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[color=#15B9E7][sup][b]______________________________________________________________________________________[/b][/sup][/color]
[color=#918ABB][sup][b]Location:[/b] Hades Cabin - Camp Half-Blood; New York.[/sup]
[sup][b]Interacting With:[/b] Zeru Williams ([@King Kindred]), & Erin Chase ([@Vicier]).[/sup][/color]
[color=#15B9E7][sup][b]______________________________________________________________________________________[/b][/sup][/color][/center]
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Zeru left the Apollo Cabin feeling fresh and satisfied after his shower with Fiamma. It almost helped him forget that they were about to be separated again, but he knew it wouldn't be long this time. He had more incentive to return home as soon as they could. If they were lucky they might not even take the full seven days.

The two cabins weren't far from each other and it took him no time at all to arrive at the steps of the cabin of his underworldly uncle and cousins. He was less nervous walking up the steps of the Hades cabin than he was Apollo's.

Once he reached the door he knocked and waited. As he did he looked down at himself and realized that he probably should have grabbed a shirt from his cabin first or at least picked up one of the hoodies he let Fiamma "borrow" last summer. It honestly had slipped his mind until now. He just wanted to talk to Erin as soon as possible so he could stop sneezing. It [i]almost[/i] ruined his shower.

[color=#918ABB]"Salem..."[/color]

A few seconds... but apparently that's all it took. She'd turned her back on her bag for just those few brief seconds, and once she'd brought her attention back to it, there he was. A black ball of fur nestled comfortably along with the rest of the belongings she was taking with her on her quest- Gods, it still didn't feel real... she didn't want it to be real. There was still some small part of her that hoped it was a joke. Placing the charging cords for her phone and her kindle - argh... kindle... she [i]hated[/i] not being able to hold actual books - down beside her bag, she instead reached into it. Her hold gentle as she wrapped her arms around the feline, and it was only a moment later that she was hoisting him up, [color=#918ABB]"..you can't come with me this time..."[/color]

Normally, she wouldn't have an issue... the Underworld was as much his home as it was hers, but this was different. This wasn't just some spur of the moment trip to go and spend time with her father or her brother. The soft sound of someone knocking on her cabin door catching her ear, Erin's gaze was drawn towards the hall leading to the stairs. Hesitating, unsure if she wanted to leave it or answer it considering how the day had gone so far, she eventually sighed. And putting her cat down on the bed, quickly shoving the cords into her bag, she left the room. Her arms swinging lightly down by her sides as she took the stairs.

Reaching out as she drew close enough to the front door, Erin pulled it open. Her lips parting slightly at the seam as her gaze met with that of her cousin, [color=#918ABB]"..Sparky..."[/color]

Zeru's eyes met his cousin's once she opened the door. He could tell that she had been crying, likely a lot, since she was accused this morning. He hated that the gods were putting her through this.

[color=15B9E7]"Sup, Specter. I heard you were looking for me. Are you gonna let me inside so we can talk about this quest?"[/color] Zeru decided he rather not beat around the bush with her. She had likely had to repeat the conversation they were about to have quite a few times so he decided to make things a bit easier for her.

[color=#918ABB]"..I just know I'm going to regret this..."[/color] Rolling her eyes, unable to help herself, Erin's hand slipped from the door. Back turning to her cousin as she began back up the stairs towards her bedroom. Already she had a sinking feeling that she was making the wrong choice, but it was too late now. There was no going back, and her mind was too clouded to even begin thinking about a possible replacement at this stage.

Zeru shook his head in response and followed his cousin inside closing the door behind him. He followed behind her and rubbed the back of his head. He felt a bit awkward now that they were inside the cabin. They were cousins, but they weren't exactly super close. Not like the posse that had managed to break through different layers of her shell. But he still cared about her and knew this was all incredibly hard on her, but he didn't want to spit out words that sounded like the cliches she likely had her so many times today.

