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Truth or Dare tonight!
We will start in thirty minutes.
If you would like a link to the room, please message this account.
Lions and Tigers and MONKEYS! Oh my!
who: @emilie-blanchard, @victoriamorganxx, @colbyarchibald and aurelie
when: october 20th, 2015
where: the zoo
Victoria alternately glanced around the park and then back down at her phone, trying to figure out which of these buildings, exactly, Colby was working in. A zoo staff had pointed the four of them in this general direction, but now, she was lost again. She shot off another text to Colby, frowning at her screen before looking up at Meike, Emilie, and Aurelie. "Colby should be here soon..." To save her from how awkward she felt. Yes.
Colby the redhead had been running a bit late due to the fact that one of the koalas was having a bit of a stomach issue. She had to help the doctor make sure the little guy was stabilized before being excused to find the group of people Vic had brought to the zoo that day. She looked at her phone, and smiled when she knew just where they were. It took her less than five minutes to get out of her building and to spot the group of women. "Hey, sorry I'm a little late. I had a situation out back," she said with an apologetic smile. "Are we all here?"
Meike hadn't exactly anticipated that this would be the turn out; not even close. Awkwardly she bounced on her heels as she glanced between Emilie and Victoria. Then at Aurelie. This was all a bit too much. “Maybe sooner than later,” she muttered with a forced grin. Her expression grew into something resembling relief. “Yeah, we are. I think--” she glanced around once more. “So where do we start?”
Emilie had Aurelie balanced on her hip, the young child had decided that she'd save the walking until they were actually with the animals. But Emilie knew that she'd just end up picking her back up to give her a better view. She looked around, her focus switching between the three woman and her daughter before nodding. "---Right. I know this one's definitely excited to get started." She spoke, hoping her expression didn't give off just how awkward she felt.
Victoria decided that if this was what she got for trying to think of a fun activity everyone could do because Meike wanted them to meet each other, then she was never being nice again. Still, she plastered a smile on her face, gesturing to Colby, then to each of the others. "Colby, this is Meike, Emilie, and her daughter, Aurelie." She paused. "A situation with a lion cub?" she inquired, curious. Clearly, Victoria had her priorities.
Colby could sense the awkward tension amongst everyone from a mile away. She had absolutely no idea what she had gotten herself into, but she knew she was so going to make Vic owe her for this one if it wound up being this awkward the whole time. "Hey everyone it's nice to meet you," she said kindly. She playfully rolled her eyes at her childhood friend. "No, this time a Koala actually As for where we're starting, that all depends on this little angel," she said gesturing to the little girl. "What do you want to see little princess?"
Meike was obviously not the most comfortable with this predicament-- even though her intentions had been good. “Right, yeah definitely. It's nice to meet you. Though I think we've already,” she shrugged dismissively. It didn't particularly matter at the moment. “Thanks for doing this, by the way. I've actually never been...” Sheepishly her head hung as she waited to see what Aurelie had in store for them.
Emilie didn't want this whole situation to end up being awkward. She wanted for the group of them to enjoy their visit too the zoo--not feel awkward around each other. She offered a small wave after the introductions before glancing at Aurelie. The child offered up an excited 'les singes!' to which Emilie rolled her eyes with a chuckle. "She means the monkeys. Sorry-- she has a tendency to speak in french if I haven't already told her to speak in english." She explained.
Victoria turned to Aurelie as the girl piped up in French, and then smiled at Emilie. "You usually speak to her in French?" she asked, then grinned at the young girl. "I love monkeys too." Turning to Colby, she made a dramatic gesture. "Lead the way, Dr. Archibald." She had a feeling she was going to owe Colby big time after this.
Colby "Alright, monkeys it is," she said with a smile. The redhead walked them towards the exhibit where the monkeys were. "It's not that far of a walk, so don't worry," she said easily. Within five minutes, she opened the door into the building that held the exhibit. "Here you go," she said with a smile. "All the monkeys you could ever want." Once they were all inside, she walked up behind Vic and whispered in her ear, "So, how did I get dragged into a double date?"
Meike stuffed her hands in her pockets as they walked. She wanted to completely behave herself, not exactly sure what the protocol was with her-- whatever Emilie was. She was thankful that it didn't take long. Awkwardness wasn't something she handled well-- ever. “Oh, wow,” she commented with wide eyes. Despite feeling off about the whole thing, she was far too excited for this. “They're so cute! Oh, my god--” she practically squealed, but cleared her throat. “Are you they like you-- remember Aurelie?” Meike clearly did not know how to talk to kids.
Emilie returned the smile in Victoria's direction before nodding. "Usually, yes. Although I've been trying to speak to her in English more and more so she feels more confident when speaking it." She explained, watching as her daughter grinned at the other girl. After they'd arrived in the exhibit, she let Aurelie down to run up for a closer look. She turned to watch Meike's reaction, her smile growing wide. The young child perking up at being spoken to, responding with an excited nod as she continued to take a few moments to look at each and every monkey.
Victoria nodded. "Are you from Canada?" she ventured, smiling at Aurelie's obvious delight as she looked at the monkeys and trying not to laugh at Meike. France would've been her next guess. She met Meike's eyes for a moment, trying to ignore the way her heart skipped a beat - stupid, stupid - and instead caught up to Colby by the chimpanzees, looping her arm around Colby's. "Because you love me?" she tried, then shook her head. "No, definitely because you tried to drown me when I was a kid." An over-exaggeration of Colby pushing her into the water, but still.
Colby smiled when she saw how much Meike and the little girl were enjoying the day. It always made her happy when she saw other people love animals as much as she did. "Having her know two languages is really beneficial, and she'll pick up English faster now than most adults would." She pointed out a few fun facts about the monkeys to the little girl who seemed to soak up the information like a sponge. When Victoria appeared beside her, she laughed at the woman's dramatics. "Please, I didn't almost drown you, but I guess I do love you. Just next time let me know that I'm going to be your date for something, yeah?"
Meike caught Victoria's gaze for a brief second; however, she playfully rolled her eyes instinctively. Most of what was said went in one ear and out the other. She focused all her attention on the monkeys. Her head nodded as everyone spoke politely, but really most of everything went over her head. “They're just so...” she almost squealed again. Glancing at Emilie, she hoped the woman hadn't noticed-- or worse Victoria.
Emilie nodded again. "Yeah, Montreal to be exact. But my father is French." She answered with a smile. "She'll be starting up kindergarten pretty soon, so I want her to know as much English as she can so she doesn't feel awkward when other people don't understand French." She grinned at how her daughter seemed to love all the information she was learning. She walked over towards Meike, her hand going to rest on the small of the brunette's back. "Having fun?" She teased with a raised eyebrow.
Victoria nodded. "That makes sense. Kindergarten - so she's... four? Five?" She sent a pointed glance at Meike, as though to remind her that she should probably pay attention. At Colby's remark, she stuck her lip out in a pout. "I could have died," she said dryly. "And this is not a date.” Lowering her voice, she added, "I mean, if this were a date, it would have just been me, petting the cute lions. And there would be wining and dining. Which I'm guessing I'm going to have to do after this, so we can have our date /then/." She grinned at Colby. At a soft squeal coming from the other side, she raised an eyebrow at Meike, tacking on her own comment after Emilie's. "Too much fun, perhaps?"
Meike wore a child-like expression as she continued staring at the monkeys. While it wasn't her intention, she'd mostly tuned everyone out. Or had until she tensed up. Seeing as she hadn't known how to act around Emilie, she was taken by surprise. She did however recover very quickly. “Yeah babe-- bud, lots.” Turning away from the cage, she instantly scoffed at her old friend. Of course, Victoria would have something to say. “You're an a--- you're not a very nice person,” she corrected herself sheepishly.
Emilie nodded at Victoria's question. "Almost five, yeah. Just over a couple of weeks until her birthday, actually." She answered, still somewhat enthralled by Meike's reaction to the monkeys. Seeing her like this made her heart squeeze slightly. "Bud?" She mused with a raised eyebrow, but quickly shook it off. "Well, I'm glad you're having fun." She smiled, moving over to where her daughter was. She ruffled the child's hair as the four year old started spouting off some story about the animals.
Victoria was just about to respond to Emilie when Colby turned to her almost apologetically, excusing herself - some sort of animal emergency. After the redhead had said her goodbyes to the group, Victoria turned back to Meike, Emilie, and Aurelie, a heavy weight settling in her gut. Even Meike's "bud" comment had her grimacing instead of the usual laugh it would pull out of her. "So, how did you two meet?" Meike wanted them to meet, and she might as well get all the details that Meike hadn't had the time to share with her yet.
Meike chuckled to herself, playfully nudging Emilie in the process. “Is that a problem, bud,” she asked returning the expression. Her brows raised almost tauntingly. All the while she was inwardly cringing at herself. When Emilie moved away, she couldn't help the tiny pout-- immediately missing the contact. She nipped at the inside of her cheek while considering Victoria's question. It was a little awkward to say the least, but she'd bite. “Well, we knew each other from before. Actually even before you and I--” she trailed off, not at all delving into that. “Emilie used to go to Toronto for drama camp-- and I had absolutely nothing better to do during the summers. So, I just kind of went out of pure boredom.” Really she had no better explanation than that. “But she had a girlfriend back then... so that's it.” And with that her attention turned back to the monkeys.
Emilie glanced back at Meike just in time to catch the pout. She grinned to herself, scooping Aurelie back up to rest on her hip after she'd tugged at her leg a few times. She wandered back over the brunette's side smiling at the explanation. "Theater camp, theater workshops--- they were a blast for me. Not sure how she dealt with it though considering she's not a theater buff like I am." She chuckled, before cringing at the mention of her ex. It was evident on her face how uncomfortable she felt at the thought of Isabel at this exact moment. "Uh--yeah, right." She murmured, shaking the thoughts and forcing a smile.
Victoria raised an eyebrow, almost daring Meike to finish the sentence. "--met each other," she finished for the brunette, suppressing a roll of her eyes. Meike was clearly not very good at this dating thing - in a way, it was a comfort to Victoria, who realized she shouldn't be feeling that way at all. She smiled at Emilie's description of the camp, turning a teasing grin onto Meike. "I never would've pegged you for the theater camp type, but apparently there's a lot I need to learn about you." Noticing Emilie's wince at the mention of her ex, Victoria decided to turn the subject back onto theater. "Do you still act?" she asked Emilie.
Meike nodded in total agreement. There was plenty Victoria didn't know about her. And honestly, she preferred it that way. “Like you even care,” she retorted with a faint smirk. The expression dropped the moment she realized she'd said entirely too much. She wanted to ask whether Emilie was alright, which she clearly wasn't, but she figured that would only make matters worse. Instead she tried to convey her apology in silence. “Tell her about my cooking skills, Em,” she muttered with a barely there grin, trying to make things less awkward.
Emilie was glad Victoria had changed the subject. "I do! -- If I can find local acting gigs. The whole traveling for work isn't so fun when you've got a kid that you end up missing." She chuckled, running her free hand through her hair. "Other than that I coach theater classes, so it's my job now." She smiled. She knew that Meike would've apologized had they been in a different situation as they were now. She reached out to give the brunette's arm a reassuring squeeze to let her know that she was fine before quirking an eyebrow. "Right-- her cooking skills. Off the chain. So good." She spoke sarcastically with a grin.
Victoria had grown up in a family where her parents were hardly around, and she could appreciate that Emilie wanted to stay with her kid. "Coaching sounds like fun. Do you have any divas in theater class?" She couldn't help the brief flash of hurt at Meike's offhand remark, but that was how their relationship had always been. Up until a day ago, and she couldn't blame Meike for acting as she normally would. "You're right," she said, voice light as she forced a grin on her face. "I don't." She raised an expectant eyebrow, waiting for Emilie's response, but her expression changed into a natural smile as Emilie confirmed Meike had zero cooking skills to begin with. "Nice try, Schmidtty."
Meike furrowed her brows for a brief second. Something seemed off with Victoria but she couldn't be sure. Any concern subsided and its place was their normal banter. “Of course, you don't. Such a great loss.” Her words were coupled with her perfectly sculpted smirk. Glancing down at her arm though, her grin turned to a more genuine one. A little too casually, she took hold of Emilie's arm-- liking the closeness. “See a classically trained actress. I'm amazing,” she boasted in faux-pride before glaring at Victoria for the umpteenth time. “Schlampe.” She almost corrected herself, but she figured she was safe. “Where are we headed next? Because I'm totally for staying here all day.”
Emilie nodded with a laugh. "We've got a couple of divas. They're mostly the younger kids, actually." She glanced between the two of them as they interacted, Meike taking hold of her arm helped the feelings of slight jealousy subside. She looked up at the girl, offering a warm smile. She turned her focus onto Aurelie seeing if she had any suggestions but by the looks of the child's shrug she didn't mind where they went. "---I suppose we could just sort of wonder? See what animals we come across?"
Victoria was surprised; she had assumed Emilie mostly taught adults, but she supposed acting classes came in all forms and ages. "Perhaps they're spoiled at home," she offered, and found that it was easy to pretend to be very interested in what these - she glanced at the placard - orangutans were doing when Meike slipped her arm around Emilie's. She turned back to gape at Meike, however, at the insult - she picked up a thing or two from her back in Yale. "That's a low blow, especially since I can't respond to that here," she said, gently placing her hands over Aurelie's ears as she continued, "Du scheisse." She dropped her hands almost immediately, not wanting to scare the poor kid. Nodding in agreement with Emilie, she replied, "Sounds good to me." She really wanted to see the lions - Colby had mentioned something about cubs - but she wasn't about to say that out loud.
Meike waved her hand dismissively. Though she was highly amused. “Verpiss dich! She doesn't even understand.” Glancing between Emilie and Aurelie she felt herself freaking out. “She doesn't, right?” God, she was really bad at this whole dating thing-- if that's what they were even doing. Scrunching up her nose, she finally nodded in agreement. “Yeah that sounds good. Just maybe-- no bears.”
Emilie chuckled. "Most divas are." She retorted before laughing at Meike's question. "No, she doesn't understand-- don't worry." She assured her, glancing down at the very confused expression on Aurelie's face. "What-- are you afraid of bears, babe?" She teased with a nudge. "We can steer clear of the bears, I promise." She added with a shake of the head whilst turning towards the exit of the exhibit, Meike's arm still around her. "I don't know about you guys--- but the Elephants are probably what I'm most excited to see."
Victoria laughed, grinning at Emilie. "You're always very rude to me," she pointed out; she was out of the very limited German she knew, and the only thing left was far too close to the word 'fuck' for her to feel comfortable using around Aurelie. "Oh my god, you're afraid of bears? This is too good. You'd better hold on to your girlfriend a little tighter." A pause. "I can take Aurelie to see the bears, if she wants." She glanced at Emilie, as though seeking her approval. She followed the couple and the child out of the exhibit, walking over to the map outside the exhibit and pointing. "It says the elephants are this way."
Meike looked at Victoria and then back at Emilie. Awkwardly, she rubbed the back of her neck. The two hadn't exactly talked about what they were, and Victoria really had a way with words. “Yeah... I'll do that,” she muttered, not at all sure how to respond to that. “Elephants do sound so much better than bears--- which I'm not scared of at all.” Except that's what she was-- terrified really. Wordlessly she followed Emilie's lead, still feeling a little off base with what had been said.
