zero to hero !*

[olympiczervous]

full name: Hercules Nico Zervos age: 29 species: demi-god Birthday: March 30 Personality: ISFJ (the Defender)

Quick Bio:

Hercules didn’t come to Elias looking for a title; he came looking for purpose. A natural protector with a stubborn belief that strength should be used to lift others up, he arrived in the city long before the war hoping to carve out his own path as a hero, someone who could step in where people were hurting and make things even a little bit better.

But the war changed everything. Elias needed more than muscle and good intentions it needed leaders willing to shoulder responsibility when the city was at its weakest. Despite his hesitation, despite every instinct that told him he wasn’t “that kind of hero,” Hercules accepted the call and joined the Council. It wasn’t glory; it wasn’t easy. It was work. Real, heavy, complicated work.

Now, rebuilding in the aftermath, Hercules has settled into the role with a quiet determination. He isn’t the loudest voice on the Council, nor the most political. Instead, he leads by showing up at community clean-ups, shelter drives, neighborhood patrols, and anywhere else his presence can make someone’s day safer or brighter. He believes heroism doesn’t come from titles or legends, but from choosing to help, again and again, in ways big and small.

Hercules intends to be the kind of force Elias can rely on not a savior perched above the people, but a steady hand among them.

[leonardoisms]

——— leo tilted his head playfully. a soft 'uh huh' leaving his lips as he nodded. "i guess with three heads, it's coordination must suck. glad you were able to claim the win." he laughed. the smile on his face only faltered somewhat as he shrugged his left shoulder a bit in agreement. many systems in place were imperfect but the two of them couldn't solve all the world's problems. "fear and the hell barons." leo added. "if we're going to get the upper hand, we have to be smarter than him. he can twist the narrative but what we need is proof. physical, undeniable proof."

"if it was easy, we would've stopped by now, don't you think?" a monster would have been easier to slay. as hercules said, it was hard to combat paranoia. hades had instilled fear without lifting a finger. he had the whole city on edge and the truth was no one could pinpoint him even if it was glaringly obvious he was the center of all the chaos. "i think he knows if we're too busy tearing each other apart it allows focus to slip from him." he gestured between the two of them. "hence the distrust of the council."

it felt like a small weight lifted off of leo. it's not that he didn't think that the council wasn't doing anything but to hear that plans were being formed felt like he could take a step back. "that's exactly what we need. what the city needs. open and honest communication and people who can protect us. not everyone here is gifted with some random power." he looked down at the papers, brows scrunched together for a moment as he formed his words. "sometimes it feels like new elias was a way for the council to forget everything that happened before. shiner, better, richer, but there are good people still left behind in old elias. they need protection too. dare i say, they need it more than anyone else. they're vulnerable in a way the city isn't. the line between them and the underland isn't too far of a gap. they need something ... someone to believe in."

[olympiczervous]

Hercules listened without interrupting, his expression settling into something more focused the longer Leo spoke. “Fear and the hell barons,” he repeated quietly, like he was filing it into place. “Yeah… that’s exactly it.” He tapped the edge of the table once, thoughtful. “Proof helps,” he agreed. “Real, undeniable proof cuts through rumors faster than anything. But Hades isn’t careless. If we wait for something obvious, we might already be too late.” His gaze lifted back to Leo. “So we gather what we can. Patterns, witnesses, anything that holds up when people start asking questions.”

At the mention of distrust, Herc exhaled through his nose. “He’s counting on it,” he said. “If people stop trusting us, they stop listening. And if they stop listening…” A small shake of his head. “Then we lose the city without a single fight.”

“You’re right,” he said, no hesitation this time. His hand moved across the map, fingers resting over the older districts. “New Elias is easier to protect. More resources. More visibility. But Old Elias?” His jaw tightened slightly. “That’s where things slip through. That’s where people get overlooked.” He sighed. “We don’t abandon one part of the city to make another feel safe.” His voice stayed calm, but there was weight behind it now. “If the gap between Old Elias and the Underland is thinner, then that’s where we reinforce first. Patrols, presence, people who actually know those streets not just pass through them.”

He leaned back slightly, crossing his arms. “And as for someone to believe in…” A faint, almost self-aware smile flickered. “It shouldn’t be one person. That’s how things break when that person falls.” His gaze held Leo’s. “It has to be a network. People who show up. Consistently. Even when no one’s watching.”