[color=15B9E7]"Hey, cous? I'm sorry this happened to you... It shouldn't have, but I promise you won't regret bringing me along. We're two of the most stubborn people I know. And in my experience stubbornness trumps fate. So don't let Ares looming over you or whatever the prophecy said get too deep in your head. We just have to do what we do best, survive."[/color] Zeru admittedly wasn't sure where he was going with this impromptu motivational speech but he hoped she got the message. That they were going to be fine and they were going to survive this.

[color=#918ABB]"..survive... yeah..."[/color]

Voice soft as she repeated the word, mostly to herself, Erin rounded into her room once she'd hit the landing. Her feet carrying her back across to her bed, it was a few moments later that she was once more sitting on the edge of it. The dark feline resting in her lap, it's yellow eyes staring up at her cousin while behind her, the combined total of three hounds - two of her own, and one belonging to her brother - lounged over her sheets, [color=#918ABB]"..what do you want to know..?"[/color]

Zeru followed Erin into her room that made him feel like he had stepped into the movie Hotel for Dogs. His blue eyes glancing over each hound, two from hell and one pit before they met the eyes of her cat Salem. It likely possessed his soul now. His attention returned to his cousin and he focused on the matter at hand. [color=15B9E7]"You know, the basics. The prophecy, who's all coming, where we're going, and when do we leave?"[/color]

He didn't need convincing. He made up his mind about going on the quest the moment he was told she was looking for him.

The prophecy... right. How many times now would she have had to repeat the words given to her by the Oracle..? Repeat the names of the people she was dragging along with her into such a dangerous situation..? This was a conversation she'd already had countless of times that morning alone, and really the thought of having to have it again wasn't the most appealing, but it wasn't as though she really had a choice in the matter.

[i][color=#918ABB]"..six figures, tall, stand strong in the East... a land of Pisa, pasta, and much art none the least... while two might find love, one soul shall be taken... the Ladies dove shall be found, but what vengeance will it awaken..?"[/color][/i] A frown making it to her lips, Erin's fingers ran gently through Salem's black fur as she spoke to her cousin. Starting to give him the answers that he was currently looking to her for, [color=#918ABB]"..that's the prophecy... we're going to Rome..."[/color]

Zeru listened to the prophecy and tried to analyze it as he did so to see what conclusions he could come up with based on each line. Most were fairly obvious. The amount of heroes going on the quest and the location being Rome. His ears twitched at the next two lines. He wasn't surprised that there'd be romance on a quest, let alone one for Aphrodite. The gods had ways of manipulating people based on their abilities. Rumor has it that Aphrodite was the reason Paris fell for the married Helen. But that was a story for another time.

He glanced down once again towards Salem at the mention of a soul being taken. He hoped his was safe in the hands of his cousin's familiar. But what did that mean for the other five, including her? He also had to worry about what Fi was going to think when he told her the prophecy. The next line revealed that Aphrodite's dove would be find but vengeance will awaken with it. Great. Aphrodite gets her dove and all they were going to get is a lost soul, vengeance, and two people in love as a consolation prize. He was starting to question his taste in his crush.

When Erin confirmed that they were going Zee nodded as to say he understood. [color=15B9E7]"Right. Pretty standard prophecy of doom and gloom. But hey, all roads lead to Rome. Speaking of... Have you decided how we're going to get there? I know Underworld kids aren't the safest in the skies [i]but[/i] I could call up my mom and get us a private plane ready to go and dear old dad would never attack us while I'm there."[/color] He was going to mention that it offered them comfort and the time to relax and come up with a plan but he didn't want to sound like he was a plane salesman.

