The City of Gods

There weren't many things that unnerved Cordelia. When she realised she was being stalked by a man who held a gun in the 70s, she hardly blinked an eye and encouraged the man to shoot her, just to see his reaction. When she was almost arrested in the 90s, she didn't react with any anger or panic, but let the whole thing play out until she was, obviously, handed her freedom before it went further than a warning.

Yet this situation almost immediately made her sit up straight with a look of panic. She had never worried about the other Gods coming to look for them. When they left, she fell under the belief that they would just move on with their lives and forget about them, effectively banishing them from their memory. In no way did she think they would spend decades tracking them down and sending someone to look for them, which did result in her glancing at Daeron with some genuine fear. If they were going to send a God to find them, she knew they wouldn't just send some weakling. However weak and young Daeron seemed, Cordelia was well aware that he had to be a relatively big name-- which he was. Daeron was a big name back home... even if most people only knew of him through stories and myths. He may have been bullied into going, but he was partly chosen because he could handle himself and defend himself, should he need to.

"...You're talking crap. You haven't got a clue," she decided to blurt, trying to regain her composure once realising fear had splashed her expression. "I don't even know who you are. Ronny? I haven't... heard of anyone called Ronny back Home. He's talking bullshit, Proteus, calm down."
 
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Clutching the handle of the coffee cup right, he. Ringed when he heard it snap. Peeling the broken ceramic handle off, he carefully set it down and shot the waiter an apologetic smile. He was trying his hardest to stay calm, but even his amazing acting skills couldn't hide his light shaking.

"... So what do you want from us. Money? Gifts? What do we have to do for you to leave us alone?" He questioned softly, while his hands absently moved to his lap.
 
Quietly pulling his hood back up once deciding he felt more comfortable with it up, the God made a tired effort to rub his dark eyes before halfheartedly smiling at the offer. He had no intention of blackmailing anyone, even if the opportunity was almost too good to turn down, given how much hassle this whole ordeal was. He wasn't that bad of a person, which is why he quietly declined, but the desperation the two were under was... amusing, really. He didn't want to be feared or dreaded, but it was a nice change from their attitude. He was used to people fearing him, that was his whole gig really, as the God of Death, so it was at least a feeling of normalcy when seeing them look at him so nervously.

"...I don't want anything. I don't want to be here. I want what you want. I just... I want to be able to do my own thing without interference. Granted, I want to do that at Home, in the mountains, away from all of this," he continued, his stereotypical hunched posture now returning in his shyness. "...I'm Daeron. You probably realise I don't want to be here, this is... I'm just pissed off they made me come here, so... so I suggest you move and I can pretend I arrived here too late. I don't want to get banished. I just want to go home and be alone and--"

"No you're not. This is a bunch of lies, isn't it? Who set you up to do this? One of Proteus' siblings? They're all assholes," snapped Cordelia, her fear manifesting itself into anger the moment she heard the name. She'd heard of Daeron of course. Hell, as a child, a few older Gods delighted in telling the younger kids that Daeron was a monstrous villain who'd killed thousands of humans and drank them dry. Rumours like that had spread like wildfire about the God, so for Cordelia to learn he was just some kid who didn't get out much? It was... hard to accept, really. "Oi, Proteus. I'm not moving. I'm staying here. This asshole-- he's bluffing, clearly."
 
"Cordelia, he might be right. This guy has been living out in the middle of nowhere for centuries, why would he be here unless it was something important?" Proteus whispered nervously, while locking his head on the table. "I... Maybe it's for the better, Cordelia. You wanted to go back to Spain, right? You could bring your girlfriend along and we could start life over. We've moved before, yeah? It's no big deal!"
 