[amityatelias]

amity didn't know what was keeping her from sleeping, but the more she tried to rest, the more her brain kept her awake. after suffering for an hour, she decided to go out and take a quick walk around town. she grabbed a few items for defense if she needed it because even if nothing had happened in a while, amity knew better than to get caught if something did happen.

she had no idea what happened in the park to make it look like it did. she'd been working and tucked away in the library in her spare time. her favorite place to go. maybe she should be going out and attempting to make more friends, but out of everyone she was one of the best researchers—and she didn't trust anyone else yet.

the witch watched closely as cleanup was underway. people milling about. sometimes it was nice to see so many people kind of calm, even running about cleaning. her eyes landed on one person as she walked closer. there was nothing on her mind.

"oh, um, no, i was out for a walk. did you need help with cleanup? i, um, don't mind helping."

[olympiczervous]

He turned to look at her, the easy grin he wore with volunteers softened into something a little gentler. She looked like someone who hadn’t come here planning to talk to anyone, and he knew better than to crowd that kind of quiet. “A walk that accidentally turns into community service,” he said lightly. “Dangerous habit. Next thing you know, people start expecting it.”

He nodded toward the scattered cleanup supplies around the park—trash bags, a couple of grabbers, a broom leaning against the fountain. “But yeah, if you don’t mind helping, we won’t turn you away.” His tone stayed casual, no pressure behind it. “Most of the big stuff’s done. Now it’s just the little things that refuse to admit the party’s over.”

A breeze kicked up, sending a few pieces of glittering confetti skittering across the pavement. Herc watched them for a second, unimpressed. “Those are public enemy number one,” he added, gesturing toward them. “I’m starting to think they might actually be enchanted.” Then he glanced back at her, studying her for just a second before offering a hand toward the pile of supplies. “I’m Herc, by the way. And if you’d rather just keep walking instead of joining the war against glitter, no judgment.” A small smile tugged at his mouth.

[ericseara]

"so the council does take brides?" he teased with a grin. knowing it wasn't true but it was fun to pick fun at the group... even if they were trying hard there was always something looming in the distance or a rumor circulating at what the council was doing or failing to do for the public. but eric just knew that was the nature of the beast.

he nodded as he listened to the explanation of this group. it interested him. a chance to do more than what he was doing now. to be the difference he was told he should try and be.

"sounds exactly like what the city needs." he nodded, "sounds like they needed you to come up with this years ago." he chuckled, but he meant it. herc was sensible and the plan was solid. he just needed solid people.

"so how do you sign up for this band of unsung heros?"

[olympiczervous]

Hercules snorted at the jab, shaking his head as he leaned back in his chair. “Careful,” he said dryly. “If word gets out we’re taking bribes, people might start offering good ones. I’d hate to ruin the council’s reputation for stubborn honesty.”

But the humor faded into something more thoughtful as Eric kept talking. Praise was never something Herc wore comfortably. He rubbed the back of his neck, glancing down at the maps again like the paper might absorb the attention instead. “Maybe,” he said quietly. “Or maybe the city just wasn’t ready for it yet.”

He nudged one of the route markers with his thumb, shifting it slightly along the edge of the district line. “Truth is, plans like this only work when the right people are around to carry them out. Otherwise it’s just another idea with 'good intentions.'” When Eric asked how to sign up, Herc’s mouth curved into a crooked smile. “There’s no form,” he said. “At least, I haven't been forced to make one yet. I'm going by my gut for now. Interested in joining?"

[luzuramagic]

——— luz had to remind herself not to get worked up now that she remembered a key part of who hercules was. had they been in a different situation, she would have bombarded him with endless questions. "yeah. how misunderstood are you all in everyone's eyes? i think we as people take a lot of creative liberties with your stories." luz hadn't stop to think about that until now. she almost felt guilty about it. "that's fair. it gets complicated." she grimaced a little as she recalled a few of the stories. "i'm looking at you right now and you're certainly not a giant. honestly, you look like a normal guy to me. which isn't a bad thing! normal can be good if that's what you want. if it's not then i didn't say anything. according to everyone, greeks did put the trag in tragedy." her features softened. stories are what connected people. it's how they kept spirits alive and memories going. as long as your story was told you could never really die. "i think they'll always matter. there's lessons to learn and people that others can see themselves in. give them hope."

