& | 𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐃𝐎𝐌 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐄 !

amadeo prospero. son of hera. twenty-four. house pali.

[crowntorn]

tucker.

“…𝐈𝐓'𝐒 𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐔𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐘 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐘 𝐆𝐎𝐎𝐃 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐘 𝐇!" 

yes, he meant ‘mental health’. tucker & amadeo sat in the pali kitchen; the son of chronus explaining in nauseating detail what exactly goat yoga was and why it was a legitimate form of therapy. “plus, annabelle is such a cutie… who wouldn’t want her stomping around on their back?” he asks, tapping one of his temples, “ we could be olympus’ first self-made-start-up! 

honestly, ammie, i can’t believe you haven’t thought of this yourself. i guess this is another reason why we’re gonna be great business partners. oh! exactly like zuckerberg and those twins!”

"𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐀𝐋 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐋𝐓𝐇." amadeo reiterated. in his eyes, they weren’t texting so they didn’t need abbreviations. 

still, he was opened to the idea and listened careful at to what tucker said. he snickered at the idea of annabelle partaking in his yoga sessions, a sneer forming on his face. “if someone annoys her she has no qualms about sinking her teeth into them.” a paused, the vision coming up in his own mind. “that means that i’m in!” he didn’t even focus on anything else. 

“i’ve been working on starting mount olympus’ first nightclub so i’ve been a little occupied on the business forefront. surprisingly, you have good ideas so joining forces isn’t the worst thing in the world. when are we going to start?“

[crowntorn]

ari.

“ Whose to say i’m not a gold-plated demon, a devil in disguise using bright lights and shimmering metals to distract and disarm. ” The man is fast on the quip, fluttering his wings in emphasis. “ You know we’re not nearly as nice as we claim to be. ” A harsh reality for all of them learning to negotiate through ego and pride. “ I’m sure you’re waiting for the moment to kick my ass in fencing, you and your three physic ass rapiers. ” He teased, not really seeing how Amadeo fought but knowing it wasn’t as straightforward as some of the other Pali combatants. “ This way? ” He asks, kicking off and hovering through the trees looking for their first game of prey. 

“ Even if you are, you’ll come to find out that I don’t even run from handsome demons. That just means you’re willing to use whatever you can to get ahead which would still insure our survival. “ Amadeo has a weird outlook on the rest of the demigods. Even if they’re selfish, that’s still a positive for the rest of the camp. “ We just all have our breaking points. ” He picks up his pace to follow the blond while thinking about it. For the most part, he’s been nice to children and women. Certain men get his bad side though. “ Kicking your ass in anything would be a delight. ” Another taunt laced sentence. Amadeo makes sure to stay on Ari’s trail. While walking in the forest, he hovers his own feet with telekinesis. That way he doesn’t make a sound either.

[crowntorn]

blake.

“I heard about the last trial, about the kid and the vampire woman or something. Not going to lie to you mate, I’m not looking forward to this upcoming one. Especially cos I’m more susceptible, right?” He didn’t know if he was, but given how easily he had been possessed the last time, he figured he must be an easy one to manipulate. Not ideal. “So any downtime I can get between now and then, I’m taking it.”

From above, the track seemed as great as Amadeo was making it out to be, and as they landed Blake was more than excited to get started. “One thing less on the bucket list eh?” He smiled, instinctively bouncing on the spot, his energy seeming to ramp up dramatically at the mere prospect of a free run. “Oh so you just called me here to test me did you? Because there are better ways to test my stamina than bringing me to Spain.” There was a slight flirtatious edge to his tone but it was all in good spirit.

He smiled, a wide one, ear to ear, and his eyes glittered. “Really? All day?” Like giving a gift to a child. “Mind if I give it a quick test run? Unless you wanna race me first?”

“I happened to think it was a blast right up until I felt like I needed to cry for the rest of the year. I don’t think you’re more susceptible than any of the others. Just because it happened once doesn’t mean it’s going to happen again.“ Due to some sparring Amadeo had come to realize that he was immune to being feared and possibly charmed. The others didn’t have those same defenses, but he was trying to branch that out a bit more. “Good!” 

