Zoe (history_repeats) wrote in nevermore_logs, @ 2013-01-12 21:58:00 |
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Entry tags: | greed, poseidon, theseus, zoe hansen |
WHO: Theseus, Poseidon, Greed & Zoe
WHEN: Wednesday Night (possibly)
WHERE: Le Bernadin, Zoe's apartment
WHAT: Meeting the family, escaping from the family before they sell/kill you
WARNING: Deals and feels
Zoe tried on a few different outfits for her dinner with Theseus, she wanted to look presentable (especially because he'd picked a fancy restaurant, she wanted to say no because there was no way she could afford even an appetizer there and it was doubtful dear old grandad was going to foot the bill after he ended up drinking all her cocoa that she paid for) but at the same time her grandfather had made more than a pass at her and it made her very uncomfortable. Maybe he was just being.. overly smarmy in his personality but she was surprised he picked dinner, it was such a more.. date environment. But she wanted to give him a second chance and if he picked the time and place maybe he'd feel more at ease. And with Greed not there to influence him and bring out the worst in him (despite Theseus saying he was an ass on his own without help, Zoe prayed it was Greed that had been the problem last time) maybe he might actually be decent to talk to. Maybe in time they could be a family. She fiddled with her hair, not happy with how it looked but it was time to go.
She reached the restaurant and it was one of those where you needed reservations. She had no idea if Theseus had used his old alias like with Sophia to make the reservation under or... she tried it. Nope. It wasn't under Theseus either and that got her some odd looks. She tried her name, though to be honest making the reservation under her name would have been too thoughtful... and yeah it wasn't there. Was he using a new alias? The host told her to wait until her party arrived. Great..
Zoe moved off to the side when she heard a man laugh, she looked out into the sea of seated tables and thought she spotted Theseus sitting with another man...
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Theseus had made plans with Zoe, but his own father came first. Somewhere between Daddy's invite and a few days time, Theseus had completely forgotten about his dinner date with Zoe. He had picked the restaurant and the time but could hardly pinpoint the reason. Poseidon liked fancy dishes, it seemed a nice enough spot, and dadddy would be his meal ticket.
Theseus was cut of the same cloth, so it was easy for him to fit in as one of Poseidon's favorites. He looked out for his demi-children, sometimes more than his pure-blooded. There were however some things changing with he and Amphitrite's newest edition. This visit wasn't just a free meal for Theseus. The brat needed to do more than play mooch off his money.
The waitress had brought over a set of drinks for the two men when Theseus caught a glimpse of Zoe who had started a slow move towards the table. He threw his arms out against the back of his chair with a smarmy smile. "Hey!" He waved her over, not yet remembering that he'd made plans with her before. "Have a seat."
Poseidon eyed his son and the new face with a high brow. He cleared his throat for introduction. That should have been a given. The girl didn't off any immortal vibe, she wasnt important. Not unless Theseus said otherwise.
"Dipping your nib in with mortal girls these days?" His words were flat, he hardly gave her a second glance. If she didn't speak up and just stood there awkwardly she wasn't worth the time.Like father, like son. Zoe didn't seem quite Theseus' type.
"No, no," Theseus pointed at her with a grin. "She's my granddaughter. Pretty right?"
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Zoe was so confused, she was sure she had the right time and day.. but Theseus had brought a friend? She walked over slowly, eyeing each man warily. She just as slowly took a seat at the table, taking off her coat. She looked disgusted at the suggestion Theseus was sleeping with her. What was it with greeks? She opened her mouth to say something but then Theseus was showing her off like she was a new puppy he got. She tried to smile but it didn't light up her eyes as she gave a brief awkward wave at Poseidon, "Hi, I'm Zoe.."
She turned to Theseus and said in a semi-hushed voice, "You know if you're busy, it's okay, we can do this some other time and I can go." please be busy so I can go..
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"Speak up I didn't hear you," Poseidon said not liking her meek tone. It meant weakness. He could exploit her too easily, and where was the fun in that?
