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[right][sub]location: olympic club
interactions: [COLOR=#e9d66b]Melinoë[/color] | [color=#9E1B31]Phobos[/color] | [color=#FF4500]Hercules[/color]
mentions: [color=#eed873]Apollo[/color]  [/sub][/right][/color][hr]
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Princess of the Underworld. Maiden of Madness. Bringer of Nightmares. Melinoë was all these and more so this little game of theirs should be in the bag. It should be simple to score a win. She was going up against Phobos afterall. [color=#e9d66b][i][sub]’He couldn’t scare his way out of a school house full of children…[/sub][/i][/color] her internally bashing of the object of her desire just moments ago came to a halt as she bumped into her first mortal prey.

It was too easy to get inside their head, especially as the poor boy couldn’t help but try to look anywhere but her. It proved difficult on his end. A light caress of her hand across his chest, resting on his shoulder, a whispered word or two in his ear and she was staring up at him, his tray of drinks plucked from his slipping grasp. Before long they would have wound up on the ground and she couldn’t let the booze go to waste. One thing Hera got right was not skimping out on the quality of libations. 

His nametag read “Austin” and she thought it was a fitting name for someone like him, lanky and tall, but not unfit. His long face only grew longer as the moments ticked on and his body caught up with his mind. Melinoë didn’t doubt that it was something utterly [i]delicious[/i] that he dreaded, that he feared. One thing she wished she still had domain over was what the mortals would see when she came gliding through the night to pay visits. It would truly make her life on earth that much more enjoyable.

Instead she stood there, glass in one hand, tray in the other, waiting for the inevitable drop that would soon come. Luckily, she didn’t have to wait too long before his face contorted in such a way that she was guaranteed a scream soon and she was correct. Placing a hand to his mouth to prevent himself from spewing projectile at a patron he scrambled to get around the corner and to the nearest lavatory. His muffled screams alerted anyone in the immediate area to come to his rescue and check on him. For now Melinoë just walked on by, catching Phobos eye from across the room, mouthing, [color=#e9d66b]“One for me~”[/color] as she searched for the next victim.

[color=#FF4500]“You’re a hard person to track down!”[/color] Hercules exclaimed walking towards the Ghost Goddess, a bright, typical Herc-like grin on his face. The kind that spelled cheer for all on the receiving end of it. Hercules was historically bad when it came to reading the room and that’s exactly what he [i]didn’t[/i] do. He was solely focused on his new possible, very likely new roomie that everything else that was going on wasn’t a priority. [color=#FF4500]“We need to talk and stuff!”[/color] Herc went to grab for Mel’s hand.

Jaw clenched, fear glared back at madness. He couldn't help it. She both infuriated and thrilled him at the same time, but regardless, he was not willing to suffer the fate of losing to her. Phobos braced himself as his gaze was briefly diverted by the sight of Hercules approaching Mel, inwardly rolling his eyes. [color=#9E1B31][I]Of course…[/i][/color] Rolling his shoulders, his sharp blue gaze darted away from the pair to the mortals scattered about the room. It would be easier to target those who were already feeling uncomfortable and it wasn't long before he felt the gentle lapping of fear drawing him in. Turning, he smiled softly at a prim looking woman holding a clipboard stuffed full of papers. Perhaps involved in the organization of this overly extravagant luncheon? It was no wonder she was on edge, his grandmother did not like mistakes. Strolling over towards her, he placed a hand gently on her shoulder, directing her to a collection of cushioned chairs to their right. 

[color=#9E1B31]"Sit."[/color] He commanded before taking a seat beside her. The woman seemed unsure but did as she was told, hands already visibly shaking as fear began to strip away her autonomy. Leaning towards her, forearms resting lazily atop his legs, he turned back to matters at hand, directing his annoyance at his fellow gods towards the mortal instead.  

[color=#9E1B31]"You're going to fail."[/color] Though he spoke conversationally and the words themselves were trifling, Phobos twisted at the primitive fear deep inside of her, pulling it to the surface, leaving no room for other more inconsequential emotions. [color=#9E1B31]"Ms. Montgomery does loathe ineptitude."[/color] Phobos voice was low whilst he spoke, akin to one whispering to a lover. [color=#9E1B31]"I would..."[/color]  Noting the tears that were falling across her cheeks, smearing clumps of mascara over her skin, he stopped. [color=#9E1B31][I]Too easy.[/i][/color] Inwardly he sighed, trying to ignore the small part of him that felt some guilt for hurting this mortal. For causing pain when she had done nothing wrong. It was subtle if observed by anyone else in the room but he knew inside, she was anything but okay.

And just like that Melinoë was yanked away, dragged at the mercy and strength of Hercules. To be fair she didn't believe his intentions to be malicious in any way, it was Herc for crying out loud, but it did take her by surprise. Especially since she wasn't expecting him to show up out of nowhere.

Digging her heels into the ground as much as she could in order to slow him down she pulled his attention back to the present, [color=#e9d66b]"Herc. Stop, slow down,"[/color] It would take a brick wall to stop him, [color=#e9d66b]"What did you need to see me about? I'm in the middle of something–,"[/color] Eyes flicking between the back of Herc's head and Phobos sitting alone with a woman. A mortal, but a woman nonetheless.

