Nike watched the sports team as they warmed up, her eyes following the motion of the soccer ball as it was kicked from player to player. The young men were surprisingly graceful with their movements and their aim was always precise. The team was filled with budding talent, Nike could see that without needing to fall back onto her powers. The team was the USA's national under 20s soccer team, or football as the rest of the world termed it, and Nike knew that many of the players here today would one day be playing for the national team. Of course, with her help that could be sooner rather than later.
"They're good, aren't they?" The voice of Nike's adviser broke through her concentration. His voice was that of a smoker, a habit that Nike had never understood or particularly like. The man, a Mr Ridges, was a heavy smoker although he never lit up around Nike. Mr Ridges had been the public face of the company while Nike's 'mother' had been living life as a wealthy, eccentric hermit. He had had mixed feelings about handing over his responsibilities to Victory a year ago, but in time he had come to accept that the young girl had the same eye for talent that her apparent mother did. Of course he wasn't to know that mother and daughter were one and the same.
"They could go far." Nike admitted, inclining her head so that one eye was on the field and the other was on Mr Ridges, "Who would be your pick?"
Mr Ridges sat forward in his seat, taking the question seriously. It wasn't rare for Nike to ask her employees what they thought, although in the end it was her decision that would change lives.
"Number seven and... number 12" Mr Ridges announced before waiting for Victory's opinion. Nike inspected both young men, her eyes seeing far more than the mortal beside her. It was almost as if an aura surrounded the men. Those who were likely to succeed and do well in life gave off a stronger aura. It wasn't visible and Victory would be hard put to describe it to anyone else, but the best way to put it was that it was like a sixth sense.
"I would also take the assistant coach too." Victory added, nodding to the slightly older man who was calling drills to the players. Mr Ridges opened his mouth to question Nike's call. Nike quirked an eyebrow and Mr Ridges closed his mouth. He was still learning to accept all of Victory's calls.
Nike gave the man a light pat on the knee before getting to her feet. Nike liked to speak with the athletes that she was to sign before going through with the paperwork. It gave her another opportunity to tell if the selected individuals were really worth her time.
Nike made her way along the row of seats before reaching the isle and climbing down the concrete steps. The indoor arena was well maintained and had indoor heating, keeping the chill of the day effectively out. Currently the sports arena was empty of all but the football team, Nike's advisers and herself. When events were on the arena could fill out to a maximum capacity of some forty-thousand spectators. Nike loved the thrill of a full arena. She thrived off the energy and the battle for victory being played out on the field. It was what she was, quite literally, made for. Of course after her fall these battles had become somewhat scaled down and the rewards she was able to hand out similarly lacked their former richness.
As Nike stepped out onto the field she couldn't help but notice that many of the young players' eyes began to wonder from the ball. She couldn't put it all down to her appearance, after all they all knew who she was and what she could offer them. Victory's company was famous in the sports world. For young, aspiring athletes to be selected by Nike was almost a guaranteed assurance that they would reach the pinnacle of their chosen field.
"Don't let me distract you boys, play on." She said to the group, giving them a smile.
From this close their auras were even stronger. The strength of the three discussed with Mr Ridges shone out like beacons on a foggy night. They would be the ones to sign and encourage and eventually they would be the ones to reach superstar status.
Half an hour later Nike left the warmth of the arena for the brisk New York evening. She waved off her associates and the chauffeur waiting out front, pulled her coat tighter around her and set off at a brisk walk towards the city centre. A cool breeze wiped around her feet and Nike had the sudden urge to leap into the sky and fly home. The only thing stopping her was the knowledge that she would undoubtedly land herself on the evening news if she were to indulge in the desire. Shaking her coat sleeves she glanced at her wrists, her eyes tracing the wings tattooed onto her inner wrists. Once she had flown through battle fields with her wings blazing, now she was forced to walk with the rest of the world. Flight was still within her powers, but as flying was humanly impossible and she was trying to fit in she was forced to stay earth bound.
Home was a penthouse apartment with a view of Central Park. Her 'mother' had bought it some years ago and Victory had inherited it with the company. She kicked off her shoes as the lift 'dinged' to a stop and padded into the kitchen. Lights automatically turned on as she clapped her hands and the wall mounted television switched on at Victory's voice. Neither were godly powers, merely handy technologies her substantial wealth had allowed her to install. Grabbing a bite to eat, left over Chinese was the first meal to catch her eye, Victory wondered through the lounge and pushed open the sliding doors onto her deck. As she nibbled on the cold egg noodles, Nike gazed down at the small figures scurrying about the street. Once she had watched mortals from the heights of Mount Olympus, now it was the penthouse apartment.
While Nike had carved out a decent life for herself in the human world she couldn't help but occasionally remember life before her fall. Why had she fallen? Had all the other gods on Mount Olympus fallen too? Could she return? She was immortal, so she had all the time in the world to mull over the string of questions that followed her.
With a sigh Nike finished her meal and wondered back inside. There was a party tonight. Humans and other fallen gods would no doubt be in attendance. There was plenty of time before the party though and Nike felt restless. A decent run would no doubt settle that. Quickly she changed into her running clothes and sneakers, took the elevator down and set off at a jog towards the park. As she hit the green she picked up her pace and let the sounds of barking dogs, honking car horns and jet planes overhead disappear.