Efficiency's Son

Strangely enough, spirit possession was not something Hel often saw. Most of the spirits and ghosts that lingered in the land of the living were all too eager to follow the direction she gave them, and would step into Helheim with nary a fuss. But those were of her pantheon, clearly this one…

Still trying to extricate herself from the possessed demigod’s arms, she shifted, trying to slip away only for those arms to clamp tighter around her person. A frown that had already appeared at the sudden contact grew even more. While she was no means a abrasive goddess, she was not an overtly affectionate one either. Physical contact was something she was still learning about. But preferrably not from possessed half-mortals who would forget the actions of the ghost while hijacking their body.

In a flash, she pulls one of her arms free. But rather than use that to leverage herself off his hug, she brings it up and touches two cool fingers against the other’s forehead before tilting their head back. Her hand glowed before the faint light flowed down, casting an eerie shadow upon the demigod.

“Definitely a stowaway.” She murmurs before cupping the other’s face, almost intimately. In fact, if her hands weren’t glowing and her face not set in the sternest of looks, they would look like they were wrapped in an intimate moment. As it were, it was more of a supernatural one.

“Leave the boy’s body,” She says calmly, her eyes seem to look not into the physical eyes of the demigod but to those of the spirit that was currently using him as a meat puppet. “While I’m asking nicely.”

With his smile not fading, Rowoon’s eyes watch the goddess as she evaluates the status of the man holding her. Her request is expected, as cool fingers cup his cheek, the sensation an enjoyable one, because it has been so long since he has been able to feel anything. There is no way the spirit is giving that up any time soon. 

“No” the demigod replies, grin only widening, defiantly, whilst a large, cheeky hand slips down to give the goddess, the most feared and respected being, a little squeeze on the behind. What’s the fun of being dead if you can’t do what you want and to hell with the consequences? She can’t hurt him anyway, or risk hurting the vessel. She can ask nicely, or she can try to force him, there is no way the spirit is giving up his new home without causing hell on the way out - and was she willing to risk that? 

Minho hears Rowoon muttering to himself even as he steps back into the shower. He was keen to continue the conversation, but given that half of his chest was already soapy and his hair half wet, the young fireman figured priorities needed to be met.

Quickly finishing his shower, rinsing out his hair, he hears Rowoon mutter about the possibility of hugs being more enjoyable because of nudity and he chuckles playfully.

“I wouldn’t say it’s a contamination, Ro.” He steps out of the shower again, this time fully wet and dripping. Shaking the water out of his eyes he bids the statuesque man to hand him a towel. “And if you want to know more about the effects of hugs and their enjoyment while nude, all you need to do is ask.” Was he being cheeky? Well, he found the whole thing hilarious and he honestly was offering sincerely.

Lifting his eyes to watch as Minho once more steps out of the shower, body worthy of a Grecian marble statue, Rowoon lets his dark, eyebrow slowly arch as he finally cottons on to his old friend’s insinuation. “Oh I see” he murmurs softly, amusement in his tone before he turns to pluck the man’s towel from the hook behind him. He seems to consider it in his hand for a moment, before his gaze once more lifts to the naked demigod before him and he doesn’t offer it out just yet, No harm in looking, after all. Now his brain had finally switched from his research to more present matters at hand, and instead he lets his gaze lower over the other. His head tilting as if taking an evaluative look. 

“Somehow I think that your data might throw off my study” he murmurs back, a slow smirk spreading over his lips to mirror that and the intention of the other man’s, before he does outstretch his arm to offer it, but makes no move to get closer and put it within Minho’s reach. After all, now he can watch the show of his friend moving, he might enjoy it a little more. 

Proud to have you

Camazotz knows what to expect when he walks into his official office, just around the corner from his other large desk that stands outside of the directors like a toll gate. Making sure no one disturbs the moneky king, and that Wukong doesn’t escape him… Maybe more so the latter. This time he had come from a meeting though when he opens the door to step inside and be welcomed by the sight of his tall son hard at work. The looks Rowoon gives him as he looks up from the paperwork is all too familiar… Both from having watched him and from knowing he looked like that himself. 

