While Bes is ashamed to admit to himself, let alone anyone else, that he had not called his East Coast faux family since the strange sickness, he is quick to pick up the phone once the news story hits. His own illness coupled with that of his young bride plus two small children... Well, he could be forgiven from being distracted. He, however, won't forgive himself.

So he picks up the phone and takes it to a quiet room in the small house he and Erato share with their sons and, as he waits for the phone to pick up, he paces... And mutters to himself.

C'mon. Oh, sweet God above, c'mon. Answer. Please...

Afer watching the news and hearing about the deaths of Persephone and Astarte, Hephaestus put in a panicked phone call to Titania. He didn't even stop to think about his own return to godhood as he quickly dialed her number.

Misha? Misha are you!? It's Henry! Are you okay!? He asked as her machine came on.

Dorian? Do you have time to talk?

Okay. You can say I'm being stupid or, like, paranoid or whatever. But I feel awesome and people are dying. If I'm a goddesses I'm a goddess.

So everybody needs to eat my apples right now. Tell me where you live already.

Breaking News! Not too long after the story regarding the death of Persephone, another story breaks out in New York.

A man appears to cover an increasingly tense situation, as a sandstorm blew behind him, showcasing an estate that was effectively surrounded by strong winds and newly arid desert. "Fashion mogul Aldo Fizzini, known to the world as the reborn god, Seth, had commissioned a number of docotrs, as well as independently buying medicinal equipment, so that he and his live-in girlfriend, his fellow goddess, Astarte, and their daughter, Meriset, could be treated privately at their home. Similar to the situation in San Jose, the Fizzini family was stricken by a series of terrible ailments. At midnight Seth and Meriset had recovered, but Astarte passed away from the illness. Unlike the stoic sadness expressed by Hades in New York, it was said Seth's howls of rage could be heard all the way to New York City itself. According to staff who work in the Fizzini home, they were all told to leave immediately, save for Seth's daughter, and his aide, one Tyler Briggs. Soon afterward a powerful sandstorm seemed to form out of nowhere and surround the Fizzini estate, effectively turning the surrounding terrain into a desert. So far no one has been able to penetrate the sharp winds, but notably it has not spread beyond the borders of the compound. We will keep you posted on this ongoing situation."

Breaking News! Multiple news stations showcase the story coming out of a hospital in San Jose, California. A newswoman is on the television, explaining the story.

"Inside this hospital, two of the beings that have been referred to as reborn gods, Hades and Persephone, along with their daughter, Lilian, we're being treated for a variety of illnesses with no indication as to how they had caught them. The symptoms became progressively worse over time despite all efforts to treat them. In interviews doctors have said that the divine couple had insisted that doctors focus their efforts on curing their daughter, while Hades himself was said to have refused treatment at times in favor of more time for doctors to aid his wife. However, things would come to a halt at midnight today. Hades was reported to have suddenly taken on a more godly form, his symptoms completely gone. His daughter Lilian also miraculously seemed cured of all symptoms. Unfortunately, the same could not have been said of Persephone, who passed away at the stroke of midnight. Onlookers said that the hospital seemed consumed by an 'aura' of darkness, unnatural to the night itself. For hours Father and Daughter refused to leave the fallen goddess' bedside. This is where we find ourselves now as the two have yet to leave the hospital. The event has attracted a large group of onlookers: Some to protest, others to express their condolences."

We need to speak, immediately.

So, as the resident physician, I know you're all very concerned about these symptoms. I assume you're all having them too? Surely it can't just be me.

Unfortunately, I'm at a loss here. I can't find a workable treatment, just methods of assuaging the symptoms.

I don't think we have any choice for a cure beyond the epicenters.

Ugh. Is it normal for a hangover to last three days? I can't remember the last time that getting my drink on wrecked me this bad.

[Exactly who sent the message isn't clear. Except it's one of the Powers as the malaise begins to set in for the godlings]

Feeling it sinking in yet, godlings? Maybe next time you'll pay attention when you're given a task.

Remedy things, and maybe we'll go easier on you.

[to Aphrodite]

I got a new phone so here's the number, gorgeous. Don't ask what happened to the last one. I also found that pair of panties you thought I destroyed.

[to Goliath]

New phone, new number. Who knew you can crush a phone with a good enough squeeze?

