Athena Marrow

It was comforting to hear that at least it would eventually get easier to live in the house and constantly be surrounded by the people that at least had most of the same beliefs that she did, and shared in her abilities. She just wondered when it was going to stop being so surprising to her that it was now her home. But the more connections that she made the easier it became.

“Considering the fact that I need coffee every single morning in order to be a function human being I would say that it’s a safe bet that you’ll see my face. I can’t promise however I won’t do my absolute best for us to become best friends,” Freya admitted as she nudged her gently with her arm before accepting her cup, “Thank you though. This is exactly what I needed today.”

“Does this mean I will need to see this one more often...? That does not sound fun...” Rasped Fenrir in Athena’s ear, barely audible. The notion obviously made the big hound uncomfortable... then again, so did the presence of even a single stuffed animal in their room. Athena ignored him.

Athena grinned at the notion of coffee reliance. She herself had only developed the addiction recently, requiring no fewer than two shots of espresso to get her through any given venture. It was a dangerous and, as Fenrir so often reminded her, ‘foul smelling’ addiction.

“I don’t think I’d ever complain about a new friend.” She said honestly, meeting the girl’s gaze as a warmth spread through her chest. “My name’s Athena, by the way. Yes, lame. I know.”

“Aw, now that’s just hurtful. I have worked hard for many years now to perfect my annoying sense of personality.” Nico said with mock offense. “Uh, you okay?” He checked. It would be a bit embarrassing if she choked to death right in front of him.

“Please do. Ask him for the Les Amis drink discount too, he has a special one just for us.” Nico lied easily. Maybe if he spread that around, it would actually happen. Or Jack would just get more stubborn about it.

“Y-Yea.” Athena stutters, inwardly laughing at herself. Realizing just how stupid she must sound to someone who couldn’t see her goofy smirk, she shook her head and clasped both hands around the comfortingly warm mug of coffee.

At the mention of a drink discount, Athena’s eyes narrowed. Sceptical. “Uhhuh. Should I be wearing a face-shield when I ask about that?” She inquired idly, that grin still in place.

“Aw, now that’s just hurtful. I have worked hard for many years now to perfect my annoying sense of personality.” Nico said with mock offense. “Uh, you okay?” He checked. It would be a bit embarrassing if she choked to death right in front of him.

“Please do. Ask him for the Les Amis drink discount too, he has a special one just for us.” Nico lied easily. Maybe if he spread that around, it would actually happen. Or Jack would just get more stubborn about it.

“Y-Yea.” Athena stutters, inwardly laughing at herself. Realizing just how stupid she must sound to someone who couldn’t see her goofy smirk, she shook her head and clasped both hands around the comfortingly warm mug of coffee.

At the mention of a drink discount, Athena’s eyes narrowed. Sceptical. “Uhhuh. Should I be wearing a face-shield when I ask about that?” She inquired idly, that grin still in place.

Freya was consistently nervous about extending an olive branch to be friends with anyone else, but she couldn’t handle holding herself at a distance. She was very much one that would need more than passive connections with the people around her. She needed the physical affection that came with friendships, but she knew not to push it with anyone. Instead she would just constantly offer up a warm smile and a loving heart.

“Well I won’t turn it down if it means I have some caffeine involved in my daily life,” She teased as nudged the woman slightly with a warm smile.

Does it feel strange to you? The question seemed simple enough and yet to Athena it was loaded with a plethora of different meanings. Strange to have a giant demon dog following me around? Strange to talk to shadows? Strange to be surrounded by magicians? “Nope, not really. You get used to it.” And Athena found she meant the words as they left her lips.

The house was about the most welcoming place that Athena had ever had the pleasure to stumble across. Elsewhere, those with powers had been faced with a multitude of demeaning interactions as a result of their power, chief among them being feared. She herself, having a pet demon hound, had scared more than a few people before she’d developed the common sense to keep Fenrir hidden in her shadow. Here though, people could be more open about their powers and, eventually, themselves.

