Hades // Brain // Outfit // Hex #262f26
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Apollo // Special // Outfit // Hex #21b794
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Ares // Brawn // Outfit// Hex #FF0000
Whatever the half-naked son of Zeus saw in Wesley’s eyes, it was enough to make him take Lux’s advice to leave, but not without first extending the bird as his charming parting gift. Wes trailed Cal with his eyes until he was finally out of sight, his grim smile finally composing itself into something passingly close to friendly when they returned to Lux.
“That was never in question.” Wes assured simply, leaving his meaning ambiguous whether he meant her ability to take care of herself, or his number of drinks. It applied to both regardless. Lux was capable of handling one drunken idiot, but that wasn’t the fucking point. Logic hadn’t been running the show during his pissing contest with Calden, as much as that pained Wes to admit to himself. The thing that hovered in the air between them was unspoken and fragile, but it was his. Wes usually thought of himself as above alpha male dominance displays, but there were some things instinctively even he succumbed to.
Lux could give him a run for his money in the manipulation department, and Wes knew he was being baited by her subtle challenge to walk away. He took it anyway, along with her hand as he followed her toward the dance floor. “I think you saw to that quite a while ago. No point in fretting now.”
Why the disco ball chose to make an appearance that moment was suspicious timing. Toto’s Africa chiming in to accompany it was even more so. Experimentally, Wes slid his hands down to rest on her hips, tastefully of course (for now), as other coupled paired off for the slow song. He raised a brow almost in challenge, waiting for her to circle her arms around his neck, or start clobbering him.
It's gonna take a lot to take me away from you!
There's nothing that a hundred men or more could ever do!
I bless the rains down in Africa!
Gonna take some time to do the things we never had!
***
“Rats, my devious plot has been foiled! Looks like your face is safe—for now!” Maya laughed as Ace pulled her toward the dance floor. What was a little covert face painting between friends? It was probably for the best though, and for now she was happy enough to watch him do his best impersonation of Michael Jackson. With the disco ball out, and retro music playing, it seemed especially appropriate. Maya twirled along, more than happy to see the playful Ace out in force tonight. His eyes wandered for a moment, and Maya followed them to Marisole. An uncomfortable warmth bloomed in her chest for a moment before Maya squashed it back. Instead of dwelling on the unpleasant feeling, she grabbed Ace’s hand and twirled them deeper into the dancing throng while showing off a few of her disco moves.
Ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin' alive, stayin' alive!
It was during the chorus line of the Bee Gee’s classic that the telltale pickling sensation behind her eyes started. Now?! Why the hell was she having one now?! “Ace-!” That was the only warning she got out before any feeling of normal consciousness fled.
Instead of a crowded makeshift dance floor, Maya was in a narrow stone corridor. It was dimly lit and oddly enough, she could still hear the music echoing eerily off the walls. Disoriented, Maya felt her way across the hall toward open door that was her only source of light. An iron tang tinged the air, and Maya pulled her hands back when they touched something slick. As she got closer to the light, the source of the stomach turning scent became obvious. Every surface in the room was painted with blood, as if some kind of macabre artist had worked with gore instead of oils. On the table however, was a marble bust of her father, remarkably clear but for the long train of blood coming from his eyes…
Life goin' nowhere, somebody help me
Somebody help me, yeah, I'm stayin' alive!
Maya snapped back to reality harshly, kneeling on the floor. “Air!” Maya begged weakly, still feeling too frail to pull herself to her feet.
***
I’m pretty sure I was just insulted. Abby thought dryly, brow raised as Ryan continued to lament his lack of game. “Well with confidence like that, how are you not beating them off with sticks?” It was a glib remark, but it came out more cutting than she’d intended. Ryan wasn’t her friend exactly, but he was a decent enough sort when he wasn’t whining.
“Here.” Abby extended the bottle to Ryan’s hands. “You’re going to need some liquid courage if you plan on making a pass on Blake.” To say he didn’t have a shot in Tartarus was to state the obvious, but after watching both his drinks nabbed from under his nose, Abby was feeling generous.
“Pssht bit strong for you Grayson, you might hurt yourself! I figured wine coolers were more your speed.” From whatever hole Calden Archer crawled his way out of, Abby didn’t notice, but she wished he’d just leave them the fuck alone. Instead, he made a grab for the bottle, and Abby slapped his hand away. The look Cal shot back at her was murderous.
“You always have girls fight your battles for you Grayson?” He sneered Ryan’s way. “Your usual blonde bodyguard isn’t around, so you crawl behind another?” Cal took an intruding step forward, as if to emphasize the point, and Abby shoulder her way in front of Ryan.
“If your dick’s feeling especially small tonight Cal, I suggest you go pick on someone that you can actually get away with. Unless of course you want me to beat your face in publically…again.” Abby added with an extra dose of acid. Calden could be a real bully sometimes, which was enough to piss her off without throwing in his personal vendetta. Some people just can’t handle losing, and Abby had defended her undefeated record in the ring for three years straight. Calden had been her looming shadow of menace ever since, and it had begun to spill over to those she associated with.
Sensing the rising tension Lottie fretted beside them, her attention finally drawn away from her semi-famous sister. “Maybe we should all just take a beat…it’s a party!” Her laugh was as forced as the smile Lottie plastered across her face in an attempt to stop the fight before it really began.