Aurelia

Aurelia sighed as the clock ticked on. Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick. The steady beat was so rhythmic, she found herself in a deep meditation. White light flooded around her self. A bliss flowed through her. A light smell of coconut and palm trees swarmed her while the sound of waves crashed around her. She blink and when her eyes reopened, she was on a small Island, and Hemera was there. A melodic voice called out in an almost giddy fashion, "It's almost time my dear. . ." And then as fast as it all came it disapeared. Aurelia found her self sitting in an empty class, kids scattering around in the hall. A bell rang and the kids dissipated.

Agh. she sighed. She picked up her generic Jansport book bag slung it over a shoulder and headed out the door, she ducked passed the library, they didn't really care if you skipped Study hall, but they did frown upon it.
Why were they always so general, it's almost timmmeeeeee.... oooooohhhh, sounds like some cheesy scary movie Aurelia though. She snickered to herself, what a gag. Anything could happen at any time, everyone knew that.

There were a few kids scattered about the school lawn on the decent day. Aurelia hadn't any classes left for the day so she headed off to the coffee shop. She checked her Droid and headed on her way, with any luck that new book was out she could rate. . .




Zane

His mom's raspy voice brought him back to consciousness. "Sweetie, you missed school this morning. You had a late night last night I let you sleep it." She smiled sweetly leaning over him. "I couldn't let you miss work though, you have an hour befor your shift." He let out a groan and then the yelling began, tiny feet pounded against the floor, there was the spring. . .2 . . 1... Astra landed square on his stomache, Zane didn't flinch, her weight was minimal, and he was accustomed to this greeting.

Zane picked Astra up, gave her a kiss on the forehead, set her down and ruffled her hair, "'morning Kiddo." he yawned. Bent to kiss his mom on the forehead, then headed into the shower.

Steaming hot shower nearly burning his skin. He felt as though he was in the wrong spot, like there was somewhere he needed to be. He looked around, no, this was defiantly his house, he belonged here. his gut was eating away at him, where was he supposed to be ? he slipped out of the shower and into his uniform. Which, matter of fact-ly was a pair of jeans, and any one of his band tees, one plus to working at the Music store. He headed out the front door pondering about this feeling he can't shake.

Feliciano Alexei

"Oh, hey, a unicorn. Try not to murder anyone this time, okay? ZZZZzzz......Yes, I would love some chocolate......eeew, I didn't mean that kind.......go away you sicko....zzzzzz......stop touching me....." Felix, who was sprawled over table, was talking in his sleep. A cup of coffee was precariously placed at his elbow, and a comic book placed under his arms. As he drooled out of the side of his mouth, he was getting a lot of strange looks from the other customers at the coffee shop. However, the employees of the shop knew him well, so they didn't bother trying to wake him up. Felix was a regular, and always seemed to fall asleep whenever he was there.

"Hey, why didn't you save me any cheesecake? Ben, stop being taller than me, it's not cool......ZZZZZzzzz......why can't I have some of that? zzzzz.......video's over, go home....."

Some of the other customers whispered among themselves, seemingly trying to decide whether they should wake him up or not.

Raeyna quickly jumped up at the sound of the bell, eager to be free from the banal history class. It was one of her least favorite subjects besides math because she just didnt see the point. I mean, why study history if you can just go back and see it? Raeyna rushed to her locker quickly, grabbing her books and immediately started the trek down to the bookstore. After a couple of blocks of walking, she reached the bookstore and entered in, seeing the smiles of her two elderly bosses, Lydia and Amanda. She went behind the counter and neatly placed her stuff on the ground, then quickly tied her hair in a ponytail, ready to work. "Dearie," one of her bosses, Lydia, began, "you're a half hour early."
"Oh!" she exclaimed, I'm sorry, I just rushed straight here from school and-"
"It's alright," her other boss, Amanda, reassured. "Why don't you go rest until your shift starts? Maybe read a book and relax, you look a little unwell."
After they had shooed Raeyna away, she strolled over to the "New Arrivals" section, browsing through the books to see if anything caught her eye. Now that they had mentioned it, Raeyna had been feeling a tad bit...odd lately. Somewhat out-of-place as a matter of fact. With a frown, she grabbed one of the more interesting looking books and went to read at a table, hoping she could shake this uneasy feeling before her shift started.