With a nod he agrees to his sons work, that he was doing well and right on schedule. He had no doubts about it. He had even heard some good things from a few other employees though he knows people like himself and his son can be something to get used to. He was already doing fantastic. And so he says nothing as the bat god instead opens his arms. Waiting for his son to understand the gesture and come over to him. They weren’t naturally good at these things, the two of them. He sees the confusion and then the softly blooming smile of acceptance. Caça can wait all day if he had to, standing there with his arms opened. Thankfully it doesn’t take that long as soon he is embracing his lanky son is his own slightly shorter and slightly more buff body. His arms wind around his boy tightly and one hand presses up to the back of his head, patting it once before his voice comes out as a low murmur. “Good job, son.” He knows his son will already like these 3 simple words. 

Rowoon’s eyes close with a little upturn of his lips, as the broad hand rests against his hair, his body folded a little to rest his cheek on the god’s shoulder. He’s still holding one of his files, the pages now sandwiched between them, his hands still holding them, but he doesn’t care, he was too eager to receive his father’s affections even work could not take his focus. 

He feels as if his father’s words mean more than a congratulations for his work, though he isn’t good at pinpointing these things, but still it spread a warmth through him that was both comforting and invigorating. He wanted nothing more than to continue to receive his father’s praise like this. “Thank you” he murmurs once it was time to pull back, straightening a little to catch his father’s eye line but stays close. “I saw Sun Wukong with six pots of jelly heading into his office, from the cafeteria” he wanted to warn his father because either one of two things were likely to happen (and he had learnt this after not working here that long). Either the Monkey King would experience an extreme sugar high... or he would feel incredibly sick. He had made sure to warn his father of these things after the hot dog incident. 

Ironic Fate 

Eloise was growing concerned that she would be stuck in the tree for the whole evening. The island was still warmed by summer, so she did not fear any cold. However, she could feel her legs slowly become numb in the position which with they were held. So, she considered whether she would be able to get off by herself once again. If she had managed to get up there, couldn’t she get down? Yet, at another glance down, she gave up that brief gust of bravery. 

Yet, hope suddenly stirs for the demigoddess. She perks up when she hears the soft crunch of grass and the voice of the male. Her hand immediately moves to press down her pink pencil skirt as if it would protect her if he turned out to be a pervert. The head that poked up nearly makes her gasp, but she leans forward to look at them. “Yes.” She sighs as the smallest pout. “Help, please.”

She takes a moment to survey him, and she decided that he was the only hope she would get. Eloise initiates the descend. She reaches forward toward him in hopes he would try to grasp her. However, as she reached forward a bit further toward him, a loud crack echoes around them, and she is sent forward, arms wrapping around his neck as she hoped that he managed to hold her weight while the branch tumbled on the ground behind them.

For a moment Rowoon surveys the young woman’s predicament - how did she even get up there in the first place? She looked so little, and now she was stuck. So whatever skill she had to get up couldn’t get her down, it would seem. “Don’t worry-” he murmurs, wanting her to relax so he’s able to help as he nods at her request. 

With sweet little arms offered out to him Rowoon steps a little closer, extending his own, hoping he can just pluck her from the branch, before they both hear the crack. The bat demigod’s eyes widen, darting to the branch as it’s integrity gives out and he only has a moment to watch it fall away, before suddenly his arms are full of girl. Instinctively they wrap around her, half catching, half holding her to his chest, as he takes a small step back of one foot at the force of it to brace himself. His hand instinctively moves to hold the back of her head, feeling soft, silky hair, and turns her a little away in a protective embrace, curling her into him, as the loud snap of the branch falling is joined by the snapping of many twigs and branches on it’s way down. 

i remember we were driving in your car

it is clear that the tall male does not approve of doughnuts or any sort of fun one can have with a car, and han thinks this hyung will probably have to be classified as a boring individual he can only talk business with. but he’s not one to judge too harshly on this sort of things and so he accepts it with an imperceptible little shrug. luckily his new friend is ready to explain about his car, even opening up the door to point it all out to him.

when he turns on the engine then to show the way the dashboard is projected, he’s instantly bouncing around like he hasn’t just been inside of this car at all, clapping his hands. “that is so cool!” he exclaims with great admiration. “can you put it in different colours or is it just the one?” he completely ignores the accusation once again thrown his way in favour of continuing this interesting conversation.

