Νάρκισσος

How someone could be so arrogant was beyond him, Narcissus took the meaning of the word to a whole new level and the worst thing was that Diodoros was certain if he said this then the man would think it was a compliment. “Please-” Dio managed, not sure if the state of physically dying, or somehow being forced to listen to the man talk was worse. Relief came soon after though and color returned to Dio’s pale skin, he stood with a strength that he had not known for weeks and felt his smile broaden at the edges. “You did it, you actually managed it.” This was his last hope, the last hope for any of his siblings as it happened. One man had held the power to fix them all along. “Who gave you this power?”

-

Narcissus refrained from rolling his eyes, chalking it up to the fact that this one didn’t really know the true extent of how amazing he was. Luckily, he had plenty of time to learn, and Narcissus was going to let him know all about it. “Of course I actually managed it. I don’t half ass anything. I do the best and the most, all in one really easy flick of the wrist – if you know what I mean.” Narcissus looked down at Diodoros now, then the wheelchair, “Well stand up and roll that thing out of here before you start asking questions. Can’t have it dirtying up the floor even more.” He waved the other off before he poured them both some more wine, “Here. The god of wine sends his regards. You can thank him.”

It is different here, Theseus thinks. There are others like them, others who have shared Elysium even, but they are somewhat safer from the interference of the gods. He thinks that chances of Dionysus showing up are slim to none after talking to Mara, that kobalos. It’s perhaps a bit…There’s a lot to sort out when it comes to the man before him and he is in Corinth on a mission from the god of the sea himself, but perhaps now he has time to figure things out. He looks to Narcissus before him and he leans in to press a kiss to his lips and for all of his own greatness, he has not a damn clue how to put what he is feeling into words. To propose monogamy probably sounds absurd and he decides against that argument as he rests his forehead against the hunter’s. He kisses him again, firmer this time, his fingers carefully curling at the front of his shirt to keep from wrinkling it beyond repair. “I could stay.” He admits when he pulls away, lips hardly an inch away from the other’s.

-

Narcissus grinned at the other’s answer, leaning into the kiss with a laugh, “See? I knew you’d see it my way.” He really didn’t have a doubt about it, all things considering. It only took a few words to get people to agree with him, anyway. His view on love and lust was skewed, perhaps. Where it was less of an emotional attachment, and more of a worship of another pretty thing. After all, Dionysus was pretty, he was pretty, and so was Theseus. Everyone won. “Now are you going to keep asking me ridiculous questions, or are you going to fuck me?” 

@dorianxagapetos​

She feels like she woke up in a swamp, a fever has broken out that is making her sweat profusely at all hours and she’s taken to making sure she has klennex with her in case her nosebleeds that tend to break out every four hours now occur. Miri, again their acting coven monarch because their mother is indisposed, informed them to find their way to Narcissus’s door if they have hopes of healing. She is dressed in a lace black dress in hopes of running a lower temperature and she’s knowledgeable enough about the rift and his ego to bring a present, the most beautiful flower from their garden. “I heard you’re the one who can help us, my coven the Delphi has payed you visit before.”

-

“Is someone having a party that you’re inviting me to?” Narcissus leaned against the door, staring at yet another Vidalis witch. He was getting tired of seeing them, but this one had a flower in her hand, and his interest was already grabbed, “Yes, and I’m still not seeing the fruits of my labor,” he deadpanned, standing up, “What’s your name, then? Where do you fall on the brood list?”

He kept asking questions, but left little pause for Miri to answer them. In fact, in the short break that the man took to tuck in a breath, she found herself unable to raise her voice, lips stayed sealed shut until Dorian finally looked over at her, tipping his head to study the way that she sniffled and looked frail. “He looked just like a man,” she offered, “I think he’s dating my sister.” She rubbed at her features, feeling quite miserable as she blinked up at the chatty man, “I’m sure that there’s something that you want that we can provide. A pedestal, your figure cast in bronze? Perhaps a parade, my mother has sway in the city.” Her words had bite to them, but she had grown tired and felt weaker, like a small creature prone to snap its teeth when cornered. “I don’t know what it is,” she admitted, “Or what caused it. My mother woke up from a coma, started to hang out with Hektor all the time, and now I feel like roadkill.” She paused, considering. “A few months ago, when she woke. It started slowly, I barely even noticed feeling unwell.”

