'Dite's Decadent Delights, Thursday evening
After Max and Raven had left the store the previous day, 'Dite had gone back to her suite to rage in peace. It hadn't helped, and the moment she got back to the shop the next day, to see Raven's uniform on the desk where it had been left, she'd thrown another temper tantrum. Explosions erupted, walls trembled, shelves went flying, and glass shattered. Hercules, who'd been hiding for most of the week, dug in a little deeper and waited.
-----
Hours after the destruction, the store was rather quiet. Hercules finally poked his nose out of his hiding place and sniffed, looking around. After a moment he approached the figure leaning against the wall, idly surveying the wreckage of her shop.
Not that she couldn't clean it up in an instant, but . . . she wasn't feeling like it yet.
"Did I scare you, too, cat?" He sat down and started washing himself, seemingly without a care. "Riiiight."
The anger was still there, but quiet at the moment. With a deep breath and a glare at her surroundings, Aphrodite waved a hand to pick up the counter she'd knocked over with a burst of power.
"Maybe you'd like to move to the dorms, too, huh, Herc? Go live with Karla and Raven." He stopped and looked up at her, then proceeded to lick his paw again. "Maybe I should give you to Max." This time the angry growl in her throat made Herc freeze, his eyes going round. When nothing else happened, he simply sat and waited.
'Dite wondered what, exactly, he was waiting for.
glacial_witch
Raven stopped at the door, looking inside at the destruction within. "This looks promising," she murmured. Taking a deep breath, she added, "But it doesn't change anything. We're still going through with the plan. All it does it make it more urgent." She looked at the big man next to her. "You ready?" she asked, concerned.
trigons_child
Max glanced inside and nodded. "I do not have a good feeling about this," he said, "but I am prepared."
The wind picked up slightly, swirling around and seeming to urge the two of them forward.
glacial_witch
"We're going, we--" Raven paused and cleared her throat. "I believe we should go in now, Professor Maximus." She started to open the door and head inside.
trigons_child
"I should enter first," Max said, putting a hand on Raven's shoulder. "You should remain behind me until we determine La--until we determine 'Dite's mood."
glacial_witch
Raven winced and stepped back. "Of course, Professor Maximus. You are correct. I was just in a hurry to, um, ease Lady Aphrodite's pain." She stepped back, shrugging off his hand. "Please go on ahead."
trigons_child
Max pulled open the door and stepped into the shop, looking around to take in all the damage. "'Dite." he called. "What did you do here?"
divinesurfchick
"I told you to get out, Max." She turned angrily from the back, where she'd been using her powers to erase scorch marks from the walls. "Didn't you learn anything the other night?"
glacial_witch
Raven was looking around the shambles of the shop in disbelief. "Lady Aphrodite, how could you have done this? What is it that drives you to such actions?"
After Max and Raven had taken a few steps into the store, the door swung slowly shut behind them.
trigons_child
"I have learned that you need help," Max said. "You are not yourself. You have not been yourself since your return to the island. What happened to you?"
glacial_witch
"Please, Lady Aphrodite, let us help you."
divinesurfchick
'Dite almost rolled her eyes. "I don't need your help, Raven. Or yours, Max." She wrinkled her nose. "Why are you talking like Raven? Did she finally succumb to your charms?"
trigons_child
Max gave 'Dite a shocked look. "No!" he said sharply. "Don't say that!"
A soft whisper carried on a slight breeze to Max's ears alone. "Calm down."
divinesurfchick
"Why not? Are you afraid she'll figure it out?" She clucked her tongue, folding her arms. "It's so sad, such a big man, so afraid of a little girl."
trigons_child
"This is not about Raven," Max said angrily, though he gave the girl in question a pained glance. "We're here about you."
glacial_witch
"Do not be concerned, Ma--Professor Maximus. She is deflecting so that we fight each other and do not attempt to reach her." Raven turned back to 'Dite and shook her head, looking stern. "We will not let her do that. We are here to help her and so we shall."
divinesurfchick
With a snort, 'Dite shook her head. "No, you're not. You're here trying to find the old Aphrodite. 'Goddess of loove." There was a sneer in her voice as she looked at Max. "And as you found out the other night, she's gone."
