blowing smoke

Maybe this was all ridiculous, allowing himself to be so close and so vulnerable to a complete newcomer, or maybe it was the similarity in their age and their outlook on things that let Armando open himself up to the prospect of a friend, or something more fleeting in the moment.

After capturing Armando, earning a sultry grin and tempting requests, Snow leant in for another kiss. "You're full of good ideas." He teased against those soft lips. "Kissing... I can do all night." Few things matched the dopamine hit such contact provided. With an equally enthusiastic partner. Snow still had a ways to go to be even with Mando. With a pull and shrug, the blonds shirt was discarded to reveal his broad, toned physique. Decorated in more tattoos. "Among other services."

"Any of the sights remind you of home?" Ollie asks randomly, basking in the cool mist around from the waterfall. He was curious about the half gods he fought besides with. Often wondered what aspects of their previous lives followed them to the ark. Perhaps it was his inhibitions subsiding from the drink that caused this curiosity to grow. Though, of course, Ollie often did little to filter himself in front of others, for better or worse.

He  glanced  out  at  the  camp,  shrouded  in  the  darkness  of  night,  lit  only  by  the  moon  and  stars,  as  well  as  some  various  lanterns  speckled  throughout  path.  It  was  peaceful  out  there,  maybe  a  little  too  peaceful  for  his  liking,  especially  after  the  mission  they'd  just  been  on.  "Figured  you  could  use  some  company.  I  know  I  could,"  he  shrugged,  a  smile  tugging  at  the  corners  of  his  own  lips.  "Also,  I  wanted  to  say  thank  you  for  back  there.  For  putting  yourself  between  that  fucker  and  the  rest  of  us.  How  are  you  feeling?"  It  was  an  honest  question,  and  while  there  wasn't  much  Diego  could  do  to  help  him,  he  had  to  make  sure  he  was  okay.

Snow followed the line of Diego's gaze, admiring the night scape before them that was the definition of peaceful. Then his vision returned to the younger demigod before him. A child of the sun, if he recalled correctly. Something in common. "Anytime." Snow replied, but tried to set jokes aside since Diego was being genuine. "It is my job, but... protecting you guys is always first priority."

He did stretch slightly as Diego asked, "A bit sore, but I feel wired... ya know?" He reached for the bottle and gently drew it toward himself to inspect. The cocky grin gave away the satisfaction he felt after. "You're welcome to come inside... 'still half moved in though, so it's nothing impressive." Snow humbly admitted. "Or I could grab us glasses and we can sit out here. Under the stars."

"Now, if yer thinkin' of recruitin' me onto one of yer little quests, ye got another think comin'. An' if yer just gettin' an eyeful, keep lookin', 'cause ye ain't my type."

"You're the son of war, right?" Well, Ares, but Snow figured it best to get right to the point. "'didn't expect you'd need any encouragement to paint some bad guys red, but I'm no recruiter..."

Getting fitted for armor wasn't entirely something that Gabriel had expected would happen, but he figured it made sense - if he was going to be a hero, he would need to have some sort of armor to protect him. Even Captain America had his signature outfit, and while it wasn't metal like his own, it was still something that helped to protect him.

Once he was fitted with his armor, though, he made his way out of the armory... Only to very nearly run into another person. "Shit, I'm sorry..." Gabriel started as he stared at the other man. "I should've paid more attention before I just... walked right out. Are you okay?"

"'never thought I'd find traffic on my way to the armory." Snow playfully muttered. "Guess this place is filling up... with more 'hands-on' types."

The other's concern made him chuckle. "I'm fine. 'not even a scratch. You?"

"A child of the stars? Would that make you an alien?" Ollie couldn't help but ponder about the fellow half god walking besides him. He had invited the other to some drinks at the Fate's Oasis before Ollie had gotten the sudden urge to walk about the island. Wouldn't be the first time the son of Freyr had let the first thought he has dictate his actions. In Ollie's defense, walking around the island did allow for the two to look at its many sights, like the mist cradled waterfall they both managed to reach. And with such a stimulating sight before them, of course, there had to be stimulating conversation to join it. "You're not going to lay eggs in us, right? Well, at least... Not unless we ask?"

               𝐳𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐡 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞 the amphitheater had brought. he flipped to the next page and was about to start the next chapter when he heard the footsteps. looking up, he saw snow, who was new to the ark. he smiled, watching the other grab the donut. he smiled, as he took a bite of the donut and he hummed. " yea, they are nice and warm. i think they might be magical, the box i mean. keeps them nice and warm. "

Interesting. What was interesting to Snow was the younger demigod's word choice. "'might have packed up to leave last night, but the rest of our crew did look as confused as I was the whole time." No challenge faced was necessarily confusing, but definitely unexpected. "I guess being ball-gagged with poison apples and saving story book princesses is the norm. What did you find so interesting?"