Emilie glanced back at Victoria-- and then to Meike after the comment had been made. Her and Meike definitely hadn't made what they were exactly clear, yet. She didn't know how to react, so she simply shrugged it off, focusing on Victoria's next words. "Oh, if she's up for it totally! However something makes me think that she might be just as scared of the bears as this one." She retorted, nudging Meike. "Elephants are a lot cooler than bears--- at least in my opinion anyway." She paused. "Right, whatever you say." She chuckled, before looking off in the direction Victoria had pointed. "This way it is, then."
Victoria frowned a little at the silence that had followed, but decided not to dwell on it. "No bears today, then," she said easily; it didn't bother her much - she didn't absolutely need to go see them. "Elephants are supposed to be really smart, right? I think I read somewhere that they're one of the few animals that can recognize themselves in the mirror." As she nodded again, she started to lead the way towards the elephants exhibit.
Meike knew this was not something she'd live down. “I'm not scared of them. They're just not aesthetically pleasing.” As they walked, she enjoyed the minute breather. That is until Victoria had to speak. “You're such a nerd, Morgan.” Rolling her eyes, she stopped however as they reached the exhibit. “Wait, really? Those big a-- things can recognize themselves?” This time she wasn't as amused. The monkeys had stolen her heart. She could admit that Emilie was right, they were pretty exciting still. “I wonder what would happen if one of those got out,” she asked nonchalantly moving her hand. Instead of merely holding onto Emilie's arm, she grabbed her hand-- but didn't look at her.
Emilie nodded along at Victoria's words. "Yeah! They're so cool--- they can also paint, you know? Holding the paintbrush with their trunk--- I may have watched a few too many videos of 'em." She sheepishly added, slightly geeking out about the elephants. "Some bears can be quite cute!" Emilie protested, lacing her fingers with Meike's as they entered the exhibit. "---I can't imagine it being too good of a situation."
Victoria stuck her tongue out at Meike, not buying the excuse one bit. "You're such an--" She paused, changing tactics since bad words weren't allowed. "Nobody asked you, Schmidt." She brightened as Emilie agreed, sending Meike a pointed glare. "That's really cool. I didn't know they could do that." She laughed, nodding along. "You might have to see the bears after all." She moved a little closer to get a better look at the elephants. "They seem docile for now."
Meike was pleasantly surprised by the direction things had gone. They were an air of calmness around them finally. Not to mention Emilie was rather adorable as she babbled about the elephants. “On what planet, Em,” she asked in utmost seriousness. Bears were scary, not cute. “The elephants are cute, though.” This whole ordeal was about Emilie and Victoria getting along. And that's what they were doing, but that only made Meike feel even more awkward. “Should I just get you guys a room,” she joked throwing a smirk at the both of them.
Emilie grinned widely. "Like you said-- they're very intelligent." Elephants were probably her favorite animals--- whenever she'd been to the Zoo as a child, their exhibit is where she'd spend most of her time. She rolled her eyes at Meike's remark. "On this one. ----The small ones are adorable." She insisted. She nodded in agreement, almost tugging at Meike's arm as she eagerly moved closer to the big animals. "You're insufferable." She spoke, shaking her head at Meike with a small grin.
Victoria watched their banter, mostly amused, though a small part of her felt... weird about it. She tried to shake the feeling. "All of them are adorable," she interjected. Rolling her eyes at Meike's comment, she added, the sarcasm obvious in her tone, "Not that I'm not up for that, but if we all three disappear, who's going to take care of Aurelie?"
Meike effortlessly allowed herself to be pulled closer. She definitely didn't mind having a better view. Just as she was about to reply to Emilie, she nearly choked. Bringing her free hand to her mouth, she coughed a few times. Victoria's comment should not have been surprising considering all the things they'd done in college. Still it nearly knocked the wind out of her. “You're so hilarious, Morgan,” she managed, her face now an unfamiliar shade of red.
Emilie offered up an "I agree!" as she took to admiring the elephants, a child-like grin plastered all over her face. "Regardes toutes les éléphants, poupée!" The french easily flowing as she addressed her daughter, her grin only widening as Aurelie got excited. She choked out a laugh before nodding--- not knowing exactly what words to add to that.
Victoria barely batted an eyelid as she replied, "It's part of my charm. Women love it." She didn't bother to glance over at Meike or Emilie, her eyes trained on the informational placard as she read about the elephants. "It says here that they use their tusks to move objects or to dig." She grinned at the three of them now.
Meike shook her head, this time using Emilie's words on Victoria. “You're insufferable,” she said with an eye-roll. Furrowing her brows, she looked out at the elephants. “That's kind of interesting to say the least.” The more she looked at them, the more she realized it wasn't just bears that terrified her. “They're pretty big--” she commented more to herself than anyone else.
Emilie focused on the elephants whilst explaining what Victoria had said, to Aurelie in French. "Very efficient too. Only further proving their intelligence." She added, her focus shifting to Meike and she nodded. "They're huge. Even the young elephants are bigger than you'd expect."
both of us ; adri + reyna
Adriana catches Reyna taking a short break from her birthday party and sneaks up to hand over a few gifts. Her intention is to make the drop and leave, but after a glass of wine, she’s coaxed into remaining. Unfortunately, the afterparty they’d intended to enjoy becomes another heated debate, spurred by alcohol... and perhaps something deeper. Note: Obviously, this took place the night of Reyna’s party. Enjoy!
The day had been warm, but in comparison to the heat of the day, the evening air was nicely refreshing. Music and lights drifted behind her as Reyna took the opportunity to slip outside to the gardens which were lit up by soft white lights hanging around the place, shutting the patio door to cease the accenting sounds of excited chatter and laughter to the music inside which only grew louder the closer you drew to the home. Everyone had been out here by the pool earlier on, but now things had quietened down and her guests for the evening had headed in to enjoy the buffet and rounds of Guitar Hero amongst other activities. Despite how much she had been enjoying the event she couldn’t help but feel like there was a certain presence lacking, one which she had been keeping an eye out for who had been invited but never showed. She knew that she shouldn’t be disappointed, the other girl had a rough time of it lately, but a part of her was.
Wandering from the door to the drinks table set up outside she took a glass and poured herself some wine, she was happy of course no doubt about it, excited to share this day with her friends but every now and then she caught herself searching for someone amongst the crowd. Her small departure from the party stopped near the centre of the twin staircases winding down to the poolside leaning on one of the marble plinths supporting the roof over the patio area overlooking the pool. Hearing a sound of approaching feet she didn’t shift to look assuming they were just here to ask if she was coming back to the party. “I’ll head back inside in a bit, I just- needed some fresh air” it was true enough but she mostly wanted some time to organize some of her thoughts.
Although she’d been invited to Reyna’s birthday celebration, Adriana wasn’t keen on making a public appearance. The daughter of Bellona was a dear friend and a beloved figure in New Rome. She deserved a day full of laughter and pleasant company -- a wonder the daughter of Mars suspected she would lose were she to show up at the door. Parties had never been her forte, and now that she’d been singled out as a town pariah, she reasoned that her arrival might only spark tension and conflict capable of ruining the birthday girl’s fun. However, she wasn’t simply going to disappoint.
Once night had fallen, she set out toward the lively residence, able to hear a good deal of the noise from a few streets back. Slipping around the side of the building to the back patio, she tried to remain as discreet as possible. She certainly didn’t want to be caught and charged with sneaking around the residence, but she also just wanted to avoid any unnecessary social interaction. She was here to see Reyna and no one else. Fortunately, the familiar voice that called out from the patio was exactly the one she was looking for. Sporting a grin, she sauntered around to stand behind the other, announcing her presence with a hint of amusement. “I would say so. A crowd that big? You must feel smothered.” Holding out the bottle of wine she’d brought along, she felt a tad ridiculous all of a sudden. She should have known there would already be a plentiful amount of alcohol at the event. “What? You didn’t seriously think I’d ditch you on your birthday, did you? I even brought booze, but-- I can see you’ve already got quite the supply.”
Overall, the day had been enjoyable. Everyone she knew had come out in their numbers to make it an good day and later on ended up descending on her house to enjoy the pool and other things organised. Reyna didn’t mind it all, in fact she was happy to share this day with whoever wished to participate - it was just another way to bring people together to relax if only for a day. Even on a day for herself she was still thinking of how she could assist others.
The sound of the recognizable voice surprised the praetor; setting her glass down to look at the latest visitor and the one she’d been partly hoping to see but hadn’t for most of the day. “It’s nothing I haven’t handled before, I’ll admit to preferring fighting off a horde of monsters than keeping up small talk for a long period of time though. Not impossible mind you, just a tad tiring...” for a time she grew quiet unsure of what to say “it’s good to see you,” she admitted casting a small glance down before letting it return to Adriana taking the bottle when it was offered. “Thank you, one of my favourite types” the point about ditching did earn a brief falter confusion but also a touch of hesitance mingled in her words “ditch me? What? No- of course not… You know I’d give you hell to pay if you did do that, which is why you wouldn’t…” a small dip of her head was earned. “Never enough when it comes to wine so you made a safe choice. I appreciate it… But would you like a glass of what I have open already?” A part of her was hoping that the offer might just extend the time Adriana spent here if only for a short time.
“Hey, I’m with you there,” she chuckled in conjunction with Reyna’s preference for fighting monsters over maintaining small talk. “At least fighting for your life gives you a rush; socialization doesn’t quite do the same.” A smile crossed Adriana’s lips at the slight pause of her friend. She was happy to hear that her presence was wanted. An invitation alone wasn’t exactly a pure assurance that her company would be appreciated. It was far more refreshing to hear that confirmation personally. “Yeah, good to see you too. I had a feeling you’d like this vintage -- actually, I think you mentioned it that one time we grabbed Indian for dinner, remember?”
Again, she hesitated and the daughter of Mars grew curious, one of her brows arching slightly at the reaction. Her response was predictable, warning of the potential punishments she’d receive for leaving the praetor behind. It earned a grin from Adriana as she shook her head. Reyna appeared to be somewhat scattered. It was amusing and curious and kind of adorable all at once. Adriana couldn’t help the small secondary chuckle that escaped her. “I know, I know, and you’re welcome.” There was a brief pause as she considered the other’s offer for a glass of wine. She didn’t want to linger too long and risk getting driven away by one of the other guests, but at the same time… “I guess I can stay for one glass. After all, I still have to give you your gift,” the girl mused as she revealed a shoddily wrapped box that she’d been hiding behind her back. Apparently gift wrapping wasn’t her forte either. “And yes, I’m aware that my gift wrapping skills are shit, so don’t even try calling me out on that one. It’s pointless.”
“That’s partly true, but some socialization can prove to be engaging it just depends who you’re speaking with.” Reyna was putting her hesitance down to the fact that she’d seen all her other friends today except for Adriana and a part of her had wondered whether there was another reason behind her absence besides her troubles. A silly thought really but a part of her couldn’t help but dwell on whether this was another sign that she shouldn’t be considering anything down this route. “I did mention it, I’m surprised you remembered honestly” instead of facing Adriana when she chuckled at the pauses she seemed to be having currently Reyna busied herself with picking up her glass again and taking a sip of the deep red liquid inside also giving her the opportunity to focus on something else besides her contemplating staying. Though wasn’t this supposed to be a day of things she wanted? If she wanted Adriana here surely she should be allowed to have what she wished for, shouldn’t she? Relief was the primary emotion she felt hearing Adriana accept the offer to stay a little longer and she went to pour out another glass of the wine she’d been drinking bringing it to Adriana eyeing the present in fresh surprise and curiosity. Offering the wine in exchange to take the present she smiled faintly “oh wow, Adri you didn’t have to get me anything else.” A quiet chuckle was earned from her “I wasn’t going to, it’s the thought and effort involved which means the most” she wasn’t going to give any stupid little remark instead she turned the gift over carefully attempting to deduce what was in the paper before she went to open it.
“Well, I figured it couldn’t hurt to educate myself on my friend’s preferences for booze. You never know when you’re going to need it.” She shrugged and smirked subtly, playing off her memorization of Reyna’s specific wine taste as little more than a friendly necessity, when she knew, in reality, it was a bit more than that. Alcohol was tool for a lot of things - celebration, entertainment, grieving, forgetting… For Adriana, it was typically used in the latter sense, but tonight, she intended to utilize it for the former. Simply to come out, she’d had to put her darker thoughts behind her. After the night that she’d witnessed the physical pain it caused Reyna to take on some of her feelings in exchange for strength, she never wanted to press her negative emotions on the girl ever again. She cared deeply for Reyna, not just because of her guard duties, but because the daughter of Bellona had offered her kindness, continued to see the light in her when most others saw only darkness. Being around her made Adriana feel like she really could achieve some sort of redemption for everything she’d done, even though she knew, at every other moment, that such a feat was virtually impossible. Reyna made her feel better, genuinely so, and selfish as it was, she’d take every little chance she could to extend that sensation. Taking the wine gratefully, the daughter of Mars sipped at the red liquid while she handed over the gift, desperately trying to keep the ridiculous grin off her lips as the other commended her effort and attempted to discern the contents without opening it. “Shush, it’s your birthday. Of course I got you a present. There was absolutely no thinking necessary. So, are you going to open it or what? Unless you have some form of x-ray vision I’m not aware of, I doubt you’ll be able to deduce precisely what lies in that box. Tear it to shreds, if you like. I won’t judge.”
"Going to need it hm? Alcohol isn't the be all and end all of this world" she wouldn't particularly miss it even if it did vanish but for tonight she was enjoying the simpler things which included a couple of glasses. Reyna didn't see her ability as any sort of negative tool especially in the case of helping others and so if necessary she would be content to use it for Adriana if ever she required it again Adriana needed someone to be there even if it was to act as a listener to her problems and troubles and Reyna no matter how busy would always be willing to do that for anyone inside the walls of this camp, finding solutions was simply in her nature. For a short time she continued to turn the present assessing critically for any kind of hint what it might be but at Adri's prompt she gave a laugh. "Alright, alright" though unlike Adriana prompted she did as she had with the other gifts sliding her finger under one of the non-taped areas and using it to work the paper off the box setting it aside once she had removed it. Turning her attention to the lid she took that off to see what was inside, the gift causing her eyes to widen and a quiet gasp of "wow," to escape her taking out the jacket to admire "this is... Incredible, wow thank you." Without any real thought she set the jacket in its box once more and went to envelop Adriana in a hug a bright smile on her lips as she did so for now just wanting to enjoy her company now that she was here. "I'm really glad you came you know? Even if it's only for a bit."
“Yeah, I know. Just a thought.” Adriana grinned between sips of her wine, quietly continuing to watch Reyna investigate her gift. She’d spent quite a deal of time trying to figure out what the praetor might like. Weapons had been her first consideration, but that would be too typical. Jewelry would probably be a bit much. So she’d settled for walking around the city until she found something that stood out to her -- fortunately, one item had. The daughter of Mars waited eagerly as the box was finally opened, a smile gracing her lips when the other exclaimed her admiration. The hug was a bit of a surprise, but she embraced it nonetheless, hugging Reyna back with a gentle squeeze. “You’re welcome. I’m so glad you like it.” She knew the white leather jacket would look gorgeous on the daughter of Bellona. For now, however, gifts were hardly of prime interest. Adriana wasn’t one to linger, so she would give her friend every moment she could spare -- she deserved no less on her birthday. “I wouldn’t miss this for the world,” her smile brightened in admittance. “So tell me, what have you been up to so far? Do anything exciting? Get any interesting gifts? You’ll have to fill me in.”