"it does! if i'm going to be on the edge of my seat i'm going to do it from the comforts of my emotional support blanket," luz said matter-of-factly, as if the information was universally known to everyone. the witch watched as hercules picked his own novel. she smiled at him, bright and big. "i think ... we all could use a little more trust around here. strategy is good. plans need to be made but we need to have faith in each other." it's not that luz didn't trust the council. she had no option but to believe that they could bring about something good, but it was hard to take their word when events kept happening. "what!? me!" she gasped. "well of course. i'll do voices and everything!"

[olympiczervous]

Hercules listened to her ramble with that same patient half-smile, like he’d heard a hundred different versions of this conversation over the years and still found each one a little new. When she asked how misunderstood they were, he scratched lightly at the back of his neck. “Creative liberties is a very polite way of putting it,” he admitted. “Some stories get close. Others… well. Let’s just say if half of them were true, my family reunions would require hazard insurance.”

Her comment about him looking normal made him laugh under his breath. “Good,” he said simply. “Normal’s fine with me.” He tapped the edge of the wrapped book against his palm. He glanced around the shop for a moment, shelves full of worlds, lessons, heroes who existed because someone had decided their story was worth keeping. “If someone reads one of those old myths and walks away thinking they can be braver, kinder, stronger… then the story did its job.” The warmth returned when she declared the blanket strategy like it was sacred law. “I’m learning a lot today,” he said solemnly. “Suspense requires emotional support blankets. Noted.”

When she mentioned trust, though, his gaze went thoughtful. “You’re right about that too,” he said. “Plans matter. Strategy matters. But none of it works if people stop believing in each other.” He didn’t elaborate on the council, but the thought lingered there all the same. "Well, sories are no fun without good voices!"

[leonardoisms]

——— "and somehow you managed to slay one, oh mighty hero." leo teased. he might have given the councilors a hard time but he admire hercules' strength from the stories he's heard. "everything costs money. it's what make the world go 'round. we put value in paper for some reason."

leo looked at herc for a moment, his eyes growing softer. with all the weight on their shoulders, he hadn't stopped to think if anyone had recognized their strengths while they were picking apart his flaws. something he often found himself at the helm with his own position. "i'm sure. a lot is going on." his gaze fell to the plans before him. "hades is smart. he's had time to plan, which makes him even more dangerous. he's thought of all possible outcomes, and we're just trying to stop the ones we've seen so far. it'd be easier if there was a monster to fight, but it's bigger than all of us at this point."

the slider sat back in his chair, arms crossed over his chest as he listened to the plan. his brow quirked up in surprise because the plan was actually good. not that he had his doubts, but it was refreshing to hear something that wasn't so convoluted. "so putting together a team of sorts to defend the outskirts of town? i agree. people of tired of flowery answers. we just want the truth. it might suck but it's better than living in a fantasy that everything's fine when it's clearly not."

[olympiczervous]

Hercules let the teasing roll off him with an easy grin. “Hey,” he said, lifting a hand in mock defense, “that Hydra tripped. I just happened to be standing there heroically.” At the comment about money, he huffed a quiet laugh. “Yeah. Paper and promises. Strange system, but here we are.” But when Leo’s tone shifted, Herc’s expression followed. “You’re right,” he said after a moment. “Hades isn’t charging in swinging. He’s waiting. Calculating. Letting fear do half the work for him.” His jaw tightened slightly. “That’s what makes this different. You can’t outmuscle paranoia. You can’t punch a rumor.”

He leaned forward, forearms resting on the table between them. "And yeah, it would be easier if it were just one monster. Something we could name, track, corner.” A faint shake of his head. “But this? This is pressure. On the edges. On people.”

When Leo summarized the plan, Herc nodded. “Not a militia. Not a spectacle,” he clarified. “Just presence. Trusted faces in neighborhoods. Communication lines that don’t go through ten layers of bureaucracy. People trained to respond if something shifts near the outskirts....and no more pretending everything’s fine.”

[keyguarded]

he didn't smile at first as his gaze moving along the papers and writting- angles, weaknesses, fault lines. routes in and out. the places something could slip through if no one was paying attention." you know monsters are honest," he said at last with a voice low yet steady. " they roar before they strike and don’t hide in committee votes." his fingers nudged one of the maps back into alignment before it could slide. "you’re not scared of paperwork," he added, eyes flicking up to herc with a faint sad smile "you’re scared of failing the people who won’t ever know you saved them..."

"hey..i get it."

