Dulce Bellum Expertis

Ares. Mars. Greek God of War. Closed rp. Not affiliated with Kim Woo Bin. Mature Themes and Images may be present. Triggers tagged.

[mpxyanluo-deactivated20240828]

aresmp​:

he’s a fighter, your honor.

[…] “One, you work at a fucking hospital, blood and mess is your entire thing ain’t it?” Ares now muttered, boot nudging the remains of whatever he had been hunting. He hadn’t exactly killed these so he hadn’t broken whatever oath he swore to the council to live on this island. But it’s not as if the council would ever take anything technical, so Ares was now forced to cover his bases. “And is it my fucking fault damn idiots think they can just jump me whenever they please? Granted beating dumbass to a pulp is now my morning workout but I still don’t see it’s my fault if I send them to the emergency room. I can’t fucking kill them.”

He rolls his eyes now and gestures towards the pile of soot that were once, from what Ares understood, people shaped. “You ever see anything like this before?”

Yanluo quite literally deadpans at Ares, unimpressed by his reasoning for the laughable number of (notably undead, Ares has a point) bodies showing up to the hospital. Wining, griping, and moaning because one such god of war can’t keep his hands to himself. And as much as Yanluo readies himself to say as much, he remembers he’s supposed to judge the dead, not the living. Even if said living is immortal. And secondly, he does not want whatever muck covering Ares’ hands on his skin or clothes. He’s seen and heard much about the god of war in his search.

“At least, at the very least, could you refrain from breaking anything? Bone grafting isn’t cheap.” Yanluo’s words slow and get quiet by the time he finishes his sentence, eyes rolling to whoever it was Ares was wrist deep in. Or whatever it was. Yanluo steps closer, tightening his gloves on his hands as he pokes and prods at the pile. It looks like soot and ash, but with his rust-gold glare, Yanluo can see the faint wisps of a soul attached to the fragments. And when he closes them to search deeper, there’s nothing but visceral pain, agony, and terror.

The death god rises with a deeper frown, following the soft glowing trail of a soul to Ares’ palms. “Give me your hand.” At the meagre command, Yanluo takes Ares’ wrist to squint at his palm but to no avail. The faint light vanishes and the soul is lost. He shakes his head, tugging off his gloves to toss. “ No, but whatever it was, it was a person before you pulverized it.”

One thing is certain, the council will need to know about this. He fishes a black handkerchief from his pocket, wiping off his already pristine clear hands before offering it to Ares with a scrunched nose at the crisp remains. “Was it just this one?”

[aresmp]

Ares merely gave Yanluo a look when he was asked to refrain from breaking bones. It was like asking Poseidon not to breathe underwater. Bone-breaking was pretty much part of the territory of being a god of war. Not that he would waste any time explaining it to this god. He seemed determined to scold, judging by the stern expression on his face.

At the order, Ares blinked as he felt a tug of power and before he knew it, he had presented both darkened hands towards the Chinese god. "Huh." He made a grunt, feeling the power ebb from his hands, like a puppeteer releasing the strings. Yeah, the fact that Yanluo so easily wielded his power over Ares made the Greek God more assured of the fact that death gods were definitely not a group to mess with.

"From what I can tell? Yeah." He answered Yanluo's question now, "And I doubt they were a person. Living that is." He shrugged, watching his darkened fingers slowly return to their original color. "Dunno what the council have told you, but I am bound not to kill idiots---mortals--in the island. And since McCrispy there easily disintegrated, I'm guessing they were already dead before I got to them. But this seems more your thing than mine." He shrugs.

"It wasn't after me at least. So I'm still waiting for that thank you."

[aresmp]

cleaner bros | apollo & ares

just brothers bickering from here with @mpapollo

"Chill the fuck out," That was the closest to an apology Ares was willing to give Apollo as his own celestial bronze sword glinted under the rising moonlight, the other beast already a heap at his feat. He figured the only reason that little meddling sunshine goddess assigned this particular task to both him and Apollo was it was her own way of punishing them both. It really was interesting just how vindictive Amatersu could be, she really ought to lean unto her chaos some more. Judging by how she made sure Apollo was with him however told Ares just how much the Japanese goddess liked the Greek sun god. Just as much as she did him apparently, which was hardly any.

"Damn, she really wanted to give you a hard time huh?" He sneered, a bit impressed, meeting Apollo's offended gaze. "Don't you fucking recognize what you just killed?" He scoffed rolling his eyes as he strode towards the other, using the tip of his blade to bring the already punctured head of the creature under the light of the moon.

"It's a Lamia." Ares' lip curled as the long serpetine body. Named from the once queen of Libya who had the unfortunate poor judgement of being seduced by their father. That in itself was already a tragedy, but Lamia also had the poor luck of being caught by Hera herself and well, Ares' mother wasn't exactly known for her levelheadness. What resulted were these kind of creatures, who almost exclusively fed on the bodies of males.

