Hephaestus

  Welcome to Athens, [HEPHAESTUS]! It looks like they [DO NOT] remember their past life as a God. It is said that [HE] has [DETERMINATION] but is also [STUBBORN]. Apparently they look like [MATTHEW DADDARIO] and they’re [MALE].

“Just a theory. You seem a little too comfortable to think me of a stranger.” Perhaps it was just her more deviant ways to get into the good graces of others, but her manipulation was far from over. “I know you can.” She matched his energy, hoping to put out the same manner, lifting a brow to see him smiling. “I’m sure it’s not the worst thing that’s ever happened to, being confused for a great guy. I’m sure you’re a stand out just as well.”

It did seem odd to him too how easily the two were conversing. But he didn’t think too much of it. He froze slightly before he smirked at being so openly complimented. “Well now I think you’re just being nice. Too nice.” He chuckled slightly before trying to get the attention off of himself, “besides, you seem like a pretty great person yourself so I’ll take your word on that. Takes one to know one and all that.”

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Rarely anything could escape Aaron’s sharp gaze and his steel-colored eyes narrowed when they glanced down to Henry’s leg - when one spends less time talking, one tended to observe more. Aaron noticed the limp and he didn’t even try to hide his disapproval. But he said nothing; the look he’d given the other man should suffice.

He stepped forward with a sharp whistle and Lupita was immediately up, barely needing a leash to follow at Aaron’s leg. It was a clear cue to everyone present to get a move on. Aaron wasted no time, even during something as relaxing as a dog walk. 

“Five days of rest at least. More, if there is swelling.” He practically ordered, as stern as a superior or an older brother. His tone left little room for argument and he didn’t even question whether it was his place to tell Henry what to do or not. 

One of the things that Henry liked about Aaron was how simple and to the point he was. But one thing Henry was done doing in life was taking orders from someone else. He kept his face neutral as he nodded. He knew Aaron was like him, good at reading people. “Of course. After today I will rest.” If his training had helped him with anything it was when you control his emotions.

He kept walking forward, not letting his expression slip, step only faltering slightly with his limp. “That’s enough of me though. What have you been up to?”

“Fantastic,” Artemis said, taking the business card, “I’ll give you a call.” She would need to check her own schedule. The mechanic work she would need rather soon, but the other would take a bit of creative scheduling. She’d figure it out. 

He nodded and offered a small smile, “sounds good. I look forward to be in touch again.” He answered rather professionally. He glanced at his watch before he sighed, “I’m sorry I need to get going though, it was nice meeting you. Thanks again for the food.” He held the coffee up in a cheers motion before making his exit.

“Maybe we have. You don’t seem like you know me…but maybe it was in another life.” Her grin grew slightly, knowing that this probably wasn’t wise, to be playing this close with who he was, and yet, it felt advantageous at the very least. “Maybe a little exposed, but…nothing that you can’t handle, I’m sure.” Perhaps she had been taking one too many lessons from Aphrodite in the ways of flirting with the line of comfort. “You’re not a jerk…and…yeah. He was a man of honor and resilience, much like you seem to be.”

“Maybe” he commented, with a slight quirk to the corner of his lips. He wasn’t one to believe in other life’s or soul mates or anything. But it was easier to go with it then to argue with a stranger. “You’re right, I can handle this.” He finally broke into a proper smile, it wasn’t a common thing for him to do but it was a nice smile when he showed it. “Well he sounds like a good guy, I’m okay with that confusion.”

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         “So you got a side hustle too?” she continued to smile at him, listening as he talked about the types of things he made, drawing her feet off the ground and crossing them over so she was cross legged with them beneath her thighs. “Well I love it, and I’m glad I was able to inspire you to make something you actually enjoyed,” Aphrodite noted, finally getting the candle inside lit and smiling as she closed the door. Keeping it sat in her lap as the light from the flame flickered against her exposed midsection.

         One of her brows rose with amusement, “you considered it? I’m not sure I believe that.” Tea knew it usually took kind of some effort to entice him, to get him to want to spend money, for starters, but sometimes even the less revealing free things she would send to convince him to do more could be challenging. It was endearing in some ways, because she enjoyed that he just liked messaging with her, but frustrating in others because talking to him made her want to send them. “I feel special, I promise,” she assured him finally moving to set the candle holder aside. “I’ll keep it by my bed and it’ll make me think of you,” Tea added with a slow sweet tone, fingers toying with the red strap over her collarbone hoping he got the implication.

