Bring the Fire

♮

  It’s a busy night at Minx and a myriad of people from the city are visiting the burlesque lounge. All around him people buzz with conversation. It’s a constant and happy sort of atmosphere in the space and were he a little less tired it would be more than welcome that he’s stopped what feels like every few seconds as he walks to greet someone. He likes people. He likes seeing people happy. But underneath the smiles and talks he gives to others, Invidia is secretly the sort to crave the peace of his home. To be curled up in some corner reading a good book or ingesting the social media updates of others he knows and loves deeply.

   Still, he presses on and mingles with people between his performances. He’s wandering through the elevated VIP section when he hears his name. That voice! Though he doesn’t get the time that he used to with this person he’d know the sound of that voice anywhere! Whirling around, his dark lined warm eyes find the face he’s seeking almost instantly. Hephaestus! The god is saying something and over the music and the chatter of others between them Invidia can hardly hear him. Excited he weaves back through the crowd toward the god and instantly pulls him into a hug.

  “You!” He says it with such happiness. His embrace crushes the god to him for a moment before he’s pulling back a bit to look at him. Invidia is dressed tonight in a beautiful dark maroon outfit that drapes him well, his dark hair in the soft waves much like they had been when he and the god first met. “Hephie! You look marvelous! Come, come! Let’s go sit over here and talk!”

he is rather pleased to see the other and the crushing hug hes pulled into delights. "i'm genuinely glad to see you around, though," he states. He allows himself to be pulled along to a quieter area so that they can talk, catch up.

Hephaestus lets himself admire Invidia's outfit and the god compliments his friend. "You look amazing today. The color really suits your hair and skin," he adds, grinning.

🔮

   Hephaestus goes on to talk about his looks changing and it gives Malea just enough of an opportunity to make a note about him in her personal notes app on the computer. Just a reminder to brush up on his story a bit more in the inner sanctum of the library and perhaps after speaking with some people who know him better. Like perhaps other members of his family without a cruel streak in their usual disposition.

   The comment that about riches gained from snide remarks made by those called family earns him a polite chuckle. “Believe me, that is something I am deeply familiar with. It is often family that has the sharpest of blades to bury into our backs.”

  A short silence is between before he comments on Babylon being in good hands. She does smile genuinely then to him, lifting her eyes from the screen that she types on to offer, “Thank you. I aim to exceed the previous notions of what this place could be.”

As she agrees with him regarding family being the ones most likely to bury knives in the bad, the god chuckles. "A bit ironic in my case. I'm the one who makes the blades they so graciously stick in my back. But my petty rivalry really only extends to Ares, Aphrodite and Hera. Zeus is just kind of there by mere association,"he laughs, amused at his own statement. The god is momentarily distracted by the new arrival though.

🔮

   He got himself settled and as soon as the mention of the prior owner leaves his lips Malea rolls her eyes. Ares. She didn’t need to meet him to know that he had wrought both trouble and a fair deal of grief to those in employment prior to her arrival. He was the reason that the filing system was a joke before the two workers got their hands on it and before Malea reset it better. The notion that he may have falsified records due to merely disliked someone is also a concern that she will now have to address with a staff meeting and many phone calls later. For the moment she tackles this individual task.

   “My apologies,” she says smoothly regarding the issue of Ares. “I find that a great many things are still working themselves out since his departure. I am sure however, we can clear your account of any negative marks he may have left behind. Do you have an escort who can vouch for your character that you would like me to call in? If they are still working here I can verify that you are in good standing and that will help settle a lot of things.”

   Malea stands and goes to the file cabinet to pull open one of the massive drawers with records. Her fingers skim over tabs to the letter H before she is carefully carding through the files in there. As she picks through them she asks, “This prior owner, do you suspect he will cause trouble should he return? Or do you think he will simply amuse himself with other ventures?”

"well, i can see that you're putting a great effort to make Babylon a more functional place after the departure. I'm sure he left you with a lot of work to tackle," he added. As she asked about if there is an escort who still works there who can vouch for him and his standing, Hephaestus pondered. "well, I was never a frequent visitor, at least not as bad as Arawn, but Invidia and I met up a few times and I consider him a dear friend," he stated. "We met at the Pits a long time ago," the God added, clarifying.

He looks at his hands as she asks whether he will cause trouble if he comes back and Hephaestus laughed. "I don't think you have to worry about him. I'm sure he'll find other passions in his life. He always does, snd even if he does, you can always call me, Ill keep him away from you," he laughs with a playful wink.

