Blood & Ink

"You know, people usually say 'good morning Hemera' or 'how're you doing today?'"

"But in this instance, you are late for our initial meeting. It does not give a very good first impression."

"Well, don't make the meeting so early in the morning then."

Hemera took a seat opposite of her new associate and slumped in front of an empty tea cup. "You're Erebus, right?"

"Correct." confirmed Erebus.

"Any idea why The Convocation put us together for this project?"

Erebus cleared his throat, "The Convocation assigns their brightest minds together for projects that align with previous experience or aptitude. For you, I presume for your work on The Janus Project. Excellent work, by the way."

"Oh, uh, thanks." Hemera didn't expect a commendation from someone that just reprimanded her for tardiness.

"And I assume that your contribution to the Tartarus Project made you a perfect candidate for whatever we're working on today?" Hemera scoffed and leaned back in her chair.

"Actually, no, I was recommended by none other than Hades to work on this." Erebus frowned. "I assume this is some sort of penance for somehow offending him in some way."

Hemera giggled, "So you two are friends?"

Erebus glared with a furrowed brow.

Hemera adjusted her robes and half mask dangling beneath her collar. "So what do you know about Hermes?"

"He likes birds." Erebus stated quickly and matter of factly.

"Does he? Oh avian creatures are quite lovely." Hemera cracked a smile hoping to make some kind of banter between her and Erebus. Instead, she found an uncomfortable silence between them and the now lukewarm tea.

"Unfortunately," Erebus broke the silence. "That is all I know of him. His fondness for avians. And that he's hired us to work with him on this new project of his."

The door swung open again. A dark haired man sporting his mask looked out towards the small few islands of conversation happening in the cafe. "Azem?" he calls out. Both Erebus and Hemera turn to see who called.

"Here!" They both say in unison. The man makes his way to the two seated Azem's.

"I'm sorry if I interrupted your morning tea. My name is Hermes."

Erebus shot up and extended his hand professionally. "It is good to finally meet you, Hermes." Hermes had a confused look on his face as he smiled politely to Erebus. He then turned to look at Hemera who was still seated. "I'm sorry, are you both Azem?" Hermes asked openly for either to answer.

"More of a title than a name after all." Hemera chuckled. "There's a lot of us that go by that name 'Azem', but you can call me Hemera." She gave Hermes a playful wink.

"And-" Hermes looked back at Erebus who was still shaking his hand.

"Oh, my apologies," Erebus released Hermes' hand. "You may call me Erebus."

"Well, now that introductions have been made, I would like to get straight to business." Hermes spied a nearby vacant chair and slid it over his way to place himself between his newly acquainted associates.