Reyna was mindful not to spill Adriana’s wine but she felt it necessary to show that she really was amazed by what she had received. She had a certain weakness for leather jackets amongst other things in her wardrobe so to have another was a treat for the praetor. “How could I not?” she asked eventually returning to properly examine the gift deciding that it was only fair to try on the new piece and soon enough she pulled the jacket on letting it settle; it was a great fit leaving her quiet whilst she admired it “damn, this is gorgeous.” Turning to look at Adriana with a look of teasing amusement in her expression and tone “I’m recalling that time when you told me you weren’t any good at shopping - that it was an unmitigated disaster. I think you just proved yourself incredibly wrong on that account.” Of course that recollection involved certain other comments but they weren’t of importance right now. “Typical stuff I guess, everyone was enjoying the pool earlier and now they’re inside eating food, chilling and playing games. I got some interesting gifts but I think this one may have beaten the rest” she admitted glancing back down to the jacket but nodding to affirm her thought.
Damn, was right. Reyna looked great in her new jacket and Adriana couldn’t help but feel a little glimmer of success brighten her mood. There had always been the chance that she wouldn’t have liked it or it wouldn’t have fit, yet she’d somehow managed to find a perfect present for her friend -- if she did say so herself. “It suits you.” Her eyes scanned Reyna’s form, trying not to linger as the praetor began to tease. A shrug and a smirk coincided with her response. “Or maybe this time I just got lucky. Besides, with you involved, there’s always a little extra motivation. It really wouldn’t be in my favor to disappoint.” She downed a slightly longer sip of her wine as thoughts of their previously related conversation popped into her head. More and more she felt as though maybe her assumption hadn’t been wrong, though she was still wary to approach the subject again. Whatever this was, she didn’t want to ruin it. Better to let things progress naturally and see if what was between them was even worth pursuing. “Certainly sounds like they were having fun, but what about you? I have a pretty good theory that having to sneak away from your own party suggests maybe you were missing out on something. Thoughts? If there was something you really wanted to do, I could always help you ditch your guests -- not that you should, because that’s totally not a very hostess thing to do, but… you could if you want. It is your birthday.” The daughter of Mars grinned, a second, slightly more amusing idea coming to mind. “Alternatively, you could force me to stay, but even if it is your special day, I can’t be making any promises. I’d probably try to escape to save you from the awkwardness that would come of a ‘killer’ crashing your party. I didn’t come here to ruin the vibe, after all. You should be enjoying yourself,” she bumped the other’s shoulder gently with her fist, the grin turning to a mildly faded smile, “not sneaking around with dangerous women.”
“Yeah? Hm, I think secretly you’re just really good at all this girly shopping stuff but you just don’t want to ‘fess up since it’ll ruin everyone’s perception of that badass warrior vibe you’ve got going.” Teasing wasn’t uncommon for Reyna around her closer friends, unlike a lot of people they got to see that she wasn’t just a stickler for rules all the time but in fact did have a sense of humour. “So you were aiming to impress me?” an amused look was given as she chuckled softly but Adriana’s ‘theory’ simply earned a shrug of her shoulders moving to retrieve her own glass of wine to give her hands something to do besides fiddle with her ever present ring. “I just needed some air, it was getting a bit warm in there” she answered simply considering it was the closest to the actual truth “I’m enjoying my birthday as is everyone else by the looks of it” she remarked casting a look towards the house where everyone was still busy. The offer of helping ditch her guests earned an smile of thanks but a small shake of her head “I’m alright, I know how to handle a large group of guests and also know the best times to slip out for some fresh air.” As Adriana outlined her other idea Reyna contemplated it but gave another shrug, a part of her wanted Adriana to stay but then another part also reminded her that she hadn’t turned up before for a reason “hardly a killer, and hardly dangerous to me. I’m a big girl who knows how to handle herself should you try anything,” Reyna responded with a faint grin “but I only want you to stay if you want to. I know you didn’t turn up before for a reason, if you feel uncomfortable I won’t hold it against you for just coming to visit me out here. I understand things are still awkward.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about. Maybe… or maybe not.” Adriana flashed a smug little smile and popped her shoulders in a shrug, refusing to either accept or deny the teases Reyna threw at her, and it gave her another chance to sip at her wine, which she did. The general population of the Legion tended to see Reyna as this strict, consistently serious woman, but Adriana knew better. The praetor had an amusing sense of humor, perfect for the teasing type of relationships that suited the daughter of Mars best. Her head turned toward the house as the party was referenced once more, the glass dropping from her lips after a subtle nod was given. She should have known Reyna wouldn’t be the kind to ditch her guests so spontaneously. “Yeah, I guess you’re pretty used to these types of gatherings, huh?” The suspended officer shot the red liquid she’d lowered a thoughtful stare after the words came out. Of course, she wasn’t used to grand social events, but even though Reyna was, she sensed the other daughter of war wasn’t always fond of them either. Unless you were strictly an all-out partier, large crowds could become draining. Breaking off for air wasn’t such an uncommon practice. “I wouldn’t try anything,” Adriana shook her head, unable to resist a faint grin at Reyna’s reply. Things were still uncomfortable and still awkward, but right then and there, just talking with her friend, those feelings were absent. She wanted to stick around, only she knew it wasn’t the best idea for the both of them. So, lifting her sight once more, she proposed a compromise. “I do want to stay. I just don’t want to join the party. Why don’t we just camp out on the roof? Technically, you won’t be ditching your party, and I won’t be crashing it. Besides, the view is better. Fair?”
She wasn’t convinced and that was apparent in the look that was given to the other girl but it wasn’t pressed any further. The small amount of alcohol helped in loosening a few of Reyna’s more typical traits especially her strictness though today was one about celebration so she had been more lenient about things which on any other day might have irked her. “There’s enough of them you learn how to socialize,” though she still knew whenever they were thrown she still had to occasionally step away briefly to regain some energy; idle chatter and small talk really wasn’t her forté which often surprised most who came to speak with her after one of her speeches. She much preferred deeper conversations of meaning with individuals “I doubt you’d get too far even if you did try” an off handed remark served with another hint of teasing which really was the summary of their friendship up until this point in time. The implication of Adriana lingering was known even without it having to be spoken aloud, considering the compromise she gave a nod eventually “I don’t know about the roof, but I could probably manage the upstairs balcony linked to my rooms? You’ll have to sneak through the hallway past the rooms where people are, but I can figure out some kind of distraction” thinking on it her attention went to the drink in her hand and a thought came to her. Grimacing slightly at the notion ‘the things I do for my friends’ she mentally said to herself though she first of all took off the jacket and set it in the box “could you take this up with the wine when you go?”
“I doubt you’d get too far even if you did try.” The remark earned a mild grimace from the girl who instantly had the urge to counteract the statement, but holding back, she chose to take this one. ‘I mean, it’s her birthday. I can let her have it,’ she reasoned to herself as the stubborn expression fell with a shrug. Though, in reality, where was the lie? She might never admit it openly, but besting Reyna wasn’t something she was all too capable of. The other warrior had several years of experience on her, as well as an advantageous knowledge of Adriana’s fighting style. She had no doubt the daughter of Bellona could land her on her ass short of a minute. “Whatever…” The offer of some time set aside for just the two of them was a much more appealing topic. She was thrilled that Reyna agreed, even if her specific location idea had been turned down. But naturally, she continued to contain her excitement, playing things cool with a grin that uncoiled with the almost wicked pleasure of a Cheshire cat. “That, I can do.” Snatching the bottle of wine and the other’s jacket, her composure persisted, albeit now with a chuckle at the scheme her friend had devised. The way the praetor had glanced at her wine was more than enough of an explanation. “And just so you know, your sacrifice is highly appreciated.”
The small plot of scheming was a little thrill for Reyna, she could barely recall the last time she’d done anything like this not under the insurmountable thoughts of it being for the greater good of New Rome. Frankly, it had been a long time since she’d willingly done anything which really did anything to benefit herself even if that was simply spending more time with her closer friends. Allowing the other girl to take the requested items she clicked her tongue softly, a small gesture of her dislike at the idea of possibly ruining one of her favourite shirts. Though if she stopped off at the kitchen along the way she’d be able to deal with that problem she supposed, it wasn’t her first time dealing with wine stains finishing off most of her drink until there was just a little left in the glass she eventually sighed. “It better be, because I really like this top, and if this stain doesn’t come out you are going to get me another” she stipulated without any further hesitation she ‘accidentally’ spilt the contents over her shirt watching the small patches of red seep into the white of the fabric. With one small roll of her eyes she headed for the door to head back inside and make her excuses to the others inside to distract them long enough to let Adriana inside.
“Fair enough,” Adriana let her chuckle slip into more of a snicker whilst the praetor finished off almost all of her wine and spilled the remainder onto her top, not so ‘accidentally’ as she’d be playing it. She followed a few steps behind Reyna to the door, knowing she’d have to wait a short bit before she could slip to the upper level of the house. First, the other would have to draw the crowd’s attention, which she doubted would take too long given the stark contrast of the maroon stain against her white top. But prior to letting her make her move, Adriana smirked and gave her a supportive little clap on the back. “Knock ‘em dead.” Working a sly but subtle bite into the corner of her smirk, she felt the teasing need to say one thing further, “I’ll see you upstairs,” and with a final wink, she nodded her head toward the crowd to send Reyna on her way. “And don’t dawdle. I’m horribly impatient.”
“Don’t get lost,” Reyna remarked before she vanished soon enough going to deal with the crowd of visitors who seemed to accept rather well faked embarrassed explanation of needing to head upstairs to sort out the stain. It was getting late anyway so to convince them wasn’t too hard and no doubt people begin to trail their way out soon enough anyway. With her excuse made she headed to the kitchen where she made sure to grab the salt, some paper towels, and poured some boiling water into a mug which she took upstairs as quickly and carefully as she could. Once she headed along the corridor she made a beeline through her room and into the bathroom noting the balcony doors open which suggested Adriana was already up here as prompted. Setting the objects down on the counter she then went to search out a new shirt to wear to replace the slightly damp one she currently wore settling on a simple black to avoid any further issues. “I hope that really was worth it for you,” she called going back to the bathroom now that she had the change of clothes and items necessary to deal with the wine incident.
“It’s not my first time here,” Adriana quipped just as Reyna stepped inside, waiting for the opportune moment to make her dash for the stairs. Reyna’s distraction worked perfectly. While she held her company’s attention, Adriana was able to sneak inside, up the stairs, and down the hall to where she knew the praetor’s room was located. It wasn’t her first time to the house and was doubtful to be her last. Once there and concealed behind closed doors, she tossed the jacket in its box onto the bed and headed out to the balcony, leaning on the rail with the bottle of wine in hand. Even from this distance, she was able to hear the guests beginning to depart, the front door periodically opening and closing, rising chatter as more of them stepped out of the house and onto the streets. While alone, she was able to stop and think about that-- how she’d never experienced such a thing firsthand. She never had friends over for parties, never had to see them off at the end of a fun night. It had only ever been her and her very few closest friends, finding ways to make the night pass by more often than finding ways to enjoy it. The daughter of Mars had never seen too much of a point in celebrating her birthday. She rarely had as a child, and honestly, it didn’t bring back the best of memories. But others didn’t see it that way. AJ had been particularly annoying about doing something for it each year, even if that just meant a few drinks and a night full of recollections. Seeing as she hadn’t brought up any wine glasses with her, Adriana took no shame in stealing a swig from the bottle as she heard her friend’s approaching steps from out in the hall. Reyna was in quite a frenzy from she could hear, rummaging for a new top and likely rushed to tend to more properly to the stain in her current one. Sighing, Adriana made a slow approach to the edge of the balcony doors, leaning against the frame with a shake of her head as the other marched into the bathroom. She raised her voice slightly to made sure it got past the door. “Indeed it was-- and I’d hope it’d be worth it the same to you. After all, I wouldn’t be hanging around if I didn’t at least guess you wanted me to stay here too. I do recall you saying you were glad I’d come, but if that’s changed in the last few minutes, I could still slip away. My purpose here is not to be an inconvenience.”
Reyna wasn’t hurrying too much, but she did want to get the stain tended to so once she had the bathroom door shut enough that she could still talk in privacy she stripped the material and dabbed it carefully with paper towels, “don’t go pessimistic on me now,” her voice chided from the bathroom dropping the paper towels into the bin the lightness of her tone suggesting she meant nothing by it. Running the cold tap she next soaked the stain so she could tip the salt over it to cover, whilst that did its work she finally pulled the other top on opening the door to lean a little into the room to look at the daughter of Mars sincerely “if it wasn’t worth it I wouldn’t have done it.” Even in the dimness of the room something about the atmosphere had shifted, and it automatically made Reyna question what had happened in such a short time to make Adri suddenly think she was an inconvenience to her which was the last thing she was. Adriana was just as much a guest here as anyone else downstairs, even if she refused to actually come and socialize “what’s wrong?” she prompted hoping to earn an answer out of the other girl since she wasn’t about to just accept anything along the lines of ‘it’s nothing.’
What was wrong? Even the daughter of Mars had to pause to consider her answer. At the surface level, it was nothing unexpected. She knew many of the others wouldn’t approve if they found out Reyna had spoiled one of her favorite shirts just to get some alone time with the camp pariah. On another hand, there was the melancholy sensation she gathered from having seen a few glimpses of the party, perhaps becoming more apparent now that she was in close company. Reyna was so loved, and yet here was Adriana, having to dodge around everyone else just to have a relaxed moment with a beloved friend. She wanted so badly to be here, though a part of her seemed to scream in her head that this was never going to lead to anything, that it would never work. How could a criminal such as herself ever be good for a hero such as Reyna? As she studied the floor beneath her, one of Adriana’s feet scuffed it gently, accompanied with a sigh. “It’s complicated,” was her eventual answer. “One second, all I want to do have some fun with you, but the next… I can’t help wondering how any of this makes sense. You can accept me all you want, but in what universe am I good for you, Reyna? Pretty much everyone in this town loves you and wants to lock me up in a jail cell for good.” Her conflicted amber gazed challenged the praetor with this question seriously. “I can’t see that changing anytime soon, so why do you invite me in? Why do you even want me around? Yeah, we have a mission, but when that’s over… What becomes of this-- of us? Gods, half the time, it’s all I can think about these days, and I don’t know why I just… I do and it drives me crazy.” Turning around, she stepped back out onto the balcony to lean against the rail once more, taking another swig from the wine as she absorbed the view of their home. “What the hell-- maybe I am just finally losing it.”
