perfect_wife (perfect_wife) wrote in olympian_rewind, @ 2008-09-09 16:48:00 |
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Entry tags: | hera, june marris, npc, trystan jube, zeus |
Who: Hera, Zeus, Odin or June, Trystan, Richard
What: Meetings
Where: Odin's Hide out, DC
When: BACKDATED Sept 5th
Warnings: None.
Stepping out of the car that his old friend had sent for him, Zeus blinked against the DC sun. It felt colder here, but in a good way. Sometimes, sunny Miami was just too damn sunny. He turned around and offered a hand out to the person he'd decided to take with him.
She brought a pair of sunglasses down over her eyes before taking the offered hand and swinging her legs out of the car. The skirt was fairly straight, coming just past her knees as she stood, pumps and blouse colored to coordinate with the blue gray. The silk blouse was a faint blue itself, but sleeveless in an almost halter cut to give the outfit a more casual look then her normal office collection. She would simply put the jacket on if that was needed. For now, she was enjoying the brief chill against her shoulder blades. Straighten, an eyebrow arched above the rim of the glasses as she took in their surroundings.
The chill was only in the air because a rainstorm was coming in. Possibly due to Hurricane Hanna off the coast. Otherwise they would have found it much the same weather as in Miami. Global warming was cruel sometimes. However, that was unimportant. The car pulled up in front of the two twenty story black high rises and a young man dressed in a black uniform that would appear like a police officer's sans the badge and equipment stepped forward from one of them – the one with the grand entrance. “Mr. Jube and Ms. Marris?”
"That would be us." For proof, Zeus held out an I.D. for the man to inspect. He himself was dressed in his usual suit, with an added flourish; a gold and platinum eagle, pinned to his collar.
Hera saw no needed to give such proof just yet. She eyed the man, then the building once more, and merely nodded. This would be interesting.
The man looked over Jube's ID, comparing him carefully before handing it back. Normally the orders would have been to check both of them, but Jube was the primary guest plus one. “Follow me.” He then turned around and led them into the main lobby. It wasn't overly different than many buildings of this type: large and smooth features with little in it but a wrap around desk with a very large man behind it. The one escorting the Greeks nodded to him and then turned left at the desk to a small hallway that ended in nothing but an elevator. Right of the desk looked much more inviting with an obvious glassed off sitting area but that was not where he lead them. Instead he handed them a pass card each. “Just scan it in the elevator.”
Zeus couldn't help but eye it with a competitive way, thinking on the ways his hotel could match up to this building or how his could match up to this one. He stepped into the elevator and scanned the card as requested.
Following her husband in, she examined the card, prepared to swipe when needed and watched the man more then the building. Trust was all well and good, but she didn't bother to let her guard drop just yet. They were clearly this tight on security for a reason.
When the card was scanned, the elevator closed and after a few moments, opened once more to what would be a spacious office if it wasn't cluttered with books, maps, photo albums and obvious souvenirs. From behind an LCD TV screen being used as a computer monitor, a tall man of 6'9”, blond, with one green eye and the other covered in a gray blind film that matched his tailored gray suit stood up. “Glad you could make it.” He moved from being partly obscured, revealing one of his arms in a sling.
From the moment he saw him, Zeus' eyes lit up. His old friend. He stepped inside and bowed slightly out of respect. "Glad to be here, Mr. Maude. May I introduce Ms. Marris," he said, waving an arm to Hera.
Hera gave her own small nod to the man, studying him as she stood straight, only just outside of the elevator. She would wait before going further in. "You have a rather impressive building.”
“Something my adopted sister put together. She couldn't help herself, she said. I'll let her know what you thought.” Odin moved more and led them all to a semi-circle shaped couch near his window. They were high up in the building, though not the top floor. “I looked you both up. Successful both of you. I'm glad. Especially for you.” The last few words were meant for Zeus alone.
Zeus smiled proudly. "I had a bit of help along the way," he replied, respect and friendship evident in his voice. Then, with a slight pause, "[Is the room safe to speak in?]"
Odin's ancient Greek suffered from lack of practice but he managed, “[Yes. It would take much to listen or see in here.]”
"Good. Forgive me for doubting your security, but I feel one should never be too sure... It only leaves you open." He glanced to his wife, and smiled. "My wife, may I introduce the god Odin. He has been a friend of mine in the past, and hopefully one now."
"A pleasure, I am sure. It is comforting to see you in good spirits," she mentioned, arching an eyebrow as she peered at him, then the couch before taking a seat. She didn't mind having to look up. A hand gestured to everything that surrounded them. "You seem to have this almost as your home."
“I just have too many things.” Odin shrugged and wished he hadn't as he sat to bring down the height differences. “Besides, I spent at least half my day here sometimes. I should enjoy it. It's a pleasure to meet you.”
