Who: Hercules and Hera What: Herc runs into to his 'favorite' person (JOY!) When: Thanksgiving day, 2010 Where: Hospital Zeus is staying
Hercules may not have been a favorite with the Greek Queen, but he was his father's golden child. He knew she only spoke to him because she had to. Years of torture under that woman didn't go down all happy after marrying her daughter and reigning as a god himself. It was just one step closer to annoying her more easily, and not just because of his parentage.
He'd been instructed that Zeus was in the hospital, while he didn't know why he wasn't about to ignore him. Other than his foster father, Zeus had been his only encouragement throughout his life. This time was different, one Hercules had adapted to at being free of chains of his past. It had still been a while since he had seen his father, circumstances never seemed usual when they did run into one another.
It wouldn't surprise him if Hera was sniffing around, she often gloated when Zeus was down. Hercules was just leaving the room towards the drink machine when he felt that surge of power. It was an uncomfortable one, one that he'd felt tight in his chest since he was young. She was there.
As a dutiful wife she had to be here (especially now the doctors had become aware of this fact and they got fussy when she didn't at least pretend. But at least she could use them to watch her husband's wandering eye for her), and she only took minor pleasure in seeing Zeus ill. She'd only laughed three times after all (three times she'd later pay for, but would do so gladly).
She knew Heracles was around though and she had taken less pleasure in that. Zeus had always let it be known he favored the bastard and she'd not even gotten the pleasure of watching him die. No Zeus just had to give him a place on Olympus, and she'd had to give him her own daughter and pretend that meant her grudge had faded.
Hera's grudges never faded, especially for those her husband liked.
She'd watched him and now stood, arms crossed, a bit farther away dressed in a very nice tailored suit. "Heracles."
He could feel her cold eyes on his back even before he turned around. Her words just as much like ice. "Hera," he said plainly, his expression undaunted. "I did not know you'd be here."
There was little he'd done to win her over the years, even with Hebe's devotion. It wasn't likely this would be a warm reunion even with Zeus around.
"When is he out?" Hercules wasn't a big talker, and what he said was very simple and to the point. He wasn't quite the dumb brute as he was always described, but he was more a man of action than words.
The whole hiding amongst mortals never suited Hera. She liked them being aware of who she was, and the amount of pain she could still bring them. All of it was just a reflexion of her own wounds, but that didn't matter. "My place is at his side." Unwilling but there it was. There was no divorce for her, more because Zeus wouldn't let her get one. She never did get why.
"Soon I suppose. I haven't yet asked." She relished in seeing Zeus so weak, and she far from wanted to see him get well. "He'll appreciate the visit, I'm sure."
Hercules had spent the majority of his life on mortal soil, arrogantly always placing himself as an equal to the gods long before he ever officially became one. Something Hera, he was certain, resented him for.
He had changed slightly, burns from the poisoned cloak of his tale becoming a part of his appearance now. It trailed from shoulder to shoulder, and a slight almost unnoticeable mark on the left side of his face where he'd tried to pry it off his skin. Hera however, looked exactly as he'd remembered. With a permanent scowl on her face.
For a passing moment he wondered who else of their family was in the city. "Don't know what happened?" though he'd asked her before, he thought to ask again. Maybe she'd be more willing to say.
She shook her head, seeing no reason in being deceitful. "No son of Zeus I have no idea what happened." If she did she'd be at whoever did this' side, singing their praises. "As far as I know it's alcohol poisoning or something of the like. It seems your father's ways are catching up to him." Which wasn't something she was too sad about.
"Oh," he said in response not really having much else to say on the matter. He wasn't exactly the best at small talk unless he was asked a question or was curious about something. He was every bit the strong silent type.
He looked back towards the room not certain if he should go or stay. There wasn't anything to go home to except a tv and an empty room. Most places were closed, and this was the closest he'd seen to any family in a long time.
"Who else?" he started, "who else of us are here?" though he hardly expected Hera to make it easy on him if she did know. It was the way he asked that she'd figure out who he was inquiring about. If he was ther, Hera and the rest of the Olympians, any was possible.