Who: Veronica, Bernie and Poseidon When: Sunday Afternoon, February 19, 2012 Where: Veronica's place Warnings: TBD
Veronica had to admit that Poseidon was being, well not nice, but at least decent. She hadn't wanted to strangle him fr some time, and with Triton being the head of that little thing she felt more at ease. And now Poseidon wanted to spend time with Bernie and she wanted to see if anything had gotten through yet. She knew her son adored seeing him and she hoped this would be more of a regular occurrence. She'd never like Poseidon and would always hope her son took more after his brother, but Poseidon was still Bernie's father. And she couldn't take that away from her son. Bernie could make his own decisions.
When Poseidon arrived she let him in. Bernie greeted him with a grin as she closed the door. She still didn't trust the sea god, but that was her own thing. "Do you want something to drink? I've got some tea on." Part of her was glad her sister was out. She didn't really want Nikkie near Poseidon until she was absolutely sure he wouldn't do anything to her younger sister.
Poseidon would never be father of the year, but losing what belonged to him in a way a wife and lands never could, it had taken him some time to get over. It wasn't easy, it made every link to him grow dimmer and dimmer. He'd had his time to throw a tantrum, now it was time to man up. He'd made a valiant effort on his part to show himself as the king he rightfully was. Triton better be paying attention, because eventually it would catch up. Triton was strong, but he wasn't Poseidon. There was a lot of years in controlling such powers. Valiant as he may be, Triton would grow tired of it.
Bernie greeted with his usual exuberance, in which Poseidon ruffled his hair as he stepped in the door, something hidden behind the flap of his jacket. Other than Triton, Bernie was his only son in this time. It was time he made the most of it.
He didn't speak but motioned his head for Veronica to follow him into the kitchen. "Stay here kid," he said without anything else. It was enough to make the boy pout, this was the first time Poseidon had been around in months. Poseidon added a low brow to emphasize his seriousness.
"You have some alcohol to slip into that tea?" He asked Veronica as he opened the jacket, his back to Bernie and setting the small aquarium on the counter.
She followed him with a sigh. That arrogance hadn't left yet. He was still all too sued to people doing as he commanded. But she gave her son a smile, "grown up talk love."
It wasn't much of an excuse but her son was behaved well enough for him to sit down and just watch the kitchen with eager eyes. She gave him a look before looking to the aquarium. "Those better not be real." She could deal with fish. Fish were easy. Jellyfish stung and she had no idea what they required in sort of food. And she knew her son. He'd poke his hand in there, even if she said not to, and she'd have to deal with jellyfish stings.
She took a bottle down and put some rum in his cup, because he was remarkably well behaved today. "Because he's
nine
." She put the emphasis on the age. "And he's going to touch those. And try telling him not to, he'll still do it. "so either they best not be real or you get it through his head that they kind of hurt."
Poseidon rolled his eyes at her concern, it was annoying really. "You need to loosen the kid up a bit, he's made of stronger stuff than a few jellyfish stings." There was a soft growl under his voice, the tone quite relaxed considering.
He didn't answer her for a while, letting her linger on the thought a little longer. He sighed hand around his cup. "No, it's not real, though give me a few years and I'll make sure he has something better than a dog. Might even eat the dog." He snorted into his cup.
She crossed her arms and held his gaze. His attempts to intimidate her tended to get her irritated. "He's nine Poseidon. His been to the beach all of once. He's never known a jellyfish sting. I know he's strong, but he's also curious. Forgive me when I don't want my child to learn through pain what he should and shouldn't touch."
She made a face, "he likes the dog. He'll blame you if this thing eats the dog. I don't want to know what you're thinking of. It'll just disturb me." she leaned onto the counter and took her cup, "well go give it to him. He's going to come ask in about five minutes. Tell him I'm making dinner." She'd let him have time alone with his son. Neither of them needed her hovering.
His brow perked with a laugh. "You would. It has teeth." If it were up to Poseidon the kid would have had an aquarium as a room with a shark tank already. These days however, he didn't feel connected to any of that, but it didn't mean he'd take it from Bernie.
Poseidon slipped out of his coat, laying it over the chair. He finished his cup of tea and motioned for another. "A little more rum this time."