He nodded slightly as the bucket list was brought up. Seeing and nearly feeling Blake’s shift in energy was nice, calming in a weird way. The empath almost felt his own energy spike up at the prospect and spending the whole day here. “I have to make sure the rest of you can keep up, right?” He was just teasing. “If you want, tell me the better ways to test your stamina and maybe I’ll do that next time.” They were going to have the rest of their lives probably, so he figured they had time 

Amadeo’s smile only grew with Blake’s own joy. “Yes, the whole day. I told Agathys we would be gone just in case.” He pointed to the rest of the track. “Go ahead. I’ll be here.” 

[crowntorn]

𝐈𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄 𝐑𝐎𝐎𝐌 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐁𝐎𝐓𝐇 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐕𝐄𝐍 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐇𝐄𝐋𝐋?

for nearly a year now amadeo has been living in mount olympus. that’s why he knows others can tell what he’s up to. he’s either been shacked up in his room or going away on small trips. now the man has a determined look on his face. almost as if he’ll cut down anyone that gets in his way. of course, annabelle is right by his side. 

amadeo prospero needs to make something clear to hera. 

upon entering the temple, the demigod makes sure that it’s empty. beautiful and ornate, but void of all other emotions from within. the irony doesn’t slip pass him. he sets the items that he brings with him down and takes a small breathe. 

after communing with zoe, he first lights a match and ignites the golden incense burner. “don’t worry, the smell shall pass.” he leans down to kiss annabelle’s forehead. 

amadeo straightens himself out again and places the last of his silver jewelry into the bowl. he melts it with another open flame and then looks up at the statue of his mother. “hello, mother. i felt a talk was needed after our last interaction.” one that not many know about. 

the curly haired demigod dips a queen chess piece into the pool of silver. “clearly we’re more than either of us have bargained for. you’ve left quit the big shoes to fill and i’m making friends with demons, playing with a vampire’s ashes, and trying to learn an infernal language. shame neither of us have the gift of foresight.” this is much different from his last conversation. he isn’t begging for something or looking for acceptance. he’s merely talking to a familiar entity. 

the telepath drops a couple of pomegranate seeds into the bowl. “yet i hope to still honor your legacy. zoe is here now, which i’m sure you’re aware of. i’ve been officiating weddings. your name is still living on no matter how long you’re gone.” the final offering is placed on top, several stephanotis flowers. 

amadeo refuses to crack in front of his mother, in front of anyone. like a stained glass window he’ll merely reflect the best parts of themselves. he touches the ground, feeling the energy underneath, knowing what’s there. 

inhale, exhale. 

“i’m here to say if there’s anything you need then i will work on doing it if you provide me with a sign.“ still, he’s not doing this so she can accept him as a son. that’s the difference from who he was when he first arrived. “you’ll just have to get used to my methods. from what i’ve heard, they may not be as different as yours.“ amadeo stands back up on his feet and looks up at hera’s statue. he picks up the burner along the way and makes sure annabelle is close. “whether it’s to protect women, childbirth, the sanctity of marriage, or another follower just send me a sign if that is what you wish.“ 

finally, a sinister smirk peaks through. “i’m done holding back for the thrill of war. we’re all going to have our domains i’m assuming, so i should not run from yours.” before he was just a monster and a prince. now he’s going to be the devil and a god. 

heaven and hell never mixed so well.

[crowntorn]

marcos.

“i’ll try and remember to put myself first sometimes, but i guess i just have a big heart and think about others too much. it’s not really a flaw, but it’s draining sometimes.” walking along with amadeo, he smiled over to him as he spoke. “yeah - kind of like that – has that happened to you before?” marcos hasn’t really talked about his dream yet with anyone, not really thinking anyone would care much about it - or what it meant, but hearing amadeo he got a bit curious and now wanted to look more into it. 

“having a big heart can actually help. if you want to check in on others and make sure they’re all okay, you have to make sure you’re in good condition first. right?“ honestly, he didn’t know if there were any rules about that. amadeo nodded a bit as he turned his head to face marcos on their walk. “a couple of months ago, yeah. i was reminded of things from my mortal life, a giant scorpion asked me some question, then i woke up being able to do more things.” it went much deeper than that, but he figured a short summary would be useful.

[crowntorn]

ari.

