:[ VDAY ]: Welcome Back Venus! The Afterparty

[musicaloner7]

Dylo'd been distracted for the majority of the party. While he was leaning against a far wall, watching the festivities, his mind was elsewhere thinking of Bryant. Daydreaming was a hobby of his, after all, his imagination vivid and like a creature of its own. Ah but some laughter managed to draw him back to reality for a moment, deep violet eyes blinking a few times to clear the clouds that'd veiled his gaze. Looking around at the numerous Pae mingling with the influence of his siblings arrows, he figured he should maybe pitch in a bit more. Loading up a fresh pair of the silver-tongue tipped arrows, he took aim at two individuals... though the second arrow nearly hit the first Pae again! Thankfully, it managed to skirt just past them, and hit a different target, where in which the deity gave a little sigh of relief, chuckling faintly to himself. Phew.. that was a close one. Too much flattery was bad for anyone.

wolfs heart

Bastet's been hit by one of Dylo's arrows! They'll have the ability to flatter anyone they please, now.

Strawberri Stardust

Ruaidhri's been hit by one of Dylo's arrows! They'll have the ability to flatter anyone they please, now.

 

[Teigra]

When she echoed his brother's question back at them, Erasmus realized she'd been listening to their conversation far longer than he thought...well before she'd made her appearance known! But...he'd been keeping an eye out for anyone near them! How had she overheard? Unless...

...she could become invisible too!

Who knew what all these gods could do? The possibilities were endless if they were so powerful! And if they had some fraction of that...

He wanted so badly to blurt out now, OMG can we turn invisible and spy on people too?!? He could think of a few useful incidents when that would be handy.

Then, his thoughts screeched to a halt at his brother's response. That's right, he was getting carried away again. This wasn't what was important. Fun, but not important. While this was all really fascinating and all to be learning stuff from the grumpy lady, it wasn't why they'd originally come here. They knew at least who their father was technically...they'd met the flexing guy at the carnival and their mother had explained who he was later. They'd had it confirmed that he was some kind of god by the spear lady. Even if they didn't know where he fit into this weird family, well...maybe that was enough. Pursuing this further when there were more pressing concerns was nothing but selfish.

"Ack! Dude! Watch the hair!" He 'fell' dramatically against his twin at the tug, wincing and reaching up to swat his hand away. Only after he was freed, he sat back up and smoothed his locks back down before picking up with his own response to the silver lady. "Yeah, like Amatus said, this is all very cool and all, but it's not why we came here. We weren't looking to find a new family or anything. We got a pretty awesome one already. It's just...missing someone."

He looked down at his hands, much more somber than his earlier demeanor may have suggested. "Everyone's been looking for her for a really long time, but she's just...gone. We weren't really supposed to come here, but we figured that if anyone knew where she might be, maybe the gods would. And maybe, if we could find her...our family could get back to the way it used to be..."

He looked up at the goddess again. "So...if you know anything about her, could you tell us that? And if not, we really should get back to looking for her."

Twitchapher the 3rd

Irish Night Fox

 

[Daisicle]

Why couldn't Luminita just stop?

Yes, she had enjoyed and continued to enjoy her movements each and every way just slightly off the rhythm. Yes, it was really very much fun. Indeed it was. But, she had had her fun and was ready to just stop and continue on with life in the normalist sense she was acquainted with.

If the bugs would let her.

Until then, her dance with Esmee continued.

Perhaps they were meant to dance in another way? What if that would end the urge?! Her eyes widened as she turned to repeat her revelation to her friend. "What if we are dancing wrong and that is why the bugs won't let us stop?" It was as reasonable a theory as any.

Eyes back on the boys and the new group about them, her arms moved in front of her and her body rocked on her heels. She turned her head, listening carefully. "Something about... playing a game... extremely...? I think." That seemed an odd way to spend the evening, not that she was really in a position to comment.

Seiana_ZI

Esmee

 

[Seiana_ZI]

Dancing wrong? Brilliant!

Wait.

"Then how is one supposed to dance?" She glanced over her shoulder at the other and gave her a quite serious look, rather confused. If this was wrong, what was right? She didn't know how to dance any other way! They were dancing together, right?

Esmée's baffled brain attempted to puzzle this out, but she was so tired out that she easily became distracted with what her children were talking about instead. Yes! Science! This was more important than her awkward shifting dance she was trying to do with Luminița.

Playing games extremely? "How does one play extremely?" That suddenly became the most important question.

Well, that and, "What kind of games are they playing?"

