south of the river

kane carlyle, fifty-five seventeen. son of enyo.

[wclfsbxnne]

“The fact that greek gods are actually real.”

[kanecarlyle-blog]

“Yeah, I guess you got me beat.”

[peterrm]

“Sir? That’s a first.” Peter joked, a smile plastered on his face. “Half these kids didn’t have to leave behind something irreplaceable.” He spoke before he thought, immediately holding his hand to his mouth afterwards. “Gods, I’m really not making you feel any better, am I?” He cleared his throat and remained silent as Kane spoke, it was probably the best thing he could do for now. “Have you ever met anyone, you know, like yourself? Who’s immortal?”

[kanecarlyle-blog]

Kane chuckled. “Sorry, force of habit.” He said with a small smile, continually, inexplicably calmed by the other. “I don’t know. From what I can tell, everyone here’s got some horrific skeletons hangin’ in their closet.” He shook his head honestly, but he was smiling. “Not really, mate. But it don’t matter - at least you’re bein’ honest.” He said with a shrug. Like himself? Kane frowned, confused by Peter’s meaning. As he explained, the dark-haired boy broke out in laughter, throwing his head back. “You - you think I’m immortal?” He shook his head, still laughing. “No, no, I just got stuck in some crazy hotel for thirty years.”

[peterrm]

Peter pulled a face. “Trenches?” He asked, curious and also at a loss for words; “Wow, you’ve really been a through a lot. That’s probably not what you want to hear but, you’re really pulling through.” He shrugged, letting out a light chuckle. “Kane, you’re a demigod. How’s that nothing special? And really? Nothing, not even marriage or something?”

[kanecarlyle-blog]

Kane nodded. “Yessir.” The conjunction fell from his lips without a second thought on his part - he didn’t even realize he’d said the formality. “I guess I have. In this place, though, it doesn’t seem like all that much, y’know. Half these kids have fought actual gods, y’know, titans too. Holdin’ a gun and firin’ blindly into enemy territory hardly seems like much.” He couldn’t help a smile at the other’s flattery, shaking his head. “One fish in a giant lake, here. Bein’ special’s a result of someone’s actions, not their blood.” He brushed it off, looking down at the ground and shrugging at the question. “Thinkin’ about things... I dunno, I just never had much of a chance, never really met anyone that made me want to imagine the future, y’know?”

[wclfsbxnne]

Pippa’s lips turned downwards into a frown when his expression morphed completely. Was it something she had said? Gods, she hoped not. “Oh– Oh, wow. That’s..surprisingly not the strangest thing I’ve heard recently.”

[kanecarlyle-blog]

Kane smiled wryly. “Funny thing is, that doesn’t seem weird to me anymore. I’m just one among a million abnormalities.” He shrugged, looking at the girl. “What tops it, then?”

[esmestale]

“Right.” Henna nodded, pursing her lips. “I’m rather bored. There’s not much to do around here after you’ve already done pretty much everything.”

[kanecarlyle-blog]

“No kiddin’. Apparently the city’s good, but I’m avoidin’ it.”

[peterrm]

Peter frowned, a great whelm of sympathy surging up in him. “The 70′s? Was the 70′s really all it was cracked up to be?” He laughed quietly, hopefully trying to brighten up the mood, unsure of how to reply, but his smile faltered. “Don’t say that! Okay, maybe you don’t want to be, but it’s what has to happen in order for you to grow as a person. I know I shouldn’t tell you how to live your life and act and stuff, but I really believe that you’re something great, the same as everyone else.” Peter spoke intently, praying that he didn’t sound rude. “Do you have any goals for the future, though? I mean, there has to be something you would really like to happen.”

[kanecarlyle-blog]

“You want to know the truth?” Kane asked, not really looking for an answer. “I can’t even remember ‘em. The most vivid memories of my old life are the trenches and my brothers. Anythin’ before that... I can’t even remember my family’s faces, I can’t remember their voices.” He wasn’t sure why he was so hoenst with the near-stranger he sat with, but something about Peter seemed to calm him inexplicably - he figured it was something of his powers. He smiled grimly. “I don’t think everyone’s special. Sure, we’re all different an’ that, but we ain’t all special. That takes somethin’ different, somethin’... I dunno.” He shrugged. “Honestly, I’m livin’ day by day. I don’t know what I’m supposed to aim for anymore.”