"Yeah, Amaterasu is a right old bitch for sending us after these." For good measure, he stabbed his sword through the body of the creature one more. "Why the fuck do they even exist here?"

[mpapollo]

Apollo huffed quietly. Even though Ares was an absolute ass most the time, he seemed capable of tolerating the other. Centuries meant he understood him chaotic nature enough. And, as always, it was easier to be around him nearly a list of gods, whom all seem to take up residence in the island to bother him. It was really a pain to be such a handsome god in such a bothersome pantheon. 

Looking over at Ares, the comment on Amaterasu made him roll his eyes. “I bet she thought in all my good looks that I would be injured or harmed. The little empress sure thinks highly of herself, but I have always been an archer before anything else.” He scoffs, squatting down beside the creature. He had slayed many beasts. Amaterasu had clearly looked down upon him when she had send them both out to handle a simple beast as this. 

“That is an understatement, but I have to give credit. She has done a great job of convincing everyone else otherwise. A hag in a beautiful body. It can trick even the smartest of gods.” Peering around them, he looks for evidence that more were there. But, even though he could hear a few twigs cracking, he did not quite thing others were around them. 

“I’d reckon someone placed it here and recently. Artemis spends half of her existence here, and she had not said a word to me.”

[aresmp]

"Oh trust me, that little sunshine has more bite than she lets on." There was something secretive in Ares' smirk as he nodded in agreement to Apollo's assessment of Amaterasu. "Still, she's immune to whatever charm you have? Must sting your ego, bro." A slight snicker before he returns towards the monster carcasses. As unassuming the island was, he knew there were some pretty strong magic that kept most monsters at bay. It had to be, if the island gathered powerful beings such as himself and his fellow gods.

"What do you reckon?" He gestured at the pile of lamia carcasses. "If we send a head back to Amaterasu, she'd get off your back?" The savage grin was back at the suggestion only for it to disappear as a rustle in the distance made Ares whirl, sword appearing once more in his hands. While he had been busy talking with Apollo, Ares hadn't kept his guard down, so it was rather surprising that any threat could have snuck upon them without him realizing.

Looking over to Apollo, he gestured silently towards the noise, worldlessly asking if he could see anything beyond the copse of trees that surrounded them. While he might not get along with most of his family, that didn't mean Ares wasn't aware of their abilities. When it came to spotting things at a distance, Apollo was as good as his sister.

Do you see anything out there?

[mphecate]

Humble request

aresmp​:

“Yeah, yeah, you’re all bark, H.” Ares’ rolled his eyes good-naturedly even as he easily cradled her in his arms, careful not to jostle her injured ankle. “You can go ahead and try to turn me into whatever you want after I’m done being your pack mule. But you’re welcome to just crawl back to whatever monster nest you came from without my help. He smirks down at her, all impish smiles.

“Damn, don’t go broadcasting the fact you can’t walk in fucking heels, Hecate. That really kills your whole queen of the darkness, vamp bride vibes.” Really, Ares was far too amused by the situation to stop. Not to mention the woman in his arms was already forced to ask for his help, when she was usually too proud to even ask for anything, let alone help.

“Excuse me. Did I just here a "please” there?“ A knock of his eyebrow as he turned the corner into Manticore Apartments and watched with more than a little relish at her discomfort. "Relax, H. As much as I would you know, prefer to bring you to my apartment, I’d rather not hike anywhere lugging you around. Well unless, you do want to stay over?” The smile this time on Ares’ face was just on this side of roguish charm as the sleek building of the apartment complex for their pantheon loomed into view.

"Sure, keep thinking that. Such naivety can become handy one day.” Every single time Hecate saw herself forced to interact with him was a day somewhat ruined. And as much as she hated to admit, Ares had a way to make her unsettled for longer than needed. The god’s obnoxious and intoxicating presence that reflected nothing but the ugliest side of the pantheon, in her opion. Ares and his father, were the two beings Hecate wished to be around the less. “Of all the shit you just said, all I care is that you gave me your permission to turn you into a maggot. Noted.”

His amusement and entertained expression pissed her off beyond limits. However she was too weak to provide any expression except shaking her head and keeping her gaze away from his. “Like I need to prove people I can walk on heels. Those things are only helpful to walk on people’s back.” The longest that whole scenario lasted, the more she cursed at whatever Moirai goddess decided to ruin her night. At that point, Hecate would prefer to have all her bones broken to be healed away from that pest.

“Listen here.” Seeing how close they were to the Greek apartments, Hecate’s hand reached for his shirt collar and tucked it, making Ares head slightly turn down. “I don’t fucking care if you’d need to swim across the island. We are not entering that build Ares.” Her voice was stern, yet her posture remained calm. “Leave me at the forest’s entrance to walk the rest alone, if that will entertain you.” Hecate wouldn’t lie and dare to say that a night with him didn’t seem tempting, even for just the physical pleasure. But at the risk of being seen by her daughters, none of that mattered. “And yes that was a please. At least one of us needs to have fucking manners, from time to time.”