A soft sound that might have been mistaken for a suppressed hiss came from a corner of the room behind 'Dite, and the shadows seemed to flicker. For just a moment it seemed like someone was there, but, no, it was just shadows.
glacial_witch
"But we are here to get her back," Raven said, determinedly. "We know she's still in there somewhere and we will get her back. I am going to take away your anger now."
trigons_child
"Remember what we talked about, Raven," Max warned. "Her anger is going to be too much for you to handle on your own. Channel it to me. I can take it."
glacial_witch
Raven nodded once. "Of course, Professor Max...imus, I will." Raven looked at 'Dite with narrowed eyes. "Let us do this."
divinesurfchick
"Oh,please!" 'Dite through up her hands. "If you thought this would work, Max, why didn't you try it on Monday?" She put her hands on her hips. "Or was that because you really wanted that to happen? You wanted me to take you into the dungeon, huh?"
glacial_witch
Raven darted Professor Maximus a scandalized look. "Enough of this," she said, sounding a little strangled. "We have work to do."
trigons_child
"Now," Max said stiffly. "Do it."
glacial_witch
Raven closed her eyes, spreading her arms out a bit as if she was trying to embrace 'Dite's anger. "Lady Aphrodite, I release you from your anger," she intoned. "Your pain, give it to me."
A surge of rage flowed into Max, and at the same time another emotion flooded into Aphrodite. Love. A reminder of why Raven and Max would come here, would confront a goddess. They loved her.
divinesurfchick
One minute 'Dite was watching them incredulously, and the next she was . . . laughing. It wasn't a maniacal laugh, or even a hysterical laugh. In fact, it made her seem almost normal for just that moment. Even that momentary touch of love seemed, to her, very normal.
But just as fast, the laughter stopped and she glared, as her body caught up with where her mind had just gone. "Are you kidding me? Do you really think I'm buying this?" She pointed at the two in front of her. "You're not Max, and you're certainly not Raven. But hey, you want to try taking my anger away?" Anger, which had, in the last minute, seemed to return in force. "Be my guest! As a matter of fact, let me help you!" Raising one hand she let the full force of her anger feed into the thread that she could feel coming from one of the two of them. "Have as much as you'd like!"
glacial_witch
"I am too!" Raven retorted hotly. "I--" Whatever else she was going to say got lost in the pulse of pure fury that 'Dite unleashed. She stumbled backwards, the emotion like heat against her skin.
trigons_child
"Raven, don't hold it alone, give it to me," Max said, taking a step toward her. But he stopped short, staggering under the force of Aphrodite's attack. The rage was pure and white-hot, burning through him and rapidly threatening to take control.
divinesurfchick
For a moment, what she was doing felt wrong. If that was really Max and Raven, then this could be dangerous. But it wasn't. Someone was trying to fool her, to deceive her, and that made her anger all the stronger.
"Enjoying yourself, Raven? How about you, Max?" She shook her head. "You can't control me, so stop it and tell me who you are!"
trigons_child
Max was staring at Raven now, but not out of concern; the look in his eyes was pure rage. "Whenever there's trouble, you're always right there, Raven," he snarled. "Always crying about how I attacked you or how I hurt you. I think it's about time you learned what pain really is, little girl." He stalked toward her, grabbing hold of her by the shoulders before she could move out of his reach. "Everything you're afraid of? I'm going to make it come true."
