[hr][center][img]https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/606915454539137057/1014593485208293458/cooltext418339036805662.png[/img][h1]&[/h1][img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/617174835604357171/1013908522985070673/cooltext418222804591404.png[/img]
{ Colaboration with [@Terminal] } [/center][hr]
The heartcore had spent the last few years in a dormant state. The Erotes grew afraid and nervous because they did not have an Eros to surrender their servitude to for a long time. When the heartcore had finally chosen a candidate, the new iteration of the god of love immediately got into action. Love bloomed in abundance at the hearts of mortals once more, reigniting their passion and desire for the people and things they loved. Cupids shot lots of arrows filled with LOVE as Eros and the Erotes continued to study the mortals, analyzing their new methods of showcasing their love to one another.

It was still the start of the day and Eros was already tired. It had been a month but perhaps the bearer the heartcore chose this time didn’t have much stamina. It didn’t matter as that was a subject that can be easily solved either way, but the Erotes insisted that Eros rest their new body for the entire day and that the three would work in the god’s stead, so Eros went home and rested indeed. The god of love was enjoying a warm bath, the steamy air filled with the scent of roses and other fragrances, as water trickled down their curvy androgynous body that explored the fluidity of gender. The water completely covered their body from the waist down and Eros had their back against the door.


A resounding, exaggerated crack broke through the air in the midst of the chamber, and with a flash of light a set of six shimmering opalescent wings unfolded from nothing. They unfurled to reveal Hermes, Messenger of the gods, bearing in one hand the twinned-serpent stave Kerykeion. He alighted upon the chamber floor, the six wings merging and settling to form a feathered cloak draped across his shoulders.

“I bear a message for Eros, God of Love, from Zeus, King of the Gods and the Heavens, the All-Father on High, with the Utmost Exigency.” Hermes declared, looming over Eros in their tub.

Eros laughed and looked behind them. “Hello~” They said, their voice melodical and soothing with a hint of danger lurking underneath. Their short blonde wavy hair framed their both beautiful and handsome face making Eros look serene and timeless; their face was what mortals would think of when they imagined angels. The same could not be said with their eyes which were intensely red, as if they squeezed the love out of all the hearts in the world.

“It is such a delight to see you again, Great Herald. I hope you don’t mind if I continue my bathing? I just worked the entire day and my body feels really sore. You can maybe come join me and help me relax, though knowing you, you’re probably too busy already.” They playfully said, petals falling down their body as they continued to bathe even with Hermes still in the room. “Is that what really brought you here, Hermes? Just business, no pleasure?~”

“On occasion the business is the pleasure, as I am sure you can attest.” Hermes declared, evidently unbothered and uncaring of Eros’ invitation. With a flicking gesture of his free hand, he produced a black-and-gold filigreed letter, projecting a wide hologram of it and its contents besides the tub as he read it aloud.

[center][h3]BY DECREE OF THE LORD OF OLYMPUS[/h3]
The Highest, King of the Gods, Father of All:
[b]ZEUS[/b]

Let it be known that Zeus is dead. His rightful Heir – forever may he rule – has succeeded him to the divine name and mantle of Zeus.

Eros, God of Love, is formally invited to a gathering of the High Pantheon at Zeus’ palace in Mount Olympus, on the noon of the day following receipt of this note. Zeus will accept oaths of fealty, and make the first announcements of his reign.

Signed, Zelos
Majordomo of the Highest Palace, Servant of Zeus Almighty[/center]

“...and I have additionally been instructed to verbally inform you that you are hereby [i]summoned[/i] to attend Zeus at the stated time and place.” Hermes finished.

Eros bathed as they listened but after Hermes’ message, they stopped whatever they were doing and looked to the side so they would be able to still see Hermes in their peripheral vision. They could feel their heartcore getting heavy as it still had not forgotten Dr. Jergen’s own feelings and relationship with the original crew. “Zeus is… Dead? H-How can this be? How is this possible? Who is strong enough to outright kill a god and get away with it?” They continuously asked Hermes.

“All unknown. Zeus, of course, has avowed to find the perpetrator, but no evidence of any kind beyond the grotesque state of his predecessor’s body has been identified. He also has yet to even contact either Athena or Apate…Most curious, yes?”

They looked up to Hermes, studying him with their bright red eyes. “How curious indeed…” They muttered, picking up a petal from the tub. “Poor Dr. Jergen. I’m sure he will be so saddened beyond the grave when he knew what happened…” Eros sighed and let go of the petal, watching it fall gently on the warm waters again. “A drive to rule, become the King of the Pantheon… This must be way too obvious, but do you reckon that this new Zeus…?” They asked him, letting the question hang in the air.

“Hm. I do wonder.” Hermes let the Kerykeion slide through their grasp to touch down on the floor before leaning on it as an impromptu cane. “Their first and thus far [i]only[/i] order has been to me, to deliver these invitations and summons to all the members of the High Pantheon. Apate already knows about it but has not acted yet, presumably because she is also waiting for orders. The demand that all members of the High Pantheon and their scions come calling on the spot to Olympus to swear fealty is sort of telling. Do you know how many scions Apollo has, for instance? If all of them can make it to Olympus in time it will be an actual miracle - not to mention how short staffed it is going to leave certain realms.”