[aresmp]

Ares was far too amused to let Hecate's snippy mood get the better of him. In fact the more pissed she seemed to become, the more amused he was. One would think he was laying it on thick to cause more stress or to actually distract her from the pain of her ankle. Whatever reasons he may have, the shit-eating grin on his face was meant to evoke a violent response. To which Hecate responded quite admirably.

Even with his collar in her hands, the grin remained, Ares' dark eyes sparking a kind of savage amusement that was unique to the God of War. The display of nervousness from the goddess didn't seem to be faked, but then again, Ares never really did trust Hecate, just as much she didn't trust him. It was mutual distrust that made their encounters as entertaining as they were volatile.

"Fine, fine." He scoffed at her, making a mental note to prod at that little sliver of what he detected a weakness. It was always a good idea to pay attention to these things, especially since he was definitely the type to use certain things to his advantage. "You're no fun, even more so than usual, H." He gives an exaggerated sigh and shifts his hold unto the goddess, promptly draping her over one shoulder. Like a grain of sack. "Hold on then." With that as a warning, Ares speeds off at a light jog towards the opposite direction of his apartment, careful to keep Hecate secure over his shoulder.

"This would have been a lot easier on my bike, but you've always been difficult~"

[mpxesther]

Seeds of Information

aresmp​:

The smirk that flashed across the God of War was still amused even as his eyes lowered as she playfully leaned over, gaze sweeping appreciatively over her form. There was a hint of danger that lingered around her, as if Ares could see the godly blood that coursed through her veins and that was enough for the god not to halt whatever scheming she seemed to think she was so clever in trying to pull on him.

He gives a casual shrug now, grin still in his place as she laughed. “Girlie, look who you are talking to. Do I look like the type to play safe?” He folded lean arms across his chest, eyebrow knocking as he surveyed her again atop his desk.

“Smells of a set up.” He leans forward now, legs falling from the desk to land atop his plush carpet, hands braced on either side of her, not completely trapping her atop the desk, but at lest enough to catch her attention.

“You gonna tell me what you really doing, lingering in my office?”

Willa could tell the interest that lingered behind the god. Though, she felt no temptation to truly push the boundaries of what she could do. In the end, it was never about lust for her. It was all greed. Yet, she could nearly hear her brother’s panics in the back of her head, but she did not back down. Willa would make the gods bend to her commands for the rush of power, and pushing those limits with the god before her was just too irresistible.

So when the god moved forward, nearly trapping her to the desk, Willa did not even flinch. A small giggle fell from her lips. “Hmm. So paranoid.” She huffs softly as one of her hands reached to his face. She drags her fingers gently across his cheek, downward so that she could grab his chin.

Lifting it so that she held his gaze, she stared back into his gaze, no fear flickering through her eyes. She was confident, a true seductress in her form. “Do you ask every woman trying to get your attention whether it is a set up?” Willa teases him, hand leaving his chin so that her arms could move up to wrap around his neck. She would not be the only one trapped.

“Or, are you just scared to admit you find me captivating?”

[aresmp]

He had to admire the demigoddess' verve. Very few would dare to stray close within his orbit, and even fewer wouldn't flinch once his attention settled on them. That piqued the god's interest, for a little while. Those few who would are to approach the god of war usually meant they were in need of something. It was only a matter of finding out what exactly was it.

So Ares let her touch him, watching with hooded eyes as Willa performed for him, not at all easing up from his position looming over her. In fact, as those slim arms came to wrap around his neck, he leaned closer, a calloused hand feather-light as they travelled to trace one arm, his head cocking to one side as he studied her, the dark depths of his eyes flickering some unnamed emotion.

"Sweetheart, don't get your feelings hurt now," He drawled, hand wrapping around one wrist. "I trust very few, doesn't matter what gender they are." A smirk flashes across his face before it disappears. "You are lucky I am curious about you. You wouldn't survive me if I wasn't." It wasn't much of threat as a statement of fact.

"But you're determined to use your "expertise" on me, so who am I to stop you?" The smirk flashes again before he eases up and he is back at that leather chair of his, a picture of ease as he rests one ankle atop his knee. A gesture that seemed to say he was waiting what she would come up with next.

[mp-skuld]

let’s (fund)raise hell | ares & skuld

aresmp​:

(…) “Mortals never fucking change.” He muttered underneath his breath. “They are moving illegal product all right. That’s why they hired muscle.” He offered a steadying arm towards Skuld as if hoping to provide comfort. “Skuld, it seemed your shrimp hosts are kidnapping refugees.”

She manages to keep up her show until Ares’ hand suddenly settles in her waist and he steers her away from the guards again. “But honey! I need to use the bathroom!” She protests weakly, even as she allows him to take her wherever he needs her to go. Once they’re out of earshot from the people around them, Ares turns to her to inform her of his discovery.

