So this entire arc was based off a roleplay based on a version of this verse with my lovely girlfriend, Vestrais. The very end bit I had to tie up on my own, but nonetheless it was fun to write with her. Some of it has been edited to help smooth it out a bit.
This is set a long while after Tory and Ash got together and even after Itisha's discovery of her own lingering Ash issues.
The Dishonor on your Cow Arc also introduces some new characters of Vestrais' creation: Kyknos and Albeiro
Artemis levels a glare at the swan. Attitude, "And how long do you think the swans will live if the idiot finds out what we are doing?"
Kyknos narrows his eyes at the uppity young malachai but elects not to ask what video games are. It'd just give the kid something else to pester him with.
"Seconds," Kyknos bites back. "Which is why I'm not here during the day." Seriously, there's no way he'd be stupid enough to risk even talking to Mushu if the sun were up. A glance towards the woman on the phone with the male.
"Excuse me? Featherduster there may not know about such things but I, for one, am well versed in the kicking of Seph's butt," Sin says in mock indignation. Hell, he thinks it's entertaining as crap given the names of those he knows. With a hum he kisses Kat then grins at Mushu. "Well then, consider yourself invited any time you want to stop by. And if you bring any of that horde we actually have a kiddie area now." Need a safe space for their own potential kids to play, after all. And it's easier to do that than try getting a house near his casino with a decent yard. Safer too.
Meanwhile in New York, Styxx rolls over in the presumably very nice bed he wasn't actually sleeping in with a sigh and stares at the phone a moment before picking it up to see who it is. It's a pleasant surprise to see a name other than Urian's on the screen so he hits the green button and shifts so he can hold the phone to his ear without having to get up. "Hello, Mushu. How are you?"
"You play? I am so going to have to ask about your skill trees later." Nick said absently. Though he raised a brow at Itisha's threat to beat them all. Definitely a dragon with that temper. Though hell she could have made any bear proud too, "Cher, asking me to behave is impossible, but for you I will try not to kill anyone unless you point me at them." He couldn't promise right now.
Itisha nods at the attempted promise as she waits for the phone to get picked up. At least Sin and Nick were somewhat getting along. Small favors. A truly grateful smile towards Sin and Katra that warmed her features up considerably. Far less stressed for a small brief moment, "The kids would love that. Thank you." Seriously, being able to go about and meet other people would be good for them. It would be safe as hell too, as they had been hiding them from the sun god for a while.
Ah hah! Styxx picked up and she had a flicker of sympathy. Given this time, he probably was attempting and failing to sleep, "Stressed." She answers honestly, "Lightbulb tried to put me on the side of a milk carton today. Thing has been going a little dim as of late, so figured it is about time we change it. I have a gaggle of insane people here and a potential replacement lined up for the idiot so… figured of all people you need to be here. Or at least offered the chance to change the bulb. Break a curse. All that fun jazz."
Gods, Itisha loved those kids of hers. Katra was utterly touched at the pure mothering instinct Itisha had for everyone. That offer Sin gave so earned him another kiss and she nuzzled him a little as she heard her talk to Styxx. "I think she is the only person here who could possibly get along with all of us, even if half of us want to kill someone in the room." She mused.
"I just figured you had a deadline given you were trying to kidnap my frie- Itisha." Itisha had rather loudly yelled Artemis out of the house last time they chatted. Mind you… Artemis could admit she very stupidly deserved that reaction. Didn't mean Artemis wanted her brother to hurt her. Had been trying to keep him occupied at least a little. The love for her brother was… it was not something she missed really. He didn't actually love her or care for her. The few who did show her the proper emotion she had hurt beyond deserving any of it back. Perhaps she could earn some of Itisha's trust back. At least a little, "You are right though, bird. Daylight is when he is strongest. This time of year, at least for here, night is longer. I will try to… see what I can do to extend it and keep him distracted. It would not be good if he found out what we wanted to do before it happens." Yet Artemis would not leave unless Itisha said it was alright to do so.
"Lightb- Ooh." Styxx rubs his eyes and sits up. "If there's any possible way I can help with that one it would be my absolute pleasure. Give me a couple minutes to get dressed then I'll be good to go." Thankfully she's long since learned that twin does not mean god so she knows he'll need a ride.
"I own a casino," Sin points out with a quick grin that shows off his fangs. "I play all the games." Gotta know how people can cheat at things, after all. Besides, they're fun.
