Lie of Innocence

"Oh, love... You can't simply wait for good things to come to you. You'll have to seize them, with everything you've got."

[matthew-alexander]

Perhaps Matthew was hoping things would have changed, but that would surely not be the case with an Underworld demon like Helena. Their kind thrived on sowing chaos and destruction without regard for much else and to someone like Matthew, that was what was short-sighted.

"If it was your spiel about time, I simply thought you were reminding me for the umpteenth time about how old you are. And not particularly in a positive way."

[lady-crytia]

Helena giggled. What a poor excuse for an insult. Like calling a queen a whore for how many dumb, crown-wearing men she'd outlived. "Oh, how catty of you, Matthew."

She sighed. Did she have to spell everything out for this one? "But no. I was reminding you that something big is brewing and about to spill over. I can't tell exactly when it'll be, as I haven't had a hand in it."

She chuckled. "Which is a claim that... I suppose will fall on deaf ears, considering how you only ever seem to think the worst of me. That being said, I hope you do trust my judgment in these matters. As you might know, it's something of my expertise."

"Consider this a reminder of that warning, and me urging you to prepare. As a fellow elder and as..."

Helena pursed her lips and paused, as if the next words had to painfully dragged out of her. "Your friend. If you'll have me. Which I'm quite well aware you won't. But still."

[elenaramirez]

A shiver seized Elena's body, dipping the world around her into a hazy blur as Helena's voice rang out sweetly, running laps around her brain until her words were near indistinguishable from Elena's own thoughts.

Glazed over eyes flickering between the demon's own, a witty remark or two prickled at the back of her mind but the embers died before they could sparked a flame. "Yes.. I want you to." Anything. She'd give her anything. Body, mind and soul. Anything to be loved and held and seen. To be deemed — perhaps not whole and unbroken — but worthy and valuable despite it all. Anything to be more than a passing thought.

She was so tired of fighting for every little scrap of happiness. Of having to prove herself over and over again. Of convincing others that she was worth their time. Elena longed to be wanted — a need so desperately visceral it rang through her entire being — to be allowed into someone's heart and make it her home.

Helena would give her all that and more—would surrender her own darkness and pain. And Elena would smooth her fingertips over every wound, press her lips to each raised scar until light was all that remained.

A marionette to the demon's whim, she pressed forward into the other's touch, her own voice a breathy but toneless hum. "Take me away from here."

[lady-crytia]

"I will," she replied, her own voice breathy from excitement.

This one'd been an interesting one to figure out for Lady Crytia. The charm had made it so loneliness, the want of being seen and wanted, had been far from the first exploitable flaw to come to mind. It did check out though. It was easy to claim as much in hindsight, but it explained everything from her willingness to engage with strangers to, well, her willingness to engage with demons. Now to find a way to twist and corrupt that longing into something she could use...

"I want you too, Elena."

Her own eyes locked with Elena's, Helena took a moment to catch her breath. Not something either of them needed in a physical sense, but it felt... Right, in somewhat an emotional sense. A pause, to let all the excitement dwell and settle. To let her corruption's aura loosen its grip on Elena, to ensure the other girl still wanted this when the worst parts of herself didn't draw her towards Lady Crytia.

A sultry smile on her lips, she kissed the little goddess' nose and took her hand. Effortlessly Helena paved them a path to the exit, weaving through the crowd with grateful smiles and polite 'excuse me's.

[elenaramirez]

There it was again. The covert lure laid out so neatly. So tantalizingly, Elena almost found herself giving in. But with it came a new thrill. One she doubted Helena had been counting on in her pursuit. It was impossible not to wonder how long the other woman would play the waiting game before she simply took what her very nature desired.

Elena hadn't changed her mind— no. Better her than anyone else. She'd recover. She'd be fine. And what were deities made for, if not to put themselves in the path of darkness. Between buying strangers drinks, exploring the city and taking everything in that life had to offer, this right here - dancing with the devil - was probably the most in line with what she was supposed to be doing. Even if she wasn't meant to enjoy the physical aspects of it quite so much.