"She almost looks too breakable." Poseidon eyed Zoe harshly. "Are you here for something?" He swallowed a few sips of the hard liquor. She was interrupting no matter who she was.
"Zoe, this is Dorian, my father." Theseus looked over to Poseidon over his shoulder with a flop of his hand. "Nothing?" He'd at least thought maybe Poseidon would have found something attractive about her.
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Zoe blinked. She couldn't believe.. no, she could. All she wanted to do was give her grandfather a second chance, maybe try again with him but no, Greed had been right, and so had Theseus, he was an ass on his own. All the assholes in her life continually told her 'hey I'm an asshole' but she never listened. There was something seriously demented about her. She looked at Poseidon after he was introduced and said, "I can see where my grandfather gets his lack of manners from." all she wanted to do was maybe not get kicked again this week. But no, let's start the New Year off with the shitstorm that was Greed and his sister and let's not stop with that, let's get steamrolled by this. What was wrong with her? Why did she keep doing this to herself? Why was she still here!?
She pushed back her chair to stand up, "I was here to try and see if the only family I have left is salvageable but you've kept me from making a clearly big mistake." that was directed at Poseidon while she turned to Theseus and said, "Theseus. Horrifying as always." she was so done.
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Poseidon laughed at her sudden outburst. "Sit down already. I knew it was in there somewhere. You mortals are no fun when you don't fight back." Poseidon liked when they had some bite. "I almost expected you to run off in tears. Drink?" He held up his glass as if to say on the house.
Theseus hoped it was a decent trade off, maybe he wouldn't go home empty handed. Maybe Poseidon would give him a little bit of a tip with this one. He couldn't have even planned this better.
"Hungry?" Theseus asked. That's when it finally hit that maybe he'd screwed up dinner plans. "I forgot," he laid a hand on her arm. "Have something." It was the least he could offer. He wasn't paying.
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Zoe stayed standing and looked repulsed by Poseidon, her voice was like ice, "No thank you." she didn't want a drink, she just wanted to go home and wait until the next year started. She then shot a look at Theseus, she was upset but trying to hide it, that same icy tone for him as she said flatly, "I've lost my appetite. Let's just forget this whole thing ever happened." words she'd used last time and yet here she was again.
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Poseidon wasn't going to take her attitude passively. She had bite, that was good, but she would not disrespect him and his son. That was just bad form.
He stood, a towering figure with a heavy shadow. He placed his hands on her shoulders with a pinched grip. Enough to draw a few fingerprint sized bruises. "Sit." He instructed her with a tone that meant she would suffer of she chose to leave.
Theseus gave her a smug grin. He wasn't nearly the animal of his father, but he wasn't about to get on his bad side too.
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Zoe looked startled when Poseidon suddenly loomed over her. She just wanted to go home and they clearly didn't think much of her so you'd think they'd be glad to get rid of her. She winced as he squeezed her shoulders and she crashed back into her seat by his forced hand. She didn't look at Theseus, undoubtedly he didn't care. She tried to keep the fear out of her eyes and just unfolded her napkin in her lap, a sign she was staying but what the hell for, she had no idea.
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"That's more like it." Now he could finish his meal without ripping her legs off, though that would have been effective as well.
"Order what you like. Seems my son has forgotten his little dinner date." Theseus shrugged, memories werent his strong suit. He was a fish in water just moving in his own stream away from the group.
"You could have in exchange for some more money?" Theseus said bit Poseidon narrowed his eyes. He'd contemplate.
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Zoe had hoped by her staying that maybe they'd.. be nicer. She looked at the menu but blanched as her grandfather suggested trading her for.. wait, he was trying to sell her?? She wanted to freak out but her aching shoulders told her that was not a good idea. Instead she stayed quiet and discreetly slipped her phone into her hand behind the large fancy menu, pretending to be engrossed by the selections. She couldn't call Ray, she wouldn't be able to do anything, she wanted to call Gabe but as strong as the guy was, he was no match for Gods. So she sent a text to the only number she could.. which is why Greed received a text from Zoe (despite all her attitude this week) saying:
I need help.
