There was a reason that each person living in Madison Valley was here. It might not always be obvious, but the dome wasn’t completely indiscriminate or random with the choices in residents. Some people were here because they deserved a second chance or a better life than what they had at home. Some people were here simply for the entertainment value. Who or whatever was responsible clearly had a sense of humor. At least sometimes. Sometimes it was a right bitch.
Today was a sense of humor day and that was why Thalia’s routine stop at the bakery for treats to take home to her husband put her in the path of one of the mouthy Irish twins who was very likely to hit on an attractive women he saw.
***
Thalia didn’t have the kind of beauty that stopped people in their tracks - and with her purposeful air and edgy look, she tended to scare off men who might otherwise make a habit of flirting with attractive women. But she was the daughter of Zeus and a great television beauty, and she had the charisma befitting such a match. So while she wasn’t constantly being hit on, she did get her fair share of people attempting to flirt with her. She just didn’t think about these kinds of things.
Besides, her thoughts were only ever on one man, who was going to love the donuts she was bringing home to him. She just had to get to the front of the line - which, unfortunately, was much longer than her ADHD - and her stomach - was happy with.
“Huh,” she said to no one in particular, “seems like everyone’s got the same idea today.”
*** Murphy might not be the most gentlemanly one of the bunch, but he wasn’t too bad. Usually. On occasion. Okay, he could be a total male. He was likely, and that much was very true, to hit on just about any pretty lady he saw, even if he was unlikely to try to actually take any of them home. He was too devoted to his twin to find such a thing likely.
“Aye, seems like a good day for a round of donuts.” he replied to the woman as he gave her a once over, then a grin. “Pretty lady, go right ahead.” he gestured to let her in front of him. He was kind. Even if he was giving her a playful grin.
***
Ah, someone who hadn’t learned that one did not flirt with Thalia Castellan if he wanted to keep his limbs attached. Thalia was willing to teach the first lesson for free, but the next one usually came with a knuckle sandwich.
“Oh, I’m gonna take that spot,” she told him as she stepped in line in front of him. “But because I got here first, not because you’re trying to charm me.”
*** Murphy had very little regard for what should keep his limbs attached. After all, he willingly went after mobsters with very little plan. Beyond shoot them. He generally didn't hit ladies, but he would.
He was also stubborn. “Oh aye, I'm a charmer. Or not.” He shrugged, “ain't matter really, yer still a lady, ah tend to be nicer ta ya.” Usually.
***
“I think the ‘Lady’ part is debatable,” Thalia said drily. “Actually, I know it is.”
She had no illusions about the kind of person she was. In fact, she was proud of being a tomboy. Let other girls deal with dresses and makeup. She’d stick with her knives and spear, thanks.
“Besides,” she added as the line shuffled forward, “you can’t be too much of a gentleman if you want donuts. They go fast.”
*** Murphy laughed. “Only a gentleman until someone tries to take my whiskey away. Then all bets are off. Donuts are debatable.” He was amused.
“You got a thing against being a lady? Or just the traditional stereotypes that bug ya?”
***
“Isn’t a lady a walking stereotype?” Thalia asked. She made a face. “They’re all about conforming to the rules of society - and worse, gender stereotypes.”
She shook her head. “I’m way too interesting for that.”
Ladies were supposed to be humble, too, which Thalia most certainly was not.
*** Murphy thought about that for a moment, then shrugged. “‘Suppose you could see it like that. There are warrior ladies, though, in mythologies, and no rule sayin’ you can’t be polite like a lady when ya feel like it.”
Murphy just shrugged. “Ain’t meant to be stereotypin’ when I call ya a lady, better than girl ain’t it? Or hey you?” he smirked/.
*** “You could’ve left out the pretty lady part altogether and just told me to go ahead,” Thalia pointed out. “Because I wasn’t going to turn that down.”
She gave him a cheeky smile. “After all, donuts are on the line.”
*** Murphy just laughed. “Ain’t my style, lady, ain’t my style.” he just shrugged as he stepped forward. “I call it like I see it, sorry.”
He smirked. “Let me apologize by paying fer yer donuts, no hidden anything just an apology for offending ya”
***
“I’m not offended,” Thalia told him. “But if you’re going to buy me donuts...actually, no, that’s fine. I was going to let you do it, but I’m not that mean. We demigods have a huge appetite.”
Which mean a huge bill. He might be about the gender stereotypes, but he seemed to mean well enough. She wouldn’t punish him for that. Besides, she was also buying donuts for Luke, which meant two demigod appetites.
*** A brow arched upwards, he was old fashioned, he certainly didn’t think women weren’t capable of doing things men did. He just thought being polite and calling them ladies and shite was what was best for humankind. He meant well. “Ah.”
Then his brain caught up with him. “Demi-gods?” he blinked slowly at her like she was speaking some language he didn’t understand. God had spoken to him, and his brother, but demi-gods? He wasn’t sure this place was going to let him stay sane for long.
***
Thalia extended her hand. “Thalia, Daughter of Zeus,” she said cheerfully.
Despite everything her father had done, she was still proud of being his daughter. Besides, she found it hilarious to see people’s reactions when she told them. Back home, it’d been too dangerous to say anything - there was no telling who might be a monster in disguise. Thalia was enjoying being able to share this info.
*** Murphy just sighed. This place was getting so weird but he took her hand and shook it firmly. “Murphy MacManus, son of a fierce Irishlady, twin to an equally tough brother.” he laughed though, because it was true. “Pleasure to meet you”
“Ain’t nothing special there but meetin’ the daughter of a god is a first fer me.”
***
“Wow, that’s like a double dose of Celt,” Thalia remarked. She had a strong handshake.
The line had moved as they talked, and now they were up to the counter. “C’mon,” she said, gesturing. “Just cause you were properly impressed at meeting me, I’ll buy you a donut.”
*** “We’re from a long line of solid Celt, proud of it too, I suppose.” he smirked a bit as he appreciated her handshake. Not many women he’d met had a strong one. It was a nice change of pace.
“Boston Creme for me please.” he noted to her, before he’d place his order for a dozen [including more Boston creme’s] after for him and his brother to share at work. “Thank you ma’am, that’s right kind of you.” **