Broken. Damaged. In life and in death—

She let her own demons be swallowed up by the press of Helena's lips, the hand against her throat, against her heart. Angling her head to deepen the kiss, Elena's fingers wound themselves into tendrils of dark hair at the nape of the other woman's neck while her thus unoccupied hand sought out a spot at the curve of her waist with the sole intention of bringing Helena closer.

Having parts of her soul devoured was going to feel nowhere near as good as having a warm body against her own. But ultimately, that was what Helena wanted from her, wasn't it? The hot brush of her tongue against the demon's bottom lip, Elena drew back just enough for words to pass between them. "I want you to tell me what it tastes like..."

[lady-crytia]

Helena's aura settled over Elena, spreading through the little goddess like delicious poison. Elena was Helena's entire world. Nothing and nobody else mattered to the demon, other than her. She'd mend what was broken, heal what was damaged, even if there'd never been anything wrong with Elena in Helena's eyes. More than that, she'd let Elena reach in and drag the darkness out of her, let Elena unravel her secrets, let Elena fix her. Helena'd love her, even if Elena didn't believe anyone ever woud.

Lady Crytia savored every taste of Elena, every taste of desire and of longing. Moaning softly but needily into the kiss when her hair was tugged, Helena's tongue teased against Elena's lips. Her head trailed after Elena's for a moment while the other pulled back and she almost let out a whine when their lips parted. Panting gently against Elena's lips, Helena rested her forehead against hers.

"Of course, love," Helena smirked. It was hard to not claim her victory then and there. Her smirk softened into another sweet smile, and her eyes locked with Elena's, close as they were. She pressed herself against Elena a bit, more to come closer to the other woman than to rile her up.

"Are you sure? I need you to tell me, to say you want me to" she asked, equal parts dark enchantress and worried lover. "And perhaps... We could head somewhere more... Private?"

She bit her lip and gently ran her nail up the other's throat and towards her chin, tilting her head up slightly.

[elenaramirez]

"Honestly? I think they'd survive. —And so would you," Elena retorted without a hint of malice in her voice, keeping her eyes peeled for the small stand she had discovered earlier. Whether Helena was truly bothered by the lingering hostility or not, she figured it would be more enjoyable for everyone involved to steer clear of the more crowded areas of the town for now. "We all exist next to each other, practicing magic each day. If anything they should be comforted by you using your powers for something as innocuous as keeping yourself warm. But that's my take on it."

Spotting the stall that stood secluded from the market, selling hot beverages and roasted nuts, she dug through the pocket of her jacket for some money as she guided Helena over to it. "Two hot ciders and," her eyes scanned the display, "one pack of candied almonds, please." With everything paid for, Elena handed Helena one of the steaming cups, then — briefly lamenting the misfortune of not having an extra arm to hold everything without letting go of the other woman's hand — tucked the warm bag of nuts into the crook of her elbow, before she reached for her own cup of hot cider. "I've heard there's a spot near the hot springs, more secluded and a little uphill, where if you stand facing in the direction of the town, the way the light bounces off everything almost looks like the aurora borealis. Would you like to go?"

[lady-crytia]

"Well, perhaps, but..." Helena sought a rebuttal to Elena's statement, something to prove she was right after all, like she was used to being. After a moment she pouted. "Ugh. I hate that you're right. I should be the one teaching you valuable lessons!"

She giggled, offering Elena a grateful smile. After her thousands of years of life, it could be easy to forget that someone with only a couple decades under their belt could be considered an actual, functional adult. Especially considering just how many immortals she'd met who acted neither functionally nor like an adult. Besides that, Elena was a breath of fresh air. A voice going against the chorus of old resentment and ways. A voice like Helena liked to believe she had too, though Elena'd made her realize hers had become tainted by centuries of animosity just as much.

Which, of course, was exactly why Lady Crytia had set her eyes upon the young deity.

