The Ballroom Gathering

[metemmods.insanejournal.com]

Characters: All
Date/Time: Now
Location: Hôtel Jeu Ancien - Ballroom
Rating: TBD
Warnings: TBD
Summary: YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH!



All was in readiness. All of his guests were arrived and waiting, some more patiently than others. He anticipated quite a few reactions and a veritable bevy of questions. He was prepared.

He was testing out the slide projector while he waited for his guests to arrive in the ballroom, clicking through pictures of himself made specifically for this test. He paused on one of him before the front desk in a classic, male underwear model post yet still wearing his uniform. "Oh yes. One of my best."


[*lyrics: Kim Richey - A Place Called Home]

Comments

[greengawain.insanejournal.com]

Even before he received the phone call informing him that the gathering was soon to start, Gawain had selected an outfit from his room's extensive closet. To indulge his love of 1940s noir, and to honor the ambiance of the hotel's foyer, he wore a gray three-piece suit and fedora.

Now he stood outside the ballroom doors and contemplated the imminent revelations. Dressing like a private eye always made him feel more confident. No matter what surprises Nigel or Nigel's superiors sent his way, he would be ready.

He opened the doors and stepped inside ....

[metemmods.insanejournal.com]

"Ah!" He whirled around when he heard the doors and smiled, nodding to the knight. "Sir Gawain. Welcome. Have a seat."

[asteroid30.insanejournal.com]

Celeste decided to treat this as one more conference presentation. The hotel certainly could host a small conference, if some way could be found around the whole Hotel California aspect.

She had changed into a pair of slacks and a blouse, and had a notebook and pen along. And some reading she might as well get done while stuck here.

[metemmods.insanejournal.com]

He clicked off the slide projector and smiled to the next guest. "Urania. Welcome, my dear. Please. Take a seat."

[speakswithdead.insanejournal.com]

Hades hadn't seen a need to deck himself out in some expensive suit. He came as he was was as he took a seat. He nodded in acknowledgement of Nigel, but said nothing. His eyes however were taking everything in.

[metemmods.insanejournal.com]

He nodded in return with a smile but since was not addressed said nothing as well.

[roseredheart.insanejournal.com]

Erato had changed into a pretty pink sundress with lace trimming and simple sandals on her feet. She shyly entered the ballroom and looked around for any familiar faces.

[greengawain.insanejournal.com]

Gawain recognized her from her profile picture. He approached her and extended his hand. "Amanda, isn't it? I'm Jonah ... or Gawain."

[enosichthon.insanejournal.com]

Poseidon may have decked out in one of his fancy suits, nice boots and tie, but there were answers he was determined to get. No bellhop was going to pull his ambiguous bullshit or he'd pull this entire building down with nothing left.

He stalked into the ballroom with a sour expression on his face.

[nina-drake.insanejournal.com]

She had decided to dress for this. If she wouldn't have access to energies and be blinded every time she looked at someone using her Sight then by damn she was going to look good doing it.

She came striding into the ballroom, hoping she was pulling off the facade that she was perfectly fine as she placed one high heel in front of the other.

[greengawain.insanejournal.com]

Gawain beamed as soon as he saw the resplendent Nimue enter the ballroom. He approached her and said, "Hello, dear friend!"

[tangledmaze.insanejournal.com]

Ariadne was still dressed in her work clothes--a short-sleeved blouse paired with some slacks. She glanced around at the others, and found a seat.

[greengawain.insanejournal.com]

Gawain approached Ariadne and playfully doffed his fedora. "Good evening, milady."

[chaos-embodied.insanejournal.com]

Aldo felt decidingly out of place at such a gathering. It felt too much like the fashion galas he'd sometimes attend. He determined to just take a seat for now at an empty table and try to be patient. Though the urge to grab the little worm by the neck and force him to explain everything was a strong one. Maybe he'd settle for throwing a chair at him.

[gladsheim-guy.insanejournal.com]

He, of course, was stylin' the tux look complete with opera scarf. A smirk graced his lips and his hands were casually in his pockets as he came into the ballroom.

He glanced around once, nodded with his smirk lifting then he strolled towards where he spied some champagne.

[solid-gaze.insanejournal.com]

She refused to change her mind about the dress she wanted to wear to this thing just to hide the bruises on her arm. Instead she felt it more appropriate to let the whole world, or at least the whole hotel, see Poseidon's handy work.

A cold frown was firmly in place as she sauntered in. She didn't bother looking around at the others that had arrived, simply focused on a chair and made for it.

