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[right][sup]𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 — [color=#FF5500]A[/color][color=#FB5804]c[/color][color=#F85B09]r[/color][color=#F45F0D]o[/color][color=#F16212]p[/color][color=#EE6617]o[/color][color=#EA691B]l[/color][color=#E76D20]i[/color][color=#E37025]s[/color] [color=#DD772E]([/color][color=#D97B33]M[/color][color=#D67E37]e[/color][color=#D2823C]l[/color][color=#CF8540]'[/color][color=#CC8845]s[/color] [color=#C58F4E]R[/color][color=#C29353]o[/color][color=#BE9658]o[/color][color=#BB9A5C]m[/color] [color=#B4A166]→[/color] [color=#ADA86F]H[/color][color=#AAAB74]e[/color][color=#A6AE78]r[/color][color=#A3B27D]c[/color][color=#A0B581]u[/color][color=#9CB986]l[/color][color=#99BC8B]e[/color][color=#96C08F]s[/color][color=#92C394]'[/color] [color=#8BCA9D]R[/color][color=#88CEA2]o[/color][color=#85D1A7]o[/color][color=#81D5AB]m[/color][color=#7ED8B0])[/color]
𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: [color=7BDCB5]Hebe[/color] [@Danvers] || [color=ff5500]Hercules[/color] [@metanoia]
𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 — [color=E9D66B]Melinoë[/color] [@KZOMBI3] || [color=EED873]Apollo[/color] [@smarty0114]
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[indent][indent]The pair made their way into what would be Melinoe’s room, Hebe quietly closing the door behind them. She placed a glass of cold water on the bedside table, along with a silly straw. Silly straws always made everything a bit better, or at least they did in her case. The goddess moved to straighten out the bed sheets, wondering if Mel had enough to decorate the space with. Maybe she could go shopping with or for her if not. She tried not to think about what had happened at the Olympic Club, tried to block out the image of their dead bodies lying still on the floor. It was so far from what she herself represented, it felt like she was watching a movie, something utterly unreal. But, she also had no right to be upset. They weren't her family. Yet...

Hebe plopped herself down on the edge of the bed, shooting Hercules a small smile as she brushed away a rogue tear. [color=7BDCB5]"Sorry, I'm such a cry baby."[/color] She laughed forcefully. Her and Zagreus had been so close once upon a time, when she had still lived atop Mount Olympus. And even though her mother had never liked him, Hebe had not cared. There had been few people during that time who she had actually been able to call true friends. Her legs swung idly back and forth as she tried to think of something to say that wouldn't be so miserable. She knew Herc well enough to know he wouldn't want to focus on the sad and she [i]really[/i] didn't want to make him feel sad. 

[color=7BDCB5]"Apollo makes good food."[/color] She commented idly as she glanced up at the God of Heroes, stating a fact that most of the Greek pantheon were well aware of. [color=7BDCB5]"Yup..." [i]Way to be weird and awkward Heebs.[/i][/color]

While Hebe was making sure the sheets were straight enough and, from the squeaking he heard, the bed was in tip-top shape on the bounce spectrum, Boy Wonder was busy making sure the closet had everything it needed. And considering it was empty on account of Mel’s stuff not being here yet, Herc did the typical thing he always did: hands on his hips, nodding to himself, with a brief “yep! All good here” as he closed it and saw the goddess of youth on the bed, mentioning Apollo’s cooking.

[color=ff5500]“Fuck yeah he does!”[/color] He instantaneously agreed. [color=ff5500]“Especially compared to my cooking.”[/color] He let out a hearty laugh, one that was bound to carry in the unusually quiet Acropolis. [color=ff5500]“Like I’m pretty sure I’ve been unofficially banned from the kitchen because of a certain [i]incident[/i] that occurred a few months ago.”[/color] Even the thought of it made Hercules visibly dreadful and that was on top of the very genuine reason to feel a sense of dread.

[color=7BDCB5]"What happened!?"[/color] Hebe leaned forwards, curiosity getting the better of her and for a moment, easing the sadness she had been feeling. [color=7BDCB5]"You- you didn't set a fire did you?"[/color] The goddess raised a small knowing eyebrow at him. It wouldn't be the first time Herc had set something on fire, intentionally or not. 