Daisicle

Luminița

 

[shadica]

Upon hearing that she was just checking on the kids, Noir felt relived and let another smile onto his face. "Oh, have they?" He asked curiously hearing her say that they had made a friend. His smile got bigger when she moved a bit and he saw the children and their new friend. "Looks like they have." He agreed glad that arc seemed to be making a friend.

Feeling a sharp sting on his shoulder and winced a little. "A ah what.." he stuttered out in confusion. "I I don't know love" he responded just as a golden thread appeared between them and seemed to disappear. Then suddenly as the gold string vanished he felt.closer to Ruzeh than he had before. It was almost as if he could feel just how happy she was and how much she loved him.

He held her close as they kissed. His heart swelled with joy as she told him that she was happy they had met. "I am so grateful to have you.

Strawberri Stardust

Lazuryt broke into a huge smile as her brother spoke to their new friend. She watched as Zaba sat down and grabbed one of the treats, Like her brother she was curious as to where their new friend lived. Nibbling on her snack she was unaware that their parents had been watching them and their new friend.

Strawberri Stardust

shicala

 

[Teigra]

Far below the party, in the depths beneath the temple, the atmosphere was far less lively, far less celebratory. The only dim light came from the few torches scattered through the catacombs. A number of frilly, ornate cages had been moved down into the catacombs recently, all looking completely out of place in the dreary underground passageways. They had been separated as well, none within the sight of the others, far enough that even calling distance was strained at best. Isolation. Darkness. And yet, in the dim light there was, the decorative frilly cages seemed to mock their occupants within rather than encourage.

At least they were being fed. The tiny cherubs patrolled the passageways, delivering food and water, but fearfully avoiding the captives when they could. None had forgotten the brave fallen heroes of battle. Kyle had delivered quite a moving eulogy at the memorial service.

One such cherub warily set a plate down near a cage, eyes locked on the huddled form at the back. The plate had some roasted meat, decoratively plated with parsley and carved vegetables...because even prisoners needed to appreciate the beautiful things in life. At the first sign of movement, he scrambled back and took to the air in alarm.

The figure halted, curling back into the shadows with only a pair of blue eyes peering out of the darkness.

"...Could I ask you something?"

The cherub halted at the pitiful tone, wary and distrusting, yet...this one had remained reasonably docile since being captured. A question could be relatively safe, depending... "...What?"

The lithe form shifted in the shadows, but didn't move forward to alarm the cherub further. She kept her distance, slouched against the opposite cage wall, one hand wrapped around the bars as she looked out mournfully.

"My children. Are they...are they ali--" Her voice broke for a moment, then she hurriedly corrected her word choice with, "Are they...okay?"

The cherub ceased his panicked fluttering, slowly coming to rest on the floor again. He frowned deeply, then seeing no harm in answering the question given her obvious grief, replied, "They're fine. Confined like you, no better no worse."

The shadowy form relaxed visibly, turning her eyes back to the resting cherub which narrowed in a smile. "Thank you. You are...too kind." She had been behaving herself...remained reasonably docile after the pink princess had returned to reclaim her temple. She had ceased fighting, choosing life over certain death.

She had not been so foolish as to flaunt her blessing from the dark goddess before its time.

It was time.

Instinct guided her to aim for the cherub's eyes. Shielded by the darkness, she opened her mouth, fangs bared as the neuro-toxin flowed forth and was swiftly shot towards her target. Bullseye! The cherub barely had time to squeak in surprise and reach for his face before he fell next to the cage, twitching, but unable to move otherwise. Easily close enough that the naga empress could slither to that side of the cage and use her tail to retrieve a key from around the foolish creature's neck. The lock fell away and she slid from the open door to freedom like liquid shadow, coiling around the cherub in the process. She really preferred her own hunting to being fed like some pet.

Once fed, she had other business to attend to.

The vibrations from the party above easily reached the Naga below. The freed empress allowed herself a slow grin before slipping back into the shadows.  

[Teigra]

A silvery-blue figure slipped into the ballroom and skirted around the edge towards Venus' throne. The huntress' expression was tense, as was her grip on her bow. Her eyes scanned the room, pausing on a face now and then. Her hooves tapped lightly over the marble floor, carrying her easily towards the ornate throne.

Artemis bounded up onto the dais, and without hesitation, leaned over to whisper something hurriedly in Venus' ear. The exchange only took a few moments, involving lots of hushed, terse tones and frowns. Then, the hunting goddess straightened up, nodded briefly to the other goddess, then bounded away again with bow firmly in hand.
 