[color=#918ABB]"..no."[/color] Shaking her head lightly, her hand came to a brief stop on Salem before she continued to pet him, [color=#918ABB]"..no sea... no sky..."[/color]

No sea. No sky. That only left one thing. He nearly shuddered at the thought. It wasn't the subway, but he wasn't entirely a fan of shadow travel either. [color=15B9E7]"... Shadows?"[/color]

[color=#918ABB]"..yes."[/color]

Zee saw no sense in fighting it and decided to take this loss for today. [color=15B9E7]"And I see you're set on that so is there anything else I should know?"[/color]

[color=#918ABB]"..some of the others think it best that we leave as soon as we finish packing."[/color]

[color=15B9E7]"I agree. We may have seven days, but still. But what do you think? About any of this? You've had a lot thrown at you this morning. And I... uhh, I noticed you've been crying. Are you sure you're ready for this?"[/color]

Her body stiffened at his words. He could tell that she'd been crying..? Fuck. Even after having washed her face, it was still so obvious. Clearly. Would the humiliation of the day never cease..? Or was she just doomed to have it thrown back at her again and again..? Hand once more stilling against the feline who took the opportunity to slip out of her arms, causing her to lower her hands back down to her lap. Fingers curling slightly as she tried to think of just how to answer his questions.

[color=#918ABB]"..no."[/color]

She knew it wasn't the answer he was looking for- hell, it wasn't the answer she wanted to be able to give. But the both of them knew that it was truth. Plain and simple as that, [color=#918ABB]"..I'm not ready for this... and I'm far from being okay, either; not that you bothered to actually ask for my current state of mind... I didn't ask for this- and I want nothing to do with it either, if I'm being completely candid. I might not particularly look it, but I'm already fighting... just with myself. I haven't stopped trembling since I was in Mr. D's office. And it's taking everything I have to simply pack this bag without breaking down into a mess right here on my bedroom floor..."[/color]

He felt that he had to choose his next words carefully. It already seemed that he made a blunder by not asking if she was okay. He just thought she had heard that question enough and was tired of answering it. He knew that he would have. But that was the thing. Most people would have lied or put on a brave front to show that they were okay, but Erin Chase wasn't most people. While everyone else was facing mythical monsters she faced ones that you couldn't just simply slay with a sword or crush it in darkness. It was [i]the darkness[/i]. He didn't know too much about her past. He never wanted to push her to open up, but he knew it was something she was still facing within these borders.

[color=15B9E7]"Then break down."[/color] He gave his words a moment to settle in before he continued. [color=15B9E7]"Contrary to popular belief demigods don't have to be strong all the time. You're in your cabin, in your room, surrounded by your pets of comfort so break down. But you can't carry that fight with yourself when you're fighting out there. That's how you die and I know you don't want to die because you haven't really gotten the chance to live yet. You can start by telling Aphrodite where she can shove her bird once we finish this quest."[/color]

Her lips parting slightly at the seam, Erin found herself able to do little else other than stare up at her cousin from where she was sat. Her dark gaze holding fast to his; seeming to search them, though for what she just wasn't quite sure. Permission..? He'd already given it to her. He'd laid it out bare for her- told her to go ahead and let her emotions get the better of her now that she was faced with a situation she had almost absolutely no control over.

[color=#918ABB]"..I can't..."[/color]

Her voice soft as she responded, she turned her head away from him. If she did- if she allowed herself to come crashing down now, then there was going to be no quest. At least not one that she would go on anyway. Then she'd just be right back where she started at square one. Shutting herself away in her cabin and waiting for the day when Ares came to deliver his judgement, [color=#918ABB]"..what else did you want to know..?"[/color]

Zeru didn't need his ability to know that was a lie. She could. She just wouldn't and he wasn't going to force her. He'd just have to trust that when it came down to it she'd be ready to fight.