The news truly only makes her briefly hum, not even all that surprised anymore. Mortals do as they do, and there have always been those greedy and ruthless enough to do things like this. She’s not surprised nor concerned. So after a moment she just tuts and shakes her head lightly.

“Naughty hosts,” she hums with a little grin, leaning up then to press her lips briefly to Ares’. A reward, perhaps, for humouring her and taking on this little challenge? It’s definitely the first kiss they share beyond the ones she’s littered on his cheeks in the past, but it’s as chaste as they come, and all part of the performance of them being a married couple.

“What do you want to do about it, my dear husband?” She asks, moving her hands to rest them on his chest, gently patting it before she looks over his shoulder in the direction of where the guards had told her the bathroom was, like she’s still yearning to go.

[aresmp]

Ares keeps Skuld close, arm still around her waist as he accepts and returns the chaste kiss to his lips. In any other occasion, he would have probably tried to prolong the encounter, but when they pulled away, there was a glint in his eyes that could only mean a plan in motion.

"Well, I thought this would be a boring gathering, dear." A smirk that warned off danger before he looked to meet the other goddess' eyes. Catching the hands that rested on his chest, his expression turns serious for a minute. "You up for this?" He lowers his voice. It was both out of courtesy and perhaps longing why he asked the question. He could easily take a few mortals on hand without much of a fuss, but it would make it easier for him if he wasn't thinking of keeping an eye on a goddess while at it. Not that he would ever need to say that aloud to Skuld. Not when he valued most of his favorite body parts.

"Should be an easy clean and sweep." He explained, eyes already calculating the number of exits and possible mortals that would try to throw a fight. "I promise to keep this penguin suit clean too if you're worried about a mess."

[mpxarawn]

aresmp​:

More Work ||

Ares eyes were narrowed at the Celt god, as if carefully assessing a battlefield. Despite the silence that stretched between them, there was a taut tension, as if threatening to snap if he so much as said the wrong thing. Another beat passed

“Isn’t this, and pardon my French, but a little fucking redundant?” An eyebrow rose as he dragged the pile of papers towards himself, already scoffing at the pile. “Is there not some poor ass demigod there desperate for a chance to do a god’s work?” Even as he said these things he picked up the pen with his free hand, idly spinning it in his fingers like one would a sword.

‘What the fuck am signing paperwork for…“ Ares grumbled under his breath as he flipped through the pages and read the fine print. “Permission for a liquor license?” An eyebrow raised in incredulity, squinting at the miniscule typefont. “Babylon doesn’t sell liquor, the fuck do I have to pay a license for…why am I being charged for Pink Tax?”

He gazed at Ares, over the steepled hands, almost daring him to say something that was off. He had always been a god, set in his own ideals, and he wasn’t about to budge now for some god of war who insisted on being an absolute menace. “The written word, Ares, rules all nature,” he states. 

“Usually there is a ‘poor ass demigod who is desperate to do a god’s work’ as an assistant or a teacher’s assistant as well but last I checked, Ares, you don’t have one. Therefor the arduous work of filing work has fallen onto you,” he explains in a rather bored tone as he looks through other papers on his desk. He then gazes at Ares with a lazy condesceding smirk once the other finally starts filling it out.

“Liquor licenses are required for modern day brothels. Just because you don’t sell liquor like a bar or restaurant  because that’s a separate thing, you are still required to have  license to serve alcohol to clients,” Arawn clarifies. His documents are prepared perfectly. He almost scoffs when Ares mentions the pink tax. “Because you have ladies working for you. As per the documentation, the charges are more detailed. I just file everything. I also am not a fan of the pink tax but my job is contracts and permits. Not the financials, Ares,” he states. 

[aresmp]

Ares rolled his eyes as Arawn of course went out of his way to make everything sound even more boring and extremely tedious. He supposed it was his own kind of punishment. The Celt god was in the Council too; it wouldn't surprise Ares that Arawn structured all of these violations just to dish out his own brand of pettiness. But Ares wasn't that stupid to call Arawn out. Not when he knew exactly what his real domain was. The Greek God tried not to mess with death gods as much as possible. Even with Hel, the tiny hellcat, he was careful to only press so much. One could never be too careful around death.

So with an exaggerated groan, he brings the papers to his lap and begins the arduous task of signing each. "I think I much preferred it when Hel was around to boss around. She would do all this shit for me." He half glowered at the other death god, his hand already flipping towards the next document.

"Why do you see the need to impose paperwork anyways? It was a dumb construction of mortals back then, I don't see how the millennia passing would make it anymore enjoyable."

[exmptohilx]

all hail the chaos

[ with Ares ]

[exmptohilx]

“How do I know I was actually the one who made you forget your own name and only scream mine?” The Mayan god of fire looked aside and up to smirk at the hardly-be-seen sight of a genuinely amused Ares. As they sauntered to and into Ares’ office, Tohil listed out what he knew the Greek god of war had done to get him back to Mount Phoenix. 