“are you thinking of getting a personal license plate? it’s a lot easier to get here on the island than on the mainland, i bet!”

“There are a few options” Rowoon nods, the visuals of such a thing not really interesting him, he liked the standard BMW light blue, but still he reaches out to touch the dial between them and moves to the settings. “See - green... there’s a red” he hums, moving through them once he had found the right area. “Actually I quite like the red” he murmurs, pausing on it before he moves on to a yellow then back to blue, through green again and once more pausing on the red. 

“A personalised license plate?” He asks and glances over, a genuine look of thought passing over his features as his head tilts a little. “I hadn’t thought about it. What would I put? Rowoon 1?” He voices before looking over to Han for actual input. He’d never had to think up something like that before, he wasn’t really creative in that way. He has seen them and they can look cool! Cleverly disguised words in letters and numbers... but he can’t think up anything like that. 

Rowoon should not have been messing with things he did not fully understand, was way outmatched for and would have dire consequences. His trip to Xibalba after the death of his mother had filled him with curiosity and questions about the process of the afterlife. He had read what he could, studied all the different pantheon’s mythologies and locations, but nothing beat empirical study. 

He hadn’t foreseen it backfiring so massively. As the spirit he had been observing had turned on him, seeping into his body and taking control. Invigorated by it’s new lease of life it had wrecked havoc. Rowoon has more than a few people to apologise to after this. 

Having decided to take his lunch outside of the hospital today, Rowoon reclines against the comfortable backrest of a park bench, bag by one side, newspaper on the other and salmon sushi rolls in a container on his lap. His eyes gaze appreciatively across the greenery around him as he takes it all in. No matter how many times he comes here, sitting on this exact bench, he never ceases to be in awe of the place. If he hadn’t no knowledge in the subject and likely very little natural skill, Rowoon would quite like to have a green thumb. Alas, he will refrain and be content instead to enjoy the lovely parkland around him. 

Reaching down into the container on his lap Rowoon goes to take his second piece of sushi, before his eyes catch sight of something to his left, and he notices the waiting, patient eyes of another person upon him. No, not upon him... on his lunch. Rowoon observes the man for a moment, the eyes never shifting from the fresh, pink salmon between his fingers. He was broad, crouched a little to watch him, and nested atop his head in thick hair.. cat ears. Now this wasn’t as surprising as last time, given his acquaintance with Eloise, but it still has him start a little. Not because of surprise or alarm... but because to Rowoon there was nothing cuter, nothing more tempting, then a cat.  

Changmins eyes had been on Rowoon for the moment and for a second he is slightly surprised. Because for just a little bit he seems actually more human than otherwise and his shoulders seem to be less straight than usual. The thank you is sincere, and he’s very glad he reached out to the other boy in that moment. This feeling of joy after having given some kind of comfort is why Changmin loves being a therapist so much. If he can be of any help to soothe the difficulties in life, honestly he was already a happy man. 

Arestos knows that while Rowoon acts peculiar, there is sincerety in the things he does. So as he leans back he reminds him he didn’t need to be surprised for being thanked. After all he can see that Rowoon is also a demigod like him, and he knows a bit about his father. Camazotz would have a similar tone of… Strength. Thanking others for their aid to him and their genuine willingness to say more emotional things, even if he maybe didn’t need them per se. Rowoon appears similar yet as a demigod also more fragile. Though he thinks he shouldn’t try to psychoanalyze a possible new friend. Frankly… Despite how Rowoon is, he thinks so far they’re getting along and he quite likes him. He’s calm and smart, and given how well their fathers got along surely they would also be a good match? 

