fire and gold in our eyes

hyeri_0609 어제 아빠랑 백년만에 데이트 한 날

trans: Yesterday. The day I had a date with Dad for the first time in a hundred years.

”Welcome to Mount Phoenix!” she smiled, gesturing around the room in lack of a better view of the city. ”It is much more interesting when you get outside, of course,” she added with a small laugh. ”Lots of fun places and interesting people. Speaking of which, I hope you don’t mind me asking, have you figured out your godly parent yet?”

Minji gave the other girl an almost apologetic look, hoping it wouldn’t be a too sensitive question. The last thing she wanted was to come across as rude or intrusive. Yet, she was beyond curious about the answer.

”You’ll get that question a lot I’m afraid, because that’s usually the first way we’re categorized around here,” she explained. It had taken Minji quite some time to get used to that particular question, because let’s face it – it wasn’t really someone asked you out in the normal world. Still, around Mount Phoenix it was the quickest way to getting an idea about someone’s character and judge their powers. It was simply safer to know, especially with some of the people walking around the town.

Ah, yes. The touring.

People had already started to leave the room, which probably meant it was time to get going. Minji leaned over to take a look at Hyeri’s map. There was so much she wanted to show the girl that she figured she could keep them walking around until night fell and then some more. It might not be the best idea though – she wasn’t sure Hyeri would be very fond of that plan.

”Well, there’s two choices. There’s of course the tour that’s all neat and planned out by the head of orientation, but that’s quite boring and it only covers the big things, like the uni and your apartment building and the park, so I could take you on another route and show you the more interesting places instead if you like, like the best restaurants and cafés and all the other apartment buildings and all those things that are more interesting to know about if you’re going to live here for a while.” Minji forced herself to stop before she completely floored poor Hyeri with the flood of words. A deep breath later she continued, the words put forward at a considerably slower pace.

“It’s Ares,” Hyeri mentioned casually, as if they were talking about food selection. “What about you?” People usually avoided her after that first question. They would learn the gist of what she was capable of just by hearing her father’s name, and she could do the same to them. It had been something to get used to, answering questions about your parents isn’t as common in the mortal world, but they were different. It hit her time and time again that they were all powerful sons and daughters of gods. 

She had to shake her head once to clear it, returning to her designated tour guide. Hyeri listened to her options carefully. The change in plans, the hint of defying authority caught her attention. She opted for the latter. “How about we go around on our own? I refuse to feel like some sheep following this,” Hyeri gestured to the head of the orientation, bespectacled and old, somehow a slow mover, and she felt that she couldn’t force to enjoy the company even if she wanted to. “Person,” she finished, trying to show some semblance of decency in a show that she wasn’t really that much of a pain in the ass. Somehow, trouble just found her, instead of the other way around. At least, that was what she’d like herself to believe. 

The old training grounds aren’t an idealistic meeting place for most people, but for Yezi and Hyeri, it is a play ground. The two girls have gotten along well so far, and their interests seem to be similar enough for their friendship to continue. Today was going to be a friendly field day. Maybe some trouble, but that all depends on what their plans turn in to. They are both children of War. Their alliance must be natural, or a complete surprise to some. 

Yezi sits in the dry grass, the heels of her hands planted behind her as she leans back, relaxing in the hot sun. Eventually, she simply lays back, staring up at the sky until her new friend shows up.

Hearing footsteps approaching, her eyes blink back open, adjusting to the light. The girl doesn’t bother sitting up. Instead, she twists her torso, managing to look over to see who it was. A pleased expression takes form on her face, and she lifts a hand to wave. 

She thought that Yezi was her only friend. “Born ready,” was always her reply, placing the heavy bag that she didn’t quite feel on the grass beside her companion. She opened it, revealing her newest weapon among the sharp knives and guns underneath it. It was a gift from her brother, a spike ball flail attached to a long metal chain. The weapon hummed to life beneath her fingers, like it was breathing and will respond to all her will once used. 