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The girl had no idea who or what she was dealing with, but in his most subtle way Poseidon had made sure she stood in line. He was all about defiance, but he would not be disrespected. Even by his own children.
"If she behaves, maybe. She won't get you a free ride." Poseidon was going to make Theseus work for his money. The waitress brought their meal already (fish and chips). She looked to the girl asking her what she wanted to order but got no answer.
Theseus threw a side glance with whistle for Zoe to look up. "Who you talking to?"
The message was ignored at first, but like most things Greed couldn't sit and wait. At her message he rolled his eyes with a huff.
"Help? With what? Moving your shit to the good will?" She had been nothing but attitude for days.
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Zoe was so close to hyperventilating she couldn't remember how Theseus' dad was, so she knew Poseidon was a God, just not which God but from his behavior so far it was apparent he wasn't one of the nice ones. The hair on her arms were standing on end as he talked about taking her and she wasn't worth that much apparently.
Zoe jumped when Theseus' whistled and raised her brows in surprise, "What? No. No one, I was just trying to pick my meal.." with the menu still up she knocked her phone into her lap so when she folded the menu, there was nothing on the table, "I'll have what they're having." she said to the waitress.
She had glanced at her phone and mentally taken a deep breath, come on Greed... not now! She texted back with the phone in her lap:
My grandfather is trying to sell me to a god.
Maybe she could get out of this and cleared her throat, "May I be excused to the restroom?"
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Seriously? You've been a bitch for days, now you want my help? Greed grumbled flopping back on his bed. She didn't really want to see him, he really didn't want to go fetch her to be some get out of jail free card when she wouldn't even tell him why she was mad.
This you being busy? he waited a few seconds reading back over what she had said.
Wait what? Someone's selling my girlfriend? oh hell no.
The waitress wrote out the order with a pleasant smile. That was until Poseidon gave her a look that said it better be quick. "It'll be right out," she promised Zoe, filling her empty water glass.
Poseidon nodded to Zoe. "Hurry back." He leaned back in his seat. Once she was only within earshot he turned to Theseus. "That hard up for cash? Where's the loan I gave you three weeks ago?"
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Zoe smiled and politely left the table but once she reached the bathroom, she started to freak out. She looked frustrated as hell at Greed's texts and texted back furiously:
Do you think I want to ask for your help?
Please can you get me out of here? We're at Le Bernardin
But the more texts she got, she lashed out:
I'm not your girlfriend and just forget it, I'll get out of this myself!
She looked around the bathroom but there was no way to get out of it except through the door. She regretted telling Greed she didn't need his help but ugh. She ran a hand through her hair. How did she get into these messes?
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You're panicking. Stop that shit.
In Greed's mind this would be a way to get an answer from her. He would only help her for that reason. And for the fact someone wanted to steal her from him.
He let her stew on it for a little bit. Annoyed as she was she wasn't clever enough to get out on her own. He wasn't sure what God it was with them, but not something pleasant.
What are the waiters wearing?
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I'm not panicking, I hate you.
It was a five year old's response really but she was panicking and she didn't know what to do. She'd hid out in the bathroom as long as she could and she had a feeling if she took too long, Poseidon or Theseus would come after her. She was clever enough to get out on her own, just her brain wasn't working at the moment. The pain in her shoulders acting like throbbing promises of something much worse if she stepped out of this restaurant with her great-grandfather.
She peeked out of the bathroom and she couldn't ask anyone for help and put them at risk for the wrath of a god. Greed wouldn't get a response to his text asking about the waiters for a bit and then finally when his phone alerted him to a message, it was a picture of one of the waiters.
Zoe made her way back to the table and slid into her seat.
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I'm going to do something you don't like, so play along. You're grandfather has a shit memory any way.