Melanie shouldered her bookbag as she left the community college. She hated early morning classes, but it was either that or see her family for breakfast. And she knew she hated having breakfast with her family. For the past three years, they voiced their opinions on how she had changed. On her sixteenth birthday, Melanie met the goddess Persephone, the Greek goddess of new spring and the queen of the Underworld. Persephone, with all the subilty of a neon pink elephant, told Melanie that she was the rebirth of her daughter, Melinoe. The news that she was not human, and that she would eventually have to reclaim her old job as Underworld ghost wrangler, sent Melanie into a depression. One that she decided to stay in so that when she left, it wouldn't hurt as much.

Walking across the parking lot of the college, she headed to her car. The crystal ring on her finger glowed slightly, but she ignored it. She was too busy to care about the lost ghosts wandering around. That could wait until nightfall. For now, Melanie wanted to get to the library. She had homework to do, and her special project to complete.

After her first meeting with Persephone, Melanie became interested in her immortal family. She wanted to learn all she could before she was dragged back down. She started by studying the myths around Persephone, looking for her own name. Melinoe was barely a foot note. All she got was a simple discription and the fact that not even the Greeks could agree on who her father was. From there, Melanie started taking notes on the rest of the family tree. She was surprised to find that Persephone wasn't an only child, that Demeter had several children. She felt that Demeter played favorites a lot.

Once she got to the library, she started taking notes on her family tree. Mythology was becoming her life's work. She studied it in and out of college, though her first year would be nothing but getting her core classes out of the way. Pushing back her black hair, she set to work on untangling the myths of Plutus, god of wealth and Persephone's brother.

-Wendy-
Her face was red from aggravation as the girls surrounded around her. "Hey nerd, I said, You have to say sorry! You ram into me and knocked my make up bag out of my hand." She got close to Wendy and rammed her foot in Wendy's knee, causing her to fall. I am going kill them. I swear to God! I will beat them all merciless and have them on their knees balling their eyes out! She thought, holding her knee as she fell to the ground before the girls surrounded her. "Aren't you going to say sorry, ugly?" They growled at her.

"Oh, that's not an original name." Wendy said sarcastically. All she wanted was to come and check out her school early and what does she get? These smart ass bitches ram into her and demand her, Wendy to say sorry! There was no way in hell Wendy was saying sorry, her pride was too big for her to swallow, seriously, she would choke if she swallowed her pride. They scowled as the kicked her other knee with their doll-looking shoes. "We go to this school too you know. We could easily kick your ass if we wanted to." They said, all laughing.

Oh how Wendy want to just pull their hair and slam them into the pavement, but her promise to her parents meant more then them. One of the girls grabbed her bag. "Look, she is a total nerd!" They sang and laugh, emptying her bag that was filled with nothing but school books and writing utensils. They started to step on them as they threw her bag across the street. "Aren't you going to get you ugly ass nerd?" Wendy bit her lip hard, to contain her anger that was building up in her.

-Will.-
He quickly left the hotel as he stride down the street. He had to leave early cause if that broad woke up before he could get away, he would be in huge trouble. Though he had to admit, that the girl he nailed was pretty hot and he really didn't need to 'persuade' her like he normally did. Hell, she just walked up to him and they started to talk. It was pretty weird, but hey, a kid gifted by the Gods was hot stuff, right? He walked down the street before stopping into a Starbucks. "Hey, could I have a free mocha? Caramel." He smiled charmingly as the boy blushed and nodded.

