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Lux Slade

"I may be small... But I can still kick your ass."

0 · 1,412 views · located in Olympia

a character in “Land of Gods and Monsters”, originally authored by mjolnir, as played by RolePlayGateway

Description

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xxxL U X x S L A D E
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx• x l i g h t x • x l u x x • x \ ˈ l ə k s \ x •





"No... I will not sing for you."
- Lux Slade




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n i c k n a m e s x // x slade ,xslay ,xx

a g e x // xnineteen

g e n d e r x // xfemale

s e x u a l i t y x // xheterosexual

h o m e t o w n x // xbronx, new york

g o d l y x p a r e n tx // xapollo

a g o n x r o l ex // xbrawn






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D E C O R U S


h e i g h t x // x5' 6"

w e i g h t x // x125 lbs

h a i r x // xLux has short bleach blonde hair. More often than not, it is kept in natural, bordering on unruly waves. But even in their unkept style, it suites her personality and contrasts her soft features nicely.

e y e s x // xHer eyes seem to shift slightly depending on her mood and what she is wearing. They can be a bright brilliant blue or a pale icy grey, but always stay in the spectrum of blue to grey.

o d d i t i e s x // xBeing an orphan, Lux is covered with her fair share of scars. The most predominate is a 3in slash on her left wrist and another along her bottom lip. Other than that, she has one tattoo that she got in honor of her father, the only constant in her life.

a p p e a r a n c e x // xLux has doe eyes and plumps lips that accentuate her porcelain skin and baby doll like face. Freckles run along her cheeks and the bridge of her nose along with the tops of her shoulders. She has the appearance of the sweet girl next door but she is anything but that. She looks petite and fragile, but her small frame is entirely muscle. Although she looks like she could have been the prom queen, she contradicts that in every way beyond genetics. Lux is, without a doubt, a tomboy. She can count the number of times she's worn a dress on one hand. Her style is rugged and grungy. Almost every piece of clothing of hers is camo, a band T or ripped jeans. She doesn't wear anything that takes her longer than 5 minutes to put on. And her knowledge about makeup is the same as her knowledge about Chinese... nonexistent.






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I N G E N I U M
xxxxxxxxxxxx• x a b i l i t y x • x \ ə - ˈ b i - l ə - t ē \ x •


e n h a n c e d x p h y s i c a l x a b i l i t y x // x Lux's inheritance from her father was not the more well known foresight or musical ability. Instead in came in the form of her physicality. Of course, it does not to compare to those born of Ares, but it heightens her capabilities higher than that of a majority of demigods.


F O R T I T U D O
xxxxxxxxxxxx• x s t r e n g t h x • x \ ˈ s t r e ŋ ( k ) t h \ x •


m a r k s m a n s h i p x // x This talent started with archery, which came easier to her like many children of Apollo. But, it has progressed into other projectiles like throwing knives, tomahawks and spears.

a g i l i t y x // x Lux is very quick and light footed. She can move seamlessly through obstacles and dodges. This also plays into her thought processes where she is always on her toes and capable of quick solutions.

h a n d x t o x h a n d x // x She is skilled at basic hand to hand combat, her knowledge stemming from her years in foster care and living on the streets. She doesn't know a method of martial arts, just adapted her own techniques.

e s c a p o l o g y x // x On more than a couple occasions she's been in handcuffs, locked in rooms or whatever else. She's grown a knack for escaping out of a lot of these situations.



I N F I R M I T A T E
xxxxxxxxxxxx• x w e a k n e s s x • x \ ˈ w ē k - n ə s \ x •


s w o r d m a n s h i p x // x Lux has maybe held a sword once. They're heavy and awkward in her opinion. She never had a desire to learn how to wield one because it would slow her down.

i n s o m n i a x // x It has been years since Lux has had a full night's sleep. She spends most of the night staring up at the ceiling or deep in her nightmares.

l o v e d x o n e s x // x There are very few people she holds dear. But whenever she lets someone close to her, she would do anything for that person... anything.

t r u s t x // x Lux has never been one to trust easily. It takes extra persistence to try and become close to her. This can tend to push people away from her and give her more enemies than friends.



M E T U M
xxxxxxxxxxxx• x f e a r x • x \ ˈ f i r \ x •


c o m p l e t e x d a r k n e s sx // x Being the daughter of a God of light, she has never been a fan of the dark. She can tolerate most darkness, but when it comes to utter pitch black darkness, she is terrified.

l o s i n g x h e r x f a t h e rx // x He has been the only constant in her life of shifting foster homes, and flakey friends. Without him, she wouldn't have anything to keep her on a straight path.

h e i g h t s x // x She'd prefer to avoid heights if possible. When she's up high enough, Lux tends to get vertigo which only adds to her fear of falling.

f a i l u r e x // x Her entire life she's been a disappointment and a failure. She joined the Agon to prove that she could do something with her life. Lux couldn't handle her father being disappointed in her.





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P E R S O N A L I T A T E
xxxxxxxxxxxx• x sarcastic x • x stubborn x • x callous x • x honest x •



Lux has been through the ringer, to say the least. This has left a lasting effect on her as a person. One of the first things people notice about her is her quippy and snarky attitude. She is fluent in sarcasm and it is almost entirely the way she speaks. Of course, she does know how to be serious when the time calls for it. But in all other instances she reverts back to sarcasm. This also comes as a bit of a cooping mechanism. She doesn’t deal well with her troubles and loneliness, so she often uses humor as a shield. If someone is persistent enough with her to gain her trust, then those barricades will come down. But due to her overarching trust issues, she’d rather act like she doesn’t care and everything is a joke because she feels that way it’s harder for her to get hurt.

Thickheaded-ness has come to her naturally from her years in the foster system, juvenile facilities and whatever else. Lux has needed to be strong to survive the harsh world. So, on that same level she has also become very stubborn. She does not give in to others easily, if at all. It’s not necessarily that she thinks she is always right, but more along the lines to where she doesn’t trust other people’s motives. She can be stubborn about what she thinks is right, opening up to others or even when it comes to some of her selfless tendencies too. Lux can be persuaded a different direction but that takes more effort than what people are willing to put forward.

Between Lux’s sarcasm and stubbornness, she comes off very distant. This isn’t to say she is incapable of caring or anything along those lines, but she’s built up a thick shell that she no longer knows how to remove. Her guard is constantly up and she is always preparing for the worst. She tends to distance herself from the crowd, especially those who have an off-putting air about them that is on the other end of the spectrum to what she is. Like many things about her, there are depths and layers to her. There are some who know her beyond the surface level, it just depends a lot on the determination of someone to get to know her.

With all of Lux’s not so perfect qualities, one thing she is, is honest. She is not one to tell a lie or avoid the truth. In her opinion, life is too short to pretend to be anything she isn’t or to lie so that someone likes her. She doesn’t care or want anyone’s approval beside her father’s. So, she is truthful and honest. If people don’t like her blunt and raw honesty, then they can go away.






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H I S T O R I A R U M


There was a short time in Lux’s life where everything seemed to be perfect. Her mother, Vanessa, was a young struggling musician just trying to make her way in the world. She had no desire of becoming big and famous, just wanted to do what she loved for a living. She had barely been an adult when she met Apollo. He was drawn to her because of her raw musical talent, something he greatly appreciates in many humans. Their love was swift and short lived, as it’s said, Apollo’s love life is anything but easy. Quickly into their relationship together, Vanessa was pregnant with Lux.

Vanessa’s life seemed to be falling into place with the love of Apollo, her daughter and her music career finally seeming to take her places. Lux and her mother had a great bond, her father also making a point to be a major role in her life. Things were perfect in her eyes. That was until her 8th birthday. Her mother decided to “break the rules” and take Lux out exactly at midnight to get ice cream. Lux’s best memories were her mom’s spontaneous adventures. On their way home, they were singing in the car to her mother’s favorite 80s songs when a drunk driver was making his way in their direction. Vanessa tried to swerve out of the way but the driver broad sided their car, sending it over the bridge into the river.

Apollo was able to save Lux in the crash but not her mother. Lux can’t remember what happened or how she survived though, and has no idea it was her father’s doing. One minute she saw the river flooding in through the door jams and air vents, then the next thing she knew she was waking up in a hospital bed, her father in the chair beside her. Lux was distraught for days. She begged her father to the point of body convulsing tears for him to take her with him. Her sobs often times bringing tears to his own eyes. He couldn’t take her with him, no matter how much he wanted to, but promised to always be there for her.

Lux has never resented her father for not being able to take her with him. Especially as she grew older and he told of his true identity. But, that didn’t make her life any easier. Since the death of her mother she was constantly rotated from orphanage and foster home until they found her too difficult to handle. She was unruly, stubborn and constantly running away. By the age of 14 she had had her fair share of nights in juvenile facilities for breaking and entering and theft. Her crimes were never big, but more of a cry for attention. She was invisible unless she was in trouble. It was her way of cooping with everything that happened to her.

When she was 16, Lux reached her lowest point. Kicked out of every foster home and orphanage, she was left to fend for herself on the rough streets of the Bronx. Every day she sat on the corner of the street begging for whatever money she could get. The nights were worse. Men tried to put big bills in her hands in exchange for special favors down dark alleyways. She always refused. Lux was never desperate enough for that. One night, a man who had been harassing her every evening for over a week came to her, but this time wouldn’t take no for an answer. He left her there, crumbled on the ground, clothes half torn off and cheeks stained with tears. A $100 bill thrown at her for her troubles.

Distraught with body racking fear and grief, Lux couldn’t move herself from that place behind the dumpster in the alley. She had lost all desire to live, and was intent on bringing her struggles to an end. Apollo arrived just before she was able to slit her second wrist and took her to the Legacy Academy for Higher Learning. Although he never forgave himself for not being there, he always made sure to be ever present in her life. Since that night, Lux has looked forward to what life had to offer. She has looked at the Academy and the Agon as her chance to make something positive out of her life and finally turn it in a better direction.





h e x c o d e x // x #ac945a x // x f a c e c l a i m x // x mackenzie davis x // x c r e a t o r x // x Scar.- x // x c s x // x Scar.-

So begins...