Maybe just not me, quite yet.

“Does this mean I’m seeing you every morning, now?” Athena enquired with a smile, finishing pouring their coffee before turning and offering Freya her own.

athenamarrow‌:

Freya had to admit that it would have been nice to have at least one friend in the house and yet it hadn’t happened yet. It was a lonely feeling when she saw the way everyone else interacting and feeling as if she wasn’t a part of it but she was the type of person that decided to put a smile on her face and not cause any trouble for anyone else. That didn’t mean though that when the chance came up she wouldn’t pass it up.

“I am!” She said excitedly happy to have a conversation which she didn’t mind at all. She actually yearned to have the contact with someone else. “What about you? Have you lived here long?” She had no idea how long people were around but she knew that the woman had been there at least since she had. She was one of those people you noticed even in passing.

She didn’t hide her smile as she laughed quietly. “Well once I know how the machine works I promise that I will make my own, but then how would we become friends?” She asked her curiously in the hopes that’s what the goal was between them or at the very least a possibility. 

Athena watched the girl with a faint smile spreading on her lips, a tired thing until it was eventually reinvigorated by the caffeine now brewing away behind her. “Only a year.” She replied to the question, her smile remaining in place. There were others that had been at the house far longer than she, more accustomed to the ragged hallways and aged rooms. She herself had only just discovered the reading alcoves tucked away on the upper floors; the old mansion was packed with secrets.

Athena’s smile faltered a moment later, more out of surprise than anything else. She actually... wants to be friends? Such things were definitely untouched territory for Athena, usually avoided for fear that she would scare them off once they met her pet. “I am not your pet, child.” the wolf rasped in her ear, quiet enough that only Athena could hear it. Keep telling yourself that, pup. She thought back snarkily whilst turning to retrieve and pour their coffee.

“You make a valid point. I suppose I’ll have to keep being our personal brewer then, eh?” Athena murmured, her smile returning as she set to pouring the foul smelling liquid.

Addie had a knack, even without her powers of empathy, for reading people. The colors of their auras certainly helped but she was fairly certain that she’d be nearly as capable as she was now at determining how someone felt. Right now, Athena was exuding the usual mint green color she felt from people who were experiencing a dopamine high from seeing someone they thought was attractive. She had to convince herself, as she shifted her weight onto her other leg, that Athena was definitely not looking at her but there was something in the way the other woman was looking at her that told her otherwise. 

When Athena started playing, Addie was able to keep up fairly easily, though she didn’t know all of the words. If she got lost, she dipped out of the lyrics and simply hummed. “I think I can keep up?” She glanced around the room, looking at the other troupe members that seemed to be doing the same thing with other spectators. “Is this a big gig for you guys? I can’t believe I’ve never gotten you to take me to a show before…” 

Addie grew up listening to all sorts of music. Her parents owned a record shop in town and before moving to Paris, she had been the general manager. Her father owned the business and made a lot of the big calls but Addie had managed day-to-day operations and scheduling of other employees. She spent most of her time hunting down original copies of records and listening to new music of artists that wanted to leave their demos for purchase at the front counter. Being around these type of people was almost like being back home. The number of open mic nights her father had insisted on hosting at the shop? She had lost count. It was nice to be back in this sort of atmosphere again.

As the song drew to a close, Athena found herself filled with that same dull ache she felt in the absence of any song. It was the death of lyrics and notes sung only in that particular moment. Sure, that song would be sung again in some future venue but it would never quite be the same. Would never be filled with the same emotions, the same feeling... but that would make it beautiful in its own unique way. Athena accepted the scattered smattering of applause in the wake of her and Addie’s song, a smile on her lips as she paused to sip from a glass of water that had appeared at her feet - courtesy of the barman. 

