[CENTER][color=ed1c24][h1][b]A R E S[/b][/h1][/color]
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[b][color=ed1c24]Mentions of |[/color][/b] Everyone at the party but specifically Pasithea [@Akayaofthemoon]
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[color=gray]Ares woke up with the sun. His bed was far too comfortable. He got up to look out the floor-to-ceiling window into the water that surrounded Seattle.  It looked so serene and peaceful. It felt weird though, knowing that a little more than a century and a half ago the Americans would be fighting for this area. Of course, Ares had been there. Even now he could point to where manned a canon. Too much had changed though. If given the chance Ares would’ve stood before the window ruminating about the past for the entire morning. However, today he did not have that luxury.

First he went for a run. Not on a treadmill, of course. That was the useless habit of people who were far too rich. He ran through the morning streets of Seattle for 45 minutes just to warm up. Back in the hotel he ditched the hoodie, the only thing he wore over his chest and started to lift weights at the gym. The exercise barely activated the fire in his blood. Though he could still lift the weight of a fully grown adult with ease. Sweat began to pour as he continued his workout. Next up was boxing. By now drops of sweat began to roll over his toned body. He closed it off with a half-hour swim in the hotel’s pool. When he was done most of the hotel goers who fancied an early morning swim were up. The men looked upon him in the same way most of his siblings looked at him. With a mixture of disgust and distaste. The many scars he had all over his body made it dreadfully clear that he was a fighter. Such a thing was no longer a sign of respect in the civilized world though. The ladies, and some of the men, looked at him with admiring eyes. Some looked from the corner of their eyes. Others were more daring. When Alexander Markov was done, he pulled himself out of the pool. Steam rose up from his chiseled body and for just a moment the pool fell quiet. One woman flashed Ares a wink. He just returned a polite smile before he walked past her.

Half an hour later and Ares was dressed in the armor of the civil world: suit and tie. He looked closer to a dashing young lawyer than the mercenary he actually was. Though the art of theatre was not reserved for Dionysus alone. He was running late though. His car was already waiting. Beside it was the lovely Melissa.

Ares didn’t know Seattle as it was now. The place was a labyrinth of skyscrapers to him. To make sure his stay would be as comfortable as possible he had hired what could best be described as a guide. Of course, this was not your average $200/day guide. She was highly suggested by one of Ares’ far more affluent clients. According to the man, she knew Seattle better than most residents. Not only on a political level. There were some whispers of extra services rendered but Ares wasn’t particularly interested in that.

[i]One second, please.[/i] He motioned with his hand and lips, before pointing at this cellphone to his ear. [color=ed1c24]“Listen, I’m running late for something. But when I’m done here in Seattle I’ll come to visit you in DC, okay? Okay. And hey, I love you. Okay, bye-bye.”[/color] With that he finished the call and gave his guide a soft smile. [color=ed1c24]“I’m sorry for that. Right, I suspect it will be a weird day for you today. I’m not entirely sure where I’ll go today and I’m afraid you’ll have to stay in the car for most of it.”
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Melissa just offered him a genuine smile as she opened the door. [color=white]“Not a problem.”[/color] She said. Of course it wasn’t a problem. At the end of the week Ares would’ve paid her more than most people get paid in a year. Still, he returned the friendly smile and crawled into the car. [color=ed1c24]“Well, the first stop would be a local country club.”[/color]
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The driver found said country club easy enough. Meanwhile, Melissa regaled Ares with tales of the many fun summer parties she attended there. Apparently the grass was some special kind that made it excellent for croquet. Not that Ares would ever play such a dull sport. Eventually they drove up to the front entrance of the club where Ares would step out. Though he quickly turned to his guide and driver and said: [color=ed1c24]“My calendar says this will take about two hours but if I’m honest I doubt this will last longer than half an hour. Knowing the people in there at least.”[/color] Really, what was more like a powder keg than the whole Greek Pantheon? All the Pantheons together of course. [color=ed1c24]“So… leave her running would you? I might have to flee the scene.”[/color] He said with a wink. Obviously he was joking. He gave the drive a thankful tap on the shoulder, an old habit from the sandbank, and stepped out.

The opulence screamed at Ares. It reminded him a little bit of Olympus. Only a little bit though. He strode through the halls following the nicely put-out signs telling him where to go. Honestly, if it wasn’t his mother who organized the luncheon, Ares would’ve never attended. But she did, so here he was. After almost thirty years of barely attending the Festival of Life he came to the most unnecessary appearance of all. With little theatrics he entered the hall but like a trained soldier his eyes went over every person in attendance. His children were there, as was Sekhmet. That would be interesting. Some of the Norse pantheon were present as well. He took an easy breath when he noticed Tlaz wasn’t there. Maybe she would skip the party altogether. A part of him was excited to see her again. She was one of the few people that could make his blood boil at just a sight. It was her strength over him now, even if she wasn’t aware of it herself.

He did lock eyes with Pasithea, his half-sister. She was as gentle as Ares was rough. Which made the fact that she was family all the more interesting. He didn’t approach her though. He slightly raised the glass of bubbles he effortlessly pulled from a passing tray to greet her. Then he sat down on a chair that was half hidden in the shadows. For now he would be happy with just observing whatever was going to happen.[/color]