[color=ff5500]“No..”[/color] Herc said in the most unconvincing tone that he’s ever spoken in. [color=ff5500]“Well, not a big one at least, but you know Apo! Dude loves this area. The forest life is his bread and butter…aside from his actual bread and butter - which are so fire. Homemade bread and butter really hits different than the store-bought variety.”[/color] Hercules knew he got off-track but he couldn’t help but think about homemade bread, but specifically olive bread. Herc could bathe in it and he’d die a happy god! [color=ff5500]“But where was I? Oh right. The mini-fire. I kind of overcooked something - I don’t remember what - and I forgot about it. Forced us to remodel the whole kitchen, which is why it’s a lot nicer than other parts of the house, and Apo pretty much forbade me from going near the stove ever again without any direct supervision.”[/color] It saddened him in all honesty, but he understood. If a true fire broke out, where else would their kind go to unleash all their stress?

Hebe couldn't help but let out a small giggle as Herc spoke, her posture relaxing a little. [color=7BDCB5]"Wow, I never realised you liked bread and butter so much..."[/color] She began to idly pull at some of the pins that were holding her blonde hair up, fed up with the prim style, and allowing it to eventually fall atop her shoulders. [color=7BDCB5]"I'm not great at cooking but I can make pancakes and waffles. With loads of chocolate chips of course!"[/color] Hebe added. She was increasingly aware of the fact that she'd only managed to eat one mini sandwich at the luncheon. Her stomach was beginning to protest. 

[color=7BDCB5]"I hope no-one got hurt though! Y'know...I don't think I've ever seen your room here actually."[/color] The words came out of her mouth quicker than she could register them and a deep blush spread across her face. [color=7BDCB5]"Not that I need to see it! I don't! I was just a bit curious about how the great Hercules would decorate his room..."[/color] She trailed off, hoping he wouldn't take what she'd said the wrong way. 

[color=ff5500]“No, nobody got hurt. Apo was hurt cause of the kitchen and how beautiful it was before, so that’s why I paid for it to be remodeled. To make up for the damage done to his beautiful kitchen.”[/color] The Boy Wonder became lost in thought for a few moments, thinking about how much that set him back. Maybe that was why they were low on funds now. Not necessarily the costs of living but not enough money to make up for the rent. On that note, Hercules may have to do a new 12 labors series soon. To get some money. He had to start pulling his weight. Couldn’t just party with his peeps all day every day.

As he went down on that tangent, Hebe mentioned his room. He heard her say ‘your room’ and then paid attention. [color=ff5500]“Oh my room?”[/color] He totally [i]didn’t[/i] heard everything she said. [color=ff5500]“We can totally go to my room. Everything in here is all fine, so no need to stay!”[/color]

Without warning, Hercules had grabbed Hebe’s hand, albeit as gently as he could but still with a level of excitement that fueled his immediate impatience. He heard her say something, but it didn’t matter. He was on a roll. They made their way out of Mel’s room. Herc didn’t give either of them enough time to shut off the light so it was left on. His overwhelming strength made it possible to basically drag Hebe with him as they went down the stairs, took a few turns through the halls, and in record, time they were in his [url=https://ap.rdcpix.com/021680dd1285671a48852f9aab640877l-m763601354od-w1024_h768_x2.webp]room[/url]. 

[color=ff5500]“Here it is~”[/color] He announced with a wide grin. His room was pretty spacious and probably not at all what most expected the great Hercules, Boy Wonder and The Divine Protector, to call his room. There was a fireplace for those cold Seattle nights. On a built-in shelf right by the entrance were pictures of him with the Acrobros: Dio whenever he was in town (though occasionally Herc would go to LA to visit), Apollo, and a few others. There were also pictures of some outtakes from 12 labors. But at the center, there was a picture of Hebe and Herc. The last time they were…a thing more than friends, that picture was one of his most treasured ones. It was at the center.

[color=ff5500]“So what do you think? Not too shabby, right? Biggest room in the crib!”[/color] Hercules was definitely trying to impress her. He hoped it was working. He didn’t always have the opportunity to show off for someone as close to him as Hebe. 