“You crossed an ocean, traipsed a desert, and climbed up a mountain to seek for my shrine, even put yourself through a whole long ass ritual to summon me, twice. If that ain’t the power of a good fucking, then enlighten me.” 

It was said half-jokingly, but there was a sincere appreciation for what Ares had done in the name of chaotic friendship, or whatever they had ever cared to label themselves as before fate snatched the old Tohil by the neck. This scandalous Greek god had proved himself to be fun to stick around, so much that on the way to entering the office, Tohil generously flashed Ares a big grin at his suggestive compliment and openly shameless head-to-toe look. 

Just like what he had been doing since the moment he walked into the building, Tohil scanned the boss’ private office, both as a curious newcomer and a trained firefighter. He knew he was still quite new to the job, but speedy adaptation had been long one of the fire god’s few acknowledged virtures.  

“Uh huh, I bet the old Tohil also didn’t tell you that this whole building needs to step up its game in fire safety,” Tohil left a remark before waving his hand at Ares dismissively, implying that anything on the wet bar would work perfectly well for him. 

Settling himself down comfortably on the leather couch, Tohil let himself watch attentively how Ares’ hands skillfully moved to mix up the drinks, also did or did not allow his mind to wander, just a few tiny steps further from reality. 

“So this whole fancy brothel thingy is originally your idea, right? Mind if I wanna know better how things are run here?” Tohil asked, obsidian orbs kept looking around and head leisurely turning from side to side for a better look until they got bored and returned to pay whole attention to Ares. 

[aresmp]

"It's called being a bro, T." Ares rolled his eyes playfully, not at all offended by the flirting and innuendo. So far, this new Tohil was like a spark to tinder--to Ares it felt like all he needed to do was push in the right place to catch him on fire. The chaos within the Greek god wanted to leap at the chance, to try to coax Tohil to his new capacities, but Ares, despite his seemingly idiotic choices most of the time, actually knew how to strategize and bid his time.

When the new Tohil mentioned how Babylon was a poster child of a fire hazard, Ares let out that bark-like laugh of his. "Pretty sure he tried, but we were too busy boning for me to pay attention." He pours the other god a drink before turning back to hand the glass to him. Ares makes no comment that he might have felt the eyes on his ass as he had busied himself with the wet bar. Tohil was free to look after all.

"What's there to know? It's a brothel. Pretty simple really." He shrugs as he saunters to sit opposite the other god. "You come here if you have a craving. My escorts are well trained, and are very professional. But any shit-stirrer can be sure it will be the last thing they do." He knew that on occasion, some punk or idiot thought they could try anything in Babylon that wasn't previously talked with the escort in question. Ares supposed being in an establishment under the influence of a god of war such as him was bound to press on the inner chaos.

"And yes, I offer my services on occasion." He said without being asked, tilting the drink back and draining his glass. "But don't worry T, I never charged you." Leaning towards his old friend, he lets his dark eyes sweep the other, a smirk now dusting his lips. "No money needed to be exchanged between us after all."

[mpxinvidia]

aresmp​:

blow it up | ares & nv

some employee perks and benefits with @mpxinvidia

….

Birthdays were not his thing, but it wasn’t as if he was unfamiliar with shopping sprees and what it entailed. “Apparently there is no limit today,” He said without preamble, doing his best approximation of a grumpy god forced to do a menial task. But in truth he much preferred to idle away and ply Invidia with gifts rather than be forced to sit through a tedious party and be force fed dry cake. “So take advantage will you? Make your boss groan a bit.”

♮

   Invidia’s face must have read confusion and worn it well the whole of the early afternoon when he was told that he was booked for the next few hours when he had only barely stepped inside the doors of Babylon. The fashion of the emotion stayed there as he was showered, dressed and adorned in his pretty street clothes and then gently scooted right back out the main door to go and meet Ares in the shopping district. 

   Today he was dressed in black slacks that hugged him where it was important, a light and airy linen white button up that framed his collarbones and the scent of his favorite perfume. The luxury jewelry he had refused in favor of his favorite necklace from Lio that he matched back to tiny pearl earrings that hang like teardrops from his ears and draw attention to how his bright eyes contrast his dark curly hair. Those eyes that take in the sight of his boss as he strides up and hears him say what’s on their agenda today. Oh!

   So at least someone had remembered from before and Ares was indulging him on his birthday. It brings color to his cheeks and he smiles just a bit. Well, damn! He doesn’t have to do this, most people had forgotten today was his birthday or were too busy to do anything with him. Even the ones that mattered most. The last thought stings him but Invidia keeps the smile on his face.

   “Just admit you like spending time with me and be done with it Ares,” he jokes and slides his arm to loop around the other man’s before they start walking toward the shops. “No limit? That’s a little dangerous with someone like me.” He grins wickedly at the god before teasingly adding, “I might just suck you dry.”