“Ironic that the God of Love only has three children, that I know of at least.” Eros sighed and rested their head on their arm at the side of the tub so they could still look at Hermes, their body submerged underwater from the shoulders down with the rose petals covering their nudity to the Messenger of the Gods. “Did you get a good read of how the other members of the Pantheon are holding up with news of Zeus’ passing? And how about [i]you[/i], Hermes? How are you holding up? I have yet to come to you for our annual visitation. Please do inform me when you are free and I will make time for you, dear Herald.” They said to him, idly trying to reach out to his Kerykeion and run their fingers along his divine artifact.

Hermes swatted at Eros’ hand. “Hands off my long, hard staff you fiend.” He drawled lazily. “As for the others…well, it’s been a mixed bag so far, but by and large the only person who is taking it exceptionally hard is Hades. I think you can gather why.” Hermes righted his head and gave Eros a very steady look, his expression inscrutable from behind his faceted visor. “Incidentally, I would think very carefully about the gift you intend to bring Zeus, especially in light of the nascency of your present form. Nobody really had a read on Zeus’ own now nascent temperament…and you, perhaps, out of all the gods, might be at the greatest risk.”

“Alright, alright…” Eros pouted at Hermes and dipped their hand under the water, sighing at the mention of Hades’ name. “Yes, I can gather why. Hades… I could only hope that tomorrow would not lead to strife and fighting. The last thing we need is us breaking our trust for each other.” When Hermes said Eros should be careful about their gift to Zeus, the love god giggled and laid back at the end of the tub, looking up at Hermes with a smile. “You need not worry about me, Herald, but I highly appreciate your words very much. It is dangerous but I still need to fulfill my duty. I reckon Zeus does not know that I annually conduct my visitation on each member of the Pantheon, yes?” Eros asked, raising their smooth leg from the waters and softly rubbing their hip. “Can’t we do something for the late captain though? It pains me to think about what happened to him but we should at least honor him at his passing…”

“It would probably be the worst and most assuredly lethal thing you could do.” Hermes replied airily. “Zeus will likely want to ensure as seamless an appearance of continuity between himself and his predecessor as possible. Perhaps I am being presumptuous, but I imagine there will be no funeral, no grave, no holiday to mark the occasion. No, come the turn of the season the very incident may as well be stricken from the calendar and woe be to anybody who so much as mentions it again. As to what Zeus knows though…”

Hermes visibly seemed to lean back, his shoulders shifting faintly as though he were gazing away at something sight unseen.

“...I am not certain that Zeus knows what his predecessor did. There is great opportunity there for some…but great risk, for others.”

Eros took another deep sigh, chuckling to themselves and shaking their head. “I guess nothing does last forever, huh? Alright then, I will follow your advice. I’m sure he’ll look down upon me for having a mortal as a bearer anyway. I’ll just try not to step on his toes…” They solemnly said and approached Hermes, moving their submerged body through the water with the rose petals still covering themselves. “What of you, Herald of the Gods? I hope you have been doing well. Surely there must be something the God of Love can do or give to you for all your efforts? What is it that you desire? Name it and I shall give it to you, my dear.” They said warmly.

“Surprise me.” Hermes declared, raising the Kerykeion once more as they crossed their arms expectantly.

The God of Love was a bit shocked but they then laughed which would be music to everyone’s ears. “How much time do you have for me, Herald?~” Eros teased as they turned around and emerged from the tub, water and roses dripping and falling down their androgynous body. They reached out to grab a robe and put it on their body.

“Offer accepted.” Hermes declared as Eros’ hand alighted on the robe, his arms parting as he moved one hand to snap his fingers, with Eros’ robe vanishing into thin air. “Hm. Not much good on its own though, I really need a full set…” The messenger mused. “I’ll just…” He waved his hand vaguely, and every single strip of cloth and fabric in the room promptly vanished.
“And with that little formality out of the way, I should go about delivering the rest of these.” Hermes tossed the black-and-gold letter to slide onto the nearby sinktop at the far wall. “I will see you at Olympus. Ta.” Hermes’ cloak unfolded from his back as he rose into the air, unfurling once more into the six shimmering wings from when the messenger had appeared. They encompassed Hermes, obscuring him from view before folding in upon themselves until the god vanished in another exaggerated crack and flash of light.

“But I haven’t been to the best part yet…” Eros disappointingly said as Hermes was teleporting to another god’s location. They just rolled their eyes and chuckled as he vanished. “Naughty man~” They said to themselves, sitting at the edge of the tub as they ran through what Hermes said to them again. It will be the first time Eros would be showing their new title bearer and it had also been a long time since they had seen the other gods for that matter. They sighed and crossed their legs, picking up a petal left on their shoulder and studying it. “Now what sort of gift will I give to him?~”