Lux Slade's Story

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Sebastian Rhodes Character Portrait: Maya Torres Character Portrait: Abby Rae Jarvis Character Portrait: Lux Slade Character Portrait: Wesley Tate Character Portrait: Greer Savage
Tag Characters » Add to Arc »

0.00 INK

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The annual pre-Agon bash was Legacy Academy’s worst kept secret. Considering most of the staff were alumni, that wasn’t surprising. Generally, there was a long standing tradition that for this one night the teachers would turn a blind eye, the consensus being if the students were old enough to risk death in the field for gods and glory, they’d earned the right to some Grey Goose. For the students’ sakes that was fortunate, as some idiot this year had decided on a kind of rave theme, and that light show was fucking hard to miss.

“Whatever happened to being subtle…” Lee grumbled, feeling thoroughly old as he stared across the lake to the student side of campus. A decade wasn’t a comparatively long period of time, especially to the company he’d been keeping lately, but in this moment it felt like a yawning chasm that had somehow begun to define his life. Ten years ago, it had been him acting like a dumbass at that party, naïve, reckless, actually eager for the day to come. He’d walked into that slaughter with a grin on his face, so sure he was about to get his petty wish to humiliate his father. How much that wish had cost him…Lee took another swig from his half empty bottle of bourbon, hoping he could wash down the unpleasant memories threatening to surface.

“Ouch, what’s your liver done to you lately?” The voice brushed past him like a soft summer wind, spreading warmth across Lee’s skin that has nothing to do with the bourbon. He shivered, not interested in the peace being offered. Lee didn’t deserve it tonight, and being comforted by a god somehow felt like a betrayal of those he’d lost. The fact they’d engaged in a few drunken mistakes didn’t change that, so Lee said nothing. Stoney silence had a wonderful habit of making people leave.

Side stepping the hint, Apollo saddled up to him instead, gently reaching for the bourbon. “Alright…but maybe we should at least pace ourselves a little.” The tone wasn’t judgmental, but Lee snapped at him anyway.

“I don’t have a drinking problem Andy.” Lee jabbed at the god’s current moniker, cradling the bottle protectively to his side. If Apollo was offended by it, he hid his displeasure well, instead raising a brow as his summer green eyes swept across the pile of discarded bottles Lee may have pre-gamed with.

“Some of those are June’s.” It sounded defensive even to Lee’s ears, but he wasn’t going to apologize for it. Not tonight. Apollo agreed with a wane smile, sliding his hand down to Lee’s in a loose grip that the son of Poseidon was both grateful for, and immediately disgusted with himself for wanting. Even if it wasn’t tonight, demigods knew better than anyone how relationships between gods and mortals ended. Why Lee continued to court disaster with…whatever it was they were doing here, was beyond his logic, but he couldn’t bring himself to pull away from it either; betrayal or not.

***

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X // X // X



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Ares // Brawn // Outfit// Hex #FF0000


“WOOOOOOOO! LIZARDS RULE!”

You’d think these idiots never had tequila before. Abby thought tersely, as a junior covered in neon glow paint streaked across the field with nothing but a baseball cap shielding his jewels and a sparkler waving frantically in hand. The scene up field wasn’t much tamer, as throngs of students covered in neon bounced and bobbed (in what Abby could only assume was an attempt at dancing) under pulsing strobe lights and black lit canvas. The makeshift dance floor and accompanying bars were covered in more of that glow paint, which was only made more surreal by the fireworks shooting off in the distance. Someone must have recruited the Hephaestus or Hecate kids for the pyrotechnics, because the colors stayed in the sky far longer than natural with pictures of everything from the classical to obscene dancing around in the sparks.

The spring air was warmer than usual tonight, which was fortunate for the student body since most of their outfits were on the bare side of skimpy. Enough to make Abby feel over dressed in her Aerosmith tee and cut-offs anyway, but she hunched into her jean jacket regardless. Party pooper? Maybe, but she definitely wasn’t drunk enough to be cooped up in this crowd. Big day coming up or not, that was a problem in Abby’s power to solve. Glancing around at the open bars, it looked like the neon theme had extended to the drinks, with brightly colored liquids and jello shots littering every flat surface. Whether it was simply clever lighting, or less perceivable sources giving the drinks that unearthly glow, Abby was more interested in the less assuming bottle of Jack. Unfortunately, it was sitting on the middle bar right by the dancefloor…and Wesley Tate. Just because they were teammates didn’t mean she liked him, much less the gaggle of minions and leeches currently surrounding their self-proclaimed team leader. Abby would be stuck listening to his crap enough starting tomorrow…not to mention Sebastian, (Who came with his own special set of annoyances.) so she decided to take her chances at another bar.

Lux and Greer (The two people here she might actually have enjoyed drinking with.) were nowhere in sight, but she spotted Maya Torres not surprisingly at the one tiki themed bar set up. It was both glaringly out of place with its fake palm trees and plastic birds, and somehow fit in with the accompanying LED sting lights and shimmering iridescent bubbles. Abby had a hunch the tiki bar had been Maya’s doing, if her hula skirt and light up coconut bra was anything to go by. Maya was alright, though not necessarily Abby’s first choice in drinking companion. Still, the lure of rum might have been enough to draw her that way if Abby hadn’t heard Lottie by the neighboring bar.

“Umm t-that’s ok, I don’t mind! I’m actually kind of chilly.” The shy demigod’s voice practically squeaked as she wrapped the ugliest neon green sweater Abby had ever seen more tightly around herself. Lottie was with a couple other sophomore girls in similarly warm clothing. “Lucas, we’re fine..really! We just wanted to dance…”

“Ah come ooooon! Ye don’t wanta overheat do ya? Ye’ll feel looooads better witha clunky thing off; dress for the occasion loves!” Abby couldn’t tell if the overly friendly redhead and his leering sidekicks were sophomores as well, but they definitely weren’t Lottie’s friends.

“Take a hike ginger, they’re not interested.” Abby muscled her way between them as she reached toward the bottle of Hennessy on the counter. It wasn’t Jack Daniels, but it would do in a pinch.

“Oi! Tough girl! That’s my stash there! Ye’ve got to be showin a bit more skin ‘n that te be gettin anything for free!” The leprechaun had the audacity to laugh, but it wasn’t until he grabbed hold of her jacket collar as if to yank it down off her shoulder, that Abby snapped.

One second the ponce was upright by the bar, and a flash of red later he was a good ten feet away, flat on his back while cradling his broken bleeding nose. Abby was looming over him when sense returned, one foot resting on his crotch, which his howling suggested had already taken some abuse. ”Touch me, or any other girl here again without permission, and next time I’ll kick them off.” She ground her heel in again for good measure before glancing toward the miraculously intact bottle of whisky still in hand. ”This is mine now.”

The crowd that had gathered to watch her pummel Lucky Charms parted like the red sea as she walked back toward Lottie, who looked like she was warring between relief and mortification.

“Oh um t-thanks Abby, but he didn’t have to do that.” She glanced nervously around Abby’s shoulder at Lucas’s still prone figure. ”Will he be alright?”

”I changed my mind, I’m taking one ball as insurance!” Abby hollered back toward the crowd. Lucas was up and darting away in a flash, confirming his status as a son of Hermes. ”Looks fine to me.”

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Sebastian Rhodes Character Portrait: Joaquin Wolf Character Portrait: Lux Slade Character Portrait: Wesley Tate Character Portrait: Leland Shepard
Tag Characters » Add to Arc »

0.00 INK

#, as written by mjolnir
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xxS E B A S T I A N00R H O D E S
xxxxxxxxxxg o d l yxp a r e n t x//x aphrodite
xxxxxxxxxxa t t i r e x//x outfit
xxxxxxxxxxd i a l o g u e x//x #a54803


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xxL U X00S L A D E
xxxxxxxxxxg o d l yxp a r e n t x//x apollo
xxxxxxxxxxa t t i r e x//x outfit
xxxxxxxxxxd i a l o g u e x//x #ac945a


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xxJ O A Q U I N00W O L F
xxxxxxxxxxg o d l yxp a r e n t x//x hephaestus
xxxxxxxxxxa t t i r e x//x outfit
xxxxxxxxxxd i a l o g u e x//x #003f57


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x
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Hale Kawikani bellowed with a hearty laugh as he raised his beer in a salute to drunken students racing to the party. He took a long drink from the bottle before his gaze settled on two familiar men sitting together near the lake. Hale was never one to really understand subtly or when it was clearly obvious that people wanted to be left alone and not bother by the boisterous surfer.

"What is with the long faces?" Hale said as he took a seat on the other side of Apollo. He knew his lucks was severely better sitting next to the God of light rather than the teacher of bourbon and bitchery. "It's a party after all. We should live in the present, not the past... Or future."

His gaze fell to the bottle of bourbon being shared between the two men. His brows rose and a wicked grin graced his lips. "Come on, let's make this night fun with a little party of our own." His large hand pointed at the booze in Lee's hand. "We all drink every time we see a student streaking. First one on the ground loses."

***

Sebastian lost track of how many women in the surrounding hoard was due to him or Wes. Most likely him. After all, he was the most attractive guy at this damned Academy. He made sure to wear an outfit that was still classy and well tailored, with enough color to pop just enough under the black lights. Although he was the most desirable, that wasn't to discredit his best friend. The man had a reputation that nearly rivaled his... nearly. He was certain some of the girls were there for him as well. He's known his fair share to appreciate the tall, dark and brooding type.

He made all the right moves. Smiling at the girl just when he could sense she desired it more. Giving another a sly wink before he took a sip of his whiskey. Then waiting until the opportune moment, to lean in and whisper in the naive blonde's ear. Sly words from a silver tongue with enough velvet seduction to make her shift where she stood, clenching her thighs. Hook. Line. Sinker.

Seb spared glances in Wes' direction every so often. His friend was usually up there with himself trying to catch what prey he could, something deep down wasn't the same, hasn't been for awhile. It was something only Seb could notice, not these air-headed women that created a barricade around them. The man didn't give himself away, it was his emotions. He might have been flirting, and making the moves but his heart wasn't in it.

Almost like a trigger deep in the pit of his stomach, something in Seb told him to look towards the entrance. It was a sensation all too similar to the one he felt coming from Wes. His gaze drifted in that direction only to find another blonde joining the party, nearly as repulsive as Abby... Lux. He was surprised she showed up actually looking like... well a woman.

Seb's right arm was hooked around the waist of the all too ready blonde, his left arm snaking its way around the shoulder's of a striking brunette to his left. "Doesn't my dear friend look absolutely dashing this evening?" he asked, pointing his left hand that held his drink and draped over her shoulder at Wes. "And you think he looks good now... Without a shirt," he pursed his lips, "I'd even fuck him." Seb's tactic might have been a little obvious, but anything to keep his friend's attention focused on the fruits ripe for the picking around them instead of a rotting one that just joined the party.

