Get in Trouble

This was probably one of Deacon’s worst planned heists in her career. She’d had one night to plan this, one morning to prepare and barely an hour to sleep until the museum closed for the night. It was worth it to her; not many people were offering millions just for some stupid Greek vase. She’d never say no to that kind of money

Museums had always been fun to steal from; the guard rotations, the security systems, all the sensors that were boringly easy to disable. She walked easily through the hall, skateboard firmly on her right arm as she disable and re enable sensors as she passed them. Most of the guards in this sector were preoccupied, having brought out a game of poker to deal with an utterly boring shift. There would be a few in her path but she had options of dealing with them. The stungun tucked under the waistband on her jeans was a heavy but comforting presence.

Deacon’s phone beeped a warning and she slipped behind the nearest display, clicking it open. It directed her to a security camera for the main office up ahead; there was someone inside facing the door. Waiting for something.

She had a distinct feeling it was her.

Letting out a long sigh the thief stood and pulled the gun from her belt. This person was in her way whether she liked it or not - and she was getting what she came for. Pulling her hood back up she stalked to the doors and pushed them open, slipping inside and leveling her gun at the person before her as they shut behind her.

“Looking for someone?”

Ivan had been given his assignment maybe two hours ago. Solo mission. Those really didn’t happen often. Usually it was all partners, all the time. Apparently this is a recruitment mission. A stubborn daughter of Hermes, a half-sister of his. Apparently she was both a thief and refusing to admit that she was in fact a demigod. And hard to find. So, apparently, here’s where he was, trying to plan an interception heist in two hours.

Luckily for the higher ups, Ivan had at least two plans to break into any bank, museum, and rich penthouse in the city. Some had more plans than that, but having the framework of a plan was a huge help to his two-hour-prep. That wasn’t nearly enough to plan and execute a proper heist. Luckily, he was just planning an interception. Get in undetected, wait for this, Deacon Hallifax, convince her of her heritage or at least convince her to let him prove it, and get out undetected. He wasn’t sure if he was supposed to stop her from stealing whatever it was she was attempting to steal. His mission hadn’t said one way or the other. They’d probably prefer no, but hey, he was a son of Hermes. He couldn’t help it if it was his nature.

Ivan could get in easy. This particular museum’s security had a weakness. He knew just how to exploit that. The tricky part was going to be to wait in a place to intercept his target. All while not getting spotted by any roaming guards. Ivan slipped into the building, heading for the main office. That seemed to be the best bet. He sat in the chair, keeping his face pointedly away from the camera he’d carefully disabled, and waited.

Didn’t take long for him to feel a prickle along his spine. Someone who wasn’t supposed to be in the museum was, and that meant Deacon was here. He waited, letting his instincts tell him exactly when to re-engage the camera so she’d realise she wasn’t the only thief in the building. It was a tough one, that particular instinct was to hide or run after he was certain she’d taken notice of him. He fought it, disabling the camera again. He didn’t want any guards noticing their conversation. That wouldn’t do in the least.

As the door opened, Ivan whirled out his throwing knives, keeping them low and out of sight. For now at least. They were viciously sharp, and his aim was deadly. When he wanted it to be. Ivan leaned forward, elbows resting on the desk, and smiled. “Looking for you love,” Ivan said, his accent soft in the almost silence of the room. “Awfully bad taste to hold a gun to someone before you’ve been properly introduced.” Ivan glanced from her face, cast in shadows, before his gaze settled back on the gun. Looked like a stun gun. Not lethal. But still, not at all polite.

He was trying to have a civil conversation after all. With a quick flick of the wrist, the knife he was hold flew across the room. He was fast, his reflexes easily among the fastest at HI-6. The blade flew straight, as it always did. It moved through the trigger guard, catching on the sides and pinning the stun gun to the wall behind her. “Now, that’s better,” Ivan said, dropping the other knife onto the table. He had more, of course. He never left home without at least four knives on him. “Both unarmed, we can talk. I know you’re probably wondering who I am and why some random tosser showed up in the middle of your heist, and I can truly say, I don’t normally do this. But one, it’s my job. And two, if I hadn’t shown up, your exit would have gone arse-over-tit.”

Ivan grinned. He wasn’t completely certain of her plan, but if it wasn’t one of his, well, then it certainly wasn’t good enough. “Let’s start simply, I’m Ivan Marsden, and I’m your brother.”

