Who: Kyle and the Praxidikai What: Homonoia's taking Kyle up on checking out Naxos/mommy and sister dear are curious When: Jan 18, 2011 night Where: Naxos Warnings: tbd
Homonoia wasn't entirely sure about this. She hadn't been thinking when she mentioned literally running into someone while getting lunch the other day. And when her sister had asked for details she had giggled and grinned at Homonoia's apparent lack of understanding mortal men.
He thinks you're cute, obviously. Arete had said. She had also been snooping and saw the online conversation. Homonoia pointed out that two people of opposite genders could have a friendship that was purely innocent. Most of her relationships had been that and she wasn't exactly the dating type. Anyone she cared about died long before she ever would.
It annoyed Homonoia that she had such a nosy sister. Always getting into my business. Not that she had anything to really be annoyed about. She just didn't like being poked fun at when there wasn't anything there.
When she had mentioned that she might go check out Naxos her mother outright refused to let her go alone. They were stronger and better in numbers than any of them going out alone, save for Praxidike. She could take down a woolly mammoth if it meant protecting her children. There was no question about it. They would go together and have a good time. That only made Homonoia groan. But it was true. They were better off together than her possibly being lured in by Dionysus' Minyades. If they were still around. Chances were they were hanging on to Dionysus like a plague of locusts.
They approached the evening like most others. They were casually dressed, Homonoia abandoning her planner as she had no reason for it since her day was essentially over. After finding Naxos it was Praxidike who led the way, finding a table and shrugging their jackets off. She wasn't entirely sure why she was doing it, but Homonoia kept glancing at the bar in search of the mortal she had run into. "Must be cute if you keep looking for him," Arete mumbled into her ear, to which Homonoia glared at her and sunk into her seat.
It was a hopping night to be middle of the week. Tuesday even, but Dionysus was flitting around soaking up all the attention. It seemed to draw in a crowd like flies to light.
Coming around from the back, Kyle pulled out a few cases of wine from the stock room and set them under the counter. He was in his element, under Dionysus' influence, downing a few shots and laughing with the regulars. He hadn't seen the girl he'd met just the other week, busy bouncing to the music and the lights from the dance floor. It was hitting the later evening when people had gotten a little (or a lot drunk) and needed to release some energy. Kyle could see Dionysus out there on the dance floor sucked in a crowd of men and women a like. Shaking his head he took another shot. It at least kept his mind off the fact that his cousin thought he was a pure nutcase.
It was a few minutes before Homonoia recognized him, but both mother and sister had noticed him as well. "Hm," was all Praxidike said. She didn't like anyone snooping around her girls but Homonoia clearly hadn't felt threatened.
It was Arete who decided to bounce over to where Kyle was to order drinks. "Hello, fine sir!" She almost had to yell to be heard. Of the Praxidikai she was the one most likely to go up to strangers. She didn't seem uncomfortable at all. "Three glasses of your best red wine, please." She glanced over at her mother and sister. Homonoia was watching like a hawk, ready to pounce her sister if she made any strange moves. She didn't need rumors!
Arete looked back to Kyle and smiled, "So you ran into my sister the other day. Literally, from the sounds of it. She's over there," she pointed right at Homonoia, who turned her head to look at Praxidike. "Cute, isn't she? She doesn't think so, but not everyone knows how to live up to their potential," she shrugged. Well, she was certainly chatty.
Kyle greeted the young lady with a whopping smile, teeth and all as he wiped down his counter from a few spilled drinks. "Evenin'" he said happily, taking the chance to look over at who she spoke of. When he realized who it was he waved with a sweet smile.
"Got the best on the house," he replied reaching under the counter to pull out a bottle, popping the top. Very stage-like he put three glasses in a row, pouring the wine from one to the other in one big swoop. Dion had got his monies worth in putting Kyle through bar-tending school, but now he was just showing off.
"She is," he agreed with a nod. "She should give 'er self more credit." He gave Homonoia a smile. He was still bouncing to the music. "Need help with the drinks, I'll bring 'em over." At that he scooped up two, handing Arete the other. "Let's bounce," he said heading over to their table and setting down the glasses for the other two.
"Busy night tonight, it's not always like this, but," he pointed over to Dionysus, "he's rollin' the show right now."
Homonoia returned the gesture, but still felt awkward that her sister was very obviously talking about her. It was annoying and she wasn't feeling that oneness of mind she was so fond of.
Arete watched with amusement as he showed off. She seemed the type to embrace such things. But really, it was just her appreciating that this Kyle knew his stuff and that he was taking advantage of his potential. She nodded approvingly.
"She's a librarian, what do you expect? Years of being around mortals- I saw your conversation online," she explained, "Anyway, years of being around mortals made her blend in better. Though if you ask me she's got a pretty terrifying stare. Gets that from our mom," she pointed to Praxidike, who didn't flinch when her daughter did so.
She followed, taking her seat again and grinning at Homonoia. She wasn't even trying to be subtle.
Praxidike and Homonoia picked up a glass each. Homonoia offered a smile while Praxidike nodded as she looked at Dionysus. "I can see that. He's still got it after all these years." She looked back to Kyle, offering her hand, "Praxidike. You just met Arete. And of course you ran into Homonoia." Even though she was being friendly there was something terrifying about Praxidike. She had this ominous kind of glow to her.
"Not so bad, jus' looks like she needs to get out more, yeah?"
When he took a seat there was an instant jerk reaction of not knowing how to approach either of these ladies. He did it so gracefully like he always did. A big smile and a smooth handshake. "So you girls are, like the fates or somethin'? Or am I gettin' mixed up here. I know some myths an' all but, fill me in a lil'."