[Seiana_ZI]

Did he hear his mother?

Nervously, Alister looked over his shoulder, nearly jumping out of his skin when he saw Esmée and her new assistant, whoever that was, looking straight at them. No! How had they found them again?!

His eyes drifted over to Lisandru's bubbles.

Ah. Those. Of course.

Still, it was most definitely Time To Hide. Though they hadn't gotten the agreement from Prisma quite yet, Alister clapped enthusiastically. "Well, that's settled! Close your eyes and count up to fifty!" He really felt like he was talking to a little kid, but if it threw his mother and her assistant off him, it was good enough for him.

Lisandru had to agree -- no being followed around, please. He didn't come to this party willingly anyway, but he really didn't come to be followed around by Mom and Her Assistant. Where had she found someone willing to deal with her, anyway? Mom tended to chase off her assistants pretty fast, unless they were that penguin familiar of hers--

Right, hiding! Lisandru nodded to Alister, and they both took off in different directions to hide.

Fea Line

Prisma

 

[Fea Line]

Awww, another friend had left! Now it was back down to three... But still better than two! And she had her favey fav friend and his twinny twin! "Okay! I can count extremely!" she smiled, whirring around to face her back towards them and plaster her hands to her face.

"One! Tweo! Threesies! Fouwdy! Faiv! Sixthhtht extremely!" she started counting out loud, wings twittering in anticipation until she got to Fiftwy extremely. When she fiiiiiiinaly got there in her strange Prisma tongue, she spun right around and began looking for Mister Lisandru and Mister Twinny Twin in the most.... Prisma places to look.

She darted over to the punch bowl and lowered her head till her nose just about touched the punch and shouted. "ANY TWINZ HERE EXTREMELY?" When she was met with ripples of the punch bowl and no purple face she flitted off to check else where.

She looked high. She looked low. She looked behind columns, under tablse, in pae's hair, on the dance floor, she even marched right up to the pretty pink lady Venus herself. "Hi pretty pinky pink lady So glad to see you back extremely!" she cooed before lifting up the edge of her dress.....and then paused. "Oh Silly Prisma, they wouldn't be under there!" she giggle snorted, waved to Venus then skipped off to continue her search.

Seiana_ZI

Lisandster

FA Venus

Sosorrynotsorry

 

[Amasis]

In the midst of the party, in the midst of the talking and dancing and festivities, there was a jarringly loud disturbance near one of the side entries into the room. The area was shadowed, so it was very difficult to see what had caused the problem. What was very visible, however, was a decoration, a large statue of a reclining figure, now lying on the floor, parts of it broken off and scattered around. Some of the pieces skipped across the floor like pebbles, resting at the feet of various individuals in the immediate vicinity. There was very obviously someone standing there, however, as the light glinted in places off their figure.

As if unsatisfied with the reaction smashing the statue had gotten, there was another glint as the figure raised their arm and slammed their sword against the wall. This made a very distinctive, very loud clanging sound, the echoes of it reverberating off the walls and ceiling in the room. It was a sharp noise, and the noise that immediately followed it was even worse. The blade dragged down the wall, making a horrendous grating screech. Still very little of the individual was visible, but flame-colored eyes stared balefully out at the others in attendance.

"Venus."

A deep, distinctly masculine voice. Rocks rolling downhill, the dull roar of fire.

"Venus."

This time, her name was tinged with palpable irritation. It seemed for a second like the shadows where he stood darkened further. There was aggravation in the tapping of the sword point against the wall it had just scraped down. Each tap, tap, tap itself seemed tense, angry. Whoever this was, they knew Venus. Whoever this was, they were not happy.

Frustration, a short temper evident in, "Venus." as the figure stepped forward out of the shadows and into the light of the room. Those fiery eyes glanced back and forth as if wary of any attempts to continue what had drawn him there in the first place, the sounds of battle. His focus, however, invariably returned to Venus as he strode forward several paces.

"What are you doing?"  

[Seiana_ZI]

Holding the hot chocolate in his hand, Anteros took a calm sip, happy to enjoy the evening with his Yukiko in the peaceful temple of love.

Of course, that was until he heard something shatter.

His brows lifted, and he immediately went on the defense, one hand falling from the hot chocolate onto the hammer that was kept at his side. Who was disturbing their party?! This was their celebration! He would end any disturbances to this loving peace immediately.

... Well.

Not if they were his father.

Stunned, Anteros' hand dropped from his hammer, and his other nearly dropped his hot chocolate as well.