Zeus chuckled. "The feeling of living in your office is one I can share." He didn't quite mind the height difference. He did, after all, have a son who was quite a bit taller than him. "I thank you for your generous hospitality."
Hera cast a slightly dark look at her husband. She did not, nor ever would, live out of her office. She wondered if it was a habit of male immortals. The expression lightened as she turned back to her host. "Forgive my rudeness, but I don't recall you having your arm in a sling before."
Nodding his head, Odin silently accepted Zeus' gratitude before glancing down at his slinged arm at Hera's words, “Yes. When I went over to Iraq, I expected to be shot at and to run over IEDs, but I didn't expect to have my arm broken by the Dragon-Slayer himself.” Sometimes the Norse god really hated this post-Fall world he found himself in. He would have seen that coming before. At least he wouldn't have been surprised, “Marduk was very angry. A great fight though.”
The other sky god's eyes went wide. "The son of Ea?" A deep part of him shuddered. Many mortals who studied mythology connected Zeus and the Babylonian god closely. "A bad omen."
Interesting. Hera lifted an eyebrow, curious, but said nothing just yet.
“Bad omens do not especially worry me.” Half of everything were bad omens for the Aesir, the other half were worse omens. Odin leaned back a little to give his shoulder some rest. He wasn't one to usually show weakness before others, but he had seen Zeus much worse and his arm was already in a sling. It mattered very little at this point, “He shouted about betrayal and how he would make it right with blood.” Again, he wished he wasn't in this post-Fall world and he simply hadn't had the time to find out. Yet...
"Betrayal..." Zeus shook his head. "I do not know what he would have ill will for you for. I can only wonder if he has perhaps encountered the same forces my people have."
“I think he was simply making whatever betrayal it was with whatever immortal blood he could find.” Clearly, part of Odin was annoyed at not knowing what exactly had happened; but he wasn't overly upset at the result. “I did hear you came here to speak to me about those other forces...”
"Yes..." Zeus sat with a sigh. "We have been encroached upon our territory, of sorts. My family has claimed Miami for our own. I have been there for over a decade now. But now the Egyptians have teamed up in some mad mission against us, and any other pantheon in their way."
"We recently had a battle with them. Primarily, it was members of our family, though we did have some assistance...." She cast a glance to her husband, then back to Odin. It was not the time to reveal those details. "They are enslaving other gods."
Odin noticed the glances, but held his own tongue about questioning it at the moment. Instead, he continued with, “Yes. It may have been over a webcam but I heard about their enslavement of other gods when Freyr returned and was debriefed. We do appreciate his return to us.” But then he paused to consider his next addition to the conversation, “Out intel said the Egyptians' stronghold had been broken. How much of a threat do they still pose?”
"You have Herakles to thank for that one," said Zeus with a proud smile. "And, a strong one. They have repeatedly assaulted both en masse and alone. We have twice invaded their strongholds..." He paused and sighed, not wanting to admit to this, "Well, it did not go as well as it should have. Lives were lost on both sides."
"Coyote, who was working with them, I am to understand was destroyed prior to one of our battles. Since it was in that battle that Freyr was released, you are most likely aware of the result..." She arched an eyebrow, unsure how much the rescued god had been able to relate, and how much he had found out prior to the return to his family.
Odin did appreciate all the details he was just given. Filled in the gaps of what he knew, which he enjoyed immensely and it brought a clear smile to his face, “But you still consider and survivors a threat?”
"Yes. And, there is another problem that may or may not be a major one." Forcing himself to relax a bit, Zeus settled into his chair. He had not left Miami for months, not since he had realized so much of his family had settled there. He felt like a bird that had left all of its eggs in an unguarded nest. "A group of humans, calling themselves Subrosa. Have you heard of them?"
Watching their host, Hera had no pleasure in the reminder of the group. She held little doubt that those who had made Hestia suffer when the twins were to be born would be forced to suffer in return, but for now, she held her tongue.
“I have heard of the name. Collectors of artifacts.” Odin's smile faded. Now he didn't know things again. It was very disconcerting for someone who used to be able to see into the future and the past. “What threat do they pose?”
"Several months ago, they kidnapped my other two sisters, Hestia and Demeter. Hestia was heavily pregnant with two children, and Demeter's youngest son was taken as well. For what purpose, I have never learned... but Hestia claimed they were kept in a locked room, and was not allowed out even when her stress drove her to labor. They were recovered without harm, at least physically..."
He paused again, considering the worth of revealing what else he knew but what no one else did. Yes, it was worth it, even if it meant revealing his weaknesses. "Before the last time we attacked the Egyptians, one of their agents appeared in my office, heavily implying that they knew of the situation. She quite heavily suggested there would be trouble with them if we were to fail."