In the corner behind 'Dite there was another flicker. The anger she was emitting didn't just smash into the Raven and Max. But something, or someone, was working to blunt the the worst of the strike against the two of them. Which was distracting.
glacial_witch
Raven backed up, throwing up her hands as if that could possibly fend Max off. "No!" she cried. "I will not fight you! Please, Professor Maximus! Regain hold of yourself!"
trigons_child
Max wasn't listening to any reason by this point. And 'Dite certainly didn't care what he did now. He eyed the door to the back room, then moved one hand to seize Raven by her hair. There were lots of things back there he could hurt her with, and without any further words he began to drag her to the door.
divinesurfchick
One regal eyebrow rose in bewilderment. This definitely wasn't Max, but there was just a tang of familiarity. Like she should know who these two were. She stepped forward, her anger beginning to fade as 'Max' pulled 'Raven' toward the dungeon. That feeling that she was missing something grew stronger, as did the feeling that this was just wrong.
glacial_witch
Raven cried out as Max's hands entangled in her hair and pulled. "Wait--no!" she yelled, struggling futilely. "Stop!" There was true fear in her voice. This was not part of the plan! "Let me go! Please!"
Oh, this so wasn't the plan. There was a clattering sound in the corner and the air shimmered again. What appeared to be the silhouette of a man could just barely be made out. And a wooden frame falling toward the floor from an outstretched hand. "No!"
trigons_child
Max had slammed Raven up against the dungeon door, pinning her there with his body. Anger inflamed lust, and he caught her face in his hands and jerked her head up, then ground his mouth down on hers.
Then the frame cracked as it hit the floor, and the illusion was gone. Now it was Raven, her eyes glowing red, who had Karla pinned to the door, kissing her angrily.
glacial_witch
Hot or not, being brutally kissed against the door had really, really, really not been in her plans. Even knowing from the beginning that it was Raven under the illusion and not truly Max, this kiss was more than a bit terrifying. Grabbing Raven by the shoulders, she attempted to push her away, her eyes wide and locked with 'Dite, pleading for help.
divinesurfchick
For one full second, Aphrodite froze.
This was not what she expected. Instead of Max attacking Raven, it was Raven attacking Karla -- and from the look in Karla's eyes, it wasn't part of whatever insane plan they'd come up with.
And then she realized she'd been feeding her rage directly into an empath who'd only recently begun dealing with emotions, and she threw up a hand, power pulling Raven from her victim, even as 'Dite moved forward to catch her. "Raven, no!"
trigons_child
Raven snarled in rage as she was yanked away from Karla. She spun around as 'Dite grabbed a hold of her, swiping at the goddess with the claws -- yes, claws -- that now tipped the fingers on her right hand. Her eyes -- all four of them -- were red, and her skin had taken on a reddish tone.
glacial_witch
Karla wanted to intervene, but was rooted in place with fear. Was that really Raven? Could it be? Had she honestly countenanced turning her friend into this? The ruins of her 'brilliant plan' lay in shambles at her feet and filled her mouth with the taste of ashes.
furious_maximus
Max took in the scene and realized that things had gone very wrong very quickly. He thought he knew how to get control of things again, but... he was also pretty sure it was a bad idea. A very bad idea. Too bad he didn't have any better ones.
"Raven, stop!" It wasn't a desperate cry, it was a snapped order. A demand for obedience. And the harsh edge of that demand made it very clear that failure to obey would result in serious punishment. And to drive that home, Max lashed out at her with a short burst of pleasure and pain.
He thought he might throw up.
trigons_child
Raven froze, snapping her head toward the sound of Max's voice and the feel of his power slamming into her. The rage and desire to lash out and hurt still burned in her, but now it warred with the memories she'd fought to bury, how Max's vampire counterpart had enslaved and almost broken her. She wanted to obey, but she also wanted to punish him for what he had done to her. "Trigon's daughter is no man's slave," she snarled, baring her sharp white teeth. Her Soul-Self rose from her shoulders, the black shadow-raven form edged in red.
She moved to lunge toward Max, then caught herself up short. "No!" she howled in anguish. "Azar, help me!" The moment of indecision between obedience and violence had allowed her to make the attempt to seize control of herself, and she sank to her knees, reclutching her face in her hands, shaking with the effort to purge herself of the anger.
divinesurfchick
Eyes wide, 'Dite stepped away from Raven, knowing only one thing: this was all her fault.