"Dad?"

The same words came out of Eros' mouth, his busybody suddenly stopping in place as he watched his father make what was quite possibly the most dramatic entrance he had seen in a long time. Perhaps Ares and Venus did not always have their relationship in common, but they certainly always had the same flair for drama in common.

The poor cherubs that were going to have to clean up that shattered statue mess, though--

He turned to Psyche, in disbelief, and pointed forward at Ares, as if she couldn't see that God of War with her own eyes. God of War. His father. In the flesh. At one of their parties. He must have been really unhappy with his mother at the moment. Eros bit down on his lip, glancing over to the buffet table, before cautiously going a bit closer to the action.

Though out of the way of any sword-swinging Ares might start doing.

show spoilerhide spoiler

Strawberri Stardust

Yukiko

 

[Fea Line]

Adonis had been busy most of the party prepping himself to be worthy of the eyes of Venus, and any possible party goers what with the anger and obvious displeasing glances she was giving him recently. His luxurious golden locks brushed back and flowing down his back. His skin soft, oiled, shiny. He had spent several long moments in front of a mirror before he had decided he was fit for viewing pleasure.

Venus was sure to love him, how could she resist these pecks? These flexs?

With one last wink at his own reflection, the god strutted off towards the temple, a spring in his step, pink loincloth billowing in the soft breeze about his person.

Oh!

How cowardly! How cruel!

Shot in the back! Repeatedly! Arrows protruded beneath the luscious golden locks and one tiny one from his regally oiled buttock. Blood trickled down mixing with the oils as he staggered into the temple, reaching out for Venus. Seafoam eyes wide and sparkling in pain and misery. "Venus!" he shouted, trudging on, on past the sword swinging pae, pulling forward. He had to....he had to reach her..... his love....... Venus....

"My love.... help....me..." he gasped, falling to his knees at the foot of her throne, one hand still grasping upward towards her as his magnificently built body slowly slunk to the floor. His muscles twitched and contracted, the light fading from his sight. It was over. It ended like this, he could feel it. But he would go down looking fabulous! "I am..... done." he whispered dramatically, his body tightening in one last glorious flex, buttocks firm in a last ditch effort to snap the tiny arrow's shaft in half, leaving the pointed tip stuck in the flesh of his behind.

And with that, it was over as Adonis lay motionless on the floor.  

[Seruta]

Sombra was... well, to say the least, he was not amused by the party at this point. It was a good idea, in theory... however, those that he had seen so far had been far from intriguing to his true purpose for being here.

He sighed deeply, leaning back in the seat to listen in further to more chatter he could catch about this battle that was won earlier that day. He did take notice to the Host's subtle smiles of irritation towards a particular pair of boys. Both identical save for a few minor differences.

"This party is growing dull. Perhaps we should consider venturing home, my Kitten..." he trailed, still hoping to catch a glimpse of something worth their trip...

He had little time to ponder on this, however. The sound of breaking stone turned his attention to the entering warrior. A faint grin cracked onto his lips. This one proved far more promising than the rest... Yes.... but did he contain the right kind of spark?

Wanting to see this new turn of events unfold to fruition, he lifted a hand, stroking Ra'Tari's head and hair as he watched the show. A brow raising softly as another came in riddled with arrows.

'This is becoming my kind of party!' he thought to himself with a silent cackle.

He leaned towards Tari's ear, whispering softly. "Though, I suppose we can stay a bit longer..."

Fea Line

Tari

 

[Twitchapher the 3rd]

Phaenna couldn't help but raise a brow at their question. A...Grub child? She sadly shook her head. "We've dealt with many different types of children after these parties, but I have never heard of one of your description. I am sorry but I don't believe anyone here can help you with that." She thought for a moment. "I suppose your only choice of action is to go to her last seen area and start from there." Missing children. There was some grave news. She'd have to talk to mother later.

And it was in that moment that everything started to go wrong. Very wrong. Phaenna spun around at the sound of the statue hitting the floor, a strange man entered and he was pissed. Very pissed. Phaenna's eyes darted to her siblings and she saw the disbelief in his face...Was that really...

"Boys...Maybe you should leave." Phaenna's voice had become small, scared. Then Adonis stumbled in and...Oh dear...

She turned to the twins, her face was panicked and she once again spoke in a small, hush tone to them. "Please...You two need to leave...Please go home." She tried to fan her wings out slightly to hide the sight of their fallen father. Oh mother what was going on?

Teigra

Irish Night Fox