"Yes, please wait here." He said before walking to the back to fix him it. Will loved his power; it was his favorite since he could get practically anything he wanted at the tip of his fingers. The boy returned, face still flustered as he handed him the coffee. Will simply smiled as he grabbed it and walked outside, sipping onto the coffee. Oh how he hated the mornings; he was more of a night person, duh. He walked down towards the bus station, maybe he could take a quick nap before he had to attend what ever school he attended. Maybe he could sleep in again like yesterday. It seemed like a good plan, but Will wasn't in the mood to stay at home.

He stopped at the bus stop and started to wait, looking around and observing his surroundings.

My hands fluttered to my neck, my fingers intertwined with the gold metal tied securely around my neck. I twisted it between my fingers, reassuringly stroking the familiar harp that swung there gently. It calmed my nerves slightly, as if magically wishing for me to grow a backbone and prepare to perform what my body and mind could naturally perform. I knew I was only making a nuisance of myself worrying about such: it was obvious I was going to do great. Sighing softly, I let go of the chain, not wishing to break yet another this month. I went thru chains like candy: lucky for me I had a guardian rich enough to cater to this ever demanding need of mine.
The concert was one of many that I had performed at Carnegie Hall. I seemed to be an ever in demand commodity to the local caviar-sipping, fur-wearing rich snobs that wandered this hallowed hall. Of course, their eyes were plastered to the stage, a dull murmur of voices echoing the room of their stuck up conversations. “Did you see what she wore last time? Absolutely exquisite!” “She played at my daughter’s wedding. I only hire the very best!” “Her concertos are absolutely astounding! I just must have her at my next gala!” Of course, nothing but compliments when you’re paying up the nose for the very best.
I snickered, amused that this was all their conversations (that I could hear) were about. Forget the fact that global warming was occurring right outside this building, or that a bum sat starving not even a few blocks down….these people were ridiculous! Of course, these were the faces of the upper class: the people who live on pedestals.
I ran my hands across the front of my gown: the latest creation from Chanel. It was a lovely dark sapphire hue that draped across my body and hugged gently in the correct places. My feet were adorned with soft ivory heels from Jimmy Choo, with intricate beading right at the clasp that held them together. An obvious pick from one of the school’s coordinators for the event. I seldom was allowed to pick something that fit me… but I was used to that by now.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you, Oriana De Leones!” the announcer called. The room fell silent, each person on the edge of their seats waiting for my entrance. You could almost hear the air go into their lungs as I glided across the stage and made my entrance. I smiled graciously as if to thank them for taking the time out of their ‘ever so busy’ day to visit my tiny performance. I gave a light curtsy, however one calls it when wearing a ridiculous dress, and I went to the piano, resting my hands momentarily.
From there, I could not tell you more about the Hall. I could not tell you how the people in the audience roared with praise, and stood in awe at the sounds coming from the piano. It would be impossible for me to say exactly when anyone begged for an encore, or when the curtain fell.
I had been swept away by the piano, in roaring tides of whole notes, insistent quarter notes, and the pounding piano beneath my fingers. One could say my performance was eerie and left shivers in the spine…mainly because it was, truly, a supernatural performance. When I played my mind was no longer on earth, but with my guardian Apollo (who’s face still remains a mystery to my mortal eyes), where we talked about the goings on in my life and the impending future. Our meetings were the sole reason I agreed to play for these ludicrous people: I found the God that mentored me to be the most holy being my mortal ears had ever heard.
When the performance ended, and my mind was my own, my body felt drained and tired. Such powers are always hard to create and continue, and I am always weak and almost dead from such. I bowed, smiling once more to the audience who cared only for the music, and I made my exit.
And, as always was the case, I fainted, my body falling to the ground in defeat. I remained asleep for two days before it was able to recover from the draining power I had been bestowed.

