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[center][img]https://i.pinimg.com/originals/32/3e/40/323e4089b11cfb001aac97df5a816fe0.gif[/img]
[b][center][color=black]𝕯𝖎𝖘𝖈𝖚𝖘𝖘𝖎𝖔𝖓𝖘 [/color]
[color=#6e7f80] 𝕯𝖎𝖘𝖈𝖚𝖘𝖘𝖎𝖔𝖓𝖘 [/color][/center][/b][/center][/h1][/sup]
[right][sub]location: Outside Odin's Place | In the car
interactions: [color=FACADE]Anteros[/color] | [color=295751]Hati[/color] | [color=#E26161]Tochi[/color] | [color=F45C04]Hermes[/color]
mentions: [color=40004D]Deimos[/color] | [color=536878]Odin[/color] | [color=EA7E5D]Athena[/color] | [color=#a187be]Isabel[/color]
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Anteros stood outside Odin’s apartment building, his tuxedo now covered by a heavy coat to combat the Seattle chill. He wrung his hands together while he waited for Hati to return from Odin’s penthouse, trying his best to push thoughts of his sister from his mind. [i][color=facade]Athena is on it. She will find her.[/color][/i]

He’d wanted to go up with Hati, but he allowed himself to be relegated to this vantage point outside. He could’ve fought him on it, but he respected that Hati and Odin had a complicated relationship, one that Hati wasn’t exactly keen to have on display. He could relate to that. Still, worry for his friend continued to creep through his thoughts until Hati stepped outside and he was able to breathe a sigh of relief.

[color=facade]“How did that go?”[/color] he asked, stepping off the wall and smoothing out his coat.

A lot of things were turning over in his mind, so much so that it made his head hurt and stomach churn the more he thought about it. But there was just [i]something[/i] about all of this that screams of corruption in a way that was much, much larger than anything he had faced before. Larger than even the High One could ever hope to orchestrate. His gaze only softened when eyes raked over Ant’s features, huddled there under the awning trying to keep dry and warm. It was as if a wave of relief washed over him, to see the Erote there, waiting for him.

Sighing heavily and running a hand through his hair, musing it up in the process, he voiced some of the issues plaguing his mind. It would be a moment before the winged messenger came to pick them up, they had time to mull over the events of the day. [color=295751]"It went about as expected, the old man is saying he doesn’t know anything but I call bullshit,"[/color] The pressure from grinding his teeth together was enough to be heard, even as he continued on, [color=295751]"He knows [i]something[/i],"[/color] his hair was slowly growing more and more out of control the longer he continued to play with it. A habit only showcased after speaking or coming into contact with the Norse Zeus.

[color=295751]"What is he playing at? Why hadn’t he informed the divine within the confines of the law about the weapon and its capabilities—"[/color]

Anteros stepped closer to the wolf, and placed a soothing hand on his shoulder. [color=facade]“Don’t let him send you spiraling. That’s the last thing we need right now.”[/color] He removed his hand before his emotions could overtake him and he attempted to smooth out Hati’s hair. They had not been those kinds of friends for quite some time.

[color=facade]“If Odin’s claiming the weapon was used without him knowing, perhaps that answers your question. You know him better than I do, would he really announce to all the pantheons that his vault had been pilfered?”[/color]

How Hati wished that he had kept his contact with him. How he craved it, though he wouldn't be so bold as to say as much now. Not today. After everything that has transpired between waking and now... it wouldn't be fair to either party involved; even to those not present. Sighing heavily he nodded, Anteros was always someone who could speak sense into that thick canine skull of his, and for that he was more than appreciative. [color=295751]"You're right. He would have gloated and made some kind of show... even in riddles he can't hide his pride for long. And there was none of that."[/color] A beat passed between them as the rest of the world continued on around them. Lights and sounds and smells jumbled amidst one another, pieced together to make up the night; an almost calming end to a chaotic day.

[color=295751]"Tell me,"[/color] Hati began carefully. How he chose his next words could either break their lifelong friendship or break Anteros mentally, and the Moon Chaser would much rather break their relationship over seeing him so torn up and empty. [color=295751]"That woman I told you about earlier. The new client turns out she is your half sister... and I think she's involved with these crimes,"[/color] He scanned the Erote's profile for any signs of agitation, trying to prepare for whatever came next.