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"She isn't my fucking girlfriend--"

"You do know that they're thinking of banishing one of you, don't you? They're thinking of sending the other one to some fancy imprisonment chamber they've created. I mean... look, you're talking to a guy who likes being alone and going against what they want, I understand. I'm not an asshole, I... you know of me, right? I... like being alone, it's my thing, but... look, I don't think running is going to solve anything," he admitted whilst subtly eyeing Cordelia's breakfast, and smiling gratefully when she pushed the plate of waffles across to him - she was hardly going to say no to a guy she thought was a maniacal monster, was she? "They sent me hear to... flirt with you, actually. Try and get you to lower your guard, but I was obviously useless at that-- look, what I'm saying is that... they're going to leave you alone for a few months if they think... that I'm still in on the plan, you know? They're tracking you. If they see you suddenly left LA, they'll get suspicious, and... and you could have a few months to plan things if you kept me around. They wouldn't be suspicious and--"

"And what is it you want us to do for you? I don't want you around us, you're fucking weird," snapped Cordelia, though her insult was only a way of trying to mask her fear and anger. She understood just what Daeron was getting to, and if she was calmer, she would find the gesture cute, really. "So we keep you around for, what, five months, buy ourselves time. Then what? I-- oh god, they're gonna come and take us back, right?"
 
"Cordelia!" Proteus hissed, though knew that her insults and slurs were at least out of fear, rather than just downright cruelty. Turning to the God, the blue-haired man's lips pursed slowly. "Daeron, we can't go Home. We're a lot like you, you know? We don't belong there. This is where Cordelia and I fit in. My father needs to realize that. I'm... I'm not special, and Home is better off without me. I can't speak for Cordelia's parents, but I know that they don't need me. Dee, they're going to find us. Would you rather be locked up somewhere back Home, or exiled without me? I... I-I think we should do what he says. We move somewhere new, pretend that Daeron was oblivious, and just continue on. I don't want to be away from you."

Now, this could be seen as another romantic moment, though in reality, it showed that their close bond was pretty much destined. Clutching the Goddess' hand, he offered a wary smile. "Please? I don't want to be alone, away from you."
 
"...So you're going to accept his help? I... fine. But I swear, if he gets annoying or if he insults me, I want him gone. Get that, weirdo? You can stay for a month, just so those losers up there don't get suspicious, but then you go Home and say that you have no idea where we've gone. We'll head off somewhere new and... and you can go back ripping the heads off little kids again--"

"I don't do that, I... who said I do that? Is that what they say about me?" Daeron grimaced, sinking further down in his seat and, with the latest rumour about him reaching his ears, he subtly tugged his hood over his head a little more, as if that could block out just how shitty he felt about himself at that moment. It wasn't a new feeling, sadly, but one that just grew a little more and more with each passing day and the new insults they brought. "Hm... A month should... it'll be fine. They gave me a few months to work down here, so... so in a month, I'll go back and spin the story that you just... disappeared on me. Y-Yeah, that's... it's fine, that'll work... I won't be a nuisance at your home, by the way. I'll... I'll just lock myself in a room and.... that'll be fine. They just need to track me and realise I've moved into your place, so... so they think I'm actually trying to do what they say. I don't want to get banished. I hate it here. Humans are... I dislike them greatly."

"Clearly," drawled Cordelia, resting her face on her hand whilst trying to gather herself together again, though knowing a God back Home was probably tracking their movements right now was hardly relaxing. "...You aren't hanging out with us outside of the house. It'll ruin my reputation to be seen with you."
 
"He obviously doesn't eat people, Dee. He's... He's weird, yeah, but he's not a murderer. Jeez..." Proteus scolded awkwardly, before moving to try and diffuse the tension. Taking a napkin carefully, he dabbed the spot of spilled coffee. "Look, I think this could work. We have plenty of rooms, Dee. He could stay in whichever one, and we could keep to ourselves, right? You like books, right, Daeron? I'm not a big fan of human literature, but I've made sure to fill the bookshelves with books I've found here and there. For appearances, you know? Cordelia and I can keep doing our whorish lifestyle, and you can do whatever you want. You can use the pool and stuff, but from your skin, it looks like you don't go out for more than a half hour a day."

Hoping the last part would register as trading, his glances towards Cordelia were still pretty wary, "This'll be fine. Everything will be fine."
 
