Apollo

Broken, bloody, burned and battered, Apollo had taken counsel with the Titans trapped far beneath the Earth-- his blindness granted him bravery to confront the giants of primordial time; even they were struck by the former Sun God's boldness in demanding the whereabouts of the parents of the usurper, Helios.

It was ironic to say the least that they should dwell so very close to home-- the Titans knew not the new names nor the new cities that had been built up and torn down hundreds upon thousands of times since their imprisonment, but they seemed to be in agreement that the place for Apollo to look first was a spring that bubbled very near to Zancle, these days known as Messina.

So, Italy it was-- Apollo and Hyacinthus fought their way out of Tartarus and the Underworld both, daring not to look back for fear of the loss of the other. They rested little, determined to cut short this sentence of near-mortality; to the winding streets of Messina in search of the innocent Titans-- it was a place of dizzying modernity bound with Gothic architecture honoring saints and the God of the last two thousand years.

And yet, in the Cathedral square, stood a fountain dedicated to one of the most cherished of Greek heroes: Orion. It was some sort of cruel joke, really-- Apollo had so despised him for coveting his sister and yet, Zeus had placed him amongst the stars.

However, what was so very stunning about this place was not the juxtaposition of cultures nor the sardonic monument, but a fair woman seated on the edge of the fountain, waiting. The light reflecting off the water seemed to make her skin sparkle; or perhaps it was the other way around-- she saw the beautiful Spartan prince lead his blinded companion toward her and sat, quiet and pensive, waiting to be noticed. Her son had taken of that which he did not deserve-- and now, she and Hyperion would be the ones to right his wrongs.

For she was Theia, the far-shining Titaness of sight and glory.

Υάκινθος.

Θα με οδηγήσετε κάτω σε Τάρταρος.

Πρέπει να πάμε σε λίμνη.

"Hyacinthus.

You will lead me down to Tartarus.

We must go to Avernus."

Apollo's vacation had been going well-- he and Hyacinthus had taken advantage of the boy's holiday from school and took time to relax on Olympus; they traveled here and there, but never for too long; they hunted, they watched movies, delighted in each other; all in all, it was a welcome respite from the stress of the community's needs.

Unfortunately, it wasn't to last.

They had gone to sleep in the spacious bedroom of Apollo's crystal mansion on Olympus, wrapped in layers of blankets soft and supple, resting more so on hundreds of pillows than on the bed itself-- however, when the Sun God awoke the following morning, there was something wrong.

Something very, very wrong.

It was dark. And not the darkness of the night; Apollo had always taken comfort in the soft, calming light of the Moon and the constellations-- this was a Darkness deeper than the furthest reaches of Tartarus. Apollo sat up, untangling himself from unfamiliar blankets-- this, this was not Olympus. What was worse, not only was it dark, but it was cold. Cold. Cold. He whipped around, feeling his hair brush his cheek, hearing the birds singing in the morning sunsh-- no. No, no no no no no. Panicked, Apollo tumbled out of bed, falling heavily and painfully on one knee-- he wrenched the sheet from around his ankle, willing the pain in his knee away.

Except, it did not heal. It throbbed angrily and bitterly, and Apollo slowly, groping for the bed and anything around for leverage (there was a crash, there went the damned lamp). He couldn't-- wouldn't move from where he was, feeling a sick, sick sense of dread in his stomach.

"Hyacinthus! Hyacinthus!"

Hyacinthus~

I've selected our costumes for the Masquerade Ball tomorrow evening!

The day dawned as the rest of them had during the run of the Olympics -- crisp and clear, the air absolutely abuzz with energy. The open curtains of the hotel room's large window exposed slats of golden light across the carpeted floor, prime for a certain god-turned-cat to roll over and bare his belly to warm in the light. As he rolled, his whiskers brushed against the unfamiliar plush carpet, its smell foreign and most definitely not his.