Her eyes open widely and her eyebrows lifted in surprise. “Oh you’ve heard of me?” Airmid was truly surprised, not everyone in Mount Phoenix had the decency to read or listen about the new gods arriving to the place. “I’m flattered.” She bowed playfully, like an artist before the crowd applauding and chuckled. “Of Ares?” She repeated after Hyeri, her mind connecting the girl to what she knew about her father. If she had the same power or even a quarter of it, Hyeri was an incredible strength and speed, which could be harmful to the store if not controlled. But Airmid had hope in Hyeri and also, she could be another demi-god under her protectin and guidance. 

She waited for the goddess’s response, reading her reaction about knowing her heritage. People weren’t keen to be friends with her after they find out that she was the daughter of the Greek War God. It had its perks, but it certainly didn’t help her socially from the start. She thought that Airmid might be thinking of her delicate atelier, and she couldn’t blame her. She could break things even if she didn’t want to.

He guided her around different alleyways and dark streets, her following surprisingly without any protest. He stopped eventually, and leaned her against the wall. At this point, her legs were already buckling, so she just slumped, curled up against the bricks. He crouched down, one hand already wrapped around the handgun in his pocket again. “What did you do?” he asked her quietly, not expecting an answer at all. No, she was far too drugged up for any coherent answer to that. “Why does someone want you dead so badly?”

Taekwoon could feel some sympathy for the girl start to seep through, but shut it down almost immediately. There would be time for guilt and self-disgust later on. He still needed the money. Had he been paying more attention to the scents all around him, Taekwoon would have noticed that one scent was much closer than all the others, one from the circle of people earlier. But he was too preoccupied and so it slipped his mind.

She stopped when the man stilled, hiding behind a dumpster. It was horrid, dark, and the floor was wet, but Hyeri stayed, her heart in her throat. No boyfriend would leave their girlfriend slumped on the floor. A soft gasp escaped from her lips as she saw the gun - this was a murder about to happen. He was a dangerous man, the woman didn’t know him, and she was right all along. 

She landed herself in a situation that she didn’t think would scare her. Impulse taking over, she stood from her position behind the dumpster and called, “Stop!” 

Gosh, just how drunk was she if she could not even tell that they were outside? Was she just that bad at holding her alcohol? Or maybe someone had spiked her drink? That was starting to seem more likely. Whatever the case, he was definitely honour-bound to take her home now. Hyuk may not have been the nicest guy, but he wasn’t the type to leave an intoxicated, vulnerable girl to fend for herself. Even if she was an Ares kid, he couldn’t see her defending herself right now.

“Hey, hey, hey-” He scrambled to pull her back to her feet when she fell, but it seemed like she was dead weight at this point and he wasn’t exactly all that strong. “Don’t worry, I’m going to take you home,” he promised, gently pulling his pant leg free from her grasp and crouching in front of her. “C’mon, get on my back.” He didn’t think he was strong enough to carry her all the way to her apartment in his arms or anything, so a piggyback would have to do.

Hyeri felt slightly nauseous and she was surprised that somehow she still had some feeling, no matter how unpleasant. She had never thrown up before. Hopefully she wouldn’t throw up on Hyuk. The girl stood as the boy pulled her up, and she nodded, climbing into his back. He was quite tall. “I can touch the clouds from up here,” Hyeri mumbled, her face pressed to his shoulder. “You smell nice.” 

She got comfortable on his back. She thought that this was the closest she’d ever been to anyone. Hyeri was too intoxicated to care about physical boundaries she usually had around herself. “Can you fly?” She asked him quietly, like a child, because she was feeling a bit impatient. Maybe he can fly them home quickly, so she can curl up in her bed where she belonged. "I want to go home.” 

he didn’t know if it was just him, but hyeri seemed to have gotten quieter. after all those years of not seeing her, did something happen to make her lose her feisty nature? or was it because they were in an unknown city that she chose to present herself differently? either way, it was nice to finally see a familiar face and the corners of his lips tugged up into a small smile when he remembers the kiss.

he wonders if she’d punch him if he kissed her again.