Ches nods, “I’m not complaining handsome.” She tells him, and she wasn’t. Alan wasn’t someone she liked lingering on too long, he got under her skin - constantly. So Ivan changing the subject was probably a good thing in that regard - although, maybe the lecture on her attempts to borrow his clothing wasn’t much of a improvement.

She listens to Ivan’s words quietly, wanting to wait until he was done before speaking. His lips brush against hers, a small taste of a kiss, and Ches smiles at him as he pulls away. “No we wouldn’t, but I promise if I ever successfully borrow them, I will do everything in my power to return them at some point.” Not right away, couldn’t just return them immediately. It wouldn’t be much of a success if she didn’t get to see what she was borrowing the clothes for - but - she wasn’t going to let them never return to him.

She wasn’t doing this with ill intentions.

“Oh? Do you care to share any?” She asks, curious as to what Ivan’s theories were. If he didn’t share them, it was fine - of course - but she was always curious about what he thought of the matter. “I have no doubt that you’ll figure it out at some point.” She admits, he truly was the smartest man she knew, it would be more surprising if he didn’t figure it out than if he did.

Ivan nodded. That was all he could ask. Anymore, well, he’d been on the hypocritical lecture long enough. He was a son of Hermes. That came with his fair share of kleptomania. He wouldn’t deny that he had sticky fingers. But he always stole for a purpose.

On time, he remembered stealing art supplies for Balo. Lance refused to do it, saying it was a punishment of some kind. Bullshit was what it was. So Ivan procured the supplies she’d needed for her. Most of the things he’d stolen had been for Balo. Christmas presents, birthday presents, things she needed, things she wanted. Ivan always tried to take care of his little sister.

“Doll, if I told you all my thoughts, you’d give it away before I’ve worked it out myself,” Ivan said, curling his fingers into the soft strands of red hair. “You don’t have the best poker face love. I’d rather figure it out in my own time. I don’t want you giving it away when you aren’t intending to.”

He wasn’t sure if this event was going to be fun or if it was going to suck. At least he’d been partnered with Ches. Could have been worse. He could have been paired with James and put on Alan’s list. And Ivan seriously doubted that idiot would be capable of devising clever enough riddles to make Ivan think. He was very good with riddles and the sort.

That’s why when he heard the first riddle he was down to three items, and really, only one made sense to him. But, this was a team challenge. Which meant, he couldn’t solve everything alone. He’d need to get Ches’s input before they decided on anything in particular. Ivan would let her lead the way on the riddle solving. It’d be more fun that way.

Besides, getting some insight into the way the redhead thought was always a good idea. She was still a bit of a wildcard. As much as he found that wildly attractive, he’d need to categorise her logic sooner rather than later.

So he went in search of her, riddle written down in one of his many notebooks. “Hey doll,” he said, strolling up behind her, jotting a few notes next to the riddle. His thoughts, and then he’d write down Ches’s. He’d compare them later. See how she thought verses how he thought. “Thought any about this riddle?”

Ches smiles, “you mentioned him first, i just continued the line of conversation.” She points out, but when he mentions her thieving was a dangerous game her smile fades. She wasn’t exactly expecting a lecture after that kiss, but here it was, and she wasn’t exactly sure how to explain that it wasn’t the stealing itself she was in his room.

“I do feel like I should point out that it’s not exactly stealing, it’s borrowing without permission - I have full intentions on giving you your clothes back, handsome.” She points out. “So, I doubt it will lead into a bunch of crimes and all that. I do appreciate the concern, though, handsome.” And she did, it was sweet of Ivan, to actually care enough to take the time to lecture her about her habit of attempting to take his clothing.

She smiles when he offers her the hoodie though, it’s smaller then her beaming one earlier, but, she takes it, putting it with the shirt he had given her. “Handsome, you really haven’t figured out my motives yet.” It’s not a question, she had no doubt about it that little fact. “Although, I am curious why you think I do this. Surely the most clever person I know has some idea.”

Ivan laughed softly. That was true. He’d mentioned the local party boy first. But still. That didn’t mean they had to continue the line of discussion any longer. “Well, now I’m ending that line of conversation doll,” Ivan said, giving her a slight smirk. 