This was news to Hera. Her eyes narrowed slightly, and she refused to look at Zeus. He would most likely hear her opinion on choosing now to inform her of this, though she could not deny that the information should be presented. Despite looking at Odin, it was nor he that she was truly frowning out. The simple idea of mortals being the ones to order them about was... annoying.
A sentence... a question had been on Odin's lips. It may have been something like How was Hestia heavy with two children? I do remember my myths correctly, right?. But he put the question aside for the more interesting news. The Greeks knew fear of this mortal group and they were strong enough to kidnap one third of the children of Kronus. It made all his confusion worth it. There was excitement in these words. Honestly, he was getting bored listening to Iraqi chatter, even if it did pay the bills. “What do you think they could do? And why would they do it?”
Zeus sighed and shook his head, rubbing at his forehead with his fingertips. And, yes, ignoring his wife's childish glares. Couldn't she just trust him to have good reason? Oy. "They managed to sneak into Hestia's home without her knowing. Managed to sneak into my office without alerting anyone. Managed to run off with Demeter and we were unable to locate her until they stumbled into my building. I can only imagine."
There were the questions again and this time Odin couldn't help it, “Someone snuck into a house of Hestia and she was pregnant?”
Zeus couldn't help but snicker. "Her and Hades. It is... long, confusing, dramatic. You don't want to hear it, trust me."
Part of Odin did want to know but for once he was able to push aside his thirst for knowledge. This had nothing to do with him. “Well, I will keep watch for the Egyptians and for this Subrosa group. The Egyptians have already struck my adopted brother so I am not pleased at that and Subrosa....” Could be very interesting. “should be looked into. You have my support. I will bring this all to counsel, but I doubt any will vote against.” If there was only one thing that united the Aesir, it was a challenge.
Zeus smiled. "Then I suppose I have to ask the official question. Can I count on the Norse, both Aesir and Vanir, for aid?"
Hera stayed quiet through the questions and responses, seeing little to add just now. It was difficult to wish to reveal information easily to others, be them family or other wise. "An exchange and partnership. In information and resources, as they are." The Greek may have been in need when they were targeted, but the Norse would need them as well should the situations ever be reversed. There was no need to make it look as though they were begging for assistance.
The Greeks were confusing; Freyr's debriefing report had been very apt about it. But he laughed and put a hand against Zeus' shoulder almost in a hardy, friendly slap, but brought good and blind eye to Hera to include her. “I have already agreed to that. Officially, I have to bring it to the counsel but unless we're imploding into infighting this week until the death, I don't see them disagreeing.” And he could veto all their votes, but he so rarely did that. Especially now in this post-Fall world they found themselves in.
Nodding, Zeus reached over to put a hand over Odin's head. His voice was deep and serious, but hopeful and glad all the same. "[Odin, my old friend, I swear my clan's loyalty to yours in exchange for your own. You have aided me before, and I hope we do not need it as desperately as I fear. But should you have need of me, what's mine is yours. I swear this, on the Styx, and upon my own honor.]"
Hera's face twitched at the oath her husband made, though she did not deny his right to make it. Had the past not taught them how very changing the future could be? To make an oath on the Styx... She merely watched the pair. The were worse possible oaths to make.
Odin nodded. “It's good to be on the same page. How long will you two be staying in DC?
"I do not feel comfortable staying away from home or my family for too long," Zeus admitted. He glance to his wife, seeking her opinion.
"Our time has not been fully decided upon as of yet," she answered in return at the look. Yes, she needed to get back as well, but a day or two within the city would not harm them. If the family had not blown up Miami by now when they were present, it was less likely to occur when they were gone.
“You should stay the weekend and see the sights.” Odin motioned out the window to Capital Hill because that's what his window looked out upon. “What good is a trip if you go right home?”
Zeus chuckled. "I've seen a few of these sights. I always wish I could tell them 'you know, my nose was not that big at the time' when I pass statues. Heh."
"Perhaps, [Husband], we should then take the time to see other sights, or to simply relax and treat it as a vacation." She arched her eyebrow at him, wondering if said husband would catch the hint. One bed was as good as another, but there was little reason to not enjoying doing things as husband and wife in a ... different city.
“Enjoy your stay. Consider your expenses paid for until you go.” Odin rose to his feet, shifting only slightly to fix the sling around the back of his neck, “If you find yourself wandering and lost, the car service will find you. They're quite good at it.”
Zeus stood as well and offered the Norse god his hand. "I'm sure we will. Thank you again for your audience."
Hera arched her eyebrow at Odin's statement, and rose slowly as well to bid their host good bye. "We shall keep in contact," she promised, nodding her head slightly as the others shook hands.
Odin shook Zeus' hand first and then Hera's. “I will speak to my counsel very soon.”
"And I to my own people." Smiling to his friend, Zeus put his hand back around his wife's waist and headed for the door.
Summary: Hera and Zeus make their trip to see Odin and discuss ... developments.