    Invidia winks before adding, “Of funds.”

[aresmp]

"I never denied you anything," Ares quips back, eyebrow already knocking up as Invidia loops his arms through his. It didn't bother him in the least. While public displays of affection were not something right up the god's alley, that didn't mean he was averse to it. Especially at the right company. "And you like the danger, admit it."

He allows a sly grin to quirk up his face as Invidia issues a threat to his pockets. "You are welcome to try; I rather doubt you'd have the stamina to follow through." The timbre of his voice and tone was meant exactly how it was meant to sound. Wicked sin. Nevermind that the topic earlier was quite innocent.

As they neared the first of the shops, the god allows himself to be pulled. Aphrodite had her own share of shopping sprees when her whims took her, and Ares doubted it would get as wild as any of her trips. For now, he was content to follow and play his part.

"So aside from spending my money, do you have any idea how you're going to celebrate this day?" It was Ares' attempt to at least show interest apart from the sex they shared. It was the demigod's birthday, after all, Ares could indulge in a little whimsy. Perhaps.

[erisxmp]

aresmp​:

Bring in the chaos

;; “Seriously, E?” Eyebrow raised in a signature smirk, he eyed the apple that seemed to come with Eris’ ensemble. “Last time you had one of those…” He pretended to be thoughtful. “Far from me to discourage you though, the last time you threw a controversial apple in a gathering I got to beat the crap out of Athena.”

An old-time villainy laugh erupts from Eris, tears practically wetting her eyes at the memory. No matter its twists and turns, that era was Eris’ prime. She’ll forever reminisce in it, gala apple puns included. 

“What a marvel that was! And I loved watching every minute of it.” Eris croons, taking a bite of the ripe, crisp fruit. “We both know Athena had it coming with that mouth of hers.”

She scans the crowd, giving a disappointed shrug.  “Too bad neither she nor Hera is here. I just know she’d be beautifully livid.”

“Alas, with this invisible leash around our throats,” Eris offers Ares a coral pink smirk of her own, taking another bite of the apple. “What is there to do for fun around here?”

[aresmp]

"I shouldn't play favorites, but you really are one of mine," Ares gave his bark-like laugh, easily scaring half a dozen demigods who went scattering at the sight of the tuxedo-clad God of War. Not that Ares minded nor cared, it was part of his whole schtick. The more that bought into it, the better for him.

"I'd rather not see that sister nor mother of mine anytime soon," He rolled his eyes at the mention of both. Scheming bitches the both of them, all hidden by the stellar reputation of some mortals' doe-eyed admiration. Whereas gods like he and Eris were delegated to troublemakers, nevermind that there would have been truth to such a title. After all, there would be no order without chaos, and balance must always remain.

"What kind of fun did you have in mind?" He asks now as he steers her towards the ballroom, eyes already sweeping around for any familiar faces that would be positively shocked at their entrance. He was no stranger to drama, and it would not be unheard of him to say he had a penchant for it.

"Alas, I am already bound by an annoying little oath not to kill any of the residents on the island, so I'm afraid I can't give you that kind of sport at the moment. Have you seen any of the family yet? Pretty sure you can get your fun there, but we both know that's a double-edged sword."

[aresmp]

Bring in the chaos

just some gold ol' fashioned shizz-stirring with @erisxmp

He was, in his not-so-humble opinion, been in a complacent mood lately. Ares was not the type to pass a week quietly, not for the millennia he had walked on this earth. It was not in his nature to be quiet nor still, but he could chalk it up to the island life. Being prohibited from doing permanent damage to the citizens, no matter how unsavory he found them had seriously rained on his parade. Add also one of the few gods he actually considered a friend had no recollection of their time together in the past, Aphrodite going in another one of her "soul-searching" trips, Ares was BORED.

That was why when the air shifted on the island and the winds brought him news of a familiar taking up residence, he didn't hesitate. Which was how they both found themselves dressed to the nines for the Summer Gala and looking to have their own brand of fun. Which in Ares' case usually involved chaos.

"Seriously, E?" Eyebrow raised in a signature smirk, he eyed the apple that seemed to come with Eris' ensemble. "Last time you had one of those..." He pretended to be thoughtful. "Far from me to discourage you though, the last time you threw a controversial apple in a gathering I got to beat the crap out of Athena."

[aresmp]

For somebody averse to gatherings, the Greek God of War is always present in the island's yearly events. This year, he chose to bring a dear friend (@erisxmp), but don't get too close to the chaos. Your survival ain't guaranteed.

[mpxyanluo-deactivated20240828]

he's a fighter, your honor.

a tale where war meets death w. @aresmp continued from here

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then Yanluo’s expression is worth a thousand more. Half shrouded by shadows, half illuminated by dingy alley light, Yanluo looks at the other god with a (not so subtle) glower. The moment feels a lot like the drama scenes he catches Niutou watching late into the night, characterized by some conflict, exaggerated fights, and ‘blood’ that looks like watery ketchup. 