Apollo sat up abruptly, meowing in surprise -- where was he? This wasn't home! He got to his feet, meowing intermittently as he cautiously padded across the room, desperately looking for anything familiar. Hyacinth's duffel bag lay at the foot of the large bed where the boy slept -- Apollo was drawn to it immediately and purred, rubbing happily against it. Hyacinthus was here! But where? Where could he be, why did he bring him here? Apollo cried out hopefully, maybe he would hea-- what was that? The form on the bed shifted, exposing a shock of messy blonde hair. Hyacinthus! Elated, the orange tabby hopped onto the bed, mrriiaoo-ing as he slipped on the comforter, stopping here and there to rub at a knee, a hand. He was so happy! Hyacinth hadn't left him somewhere! But what was this new place? He still didn't know, but he would have to wake the boy, maybe he'd tell him.

One of Hyacinth's legs had kicked out from under the blankets, creating a tent of sorts and Apollo slipped underneath, still purring as he crawled, nuzzling the curve of his exposed belly and upwards until he reached his face. "Mreh!" Apollo announced, head tilting to brush the underside of the boy's chin, his purr deeper now. He pawed at his cheek, hoping it would wake him. When it didn't work, Apollo tried telling him to get up.

"Mreh mehh, mrraaa. Rrrhh?"

"Αυτό είναι μεγάλος αντέξτε."

It was devastatingly cold where she had taken him, a place where even the Sun's light, while bright as ever, could not warm the dead, thick ice that covered the earth beneath their feet. It was already dawn; soon, the uncaring Sun would show his light upon the barren waste, and remain a constant for the following twenty-four hours -- this was Hyacinthus' time limit. Within that time, he was to locate and retrieve an amber pendant from the half-sunken steam barkentine and return said treasure to Hera, before the sun set.

The task itself was easier said than done, for the ship could just barely be seen on the horizon to the west, the darkest point from which they stood. Where the ice thinned, dark, looming masses could be seen, the only sign of life in this desolate place outside of themselves.

Then, as if night had been nothing but a fleeting fancy, light burst forth from the east, reflecting blindingly off the endless expanses of ice surrounding Hera and Hyacinth -- it was time.

"Καλή τύχη, υάκινθος."

And she was gone, to fetch the foolish lover of this brave boy.

(OOC notes: The Arctic circle, named for its correspondence with the southernmost point of the constellation Ursa Major -- Megale Arktos, in Greek, is where the task is taking place. On the summer and winter solstices each year, a phenomenon known as arctic day / night occurs. Since the summer solstice is of our concern, I will explain "arctic day": there is non-stop sunlight, for twenty-four hours straight. It is also referred to as "midnight sun". This is also the day I designated as Apollo's birthday, for those of you who have been following along with this particular plot.

The significance of the amber necklace is that when Leto, Apollo and Artemis' mother, was about to give birth to the twins, Hera attempted to kill Leto in childbirth, but was distracted from doing so by a necklace of amber beads, given to her by one of the other goddesses.

Lastly, the Greek is translated as follows: "This is Ursa Major" and "Good luck, Hyacinthus".

Enjoy the unfolding of this modern day Greek epic~ ♥)

By Olympus, why did I ever leave Greece? Moreover, why did I distance myself from Hyacinthus, of all people? Being with him has done me more good than any amount of lying on the beach or pitying myself has. It has been lovely, just walking about and exploring the mortal shops here in Xanthi...

It is so different now, the modernity of what used to be a mountain village has been a shock to the system, as the ruins of my great temples in Delos and Delphi have been. At the very least, the continued patronage of tourists (and, rarely, worshipers) have kept up the maintenance of such places, but these camera toting Americans will never quite know the beauty of my temples in their prime. I need to go back; there is something drawing me towards Delphi in particular, and I know not yet what it is, but... there is -- hm, a presence there, that requires my attention. We shall see.

Just yesterday, an errand for Mikaela brought Hyacinthus and me to the London of the world of Sweeney Todd, a London not unlike the one I remember of our own nineteenth century. I brought him along for two reasons: one, to reacclimatize myself to the weight of world hopping more than one person it is rather easier when you are able to hold your passenger close~ ♥, and second, to dress him in the fashion of the period, of which I have always been extremely fond of. A dreary place, that London - everything is so very desaturated, as though someone has washed all the color away. Fleet Street, in particular, has a -- hm, an interesting sort of ambiance to it, which is... to be expected, given the nature of hers and Mr. Todd's operation. I cannot be more thankful than I am now that my aging halted just at the height of kouros; though Mrs. Lovett intervened in the middle of an offer of a shave, I would not have wished to alight those murderous stairs. She offered us both a meat pie as a form of thanks, but I had to decline -- I know her story too well, and the idea has never sat too well with me, besides.

