DARKNESS

@corinthbaystarters··

location: Agia Paraskevi Street

A woman stealing, a man cheating, and down the street a pair of siblings traded blows. Humanity was ever-changing, but stripped of their technology, their expensive clothes, and whatever other superficial constructs they clung to and they were all the same. This city was known for its hedonism, tainted at its very core - it was no wonder Hotaru had been tasked with coming here. Though the more he observed the more the task seemed an impossible one, failure loomed over the horizon but so long as he remained useful to the Greeks he might avoid Enma’s punishment. “Tell me,” Hotaru queried as he held up one of the numerous evil eye charms that littered a stall, “do these really work?”

There was always a lot going on in the streets of Corinth. It was interesting to see what people got up to in their spare time. Ignacio was always buying things though. He had the money to spare so he was just getting anything he could get. Not because he needed it, but because he could afford it. Even if it was something stupid, he was going to grab it. That was what he was doing when someone spoke to him. “Probably not, but someone believes it does, I’m sure,” he said as he grabbed one of the charms. Then he looked at the vendor. “I’ll take one.”

-

“There’s a man running around here, he’s about your height. You should fight him.” What was his name again? Thesicles? Testakles? Petheus? Something about that nymph that fucked a cow. Vampires, shifters, werewolves, furies - none of the fighters in that ring would be much of a challenge to Tezcatlipoca. “I’d pay you both if you did.”

“Don’t disrespect me like that. The height is just a physical thing. Mentally, I’m taller than this.” He had been once upon a time. This had simply been the first vessel he chose. From down below, everyone looked taller than they were. “What’s his name though? Maybe I will fight him.”

     “That’s why I’m not the one usually serving the customers. I just get the money and have fun serving myself whatever drink from the bar I want.” Peirasmós was unapologetic, and as much as they wanted to be adored, they were not desperate to act in whatever way others wanted them to. “Oh come on. Loosen up a little, will you?” They rolled their eyes and leaned forward, before playfully batting their lashes at him. “You are handsome and don’t deserve to be insulted. There, is that better?”

    “Too old to pass for 18 years, yes.” Peirasmós had seen enough of the kids celebrating their eighteenth birthday getting wasted at this bad. Ironically, the appearance they had picked didn’t look much older. “Ignacio, you seem to have a very short temper.” Raz arched their brows, drumming their fingers against the bar top as they watched him. “I’m not insulting you. And I usually don’t insult my customers — unless they deserve it, of course.”

     „Well, at least you‘re not a bar newbie. You look too old to be that, it would have been embarrassing for you.“ Raz pulled a bottle out of the shelf behind them, clear liquor splashing around inside it that he filled into a shot glass. „It tastes a bit like licorice. Or strong mouth wash. But it definitely gives you a buzz.“ If one was capable of that, that was. The oneiroi didn‘t know that feeling. „My name‘s Finn. Who are you?“

“Not sure you could be from much further away than me,” they say, refusing the drop the Cheshire grin from their face. Though Anemos was created in Troy long ago, Grace is from Australia, nearly on the other side of the world from here. Whatever game his is playing at, they intend to win it. “From the land of down under, Melbourne born and raised. And my followers still love to see me out here.” The former human’s family was one associated with money and power, the socialite had a cushy life long before Anemos took the wheel. “What about you?”

    “You’re new around here?” So was Raz, but they would never show it so openly. It sounded like a weakness, but most things did to the oneiroi. “So what, have you never been to a bar before? Or is that your way of saying you want to drink something typically Greek? Then I would suggest some ouzo.”

If her brother was here, he would’ve calmed her instantly. Telling her to just drop this entire conversation and walk away, that this didn’t have to end with a fight. But Kiyoko was the only girl, middle child, and spoiled rotten by all three of her fathers ( her biological, father-in-law, and Viraj). She was a woman who got what she wanted, when she wanted it. Not only that, she was stubborn and refused to back down or walk away when someone was annoying or picking on her. No matter who or what they were. Kiyoko reached for his shirt, fist balling into the fabric as she yanked him downwards. I wanted to insert something snarky about his height but because we don’t really know, just know that Kiyoko is offended that some dude who’s not even 6′0″ is trying her right now. “If I wanted to guess what you are, I would’ve done that already. But I didn’t want to do that. Instead, I want you to tell me what the fuck you are right now.” 

“Animals can be rather destructive to our displays. Particularly those untrained,” her gaze drops somewhat pointedly to the unruly dog he currently holds in his hands, before her eyes return to the other rift. Elene stares at him incredulously, for just one moment. A dog he had just found, perhaps with an owner, and yet he’s already making plans to keep it? But she lets the comment die on her tongue before it can make it’s way past her lips. Instead, she focuses on his question. “There is a clinic a few blocks away, by Ipsilantou street. Perhaps they can see if it has a microchip.” What a strange man, she thinks. 

     Raz had a feeling that it was a lie. It had to be, because usually everyone who watched them had an ulterior motif. People wanted to be them, sleep with them or use them most of the time. But for now, they were willing to play along. “You‘re in luck, because this is my bar and I can get you whatever you want. So? What‘s your order?”

-

“I’m a vampire, I don’t eat anything so you’re on your own regardless of what you want to eat for breakfast.” Giovanni said plainly, he’d never needed to cook for himself in life, and in death there really was no point. But still, cheese and chocolate for breakfast? Giovanni had been completely wrong about this man, still, he looked good with just about anything in his mouth - apparently. “I already have yours, so -” he’d made sure to get it last night, after one quick text, Ignacio’s phone chimed with the message this is Gio. “there you go.” 

“Hm, that makes sense.” He was mentally jotting that down. Because, of course, why would a dead person want to eat anything? They certainly had no reason to. This Greek mythology shit was a lot to retain, but he was doing his best to remember all of this shit. “You do?” Maybe he had given it to the vampire last night. “Alright then.” He moved to get up and headed towards the door. “Well, I guess you can go now. Since you’re not eating and all.” He opened the door. “Nice meeting you, G.”

“I may lie about a lot of things but this is not one of them.” She needed to calm down, to regain and center herself. This man was finding it all too amusing that she was bubbling with anger, purposely messing with her to see what she’ll do next. Punch him, Kiyoko really wanted to punch him and then walk away. If he had been human, she could’ve easily done it by now but he wasn’t. Which left her confused and wondering about what he could be. Kiyoko may come across as a reckless airhead but she was intelligent, always watching and accessing her opponent. Just like now. “I only want to know what you are, nothing more.”