***

Lux juggled with the idea of going and not going for the better part of an hour. In the end, she realized this could very well be the last party she ever goes to. It's her last night before the Agon, and for all she knew, her last night of freedom. People have been known to die in the Agon after all and she was no exception.

She couldn't help but laugh at herself as she trudged through the grass towards the lake. Lux looked more feminine that she had in lord knows how long. Not like it was that crazy, but it was for her. She thought if she was going to go to a ridiculous rave party that she might as well dress the part. Maybe it'd be so out there for her, that she'd blend right in. As she slowly walked around the large body of water, she caught sight of her dad with one of her teachers. Just as she was about to look away, he raised his head and flashed her a smile that she returned. Hopefully she could make him proud in the coming days.

Lux had barely entered the damned party before someone's head felt the need to find her ass. Before his hand had even left her, her right hand reached back and grabbed hold of his thumb. In a swift move she jerked it back and spun around, jerking his arm up behind him until he fell to his knees. "Seriously? Did you even attempt to fucking look at who's ass you were smacking?" The drunken pervert jerked against her hold but failed. He reeked of booze and moved like a drunken idiot.

He just groaned and whined until he finally looked back over his shoulder to see who it was. "Oh my god... Lux?" She released her grip on him once he noticed. The boy scrambled to his feet. "I'm sorry I didn't—"

"Stop," she said holding up her hand. "Just get out of here." Lux waved him off, chuckling as she watched him quickly scurry off. Well... As best as he could drunk. Her gaze drifted across the crowds of people at the part, stopping momentarily when she saw the tuft of dark hair in a mob of dumb sluts. She rolled her eyes, sighing. Her face showed disgust and annoyance, but her gut turned in knots. Stop that, she thought to herself, as she walked over towards the far end of the bar.

"What can I get—" the guy behind the bar started then stopped once he realized it was her. "Oh, Lux. You look... different."

Lux sighed, rolling her eyes. "No shit... Can I just have a water?"

"Of course, one wah—wait, water? This is a party. The only thing clear you should be drinking is vodka."

"God dammit, Justin. Don't make me ask again." This time he didn't argue, quickly grabbing a cold bottle of water and handing it to her. She gave him a stiff smile with a nod of her head before untwisting the cap and taking a drink. After a moment or two, she sat down on the stool with her back against the bar watching everyone else mingle and carry on. No alcohol for her. She needed her mind clear, save the drinks for when they win.

***

Gods Joaquin hated parties... And crowds of people... And trying to seem social and normal. He thought about not going. Just spending the night in, getting all the extra reading in that he can. He spent the last months reading the case files of the previous Agons. If anything they just made him more nervous that he wasn't prepared for what was to come. It was the thought that five other people will be looking to him for direction. That's a lot of pressure.

He knew if he didn't go Greer or Eren... or one of the other extroverts that sort of adopted him would be knocking down his door and dragging him there by his ears. So instead of dealing with all that nonsense, he decided to go. Of course, he refused to dress in anything remotely favorable to black light. Sticking to dark colors was his best bet as staying fairly unnoticed. Maybe then he could just stick to the side lines with something nonalcoholic.

Joaquin rejoiced, internally of course, when he joined the party and went unnoticed. He wasn't a good dancer and definitely wasn't a drinker. The music choices weren't horrible, so that at least made the uncomfortable crowd of people in a small area more tolerable. He snaked his way through fist pumping topless men to drunk women who wanted to be topless as well. It just made him wish he might have worn another cardigan or something.

The heat so close to all the crowded bodies was oppressive but he wasn't in the mood to take off any of his layers, not yet. He didn't need some drunken person to be looking his way and find it as some sort of invitation. Somehow, Quin found his way to a sitting area, farthest away from the sound system. With a relieving sigh, he took a seat, crossing his right leg over his left as he observed the party. He understood a lot of them needed to let off steam before everything got all too serious tomorrow. He just hoped his teammates wouldn't be nursing hangovers.

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Sebastian Rhodes Character Portrait: Maya Torres Character Portrait: Abby Rae Jarvis Character Portrait: Lux Slade Character Portrait: Marisole Nadeau Character Portrait: Ryan Grayson
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Intimate moments are delicate things, hard to maintain and easily broken with the wrong kind of pressure. That was doubly true when one of the participants in question was emotionally handicapped. Not that Apollo minded or anything; that was just part of Lee’s charm, but it was difficult sometimes when it always felt like he was pulling away.

“Do you think they’re ready?” It was a question asked out of love, not lack of confidence, but even Lee could pick up the note of anxiety that lay within. The god of light, and music, and bedroom eyes was also a father, and a pretty damn good one as far as the gods went. Lee had lost friends, peers, and students to the Agon, but Apollo had lost children. Perhaps Lee wasn’t the only one in need of comfort tonight. His grip on the god’s hand tightened just a fraction, his thumb tracing circles along his skin as Lee watched Apollo flash a smile at someone from across the field.

“No one’s ever ready.” Lee admitted with another drag from the bottle. “But they’re strong, and they picked their friends wisely.” Sometimes that’s all anyone could rely on. Apollo has two daughters in the fray this year, and Lee knew both of them well. Lux was far more combatively competent than her sister, but Maya was no one to underestimate either. It also helped that they’d both been smart enough to align themselves onto some of the stronger looking teams this year. Lee couldn’t make promises they’d survive this, but he felt the odds were in their favor.

“Why do you go along with it?” Lee asked impulsively. It was something he’d never understood about the god who seemed content to masquerade as a human and steered clear of the politics in Olympia. Why support the Agon, the source of so much heartache for both of them, if he didn’t involve himself in the power plays that was its primary function.

“What’s the alternative, open war?” Apollo ran a hand through golden locks, the exhaustion of his tone suggesting he’d agonized over the issue quite a bit. “I’ve seen what that looks like, the death that sows. At least now they have a choice…some semblance of a childhood.” He seemed less convinced by the last part, but Lee didn’t comment, instead passing him the bourbon. It took a lot more than a bottle of Kentucky’s finest to get a god tipsy, but Lee figured he’d appreciate the gesture.

Their fingers lingered together on the bottle, and Apollo looked up as if to say something, or maybe something else… "What is with the long faces?" And just like that, the moment shattered. Lee scowled, cheeks flaming, as the perpetually oblivious son of Ares invited himself to join. Hale was a decent enough sort, but his timing fucking sucked. Lee continued to silently fume as Apollo simply laughed along, shifting much more effortlessly out of the heavier mood of their private exchange far more easily.

“Well, looks like bottoms up.” Apollo agreed as he pointed out a student in neon paint running round the field. If the amount of bending over and hunching was any indication, his state of dress wasn’t entirely willing. “Do you drink twice if they’ve been duped?” He asked with an arched brow. If Lee didn’t know better, it might even have looked innocent.

***
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Hades // Brain // Outfit // Hex #262f26
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Apollo // Special // Outfit // Hex #21b794
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Ares // Brawn // Outfit// Hex #FF0000


Wes had been nursing the same glass of scotch for the better part of an hour. As he’d never been one given to the loss of control inherent to drunken revelry, that wasn’t necessarily odd, especially with the Agon starting tomorrow. Considering his role was as chief strategist for the team, one might even call his moderation prudent. What was odd however, was his lack of killer focus. Women had always been drawn to Wes, or his wealth and position at least, and that effect was quantified exponentially in the presence of his best friend Sebastian. On a normal night, he would have already sequestered one of the girls vying for his attentions for the evening. The game he played was a delicate one; women were just as competitive as men, and winning was an intoxicating aphrodisiac. They’d play along for a time, but the kind of women he attracted didn’t share. If he didn’t give one their metaphorical tiara soon, the game would be a bust, no one leaving happy.

He just couldn’t make himself care, and that in itself was frustrating. Not having absolute control over his own emotions grated, and while logically Wes could identify the source of this change, he refused to acknowledge it to himself. And then, as if the mere whisper of a thought had summoned her, Lux was there, wearing the most ridiculously fetching getup he was almost embarrassed to admit he found appealing. His eyes chased her all the way to the bar with a look that smoldered like heated coals just waiting for tinder to ignite. He was so caught up, that he almost missed Seb’s remarks entirely.

“Ah, and with charm like that, how would I ever say no?” Wes tossed back as a playful smirk listed his lips. If the suddenly flushed cheeks were anything to go by, it was a proposition many of the girls here found appealing. Wes could practically see the wheels of fantasy turning in their heads as the imagined all the wicked things they might do to each other, and anyone lucky enough to be brought along for the ride. It was an amusing role to play to, and one Wes might have easily slipped into for an evening of meaningless fun…if not for those fucking heart framed nipples.

Calden Archer was naked from the waist up, more than happy to let his six pack speak for itself. His chest was mostly bare, with the exception of the pink glow paint hearts someone had drawn around his well-defined man-nips. His white swag cap was on backwards, glowing against the black light in a fashion that was hard to miss. Ordinarily, the cocky son of Zeus deciding to dress like a 90’s fuck-boy wasn’t Wesley’s concern…but he had just swaggered up to Lux with drinks in hand and a twisted half smile that any man with an ounce of testosterone could read the intent from. Something in Wes snapped.

“Slaaade!” Calden cheered as he swaggered up to Lux, tilted grin plastered across his face. “You went all fucking out girl! Nice aliens…are they down for some probing?” Cal knew Lux fairly well considering they were in the same class and combative groups, but it was the first time he’s ever seen her dress to impress with the assets, and it was a look he could dig.

“They’re occupied.” Wesley Tate practically growled from behind Lux out of nowhere. It was the kind of stealth Cal would normally find disturbing, not that he would admit to it, but was perfectly content to blame the alcohol on that one.

“I think it’s up to them whether or not to make first contact rich boy.” Cal smirked back, unperturbed as he took another swig from his beer in hand. Whatever Cal had expected Wes to respond with that stare and small delayed smile wasn’t it. He might have to watch his back tomorrow…

***


Maya still hadn’t quite forgiven Helen and the others on the party commission for going with the retro rave theme over the far more appropriate spring break beach getaway (They had a lake right there for gods’ sake!) one she’d spent the better part of a year planning out. She had to admit though, that it was going well, but she still maintained her tropical slice of the party, especially in the middle of so much neon crazy, was the best part. Besides, she sure as hades wasn’t wasting this outfit after all the time she’d spent putting it together. The pineapple passion fruit concoction Maya had been sipping on was a bit strong, but there was just enough sweetness counteracting the bite to leave a myriad of flavors playing across her tongue.