“ lucky for you, we’re going on a nature hunt and giving thanks. ” the wildest smile found its way onto ari’s lips as he shook his shoulders and his glorious gold-plated wings found their way back into existence as he jumped a little and let his wings flap and send him into the skies to hover back down. “ you cool with that? might be fun to see how we work as a team. ”

" any excuse to sink my blade into something always gets me going, so yes i’m cool with that. ” he ran his eyes over ari’s wings and marveled at them for a bit. they were different from the last time he saw them in the garden and that made him wonder what else they were capable of. “ lead the way, angel. just make sure you don’t stab me with those. ” amadeo pointed to the gold-plated wings and prepared himself to head in any direction.

[crowntorn]

blake.

Blake liked Amadeo, he knew that much even though they had been more distance than he had hoped. Lots was going on both in camp and in his head, so admittedly he had been a little lax in making time for everyone. It was something he intended to change and he was beyond happy that Amadeo had approached him.

“Yeah, not going to lie, it’s been a struggle. I’ve, what, let someone get kidnapped, fell in love with the monster because they disguised themselves as someone pretty, dropped someone from a mile high, and nearly died maybe 3 or 4 times facing off against a trio of siblings in a haunted house…” he shook his head, to name just a few things he had experienced on his quests and at camp, “I just…yeah, some down time would be nice. Proper down time.”

At the compliment, he blushed a little, before chucking and doing an exaggerated twirl to show off, even if there was nothing special about this outfit at all. “Y’know I think I’ve heard of it, but I’ve never been,” he said, approaching Bullet, petting the Pegasus for a few moments before they were off, “think it’ll do me good to stretch my legs properly. Get a decent run on somewhere meant for running.”

Being there for half of those moments still didn’t help Amadeo process everything they go through on a daily. Even more so with the fact that the night he dropped Beauregard, the telepath was wandering the forest confused. He had to make sure to stay vigilant after that, but right now it was just a time to relax. 

“Wait until we go on our next trial. In the last one I felt the grief of a childless mother along with that child’s death and I was practically numb for the whole month that followed.“ The empath’s voice was still light. Not that the situation wasn’t heavy, because it was, but he was finally in a place where he could speak about it without being brought back. “Down time is good. You’re going to like this track. I’ve been there before.“ 

The blush registered in Amadeo’s head and produced a soft grin from his side. Blake seemed to like compliments and he would remember that. “Well now you can say that you’ve finally been. Plus, I can get a chance to test that stamina of yours.” He extended his arms out after they landed to showcase part of the park. Then he pointed over to the long track. “All yours for the day. No one else is around.” 

[crowntorn]

beau.

beau stops in his tracks as amadeo stands in the doorway, dressed and ready for a hunt. he’d already been planning on going hunting as a way to celebrate and commune with nature and because he needs something besides a training dummy, demigod included, to stab, 

“yes.” he says as he pulls the harness of his sheathes over his chest. he slips on his studded armor and then a sheer, ruffled collared shirt. he tucks his feet into a pair of boots and grabs a jacket for the cold. “the rapier looks good.” he notes, looking at amadeo’s face for a moment. “you’re welcome.” he says with a half smile on his face before he brushes passed the man, shoulders touching. 

“is there something on your mind that’s got you in the need to kill something?” he asks as they leave the pali house. he waits for amadeo to take the lead and go where they’re needed. “i will admit, it’s very hot seeing you like this. but i’ll be good.” 

“thank you.“ amadeo knows beauregard is right. this rapier suits him better and it also makes his moves sharper. there are ways he would’ve thanked beau before, but for now he has to plan something in his head and use his words. he cannot go back on his word. not only is that going to make him look weak, but it’ll be annoying and he’s self aware. 

the grazing of their shoulders makes him close his eyes before. it’s a brief flash, but it’s definitely present. the feelings that he would get around beau never went away. “there’s no real reason that won’t make me sound like i just want to kill something.” amadeo chuckles a bit to himself as he cuts through the forested area. “but that’s basically it, i just want to sink my blade into something and not have to think for a couple of seconds.” 

maybe they can push themselves even farther. “you can admit it. we both find each other attractive and i don’t think that’s ever going to change.” amadeo’s jaw tightens as the prospect of an upcoming battle. 