With a dramatic sigh that would make Dio proud, Hercules let it drag out for a few seconds as he met Mel at her eyes. [color=#FF4500]“Do you not rememberrr!? You texted me. You want to live at Acropolis, don’t you!?”[/color] Could have Herc waited until she was done? Yeah, maybe. Maybe he could exercise a little patience, but why wait? He was here and she was also here. No time like the present!

Her face fell as she snapped her attention to the utter man-child before her. That's right, she was kicked out of her place this morning, how could she have forgotten so easily? With a sigh of her own, that resembled more of a groan, she rubbed her face with her free hand. [color=#e9d66b]"I do remember, thanks. Yeah, got the notice this morning, need to find a place to stay and where better than with you? You've got the space still, right?"[/color] She wondered if this arrangement was going to come back and bite her in the ass, though with his high energy completely encompassing her she wasn't able to dwell on the thought for too long.

Hercules was as excited as he was impatient, so he nodded rather eagerly when Mel asked about the space. [color=#FF4500]“Well obviously! One room to be exact! The one room to rule them all!”[/color] Truth be told, Herc couldn't remember where he heard that saying from but it was growing on him. [color=#FF4500]“It’s yours if you want it. Or have you made other arrangements since…an hour ago?”[/color] He asked, blinking curiously at Ghost Girl. It would royally suck if she did because then he would have to look for someone else to help make rent.

Truthfully, Mel hadn't given any arrangement much thought. Too preoccupied with getting swept away by Sunshine and then Fearsome. Important thoughts flooded her mind and it wasn't anything to do with lodgings. It wouldn't be [i]terrible[/i] to live at the Acropolis. Sure there were going to be ragers constantly, and the occasional breaking of property… the more she pictured it the more Melinoë had her reserves. [color=#e9d66b]"Who else lives with you there,"[/color] her questioning was cautious, as if treading on shards of broken glass.

Since her run in with the golden boy madness hadn't spotted her opponent in this little game of theirs and she wondered what he was doing. How he was doing. Was he beating her? No. No way.

Herc let out a curious humming noise, taking a moment to think. [color=#FF4500]“Well, of course there’s me. And Apollo, too. Dio crashes from time to time whenever he’s in town, so one of the rooms is pretty much reserved for him. Other than that, we don’t have anyone else really. There’s a revolving door of people who just crash on the couch but not, like, permanent residency like me and my boy have.”[/color] 

At the mention of sharing a living space with Apollo, Melinoë's blood ran cold but her body flushed with fire. Had it really been so long since they were in each other's company, in more than passing, that the mere thought sent her nerves haywire? [color=#e9d66b][sub][i]'Pathetic,'[/i][/sub][/color] she thought of herself. [color=#e9d66b][sub][i]'He left you. Abandoned you. And for what?'[/i][/sub][/color] No reasoning as far as she could remember. 

Perhaps staying so close to him wasn't the best of ideas. No telling what kind of irreparable damage could be done if the wrong words were passed between them. Her body language must have spoken volumes for even Hercules had been examining her a bit more closely than he was before. To see him quiet in thought was a terrifying sight indeed. He was unpredictable and Melinoë supposes that's why she didn't mind his high energy at times. There was always something a little bit [i]more[/i] when it came to him.

[color=#e9d66b]"Not so sure [i]your boy[/i] would enjoy my presence at the acropolis 24/7…"[/color] she mused aloud, finishing off the last of the flutes from the tray she swiped from Austin. Did Hercules know of her dalliances with his friend from long ago? 

[color=#9E1B31]"Given up already?"[/color]  Phobos smiled coldly at the pair as he suddenly interrupted their clearly private conversation, arms crossed sullenly across his chest. He'd had to prise himself away from the last mortal, who'd begun clinging onto him after she'd hysterically started weeping. And now it appeared that Melinoë had never actually intended to take part in this competition of hers. [color=#9E1B31]"It's okay."[/color] He waved a hand dismissively, [color=#9E1B31]"I understand that you'd be nervous about losing."[/color]

She had to crane her neck to be able to look back and up at his sour face. An equal look of her own plastered across her face no doubt. [color=#e9d66b]"I didn't give up, I was interrupted with some important, personal business,"[/color] Melinoë didn't know why she felt the need to argue with him, just that that was how it's always been between the two of them. Muttering on about how she was only at one mortal to his probable more. It was embarrassing. Her own game and she wasn't even participating anymore, though not by choice. A pout formed in her lips because of it, arms crossing over her chest in annoyance.

[color=#9E1B31]"Yes it did look very cozy over here..."[/color] Phobos muttered as he looked down at her, eyes flitting to the hero god for a brief second. [color=#9E1B31]"Oh don't sulk Mel."[/color] He smirked, pleased that she appeared to be lagging behind...and put out by it. It was a rookie mistake to be so easily distracted. Yet something in him was swayed by that pout and, despite knowing it would be extremely fun to gloat, he couldn't bring himself to. [color=#9E1B31]"I really don't have that many yet anyway."[/color] Phobos lied, casually shrugging his shoulders. 