[olympiczervous]

He watched Riku straighten the map, watched the way his eyes tracked the weak points without even trying. The instinct of someone who had learned to survive by seeing what others missed which had to be who RIku was from what he'd heard. “Monsters are honest,” Herc repeated quietly. “Yeah. They don’t pretend to be something they’re not. You see teeth, you know what you’re dealing with.”

His hand rested flat on the table, steadying the papers before they could scatter again. “You’re right. I’m not scared of paperwork.” A humorless smile ghosted across his face. “I’m scared of the gaps. The ones we don’t see until someone falls through them. And yeah,” he admitted, voice lower now, honest in a way he didn’t always allow himself to be, “I’m scared of failing people who’ll never know how close it got."

[luzuramagic]

——— luz nodded along as hercules spoke. she agreed with his insight. the two genres she mentioned were not the ones she gravitated towards. of course, her interest lay more in fantasy with the occasional dabbling into sci-fi. luz had done everything she could to push herself out of her comfort zone. this was just another way she was stepping out of it. "that's true. could also help with what's going on." the realization dawned on her after a moment. right, hercules was a demigod. how could she forget!? she willed herself to not freak out after remembering that and nodded. "is it weird reading about your family from other perspectives?"

"that's true. it's a whole vibe if you think about it!" she replied. "suspense calls for being buried under many blankets and pillows. for comfort and support, of course." she laughed. "yeah, i think i convinced myself just now that suspense is the answer. i do like surprises so we'll see what happens and i'll report back to you!" the witch grabbed the book and held it close to her chest. "which one speaks to you?"

[olympiczervous]

Hercules caught the flicker of realization on her face and he smiled. “Is it weird reading about my family from other perspectives?” he repeated thoughtfully, folding his arms as he considered it. “Sometimes. Depends on the version. There's some things I can ask about and then there's others I'd rather not ask.” He glanced toward a nearby shelf like it might be hiding an overly dramatic retelling. “Some writers make us sound ten feet tall and allergic to consequences. Others lean hard into the tragic destiny angle.” A small shrug. “Truth is, most of the time it just reminds me how far stories drift from the people inside them. But I like that people keep telling them. Means the myths still matter to someone.”

When she declared suspense the winner, he laughed softly. “Blanket fort reading is absolutely a strategy. Suspense requires emotional safety equipment.” He reached toward the display, picking up one of the wrapped books labeled only with a few teasing descriptors: Political tension. Unlikely alliance. Secrets that shift a kingdom. He tilted it in his hand like he was weighing it.

“This one,” he decided. “Feels like something that pretends to be about strategy but is actually about trust.” A sideways glance at her. “Which feels… relevant lately.” He held the book against his chest briefly, mirroring her pose with playful exaggeration. “If mine turns out terrible, I’m blaming you. If yours keeps you up until three in the morning, I expect a full dramatic retelling.”

[olympiczervous]

Open Starter for everyone

Paper lanterns swayed lazily in the breeze. Someone had abandoned a folding chair in the middle of the grass like it had given up on life. Confetti, magical and stubbornly resistant to sweeping, sparkled in patches near the fountain. The event itself had been a success. The cleanup… less so.

Hercules stood near one of the long wooden tables, sleeves rolled up, carefully separating recycling from trash with the patience of someone who had accepted his fate. No council pin today. Just a plain shirt, work gloves, and the faint smear of glitter across his cheek that he hadn’t noticed. He tied off a trash bag and glanced around at the quiet park.

“Alright,” he muttered to himself. “Next year we’re banning glitter. Or at least limiting it.” A gust of wind kicked up, sending a swirl of confetti skittering across the grass like it was actively mocking him. He bent to gather stray cups near the fountain, pausing when he noticed someone nearby, maybe lingering, maybe pretending not to watch.

“Hey,” he called casually, not accusatory. “If you’re looking for lost property, I’ve got three scarves, one shoe, and what I’m pretty sure is a wand that only shoots bubbles.”

[ericseara]

eric leaned back in his chair, one ankle hooked over the other, eyes still on the papers even as hercules finished speaking. he let a breath out through his nose not a laugh, not quite something a little more thoughtful.