"Any time, Mushu. Seriously. Just call and let my people know how many beds you need when you want to visit." Thankfully she's not a dark hunter and so has never been on the do not house list. The kiss has him grinning at Kat. "Probably. We do all have some pretty big egos. Can't imagine why. It's like we're gods or something."
Kyknos can't help but be amused by the commentary from Sin. Nick's just confusing. And Artemis… she's nearly as annoying as her brother. "I do." Like hell if he's going to tell Apollo's twin more than that though. "You're going to help?" Against her brother? That.. Kyknos hadn't expected. Looks like he'll have to rethink that annoying bit.
"I didn't know they had playstations at a casino." Nick shakes his head a bit. Though he gives a look towards Artemis. She was being… very open about her willingness to deal with Apollo. Though he had not learned why from her yet. A frown at the goddess for a long moment. The straight up switch to warmth from the dragon had him watching her for a few moments. It made him miss his mother and pain tore through him that made him have to take a few breaths. Yeah, he so did not want little kids feeling his loss. If he could do something about it, he would. Hell he knew a few people that would love to join the party.
Itisha smiles at Sin and nods while she is on the phone. Yeah, she was so taking him up on that offer after this. A trip to Vegas? Hell yes. Especially if… when they got this situation handled, "I will find a way for you to help, Styxx. Even if it is the killing blow after we get the next sun god squared away. I can even bamf over and get you after you are ready. I think I can leave these guys alone long enough to do that." As she said it she studied Artemis for a long moment and then nodded. Offering that trust that the moon goddess wasn't going to purposefully bungle this.
Artemis gives a dry look to Kyknos. An absent brush of her hand over her own arm, "You would be presumptuous to think that there is more than you and your swans that would want to escape from the god that thinks everything is his and he can choose what to do with them." Sometimes she was glad when he had his sights on someone else. Usually she stopped caring what he did so long as it wasn't harming her. Except this Dark Hunter business. Wasn't even going to think right now about what to do with the Dark Hunters after the Apollites had their curse broken. Or what would happen to Daimons who already consumed souls. When Itisha nodded to her, she stilled and then actually bowed carefully to her, "I will keep him distracted." And she stepped forward and set something on the table before she vanished.
Katra blinked where her mother had been, "That's… huh." Her mother bowed. To Itisha and nearly called her friend. Openly. "That's it. World is ending." Kat shook her head finally and then snorted at Sin, "Mm, cannot possibly be that. I mean one would have to be insane to get this many gods in the same room together." Totally and entirely bonkers. Thank goodness Itisha was never that insane. Ever. Not like Ash was coming up the stairs with Tory and Styxx was being invited into the mess too. Just how were they going to get close enough to Apollo to not get someone smushed to bits or themselves smushed to bits? Or the rest of the pantheon trying to help Apollo just because it suited them? Out of curiosity, Katra went towards the table and poked at the thing left on the table. A necklace? One with opals cut like moons and Artemis' symbol in it. Oh. Oh she had seen this before! Itisha had worn it for a little while.
Styxx is already moving about, quickly yet awkwardly pulling on clothes with one hand. "I'll be good with that. Give me a moment to get shoes and you can pop right in my room." Guys? "Ah.. who would be on the party list?"
"Only in the kid area." Because kids need games to play too. Sin tries very hard not to stare at Artemis while nearly everyone else does. Instead he raises empty hands when Itisha eyeballs them all and grins. Totally innocent here. "The world's always ending around your mom," he says dryly. Greek. They should be called Drama instead.
"I don't think it, I know it." Kyknos just hadn't expected Apollo's twin to be one of those people. After a glance at Katra Kyknos studies the little double bow and arrow, trying to ignore the banter in the room. Apollo really managed to pick on the wrong people.. Gods, he hopes they can do this or he and his brother are worse than dead.
Well, that makes sense. Nick watches Artemis for a moment, but does a good job of showing nothing outwardly. They could behave a few measly minutes while Itisha was out. Right? "I have a few things I can suggest."
Katra snorts a small laugh at that, "Well that is true. But the rest of us aren't exactly much better." A pointed look at her husband. Hopefully he did not say that mom part too loudly. A few people actually did not know. Gallu demons anyone? So wasn't from her panthon. Though now she was in that pantheon. Funny how that worked. They were all a bundle of fun and adventure. Ooh, Tory and Ash were there. She started across the room to help get the door, opening it just in time. Also to give Nick a chance to move far away from the door so the two males would not be within arm's reach of one another, "Hey guys, welcome to the loony bin." Because seriously, they were all nuts to be trying to do this now.