Helena was happy to walk through the town with Elena, being taken in tow by the little goddess. At the stall, she gratefully took the cup of sider with a sweet smile and "thank you". Helena quickly reached for her purse the moment she realized Elena wanted to pay for them, but still she beat Helena to it.

The elder demon narrowed her eyes at the little goddess, as if to say she'd get her next time, but there was no real heat behind the expression. Still, it faded as quickly as it'd came when Elena proposed heading out. Helena perked up, eyes alight with excitement, before a teasing smile formed on her lips.

"Wow, love, that sounds woefully... Romantic. Is there something you need to tell me?"

[elenaramirez]

Helena's reactions continued to baffle and intrigue her in equal measures. While it would be easy to assume that the color rising to the other woman's cheeks was a ruse, a Venus flytrap's sweet nectar luring in an unassuming bug - and in part it certainly was - there was also something not entirely disingenuous about it, as if Helena herself wasn't completely sure which way the scales were about to tip. Like some part of her was not lost to darkness yet. —Or perhaps it was yet another elaborate scheme, which even Elena's powers failed to pick up on. But how could she not at least try?

"And here I was, thinking you were joking." Brows slanting with curiosity, a hint of amusement colored Elena's voice. Plenty of demons would rather be caught dead - or whatever the demon equivalent was - than be caught holding hands with a deity. Yet here they were. Stepping forward, she slipped her fingers into the gaps between Helena's before the other could reconsider, briefly drawing the woman's hand up to brush a kiss against the back of it. "You're freezing," she commented nonchalantly, walking backwards and tugging her along, "we should work on getting some hot cider into you to help warm you up." Theoretically, Elena could just use her divine magic but she didn't know what kind of effect that would have on Helena and she felt sort of stupid for needing to ask. One demon making her feel like a scolded child was plenty for the rest of the year. Or well, fallen deity, whatever.

[lady-crytia]

She looked on as Elena pulled her hand up for a kiss, gently biting her lip as her cheeks continued to redden. The comment about her freezing gave her an easy way to play the more casual role though, and she figured that might just aid in not behaving like an idiot.

"I am!" Helena replied pointedly, giving Elena a look to match. The harshness of the expression faded just as quickly though as she burst out in giggles. "Love, I'm well aware it sounds absolutely ridiculous for an experienced demon to suffer from cold hands, but what do you think the public response would be to me suddenly casting magic?"

Lady Crytia eagerly curled her cold fingers around Elena's warm hand, casting a brief glance around to gloat in the disapproval of many of the deities passing them by.

Helena turned back to Elena to raise a perfectly manicured eyebrow at the girl, an amused smile tugging at her lips. "Considering I've gotten death glares for merely showing my face here."

[matthew-alexander]

Matthew could feel the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end when Helena moved to stand behind him. This was not an unfamiliar position he found himself in, but they were on vastly different terms these days and it almost sounded like Helena was threatening him and his home. She was not wrong. Vievecor City was a home to him and he would do anything to protect what he built for himself.

"I know how you operate, Helena. I don't need your sales pitch," he growled at her when she came into view again. Was she blatantly telling him that she was currently up to something? Or was she just trying to get under his skin?

"If you're thinking of doing something to this city, I would suggest you take your business elsewhere."

[lady-crytia]

Helena rolled her eyes. She'd hoped someone who'd been tutored by her would be less short-sighted than this, even if they were a man. "If you didn't need to hear it, then why did you ask me to explain what's so different between our lives?"

She giggled, "and I don't need to do anything to this city for it to rip itself apart. Don't you remember what I told you at the Wine Festival?"

[atlaswestwood]

Atlas realised a moment too late that they had been caught out. They didn't get slapped or chided so they'd take that as a sign that Helena wasn't deeply offended by the admiration.

The woman's reaction was deceivingly sweet and Atlas was happy to be fooled for the night. A sweet giggle was a good distraction from their thoughts that had been racing for weeks. Nothing quietened their thoughts down more than a pretty woman. "It's a tough world out there, you have to be impressive to stand out."