"He's kinda addictin'," Kyle started already feeling his head spin a little as the wine god looked over. He swore even when Dionysus wasn't looking at him, it felt like he was starring straight through him. Ari was on break, so without her around it always felt like his head was on a roller spinner. He drank more when he was around Dionysus, which was part to the god's flare and flavor. Kyle was his mortal, Dionysus had been intrigued by him for one reason or another, and now that he knew who they all were, it only made it that much more difficult for the mortal.
"That's what I keep telling her, but she's kind of a homebody. Can't blame her considering. I mean, she's concord, unanimity and oneness off mind." She recited the last part. "She's also got a freakish case of OCD, I'm surprised you came out alive for bumping into her. Don't get me wrong, she's an okay kid."
Praxidikie's brows rose, and not all too subtly, "No, we're in service to the Moirai. What they ask of us we do it. As long as it isn't kill, which they know better than that. We exact justice where an injustice as been done. We're punishers. Homonoia is concord, unanimity and oneness of mind. Arete is virtue, excellence, goodness, and valor. And I am exacting justice, judicial punishment, and the exacter of vengeance." Praxidike wasn't exactly chatty as she spoke, more or less sharing information and still very looming. She wasn't trying to scare anyone, but she didn't know Kyle and that was reason enough to pt up defenses for now. All the while, there was a little smile on her lips that suggested she ought not to be messed with.
All three turned to look at Dionysus. "I like being in control of myself," Homonoia finally spoke. "But a drink here and there never hurt anyone," she added as she turned to look back at him. Even now they could see the hold Dionysus had on him. It wasn't hard to miss one of his. The Praxidikai didn't claim anyone. Apart from their connection to the Moirai they were neutral goddesses. Homonoia watched him a moment, and even if she barely knew him she still felt like she needed to say it, "Just be careful. I know mortals can't handle as much as we can." Those words alone made her mother and sister look at her with some surprise. Homonoia wasn't exactly the chattiest of the three and would usually stand in the shadows and be hard at work at something entirely different than what was going on. For her to warn someone was almost out of character.
Kyle looked at her as if he understood, but it was clear he was a little fuzzy on the details. "She jus' looked like she wanted to get me out of the way and carry on with her day," he said with a light laugh.
Then came the introductions, which felt more like history lessons now. He wondered just how many immortals he had been in contact with before being informed. "Ohhhh," he said still feeling as if it was a lot to really understand. "It's all Greek to me right?" he said trying to make a joke, but thinking better of it afterward. It probably wasn't that funny, but he laughed anyway.
"Oh I'm fine," he said leaning back in his chair. "I've only had my stomach pumped once now," he threw it off as nothing. Though Ariadne always insisted he have a breather every now and then. If it wasn't for her Dionysus may have killed him. She had left for a long time, and Kyle had been at the brunt of Dionysus' drunken hits. He was the god of frenzy and delusions, drunken haze. Mortals weren't half as strong as they may have been before, and Kyle could only take so much, but he did it cheerfully.
Arete laughed, "That's Homonoia for you. I wouldn't take it personally. She could have just looked insulted and walked off in a huff."
Even if he had second thoughts about that joke Praxidike didn't look amused. "Greek mythology is confusing even for those of us who are involved.
All three looked at him with surprise, even Praxidike showing concern. "It's one thing to embrace it, it's another to let it get out of hand," she said calmly. Both Arete and Homonoia nodded in agreement. That didn't mean they would get involved without the Moirai's consent. They didn't stick their noses in others gods business, unless it involved anyone close to them or if one of the Fates decided it was necessary. Praxidike decided this information needed to be passed on and it might be taken care of from there. Olympians, always thinking they can do whatever the hell they want.
To try and lighten the mood, because she hadn't expected it to go well anyway, Homonoia took a sip from her glass, "It's been ages since we've had his wine." And then of course Praxidike had to butt in, "Are you a student, Kyle?"
There was an awkwardness around them at his lame attempt to joke. He'd never said he was good at it. "He's a friend, he kinda makes all the rules, I just ride along." He'd gotten rather used to it now.
"Student? Aw no. I mean was about a year ago for a semester, but then I moved here to play music. That's what I really love to do."
Believe it or not, they had found it funny. Even if it was one of those vague statements it was one that everyone seemed to understand. They were very Greek despite their neutral stance and they were just as likely to fall for certain tricks or be jealous just as easily as the next of their kind.
"That's how it tends to be," said Homonoia, apparently getting out of her funk and looking a little more chatty. It was the wine. Her mother noticed but seeing as she wasn't on the dance floor trying to have an orgy Praxidike didn't mind much. She was feeling a little less terrifying herself and more friendly. Even though Arete wasn't going to get out there and start dry humping anyone she had jumped up and joined in the dancing with a mortal boy. At that, Praxidike watched like a hawk but attentions on Kyle.
Praxidike offered a more friendly smile now, "I believe it's good to follow our dreams. Arete would probably be pleased to hear that, too."
"So what instrument do you play? Or are you a dual musician?" Asked Homonoia after taking a sip from her glass.
Already Kyle was feeling slightly jittery but not because of nerves. When Dionysus was in his element Kyle had this urge to down more booze, wine whatever alcohol he could get his hands on. He hadn't had the fifth shot tonight.
"Tell that to my dad," he said laughing, "he's still waiting for me to come home with my tail between my legs. He says I've ruined my life, but ya know just the way it is." He was one of many brothers, the youngest and therefore the one that wasn't expected to make it.
"Yes!" he said happily. "Oh I jus' play the drums, maybe a lil' guitar."