Itisha moved towards the table as she was on the phone with Styxx. Fingers running over the necklace she had made Artemis take back. Protection spells were on it. She picked at the chain as she then blinked. Words processing and also trying really hard to ignore the fact Ash and Tory were there. "Yes, get those shoes on. You know how terribly uncontrollably turned on I get from bared feet." Itisha teased dryly. "Ah yes, well. We have Artemis who is currently playing distraction and trying to give us a little more darkness. We have Sin and Katra. Nick. Kyknos and then Ash and Tory just arrived. So far everyone is behaving. Common enemy and all. You sure you don't need me to hang up so you can get dressed without breaking your neck?"
Ah, Tory and Ash were there. Katra moved across the room to help get the door, opening it just in time. Also to give Nick a chance to move far away from the door so the two males would not be within arm's reach of one another, "Hey guys, welcome to the loony bin." Because seriously, they were all nuts to be trying to do this now.
Ash was smiling at his wife with warmth as they waited for the door to open, "Hey, I think I make a great effort." Simi did try to eat everything. It was a wonder what a gestational tract that girl had. What had first been an unwilling companionship had become him parenting her and him spoiling her absolutely rotten. He loved his Simi.
He also was learning to love the daughter he didn't get to help raise, but he was trying to get to know her better. Katra. A smile for her before he heard his name from a familiar voice. That certainly felt like a small eternity since he ever heard that. How could he have ever forgotten it? Also the list that he happened to hear, "She must be seriously pissed to have this many people all together. Who is she calling?"
"You did," Tory grins and pats Ash's arm reassuringly then she's smiling warmly at Kat and moving to hug the other woman. "Thanks, Kat. I think." Itisha is watched a moment then she shakes her head. "So. What's this about changing a bulb?"
Styxx stills a moment at the list. "One of those names is new." Guess he'll get to find out who it is in a moment. After a look at his shirt Styxx snorts a laugh. "Just get over here, Mushu," he says in amusement before hitting the red button. The phone gets stuffed in his pocket then he's pulling on his shirt, which he couldn't figure out how to do with the phone against his ear. It doesn't take long to get his shoes on and tied. Pity he doesn't have his armor. But then, he's gotten used to the lack.
In the spirit of keeping the peace Sin bites back the sarcastically grateful quip he usually has at any offer of 'advice' with his casino and instead smiles at Nick. "Maybe we can pop over to my place and you can see it after all this is settled." The look from his wife is all too blatantly ignored though the grin shows he's well aware he's getting lightly roasted. "Hey Ash, Tory. Do we need to get the sauce out?" Always good to know when Simi and her sister are about. And he is so not answering Ash's question.
Kyknos looks at the door when it opens and blinks ever so slowly as he stills just enough to try avoiding attention. Difficult as it is with Mushu saying his name right then. He'd seen this guy before though at a distance. He'd quickly marked him as someone to avoid
Kat smiles and gives Tory a careful hug back. Had to make sure not to squish the baby belly after all. Nope, not answering the question about the phone call either. Nope nope nope. "I can answer the light bulb one. He tried to kidnap Itisha. So we are organizing to ah… replace him. With someone else." With Nick. Katra suddenly found it really hard to say WHO they were replacing Apollo with.
Nick nods at the offer as he moves across the room when Kat gave him a chance. Though he does pause to steal a glance at what Artemis left behind. He hesitated a moment as he watched Itisha start to finish up with the phone. "Would you like my help with that, Mushu?"
Itisha smiled a bit at the good humor at the phone. She rather liked her talks with him, "I'll tell you about that one when I get there. See you soon, Styxx." She hung up and then looked over into the rest of the room. Ash had stilled a little and their eyes met for a second before she quickly adverted them and nodded at Nick, "Yeah. Help me clasp this thing on and then I can go get Styxx." Her voice a little quieter.
Ash and Tory were there. Suddenly her heart hurt and she couldn't look at either of them. One she still loved dearly and the other had become a very good friend. Of course that so loving gift from Aphrodite was betraying all of that fun emotion. Reverse empathy was a bitch. After Night helped her get the necklace on quickly and then straightened, "I'll be back." And she let Nick take a few steps back before vanishing from the room.