Settling back into their seat, Atlas grinned, feeling more at ease in the air that they had on the ground. "I'm not sure I would call them aloof. The egos in my family are unmatched," they said with a soft laugh. "The warmth I think is warranted depending on the Westwood you're talking about." It was true that Adaire was not warm and her brother could have an attitude too but they found both Artus and their mother to be warm figures in their life. Though the Westwood matriarch certainly was aloof.

"But my family is boring, I'd much rather hear about you. I still feel like I should remember you, it would be difficult to forget your face."

[lady-crytia]

"How could someone like you ever not stand out?" Helena scoffed. The compliment came out earnest and casually, like asking Atlas what the weather was going to be like, rather than complimenting them on their very being.

She giggled alongside Atlas' laugh as they commented on their family. Helena quiet quickly again though, slightly tilting her head as she listened to Atlas. It seemed like the rest of the world seemed to fade away for Helena. Like there was nobody and nothing other than Atlas, and like she would forever and always have the time and give enough of a shit to listen to her talk about anything and everything. Always be there to just... Pay attention to her, always be there to be interested.

She let out a surprised "oh" as Atlas asked about her, straightening and adjusting her fishnets as she thought of an answer. Lady Crytia, of course, had long held the answer at the ready.

"I hardly feel like the Westwood family is boring, love, but I might just read too much into rumors," she giggled, flushing a bit. "But as for me, ah, well... I was a venture capitalist, I suppose? Back when I started there wasn't much of a word for it, but that's what it was. Now I... Well, I'm somewhat loathe to admit it, love, but I've built up enough wealth that I've mostly retired. I only get off my lazy butt to help out projects that I feel like can really make an impact, change things."

She grinned and winked at Atlas. "What else are beings of chaos good for than shaking things up a little, after all?"

[elenaramirez]

Every touch, every glance, every sigh bled darkness into Elena's frame. An icy chill spread from each point of contact, evoking the paradoxical sensation of flames licking at her skin as her heart stumbled through beat after unnecessary beat. She wasn't blind to the barrage of red flags popping up in her peripheral vision and yet she elected to keep them there. Not quite out of sight or out of mind but decidedly reduced to an afterthought.

She knew the kind of game Helena was trying to rope her into, but Elena wasn't playing. Her consent had been purposely veiled and indirect, she wasn't about to make a show of her desires or let herself be tripped up by her own words. She'd let Helena have a piece of her soul, she wouldn't let her have control. Not without a fight. Not now. —Not yet.

Her palm continued its all-too-gentle upwards track along the demon's throat until it rested over the phantom beat of Helena's pulse. She let her thumb swipe out along the ridge of the other woman's jaw, nudging their noses together, her hushed words a barely there brush against full lips. "I think you talk too much when you should just kiss me."

[lady-crytia]

She liked this Elena. The one that let her light struggle against Helena's darkness. The one that put a hand on her throat. The one that took control, or at least thought she did. It added another layer of excitement to winding the little girl around her finger. Something she'd started to enjoy for more than the mere act of it, for once.

Her breath hitched and her head tilted up as Elena took hold of her throat. Shaky breaths passed the demon's lips while the goddess' thumb stroked along the edge of her jaw. If she'd had a pulse, it'd have been racing under Elena's gentle hand.

Elena pulled her closer, and another shaky breath left her. She spoke those words, sending a tingling down her spine, and another shaky breath left Helena, brushing against Elena's lips.

"Just kiss?" she teased, before letting the little girl have her victory and doing just that. She finally crossed that last, forbidden distance between them, sweetly but eagerly pressing her lips against Elena's. Her hands found their way over to Elena's body, one drawing patterns with a wickedly sharp nail on the goddess' throat without ever breaking her skin, the other resting on her chest, over her heart.

[lady-crytia]

"Mhm," she purred sweetly, drawing a circle on Elena's cheek again before letting her finger trail downwards to the goddess' throat. Her nail, sharp like a dagger, wandered over Elena's skin, dragging but always ever so careful never to break it. "And those of deities taste the strongest. The most intense."