As Addie mentioned it being a group performance for the troupe, Athena’s eyebrow climbed her forehead as a giggle escaped her lips. “No no, they are just here to watch.” She pointed out a few familiar troupe faces in the crowd, “This is just a me performance.” Athena proclaimed with a proud smile.

“And me. They obviously come to listen to my wolfish lyric.”

Yes of course, sweet wolf. They definitely do.

To Addie, Athena offered a bright smile. “That last song was perfect, you have a beautiful voice.” Honest words match her bright smile as she strums an idle chord on her guitar. “This next piece is a solo, I hope you don’t mind? I’ll dedicate it to you to make up for it... then perhaps you can buy me a drink.” She says with a playful wink, meaning nothing more than to be teasing as she begins to sing.

Addie hadn’t given much thought to changing her clothes for this evening but as soon as she arrive, she realized she was horribly overdressed. Her business attire - dark black dress pants, short heels, and a blouse was far too fancy for the low key atmosphere of Hill Street Bar. She had nothing to soften her look with, though. No scarf or headband. She pulled her hair from it’s high ponytail and let it fall in waves down past her shoulders. She ruffled her bangs into a bit of a messy state and just hoped no one asked why she looked like a buzz kill.

It didn’t take her long after slipping in for Athena to see her, which she was thankful for. There was a honey gold radiating from her, a nice change from the usual misty pink she felt from her new friend. While often a social butterfly, Addie couldn’t say she had ever been inside Hill Street Bar. It was nice to know Athena was watching the door for her. She wasted no time dodging between guests and performers until she was standing next to Athena, sliding up onto the stage in the spot she had pointed out for her. “I came from work and I’m ridiculously overdressed!” She nudged the other woman gently, “and I always have my singing voice with me…wether or not I actually use it, though…”

Addie grew up around people who encouraged her to participate in other activities aside from her study of magic. Her parents thought she ought to be a well rounded child just in case things didn’t work out with her magic or if she wanted to go a different direction. Her grandparents were more of the school of thought that her study of magic was the only activity that mattered. They had even suggested keeping her out of public school at one point and just teaching her magic from home. Her parents won that battle and Addie spent days in school learning the basics: math, reading, writing, and evenings learning from one grandparent or the other, and her parents, on top of that. She rarely had a moment to breathe but singing was something that didn’t take an extra amount of time to do – she could sing while she was cleaning or showering or walking to her grandfather’s. While she never considered herself anything special in the realm of singing, she knew she could carry a basic tune.

“I’m here to support first and foremost.” She patted Athena on the thigh and pulled both hands to rest on either side of her, her feet swinging as they dangled over the front of the stage.

The presence of a person is a tangible, visible thing. It can be observed in the minute adjustments of atmosphere in response to their entrance, the way people look, the shifting of gaze. As Addie entered, business attire striking a stark contrast to the relaxed attire of those around her, the aura of her presence rippled through the bar like an invisible wave. That easygoing, abashed smile, the self-conscious tilt of her shoulders, the glint in her eyes when she spotted Athena and the smile that soon followed. 

Adelaide was... radiant.

To call her beautiful in that moment would be an insult, for beauty extends far beyond the physical appearance of a person. No, Adelaide was good looking but it was the way she held herself, the way she ducked her head while weaving between tables that made her truly stunning. She was beautiful, and yet she didn’t know it... and that made her truly radiant. “Are human jaws supposed to stretch that far to the ground, Athena?” came Fenrir’s growl, snapping Athena from her stupor so jarringly that she feared she might have whiplash. A hastily plastered smile hid her embarrassment as cheeks flared crimson. Athena knew that Addy had a knack for reading emotions, so she tried doubly hard to keep such thoughts from her mind.

“Good, because I’m going to sound shit without you.” Athena teased, studiously ignoring the warmth that spread from that familial touch on her leg. She’s taken, Athena. Don’t get attached.

“How do you know that the tea-smelling human is taken? I heard no such thing.”