It was obvious that whatever Max had done (and she had no idea where he'd come from) had made a difference, since Raven had stopped fighting, but just seeing what the result had been, the rage that had encompassed the girl, made 'Dite want to weep. She backed off, her arms crossing, but this time there was no hint of anger. Instead, the only thing she felt was self-loathing. When she turned her head and saw Karla's wide-eyed stare, it just got worse. Her back to the wall, she slowly slid down it, weeping.
glacial_witch
Demonic-looking or not, Karla wasn't about to let her friend suffer through alone. She forced herself to move, rushing to Raven's side and throwing her arms around the girl, shoving as much friendship and love and calm through at her as she could muster. It was slow going, as Karla first had to lock down all her negative emotions behind her innermost barriers, but every little bit helped, right? "Shh, Raven, shh. It's okay. You're with friends. Let it all go. We're here for you."
furious_maximus
Max took a moment to watch Raven and Karla. After what he'd done, there was no way he was going to get anywhere near Raven, but he did want to make sure that she was okay. Or as okay as she was going to get. Karla seemed to have things under control. She was a tough girl, he had to give her that.
He took a deep breath and turned toward 'Dite. She was the one they'd all come for, after all. It took him a few seconds to push down his revulsion and anger. They were directed at himself for letting this happen, but there would be no way for 'Dite to know that if she saw them on his face. Then he walked slowly over to her, letting his concern show. "Hey," he called softly, "Are you back with us?"
divinesurfchick
'She heard Max, but 'Dite really didn't feel like she could respond. Instead, all she did was raise her gaze to his for one short moment before dropping her head again and covering it with her arms.
She wasn't angry anymore. But the pain inside was more than she'd felt in . . . a millenia. It was tempting to just zap herself out of here. Out of Fandom. Out of the lives of the people who had just pulled her from that haze of madness. But the very fact that they had, that they'd cared enough to try, kept her from vanishing.
The guilt kept her hiding against the wall.
trigons_child
Raven could feel the mantle of her father's power wrapped around her, and she struggled to cast it off. She'd known losing control would be a risk, but she'd been certain between Karla and Max, they'd be able to stop her. She just hadn't thought of how. It had been difficult and awkward to pretend to be Max; with 'Dite's lust-tinted rage hitting her harder than she could immediately absorb, she'd slipped into her own nightmares of Max's vampire self. When the illusion broke, she'd still been caught up in it until Max's attack reversed their roles. Now she fought to lock down her inner demon, throwing up her shields as tightly as she could, clamping down on any emotion.
Her body returned to normal, and when she finally lifted her face from her non-clawed hands, the red glow in her eyes was beginning to fade. It took another few moments for the shaking to stop. "I am all right," she said tonelessly to Karla. "You should see to Lady Aphrodite as well. She needs your love." Even with her strongest shields she could still feel that, and she wasn't about to let their plan have been in vain.
glacial_witch
Karla was very tempted to say the Hell with Aphrodite right now, but that was just her pain and fear and anger lashing out against the most convenient target. And, after everything they'd gone through, to lose her now after risking so much...
The Healer and Black Widow in her wouldn't allow it. In time, neither would the care and concern of friendship.
In time.
Still, Karla released Raven, keeping a thread of support and friendship between them, and crouched by 'Dite instead. Mixed feelings aside, she was still able to project concern for the humbled goddess, feeding caring into the void left by 'Dite's rage. "'Dite?" she asked softly. "'Dite, talk to me. It's Karla."
furious_maximus
Looking over at Karla's approach, Max very nearly snapped at her to go back and look after Raven, but that wouldn't really be fair. And, besides, knowing Raven, the best thing they could do for her was get 'Dite back. Because Raven was one of those people who could justify almost any pain if it helped someone she cared about.
So, instead, he just gave Karla a slight nod, keeping his shame buried for now, before turning back to Aphrodite. He reached out and gently touched the goddess' hand while sending a tiny pulse of the love he'd shown her before. They were here for her. They loved her.
divinesurfchick
It was the first time since Cupid and Bliss had confronted her that she'd allowed herself to feel love for another person. And she did love them. Enough that she could feel their love for her, which just made her guilt heavier.