“hope’s always heavier than the sky,” he said quietly. “sky never talks back.”

his gaze lifted then, meeting hercules’s, steady and intent. there was no sarcasm in it, just that familiar, measured seriousness eric carried when something mattered more than pride. “and you’re not the only one who believes it matters. trust me."

he reached forward, straightened one of the crooked pages without really thinking about it, thumb smoothing the edge. “but if we’re calling this a task force... unofficial or otherwise ... then i need to ask something before i start taking bribes.”

he paused with a grin.

“what exactly does the task force entail?” his brow raised, interested in what hercules was up to.

[olympiczervous]

Hercules let Eric’s words settle between them. Hope’s always heavier than the sky. A faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “Yeah,” he said softly. “It is. But at least hope gives you something to hold onto. Sky just… looms.”

At the mention of bribes, he huffed a short laugh. “If you’re taking bribes, I want a receipt. Council policy.” Then he straightened slightly, shifting from reflection to purpose. “Unofficial task force means no titles. No announcements. No press. Just people who care enough to act before something else breaks.” He tapped the papers lightly. “We track patterns the council can’t move on publicly yet. Disappearances. Underland shifts. Rumors that are too consistent to ignore.”

His jaw tightened just a touch. “We coordinate quietly. Share information before it becomes a crisis. Strengthen neighborhoods without making it feel like lockdown. And we make sure if something does happen, we’re not scrambling. We’re ready.”

He leaned back, studying Eric carefully now. “It’s not glamorous. It’s not political. It’s preventative. And it only works if the people involved don’t need credit for it. It's a lot of work and the reward is just a safer Elias as a whole."

[luzuramagic]

closed      for : @olympiczervous

———     luz  had  been  itching  to  get  her  hands  on  something  new  to  read.  when  the  city  had  revealed  all  the  festivities  they  were  going  to  have  for  february,  it  felt  as  though  someone  had  read  her  mind.  she  didn't  know  whether  to  be  freaked  out  by  it  or  just  accept  the  good  fate.  currently,  she  was  standing  in  front  of  the  selection  of  blind  dates.  Every  title  she  read  was  more  enticing  than  the  next.  How  was  a  girl  supposed  to  pick  ?  there  was  a  part  of  her  that  wanted  to  stay  in  her  favorite  genre  but  she  was  feeling  daring  lately.  maybe  venturing  out  wouldn't  be  so  bad.  ❛  which  one  catches  your  eye  ?  ❜  she  asked  the  person  standing  beside  her.  ❛  i  don't  know  if  i  want  historical  fiction  or  mystery  and  suspense.  ❜

[olympiczervous]

Hercules tilted his head at the display like it was a strategic map instead of a stack of wrapped novels. The “Blind Date with a Book” tags dangled temptingly:mSlow Burn Romance. Found Family. Political Intrigue. Enemies to Lovers. He looked mildly overwhelmed but determined. “Alright,” he said thoughtfully, arms folding as he studied them. “Historical fiction gives you perspective. Makes you feel like humanity’s survived worse than whatever headline’s screaming this week. Also a little family history for me I guess.” His mouth curved slightly. “Which… might not be a bad thing lately.”

He shifted his weight, tapping a finger lightly against a wrapped book labeled Murder in a Small Town with Secrets. “But mystery and suspense?” His eyes sparked a little. “Sounds like you’re not just picking a genre. You’re picking a mood.”

A small, easy smile followed. “If you’re feeling daring? Go suspense. Let it surprise you. Worst case scenario, you hate it and dramatically declare it a mistake over coffee.” He chuckled, "But you have to let me know so I don't read it either."

[leonardoisms]

———  It  felt  as  though  everyone  in  Elias  was  currently  searching  for  something.  Whether  it  was  answers,  power,  help  or  even  a  way  out.  It  almost  felt  like  a  cruel  cycle  at  this  point,  everyone  seeking  something  and  not  getting  what  they  want  no  matter  how  hard  they  tried.  The  council  was  trying  to  keep  Hades  at  bay  whereas  the  Underland  grew  closer  each  passing  day.  Civilians  were  left  to  find  their  place  in  the  mess  of  all  this.  ❛  I  think  so  too.  ❜  He  nodded.  ❛  That’s  saying  something  give  Hydra’s  have  three  heads.  I  would  assume  they  have  zero  coordination.  Council  meetings  that  bad,  huh  ?  ❜