“thats all it is, isn’t it? flavoured water?” sungyeol asks, weaving between people carefully, so not to trip over his own feet again. he kind of didn’t want to make a fool out of himself in front of hyeri. “sport science? it suits you,” sungyeol says, looking at her with a smile. it made sense. she’d always been great in any physical subject they had back home. it kind of made sungyeol jealous.

“i’m a film and theatre major. it’s weird because i’d always wanted to act, but because i’m a demigod, i came here instead and i can still act,” he rambles, somewhat awed at the fact that he could still pursue his dream here. “though i’m not sure if demigods have any good movies, i’ll have to look sometime.” 

as they approached the cafe, sungyeol hums, leading her to the first empty table he saw towards the back, grabbing a menu from the neighbouring empty table. phew. at least he made it in one piece. “i haven’t been here long— about a month?” he says, laying the menu flat on the table so they could see it. “and yeah, it is,” he admits, looking up at her again. “i never thought you’d be a demigod too, though it explains a lot.”

Hyeri thought Sungyeol suited long hair. High school boys usually weren’t allowed longer hairstyles. She felt gusts of wind towards her direction and she gathered that he was an elemental demigod. She was mildly envious. That was so... cool. “You never get lost?” The girl repeated in confusion, trying to piece the puzzle together. Wind and navigational powers? Maybe a son of a water god? Definitely not Poseidon.

She hummed. “Don’t let Airmid hear you, she owns the tea atelier.” Hyeri wasn’t afraid of any deity’s wrath, but it would be best if Sungyeol was safe from it. Right? Gods cannot be trusted. “Oh?” It was the first time that someone said sports science suited her; she surely didn’t look like she will survive - she was a little thin and a little too small. “Thanks.” She knew that he was aware of her reputation in school. She hoped she didn’t get into too many fights here. Though at least, she was sure that they won’t easily die.

“Theater? That seems like your alley,” she told him. He was goofy and clumsy and animated, and he was expressive. It must be fun to hang out with someone like him, especially when she was sober to experience it. She vaguely remembered him being in a play in their old school. She couldn’t remember who he was on the play, but she remembered being mandated to watch because of their English class and he was one of the leads. “Yeah. I remember,” she mumbled, more to herself than to him.

He rambled quite a lot. Hyeri tried to look straight ahead, unable to look him in the eye. He had pretty eyes, and nice lips. She sighed and felt her cheeks grow a bit hot. They finally reached the cafe and she entered first, sitting across him and looking at the menu blankly. Different kinds of coffee, much like the ones in Seoul, and she pointed at the matcha latte before looking up. It explained a lot - the anger she had always felt and the urge to fight, to hurt someone, the joy and satisfaction of having her knuckles pound against something, someone, it told her a lot about where she came from.

Admittedly, Minji hadn’t been staying at Mount Phoenix very long. She had however made sure to explore the city properly in her few months as a residence, eager to get to know every nook and cranny, find where the nature was at its prettiest and where the most interesting people could be found. Sure, the city could be just as intimidating as some of its inhabitants, but as soon as she’d figured out the no-go areas she had slowly started to fall in love with it.

She couldn’t wait to share that with someone else.

And so, when she realised she could volunteer to guide newly arrived demigods around during their day of orientation, she had signed up right away. It seemed like a great way to spend the morning and with it being her day off from work, the timing couldn’t have been better. Besides, the prospect of eventually making a new friend and perhaps even getting a glimpse at their life before coming to the island was nothing but exciting.

The introduction to the orientation had been short and to the point. Minji had smiled and waved at the small crowd, of course, but with the slightest measure of restlessness. The real fun wasn’t about to start until she finally made her way over to the girl she’d been assigned to show around. Admittedly, the girl didn’t seem overblown with excitement over the tour, but Minji wasn’t going to let that dampen her good mood.