Elysia was not like some students. She honestly loved school. For one thing, she did very well in it and she had many friends. Well, if she was true to herself, she had her central group of friends and many friendly acquaintances. Right now she was in her last class for the day, which was archery, the main sport she was in. She was one of the best too. The blonde teen liked to think she earned it through all the practice she did and not the gift she had received from the god, Eros. True the bows and arrows of that gift did make her shoot to places she’d never dream she would reach, but she didn’t want to rely on it. She’d been raised to do things of her own skill. After notching her arrow, she drew it back and aimed very carefully and relaxed her breathing. After taking in a deep breath, she let the arrow fly and it hit the bull’s eye. At that second, the bell rang.

“Where did the time go?” she wondered before retrieving her arrows and taking her things to her locker.

A few of her archery teammates asked her if she wanted to go to mall with them, but Elysia shook her head and apologized with a smile. It was one of those rare days where she wanted some solitude. After getting her things, she got in her new car, which she received recently for her 16th birthday, and drove to the local coffee shop, which she worked part time. Today she didn’t work though but she still went there a lot. Having a discount was a perk too. After parking she went in and got in line before ordering a chai tea frappacino. After making small talk with a few of her employees, she sat down and read one of her romance novels. Something was going to happen. She just didn’t know what. And she was told by her French grandmother to trust her instincts.

Zane;

Zane found him self on his way to the park, in the pouring rain! Why was he going there? Was it any part of his plan to take a nice lovely stroll in the pouring rain?! No! It was defiantly not what he wanted to be doing then. But what else could he do? It was like his body was on auto-piolet. His mind was trying to direct other wise, but It apparently didn't work.

Zane reached a far field in the park. Here, though the rain was blurring his vision, he could make out his mother, standing among many other beautiful people. There, Asteria, She was the goddess of Stars, Mother Moon had him meet her once when he was small. From that, he assumed the rest of the magnificent people to be other Gods and Goddesses.

Mother and Asteria stepped forward, a pull I had once felt before was much stronger than ever. He could feel it. He looked to the source of the attraction he was feeling, and there was a small girl. Did he know here? Wendle. The name just came to him. He knew he hadn't met her before, maybe seen her, but he defiantly did not know her name, but he could just tell that was her name.

She was glowing red now. Hmph. How odd he thought. But when he was finally able to rip his eyes from this girl he just knew he had to protect, he noticed that he too was glowing red.

He watched silently as the others lit up in pairs of colors. Then it was explained. He was bonded to her. To Wendle.

The gods disappeared from his view quickly, he felt a wooziness in his stomach and then, when his eyes re-opened from blinking, he seemed to have transported into a lounge ? He felt a pang in his stomach, but it was eased when he felt she was still close by.

Aurelia

She was looking at her feet while walking to the coffee shop. Not paying attention to where she was going because, well quite honestly she knew her way to the coffee shop from anywhere in town with her eyes closed.She looked up when a loud band of thunder sounded in her ear, a flash of lightening close by made her jump. Where was she? The rain was coming so fast now, she couldn't see ten feet ahead of her.

Trying to find her way in the rain, her feet seemed to have found her in a almost surreal place. It was some kind of a gathering. And she just knew she had to be their right now. She approached slowly, when she arrived, to the almost semi-circle. A boy and a girl began to glow red. Then another boy and girl glowed orange.

Before she new it, she saw her creators. Nyx and Hemera stepped forward. But accompanied by Hades?! what was that about? Lightening bolts came from their hands, towards her. She jumped scared out of her mind and shrieked. When the lightening hit her, it didn't hurt her. It warmed her skin, and seemed to hover around her in a yellow bubble. But it felt calming. Still nerved up from the storm, Aurelia noticed she too had been paired. She noted it visually first, but then she felt it. Nyx and Hemera stepped back, she wanted to talk to them, but felt it inappropriate.

She watched the rest become bonded with her mouth agape. Amazed really. Time seemed to sneak up on her and before she knew it she was in a comfy looking room with all the glowing kids, but now they weren't glowing.

Wendle(Wendy)-
The rain hit her like small needles as she walked the streets; it was right next to a small park and by the looks of it, she was very worried. She stormed to her left, the opposite direction of the park to find a small boy sitting on the side walk. "Hey bro, whats up?" She asked as he got up and hugged her around her waist tightly. "My friends ditched me!" He sobbed. "They said that they would be right back, but I have been waiting out here for two hours!" His tears mixed in with the rain; Wendy was already soaked to the bone and even started to have chills down her spine.