Ivan gave Ches a look. “Borrowing until something happens to prevent you from being able to return it,” he said, tilting Ches’s chin up. “Then your borrow becomes stealing. We wouldn’t want that now would we?” Ivan leaned in, brushing his lips against hers quickly. It barely counted as a kiss. It was just a small taste. 

“Oh. I have my theories,” Ivan murmured, pushing some of the red hair behind her ear. “Several in fact. Yet to determine which is correct. But believe me. I will find out. It’s just a matter of eliminating all the other possibilities until I’m left with just one. The correct reason.” He’d figure it out. Given enough time, Ivan Marsden would always figure it out.

Ches smiles, there Ivan was, playing up the accent she loved so much. “I see.” She agrees, oh how easy it was to smile around Ivan. She wasn’t expected just to be the pretty daughter of Aphrodite around him, and honestly, between Ivan himself and the fact she didn’t have to always play dumb with him. Well, it was refreshing to say the least.

“It can be.” She agrees, “there’s much better things to admire.” She admits, looking Ivan over for a moment, “much better things.” She smiles as Ivan tells her he was missing the best parts, “He is. But, you see, there’s this very handsome British man with the most gorgeous eyes I’ve ever seen who’s attention I’d much rather have so, I’m completely fine with Alan not noticing my best parts.” She winks at him, and it’s very clear she’s talking about Ivan. His eyes were gorgeous, and Ches would much rather have his attention any day of the week than spend any time with Alan.

She nods, “I will definitely keep it in mind, handsome.” She agrees, smiling. “Can I please have a jumper?” She asks, leaning in and kissing him gently. “Please?” She whispers as she pulls away, fluttering her eyelashes at him yet again.

Ivan nodded, flashing Ches a dimpled smile. “You know, worrying about that numpty, the least interesting thing we could be discussing,” he said, tapping Ches’s nose again. “We could be talking about how you’re thieving is a dangerous game.” He raised an eyebrow. Sure, was it hypocritical for him to lecture Ches about stealing? Hell yeah. Still, he was going to do it.

“You know, stealing is the beginning of many other dangerous crimes doll,” Ivan said with a smile. “Once you start, you might never stop. Some of us are physically designed to be able to resist the addiction. You really should think before you try to steal again. Besides, you’ll succeed in stealing anything from a child of Hermes.” Ivan’s security system was flawless. He updated it frequently, keeping it all as perfect as possible. 

No one was stealing from him anytime soon. Not even Ches Elswood.

“But as for a jumper, I suppose you could have one,” Ivan said, stepping away from Ches to pull a well-worn hoodie from his drawer to hand it to her. “There you go love, one jumper. Now you don’t need to steal my clothes. You have a jumper and a shirt. What more could you possibly need?’

Ches smiles, “Alright, you caught me. I wasn’t looking for you exactly, but, that being said, it’s always worth getting caught if you’re the one catching me.” She admits, of course - Ivan naked would probably be a better reward - but - she wasn’t about to admit to that little fact.

Not yet at least,

“Probably commenting on how short my legs are again.” She shakes her head, “He’s my least favorite person here - Seri insists he’s gorgeous, and I don’t see it. If he was pretty, he ruins it the second he opens his mouth.” It was no secret she was no fan of Alan Cooke - they tolerated each other - but that was about it. Now Ivan? Pretty much everyone knew she was a fan.

She blamed Kol for that fact, to be honest.

She smiles, moving a little closer to Ivan. “Oh?” She could read between those lines and she honestly liked the idea. She wouldn’t act on it - probably - but - it was something to keep in mind. “Well, I may have to borrow one of those someday.” She knew it would be a bit, he had just kissed her - but - the potential is there.

Ivan would just have to continue playing his cards right.

When he mentions the possibility of Rita walking in, her smile fades a little. “Well, that would be awkward, what if she asked why I try to steal your clothes? I’d have to explain.” She frowns at the thought. “And I don’t trust her not to tell you - and that’s something I’d rather you hear from my mouth, not anyone else’s.”

Ivan nodded. He knew that wasn’t reason she was here. He was smart enough to know exactly why she was in here. She had this habit of trying to steal his clothes. She would never succeed. Nobody stole from a child of Hermes. “See Chessie? Being honest with me isn’t so hard,” he said, his accent more prominent than usual. He knew Ches liked it and well, he did like to play it up from time to time. 

