ALEA JACTA EST

【 ♛ ;          Ares sighs, adjusting her fist and posture for what feels like the umpteenth time. It was always crooked, and if she punched like that, it would surely break her wrist.

Organic coffee in hand, Nike might look like just about anyone——not specifically the goddess of victory. She might’ve put a lid on the whole godhood-thing in order to win her glory on Earth fair and square, rather than just taking it——she’s always liked the chase. But now she’s squinting right back at a face that’s just familiar enough that she already doesn’t like it.

“When did you show up?”

【 ♛ ;          Oh, shit. He recognizes Nike all at once, eyes widening when Ares realizes just what he unknowingly waltzed into. ❝  Jesus Christ, it’s you. ❞  You know how much it takes for a god to speak the name of another diety, and not even one of their own pantheon.

[text 13:42] Stop fuckin sending me nude pics when I am in class.

[text 13:43] It’s very distracting.

[text 13:49] Okay maybe one more.

[ text to TWINK ] school is stupid. i’ll tell u everything u need to know

[ text to TWINK ] u just have to ask very nicely

     ❝ Like I  said ,  I rather  protect  than harm. ❞  Carmilla repeated, moving a foot back      as the god came closer.   With a small   w a v e   of a finger roots slowly  EMERGED       from the ground, quietly snaking its way to Ares.  She knew it was  most likely  futile      for her  to protect  her and Daisy,  but that wasn’t  going to  stop her.  Besides,  Ares      was only    e x p l a i n i n g   how to   use   a dagger and   UNSETTLING   or  not  it      didn’t  mean he  was  actually going  to  hurt  her.  Gods  were always  so  tricky  to      understand.  ❝ Maybe you can    t e a c h    me how to use it, but for now if you give      me  your word  that you won’t hurt  me ,    D  a  i  s  y    or this forest I’ll give you a      sandwich.❞

【 ♛ ;          Ares chuckled, seeing her shy away satisfied him. A little bit of fear was good. It was also very Machiavellian; a man who the god of war held dear.

          He noticed her subtle motion, canting his head and furrowing his brows. What’s this? The rose had thorns? Her power smelled like the pure, uncorruptable nature of his sister, laced with the reservoir of life as the source of her strength. He did not startle, however, choosing instead to shrug in submission.

          ❝ Cross my heart and hope to die, ❞ he purred. ❝ Your dog, your self, and your beloved forest are safe. I wouldn’t dream of pissing off Persephone; she can be quite difficult when angry. ❞ Especially with Hades wrapped around her finger.

【 ♛ ;          Staring across the pavillion, Ares squints, racking his brain to try and place where he’s seen this person’s face before. Any longer and he’s going to be pissed he can’t remember.