Pursed lips betrayed Anteros’ feelings on the subject, even as his eyes darted away from Hati’s. A mortal half-sister to replace the immortal one. The Fates certainly had a cruel sense of humor. [color=facade]“My siblings do have a penchant for violence, more often than not,”[/color] Anteros said with a sigh. This day was neverending, and so it seemed, was the flow of unfortunate news. He clenched his fist, digging his fingernails into the skin of his thumb as he fought to remain his calm and composed self. He did not have the energy to lose control of his emotions once more. [color=facade]“Why do you suspect her? Cause if it’s daddy issues, I might be inclined to take her side.”[/color]

Hati couldn't help the barking laugh that escaped him. [color=295751]"Daddy issues... how I wish it were that simple. If that were the only deciding factor than a lot more than your new found half sister would be on the list."[/color] His insensitivity was not at the expense of Anteros' suffering, never. But he found the comment, though poking it was, to be the sort of dark humor he needed. [color=295751]"No, I suspect her involvement because of how she came into town, the day the Festival began, so high and mighty. There's no way she wasn't aware of the divine, us meeting for the apples. Seeking [i]me out[/i] for some fool's errand? It all seems too convenient for my liking. Why else would she be here than to cause some chaos?"[/color] He shot a glare past Ant's head towards the oncoming headlights as they stood, huddled beneath the awning.

[color=295751]"Nothing about this day feels right. It's been off since this morning... since meeting her. It's when this, static like apprehension began. I don't like this, Ant. Something is very wrong, I can sense it."[/color] As if realizing his words however, he spun to face the young man beside him, grabbing a hold of his shoulders tightly, comfortingly. [color=295751]"I will do whatever I can to help aid your father and Athena in searching for Pothos, you know that, right?"[/color] Hati needed him to understand that. He wouldn't just let Anteros suffer in such a way. He hadn't had Sköll with him for ages now and he knew the ultimate grief that had begun to set into the bones of his old flame. It was only a matter of time before darker stages took root. Hati would do whatever it took to chase those demons away.

The moment between Anteros and Hati was looking closer and closer like something out of a saccharine soap opera and the only ones who liked those were retired or divorced women. It was scientifically proven. The headlights that had been seen were abruptly shut off as the vehicle rolled to a stop across from where Ant and Hati stood. Before a response could be given by Anteros, a sharp, loud, bleating blare of a horn pierced through the air. It lasted for what seemed an eternity - as anything loud and annoying does -and when it stopped at last there was an almost two second window before it sounded again. This one, somehow, lasted even longer. Naturally there was a third one that, strangely, was cut off far more quickly than the first two. The passenger side window rolled down and the shit-eating, wide grin of Huixtocihuatl smiled towards the pair under the awning. 

[color=#e26161][b]“I hope you guys got condoms with how badly you’re eye fucking each other. Get in the car, nerds, I want a Happy Meal.”[/b][/color]

Idle complaints from the driver could be heard, though not audible over the sounds of Tochi’s never-ending banter. Once she finished though, the driver side door flew open and a familiar voice filled the air. [color=F45C04]“For fuck’s sake, Hati, I’m not ubering you to a love hotel, my man. Sorry about her, she’s moody because I wouldn’t swing through the drive-thru on the way over here. Fuckin’ brat. Bet I’m [i]expected[/i] to pay, too.”[/color] By the time Hermes had finished speaking, he was out of the car and leaning on the roof of it to peer over at Anteros and Hati. [color=F45C04]“Ant, you comin’ with us? We got an adventure to go on. And we’ll be going through the drive-thru.”[/color]

He paused and looked down at the car where Tochi still sat, before idly nodding his head with an overly dramatic sigh, [color=F45C04]“And [i]yes[/i], I’ll be paying, so don’t bust out your pocketbooks yet, lads. Let’s rock and roll. The backseat is dark, you guys can make goo-goo eyes and suck on each other’s tongues or whatever there.”[/color] Hermes said, drumming his hands on the roof of his car as he gestured for Hati and Anteros to move it along, [color=F45C04]“we’ve got a long night ahead of us, and I gotta feed my tortoises, so time is of the essence.”[/color]

Anteros sighed, the mood having been very passionately and violently murdered. He wondered if that was such a bad thing. He and Hati had given it a go, back in simpler times, and all he’d gotten for it were emotional scars and a penchant for troublemakers. [color=facade]“Hermes, Tochi, always a pleasure,”[/color] Ant said, stepping back from Hati. [color=facade]“Only you two could be present for a double homicide, and still be in the mood for chicken nuggets.”[/color] Anteros went around to the driver’s side and slipped into the backseat. [color=facade]“What exactly is this adventure?”[/color]

[color=#e26161][b]“Who cares about a double homicide? That happened like forever ago.”[/b][/color] Tochi scoffed as she waited for the slowpoke lovebirds to get into the car; every second they wasted getting in was a second she was without late night McDonald’s in her throat. And everyone knew late night McDonald’s was one of the few things the mortals did that might have earned them a spot in paradise. [color=#e26161][b]“Oh wow someone died so sad. Let’s all stand around moping and discussing boring shit like ‘mortality’ or whatever and then later we can pull on each other’s dicks and smell our own farts.”[/b][/color] Tochi’s voice was a mocking tone, she sounded as if she was trying to both be fancy and uptight but also someone masculine, like she was trying to be the Greek philosophers of old. Or what most poor people thought rich people with monocles sounded like. 