Ivan nodded. Short legs, that’s exactly how Alan described Ches. “His thing for legs is rather disturbing,” he said with a shrug. “He’s missing the best parts though isn’t he doll?” Ivan grinned. It was no real secret that Ivan though Ches was beautiful. It definitely didn’t hurt that she wasn’t as tall as him. With all the giant guys around here, at 5'9", Ivan was shorter than some of the girls as well. 

But what he lacked in physical size he made up for in his speed and cunning. No one out sped a child of Hermes. 

“You’ll have to keep that in mind next time you think you need a new shirt,” Ivan said with a smile. “I could be convinced that you can take both a shirt and a jumper at a time. But you might have to ask nicely.” Ivan grinned, leaning in close.

“So doll, what’s it going to be? Shall I get you a jumper in case you get chilly.”

Ches smiles, “True, best place to find you, though.” She hadn’t been intending on finding Ivan - she had just wanted his clothes to hide - but - seeing Ivan was always worth getting caught up into his traps. “Of course you knew, you always do.” She admits. Ivan had a way of finding out about everything - she wouldn’t be surprised if he knew about her conversation with Zelda -although she wasn’t sure what she thought about it if he did.

Somethings were better left finding out from the person’s own mouth - and that was one of those things.

“It is - you’d think my shirt would want to stay on my body.” She was trying not to move too much, not wanting to lose it completely. Then again, it was just Ivan - it was safe to lose it with him. She doubted he’d take a picture to share on Instagram. Okay - maybe this shirt wasn’t completely off the list then. “I’m thankful I closed the door behind me this time, that would have been bad.”

She takes the shirt from him when he offers it, smiling. “Thank you handsome.” She tells him, it was soft - well worn. And the fact Ivan had just handed it to her? Well, she was very happy to know that if she asked for a shirt - he’d give her one.

She’d have to keep that in mind.

She watches Ivan, now was the time he’d let her down, right? But he leans in instead, and before she can ask him what’s on his mind, his lips press against hers. She kisses him back, keeping the gentleness of the kiss intact.

“I’ll keep that in mind.” She promises - and she would. She probably wouldn’t stop trying to steal Ivan’s clothes - not yet - at least - but = the shirt thing? She would probably use that at some point again.

He releases her from the trap, and Ches fixes her shirt once she’s back on the ground, smiling at him. “Thank you.”

Ivan just gave Ches a look. “Somehow, I get the feeling you weren’t looking for me,” he said, tapping her nose gently. “If you had been wouldn’t you have left the moment you knew I was not here love?” Ivan had his suspicions as to why Ches was really here. She had a bad habit of attempting to steal his clothes. He wasn’t entirely sure the full motivation behind it, but he was almost confident that was her motive this time.

Ivan laughed. “It would have,” he agreed, brushing his fingers against the material of her shirt. “You know who would have been responsible for the audience too. Everyone’s favourite pretty boy.” Ivan rolled his eyes, running the hem of Ches’s shirt between his fingers absently. He’d been told the pretty boy was an ‘acquired taste’, well, Ivan had never ‘acquired’ that taste. Alan Cooke really succeeded only in getting on his nerves.

Ivan grinned at Ches. “You’d look beautiful in one of my button-downs,” he said, leaving out the part where she’d be in his button-down and nothing else. She could read between those lines if she wanted to. “You are lucky it wasn’t Rita that walked in on you, you know.”

Ivan paused for a moment. “I had half a mind to wait, let her be the one to walk in and find you hanging almost half-naked from our ceiling.”

Ches turns her head to the door when she hears footsteps - letting out a sigh of relief when she notices that it’s Ivan that had entered the room - not Rita. “Hey, handsome, fancy seeing you here!” She greets him, a grin replacing the pout on her face.

No use pouting now, Ivan was here, and she didn’t really want to be left here to dangle some more.

She watches as he walks over, setting his sketchbook on his desk, he was beautiful - well deserving of his nickname. “I’m sure everyone knows about me trying to borrow your clothing, Ivan. I was more worried about my rebellious wardrobe.” She admits, gesturing to the shirt that had managed to roll itself down a little. This shirt without a doubt was off the list of things that she could wear while attempting to see Ivan’s clothes - in case it rebelled more.

But a shirt… maybe she should take him up on the offer to ask.