[enosichthon.insanejournal.com]

Well didn't she just look a sight sporting his handiwork. He gave her a devious grin as he picked up a glass of champagne and downing it almost as fast as his lips had hit the glass.

"Black and blue, it looks good on you," he said with a snort and another swig of champagne. "Look at you showing it off like a prized metal." He'd continue to taunt her because he could.

[amberwaveograin.insanejournal.com]

Arm in arm with Tyr, Sif swept gracefully into the ballroom, still carrying the tray laden with two dozen chocolate chip cookies.

"Good evening, everyone," she said amiably, "Would anyone like a cookie?"

[lefthandofwar.insanejournal.com]

Tyr let go of Sif's arm so she could use both hands. He also mentally prepared for the onslaught of people wanting cookies.

[aegletes.insanejournal.com]

Apollo strode into the ballroom with a jaunty swagger. He was dressed in an eyecatchingly-flattering suit, with a hat tipped at a rakish angle.

"Hello, hello, all! I do hope you haven't started the party without me," he announced.

[akhilles-heel.insanejournal.com]

The feeling that he had more important matters to attend to was the constant reel in Achilles' mind. He had a platoon, a life that was not meant to be halted by such follies. He'd dressed in the dark green uniform that was only befitting.

There was a proud air as he stepped in, that slow walk, the walk of a warrior.

[roseredheart.insanejournal.com]

Though she was still chatting with Gawain, Erato glanced up when Achilles walked in. She couldn't help but smile a little. Her hero cut a very dashing figure.

[acratophorus.insanejournal.com]

Dionysus walked into the ballroom, still dressed in the scruffy jeans and t-shirt he'd had on when he'd first walked in. He was holding a full wineglass from the hotel bar (and was quite gratified to discover that whatever this place was, it had a very respectable cellar).

He surveyed the crowd as he walked through the room. Everyone looked maddeningly familiar, like names just on the tip of his tongue, but the more he tried to find them in his memory, the more they slipped away.

Too much to drink? he thought to himself. Or...not enough?

[metemmods.insanejournal.com]

Nigel cleared his throat a number of times to get the attention of all of the guests then smiled, clasping his hands together once he saw everyone paying attention. “Well! Thank you all for coming.” Not that they had much of a choice, mind you, but he was trying to be polite. After all it wasn’t his fault they were all guests here at the moment. “As promised, answers as to why you have been brought to these hallowed halls are imminent.”

He pushed a button on a remote in his hand and the lights within the ballroom slowly dimmed, leaving the sconce lighting along the walls as the only source of illumination and that not much. He switched to a remote on a cord leading to the slide projector, turning on the bulb which turned the wall across to bright white. Pushing the button clicked through some blank slides as he spoke.

“Through the ages mankind has feared the dark and the unknown. Whether by their own creation or divine intervention entities arrived to either guide man through their fears or prove to them that there were reasons for it.”

He clicked and an image came into view on the wall. “Odin (http://www.crystalinks.com/odin.jpg) and the gods, and goddesses of Asgard.” He clicked to the next. “Zeus (http://www.freethoughtpedia.com/images/Zeus.jpg)…uh, who isn’t here and the Olympians.” Another slide. “Ra. (http://liberallifestyles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Ra-6.png)” He sighed. “Also missing, but the Egyptians are represented.” He nodded in Seth’s direction then clicked the button, and more slides went as he named them. “The Celts. The Far East. Nowhere on that big blue marble was there not a deity to see man through his mortal coil.”

The next slide was white and Nigel stepped into the light so he could be seen as he continued. “That is until sometime during the last few centuries when one religious faction made a huge push and, not to mention a big mess.” He chuckled since none of the Judeo-Christian were represented at the moment. “The old gods weren’t needed anymore. Their worlds crumbled to dust as worship eventually ceased all together.” He gave a simpering chuckle and smile. “But I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know.”

He held up a finger in a But Wait There’s More gesture and clicked the button to show a map of the United States. “Until now! All of you find yourselves not just back in existence but aware and able to tap into the powers you had way back in the day.” He got a shifty little grin on his face. “There is a reason for this.” He started pointing at individuals as he listed things off. “Asgard. Olympus. Avalon. All of them exist still!”

[enosichthon.insanejournal.com]

"This is all fantastic beanpole, but get to the fucking point already." They weren't here for a history lesson or the reason they died out of power. They were here all dressed up and he wanted answers. Now. "What the fuck is this place already. You've got us all here, ready to go so spill." The ground tremored beneath them as his temper flared. He had a kid to think of and damn if he'd be stuck in some shithole without any idea where she was or what she was doing.

