somehow now adopted a pair of adorable cat ears (work mandated she assumed). [color=D87093]“Can I have the pancakes too but with the strawberries and whipped cream! And…um, I guess the rainbow smoothie as well please.”[/color] Hebe reeled off what she wanted before handing her menu to Trevor, who had scribbled down their orders with only the odd grunt of recognition. He must be a dog person or something. 

Julie didn’t mind. And in a second the card vanished out of her hand again. “Sooo…” She said, verbally dragging her feet. In all honesty, she didn’t know how Alex would react if he knew she would be asking this question. He had always been so mysterious about his family. Julie didn’t even know the names of his parents! “What’s your family like? Like how are Alex’s parents? His aunts? Coco always tells me about her crazy family it… kind of makes me envious that Alex never talks about his.”

[color=D87093]“Well…”[/color] Hebe paused, unsure how to answer. Julie was under the impression that they were simply cousins when in-fact they shared the same parents. [color=D87093]“Our family is kinda complicated. It’s hard to explain…but he loves his mother.”[/color] She smiled gently, picking at the edge of a pink napkin stamped with cat paws. Although her own relationship with Hera hadn’t been great recently (which she knew was kind of her fault), Ares had always been extremely close with their mother. It made her happy to know that at least one of them still had a good bond with her, especially now that Hephaestus was gone. 

[color=D87093]“And his father is—”[/color] The colour suddenly drained from Hebes face as she stopped mid-sentence, words disappearing in a strangled choke. A hand closed to clutch tightly around the napkin as her gaze strayed past Julie to the entrance of the cafe. [color=D87093][sub]No. Please no...[/sub][/color] At first all she’d noticed was a shock of blonde hair but this had been enough to send a heavy weight into her stomach, heart beating so hard that waves of panic began to  rush throughout her body, skin crawling in protest. [I]He[/I] was turned away, looking at the several felines that were perched on a rather tall cat tree, but she didn’t need to see his face to be able to tell who it was. Hebe knew that figure well enough to recognise it in an instant. [color=D87093][sub]It-it couldn’t be…[/sub][/color]

The once soothing noises of the cafe — the gentle meows of cats & kittens, and the quiet chatter of mortals — faded into the background as Hebe suddenly shot up from her seat. Rupert let out a mewl of surprise as he jumped off her lap, scattering away to some other patrons. [color=D87093]“I-Can we, I-…”[/color] Hebe began to stutter, her eyes flitting anxiously between Julie and the cruelly recognisable form. Every breath, every moment here was one too long and she once more had an intense desire to run away. [color=D87093]“P-please can we go?”[/color] She whispered quietly, a well of fear rising up at the chance that he might recognise her voice. Without waiting for a reply, Hebe's shaking hand had tightly grabbed Julies, the goddess pulling the mortal up from her seat.

Seeing the colour drain from Hailey when she mentioned Alex’ father made her anticipate the worst at first. Maybe he and Alex’ mother were divorced and it was a sore subject in the family? But only a moment later Julie realized that the girl wasn’t reacting to the family exposition. Her eyes trailed past the blonde at first. When she shot up from her seat, almost launching poor Rupert, Julie tried to as subtly as she could turn around to see who she was looking at. It took a moment, but then she noticed the figure standing by the cat tree. The way Hailey was reacting, especially now that she grabbed Jules’ hand to get her up made the mortal assume the worst. She shot up as well.

Julie’s own heart began to beat faster as she stood in between Hailey and the figure, almost hiding her. The man was much too close to the exit. “The back.” She immediately said as she nodded towards the kitchen doors that just opened with the waitress bringing two plates of pancakes, one with strawberries and whip cream and the other with just maple syrup. Julie hadn’t made a suggestion though. She was actively pushing the girl towards the door, keeping herself between the guy at the door who seemed to have triggered Hailey. As she passed the waitress she quickly whispered: “I’m sorry I’ll be back to pay.” Before ushering Hailey on through the door.

Her fingers had clutched tightly, perhaps too much so, around Julie's arm and she daren’t let go even as the woman led her into the kitchen. It was this minimal of contact that kept Hebe from breaking down right there, although she could feel the panic pushing at her already fragile limits. Through the heavy veil of fear she couldn’t help but feel a warm bloom of gratitude towards this woman who was barely more than a stranger, but who had not needed to ask one question before rushing to help her. [color=D87093]“I-I’m so sorry…”[/color] Hebes voice was a mere hush, barely perceptible above the whir of chaos that was the kitchen. She moved her body to slide past cooks and waiters alike, cringing back at the contact when she accidentally brushed against their shoulders or arms. They looked at her with confusion or pity, some opening their mouths to question the pair, but she noticed none of it, only craving escape and distance. 

The quick head shake of Julie was often enough to shut anyone up who would’ve piped up. She could see the cringe reaction from just touching someone. What had this guy done to her!? The anger towards that stranger quickly faded again as Julie got her to the other end of the kitchen and the both of them went through the back door. Ending up in a rather deserted alleyway, though the both of them could still hear the bustle of cars and foot traffic not too far away. At least Julie hoped Hailey would feel safe here. Luckily the cooks of the café were exactly like the cooks anywhere else. Which meant there were about three chairs in the back and a small table, upon which there was an ashtray with a literal mount of ash in it. “We can sit here, if you want. I doubt that guy saw us and even if he did, that kitchen won’t let him through.” Especially as she threw one of the cooks with a ‘Semper Fi’ tattoo a look her brother had taught her.