[xorenaofthemoon-deactivated2017]

“Man out of time, just like you?”

[kanecarlyle-blog]

“More to do with what he fought for. But yeah, I guess so.”

[lustfully-liam]

    “Figured out sharing a bed with a person I haven’t slept with…it’s weird…like I don’t know how to lay, where to touch or not touch, but the thoughts are amusing and distracting….sooo thanks.” While using the situation as an outlet, Liam hoped on the first chance he got to ignore his problems. “Trenches—OH! The war, right. That must of been hard, no pun intended. Though at least you don’t have to do that again.” he finished, while wiggling a bit before laying on his side became the easiest position and better to look at Kane when they talked. If this was a Nicholas Sparks movie this might be the part where they would fall silent, let that silence build until they were consumed by each other, then deeply and finally kiss.

                                 H O W E V E R 

      Thank the gods they weren’t as Liam ruined the moment, “Did you brush your teeth, I swear it smells stale or something right now.” 

[kanecarlyle-blog]

“Of course.” Kane rolled his eyes - he should have guessed, he always seemed to be involved in some experiment when he was around Liam. Probably because he was one of the few in camp that the son of Eros was able to resist sleeping with. “Don’t touch me - especially not if I fall asleep.” He offered the advice, knowing that it wouldn’t work out well for either of them if Liam did. “Yeah, it was shit. Had better company than you, at least. Didn’t get much sleep, though - obviously. Thank the gods.” He responded, turning his head and facing his friend as he moved. He rolled his eyes at the boy’s question, sighing loudly. “Of course I brushed my teeth. Given that was what, five hours ago? Before I went to sleep, anyways, I can’t guarantee that my breath is fresh.”

[lustfully-liam]

      “Okay well if we sleep we are cuddling and I’ll definitely be the big spoon.” he said and like clockwork Liam wrapped only one of his arms around Kane’s chest, making sure to not let his hand drop any lower than that. “So are you a snorer or should I just try to pas out before you? Because I can take as long as we can to figure this out—buddy.”

[kanecarlyle-blog]

“Never mind the sleeping, then. I refuse to be little spoon.” He mumbled, rolling his eyes as Liam’s arm encircled him regardless of his protestations. There was really no point in disagreeing with his friend when he was in this good of a mood. “I don’t snore - it’s not a good look in the trenches.” He explained, before catching himself. “Figure what out?”

[lustfully-liam]

      “Oh please Kane… I have rules about violence and sex when in the bed room. So the last time I checked punching was definitely off the list.” he replied while trying to make himself comfortable. His friend’s bed was a bit smaller than the one in his cabin but he’ll make it work. So taking it upon himself, Liam fluffed up one of the pillow, yanked the blanket evenly over them, and scooted up to Kane. Which by accident found himself brushing up against Kane’s abs which were warm and pleasing. “My bad.” he grinned, then turned and looked over at him. Was this weird—probably, though Liam had no intentions to make this more than it was, even if sometime he got the vibe he could with Kane.

                            (That’s another story)

    “So, what shall we chat about my little brooding child of war….” Liam knew that talking like that would bring nothing but resistance from the other but he couldn’t help doing it anyways.

[kanecarlyle-blog]

“It’s bad that I find that surprising.” He shot back, the bed moving under him as Liam attempted to get more comfortable. The movement was irritating, but Kane held his tongue, knowing that commenting would only bring on another earful of nothing from his friend. He did, however, roll his eyes and sigh as Liam grabbed a pillow and moved ever closer towards his body. “I refuse to put on a shirt for your benefit, it’s freakin’ boilin’ in here.” He scowled a bit, curling backwards at the other boy’s touch. He knew this level of proximity and invasion was just normal for the son of Eros, so he left it alone at that, knowing Liam’s intentions were far from the worst in this scenario. Besides, from what he’d been able to tell about the boy’s anguish the other day, he had nothing to worry about. At the mention of speaking, however, he groaned, turning his face into his pillow. “I don’t want to talk, I want to sleep.”

