#oculusmaledictus

His eyes wide open, he stared into the abyss. It felt as if he were being drawn toward the darkness, toward certain death that awaited him unless a miracle happened to hold him back. But there was nothing, no one. No help. He was going to die.

But at the very last moment, when Lian already thought it was too late, someone grabbed him. A strong hand reached for his arm and prevented him from falling further. He was pulled back up, over the edge, where he could feel solid ground under his feet again.

The fear that had gripped him and still controlled his limbs pulled his legs out from under him, causing him to fall to his knees.

His eyes still filled with panic, he jerked his head up.

“Ulysses!”

Isabelle had argued with her uncle quite enthusiastically about how she didn't meddle in his affairs - he shouldn't meddle in hers. Even if he's King of Olympus, that didn't grant him the power to order her about when her domain was the Underworld, especially since neither of them often passed through the other's domain. She left the pomp and politics to her father. Hades was already aware that Isabelle would rather behave like a snarling wild dog than have anyone order her around, especially when it came to courtships.

But Hades had politely convinced her that it would get Zeus off her back if she just attended this meeting and was civil. So she begrudingly dons one of the dresses she's hardly ever worn anywhere and presents herself.

When she walks in, she smells him before she sees him. She immediately stops in her tracks, her lip threatening to curl. Her nails bite into her palms as he makes a point of scraping his chair across the floor, her jaw setting as she attempts not to immediately shoot Zeus a glare.

Send 🥪❓ to find out what kind of sandwich my muse would make for yous ( accepting )

“I'm not your 'dear',” was all she said to him as she drifted along in the water.

By now she had grown accustomed to her life as a 'fish'; she even felt that the other real fish welcomed her into their ranks. But that wasn't what Ulysses wanted to know.

“I’ve played a few tricks on your 'enemy'.” Out of the corner of her eye, she glanced over at him and saw him kneeling on the shore, watching her.

Piper smacked his hand away from the bowl with a scowl pursing her pretty but stern features.

"Its not done yet." It sure as hell looked done. In fact it looked more done then most resturants. But that wasn't good enough for Piper. Nothing ever was. Even if she was JUST cooking for Ulysses.

"Go pick out a wine and make yourself useful. I assume being so old you have a good taste in wine?"

She was still upset at how things went between them, both were heated and probably said things they didn't mean. She stormed off after what he had said to her, not even looking back once she got in her car and left. It was a shock to see him now, at her door step apologizing.

Lips pressed together as she stood there, eyes glazing over him before she finally let him inside her place. "I also want to apologize too, those I said I didn't mean it either. I was just hurt that you didn't trust me. Thanks for saying that tho."

“I really appreciate what you're advising. But I have to be careful. He might end up liking it after all...”

“Then stop by more often my guy,” Chris smiles. “You’re always off on some crazy adventure or locking your self to your studies.”

He’s one to talk.

Despite not noticing the irony, Chris offers him a smile. His own calloused hands busy slicing a piece of Lunas iconic tres leches cake for Ulysses. As soon as he gauged the right size slice, he’s preparing a cup of coffee.

“What have ya been up to? It’s been so long since I’ve seen ya.”

Soft brown hues carefully watch as the caffeinated gold fills the 12oz cup.

“Hopefully nothing too crazy.”