❛  I  wouldn’t  sell  yourself  short,  Herc.  I  think  you’re  plenty  smart.  ❜  The  slider  looked  at  the  mess  of  papers  before  them.  ❛  I  see  that.  ❜  His  voice  was  quiet,  the  frustration  for  the  council  melting  in  that  moment  now  that  he  could  actually  see  that  someone  was  actually  trying  to  do  could  work.  It  made  him  shift  uncomfortably  from  his  previous  judgment.❛  Yeah  …  it  does  feel  that  way.  There  really  isn’t  a  right  answer  I  guess.  ❜

❛  And  what  plan  are  you  cooking  up,  Hero  ?  ❜

[olympiczervous]

Hercules huffed a quiet laugh at the Hydra comment, shaking his head. “Three heads, zero agreement. That’s about right. Except at least a Hydra eventually agrees on who to bite.” He glanced down at the stack of papers in front of them. “Council meetings aren’t bad because we’re careless. They’re bad because every option costs something.”

When the other called him smart, Herc’s expression shifted. “I appreciate that,” he said quietly. “But it definitely doesn't feel like it sometiems. His gaze moved to the edge of the city skyline in the distance.“You’re right though. There isn’t a good answer. There’s no lever we pull that fixes this overnight. Hades pushes, the Underland creeps closer, people panic. It’s not a monster you can punch. That’s the frustrating part.”

“My plan?” A faint smile tugged at his mouth. “It’s not flashy. No secret weapon. No divine loophole.” He tapped the papers lightly. “We reinforce the edges. Strengthen neighborhoods. Increase patrol coordination without turning the city into a prison. We keep communication honest, no false promises, no sugarcoating. I think people are tired of it.”

[scattereddrcams]

Sora had only stopped in for a cocoa, his reward for his morning run, but the mountain of paperwork at the corner table had caught his eye. Not just because of the mess (though wow, it was impressive) but because of the big bolded phrase that peeked out from the top of a page: GUARDIAN ZONES. It reminded him of something.

So when Hercules offered the seat, Sora smiled and waved a hand. “Nah, I’m not here to chase you off your throne of maps. Looks like you’re building something big.” He slid into the chair anyway, careful not to bump the cold coffee or any of the runaway napkins. His eyes scanned the spread with interest.

“Guardian Zones,” he repeated aloud, leaning in. “That sounds like… like a shield around the city. A safe space?” He looked up at Hercules, curiosity burning behind his words. “Oh wait! Riku told me about this. Is this the new protection squad thing that the council wants? He did say that they had you be in charge of it. He also told me not to say anything so don't tell him I said anything."

[olympiczervous]

Hercules let out a surprised huff of a laugh, rubbing the back of his neck as he followed Sora’s gaze back to the mess on the table. “Okay, first of all, throne of maps might be the nicest thing anyone’s called this disaster,” he said, nudging a napkin back into place like it had feelings. “Yeah,” he nodded slowly. “That’s exactly it. A shield. Not walls, not rules, just people whose whole job is making sure no one gets hurt if things go sideways.” He tapped the edge of one map with a finger. “Elias has been through enough. Folks deserve to feel safe just… existing.”

Then Sora mentioned Riku, and Herc broke into a grin that was half fond, half amused. “He did, huh?” He leaned back in his chair, lowering his voice a notch, conspiratorial. “Guess I’ll have to pretend I didn’t hear that part. For the record.” He looked back at Sora, studying him for a bit. “But yeah. Council thought I was the right fit. Still figuring out if I agree with them.” A small, honest smile followed. “It’s a lot of responsibility. Different from monster-slaying, that’s for sure. But… it feels right.”

Herc gestured lightly between the papers and Sora. “And hey, if Riku trusts you with that info, I’m guessing you’ve got a good sense for this kind of thing. If you’ve got thoughts, I’m listening. Maybe this would be something you'd like to help with?"

[ericseara]

eric glanced up from his own cup when hercules spoke, eyes taking in the sprawl of papers before settling on him. there was something almost endearing about the chaos. purposeful, heavy with responsibility.

he waved a hand lightly, already easing into the chair across from him. “nah, you’re good. looks like you’ve got a whole city depending on that table,” he said, a faint smile tugging at his mouth.

eric leaned forward, resting his forearms on the edge, careful not to disturb anything. “guardian zones, huh?” his tone was curious, respectful. “that’s a lot to carry around in a coffee shop. no wonder the coffee went cold.”

his gaze softened, voice lowering just a touch. “for what it’s worth, though… it looks like the kind of work that actually matters.”