"I'm starting to feel a little over-dressed." Her beautiful friend Amelie came up from behind, and Maya gave her an appreciative once over as she asked for a drink recommendation.

“That…depends on how wild a night you’re in for.” Maya replied with a wink. “We’ve got Corona with lime stocked as lighter fare, but if you’re feeling more adventurous…” Maya grabbed one of the boozy tropical fruit smoothies she’d been enjoying herself, and handed it over to Amelie.

The timing of the hand off couldn’t have been better, because in a flash the open space between them was filled with Ace, dimples and all. Maya couldn’t help the smile that erupted across her face at Ace’s sly remark, and she wiggle her eye brows a bit as she inspected his own outfit for the evening. Far from the wildest outfit she’d seen this evening, but it screamed Ace, and she liked it on him.

“Nice paint.” Maya threw back with a wink. “Is it still wet?” She asked innocently enough, but an impish look twinkled in her eyes.

***


“Right…” Lottie agreed skeptically as her eyes followed Lucas’ retreating form, and then nearly jumped when she turned back to see one of the school’s more notorious children of Hera suddenly next to Abby. Lottie had nothing against Greer of course, but there was something about the sight of those two powder kegs together that set her nerves on edge.

“Like you need my help with that.” Abby smirked at her friend’s offer. They both knew Greer was perfectly capable of kicking any necessary asses on her own. Present company excluded, Abby had yet to see Greer in a fight she couldn’t handle, and her skirmishes made for damn good entertainment as well. “I might need help with this though.” Abby held up the bottle of whiskey, looking a little too pleased. “If you care to join.”

“Oh hey, Marisole!” Lottie called out suddenly, interrupting Abby’s thought, and drawing her eyes about ten feet off where her excited teammate (and her friends who were also apparently children of Demeter) had run off to greet her sister. Marisole Nadeau had earned something of a reputation at Legacy as a breaker of stereotypes. While it was true that some children of Demeter displayed more passive natures, many resented that trope, and the assumption of weakness that went with it. Especially for some of the younger Demeter students at Legacy, Marisole had become a role model, so Lottie’s excitement didn’t surprise Abby. Seeing her with Ryan Grayson was a different story.

Before she really had time to think about it, Abby had followed Lottie and her friends over to the makeshift group, Greer presumably behind her. “Are you excited about tomorrow? I mean, I’m kind of nervous, but a good nervous you know? Well, unless you don’t get nervous…’cause well I mean, why would you?” Lottie babbled like an excited puppy, laughing off her obvious nerves.

“Not that I don’t feel safe or anything!” Lottie’s eyes suddenly shot toward Abby almost in apology, before continuing to put her foot in her mouth. “Our team’s great! Wes is scary smart, Abby and Lux kick butt, and Seb is so…” She flushed, clearing her suddenly dry throat like she’d disclosed too much, before her eyes landed on the untouched cup in Ryan’s seemingly outstretched hand.

“Oh thanks!” Lottie accepted the drink, grateful for the distraction from her own babbling as she proceeded to gulp down its contents. Abby snorted, unable to hide her smile as she watched Ryan’s drink being jacked, and waited for his inevitable look of indignation.

“Not your night?” Abby drawled in what for her passed as a conversational tone. Ryan was Lux’s friend, so they’d spent enough time around each other to pick up on the other’s mannerisms. Things had a habit of both going terribly wrong, yet strangely alright for Ryan, which if nothing else, was entertaining to watch from afar. And maybe she enjoyed poking his buttons a little…

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Sebastian Rhodes Character Portrait: Joaquin Wolf Character Portrait: Lux Slade Character Portrait: Wesley Tate Character Portrait: Ellis Buckley Character Portrait: Leland Shepard
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#, as written by mjolnir
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xxS E B A S T I A N00R H O D E S
xxxxxxxxxxg o d l yxp a r e n t x//x aphrodite
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xxxxxxxxxxd i a l o g u e x//x #a54803


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xxL U X00S L A D E
xxxxxxxxxxg o d l yxp a r e n t x//x apollo
xxxxxxxxxxa t t i r e x//x outfit
xxxxxxxxxxd i a l o g u e x//x #ac945a


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xxJ O A Q U I N00W O L F
xxxxxxxxxxg o d l yxp a r e n t x//x hephaestus
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xxxxxxxxxxd i a l o g u e x//x #003f57


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Lee looked like he was ready to jump down Hale's throat, but the lumbering Hawaiian wasn't scared of anything, let alone a literature teacher... Not after his own Agon. Hale felt like he could take on the world. At least Apollo seemed to be in more agreeable of a mood versus his not so happy companion.

“Well, looks like bottoms up,” Apollo said turning his gaze towards the first naked camper. Hale laughed, taking a hold of the bourbon. He took a deep swig then passed it off to the God. “Do you drink twice if they’ve been duped?”

Hale laughed, patting Lee on the back. "I could handle it... but I have a significant amount of bulk compared to little Lee here. We'd put him under the table in less than an hour."

***

“Ah, and with charm like that, how would I ever say no?” Wes replied with a playful smirk. They made quite the pair. Set out in the world together that could soak all the panties with a single wink. They were dangerous, in the most innocent way. Well... As innocent as possible for the inseparable friends. Although innocent wasn't on the menu right now. Seb could feel the stirring from the blonde and brunette under each arm. Yeah, they'd love to join him and Wes for a tumble in the sheets. But who wouldn't?

"But is not such a weak man to succumb to me. If he had," Seb playfully squeezed the girls, leaning his head towards the blonde. "I'm afraid there would be a lot of heartbroken ladies out there. After all, I'm all that Wes would ever need." He flashed a wince and teasing grin towards his friend, before raising his glass towards him.

But when his gaze shifted to his friend, all he saw was Wes' back as he walked away from him. Seb didn't have to be psychic to know where the man was heading. He didn't swerve to deviate, instead making a bee line right for the ill tempered blonde. He tried to not let his face show the growing discomfort and mixed feelings that over came him.

Seb wouldn't admit it out loud, but he was losing his friend. Slowly, one day at a time. Wes was the only person he ever could rely on. Their mind set was so similar. They were upper class, elite, ladies men. But now his friend's heart is being drawn in a deplorable direction. The polar opposite of himself, and it made Seb sick.

"Dance with us Seb," the brunette said, taking his left hand in hers, tugging it towards the dance floor. It didn't take long for the girls to lose interest in the vanishing Wes.

Seb smiled as he let the girl lead him towards the swarm of people. His right arm wrapped around the blonde's waist, guiding her along with them. "And what shall we do for the rest of the evening?... The night is young." Both girls giggled sheepishly. They took him out into the throng of people, one of them on either side of him. His arms rested on their hips as grinded against him, running there hands along his chest.

***

Lux froze with the bottle of water pressed to her lips when she saw a pair of obnoxiously painted nipples bouncing in her direction. They were disgustingly hypnotizing surrounded in the neon pink paint. Most girls probably swooned at the sight while she had to keep her gag reflex in check. She assumed he was going to the bar, but that was quickly proven wrong when he didn't deviate around her but stopped right before her.

“Slaaade!” Oh, dear lord. Lux rolled her eyes, taking a long drink of her water. Cal calling out towards her was not on her list of events for the evening. She's known him for awhile and not once had he approached her with a grin like that... Or two drinks. “You went all fucking out girl! Nice aliens…are they down for some probing?” She nearly choked on her water as it went down. Thank God it wasn't alcohol.

“They’re occupied,” a voice growled from behind her. Lux nearly fell off the stool at the surprise of who's voice was the one to chime in. She reached her hand back to brace herself against the bar but instead met Wes' torso. She briefly glanced back over her shoulder at him, but he wasn't looking at her, just staring daggers at Cal. She couldn't help but be flattered by the gesture. She fought the urge to smile as butterflies fluttered in her stomach. But they quickly went away when Cal was still lingering and opened his mouth.

“I think it’s up to them whether or not to make first contact rich boy.”

Lux shot up from where she sat, quickly spinning to face Wes. She pressed her hands against his chest stopping him before he could do anything rash. She looked back at Cal, pointing her right hand in the other direction. "Go... Or I'll let him kill you before the Agon." She kept her gaze locked on the drunken flirt until he left. Lux then looked back to Wes, laughing nervously as she took a step back, dropping her hands from his torso. "I do know how to take care of myself you know... But thanks." She flashed a brief smile in his direction then diverted her gaze.

After a moment or two of silence, Lux looked over at the glass in his hand. She tapped the brim with her index finger. "Hope you're only having one. I don't need another thing to worry about during the Agon." When she realized how that sounded, she quickly continued on. "Because you know... I don't need to do my job and your job." That was true in part. But a drunken teammate is more likely to die, that's what would really worry her. She didn't need her judgement overly clouded, trying to protect him instead of doing her job.

Lux looked him over then drank up the last bit of her water. "Well Mr. Knight-in-shining-armor, I'm going to go dance. If I'm going to die in the Agon, might as well make my last normal night exciting." She shrugged her shoulders. "I'd ask you to dance, but—" She brushed her hands along the shoulders of his suit jacket. I wouldn't want you to wrinkle your jacket, or ruin your reputation by dancing with someone like me." Lux gave his chest a soft pat with a smile then turned towards the dance floor.

***

Joaquin watched the party, unamused. He could understand why everyone else needed it but he saw no purpose. How many of them would be at peak performance tomorrow? A party is understandable. But the night before? He just hoped that his teammates had their wits about them tomorrow. He was not in the mood to deal with a gaggle of drunks.

"Do you mind?" The voice took him by surprise. He looked in the direction of where it came, expecting someone to be talking... Well, to anyone but him. But, found Ellis standing before him. Joaquin put his hands on the armrest, nearly standing just to offer him a seat. He stopped himself before he did though. It was old fashion and awkward. So, instead he nodded his head in agreement motioning to the seat beside him.

Joaquin wasn't the best at reading people. He was actually horrible. He sat there, glancing between his newly arrived company and the dance floor. He should talk. That's what most friends do. Ellis was a kind person, never pressured him into an awkward friendship or conversation. He was the only real friend he had that just let Joaquin be... Joaquin.

"So, ah... how are you?"

That caught him by surprise, again. Joaquin looked over at him. "...Wish I would've brought my headphones." He gave a slight smile, recounting how they became friends awhile back. Those would have been nice, could have blocked out all the noise. He tapped his fingers on the armrest of the chair, chewing at his lip, thinking of something to say.

