InsaneJournal

WHO: Lyra & Thanatos
WHEN: Saturday afternoon
WHERE: Lyra's apartment (Bensonhurst, Brooklyn)
WHAT: Flowers! Vacation snaps! Also Demeter tried to kill me :D
WARNINGS: A bit of drinking but these kids are pretty innocent.

On Thursday a creepy woman had sort of threatened Lyra, or it might have been that she hadn't realised how creepy she was. She didn't look well and Lyra wanted to give her the benefit of the doubt because she was possibly homeless by the looks of her and clearly a little mentally unwell. Lyra didn't want to blame anyone for things they couldn't really help, even if she had gripped Lyra's wrist hard enough to have left a bruise.

But that was all fine now, because Thane was coming around with flowers. It was adorable and sweet and no one had even given Lyra flowers before, not even boyfriends. So she opened a bottle of white wine from the fridge and when the knock came on the door she went to answer it with a bright smile on her face.

"Hi!" she beamed. "You came home!"

He worried when she'd said someone had unnerved her. He felt oddly protective over her, and didn't like thinking he could have kept her safer if he'd been here.

But what if's helped no one. He'd gotten the lei's and orchids and smiled at her when she opened the door. "No, still in Hawaii." He gave her a teasing smile before holding up the flowers, "orchids, a lei, and a volcano plant for the lady's pleasure. May I come in?"

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[info]gardhouse
2011-08-15 04:10 pm UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select
"So pretty," Lyra said with delight as she took them. "Come in, come in, I even opened a bottle of wine. Oh Thane, these are so pretty!" She put the lei around her neck where it tried its hardest to compete with her neon dress and then headed through to the kitchen. "I have to put these in a vase!"

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[info]a_gentle_death
2011-08-15 04:19 pm UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select
Compared to his inherit darkness, he liked her brightness. He felt it suited him, and complimented at the same time. Smiling he stepped inside, closing the door behind him before following her. "And I brought pictures." He got his camera out and set it on the counter, "technology. I know how to get the pictures on there, but not how to get them out. I liked film roll a lot better. Now, tell me what happened?"

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[info]gardhouse
2011-08-15 04:26 pm UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select
Lyra was excited about the prospect of a camera full of half-blurry holiday snaps but she poured him a glass of wine and handed it over, holding up her slightly purpled wrist to show him as she did. "I was coming back from the library on Thursday," Lyra said as she poured her own wine, "and this woman comes out of nowhere and grabs me, saying 'you smell like death' and I was thinking 'oh my gosh, has she got some sort of super nose?'" She took a sip of her wine and continued. "I try and tell her about the smell of preserving chemicals for bodies but she says to me that no, what she smells is 'the true scent of death' and that it was 'all over me' and by this point I'm just trying to work out how I can get out of there!"

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[info]a_gentle_death
2011-08-15 04:39 pm UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select
He took the glass, then set it down to look at her wrist. Her tale made him frown, wondering what when on behind everything. His presence could be felt by other death-gods, he was sure, but few would be this violent. "Strange, more so because being around it so often I do not think death has a scent. Even so, I do worry." he sighed, "strange people out there. You alright now?"

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[info]gardhouse
2011-08-15 04:42 pm UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select
"I didn't think death had a scent either," Lyra said easily enough, "but the woman threatened to kill me and send me to 'join death'. Thank god there were a group of people nearby who came over when I screamed. She took off then. I don't think she was very well," she said a little sadly and with a frown. "I'm alright now though. I was just a little shaken up, understandably. I mean, I know we've talked about how death isn't anything to fear and you know where I stand on all of that obviously, but I'd personally like a few more years under my belt!" She smiled brightly.

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[info]a_gentle_death
2011-08-15 04:54 pm UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select
It worried him that she'd gotten attentions, but he would put his feelers out and make it known Lyra wasn't to be harmed. She should be able to live until she was grey, and he'd try to make sure she did. Smiling he went to hug her, "you're fine now. Some people are strange. Can't fix the world Lyra." He grinned, "and I'm sure you'll have plenty. I think even the ones who don't blink at death at all would prefer to die in their sleep, preferably at a very old age."