“we should be closer. i know you like to sneak in and out, so we can part ways or i can be as quiet as possible.“ 

[crowntorn]

wren.

War might be won with insight, discernment, and drive but the son of stars couldn’t help but believe that there was more to that. Force and strength, the indomitable need to persevere was what decided the battle. Wren might be a veteran now among their ranks of new and old demigods who’ve taken the mantle as protectors—he didn’t feel like one. 

“I can argue that nothing is detrimental to fate as it’s always changing but for now things seem on track. Maybe this was all meant for a higher reason that I can’t foresee.” There was some optimism even if it was mild, “I don’t believe in coincidences anymore….I’m not proud of how I’ve ended up but grand schemes be damned if I’m gonna let this keep me down.” 

His sight was his strength and though it didn’t leave any monster wounded nor was it practical in a fight…Wren needed to learn to cling to it like others have to their gifts. “My benefit is in many ways our benefit but.” he voice falls off like his tongue was filing the words he wanted to use; trying his best to sound concise. “Every time I feel we’ve gotten a handle on our godhood like there’s a chance we got this, something pops up…between Liam and I now afflicted, more demigods leaving when things are getting worse, I just want to know that without a doubt I can stand up when it’s my time. That’s all.” He’s watched those who have stood and taken the blows of Eris and her minions, he’s watched wounded bleed and others on the brink of death while he watched in the background with his tomes and charts. 

The echoing truth from Amadeo that we are all playing a part needed to stick, but for the moment he sat with the present and noted that for a chapter to experience in the future. 

—”what to wish for? Hmmm” he mumbled aloud as the choices were as infinite as the stars but before he blew, he looked at Amadeo squarely, “I see now how you could bewitch our resident son of Aphrodite now.” then with a gentle huff dandelion florets swept through Autumn air. 

Certain shifts or indicators of someone’s tone shifting always intrigued Amadeo. A couple of words, a soft nudge to the glass half full, and the situation could look brighter than ever before. He wasn’t going to credit himself for Wren’s optimism, at least not this time, but he was glad to witness it. 

“That’s exactly the spirit I was looking for. It sucks that all of this has happened and the answer may not be clear now, but you still see yourself in our future and that to me is a good thing. No force is going to take you away from us.“ Now that was a promise from his side. “Picture how much stronger you’re going to be after you fully make it to the other side. Hell, you can even help prevent someone from following this path too.“ 

No matter where they were in their personal lives, all of their goals and actions intertwined. Amadeo knew that he could be quite selfish, but his strength would help others in the long run. That was why he nodded at Wren’s words, listening intently at first. “A little indicator that you’re going to make it no matter what. I think that you still being here, even out here on this rock contemplating all of this, shows that you’re going to be around.” He sucked in a small breath as he carefully tried to pick out his next words. Astrology was never his strong suit. “An Aquarius isn’t going to let being different knock them off their course in the long run, right? They’re going to take what makes them different and use that to excel.” First he hoped he got Wren’s sign correct. Then he wished the sentence made a lick of sense when it came to Aquarius. 

The right side of Amadeo’s lips curved up into a soft smirk. He ran his thumb over Wren’s chin as he watched the dandelion go into the breeze. 

“You make it sound like I’m putting a spell on all of you.“ The telepath slightly turned to blow his own dandelion, but his eyes never left Wren’s. “Thank you.“ He was going to take that as a compliment no matter what. 

[crowntorn]

wren.

“Yeah I feel like at this point, the long haul of this war, even if someone was untrustworthy or chaotic for the cause doesn’t matter….we are but pawns on a board.” he looks down to Amadeo, “We just need to keep playing our parts to hopefully win.”

What was it now? Almost twenty-something sons, twenty-personalities to cater…it made sense that they operated as misfits than some club. 

The future was hard to put into words for others; it often still confused Wren. Where visions came and went, the stars laid out like a map more than a discerned field of truth. There were so many paths to take, each opening and closing with the slightest shift of thought. There were more forks winging off that it would take Wren multiple nights of reading to discern what was most likely than probably. Luckily no roads lead to death currently but his path had been dimming since the curse started—practically obscuring him. “I haven’t no but destiny and fate only take course by actions…so who knows. For now I haven’t seen anything on the horizon that worries me, other than Eris honestly.” Selene might be a lunar cunt in Wren’s book from crossing him but her betrayal did sober his values; accidentally snuffing a naivety that held him since he arrived. 