"Are you ready?... For tomorrow?"

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Blake Taylor Character Portrait: Sebastian Rhodes Character Portrait: Maya Torres Character Portrait: Joaquin Wolf Character Portrait: Abby Rae Jarvis Character Portrait: Lux Slade
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▉Layla_Athenes▉
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#054357, Interacting with:N/A

"Why aren't you at the party, Little one?" The voice startled Layla into dropping her sword. It clattered to the training floor with a sound that echoed loudly. Layla took a breath as she kneeled down and grabbed the blade, her hands were shaking from overwork."Mother, please don't do that," She said softly. "I appreciate your work ethic, Layla, but if you'll burn yourself out if you continue at this rate." Athena told her, her voice echoing in her mind like the sword's clatter did the room. Layla was used to it though, it had been there her entire life, for the longest though, she thought it was her own voice, an inner voice, or a conscious like Jiminy Cricket, but it had turned out to be her mother, a goddess. Layla wasn't sure about how she truly felt about being left with the family that she was left with, considering that bickered like school children, but her home wasn't a bad one, at least not directly related to her, they loved her for all their faults, but still. They're constant bickering nearly killed her and while she never thought about leaving them for fear that she was the only thing keeping from killing each other, knowing that she had another option, a whole world she didn't know about, she didn't really give it a second thought but that presented new challenges, she wasn't the only one, and she had to be the best of her kind. She still wasn't sure about what this truly was about, beyond Godly pride, which it was most definitely, but there was something else at play here, that the Gods weren't telling them, but her mother seemed to care, since she'd been there her whole life, a face in the crowd, a voice in her head, keeping her safe, from a distance. So she couldn't complain too much. Some of these demi-gods had it much worse.

"Mother," Layla said, unafraid of talking to herself since she was alone in the training hall, what with the school at this party. "Why now?" She asked. Athena was characteristically quiet. "You only chose to make your present known to me, but a year ago, is it truly because of the accident or...is there more?"

"There is more." Athena said. "However, the accident proved motivation, for the both of us." She said and Layla nodded. Her mother never lied to her, not once, but that didn't make her feel better. "You wouldn't have shown yourself to me, otherwise, would you have?" She asked and after a long pause, Athena sighed, which was a strange sound in her head. "Suffice it to say, Little One, I was in a place of indecision, now I am not." She said and Layla nodded. "That's how I feel about this party," Layla said not wanting to think about what would have happened had she not been in the accident. And to think she thought that day was the worst of her lief...now she wasn't so sure. Was it bad luck, or providence?. "Why's that?" Athena asked. "We are expected to party like Dionysius, and then proceed to fight one another, and for what? Your favor, but why do you need to do this for your favor, don’t we already have it?"[/olor] Layla said and Athena chuckled. "You have mine, but this is tradition, moreover, there is the 'more' I referred to, and not so many of the Gods appreciate their children like I do." [/i] She said and Layla nodded, she could hear the smile in her voice. "That's not for you to worry about now, Little one, clean yourself up, dress nicely, and enjoy this time you have as normal teenagers." She said and Layla sighed. That was all she was going to get from that conversation. [color=#054357]"Yes, Mother," She said and with that, she did as she was told, and got cleaned up, and dressed in a lovely little black dress, that hugged her Olympian curves. She had no idea what she was doing here to be entirely honest, parties weren't her scene at all, she didn't listen to this type of music, nor did she appreciate the way that strobe lights and fog laid waste to her vision. She smiled as she entered though. She had to be a normal teenager, that's what her mother wanted, for one night that she was not a demi-goddess, fighting for the right to be beside her mother, but a teenager invited to an unsanctioned, unofficial party for school. "What am I doing here?" She asked herself as she skimmed the crowd for a familiar face.

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Maya Torres Character Portrait: Abby Rae Jarvis Character Portrait: Lux Slade Character Portrait: Marisole Nadeau Character Portrait: Ryan Grayson Character Portrait: Wesley Tate
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X // X // X

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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.

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Character Portrait: Sebastian Rhodes Character Portrait: Maya Torres Character Portrait: Joaquin Wolf Character Portrait: Lux Slade Character Portrait: Wesley Tate Character Portrait: Ace Michael Thatcher
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Wes watched Cal as he backed away, and then watched him more until he was clear out of sight. His grim and somewhat intense smile shifted to something that could almost pass as friendly. “That was never in question.”

Of course, Lux wasn't sure if he meant the drinks or her being able to handle herself with Cal. She figured it was the second. She always knew Wes to be protective, but until recently that didn't include her. So, seeing him step up in something so... minor was interesting. Flattering, but interesting. Even if he wouldn't admit it, that reassured her on questions she dare not ask.

Surprisingly, Wes didn't hesitate at her not-so-subtle manipulation into getting him to dance. But more than that, he took her hand as she lead him to the dance floor. “I think you saw to that quite a while ago. No point in fretting now.” Was he talking about her ruining his reputation or his jacket? Most likely his reputation. Lux didn't know if she should be flattered that he didn't care what people thought about seeing them together or if she should be insulted that he just admitted that she ruined his reputation.

When they got to the center of the dance floor, Lux and Wes were nearly shoved chest to chest. When Africa started playing, Lux couldn't help but chuckle. "Can't believe they're actually playing good music," she said more to herself than him. It seemed almost like too much of a coincidence that a slow song started when they moved onto the dance floor... That and the disco ball. Her gaze drifted up to the mirror ball wondering what smart ass Aphrodite kid was probably behind this.

Lux felt the air sucked from her chest when she felt Wes' hands slip down her her hips. Her body stiffened and froze at the touch as her gaze shifted up to his. She never quite realized how tall he was, or how short she was until that moment. Of course, they never stood this close until that moment. He raised his brow like a silent challenge, questioning if she'd allow the dance. Any other guy would be greeted with her knee in their dick and her elbow in their nose. But with Wes, she hesitantly let her hands move to rest on the peaks of his shoulders.

It seemed as the song went on, her hands subconsciously snaked their way up around his shoulders. Her delicate fingers slipping through the hair at the base of his skull. When the more upbeat tempo of the chorus played, Lux playfully moved her shoulders in beat with the song while lip syncing along. "Hurry boy, it's waiting there for you. It's gonna take a lot to take me away from you..." As the realize of the scary reality of the lyrics hit Lux, her cheeks quickly flushed and eyes widened. She nuzzled her face into his shoulder to hide her blushing face him, her arms wrapping around his shoulders.

As the song came to an end, Lux parted her lips about to say something, but when she looked up she was met by Sebastian's judgmental gaze. She stiffened, taking a step back from Wes, allowing her hands to slip from his shoulders.

"Lux, is that you?" Seb asked. As if he didn't know? A dumb looking blonde clung to the tailored prick's right arm and an equally as loose brunette stood behind him with her arms around his waist and chin on his shoulder. "She actually looks like a female," he said as he patted Wes' back looking her up and down.

"I swear... If you weren't on my Agon, team I'd fucking wipe the floor with your smug face," she said while crossing her arms and taking a challenging step towards him.

"Ah," he said, motioning his free hand towards her. "There she is." He smirked while his two companions giggled and shared whispers. Derogatory, of course. They better pray they don't cross Lux during the Agon tomorrow... Her foot would be so far up their asses they could taste the leather. "Well you've made your point and had your moment at the top. Better get back to your kind in the gutter... Trash."

Lux found herself at a loss for words, her mouth agape. Her chest began to heave as she stared between Sebastian and Wes, trying to catch her breath. "Go fuck yourself." She shoved herself past Sebastian, unable to bring herself to meet Wes' gaze. If his looks matched that of his best friend, she wouldn't be able to stomach it. Lux knew Wes was out of her league by a mile, but she was dumb to think it was anything more than a dumb jest between friends.

She pushed and shoved her way through the crowd, knocking over the occasional dancer until she was free. But she didn't stop, bee-lining for the exit. Once the fresh air hit her, Lux inhaled a sharp breath, clutching at her sides. She could feel tears trying to fight their way out, in part from anger... But also, not. Her right hand pinched the bridge of her nose as she paced by the lake. Trash?... Trash.

***

"Could you dears be ever so sweet, and get my friend and I here two scotches on the rocks?" Sebastian asked the girls with a sly smirk and a kiss on the cheek. They both nodded their heads giggling, before scurrying off to the bar. When they looked over their shoulders towards him, he gave them a quick wink.

But as if flipping a switch, he took a step towards Wes, tightly gripping his shoulder. "What in the fuck are you doing?!" he hissed. As he kept strong eye contact with his friend, he focused his attention to the hand on Wes. He let emotion pour from him and into his friend. Not feelings of love, but subtle... very, very subtle sensations of distaste. "You could have any girl here... And I mean any and you dance with her!?"

Sebastian put his right hand on his hip while his left reached up under his glasses, rubbing his eyes. "You're Upper East Side... And she is scum on the bottom of my shoe." He slicked back his hair then adjusted his cuffs. "I can understand pretending to flirt with her for the sake of winning the Agon. Seduce the girl, she protects you, which makes her fight harder... But end this charade, Wes."

His smile returned when the girls came back with their drinks. Seb took the glass from the blonde, draping his left arm over her shoulders while taking a drink. The brunette quickly clung to Wes' side, holding out the glass for him. "Forget Slade," he said while holding up his glass to make a toast. "She's making you soft and clouding your judgement. Why have one girl, when you can have them all?" He smirked, motioning to women before them.

***

Ellis disappeared as quickly as he appeared, leaving Joaquin to fend for himself yet again during the party. God did he hate parties. But from what he could tell, it didn't seem like it'd last much longer. Or maybe he could sneak out without any of the people who begged him to come, notice. He sat there through at least five songs, bouncing a foot to the beat and tapping his finger on the armrest of the chair.

Joaquin finally decided to stand, walking to the bar to get a drink. Non-alcoholic, of course. His head had to be clear if he were to try and lead his team to victory in the Agon. He took the water and a seat on a stool, turning to face the rest of the party. As he was taking a drink he looked up just in time to see Maya collapse on the ground. She wasn't his best friend or anything, but she was on his team. He knew her capabilities and was instantly worried.

Ace was there with her, but Joaquin paid little mind to the that as he hopped to his feet and snaked his way through the crowd to her. He shared a glance with Ace, hoping that he wasn't upset at Joaquin's intrusion. "Hey," he held out the water towards her and lightly placed the back of his hand to her forehead. He looked up at Ace as he took Maya's left arm and draped it over his shoulders. "Help me get her some fresh air?" he asked.