Ash just waves at Sin at first, "We might. Not yet though." Though… potential kidnapping made him go very still. Apollo actually tried to kidnap Itisha. He felt sick. Felt angry. He wasn't sure what had him upset more; The fact he heard his brother's name or literally feeling Itisha's pain and guilt. Breathe. A few shallow breaths and he looked down at Tory. Suddenly a flash of nightmares of what happened to his sister and nephew, "Tory, you should go home. Simi and them can keep an eye on you." Yep, he did not want her hurt at all because of this.
Itisha had immediately appeared in Styxx's room, "You know, I really feel like Polly was laughing at me making me wear black today. I should wear something red." Something that was more a figurative armor for herself than anything else. Hands trembled a bit as she shoved them into the black coat pockets. Eyes were a storming swirling silver as she forced herself to calm down.
"You know you can just make it red, right?" Styxx resists the urge to rub where a greave would set and smiles faintly at Mushu. "Ah. So, tell me about this new name." And take a moment to breathe.
"I was just going with suggested color scheme. I wasn't supposed to be attempted kidnapped. I was… trying to talk to Tory about… things." A frown as the goddess paced. A looked at her clothes that were just all black as she thought hard. The clothes could stay black, but she flicked a finger to give them a gold trim. The coat on the other hand shimmered into a blood red. Better.
A deep breath as she smiles at Styxx, "Sorry… thanks for reminding me. I forget I can do fancy things now. But yeah. New name. You know the swans that pull Lightbulb's chariot? One of them if not all of them are being held as ransom and somehow got this other swan convinced to try and kidnap me."
A glance over him and she frowned, "Want some spiffy battle garb? I mean, you are the squishiest out of us all. I could give you squishy-proof armor."
"Ah.." Poor thing. "It's alright. I may not be able to do any god tricks but I know how they work." Far too well. "Yeah.. That does sound like something he'd do. Probably plans on catching himself a new swan after too." Unless this Kyknos was very clever with his wording.
"A sword would be nice but armor's kind of pointless. It's not like I can die." Not unless someone kills Ash. That's seriously the only thing that could do it which really sucks when you want to die.
A small nod at that. Itisha was trying to remember to breathe. Did she have to go back? Yes… she did, "Sounded like it based on what I got out of what the agreement had been."
There was a withering look given to Styxx for a moment, "No, but not hurting tends to help the focus just a little bit. I would rather my friends to avoid as much pain as possible. I already feel bad for gathering the most volatile Bradey bunch ever to help me." As for a sword. She flicks her wrist and one of her own appear in hand. It had a sweeping design of fire set into the hilt with dark red leather wrapping the handle.
The blade was long, tapering at the end with etchings of dragons chasing each other set into its length. A moment later the sheath appeared and she slid it away and held it out to Styxx, "Can cut through dragon hide, so I imagine a god will not be as much of a problem. Especially as that one was made to deal with Olympian gods. I've been working on that one for a few months. Early birthday gift." And then she moves over to gently kiss his cheek and hold her free hand out to him, "Ready to go? I have a feeling I am going to have to punch calm into people."
"Well hopefully this swan is smart enough to realize that. Otherwise he's probably going to turn on us." And won't that be fun.
Yeah.. Somehow Styxx doesn't think telling Mushu that not hurting is stranger to him than hurting. This is the longest he's gone in a.. while without pain of some sort. Instead he just accepts the sword with a small dip of the head. "Thank yo- A birthday gift?" The last time he'd gotten such a thing.. Styxx grimaces at the memory and tries to hide it by strapping the sword in place at his hip. "Yeah."
"I… don't think he entirely planned on handing me over. I don't fully trust him, but my empathy doesn't often lead me astray either." Had to be confident in at least one of her abilities. That question and the emotions after make her still. Shit, "I am sorry, Styxx. I didn't mean to upset you." Well, that was clearly a sign of how things were going to go tonight. Gods help her not fuck this up more than usual. A move to rest her hand on Styxx before vanishing with him and appearing just after Tory threatened the lot em.
"Mm. Well here's hoping that holds true when he actually sees the ass." Because who knows what the god is doing to the other swans while he waits. Apollo has never been particularly good at waiting. "You didn't. You just.. surprised me. Thank you. Truly." The gift is lightly touched then Styxx is looking up at a new room. Filled with some rather cranky people.