She stepped up to the girl, clearing her throat slightly to announce her presence before introducing herself with a wide smile. ”Hello! I’m Won Minji and I’ll be your orientation buddy,” she chirped, offering her hand in greeting.

Ah, yes. Trust her luck to bring her a chirpy orientation ‘buddy’. Her outstretched hand was in front of her, and she knew that her grandfather will have a word with her if she was ill-mannered. Given all the trouble she had caught herself into, Hyeri was surprised that her training was still intact. She gingerly took the girl’s hand promptly, dropping it after she gave it a small shake. “I’m Lee Hyeri.” She didn’t know what to do next, so she stayed quiet. 

Hyeri figured that it was time to go on the trip as the rest of the participants were already filing out of the room. Looking at the girl, she had just realized that she had met someone such as herself - another demigod. While it was true that she saw a lot of them all around, but it was her first time to actually talk to someone who was possibly as powerful as her (though she hasn’t explored that aspect just yet), and possibly magical (she didn’t know what she can do with that just yet, if she had it). 

The young girl before Airmid had this powerful yet insecure aura, like she was afraid of her own actions and she carried herself quite formally, with the file case and her straight posture. How curious, the goddess thought. Her senses tingled more as the lady vocalized her true objetive and Airmid smilled, thrilled with the fact that someone seemed to be interested to work with her. “Oh, alright then! Sit, make yourself comfortable and I will be with you in a second.” Airmid bowed and headed to the back, asking the employee to take her place and be aware of new customers or orders.

Cleaning her hands on her apron and placing it behind the counter, Airmid reached for a small notebook she usually kept close to the cashier and headed towards the lady. “So, you’d like to know about the vacancy.” The goddess sat in front of the girl, putting her notebook on the table, opened it and put her pen close enough. “Here in Miach we have this rule, well, we have this guideline that this place is for people to come and enjoy a good, relaxing time.” She gestured around, signiing for the girl to look at her surroundings. People were mostly quiet or talking in a decent volume, some were reading, others simply listened to the music on the background. “We’re looking for someone iniatially to serve the tables, take orders. But eventually, we like that our employees can work both behind the counter and outside of it.”

Airmid wrote down the day and time and looked back to the girl. “To make it simple, you would start of as a waitress and then you would make teas and work with the herbs yourself. With me always by your side, helping.” She smiled, chuckled even. “I’m Airmid and I’m the owner of this tea atelier. What’s your name dear?"

Hyeri murmured her thanks and found a seat in the far corner of the room, where they wouldn’t be overheard by anyone in the shop. She smoothed her skirt beneath her fingers, trying to calm her nerves. But being her, she was never calm. 

She listened intently, absorbing as much as she could, and looking at the artistic style of the tea shop as she listened to the woman’s objective for her customers’ experience -- so she was the owner after all. Hyeri thought the ambiance was quite serene. It was what she would want for herself to experience, if she didn’t think of aggression and bloodlust most of the time. She almost sighed. Other demigods surely didn’t experience such things. “I see,” the girl replied as the woman finished her introduction of the job. She can do that - be a waitress, then a cashier. That was easy enough as long as she’s careful with her physical strength. That was the main issue. Her stamina would surely help her with the job.

“I can do that, yeah.” Hyeri tried to sound confident. Hopefully she get the hang of her powers better here, and not get fired in the process. Airmid. Airmid. Where did she hear that name? It sounded like something from the books. Tea. Herbs. “Ah. Airmid. Yes,” she said in recognition. The goddess of herbal medicine. Miach. Yes. She knew it was somehow worth it to know about the different gods and goddesses when she came to Mount Phoenix. 

