It was time.

There was a certain something... a complete and utter peace to be found when an everlasting being went back into their most pure and primal state. For some gods, that was leaving Corpus and entering Concept. Sometimes it was an extended stay in Concept. For Styx, Concept was used more or less as a manner of transportation, not respite. When she wanted to be her pure essence, she melded with with her waters. She was, after all, her river. But even when she was physically separate from it, she was still her river at the core.

As Hate emerged from the water, taking form anew, and stepping up the slipway into her bedroom; Styx knew exactly what she was doing and where she was going. She didn't do things without purpose. ( At least not as a general rule. )

It was rare this time of year that he was able to sit down and put his feet up on the tasseled hassock in his study. Which was why, as he settled into the cushy plumpness of his red velvet chair, Santa began mentally reviewing his to-do list for today. Did he really have time to enjoy his peppermint hot cocoa, or had he forgotten something that would require his attention?

( The List )

After starting two schoolyard brawls last week, and a near-riot at a bar the week before, Deimos was feeling quite satisfied with himself. Sure, it was about time to start some new trouble, but he knew a surefire way of doing that.

( meanwhile, back at the motel )

A lot of people didn't like the things that Bia made them do. They knew it was wrong, but the strength that fell behind the yearning to do it was all that she needed. The small push she administered at the end wasn't much work. Sometimes it did take work. Sometimes she had to sit on a person for weeks to get them to do what they wanted to do. She was usually much more about immediate gratification, but seeing her hard work come to fruition was always rewarding.

Mortals didn't always understand just how hard it was just to do what they want. Some people felt that the ones who did were free and reckless. They felt they didn't care, but Bia knew better. They had to struggle with their choices even if the repercussions came way later in their lives. ( Not that Bia cared about any of that. )