Hebe, knowing better than to resist, allowed herself to be pulled along by Herc, laughing lightly as they went. Her eyes widened almost comically as they entered the room. Though many of the gods lived in luxury accommodation, she hadn't expected Herc to choose something so...so [i]bougie[/i]. Not that it was a bad thing. It was just very different from what she was used to. [color=7BDCB5]"Wow, it's so nice!"[/color] She commented. [color=7BDCB5]"I think this is bigger than my entire apartment. And quieter. [I]And[/i] less drafty."[/color]  

She quietly made her way around the room, stopping in front of the photographs, looking at each one in turn. Eventually she reached the one of the pair of them. [color=7BDCB5]"It's me!"[/color] Hebe exclaimed, a bright smile painting her face as she turned towards him. [color=7BDCB5]"I remember that day. Didn't we get super lost just after this was taken?"[/color] She felt a twinge of [i]something[/i] looking at the photo, maybe sadness or just nostalgia. It wasn't like things were so different between them back then compared to now, but still…

[color=ff5500]“And me too!”[/color] Hercules joined in immediately after Hebe, smiling as she smiled at the photo. He thought about that day even before she mentioned it. They were at some big ass zoo when that picture was taken. Hercules had a long list of fond memories with Hebe. Whether it was on Mount Olympus and he was charming and winning her over with tales of his adventures, new and old (much to the displeasure of her mother), Hercules would never forget that bright smile she always had on her face. The smile she had right now. The smile that always made anything bad that was happening not seem as dark. Especially when Hera forced those twelve trials on him and damn Zeus did nothing to stop it. That made him who he was. That made him into the man he was right now.

And Hebe always admired that. Always loved to hear about those tales.

But he knew sometimes he could be an idiot. Not in the same way others call him an idiot, but occasionally disregarding or taking Hebe for granted. He wasn’t going to do that now. [color=ff5500] “Yeah we totally did! I think it was by the lion exhibit. I swear I wanted to take that thing on. He was taunting me.”[/color] Hercules let out a hearty laugh. The him of old wouldn’t have second-guessed himself to take on a lion. He would have hopped in there and fought the lion like it was the ancient days.

[color=7BDCB5]"And get us banned from the zoo? No way! I would've been so sad."[/color] The goddess shook her head emphatically as she spoke, though she remained smiling. Hercules may not take everything seriously, and more than occasionally do something that others would perceive as reckless, but that's what Hebe liked about him. Her childhood had been nothing but monotony and to be around someone so spontaneous had been refreshing. She couldn't help but lo--like that he'd always lacked the seriousness of the other Olympians.

[color=7BDCB5]"Plus you were kind of staring at him for a while..."[/color] She teased gently, poking him in the side. [color=7BDCB5]"He probably thought you liked him."[/color] Leaning closer towards the photo, she made a purposeful act of pretending to look at it more carefully. Said lion was lying in the background, probably enjoying the midday sun. [color=7BDCB5]“Oh no, wait...yep, he definitely looks like he was going to eat you!"[/color] Clasping her hands behind her back, she straightened her body once more, trying, and somewhat failing, to maintain a serious expression.

[color=ff5500]“He was mad dogging me!”[/color] Hercules huffed defensively. [color=ff5500]“Which I guess is ironic considering he’s a cat. Granted a very big cat a stare deadlier than my own. Or Pearl’s.”[/color] In typical Hercules fashion, he went off on a tangent and tried not to think of the scenario of being eaten by a lion. He would never be able to live it down. Taken out by a big ass kitty. The shame that would bring him!  

Hercules then noticed Hebe and raised a brow at her. [color=ff5500]“You okay? Something wrong with your back? Want me to step on it? I hear that’s good for achy backs.”[/color]

[color=7BDCB5]"What? Oh no my back's fine thanks..."[/color] Hebe trailed off, a small frown of confusion flitting across her face, though she quickly shrugged it off. 

[color=7BDCB5]"So...who's Pearl?"[/color] She continued, trying to act as casual as possible, but wondering whether he was talking about a mortal woman...one with super sharp nails. The idea was slightly terrifying. Hebe tried not to think about it but she was well aware that the boys at Acropolis slept with more people in a month than most people would in a lifetime. She knew the other gods thought her innocent and maybe she was, but she had been raised in the Greek pantheon. It would be foolish to deny what was right in front of her face, even if she desperately wanted to.

