WHO: Pandora & Ares, and then Prometheus WHEN: Tuesday night WHERE: A Manhattan street WHAT: Random run in WARNINGS: Sleazy Ares coercion
Pandora had spent the evening at a bar, enjoying the admiration of the strangers there. She didn't want to go home with any of them, but she enjoyed the way they stole fleeting touches, glanced up and down her form when they thought she didn't see. All of it pandered to her ego.
But now it was late and Pandora was ready to leave and find a taxi, the air outside far too cold even after all her dancing and drinking. She wasn't wearing enough to protect her from the night chill, but soon enough she'd be in a taxi.
The breeze caught her hair as she tried to hail for a cab and she flicked it away from her face, taking a quick step backwards as a car came too close to the curb. Her heel caught in a crack on the pavement and her ankle twisted, sending Pandora stumbling backwards into someone tall and strong. "Sorry," she said, straightening up again.
Ares loved the club scene. IT allowed him to meet plenty of people, half of them he brought home, and the other half he started a fight with. It was harder to keep himself occupied without something to sink his teeth into, although he was looking at the protests going on and considering his options there.
Tonight Aphrodite had gone off to do something and he planned on enjoying himself. He had yet to decide to go home because just because this bar was closing didn't mean they all closed.
He'd caught the girl more by luck then by being actually chivalrous. He'd been staring at her, recognizing her from a time when he'd still had things to do. Grinning he set his hands on her shoulder, "don't worry about it pretty thing. S'all good."
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[info]pandoros 2011-12-06 08:34 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select Pandora gave the man a smile and for a moment she didn't know who he was other than the knowledge that he was immortal and Greek. Then the memory of a time long past came back to her and she narrowed her eyes a little. "Hello, Ares," she said a little warily.
Olympians. Of all the luck she had to run into an Olympian. So far she'd managed to avoid them all other than the two she'd been looking for.
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[info]destroyerofmen 2011-12-06 08:40 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select Smiling he set his arm low around her waist. Considering this was the commission his dear old dad had made because Zeus had gotten pissy he figured he was allowed. And she was pretty hot. "Oh she remembers me. I'm impressed."
Smiling he lit a smoke with his free hand, "hows tricks pretty thing? I'm surprised to see you around."
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[info]pandoros 2011-12-06 08:43 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select "I'd watch out," Pandora warned him, and raised her eyebrows meaningfully. She moved her back away from his hand in a very purposeful gesture, even if it moved her a little closer to him. "I still have that right hook you gave me."
"New York City is the centre of the universe," Pandora told him. "Where else would I want to be?"
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[info]destroyerofmen 2011-12-06 08:47 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select He laughed, mostly because he liked feisty. He wouldn't have agreed to marrying Aphrodite if he didn't, "oh she's got a bite on her." He didn't stop her from getting closer and just shifted his hand a bit. "You can throw a punch girl, you aren't me. Got some tricks."
He shrugged, "you got a point. You going somewhere pretty thing?"
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[info]pandoros 2011-12-06 08:54 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select Pandora sighed. "I'm a married woman, Enyalius. With all due respect, please take your hands off me?" Pandora didn't think that was all that likely to work since she was talking to a son of Zeus, but it was worth a try. She'd rather not get him angry.
"I was going home," Pandora told him with a shrug. "Once I find a taxi."
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[info]destroyerofmen 2011-12-06 08:57 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select "Nah," he kept his hands on her, "Being married never stopped me." He knew his limits around Aphrodite and they'd found a nice balance in their relationship. That and he was sure she was busy with whatever mortal she'd ensnared tonight.
"I got a car parked a bit away. I'll give you a ride."
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[info]pandoros 2011-12-06 09:01 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select Slapping his hands away would only entertain him and so Pandora gave him her most charming smile instead and didn't pull away. "That must just delight Aphrodite," she noted.
"I wouldn't want to interrupt your night, Andreïphontes," Pandora demured. Getting into a car with the God of War seemed like the very worst decision she could possibly make. "I'm sure a cab will be by soon enough."
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[info]destroyerofmen 2011-12-06 09:06 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select He shrugged, "she's got her own stuff going on. Cute though trying that trick. We're too much alike sugar. She let's me spread my wings a bit. I annoy her too much otherwise."
Gently he went to tug her with him, because what Olympian really got the concept of 'not interested' anyway? "It's alright sweetheart. I hardly mind. I get to make sure you get home safe and sound."
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[info]pandoros 2011-12-06 09:09 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select Pandora swallowed, trying to work out a way out of this and quickly. He was leading her to wherever his car was and, fuck, she did not want to go with him. But her smile remained dazzling and she gently attempted to keep drawing away. "Don't you have mortals to be entertaining yourself with, my Lord War?"
His hands on her were warm, much warmer than the night air that was leaving goosebumps over her bare arms and legs.