As Hebe did as she was advised and sat on one of the chairs - the cheap plastic of which was still wet from the eternal Seattle drizzle - the tears that had welled in her eyes began to spill over. Palms came up to brush them away but despite her best efforts, they kept on coming. [color=D87093]“Y-you definitely think he didn’t see us?”[/color] She mumbled, her voice weary as she gave up on trying to stop her silent tears, head coming to rest between her hands. Hebe gripped at the roots of her long brunette hair, trying to will her shaking hands to stop. She opened her mouth to say something more but her mind was blank, hazy fear and panic lingering behind her line of vision, the sight of him still imprinted even now upon her gaze. He had been mere feet away from her, in a place he never would have gone to, and the goddess felt a deep pit of concern for why he had even been there in the first place.

“He definitely didn’t see us.” Julie said slowly but firmly. Yet it was a lie. She couldn’t really know if he had seen them or not, she had her back to him. But she wasn’t about to tell the panicking girl that. So Julie just feigned certainty, though she hated having to lie. Still, the promise didn’t seem to calm the girl down. In fact it looked like she was crumbling where she sat. Slowly Julie put a hand on her shoulder first, to see if she would flinch from the touch.

[color=D87093]“Okay...”[/color] Hebe let out a deep sigh, one that would’ve threatened to turn into a sob if she hadn’t swallowed it down. At the feeling of a gentle touch on her shoulder, she looked up, before suddenly wrapping her arms around the woman. [color=D87093]“Thank you.”[/color] She mumbled, still clinging onto Julie tightly, their close proximity causing her tears to wet the mortals dress. [color=D87093]“Y-you must think I’m really weird...”[/color] The goddess let out a forced laugh, shaking her head at herself. Once her episodes of panic had been often and overwhelming but time had soothed her, terror mainly striking her at night and in her dreams, pulling her to a waking state. But now they had become frequent again and she felt a deep tinge of embarrassment for how weak she was being.

“I don’t think you’re weird.” Julie said as she firmly embraced the girl. Holding one arm on her back while with the other hand she gently brushed Hailey’s hair. She did think something terrible had happened. Few things could set a person off like that and none of them could be rationalized in Julie’s mind. “I just think you’re afraid of someone. It’s okay. It’s all okay.” She kept quiet as she held Hailey, letting the hug comfort her for just as long as she wanted. For a second she opened her mouth to say something, but still decided against it. Alex never told her about Hailey’s panic attacks but he would’ve if he knew. If she were being honest, she didn’t want to keep that secret. She wanted to get on the phone to Alex right now and explain everything. He often looked like a softy, but he could get things done. He could help. Still, as Julie held Hailey she knew she couldn’t breach the girl’s trust and she didn’t want to pressure the girl right now.

Even Hebe, who loved the familiar embrace of others, knew it was strange that she was clinging to this woman so fiercely. But having someone…anyone around was more than she’d had in the last five years. Not that her friends wouldn’t want to offer her comfort but she daren’t let her emotions spill out in front of them, for fear that they would ask one too many questions. The goddess had always figured it was better to try ignore it. She was immortal after all...the pain [i]had[/i] to go away eventually. Right? 

Eyes, through the hazy screen of tears glanced back towards the kitchen, heart lurching into her throat as the door suddenly swung open, banging loudly against the dirty brick wall. The smell of baked goods wafted through the air, only adding to the lingering nausea that she felt in her stomach, and she fought back the urge to throw up when a figure stepped into the narrow alleyway. Trying, and failing somewhat to hide behind Julie, Hebes pounding heart only ceased a little when she saw that it was just a kitchen porter lugging a bag of garbage next to the already overflowing cans. Staring at him warily, tears still flowing down her cheeks, her grip tightened around Julie's jacket. He barely seemed to notice them, grumbling something about not getting paid enough before storming back into the cafe. 

After several moments, she looked up at the woman. [color=D87093]“Could- could we walk somewhere else?”[/color] She breathed quietly, looking around the alleyway as if he would just pop up behind them at any moment. [color=D87093]“If you have to go though that’s fine. I-I can get a taxi home…”[/color] Hebe desperately hoped she didn’t have to, or want to leave, the contact of another being the only thing that was stopping her from crumbling completely, but she also didn’t want to make her feel like she had to stay. 

When the door flung open Julie cursed internally. Did the cook fail her? Her hand instinctively went into her handbag as she looked back. Only to see someone throw a bag of garbage in the bin. Muttering something Julie couldn’t care for. But it had a clear effect on Hailey. She wasn’t improving. “Yes, yes we can go anywhere you want.” Julie said as she wrapped her arm back around the girl, walking away from the backdoor and keeping an eye out along the street as they walked. Making sure that guy, whoever he was, wasn’t around. At first Julie just walked a few blocks with Hailey, hoping it would calm her down. Her phone was exploding in her pocket though. Probably irate calls of her manager demanding why she cancelled a photoshoot meeting on such short notice. That didn’t matter right now. “And just so you know.” Julie suddenly said. “I’m not going to tell Alex.” Not unless Hailey wanted her to.