He shrugged his shoulders taking a second to think. There was only one thing left, well maybe two. [color=15B9E7]"Just who else is coming and where you want to meet up to leave."[/color]

It was more than clear that he wanted to push the point, but just wouldn't. Despite his bluntness, he'd never once attempted to force her into having conversations that she didn't want to, and though she'd never admit it, for that she was rather grateful. Hands breaking away from her lap, she instead let them rest on either side of her body. Her fingers curled lightly over the sheets, [color=#918ABB]"..Brandon, Spencer, Carlos, and Tyler... they have all agreed to come with me."[/color]

Pausing, Erin looked away from him. Her gaze drawing out the window of her bedroom. Where to meet though... that was something she'd never really discussed with any of them, [color=#918ABB]"..just meet in front of my cabin when you're ready..."[/color]

He listened to the names as she called them out. The team was interesting enough. Brandon as the son of Ares was another rather capable fighter. Carlos was cool and he had a feeling they'd need his luck, especially if a god was manipulating things behind the scene. Tyler being there put one of the lines of the prophecy into perspective. He didn't really know anything about Spencer. All he knew was that he was the son of Thanatos and he arrived at camp sometime over the school year. But if Erin brought him over Dorian he was sure that he brought a lot to the table.

Zeru followed her gaze out the window to see if she was actually looking at anything. When she gave him the location he gave a nod. [color=15B9E7]"Front of your cabin. Got it. Well, I have to go pack, but we're gonna get you through this, cous."[/color] He turned back towards the door and was about to step out when a thought suddenly entered his mind. [color=15B9E7]"Oh yeah. Why'd you pick me?"[/color]

[color=#918ABB]"..because despite everything... I think you're the one I need right now..."[/color]

The answer slipping from her lips before she really took a moment to think on whether she wanted to admit that to him or not, it was another moment or two before Erin let her attention draw back around to him. Her dark gaze once more meeting with his, [color=#918ABB]"..besides... you can fly, and we're after a bird..."[/color]

Shrugging her shoulders lightly as she slipped that last little bit of information in, not wanting him to get a big head after the semi-compliment that she'd just inadvertently given him, Erin once more looked back out her bedroom widow, [color=#918ABB]"..and cousin... just my own personal observation, but... you would do better keeping the prophecy to yourself rather than telling certain others what it is... it will only make things harder in the long run, if you catch my drift..."[/color]

His eyes widened at her words. He was glad that he turned away before then because for a brief moment his brown cheeks flashed red. He turned back towards her and found himself feeling a little guilty. Before today he hadn't really been there for his cousin and yeah he could blame his mortal life but no one prevented him from visiting camp over the breaks. He just didn't. But he no longer planned to use his mortal life as an excuse. He already considered starting to stay at camp full-time, but his cousin's words cemented the decision. He needed to be around for his friends, his family. He was going to start with this quest.

He laughed at her next reason. [color=15B9E7]"I'll be your wingless hero. Your electric knight."[/color]

But her next words hit him like a brick and reality set in once again. Zeru knew the certain other was Fi and in a way she was right, but he also knew keeping it from her would be worse. [color=15B9E7]"I catch it and I know... But I know keeping it from her would make her worry more. And honestly I can't lie to her."[/color]

[color=#918ABB]"..then don't lie, but telling her the whole truth will just cause trouble... and you and I both know why..."[/color]

Zeru sighed. [color=15B9E7]"I know. You'd think I would've outgrown this crush by now."[/color]

[color=#918ABB]"..it's not so easy to do... trust me..."[/color] Fingers curling tighter, Erin let out a gentle sigh. Staying silent for a few minutes before finally she brought her attention back to his figure in her doorway, [color=#918ABB]"..you should pack... we'll be leaving as soon as we can..."[/color]

He trusted her, but he knew sooner or later he would have to move on from it. It wasn't like he actually loved Aphrodite and part of him wasn't sure that he ever could. It was just a celebrity crush that just developed over the years.

Erin's voice freed him from his mind causing him to realize that he had just been simply standing there in her doorway. [color=15B9E7]"Right. Pack. I'll see you in 0-Whatever hours."[/color] And with that he made a quick half spin to face the hall and walked out of Erin's room and down the stairs.