She tilted her head a little, eyes locked with Elena's. "It's like a kiss, but more... Intimate. A little nibble of the soul is... Quite harmless, but the more is taken, the bigger the chance it'll never come back. It's rare, but it... Happens. Once more than, say, a quarter is taken, the soul will... Well, be forever damaged. Take all of it and whatever was once there will... Have faded away. It's why we always have to be careful."

She drew back her hand and pulled back a bit from Elena to give her a concerned look. "I promise I wouldn't take more than a taste, but... Well, only if you truly want me to. There'll always be other opportunities for me, and I'm experienced enough not to hurt even the most feeble of souls."

[elenaramirez]

She couldn't help the way her lids fluttered, chin tilting upwards just a smidge and neck arching, pressing forward into the subtle sting as a trembling breath fled her windpipe. Elena was struggling to retain even half of what Helena was telling her. The only kind of math she had ever been interested in involved tallying tabs or counting tips and no matter the intentions behind them, warnings always sounded more like passing suggestions.

Feeling the spell Helena seemed to have on her lifting slightly as the other woman drew back and inch or two, coherent thought returned to Elena's mind. She believed Helena. Believed that she was capable of feeding on someone without hurting them. —But she didn't trust her. What reason would a demon have for preserving someone's soul other than to possibly feed off of them again at another point in the future? Something that seemed unlikely if her mark of choice turned out to be human.

"I'm not scared," Elena returned defiantly, placing a hand against Helena's collar bone and sliding it up to rest at the juncture between Helena's shoulder and neck - to push or pull as she pleased - her choice for once not fueled by mere recklessness, but rather by the need to reclaim a sense of agency that had eluded her for much of her life. She wanted to know what it felt like to be fed on and fuck it, she craved the promised intimacy too — life got lonely at times.

[lady-crytia]

Something dark and twisting curled up and purred happily, deep within Lady Crytia's belly, at the sight of the girl all but eating out of her hand. Not merely any girl either, but a true deity. It was delicious and intoxicating and riveting and thrilling all at once.

Helena gasped in surprise when Elena grabbed her, the noise half coming out as a moan. She smiled sweetly, almost sweetly, at the other woman.

"That doesn't necessarily mean you want me to." Even though she knew little Elena did, oh so desperately. She wanted to hear her say it though. Let her savor the moment a little."

[elenaramirez]

Hands on. Hands on. Hands on. Elena was above else a hands on learner. Theory and staying still for prolonged periods of time didn't suit her. It dragged her back to hours spent in classrooms and made her brain rebel. But there was a voice at the back of her head, yelling at her to keep her fucking mouth shut. Perhaps with a bit of fantasy it almost sounded like Elio's. Though in that case it would more than likely warn her to stay away from Helena entirely.

Throat bobbing around a thick swallow and cheeks warming below Helena's touch, she forced herself to meet the demon's eyes, unconsciously shifting closer. "I think I'd like some pointers first.." Betrayed by her own gaze as it flickered downwards once more, she added, "Is it true that everyone's soul has a distinctive taste?"

[lady-crytia]

"Mhm," she purred sweetly, drawing a circle on Elena's cheek again before letting her finger trail downwards to the goddess' throat. Her nail, sharp like a dagger, wandered over Elena's skin, dragging but always ever so careful never to break it. "And those of deities taste the strongest. The most intense."

She tilted her head a little, eyes locked with Elena's. "It's like a kiss, but more... Intimate. A little nibble of the soul is... Quite harmless, but the more is taken, the bigger the chance it'll never come back. It's rare, but it... Happens. Once more than, say, a quarter is taken, the soul will... Well, be forever damaged. Take all of it and whatever was once there will... Have faded away. It's why we always have to be careful."

She drew back her hand and pulled back a bit from Elena to give her a concerned look. "I promise I wouldn't take more than a taste, but... Well, only if you truly want me to. There'll always be other opportunities for me, and I'm experienced enough not to hurt even the most feeble of souls."