"Well… everyone is alive at least." Itisha said as lightly as possible. Aaaand there came the panic and guilt. At least a little. Most of them had looks that could kill so the current radiation of emotion was guilt and exhaustion, "HEY. Save it for the lightbulb." Some days she wondered if it would just be easier to slit Apollo's throat and let the world end.
Kat rubbed at her head a little. Handling that beast first weren't they. A small wave at Styxx and Itisha before looking around. Seeing Styxx and her father in the same room was still weird. She motioned towards the table then looked at Styxx, "Want anything to eat? We are still waiting for food." Meanwhile she was moving to grasp Sin's arm and tug him to sit down with her. Sitting lessened the ability to try and kill each other. Right?
"Alive is good," he murmurs before shifting back to a corner well away from Ash, Nick, and the door as he waits to see where the others sit. No need to impose himself on them. Trying never went well for any of them anyway. Which makes him stare at Katra at the offer before shaking his head. "No thank you."
At least Ash looks somewhat subdued by the goddess he held. A pregnant Tory. Itisha had to stamp down her panic as she finally realized that bit. Why did no one warn her about that part? A deep breath and Itisha hoped food got up there soon. Meanwhile she looked them all over and walked forward with her coat dancing. The red felt safer than black to her, "All of you pull up a chair. Have a seat. Except these two. These two I want to talk to in the hall way. Please for gods sake if you have nothing nice to say, shut the hell up. I know most of you hate each other but please gods I don't want anyone beyond asshole to meet his end. I am really fucking tired of people dying. This includes swans that I have never met because asshole cannot get over his fucking hard on for me." If she didn't have children to come home to, she would risk freeing swans then with herself as currency.
Nick nearly snapped at all of them, but thought better of it. Especially trying to take deep breaths. Anger and so many emotions radiated from the shorter goddess as she went for the door. "I am not anyone's malachai." He said heatedly. A solid plop in a chair. How long would that apparently conversation take? As much as it pained him… maybe Ash was right. He was entirely the wrong person for this. Had to entirely be desperation for Itisha to look at him and think he was worth being a god on top of what he was. Could an active dark hunter BE Apollo's replacement? Wouldn't he deep fry from the inside out? An unconscious rub of his hand on his cheek. Itisha needed to pick someone else. Anyone else.
Ash wilted a little at a glare from his wife, "I'm sorry." He did mean that. He tried not looking to hard in his brother's direction. Still he couldn't help but frown at Styxx and then at Itisha. Talk with them. Maybe the few seconds out of the room would help him breathe again. Maybe. He… had forgotten that time he had with the dragoness and now he was trying to figure out why he ever forgot.
That time from when he met the odd dragoness to the moment she told him to go see Tory's seminar about Atlantis had been not even a whisper. The goddess had stepped back at just the right time for chaos to crash down around his ears when he had met Tory. His wife had become a forefront part of his life and… Itisha had simply been gone. Which had led him to wondering why in the world there were stars in Kalosis when once there had been none.
He knew vaguely Itisha had even gone as far as apparently to spend some time at Savitar's island. Something he had forgotten as soon as he stopped talking to Savitar about her. For a small bit he had actually forgotten about Itisha and forgot that he had… that was a realization that kicked him in the chest. Itisha had the ability to suppress memories, and she had made Tory the trigger to forget her and she must have made herself the trigger to actually remember her.
It took lifetimes for people to ever find a second person to love. Sometimes it was just the same people reincarnated. Suddenly he very much wanted to apologize to her. She knew. She knew Tory was going to happen and even warned him. He had been so sure he could never possibly love another person and then… gods he was such an idiot.
Kyknos huffs at Mushu's words and moves to claim a seat well away from Nick. "Can we please hurry up with this?" Because he doesn't want to think about what Apollo might be doing to entertain himself while he waits for Kyknos to return. Just having it brush his thoughts is enough to make him edgy and impatient.
Sin inclines his head to Styxx as he meekly follows his wife's guidance to a seat. Some battles just aren't worth it. Especially not when it pits you against three irritable goddesses.
Tory pats Ash's hand then moves to lightly kiss him. "It's alright, Achimou. Let's just find out what Mushu wants then we can try playing nice with the others again." A quick little smile at Ash then she opens the door to step back out, nearly running into Aimee in the process. With a startled eep she stumbles back a step which means she's no longer holding the door and it now may well smack poor Aimee who's burdened with the food filled tray.