Look at her, dummy. Girl like her? She’s taken.

“... Good point. She must have people try to eat her all the time.” Athena studiously restrained herself from an indelicate joke following the wolfs remark. Instead, she shot Addy a bright smile, “The backing harmony is pretty simple - just comes in on the chorus and the two bridges.” She demonstrated the tune twice, being careful not to demonstrate it into the microphone, before turning her attention back to the moderate crowd. A brief smile, a demure nod, and she began.

The tune began somber, a hint of major chords lifting the mood to begin the tune.

‘I met a superhero, I lost her... I want her back.’

“That is the sound of loneliness, sweet wolf. And instrument should never be without a player as much a babe to its mother.” Athena explained as her fingers caressed a haunting melody from the old acoustic guitar. The wood was newer than her own, the neck and body still shining with only a few minor tarnishes from use. Athena would never let the new beauty sink into a state of disrepair, but at the same time, she had never devoted as much attention to this particular love.

A few discordant notes echoed from the guitar before finally the instrument was tuned to Athena’s satisfaction. She strummed a chord, a smile on her lips. “That sounds better... not perfect, but better.” Fenrir growled from the opposite side of the room, sitting back on his haunches. Those bottomless black eyes regarded with an almost childish fascination. “It missed me.” She said, lifting her eyes to Fen after tucking the instrument away with all the care of a departing lover. The wolf towered to nearly four feet at the shoulder when he stood to his full height. When she was younger, the wolf had terrified her... eventually she had realized he had been just as ignorant to the world’s cruelties as she. Athena had matured since those times, as had the Wolf.

“I never miss you.”

“That’s because you never leave me. You can’t miss something you haven’t lost.”

The wolf was silent for a long few seconds before his head quirked with that animalistic inquisitiveness. “Is it time?”

“Indeed.”

~

Thirty minutes later - allowing for a brief stop past the local cafe - Athena stood in front of Alex’s door (she hoped), with two coffees in hand and the new guitar slung over her back in its new leather case. She had not seen the messy-haired telepath since the previous day and was eager to see the look on his face when he saw her gift. As eager as she was, she kept all thoughts of the guitar from her mind so as to avoid ruining it. Fenrir was hiding in her shadow as always, a looming presence at the edges of her consciousness. 

Athena knocked, waited, hoped. 

So rare was the opportunity to make another happy when you were as broken as she.

In two minutes she was in an alleyway two buildings down from Les’Amis, shadows already beginning to stretch as the sun began its steady descent towards the horizon. Those shadows, perhaps haunting for others, were surprisingly familiar to Athena. She had one such shadow follow her everywhere and, now that she had seen what lay beyond... she found that they did not scare her anymore. And so, as normally as any person stepping through a doorway, Athena stepped into the shadow of the alleyway...

... and stepped out of the shadow of the alleyway across the road from the Hill Street bar. That never gets old.

The bar was familiar to her, a middle-income kind of watering hole with a slightly raised stage in the far corner and an old fashioned bar encompassing the entire right side of the room. A littering of tables denoted the bar as a relaxed setting intended for those wanting to sit back and listen to music... a stark contrast to the many standing-room clubs that littered this hospitality strip. Athena waved to the owner - a rotund man with greying hair named James - before making her way to the stage, unlimbering her instrument and beginning to tune it idly. Just as she sat down, a familiar growl echoed in her ear: “The tea-smelling human is here...” 

Athena lifted her eyes, spotting the radiant Adelaide wandering into the bar, a smile coming to her lips unconsciously. Instead of calling out to the girl, Athena merely patted the empty seat next to her on the stage, an impish grin on her lips. “Hope your brought your singing voice, buttercup.”

