While Kyle would have given anything to see his niece's little kid there were some things they needed to discuss. She was libel to think he was a nutcase, but it had to be said. How else was he going to explain he worked for Dionysus? It wasn't something he could just keep locked up, it was the only way to describe when he hit mood swings even he hadn't experienced before. When Dionysus was angry, Kyle got hit the hardest. His head pounded, blood felt cold in his system. He'd sit for days drunk off that lackadaisical haze that accompanied the Greek god and forget to eat.
On the good days he remained his energetic self, just maybe a few notches more loud than usual. He was glad to get the chance for a break. After spending so much time drained, tossed around by some selfish god's whims it would be nice to have dinner with his cousin whom he'd not seen for years. Not since Bernie was a few years younger.
Kyle wasn't exactly a Bobby Flay in the kitchen, so he'd ordered some decent take-out from a nearby restaurant, laying out the containers on the kitchen bar until Veronica showed up. He was starting to get rid of those dark circles under his eyes after having a holiday away from the bar, and Ariadne made sure to keep him closer to her as often as she could. It was a relief really. Tonight was his night off. Whistling his band's new song he grabbed a coke from the frig and plopped down on the couch.
It had been hard not to bring Bernie along. Her son loved her cousin, mostly because Kyle had access to drums and Bernie liked hitting on them and making a lot of noise, but it had sounded serious. And while she cursed, Kyle cursed worse and right now it was best to leave Bernie with the babysitter.
It would be nice to catch up. She worried about Kyle, had been worrying since he'd dropped out of college to pursue his music. Not that she didn't support him, it had just been odd.
Now she knocked on his door and waited to be let in.
He heard the knock and came rushing to the door, still humming. "Hey V," he said giving her a hug, attempting to not spill coke all over her coat. "Been a long time, eh?" he said with a big bright smile.
"How's the big man?" he said asking about Bernie. Bernie had always liked when Kyle treated him like a grown-up, or at least tried. It made him feel all important.
He closed the door behind her, holding out a hand for her coat. The apartment was a typical one of a twenty-one year old who spent more time playing music than decorating his apartment. There were still a few boxes shoved around, the PS3 Rock Band instruments laying around and his drum set. Not much on the walls, just a few band posters and a leather couch and chair in front of a wide screen television.
"I got food on the counter. It's not much, but the place is good! Hope you still like Chinese."
Grinning she returned the hug, holding her cousin close before looking at him with worried eyes. "Much too long if you ask me. I've been meaning to get a hold of you since I moved here. Mum says hi." Her parents had always had a semi-adoptive stance towards Kyle.
"Claiming I'm a horrible mother for not letting him spend time with, and I quote, the most awesome cousin ever." Grinning she walked inside. "You let him play your drums so he thinks you're the best." She removed her coat and handed it to him, shaking her head at his living space. "Nice television. At least the pay is good for this mystery job of yours."
"I still love it. So thank you."
He continued to smile wildly at her. "Agreed. How long you been in the city an' all, cuz?" he asked setting her coat down and popping the lids open to the lo mien noodles, egg rolls, sweet and sour chicken and whatever other dish he'd managed to pick up on the menu. He'd not eaten much in a few days it was binging time. The last time he'd actually been to England was a few Christmases ago. "Tell her I said hi, mom chats me up about everyone when I call."
"Ah Bernie. Bet he's grown so much. Next time I'll let him play my new song!" he spoke excitedly. His eyes suddenly grew wide, the best idea hitting as he gasped, pointing both pointer fingers at her. He snapped them. "Next gig is in two weeks. You guys should come. Or at least you should come. I'll give Bernie an autographed cd from the guys. I bet he'll love that."
He took another swig of his coke, heading towards the frig to give her one as well. "Mmmm," he said swallowing it (which tasted awkward in place of all the wine Dion pumped him up with), "Naxos, heard of it? That bar just a few blocks down. Big place. Dion," he motioned his hand around, "Guy that owns it is doin' pretty well. His wife works there too, so she makes sure I'm not jipped in the pay roll."
She followed him, glad he was so excited. She swore she remembered him as a bit more subdued. But then again, she'd been just as excited when she had been out on her own. The food made her stomach growl and she nodded, "I will. She will probably tell me to tell you to call her so I will plan ahead."