-

“A parade?” That was incredibly tempting, but Narcissus managed to refrain from jumping immediately at that idea. He could be shown off around town, and everyone would be blessed to see him, but right now he had other problems to deal with. Like an entire sick coven. “Hektor doesn’t have this kind of power.” Not that he cared an ounce about Hektor. He was just a minor infraction. He only knew about him because he’d been informed that the original vampire was apparently still causing chaos. “But enough about him, more about me. Maybe I can have something carved in gold. I can’t believe you’d suggest bronze. It gets green way too easily, and while every color is my color, green is not my favorite.” Moving to stand in front of Meryem, he put his hand out to her shoulder, gripping it now as he focused in on the death that was consuming her life. He was going to have to have a word with Dionysus about this power to help others, because that was definitely not the deal, but when he removed his hand, there was no trace of the sickness left within the witch. “There.”

It takes him out of the moment, but he stays there, in Narcissus’s embrace. It’d occurred to him a couple of times in Elysium to stay with him on those mornings he hadn’t felt like making the trek back to his own villa. But it wouldn’t be just the two of them, and the idea of being shooed away for Dionysus had given him enough energy to clamber out of bed and head back home. Or to the field where he trained with Asterius, spite was a good motivator. But here in Corinth, where it was the two of them, what was keeping them apart? Theseus wants to say yes immediately, but that’s the longing speaking. He has to be rational about it, he has to protect what little remains of his heart after the loss of his family. “And dodge your other suitors?” He presses a smirk against the side of the other man’s jaw, lips descending down the smooth column of his neck. It’s presented as a jest, but he means it. He has business in Corinth, he can’t simply allow himself the distraction of more heartache. 

-

Narcissus hummed, though he was far too obsessed with the situation to think that there could be a double meaning behind Theseus’ comment. It sounded like a joke, therefore, the rift took it as one. After all, the other had never been bothered by Dionysus or any other who had stopped by. Narcissus was more than willing to let a pretty person into his bed, but the idea of Theseus being there indefinitely was too much of a temptation to pass up. “Dodge? Of course not. Join. I’ll share with you.” His fingers trailed over the expanse of the other’s neck now, framing his jaw, “We both know that’s never been a problem before.”

It is flattery, but it seems to be working, because Dorian continues on with his maundering and she does not mind to listen. He confirms easily what his earlier words made her suspect, that this is a man who is familiar with her god, has stood in his presence before — and what’s more, has held his favor enough for conversation. Like they’re old friends. From another, Mara would likely not believe it, but she would be a fool to discount the power that resides within him. Was that a gift from Dionysus? “Our parties are things of legend, it’s true. Perhaps this age is due for another one, particularly with so many of us within the same city now.” And Mara would not turn down the opportunity to get closer to Dorian, to learn anything more about him that she can — starting with his home. “I would love to see it, if you’re feeling so inclined. I’m sure it is magnificent.” She leans in closer, diminishing the space between them as a coy grin sets against her lips. “And if it is a party you desire, I can put together one of the greatest nights you’ll ever know.” It’s a bold statement, but Mara has enough ego to stand behind it confidently.

-

Tying ever conversation back to himself was his gift, but Narcissus – for once – let her finish her sentence before he interjected something in about himself. “Well, things of legend, hmm? So am I. I’ve been told I can make quite the impression.” His chin was on his hand, and he didn’t move away when Mara closed the distance between them. To say he was intrigued would be an understatement. Those who portrayed a sense of narcissism always won him over. He didn’t prefer the term confident, it was definitely narcissistic. “You know i prefer someone who can back up their words with actions. Good at planning last minute, Amaratha? We should leave.”

“I don’t know why.” Diodoros admitted, “Our mother woke up from a coma and ever since we’ve…” He looked weakly down at his hands and back up to the rift. He didn’t have energy for his temperament to flare, to take offence or to get in the least bit defensive. Diodoros had his suspicions on what had happened, but nothing that was sound. Only a theory that would need to be tested. “Please, help me. I’ve been told you’re the only one who can.”

-

“It’s impressive. I am always a fan of those who just do the most, anyway. If you’re going to die, you might as well do it first so everyone alive still has to mourn you. Otherwise, what’s the point of dying last? Useless.” Narcissus picked up his glass of wine, taking another sip from it before he made his way towards the wheelchair bound witch. They were so fragile, and he remembered feeling the same way once. But he’d lost himself to the feel of shooting an arrow instead of magic. “Alright, alright. You know I love it when people beg, but there’s so many of you.” He took Dio’s hand, only sparing the reaper that was with him a second glance, “You should get your...reaper friend fixed, too. Someone could do that for you.” The sickness was pulled from Dio within a few moments, and Narcissus dropped his hand, wiping his own on his handkerchief. “There.”