—Not anymore

“Kite didn’t pay you to come out here to flatter me?” he scoffed but genuinely there was warmth there, “Thank you regardless…I just. I know my part to play is sticking to becoming a Seer or whatever that means. I’m no oracle yet and most of the time I think I get lost in the stars more than found but I couldn’t help wanting more. It’s hard to feel godly and strong when all I’ve done is watch you or Beau slaughter things I couldn’t…I watch everyone I love rising up in ways I don’t know if I can or could, if I should…I just wanted to stand on my own for once.” Though they way the moon washed Wren’s face, Amadeo could see a tear inching down his cheek, “but I’m realizing that my power is best for the benefit of others..a service for many than solely for my benefit.”

“And if we’re pawns on a board we might as well keep playing until we can become any piece we want, right?“ Not all pawns made it in chess, that part was being hopeful, but there was still the chance. “Soon enough I’m sure that we’re going to see the finish line.” 

Some of them have been there for months. In January a couple of them could celebrate their one year anniversary of taking the ambrosia. That had to mean something. 

He finally let his eyes open so that he could gaze up at Wren on his rock. Amadeo pushed himself up on the ground so that he could listen a bit better. He wiped off some of the dirt on his pants, they were already dirty from being on the ground anyway. Sandra would have had a fit and that made him smile widely. Even in the darkness, his teeth were still exposed. “Even if it’s a fickle matter, one action right now can change your whole future, it’s still saying something that you haven’t seen your end. That means up until this point, you haven’t done anything that’s going to be that detrimental, right?” Either that or there was a way out of all of this. “Eris is behind all of this and once we get enough power to take her out, everything is hopefully going to be much easier.” They’ve have responsibilities of course, it came with being related to gods, but that didn’t mean fear or eternal risk. 

“Kite knows that I wouldn’t do anything for money. Favors are the way to get to me. Even then, I don’t hand out compliments or flattery unless the person deserves them in my eyes.“ Which Wren did, that much he was honest about. Amadeo stood up and approached the other until most of the space from before was gone. “Not everything is about slaughtering. Predicting the future helps every know what path to take. You can be the difference between falling into a trap or figuring out the clue to kill something before it’s too late. We’re all playing our part and yours is just as important.“ He leaned down to pluck a dandelion from the ground. “Do you want to use it for your benefit?“ Amadeo moved his hand to lift Wren’s chin a bit, moving the dandelion in front of him. “I’d cup your cheek, but I wouldn’t want to risk getting dirt on that pretty mug of yours. Make a wish, son of stars.“ 

[crowntorn]

marcos.

“noted - and i’m always ready to play.” marcos starting to be more aware of what is around him and making sure the game he plays with others is always up. 

“i really think you are right - annabelle will carry us all to victory.” he smiled, moving in slightly closer. “hey, i’ll always check in on my friends. that’s what we do - check up on each other. we go through hell here and that’s the most we can do.” placing a hand on their shoulder, smiling. when asked about himself he kept on the smile on his face, almost as if to mask his emotions. “i’m good - just about the same, making it day by day, ya know? — but i feel more myself lately, i had this weird dream and i just feel stronger, if that makes sense?” 

“perhaps i’ll give you a fair warning before i put your king in check.“ chess didn’t really have anything to do with this, but still. 

he moved his hand to rest on marcos’ lower back, walking closer to nomiki’s shop so they could help her out. “she’ll enjoy the fact that you said that.” amadeo couldn’t talk to her, but he knew she was just as smug as he was. “if you say so. just make sure you’re putting yourself first sometimes. going around making sure everyone else is okay can leave little time for your own wellbeing.” he grinned to himself, realizing he was openly telling yet another person to be selfish. “ahh, a mysterious figure came to you that felt familiar and you woke up with more power? damn, all of you are getting there quite fast.” 

[crowntorn]

loki.