[olympiczervous]

Hercules let out a quiet breath and rubbed at the back of his neck as Eric settled in. “Yeah, well... I figured if I tried to bring this to the council again, they’d want something more polished than scribbles on napkins. Baby steps.”

He glanced at the papers, now a little crooked from the bustle of shifting seats and movement, and smiled just faintly. “It is a lot. I used to think the hardest thing I’d ever do was hold up the sky for a while. Turns out trying to hold up people’s hope is... heavier.”

There was no bitterness in the way he said it, though. Just truth. The kind that settled in the joints and didn’t go away with a stretch. Hercules looked across the table at Eric, grateful for the way the other man didn’t flinch at the mess, didn’t treat it like a burden to listen. That meant more than he could say.

“Thanks,” he said after a moment, quiet but sincere. “Sometimes it feels like I'm the only one who believes it still matters." He nudged a cold coffee cup slightly out of the way and added, “...Also, if you're offering to be part of this unofficial task force of mine, I’m not above bribery. I'd always appreciate the help.”

[keyguarded]

riku almost walked past him as he scrolled through his messages. the café sat like a fragile little bubble on the edge of the locust’s gravity and hercu looked painfully out of place inside it, all golden strength and heroic buried under a landslide of human worry. riku slowed as he took notice of the endless papers and the coffee gone cold.

he stayed in the shadow, eyes sweeping the street first. old habit. the locust’s door breathed violence behind him with laughter sharp, magic humming low but his attention kept snagging back to the hero hunched over ink and responsibility.

strongest man in the city. drowning in paperwork. there was something almost beautiful about it.

he pulled the chair out, careful not to disturb the precarious towers of plans, and settled across from him. "you know there are easier ways to suffer."

[olympiczervous]

Hercules huffed a quiet laugh, rubbing a hand over his face before leaning back in his chair, which protested under the shift of his weight. “Oh, trust me, I tried the easier ways,” he said, tapping a stack of papers that immediately threatened to slide. “Turns out none of them come with zoning maps and contingency flowcharts.”

His eyes lifted to Riku properly now, sharp in that calm, assessing way that came from years of battle, even if the fight in front of him was mostly red tape. He followed Riku’s earlier glance toward the street without comment, filing it away. “Funny thing is,” he went on, quieter, “I can wrestle monsters all day. This?” He gestured vaguely at the mess. “This is the part that actually scares people. Or keeps them safe.”

He nudged a chair leg with his boot, grounding himself, then offered a crooked smile. “So if you’re offering commentary, I’ll take it. If you’re offering backup, ” his brow lifted, hopeful but not expectant, “I could use another set of eyes that knows how to watch the shadows and the exits.”

[olympiczervous]

Calling all helpers!

Join the Guardians today and train to protect the citizens of Elias from those who would do them harm.

If interested, ask Hercules.

[arielnystrom]

there was something about stepping inside of a coffee shop that allowed ariel to forget the worry that lingered outside. in here, the smell of roasted beans almost overwhelmed the senses - you could work if you wanted to but, well, why would you want to? if she ever decided to sell the grotto, she might as well try her hand at becoming a barista. it seemed calming, in a way - just focusing on the coffee.

no sooner than the thought crossed her mind did she spot hercules sat in the corner with the exact opposite disposition - surrounded not by cups and cutlery but also folders worth of literature. waving off her cousin's offer to move them, she slid into the empty seat anyway and picked up a stack of papers. "guardian zones," she read aloud curiously. "what is this?"

[olympiczervous]

"Cousin."He gave a sheepish smile, reaching over to steady the stack she’d picked up. “Guardian Zones, yeah,” he echoed, running a hand through his hair. “It’s… kind of a working draft, I guess. A proposal for the council. Or maybe just an idea I needed to get out of my head.”

"We've, the council and I have been trying to find a way to keep people safe." He leaned back in his chair, eyes scanning the notes. "I don’t think we’ve done enough. Not really. With everything happening in Old Elias, the Underland... people are scared. And sometimes, they need more than hope. They need infrastructure. They need people to be there to help them. Protectors, or guardians, not super heroes but I don't know...I just want people to feel safe again.”

His gaze lifted back to hers, thoughtful but not forceful. “What do you think? Would it work? Or is it just another noble idea that looks better on paper than it does on the street?” He smiled a little more genuinely then, voice quieter. “Also, side note… I really hope you didn’t come in here to escape paperwork just to land in more of mine.”