After all, they were all on the same team. Joaquin hoped Ace would be helpful and at least a little worried about getting their other team member back to normal. "Come on, it'll be alright." He reassured Maya as he helped her through the crowd. Once they were outside, he helped her to sit in the grass a decent distance from the party. He held out the water to her, "Drink. You need to stay hydrated." He took a deep breath and sat down on the ground beside her. "What was it? He looked her over. Joaquin had seen her have a vision on a couple occasions during practice. He knew it when he saw it, and this was it.

Setting

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Character Portrait: Sebastian Rhodes Character Portrait: Maya Torres Character Portrait: Joaquin Wolf Character Portrait: Abby Rae Jarvis Character Portrait: Lux Slade Character Portrait: Ryan Grayson
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Hades // Brain // Outfit // Hex #262f26
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Apollo // Special // Outfit // Hex #21b794
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Ares // Brawn // Outfit// Hex #FF0000


Wesley Tate was not a man who smiled often, at least not with genuinely gentle intent. His smiles were a mask, meant to tightly conceal any true emotion, or highly calculated to elicit the correct response from those around him. Wes was not a sloppy person, and unchecked displays of emotion were just that. Watching Lux lip sync in his arms though, alive, and unabashed, and completely open was like a siren’s call that Wes couldn’t ignore. Hers was a kind of beauty he found hard to define, which was yet another thing about Lux that left Wes feeling like he was wading through uncharted territory. What he was sure of however, was that he didn’t want this song to end. In that moment, with her arms around his shoulders, Wes felt his lips turn up ever so slightly, lids lowered into something soft and unguarded. And then Seb arrived.

At first, Wes was too stunned with disbelief to react. Besides the fact that his best friend had just stepped on his toes romantically, (a cardinal sin between two friends who’d chased as much tail as they had) riling up a teammate like that the night before the Agon was deeply stupid. Seb was many things, but he wasn’t an idiot. Why he was trying to sabotage their team now, Wes wasn’t sure, but it needed to fucking stop. Before he had time to mitigate any of the damage however, Seb hurled one final insult, and Lux stormed off toward the lake. Wes moved to go after her, but was intercepted be Seb before he made it more than two steps. What his friend had to say did little to stop the churning anger in his gut that Wes was doing his best to keep a lid on.

He and Seb had always been different, though complimentary. He knew who Seb was, the peacock nature, chameleon sensibilities, and Wes had never faulted him for that. In this moment however, listening to him lord a sense of supposed superiority over Lux by reason of mere circumstance of birth, Wes felt nothing bust distaste for how…shallow Seb sounded. Wes did believe in a pecking order of superiority. Some people were born with talent, grit, or an indomitable will that helped them claw their way to the top. He’d built their team from those very values, but the idea that being born to excess was somehow the deciding factor was ridiculous to Wes.

“I have too much respect for both your prides to think an apology would undo any of the damage you just did, but I had better never hear you call her that word again.” Wes didn’t raise his voice, he didn’t need to with Seb. They’d known each other long enough to recognize when the other was deathly serious.

“Who I dance with is my business, regardless of the quantity.” Gently, he extracted his arm from the brunette half of Seb’s entourage, and rejecting the drink as well with a swift kiss to her hand. ”I’m afraid I have a prior engagement this evening my dear, but I leave you in most capable hands.” The words were for the girl, but his eyes didn’t break contact with Seb’s until he turned and walked toward the lake.

Lux was clearly agitated when Wes finally caught sight of her again, and he slowed his approach with deliberately heavy footfalls so that she would hear him coming. Besides the fact that it was profoundly stupid to sneak up on a warrior of Lux’s skill, Wes understood the link between pride and composure. If Lux didn’t want him to see something, she’d have time to put her game face on before he got to her. What exactly he was going to say, Wes wasn’t sure. He hated not having a plan of attack, but he was beginning to grow used to this general lack of footing where she was concerned. “Seb’s an ass.” He began simply, more statement of truth than apology. Seb had a mean streak that was a marvelous tool in their defense, but was rough to be on the receiving end of. Lux knew who she was getting into bed with when she signed on to this team, but as the team’s all but official leader, it was his job to make sure she was okay. That was most certainly the only reason he’d come…he was almost convinced of that. “I doubt he’ll stop being an ass where you’re concerned. I wouldn’t have recruited you on this team though, if I thought you were trash…and I definitely wouldn’t have let you name it.” Wes finished with the ghost of old disgruntlement. He had no idea if those words were the right ones to comfort her or not, Wes was rarely sure of anything where Lux was concerned, but it was the best he had for the moment.

***


As dazed as she was, Maya wasn’t sure just when Joaquin showed up, but she was grateful for his presence none the less as he and Ace helped haul her off the dance floor. The cool night air was both soothing and overwhelming, as suddenly a coconut bra and island girl get up felt far too inadequate to fight off the chill. “Thanks.” Maya bit out, taking the water Joaquin offered and took small sips. As much as she’d like to gulp the whole thing down, Maya knew better, and really didn’t feel like puking it back up on somebody’s shoes.

”I’m not sure.” Maya answered honestly after a moment. Her visions were rarely clear cut, usually more visual metaphor than anything concrete. Some things in them were fixed, events already set in motion, but there were always variables at play. A kaleidoscope of possibilities to be parsed through made an interpreter of the vision more important as the vision itself. It didn’t help that accurate readers were rare, and a misinterpreted vision could often do more harm than good. While Maya was considered somewhat gifted in this area, the pressure to produce good intel felt crushing.

It wasn’t until Ace slipped his hand in hers that Maya felt she could breathe again, and she squeezed back while taking comfort in his reassuring warmth. “It’s dangerous to speculate, but there was a lot of blood…and my father was involved.” Those details alone were concerning, but they didn’t tell them anything conclusive. An obvious conclusion, was that it was a warning of death, likely for herself or one of her siblings, but that was a rabbit hole Maya knew better than to jump down. If she was fated to die tomorrow, there wasn’t much she could do about it. Greek literature was littered with the tragedies of those who tried to defy the fates, and the results were never good. Floating that particular suspicion would only upset her team mates, and none of them could afford to be distracted tomorrow.

“It looked like some kind of temple, stone, tight quarters, nothing to identify it though from the inside.” Maya listed off pertinent details as clinically as possible, trying to distance herself from the gore she’d seen.

***


Abby could practically see Calden’s eye twitch as Ryan chimed in, and any hope Lottie had of deescalating the situation died as Cal began cracking his knuckles. It was a bit of a tell really, a habit Abby had picked up on from their matches in class. The son of Zeus wasn’t looking to pull any punches tonight, which was bad news for Abby since he outclassed her when it came to pure physical strength. Not by much granted, but enough to be a mark in his favor. Luckily, Abby edged him out in the speed department, and despite her close proximity to a perfectly good bottle of whiskey, she remained annoyingly sober. Going by smell, Cal was not.

“You know, I was going to wait until tomorrow to do this, but fuck it! Why wait?!” Cal’s grin was all teeth, as he lunged forward fist first. Abby barely had time to push Ryan to the side and out of the line of fire, but it was a good thing she had since the impact of the hit to her middle sent her sliding back a good five feet, dirt tracks in the grass carved out in her wake. If she hadn’t been a child of Ares, Abby was pretty sure she’d have some broken ribs. As it was, she was probably going to have a seriously nasty bruise, and she coughed doubled over while trying to regain her breath. If there was blood in the spittle she spat out, Abby ignored it.

“I’m gonna grind you down to where you belong, under my boot! Maybe I’ll even let you up once you lick it clean!” Cal didn’t let up, trying to follow up with a knee aimed toward her face, but Abby dodged to the left at the last second and let his own momentum carry him forward and off balance. His guard down, Abby pivoted before driving her foot up and into his gut like she was punting a football. If her opponent had been mortal, that would have been game over, but it only winded Cal. Seizing upon the momentary advantage, Abby connected a quick upper cut to his face, (Cal would definitely be sporting a nice shiner tomorrow morning.) then latched hold of his arm and launched him toward the bar. Luckily everyone had scattered pretty quickly, as Cal crashed into it with enough force to leave it a virtual pile of rubble.

“Stick to grunting asshole, your smack talk sucks.” Abby ground out as she straitened back up. A fighter of Cal’s caliber wouldn’t be down for long, and she shifted into a guard stance as she waited for the next onslaught that would inevitably come. Sure enough, Cal began digging himself out of the rubble, and launched himself at her again.

“ENOUGH!” A crisp British voice boomed out, and suddenly Cal was suspended in mid-air, surrounded by some kind of crimson essence. It might have been funny, watching him dangled motionless like that spewing profanity, except Abby couldn’t move either. That realization was like a bucket of ice water being dropped on her, Abby’s muscles tensing painfully as she struggled to hang on to any semblance of reason.

“Cool it you two, save it for tomorrow!” A much more feminine voice chimed in. Whatever Abby had expected to end this fight, it wasn’t the sudden appearance of Mr. Holden and Miss McKinney walking through some kind of portal.

“Honestly, you two couldn’t leave each other be for one evening?” Mr. Holden’s tone of voice was aggrieved, but there was an intensity to his gaze that Abby found unsettling. She wanted to hit him, jerk away, gain some distance, anything but stay frozen here like some kind of rag doll. Everyone’s intentions felt sinister to Abby when she was restrained. “Very disappointing.”

“Merrick…” Miss McKinney warned with a quick glance at Abby. As the school counselor, June knew better than most that this was the wrong form of punishment for that particular student.

“Right…yes of course.” Mr. Holden agreed languidly walking forward, and with a lingering pat to her head, the red essence reseeded from Abby. Instinctively, she shot back, needing space to collect herself. Cal was also released, hitting the ground with an unceremonious “oomph”, before Miss McKinney pulled him up. “I think you’ve had enough for one evening.” She drawled with a frown. Cal still looked pissed, and he’d be a pain to deal with tomorrow, but he knew better to try anything now that teachers were involved. So instead, he stalked off toward the dorms with as much dignity as he could muster.

“Campus patrol is sweeping by in an hour, I suggest you all aren’t here when they arrive.” Mr. Holden announced like a question, once again their jovial, if eccentric, Arcane studies teacher.