🔮

  His assessment that she had been left with a lot of work to tackle post Ares was nothing short of outrageously kind to the reality of the matter. Ares, to put it politely, left her an abyss of paperwork, missed records, guest and worker complaints and a headache to sort through. She gives the driest of laughs in answer to that bit. “Well, it was something that’s for sure.”

   She clicks around and then her fingers fly over the keys as she updates information and corrects malicious statements left behind. It’s only when he mentions the reference of Invidia that her hands slow in their typing. Hm,interesting. She reaches out and presses the button on an intercom. “Room 69 to the office. Verification.”

   There’s a pause and then Invidia’s deep voice on the other end giving a short but pleasant sounding reply of ‘Be right there.’ Malea releases the button and turns back to hear the latter part of what Hephaestus says. “If your point of reference clears your name then I’m sure we can easily correct the apparent lies left by your family.”

"Malicious apparent lies left behind by family.... story of my life," he muttered, as they waited. "If I had a nickel for everytime that sort of thing happened in general, I'd be rich," he laughed. His voice was tinged with something crossed between sorrow and annoyance but he shook his head and offered Malea a delighted smile. He wasn't about to burden her with all the Greek drama. Although if she was curious it would make for an interesting conversation. One that he'd probably need alcohol for.

She swayed a bit - again, not sure if the alcohol or the general vibes at the gala - on the rhythm of the songs, surving the endless waves of colors around her.

"Do be careful, there," he stated.

But she did her best not to fall over, and that was all that mattered. Right?

"Thank you," Mai responded to the God's warning, leaning onto his arm to steady herself. The colors - now changed to shades of yellows - danced around the young demigoddess, making it harder and harder to focus on the physical realm.

He walked into the living room after taking off his shoes. He wondered over to Fotia, letting her smell him to get used to his scent. "I also don't really...want wandering eyes to see me around - not you...but it's a secret with what I'm needing your help with. Khonshu looked at the god before giving a soft smile.

As Khonshu settled close to Fotia, after letting her sniff him, the normally picky dog flopped her head on his lap. "That's a fair thought, And as I am the only god who resides in the Manticore apartments, that makes sense to come directly to me to avoid wandering eyes and people whispering," Hephaestus stated, in agreement. That was the right way to go about things.

Hephaestus settled into an arm chair close by, pondering as Khonshu described what he needed. Something to show serious but not a ring since that would be too obvious, but also it had be suited to Hecate and who she was as a person. "Of course. I see the dilemma and will of course give my advice and details in Greek. I may be a bit biased since my experience with the Greeks has been....less than favorable," he started.

"I'm sorry it's not...favorable. I figured...since that is your domain you'd have the best knowledge." He gave a frown before listening to the other get into his element. "I don't know - if it ...should be cursed? I guess I assoicate curse with bad...but not all curses are bad?" He gave a confused look before listening to him about the stones. Pulling out his phone he looked at them online. "I don't like the colours of them, but I like what they represent. I was thinking a darker stone...that's more her...and our vibes sort of?"

He shifted carefully to not disturb the dog as best as he could. "I think...black jasper. And a necklace?" He showed a photo of the black jasper. "it's supposed to symbolize safety and stability..." Khonshu didn't want to say much more than that. Hephaestus was smart, so he figured that the other God could figure it out easily.

He laughed. "Well I am the master craftsman to the gods. My history with my pantheon is only negative in regards to Aphrodite, Ares and Hera. There's only so much in the family that we can deal with," he added. Fotia leaned her head on Khonshus lap, quite pleased with her comfortable spot next to the Egyptian god.

Hephaestus pondered Khonshus opinion. "Well, curses have their own thing. A lot of the time, it's items associated with misfortune and unluckiness. It's similar to the idea of the evil eye amulets that exist because people believe that they ward off malevolent thoughts from them. Cursed items and jewelry are similar," he stated. "I tend to specialize in such items." He added.

The god pondered the others suggestion of balck jasper. "Yes. Black jasper is also doable. It would take some time to procure the right stone and the right amount but it should be doable enough. I have a contact who can get the rarer stones for me," he added. He pondered the ideas. "I think a classic Greek style with an Egyptian flair would be appropriate as a union of both pantheon. We do a lot of gold as well. I think," he grabbed the sketchpad he often had on the table, "we could go a few ways. A classic Egyptian style as inspired by Cleopatra with black jasper as a focus stone with a surrounding of black veined howlite with a Greek design motif," he said sketching out his thought. "Or we could go Greek style, as inspired by Helen of Troy, with black jasper as many stones and a central gold motif of your respective symbols," he added.