"Bernie," Poseidon called from the kitchen, taking the aquarium and setting it on the living room table. "Have at." Poseidon grapped his second cup of tea and joined his son again, taking a seat on the couch as he marveled at the attraction. The lightswitch on the top turned the aquarium different colors, and the whimsical jellyfished moved randomly like real ones. "Let's see if you van handle those and ill get you a pair of real ones in a year."
She just glared at him, "so do I cupcake. Hurt my kid and we'll see how fast you swim." Probably not the greatest of threats against a water god, but it worked for the moment.
She kept her glare but did as asked. "Please won't kill you. Or next time there's arsenic in there. I'm not your servant." She had enough people in the restaurant doing that to her.
She busied herself with dinner as he went to Bernie. The boy had grinned and gotten on the floor to press the switch a few times, just to check how many different lights there were. "Cool," he said, still grinning before nodding. "I'll keep it safe, and I'm doing good with Skylos." He motioned to the dog. He did walk him along with his mother. "But I don't think mum would like jellyfish." Smiling the boy watched the ones behind the glass. "What would they eat?"
Poseidon sat drinking his tea. He watched the boy without even thinking, interested in his reaction. He actually didn't wish to lose favor with the brat, especially with situatuions as they were. Right now it seemed only his halfling kids were the ones who hadn't stripped themselves of him entirely.
A piece of Bernie reminded him of Triton. It was a good trait, and once Poseidon got over his anger he respected Triton for keeping his word. An amused look took hold of Poseidon's face. It could have even been interest. He liked Bernie.
Stretching how arm against the couch, Poseidon took note of the dog. Not his choice of a pet, but he could tell Bernie adored it. It was in his face when he spoke of it, and in the light in his eyes. "Want to take that mutt for a walk?" He offered. It was the first time Poseidon had offered without it sounding like an instruction.
Bernie looked up with a mix of surprise and delight. He loved hanging out with his father, clearly, and getting even more time was even better. "Sure!" Grinning he got up, "I gotta tell mum though." The boy raced into the kitchen to deliver the news to his mother, returning with a leash and Veronica in tow.
She gave Poseidon an incredulous look, the dog jumping up at the sight of the leash and barking happily. "Coat Bernie. It's still chilly out." The boy nodded and clipped the leash on the dogs collar before grabbing his coat and hurriedly putting it on.
"Anyway," Veronica said and glanced to Poseidon. "Skylos is strong Bernie. Let your dad help you." Which was a subtle hint to Poseidon to not let the dog drag her son around. "Just around the block and no stopping at the corner store this time." It was usually a half way mark for them both. "Dinner's getting ready so no ruining your appetite." Bernie just nodded and zipped up his coat before taking the leash and grinning up to Poseidon. "Let's go!"
Bernie jumped up so fast Poseidon was hardly able to get a word out. He stood, giving Veronica his empty tea cup without a snarky comment. He did give her a mischievous grin. He wasn't showing off today, just a little more of a man than he'd been for centuries. Poseidon had always known he could hold his kingship as impressive as Zeus, better even. The pantheon these days just were hardly able to tell with his rowdy tactics and tantrums.
Poseidon had every intention of seeing how long the kid could hold out before his arms wore down. The dog was as in a hurry as he was. It wasn't long before Poseidon took over, commanding the dog with one good jerk to simmer down.
The kid seemed ecstatic. Poseidon was oddly pleased with it. He knew the kid felt the shift in powers, no matter how small. He didn't have much to say, as Poseidon wasn't used to speaking without a verbal quip.
Bernie was all too happy to fill in the quiet. He didn't seem to bothered that Poseidon wasn't speaking or replying. He filled his father in on the going one in his school, and the worries he had. How he saw his mom struggling and wishing he could help, how he wished the Guy she was supposedly seeing paid more attention to her and a variety of other things that showed he paid a great amount of attention to his surroundings and family.
It all sounded like a horrible soap opera. While the kid zipped through subjects like a jack rabbit, Poseidon just let him talk. The dog had taken to slow steps, pacing himself with Poseidon otherwise that collar around his neck was bound to tighten.
Poseidon cast his glance ahead of them. There was a time he could smell the ocean miles away. Now, he couldn't even detect the smallest hint. He rolled the leash around his hand, tightening his hold when the dog started to wander off the street. Poseidon paused, looking down at the tyke. "You'll figure it out." Had that been actual concern in his voice? He too was paying more attention.
The boy nodded, although he'd hoped for more then that. But he accepted it none the less. "I know. I just worry. I only got one mum." He shrugged, keeping pace with the long strides of his father as best he could.