Changmin takes a bigger sip from his drink this time, eyes casting a curious glance over at the Mayan as he confirms they have similar backgrounds. It appears he was in fact interested in other people quite a lot, as he lingers on his occupation. Changmin bursts abruptly in a genuine amused, happy chuckle at the way Rowoon phrases his question. How it works? Now that’s not something he’s sure he can answer, but he can probably but it in terms that made sense to Rowoons more systemic way of dealing with the world. It’s even more amusing as he mentions his heritage and then… “K-kill?” His eyes grow wide as if in disbelief if he heard right, but then he shakes his head and waves a hand to deny it. Another chuckle swiftly passes his lips. “No, no. my abilities are very limited compared to my father anyways, but I don’t kill people thankfully. I can enter people’s dreams but when I do they turn to nightmares. I also can’t feel fear. Other than that I’m just who I am, so I’m glad you think I’m not scary at all. I would probably make a very bad therapist if I was.” He jokes a little, though unsure if the jest of it will reach Rowoon though he thinks this kind of joke might just. “I’ve been learning to try to use it in my therapy practice though, the nightmare inducing. Since it brings out the subconcious fears I think it can be a great tool for me to identify my clients issues but I have to thread carefully and not misinterpret. I’ve been working on this with my father. I heard you’ve also been working alongside Camazotz, is that right?”

“No?” Rowoon asks, eyes trained quite intently on the other demigod, to the point where he was also shaking his head along with Changmin, and even looked a little... was it sheepish? Having asked something possibly a little silly, given Changmin’s surprised reaction. He does hope he hadn’t offended him. It does upset him somewhat when his genuine questions are interpreted as offensive, when he was only curious, without the proper skills to ask tactfully. His father never has that problem, the man was all tact and charm. 

“Does your father kill then?” He asks before he can stop himself, but quickly shakes his head. His father and Changmin’s father were friends, it was unlikely Camazotz was friends with a murderous god of fear. “No, no I’m being too literal-” the bat demigod mutters to himself with a shake of his head. Fear didn’t necessarily equal death, and neither did nightmares. As Changmin continues to explain, Rowoon’s focus shifts from scolding himself to instead listening with real intent and interest as he explains. Therapy, nightmares and understanding their roots in primal or subconscious fear... “fascinating” he mutters under his breath instead of thinking it. It seems in Changmin he may have found someone with intellect similar to his own, but so vastly different in his application! Changmin to him was fascinating, not just his powers and what he did, but all of him. 

Byulyi nodded when he asked if he could sit, shrugging one shoulder as if to say it’s a free country. It was probably better that way, anyway, because looking up at someone so stupidly tall would get annoying fast. “I’d figure it out,” she replied simply, mostly because she did not really have an answer to the question. She was not about to admit that she had been in such a deep sleep that she had in fact left herself vulnerable. She did not like being vulnerable.

“Sounds like you lead a truly fascinating life,” she commented, eyebrows raised. She couldn’t imagine leading such a boring existence that you wandered aimlessly just to have something to do- but then, she had always been a restless soul, so she would go crazy without having interesting things to do. “My apartment felt kind of stuffy. Not that I really planned on falling asleep out here… And no, I haven’t had a curfew since I was twelve. Not one I followed, anyway.”

“Not really-” Rowoon replies to her comment about his life being fascinating, having taken it rather literally, but as he glances over at her he does cotton on, a little. She was being sarcastic. Sarcasm was something he never quite grasped well and others seemed to use it so easily. He has a way of saying everything so monotone and flatly, people would probably struggle to work out when he was using it anyway. 

“No I suppose you’re right” he shakes his head as she rebuttals his curfew question, it wasn’t something people had once they were more grown, but what else do you say to question someone you’d found sleeping outside? Interactions could be so difficult! Still, the comment about her apartment feeling stuffy he could relate too. “It is nice out here” he hums, leaning back a little, long legs outstretched in front of him as he gazes around the park and up to the blanket of stars above them. The island has such an amazing view of the nights sky, like there was no air pollution at all. “Warm, too. I could see how you could fall asleep, it’s comfortable” stopping himself with a small chuckle he lightly pats the arm rest of the bench beside him. “Well, I’m not sure I’d fit curled up on this thing” he glances over, hoping she’ll share in his joke a little. 