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[info]gardhouse
2011-08-15 04:57 pm UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select
"And a very lucky small number of us will," Lyra smiled, wrapping her arms around him. When she drew back she remained close and her expression was warm. "I'm glad you're back, and I'm glad you weren't killed by murdering sea mammals."

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[info]a_gentle_death
2011-08-15 05:03 pm UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select
He kept her in the hug for a moment before releasing her. "They didn't get the best of me. Now, help me figure out how to get the pictures off of my camera." Smiling he grabbed the machine, "and I can't promise my brothers didn't use this for their purposes and take pictures of me sleeping or them doing weird things."

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[info]gardhouse
2011-08-15 05:24 pm UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select
"This I can do," Lyra smiled at him, taking the camera. "I'll put them onto my laptop and we can look at them from there. Bring your wine," she said, walking over to the couch and pulling the computer onto her lap after finding the cord that attached her her camera. (They were the same size, which worked perfectly.)

When he joined her, Lyra clinked her glass against his with a smile and started transferring the photos over. "It'll take a minute," she explained before looking at him. "Was it amazing though? Did you really go and see a volcano when it was lava-ing? That's just... wow! Was it really hot? It must have been so hot! Should I stop asking questions?"

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[info]a_gentle_death
2011-08-15 11:19 pm UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select
He let her talk as she settled down beside her. He was too used to quiet and she was a nice distraction. "No, it's fine." He smiled again and sipped from his wine, "it was good, very nice. I mostly felt like a fifth wheel. My brothers had their wives so occasionally I felt awkward. I was the only single person in the group. And yes I saw a volcano, an active one. It was very impressive. I didn't get too close but it was pretty hot. According to the locals most of the volcanoes are gods. I could see why they felt that way. Seeing something that immensely powerful up close? Hard not to think it's not divine."

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[info]gardhouse
2011-08-16 12:02 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select
"I'd worship a volcano," Lyra nodded now that she thought about it.

She poked him in the side gently with a teasing smile then. "So are you telling me you didn't have any tropical flings?" she asked him, although she was ninety percent sure it hadn't happened. "No moonlit meetings on the beach, eyes locking across your pina coladas?"

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[info]a_gentle_death
2011-08-16 12:13 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select
He smiled before leaning away from the poke, "hey, don't." Then he shook his head, "no. Not really. I'm not the type to go looking for flings." He shrugged, "I could say the same missy. You haven't gone off to find any flings yourself."

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[info]gardhouse
2011-08-16 12:16 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select
"Not all that much of a flinger either," Lyra admitted with a little shrug. "Besides, I wasn't the one in an impossibly romantic destination for a week surrounded by women in their bikinis. Although it's warm enough here that I've considered living in my bikini a few times..." she grinned at him and took a sip of her wine.

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[info]a_gentle_death
2011-08-16 12:38 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select
"Funny, so did I." He smiled to the joke before looking to the pictures of the laptop. "No one caught my interest. Besides, I'm a long term kind of guy. I can't just find a pretty girl, only spend a few moments with her, then leave. I believe whoever I'm with deserves more of my attention." Not to mention his habit of having to watch them die.

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[info]gardhouse
2011-08-16 12:50 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select
"Well, whoever she turns out to be, she'll be an incredibly lucky woman," Lyra told him, her tone warm and heartfelt. He was a good guy and there probably wasn't too many of them still around. "I happen to know that you're a catch."

"Now," she said as she pointed at the screen. "I demand detailed explanations for every single photo on here and if there doesn't end up being some potentially embarrassing shots I'll be very disappointing."

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[info]a_gentle_death
2011-08-16 12:57 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select
"I tend to disagree with being a good catch," for reasons he knew he couldn't tell her just yet, but she could take it as she liked right now. "I work too much."

Laughing he nodded, "alright and I'm sure that my brothers will have done you a favor." He knew the pictures weren't too great, but he'd done what he could.