"It's only for a month so they think I've actually been trying to seduce you. I don't know why they didn't just send one of the others, I'm hardly... romantic. I haven't even been kissed and, no offence, I don't want my first kiss being with someone I was deceiving and tricking. Not that I want to ever be kissed, it's utterly disgusting," drawled Daeron as he silently let the two share their wary glances, because he really didn't share their worry. At the end of the day, as bad as banishment would be, he would get over it eventually-- and it would at least stop him being pestered and bullied into pathetic tasks like this.

"...You do know I'm the God of Death, don't you? I'm... I'm hardly going to be a cheery, upbeat sort of guy. How about we switch, huh? How about you be me, for one day, and put up with the shit I have to put up with on a day-to-day basis. I hear people dying in my head, every second of the day. I... I hear the people who are dumb enough to have left unfinished business in their living lives, and who are wandering about trying to resolve it. It isn't... it's not fun having a constant cacophony going on up here," he suddenly muttered with a brief tap of his head, taking offence to the comment about his very pale appearance. "I... I can't just relax. I get that I'm not fun and I'm not drop dead gorgeous, but I deal with a lot of shit you don't understand-- I'm one of the old Gods. I'm ancient, really. Give me a break, huh? I've dealt with this shit for thousands upon thousands of years, so... so come on, lay off, 'kay? Aha..."
 
"Well, you are sort of cute," Proteus admitted, while taking in another glance at the man. "You're not my usual type, but you definitely don't have the skills to seduce anyone. If anything, I would love to seduce you," He cooed, if only teasingly. "Alas. Maybe they should have sent another God, I wish I could have at least had some fun before being whisked back Home."
 
Despite that being the only compliment he'd really been given his whole life, it didn't do much to wipe the genuinely hurt frown from his face. He wasn't heartless, and while he often didn't let things bother him, the fact he was already stressed out with the situation meant his ability to just knock away insults had been severely affected.

"...And you're sort of a prick," he mumbled under his breath, resting his head on his hand and offering a now hard, nonchalant flare. "I mean, you aren't that handsome either, by the way. You're confident, sure, but you aren't drop dead gorgeous."
 
"I'm a whore, not a prick." He reminded, though, despite his cocky response, his smirk did fade a tad. Drifting his eyes to Cordelia, he then sat up slowly and rummaged through his pocket to pay for Daeron's coffee.

"I'm going to head home. I'm tired, and I need a nap, plus the coffee isn't helping. Cordelia knows the way, she can show you." He stated flatly, before cracking his back.
 
"Oh, hell no. Take the fucking barrel of laughs with you, I'm going to see Rosie," muttered Cordelia swiftly, desperate to avoid the possibility of having to spend more time with Daeron. While she could see he was essentially harmless, he still freaked her out, and he definitely dragged her energy down. Besides, the last thing she wanted was to be seen by the paparazzi with him and be linked with him romantically - that would be embarrassing and downright disgusting as far as she was concerned. She knew that she would have to abide his company through the month... but she could also avoid him at times, and this was one time where she knew she didn't have to spend time with him, and really didn't want to. "Go on home with Proteus, doll. He can settle you in."

"...I'd much rather be in your company than hers. As irritating as you can be, Proteus, you're at least easy to talk to. Your friend is a royal pain in the ass." Daeron continued, getting to his feet and seeming as desperate to avoid Cordelia's company as she was with him. Adjusting his hoodie quietly, he shoved his hands into his pockets and did genuinely try to offer across a smile. "...You could show me those books? I... I just want to read and have a nice bed to lie in."
 
"If you're going to stay with us, there needs to be some rules, okay? You may be our elders, but this is our house and our city. Cordelia may be afraid of you, but I'm just learning that you're a jerk." He reminded, hiding his urge to scowl with a blank face. Taking the man's hand and leading him to the alleyway, he did properly transport them both to the steps of the expansive home.

"For starters, no shoes inside. Even in the heat of one of my whorish make out sessions, I make sure to tell them to take off their shoes. Got it?" He asked, while casting the other a side-glance.
 
"...No shoes, that's... that's fine, yeah," he began slowly, his tone clearly distracted as he absently removed his shoes, his attention far more focused on his surroundings. He knew the home would be fancy and luxurious, and incredibly expensive... and not at all to the other's taste. He didn't like ostentatious, brash, in-your-face things, and this house was as brash as you could get. Saying that, he did at least smile at the art decorating the walls, and he did at least like the colour patterns chosen.

