metem_logs | The Ballroom Gathering

Entry tags:

The Ballroom Gathering

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]

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"I wish to speak to you on the what we have been told. I find it..disconcerting."

"All right. I'm listening. What are your thoughts?" Asclepius asked.

"During the time I thought little of the manner in which we ruled over the mortals. However humanity has given me a new..clarity. Many of our lot were nothing more than petty children, venting our rage, playing our games, and using the mortals as we desired." Hades said this with a growing severity. "This must not happen again."

"It's a different world now, but I suppose people aren't so different... Without Zeus here, that leaves something of a power vacuum. One most likely to be filled by either Poseidon... or you," Asclepius mused.

"But, what is it that you want me to do? I'm only a humble doctor. I heal the sick."

"I do not desire the throne of Olympus. I didn't then and I care even less to now. But..." Hades paused a moment.

"Two things, good Asclepius. One, I want you to speak with Apollo. You of all people may be able to sway him to aid my efforts. Poseidon must NOT rule. His excesses would be far more terrible than Zeus'. Impress this upon him if you would. And two," Hades looks weary for a second, but banishes it. "Perhaps I simply desire a confidant who I know has no political aspirations."

"My father is his own man. A proud man, with his own ambitions. I don't think he'd be likely to try and take the rule for his own, unless it was just to say he could. I'll speak with him, but he sees me as his child. That I should listen to him, not the other way around. You would probably have better luck if the Muses were the ones persuading him. He always did have a soft spot for them," Asclepius said.

"Poseidon... is a temperamental man. If there were some way to rein him in..." Asclepius shrugged. "You're a hard man, Lord Hades. But always a fair one. And, I promise, I have no designs on Olympus. I'd rather just focus on my work. And my family."

"Then perhaps I should speak with them when I have a chance.," Hades replied.

"If a way presents itself I'd certainly give it proper consideration."Hades gave a nod. "I appreciate that, Asclepius. And I know you do not, hence why I am speaking with you so frankly. I'd much rather be in England, indulging my nieces in stories." He rubs his eyes. "The coming days will be difficult."

Suddenly a thought occurs to Hades. "The woman, Ms. Drake, once Nimue of the Celts, you know her well?"

"The Muses are gentle creatures, subtle, not powerful... but they have more influence than their forebears combined. From what I've seen, Urania does not yet know herself, but you're likely to win her with straight logic. Erato... She takes a softer touch. Her trust and loyalty come from the heart. Be kind and true to her." Asclepius spoke of them with a tenderness ordinarily only reserved for his daughters.

"It will be difficult. And, if truth be told, if given the choice between my children and my godhood... I choose them. I am content with mortality."

"And, Miss Drake? She's... well, she's an acquaintance of mine. I'd like to call her my friend, but we've not known each other very long. I'm fond of her, but we're still getting to know each other on a lot of fronts," he admitted.

"I am well versed with logic. Perhaps I can find a less traditional means of getting her to accept who she is. As for Erato," Hades looks visibly sad. "there was only one person I ever felt comfortable being kind to. But this is a unique situation. Thank you for your counsel in this."

Hades nods in agreement. "I had hoped that mortality may finally remove us forever from this game. Regrettably I was mistaken."

"If possible, I would like you to arrange an introduction and possibly a meeting with her and Sir Gawain," he admitted.

"You're welcome. It may not be easy to show kindness, but Erato prefers to believe in the beauty of the world. She is the sweetest and fairest of her sisters. Harsh realities will be heartbreaking to her--and I assure you, if you do anything to upset the Muses, you will never win my father to your cause. He's the Mousagetes. As far as he's concerned, the Muses are his," Asclepius warned.

"And, yes, well... Life is just full of surprises, isn't it?"

Asclepius considered. "I... hardly know Gawain. As for Miss Drake, I'll see what I can do. She was all aflutter when I introduced her to my father. I have no idea how she'll feel about meeting the Lord of the Dead."

Hades takes in Asclepius' warning. "I understand. The stakes are too important to succumb to my dour nature."

He actually chuckles a bit. "I am far less the Lord of the Dead these days, but I understand. Convey to her my desire to see to it humanity does not come out the worse due to these events. I believe that will be sufficient for them to agree to speak with me."

Hades looks back at Asclepius. "I appreciate your aid in this."

"Of course. I'll do what I can," Asclepius said.

"Thank you, Asclepius. May our efforts preserve a world in which your daughters and my nieces are not the playthings of a new reign of gods."

"Yes. We'll both need luck for that."

"So... beyond trying to persuade people to this belief... What's your plan? Are you going to make a bid for the throne, or prefer to find a way of snaring your brother so he doesn't have the power he thinks he does?"

"In truth I'd prefer to stay as far away from the throne as possible, but it may be unavoidable. Ideally I'd like to find some means of suppressing Poseidon's more vicious and petulant actions. A leash, if you will. Still," Hades casts a glance behind him. "The Serpent whispers in his ear so do not be surprised if he does something uncharacteristic. I'd have no fear of outwitting Poseidon, but Medusa..she'll be a factor, no doubt about it."

"Yes, well, I have a certain way with serpents." He grinned.

"What of Aphrodite? She's made no secret of being his lover. And she's... compelling. There's scarcely a man alive immune to her charms. She certainly has a way with people," Asclepius pointed out, "And, at the present, she is the most powerful of the Olympian women... Possibly a queen in the making."

"Indeed, I have considered the very same thing. Winning her cooperation will be crucial. Frankly there's no appeal to her supporting me as a potential king. Even the amorous Aphrodite never attempted to seduce me." Hades smirks wryly. "I consider that something of an accomplishment. Perhaps Medusa has unwittingly given me a tool."

"You never showed interest in her, nor offered her anything that might tempt her attentions, at least that I know of," Asclepius pointed out, "But what, exactly, are you planning to do with her?"

"True, I never desired her nor any woman before Persephone." Hades shakes his head to keep from dwelling on his wife. "Medusa's attempting to secure herself a place at Poseidon's side, whether openly or in secret I do not know. I doubt she'd appreciate having another woman vying with her for his attention."

"Medusa can't hold a candle to Aphrodite, and there isn't anyone among us who doesn't know it. And, if it comes to it, Medusa alone will be the one to suffer for encroaching on Aphrodite's attention. But, if push came to shove, who would you prefer to see as the new Queen of Olympus? The Goddess of the Tender Passions, or the Gorgon?" Asclepius asked.

"Aphrodite without question. I know my niece has a sense of honor to balance out her fits of passion. Medusa..let's just say the moment I arrived on the message boards she tried to solicit my aid in humbling Poseidon."

"Meaning Medusa doesn't have the power to do it herself. The most use she ever was was to me. Her blood... Though I doubt it has the powers it once did," Asclepius mused.

"Aphrodite is just as capable of calming as she is at inciting. If there's a woman among us with the wiles to tame the likes of Poseidon, it's her. If we can get her to agree to do it, and pull it off with your brother being none the wiser."

"Yes, she may very well be the key to all this. That would undoubtedly appeal to her vanity. It's a good suggestion, but it must be handled carefully," Hades replied.

"If you're wanting me to talk to her, I don't think she'll listen to me. She doesn't even know me," Asclepius said. "You've got power, though. She might listen to you, if you can make it worth her while."

"No, I have asked much of you already. I will speak to her and hopefully win her aid. I find myself having to something else I am unaccustomed to..hoping."

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