An audible ‘oh’ sound came from Hercules’ lips when Hebe inquired about Pearl. [color=ff5500]“Curious about her, are ya?”[/color] He teased. He put his hands on his hips, looking at Hebe and studying her expression. [color=ff5500]“Can’t say I blame ya. She’s a special girl, that Pearl of mine. Truly one of my favorite people alive on this here earth.”[/color] Hercules walked away from Hebe, hoping she’d follow him and went further into his room, closer to his bed. In the back of his mind, he decided to have some fun and got down on all fours, looking under the bed, fitting nearly his entire head under the bed. After a few moments, he looked back at a standing Hebe. [color=ff5500]“She’s usually hiding right about now. Likes to play some games. A playful little minx, that Pearl.”[/color] 

Her face fell as Herc spoke, wondering why he had never spoken of this person before. Was it casual or were they dating? Maybe they were engaged! Hebe shook her head, she was being silly. It was nice that he was sharing part of his life with her, that's what friends did. Yet when he stuck his head under his bed, the goddess became utterly confused. 

[color=7BDCB5]"What-"[/color] She opened her mouth to speak before closing it again. [color=7BDCB5]"It's nice to have someone that's playful…"[/color] Hebe smiled cautiously as she knelt down onto the floor. It was like checking for the monster under your bed at night, she really didn't want to but she knew she had to. Slowly she peered under, long hair pooling around her. There was silence for a few moments before Hebe suddenly let out an animated squeal. Her head popped up once again as she looked up at Herc.

[color=7BDCB5]"That's Pearl!? She's…she's SO ADORABLE!"[/color] If it was possible for someone's eyes to widen to cartoon size, Hebes did at that moment. [color=7BDCB5]"I didn't know you had a [url=https://i.imgur.com/wgJDWZZ.jpg]cat![/url] Is she a cat? She's pretty big…and fluffy!"[/color] She had peaked her head under again as she spoke, watching the animal, though not wanting to get too close lest she scared it.

[color=ff5500]“Yep, that’s my Pearl!”[/color] Hercules spoke like a proud father, which honestly he really was. Pearl was his girl. [color=ff5500]“She totally loves to hide under my bed when I’m not around. That’s why it’s so high up. She chubby--”[/color]

As if she knew what he was going to say, Pearl hissed defensively.

[color=ff5500]“--My bad, drama queen.”[/color] Hercules stuck his tongue out at Pearl and shook his head. [color=ff5500]“She’s big boned and very fluffy.”[/color] He glared at Pearl who was laying on her stomach, looking directly at him and Hebe. Her ears were down, so she wasn’t on guard. [color=ff5500]“She is very temperamental. I swear I don’t know where she gets it.”[/color] Herc rambled, looking at Hebe. [color=ff5500]“Oh yeah, she’s a cat. A caracal cat, actually. Technically, they’re wild cats and probably shouldn’t be kept as a pet, but I couldn’t resist.”[/color] He thought about that for a moment. About how dangerous it technically was to have someone like Pearl in a home. She could attack someone. At the same time, she has been around everyone at Acropolis for so long that it wasn’t a big deal. [color=ff5500]“You wanna pet her?”[/color]

[color=7BDCB5]“Um…she won’t bite will she?”[/color] Hebe responded cautiously, still staring with half amazement and half caution at the animal. If it was anyone else she would have protested against them keeping such a wild creature but Herc had fought a whole [i]lion[/i]. And even though she had felt sorry for the poor thing, she also knew that the god could take care of himself. [color=7BDCB5]“And I don’t think she’s chubby. She’s just…big boned. I bet she can jump really high, can she?”[/color] Her hand moved slowly towards Pearl, stopping in front of her nose so she could sniff her. 

[color=ff5500]“She does bite, but she shouldn’t now. I’m here. Plus, she only bites when she’s hungry.”[/color] Herc spent a few moments in silence trying to remember if he fed her today or not. The silence remained as Hercules watched both Hebe and Pearl carefully with one eye on both. 

Hebe was rightfully cautious. Pearl wasn’t mean or anything nor was she outrightly violent. Truth be told, Hercules hadn’t completely figured her out, but she was temperamental around new people. And around the Divine Protector, too. He was her father (in a manner of speaking) and she still gave him lip sometimes. So that made him wary for Hebe’s well-being, but Pearl didn’t seem to disapprove when she moved closer. She didn’t seem to flinch and there was even a slight affection that Pearl was displaying. She laid down on all fours, ears were back, and instead of her usual growl-hiss, she was purring, which for a caracal, it was similar to a resting jet ski that was on but not moving. And if that wasn’t the best comparison to Pearl, Hercules didn’t know what was.