“You do have a point there.” It wasn’t always pure blood that was required for a spell. The ritual for Zikki…had other elements that could be used as ingredients. Luckily he did not need to resort to the more malicious items and could use his blood alone. He did not share the same grounds with others who would seek harm as their path. Luckily the topic did not dwell too long as he did not want to think of such memories. They came with a sour note whether fond or not. With his question raised he should’ve been better prepared for the answer. But it appeared whether blindsided or prepped it didn’t sting any less.

“Well…I did ask didn’t I.” Head falling a bit as he walked away. Not far, just pacing towards a rock he kicked into the grass. So it appeared the high and mighty title was not just one sided. Who else felt the same? Was his standards really set that high? “It’s not that way. I just hold people to the same standard I hold myself. I don’t see it as high…just giving the same way I would give.” He was quiet for a moment before he made a frustrated grunt that disturbed the peace of the night. “I just don’t get it. How some of you rush into things not thinking. Of yourselves…of others…of the consequences. I’m trying to see other people’s perspective but I can only see so far.” Ironic given he could see perfectly through the darkness around them. “The fact that I can’t understand it and still try to be friends with you I thought was the opposite of being judgemental….but I guess you never truly see yourself till it’s through someone else’s eyes.”

“I try to at least sound smart even if I have no idea what I’m talking about.“ Which Amadeo didn’t do often, but still the topic of rituals was brought up. Normally he stuck to things he knew he would excel in. Something that Sandra taught him. If success was nearly guaranteed, then there wasn’t actually any real risk involved. Mount Olympus changed that, of course, but still even his weapon was a nod to his former life. Things he knew how to wield far before becoming the son of Hera. His mind being a weapon was only another example of that. Vicious words sliced into enemies’ consciousness far before the ambrosia. 

When Loki grunted and changed the route, Amadeo made sure to follow near him. “I never said it was a bad thing, I was just trying to be as honest as you would want me to be.” He moved his hand up to rest on the witch’s back. “The person with the highest standards is always themselves. If I held all of you with the same standards I was drilled into as a child, I would scream every time one of you slouched.” Even now, the bitter memory produced a small chuckle from his body. “Nothing is black and white in this world. I impulsively locked myself into a coffin, but that turned out to be exactly what we needed to do.” Finally, months later the trial didn’t sit heavy on his chest. “Being friends while trying to ignore that is good, but on some level it still gets to you. Otherwise you wouldn’t have entered my dream, right? It’s not something that you have to change if you don’t want to, but it’s just something that’s there. I’m self aware of a lot of qualities I have that others wouldn’t find so honorable and yet I’m still the same old me.” 

[crowntorn]

loki.

Turned from his spirit gazing Loki became fully engaged with Amadeo before erupting into a fit of laughter. Enough to catch the attention of the the nymphs leading the way. “Why is it that whenever I take a guy out into the woods they always fear their death?” This would make the forth guy to wonder if they were being led to some tragic in. Just from a quiet stroll through the woods. “For the record only virgins are used for sacrifice usually so I think we’re both safe.” Not trying to lean into the stereotype that witches were down with sacrifices. In Loki’s case the most he’d ever given for a spell was his own blood. Sure there were probably taboos against blood magic but he was working with the blood of the goddess witch. What better catalyst to a spell?

“Thanks. I’m trying to learn from the best.” Lightly bumping his hip with Amadeo’s before he turned to their guides. Who stopped to admire a pretty large tree that he hadn’t noticed before. “No…I don’t mind leading. Though I guess some people have trouble with that.” His bedazzlement dulled for a moment. “Amadeo can I ask you question. I know you’ll be honest but…do I ever come off as too pushy or judgemental?” It was a vague question he couldn’t go to in detail with. Given he wasn’t aware if Deo had learned Wren’s secret as well.

"The son of witchcraft who speaks to spirits out here in the forests asks you to come out for a walk during the night. Do you blame us for thinking it seems rather ritualistic?” The last time Amadeo followed Loki out here he met his brother. Technically speaking since he couldn’t see or talk to the man. While his life wasn’t at risk, that was still magic at play. He could never be too cautious around the other. “Depends what ritual we’re talking about though, correct? Some require the heart of the pure, the blood of a whore, the eyes of the seeing. You can never be too certain.” He didn’t know the first thing about rituals, but he did remember translating that text with Ezekiel. As the man ran his free hand over the bark of a tree, he wondered if some of them had what it took to do the necessary. 

