#m: rhode

[ichoric]

@tragillary ( helios ) said: “I don’t know if you noticed, but I have been watching you.”

‘ oh ? ‘ rhode doesn’t lift her gaze from the gentle sand she walks over, searching for washed up clams and other shells she finds fascinating. understanding never found her, not like the rays of light. she reaches into the shallow water and pulls another shell up, adding it into her basket. ‘ i doubt you’ve seen much of interest. ‘

finally her eyes lift to meet his. he leaves her wary with his comment, but rhode’s never scared easily. ‘ careful you don’t allow my father to hear such a statement. ‘ she laughs after a moment, shouldering her basket. ‘ why ? are you that deprived of entertainment ? ‘

[ichoric]

@nectaric said: ❛ you’ve been crying, what’s wrong? ❜ poseidon to rhodeee

there was much to be said about her father, yet none could argue he wasn’t attentive. no matter the fact she washed her face, dried her eyes, stuck up her chin, threw herself in a wave - he knew immediately. “ how do you do that ? “ she was half impressed, half defeated.

“ i don’t have a real answer. i was listening to music and felt struck with a sense of impending doom. “ rhode spoke, then blinked. “ so i suppose i’m anxious. you don’t have to worry about it. “ she managed a smile, brushing past him to curl up on their family’s couch.

[ichoric]

@nectaric said: ❝ i’ll come get you, where are you ? ❞

‘ um — ‘ gods, it felt as though everyone had their eyes on rhode. the insistent chatter, horns honking around her, and occasional yelling overstimulated the goddess long before she decided on calling her dad. going out into the mortal realm alone was a mistake — one her fluttering heart reminded her of.

losing her cool now wouldn’t help anyone. ‘ i’m in athens, outside the mall. attica. ‘ rhode responded tensely, trying to make herself as small and inconspicuous as she could on the bench. if she fainted and suffered another episode, and the mortals took her somewhere, finding her wouldn’t prove simple. ‘ . . . please be quick, dad. ‘

[ichoric]

@goddessofbirth said: "Hey Rhode, you know what would be funny? If we took Dio's secret stash of alcohol and moved it to somewhere, he couldn't find it!"

‘ hm — you’re onto something for sure. ‘ rhode murmured alongside a playful giggle. she was hesitant to give it much thought ; even if dionysus likely wouldn’t get too angry over the prank. the god of festivities could just as easily require more, even turn water to tequila if they so wanted. ‘ what if dio gets upset ? or some of it belongs to someone else, like ariadne ? do you think we’ll get in trouble ? ‘

[ichoric]

@singofus said: "Move over, you don't give me enough room." Triton murmurs, flinging open her covers and resting himself in his sister's bed next to her with an exaggerated sigh as he deliberately squished in close to her. He was worried about her, but he hid it with his usual attempts to make her smile.

‘ um, are you forgetting this is MY bed ? all of it is my room. ‘ despite the huff of playful annoyance, rhode offered a bright smile while shuffling closer to the edge. the relief in seeing him was painfully obvious across her features, and she leaned against her brother once he settled. it almost reminded rhode of their sleepovers as kids ; the stories he would tell her as they rested, staring at the ocean above them like a starry night.

her smile faltered. ‘ i’m glad you’re here. i’d suggest something funner than sitting around, but — i’m not really up to it. ‘ not after fainting for the second time in a matter of days. still, with her entire family on complete edge, rhode knew her best solution was staying calm. ‘ you wanna craft ? watch a movie downstairs ? or were you planning to nap here ? ‘ she half teased.

[ichoric]

@nectaric said: poseidon managed to slow rhode's fall, but the two of them still hit the ground hard. this was the second time in a week. "i've got you, sweetheart. come back to me."

waking up sore and disoriented once again took its toll on rhode. she struggled against the heaviness in her body, especially in her eyelids. it took several tries before they opened, glancing around without moving yet. her thigh hurt worst of all, meaning she likely bruised it during the fall. no headache, though — her father must’ve protected her head.

‘ weird. thanks, dad. ‘ rhode murmured, still disoriented for the time being. she took deep, steady breaths while resting back against poseidon. ‘ i . . . must have forgot to eat enough this morning. my bad. ‘ she surmised. what else would trigger it ? rhode was entirely fine moments ago. ‘ think i might just lay here for a bit. ‘

[ichoric]

@nectaric said: poseidon wraps an arm around rhode’s shoulder, pressing a big smooch to the side of her head. “just so you know, i know. but it’s okay, as long as you’re happy.”

‘ what ?! ‘ rhode shrieked, nearly jolting right out of her dad’s half - hug. her reaction must have been comical, given subtlety was never her strong suit. it might’ve been the immediate blush, the disappearing acts, the fact she had a new grease stain on her shirt — rhode sighed, finally resting her cheek against his shoulder. ‘ you got me. i’m seeing him, and i am happy. ‘

happier than she remembered ever being. hephaestus made her feel safe, warm, and he was a captive audience to her ridiculous antics. he liked her despite being different — maybe because she was. ‘ i wasn’t trying to hide it from you, either. you know it isn’t a thing until we have a loud discussion about it over a game of uno. maybe that’s next on the table, though. i . . . really like him. ‘

[ichoric]

@nectaric said: ❛ you’re lucky that you’re cute. ❜ heph at rhode

‘ yeah, but you’re lucky that — shit ! ‘ of course she would knock over the stack of nails she crafted into a tower. rhode prided herself on the craftsmanship ; regardless of whether silly crafts belonged in hephaestus’ workshop. it was impossible to grow bored, either finding idle things to do or carefully trying some of the inventions she knew were safe.

she always caused something of a mess, though. ‘ — maybe you’re onto something. is that why you let me hang around here ? ‘ she teased between cleaning up.