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[info]destroyerofmen 2011-12-06 09:16 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select "Sure, but they aren't half as entertaining as you." Smiling he came to the car he had and released her to unlock it. There was no rule he couldn't get with Pandora. And she was hot.
In a gesture of odd gentlemanly behavior he opened the door for her. "come on princess. Promise you won't regret this."
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[info]pandoros 2011-12-06 09:18 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select Pandora stood there watching him, feeling her stomach twist. Please, she wanted to beg him. Please, I don't want to go with you. Her smile had dropped away and the helplessness showed on her face.
But if she got in the car and went with him, then he wouldn't hurt her as much. She hoped. "You're not going to give me a choice, are you?" she asked him.
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[info]destroyerofmen 2011-12-06 09:22 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select He tilted his head and tapped his fingers on the door of the car. He couldn't see why she would say no to him. "I'm not going to hurt you silly thing. Just show you a bit of a good time. Have a few drinks and laughs. I don't do the whole carrying girls off over my shoulder bit. That's Zeus."
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[info]pandoros 2011-12-06 09:23 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select "And if I tell you I'm not interested?" Pandora asked him honestly. "If I turn around and walk away right now?"
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[info]destroyerofmen 2011-12-06 09:28 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select He frowned, growing a bit irritated, "I'd be a little upset about that. I mean how can you not be interested. How often does a God come and ask you home huh? Should feel lucky about that."
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[info]pandoros 2011-12-06 09:31 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select She didn't want Ares to be upset. When Ares got upset, blood got spilled. She instead she smiled sweetly as though the last few moments hadn't even happened. "Very lucky," she told him. "But I hope you've got gin," she said, climbing into the car and taking a deep breath while he couldn't see her.
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[info]destroyerofmen 2011-12-06 09:36 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select "Excellent," with a happy smile he climbed into the other side and drove her to his apartment. He considered this a lucky break. He had to bullshit with most human lovers and she already knew him. He wouldn't need to expect respect because she already gave it.
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[info]pandoros 2011-12-06 09:41 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select Pandora knew that the best thing to do was keep calm. Ares could claim he didn't like to take his women in the same way as his father, but Pandora knew his stories well enough. He took what he wanted just like the rest of them and it was easier if Pandora just went along with it, at least until she could work out a way to get free.
"Is this your usual evening?" Pandora asked, smiling over at him. "Charming the women of New York City? I can't imagine any of them can compete with your beautiful Aphrogenea."
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[info]destroyerofmen 2011-12-06 09:47 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select He chuckled, "not really but it's entertaining and too much of the same thing can make it boring. Dite doesn't expect monogamy out of me. We're too much alike in that regard." It seemed a perfectly reasonable thing to say to him. He and Dite worked because they both expected very little out of one another.
He parked once they were near his place and gave her a grin, "here we are."
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[info]pandoros 2011-12-06 09:49 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select Pandora wasn't really listening to him. Instead she was keeping her eyes on the street signs as subtly as she could, trying to remember where she was going with him.
Pandora smiled back at him, pulling open the car door. "Let's go in then," she said to him. "You can make me a drink, my Lord."
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[info]destroyerofmen 2011-12-06 09:58 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select "Sounds like a good plan," with a happy smile because hey not even his father had touched this one (at least he was pretty sure Zeus hadn't), he walked into his apartment. For him it was relatively clean, only because he paid people to keep it that way.
"What do you like?" He kept his bar stocked, just in case of nights like this. He considered himself a pretty awesome host for it.
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[info]pandoros 2011-12-06 10:01 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select "Gin," Pandora said to him. "Straight up." She smiled at him teasingly. "I'm going to go freshen up," she told him, heading towards where she could see the bathroom.
In the bathroom Pandora closed the door behind herself and pressed her forehead against it, letting out a heavy breath. Ares was in the other room. Ares was going to expect her to come out and have sex with him and if she didn't, then he'd just take what she wanted and that would be worse.
Pandora squeezed her eyes shut and swallowed, not knowing what to do. She paced the room, pulling her cellphone out and flipping through the numbers. Hermes? Hephaestus? Both of them would be able to do something, maybe, but would they choose to? She liked and trusted them both to some extent, but she couldn't be sure that they would intervene in this.
The number she did call belonged to Prometheus and she sat down on the edge of the bathtub and waited for him to answer, her forehead resting dropped against her hand.
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[info]firestealer 2011-12-06 10:08 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select While Ares made the drinks and waited for her to return, Prometheus had gotten stuck into his art again. He had a big commission for an important client and while it was done, he fussed as his usual.
So when the phone rang he didn't check the number. He assumed it was Aidan or Jade, with one of them reminding him to actually sleep at one point and stop obsessing over the minor details of his work. "Yes?"
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[info]pandoros 2011-12-06 10:10 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select "Prometheus," she whispered, wrapping her other arm around herself. "Look, I just didn't know who else to call. I'm in a lot of trouble."