“Handsome, can I have a shirt?” She questions - fluttering her eyelashes at him. It couldn’t hurt to ask - right? The worse he could do was say no and leave her dangling longer - right? Okay, maybe he was capable of worse - but - still. Point being - it was harmless to ask.

Plus, a shirt of Ivan’s would be nice to have.

Ivan raised an eyebrow. “It is my room doll,” he said, smiling as he tapped her nose again. “No wonder I’m here. Besides, you really think I wouldn’t know how long you’ve been hanging?” Ivan leaned back, taking in Ches’s frame. She was strung upside down from the ceiling, her red hair and rebellious shirt cascading down with gravity. They were eye-level, well, almost.

“Your shirt is being rebellious there love,” he said, smirking at the fact that if Ches moved her arms too much, she’d likely lose the shirt all together. This was the most exposed she’d been after getting caught in one of his traps. “You’re lucky you closed the door behind you. You’d have been all over everyone’s Instagram, not to mention the crowd of people clustered outside my door staring at the beautiful redhead hanging from my ceiling.”

Ivan ducked under Ches, opened his drawer to fish out a well-worn t-shirt. “Here doll,” he said, handing the soft cotton garment to the girl. He tilted his head slightly, looking at Ches for a long moment. He ran through the scenarios quickly, all the possibilities flashing through his mind quickly.

Without another moment of hesitation, Ivan leaned in, pressing his lips to Ches’s in a slow, delicate kiss. “Next time, just ask,” he murmured before stepping back to release Ches from the trap. “You won’t get strung up if you just ask doll.”

Ches had honestly been planning this attempt for a week - going through her memories and figuring out what worked and what didn’t when it came to stealing Ivan’s clothes. She was careful not to jot any notes - knowing Ivan had cameras everywhere - and it was safest not to even bother writing it because he would see it.

But no matter all her planning, all her scheming, she still wound up dangling from the ceiling, pouting to herself.

It didn’t help matters that her shirt had managed to roll itself down, her stomach and the corner of her bra showing. She was thankful she had closed the door upon coming in (she had no lookout there was no reason for the door to be open) and that there was nobody else in the room currently. Sure she wouldn’t mind if Ivan walked into her like this - but Rita?

Well, that would be awkward to say the least.

She wasn’t sure how long she had been dangling - it felt like awhile though - long enough for it to almost be time for Ivan to let her down, right? Or at the very least - come check on her to remind her that she wasn’t to steal his clothes.

She just hoped he would come sooner than later.

Ivan glanced at his phone, a notification warning him of someone entering his room without permission. He was still working on getting his partner, Rita, cued into his room security. He was expecting to see the daughter of Ares walking to her side of the room, carefully avoiding Ivan’s traps. But no. It wasn’t the daughter of Ares that he saw dangling from the trap near his dresser. It was Ches. The beautiful redhead had a bad habit of attempting to steal his clothes.

Would she ever learn?

No. He didn’t figure she ever would. He would do as he usually did. Let her dangle for ten to twenty minutes, and then retrieve her from the ceiling. He grabbed his sketchbook, flipping it open to the outline of a drawing he’d started a few days ago. He began to add to it. It was a drawing of Ches. Eventually, he’d finish it and hang it on his wall. Some day, she’d see it and ask about it. And when she did, well, he’d what he did best.

About fifteen minutes later, he closed the book, tucked his pencil behind his ear and made his way back to his room. He opened the room and leaned against the doorframe. “Hey doll,” he said with a grin. He moved into the room, setting the sketchbook onto his desk and the pencil there with it. “You know doll, this wouldn’t happen if you weren’t a cheeky little thing.”

Ivan grinned, tapping Ches’s nose. “You’re lucky that Rita didn’t find you hanging here,” he said, leaning closer. “Have to explain why you’re hanging here. Trying to knick my clothes. Again. You know, if you want a shirt, you only have to ask.”

Rita jumped as she hear his voice not knowing how he found her but she knew that he had his ways. She also knew that it would have been better if she went to seek him out instead of writing a boring old letter. “Yes I am Rita Luoma nice to meet you.”

She smiled at him. “You wouldn’t mind if someday I joined you with a prank right?” Even though she normally wouldn’t she knew that it would be fun to join up with Ivan to play a prank on someone.

Rita wanted to have fun and she knew that Ivan would have some kind of idea of what to do around here.