After digging through how closet he put on standard black slacks with a white shirt and skinny black tie. The best addition to the outfit was the nametsg which read 'Chance' on the front. It was pretty standard...he'd used it for a rouse before.
Now it was time to play savior to his ex again and he would get answers.
When Zoe returned to her table her food would be there. Poseidon perked a steady brow. "You're food is getting cold." He wouldn't pay for cold food.
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Zoe couldn't respond to Greed's text but since when did she ever like what he did? She mummbled, "It brings out the flavor." to Poseidon as she picked up her fork and poked at the fish. She wondered if maybe the deal was off. Maybe Poseidon had decided she was just not worth any money and he was going to let her go. But it wasn't really a question she could ask.
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"I won't pay for you to waste it." Poseidon had another drink, looking her over again. She was shaking fear. Maybe not physically, but he could smell it. His lip curled on end. "I hope for her sake her grandmother was more appealing than this," he flipped his head to Theseus. "I'll not give you more money just yet. You aren't the only half-breed brat running around." In his own way he was 'checking up' on his favored son. "Be useful." He could see something glitter around Zoe's neck, but he would pay it no mind until later. "If you fancy her, don't give me your leftovers." That was just a piss poor excuse for an offering.
It was about then that Greed popped up, tray in hand with a drink neither of them had ordered. "Miss?" He slid the drink over in front of her. "Your order."
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Zoe muttered, "I'm surprised you're paying for it." she put a forkful of the fish in her mouth just to shut herself up. She was not attractive to immortals, and her family was filled with selfish pricks who were lunatics. This night was shaping up to be-- Miss?
Zoe's eyes went wide at the apperance of Greed and she started to violently cough as fish went down the wrong way in her throat.
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"Oh no, no, no. Noooooo, no, no," Greed acted frantic. "It's my first day, don't die on me!" He pretended quite well being afraid as she choked. "Here, here, take some water!" He handed her the glass, all ready to give the heimlich if he had to.
Theseus eyed Greed suspiciously trying to remember his face, but he'd hardly met him the last time to have stamped a face. He'd never even met his 'true' self so the impression was there, but the face and name blank.
When her eyes started to water he shifted out of his chair to take action, but Greed was crowding her. Poseidon however amused. It was then he was able to notice the glittering necklace which looked familiar to him as it had to Theseus. Being he had been the one to give it to him. But it wasn't the locket itself which was made of hard ocean shells encased in gold, but what was in it. Theseus would be getting that back. He needed to make himself useful.
"Come on Miss," Greed started to drag her away from the table, arms around her waist. Those nasty Greeks weren't getting her.
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Zoe patted her chest at the collarbone to see if it'd help clear her wind pipe and she gave a shocked look to Greed. What was he doing? Waltzing right up? Even with Sin strength, she doubted he was a match for Poseidon.
She took a sip of what Greed shoved at her but that was not water. She started coughing again, making a face, oh God.. what was.. and then Greed was dragging her away. This was actually going to work??
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Greed was no God. He knew what he faced when she said she was with Theseus. But of she thought he was afraid, she was forgetting who he was. That glass could have been passed off to her great grandaddy, but Greed had no desire to have a Greek on Sin battle. He came to collect what belonged to him.
Zoe would feel faint at the taste that hung in her mouth from his 'drink'. She would still be able to stand, but he kept his arms wrapped around her, causing others to take notice. "Are you okay? Oh man, I can't get fired on.my first day, please be okay."
Theseus stood now from his seat. "Zoe?" It was her chance to bow out, to stand up and say this could be continued later. Greed would let her go so she could walk out the door where he would follow. But once she was out of view she would be sick.
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Zoe felt lightheaded and looked like she was going to be sick. What the.. but she saw Theseus stand up and call her name, "Stay away from me." she managed to say harshly in a low voice to him as Greed helped her off. When he let her go, she stumbled out the doors and went to the alley next to the restaurant. "Ugh.. I think I'm gonna be sick..." she put a hand on the wall to brace herself. She just wanted to get mugged and die right now. She hoped Poseidon wouldn't come after her and lord knew Theseus didn't give a shit.