"Hey, don't hug me, you will get wet." She smiled gently as she lightly placed her arm around him. "Come on, lets go home, alright?" she said with comforting in her voice. The rain got heavier before she couldn't hear much, only faint sounds of her brother calling out her name and she could only see a white light before her. "Wendy! Sister! Wendy!" It was all she could hear before everything turned white and she felt a quick tug on her inner body; as if someone had put a thread to her stomach and pulled it against her skin.

She couldn't open her eyes and they stayed shut; though she tried so hard before the quietness became deafening and her head started to ache, she felt so warm inside and she felt as if she was being joined with someone whom she had longed for and almost all of her worries wiped away until she felt the slam of an unknown carpet, her face into it with her mouth open. She snarled and jerked her head back up, finally relieved that she could open them, but all she found was a girl and a boy, whom she really seemed as if she knew him. Zane... She thought before her eyes expanded and she grabbed her head, giving herself a small nuggie.

Damn it! Why do I know his name! Does that make me a fricken stalker or something?! she thought in aggravation before looking up, everything was still soaked, even her hair was still soaked and she felt as if she was getting cold, yet warmer.

Will-
He laid his card down on the table. "Alright, I win..." He said, having his shoes on the table. Though instead of playing with adults, four small kids surrounding him holding uno cards. "Thats no fair!" One of them said. "Ya!" the other snarled. Will snickered before putting his hands onto the table. "A deal is a deal! Now..." He said, all of the kids looked to be about at least ten years old as the glared at him. He pointed to the first one. "You have to 'accidentally' make your sister bump into you." He pointed to the other two who looked like twins. "You have to make your babysitter go on a date with me and you have to let me meet your single mom, got it?" He snickered as the kids had tears in their eyes. "Don't cry. Besides, if you do, or even back out, then I have to tell your parents that you snuck into my back yard and used my pool." He laughed, walking away. "I will be here tomorrow~ Remember."

He walked outside and onto the street, walking in the rain before the rain turned into some kind of fog; he looked around a bit freaked out about what was happening. Before he knew it, a girl with brown hair stood infront of him and being Will, he reached out his hand to touch her. Well, if I died... the so be it~ He sang lightly in his head before he felt a link between them, he lowered his hand as the girl glowed a slight red and he had just stared at her before his eyes where forced closed and he felt something hit his back; his eyes flicked open he looked around to find two girls and boys, he looked dumbfound as he looked around at the others.

Melanie was on her way home from the library when it started to rain. Her first thought was to get home quickly, but she found herself in the park instead. When she tried to leave, she kept returning. It was no use. Sighing, she gave in and started to walk. To her mild surprise, she found herself standing before a line of the gods, her mother among them. It wasn't her mother who drew Melanie's attention. It was a dark figure near her. Hades. Possibly her father. Melanie craned her neck to watch him. He never looked over at her, and she felt her heart breaking.

In a flash, she remembered her past life. She took the job of being ghost chaperone to impress him. All those times she came home with ghosts floating behind her, it was for the man she loved as a father. The only man who ever made her mother happy. And it hurt her all over again to be ignored.

Her attention was drawn back to her mother as a ghost entered Melanie's body. She felt something stir as the air turned blue around her and a blue-haired boy standing next to her. She coudl almost feel the noose tightening around her neck. As she turned back to watch Hades, she listened only half heartedly to what her mother was saying. Something about being bonded. Then, one by one, the gods vanished.

"Hades! Wait!" Melanie took a step towards him, but Persephone stopped her. Holding Melanie back, the girl could only watch as Hades disappeared. Tears filled Melanie's eyes and she turned to her mother. "He doesn't care, does he? Does he! He's not my father, is he?"