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Characters Present

Character Portrait: Sebastian Rhodes Character Portrait: Maya Torres Character Portrait: Joaquin Wolf Character Portrait: Abby Rae Jarvis Character Portrait: Lux Slade Character Portrait: Wesley Tate
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“I have too much respect for both your prides to think an apology would undo any of the damage you just did, but I had better never hear you call her that word again.” Wes had one thing right, an apology wouldn't change anything. And Seb didn't apologize... His friend didn't need to shout or be firm with his voice for Sebastian to know that in Wes' eyes he over stepped his boundaries. But even if he did piss him off, Seb would have his emotions calm before he laid a hand on him. “Who I dance with is my business, regardless of the quantity.”

Seb smirked slightly. "So, you don't deny her quality isn't up to par?... Interesting." He brought his drink to his lips, taking a good long drink. He remained silent, watching as his friend apologized to the brunette and departed. No doubt to find Lux, although neither Seb nor Wes were good at apologies, so he couldn't imagine how their conversation would go. If he was lucky, Lux would want nothing more to do with Wes. It'd make things easier.

Between his insults with Lux and conversation with Wes, he didn't notice the fight that had broken out during the party. Not until Mr. Holden shouted loud enough for the whole area to hear. Seb's gaze searched the crowd until he saw Abby among the confrontational group. He rolled his eyes, trying not to growl out of frustration. To go calm the annoyingly stupid beast or take the two women back to his room? He knew what he wanted to do... But what he should do is give his teammate a heavy dose of calm-the-fuck-down.

Instead of following the morally correct decision, Seb pulled both of the girls close. "So, the party will be over in an hour... What shall we do?" He raised his brow suggestively, kissing the blonde on the cheek and then softly rubbed the brunette's side with his thumb.

The girls giggled. The blonde swirling her finger on his chest. "I think we'd like to see your room."

"What an excellent idea." He smiled, leading the girls out and away from the party. He allowed himself to look back over his shoulder... Just once, to see Wes and Lux near the lake. He swallowed back the distaste in his mouth as he looked forward. He took one deep breath as he guided the girls to his room. With luck, Lux would die during the Agon and this would all be a thing in the past.

***

Lux stood at the edge of the lake, contemplating going back to her room now and avoiding any other issues for the rest of the night. That was enough for her to know she wouldn't be getting a decent amount of sleep before the Agon, no matter how much she wanted it. She'd have to somehow find a way to get over her insatiable desire to kill Sebastian and figure out... Whatever her and Wes are... Were? Who knew.

She kicked a rock into the water, sniffing back her angry tears. Gods how she hated when she angry cried. Only other girls understood while it only reaffirmed to guys that they are emotional creatures. Bull Shit.

Lux didn't have to look back to know who was approaching when she heard the footsteps. Wes. The steps were loud, deliberate.... But not drunk. She didn't dare look back over her shoulder. Instead she stood there with her arms crossed, watching as the bright lights from the party reflected off the lake's serene waters.

“Seb’s an ass.” Lux snorted back a cold laugh, raising a hand to wipe back tears from her cheeks. “I doubt he’ll stop being an ass where you’re concerned. I wouldn’t have recruited you on this team though, if I thought you were trash…and I definitely wouldn’t have let you name it.”

"Do you have any idea how hard it is for me not to kill him?" Lux asked, still facing forward. "I couldn't give a fuck about the Agon... I don't refrain for the sake of our team. I hold myself back... Because of you." She tapped her fingers along her bicep, while bouncing slightly where she stood. "You should be happy he isn't my support, because I wouldn't protect him. I have enough to protect without his fucking worthless ass." She didn't need to say what she meant, Wes wasn't dumb and knew who she had to protect.

She stood there silent for a long while. Swallowing back the anger, tears and frustrated that knotted in her throat. Lux didn't know why exactly she felt the need to be so open and honest with Wes. Maybe it was because she felt it was time, or maybe... Because there was a chance one of them could die tomorrow and she wouldn't be able to live with herself if she didn't say something.

"He's right... We're from two different worlds, Wes. And I was dumb to think otherwise." Lux sighed, slowly turning around to finally look in his direction. The wind blew her short blonde hair across her face, arms crossed over her chest. She hated that Sebastian's words had such an effect on her. She hated that she believed every word that slithered from his forked tongue... And she hated more than anything that she couldn't control her feelings for Wes.

***

”I’m not sure,” Maya said after she took a bit to catch her bearings. Joaquin remained quiet, letting his gaze shift from her to his hands he hand cupped between his knees. He saw out of the corner of his eyes that Ace went to hold Maya's hand. Joaquin didn't show it on his face, but he was glad that she had his support in a way that many didn't have. He waited patiently until she spoke again. “It’s dangerous to speculate, but there was a lot of blood…and my father was involved.”

Joaquin chewed on his bottom lip while looking at his hands and tapping his feet. He didn't see what she saw, so he couldn't begint o try and connect the dots. But blood... a God.... It's not good. "You may wish to tell your sister about this," Joaquin suggested, glancing over at him from the corner of his eyes. "Not now... But before the Agon tomorrow. If it involves your father, she may be able to help... Or something." He shrugged his shoulders. It wasn't much in the realm of advice, but it was something.

“It looked like some kind of temple, stone, tight quarters, nothing to identify it though from the inside.”

He ran his hand back through his hair with a sigh. "I'll see if I can figure anything out. If you think of anything else that you saw just let me know." Joaquin stood up and slowly started walking towards the main part of the academy. He had enough of pretending to enjoy the party. Plus, Maya's vision had him thinking... And worried. Lastly, he didn't want to intrude anymore than he already had with Maya and Ace. Looks like he won't be getting much sleep tonight after all.

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Maya Torres Character Portrait: Joaquin Wolf Character Portrait: Abby Rae Jarvis Character Portrait: Lux Slade Character Portrait: Wesley Tate Character Portrait: Ace Michael Thatcher
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Hades // Brain // Outfit // Hex #262f26
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Apollo // Special // Outfit
// Hex #21b794
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Ares // Brawn // Outfit// Hex #FF0000[/left]

Wes listened to Lux’s complaints patiently, they were valid after all, and he couldn’t exactly blame her for reacting that way after how Seb treated her. How he always treated her. Wes loved Seb, but there was a snobbishness to his best friend that often frustrated Wes. In some ways, it wasn’t his fault, Seb had grown up most of his life in a very tight Manhattan bubble, unaware of his own heritage and the implications of that on the wider world. Every demigod was already inherently superior, they were the legacy of celestial beings after all. Regional elitism held little merit where they were concerned. In some regards, Wes suspected Seb still viewed the world through that narrow perspective, and time and exposure was the only thing that could change that. That didn’t make Seb useless, but Wes highly doubted Lux would be receptive of any defense on his friend’s behalf at the moment. Her admission to holding back on his behalf twisted something in his gut. Guilt, admiration, warmth, it all mixed into a confusing cocktail that tried to turn his stomach. When she tried to use Seb’s own logic to pull away from him however, Wes was through with listening.

“That’s bullshit and you know it.” Wes practically growled, stalking forward. His hand paused briefly, but extended out to brush a stray lock from her face as gently as he could muster. “If you don’t want to be with me, that’s your choice, but don’t let it be because some asshole tried to steal you confidence.” Wes wanted to grab hold of Lux, shield her, cage her, keep her close, whatever it took to stop Lux from pulling away from him like this. Wes did none of those things.

“If you walk away now, it’s because you’re afraid, not because of Seb. You’re a lot of things Lux, but you’ve never been a coward. It’s part of what makes you so damn special.”

***

Maya wasn’t sure what to do with Joaquin’s advice. In some ways, it made sense, but ultimately she feared it might do more harm than good. Maya still had no idea what this vision meant, other than an obvious warning of danger. Her father’s presence could mean a hundred different things, and it was hard to think of an immortal god as the subject in danger. More likely it was someone connected to Apollo, but there was no way to know. Lux had a strong connection with their father, and telling her about a threatening vision that vaguely involved their father would undoubtedly distress her. What if the vision was about Lux being hurt tomorrow, and the cause was from being distracted by Maya’s warning? It certainly wouldn’t be the first time a misinterpreted prophecy spelled doom for the ones who tried to act upon it. As Joaquin walked away, Maya resolved to keep the vision to herself, at least until she could puzzle it out more.

Soon, the party was slated to come to an end, the fight between Cal and Abby punctuating an end to the evening. Maya didn’t really feel in the partying mood anyway, and smiled gratefully as Ace asked her to walk him back to the dorms. Ace had never gotten enough credit for being as thoughtful as he was, and Maya was glad to be one of the few people who really got to see that side of him.

“Sure.” Maya smiled, gripping his hand as he helped her up, and they made their way back to the dorms.


***



The granite pillars practically sparkled in the morning sun, the weather absolutely perfect for the opening ceremonies taking place. Weather that weather was natural, or produced specifically by the gods to enhance their own lighting was irrelevant. The spectacle of the Agon had a standard to live up to, and this year did not disappoint. Each team had been ushered through the amphitheater to a hail of applause and white petals, their names announced and saluted by last year’s victors as they stood proudly amongst the gods. A torch was magically lit for each student as they were transported to their drop points, armed with their carryon packs, a single weapon each, and a bewitched hand glass from which they would receive their instructions. A surprisingly few number looked queasy as they were bustled off, but two did manage to puke as the magic that transported them took hold.

Lee felt rather green himself just watching them, remembering the unpleasant sensation from his own time in their shoes. Or it could just be the hangover. Distinct possibility. “Why does this thing always have to be so damn sunny. What’s wrong with a somber ambiance? It’s more appropriate anyway.” Lee grumbled as he massaged his temples. June’s hangover cure had taken the edge off the worst of the effects, but the splitting headache had yet to pass completely. His friend merely rolled her eyes as they stood in the stands with the academy students not competing this year. Most were scattered throughout the stands in some semblance of chaperoning duty, but the festival atmosphere was palpable, and most teachers didn’t even try to keep order in their sections. The mere presence of their godly parents was enough to keep most students in some semblance of their best behavior regardless, and the students’ antics were pretty mild compared to the crap they pulled in class on a daily basis.

”Only you could be grouchy after waking up with a literal god between the sheets.” June mumbled affectionately between cheering along with the students. Heat rose up Lee’s neck to the tips of his ears, as he shot his friend a dirty look. His relationship with Apollo was complicated to say the least, but the fact that it was becoming some sort of public knowledge was incessantly irritating. ”Why aren’t you the one up there with them?” June asked with a sidelong look, her tone as close to casual as she could muster.