Ivan looked Rita up and down again. She was, different. He never associated much with the children of Ares. But he was sure she was acting differently than most. "I know exactly who you are love," Ivan said, rolling out the generic nickname so soon. Most of them were interchangeable. Only Ches had her own. He'd call no one but her 'Doll'. "When you're surrounded by people that have actual powers, you learn to use your own gifts to their maximum potential."

She wanted to do a prank with him? Now that was an opportunity. Ares kids were strong, stronger than he was at the very least. Ivan was fast and deadly, but in tests of pure strength? He was like a normal mortal. He could use someone with power like that. Although, if she had any kind of temper, that could damage the integrity of the plan. He may have had back-up plans, but that didn't mean he liked to use them.

"I'm sure we can arrange something love," Ivan said, waving his hand dismissively. "You just have to prove you aren't totally mental before I'll let you in on a plan. The mental ones can't keep a plan secret. I hate having to use a fallback if I really don't need to."

@the-trickiest-prankster

Rita was somewhat excited, it was assignment day. When the headmaster decided who to pair her up with she was sort of surprised.

Ivan Marsden, son of Hermes.

She knew that him, being the son of Hermes would have some traps set up in his room or prank her with something. Rather than thinking of negatives and procrastinating she sent him a letter asking where to meet up, her room or his room and when would be a good time for him.

She was unsure that the assignment may not go as she wanted it to, but she knew that she should at least give Ivan a chance.

“Lets hope for the best” Rita whipered to herself.

Ivan had gotten the letter. A letter? Really? Was he that intimidating? Well then, he wasn’t one for letters. When you had the entire facility wired to your own person security camera feed, well, tracking down a daughter of Ares wasn’t that hard to do.

He made his way through the facility, stepping up behind her with a quiet steps. “’Ello love,” Ivan said, his English accent thick as he spoke. It wasn’t always this pronounced. But hell, sometimes, he just liked to play it up. “You must be Rita, I’m Ivan, Ivan Marsden, your new partner, and of course, resident prankster.”

Ivan looked her up and down. She didn’t seem to be that strong. But then again, that Sam kid didn’t look that strong either, but Ivan had seen him flatten several opponents easily. So regardless of how she looked, she must be real strong. Ivan was pretty sure he’d only have his speed on her. It was tough to out speed a son of Hermes.

Zelda was not amused, she was no one’s doll. She put up with Alan calling her ZeeZee Sleepless, and shortened to Zee, but that was as far as nicknames went. The English accent caught her off guard, it was charming, although that was almost designed to happen with an american upbringing. She knew what tap dancing was, it was the fact that he was here playing awful music and dancing to it that bothered her. At least he had the decency to pause it.

“I’m not going to tap dance to awful music. Even if I knew how to tap dance,” Zelda said crossing her arms over her chest. “Besides, i’d rather watch you dance to something of actual merit.” Zelda always thought she could improve her work but he didn’t need to know that. She also didn’t have to tell him she created the music either.

She made her way on to the wood not bothering to shake Ivan’s hand. And pulled out her cell phone connecting to the speakers in the training room, only activating the two near the wooden platform. She hit play on the playlist she’d created and wanted to test out letting music fill the room, slow but gaining tempo.

Zelda ran her hands through her hair pulling them upwards a smile on her face. This is what she enjoyed feeling the ultimate bliss and comfort that music brought. “Zelda Resse, daughter of Hypnos,” She smiled enjoying the moment. “And don’t call me doll.”

Ivan feigned hurt. “You wound me,” he says, laughing softly. “It’s not my favourite either, but tap dancing require a certain beat and rhythm. So my tap dancing music is a lot different than the music I normally listen to.” Ivan grinned, watching the girl walk into the room. So she did want to watch him dance. She had good taste. But he’d need something other than taps to impress her fully.

He took a moment, listening to the music Zelda put on. He could dance to that. He could really dance to this. It’d been a while since he’d danced to music like this. “Pleasure is all mine Zelda,” Ivan murmured before sliding across the floor. Ivan grinned, knocking out a triple turn, his Chucks squeaking on the wooden floor.

“You said you wanted to watch me dance to some music with actual merit,” Ivan said, grinning. “But how about you dance with me?” Ivan moves smoothly, the hip hop style of dance coming back to him quickly. The music flows through him, moving his body to its rhythm.