"Triton said Rhode's here. He said she was a sister of mine. And Raiden, that she's like me." He gave his father a curious look, "can I meet them sometime? Both Triton and mum said I should ask you."
Poseidon had no place to give his son advice when his own problems spanned farther than that of any normal mortal. He no maturity to most hardly in any position to give wisdom when he handled situations with anger.
Without his powers he had little to focus on. It seemed his spawn would be the closest thing he had other than work without his powers to keep him entertained. "Raiden is like you, she just doesn't come with an off switch." She was too bright and happy, it was sickening. He stopped, giving the dog a little tug causing it to yelp. "Rhode is one of mine. Get your mom to bring you to the office one day and you can meet her. I won't guarantee she won't slap you."
Bernie frowned to the yelp and reached down to pet the dog before looking to his father. He didn't really get the reference of the off switch. "I don't think I'll tell her about the slapping part." Bernie hoped it wouldn't happen. He liked to think he was pretty okay to hang out with without that happening.
"Would Wednesday be alright? I only got half a day of school then."
The boy was persistent, it was the most admirable trait of Poseidon's clan. It meant giving up was never an option, it was about survival. "Rhode will eat you alive kid," he warned. Rhode was not very pleased with his halfbreeds, especially the sunspot. Poseidon had never played father to any of his kids, his attempts before were not false, they just came with a lot of baggage. This was far more genuine.
Poseidon smirked at the boy. "Determined little brat." He ruffled his hair, handing over the leash and motioning with his head for them to head back. "A shame you can't leave your mother at home," he laughed. "What time are you out?" He wasn't used to caring.
Bernie shrugged, "I'll just change her mind." In his own way he knew how t oget people to at least like him. He had his father's determination and his mother's charm. And he could understand. He'd felt angry at Anthony for weeks for taking away his mother. Maybe it was the same for this Rhode.
"You'll forget otherwise." The boy grinned easily and took the leash, leading them back home. "I wouldn't even if I could. Mum and me are a team. We do things together." He paused, "around noon. Mum's got work after though but only till seven. Would it be okay if I stayed? Otherwise Aunt Nikkie will pick me up."
Poseidon had never spent more than a few hours with Bernie. Or any of his kids. Rhode was around for at least seven hours a day, but she kept her distance and played secretary. That was different. This was asking a lot of the sea god. He took a moment to ponder. The little tyke hadn't forced him away like the rest. He may not have been able to feel an attachment, but a part of Poseidon that he didn't recognize agreed.
"My office isn't a playground, kid." The dog kept his pace light, not nearly tugging the boy as hard with Poseidon threatening him with his eyes. "Suppose you can amuse me for an afternoon."
Bernie smiled and nodded, "I know that. I promise I'll be good. I won't bother you. I've been to Mum's work a couple of times. I'll just play my games." He shrugged, used to being left to his own devices and hardly minding. It just allowed him to be near his father, and hopefully near this sister who seemed to dislike him out of principle.
"And you can always ring Aunt Nikkie. I think she's off and I can stay with her." They reached the door and Bernie let them in, unclipping the dog's leash before taking off his coat. "Mum, we're home."
Poseidon stepped in behind Bernie, having spent already more time than usual. He didn't take off his coat but he had no plans to be anywhere else just yet. His house was empty.
Hands in his coat pockets he stalked into kitchen where Vernoica stood, his steps long and slow. "No broken bones or blood this time." He spoke teasingly. He wasn't sure if he was mellowing out or just losing his touch. Something about Triton taking over had stripped him of some of his sarcasm.
She raised an eyebrow but looked to her son as he explained the plan. With a nod she send him scurrying of to clean up and get warm. "Or any time." She paused, not really getting the change in him. It felt odd. "You don't have to take him. I can get him to my sisters." She didn't think Poseidon was all to keen on babysitting.
"And you can stay for dinner." Usually he'd have left by now, but she'd still offer. Her natural urge to take care of people extended to him, as long as he wasn't being an ass.
"A little blood never hurt anyone," he grinned some bit of his former self bleeding out. There was a part of Poseidon that would never get enough of pain and suffering. It's what the Greek gods did to amuse themselves.
"I'm not going to pamper and babysit him," he took off his coat, throwing it across the back of the couch, "but I don't mind him hanging around for a bit."