Adriana had some valid points which Reyna couldn’t exactly argue around it, but there was also the point that unlike all of the others in the Seven Adriana was a girl that she’d known personally for longer than most. They hadn’t always seen eye to eye on a lot of topics admittedly and things had been rocky for a time during the Greek’s attack when she’d given up her post in quest of peace. Now? Adriana still had flaws, but if people were expecting perfection when they looked to Reyna as well then they were looking in the incorrect place. Reyna might not be an individual perceived to be anything other than what she tried to exude but that certainly didn’t mean she was perfect. Pouring the boiling water over the salt she then left it to finally join Adriana out in the room her thumbs going to hook into her back pockets as the breeze cooled the room. “Why does it have to make sense? We might have had our fair share of differences in the past, but you aren’t the same person you were before” she said firmly because a part of her had to believe that, had to believe there was some route back from the darkness that pervaded the lives of nearly every demigod she knew. “Nothing will change if you keep that mentality about you,” she muttered giving her a semi-stern look as the other girl stepped outside.
Instead of immediately commenting she stepped out to lean against the doorframe taking her time to answer. “I learned a lesson a long time ago and it’s one I’ve stuck to; you don’t abandon friends or family when they hit their lowest” there was a steeled edge to her voice and eyes implying some other deeper meaning to her words but the look she gave Adriana who had her back softened to one of concern. “You’re not losing it, I invite you in because you’re still my friend despite all of this and nothing has to happen once this mission is over other than things returning back to normality - you’re going to work with me to take the Cult down and then? Maybe through the course of it you’ll manage to restore some of the trust you’ve lost with the others.”
“I know I’m not the same person anymore, but not everyone believes that. I can’t just ignore what they think of me when it’s so obvious. Even if I truly believe it shouldn’t matter with us, it still does. People trust you, and chances are, the closer we get, the more they’re going to start questioning you.” Adriana pushed a hand roughly back through her hair as she made her retreat to the balcony, the conflict clearly audible in her voice. She knew her words were harsh, but they were the blunt truth. “Friends are supposed to support one another, not tear each other down. Right now, I can’t see how I can be anything else to you besides a hindrance. I don’t want to have to hide with you like this, but if we were just to say ‘screw it’ and hang around how we pleased, it would only mean bad news for the both of us.”
She tried to remain removed to keep her argument strictly practical, but Reyna’s response left a crack in her composure that she couldn’t overlook. “I learned a lesson a long time ago and it’s one I’ve stuck to; you don’t abandon friends or family when they hit their lowest.” Adriana looked back at the daughter of Bellona, a soft glare in her eyes that suggested something along the lines of ‘Dammit! Why do you always get through to me when I’m trying just to be straight with you?’ She took a sharp breath, fighting to continually restrain the emotions that she knew were on the verge of breaking through. Turning fully, she crossed her arms protectively over her chest and did her best to form a coherent response. “Okay, maybe I manage to restore some of that trust if this mission ends up being a success, but Reyna, when have I ever had normality in my life? I’ve never had ‘normal.’ My life has revolved around the Cult and Legion for as long as I can remember. My family is a wreck… The one time I did have a chance at normality, I blew it! I fucked up my own engagement-- and it’s a miracle I ever even got that far with someone!” Her hands flew out in an expressive frenzy as she said so. “How can you act like you have everything figured out? Like this is all going to be okay?”
“You’re someone who could potentially act as the turning point in a large chapter of this city’s history, as much as people will question me it doesn’t change what I’ve already told you.” True enough, people knew that in the end Reyna always managed to make the right call and would find a way to put this city straight, if they questioned her judgement after successfully aiding in winning two wars along with a long time of peace then perhaps it was time she stepped away anyway and continued this on her own terms without the constraints praetorship placed on her. “If it’s my praetorship you’re concerned about then you shouldn’t be, I don’t need my rank to carry out this mission… Because I’m going to continue this whether you’re up for helping or not though I’d rather you didn’t bail on me because of bad publicity.” She grated not accepting Adriana’s words, “but regardless of my image for your cover I’m inclined to agree that publicity together isn’t what we need. So until this is over this is just how it’s going to have to be.”
The glare did little to change things for her, she simply responded with a similar non-moving look of her own remaining silent as Adriana began her rant until she quietened and Reyna intercepted her words. “I get it Adriana, you might not realize it but I understand what it’s like to come from a screwed up family; maybe I wasn’t raised to be involved with the Cult but from the day I took my first steps I was trained how to fight and I’ve fought to live because if I didn’t I wouldn’t be here today. Then as soon as I got here I let my own life circle the legion’s best interests, I get what it’s like to want normal, to see your friends go off and live their lives whilst you’re left behind, but I’m doing what I’ve always done because it’s best for everyone out there” she nodded to the city and then looked down to the congregators down by the pool. Mirroring the other girl’s stance she settled her own arms across herself “I have to believe that things will work out in the end, I’ve seen people be the subject of prophecies and change their fates. If it can happen for them then I have to believe it can for myself and anyone else willing to try, life isn’t set in stone it’s an ongoing flux of decisions and choices - we have to shape it into what we want it to be otherwise what’s the point in going on? Just because things with Storm didn’t work out doesn’t mean that you won’t eventually find someone to be with - but relationships aren’t something to destroy your life over and that’s advice I was given by Venus herself.” Reyna wasn’t entirely sure why she was being bluntly honest with Adriana about this but the girl needed some straight truth about this and perhaps imparting that would help herself in turn.
Adriana had to take a sharp breath to steady her composure. She knew how instrumental her mission within the Cult could turn out to be, and perhaps that was part of the reason she had initiated this conversation in the first place. It was like she was trying to distance herself from Reyna. She wanted to be close to her, to protect her, be her friend, but the pressure of their task, now that they were coming so close to a conclusion, had set a deep rooted fear in her heart for the consequences if her ‘turning point’ moment was to go horribly wrong. While she knew there was no going back now, that defiant side of her that ferociously fought to seek the best for her companions was urging her to drive the praetor away now before the damage could become even more crippling. She couldn’t fathom the thought of causing the other any more pain that absolutely unavoidable. “I am not going to bail on this mission. I wouldn’t dare. We’ve gone too far for that, but no matter what rank you hold, it doesn’t change that I still want to give you your best shot-- and however all this ends, I don’t see how I am included in that.”
Then, with Reyna’s interception, she received the sharp realization that the praetor hadn’t been acting quite so differently from herself, essentially sacrificing her own opportunities for normality and happiness so that her friends and their entire extended Roman family could live comfortably. She did understand that motive, that drive to time and time again put others before herself. Only, in Adriana’s case, such actions had a bad habit of coming off to others in an opposing perception. Sometimes she had to play the villain to further her mission, and no matter how much she despised herself for it, she was in far too deep to explore any other options.
She felt the tears burning at the corners of her eyes before she could help them, no doubt partially a result of the alcohol that was inflating her stronger emotions for the time being. Her hands tightened into fists at her sides as she twisted to look back out over the view again. She was half tempted to blow off some steam by tossing the wine bottle over the railing, but common sense held back that reflex while the daughter of Bellona continued, now lecturing about fate and destiny and hope -- all concepts that made her more often sick to her stomach than providing some positive outlook on the future. “But I have tried-- I’ve tried to shape my fate, to make the right decisions over and over again, and it seems like every time, I only make it worse. I want to hope-- I do, but it’s so hard to look for a brighter outcome when there are shadows lurking in every corner I try to turn. I know-” she paced out to lean atop the railing once more, the wine set down beside her as her hands clamped tightly around the banister, “I know that I shouldn’t allow my relationships to destroy my life-- that’s why I used to be so adamant about pushing everyone away in the first place --but… just because some fucking goddess told you that you shouldn’t let them control doesn’t mean that they won’t.”
Adriana could feel the odd warmth of a few tears trailing down her cheeks, but she ignored the sensation and continued, her voice slightly cracked as the words tumbled from her lips without much control. “I let my relationship with AJ turn me vengeful enough to slaughter a list of Greeks when we lost Sophia. I let my relationship with Storm cloud my objectives for taking down the Cult because he had me convinced that somehow, as long as we were together, we could do anything and go anywhere and nothing was ever going to hurt us ever again. And now you-- Gods, Rey!” She turned on the praetor suddenly, hands shaking and flying about in conjunction with her words, physically expressing the same confusion that was apparent in her voice. “You have no idea how crazy you’ve made me. It’s like one second, I just want to be here for you and protect you and wrap up this goddamn mission, and the next, all I want to do is drive you as far away from me as possible because I can’t bear the thought of what happens to you if this all goes down in flames. I don’t understand it-- but I just need to be sure that regardless of how this ends, you’re going to come out safer and happier, and I don’t care what happens to me because you are the only thing besides this mission that matters to me anymore.”
No matter how hard Adriana tried to push, Reyna wasn’t willing to budge. No matter how many times they discussed this Reyna knew what she was getting herself in for, and she was just as invested in it as Adriana. If harm came from it then it was on her own choice and no words Adriana could give her would change that fact this wasn’t stubbornness but a deeper drive only those with as strong a desire to keep their family safe could ever begin to comprehend. “I’m not taking a back seat in this either, if you’re going to try and talk me out of this then just stop now because I’m not going to hear it.”
Seeing the tears watering in the other girl’s eyes pulled at something inside of her that made her want to step forwards and dry Adriana’s eyes but she refrained, instead keeping her personal space away from the girl her arms still forming a protective shield around herself. She remained quiet as Adriana apparently took no heed to her words listing off her problematic relationships of the past which Reyna merely accepted without comment. “All of which shows you’re an individual with a heart, it’s proof that you’re human – we all are and we’ve all been hurt by our relationships in the past but just because yours have ended badly doesn’t mean that it’s going to be the end of you.” With a quiet sigh of resignation she clarified her meaning “what I meant is that yes, our relationships change us, but they don’t ultimately determine who we are as a person. Relationships screw our priorities in the worst of ways at times but at the end of the day at your core you’re still the same person – hurt, yes but still unique and still strong enough to continue regardless of what relationships have caused you to do in the past. Relationships have power but they can only have that power if you choose to give them it, at the end of every tale it comes down to a matter of choice; whether you give in or continue to fight it.”
Adriana’s sudden turn though caught her off guard and her arms instinctively tightened around her body naturally keeping her guard up but not backing away. For a time she searched the other girl’s features for some kind of hint behind those words, was she reading too much into them? Or was this simply friendly concern? “And I’ve told you that whatever you do I’m not leaving this fight, it’s mine now just as much as it is yours” she stipulated firmly once more a tone in her words that set in stone her decision wasn’t one which was going to be revoked. When Adriana explained that she wanted to try and protect her Reyna just levelly stared at her a daring look in her eyes silently challenging her to go on and argue if she dared, “will you stop trying to protect me from something that isn’t your decision to make? This is my life, my city and those are my people at risk I’m in this now whether you like it or not” she came back determination giving her words weight.
“I don’t care what happens to me because you are the only thing besides this mission that matters to me anymore.”
The words stuck in her mind confusion clouding her expression, “and I care about what will happen to this city, I care about what’s going to happen to my friends, about you and everyone else I know. Gods Adriana, I appreciate your concern but it doesn’t change that I’m not backing out of this.” Her voice grew calmer reaching out to grab the younger girl’s active expressive hands in her own to keep her somewhat still not continuing to speak until she saw some hint of calmness from Adri “I knew the risks when I got into this fight - you already know that if this goes down in flames then I’ll see it to the ground, and if it succeeds then even better… But the only way I’m going to be happier about this is when I get it done, get you and everyone else out of their clutches and restore security to this city.”
Again, and again, and again Reyna kept saving the same thing -- stop trying to protect me. Adriana had assuredly said the same thing herself, or at least alluded to it, many times in the past, but from her point of view, protect Reyna wasn’t just her duty, it was almost an instinct by this point. There were of course other things she truly cared about besides only Reyna and the mission, however, she was unable to see them at the moment. She had succumbed to a sort of tunnel vision. When they were alone, her focus was on the two of them and everything that entailed. It was obsessive and annoying, but she couldn’t break free of it. Was it desperation? A subconscious instinct to protect fiercely everything left she held dear? It seemed that every time she came to care for someone, they ended up leaving her in some way, shape, or form. Reyna had since become a part of that exclusive circle of her deepest concerns, instilling in the daughter of Mars a habitual fear that soon, she too would be lost.
And yet here they were, Reyna holding Adriana’s hands in her own to keep the Italian demigod from completely losing it, calming her with simply the raw presence of control that only an experienced leader was capable of radiating. Adriana saw the finality of the other woman’s choice in her eyes, locking their gazes for a brief period to process the sincerity of Reyna’s claim.
“The only way I’m going to be happier about this is when I get it done, get you and everyone else out of their clutches and restore security to this city.”
Was that really true? Was that what she needed? They both sought security, perhaps in different contexts, but not in unlike spirit. Honestly, Adriana wanted the same thing, but her priorities had been skewed ever since Reyna had been the one to offer her sanctuary and advice after the incident with Cora. She’d learned that night that they were equals, at least in the praetors eyes, and was now hearing far more outrageous statements-- observations about her heart and her humanity, and for a second time, she caught that small note of specificity. Reyna didn’t just want to free the city and those in the clutches of the Cult, she wanted to free her, and she said that first. What was she to make of that? How was she expected to form a coherent response?
“You’re right. I can’t ask you to back down. This city means so much to you, and it’s important to me too. I just…” her amber eyes fell to their hands, which had yet to separate. In fact, she reinforced her own grip on the daughter of Bellona’s as she proceeded. “I don’t want to come out of this freed if it means you won’t be coming out of it with me. I need you, Rey. Why? I’m can’t really say for sure, but I know that I do… and if I can’t protect you, then you at least have to let me have your back. We’re in this together. It’s been that way since the start. If we succeed and pull through this, great! If we fail, if we go down trying to save this city, we go down together. No matter what responsibility you feel for these people and this place, I won’t let you make this sacrifice on your own. Let me stand by you, please.” Their gazes reunited once more. “I’m tired of letting myself be alone. I want to redeem myself, to find a way to make-- whatever this is --work… because this is what makes me happier. Being here, with you, accepted and welcomed… It’s all I’ve ever wanted.”
In the moment she grabbed Adriana’s hands and held them steady from their previous motions Reyna willed the other girl to have one of the hardest things she could give - calmness and restraint. There was no direct link this time, but she hoped the simple gesture of securing her hands and the look she was given that it would have the intended effect.
By instinct Reyna wanted to help the people in her family here, whatever it took from her to get people to a better position because that was her job - to lend her strength to others so they could be better. So that they could grow, recently it had been Martina, Tayla, Mac, Finn to mention a few names of the people she’d been working on helping and last but no means least Adriana because she saw their potential to become something better with her help.
The feeling of Adriana’s grip securing her own hands in response just kept her in place steady and as calm as she could be. “Then stop trying to focus on just me, that isn’t going to get us anywhere” she stated firmly wanting to get Adriana to break out of her directness. “You know I want you with me in this, there’s no one else I’d want here and I’m counting on you. You can have all of those things, I’m willing to give them to you but in return you need to realize that I am not the focus - having my back and focusing directly on me is not going to help.” Reyna’s expression and tone softened slightly as she continued her eyes dropping to study their hands unable to keep the directness of their gaze, unsure of what might be seen in her own. Talking about these things was rare and harder than most realized for her “I don’t intend on leaving you alone, too many people have done that to the both of us and if I can change that I will because you- or maybe the both of us deserve more than what we’ve experienced so far in our lives.”