"Oh, darling," Persephone started. "I don't -"

"I know! You don't know. I wanted it to be him. I wanted..." Melanie dropped to the ground with a sob. She was only vaugely aware that the rain no longer falling on her, or that she was no longer in the park. When she looked up, wiping her eyes, she was in the lounge.

'The rain...what a happy way to end this horrible shift,' Raeyna though sarcastically. After a shift with a horrible fight between customers over the last book in stock for some stupid series, a kid throwing up, and one of her bosses fainting, the last thing Raeyna wanted was the rain. Thank goodness she had seen this coming, and brought an umbrella. As she walked home, she immediately got lost in her thoughts, and for some reason found herself in a strange park. Involuntarily, she walked towards the middle of the park, seeing an array of people. Some were in a line, looking powerful and mystical. Others, were glowing an assortment of colors, standing there mystified. Her feet never seemed to stop until they reached their destination, stopping straight in front of a light-brown haired boy. Confused, she saw the boy seem to reach out and attempt to touch her before she noticed that he, and herself as well began to glow a luminescent purple. A sudden feeling of connection with the strange boy swept over her, before she realized what was happening. Picking out her parents, Aphrodite and Moros, from the line of gods and goddesses, she listened intently as they explained this new "bond". Immediately, she opened her mouth to protest, but as soon as she did, she found herself already gone, transported to a lounge of some sorts, along with other unfamiliar faces.

Elysia never minded the rain. She left the coffee shop and was about to head back home, when she found her feet walking in the opposite direction. She was glad she brought her umbrella with her today for she had heard there was a possible chance of rain. Right now though she was too busy trying to figure out why she was heading for the park. Soon enough she had her answer. When she arrived at the scene, she saw there were others her age there and something else that nearly caused her to drop her umbrella. There in front of her were people dressed in such grandeur; she thought she was in Heaven. She recognized Eros immediately, who was accompanying someone else. Finally gaining her wits about her, Elysia realized that the other people were gods too. Before she could say anything though, she found herself standing next to a young man with dark brown hair. Eros gave something to her and she immediately felt a connection to the person next to her before seeing she was glowing orange. She looked and saw the young man was glowing orange too. Others were glowing different colors too. What happened next would be etched in Elysia’s memory forever. The words that were spoken made her heart pound. Bonds? What in the world did this mean? It sounded like something out of a romance novel. Before she could say anything, she found herself in the lounge. Wanting to sit down, Elysia sat down.

“Whoa, now that was intense.” She commented to no one in particular.

There was one thing about school I despised, and that was the classes that had nothing to do with my art. They were pointless and duldrum: I didn't understand where their concept would come in for my professional life: I already knew wher my future lay. It was resting upon my throat, glittering in gold and shining in whatever light was placed on it: there was no doubt that Apollo had chosen wisely in his apprentice, but I still had that feeling in my gut that there was more to what he said, than what he actually presented to me.

Oriana, I'm sorry to draw you now in the middle of class, but please understand that these circumstances are assembled by those who are older and stronger than myself....
Apollo's voice entered my mind, its radiant burst filling every crevice and awakening my soul the same way it announced itself in my music. My eyes widened, not truly with terror, but understanding and awe. This was my God, and therefore his word was law. In his words I found understanding, and I found my head bending as if in prayer.

My body felt as though it were swept away to another demention (Later, I would find that this was truly not far from the truth.), I was being transported to a universe in which the laws of earth dropped useless and unbidden. In many ways, as I was flying thru the portals of other worlds and lands far from my understandind and comprehensin, I was terrified of what was to come. The only thing keeping my mind sound and sane was the knowledge that the man I considered a God, and father, would not allow such atrocity to come to place.
As this thought crossed my mind, I felt as though reassuring arms had wrapped around me, caressing my mind with it's paternal and caring thoughts.
Understand my child, that these choices for your future are beyond my control, however, know that I am here, as always, to be your comfort.