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[info]gardhouse
2011-08-16 01:14 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select
"Don't we all," Lyra laughed softly, holding her wine glass and letting them go through the photos, Lyra making more comments than anyone needed to make on someone else's holiday snaps. Her favourite photos were the ones of the volcano - which she made him give her more details about - and the ones of his brothers and their wives - "I see cute runs in the family," she told him with an approving nod and a smile.

When the photos were done Lyra got up to bring the wine bottle over. "I'm coming with you next time, I have to, it all looks so beautiful!" She dropped herself down again and refilled their glasses. "I'll be your Hawaiian fling!" she declared and then, realising how that sounded, she laughed a little and added, "except not like that sounded."

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[info]a_gentle_death
2011-08-16 01:28 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select
He laughed, "that I wouldn't mind. I can talk to you. I'm not good with talking with a lot of people. I'm quiet, and people think I brood." He shrugged, "I speak about work and people tend to be uncomfortable. Same with my family, or what I put faith in. You actually respond to me." He smiled at her, "and you're bright where I'm dark. I tend to need that."

He set his glass aside and smirked, "and don't tell my brothers. They have enough ego. And I will wrangle them into dinner sometime. You do need to meet my twin," he pointed out Hypnos in one of the pictures. "He's a riot."

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[info]gardhouse
2011-08-16 01:33 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select
"You say the most thoughtful things," Lyra said after listening to him, taking his hand in hers and giving it a gentle squeeze. She was so grateful to have met Thane.

"I promise not to tell your brothers they're attractive," Lyra promised though, her hand still resting in Thane's as she took a sip of wine. "But I suspect they might know, as cute guys tend to do that."

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[info]a_gentle_death
2011-08-16 01:44 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select
He smiled and squeezed her hand back, "I have my moments. Give me five minutes and another glass or two. I'll start putting my foot in my mouth."

He laughed and rolled his eyes, "probably." They were Greek gods after all. Even he had an ego about all that.

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[info]gardhouse
2011-08-16 01:52 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select
At his comment Lyra lifted the wine bottle and pretended to fill up his glass even more with a laugh. "I live with foot in mouth," Lyra reminded him, "so it's nice when you join me here! Oh!" she said brightly, letting go of his hand as she jumped up. "Could you be like my best straight male friend in the world - well, sort of my only straight male friend in the world - and if I go show you this dress I got will you tell me if it's good? I know you didn't come around here to play dress ups with me, but I've only had the opinions of gays and girls." She gave him her most adorable pleading pout.

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[info]a_gentle_death
2011-08-16 02:08 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select
"It's a nice neighborhood here, in foot in mouth town. You're here." He smiled at her before letting her go. "The horrors of seeing a pretty girl showing me a dress." He set his hand on his heart, "how will I ever live?" He smirked, "go on. I'll give you my opinion. But I'll hate it if you're wearing it on a date. Fair warning."

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[info]gardhouse
2011-08-16 02:13 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select
Laughing, Lyra walked into her bedroom off the living room (her apartment wasn't exactly spacious) and she left the door open so she could speak to him while she changed, the angle of the room meaning he couldn't see her. "I might be wearing it on a date actually," she said a little cagily. "Well... maybe... I don't know yet. Someone asked but... I don't think I will."

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[info]a_gentle_death
2011-08-16 02:19 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select
He frowned, and looked to his glass. He didn't own her. She should be going out there and enjoying herself. He didn't know if she'd like all the things he was, or what he would have to do in due time, or that he couldn't even be fully there.

"Well, you should." He grabbed the bottle and poured himself another drink. "No guy ever likes the 'oh she won't wear it for me' thought, but no. Go out. Seriously I was joking Lyra. You should have the world."

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[info]gardhouse
2011-08-16 02:23 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select
In her room Lyra twisted her curls up into a messy twist on the back of her head, always thinking her hair out of the way looked prettier and classier and thus more date-like.

She frowned listening to Thane and paused, turning to look towards the door even though she couldn't see him. "Do you... want me to wear nice dresses for you?" she asked him carefully.