After a moment, she got enough control of her tears to look up at Max, anguish in her eyes. Her voice cracked on every other syllable. "Even . . . even as angry as I was . . . I could never have done it, Max." She could only hope he knew what she was talking about -- and that he believed her.
Turning to Karla, another sob escaped her, and she tried to pull back, not meeting the girl's eyes.. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."
furious_maximus
"I know." It came out as barely a whisper, just loud enough to be heard. "You didn't."
It was how he'd known she was still in there, underneath all the anger and pain. It was also the only reason he'd agreed to a rescue plan at all instead of finding some way to make the girls simply stay away until he figured out precisely how one got rid of an angry goddess.
As much as it would have hurt him.
"Thank you," he added after a few seconds.
glacial_witch
"I accept your apology, 'Dite," Karla said quietly. It was far too soon to talk about forgiveness and Karla wasn't going to cheapen the moment by offering something she couldn't yet honestly give. "Are you okay? Let's get you back to the hotel. You could probably do with something warm to eat and something soothing to drink."
trigons_child
Raven shakily rose to her feet, taking a few steps back from the others, still fighting to expel the lingering rage and lust and hunger. That was the worst to deal with; it made it harder to purge herself of any emotion. She stood unsteadily until Max glanced her away. "Thank you," she said, her voice steady but emotionless. "I knew you would do what was necessary if I lost control."
furious_maximus
What did you say to that? How were you supposed to respond to someone thanking you for betraying them? What Max really wanted to do was apologize, or failing that, let his face show just how much he wanted to throw up. But neither of those would help Raven hold it together, and he sensed that she needed to for now. That she could fall apart later. When she was safe. And with people she trusted.
Which meant away from him.
So he simply offered her a solemn nod and tried not to look at her anymore.
divinesurfchick
Trying to avoid Karla's gaze brought the interaction between Raven and Max to 'Dite's attention and she winced visibly. Looking at any of them hurt, and she couldn't bring herself to face Karla yet, but seeing Raven was especially painful, knowing what she'd just done.
She knew she could help, though -- if Raven would let her.
If Karla and Max would let her.
Wiping a hand across her eyes, she stood slowly, sniffling. "Raven? I'm sorry. Please. Let me help? I can take it away -- take the anger and . . ." She couldn't even name whatever other emotions might be present in the rage the girl had absorbed. "Please, let me help."
glacial_witch
Karla stood, ready to interpose herself between the goddess and her friend. She wasn't quite willing to trust 'Dite yet. But otherwise, she remained still, letting Raven make her own choice.
trigons_child
Raven looked to 'Dite and managed a smile, but it wasn't an easy one. "I am all right," she said, reverting to her Azarathian training in control. "Please do not worry. The emotions have passed through me; I have expelled them. I am in no danger of being affected by them anymore, I promise you. It is you we should be concerned for, and making certain you are well."
The denial was strong in this one, but she wasn't lying. The rage and what had come with it had passed. The after effects would take more time to deal with.
furious_maximus
Max allowed himself a quick glance at the two girls before turning back to 'Dite. He managed to bury his anger and concern and dredged up a small smile. "You've been through a lot," he said gently, stepping closer to her in a way that just so happened to put him between the goddess and his students. Sometimes being an absolutely huge man came in handy. "You need to rest."
He held out a hand, offering her his support. "Come on," he continued in that same gentle tone, "let's get you home."
divinesurfchick
It hurt. She hurt. Raven's rejection, Karla's instinctive protection of her friend against her -- her, of all people -- all of it pressed down on her shoulders, and made her keep her gaze focused on the floor even as she nodded at Max.
She didn't know who she had hurt worse, Max or Raven, but it didn't matter. The anger might have been gone, but so was 'Dite. The goddess wasn't sure she'd ever be the same again.
