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"I'm not talking about grief, Sean. I'm talking about adjusting to this." She mimicked him, thumping the book herself. "Your problem is you are still trying to exist in a world that is small and simple. Where your just some poor guy who's been through a tragedy and is trying to cope. But that isn't the world, Sean. It's bigger than that for you now. And if you don't start accepting the proof that keeps pouring into your lap, then yes, you will go insane. But you probably won't get that kind of time anyway. If you don't at least start getting with the program, Gaia will shove you into it. Whether you want it or not. You're being given a chance to do this the gentle way. I recommend taking it."

He takes a few deep breaths, trying to get his brain refocused. "Okay... okay," he mutters, sliding his glasses off to rub at his eyes. "I'm...trying, Pete. I am." His voice is softer and sadder, still. But, there is some strength remaining that was teetering. "I'm just really fucked up, y'know? I wish for everything that this PTSD shit would just stop. Maybe I could wrap my head around this thing easier, but it creeps in. It latches on. I think for the sheer fact that you're sitting here with me is the only reason I haven't had a meltdown."

"I get it. And there are people who can help you in this group." She laid a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Don't be afraid to ask us for help. We're all in this together. Okay?"

He reaches up to rest his hand on hers before patting it a couple of times. "Yeah." He cleared his throat before attempting the shadow of a smile. "Thanks."

Sean glances at the book as he puts his glasses back on. "Suppose I can look at this later. Don't want to put you through any more of my idiosyncrasies. You don't deserve that."

She smiled down at him. "I don't mind idiosyncrasies. I've got plenty of my own. But maybe you should take this.a little at a time."

Triton had gone to find Athena, but wasn't sure where she'd gone. But, knowing her, the library was as likely a place as any.

There was a low rumble of thunder in the distance as he came in, just a little too casually.
"There you are," he said, a hint of frost in his tone, "Studying up, are we?"

Athena turned at the sound of Triton's voice. She could hear the tone, and wondered what he was suddenly so upset about. "Hey. Sean this is Boden Murphy, but we know him better as Triton, the Prince of the Sea." She was keeping it civil and pleasant, wanting to feel out Triton's mood. "Triton, this is Sean." She did not refer to Sean as Baldr, as she didn't know how he'd feel about it.

As pleasant as Sean can be in the moment, he does offer something of a friendly smile and stands, reluctantly holding out his hand in greeting. The online meeting had been less than stellar, and the tone of the guy's voice doesn't give him much hope for better. "Putting faces with names is a good thing."

"Indeed," Triton said, firmly gripping the other man's hand out of pure decorum. There wasn't much to be said for friendliness in the gesture. He certainly didn't smile back--not even a twitch of the lip. "The Northman. Good to see you're starting to catch up on things."

She could feel the tension in the air like it was a living thing. She tried not to let the concern show. "Yes, he got a little gift to help him remember. A lot nicer than how I had to, to say the least."

The grip is firm and unflinching, and surprising enough to Sean, so is his own gaze. "Well, Pete here was kind enough to bring me the book. I'm sure I'll be up to whatever standards you've set for me in no time." Snark? Perhaps. The polite tone doesn't waver.

The thunder rumbled again, closer this time.
"I expect no less," Triton said crisply. "Your training will begin with Tyr, one of your kind. Afterward, you'll learn what we Greeks expect of our soldiers."

He smirks and lets go of the hand. "So, according to you, we're all in this 'together'..." Yes, he makes the quotations with his fingers. "And yet, you've already got us separated. 'One of your kind.' 'What we Greeks expect.'" Sean studies him for a moment, thunder heard, but ignored for the time being. He still hasn't associated the two.

"How's that mentality been working out for you? That is to say, who died and left you in charge of this operation, Mermaid Boy?"

There was a definite thunderclap that time as Triton's expression darkened at the epithet.
"That would be Aphrodite. On her orders, I am responsible for training the godling forces, as well as the human army I have raised under my father's banner."

Okay. This was getting really tense, really fast. She kept looking from one god to the other as they sniped at each other. And the thunder was starting to really concern her.

"Guys..." she started tentatively, hoping they'd defuse.

For now, the gentle voice of reason is ignored. "But you just said I should be training with my own kind. Why should I give a shit about your orders if that's what I'm supposed to do? Why do my people have to live up to your standards?"

He's not entirely sure what he's fighting for. Only that it must be.

"I said you would start with him. There are three armies to our name, and therefore multiple people working to marshal out forces. But, if you'd rather not begin with the familiar and you're ready to be one of the troops, by all means. Let's begin," Triton said, a hint of a growl in his voice, "After all, Athena here is my second-in-command, and clearly you've developed a comfort with her."

"Whoa, guys, come on. Calm down." How had this escalated so quickly from nothing?

He arches an eyebrow and can't help but chuckle. "Wow. Please tell me you're not that insecure."

Ka-boom. That one rattled the windows on the house.
"I was asked nicely not to crush you, Northman. But I can, and I will, if need be."

His eyes glance upward at the rattling, then level back with Triton's as he lifts his chin slightly. His voice is low; his teeth, clenched. "I survived a goddamned bomb going off twenty feet from me, Mer-Boy. I'm here in this fucked-up world of yours and alive because someone wanted me here. If you're gonna fucking crush me, I suggest you start because someone's got a head-start on you."

The thunder had gotten her notice. And she had that sixth sense for trouble, so she was practically beelining it for the library. Something was up and she wanted to find out what.

Astarte had been coming down to get a book for Meri when Ka-boom.

Normally, Tara was actually all in favor of Kabooms, in both her guises. It's a little bit less awesome happening in random rooms of the building her daughter is in. And extra-less coming from a sea god. Not that she's has a phobia. Damn it.

But she'll find herself watching as she comes nearer.

Hades had been watching Lilian mold a ball of clay when the sound went off. He'd been through enough of them to know the signs.

"Damnation. Persephone, stay with Lilian," Hades said before heading out of his room to the source.

The thunder had caught Aphrodite's attention as well. It was December, and endlessly flurrying, so this was far from natural thunder. That meant an unhappy god with storm powers. Anthony was playing calmly, and he wasn't strong enough for something like that. Poseidon... well, he wasn't called "Earthshaker" for nothing, and the ground was perfectly still. That left Triton.

Wondering what on earth could have gotten under the skin of the usually-stoic sea prince, Aphrodite followed the noise, and soon heard raised voices coming from the library. Of course she was going to see what was happening!