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[info]a_gentle_death
2011-08-16 02:30 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select
He looked up, even if he couldn't see her. It was a tough question, not because of the answer but because of the conditions. "I think so." IT was the truth, for all he could give it. "But what if you knew something about me, something many people run from? That I'm not completely honest about myself?"

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[info]gardhouse
2011-08-16 02:38 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select
Somewhere in the last five minutes things had changed somewhat it seemed and slowly Lyra came out of the bedroom, wearing the green dress she'd bought while he was away.

"You know you can tell me anything," Lyra said quietly, not sure what it was he was worrying about and, honestly, still a little bit caught up on the part where maybe he was interested in her.

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[info]a_gentle_death
2011-08-16 02:43 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select
He smiled at her, "You look very nice. You should definitely wear it." He shook his head and ran his fingers through his hair, "it's a big thing. It has to do with faith, with believing and not." He shrugged, "and this may make you run. I like you. I don't want to lose the one friend I have."

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[info]gardhouse
2011-08-16 02:48 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select
The dress was unimportant now, as far as Lyra saw it. And that date she'd been talking about seemed even less important. She walked over to Thane, not smiling herself. "You know I don't care what you believe," she told him. "So why would lose me? I mean... have you hurt someone? Killed someone? Because basically nothing less than that is going to make me kick you out and I know you're not capable of hurting anyone."

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[info]a_gentle_death
2011-08-16 02:55 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select
He looked up to her and took her hands, "hurt someone? No I try not to. But killed, that, yes that I've done." It was what he was after all, "what if I told you everything you know is both wrong, and right. That belief, faith, is right? What if I told you, that what I am, is death?"

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[info]gardhouse
2011-08-16 02:58 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select
But killed, that, yes that I've done.

Lyra drew her hands slowly away from his, feeling like if she moved too quickly then she was in terrible danger.

"Thane," she whispered very quietly, "what's happening?"

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[info]a_gentle_death
2011-08-16 03:08 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select
"Losing you, that is what is happening." He let out a long sigh and rose. He didn't like seeing her be afraid of him, but he had gotten into this, he needed to see it through. "Thane isn't my name Lyra. It's Thanatos."

He closed his eyes, I have taken lives. It is what I do." He opened his eyes, drawing his power out and letting his appearance change to a more paler version, with wings and a sword on his back.

He kept it for long enough for her to see before letting it fade. "I'll miss you."

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[info]gardhouse
2011-08-16 03:15 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select
Thanatos was the Greek personification of death, she wanted to say to Thane. She wanted to tell him that what he was saying was crazy and that maybe he'd already had too much wine or that maybe he should see a doctor, because he hadn't really taken lives because he thought he was some Greek god, had he?

That was what she wanted to say. But then a moment later when Thane suddenly wasn't Thane anymore every single word she might have said was stolen away just like the breath in her lungs, like someone had punched her in the stomach.

Lyra lost the strength in her legs and she fell to her knees before kicking against the carpet to get away from him, not stopping until she hit the wall behind her.

What are you?? she wanted to scream, but when she opened her mouth all that came out was a terrified whimper.

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[info]a_gentle_death
2011-08-16 03:28 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select
Seeing her so afraid tore at him and he extended his hand before dropping it. He let the power go, going back to what he tended to look like. "I'm sorry. I really am. But I would never hurt you. But you understand now."

He took the camera and set it in his pocket before walking to the door. He shouldn't have said, or shown, her all this but in the end he supposed it would allow her to live her life. He couldn't give her all the things a normal mortal could give her. But this was why he avoided mortals. Either he hurt them, or they were hurt by just knowing him.

He gave her a last glance before walking out the door.

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[info]gardhouse
2011-08-16 03:32 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select
Lyra remained on the floor, unable to tear her eyes away from Thane- no, from... that thing, that... monster thing that she had thought was her friend.

Then he was gone and Lyra scrambled to her feet and ran to lock the door after him before sliding down against it in frightened and confused tears.