"Would you rather -- walk?" Part of her didn't want to, but another just wanted Max to stay with her, and once they got to her suite, or even to the hotel, she knew he'd leave. Walking would at least keep him with her longer.
glacial_witch
"We should probably get back to the dorms anyway," Karla said quietly. "It's been a long day and we're all worn out. There will be plenty of time to talk once we've all gotten some rest. Things won't be quite so...jagged." She went and put an arm around Raven, offering support, comfort, and protection all at once. "Let's head back," she said. "Maybe stop and pick up some ice cream at T&C's?"
trigons_child
Raven managed not to flinch at Karla's touch. It wasn't Karla, it was the thought of contact with anyone at the moment. "Yes," she said, keeping the mask firmly in place. "We should return. We can speak more of this later."
furious_maximus
"Walking sounds lovely." Max was almost surprised he sounded so casual as he reached out and took her hand in his. "Shall we?"
He turned toward the door, resisting the impulse to throw a final glance at the two girls. He'd have plenty of time to beat himself up over what had happened later. For now... he had a goddess to walk home.
divinesurfchick
A tiny flicker of gratitude went through 'Dite and she didn't try to hide it from Max. She didn't move though.
"In a minute. There's something I need to do first." Slowly and carefully she pulled her hand away from his before closing her eyes and taking a deep breath. There might have been a tiny glow coming from her as things in the shop became indistinct, blurry, and then brightened and cleared. When 'Dite opened her eyes, the shop was mostly back to the place they knew, though many of the shelves were half or nearly empty. Even the dungeon was gone. The only remaining hint of the battle was the scorch mark on the back wall. 'Dite decided to leave it for now, just to remind herself.
Her shoulders relaxed a little, and she nodded. Then her hand hesitantly reached to Max again. "Now I'm ready."
[OOC: Warnings for dark themes, violence, emotional abuse, really bad plans, and even worse impersonations. Preplayed with absolutely incredible glacial_witch, furious_maximus, and trigons_child. NFI but OOC comments welcomed. No empaths, witches, faux-Romans, or goddesses were fatally damaged in the production of this post. However, their acting careers came to an abrupt and flaming end.]
-----
Hours after the destruction, the store was rather quiet. Hercules finally poked his nose out of his hiding place and sniffed, looking around. After a moment he approached the figure leaning against the wall, idly surveying the wreckage of her shop.
Not that she couldn't clean it up in an instant, but . . . she wasn't feeling like it yet.
"Did I scare you, too, cat?" He sat down and started washing himself, seemingly without a care. "Riiiight."
The anger was still there, but quiet at the moment. With a deep breath and a glare at her surroundings, Aphrodite waved a hand to pick up the counter she'd knocked over with a burst of power.
"Maybe you'd like to move to the dorms, too, huh, Herc? Go live with Karla and Raven." He stopped and looked up at her, then proceeded to lick his paw again. "Maybe I should give you to Max." This time the angry growl in her throat made Herc freeze, his eyes going round. When nothing else happened, he simply sat and waited.
'Dite wondered what, exactly, he was waiting for.
glacial_witch
Raven stopped at the door, looking inside at the destruction within. "This looks promising," she murmured. Taking a deep breath, she added, "But it doesn't change anything. We're still going through with the plan. All it does it make it more urgent." She looked at the big man next to her. "You ready?" she asked, concerned.
trigons_child
Max glanced inside and nodded. "I do not have a good feeling about this," he said, "but I am prepared."
The wind picked up slightly, swirling around and seeming to urge the two of them forward.
glacial_witch
"We're going, we--" Raven paused and cleared her throat. "I believe we should go in now, Professor Maximus." She started to open the door and head inside.
trigons_child
"I should enter first," Max said, putting a hand on Raven's shoulder. "You should remain behind me until we determine La--until we determine 'Dite's mood."
glacial_witch
Raven winced and stepped back. "Of course, Professor Maximus. You are correct. I was just in a hurry to, um, ease Lady Aphrodite's pain." She stepped back, shrugging off his hand. "Please go on ahead."
trigons_child
Max pulled open the door and stepped into the shop, looking around to take in all the damage. "'Dite." he called. "What did you do here?"
divinesurfchick
"I told you to get out, Max." She turned angrily from the back, where she'd been using her powers to erase scorch marks from the walls. "Didn't you learn anything the other night?"
glacial_witch
Raven was looking around the shambles of the shop in disbelief. "Lady Aphrodite, how could you have done this? What is it that drives you to such actions?"
