[b]Redana![/b]

"You," said Hera Mother of Cities, "have [i]no[/i] idea what cruelty is. Do you?"

The scariest part of that is that she isn't being condescending. She's genuinely thinking about it. And that's terrifying because...

"I will teach you," said Hera Protector of Children. "You will learn the ways the universe can be cruel. Not [i]all[/i] of them, for you are mortal and you do not have the time. But enough so that you will not embarrass yourself when you are called before the Furies in the House of Hades."

Her finger-snap is imperious and dismissive. She does not leave; everyone else does. The Alcedi bow their heads and together they file from the room and your feet, knowing better sense than your head or your tongue, go with them. The clan gathers together outside in a rusting courtyard filled with ropes that weave around and through the branches of a great holy tree that drips roots like stalactites. 

[b]Alexa![/b]

"Hell yeah," said Ramses. "Nothing in the texts says we're only meant to explore our [i]own[/i] bodies, right?"

And the three of you part from the dance in a tangle of limbs which seem to have taken this as an invitation to get even more familiar. It's intensely distracting, almost so much so that it overwhelms your training - but not quite. After all, you have spent a lot longer as a bodyguard than you have as a girl.

And if there's any goddess you know to watch for signs of its Artemis.

Brown hair cut short in boyish style and sharp silver suit - clearly inspired by Tellus fashions, with woven loops and a holographic badge depicting a shattered sun, all jagged triangles. What appears at first to be a tie is a black scarf, woven into a stylish loop and knot, matched by smooth black leather gloves. Everything about her style, her stance and appearance signifies [i]restraint[/i]. Despite not seeming any more well built than average she somehow seems one flex away from tearing her clothes; despite having a face of perfect calmness you can sense the emotion boiling just below the surface; despite standing quietly and patiently you can sense the unbelievable violence below the surface waiting to rip out. Artemis is a puzzle box around a supernova and her presence has never boded anything but ill for those you care about.