Alex was used to people not believing him. He couldn’t blame them; nobody wanted to believe that a human could be as broken as he claimed to be. He wouldn’t want anyone to know anything about it, anyway. He definitely wouldn’t want anyone else to see the horrors he saw when he shut his eyes. Humans were complicated, fragile things, and they were already so hard to put back together when they were broken. To add in extra pieces, wear away at the lines where the pieces were meant to meet, nobody else was willing to admit it, but Alex knew that he was hopeless. 

Alex took the guitar, doing his best to ignore the questions practically shouting out of her mind. It was not something he wanted to think about. He would find something to keep his hands busy. He sat carefully on the bench, pulling the guitar into place running slow fingers over it, rediscovering the familiar feel. He plucked at the strings at first, more of an indistinct twanging than real music. Then, without real intention, his foot found a rhythm tapping against the bench and twanging turned a melody. 

The thing about music was that he didn’t have to search for the right words to make sense; they were already there. The act of singing, playing again, it made him feel as though he was back in high school or college, playing for himself, playing for other people. It was old and familiar and reminded him a version of himself before he had become whatever this shell of a man he was now.

Athena smiled, hands finding their home in her lap as Alex took the instrument… there was something about the way that he held it that made her instantly feel a sense of camaraderie, a bond found only between mutual lovers of music. He held the instrument with a deferential respect found only in those who were passionate about the things they played. Who found themselves in those strummed chords and poetic lyrics. She knew, before he even started playing, that he was going to be beautiful. When he started playing however…

It was a thing beyond such superficial terms. This was something deeper, almost nostalgic. The music that filled the courtyard, filled with heartache and regret over a lost lover… it was almost as if he was singing of himself. Singing of that old self he had lost somewhere along the way. In his music, he was reliving that time and she saw it in his eyes, saw it in his words and in his voice. He had no trouble choosing his words, no difficulty forming the thoughts… This was Alex.

The real Alex.

As it came to a close, Athena felt her heart break for the loss of a song in the same way she felt for her own music. She wanted more than anything for him to keep playing, to keep plucking at those strings to fill this empty silence, but such things were unrealistic. He had places to be as did she. But this moment… She doubted she would forget it for a very long time.

“My mind is full, now. Thank you.” She says softly, hesitantly. Hating that she broke the silence following the song, ushering the memory into the graveyard of finished music in her mind. That silence had been as much a part of the music as the notes themselves. Her smile was sad, though genuine. Somehow, also happy.

“No more space for demons.”

For once, Fenrir was silent.

Alex’s hands touched uncertainly at the center of his chest. He could feel her trying to understand him, and maybe he would have helped her, if he understood himself. Broken. He could almost feel the shards pressing against his bones, his skin. He knew all about broken. He didn’t just carry his own pieces, after all. He carted along the pieces of so many that were gone now, that he had watched the light go out in their eyes. He carried pieces of people he had fixed, people he had failed, people he had never gotten a chance to even try to help. They pressed against his skin, threatening to cut him from the inside out. He could not deny the word, he wasn’t sure he could even remember what whole felt like. 

“Sometimes the sun comes up and he hears with real ears and speaks words that belongs to him. Then it goes dark and…” He trailed off, supposing she was smart enough to piece together what happened at that point. The life of madness was full of dips and hills, twists and turns. People often made the mistake of thinking it was one constant stream, but it wasn’t. Clarity came to show him what he had become and then receded once again. The clarity was what made it worse. He knew that he was mad, but he could do nothing about it. 

Again, he dipped away. He looked restlessly around the yard, unhappy with how quickly the project had gone by; he needed something to keep his hands busy. “Not done for appreciate of others. The work puts broken hands to use and fills the mind too full for demons.” He never could explain that part of it fully. He paused. Turned back, slowly. He could only assume Adelaide meant Addie, given the picture flashing through Athena’s mind, and his own thoughts traveled back to the odd encounter of watching tv in the middle of the night with his upstairs neighbor. He nodded. “She lives above me and her roots drip through the floor. She is purple.” 