Ivan holds out his hand again. “Will you dance with me if I promise not to call you doll?” Ivan laughed. “I’m a great dancer. And you seem like you can move your body real well.”

Zelda had just finished her new set of music for a party. She wasn’t going to be there and it needed to flow and be perfect since she couldn’t read the audience. What better way to test if she’d accomplished her goal than to see if she’d dance to it.

She looked forward to seeing an empty training facility so she could use the speaker system and wood flooring. She was in flats at the moment and planned to go barefoot on the wood. Of course this wasn’t the case when she stepped in and saw someone tap dancing on the wood flooring. They were good, she wasn’t going to say they weren’t but they’d interrupted her plan! All she needed to do was see if the playlist was good enough to dance to and here was some person messing everything up.

Zelda watched as the person turned around smiling sweat on his face. Sure she had been watching but only because she wanted the space he now occupied. She didn’t say anything and looked at the other person tilting her head. If she played her cards right she could just get him to leave.

“What are you doing?” She asked a smile on her face. Sure she probably looked nice today, she’d forgone her favorite blanket and sweatshirt for a nice looking shirt and pants. But that didn’t mean she actually wanted to socialize. A girl every once in a while could look pretty.

Ivan grinned at the girl in the doorway. She was rather pretty. Not quite daughter of Aphrodite level pretty, but still, pleasing to the eye. Ivan taps a quick rhythm. “What I’m doing is pretty obvious doll,” he said, his English accent standing out as it so often did here in the States. “It’s called tap dancing beautiful, and I know its influence may have started over near my country, but tap dancing as it is now started on Broadway.” Ivan makes his way over to the door, pausing his playlist.

“So any particular reason you’re standing in the doorway watching me dance?” Ivan questions, knowing that his accent was considered attractive by many Americans. He’d been told as such multiple times. “Looking to join me? Or just looking at me?” Ivan does a little spin before looking her up and down. She was taller than he would care to admit. Almost taller than he was. Then again, Ivan wasn’t that tall. He was quite used to be considered short. Despite being average height. It wasn’t his fault. His mother had been quite petite. The half-god in his gene pool had only helped him so much.

Ivan runs his fingers through his curly hair, the tight curls springing back into place. He sinks to the floor, switching back to his Chucks. “So, care to dance? Or care to stand there and stare some more? Wouldn’t blame you if you did, after all, it isn’t every day that you get to watch an attractive Englishman dance for you.”

Ivan holds out a hand to the girl, a smile on his face. “I’m Ivan, Ivan Marsden, son of Hermes,” he says, finally introducing himself. “And what, lovely name goes with such a lovely face?” Ivan smile, knowing how attractive he could be when he wanted to be. Which was luckily, all the time.

Sure, everyone thought they knew. Took educated guesses as to who. But they would never quite know for certain. That was exactly the way Ivan liked it. No proof, no trouble. He thumbs through his prank book, looking for the idea that just felt for the day. Every idea he passed was either to classic to avant garde or some combination of the two. So maybe a prank just wasn’t in his cards for the day. Ivan grabs his tap shoes and makes his way towards the training facility. One of the training rooms had an elevated wood floor that was perfect for tapping.

He hadn’t had his tap shoes on in ages. Not since he first came here. He pulls off his signature Chucks and switches into his tap shoes. He opens up his tap pandora station on his phone and plugs it in to his small, travel speaker. Ivan stands in the middle of the room and begins free-styling. Pull backs, wings, cramp rolls, the rhythmic sounds of Ivan’s taps echoing through the room and well out into the hallway. 

He imagined he’d be quite the sight. Handsome brunette wearing a leather jacket, graphic tee, and a pair of slim bootcut jeans tap dancing in the middle of the training facility. But Ivan didn’t care. He figured anyone watching would be in awe of his footwork alone, let alone his beautiful appearance. After all, the gods didn’t give him his good looks for nothing. As the song comes to an end, Ivan glances back at the door, wondering he’d earned any attention for him impromptu routine.

He smiles, a few beads of sweat glistening on his face. Honestly though, he was surprised the entire complex wasn’t standing out there, fighting for a chance to see Ivan in one of his natural habitats. He’ll just chalk that up to them being unable to hear him from wherever they were. After all, anyone who heard him tapping would have to stop to watch. He was that good.