[wclfsbxnne]

“What’s so funny?” She asked, a quiet laugh following her words.

[kanecarlyle-blog]

Kane’s smile faltered at that, his usual, sombre expression replacing it. “Long story short, I grew up in the 70′s.”

[drxwninginair-archive-blog]

“Either way, whether you support them or not, there’s not a whole lot to be done about it. They’re everywhere, either way, and even if you don’t have a toy one, I’ve seen kids using sticks as guns.”

[kanecarlyle-blog]

“Yeah, I know. It’s just... Odd. And irritatin’.”

[unyiclding-deactivated20151007]

“Sadly, yeah. It’d be cool if we could live a bit longer, you know? I think I wanna just settle someplace safe. I mean, I know this is a safe place and there’s New Athens but like..S’not the same.” She loved the idea the camp was catering to older campers now, and was going to let people live here instead of throwing them out into the world for their deaths. But it wasn’t what she wanted. And probably wasn’t what she was going to get. “Really? Damn..That’s pretty lucky. It must be nice to of been around family, right? Well, I guess not must of. But..less lonely? Maybe. Sorry, I’m not that good on the subject, haha. I wasn’t alone, but I don’t have the best parental experiences.” She shrugged, not wanted to bore this person with her daddy issues. “What’s Chinatown like? We have one in London. I’ve never been, though.” She listened intently to his thanks, smiling at his response, “Well, you helped your country get to where it is today and keep people safe, right? I’m sure a lot of people are grateful to you, and you shouldn’t doubt it. As long as you did what you think was right, or what you had to do to protect something you love..it’s worth it, right?”

[kanecarlyle-blog]

“I know.” He nodded slowly, understanding. “I mean, what’s the point in livin’ longer if you can’t do what you want to, y’know?” Kane sighed, shrugging, and ate another spoonful of ice-cream, the look on his face decidedly glum. He frowned at her questions, not really sure how to respond. “I loved my family, especially when I was younger. Now... They’re just so out of reach, I can barely even remember what they look like.” He nodded again, understanding that she didn’t want to talk about her own family. There were things everyone didn’t like to talk about, he supposed this was just one of hers. “Chinatown’s great.” He all but gushed, a true smile on his face as he thought of the place of his childhood. “It’s crazy, full of people, smells amazin’ all the time. There’s always somethin’ happenin’ there - at least, that’s what it was like for me.” His mood instantly sobered when he remembered it had been thirty-odd years since he’d been back. “I dunno, I guess so. It’s not like I fought to keep the Germans outta the country in World War Two, or anythin’, though.” He’d heard of the horrors America had unleashed in Vietnam since he’d arrived in the 21st century. He wasn’t proud of them. “I don’t know if anythin’ could ever be worth it. Not in hindsight, at least. When you’re there...” He trailed off, staring at the ceiling. “Nothin’ really matters.”

[unyiclding-deactivated20151007]

“Keeps you on your toes, though..?” She tried to reason, half heartedly. Really, she wanted a nice, quiet life of writing and reading and the ever evasive love, but she knew that’s not what her future held in the slightest. “Probably. Can’t say I was really raised, though. I was just left to do what I wanted. Didn’t have to go to church or anything, so I guess that’s why I’m so..okay with this. I don’t know. I never put much thought into my feelings, haha.” Turning back to the fridge, she pulled out a can of coke, “So you’ve been in battles with humans? Did you go to war, then? Because if you did, that’s…gotta be difficult. I think I’ve got a lot more respect for you now, to keep going after a war. Not that that’s much, my respect, that is–oh, um. Want a can?”

[kanecarlyle-blog]

“Right. A short, excitin’ life is in all our cards, right?” He half-joked, smiling morbidly. He didn’t necessarily want for a different lifestyle, but he did sometimes wish his life expectancy was a little longer, that he could go to college and be normal. It wasn’t often, however. “Ah. I always knew who my ma was. She told my dad, made she he raised my and my sister to her likin’. He was always there, or his parents, or one of the other families livin’ in Chinatown.” He explained. “I put a lot of thought into things. Not much else to do in this place, I find.” He watched her returning to the fridge, setting down his spoon and leaning back in his seat. “Yes, I have. Can’t say I’m particularly proud of it, but my country was in need.” He nodded in thanks. “Means more than you’d think, y’know. Reminds me I didn’t just do it for nothin’, that the pain might’a achieved somethin’.” He shook his head. “I’m fine, thanks.”