Gusts of a tempest swirled around me: I clutched my shoulders, swaying, and praying, not to be carried away. I was alone, and the room black, my God absent from this strange terror. I whirled my body around, my arms braced for impact, a soft whimper escaping my throat.
"Apollo!" I screamed. My mind reeling from his previous words, I could not understand why he left.

Understand you, whom God's find worthy, that you are to find in yourself flaws that we have found in you. These flaws of one with so much honor among the God's deem you unworthy of the gifts proudly bestowed upon you. Know this now, that we gift you the chance of retribution by bonding you with a partner deemed worthy in the eyes of the whole. Understand you, who is not worthy, that these sacred bonds are to be held as such, and unbreakable. To make this change bareable, know this: there are others. And as a whole, you are immortal. So mote it be!

In a brilliant flash of white, the voice's final wods cut off itself, shedding it's light upon Apollo, and another God I was not familiar with. They held hands, their faces turned toward myself admiringly: a bashful, and apologetic, glint in the God I praised.

"Papa!" I chortled, my voice carrying thru the room. My eyes flickered across as I could hear my voice carry into a remarkable song. I gasped, realizing now that I was in witness of a remarkable ceremony taking place.
I finally understood as my lyre lifted from it's necklace, and expanded: its strings playing of their own volition and joining my harp in a serenade that was so hauntingly beautiful that it brought tears to my face.

I brushed back my auburn hair, reaching out to grasp Apollo, thinking this work of his making. Instead, the scene changed, and I was grasping the hand of a beautiful young asian woman, much smaller and petite than myself.
At once I realized that song came from my body, my very soul.
I clutched her hand, my chest heaving and my body shaking: is this what love is to feel like?

The song was hers, and as our bodies glowed green, I gasped, batting my eyes away.

The room darkened once more, and I found the scene had changed to a cafe.

Sebastian Grimlocke

"Hey! Get back here, mold-head!"
"Yeah mold-head! It'll be hard to hide with that smurf-hair of yours!"

Sebastian panted as he ran down the street, a group of three boys chasing after him. Sadly for the poor boy, it was the same routine every day. Go to school, get bullied, run away and hide. Sometimes they would find him, sometimes they wouldn't. For whatever reason though, today they seemed a little more vicious than usual. Sebastian looked behind him to see the boys getting closer and closer. Crap, they're gaining on me! Oh, why'd you have to give me blue hair of all things, Papa Time? Suddenly, he ducked into a coffee shop. He knew he didn't have much time, so he ducked under the first table he saw.

Luckily, the table had a single occupant, who was sleeping the day away...or rather, night, since it was beginning to get dark outside....

Feliciano Alexei

"Hey, that tickles...." Felix mumbled in his sleep, unknowing of the young boy hiding under his table. However, he was woken up by the sound of a door slamming. "Hm?" Felix opened his eyes, and sleepily looked over to where to the sound was coming from. Incidentally, his eyes locked with those of three boys, who looked like they were going to be trouble. True to thier demeanor, they marched over to where Felix was sitting.

"Hey, you seen a kid with blue hair?" They asked gruffly. Felix shook his head. The one who looked like the leader of the three began to look furious. Then, without warning, he punched Felix in the face. Felix held up his hand as an employee went to come over.

"Was that really necessary? Geez..." Felix said casually, frowning at the boy. "I don't know what your problem is, but your mamma sure didn't teach you any manners." At the impudent look on the boys face, Felix began to get a very rare look (for him) on his face in response; a cold, menacing glare, a glare that is more commonly seen from Hades....
"Leave. I don't beat up on little kids, but you sure are tempting me to make an exception...." Scared by the glare, the three boys left, grumbling on thier way out.

"A-are they gone?" Came a voice from under the table, very soft and slightly apologetic.

Felix looked down between his legs to see a face, looking quite relieved at him. Felix nearly leaped out of his seat in surprise. "Woah! Where'd the hell you come from?!? And get away from there, don't you have any sense of decency?!?"