[to Dionysius]

New number. Don't call at 4am or I'll kick your ass.

[to Athena]

New number. Go ahead and share it with your boy-toy, sis.

Hello, godlings.

Changes are stirring. You may need refuge. Go to your centers. They await you, ready for the next unlocking.

But bring your wits. They will not be won with brute power this time.

sorry i've been so awol, handsome. practicing for a show! <3<3<3

So...

Hel and I are expecting.

Considering how therapeutic ranting on Miley Cyrus was for me last time, I thought I'd do something similar this month. So what is it that I find a need to complain about this time? Friggin' Justin Bieber. Now I'll be honest, I don't give two fucks about this kid. I can honestly say seeing a picture of him instantly makes me think "douche-waffle", but that's about it. Now I hear after this last crap he did there's a petition to deport him. All I have to say is "really, America?" This little twerp is worth a petition to kick him out of the country? You're giving him way too much fucking credit. But this is just my opinion. Anybody want to share theirs?

I don’t mean to be rude or anything but I didn't plan on starting this week by joining a new cult. I’m sure you’re all very nice people but the email tag is super sketchy and invasive. Especially with what's been going on in the news lately. This stuff is totally the last thing California needs.

Only-

This is all very odd.

How do you even deal with this anyway? I mean If one of you says “I’m Athena Goddess of War” or whatever and the next person says, “Oy, I’m Irish and my brother is the God of War so put that in your pipe and smoke it!” who even wins? How can two people, deities, be of the same thing without causing a time ripple whenever they go near each other? Or do you cause a time ripple? Is that why you have to go all google on each other instead of talking in your face places?

Sorry. I guess it’s none of my business. You all seem like very interesting people. Uh. When I'm famous this will be a really good story to tell Conan.

Enjoy?

She taps her foot impatiently as she waits for him to pick up, to reach voice mail, anything. Her grey eyes keep darting towards the television with its reports of giant snakes and destruction and blame and anger and fear. Absently, she chews at her bottom lip and her fingers rub the skin at the base of her throat. She's glowing ever so slightly... It's a good thing her roomie is out of town...

Henry? Handsome? Oh, come on. Fine. If you're not there, I'll leave a message but you better not be out there getting your ass handed to you...

YouTube video, taken somewhere in the Gulf of Mexico:

"...hey, did you see that? Is that a shark or something? What is--"

...Coast Guard is calling off the search for three boaters who have been missing since...

California State Police are asking for the public's help in searching for this hiker, who was last seen on January 27th heading towards...

"...what is your emergen--"
"It's huge! This thing is [expletive] huge!"
"Sir, calm down--"
"This [garbled]! It's [garbled] my car! Oh God, help!"
"What is your location, sir?"
[garbled unidentifiable noises]
"Sir?"

...saw this in the sky near Nickel Creek; apologies for the condition of...
...ya this looks shopped, i can tell by the pixels and from...
...yeah well your mom's shopped, lolol...
...no this is legit, I saw it too near Yurok and...

...state wildlife officials have declined to comment on exactly what type of creature... unconfirmed reports that the wounds on the victims' bodies do not match those made by a bear or mountain lion... visitors to the park are urged to take cautions and avoid...

"...this giant creature in the Gulf of Mexico is quite clearly the product of unrestrained climate change, and--"
"Oh, that's such bull[censored]! You know who it is? It's those gods that came back-- everything's gone wrong since they showed up, and I'll bet you anything that they're behind this too!"
"Now, come on, there's no proof of that!"
"Oh yeah?! Look at the history books sometime; look at that Triton guy! Calling up all kinds of sea monsters-- this is just a page out of his playbook, and you're just too scared to admit it!"
"But what's the point? Why would he want..."

I must say, godlings. You're getting entirely too complacent. Too comfortable. Even altering your powers has done little.

I think I know what you're missing. What you've been craving. A good antagonist! An excuse to fight and shed and spill blood. Need I find your oldest enemies again? Consider it done. Give them a few days before they choose to show themselves properly, but I'm sure you'll know what to do.



((Corruption will not reply further, but feel free to do some IC plotting!))

Pardonnez-moi, m'sieur, but I believe you are the one among us who has the ah, green wings, non?