This one… talked a lot. Too much actually, Krys didn’t want to hear it. Though, it was something captivating about the other’s voice that forced him to listen. And forced him to keep his mouth shut until the other was done speaking. “It’s not dreadful at all, Eloise has been lovely company!” A gentle smile was thrown the lizard’s way, Eloise thanking him greatly. “And why should I follow you? Who knows, maybe you’re the dreadful one.”

It seemed the spirit’s fate to have to wait for the rift to finish speaking so that he could get a word in, and what was worse was that Narcissus seemed completely oblivious to this fact. “Did you know they named more than just a flower after you?” Ørjan asked, the personality disorder as well had come from the other’s namesake. “But Dorian is a cute choice too, it suits you. Picture perfect.” The spirit hummed slightly at the reference to Nyx, he’d been to see her when he was brought into her realm at the sundering of the veil but had not heard a word from the Goddess since. She had no influence over this realm now, but even she mourned the loss of his talisman. “She does, we were together again for a time. Briefly.”

-

“I did, and I think it’s absolutely wonderful. Do you know how often it’s used in a day?” The correct answer was not enough, but Narcissus just pressed forward. Cute wasn’t the word he would’ve picked, but it was good enough, and the rift listened for once. “That’s right. I remember when all of you showed up. Elysium got very full very quickly. Or – was it the in-between? I don’t know enough to care, but it seems like she’s gone awfully silent for such a long time. She and Persephone used to take walks through the garden with Hecate, and then all of the sudden they just...stopped showing up. I wanted to hear the gossip, but Nyx was gone after that.”

All of it is all so very Narcissus that for just a moment, just watching him, Theseus nearly forgets that he is there in Corinth with a purpose. Maybe he does forget it the moment their lips meet, but it’s brief, it’s not enough. Surely he has done enough to warrant some time with his lover without feeling guilty for not spending his evening productively like he’d planned. It’s not like he and Narcissus weren’t productive every time they got together. Just productive in different ways. “Everywhere I look, there’s you.” The smile he gives the other man is just a little bit sly, a jab about the mirrors. It fades away to genuine sincerity as he brings a hand up to cup the side of Narcissus’s face in a matter of seconds. “The water, the flowers, I see a crowd in the pub and I assume it must be people clambering to see you. Any noise made while I’m in the forest, I half expect to turn around and find you there beside me.” He thinks briefly of the flower pressed between the pages of that book on the mantle in his own villa. “Nothing here is as beautiful as you.” His other hand rests upon Narcissus’s chest, palm flat over his heart. “But you know that.”

-

Perhaps it should’ve given Narcissus a wake up call that he got all hot and bothered when Theseus talked about him like that, but he wasn’t going to even notice when it benefitted himself. Instead, the rift pressed a bit harder against the other, “I would hope so.” It was his desire to be consumed by all anyway, and even the slightest compliment made the man preen. “I’m here now. And you and I have a lot of catching up to do,” he pressed another kiss against the other’s mouth, curling his finger’s into Theseus’s short hair, the other hand over his, “Wherever you’re staying isn’t good enough. You should stay here.”

@dorianxagapetos​

What strength he had was a gift from Roman who’d visited him earlier that morning, when the striking young man opened the doorway of his home to let the witch inside. Dio couldn’t walk, but a wheelchair had been procured for him to get at least this far The witch shifted in his seat as tired limbs rolled him inside, Dio considered the power that came off of the man now, it was unlike anything he’d known before and quietly he found the strength to be hopeful still. Death’s door was approaching, his magic was long gone from him now and every passing hour Diodoros felt his strength leaving him once more. “Is it true?” Dio asked, referring to the text that Miri had sent around, “Are you really able to help me?”

-

Narcissus knew he’d been given the option to come over to the other’s home, but getting anywhere near the Vidalis estate just made the rift shudder. He didn’t want any part of what was going on in that place, especially since Anastasia wasn’t sick and all her children were. Plus, the vampire was there, and he’d heard rumors the guy was kind of crazy. “Honestly, I should just turn this place into a charity house with how many of you there are. Yes, I spoke with Meryem. She told me you’d all be dragging yourselves in here eventually. You look worse than the others. Why?”