"You can fuck who you want to. I really don't care. Would I go around doing that? No, but I'm a miserable freak who you all apparently thought ate fucking kids and had eight legs or whatever. I'm hardly going to have sex with people. Other Gods hate me and humans around here are into tanned, tall, muscular guys."
 
"Sounds like you're more scared to than you are disgusted by it," Proteus noted as he hung up his jacket and let his body stretch. "I mean, I'm not very tan myself. Unlike Cordelia, I'm not much of a sunny day type of guy, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to go out on the town and enjoy myself. I would say that people like me, but you said yourself that I'm not even much to look at anyway," he murmured, before wandering to the side, into one of the many rooms. Inside it was the promised library, the walls lined with shelves holding various books and little knick-knacks Proteus had picked up despite Cordelia's taunts. Right in the center, dividing the bookshelf, was a fireplace with a couch facing it and two side tables.

"Before phones were a thing, I used to be in here all the time. You can do whatever you want in here, I guess. Just don't, like... burn the books or whatever. They're all pretty old, so I don't want them being set ablaze because you get mad or whatever. There are other rooms, but I thought you'd want to see this one first," he explained honestly, as he folded his arms over his chest with a frown.
 
Except, rather than retorting with a smartass comment or sarcastic, unimpressed drawl that had become characteristic for him at this point, Daeron stared around at the cases of books in genuine delight. It was probably the first time he'd shown an emotion other than boredom and disgruntlement, though it was hardly surprising. His whole life had often been spent on his own with a book for company, and they were the onyl real source of comfort he'd ever had, so of course he was going to feel comfortable in around them. It did help that the setting was cosy and, for the month he was going to be here, he already knew he'd be in this room for most of that time.

"No, it's... it's actually beautiful," he breathed quietly, reaching to take a book and, whilst holding it close to his chest, finally allowed his genuine grin to show. "I mean... I live in a literal cave, so this... it's so nice, I... I don't see why you'd even leave the house if you have a place like this."
 
"I've read all of them already, and there's no room for more books," he replied simply as he eyed the God curiously. "Remeber, I've been here for 50 years now. I know it's surprising, but I haven't spent those years just fucking anyone who'd look at me. I have other hobbies, surprisingly. You act as if I'm just some one-dimensional whore."

Taking a flop onto the couch, he skimmed the spines of the books he had collected and, of course, read. Glancing over at Daeron, he tried to offer an encouraging smile. "It's actually really annoying."
 
"But it's totally fine for your friend to insult me. That's okay because that's her personality and that's just how she is and it's my fault for taking it seriously, right? I expect you to defend your friend, but let's not pretend she's an angel. They hate her up there, back Home. They hate you too. Not as much as me, though. I still hold the record of being the one they detest the most, and I doubt you can take that accolade from me," he retorted in an attempt to be playful, though he was incredibly wooden in his delivery, so much so it came across as a serious remark. He wanted to show that he could be more than just the moody, sullen kid he was portrayed as-- but his severe lack of socialising skills worked against him most the time.

"It's annoying that people spread rumours about me, but you shrug it off. I made a remark, I apologised for it, and you're still using it against me. I suppose that's to be expected form one of you younger Gods, hm? You know, your father once threatened to banish me to earth himself because I called him an egomaniac," he drawled softly, resting back in an armchair with a delighted sigh. "He's an awful man, your father. He's never liked me."
 
"He doesn't like anyone," Proteus grunted as he sank further into the couch. "He's a shitty person who only cares about himself and my mother. He only cares about me because I left, and he didn't banish me. Now he's probably all up in arms because he's embarrassed. Plus, the fact that all of those losers couldn't find us for fifty years? How sad?"

As he drawled on, the God did grow more aggravated by the second. The thought of his father, and just how negligent he was in raising him, only caused the younger man's fists to clench. Getting to his feet, he took in a sharp breath and glanced down at Daemon. "I'm going to bed. You can find the rest of the house on your own."
 
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