Modern Day Greek Gods ↳Ares

Nice to know that even a totally drunk girl could tell that he was functioning to well to not frequent the bar. That really seemed like a sign that he should find a non-alcohol-related hobby. After all, he had had a few drinks and he felt absolutely fine. The alcohol was probably the only thing that was not bothering him at the moment, because the music and the atmosphere and the people were definitely making his head hurt.

“Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure you’re lovely; but I tend to get in a lot of fights, and I’d rather avoid fighting with someone who could crush my skull in their hands like an egg.” Okay, so he did not actually know if there were demigods who could do something that terrifying, but he was not going to test it out. It was just better for his well-being to avoid getting into it with super strong demigods.

“The Japanese apartments,” he replied without hesitation, not really finding the question all that odd. Besides, he did not think she would remember much of this in the morning. “Pretty boy?” He repeated, blinking. Now that was something he didn’t get called often. “Uh, Hyuk. And yours?”

“Eh, whatever,” Hyeri slurred. He didn’t need to defend himself. It wasn’t a surprise that people avoid her. She didn’t need many people in her life anyway. “I wouldn’t know with my other siblings, if I did have them, but I don’t pick a fight just because,” she babbled. She didn’t know why she was explaining herself. She picked fights with reason, is all. “If I do, the other person usually ends up...” She trailed off. Either unconscious or severely wounded. Hyeri left that part out. Gotta keep them guessing, she thought. 

“Hm,” Hyeri nodded. She thought they were outside now. The air seemed a bit cooler. “Are we out?” She asked the boy, Hyuk. “H-” she hiccuped, “-Hyeri. Will you take me home?” She was holding onto his waist, now. His shirt seemed to be a little thin to cling onto. She just wanted to go home. 

The girl was still smiling up at him, oblivious, when a man who seemed as though he was in charge, stepped into the circle. Taekwoon didn’t take his eyes off the girl on the ground. As far as he was concerned, nobody else mattered. What did matter, was getting her away from any potential witnesses, into one of Seoul’s many dark alleyways, and then putting a bullet in her. Taekwoon was pondering how he could go about doing so when he felt a rough push on his shoulder.

“Hey asshole, I’m talking to you,” he heard the guy growl. He fought back a growl of his own, “I’m not here to fight,” he said, half-turning, unwilling to let his target out of his sight. It had taken him days to track her down initially, and Taekwoon wasn’t about to let her slip away. He slipped his hand out of his pocket, having released the handgun, and knelt down in front of the girl. His other hand didn’t let go of the money securely tucked away in his pocket.

He stared into her eyes. They were unfocused, hazy. Was she taking drugs before getting into the fight? If she was, it would make things so much easier. “How would you like to come away with me?” he asked her softly so that others couldn’t overhear. She still had that stupid, trusting smile on her face as she paused. Then she nodded, and he took her hand in his, helping her to stand. “She’s my girlfriend, and I’m taking her home,” he said to the man, who looked as though he was about to throttle him. “Like I said, I’m not here to fight.”

He turned away and started to lead the girl out of the ring, with the man glaring daggers into his back.

Hyeri watched as the man took his hand from his pocket, blinking when he knelt in front of the woman. It was then that she heard him speak, asking her to come away with him. She repressed a shudder. Maybe he himself was under the influence of drugs. It was too suspicious to be true. Hyeri stood her ground. She knew better than to take part in the management of the group. The guard dogs were there for that. 

The girl almost scoffed when she saw that the woman agreed to go with him. Maybe he was her boyfriend after all, but Hyeri wasn’t born yesterday. There was cussing heard when the man took the girl away from the ring, and Hyeri approached the her classmate from the floor, helping him up. Without asking if he was alright, she did something that her mother would rip her for - she followed them. 

She stood a good few feet from the circle, eyes intent to see where the man was taking the obviously intoxicated woman. Hyeri felt the rush of adrenaline, of danger, of fear. She may witness a heinous crime - she was already exposed to theft and drug dealing, but never anything damaging to the human psyche.