She nodded, "growing like weed. I'm just glad he didn't inherit my being short. Soon enough he'll tower over me." She blinked at the sudden cheer then laughed, "it'll probably be just me. Bernie's a little too young still. And he will. He's your biggest fan."
She took the coke and opened it before nodding. "A little too rich for my blood but I've heard of it. I'm glad you have a good job. So what did you want to talk about? If it's about Bernie's 'father' I'll need a drink. The man's mad."
He had been more subdued, Dionysus' influence had started to grip the young boy and hold fast. "As long as she lets me get to bed, your mom talks more than mine," he said with a laugh.
"How tall now?" he said holding his hand up to his waist for her to give him the proper fraction of height. "I'll let him stay over this weekend if that's okay with you? I think Ari's givin' me a few more days off before I help her move in with the hubby n' all..." he rambled on realizing how ridiculous a lot of it sounded unless she knew who they were.
"Yeah, it's about that and a some other things." He said looking to the floor. "Let's eat first and then talk?"
She couldn't help but chuckle at that, "what can I say? I inherited that from her, and God knows Bernie did too. Boy can talk my ears off." she nodded at the guessing of her son's height, "about there yeah." She glanced around, considering it. But what would she do for an entire weekend? She didn't have a boyfriend or was even dating anyone.
"Friday to Saturday would work." She frowned at his rambling, figuring his bosses had just gotten married for them to be moving in. It seemed that would make the mist sense.
She nodded, and finished her dinner quicker then she liked. She wondered if Kyle was coming out of the closet or something. She just hoped that he knew she'd support him if that was the case. "So, what's this all about?"
"He's a good kid," he smiled.
"Oh you don't have to, I mean was just an idea. Thought you'd like some time to yourself ya know? But if you're okay with it, I'd be glad to help you out. Besides, got a lil' kitten here he can play with," he said pointing to the laundry room where she was curled up asleep. "She's a gift to someone, but she's stayin' here for a the weekend."
They'd sat over on the couch while he muted the television, eating and carrying on until there was hardly no food left. "Got cheesecake in the frig? Less you've wussed out on me and can't eat anymore." He was still hungry. He was trying to avoid the topic. If he knew Veronica she was going to think him a mental case.
"Yeah, about that," he rubbed his palms against his jeans. "So, seriously V, don't think I'm a nutcase."
She returned the smile, always glad when people told her she wasn't too awful at raising her son. "Thank you. He really is."
She shrugged, "I'm not used to having time alone. I mean I'm not seeing anyone right now so I'd just be lost. Strange how that happens. But I'm sure he'd love to spend time with you, beating on your drums." She glanced to the kitten and smiled, "be sure to tell him that, or he'll try and take it come. We're discussing pets, but I'm making him save for the adoption fee. Give him something to work for."
She tucked her legs under her and gave him a look, "Kyle you're avoiding the subject. How bad is this? If this is a coming out of the closet thing I'm the last person to judge and you know that." She sighed, and frowned, "and now you're plain worrying me."
"He can't take lil' Ari home." He paused for a moment, "have you thought about a fish or a turtle even. That's somethin' he could take care of that doesn't require a lot of maintenance."
Kyle about choked on his drink, he could feel it slide down his throat and back up his nostrils. "No, no," he choked out. "I'm not gay or whatever, that wasn't what I was..." he coughed until tears came to his eyes. Oh it burned.
After a few minutes he calmed down trying to breathe. "I just mean about this guy you say that claims he's Poseidon." Another deep breath. "I don't think he's kidding....I....I work for Dionysus." he waited, brows motioning over ready for her to give him the 'loony look'.
"Cute name." She nodded, "we've had fish and turtles and now he wants a cat. I told him if he can get the money together for the adoption fee and proves he's responsible that way I'll take him to the pound myself. So far he's been very good at it."
She patted his back and frowned, "well I didn't know. It wouldn't be a bad thing you know. You call me here and make me worried so I jumped to conclusions. I've never seen you with anyone."
She blinked then and drew back, "and I think you've had too much alcohol. Or drugs. Or something. Kyle, those are myths and you know I'm agnostic. This Dorian fellow is mad, claiming he's Poseidon of all things." She sighed, "I think you need help."
"I've had girlfriends before, just not...not any worth bringing home really," he breathed again getting himself settled.
