Moved to @voiicxless

‘‘Yup~ if you want you can follow me home. I still got some strawberry cake at home, in case you want more sweets~’‘

He scooted closer to him, still fully believing that he was indeed an alien. After all, he looked odd enough to be one.

Of course he wanted more sweets ( and to nurse his wounded pride far, far from that hellish skating ring ), but he only quirked a brow at Skye’s offer. Reaching out to grab another cookie, carefully nibbling at it, and then pointing out,

‘‘I’m sure we’re the only weird looking thing, but whatever. Let’s get you some sweets, and cuddles on the way.’‘

Yuki was happy to have a friend around, especially one so tall and comfortable. Yet he wondered if he’d see Ephi slam his head against a doorframe or something, since he wasn’t exactly short.

       << W-w-w-we’re w-w-weird, b-b-but w-w-we’re n-n-not yellow c-c-cars, m-m-mate ! B-b-besides, t-t-there’s p-p-probably f-f-far w-w-weirder t-t-than us around here. Open your eyes ! >>

That’s huh… unusual. Not exactly something Epiphron would recommend, nor how he wishes to spend his evening. Or his day. Or even his night, for the record.

       << I d-d-don’t t-t-think t-t-that’s legal, m-m-mate. W-w-why d-d-don’t you let him g-g-go ? >>

Alright, his interactions with this guy haven’t been anywhere near positive so far, but that’s just plain wrong.

She tilts her head a bit more and watches him. She doesn’t say much, nor give away much of what she’s thinking, but there’s something there. The game of chess given up. All of that set aside. Instead those brown eyes looked as if she was staring at Apollo as a person… and as if she finally was starting to understand him, believe it or not. “The setting sun is not your domain though, isn’t it?” She finally asks. “The rising sun is. Your twin rules the night… or so it’s written in books my beloved has about the Olympians.”

“… and even if he is keeping something from me –” Even if it hurts every day that he’s keeping something from her. His past with this God as he claims to be. “– It isn’t my business to pry into unless he wants to tell me… and even if he is a little late, what’s wrong with enjoying the company of his wife over tea? After all, surely you’re curious why he would stay in this realm with someone as lowly as me compared to a God like you?”

He knew that it wasn’t wise ( it was showing a weakness ), but he gave a short, disdainful snarl at the mention of his twin. The little lady wasn’t wrong in assuming that nighttime belonged to her, that this scenery was hers’ to claim, whereas he lived when the land was embraced by sunlight. Was he supposed to congratulate her for knowing this ? For a faint moment, Apollo’s temper grew somber, before it just as quickly brightened yet again.

Never mind his twin. She wasn’t there.

Bringing his cup of tea to his lips, he hummed a short melody between two sips, taking his time to answer her. They were talking about this and that, a discussion that was neither completely meaningless, nor particularly extravagant. They were both waiting, weren’t they. For the same event to happen. For the same person to grace them with his ever fleeting presence.

       “ There’s nothing wrong with your company, but I thought you would be fed up with mine by then. Really couldn’t have blamed you, but no... no, I am not curious as to why he favors you. He talks about you a lot. Always in grandeur, in the sincerest terms of endearments he knows of. Latreía mou, this is how he calls you, to avoid your name. “

He placed his now half-empty cup of tea on the nearest table, turning to look at her. Golden arabesques danced in the green of his stare, the ghost of a smile still tugged at his lips,

He let out a high pitched squeal as the tables were rightfully turned. He growled deeply, loudly, as his face smeared against the blood soaked floor. It was degrading, honestly. The hairs on the back of his neck bristled and his eyes flashed in a false warning. As much as he hated to admit it Epiphron was much stronger than he was and the daimon clearly had the upper hand. And the chances of Kira being able to regain control of the situation was slim to none.

“Fuck you.” He snarled. He dug his nails into the palms of his hands and his entire body began to shake in raw anger. He felt so mad that he felt like crying, but he quickly blinked the tears back. He would be damned if he gave Epiphron the satisfaction of seeing him cry like a baby.

“Let go of me. Now. You’re hurting me.”  He wasn’t lying. Epipron’s grip on his arms did hurt pretty badly. If the daimon pushed onto his arms just a little bit more he would probably snap the bones clean in half. And Kira wasn’t planning on ending the night with both his arms broken.