Except Yanluo is sort of living said moment and having a hard time accepting his reality.

Granted, when he decided to embark on the burdensome journey of finding the person responsible for the alarming number of patients at the hospital, somehow he hadn’t expected a whole god to be on the other side of the disastrous equation. A god that within only ten minutes of meeting, Yanluo decides his mission—whatever it was—might be a waste of time. 

Yanluo’s eyes roll shut, and despite his calm demeanor, the sigh he releases is very telling of just how much he’s restraining himself from lecturing an entire deity on the fundamentals of sticking to your own domain. He focuses on the nightlife out and about in the red-light district, letting the vibrations appease his own annoyance.

“I would thank you,” He says through his teeth. “However, I did not come here to play ghostbusters. While I find it…questionable that you’re roaming about a dilapidated building, that is none of my business. What I am concerned about is the number of patients that have left my ER in shambles.”

Yanluo picks invisible dust from his black gloved palms, frown deepening at the other god’s coal-like stained fingertips. “I don’t care for your reasoning, but I will ask you to stop whatever it is you’re doing. My employees are not there to clean up your mess.”

[aresmp]

Ares' reply to the censure that came from the obvious death god, (he had learned to identify such gods, something about their smell) was just a raised eyebrow. Surely he wasn't being lectured about his methods? Not that he would take any sort of censure from anybody, it was not how he worked, but he was mildly surprised at the fact that he was being told not to harm people by a god whose whole responsibility was the dead. Ironic much?

He said nothing for a beat however, and examined his darkened fingertips. He had been tracking a few miscreants who decided it would be a good idea to try to harass his employees over at Babylon and it led him to said building. It didn't surprise him that said miscreants were not your typical demigods at all, but they were spelled. Fuck, he hated all sorts of magic and it seemed it now lingered on his hands.

"One, you work at a fucking hospital, blood and mess is your entire thing ain't it?" Ares now muttered, boot nudging the remains of whatever he had been hunting. He hadn't exactly killed these so he hadn't broken whatever oath he swore to the council to live on this island. But it's not as if the council would ever take anything technical, so Ares was now forced to cover his bases. "And is it my fucking fault damn idiots think they can just jump me whenever they please? Granted beating dumbass to a pulp is now my morning workout but I still don't see it's my fault if I send them to the emergency room. I can't fucking kill them."

He rolls his eyes now and gestures towards the pile of soot that were once, from what Ares understood, people shaped. "You ever see anything like this before?"

[aresmp]

“I could’ve handled it myself, you know.”

"Clearly." There was no sneer on Ares' face but his tone implied one. His dark eyes swept over the frame off the bit worse for wear barkeep, his fingers still cradling the glass of top-shelf whiskey. "But I was bored." That was all the explanation or apology he was going to give before draining his glass and dropping it in the counter. And only such an explanation would suffice because he was after all a God of war.

"Another."

[mpxarawn]

aresmp​:

More Work ||

“Work.” Ares repeated as if the word was foreign. The look on his face was akin to something like finding a dead thing at the bottom of his shoe. Are you kidding me? Was the expression he tossed the Celtic’s way.

But Arawn definitely was not the kidding type. Judging by the pile of papers he now dumped at his lap. Like he was some clerk at a low-budget government office expected to pick up a pen and then what?

“I don’t do paperwork, Arawn.” He said this with deliberately slowness as if making sure the other god understood. He had never had to file any sort of paperwork in the entire existence of his immortal life. He had plenty of worshippers and all sorts of demigods who preferred to do that sort of work for him. And when he had the Pits he had…

“Ahhh, maybe I should just let my little hellcat do this then. She seems much more efficient at this. Stickler for order that one.” He makes a move as if to push back the papers back towards Arawn.

The polite smile that Arawn had initially fell from his face to make way for the condescending smirk he reserved for those who tested his patience. “Yes, work. I do understand that you are unfamiliar with the concept, Ares,” he states. The Celt leaned back in his chair and chuckled at the god’s expression. Oh, he wasn’t kidding at all. 

He was a god not to be messed with. His rules and contracts were absolute. The law of nature was absolute. He was just, merciful but when his patience was tested, the Celt refused to back down. 

“I’ve been more than nice, Ares. It’s been a year. I could  easily revoke all your permits and then what to do? You’d still have to go through the arduous process of applying all over again and you’d still end up right where you are. In my office, having to once again fill out all the same papers,” Arawn states, his voice carrying a cold mocking quality. He wasn’t about to let Ares get away with this. 

He laughs when Ares states that he should let his little hellcat do it then, that she’s a stickler for order and as the papers are almost pushed back to him, Arawn stands. “Like I said, Ares, I’ve been more than nice. Work is inescapable and my contracts are always fulfilled. You would do well to learn a bit of discipline,” Arawn stated. “After all, you know what they say: Death and taxes are eternal.” 