Itisha hoped to the stars that the other swans would be okay. Then Kyknos could take them and run away. The assurance she did not screw up actually helped her feel better and the thanks gets her to smile at him, "You are welcome, Styxx." Itisha blinked at the sound Tory made and grabbed for the door and pulled it open wider while Ash grabbed and steadied Tory before she fell over, "Hey Aimee. Thank you for the food. I'll take it from here." She offers to take the serving tray from her. Yup totally delaying talking to the two. Entirely. Her panic was creeping up into her throat and making it hard to breathe. Someone else do this for her. Please.
Ash cringes at that name being used around others. Yet he kissed his wife back and snugs her, "Alright." Which made it almost funny when she nearly slams the door into Aimee and falls. When he catches her, he tilts his head, "Are you okay, babe?" Then a flicker at the ever panicking Itisha. Last time he saw her nearly melting down like that… "Itisha, are your kids alright?"
"Your kids… I mean… the kids. My and everyone elses' kids are fine." Itisha answers. That little slip now had about half the room staring at her.
Oh yeah, she was so ready to fight Apollo right now. Let's go. One on one. Fight Apollo. She could totally redirect her panic into that right now. If Aimee let them take the food, she would manage to squeak her way into the hallway and hold the door for Tory and Acheron, "Hey Aimee, could you um. Make sure for a moment there is no one in the hall. I mean I am going to make a fancy dancy privacy bubble, but you know um… privacy. Yeah."
After looking between the now seated men Styxx finds himself repressing a sigh as he moves to sit somewhere between Kyknos and Nick. Sin at least knows how to handle the former squire. Now to hope that Nick doesn't take this moment to dredge up his own past with the squire turned malachai. Of course with that particular little bit of babbling from Mushu odds are good he'll be distracted. Styxx certainly is as he stares at the white woman. 'Your kids'? Not her kids but your. As in Ash. Well shit.
Sin sighs after the kiss and resigns himself to playing babysitter for the new guy and the kid. And possibly Styxx. Still weird seeing another set of twins. Especially given one looks like a preppy boy with a sword stuck on. Of course when that little bomb drops he's staring just as badly as Styxx is.
Tory gives Ash an apologetic look and gratefully snugs herself against Ash. "Ookay. I think we need quiet time now." Without waiting for Aimee to manage more than peeking back in the room she all but drags Ash into the hall with an apologetic look to Aimee for nearly running her over. Again.
Aimee eyes the lot of them then throws up her hands. "Alright. Call if you all need anything else."
Kat doesn't need to stare, more like she cringes as she goes over to claim the food and sets the food down. Nope, did not need to add to the eyeballs on the poor dragon god. She knew because Itisha had told her. Had been trying to ask for advice. Katra knew about as much how to break such news as she did. All they knew was to avoid Artemis' method and preferably not after the kids were born. Instead she somewhat tried to help. Of course there was a wholly different issue to talk about too, but perhaps later was safer for that topic, "Well, at least Itisha's house is Sanctuary now. So it will be safe while we go fight the corrupt. I'll make sure your food stays warm, Tish."
Nick is staring at Itisha for a long while at that slip up and then staring hard at her hands. He didn't see anything, and Tory was pregnant so he wasn't sure how that worked out. Most of the mixed pairings were both sides were fuzzy in some manner, or the male side was fuzzy. Female fuzzy and the other not… he wasn't too sure on that. Though he turned his eyes on Styxx and had to stare for a long time. Eyes narrowing even as the three gods left the room. There was something eating at him as he stared at the other male, "So did the toner run out when you were born?"
Ash hugged Tory, but he was staring at Itisha. His kids? He was frowning and trying to keep his eyes from shifting colors right then. Quiet time. Right. A small nod towards Aimee then as he let the door close behind them before he said something to Nick that started a fight. They could all handle themselves. "We will, thank you, Aimee. I am sure we won't be here much longer after this." He waited for Aimee to starts heading downstairs and then watched Itisha flick her wrist and there was a shimmer of magic around them like a little dome.
Suddenly the sounds from downstairs were unable to be heard. Likely back room would be unable to hear them, "I didn't know you applied for sanctuary from Savitar, congrats." He says as lightly as possible. Itisha never had a problem meeting his eyes before. Usually she was far more relaxed and friendly. Of course that slip had him wanting to shake an answer out of her.