She came back, placing her cool hands against Hephaestus' cheeks. "I am glad that you are, my dear" she commented, smiling. "I plan to bring you on walks while you are here ! We could even go skiing" she added, chuckling. She couldn't wait to share that new adventure with him. "I do hope that you brought warm clothes though." She reciprocated his kiss, leaving the freshness of her lips against the warmth of his skin.

Skadi turned to look at the sleeping puppy. She knew Fotia since she was a baby and adored her. "I guess so ! But let her sleep, she is comfortable, she will let us know if she gets hungry." The goddess sat back next to her guest, resting her head against his shoulder. "As long as you can would be a good start." 

He prssed a kiss to her cheek as she watched his puppy for a moment. "Yes, Fotia will let us know once she wakes up. I think she just really likes your fireplace and home," he stated wrapping an arm around her once she leaned on his shoulder.

He walked into the living room after taking off his shoes. He wondered over to Fotia, letting her smell him to get used to his scent. "I also don't really...want wandering eyes to see me around - not you...but it's a secret with what I'm needing your help with. Khonshu looked at the god before giving a soft smile.

As Khonshu settled close to Fotia, after letting her sniff him, the normally picky dog flopped her head on his lap. "That's a fair thought, And as I am the only god who resides in the Manticore apartments, that makes sense to come directly to me to avoid wandering eyes and people whispering," Hephaestus stated, in agreement. That was the right way to go about things.

Hephaestus settled into an arm chair close by, pondering as Khonshu described what he needed. Something to show serious but not a ring since that would be too obvious, but also it had be suited to Hecate and who she was as a person. "Of course. I see the dilemma and will of course give my advice and details in Greek. I may be a bit biased since my experience with the Greeks has been....less than favorable," he started.

She swayed a bit - again, not sure if the alcohol or the general vibes at the gala - on the rhythm of the songs, surving the endless waves of colors around her.

"Do be careful, there," he stated.

"Mm () That is true. I am glad that you came." She gave him another hug, enjoying the warmth of his body against her cool one, her blueish skin sparkling in the soft lights of the cabin. She giggled at the kiss, escaping his arm, snowflakes swirling behind her. 

Skadi moved closer to him, smiling at the sleepy Fotia. The puppy had grown beautifully in the last months, becoming an adorable dog that she had come to love. "I like seeing you too, dear" she said, sliding one of his wild strands behind his ear. He was so pretty in that moment, his eyes bright and his cheeks still rosy from the cold. "You will get used to it very quickly."

The goddess looked around her, smiling. The cabin was maybe small but it was cozy and warm, welcoming. She didn't need palaces or ices or caverns full of gold and silver, she only wanted something where she felt safe and comfortable. "You are allowed to stay as long as you want. There is so much things that I would like to show you." She took a sip of her tea before placing her mug next to his. 

He blushed brightly at her compliment that she liked seeing him too, and he brushed a strand back as well, admiring how pretty she was too. they were quite the opposite in aesthetic visuals, hephaestus all dark and lanky and skadi, bright like the snowfall around them. his cheeks were still rosy from the cold. "ah, the cold doesn't bother me that much," he stated, laughing. He pressed another kiss to her cheek, delighted to be in her company.

His puppy was still snoozing away. "Fotia loves the fire. She's normally around my forge at the store since she was a puppy, so she may have gotten influenced," he added, laughing. As she told him that he's allowed to stay as long as he wants, Hephaestus couldn't resist the amusement. "Can I stay forever?" he asked, laughing.

🔮

   He got himself settled and as soon as the mention of the prior owner leaves his lips Malea rolls her eyes. Ares. She didn’t need to meet him to know that he had wrought both trouble and a fair deal of grief to those in employment prior to her arrival. He was the reason that the filing system was a joke before the two workers got their hands on it and before Malea reset it better. The notion that he may have falsified records due to merely disliked someone is also a concern that she will now have to address with a staff meeting and many phone calls later. For the moment she tackles this individual task.

   “My apologies,” she says smoothly regarding the issue of Ares. “I find that a great many things are still working themselves out since his departure. I am sure however, we can clear your account of any negative marks he may have left behind. Do you have an escort who can vouch for your character that you would like me to call in? If they are still working here I can verify that you are in good standing and that will help settle a lot of things.”

   Malea stands and goes to the file cabinet to pull open one of the massive drawers with records. Her fingers skim over tabs to the letter H before she is carefully carding through the files in there. As she picks through them she asks, “This prior owner, do you suspect he will cause trouble should he return? Or do you think he will simply amuse himself with other ventures?”