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[info]firestealer 2011-12-06 10:14 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select He wasn't exactly used to hearing Pandora so this confused and surprised him. Although she did sound troubled. "Okay?" He set his tools down because if she was calling him it had to be dire, "what's the matter?"
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[info]pandoros 2011-12-06 10:16 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select "I've locked myself in Ares' bathroom," she explained quickly, keeping her voice hushed as possible. "He picked me up outside a bar and I told him I didn't want to go home with him, but I knew if I tried to fight him- So I went with him but, oh gods above, I don't want to be here and I don't want to do this and I don't know how to get away now."
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[info]firestealer 2011-12-06 10:21 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select He'd already gotten up to go to his car. "Alright, take it easy. Where are you?" He may not like Pandora very much but he wasn't about to leave her to deal with Ares. And he could handle one Olympian.
"Try an stay calm and keep yourself in the bathroom. Once I have the address I should be there within moments."
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[info]pandoros 2011-12-06 10:25 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select Pandora told him the address, glad that she'd taken note, and pressed her hand against her eyes. "I'm scared, Prometheus. And he's going to expect me to come out of here soon or maybe he'll even bust down the door but I'm just really terrified of him."
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[info]firestealer 2011-12-06 10:32 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select Seeing he could already hear a voice on the other line asking her where she was, he didn't doubt her. Her and her ability to get into trouble. "Five minutes."
And then he hung up because he had to drive, and break a few dozen or so laws while doing that, before he got to the location. Getting is was a bit tricky but he ran up to the flight of stairs once inside.
Thankful for his immortal physique he knocked on the door and when the War God opened he took the surprise and was able to knock the Olympian out in one hit. Explaining things would take too long. Even though he'd get payback for this.
He shook his hand before knocking on the door, "it's me. Come on before he gets too."
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[info]pandoros 2011-12-06 10:34 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select Pandora pulled open the door quickly and noted Ares' fallen form, finding herself shocked that Prometheus had managed that. She just nodded though, her throat feeling thick. She would follow Prometheus and leave this place. She was going to have to avoid Ares forever, but she already had planned to do that.
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[info]firestealer 2011-12-06 10:39 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select He guided her out of the apartment as quick as he could, gently pushing her into his car before driving off. He'd been incredibly lucky, and he hoped Ares had not gotten a good enough look at him to get revenge.
He let out a breath as he drove, hands still covered in clay. "Where am I taking you?"
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[info]pandoros 2011-12-06 10:41 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select In the passenger seat Pandora bent over and pressed her forehead against the dashboard, trying to calm herself down. "Away. Anywhere." Then she looked up at him. "Your place. Please."
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[info]firestealer 2011-12-06 10:45 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select He was a bit uncomfortable taking her to where he lived, but she had asked. Nodding he drove them there, helping her into his place before locking his doors and handing her a glass and a shot of alcohol. He figured she could use it.
He wasn't going to ask, because he knew Olympians. They didn't know the word 'fair'. "You okay?"
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[info]pandoros 2011-12-06 10:48 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select Pandora sat down and looked at the glass in her hand, turning the alcohol around and watching it coat the sides.
"Yeah," she told him with a nod and then she reached out and grabbed his hand, looking up at him as she held it, serious and grateful. "Thank you."
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[info]firestealer 2011-12-06 10:57 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select He shrugged, "trust me. It's quite alright." he hadn't been about to leave her at Ares' mercy. He couldn't do that to anyone. And all in all he got to punch an Olympian. He felt justified. "Call Epimethius if you like." He walked to a sink to wash off his hands, letting her take some time and take a breath.
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[info]pandoros 2011-12-06 11:01 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select Pandora pulled out her phone to call Epimetheus but it was his answerphone on the other end. She didn't want to tell him what happened so instead she paced slowly, leaving a message to say that she missed him and that she'd be home later.
When she hung up she walked over towards Prometheus and then, because she couldn't really stop herself, she wrapped her arms around the Titan and hugged him. "Thank you," she whispered again. "I didn't know who to call."
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[info]firestealer 2011-12-06 11:06 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select The hug was surprising and a bit awkward but he returned it. At the end of the day she was still mortal and family. He wasn't about to leave her in the dust. "I'm glad you called me then." He released her, "let me know if you need a ride home. I don't have anything to offer or I would."
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[info]pandoros 2011-12-06 11:09 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select Pandora remained close when she drew back and gave him a small smile. She put her hands on his cheeks and said, "you're a good man, Prometheus." Leaning up she pressed a gentle kiss against his lips - nothing romantic, a simple gesture of thanks. Then she released him and nodded. "If you'd give me that ride home I'd be grateful."
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[info]firestealer 2011-12-06 11:11 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select The kiss threw him off a little, because they mostly spend time yelling at one another or having awkward silences. But he smiled and nodded. "Of course. "he grabbed his keys and managed to put on a coat this time.