At this she perked up just a bit, a look of confusion crossing her features more so than glee. Was his heart not in it? It was a stupid game after all and Phobos wasn't known to partake in games joyfully. [color=#e9d66b]"Cozy isn't the word I would use,"[/color] Melinoë instead turned her mind back to the object at hand, [color=#e9d66b]"He's just helping me find a new place to live,"[/color] She explained the situation as briefly as possible not needing [i]everyone[/i] to know her business of potentially becoming homeless. Maybe it was because she knew Phobos, or maybe it was because she was expecting of him that she divulged that information to him. If she were to be honest with herself she didn't think she could live and conduct her business comfortably within the confines of the Acropolis. But what other options did she have?

[color=#9E1B31]"You don't have anywhere to live?"[/color] Phobos frowned, unable to mask the edge of concern that creeped into his voice. [color=#9E1B31]"Well...you'd better not screw her over."[/color] His eyes narrowed as he finally acknowledged Herc, wondering what the golden boy had promised her. [color=#9E1B31]"She's whiny when things don't go her way."[/color] He quickly added, cursing whatever part of him was unable to shut the fuck up. 

[color=#e9d66b]"Hey!"[/color] Her pout deepened as a blush dusted her cheeks. 

Hercules had remained silent during the whole time Mel and Phobos were talking, his eyes darting side to side, looking between both of them. If he was being honest, he didn’t quite understand what they were talking about. Something about a game? It all fell on deaf ears. Then when Phobos had turned his attention on him, Herc perked up, shaking his head. [color=#FF4500]“No I promise I’m not screwing her about anything! I put it out there we had an extra room and she texted me about it. Didn’t know it at the time it was Mel but I said we’d talk about it and here we are.”[/color] It wasn’t that Hercules was necessarily fearful of Phobos, but he was acting very aggressive towards the Divine Protector, so he had this natural instinct of slight anxiety.

Looking solely at Mel now, his smile half-shrinked into a frown. [color=#FF4500]“I’m not sure what happened between you and Apollo, but Acropolis is pretty big! Like not to brag or anything, but we did pretty well for ourselves. It’s huge and spacious enough that, yeah you’ll technically be roomies but y’all don’t have to see each other if you don’t want to.”[/color] Hercules understood how that sounded but it was the truth. Another truth was how he genuinely didn’t know [i]who[/i] would answer the offer he put out there. The fact that Apollo’s ex (?) answered, tt really was a small world. [color=#FF4500]“You need a place and we have an extra room. I’d be more than happy to have ya live at the crib, but I totally understand if you wouldn’t want to.”[/color] 

Melinoë was touched at Hercules' honesty but nonetheless looked up at Phobos to gauge his reaction to it all. She was nervous, to say the least, at the commotion it would cause, her presence in the house. But she couldn't exactly say no…

[color=#9E1B31]"Why are you looking at me? I don't care who you choose to live with."[/color] Phobos bit back as the goddess stared up at him, his own gaze straying off to the side. He could feel the trepidation that flowed from her. Once the rumours about Sunshine and Madness had been rife...and unavoidable. Maybe those feelings were still there and who was he to dictate how she lived her life? [color=#9E1B31]"Just don't come crying to me when you get yourself in trouble."[/color] He muttered coldly. Pulling the packet from his pocket, Phobos began to draw out a cigarette, feeling a strong desire to be alone.  

His words were cold and distant, a complete contradiction to his earlier actions and it pained her to be on the receiving end after what she believed to have been progress. But some things never change, how harshly she was reminded. [color=#e9d66b]"Right, of course. Why would you care,”[/color] her own words muttered and dripping with venom. Why would she ever believe that there was something more, something [i]other[/i] than just madness and fear between the two of them. It was folly to hope. Hope brings nothing but disappointment and heartache. Melinoë had learned that from the beginning. 

Ignoring Phobos, she turned her gaze and body back towards the Protector, it wouldn’t be that bad living at the Acropolis and Fear made it all that much easier to decide, [color=#e9d66b]"Just let me know when to move my stuff in,”[/color] and without giving a final look she pushed past the son of Ares and stalked away, tendrils of madness leeching off of her like smoke, needing to find someone to torture in order to make her feel better.

Hercules just stood there, diving his eyes one last time between the two as Mel left. Maybe he was missing something but it seemed like there was definitely something he wasn’t understanding. But nevertheless, they were getting a new roomie and now they wouldn’t have to worry about rent. Only downside was now he had to find a gentle way to break the news to Apollo. [color=ff4500][i]Baby steps. Baby steps, Herc.[/i][/color]

He took in a deep breath, slow as it was, and looked at Phobos. [color=ff4500]“Well…guess I’ll see you around, Phobos. You should…uh…come by Acropolis sometime. Have a drink or something.”[/color]

The god of fear let out a barking laugh at the idea of setting foot in Acropolis. [color=#9E1B31]"Sorry but I really don't see that happening."[/color] Phobos replied bitterly before following suit and strolling towards the gardens once more. 


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