”Do I look like the event coordinator?” Lee bit back defensively. The honor of standing with the gods during opening ceremonies was usually reserved for senior staff and those who help coordinate the logistics for that year’s challenge, but the gods were known to personally invite other teachers to share in that supposed recognition as well. While it was true that Lee was the teacher who had logged the most off hour training sessions with competing students, he didn’t exactly advertise that fact. Being a good screw (if Lee could say so himself), wasn’t a prerequisite for being fawned over, which is the only other reason one particular god might have had for requested his presence. The hell he was was going to stand there and be gawked at like some kind of glorified sidepiece. June held his eye a moment, brow furrowed in some kind of obvious disapproval, but she didn’t comment immediately.

“I think the weather is nice, it really highlights the vomit.” June changed the subject, and just like that Lee was reminded why he loved her so damn much. June could be a pitbull when she needed to be, but she’d always been able to read Lee. She knew when to push, and when to give him space, a skill few other people in his life possessed. Lee managed a weak smile to show his appreciation, but neither spoke the sentiment aload.

“Blood of my blood, this day marks the passing of a great trial, a test to showcase the most worthy among you.” Zeus boomed from the elevated stage above in the opening toast that Lee had heard a dozen times. Very little of the pageantry ever changed, which meant soon the challenge would be revealed on the monitor below them, and instructions given to the teams. Lee’s hands gripped the railing like a vice, knuckles whitening, as June laid a gentle hand over his own. Sacrifice and courage, the qualities all great heroes must display on their proving ground. Today we drink to their honor, prepared to bring more into this hallowed fold. May the worthy prevail!” Zeus lifted his goblet in the air, the other gods following suit before they brought the edge of the cup to their lips, and drank in unison. What happened next was utter fucking chaos.

Which god began convulsing first was anyone’s guess, but Lee couldn’t rip his eyes away from Apollo...Andy. Seeing a god in pain was as shocking as it was terrifying. These were celestial beings, their faces weren’t supposed to contort like that. Lee watched, practically paralysed as slowly they began changing, a gray crusty layer creeping across their skin. Andy’s green eyes were the last to go, their warm depths morphed into a stony mask of confusion that twisted Lee’s gut. He wanted to run toward that stage, but June gripped his arm, holding him back among the screaming students. Soon he realized why.

”Lee!” June warned, conjuring fire in her hand as she hollered orders for students to get down. They had come out of nowhere, an entire flock of dragons descending up the amphitheatre of the gods. Students shrieked as they dove for cover, others reaching for weapons to defend themselves as the beasts dove closer. The dragons were relatively small, the one consolation in the raging chaos that ensued. Several teachers tried to herd the younger students to safety, doing their best to ward off attacks from above. That’s when the doors flew open, armed men dressed in the armor of Achillon mercenaries flooding through.

This had to be coordinated… Lee’s mind screamed as he grabbed for his sword. He didn’t want to believe what he was seeing, but to deny the truth would be fatal. Too many lives hung in the balance for Lee to fall to pieces, so instead he ordered the seventh grade students into the pavilion, and stood guard with June at the entrance, back to back as they prepared to face their foes.


======

The tremor was almost inperceivable, but Wesley’s hand shook as he held the glass, watching the bloodshed that was unfolding within the amphitheater they’d been standing in not ten minutes prior. Students younger than they were lay bloodied in the grass, while warriors charged through the stadium, and dragons rained death down from above. It was the scene from a nightmare, and if Wesley hadn’t seen the rising flames on the mountain in the distance, he would have thought it was a trick.

“H-how is that even possible?” Lottie’s voice trembled, on the verge of tears.

“I don’t know.” Wes admitted quietly, as painful as it was. His mind was spinning itself in circles trying to explain what had happened, but no logical conclusion presented itself. Something terrible had just happened to the gods, and the timing of that enemy assault had been too perfect. Someone on the inside had to have helped them, but he had no idea who would have the motive to do such a thing, much less the power.

“What are we doing just standing here?! Let’s GO!” Abby practically shook with rage as she paced about, the screams of their classmates threatening to work her into a frenzy, she felt so helpless.

“And do what?” Wes challenged in his best impression of calm, silencing the glass before tucking it away.

”Fight, kill those bastards, do something!” Abby shot back incredulously. [color=#FF0000]”They’re getting slaughtered in there!”

“Were at least half a day away, probably more on foot.We’d never get there in time to make a difference, and even if we did, there’s a small army overrunning them. We don’t have the numbers to stop that kind of assault.” Wes fidgeted his hands, a nervous habit he’d picked up when he tried to cobble plans together on the fly.


“We need to move.” Wes decided. “We’re too close. An army like that has to have supply lines, possibly reinforcements, and probably scouts in the area. We need to get our bearings, and figure out what the fuck just happened. If we get caught up out here, we won’t stand a chance.”

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Sebastian Rhodes Character Portrait: Maya Torres Character Portrait: Joaquin Wolf Character Portrait: Abby Rae Jarvis Character Portrait: Lux Slade Character Portrait: Marisole Nadeau
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#, as written by mjolnir
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xxS E B A S T I A N00R H O D E S
xxxxxxxxxxg o d l yxp a r e n t x//x aphrodite
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xxL U X00S L A D E
xxxxxxxxxxg o d l yxp a r e n t x//x apollo
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xxJ O A Q U I N00W O L F
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“That’s bullshit and you know it,” Wes growled and stomped forward. He froze before Lux, raising a hand to brush back loose hair from her face. “If you don’t want to be with me, that’s your choice, but don’t let it be because some asshole tried to steal your confidence.”

Lux found herself struggling to breathe, but unable to break his gaze. “If you walk away now, it’s because you’re afraid, not because of Seb. You’re a lot of things Lux, but you’ve never been a coward. It’s part of what makes you so damn special.”

Lux didn't know what to say. She stood there frozen like a deer in headlights. Wes never spoke like that, never said what he truly felt deep down inside. Neither did Lux, that's why this was in such a fragile balance. She wasn't going to walk away, but she didn't want to say anything either. Instead she slowly and hesitantly, slipped her hand into his, sliding her fingers between his. Then started walking back towards the dormitories, with him at her side.

* x * x *

T x H x E xxxxx N x E x X x T xxxxx D x A x Y

* x * x *

Seb, unlike most of the other demigods, slept like a baby with the help of the all too eager blonde and brunette. In the morning he prepared for the Agon but, of course, he didn't look nearly as prepared as everyone else. Instead of wearing practical clothing, or even armor, he had on simple athletic attire. His one strength was parkour, so he need flexibility. But as for his weapon, all he brought was a simple shield. He couldn't fight, but he could run. So, defense was all he had.

Lux on the other hand could sleep a wink. She tossed and turned with a plagued mind of the night's events, the coming Agon and anything else that she felt like freaking out about instead of sleeping. Everything seemed to move in slow motion as she prepared herself, dressing in multiple layers for whatever type of circumstances they could encounter. She stared at her weapons for what felt like an eternity, trying to decide what to take and in the end decided on her throwing knives. In the end, they are small and wouldn't slow her down if she needed to make a run from it.

She barely spared Seb as sideways glance as their team moved to their launching zone. On a regular day, she'd be the first one to make a rude quip about he looked less than prepared for sparring, let alone the Agon. But he's Abby's support, not hers.

Everyone was silent as they were transported to their drop point. They all hovered around Wes as he held the looking glass, watching the commencing speech given by Zeus. Lux's hand reached out to steady Wes' as it shook watching the horror unfold through the looking glass. When the view passed over her father Apollo, she snatched it from his hands, shaking her head in disbelief. "No.... No, no, no."

“H-how is that even possible?” Lottie sounded as unstable as she looked.

“I don’t know.”

As everyone started panicking and arguing about what to do, Lux dropped the looking glass and sprinted in the direction of the smoke. 30 miles. I could get there by night fall if I paced myself. Fuck the Agon. This wasn't about glory anymore. She had to get there, to save her father and all of the helpless young demigods there. It didn't take a genius to know someone had to be behind this from the inside.

But she wasn't even 100 yards out when somebody tackled her from behind sending them both to the ground. Ryder wrestled with her on the ground until he somehow managed to get her on her knees before him in a choke hold, with one of her arms pinned behind her back. "Let me go!" She cried, fighting to break free of his grasp. Lux could have if she really tried, but turning against each other wasn't the answer either.

"Stop... Stop. You can't take on an army by yourself Lux, even you." Ryder slowly let his grasp on her fall.

Lux slumped over, catching herself with her hands upon the ground. Ryder helped her onto her feet, keeping an arm around her just in case she tried to run again. They came back to the group finding Abby about as furious as Lux felt, and Wes trying to think of some kind of plan. “We need to move.”

That was all Lux needed to hear. She took her excess baggage: jacket, knives and whatever else, slamming it against Wes' chest before she looked up at the top of the trees. She circled around until she found the tallest one and proceeded to climb up it. She didn't dare go all the way to the top. If by some chance a dragon or something else caught sight of her about the tree line, they'd be done for. Instead she carefully walked out on a branch beneath the leaves looking for somewhere they could go.

After a moment or two of looking, she saw a side of a small cliff with what looked like a cave. Lux quickly descended the tree, jumping down from a branch about 10 feet from the ground. She yanked her things from Wes' arms and proceeded to trudge forward in the direction of the cliff. "There's a cave a mile north." And that's all she said. She was worried and angry, and pissed that they were traveling in the opposite direction.

***

Joaquin had to fight himself from dropping the looking glass as he stood amongst his team in a small clearing surrounded by a dense and thick forest. They had a line of sight to the mountain that looked to be going up in flames and surrounded by several flying beast. He quickly shut off the looking glass and shoved it into his tool belt, unable to stomach what he was seeing any longer.

"We uh..." He cleared his throat, trying to think straight. "We need to get somewhere safe, out of sight and harms way."

Joaquin looked in each direction trying to find anything that could remotely count as cover, but nothing. "Being on the ground level is too risky. We could search all day for shelter... So..." He looks up again, weaving through trees until he finds 3 large trunks that stretched high, but didn't go all the way to the top of the tree line. "Up in the trees." He pointed up at the sky.

"Marisole. Ben. With me... We're going to climb, and build a canopy. We need foliage to surround us from every side so we're camouflaged in leaves, but also a quick means of escape." With that, Joaquin removed his jackets, and set them on the ground. He twisted his tool belt to hang off the back of his waist. Joaquin then proceeded to climb the tree. When he reached the top he started breaking off branches and building a make shift canopy.