Interesting. Athena seldom kept track of new arrivals let alone where they ended up in the house. She’d only recently encountered Addy and had grown to quite like her... an interesting coincidence that she bump into someone who was nearby to her so soon after. Then again, the house wasn’t that big. Athena watched Alex as she followed that thought train, observing his eyes grow distant for a moment as if considering his own demons. There was that damaged look again, those ‘jagged edges’ as he’d called them. She knew that wasn’t who he was and she would not hold him to that... nor could she harbor sympathy for him for that would only make him think less of her.

“Humans are complicated.” You got that right, Fen...

Athena smiled along as he studied his work, describing his own methods for keeping the mind busy. But what will you do with the garden now finished? The thought came unbidden, knowing he could hear her thoughts most likely. And so, without thinking, she did the first thing that came to mind... she presented her guitar to him, patting the space beside her. “Come sit. Play. Musical or not, just strum. It fills the mind as much as any day of hard labour.” She says honestly, a grin on her lips. Perhaps she could pass along this one gift to him, this one shining beam of who she really was without him thinking that she was taking pity on him. Sometimes pity was not pity but rather the act of a friend seeking happiness in another.

Addie smiled through her words as she watched Athena pour herself another mug of coffee. Even the strongest people couldn’t deny their body’s call for caffeine. She had tried, years back. Cut caffeine cold turkey two weeks before her 21st birthday. Her boyfriend at the time had taken her out to Cheesecake Factory and the waitress had told her anything off the drink menu was hers. She chose a large diet Pepsi and got 6 refills throughout dinner. From that point on, she simply accepted the fact that caffeine was a necessary part of her routine. Granted, it was one cup in the morning and maybe a second later in the day if she was really lagging but typically, it was just the one cup in the morning. It had been three or four at one point but she had dialed it back when her left eye had started twitching.

“Yes! How have I not given you my number yet?” She reached for the phone with one hand and started punching in the details. Adding a small sunflower emoji next to her name, she then entered her number in. She handed the phone back to Athena and nodded, “just shoot me a text so I have yours? I think my phone is back in my room. Honestly, I’m not great at keeping track of it?” A little scatter brained, a little unfocused, it made sense for Addie to not be the best at keeping tabs on her phone.

“And I get it. Unpaid labor and keeping up group morale? I try to do that with the staff at the cafe. They’ll show up early and start working off the clock. On top of that, it’s a huge liability.” Being in charge of a group of people and being responsible for their safety was a big deal but she had never been burdened by it. The rules were rules for a reason and she listened when it was necessary but often tweaked rules or bent them to fit the situation. That was what you had to do in the customer service industry. 

“I don’t give out my number a lot… not a huge amount of opportunities to.” She mused with a level expression, mind wandering to the most recent experience she’d had with giving out her number: a gentleman at the club who’d turned out to be married. Eww. Athena shuddered at the thought, taking back the phone. She tapped out a quick text to the number - the first thing that came to mind - before pocketing the phone; never one to be rude and text while face to face with someone.

Athena sipped her coffee again, studying the woman for a long few moments before smiling in a friendly fashion. She pushed off the counter absentmindedly, dusting herself off before setting the now empty coffee cup by the sink. “I’ll text you Jormund’s details - you can call him later if you want. If not, I’ll be at the local bar most of the afternoon for a gig.”

With that, Athena yawned widely, a hand covering her mouth before she moved to depart the kitchen. “See you ‘round, cupcake.” She called over her shoulder, a grin on her lips.

“Cupcake? Where?”

Metaphor, Fen. Metaphor.

The more time she spent with Athena, the more she questioned her abilities. The ebb and flow of colors that radiated from her was never the same, more of a conversation really, competing forces trying to be the winner or something. Eventually, Addie would tire of the guessing game and she’d just ask. But now was not the time; Athena was occupied with something on her mind and she still had her tea to finish. She lifted her mug to her lips when Athena started talking about a troupe she performed in. 