“It’s not that I’m trying to focus on you-- I am focused on you, and believe me, I am trying to stop… but I fear that might be a lost cause.” Adriana shook her head, a faint grin dusting her lips at the admittance. Whether Reyna liked it or not, she was always in the back of the ex-commander’s mind these days. It was impossible to completely flush out those thoughts, especially now that these conversations of theirs had grown far more personal than before. “But I can focus on our mission and other things when it’s required. Can you at least trust that I know what I’m doing, even if you are still on my mind? Sure, at times I may not be able to physically stand by your side or watch your back, but through all of this, that remains as a mentality. And it’s not just you I’m backing up-- it’s our home, too. Maybe I don’t directly think about it that way so often… but in a way, when I think of you, I am thinking of the people in this city. You’ve always been there for them, and if I was truly to support you in our endeavor, I’d have to support them too.”
As Reyna dropped her eyes, unable to maintain contact with Adriana’s gaze, the daughter of Mars cocked her head slightly, her grin having transformed to the softest of smiles she could manage. She could vaguely sense the praetor’s uneasiness through her physical accompaniment of that final line-- a line that Adriana wasn’t going to forget anytime soon. Had the daughter of Bellona been watching, she surely would have seen the glow of tenderness that lit the Italian’s eyes. How Reyna could feel alone still with so many companions, she wouldn’t inquire at the moment, but the shared connection of loss and tragedy and their own encounters with hell was totally unquestionable.
Releasing the other’s hands, she wordlessly took one step closer and wrapped her arms over the older girl’s shoulders in a thankful yet also comforting embrace. “It is true for the both of us. We’re warriors, and warriors aren’t made from nurture and joy; they’re in fire and pain, by violent passions. You’re strong because you’ve had to survive more than most. But you shouldn’t have to simply survive any longer-- neither of us should have to. We should be able to live.” Drawing out of the embrace, Adriana took Reyna’s hands in her own once more, making sure to catch her sight this time as she finished off her words with that lingering smile, serious and sincere. “If taking out the Cult in one way or another is the only method of obtaining those lives for us, then so be it. We’ll see this to the end of the line, like I said before, together.”
“I’ll have to trust that you won’t let me down even if I am on your mind, but I think I can have faith you won’t fail me again” Reyna admitted glad to hear that Adriana seemed to have at least figured out part of what was required here. Even if she’d been picked up on it she wasn’t in the mood to discuss it just yet, one day perhaps but tonight was meant to be one of celebration not of harrowing past thoughts or even to confront some of her own less than bright emotions. Things were better now, yes, but at the same time she still had demons that haunted her like any other demigod.
The feeling of Adriana’s hugs was an odd comfort, one that she’d grown to secretly covet when she managed to get them, now was no exception as she wrapped her own arms around the other girl fighting the urge to drop her head onto Adriana’s shoulder simply from the reassurance she gained by her presence. As much as Reyna appreciated the gesture there was still an underlying uneasiness about what this was; Adriana was still fresh out of the ruins of an engagement which simply enhanced the doubts about everything surrounding this. It didn’t take a genius to know it was important, but past experiences had left her dubious about just how much it meant and was part of the reason she drew away even if a part of her wanted to stay. Perhaps had she been younger she might have tried something in this instance but now the only thing earned was a thank thankful look and gentle smile “that’s something I can work with.”
The hug didn’t last too long, but for as long as it did, it was worth it. Naturally, it was still uncertain to them both just exactly what was developing between them, Adriana aware only of what she had interpreted thus far as a sudden enhancement in her dedication to the role she’d held as Reyna’s guard, triggered by the praetor’s unbelievable support and the rising tensions of their mission. She knew there was likely more to it than just that, though she would deny any thoughts on the matter until she was absolutely sure their position was secure to do so. For now, they’d have to stick with the sneaking around and the late night drop-ins. The daughter of Mars didn’t mind such meetings, of course, but she truly would have preferred to get out. Thus, an idea occurred to her, but first--
“Good.” Adriana released her contact with Reyna entirely, flashing a subtle grin as she turned to fetch the wine from the spot she’d left it on the balcony. When she returned, she pressed it firmly into the other’s hand before she could protest. “Told ya’ you might need it. Drink up. I probably shouldn’t push it any further than I already have.” The wine and the praetor were then left to their own devices as Adriana stood by, leaning back against the balcony door with crossed arms. She’d come by to celebrate with her friend, not to ruin what was supposed to be a fun night. In return, she felt she had to make up for the grief she’d caused, regardless of the scrutiny of public eyes. “So, now that I have successfully managed to ruin a perfectly enjoyable night, how about I make it up to you? My evenings aren’t as jam packed with duties as they used to be… We could do dinner-- this weekend, maybe? Anytime after seven. Your pick of venue, of course, and I’ll be paying. It can be our own little birthday celebration re-do. Whatd’ya say?”
Stepping back to lean against the railing Reyna took a few moments to gather her thoughts and track back the events of the day, things had been good and though their disagreement wasn’t exactly what she’d needed there wasn’t much that could be done to change it. She accepted the wine but didn’t drink instead set it back down on the table nearby deciding she’d had enough alcohol for one night, though the surprise of what Adriana next suggested was apparent though it soon gave way to a thoughtful albeit amused look. Her near black eyes fixed on Adriana’s some of the somberness lifting and allowing her humor to return. “Really?” she found herself asking before adding on almost as if it came to her as an afterthought “Like a date?” she teased raising an eyebrow curious to see what response would be given to that implication.
“What?” Reyna’s interpretation caused Adriana to visibly stiffen her posture, her mouth left gaping slightly in disbelief as her crossed arms locked more tightly into their arrangement. A date? This wasn’t a date. She was just… being nice and considerate. Isn’t that what friends were supposed to do? “No--” Her retort was brief, but probably not as solid an argument as it could have been. “No!”
Seeing how such a simple question caused such a visible reaction caused Reyna to chuckle, perhaps it was unfair but considering that Adriana had set herself up so well for it there was no helping it. As the weak argument was given in response it only earned a small tilt of her head curiously. “It sounds like a date,” she clarified once more.
Adriana shuffled on her feet, clearly confused and, to some degree, flustered by the praetor’s insistence that her suggestion was more than just a friendly offer for a meal in return for a spoiled evening. She tried to put some strength behind her fumbled attempts to make a coherent justification that she hadn’t meant it in that way by rolling her eyes and momentarily averting her gaze, but it did little for her case. “Well… it’s not.”
The doubts she’d had a short time prior were momentarily out of mind as Reyna watched Adriana shift, her typical confidence apparently thrown by the risen point. Her body language did nothing to support her response as per before. “It’s so a date,” she smirked tucking her hands into her pockets confidence returning from the small amount of poking fun she currently was having.
Reyna was being intolerable. Usually Adriana was the one catching her off guard with teases, not the other way around. She was baffled by how pitifully she’d walked into this one. Sadly, there wasn’t much of a counter to be made. It did, after all, sound very much like a date. Embarrassed and void of anything to challenge the daughter of Bellona, the younger girl pouted and shrugged in a grumpy manner of surrender. This one was Reyna’s victory, for sure. “Whatever!” She threw up her arms lazily in exasperation. “So are you coming or not?”
A small rush of triumph filled her seeing the grumpiness the daughter of Mars currently seemed to emanate. A look of contemplation over the offer appeared on Reyna’s features until she ended up giving a shrug of her own. “Maybe,” she eventually said after a long pause a grin appearing. “I’ll let you know.”
fighting shadows ; adri + cora
Adriana is charged with the task of assaulting Coralynn MacClellan, not only her personal friend, but the love of the man she considers her brother. Unfortunately, this is one task she can’t afford to ignore. tw: violence, blood
The forest was serene to say the least as Cora made her way through the dense trees towards the lake's edge. Her training was over for the day and most everyone else was busy which meant it was time for some quality conversation with the local residents of the lake. Well, perhaps not quality. After all fish can only grasp so much. Still, the young woman often made regular visits to the lakeside whether it be to chat with the fishy inhabitants, to swim, or simply to sit by the water's edge. Per usual, she had her inherited sword necklace that her grandmother, a daughter of Hecate, and a son of Hephaestus had forged together during her time at camp, as well as the camelbak backpack full of water she'd taken to carrying around ever since the Dominus began making regular attacks on the camp. It felt stupid to be armed while going to the lake, but it would have been even stupider to be without defense as she had learned during her time in Camp Jupiter. About ten meters from where the forest broke, the lake was finally in sight. This was one of Cora's favorite parts of her walk. The moment she crested the hill she'd been climbing and the lake came into view. Unfortunately, today was the slightest bit disappointing as the skies were overcast with clouds and the sparkle of the lake was diminished with no sunlight to filter down onto it. The forest where she stood was even darker though, as the branches above were dense and kept what lay beneath hidden in shadows.
It didn't matter whether Cora was her best friend's girlfriend or her own companion. When it came to her secrets, there was no debate. No matter the guilt she would carry or the hatred she held for her task, she had to complete it. However, there were ways to be subtly merciful. Adriana knew her target was fond of the lake. As soon as the day's training had completed, she'd camped out in the dense canopy, perched diligently on a branch as she awaited the daughter of Poseidon's arrival. She was clad in all black, using the rarely dismal weather and the shade of the forest to her advantage. It wasn't the first time she'd had to hide her identity for an attack, and unfortunately, it was unlikely to be the last. Eventually, the sound of branches snapping underfoot caught her attention and she shifted her position one branch lower to get a look at who it was. Unsurprisingly, she'd arrived. Concealed under a dark hood, the daughter of Mars steeled herself, shoving down her emotions and locking them away in a place they couldn't be reached for the duration of her task. Drawing out a golden dagger from the inside of her boot, she paused only a few seconds longer, waiting until Cora was perfectly in position below her. The initial assault was swift and soundless. Adriana dropped with a vicious kick into Cora's back, aiming to knock her forward onto her face. If it worked, her next move was to pin her immediately to the ground. She wanted to get the worst of it over quickly. After cutting the sword necklace from Cora's neck and tossing it aside to disarm her, Adriana could sharply drive her knee into the woman's ribs -- not enough to do fatal damage, but certainly enough to crack, if not break a few of them. She knew personally that broken ribs were a nasty hit to deal with, but they could be recovered from, given the right time and rehabilitation. It was a necessary evil she would have to deliver. Hopefully, it would appease the bone-cracking desires of the one who'd sent her.
To say that Cora was taken by surprise would be an understatement. Camp was the place she felt safest in the world and the lake was a haven that always brought any guards she might have up instantly down. So when a dark figure jumped her from above, her reflexes were far from at the ready and soon enough she was face down in the damp loam of the forest, not even having seen her attacker yet. Her first instinct was to try and turn to face her attacker that was lodged on her back. As she twisted, she became aware of was a swift jab to her ribs and the stabbing pain that followed. Her quick shifting had saved her from a direct hit, but Cora knew that pain. She’d felt it before or something akin to it during the Gorgon quest that had initially put Dexter into his coma -- the time when Euryale had squeezed her ribs so hard that three of them had been broken. Perhaps her ribs were still weak and she hadn’t known it, or perhaps her attacker simply knew what they were doing. Either way, Cora was certain at least one of her ribs was badly bruised, possibly even cracked. Her next thought was of the person deposited on her back, and the frantic need to get them off set in. Cora didn’t know this person or their identity, didn’t know whether their aim was to kill her or something else entirely. The only thing she did know was that she wasn’t going to go down without a fight.
Having already noticed the absent weight of her sword necklace that never left her neck whether it be in sleep, swimming, or any other activity, she didn’t bother with finding it at the moment. Survival instinct kicked in and Cora mentally reached for the water that was within her camelbak, summoning it into the open air to use to her disposal. Arching her back would do nothing to shake her attacker as the move would undoubtedly jar her injured ribs and even possibly make them worse. Apparently her body remembered what it was like to be crippled in the abdomen, and it was already recalling the ways she could and could not move safely, falling back into the patterns it had adapted during her former recovery period. With the water still poised in the air awaiting Cora’s commands, the daughter of Poseidon figured the most important things at the moment were to disarm the attacker and get them off her back. Forming the water into a dense strand, she moved to curl it around the attacker’s dagger arm and tried to form it into a manacle there. It was the same move she’d used to keep Ascelpius from cutting Percy in two and she figured if it was good enough for a god it would be good enough for whoever was attacking her. The next step was to freeze the cuff around their wrist and once that was done, Cora aimed to pull the frozen water hard, most likely bruising her combatant’s wrist as well as pulling them off of her. Instantly, she turned to her belly and rose to her feet, her injured ribs screaming in protest. She was glad to find the pain was manageable, not nearly as bad as it would be if her ribs had been broken entirely. Still, she took some of the spare water and wrapped it around her abdomen. She hadn't learned how to heal internal wounds with water yet and didn't even know if she could, but something she was able to do was solidify the water around her until it was dense enough to help support her weight, creating a sort of liquid prison that acted as a makeshift brace to alleviate some of the pain.
Adriana knew that any assault against a child of Neptune or Poseidon could end badly for her given her lack of aquatic prowess, hence a large part of why she'd chosen to make her attack in the forest rather than at the lakeside. Another reason she'd chosen the forest was for the cover and for the wealth of options it offered her should her attack not go as planned. Even though she had disarmed Cora of her sword, there was no way to strip her of her powers. The instant her arm was wrapped in a dense strand of water, she knew she was in a tricky spot. Tightening her muscles, she kept a strong hold on her dagger. She couldn't risk leaving any potential clues of her identity in place, even if her wrist was temporarily frozen. She tried to hold her position, but the yank of her wrist worked out rather well for the daughter of Poseidon. Adriana was cast to the side, and already, she knew her wrist was going to need a few days to heal. The force behind the pull had at least left it bruised, if not broken. However, she wouldn't stay chained up for long.
Soon after she'd been thrown off her target, she was back on her feet. While the daughter of Poseidon was wrapping a healing brace of liquid around her abdomen, the daughter of Mars braced herself and slammed her wrist into the side of the nearest tree, cracking the ice around her wrist just enough to free it. Then, she renewed her attack, darting towards Cora and swinging a speedy punch at her jaw. Hoping the punch would distract, she followed up with a kick to the other's uninjured side -- enough to possibly jostle her brace without causing permanent damage that she'd no doubt regret. The dagger was still present in her injured hand, though she had yet to further use it. Her intention was not to kill. Decently maim, perhaps, but she wasn't eager to return to her days of stealing innocent lives. Cora had done nothing to deserve this. It was simply a consequence of everything Adriana had tried to avoid when she was younger. She had distanced herself to avoid moments very much like these where her friends were suddenly put in harm’s way because of the secrets she held. She wanted nothing more than to retreat into the darkness and run away, but she couldn't. Or even if she did, she'd end up running anyway. Surely no one, not even AJ, would be able to look at her if her darkest truth was revealed.