Itisha couldn't look at either of them. Instead she was watching in the direction of Aimee, "Thank you, Aimee, truly." She appreciated the effort.
Then a little nod at that part, "Yeah. I had found Savitar's island for a bit. Met Takeshi and was surfing out there for a bit. Savy is a grump, but a good people. He… expedited the application as it were." Yeah… she was delaying things too much. A rub of her hand on her bangs that were lose and she finally worked up the nerve to look at them both and drop the glamour on her hand and hold it up.
The sun much a part of Ash's symbol shone stark against white skin as well as the dragon silhouetted in its center, "I am starting this first by saying that I have never known two people more perfect for each other than you two. Which is to say I desperately do not want to fuck anything up, but I don't want to pull an Artemis and hide shit either. This showed up after you two…" She trailed off and shook her head. Itisha had suddenly claimed to need to take a trip the day Ash was meant to go to the seminar that Tory had been having.
"There is no actual bond between us, Acheron. Savitar made sure the mark only remained on me. I am guessing it never showed up on you. Fates probably too afraid to completely pull shit. It was enough of a mark to… cause…" She trailed off again.
Her throat was going tight, and she had to look away again. Even as Ash reached forward and took her wrist so he could stare at that mark better. So that Tory could see it better, as though trying to figure out if it was real. Itisha didn't pull away, but neither did she move. She went statue still as her panic spiked, "Before I had met either of you Apollymi had instructed me to make sure you both lived to meet each other. I was never ever supposed to… I never expected to…"
To love Acheron. Not lust after him, she was literally incapable of that, but she had truly fallen in love with the man.
It Itisha had know it would have happened, she would have ran far away and had someone else do it, "There is an egg. Twins in the egg if my empathy is right. I am not asking you to come care for it, or claim parentage. I am not asking for any of your time. You two have a family and should be able to dedicate yourselves to them. Gods know you two deserve it. I care about you both and just figured you two should know. I am leaving it up to you on what I do with it. Because if you truly do not want… other children, I can handle the rest."
That last part was said almost at a whisper. Her air felt choked off from her and her eyes burned. Ash had suddenly let go of her hand then and Itisha couldn't look up at them. Instead she looked at the floor, trying to keep from falling over at how weak her knees felt. Her words were soft, "I am sorry for ever making you feel like I lied to you, Tory. I didn't want you to get hurt. I knew the truth about Polly and Atlantis and I just… I wanted you to be able to meet him. He is wonderful and I can't not see you with him. Which is why I am also not asking either of you to come with me on this Lightbulb thing. You need to take care of each other for a while and know the world can function without you fighting for it 24/7. Apollo has done enough damage to you especially, Ash."
Tory resists the urge to poke at the new bit of magic, something made easier when Mushu shows them her palm. That has her staring like nothing else and when Ash pulls Mushu's hand closer she can't help but lean over to stare at it. "That's.." A shifter mark. Which she has definitely not seen on Ash. But that's his symbol. And an egg. A kid. Kids. Ash has kids.
"I think that kind of pales a bit in comparison to the whole kid thing," she says dryly. "And Itisha, I wouldn't suggest.. that to Ash again." A glance at Ash then she reaches out to almost timidly take Itisha's hand again so she can cautiously touch the sun with its three bolts bisecting it. "Don't these mean the people with them are mates?" That's.. That's something those stupid Fates do. "Ash. Sweety. I think we need to go explain things to the Fates." Like how those idiots aren't allowed to muck with any of their people like this. "And Itisha.. You're my friend but right now you need to take a breath so we can all think before we go destroy something." Mind, that would make her mother in law beyond happy but not a helpful thing right now.
Ash still couldn't speak, which made it easier for Itisha to try and find words to try and respond. She was waiting for the yelling, "It's a shifter mark. I am half shifter… never expected to get a mark ever…" She whispered softly.
"Pales… but it ties into part of… all this mess." A cringe. Shit. Right. Stupid suggestion, "I am sorry, Acheron." Her voice quiet. Breathing. She was forgetting how to breathe. How did she usually handle panic? Oh right… usually violently, "It does mean that, yes. But… I have the mark but no longer the hokus-pokus with it. Ash is not tied to me and nor I to him I just… kept the mark. Because I stupidly wanted something to remind me." Remind her that she found love at least once that wasn't her children.