It was clear Snow had something on his mind but tried to shift the conversation to pleasantries. Amant shaking his head, "Don't fret, Amant is a big boy. If you want to know about my vision or my brush with death ask away. My daddy is the death god and all." Was the strength of his will or signs of a cracked psyche that made Amant so at ease with his experienced. There was a good chance it was melding of the two. "Unless you be too shy to ask..." A challenge on his tongue as he took another drink.

"'getting hammered off magical booze. Tomorrow's gonna suck." He laughed while touching his pockets. Gold drachmae, coins were an interesting new weight to carry. Last he counted, there should be enough to make good on this wager. He only hoped this wasn't Amant's way of robbing a new guy blind. Snow had made that mistake before on his travels, but that had been some years ago.

"You've always had... eyes like that?" At Amant's openness, Snow bit, the question at the forefront of his mind rather than mythological mind-fucks. Though perhaps the latter should be. "'almost sounds like you know him, with the way you talk. I really thought being a half-god would spare me from the inevitable. 'not that I minded the idea of moving on eventually so much before."

It  hadn't  been  hard  to  find  out  where  the  son  of  Asteria  lived,  people  at  the  Ark  seemed  more  or  less  close  knit.  With  a  bottle  of  tequila  in  hand,  he  made  his  way  to  the  Asteria  house's  front  door  and  knocked.  Truth  be  told,  he  didn't  know  what  one  typically  did  for  guys  who  basically  almost  gave  their  life  for  you,  but  he  figured  a  simple  'thank  you'  and  a  handle  of  booze  was  a  good  start.  He  leaned  against  the  door  frame  as  he  waited,  taking  in  the  peaceful  night  sky.

@yourfirstsnow

Though he appeared at ease around others at camp, alone in his new lodge was where Snow felt most out of sorts. There remained some unpacking to do in order to feel at... home, but Snow was accustomed to living out of a suitcase. One foot in and the other ready to make a speedy exit. Tonight, he felt that itch to run, but the thrill of victory kept him tied. For now.

The knock gave him another reason to play the part. Thank gods, company. He'd been laying about tirelessly. Finding Diego on the other side of his door, fresh bottle of booze in hand did intrigue the artist. "'not lost, are you?" Snow muttered, smile teasing but also hopeful. "'can't sleep either? After facing the Jason knock-off."

Amant had entered the local bar for a few of these specialty drinks he'd heard so much about. Giving his personal bar at home a night off it would be good to get some fresh air. Finding himself more at comfort in the privacy of his own shadows these days. As he came to take a seat, knocking at the bar to grab the attention of the tender, his dark pale eyes caught sight of another party drinking alone. Seeing Snow in passing and on missions they had yet to exchange words. Other than a curiosity of visions through texts. After ordering whatever had the most rum in it he moved his glass down to take a seat beside the other. "Drinking alone? Now that's no fun. Care for someone company?"

"You're just my first victim." Snow joked in return while nodding at the seat beside him. "Keep it warm for the next."

Admittedly, Amant's silvery cold eyes appeared haunting, yet the star child was far more taken with the soul beyond that gaze. Through text, in that room of vines, and now here Amant seemed to be open to letting others in. Into his mind--or these terrible experiences at least.

"I did say I'd buy you a drink. What you shared in that group chat, just... damn. 'sure we can find something more pleasant to talk about." He finished sarcastically.

A small blush came to Armando's cheeks, the flirtatious nature of the others words not at all lost on him. He didn't mind it, surprisingly, and his eyes never left Snow's form as he turned away to clear up his work station. Snow felt like an enigma, but most people that arrived here did on the first few meetings. There was something secretive about him, something vulnerable just bubbling under the surface and it was clear that he felt somewhat comfortable around Armando. He'd take that.

He stepped forwards, clothes left where they had been before, and stood next to Snow, a hand coming to rest against his broad back. "I don't mind," he said in regards to his underwear, "and I don't mind staying. I don't sleep, so if someone staying puts you at ease, I can." He looked up, offering another, genuine, smile at Snow. He'd stay. He'd be happy to. A free hand came up to brush against Snow's jaw. "What ever you need."

Part of Snow worried that Mando might take him for some creep for making such bold statements. Even worse, find him clingy. Which he wasn't... really. Instead, Armando understood his wants and concerns. Lured in by equally restless company perhaps. A secure feeling started to wash over Snow as they stood together in Asteria's lodge. It was scary to feel seen for most people, but for Snow... there was no better feeling.

Once touched, Snow swiveled on his heel and returned all attention back to Armando. The smile he found on his pretty face now, well, warmed him right up. "That smile..." Snow marveled, finding his hands drawn to Mando's throat after. "The stars did keep me safe through some hard times." He admitted. "That's why it was kinda easy to... believe in all of this. 'you're giving me that same feeling right now.

"Immaculate. Now that's a first." The artist smirked after. Appreciative of the creative word choice. Asteria's son did keep a strict good vibes only policy, so it was ideal that others had noticed. Being known as quiet, however, was a misconception he would have to rectify tonight. "'guess I have no excuse, really. ... That Pilar guy did get here like... yesterday, right? 'n he's ready to run for mayor."