As the hooded assailant brought their fist towards her jaw, Cora knew there was no way she could properly evade or block the hit and brought her left arm up just in time to catch the rough punch on the outside of her forearm. She cringed from the pain and knew that there would be some bruising there, but it was better than taking a hit to the face and ending up too disoriented to defend herself. It was more than frustrating that the lakeside was still out of reach. Perhaps Cora could try to call to the waters for more assistance but that would no doubt take precious time and focus that she currently didn’t have available. The water she had on hand would have to do, and if she was truly desperate enough she could pull the water from the air to assist in her endeavors. With incapacitated ribs there was little Cora could do in the department of defense. Her mobility was severely limited and so the only possible option to alleviate the damage that the oncoming kick would bring was to tense her outer muscles and exhale, creating a hard shell around her ribs in addition to the water cage around them. Her makeshift brace held through the kick thanks to the flexibility of the water, though the initial impact jarred her abdomen painfully and she stumbled to the side, barely staying on her feet. Gods, she hadn’t missed this insufferable disability of injured ribs. It made almost everything impossible, even breathing. Breathing. Inspiration struck Cora in that instant. If her attacker couldn’t breathe that’d make it fairly difficult to fight for reasons that didn’t need to be stated. Gathering back the water from the whip she’d made earlier, her counterattack began with multiple ice needles flying towards the attacker’s chest. These were meant to divert from Cora’s next move as the assailant would either have to try blocking them or evading them all together. Calling the rest of the water to her side, Cora rushed it at her attacker’s head in a move so fast it blurred. Thinking oppositely to how she did when creating air bubbles for her friends underwater, instead of pushing the water outwards, she pushed it in. Her intent was to form a globe of pure swirling water around her assaulter’s head that would allow no air in, making it impossible to draw breath. She wasn’t sure how long she would keep the fast, rotating sphere in place, for she wasn’t looking to kill, but it was crucial the other combatant be sufficiently disabled.
Adriana was quickly finding that water was a pain to combat. When her kick connected with Cora's uninjured side and the brace held fast, she knew her leg too was going to suffer some nice color for at least the next few days. Fortunately though, the way her body gave relieved some of the pressure and kept her own bone from cracking or breaking. However, this was taking far longer than she'd anticipated and she was starting to get desperate, which could have horrid consequences, especially for Cora. She chose to dodge the ice needles rather than risk trying to block them and getting impaled by one, but she was so concentrated in evading the icy spears that what followed struck her completely off guard. One second she was breathing air, and the next, she was choking on a swirling sphere of water. There was a short period of panic in which she didn't know how to react, simply trying and failing to pull the water away from her head. But when she found that she couldn't remove the liquid orb herself, instinct kicked in and drastic measures were taken. Even through the water's blur, she knew the daughter of Poseidon couldn't have gone far in her damaged state. After capturing a glimpse of her approximate location, the daughter of Mars launched the dagger that was still in her hand, a throw just fast enough to rival the blurred speed of the Cora’s suffocating invention. She tried not to aim for anything vital, but in her panic, she couldn't guarantee it would lodge itself anywhere comparatively harmless. The only thing she could count on was the assurance that if her blade did make contact, it would likely be distraction enough to break the other's focus on her attack and free Adriana from her airless prison, at least for a moment or two. She’d really rather not die from drowning on dry land.
The dagger would have, again, been nearly impossible to dodge even if Cora had been in a fully able condition as its speed ensured that it would hit its mark with little uncertainty. One moment Cora was only dealing with nearly cracked ribs, which was more than enough to slow anyone down, and the the next she had a formidable dagger lodged into the front of her right shoulder. The pain of the dagger wound was much different from the stabbing pain that came with injured ribs. It was more of an incredible searing sensation that made Cora feel as if her shoulder was on fire. Upon impact, the dagger had stolen Cora’s attention away from her suffocating water orb, and the creation dropped away from her assailant’s head for a moment as all her attention was absorbed by the wound that was seeping a worrying amount of blood. After Cora had mastered her pain and was able to focus once more, she brought the orb back to the attacker’s head in the hopes of depriving them of air once more. There was a choice to be made. Sacrifice her water sphere so she could use it’s liquid to heal her dagger wound or let it be and possibly bleed out. The first option would leave Cora vulnerable to another attack as the other person would be able to recover and Cora would have to take the time to patch up the large gash. Then who knew how long the fight would continue and what the attacker might do with an open window? The second option seemed much more appealing. If she could manage to hang on until she was assured that her assailant was sufficiently weakened and/or passed out, she could stop this fight here and now but ran the risk of losing too much blood. Her vision was already blurring around the edges, a combination of the energy she’d lost by using her abilities as well as the deep wound that was bleeding profusely on her shoulder. Keeping a determined eye on the movements of the other combatant, she waited for the tell-tale signs of air deprivation to begin, stubbornly holding onto consciousness as her body continued to grow increasingly weaker and the forest around her began to fade.
For a brief moment as the dagger made its mark, Adriana was able to draw breath. But, she was already weakened. As she drew in that gasp of air, she had to lean against the tree beside her to be sure she didn't immediately fall to her knees. The relief would not last, however. One decent breath was all the daughter of Mars managed to snag before her head was surrounded again. This time, it didn't take long for the air deprivation to catch up to her. In a few seconds, she slipped down to one knee, her surroundings starting to blacken and her chest convulsing instinctively to attempt filling her lungs with air, only there was none to be had. This was it, she thought. She was going to pass out and Cora would uncover her identity. AJ would be the least of her worries, then. The Legion could dish out some pretty fatal punishments for betrayal and attempted murder. It astounded her that they hadn't even killed May yet. The worst part of it though wouldn't be her death itself, it would be the legacy that she left behind-- only the darkest parts of her, all of her trials to redeem some sense of light again snuffed out. But maybe she did deserve it for this. After all, here she was breaking a personal oath that she was done conducting hits. As the last of her vision faded out, she finally fell to the ground, unconscious and left at the mercy of whatever her fate had in store.
By now the only thing that was holding Cora conscious was her stubbornness and anger. She wasn’t sure if the anger stemmed from her pain or from the fact that she had been taken by surprise with little chance to defend herself. Was she more mad at herself or the one attacking her? It was a hard call to make. Either way, the intensity of the ugly emotion surprised her as it burned it’s way through her veins. Whoever this hooded assailant was she wanted to hurt them. Badly. Perhaps she would have, but she was already laying on the ground using the last of her strength to keep her water orb going. Finally, the attacker sank to the forest floor as unconsciousness overtook them, and Cora could let go of the water orb. As soon as it was apparent she was out of immediate danger, the pain of her injuries, the blood loss, and the energy put into manipulating water pulled her under and soon enough, everything was darkness.
With the overcast sky, it was impossible to tell how much time had passed when Adriana regained consciousness. She woke with a fit of coughing, expelling some of the water that had penetrated her lungs from Cora’s creative assault. Slowly, she moved into a seated position, then to one knee, scanning the scene for any indications of discovery. By some stroke of twisted luck, there were none. Cora was a short distance apart from her, her body still where it lied on the forest floor. Cautiously, Adriana approached her and knelt down once more, checking for signs of life. A sigh of relief escaped her when she detected a pulse and the subtle warmth of breath on the back of her hand. It wasn’t as though the injuries she’d inflicted were fatal, but she could still worry for her friend’s welfare, tasked to harm her or not. Seeing as Cora wasn’t likely to wake anytime soon, the daughter of Mars decided to take some further precautionary measures. She had to remove her dagger from the daughter of Poseidon’s shoulder, though she also didn’t want the girl to bleed to death. So, after ripping off a length of cloth from the lower portion of Cora’s shirt, she carefully pulled out the weapon and wrapped the wound tightly. It was a standard field dressing, nothing that would give away her specific identity. With her victim secured and her dagger in hand, Adriana was finally able to slip back into the shadows. Soon enough, she’d have to reach a safe haven and treat her own wounds, but for now, lying low was key. Her nearly broken wrist in particular was sure to raise questions if it was discovered in its current state.
free fall ; adri + aj
In the early morning prior to the Quest in Delphi, AJ confronts his best friend about her recent behavior regarding the departure of her now ex-fiance. Their conversation triggers not only a verbal fight, but also a physical one, a fair deal of crying, and even a small bout of merciless tickle torture. tw: violence, blood, depression, death mention (?)
It had to be at least three, maybe four in the morning when the noises began. Every few seconds, a small but solid thud sounded from Adriana's bedroom wall, over and over and over again. She couldn't sleep. The most she could manage was laying in her bed motionless for a hour or so, staring mindlessly at the ceiling. Unsurprisingly, that only made her mood worse. In her frustration and boredom, she'd gotten up to start throwing knives at a target on her wall, not even bothering to change out of her black pajama tank and shorts. Storm's ring was still hanging from her neck, jumping subtly against her skin every time she conducted a throw, a constant reminder of the one person she didn't know whether to forget or hold on to. She felt as though she'd never been so confused in her life. A part of her still loved him while the rest of her wanted to burn all of their memories away so they didn't have to bother her any more. As her mind continued to calculate the answer to this puzzle, the strikes of her weapons against the wall became harder and louder, no doubt doing some permanent damage.
AJ for once hadn't meant to stay up in his office, his paperwork had given way to sketches over a couple of hours ago recalling moments from his night out with Coralynn - small details he had picked up such as her dress, the shape of her hands or simply the curve of her smile. Whatever it was that came to mind he began to draw until he had a double page spread filled with little doodles of his recollection of the events that night consisted of in front of him. He'd been just shading in a sketch of how Coralynn had looked when he'd first set foot into the plaza to see her that evening when he heard the first of many repetitive thuds coming from the wall of his best friend's room. Frowning he went back to his sketching until it grew to a level that got aggravating, he ended up padding from his rooms into the hallway and down to Adriana's dressed in black lounge trousers and a white vest sans shoes to see what was going on for her to cause this ruckus. Without knocking he pushed the door open peering in at her throwing each knife at the board. "What are you doing?" he muttered gruffly lack of sleep making him a little less patient than was typical these days.
"What does it look like I'm doing?" she responded bluntly, pinning yet another knife deep into the wall. She didn't even bother to glance at him, apparently still content on blocking out everything besides the violent coping habits of hers. However, as she balanced another blade in her hand, poised for her next throw, she did add, "I can't sleep-- so I figured I'd use the extra time to keep myself sharp. It would really suck if I got all the way to Greece and couldn't even land a damn knife where it's needed." A small smirk dusted over her lips, but there was no real backbone to her words. The teasing energy that Adriana usually regarded him with was burnt out, smothered by darker feelings that only grew worse by the day. Swift and accurate, the knife flew from her hand and embedded in the target, her aim nearly flawless. Clearly, she didn't actually need the practice.
"Looks like you're trying to murder the wall" AJ admitted eyes trailing the path of the next knife she threw that lodged in the board with amazing precision leaning against the doorframe he folded his arms over his chest not bothering to drop his voice considering it was only them and Analise in the building now and her rooms were a distance down the hall. "You don't need practice," his point was emphasized by the next blade lodging in the wall "plus you've got your 'I am pissed about something so don't bother me' look on... So?" he prompted expectantly waiting for her to explain to him exactly what her issue was tonight.
Adriana rolled her eyes as AJ underlined the fact that her practice was completely pointless. He wasn't wrong -- she didn't need it -- but she continued nonetheless. After shooting him a quick glare, she marched forward to yank her weapons out of the wall and begin another set. It was no surprise that he could tell she had something on her mind; however, as he'd observed, she didn't want to be bothered about it. Thunk. One of her knives returned to the target's center amid her period of hesitation. "Have you seriously not realized this yet? It's already been a goddamn week since-- Well... I suppose you really wouldn't give a fuck anyway, seeing as you're practically mortal fucking enemies as it is." Grumbling, she pitched the next blade -- another flawless hit. She would give him a few seconds to comprehend her words as she twirled the third of the small weapons in her hand, back to paying only the rapidly degrading board her attention.
Once more AJ's eyes trailed the blade on its trajectory through the air until it lodged in the wall but it didn't exactly give him a reason as to what was agitating her for most of the week he'd not really seen her but he'd assumed that was just work and her new training with Finn keeping her occupied during the day. Plus, he was guilty of shirking his duties a little to spend more time with Coralynn when he could not that anyone would hear him admit that particular fact. "Uh... No? I've been a little occupied" but as she continued his eyes narrowed and it began to dawn on him what was going on and then his eyes caught in the ring around her neck something he rarely saw her wear, so this was something to do with that Graecus dark eyes lifted back to her. "What did he do?" he asked feeling a hint of anger beginning to brew inside of himself and knowing it likely seeped into his words.
She could hear the hint of anger in his words, but for once, she didn't snap at it. "It was mutual," was the first explanation she gave. Obviously, that wasn't the whole truth if she was up this late repeatedly stabbing her bedroom wall. Just speaking about it brought a subtle, broken tone of abandonment into her voice, one laced with a deeply concealed, inner core of rage. "His band got some great reviews at the reception, so they extended their tour." Again, a knife was lodged in the woodwork, this time harder than the last. "And we had gods kidnapping children and being slain, so we decided it was more practical if I stayed here." Even if Adriana wouldn't admit to the extremity of her feelings, it was visible, her eyes burning with an almost red accent to contrast the gold. "And we-- called it off." The following throw caused the board to crack slightly. Her muscles were tense with the emotions she tried to ignore, her hand gripping the next blade so tightly that she vaguely felt the warm trickle of blood threatening to leak through her fingers and stain the floor.
"If it was mutual why are you acting like this?" AJ asked curious considering no 'mutual' breakup that he'd seen ended up with his best friend up at fucking three am tossing knives at the woodwork. There was something more to this and he wanted the truth out of her, "so what you're basically telling me is that he dumped you, to go off on tour with his mates, and not tell you when or whether he's even coming back for you?" There was an incredulous look and tone to his voice, he'd known this Storm guy was a dick but this was lower than anything he'd expected a Graecus to do. "What a prick, he doesn't deserve you if that's the way he's gonna treat you" seeing the blood dripping from her hands he considered the best course of action was to get those out of her hands so he approached slowly. "Gimme the knives Adri."
"No, he didn't-- he didn't dump me. That's not what happened. I was going to go with him before he-- You just-- you don't understand." Adriana bit down on her lip, shaking her head in a refusal to accept AJ's explanation. "I need to be here and he needs to be... wherever he is-- That doesn't mean he won't he come back. We're just... we need the time." Her grip on the weapons only tightened as her friend stepped forward. She had to hold her breath for a second, struck by his words in a way she wasn't expecting. He doesn't deserve you... No. That wasn't it. Maybe Storm wasn't the greatest guy in the universe, but Adriana wasn't exactly a saint either. He'd embraced that about her in a way that very few others had. In her mind, if there was anyone undeserving, it was Storm for having to put up with her. She held so much guilt and regret about the promises she'd broken and the distance she'd put between them. She blamed herself for all of it, perhaps rightfully so. This pain she was is was completely justified, and she'd let it tear her apart if she had to. "AJ, stop," her tone was quiet but threatening, the aura of an injured, cornered animal that wanted only to be left alone. She spun on her heels, glaring. "Don't you dare speak about him that way. He loved me and I loved him, but I fucked up. I made a stupid promise and I broke it. None of this is his fault. I always make things worse-- always. And don't try to deny it because you know it's true." If it was even possible, the shadows under her eyes, in fact her eyes themselves, seem to darken as she raised her voice in retaliation. Whatever pain was resulting from the cuts in her hand was thoroughly numbed by the overpowering hurt that her emotions were causing her in its place. She was back to her original habit of intentionally trying to push people away, most likely due to some subconscious fear that driving away the man she loved meant it was only a matter of time until everyone else left her behind too.