[unyiclding-deactivated20151007]

“Well, it’s not like I can change it, and it’s not like it’s going away. There are already a bunch of people here, so there’s no point in freaking out about it, either. So, it’s best to just not care and get on with my life. There’s not that much difference here. Just more..swords.” Offering a smile and another shrug, Amelia continued, “I just don’t see the point in all the fuss. Sure, there’s more danger, but there was already danger in the human state of mind to begin with. No big deal. –Oh, you’ve been in battles? I managed to escape my monster attack, but that’s pretty much the only upset I’ve had. I can’t complain much. I hope you get a pretty peaceful life from here on, as unlikely as it seems.”

[kanecarlyle-blog]

“I guess so.” Kane shrugged. He’d always found his heritage - much as he resented it - to be of importance to who he was. It was odd to hear someone thinking so differently. “More swords, more magic, more chance of dyin’.” He agreed, letting out a wry laugh. “Nowhere near as much of it, though. The fuss probably comes from the fact that everyone was brought up to think this kind of thing was impossible.” He reasoned, shoveling more ice-cream into his mouth once he’d finished speaking. “Yes, ma’am.” He confirmed. “Not with monsters, though. Well, not just with monsters.” He added. “Yeah, you do.”

[unyiclding-deactivated20151007]

“Fair enough. Your reasons are your own, I’m not gonna pry or anything. That’s just rude and stuff.” Toying with the cake in her hands, Amelia placed it back on it’s plate, sliding it onto the counter. “It’s okay, I guess. Nothing all that special though. I don’t really…care about it all.” She found a small smile winding onto her lips, and she nodded, “That’s nice. To have it fit. Gotta be a little comforting, right..? –Indulgences are great. I think being thrown into this kind of life we deserve to indulge ourselves, yeah? Uh..I think so, anyway.”

[kanecarlyle-blog]

“More than some people in this place can say for themselves.” He chuckled morosely before shoving another spoonful of ice-cream into his mouth. “You don’t care that you’re a different species than you were born thinkin’? That, like, your heritage is all the crazy myth stuff?” He asked, eyebrows shooting up in surprise at her confession. “I guess so. Doesn’t bode well for the future, though. I’ve had enough battles to last me an eternity, y’see. Don’t want to deal with any more.” He nodded, lips tilting at the corners briefly. “We deserve a little comfort in all this shit.”

[unyiclding-deactivated20151007]

“Oh, well that’s pretty cool, right? Ares seems like a bit of a badass, so I’m gonna guess she takes that trait too. Oh, Eos? She’s the Goddess of the Dawn. I think she’s a Titaness? I’m not too sure.” She shrugged, really Amelia wasn’t too bothered by the whole Greek thing. Honestly, it was just something that made her world interesting. “Oh, well, it suits your lineage? –Nah, it’s not a problem. I thought you were a bit uncomfortable that’s all. Don’t want that.” The redhead made her attempts of keeping the conversation going, “Cool, cool. Icecreams one of the great inventions of humankind. Love it.”

[kanecarlyle-blog]

“Sure. Truth be told, I’ve kinda, uh, renounced her? Some stuff happened, she did some things I didn’t support.” He shrugged, playing with the ice-cream in it’s little tub and staring pointedly at it. “Dawn.” He nodded slowly. “That’s an interestin’ one.” He said, not really sure what else to say - he didn’t know much about the Titans. In fact, he knew nothing except that Kronos was evil. “Yeah. He said I always was one to raise.” Funny, how fate had played out for him in that sense. “I always thought it said somethin’ about me, fit me in a way I couldn’t really understand.” He shrugged. “Not exactly.” He was always uncomfortable in this age. His mind yearned to be back in the seventies. “Yeah. Bit of an indulgence.”