"No, seriously I've not had anything to drink, I think that's what's wrong." He saw that face, he knew it too well. "V, I'm not kidding I know it sounds really dumb, I mean I thought I'd lost my head when I was told. I'm not bein' funny. Belief an' shit, it's a powerful thing. We read those stories and it gives them some kinda power." He looked at her straight in the eyes. "I work for Dionysus, his wife Ariadne is my friend, and that crazy ass creep you have as Bernie's father is probably really Poseidon. Shit V, you don't wanna get messed up with him."
She sighed and rose, "I can't believe you. I don't know what's worse. If you're playing a really elaborate trick on me, or if you actually believe you work for Dionysus." She set her hand on her hip. "Right, so prove it. Prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that this is true." Cruel perhaps but it was who she was.
"Because if it is I'm already messed up with him, and I'm moments away from being the next Medusa." She gave him a look that said she wasn't buying it. "I don't know what you're on, or what you've been doing but this isn't right and if you want to see Bernie you get yourself sorted out."
"V," he said seriously. If he could make himself cry right now he would if she'd believe him any faster. He didn't want her to walk out like this, not when he'd just found her again.
Those eyes did start to water almost as if on command, they glanced around rapidly as he tugged at her arm asking her silently to sit for a minute and really listen to him.
"I know it sounds crazy. Please believe me." He fished out his phone from his pocket, quick to dial Ari's number. When he hit send she would pick up, if Veronica let him he'd let her talk to her. Ari was the only one he could think of to help him out on this, Dionysus would only make it worse.
She raised an eyebrow at the phone and with a sigh of frustration she got up, "This isn't proof. You are mental!" She was snapping, being angry and unfair. But she'd just been threatened by a man with more money then God, someone she feared would take her little boy away from her, and now her cousin was claiming he worked for a Greek God. "What's calling going to do? Maybe this woman is just playing along with your delusions as not to hurt you."
With a shake of her head she walked to the coat rack."I can't believe you'd do this to me. It's bad enough this man can buy enough judges so I'll never see my son again, and now you're going mad and thinking you work for a God." She put her coat on and sighed, "I need to go."
"V, listen to me...I" he stopped for moment to think. Maybe if Ari met them here. "Let Ari come here. So you can see her, face to face." He closed the phone feeling dejected. He was starting to think he'd rather have told her he was gay. He flipped it back open sending Ariadne a quick urgent message that said 'Come. Now. My place.'
He jumped up to stop her and blocked the door. "Just wait a minute will you please?" he asked pleading.
"It will prove nothing. She can claim what you like but unless you've got some God on speeddial that can make miracles come out of his ass, all you are is a very delusional young man." She huffed and shook her head as he blocked her door, crossing her arms.
"Kyle, really. I have enough to worry about. Let me leave."
"I don't want to ask Dion to come up here. It won't....it won't go well V. He'd more than likely hit on you before even bothering to set this straight. Just wait here for ten minutes. Let Ari come and talk," he begged her. This was getting desperate and he wasn't sure why he was trying so hard, probably because Poseidon could do more damage than Dionysus could in a second. Veronica had to understand what she was dealing with. It made sense as to why Bernie was so headstrong, not unlike Veronica but in a way that was even more than what she could be.
He loved his cousin dearly, and he couldn't lose her. Not to this.
She rolled her eyes, tapping her foot. "No. Kyle this is ridiculous. What's this woman going to prove? She going to make me magically believe in Santa Claus again?" She was getting angrier and most of all tired. She couldn't believe the things her cousin was trying to tell her. She'd never believed in any of this. She'd respected her grandfather's faith, but there was too much cruelty in the world to believe in any God.
"All you are doing is upsetting me. If you value Bernie, you step aside, or you're not seeing him for quite some time." IT felt low to bring her son in like this, but she felt like she had no choice.
He'd lost his voice at this point, there was nothing else to say if she didn't want to listen to him. He nodded defeated moving away from the door and opening it for her to walk out.
He didn't say another word. Now he really did want to lose himself into Dionysus' frenzy because he didn't want to feel so bad. Not only was he upset, but Bernie would be crushed by this.
She wouldn't keep him from Bernie, and she felt guilty for even bringing it up but he'd seemed so stubborn. She sighed and shook her head, "I'm sorry." Then, she left, worrying about her cousin.
The door shut behind her and Kyle just flopped back on the couch, texting Ariadne to say 'Nevermind', though she may have already been on her way. He hoped she would. With a loud groan Kyle shoved his face into a pillow un-muting the television to blast MTV.