"S-sorry!" Sebastian apologised as he hurriedly got out from under the table. "T-thanks for saving my butt back there, though. Those kids are always picking on me." He blushed as he said this.

"No prob, dude. Hey, wait...don't I know you?" Felix smiled, but when he thought he recognised him he looked at him more closely. "Yeah, yeah! We used to live together! Remember, at the orphanage? You're Sebby, the little kid who alwas got picked on because of your hair....which hasn't changed all that much, I see. Haha, good times! Remember when me and my bro used to bail you out, like, every day?"

"Yeah..."

"Hey, don't look so down. Bailing you out gave us an excuse to be able to hang out with you. You know how old Mother Hen was about seperating ages...." Mother Hen was thier name for the old caretaker at the orphanage.

"You're right, thanks! Hey..." Sebastian looked at Felix strangely, as if he just realised something. "Don't we need to be somewhere?" He asked.

Felix turned his head and looked out the window. "Yeah....yeah, I do. I wonder why? In any case, since we both need to be there, why don't we go together?" Felix smiled ad stood up. He held out his hand for the other boy, who refused, saying, "I'm not little anymore, you know. Thanks though." Felix shrugged and walked on, answering, "Your loss."

They left the coffee shop, running to try to get out of the rain. They found themselves in a park, with thier respective ancestors before them.

"Yo, Grandpa Hades, sup!" Felix called, waving out to his gloomy ancestor. Felix received a chilling glare in response. Felix smiled warmly back, until he was hit by some kind of light. What....?

Suddenly, he felt it. A warmth, a comfort, a......bonded feeling. There was really no other way to describe it, this feeling of being tied to someone else. As he stared forward and barely heard what the gods and goddesses had to say about the bonds, he was trying his hardest to contain himself. He felt it rising...the panic, suffocating him in its intensity. He felt trapped, like some animal that had been caught in a beartrap, unable to move and unable to help itself. For all his smiles and laughs, he was actually a very introverted person. He never really cared to learn much about others, and now here he was, forced to do the very thing he was most afriad of....

He hardly noticed when they were transported to a lounge. His mind completely blown, he wordlessly took a seat.

Sebastian Grimlocke

"Papa Time!" Sebastian had wanted to run forward and hug his great-grandfather, but he was stopped by a spiral. All of a sudden, time was flowing, stopped, and flying by, all at the same time. Sebastian could feel it as if time itself was what flowed through his veins, instead of mortal blood. The sheer power of it sent him to his knees. However, just as quickly as it had begun, it ended. Sebastian could only gasp at the memory of it. Is this how Papa Time always feels? And....who was that pretty lady with him? He added as an afterthought. However, before he knew it, the gods and goddesses were explaining everything, and then he was transported to a lounge.

Shaking his head, more to clear away his dizziness from transporting than anything, he glanced over to see the girl he had been paired with. She was wiping her eyes, and she seemed very sad. Sebastian walked over to her, leanded down, and offered her his hand.

"I-I'm Sebastian. T-though, such a grand name doesn't really f-fit a little guy like me, so you can call me S-Sebby if you want." Sebastian stuttered, suddenly very nervous. "U-uhm, Nice to meet you. I think I-I'm babbling..."

Melanie looked up at the blue-haired boy. Her bonded. Oh, for...He's a child! she thought in disgust. Her mother had bonded her to a kid. Not that Persephone saw it that way, considering she herself was a child when she married Hades. Melanie resolved to not think of the Lord of the Dead, at last not when people were around her.

Taking the boy's hand, she said, "Nice to meet you, Sebastian. I'm Melanie. Or Melinoe. Either way, you can call me Mel." She refused to call him Sebby. It seemed too young. If he was her bonded, she wouldn't treat him like a child. "I guess this means you've got a divine parent, too. And I'm guessing it was the guy next to Persephone. Who was he?"

She quickly looked around the room. It was safe for her to assume they all had divine parents. For a moment, her eyes lingered on the boy that Hades had been interested in, before returning her attention to her bonded. Just what was she supposed to do, anyway?