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Greed headed out another entrance, making sure he flipped off the Greeks on his way out.
"Sit down Theseus," Poseidon insisted. "Let her go for now. You'll get her later." There was something curious about the immortal who just helped her out. He would break too when Poseidon found out who he was. "I gave you that thing around her neck once for a quest you were supposed to complete." He turned his head in disappointment. "The fact that she has it says you either forgot or you didn't do what I asked." It may have been centuries ago, but he had still failed. For that he was smacked right aside the face. "Do we have an understanding?" Theseus nodded holding his inflamed cheek. He wasn't about to argue with Poseidon.
Greed ran towards Zoe in the alley who was now doubled over. He rubbed her back softly. "You weren't supposed to choke too!"
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Zoe frowned at Greed's words, "Did you poison me....?" but she retched again and just wanted to die. When she was done, she didn't even care, she just sat right down on the dirty street and pulled her knees to her chest, resting her forehead against them. There were tears in her eyes but it might be from the vomitting and she had a sheen of sweat on her skin. She knew she should thank Greed but the whole situation was so humiliating she couldn't even look at him.
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"It's not poison." But it was something to make her weak at the knees for a little while. "Would you rather me give it to Poseidon?" Or had she forgotten that's who she was dealing with.
"Good job!" He gave her a thumbs up. "It worked didn't it?" Though looking at her stomach hit the pavement made him gag a little.
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Zoe groaned, Poseidon.. of course. Theseus' dad. She knew that. "Yeah, great..." she stayed quiet, still looking and feeling sick. "Thanks.." she finally said but made no move to get up off the ground, "I'm sure you were busy." she didn't mean for that extra sharpness to be on the word but ever since Lust's text, she just hated it.
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He wiped her brow with the cuff of his shirt. He kinda hated seeing her feel so rough, but at the same time she had done the same to him with her eclairs (on purpose or not). "Just give it a bit before you get up. Good thing you didn't eat right?"
He couldn't decide if he wanted to cuddle her or watch her faceplant the ground again. Especially, when she threw that attitude at him again.
"Alright, what the fuck Zoe? Spit it out already. What the hell is going on." He really had no clue.
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Sometimes he could be so tender and so sweet, it was so easy to forget about all the horrible things he did. But that picture was burned into her mind and she couldn't not see it even at his caring gesture. She shook her head vigorously, "Nothing. I just don't feel well, okay? Thank you for coming.. I wouldn't have dragged you into this but I couldn't think of anyone else to ask for help that could possibly stand a chance against a god."
She shook her head again, "I'll be fine in a minute and take a cab home." still just looking straight at the ground. But it was an obvious way of saying goodbye.
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"You're not getting up yet. I'm serious. You won't be able to pick yourself off the ground." He kept the soft motion against her back in repetitive circular patterns.
He grunted as she again diverted his question. He could see it in the way she looked to the ground. She hadn't looked at him since she stumbled outside. "Did you really think I'd accept that answer? Really?" Maybe that drug had damaged her brain.
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"You don't need to be here when I get up. I can get up myself." she weakly shoved at him to get him to stop rubbing her back. She didn't want him to be nice to her. "I don't care if you accept it or not. I said thank you, I'm grateful, I feel sick, I'll call you when I'm better." but she still wouldn't look at him and her voice was like she was reading a laundry list.
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"Stubborness runs in the family apparently." He'd just saved her (unwillingly this time) and this was gratitude?
"Fine, fine, fine. Okay, okay, okay. Sorry Zoe girl, but those are flimsy words." He stared her down even if she wouldn't look up. "You're talking to the guy who had more disguises than Superman or any fucking super hero. Try again." He crossed his arms over his chest and made himself comfortable.