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“Yes, I have a side hustle.” He smiled and nodded, it was something he loved doing and it brought in some extra cash which he wasn’t going to complain about. Henry may not send her explicit things, or ask for them, but it didn’t mean he hadn’t thought of them. In great detail. He was shy, and while he knew that’s what she did he had grown to really quite like her, he couldn’t stand the thought of her only doing things because he was paying her. But sometimes the red lace things she had on her website almost made him crack.

He subconsciously licked his lips and let out a breath he didn’t realise he’d been holding. “Well good. Because you are special.” He raised his brows as the meaning of those last words sunk in. “Well, maybe then you’ll be thinking about me, as much as I do of you.” He knew that could sound pitying but he was hoping his tone showed his true meaning. That he had been thinking of her in that way. It was his way of being bold without being too bold. Starting to test boundaries a little bit. His eyes lingered on the straps she played with before making eye contact and smirking.

While her forte was vengeance, she had her moments of enacting those feelings of anger and fortifying them with reflection and perhaps even some reframing. Nemesis didn’t see any other emotions so clearly, so to play into these was all she knew. “Family is the hardest to talk to about that sort of shit. It’s understandable.” Humans were particularly weak-willed, so this made the most sense to her. “You’re welcome. You seem like just the type of guy who needed to hear that. You know…hard-working, but…perhaps dulling his own flame in order to protect or defend. You’ve got to own your fire.”

“Have we met before?” He asked before letting out a small chuckle and shaking his head. “You’re reading me like a book, I’m not sure how I feel about that.” He showed a small smile to show he wasn’t all that upset, however he was getting a little uncomfortable with all the attention on him right now. “So this person you thought I was, is he a good guy at least? I don’t want to be walking around looking like some jerk you know?”

Artemis nodded, “I do. And teaching it is it’s own joy. The moment a little girl finally gets it, it’s magic.” Although she hated to admit preference, there was something hauntingly familiar about teaching young women archery. She gave him a smile, not reading arrogance or vanity, but rather confidence in his skill. “Perfect, I can schedule a proper appointment if you have a website or a business number,” she replied. 

He nodded and gave a small smile as she talked, Henry was good at watching and noticing things, and as she spoke it was quite clear the passion she held for the subject. “Well the students are lucky to have you.” He paused before he alley out a small, “ah!” As he pulled out his wallet, easily pulling out a business card and handing it over, the card had information on his garage but also his side projects as well as contact details. “My schedules rather clear at the moment, so I’m sure I’ll be able to make any time that would suit you.”

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Hades couldn’t stop the grin that spread across his features.   ‘Yes, somewhat.’ Had Hephaestus’ memories still been in tact, he wasn’t sure he would receive the same excitement; not many of the Gods would willingly help him. ‘I want a sword made of Obsidian.’ He said in a matter of fact tone.  ‘It’s very important to me.  Do you think you could handle it?’

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“Obsidian? What’re you an Elder Scrolls fan?” He teased slightly for a moment before laughing. “Yes, I can handle that. It’s an easy enough material to work with. Problem is, I’ll have to order the materials in. Depending on the quality and quantity you’re after it might be a bit pricy.” He paused thinking of a numbers and alternatives, “unless you wanted a blend or a synthetic obsidian. All up to you, and how long you want to wait, budget and what not.” He offered the points to the other man as he crossed his arms across his chest, invested in the potential project, “do you have any specifications with the weapon?” Of all the things he made he had to admit, intricate weapons were one of his favourites.

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         “Not really,” she said simply of other people sending more interesting gifts. Most gifts were the same, not that she minded, they were things on lists she had so why would they be anything different or shocking. It certainly wasn’t anything she held against them but it was terribly generous of Henry, as he’d introduced himself, to offer her something different.

        “Oh, that makes sense,” she smiled, opening it up and lighting the candle inside. She saw him, eyes drifting as she lit the candle. Still, she didn’t call him on it, just let a soft sort of small pull onto her lips. “I really like it, Henry. Do you make things like this often?” she asked, unsure if that was too personally invasive for what he paid her for. Some people liked their real lives very far from her and others preferred the opposite.

Henry saw her smiling and thought it was for the candle holder he’d made her, a soft smile tugged at the corner of his own mouth as he started to talk. “Sometimes, I like doing metal work. Jewellery, watches, machinery, depends what needs fixing really. I do it for money on the side sometimes.” He wasn’t sure why he kept talking but maybe he wanted her to know that while he may make things often, it wasn’t often just because he wanted to like this. “This was my most enjoyable piece in a little while though. I guess wanting to make it for you and not just because I was asked to helped on that front.” He chuckled slightly.

“I thought about something on your list, but I don’t know. I just wanted you to have something special.” He swallowed as he adjusted his grip on his phone. “I think you’re worth that.”