Miri nearly looked back at the door, wondering if it would be better to slip through it once again to leave this man’s house, and take her chances with whatever end was bound to come as a result of her ailment. This, she was silently reminded as her mouth opened and she found that she had no words to utter, no ways of cutting him off, was why she hated men. Her arms crossed in front of her chest as she fought back another sputtering cough, but he, Dorian, finally came to an end of his spiel and she let out a breath. “A sphinx lead me here,” the witch said, hoping that he could see a little bit of the seriousness in that— she had risked a curse to find a cure, though more and more of her was sure that this man had difficulty seeing anything that lay beyond a mirror. “My siblings and I, we’re all very sick. It’s nothing that a healer can cure, I’ve tried that.” Miri took a step back, catching her haggard expression in glass. “Maybe I’m wasting my time. I thought you were a rift.” She paused, considering. “My mother would probably love those flowers though, we don’t have a single narcissus plant in our gardens.”

-

“A Sphinx? Gods, don’t they know when to leave things dead? Haven’t even thought about one of those things in centuries. Do they still have the funny heads? Or the big wings – those weren’t so bad. I once used a Sphinx feather to create the most gorgeous quill. Aphrodite tried to bribe me for it, but between you and me, I never could get past her incessant need to change her hairstyle every few hours.” When Dorian finally finished his small rant, he nearly looked sorry for Miri. Though he wasn’t going to budge on the fact that he did know what to do, but this witch sure did have the audacity to say she was wasting time in his presence. Didn’t she know it was an honor? “Of course she would. But you’re asking me to do something for you, right? So what on earth do I get out of helping the Delphi Coven? Don’t you know you’ve all been corrupt since the Pythia was in charge? What made you sick in the first place?” Narcissus made his way a little closer to Miri, circling her after a second, “It’s your life essence that’s sick. It’s not like you have a disease. Otherwise I wouldn’t have let you in. So – how and when did this start?”

“Well there’s no doubt about that.” Such a thing was fine by him, he enjoyed listening to Narcissus talk, as annoying as it could be at times. It was a bit of a personal challenge to get him to stop, one that he was often up to. It’s something he thinks on as they make their way to the villa that is….It’s very Narcissus, to the point where Theseus can’t help but feel amused as he crosses the threshold after the other man. “I miss the mirrors.” He says thoughtfully as he moves further into the house, turning to look at Narcissus. It’s not a bad house by any means, it’s obnoxious, it’s ornate and full of luxurious things, and yet all of the beautiful things pale in comparison to the man he strides towards. “I’ve had the wine and maybe,” He muses thoughtfully, hands behind his back to be completely casual. His fingers go to one of the buttons of Narcissus’s shirt, as if he’s contemplating the garment. “Just maybe it’d taste sweeter from your mouth.”

-

Narcissus laughed, looking back and at Theseus as they made their way deeper into the home. “The mirrors missed you,” he crooned back, his fingers dancing along one of the frames. It was true, he enjoyed filling the mirrors with pretty faces, and Theseus’ was one of them. The rift could already think of a few others he’d like to drop in as well, but he saved that for later – right now, his attention was consumed with Theseus, and himself, of course. Narcissus leaned back against the wall, pulling Theseus with him as the other unbuttoned his shirt. “Everything is sweeter from my mouth. You know they say I have a way with words,” he threaded his fingers through the other’s hair, pulling him in for a gentle kiss. Narcissus pulled away for only a brief moment, “Tell me again how much you missed me.”

“Depends on your matter of perspective,” she says easily, brushing off the comment. Perhaps it is an apt comparison for the kobaloi, she considers in amusement. Difficult to get rid of, always cropping up where they are unwanted in this world. “In any case, I find Mara suits me more.” Less of a mouthful, more common in this day and age. It makes for an easier transition back into her old life, when the memories inevitably return. It’s not surprising that he recognizes her for what she is, Mara is expecting that of him — but what is surprising is when he brings up her god, as if he is a friend. She sits forward in her seat just slightly, eyes trailed on Dorian in greater interest as he rattles on, wondering if it could be true. “Our festivals were not for the faint of heart, most outsiders came to regret their involvement.” As it so happened, most of them found themselves on the sacrificial altar, a gift of blood in the name of praise to Dionysus. “But someone of such a great power as your own would no doubt have found himself at home.” 

-

If she was flattering him on purpose, it was definitely working. Narcissus loved hearing hiimself talk, but he also loved hearing other people talk about him. “Please, I am the life of all parties, Mara.” He put his chin in his hand as he looked at the kobalos, “Dionysus told me all sorts, you know. The whole idea. He’s the god of madness before he’s the god of wine,” he crooned, grinning now at the kobalos. “And haven’t you considered throwing one of these again? My house is wonderful, bet you’d like it. It’d actually be the perfect place for once of those. Anyway, tell me more about yourself, Mara.” He was sure Dionysus had offered once to show him all his kobaloi, but that would’ve been far too long for the attention to not be on him.