[color=#e26161][b]“For the record, I don’t even want to be here, but Jerkass here kidnapped me. By getting into the car you’re both accessories to the crime, just ef-why-eye. Speaking of Jerkass, hey, Jerkass, lemme have the aux. You promised.’[/b][/color] He did no such thing and the last time Tochi had control of the aux when around Hermes she played Take My Breath Away by Berlin on loop. She hated the song, yes, but she liked making fun of Hermes for thinking the movie it came from was the apex of cinema. And then she played Disco Duck. Tochi was nothing if not an audio terrorist when given the opportunity. 

[color=#e26161][b]“I still don’t even know why I’m here. I mean other than he promised McDonald’s. Why are you guys coming? Do you want me to adjust the mirrors so you guys can make out back there? I can promise to only watch until it gets creepy. And then a little more.”[/b][/color]

The comments in general, for the moment that was there at least, were unwelcome, but nothing could be done about it now. Their ride was here. Hermes had mentioned something about needing to swing by and grab Deimos when he called his friend earlier. Not ideal, but what could he do? [color=295751]"Ah, little sister, good to see you too~"[/color] He purred, making sure to ruffle her hair a little more than usual as he made to sit in the cramped backseat. It would bother her no doubt - it's why he did it. [color=295751]"And if you want to watch so much, please make sure to record and post it. I'd like to make some money off of it."[/color] His quip didn't hold the same lightness to it that it typically would. Hati supposed it came from the agitation he still held from his meeting with Odin.

Hermes had pulled away from the curb as soon as the door closed and they were off on this "adventure" of grabbing food. The car was silent except for the Aztec gremlin's snorts and giggles as she shuffled through song after song all in the hopes of annoying the passengers around her. How in the world she was from the same pantheon as Tlazōlteōtl was a mystery to him. [color=295751]"Where is our lovely Dread this evening that she would need you to pick her up? Finally get caught doing something illegal?"[/color] The white wolf couldn't help but release a chuckle of his own as he peered at the driver from his place in the back. Anteros so close to him and yet much too far.

Anteros scoffed. [color=facade]“Knowing my sister, that is exactly where we are off to.”[/color] He shook his head, floored by the myriad of directions his family had managed to pull him in today, and by his own willingness to follow along every time. 

Hermes adjusted the mirror to look back at Anteros and Hati in the backseat with a smirk on his lips. He hadn’t realized he’d have the honor of being the first to tell Anteros his sister had ended up in prison again. [color=F45C04]“From what she told me… she seems to have stabbed someone. And, as the one who holds her leash, it unfortunately falls on me to pay her bail and pick her up.”[/color] He adjusted the mirror to make eye contact with Hati, adding. [color=F45C04]“Don’t stick your dick in crazy, my man.”[/color] He said, before shifting the car into gear and pulling away from the curb he’d picked them up on.

[color=F45C04]“I hope she was wearing something cute when she got picked up, because we’re going to a party after this. And yes, Tochi, I’ll buy you chicken nuggets.”[/color] Hermes said, figuring that all of his i’s were dotted and his t’s crossed. [color=F45C04]“Any issues with the plan, tell me now.”[/color]

[color=#e26161][b]“You hold her leash? You’re not that kinky, dude and you’d definitely be the type to be led around by a woman. Cuz you a bitch!”[/b][/color] Tochi took the opportunity to press a button on her phone which, because it was now hooked up to the speakers in the car, blasted the passengers with a loud, abrasive, piercing air horn straight from an app that existed only to play the air horn sound. [color=#e26161][b]“Get it? Cuz…bitches are girl dogs? I’m funny, it’s funny!”[/b][/color] 

Her point made, Tochi went back to doing what she did best: finding the absolute worst possible song for them to ride to on their epic journey with a wide smile on her face the entire time, like the kind a psychopath in a comic book would have just before gassing the mayor’s speech and getting punched by a freak in a black outfit. [color=#e26161][b]“Chicken nuggets? And a McFlurry. And a happy meal, but they better put it in an actual box. I’m tired of these clowns putting it in a bag. And an apple pie. And nuggets.”[/b][/color] Her order continued until she found it. The perfect song to put on loop until Hermes tried to snatch the aux and potentially take his eyes off the road and cause an accident as Tochi snatched the aux away in an eternal game of snatch and grab. 

[color=#e26161][b]“Hell yeah, let’s go to McDonald’s. And I guess break someone out of prison? I don’t know you guys bored me and I stopped listening. ONWARD.”[/b][/color] And with the press of a button, their [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvLDm8821jQ]rescue anthem[/url] began to play to a cackling goddess of salt bouncing in the passenger seat. 

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