Who: Apollo & Hades What: Unlikely conversation. Where: On the street! When: Whenever Warnings: None? Weird.
Smoking was a simple, uncomplicated pleasure, at least for a god that didn't need to worry about health concerns. Hades enjoyed the feel of the smoke as he took a healthy drag from the cigarette as it went deep into his lungs. The smoke reminded him of the days of old with the burnt sacrifices without being so overt, without reminding his conscious mind of it. Just his subconscious. His conscious mind got its enjoyment from the exhale with each successful smoke ring.
And they say you learn nothing from a liberal arts education. Smoke rings are difficult.
But as one cigarette was brought to its filter and then flicked away, Hades' mind was unoccupied for a moment and a moment was all it needed to give him reason to sigh. Quickly, he fished out another cigarette. He hadn't left his house and driven out into the night to brood. He came out to smoke and smoke he would.
Smoking was twice as satisfying when you didn't have to worry about getting cancer, wasn't it? Sure, the little prickling feeling you got in your lungs as the damaged healed took some getting used to, but after awhile you got used to it; was that what cleared up his breath, too, or was it just that no one was dumb enough to mention it? A thought for another time, to be sure.
Night-time shopping runs weren't Apollo's favorite, but when you were out of smokes, and olives, and those...fizzy little fruit drinks, well... Sacrifices had to be made. The whole thing could have been made faster if he'd taken the car, but Elvis really did need to go for a walk that wasn't just around the backyard, no matter how big it was. He paused near a gangly looking tree and switched the dog's leash and the shopping bag between hands as Elvis stared mournfully upwards; here, little squirrel~
The only problem with cigarettes was that they seemed to get to the filter far too quickly. Or perhaps that was only Hades' problem. He continued to walk and began to flick the newest dead soldier away from him before he saw the energetic dog. With all the skill of someone with far too much practice, he snatched the butt right from the air before it got to far and bothered the furry beast. Only then did he lift his eyes to the owner tied to the beast by the leash. Even the pleasure of smoking and the cool evening couldn't stop the sigh from escaping, and yet, “Hello, Elton.”
Where had that feeling of sudden, impending doom come from? Everything had been just great 30 seconds ago. He turned slowly, and barely restrained a grimace. Really? Hades never spoke to him unless he was making a threat or demanding assistance; this did not bode well.
"Pluto; how's the orbit this evening?" Yikes.
“Quiet mostly. Not as quiet as space would be but...” Hades shrugged a little, focusing all his attention on the other god before him. His mind flashed to all the horrible fates he would be delighted to know could befall the younger god. Hit by a large truck. Torn apart by rabid, dull-toothed raccoons.... The list went on and on but none of them were the worst fate he could imagine. That was the only reason he was even having this conversation. His mind wouldn't provide the worst fate, “Wouldn't have taken you to be a night person. You're an anti-me pretty much.”
The list of things that Apollo would rather be doing instead of having the current conversation; most of them involved inflicting bodily harm on the other god. Rivers of lava and whatnot. Absently, he tugged on Elvis's leash, urging the dog away from Hades.
"I'm not. Really. But sometimes I get stuck with the supply runs," he replied, holding up the shopping bag. "It's so hard to get D motivated, sometimes, when parties aren't involved." Smirk.
“You should just lie to him and say its for a party. The worst that could happen is a party.” Was he seriously making small talk with Apollo? Maybe it was his utter disdain that made it more simple fare than normal. Hades fished out another cigarette. Simpler fare or not, he had run out of small talk things to say to him.
Hades was, apparently, forgetting that Apollo didn't much like lying. If he could help it, anyway. This was one instance were it was completely unnecessary.
He watched the other god light up with a critical eye and frowned. "Look. Is there something you're wanting from me? Because if not, I'm going to have to be slightly concerned about all this..."
Hades had suggested it partially for the irony of the truth god lying. He shrugged a little, “Be concerned then. Not like I'm psychic and knew you would be out here. You got nothing I want right now anyway. Have my own dog and can buy my own olives if I want. Only talking to you at all because I don't want to cast you into the dark pit I prepared for you years ago anymore...” And as if that was a perfectly normal thing to say, he took a puff of his cigarette and then turned away. If Apollo was on foot then there was a store up ahead. Maybe he would buy some snacks for his family...
Well. Clearly the guy wasn't lying. Which was weird. "I suppose I shouldn't ask why." There was some sort of...catch in all this, wasn't there? Had to be. Hades not wanting to banish him into the deepest, most remote corner of Hell anymore? Laughable at any other time.
"I'm..." Er. "The mental illness route seems like the best way to go here, but I really don't want to touch you to check..."
Hades stopped walking. Somewhere in his dark, depressed soul there was a bit of comfort. Had he confused Apollo? It seemed like it. He turned and narrowed his eyes to better observe him. He certainly looked taken off guard. “If you asked, I wouldn't explain but it's too rational for me to argue away so I'm stuck taking you off my primary hate list. Deal with it.” He paused only to exhale the smoke he had been trapping inside, “And keep your hands to yourself. Don't want you touching me either unless I'm bleeding like a fountain. And even then...” That was debatable.
Snort. "I already made that mistake once; trust me, you don't have to worry about me touching you ever again." Really, he should have left the guy bleeding on his living room floor. What had he been thinking; he couldn't recall. Damned doctor's reflex.
"You make it sound like not being on top of your 'Things to Annihilate' list is something I'm going to struggle with. Honestly, I'm not sure how it'll be much different, but thanks for the head's up."
“Some people are proud of odd things.” The last thing Hades especially wanted was Apollo in some insanity trying to actively get back on the list, but it didn't seem like he would be doing that. Good. Lifting his gaze to the sky, he sighed a little. It was always a little odd how dim the stars appeared because of the lights of Miami, not that he had a lot of experience with the stars of the surface in the first place. “Things shouldn't be too different. Just because I don't hate you doesn't mean I want to be around you either. We're both a lot happier no where near each other, I think.”
"I would have to agree; I can feel my mood improving the further away you get." Just saying. Strangely, it was true, too. Probably the promise of them parting ways for probably the next few months.
"That being said, let's not keep each other longer than necessary, hm?"
“Mine, too. Though I feel just slightly dirty agreeing with you.” With that said, Hades turned once again and continued his trek toward that store. It had to be in this direction if Apollo was walking in the opposite one. “None of this is necessary. Unless you need to drive your dog nuts by delaying him.”
"Delaying him? He never would have caught that damn squrriel; he's delusional. Aren't you~?" As he glanced down at the dog, Elvis jumped up to plant his paws on Apollo's chest. He patted him a few times, then pushed him away. "C'mon, nutjob, your glorious master needs convenience store smokes."
He waved over his shoulder, even though Hades couldn't see it. "Toodles, Spooky~"
Nor did Hades want to see it. He merely took another drag from his cigarette and kept walking. He wouldn't dignify the name with a retort about it. Instead, before he was figured he was out of ear shot, he simply replied, “Tell D hello.” But he didn't wait for any answer. There was no reason to wait.
Summary: Apollo and Hades run into each other during a night-time stroll. No punches are thrown. Strange.