i remember we were driving in your car

the man doesn’t seem to enjoy the thought of racing and han’s face instantly falls into a mask of disbelief as he looks back at the car first and then up at this stranger again. who would buy a car like this and not use it to go as fast as possible? which person in their right mind…? clearly this man must not be in his right mind if the idea of racing has him bringing up the fuel economy. who does that!?

they seem to eye each other with mutual judgement for a moment before the man mentions the breaks and han is instantly off to take a closer look at them. “titanium laced nanofiber,” he echoes, and instantly the grin stretches out on his face again as he looks up at rowoon from where he’s crouching next to the hind wheel. “you could do some mean doughnuts with those,” he tells the man with barely hidden enthusiasm.

pushing himself up from his crouch again, he focuses his full attention on the man again. “what else did you have installed on her?” he wants so bad to just jump back in the car and drive while having this conversation, but he doesn’t think the man is the type to show off his car by giving someone else a trip around town in her. and what good is a drive anyway if he’s just going to stick to the speed limit anyway?

“Dough-!” Rowoon goes to shut down any ridiculous notion of treating his car in a way that would damage not only his tires, but also be dangerous, before he stops himself, pressing his lips closed with an unamused hum. They were not going to see eye to eye on this! 

As his hug was accepted, Rowoon lets a hand gently sooth over the other man’s back, before drawing back a little to allow the other to speak and explain what had him looking so lost. At the mention of a dog, seemingly in a bad way, his frown turns sad and he nods softly in understanding. He’d never really had a pet before, but he knew the feeling of losing someone. That tragedy could hit in a multitude of ways and he doesn’t think it would be any less for an animal. They are, after all, family as well. “I am sorry to hear that” he murmurs softly, head tilting to catch the other’s eye line a little better. “Do they know what is wrong with him? I hear the vets here are really top rate-” he offers hopefully with a nod. 

With his hand sliding to Raiden’s shoulder he hopes to be able to lift his burden a little. “What is his name? Can you show me a picture?”

“Ah-” Rowoon grimaces lightly as he lifts his hands from the god, holding them up as he takes a very definite step backwards. Interesting. Rowoon’s first thought as the Greek god continues to berate him for his behaviour - he does not seem like a very friendly fellow. Still, it taught him something useful in the end. 

“Ares, not a fan of hugs-” the demigod murmurs to himself, hands slipping into his breast pockets to draw out a small notebook and pencil, quickly jotting down a few notes. He had been told, to a source close to him, that people enjoyed hugs as a form of greeting, it seems there is always an exception to every rule. “My name is Rowoon” he introduces himself as he lets the notepad fall closed and lifts his eyes to the god. “My apologies, I am conducting a small research experiment, noting down the effects of hugs-” he hums, lightly waving the notepad by way of explaining.

"I don't-... what do I.... it's ruined-" Rowoon stammers as he looks down at the brown, murky puddle before the toes of his shined shoes, his precious notebook with all his hard work, in it's centre slowly soaking up all of that dirty water. It was ruined, all of his hard work. How was he going to save it? He couldn't.

"My notebook-" he murmurs feebly to the person who'd stopped by his side, wide, chestnut eyes looking to her pathetically, before his head hangs. All of his research on hugging, his diary notes and write ups, gone. Letting his head hang he feels arms gently coax him into a hug, and he lets himself be coddled close, soothed by a genuine hug not for his research, but because he needed it.

"Mnn... my feet are cold-" Rowoon grumbles as he feels an arm slip around his middle and the soft skin of a cheek against his bare chest. Cracking an eye open, he glances down at Invidia laying against him, before his lips curl in a playful grin and he nudges his head down towards the foot of the other's bed... where his own feet stick out of the bottom of the duvet, uncovered and hanging off the edge of the bed. His legs too long for both mattress and bedding once he'd laid flat!

"You need a bigger bed" he mumbles sleepily before winding both arms around the other and rolls onto him, pressing the other down with his weight as he happily hums, nuzzling into soft hair. Keen to catch a few more winks like this, plus his body definitely didn't mind!