[venusingucci.insanejournal.com]

"Ahem."

It was a delicate sound, but enough to catch attention. Aphrodite had arrived.

She was dressed in a figure-hugging red gown that made a splendid display over her every feature. The fabric shimmered with her every movement. She was luminous with accessories in pearl and diamond. Her golden hair was an artful tumble of curls, draping sensuously over her shoulders. The Goddess of the Tender Passions in all her glory indeed.

"Terribly sorry I'm late," she purred, "I do hope I haven't missed much."

[metemmods.insanejournal.com]

Even he straightened his tie and smoothed his lapel when she came in but he did look slightly impatient when he gestured towards Poseidon and Hades. "I believe one of your superiors could catch you up, my dear."

[amour-propre-1.insanejournal.com]

He'd entered just as Nigel had begun his slide show, straightening his tie and prancing into the ballroom expecting every head to turn, which was momentarily stunted by Aphrodite's appearance. His inviting eyes turned envious in that someone else was stealing his shine.

He clearly walked right passed her though they knew of each other. Every eye was focused on the screen and what this man had to say. He wondered when this horrible stay would be over. As near perfection as the room had been, Narcissus had still rearranged and re-organized every detail including the linens of his bed.

[metemmods.insanejournal.com]

"Now if I may..." he cleared his throat and switched the projector to a blank slide, illuminating himself once more.

"There is a reason all of you have reemerged into the times you have, and find yourselves in the United States. Your homeworlds reside there, waiting to be populated once more.

He clicked the button. "Asgard. (http://media.giantbomb.com/uploads/0/1259/202637-asgard_mauern_large.jpg) Mount Olympus. (http://storage.koinup.com/080317x25374/25374-6.jpg) Avalon. (http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PUDMNeej9os/S_lRFjKd6hI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/wATvbbqpzXk/s1600/DSC02323.JPG)" One by one the images were clicked in being, displayed against the wall behind him.

"They are all there. Waiting to be found and filled by you." He smiled knowingly. "All of you, or as many of you as you can find. It's a race to the finish, godlings. And whoever finds their homeland first. Wins."

[gladsheim-guy.insanejournal.com]

He had sat quietly while everyone else made their noise, waiting with a mug of really nice mead to get the whole point of this.

When that point was made he sat up, one eye glinting as if catching a stray piece of light. In the dark his expression became thoughtful, looking more like the Allfather he his.

His eyes picked out Tyr and Sif in the audience before he sat back in his chair again, the mug lifted for a ponderous drink.

[metemmods.insanejournal.com]

"So." He beamed a proud little smile as he clicked a button. The projector went dark then slowly the lights of the room came back to life. "That ends the show part of my show and tell." He clasped his hands together with a little clap, looking over his audience for a moment.

"Now for the tell. A piece of advice. Think of this as the ultimate scavenger hunt. You will have to follow one clue to the next, and at times work with your worst enemy. Sacrifices will have to be made." His expression was going more serious as he looked at the godlings. "Nothing is sacred. Not yet. Not your pride. Your person. Not your possessions. Ask yourself what you would do to return to your seat of power, because even if you do not get there first, do not sit on the top rung of the power ladder, rest assured that once you step foot into your homeworld the power that was once yours will be returned to you."

He let that hang in the silence for a moment then smiled, clapping his hands together sharply. "So. I hope you enjoyed your stay. You are all, of course, welcome to remain as long as you like. Amenities are still available as is my service. You all wish to go home, I am sure so as soon as you figure out which combination of powers will open the portal through the foyer, home is where you will go. Good luck, godlings!

And with that, and a small shake of his arms, he headed down the aisle for the doors to the ballroom with long legged, awkward strides.

[enosichthon.insanejournal.com]

All this could sound completely insane or a good excuse to kill a few people. Poseidon's eyes looked around the room. Hades was his only brother and without Zeus, this could be one hell of a ride. For a moment he forgot about his half-mortal girl and his ties. For a moment Poseidon was greedy, his hands slinking together in his lap.

"Combination of powers?" he asked with a quirked. "While some may be a little less skilled than others, some of us don't need the help." He wasn't going to let a little punch by Nigel make him feel any less than the powerful god he was.

[speakswithdead.insanejournal.com]

Hades approaches Asceplius after watching first Medusa, then Poseidon leave.

"Asclepius, may we have a word?"

[ieter-amumon.insanejournal.com]

"Certainly. How may I be of service, Lord Hades?" the good doctor asked.