"well, i can see that you're putting a great effort to make Babylon a more functional place after the departure. I'm sure he left you with a lot of work to tackle," he added. As she asked about if there is an escort who still works there who can vouch for him and his standing, Hephaestus pondered. "well, I was never a frequent visitor, at least not as bad as Arawn, but Invidia and I met up a few times and I consider him a dear friend," he stated. "We met at the Pits a long time ago," the God added, clarifying.

He looks at his hands as she asks whether he will cause trouble if he comes back and Hephaestus laughed. "I don't think you have to worry about him. I'm sure he'll find other passions in his life. He always does, snd even if he does, you can always call me, Ill keep him away from you," he laughs with a playful wink.

An offer for help? "That is very kind of you, thank you," he admitted, letting the man assist to adjust holding the box, now able to actually see the fellow with his line of sight cleared which prompted a warm smile. "Hi," he greeted properly. There was...there was something about this guy that just screamed POWER to Leto. "I'm in Eleven," he explained, nodding the direction of his apartment. If this fellow was in the Manticore apartments, then that meant they were somewhat neighbors, right? Maybe different floors, but at least they would see each other in passing on occasion, wouldn't they?

as his offer of help was accepted, hephaestus adjusted the box with a grin. "ah, i'm on a higher level in 7, but still we should see each other around quite a bit, if I'm at home and not out at the shop," he stated, grinning. sure, there was always something that screamed power with him even though he often tried to keep it on the down low as the kids said.

"ah, there's no need for formality! it's a delight to meet Morpheus's kid. I like Morpheus. Actually one of the few gods whos generally tolerable, and not incredibly picky at all. I'm sure we'll get along!" the God of fire exclaimed, hoisting the box with ease on his shoulder. He may have looked weak, but he was actually quite strong never having lost the strength he had at the time of his time on olympus.

continuation from here.

@mpxhephaestus :

Hephaestus offered the girl a smile with a glint in his eyes. "Yes, I'd like to see some examples. I've been having an issue with the chains breaking almost immediately to the heat and the delicate work involved, so I wanted to get one to see if I could replicate it," he stated. He paced around looking at all the necklaces, and rings and various jewelry pieces. He may have to ask that seamstress on the island, Yura for her help on the shiny side. She was someone who was more familiar around such things. He knew that he didn't look at all close to what he was descibed in the books, but that was good for him, since it was always the element of surprise on his side. As the girl stated that the ones on display may not be ideal for what he was looking for, the God simply nodded. "Alright." he stated. If this girl was a daughter of Aphrodite, he had to be careful and honestly, give his wife credit. At least she had the audacity to keep with her standards. As she came back, Hephaestus made his way over to where she set up what she brought out and took a look at the intricately braided cords, and chains. As she then asked him whether it was meant to hold heavy pieces to endure some sort of forging, the God smirked. He reached for a chain, reminiscent of the braided style he had noticed. "The commission is to recreate a gift. It is not meant to endure heavy pieces but rather a delicate handiwork that can only be done with my specific touch," he stated. Did that essentially confirm that he was the God of the Forge and Fire? Maybe.

"I see." She smiled gently at the other, taking her hands to carefully place the remaining chains along the counter, neatly positioning them so all details could be seen without the need to grab the items if Hephaestus didn't wish to. Listening to his words, Minry had now the confirmation she needed, the man in front of her was indeed Hephaestus and Minry questioned again how could her mother possibly decide to look at some other God while the one in front of her looked so appealing. "My apologies if I'm mistaken but, you're Hephaestus aren't you?" Either to simply solidify her assumption or to break the ice further, Minry decided it was better to ask directly.

There were other motives to have his identity confirmed. The thought of wanting to know more about her own mother crossed Minry's mind, even though she highly doubted Hephaestus would want to talk about Aphrodite. Yet at the same time, Minry was dying to learn more about the reality of their relationship. If there was any currently. "More delicate work I would recommend a classic chain, perhaps a Belcher chain or even Box chain. But considering you would require some sturdiness I suggest a Snake or Herringbone chain."

"It's shocking, right. I am quite different to how i've been painted in the myths. I think that this form is retribution for giving me a bad hand so many centuries ago," he stated. Of course, looking at him now, the shock was more so how would have Aphrodite left him for another god, but back then no one would have batted an eye. He had been a rather unsightly sight to look at. But that train of thought raised another question, if he was like this now, who was the other god? As for his relationship with Aphrodite and his thoughts on her, well, it didn't really bother him all that much.

Listening to her recommendations, the God picked up the one she mentioned, comparing the chains in his hands. "I think the Belcher chain seems to be the most like the one i'm thinking of. The herringbone might be a bit much, in my opinion," he stated. He had to admit, she had some smarts to her.