“Then why isn’t he here trying to make this work, huh? Any guy who really accepts you should be willing to accept every part of you – including the fact that at heart you are a soldier, you’re drawn to the fight because that’s where you perform best” AJ retorted his voice still low for the time being not particularly wanting to face an aggravated Analise over being woken by their discussion fast turning argument. “So when is he coming back? Did he tell you? And in the mean time you’re meant to just sit here and wait, pining? What kind of relationship is that?” Seeing how her muscles tightened instinctively on the blades he reconsidered his approach and stopped barely having moved through the door, he was angry at seeing her hurt like this to a point he wanted to hunt down that son of Zeus and make him suffer in ways he couldn’t even begin to describe. Whether he was innocent or not was irrelevant to the demi-titan all he wanted was vengeance against anyone who wronged him or his friends. He wasn’t about to take her attempted self-destruction lying down without making some kind of intervention, he’d been on this slippery slope before and getting back without help was virtually impossible he wasn’t going to let her spiral into the pits of despair without fishing her out beforehand.
“I’ll talk about him how I want Adriana, if you did have this great kind of love between the two of you why did he toss it in the trash by leaving? Relationships are about accepting things you might not like until you can find a way to work through them – work through them -- not toss in the towel the moment things start going to shit.” She had been there when he’d needed her most to support him after the Greeks ruined his life, and now it was his turn to play her support. He’d be damned if he let her go away on this quest wallowing in self-despair, too many people had died in such states and he wasn’t going to permit her to toss her life on the line over some stupid Greek. “I’m sorry Adri but I refuse to accept that, look at us for Gods sake you haven’t made things worse between us which is why I’m here. Why I am your best friend. Why I will always have your back and it’s why I’m going to give you a damn reality check when you need it.” AJ’s voice was starting to rise now, the anger flaring up suddenly which was strange considering how he’d been trying to work on keeping his temper but all of a sudden he was feeling incredibly aggravated too lost in the flow of anger to notice the red haze about her eyes suggesting some of this perhaps wasn’t his but the darkness in his own was beginning to morph gaining a fiery orange aura about them as he glared at her. The darkness seeming to grow more prominent around him increasing the threatening aspect to his tone and presence as he stalked forwards closing the gap between them swiftly “I refuse to let you shut me out because of what he did to you, and I refuse to let you go on this quest with your emotions so fucked, you’re going to get people killed and too many people I care about have died!” There was a silence following the statement but the rage was bubbling through his veins now but this time his voice had quietened some “I’m not losing you too just because some dick can’t understand how great you are and walked out. The world fucking sucks Adri, our world isn’t fair and it fucks us over, accept it and get over wallowing. Where’s your spirit? Where is your fight? You’re a warrior Adriana and I’ll go to Tartarus before I see you, ever give up so easy.” He looked at her challengingly issuing the words of the next statement one at a time “Show. Me. Your. Fight !”
As AJ relentlessly pointed out all the facts that she refused to see, Adriana could feel her rage finally bubbling to the surface. Her head ached from trying to comprehend his points and her own beliefs at the same time. She felt like she was burning up, like if she didn't work out her anger soon, it might actually kill her or someone else. So, when he stepped forward to challenge her, when she saw the orange glow in his eyes that signaled he was starting to be affected by that same dark fury that was forcing her avoid her own welfare, she snapped. Without even trying to respond, her knifeless hand snapped up and practically decked him with a punch straight to the face, but she didn't stop there. A growl ripped from her throat, and all of a sudden, she'd grabbed him and judo flipped him onto the floor. She was so furious, so consumed by the emotions that she'd been holding back that she pinned him there on the ground and drew back the arm that held a blade, very nearly stabbing him in the chest. Somehow, though, something stopped her. Their eyes met and she was frozen. In the back of her mind, whatever sensible part of her was still conscious seemed to whisper the reminder in her ear -- Stop. He's a friend. You wouldn't hurt him. He is not your enemy.
Whatever it was, it worked. Adriana’s rage had been inexplicably swept away like some magical bullshit wind had just blown through the room and stolen it from her. The redness faded from her eyes and the knife fell from her hand, clattering on the floor. She started to catch her breath, but it was still momentarily ragged from the instant before. Realization dawned on her face what she'd done, and shock quickly turned to tears. "Oh my gods-- I'm sorry... Alex, I'm so sorry." The nickname he'd basically outlawed slipped from her lips by accident, but she didn't care. She threw her arms around his neck and buried her face in his shoulder, unable to compose herself any longer. Everything came pouring out in a flood of shuddering breaths and blinding tears, not just for everything that she had felt since Storm's departure, but also for the friendship she'd just come so close to shattering. Thankfully, she'd been able to cling to that without letting go, exactly as she was now, regardless of the injuries she'd given him that they'd have to treat in the near future.
Later AJ would come to realize that perhaps provoking her in such a manner wasn't the best idea, especially in the volatile state of turbulent emotions in which she was currently drowning. There was no time to react to the sudden punch that caught him completely by surprise and sent him staggering back hands going to touch the spot she'd hit him glowering but she seemed to be fueled by her rage making her more agile than he would have expected from how she'd been a few moments prior and soon the world flipped and all the air rushed out of his lungs with a groan at the jarring pain that spread up his spine to the base of his neck. When the world finally stopped somewhat spinning he grunted opening his eyes to stare in surprise at the blade that was hovering dead across his chest. He'd taught Adri this pin himself and he knew there was no escaping it. Swallowing he looked at her trying to get some recognition out of his friend, "Adri, don't do this, you'll never forgive yourself" he said as clearly as he could in the given circumstances mind going to the things he wished he could have done in his life and said to Cora if this really was going to be his final few moments. Killed by your best friend, it wasn't exactly a hero's death was it? But just as fast as he'd been pinned the pressure on his limbs released and he sucked in a long breath trying to ignore the unsettled feeling he had as the redness faded from Adriana's eyes, dimly hearing her apologies before he felt her collapse. Stiffly propping himself up trying not to break out in a string of curses that would likely make Trivia proud he wrapped his arm around her shuddering wrecked form and held her tight for however long she needed the hug to last. "You're good... I'm- I'm fine" he muttered sitting up properly so he could just hug her. "I'm still here, don't worry."
Adriana committed quite some time to AJ's hug. She had a lot to get out of her system, frustrations both old and new, thoughts of darker instances, and most certainly the pain of a broken heart. Vaguely, she wondered if what she was feeling was anything like what AJ had gone through when he'd lost Sophia. Even though Storm was gone and not dead, somehow it was worse being left with the uncertainty of whether she'd truly lost him or not. If he'd been dead, there wouldn't have been any question whether he was coming back or not. He'd just be gone and she could take the time to move on. Now, she wasn't sure if she even could or should move on. Despite her feelings, AJ had made many very logical points-- so perhaps, finding a way to leave him behind and move on was for the best. That way, at least, she wouldn't have to worry about being hurt by him again. But what really settled in her mind, more so than directly losing her fiance, was how it had indirectly almost lost her the one closest person she had left. Yes, she had her older brother Renzo, but Renzo had never had the chance to be there for her as she grew up. AJ had been a brother to her instead, watching over her and supporting her, perhaps for Sophia's sake and even for his own. She owed him more than she could ever possibly return, and this instant in which he risked his life to comfort her only added to that pile of debts. Eventually the tears became sniffles and she was able to wipe the majority of the evidence that she'd been crying from her face. Loosening her grip on his neck, she sat back on her knees and glanced at his face, a pang of guilt hitting her when she got a better look at the damage she'd done. "You're not fine, you're hurt," she pointed out bluntly, shifting her gaze to her bathroom. "We should clean you up and get some ambrosia before Cora drowns me for ruining your stupid face." However subtle, there was a hint of teasing to her voice, a sure sign that even in the slightest of ways, she'd started to recover. "But gods, I still can't believe I tried to-- How about you just swear never to try provoking me like that again, okay? Deal?" She eyed him expectantly, honestly. "I can't lose you too."
AJ had always looked out for her, even when she'd gotten petulant and irritated at him about it but just as every other time they'd argued he wasn't about to let her mood ruin their friendship. Part of it stemmed from his own desire for a real sibling; someone he could focus on helping better than he'd been helped himself and better than how he had failed Nate and Sophia. So just as was demonstrated with Finan, he'd found that teaching was one of the few things that made him feel genuinely better - helping other people learn how to best survive in this world of theirs and that went for Adriana too even if he had to face a few close calls along the way he refused to let them go through things alone. His back was still sore and would likely bruise but he held her rubbing her back as her tears began to die and shift into something smaller and more manageable for her. Finally when she pointed out his injury he pulled a face and waved his hand dismissively, "I can manage myself in a bit, and Cora isn't going to hear about how I got it because I don't want the girl I genuinely like hating my best friend." Her teasing made him smile glad to see that she was a little better after it all, "I can't exactly promise that but I can promise I'm not leaving, because you need someone to kick your butt back into gear and the only person allowed to kick your butt into gear is me, but don't think that doesn't mean I won't get my revenge." As if to emphasize his point without warning he dug his fingers into her ribs and began tickling her mercilessly a chuckle escaping him aware that out of anyone he'd met Adriana was one of the most ticklish people he'd ever had the opportunity to meet.
So what if AJ could manage himself? Adriana knew she was responsible for his injuries and she had a duty to take care of them in exchange. Although-- she was thankful he wouldn't mention their cause to Cora. The daughter of Poseidon had become a friend to her, even helping her to conquer her childhood fear of the water. It was a relationship that might one day save her life. "Well good, because Cora is my friend too. I'd hate for her to despise me for screwing up your face... even if she technically has every right to hate me for it." The last bit came out as an embarrassed, slightly guilty grumble. Thankfully, she wouldn't have to ask AJ to stick around. He'd always have her back, even if in between the better moments they tortured one another with mockery and pranks. She'd started to get up so she could grab the ambrosia and some other supplies from the bathroom, directly defying what he'd said about taking care of it himself, when she was abruptly interrupted by his so-called "revenge." Yet another one of those secrets AJ was few to know about Adriana was that she was awfully sensitive when it came to her entire mid-torso region. The injuries she'd sustained to her ribs and mid-back had always caused her the most grief-- but also, the sensitivity in that area made it a prime target for tickle attacks, which she never expected nor was she ever prepared for. Instantly, she shrieked and fell back on her butt, then to her back, literally squirming in laughter as she tried to shove her best friend's hands off, to no avail. "AJ, no! S-Stop it!" Apparently, because it was doing her no actual harm, he felt no need to retreat quite yet. She was struggling to squeeze out her words through the uncontrollable laughter. "I-I can't-- breathe! You-- You are su-such a fiend! --nononono!!" The tears came back again, but this time they weren't prompted by any depression. "This isn't revenge--! Th-this-- is torture!"
"No worries, she won't hear it from me. I'd prefer it if you two did get along since she is one of the most important things that has come into my life." Despite everything AJ knew her well enough to know that even with his protests she'd try to patch him up when really he was more than fine and didn't necessarily require it, so before she could escape his clutches he broke out in a childish grin grabbing ahold of her so he could make his so called 'revenge' which in fact was just his ceasing of her medical treatment. As she fell he just continued to tickle her, her pleading not ceasing his childish antics. Hearing her laugh was something that was so rare that every time he did utilize this trick he tried to make it last as long as he could because laughter helped heal wounds better than anything else he'd experienced. "I think this is totally fair!" he called a broad grin present on his features. He'd have to apologize to Analise in the morning if they'd ended up waking her but right now he just wished to make his friend happy.
The tickling continued ruthlessly. Adriana hated it in part for how ridiculous it made her look, but at the heart of it she could feel her mood lifting. It helped to laugh, to have her best friend mess around with despite the close call they'd just had. It gave her hope that things could get better, even if she had a hard time seeing it. Soon enough, a genuine grin broke out on her own features and she gave in to the childish joy she was feeling, her arms clasped tightly around her abdomen to try warding AJ off. "Okay! OKAY!!" she surrendered with a highly pitched squeak, "I give up! You win!"
AJ continued his assault until she finally surrendered in a high pitch that he had only ever heard her let out in situations akin to this current one when they were fooling about. Only when she announced his victory did he nod pulling his hands away "Good, now let me have a look at your hand then you're getting ready for bed and turning in for the night" he announced and before she could think about stopping him went off to fetch the ambrosia and bandages to wrap up her cut hand from earlier.
With a deep sigh of relief, Adriana laid back on the floor and caught her breath, still getting over the lingering effects of his attack. But soon enough, AJ began dishing out his big-brotherly commands once more. Faking a pout, she sat up and offered him her hand, palm up, so he could study her injury. Some blood was still flowing, but it wasn't as bad as it had been earlier. A little bit of ambrosia and some bandages would fix it up in no time. "But if I don't want to sleep?" she called after him while he gathered the medical supplies. "Maybe I want to stay up and watch you doodle dumb things in your notes." It was a classic tease, coming from her, yet there was a look in her eyes behind it that hinted at a fear of sleep. She didn't want to drift off and find herself plagued by nightmares, or worse -- memories. She didn't want to be left alone.
Once he returned with the kit AJ offered her some ambrosia prior to taking her hand and starting to use sterile wipes to clean up a majority of the blood, completing that he pressed some gauze to it and wrapped the bandages as flat and neatly as he could around the wound securing them off a moment later. "In which case I will go grab my things, make a base camp on your floor and stay up with me doodling until you do fall asleep from pure exhaustion. Now come on, I'll go get my things and you get to bed I'll be back in a bit, alright?" He murmured giving her messed up hair a ruffle before he headed out towards the door.
Adriana took the ambrosia gladly (not like he would have let her refuse), satisfied when the taste of her usual vanilla-tinted coffee order warmed her up. She watched AJ tend to her wound, wincing slightly at the sting of the antiseptic and flexing her fingers lightly once he'd completed wrapping the bandages. He was really good at that-- patching her up. The way he secured the wrappings in place made them secure, but never too tight. She'd much rather have him tend to her than one of Apollo's medic children any day. "Okay-- but don't take forever or I'll start throwing axes this time." Adriana was teasing, of course. Well, mostly. As he ruffled her hair, she grumbled attempted to fix it a moment later, but it really was hopeless. So, she finally got up off the floor and flopped into her bed, curled contentedly under the blankets while she awaited AJ's return.
literally the best way to interact in-character ever
GET THE FUCK IN HERE <3333 and reblog so other people can join too -w-
SERIOUSLY THIS IS THE BEST WAY TO INTERACT IN-CHARACTER AS A GROUP C'MON
MUTUALS AND NON-MUTUALS WELCOME. LITERALLY ANYONE. reblog so other people can join!!!!
THE ONLY RULE IS DON’T BE AN ASS and there’s no password so fucking go for it just do it GOGOGO timelines and verses don’t fucking matter
IT’S SET IN CHARLES’ MANSION BECAUSE FUCK IT.
chatzy; wedding night; cayce and manuella
Caj: Caj blinked, looking over at Manu from over the top of his bottle, tilting his head as he watched her. They'd decided to drink in his car for the night, wanting to explore the rest of the Hamptons towards the end of their trip. He'd taken her to most of his favorite places and now he was enjoying the silence of the night with her. "I'm not ready to go back to the B&B yet, man."