“That can take a while.“ The question subconsciously made him pull Loki away from the sprites. Amadeo was going to be completely honest and he didn’t want this influencing someone else’s opinion. “The short answer is yes.“ He took in a deep breath, allowing nature to soothe him. “Since we met you’ve viewed me as a prince or evil when I do something un-princely. You put me under some spell when I openly admitted to being somewhat sociopathic. Yet at the same time I feel like I could ask for your hand and you’d chop it off. At the end of the day, I think you’re judgmental and hold people to a high standard, but you also want to trust us so you’re willing to turn a blind eye.“ 

[crowntorn]

loki.

There it was. The smile that made Loki feel like he was making a deal with the devil. But hey, the devil was just an angel who lost his wings, right? Couldn’t be all that bad. At least he knew well enough how to tempt the others favor. “I fear the day you come to collect.” His pouting face betraying the smile in his eyes as they gathered with the others. Loki noticing something different in the air. His eyes occasionally following in different directions as he caught trail of spirits passing by. “Not really sure. They made it seem like it was just a hike through the woods coming back around to the lake. Breath in nature and appreciate the experience. Which I do love…but I usually take these walks alone.”

Even with all that has changed with him since coming here his nature boy spirit had not. If anything when he went for hikes or explored nature now he could see things in a different light. Appreciate the stillness of life which only gave him a more drive to fight and keep it protected. “Wait so if I’m your guide and protector does that not cancel out the favor? Like even steven?” Maybe he’d get points for the bargain.

Collecting the favors was always a faraway plan. It seemed near to Amadeo some days, but he didn’t want to waste it on something small. He wanted to rattle Loki’s brain with whatever he asked him. “When I collect just remember all of these small little moments.” Since he was focusing on the other demigod, he noticed his eyes venture every now and then. The telepath was reminded of hose his mind flickered when he picked up on someone’s thoughts or emotions. Some of them seemed to have an extra sense and it was curious as to how it worked. “That seems easy enough then. As long as they’re not walking us to our death.” At least from what they knew. 

Amadeo moved his arm up so that he could squeeze Loki’s shoulder. “You’re good, I’m going to give you that much.” Most people wouldn’t have went for a bargain right away. “But since we’re doing this together I think I’m going to hold onto that favor. We could walk around aimlessly if you don’t want to lead.” Although, this could have knocked down one favor that was owed from the list. He just didn’t say that. 

[crowntorn]

wren.

“The digging deeper part is the caveat I suppose.” his hand waves dismissively, casting the thought away like the breeze. “It’s weird whenever I think of you. I know that I know so little about you, yet I’ve never questioned following you if you came to me.” Wren wasn’t sure why he was admitting this, the night seemed riddled with more questions than answers, yet perhaps they would continue waxing poetically to one another. 

Like their heavenly signs, they ebbed and flowed, as truth spilled from bearer to fish. 

As they traded their points it dawned upon Wren at how warm Amadeo seemed—not to say the son of Hera had been anything but just with him, it was simply how he approached the situation and his calming aura that delivered every word with a direct but tender resonance. “So if we could change the lighting on me; spin it. How would it look because all I’ve been able to chop it up is that I wanted to believe something so bad that I ignored everything to get it.” Where did it get him? “I’m weak because I’m slowly losing everything that made me…me. I’ve lost trust in my friends, I’ve worried the people I wish to never feel that way, I’m slowly being infected by something that no book has explained shit about….and just because I’ve been able to endure it till now means I’m more stubborn than strong.”

Amadeo’s eyes closed as he listened to Wren’s voice. It was almost like the day the spent listening to music outside months ago. Only now, the musical tones were the oracle’s words. “If it makes you feel any better, I was raised to come off that way.” An addictive weapon, Sandra would call him. “Your success is tied to mine, to all of ours, so at least I won’t lead you into danger.” Or any of the other demigods. 

If he was a fish he’d be an octopus. Reaching out to others with emotional tethers and telepathic thoughts instead of tentacles. 