[color=ff5500]“I didn’t think I’d ever see the day, but I think she likes you, Hebe!”[/color] Hercules was shocked. Pearl’s temperamental, drama bitch-ass self never liked anyone Hercules brought home. Always hiss this, growl this, ‘I’m gonna bite their face off’ that. But what was happening instead? Pearl was on all fours, purring as if Hebe was the best person in the world (she was). Not even Hercules got that treatment all of the time. 

He glared at his cat, mouthing [color=ff5500]“traitor”[/color] to her, to which she purposely ignored. Shrugging it off, he looked at Hebe, nudging her shoulder. [color=ff5500]“She wants you to pet her.”[/color]

Hebe was thoroughly caught up in the joy of being allowed to pet such a cute animal; the purring was, in that moment, the sweetest sound in the world. Sitting on the floor, legs crossed, she reached over to give Pearl a gentle pat on the head. When she realized the caracal was happy with the contact, she began to scratch behind her ear, smiling as the purring reached even higher levels [color=7BDCB5]“Wow, I can’t believe she likes me!”[/color] She grinned, fingers still moving rhythmically atop Pearl's fur, [color=7BDCB5]“Maybe I smell like food or something…”[/color] Hebe paused, [color=7BDCB5]“Not that I smell like cat food…that’d be weird…”[/color] She trailed off, shaking her head at the idiotic word vomit which she always seemed to spew around Hercules. 

[color=ff5500]“I can’t believe it either!”[/color] Hercules spoke with some genuine shock, looking at how neutral, almost looking content, as Hebe ran her small, dainty fingers atop the golden fur of his caracal. Pearl was this feisty, temperamental drama queen who was so bitchy to him when he didn’t feed her when she thought it was dinner time, yet she was a soft, pet-able, almost fourty pounds of golden-brown puddy. With everyone else, she was trying to rip their asses off their bodies. 

On her mention of possibly smelling like cat food, Boy Wonder shook his head. [color=ff5500]“Nah, don’t worry that’s not it. Pearl’s diet is almost exclusively Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck--”[/color] He chuckled at his phrasing. [color=ff5500]“I mean, rabbit and duck meat.”[/color] He looked at Pearl who side-eyed him as he mentioned her diet. Of course she would have food on the mind. Fatass! [color=ff5500]“So, by process of elimination, she really likes ya!”[/color]

Hebe nodded happily. [color=7BDCB5]"I'm glad! I would've been so sad if she'd hated me."[/color] She looked up at Herc, soft brown eyes roaming over his face, always finding comfort in the familiarity of his features. [color=7BDCB5]"You must be a good owner, she seems very happy."[/color] Hebe had never considered Hercules someone who would enjoy having a pet but it suited him. A lot. It was pretty sweet really. 

She paused for a moment, looking unsure of herself and not really knowing how to ask what she wanted to ask. [color=7BDCB5]"Would-would it be okay if I came over again sometime? Just to pet and play with her I mean. I wish I could have my own pet but work just keeps me so busy…"[/color]

[color=ff5500]“Oh yeah totally!”[/color] Boy Wonder stated without even thinking. Even after he realized it, he didn’t take it back nor would he. [color=ff5500]“I know Pearl would love that. And, I’d love it too! Sometimes people are gone when I’m here, so…you know, the company would be nice. For..both of us. You could even take Pearl to your place if you wanted to…”[/color] 

And there went his mouth. Hercules typically had a bad habit of letting it run too long. In most cases, he would usually retract it completely but he didn’t feel like doing that right now. If he was being honest with himself, having Hebe around more often wouldn’t be the worst thing to happen to Acropolis. 

As he smiled, the air was thick with a tension of his own making. He looked at Pearl and she was laying down, more content than he’d ever seen her. It warmed his Godly heart that she seemed so relaxed around Hebe. It was nice. He liked…whatever this was. But then suddenly, he heard a loud bang. 

[color=ff5500]“What was that?”[/color] Boy Wonder’s attention was immediately at the source of the noise, at his door.

And immediately, Pearl jumped up. She hissed, growled defensively and the noise continued, getting louder and louder to the point where Pearl dipped out of Hercules’ room through the window. [color=ff5500]“Well there she goes.”[/color] With a sigh, Hercules stood up and looked at Hebe. [color=ff5500]“Better go see what all the commotion is.”[/color] In the pit of his stomach, Hercules had an off feeling. Like something was on the horizon that he wasn’t anticipating. [color=ff5500]“Let’s go, Hebe!”[/color][/indent][/indent][/color]