Manu: Manu sighed, sitting next to him. She looked at her friend, both holding bottles, and smiled. She was glad that he invited her to do this cause she really couldn't stand been alone at this point. Manu looked over to stars and nodded. "Me either. Thank you for this, actually i needed to get away from all the shit. I can't stand one more person asking how it was to have sex with you", she giggled.
Caj: Caj laughed quietly at her words, nudging her with his shoulder lightly as his eyes closed. "Are people really asking you that? They're so nosy...what are you telling them then?" He grinned as he turned to look at her, an eyebrow raising.
Manu: Manu nodded strongly, laughing at the same. "Man, so much! Ruben even gave me the /oh I feel bad for harrison/ speech. Like for real? I mean, Harry could had some way before me", she rolls her eyes. "I told them it was awesome, cause I was there, so I had to be awesome", she laughs.
Caj: Caj winced at the mention of Harrison but shrugged, raising the bottle to his lips again. "Me and Harry aren't dating so there isn't really anything to feel bad for, you know," he said, looking over at her with a slight smirk. "Oh, so it was you that made it awesome? I didn't contribute?"
Manu: She looked at his face, doing the same thing with her bottle. "I know, but I had to hear a in love boy saying stuff like /heart wants what the heart wants/ so.. You owe me some", she looked at her, smiling. "Well, you here and there, you know?" she cuckled.
Caj: Caj burst out laughing, nearly choking on his drink. He never believed in any of that true love talk so it sounded ridiculous to him. "Of course. At least he's in love? And now you're just using me for my body," he joked quietly. "Right. But mostly you."
Manu: Manu covered her mouth, laughing too, trying not to drop her bottle. "Oh, please. Harrison is in love? I would never have sex with you if I knew he was in love" she looks up. "Nope, I lied, I would do it anyway. IF you two weredn't dating of course", she then nodded. "Mostly my hips. My hips were awesome, weren't they?"
Caj: Caj shook his head quickly, scrunching up his nose as he looked up at the sky again. "Dude, he's not in love. I hope he's not in love. I wouldn't be able to love him back," he shrugged, laughing once before nodding. "Your hips are amazing, obviously."
Manu: Manu nodded at him and then looked at the sky too. "But you would love me back right?", she poked him, before having some more drinking. "You dick was good too. No that I remember the taste, but yeah"
Caj: "I already love you, duh," he said with a small smile, nudging her back. "I don't know. I'm good at liking people but relationships? I mean, even now. Harry isn't the only person that I /like/, I just like him the most?" He laughed, rolling his eyes. "Sure you don't."
Manu: "More than the friends stuff you moron", she poked him again, taking one more sip. Her head was already spining, but she didnt minded. "You like him the most, that's already better. And I'm being honest, I don't remember", she looked at him, trying to make a straight face. "But for real, is better talking about our amazing sex than lying to them. Like saying that I'm happy or that I sold my wedding ring. Tots bullshit"
Caj: "If we were together like that, sure," he grinned, looking at her. He wasn't sure how they were going to make it back to the B&B, not with the way they were drinking. "I guess. And I totally don't believe you," he snorted before giving her a curious look. "You still have that ring?"
Manu: "Meh, never goign to hapen tho. We're too dangerous to each other", shes shruggs. "Fuck me, I don't remember! I bet you don't remind mine either", she let out some air. "I couldn't. I mean, Iggy sucks, but I want to get married you know? He made me realize that. I want to get married someday, it's a shame that I wasted it"
Caj: "Dangerous to each other? How?" He gave her a curious look before shrugging. "Maybe I don't. Who knows." He pursed his lips as he nodded, taking another slow sip. "Don't say that. You totally didn't waste it, you can still get married some day."
Manu: "Yeah like, we don't know how to date well, we would hurt each other and shit. Right?", she looked at hi. "Of course you do! Don't say that shit", she finishes her bottle, holding her laugh. "Someday is too far away! I wanna get married now!", she pouted at him.
Caj: "I don't know. I couldn't be able to answer that," he said with a quiet laugh. "I was pretty high. I could be remembering wrong." He snorted quietly, relaxing slightly. "Right now? Should I propose to you then?"
Manu: "The right answer to that is never", she raises her bottle, like was doing a taste to that statment. "This conversation is ruining my good memories, shut up", she looks at him. "If you were a gentleman, yes, this would be the time to propose".
Caj: "Fine then, never. I think my heart is broken now," he said sarcastically as he raised his bottle as well, clinking them together. He scoffed quietly, rolling his eyes before speaking seriously. "Manuella Souza, will you marry me?"
Manu: "I have a list of five guys that would glue that together for you", she chuckles, before really looking at him. She started to laugh, but then realized that she could play along too. "Yes, Cayce Wagner, I would love to get married with you"
Caj: "Oh? I'm hoping that they can glue it together with their cocks or else I'm really not interested," he said with a laugh before blinking a few times, standing suddenly. "Then let's do it."
Manu: "Oh my fucking God, I'm really thinking about a guy with glue on his cock and it's fun", she laughs out, finishing her bottle. 'Let's do what?"
Caj: "I feel like that's something that I would have to go to the hospital for, Manu," he grinned, raising his bottle to his lips as well, looking at her with blurry eyes. "Let's get married."
Manu: "I know that this is kind of thing that would lead to you cutting your dick off, yes", she nodds at him, closing her eyes after that. Things were spping around her. "Stop fucking around with me Caj, seriously"
Caj: "Oh my god, don't say that. I would never cut off my dick, even if it was stuck inside someone else," he said, grinning as he finished off his bottle. "What if I wasn't fucking around?"
Manu: "So you would just walk around with a guy walking around with you?", she laughs too, now starting to feel a bit could. "You're drunk, wasted for like a fucking week in a row. You're fucking with me"
Caj: "Absolutely. On the bright side, you could constantly be fucking somebody," he snickered quietly, setting his bottle down as he stretched his arms over his head. "Are you turning me down? After you agreed to marry me and everything, I'm hurt."
Manu: "Oh My God, can we please, stop talking about this?"She pokes him several times and the squeeze her eyes at him, trying to sound serious. "Okay then. Let's get married. What's the worst cthat could happen, right?"
Caj: Caj couldn't help but laugh, raising a hand to mouth to mask the sound before nodding once, holding out a hand to the other girl. "Right. We can even get...rings or whatever."
Manu: Manu looked at him, now listing a lot of things that could go wrong with this situation. she shook her mind, making sure that alcohol would talk louder. "Rings? We will get all the shit. Clothes and flowers. I have no idea where we could find something like a priece now tho"
Caj: Caj rolled his eyes playfully, shrugging one shoulder as he pulled out his phone to look at the time. "Plenty of kids decide that they want to randomly get married on the beach, won't be...too hard, I think."
Manu: Manu looked at him. "Have you married like this before?", she chuckles again. Standing up, she throws her bottle in the sand, and the put her hands in the air. "WE ARE GETTING MARRIED BITCHES"
Caj: "Nah. But I may have gone to a few quick weddings?" He said before laughing at her outburst, nearly falling over himself in the process.
Manu: Manu looked down at him. "Stand up and scream with me, you idiot", she shouted at him, laughing in the middle of the words.
Caj: Caj shook his head in amusement, reaching out for the girl to pull her into a tight hug. "Wait...does that mean that we can have a honeymoon afterwards?"
Manu: Manu gave him trying to pull him with her and snuggled against his skin. "Hell yeah! A long ass honeymoon. Maybe we could even go to rio. What do you say?", she kisses his nose.
Caj: Caj gave the other a small smile, any thoughts about it being a bad idea far from his mind. "Yeah, I've been meaning to go back for awhile. Let's do it then," he mumbled, pressing a light kiss to the top of her head.
Manu: She closes her eyes to feel his kiss. She didn't want to let him go. "So, what do we do next? Maybe we should go different ways, pick things and meet later...?", she asked, but made no mention to move.
Caj: He nodded, rocking them from side to side for a few moments. "That would probably be for the best. I could find a priest and rings...you could find...everything else...." he said, peeking down at her.
Manu: "Should I get some hookers so you can hava quick bachelor party too?" She teased, looking up at him. "...I'll get the flowes, some sort of dress and a tie for you, young man"
Caj: "I think this week has been my bachelor party, right?" He joked quietly before tilting his head with a small smile. "Should you call your fiance a young man, Manu?"
Manu: "I totally agree with you. Also, I would't be able to not be jealous right now", she laughed and the hide her face into his chest. "I shouldn't, but I shouldn't marry a guy that I only had sex once either..."
Caj: Caj squeezed her in a tight hug that lasted a month, smiling easily as he quirked up an eyebrow. "There's a lot of things that you shouldn't be doing right now, isn't it?"
Manu: Manu chuckled in his arms, finding this moment pretty amusing. "The one thing that I should be doing is leaving your ass so we can get our marriage together. Where should we meet?"
Caj: Caj nodded with a laugh of his own, biting his lip as he tried to think. "Huh, um...I'll text you the address...once I find it, I think."
Manu: "Oh, fuck. We're lost, for real", she kissed the top of his head too, and then let the guy go. Her hands reached for the door. "See you. One hour tops!"
Caj: Caj nodded, blinking in an attempt to clear his mind just a little. "One hour tops. Don't be late to your own wedding, Manu."
Manu: She was outside the car already when she shrugged at him. "I'll try okay? It's pretty fucking hard to find a tie that match your eyes", she giggled. "See yah!"
Caj: Caj blinked, barely registering the words that the priest that he'd found to do a quick sunrise wedding was saying to him as he adjusted his tie. Something about 'congratulations' and 'how lovely to see young love'. They'd been separated as soon as they'd met back up on the beach and he had to admit, if he wanted to get married, it was a nice setting.
Manu: Something was very wrong with that setting she was sure of that. But she couldn't figure out what. She was there, standing with a short white dress. The fabric was swaying around her body, the wind dancing with it. Her hair was a bitty mess, but it was sort of pretty to see that dark hair with white little flowers on it. She realized that some people were around them now, probably watching and filming the whole thing. When the priece wasn't speaking anymore, she blinked until until she focused on caj's face. "You /did/ got the rings, right?" she smirked.
Caj: Caj blinked, turning his head from the priest as he heard Manu speaking. To him, it was pretty ironic, this entire situation, maybe even funny. He was sure this would be the only time that he'd be in this type of setting so he decided to go with it, biting his lower lip for a short moment. "You have no faith in me, do you," he said with a small laugh, reaching into his pocket to take out the small box, holding two simple gold bands. "You can't have a wedding without rings," he said, even as a camera flashed in their direction.
Manu: The flashes made Manu look away, with a silly smile on. She was no idea if it was the alcohol, or maybe the things she had before that, but she felt like she was on cloud nine now. Things were just floating around, and falling in the right place time after time. She reached for the rings, putting Caj's on his left hand and then smiling at him. "I promisse I'll be here. I promise that I wont leave you for anything. This is much more than what we can think right now, but I can one thing - I love and I'll fight to stay next to you my whole life", and then a big smile. She had no idea where those words came from, but she meant all of it. She loved him and would protect him from anything. "Your turn, I guess", she tried to sound less important now.
Caj: Caj listened to her words with a goofy smile of his own, barely registering the sounds of people 'aww'ing in the background. Taking his own ring out of the box, sliding her's on her ring finger as he began to speak, the words flowing out of them. "I promise that you'll always come first for me...I mean, you always have but I don't plan to change that any time soon. I promise to face the world with you, even if it's just you and me," he said with a small smile of his own. He was being honest, she was one of the most important people in his life and he planned to keep her in it.
Manu: The girl didn't even waited for the priece to say the oficial words. "I fucking love you", she brought Caj closer and then kissed him, for almost a hour in her head. Her heart skipt a beat when she noticed that the priece was gone when she finally stopped kissing him. They were not in the middle of the beach anymore either. Her feet were cold, and looking down, she realized that they were sitting on a small pier, and both of their feet were inside the water. "Wow. Did we just kissed for like, two hours or something?"
Caj: Caj blinked as they finally broke apart, barely paying attention to the time as he looked around. He had registered them moving, a few congratulations being said, rice being thrown before they'd settled on the pier, happy in their post-marriage bliss. He hummed as he looked out at the water, the sun finally fully risen. "It kind of felt like it, almost," he said, looking back at Manu with a small smile. "Good morning."
Manu: At this moment, being awake for so many hours straight, it was not possible that Manu was still high or drunk. She was fully feeling her body and even the breeze that was comming from the sea. So why the hell she was so calm about this whole thing? "Morning", she gave him another peck, before lying on his lap. The sun was hot enough on her skin, and that combo made her feel home. "We really should go inside and get some sleep, right?"
Caj: Caj relaxed, comfortable on the wood of the pier, his mind slowly clearing up. He felt like the night had gone by in a blur but he still felt like he remembered the entire night vividly. "We probably should...how long have we been up anyway?"
Manu: Manu made the effort to look at him, shaking her head. "I don't know... You were on the pool party? I was not. And then we met later... Married at 6 am or something, and now we're here. I could bet it's almost 9 am"
Caj: Caj shrugged, not thinking about the time anymore as he reached down, running a hand through her hair slowly, catching a glimpse of the ring. "I don't really want to move though, the beach is really pretty at this time...."
Manu: Closing her eyes, she snuggled against him, feeling like this was the best feeling she could ever have. Been in the beach, with Caj, caressing her hair... Like was pretty fucking awesome right now. "We will end up sleeping, you know?", she sat straight again, looking back at him.
Caj: Caj let out a quiet laugh, his eyes closing as he tilted his head back, enjoying the feeling of the sun on his face. It reminded him of being back in Rio for the summer, being with Manu like this. "And we'll end up sunburned....we should probably go back before people start looking for us..."
Manu: Manu nodded her head. "You will get sunburned hun. My skin is made for this", she giggled as she laid down again. Now actually spooning with him. "There was videos and pictures last night at some point. We shouldn't care if strangers see us like this...", she caressed his chest.
Caj: Caj relaxed as he laid back, an arm winding around Manu as he closed his eyes for a short moment. "You're right, I'll sunburn and then make you take care of me," he hummed quietly at the thought. "That's true...I don't care if they see us, really."
Manu: Manu nodded in silence, as her hands were dancing on his chest yet. "Yeah, I'm your wife now, I have to do this. Just like you have to massage my back on tuesdays night", she smiled at the thought. "Will you freak out if I say that I don't want to call of this wedding when we wake up?", she said with her eyes closed.
Caj: Caj bit back a smile, taking a few deep breaths, not finding it in him to get up and get them both back to the bed and breakfast. "That's right," he mumbled quietly, biting into his lip as he tried to keep himself awake. "I don't think so? Ask me in the morning and we'll see if I change my mind," he said, already starting to drift off slowly.
Manu: "Sure, sure", Manu said simply back at him, not finding anymore reason to keep her eyes open. She was so tired right now and this was too comfortable to fight against. In a few minutes, she was sleeping happily next to Caj.