There was a bitter and ragged laugh. Part of it shock, "Killing Sunshine McGee would actually be a great way to help redirect this panic right now. But… I think… Ash accidentally helped cause this one. He… he wished he could help me after some of my kids had died from being attacked. Bringing them back was not… something feasible. Fate and all that other stuff. But you know how a wish from the Final Fate can be…" Then her brain processed that one part and she finally looked at Tory inspecting her hand, "You… still consider me your friend? I thought you… wouldn't have wanted me to be given the whole ah… issue."
Lying? Withholding information? Dating and accidentally becoming mated to her future fated husband? "Gods I really wish polyamory was a common thing. This might be less awkward. Actually no, this would still be fucking awkward."
Ash made a strangled noise. He might have helped cause this somehow. Either he did it or the Fates were trying to "help" it. He didn't know. He was trying not to move or say anything that would make this worse. Instead he nearly clung to Tory as he watched her inspect Itisha's hand. Sun and bolts and a dragon. Itisha's own symbol was an interesting one given the god she was. A sun within a circle. She was a moon goddess first, but fire was still hers and it made the dragoness her own balance as a sun goddess as well. One able to create light in the darkness. Compassion was just an aspect she had along with it all.
"Talking to them seems like a good idea, but they might not live through that." He admits and watches the goddesses interact, "You wouldn't be able to ever destroy that egg if I told you too, would you?" He watched Itisha shake her head. Well… there was some relief there. He could feel her panic ebb a little less because she loved that egg. He could feel for the children not hatched yet. She loved her all of children and he could trust that. "Good. Don't. I think you would kill me and start the end of the world to protect your kids." Her kids. Not his. He wasn't sure he deserved to put a name on that yet.
If he wasn't destined to meet Tory… would this have upset him? That was part of what hurt. What had him angry. In a different world, this would have elated him. He would have been a nervous parent with her, helping pick out names and furniture for them. Listening to their thoughts and emotions.
"I should have listened to you, Itisha. You kept telling me that there was someone better than you waiting for me. That they would love me too. I didn't think anyone could love me before and now there are…" Two people. Gods. Gods help him. He moves and kisses the top of Tory's head and snugs her to him, "And you were right. I love her so much. And she loves me and I couldn't be luckier for my wife." Which made it hard to figure out where to go from there. "I… really don't know what to do about this, Tory." He admits. Ask her. She seemed a little more… able to process it. Hell he just wanted Itisha not to be so afraid to look at them.
Tory nibbles her lip as she studies the mark as if it might hold all the answers to this.. dilemma. Seriously, this is not a thing she'd ever expected to deal with. Mind you, she'd also never really expected to get married. Certainly not to the god of the place her family had spent lifetimes looking for. "You're still my friend, Itisha. This is just.. a lot." Out of nowhere. Always fun stumbling across those few blind spots Ash has.
"Well.. they may get a little bruised." And it'd serve the Fates right. "Okay.. We all agree no one's hurting the kids. And they're safe at your place." Still weird to think of kids and egg as the same thing but then she lives with two ghosts, a couple demons, and whatever the hell Urian is. Weird is her life now.
Tory sighs then smiles at Ash before finally releasing Itisha's hand. "I really don't either but.. we can sit down and talk after this bulb thing is settled. I promise I'm not going to blow up over you sleeping with someone well before meeting me. Same for you, Itisha." It'd just be stupid to get mad over them having had a relationship before her. Just weird as crap to have the ex pop up with the, 'by the way we have kids' line. Weirder yet that it's Itisha.
Itisha wasn't sure if she should hug the pregnant goddess or what. Instead she just remains still as Tory speaks, "I'm glad I… despite Polly asking me to keep an eye out for you. It never changed the fact that you became my friend." There was a little bit of a smile showing. Timid, but a smile. Seriously she expected a lot more anger. Panic was so not a rational thing. "Well, three fates. We can each pick one and punch em, hammer them, or whatever." She joked softly as she carefully cradled her hand to her chest a bit. Unsure what to do with it.
Of course there was a different issue of not just the whole sleeping together before thing, but emotions too. Itisha still.. bah she still loved the god. No idea if he did the same for her, she tried to focus more on every other emotion and the fact he did truly and completely love Tory, "After. I like after. Less worry that I am going to get… kidnapped… or the kids will get hurt in the process." Itisha frowned as she saw Kat suddenly knocking on her bubble and she vanished the bubble. She could hear the commotion from the room, "What- oh for fucks sake is that Nick?