[lucasxholt]

If Luke were being honest with himself, he was still gravely in denial. He continued to deflect the thoughts that she was gone, even when Percy had told him herself about what was to come- he denied it. Every morning he awoke hoping to see her beautiful, goofy face amongst the isle of books… even if she was never actually his. He’d fought the near constant urge to break her and Elijah apart every second of every day after getting his memories of the alternate timeline. Even if he were a demon, he knew what it felt like to have the woman you loved ripped away from him, and he hadn’t wished that on his worst enemy- even if it was Elijah. Now he’d be willing to watch them fall in love a thousand times over if it meant she were alive.

Luke glanced down at his phone as the text came in, the light brightening up his dark living room. Turning his attention from an HGTV marathon he’d halfway been invested in, he opened the message from Helena. The young demon stared down at it for a long time, unsure of how to respond. A part of him wanted to take her up on her offer, while the other wanted to wallow in the self-pity he’d grown comfortable with over the last few weeks. Eventually his will gave out, his fingers gliding across the screen as he sent her a reply.

“I could use a distraction. What’d you have in mind?”

[lady-crytia]

The good little boy had come running. Good. She was glad to see she hadn't been forgotten about amidst all the wallowing and crying. Besides, she could actually cheer little Luke up a little. Help him forget for a while.

She texted him back.

Anything you want, love. I figured we could hit up a bar, get some drinks in you. Or we could always break something, see if that helps. Or someone, if you really feel like you need it.

[matthew-alexander]

For some odd reason, hearing the words that Helena was proud of him warmed something in Matthew's chest even if the alarm bells in his head started ringing. Helena had been Matthew's only crutch for some time after his fall and even he had to admit that he owed her for that.

"What don't you understand about it? Our lives are practically the same..." he tutted given their respective places in high society. They were both seen by the public as savvy and extremely wealthy business owners and investors who were coveted by others because they had deep pockets. The difference was that Matthew was less inclined to turn the world he enjoyed living towards more destructive directions.

[lady-crytia]

"Are they really?" Helena mused, smiling faintly. She circled the other demon. "You might not wish to stand on stage and hear the adoration of the crowds, but you wish to be sought after and desired."

Standing behind little Matty, Helena put her hands on his shoulders ever so gently. "You seek a home," she whispered into his ear, "and your position permits you security, allows you to feel safe in the knowledge it can't be taken away from you."

Perceived security, of course, but for once Lady Crytia wasn't here to start a war. She let go of Matty and started circling back to the front of him.

"Meanwhile, my power and influence are merely tools; means to an end. I wish to sow discord, as much of it as possible, and having deep pockets makes that so much easier. But I could lose it all and I'd wake up tomorrow with a smile, eager to continue the game and approach it from a different angle."

[elenaramirez]

Elena: You're an all-powerful being. I'm sure you could conjure some. Elena: Meet you there. Elena: You know deities, we like to be extra. ;)

Approaching from behind, Elena seized the opportunity to take in Helena's outfit. With the coat and the hat she looked almost innocent - inconspicuous and soft. She hadn't been lying about the unwelcoming atmosphere. Feelings of distrust and apprehension were flooding the square the frozen fountain was situated in. But Elena couldn't exactly fault her fellow deities, Lady Crytia - she'd heard the name floating around here and there, fear and animosity attached to it - was no small evil but apparently some big shot demon with considerable influence. And yet, Elena was determined to stick to her guns. What reason did Helena have to change, if she was never given a chance? Why would she, if everyone had already branded her as irredeemable and continued to do so?

"Hey!" Stopping next to the other woman with a bounce in her step, Elena beamed at her even as she felt several sets of eyes burning into the back of her skull. "Fancy seeing you here, stranger." She wasn't stupid. She knew they all believed her to be naive for talking to Helena, but it wasn't her job to convince them otherwise. "I like your hat. It looks cute on you."

[lady-crytia]

A grin formed on Helena's lips at Elena's manner of greeting her, though it quickly dissipated into surprised blinking at the compliment. She knew the hat looked cute on her, but Elena saying it out loud had a slight blush creep onto her cheeks.