In any case, I am glad to be traveling to other worlds once again, even for minor errands such as Mrs. Lovett's. It remains a little trying on my system, but I expect that to fade as my strength returns -- I must accredit a good deal of my quickening recovery to the approach of my "birthday", the Summer Solstice. I hope to celebrate it with Hyacinth on Olympus in conjunction with the success of his finishing the final task, hopefully with whomever I can convince to return home - it has been too long since we have all been there together. I miss it.

...Hm, curious. I cannot say this is wholly accurate, but there are portions that definitely apply.

[Locked to Hyacinth]

Hyacinthus? The date for the final task is approaching, beloved. Hera has not told me the extent of the challenge, nor the location - I am assuming it is to prevent interference. Are -- are you ready? Knowing her, it will be trying on you, both mentally and physically.

Ι… ανάγκη για να σας δει. Έχει όντας πάρα πολύ πολύς καιρός από τότε έχουμε δει ο ένας τον άλλον. Σας έχω χάσει τρομερά, αγαπημένος~ Δεν μπορώ να περιμένω έως ότου μπορώ να σας φέρω σε Olympus, ως αθάνατο.

"I... want to see you. It's been too long since we've seen each other. I have missed you terribly, beloved~ I cannot wait until I can bring you to Olympus, as an immortal."

[/Locked to Hyacinth]

***

[Locked to Alphonse]

I love you, dear heart.

[/Locked to Alphonse]

***

[Locked to Dionysus]

They've located him. But -- you won't believe where he is.

[/Locked to Dionysus]

I can't take it. I simply cannot. It hurts too much to keep a smile on my face and act as though all he is to me is a friend. Nothing more.

I... I. It hurts. Oh gods, it hurts... I don't know what to do.

His rejection has killed me.

ETA:

[Locked to Eros]

Please, Eros. Please tell me you didn't do this to Hyacinthus. I am not accusing you, but... It... it reminds me sickeningly like what happened to Daphne.

[/Locked to Eros]

Prai8se be that's over,.

Now, we can return to sime kevel of normality.

[Locked to Hyacinth and Alphonse]

I'm returning you home.

[/Locked to Hyacinth and Alphonse]

***

[Private; Unhackable]

I feaer that this injury is more severe hthan I originally had hgioped. Mypowers havce weakened dramatricallym, and that frughtens and frustrates me. I hope that us mrelt a side effect of the efforts toi regebnerate itm, but.. .

The thiught of being disfigured for the remainder of eternity is terrfiying. B oth figyritively and literally - I do not knoew hoiw long I can stand this profiyund lacjk of power.

Haham, is this my absolution for qwhat I did to Eros?

Fuck all.

I figured that since Apollo hasn't much to post about because he's too busy being a whiny, angsty bitch about beating the crap out of Eros and Blackout, I thought I might go OOC and post something happier. ♥

This is something I wrote in response to bloodiedrebirth's lovely little ficlet. I suggest that you read that first, so that this follow-up makes sense contextually. Like she said in her own post, this is vaguely DDD-verse, though obviously set long, long before the internets or any of the silly pleasures of modernity. 8D

Oh, I guess I should note as I did when I sent this to Hyacinth-mun that Apollo was kind of a pompous dick back in the day. Hahaha. :| ♥

( Blast from the Past~~~ )

They're both hidden away, safe.

Their whereabouts are cloaked by enchantments and curses... If brother does manage to find them, he will not go unscathed trying to reach them. Though I doubt it will deter him any, for his thirst for vengeance is quenched only when fulfilled.

Hopefully I am a step ahead of Ares by having spirited away Alphonse as well, drawing the boy out from under his radar before he can get a chance to get to Rizembool.

...