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Zoe just wanted him to go away. Talking to him never worked. She could tell him how much he hurt her till she was blue in the face and it wouldn't matter. He'd pretend to understand or pretned to give a shit and then do it again. "I'm sick, I'm tired, I feel like shit. Just tell me what you want me to say and I'll say it!" she said with frustration as she waved her hands and then let her forehead hit her knees lightly again.
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Most of the time around Zoe Greed didn't put on an act. He wasnt pretending though the finger pointed at him always spoke otherwise.
"I want you to tell me why you can't look at me. You're starting to sound like a broken record." If he sounded a bit ticked off it was because he was.
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Zoe finally turned her head and looked at him, if looks could kill Greed would have been a dead man. "Happy?" she asked flatly. She scoffed and rolled her eyes when he mentioned a broken record, their whole relationship was a broken record.
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"I'd shake you but you might blow chunks in my face," he said in a flat tone and narrowed eyes. She really wasn't going to budge.
"What are you not telling me?" She was hiding from him.
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Zoe looked at him and said the truth even if he wouldn't understand it, "The exact same thing you're not telling me." he had given a million and one reasons for his disappearing act, all except what she knew was the real reason. Man, he must think she's stupid.
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"What?" He seemed lost in the same question. He had no idea what she was gunning for. Or he did, but didn't want to bring the two worlds together again. He liked when they kept themselves seperate best.
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Zoe just looked at him. There was disappointment in her eyes. She spoke softly as she said, "If you go home now, I promise you that in a week I'll be a happy, Zoe and I won't give you any attitude. We'll go see Wicked and everything will be normal. But in exchange for that, you give me one week." he didn't like her like this, he wanted his barbie doll that had no brains and no feelings and was blissfully blind to all the shit he did. But she wasn't capable of it yet. She wanted him to take this deal. One week wasn't asking for much and everything he wanted (except the girlfriend and kisses bit) would be given to him.
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She was striking deals, she'd learned too fast how to work with him. "I want you to tell me what's wrong..." He knew, he just didn't know she knew. He'd brought Lust into their world again too soon perhaps, but he wasn't going to drop either or both of them.
He did consider her deal because seeing her broken didn't settle well with him. Though, he couldn't be held completely accountable.
"Tell me something and I'll accept." No deal was without a deal of his own.
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Zoe's heart sank a bit when he accepted her deal. But at the same tme it was a good thing, it strengthened her resolve and it reminded her of what she had to do. Just how fitting she was sitting on the dirty street because she was feeling like a piece of thrown away trash, not just by Greed but by her so called family. She didn't know what to tell him. He wanted her to lie? She sucked at lying, especially to him. She looked at a loss with a look on her face saying she didn't know what to say and then blurted out, "My dog died." they both knew she didn't have a dog but she was giving him an out. A way to blame her behavior on the invisible dead fido instead of something he did and in a week he'd have his toaster back.
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Greed slumped forward, resting his arms on his knees, his head flopped forward so to see her face. "Did you just lie to me?" He might curb the truth with her at times but she'd managed to wiggle out the truth---and now she chose to lie to him?
"I'm sitting in a dirty alley with god knows what crawling up my pant leg and you say your dog died?"
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Zoe shot back, "I wanted to see how the other half lived." why not, he lied to her. The frustration was back and running high as she threw up her hands, "You said something! Just pretend I have a dog and you and your pant legs can go home."
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"Well you suck at it." He retorted like a middle a schooler pointing fingers. "You don't even have a dog. If you want to lie, you gotta use some truth and twist it." He was giving her advice, that seemed a little mental.
"I'm not going to pretend." He shook his leg. This space just felt gross. It was the kinda place Sloth would hang around.
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Zoe glared at him a little, "Oh. Okay." she said sarcastically. God knew he was the king of that. "My friend wanted to see this movie and I had it on DVD so I let them borrow it. Then they kept it and when I wanted to see my favorite movie, I couldn't. Then they moved to Florida and I realized they were a shitty friend but still had my DVD. They promised they'd mail it back to me but they keep coming up with excuses on why they haven't instead of just admitting they're a shithead who keeps forgetting cause my DVD isn't that important to them. So I'm out my DVD and my friend." she crossed her arms over her chest and raised her brows at him a little as if to ask 'satisfied?'.