"Thank you, love," she smiled somewhat self-consciously, averting her gaze from Elena's as she adjusted the hat. Helena felt like an idiot; blushing like a teenager at the compliments from a deity a fraction of her own age.

Lady Crytia meanwhile was trying to figure out what to do with the little goddess. There didn't seem to be a single angle of insecurity, self-hatred, or unresolved anger to exploit for corruption. She'd probably just have to give it a couple hundred years. In the meanwhile though, she had to admit that spending time with the little goddess was... Fun. There was something comforting about the earnest interest and kindness Elena showed her, and Lady Crytia was nothing if not indulgent.

Mustering the courage to look Elena in the eyes despite her blushing, Helena offered the other woman her hand. "Now, I believe a promise of hand holding was made?"

[elenaramirez]

Elena gave a hum, lips pursing and eyes narrowing with a hint of suspicion as she tilted her head at the other woman. "I don't believe that." As unpredictable as Helena appeared to be, she found it hard to believe that someone of her status did anything without intent. The more you had, the more you stood to lose. Whether that was money, power, prestige or something entirely different - the rules remained the same.

"Life is very one-sided if all you ever do is live in your own little bubble, never questioning anything, don't you think?" Elena challenged, certain that it was something Helena could agree with. Bringing her glass to her lips, she tilted her head back and easily emptied half of it. "It's so much more vibrant, if you try to see it from other people's point of view as well as your own."

Helena's admission and the accompanying flush in her cheeks earned her a breathy laugh. Now they were talking. This was more along the lines of what Elena had expected. Tongue darting past her lips to wet them and brows lifting ever so slightly, she allowed her gaze to linger on the slope of the demon's mouth. "How does that work exactly?"

Was it really a question what would happen next? Was Elena supposed to walk away from this and leave Helena to find some hapless individual whose soul probably wouldn't regenerate like those of deities did? She already knew what it felt like to die, how much worse could it be?

[lady-crytia]

Helena considered Elena's suggestion for a moment, before pursing her lips and nodding. She felt somewhat called out for her own assumptions, but mostly she should be grateful to Elena for popping her bubble.

Her eyes widened in surprise when Elena asked her about her... Feeding habits. Not only did she ask about it, she'd wet her lips and Helena could feel the girl's gaze on her own lips as she spoke. An eager invitation, if she'd ever seen one.

She let out a surprised and breathy giggle, the flush lingering on her cheeks. "Well... Would you like me to tell you about it? Or..."

She leaned in, her breath brushing against Elena's lips. Helena reached forward, trailing a finger over Elena's cheek. She grinned, "are you more of a hands on learner?"

[elenaramirez]

Helena was an enigma. Every time Elena thought she had the demon pinned down, she was thrown another curve ball. Helena seemed awfully timid discussing bedroom-related activities for someone who claimed to enjoy taking charge. So where was the lie? And what was the point? They had already established that Elena had no interest in being fed lies and half-truths. Brows slanting with wonder, she shook her head at the other woman, ever curious.

Chaos wasn't exactly what Elena associated with demons. Darkness, yes. Destruction, sure. Misery, probably. But chaos? No. By that definition she was more demon than deity herself. But coming from a deity's mouth, she wouldn't have hesitated to agree that change was necessary. Yet, she remained hesitant. "I wouldn't say chaos is inherently good or bad. It's the disruption of what is. That can be a lot of things." Careful of their surroundings she lowered her voice, her gaze dropping to her long forgotten drink. "Deities, demons... I don't think either party has it all figured out yet."

As her eyes snapped back up to Helena's, the accompanying smile didn't quite reach them. "But we're here to enjoy ourselves." Still it was back in full force a second later. "Next question. What do you want from me?"