Shaking her head, Addie nearly spit some of her tea out. “I don’t know if anyone would want me to perform…but, I mean, I know a lot about music? My parents own a record shop back home. I used to do a lot of marketing and promotion for them? Do you think he’d want some help with that sort of stuff? I could do it on a volunteer basis at first, like a sort of trial run?” It would be a great opportunity to get out of the coffee shop for a day or two. She could find someone to cover the shifts or request off and just see where it went.

She never felt like she ever found her true calling. At almost 30, Addie still had no career job, no real idea of what she wanted to do. She had briefly considered hospitality as a career but now, it was more of a thing that just provided her with the necessary means to live, survive. She wasn’t much of a performer; she lacked the patience to teach young children; she wasn’t focused enough for medical school. She was sort of just floating around right now. But the thought of marketing and promoting people who had serious talents and wanted to share them? Making posters, flyers, and brochures to help these artists get noticed? That seemed like something she would excel at.

Athena simply smiled as the woman began talking, turning to pour herself another cup of coffee despite her previous remonstrations regarding the liquid and it’s hyperactive effects. “We always need people. I’m sure Jormund could use any helping hands you can offer.” She replied honestly. The Troupe had an accepting attitude that tended to rub off on its members - welcoming any and all who were seeking company where otherwise they had found none. When Athena had first joined, she’d barely been able to play a simple scale on her guitar - now she was a competent player trained by her family in the troupe. “I’ll put in a word for you, hmm? Might need your phone number, though.” Athena mused, retrieving her own phone from her back pocket before offering it over.

“The ‘tea’ stench is wearing off… She is beginning to smell like a normal human.” Came Fen’s growl in her ear, never one to remain absent from a conversation.

Funny that. She’is human.

“Will she let me take a bite, or two?”

No.

“Not even a nibble? I’ll be gentle.”

I doubt she’s into that.

Athena couldn’t keep a smile from touching her lips at the conversation, despite her annoyance. She forced her attention back to Addie, hopping up to sit on the counter behind her. “And don’t offer volunteer… Jormund hates the idea of unpaid labor. He’ll rant if you try to insist.” Athena still had flashbacks to the rant she’d received offering exactly that… she wouldn’t wish that on anybody.

For Freya it didn’t take long to feel at home within the strange walls of her new home. It was far from perfect that was truly certain however for the once heiress. She found a certain beauty within the damaged parts that were obviously far from new, but it felt as if in some way it was a reflection of her own broken parts that came together to create a caring environment if someone just put enough love into it. 

Freya was still trying to find her way around the space while trying to pretend as if she was comfortable in doing so. Of course it was all a lie and she ached to be near any form of water and feeding off the energy of it, but that wasn’t always an option and she had to learn how to survive on her own. Although that tended to be much easier said than done she knew though that they were all trying to figure out how to handle their magic and making sure that it didn’t cause any damage.

The more time she spent around the people though the more comfortable she became in doing things for herself even if it was with a fake confidence. She couldn’t help the nerves that tended to flare as she pushed her way into the busy kitchen in the hopes of finding some coffee that was still hot. It was easily the one space she tended to feel overwhelmed in but at least she knew where she was going.

The voice directed at her caught her attention though as her gaze snapped over towards the gorgeous woman before offering her a warm smile. “As long as you’re not going out of your way I would love to have a cup of coffee.”

“I have not smelled this one before…” growled Fen in Athena’s ear, barely audible. She couldn’t help but perk an eyebrow at that, one of the new residents? People came and went so regularly in Les Amis, she often struggled to keep up. One moment she was just managing to remember someone’s name, the next they had vanished. Room left barren and empty and Athena’s efforts to make them feel welcome completely wasted.

“It’s no hassle.” Athena replied honestly. She never understood why some hogged the coffee-machine as if it were the pride and joy of their ancient family… in reality, it was a dingy little pot capable of making multiple beverages at once, so what was the harm in filling it up a bit more? God forbid anyone actually think you a human being capable of caring. “You’re new around here, right?” Athena inquired, setting the pot brewing as she turned around.