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Greed eyed her up and down and in circles during her entire explanation which was almost too much. He got what she was nudging. He didn't have anything to say in retort. She just looked pitiful.
He grabbed her shoulders in a soft motion to release whatever stress she had put herself under. Humans stressed far too much. His stress was far less intense except when Satan played charades with his dreams a d sleeping patterns.
"Zoe," he shook her very little. She needed to calm the fuck down.
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Zoe released a sound of pain when he grabbed her shoulders and his helpful gesture was reacted to badly. Pain shot through her upper back and she shoved at him to get him away, her expression winced. "I'm fine." she didn't care if he thought he understood what she was saying, he didn't. He didn't get it at all.
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He unleashed her shoulders in confusion. "What?" He stood up brushing off his clothes. He'd probably just picked himself up out of homeless man piss.
He took her hand lifting her to her feet. "What's wrong with your shoulders?" He looked defensive.
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Zoe's face still registered pain and the face she made when he pulled her to her feet was more than just someone that was tired and stretching. She sighed, "They're allergic to assholes and I've had my fill for tonight." she looked at him, taking her hand back and pulling her jacket subconsciously tighter around her by the front as she said, "I'm grateful for your help but you said you'd accept my answer and go home."she wanted to go home herself and drown in a vat of tiger balm.
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"I'll take you home." He kept a grip on her hand not letting her walk off. She was going hurt herself like this. She was one moment away from busting into tears. "I'll leave you then." Maybe. Of all the men she was upset with he was the only one that cared for her state.
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Zoe was going to say no, her hand was already trying to wriggle out of his but she stopped and then just gave a defeated nod. She honestly wasn't sure if the shitstorm for the night was over. She didn't know how much more humiliation and trauma she could take. So she let Greed take her home. Her free hand holding that jacket of hers closed like she was naked underneath. In the car she didn't say much but her nerves were rattled and she still felt weak. When Greed cut a corner with his racecar driving style, Zoe's shoulder bumped into the door and she sharply winced but didn't look at him so he could think it was his imagination. She was not looking forward to the long seven flights of stairs climb to the apartment but the thought of a warm bed, some balm and the night being over were comforting ones that she hoped would move her feet forward.
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The ride was excruciatingly silent. When Greed pulled up to the entrance he flied out of the car before she had a chance to get out. He opened the door with his hand spanned out.
He let her get a few feet away, locking up his car and jogging behind her. She was dragging the entire way, even up the stairs she seemed like a slug. Looking down from one of the top flights as they reached the fifth floor, he looked at Zoe with dexterity.
"Come on," he willed her to make it but he wasn't so sure she was going to, even with him as a personal coach.
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Zoe didn't have the energy to fight Greed too much. Most people would have given her space, or gotten fed up with how much she pushed them away. But not Greed, he was the energizer bunny on crack and it always made her agree to things that she had said she wouldn't do because they were wrong. But she was thankful he was with her, Gabe hadn't been home when she left and he might be spending the night out and she didn't want to be alone. But she could not go as fast as Greed. Her shoulders were now throbbing and she was still feeling woozy from his drink. What had been in that? At his encouragement, she just sat down on the stairs. "No. Leavemealone." she was going to die on these stairs. It was a good plan.
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"Zoe!" Greed whined as if it magically would bring her to her feet. With heavy steps he dragged himself down a flight. He nudged her with the tip of his shoe but she still sat there like a lump.
He stepped past her in order to stand on the flat platform in front of her. With his hands on his hips he contemplated. "Alright then." On that thought he helped her up gently and hoisted her onto his shoulder up the remaining three flights.
"Keys?" He held out his hand expecting her to give them to him though she was held up on his back like a sack of potatoes. They were outside her door, he could just deposit her but it seemed a little cruel.