[lady-crytia]

It was easy for Helena to act the confident seductress, unfazed by everything thrown her way and comfortable with whatever she needed to be. That became harder when she dropped the act, when someone came closer to that very core of her person. It was odd to be confronted with herself so directly, to have to say so many things out loud that she'd usually keep to herself. Indulging in the power fantasy of the seductress and being an agent of change came easy to her. Speaking of them plainly and openly? Not so much. She didn't exactly know why she'd let Elena this close this quickly, but it was both thrilling and incredibly scary.

Lady Crytia, of course, was having a field day coming up with new layers to her facade as the conversation went on.

Helena took another sip of her drink as Elena spoke her thoughts on what she'd just been told. She leaned in as the goddess lowered her voice, and the comment that neither demons nor deities had it all figured out yet earned Elena another giggle and smile.

"Honestly?" Helena answered, swirling her drink around in her glass a bit. "I have no idea."

She laughed softly as she stood back upright, taking another sip. "I... Well. Considering we agreed to be honest, I assumed you'd hate my guts for being, y'know," she gestured at herself in all her demon-ness. "And I thought it'd be fun to see if I could turn that around, and, well..."

She let out a breathy chuckle, "turns out you were the one to turn my assumptions around. So right now you're indulging my curiosity as much as I am yours."

Helena flushed a little again. "And on the topic of being honest, I did come here tonight to feed, but that's... Well, I wouldn't presume anything, of course."

[elenaramirez]

"There you go. One Whiskey Ginger for the gentleman and a Hot Toddy for your fearless companion." Elena wasn't usually so quick to mix and serve, preferring to engage her customers in conversation if they seemed receptive, but the insistent buzzing of her phone against her thigh had her distracted. With the holiday bonus coming in, it had been an early and much needed Christmas present for herself. One simply didn't exist in today's society without a phone. It was weird. Even if the only person who usually texted her was Elio.

Stepping back from the bar, she took a moment to check her messages only to find that they weren't from Elio at all. "Hey, do you mind if I dip out?" She asked one of her coworkers, a young elf approximately ten times her age.

His reply came with a smile. "Your shift ended twenty minutes ago. Get out before I throw you out."

Elena: I sure am. Elena: Are you gonna need me to hold your hand too? ;) Elena: Just finished work. Where do you want to meet?

[lady-crytia]

Helena: Fuck yes. I forgot my gloves and I am not built for this weather Helena: I mean, ahem ahem ahem Helena: That'd be lovely, love~ Helena: How about the frozen over fountain? Helena: Which, by the way, though cool looking feels like it was very purposefully placed there as a frozen fountain, instead of just as, y'know, a normal fountain Helena: Okay, ranting, I'm sorry. Can I get a hug?

Helena made her way over to the landmark, head held proud and high despite the ugly looks she got and the lingering feeling of discomfort that the resort submitted her existence to. A far cry from the tight dresses she usually wore, Helena had covered herself with a long black coat and a red hat with a pom pom. Once at her destination, she checked her phone again to see if Elena had replied, before looking around to try and spot her chaperone.

[lady-crytia]

Chaperone

For: @elenaramirez Location: Streets of the Mt. Paean ski town

Lady Crytia's first meeting with the little goddess Elena had been interesting, to say the least. Fruitful, if she'd let her words indulge. Pleasurable, if she spoke unfiltered and truthfully. Most deities were wise enough to listen to the hairs on the back of their necks standing on end when within the mere presence of a demon. Not Elena though. She'd shown more interest in caution in her dealings with Helena, and Lady Crytia had been wholly drawn into that limitless well of potential.

It was no secret demons and deities weren't on the best footing, so Helena felt her presence to be unwanted throughout most of the ski town. Glares thrown her way for merely daring to step foot on the holy snow, or something. And then of course there was that rather uncomfortable feeling of... Divinity. Like the very air itself had branded her a persona non grata.

So, to make her time there bearable and, if luck would have it, even enjoyable, she figured she'd try texting Elena.

Helena: Hey! You wouldn't happen to be at Mt. Paean too, would you? Helena: I'm kindaaa getting the feeling "my kind" isn't exactly wanted here Helena: Think you could vouch for me? Play my dependable chaperone?