After Max and Raven had taken a few steps into the store, the door swung slowly shut behind them.
trigons_child
"I have learned that you need help," Max said. "You are not yourself. You have not been yourself since your return to the island. What happened to you?"
glacial_witch
"Please, Lady Aphrodite, let us help you."
divinesurfchick
'Dite almost rolled her eyes. "I don't need your help, Raven. Or yours, Max." She wrinkled her nose. "Why are you talking like Raven? Did she finally succumb to your charms?"
trigons_child
Max gave 'Dite a shocked look. "No!" he said sharply. "Don't say that!"
A soft whisper carried on a slight breeze to Max's ears alone. "Calm down."
divinesurfchick
"Why not? Are you afraid she'll figure it out?" She clucked her tongue, folding her arms. "It's so sad, such a big man, so afraid of a little girl."
trigons_child
"This is not about Raven," Max said angrily, though he gave the girl in question a pained glance. "We're here about you."
glacial_witch
"Do not be concerned, Ma--Professor Maximus. She is deflecting so that we fight each other and do not attempt to reach her." Raven turned back to 'Dite and shook her head, looking stern. "We will not let her do that. We are here to help her and so we shall."
divinesurfchick
With a snort, 'Dite shook her head. "No, you're not. You're here trying to find the old Aphrodite. 'Goddess of loove." There was a sneer in her voice as she looked at Max. "And as you found out the other night, she's gone."
A soft sound that might have been mistaken for a suppressed hiss came from a corner of the room behind 'Dite, and the shadows seemed to flicker. For just a moment it seemed like someone was there, but, no, it was just shadows.
glacial_witch
"But we are here to get her back," Raven said, determinedly. "We know she's still in there somewhere and we will get her back. I am going to take away your anger now."
trigons_child
"Remember what we talked about, Raven," Max warned. "Her anger is going to be too much for you to handle on your own. Channel it to me. I can take it."
glacial_witch
Raven nodded once. "Of course, Professor Max...imus, I will." Raven looked at 'Dite with narrowed eyes. "Let us do this."
divinesurfchick
"Oh,please!" 'Dite through up her hands. "If you thought this would work, Max, why didn't you try it on Monday?" She put her hands on her hips. "Or was that because you really wanted that to happen? You wanted me to take you into the dungeon, huh?"
glacial_witch
Raven darted Professor Maximus a scandalized look. "Enough of this," she said, sounding a little strangled. "We have work to do."
trigons_child
"Now," Max said stiffly. "Do it."
glacial_witch
Raven closed her eyes, spreading her arms out a bit as if she was trying to embrace 'Dite's anger. "Lady Aphrodite, I release you from your anger," she intoned. "Your pain, give it to me."
A surge of rage flowed into Max, and at the same time another emotion flooded into Aphrodite. Love. A reminder of why Raven and Max would come here, would confront a goddess. They loved her.
divinesurfchick
One minute 'Dite was watching them incredulously, and the next she was . . . laughing. It wasn't a maniacal laugh, or even a hysterical laugh. In fact, it made her seem almost normal for just that moment. Even that momentary touch of love seemed, to her, very normal.