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Zoe covered her face with her hands and put her elbows on bent knees as she sat there, ignoring his whining. She said something muffled in protest when he poked her with his shoe. The jerk. When he started to help her up, she whined about not wanting to get up and then suddenly she was being carted like produce. "Ohmygod!! PUT ME DOWN YOU JERK!" she yelled at him.
But since when did Greed ever listen to her? She fumed up the remaining flights of stairs, "The view back here sucks!" meaning his ass and she'd have hit him if the pain in her shoulders wasn't at astronomical levels. When he asked for her keys she threw up her hands, "Put me down!!" she repeated. "I can't grab my keys like this. Argh.. didn't you say you'd leave!?"
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He would hardly set her down no matter how much she wiggled like a worm. "Really?" He smacked her rear softly. "I can't say the same about my view."
Standing in front of the door he contemplated her answer. At floor level with her feet on the ground she was a lot shorter. He looked over his shoulder at his backside, wiping off a little dirt from the alley. "Are you questioning the awesomeness of my ass? I won't accept that." He shook a finger at her while she fished for her keys.
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Zoe gasped when Greed smacked her rear and kicked her feet as her response. When he finally put her down, she glared at him, "Don't. Touch. My. Ass." it really was mind boggling how she could love and hate someone as much as she did him. After she found her keys, she jammed them in the lock, "I'm not questioning it, I'm flat out saying it sucks. Now go home." she set foot in the apartment and tried to shut the door on him. Touching her butt.. the nerve.
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"Want another one?" He pointed to her ass. He shoved his foot into the door stopping her from closing it.
Poking his head around the corner as he threw himself inside. "Your tree get uprooted for the night?" There was no sign of Gabe. That was good.
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She narrowed her eyes at him, "You touch my ass again and I'll... I'll..." she looked like a mad puppy because there really wasn't much she could do, he was bigger, stronger, and had way more energy. The most she could do was pass out on him. She made a frustrated noise, "Don't touch it!" she said while pointing a finger at him.
She sighed, "He's working late and then I think he had a date." she didn't even care Greed was there, she was aching and threw off her shoes wandering into her bedroom, calling out over her shoulder, "Please go home!" she rooted through a drawer looking for tiger balm. She already smelled like trash and throw up, at least this stuff would be potent enough to get rid of it. She wanted to have a bath but she felt like she couldn't move her arms without wanting to cry. Why were immortals so mean? She was fragile, damnit.
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Greed chewed on his bottom lip, a shadow behind her. "Need help with that?" He took the balm from her to unscrew the cap.
"Holy fuck what is that?" It made him gag.
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Zoe nearly jumped a mile, unaware Greed had followed her into her room. She gave him a look and snatched the small jar back, "It's tiger balm and you're not much help if you can't stand the smell, now are you." she sighed, "Chance.. Greed.. please go home. You said you would back at the restaurant but you're here. In my room and not leaving for some reason I can't understand." she sat on the edge of the bed and looked at him, again pulling her coat closed around her.
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"You're not okay," and that was not okay with him. Just as every other encounter between them when she was suffering, he wanted to fix her. He'd take super glue to her if it helped hold her together.
At first he sat down beside her, then be crawled up behind her, tugging the coat off. He wanted to see what she kept hiding.
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Zoe didn't argue with that, she wasn't okay, but she did say, "I can handle it." she had to, she never had a choice. The choice was handle it or die. She still had plans for her life. She frowned when he sat down next to her, "No, no--" she started and then he was behind her, on her bed. Yes, this friends thing was working splendidly. "Hey.. what're you--" she started, trying to hold on to the coat as he tugged it off but off it came. She was incredibly nervous and felt exposed even though nothing looked out of order. She tried to cover up her nerves with a defiant look to him as if to ask if he was happy now. The bruises her lovely family member gave her were on her skin under her shirt which covered her now marred shoulders.