Oh, that hurt ? It was painful and poor little fragile, delicate Kira wanted him to stop ? That was so terribly cute and hypocrite, considering the fact Epiphron had asked the very same thing without the young demon complying. He had been laughed at instead of freed, and the desire to return the favor was strong. But laughing at other people’s misery wasn’t something the daimon usually did, and there was nothing hilarious about their current situation.

It wasn’t funny, it was making him see red. Laughing was the last thing he felt like doing. He wanted to bite the nap of Kira’s neck, but his goal wasn’t to kill him.

He relieved some of the pressure he was putting on Kira’s arms, yet without releasing him. His bones would be safe from the whole snapping and breaking part ( unless he couldn’t hold his tongue ), but he clearly wasn’t going to be allowed to go with such a weak warning.

       << D-d-d-don’t b-b-bite m-m-more t-t-than you c-c-can chew, m-m-m-mate. Say it, admit it w-w-was stupid of you. And add an apology. >>

Why not push the humiliation and the shaming a little farther ? They were at it, weren’t they. And Epiphron wanted to be at least somewhat sure Kira wouldn’t try pulling that kind of shit on him.

Watching him and tilting her head to one side, she couldn’t imagine what kind of favor he would have to return to this mongrel of a ‘God’… but at the same time of wanting to know, she knew she could not. Truthfully she did not want to learn the favor from anyone but her husband himself ( if at all possible ), but knowing Fate by now, things would not go according to plan.

“I see.” It was all she could think to reply too his… ramblings. “Is that all you’re here for of Exypnada?” Pause. “Is there anything else I can get you while you wait for him?”

Oh, this was rich. Unless he was seriously mistaken ( and he could, he wasn’t perfect ), the poor girl had no idea of the kind of hell she had embarked yourself on when she had decided to settle with a daimon. She was throwing those names around as if she had picked them from a nearby tree, and she honestly couldn’t tell why he was here. A little more, and Apollo would believe that for her, he was only around to do some sightseeing and nag them ( Epiphron included, of course ) until they understood why they had chosen to live at night.

       “ I have plenty of reasons to wish to see him. Quite a shame he never bothered with telling you, yes ? “

That wasn’t very kind. But she was the one hiding a dagger in her clothes, as well as the one who stubbornly took it on herself to stay with him while he waited ( what a grand sacrifice ), so maybe he could be a jerk, too. Prodding the dirt a little more, this time with a smile,

Now she was understanding not just about his… keeper, but Epiphron himself. She had nothing on his past, but the fact he had not foreseen Apollo’s coming back into his life – nor meeting her again… something was wrong with his ability to see and interpret. In his own way, Apollo was like a mouse and she was the cat soon cornering him to a point where she would then decide what to do with him. ( Unfortunately she had no idea just how linked Apollo and her husband were. )

“You’re welcome… and I see. Well then, i’ll rephrase my question; Why do you keep visiting Anamnisi and our children?”

Playing it cool and nonchalant about using Ephi’s names, she instead directed her mind to whether she should tell Apollo about Asclepius’ visit… but in a split second after, she decided not too. She did not want the demigod in trouble. Who knows what this monster before her might do to Asclepius’ own family. His wife and daughters… If Apollo could waltz in here and pose a real threat to Kaito and Thalassa…

Sakura felt the urge to reach for her dagger, but halted in an attempt to keep her thoughts straight.

If he had to be perfectly, completely, and utterly honest, Apollo would have to admit he had no idea he was spilling new information to her. To him, every single word that left his mouth was common knowledge ( except perhaps Ypakoi’s name ), and he thought the daimon had already filled his lover in. About his soul, about its missing shards, about Oracles and whatnot. But the fact she was so carelessly throwing around all these names, was what made the Olympian doubt.

Surely, if Epiphron had broached the subject of his own self, he’d have told her that these names held more meaning to him than anything else.

       “ Well... see, Ypakoi and I have a story that goes way back. It’s only logical I pay him visits every now and then, considering it is... unsafe for him to return the favor. “

Careful, picking his words as if they could bite him, wondering if she would bite the bait. There really was no way her beloved husband had never told her just what oath he had sworn to the Olympians, right ?