The girl was pretty and young, already Athena found herself curious as to what this girl ended up in the house for. Many of the residents were battered or broken in some way… and yet, this woman looked radiant if perhaps a little tired? She looked on edge, uneasy. Athena couldn’t blame her - the bustling kitchen had that effect on most people. “I’m Athena, by the way… resident coffee maker.” The latter said with a sarcastic lilt as she shoots the girl a rare smile.

“Why are you being nice to her…? She could be a threat.”

‘She could also be a perfectly normal, nice girl… you never know’ Athena thought in response.

“… but I can’t eat normal, nice girls…”

‘What a shame, Fen. What a shame.’

Alex nearly laughed, as the sticky orange spilled off of her. Curiosity, confusion, surprise. He supposed he couldn’t blame her. People took one look at him and thought he must be easily scared, with how he held himself apart, kept his eyes down. “Deceptive eyes look clear but have seen darkness to make you look like light. Death and shadows have been companions, demons clawing inside and threatening to break everything apart that he tries to piece back together. Shadows do not scare the broken.” 

It excited her, though. Such a simple thing, but he could understand it. Coming to this house had been a tamer version of the same thing; finding people who were not disturbed and afraid of his madness. They dismissed it and moved on easily, some even attempting to speak to him. He could be the parts of himself that had always been hated, and there was something in freedom that could make the coldest heart a little warmer. It changed the idea of a future. He didn’t think he deserved the way he was treated, but he was selfish enough to enjoy it for the time. 

The music did make the work go a little faster as Alex sped through the rest of the path while listening to the song. He had always loved music, but he had lost his own guitar years ago. This had him wondering if he could find another one. Hers was actually tuned, another thing that made it easier to listen. Too many people claimed to play or sing and could do neither, and it seemed she had not been lying about her abilities. 

Given how small the yard was, Alex was placing the last piece into place as she spilled rosy clouds of regret for the end of the song. Again, he wiped his hand on his pants and pushed to his feet, surveying his work. It looked better than he had hoped. His hands clasped together, gritty dirt oddly satisfying between his fingers. It felt real and rough and nothing like blood or skin. “Habit to apologize for passion because it dulls the sharp edge of criticism. Practice has been sufficient.” 

Athena simply... stared. There were a long few seconds in the wake of her performance where her mind wandered to her company, to his words, to his behavior. So much about him was a mystery to her, his words cryptic and carefully chosen. She couldn’t tell if that was simply his personality or an indication of something deeper that he was expressing in his own personal way. Either way, she decided it wasn’t worth mimicking him. Humans often emulated those around them in an effort to belong. It is an unconscious action that shines through in the strangest ways, such as emulating the accent of the person you’re talking to without meaning it. Often, despite the best intentions, this comes across and insulting... Athena predicted a similar outcome here.

“It’s rare I come across someone else quite that broken though.” She says with the faintest of smiles, lowering her gaze back to the guitar as her fingers fret unconsciously at the strings. Nervousness manifesting in the twitches of her calloused fingers against the taut wire with no particular harmony in mind. That nervousness stilled as he commented on her passion, her eyes lifting back to his own as she took in his completed path along with him.

She couldn’t help but feel... Lonely at the sight of it. Here was Alex’s wonderful creation, the manifestation of his work and yet seldom did any but he see the work being completed. She doubted many passed on their appreciation to him, despite the hours he spent working away tirelessly at this beautiful space. Athena wasn’t much of a speaker on the topic of making new friends, but maybe... “Have you met Adelaide?” She inquired, wincing inwardly at pronouncing her full name. The girl was a long-time resident and no doubt appreciated the garden just as much as Athena did. “I think she’d love to meet the builder of this garden, if you haven’t met her already.”