Everyone had their own point of view. If there was one thing Amadeo learned from his powers it was that. They could each look at the same thing and come to it from 18 different sides. That was why he didn’t bother caring what the others thought. he knew his own truth and that was enough for him. “For one you respect power, no matter where it comes from. That’s a good trait to have because you realize who has more power than you in life.” Even if the holder of said power wasn’t all that good. “Second of all words like trust are fickle. I’ve been on missions with you were your predictions of the future have helped us immensely. Have the stars shown you your own death yet?” A soft breath escaped as he curled his hands around the dirt. “We all have a risk of dying, we know what we signed up for. They shouldn’t be more worried about you than their own lives. You call it being stubborn, I call it never faltering from your own belief system. To me you seem like a person that will do what it takes to win this war and it’s people with your courage that we need. You may say you were ignoring the signs, but I say you were willing to take the risks. Think of the great heroes and historians. Did any of them refuse to take a risk and still get to be immortalized in history? There’s a solution to whatever problem out there, but people beating you up about this isn’t going to help you obtain it faster.” 

[crowntorn]

malachi.

“By ‘cryptic’, do you mean whisking me away with no explanation?” He arches a brow at the other, smiling already. “Apt word choice.” And he has followed along. That has never been a more docile prey than Malachi Le Roux. But trust has always been the invisible hand beckoning him forward, and Amadeo has completely earned his.

As they reach the front desk, he surveys the place. Skydiving. Malachi’s lips quirk up once more. “I have reason to believe that you have a bigger penchant than me for the skies now.” He undresses in a swift movement. “Between both of us, it is unnerving to be so high up, sometimes. And jumping out of a moving plane?” A chuckle escapes him as his heart shivers half-dreadfully, half-anticipatorily. He loves being unnerved. He loves the thrill of the wind, the danger of the fall. Malachi puts on his helmet and brushes the visor down with a grin, before dipping his chin in a nod. 

“Born ready.”

"Oh come on, by this point I feel like you and the others expect this from me now!” He didn’t look remotely apologetic. In fact, he almost looked prideful that he managed to slip Malachi away again. “There comes Amadeo, about to kidnap another demigod to an unknown location.” The more he thought about it, the more that was true. 

Analyzing his love for the sky would be for another time. Plus, this mainly came out when he was in the presence of the king’s heir. “Our parents were the royals of the skies, right? Seems only fair I share some of that drawing for the clouded skies.” One said unnerving and the other had exciting chills running down his spine. Amadeo smirked, determinedly and a bit malicious all at once. “That’s the fun part. Not knowing what state you’re going to touch the ground in.” He stepped out of the locker room to approach the stimulator. Then he took out a couple of things from his pockets. 

“Would you kill me if I brought glamoured sprites?“ 

[crowntorn]

loki.

“Okay, okay. I would ‘love’ to join your nature walk…just give me a second okay?” He was a bit tired from all the work and honestly just wanted to retreat to a room and hide for a bit. But the nymphs could be very persuasive (pushy) when it came to honoring nature it seemed. Loki would go along with it but he was hoping not do so alone. He needed a buffer to keep him from ditching and as luck would have it he saw the perfect candidate. “Amadeo, they you are. You have to come quick there is an emergency.”

He said rushing up to the other before looping their arms together (or locking him from escaping) as he pulled him along. “The emergency is I’m being recruited into a nature walk and you must accompany me. It’s a rule…well not really… but come anyway okay? I’ll owe you.” Hoping adding to his debt would be enough to entice him along.

@crowntorn​

One moment Amadeo is staring at trees trying to see if the sprites were doing anything to them. The next he’s being pulled away by Loki to join him on a nature walk. For one he couldn’t really argue since he pulled the witch away for a movie screening. Another reason why he was so willing to go was at the mention of the mageia demigod owing him another favor. That made his ears perk up and a smile spread across his lips. “I’m in! Don’t worry, we can just put this on your list of things you owe me now.“ He nodded as he made a mental note.

“What does a nature walk entail? I fear that a simple walk through the forest isn’t going to cut it and maybe I’m not dressed for the occasion.“ Still, Amadeo followed Loki’s lead and duck out into the woods. “I’ll have you as my guide so I guess I’m not too concerned though. Do we have a destination in mind?“