[aresmp]

Ares eyes were narrowed at the Celt god, as if carefully assessing a battlefield. Despite the silence that stretched between them, there was a taut tension, as if threatening to snap if he so much as said the wrong thing. Another beat passed

"Isn't this, and pardon my French, but a little fucking redundant?" An eyebrow rose as he dragged the pile of papers towards himself, already scoffing at the pile. "Is there not some poor ass demigod there desperate for a chance to do a god's work?" Even as he said these things he picked up the pen with his free hand, idly spinning it in his fingers like one would a sword.

'What the fuck am signing paperwork for..." Ares grumbled under his breath as he flipped through the pages and read the fine print. "Permission for a liquor license?" An eyebrow raised in incredulity, squinting at the miniscule typefont. "Babylon doesn't sell liquor, the fuck do I have to pay a license for...why am I being charged for Pink Tax?"

[dramastream]

KIM WOO BIN for THE STAR MAGAZINE, Aug. 2022

[aresmp]

sunshine gentleman | ares + jinny

a festival starter for @mpxjinny

You'd think festivals were not something the Greek God of War enjoyed, and you'd be somewhat right. Being joyous and mirthful was did not come easy to a god with chaos in his veins, but he still found himself strolling around what this piece of shit island called a festival. He remembered when feasts involved less cutesy shit and more bloodsport, but then again, that was eons ago. Apparently, spilling blood was uncivilized now.

At least that was what he was told when he had applied for a fighting ring booth not for the first time since settling on the island. Prissy little sunshine goddess. Ares thought not for the first time, and he had sneered on what the Council had deemed citizen-friendly revelry. Carnival games that served little to no competition, whoever they can wrangle as entertainment---and was that a photobooth with cardboad cutouts of his fellow gods?

Pathetic. Ares thought to himself. At least that was what he was chanting mentally even as he went through some of the carnival games and had just successfully punched the damn bag hard enough that he won whatever paltry prize the attendant was boasting about.

What was he gonna do with a stuffed giraffe? Ares curled his lip at it, as if it would give him answers. "Here," He handed said plush unceremoniously to the young woman standing a few steps away from the booth. He recognized her enough to realize she worked for him back at Babylon. And she seemed the type to like overstuffed things. Come to think it, why was the young woman alone? Squinting at her over the head of the cheerfully beaming giraffe, he frowned.

"You in trouble, girlie?"

[mpxjinny]

aresmp​:

sunshine gentleman | ares + jinny

a festival starter for @mpxjinny​

.....

What was he gonna do with a stuffed giraffe? Ares curled his lip at it, as if it would give him answers. “Here,” He handed said plush unceremoniously to the young woman standing a few steps away from the booth. He recognized her enough to realize she worked for him back at Babylon. And she seemed the type to like overstuffed things. Come to think it, why was the young woman alone? Squinting at her over the head of the cheerfully beaming giraffe, he frowned.

“You in trouble, girlie?”

Jinny had recognized Ares’s profile from further away and upon seeing that he was with no one else, had scurried over. It was a bit sad to see him playing carnival games all by himself. Watching him play them was another subject. She knew he was a God of strength and battle... stuff- but it was easy to forget how strong he was when she wasn’t watching him punch stuff; that was actually a preference. 

“Oh!” 

Unexpecting of the sudden gift Jinny hugs it to her chest to avoid dropping it and looks away from the man now fussing over his broken machine. “Me? In trouble?” She wasn’t sure what had spurred the question, but she thought it was nice of him to ask! “No, just a bit lonely. There’s lots of stuff for two people to do here, but I came alone and my friend won’t be able to meet me until this evening. Are you in trouble? You seem upset, and a festival is the worst place to be upset.” 

[aresmp]

"Yeah, I dunno what I'm supposed to say in response to that." Ares replied honestly, because what else was there to say. She was lonely, well that was probably her own fault for going to a fucking festival alone, but then he was here by himself too wasn't he.

"Girlie, do I look like I get into trouble I didn't ask for?" He gives a short chortle, hands shoved into his pockets as an eyebrow rose at his staff's comment. He didn't really spend that much time with those he employed at Babylon, maybe he ought to just to not get blindsided by their more weird-ass comments.

"Well since it seems both of us are alone at the moment, and I am in a mood to be entertained, come show whatever shit around here amuses you. I'll be a good boss and buy whatever you want too. Deal?"

[aresmp]

“They were going to kill you! Why would you risk your life like that?”

"You make it sound like there's a fucking choice," Ares yawned as if bored, stretching his arms over his head as he regarded the other god. "What?" The God of War's expression was mildly defensive even as he examined his hands which seemed to be blackened like they were dusted with soot.

"Weren't you saying you can't fucking drag them back to whatever hell you cast your ghosts in cause they still had their meat suits? Well there you go. Meat suits gone. You're welcome."