I am so very foolish for having sparked this chain of events. I dare not look to the runes nor entrails for advice, I do not want to know how this ends before it does.

I need you both to listen to me very closely:

I'm coming to pick you up and I'm going to take you to where Ares cannot find you someplace safe.

Don't tell anyone where you're going. Feel free to make up an excuse for your absence, it matters not what you say.

Just be ready when I get there.

Yesterday, upon his request, I took Hyacinthus down to Elysium Fields to see his family.

While I was nervous of the request, we nonetheless received a hero's welcome. I say 'we', but truly, it was all Hyacinth. ♥ Many of his Spartan friends were there, and I could tell he was relieved to see his family, as well. He told them everything that has happened since he came back, how the world above has changed, about the community. I think it did him good to have the people he grew up with around him, and I am sure it has boosted his confidence for Hera's final challenge.

While I have the utmost confidence in Hyacinth to successfully fulfill his final task for immortality, I am... concerned. Hera has told me nothing of what she has in store for him, every time I try to breech the subject, I am received by an icy stare and a brief, "Do not interfere". What could she possibly have planned? I suppose we will know soon enough.

I have quite a bit to do once I am finished down here in the Underworld; I am to visit Nabooru on Gaia (darling, have you any directions for me~?), as well as visit Alphonse for his and Hyacinth's sparring match, not to mention Darc's tournament at the end of the month. Is anyone else attending? I would happy to world hop you! I'm merely attending for the nostalgia of it, and to tend to the wounded. What good is an athletic competition, without the god of the paelestra?

I finally understand just why Hades treasures his months with Persephone here: it is absolutely miserable to be alone with your thoughts in the Underworld. Truly.

I was only here for a day before I began to ache for my beloved. It was not merely a physical ache, but an emotional need, an all-encompassing, mind-numbing need for him.

I was surprised that Zephyrus agreed to bring him down, though I am loathe to believe he did it out of friendliness. Hyacinth has reassured me time and time again that he felt nothing but friendship for the west wind. I believe him, but Zephyrus? He loved my Hyacinthus. I know it. I knew it and I stole him away just the same.

Despicable? Yes.

My excuse? I was in love.

I still am.

...I should go to him, the gloom affects him far more than it does myself. He was dead once, so I do not blame him...

(I suppose he's affected by the Freudian Virus, lols)

Oh, Zephyrus, you've redeemed yourself, bringing me my love, thank you!

It is not so cold down here with him by my side.

And now, to show off play Guitar Hero III with Hyacinth~ ♥

...

I completely forgot about the Cullens coming down. Oh well~ The more, the merrier~~

...you'd think, after so many years, he'd figure out that he'll never get that boulder to the top.

Earlier, I killed Ares about a million times in God of War. That was fun, for about... the first nine thousand times. After that... it was kind of boring.

I took a walk through Elysium Fields, and saw quite a few people who have become naught but myths in this modern day.

I... I met Troilus. My poor, poor boy. Murdered on his father's own altar. I shall never forgive Achilles for that trespass. May he rot in the River for all time.

Hyacinthus, I saw your parents there, and Cynortas, as well. I told them about your quest for godhood, and they're ever so proud of you.

[Locked to Hyacinth]
I miss you terribly, love. I want to see you so badly, feel your touch. Everything is icy and dark here, it's stifling. I don't know how long I'll be able to stand it.
[/Locked]

[Lock to Eros]
I hope the time we spent together on Valentine's day didn't cause any trouble between yourself and Blackout. I did have a good time with you, nephew. You deserve to smile like you did more often. You are truly most beautiful when you're happy.
[/Locked]

[Lock to Hyacinth]
Darling, I apologize wholeheartedly for Valentine's day - I was cursed, like many of the other members of this community, by Frejya. Did... did you like the flowers I sent? I thought they suited you. I'd like to see you, please. I love you.
[/Locked]

[Lock to Alphonse]
...

I hope I didn't cause you any discomfort or embarrassment by sending you a gift on Valentine's day. If I did, I apologize.

I look forward to learning about alchemy from you.
[/Locked]

[Private; Not Hackable]
Gods, what sort of a mess have I gotten myself into?
[/Locked]