But just as fast, the laughter stopped and she glared, as her body caught up with where her mind had just gone. "Are you kidding me? Do you really think I'm buying this?" She pointed at the two in front of her. "You're not Max, and you're certainly not Raven. But hey, you want to try taking my anger away?" Anger, which had, in the last minute, seemed to return in force. "Be my guest! As a matter of fact, let me help you!" Raising one hand she let the full force of her anger feed into the thread that she could feel coming from one of the two of them. "Have as much as you'd like!"
glacial_witch
"I am too!" Raven retorted hotly. "I--" Whatever else she was going to say got lost in the pulse of pure fury that 'Dite unleashed. She stumbled backwards, the emotion like heat against her skin.
trigons_child
"Raven, don't hold it alone, give it to me," Max said, taking a step toward her. But he stopped short, staggering under the force of Aphrodite's attack. The rage was pure and white-hot, burning through him and rapidly threatening to take control.
divinesurfchick
For a moment, what she was doing felt wrong. If that was really Max and Raven, then this could be dangerous. But it wasn't. Someone was trying to fool her, to deceive her, and that made her anger all the stronger.
"Enjoying yourself, Raven? How about you, Max?" She shook her head. "You can't control me, so stop it and tell me who you are!"
trigons_child
Max was staring at Raven now, but not out of concern; the look in his eyes was pure rage. "Whenever there's trouble, you're always right there, Raven," he snarled. "Always crying about how I attacked you or how I hurt you. I think it's about time you learned what pain really is, little girl." He stalked toward her, grabbing hold of her by the shoulders before she could move out of his reach. "Everything you're afraid of? I'm going to make it come true."
In the corner behind 'Dite there was another flicker. The anger she was emitting didn't just smash into the Raven and Max. But something, or someone, was working to blunt the the worst of the strike against the two of them. Which was distracting.
glacial_witch
Raven backed up, throwing up her hands as if that could possibly fend Max off. "No!" she cried. "I will not fight you! Please, Professor Maximus! Regain hold of yourself!"
trigons_child
Max wasn't listening to any reason by this point. And 'Dite certainly didn't care what he did now. He eyed the door to the back room, then moved one hand to seize Raven by her hair. There were lots of things back there he could hurt her with, and without any further words he began to drag her to the door.
divinesurfchick
One regal eyebrow rose in bewilderment. This definitely wasn't Max, but there was just a tang of familiarity. Like she should know who these two were. She stepped forward, her anger beginning to fade as 'Max' pulled 'Raven' toward the dungeon. That feeling that she was missing something grew stronger, as did the feeling that this was just wrong.
glacial_witch
Raven cried out as Max's hands entangled in her hair and pulled. "Wait--no!" she yelled, struggling futilely. "Stop!" There was true fear in her voice. This was not part of the plan! "Let me go! Please!"
Oh, this so wasn't the plan. There was a clattering sound in the corner and the air shimmered again. What appeared to be the silhouette of a man could just barely be made out. And a wooden frame falling toward the floor from an outstretched hand. "No!"
trigons_child
Max had slammed Raven up against the dungeon door, pinning her there with his body. Anger inflamed lust, and he caught her face in his hands and jerked her head up, then ground his mouth down on hers.
Then the frame cracked as it hit the floor, and the illusion was gone. Now it was Raven, her eyes glowing red, who had Karla pinned to the door, kissing her angrily.
glacial_witch
Hot or not, being brutally kissed against the door had really, really, really not been in her plans. Even knowing from the beginning that it was Raven under the illusion and not truly Max, this kiss was more than a bit terrifying. Grabbing Raven by the shoulders, she attempted to push her away, her eyes wide and locked with 'Dite, pleading for help.
divinesurfchick
For one full second, Aphrodite froze.
This was not what she expected. Instead of Max attacking Raven, it was Raven attacking Karla -- and from the look in Karla's eyes, it wasn't part of whatever insane plan they'd come up with.
And then she realized she'd been feeding her rage directly into an empath who'd only recently begun dealing with emotions, and she threw up a hand, power pulling Raven from her victim, even as 'Dite moved forward to catch her. "Raven, no!"
trigons_child
Raven snarled in rage as she was yanked away from Karla. She spun around as 'Dite grabbed a hold of her, swiping at the goddess with the claws -- yes, claws -- that now tipped the fingers on her right hand. Her eyes -- all four of them -- were red, and her skin had taken on a reddish tone.
glacial_witch
Karla wanted to intervene, but was rooted in place with fear. Was that really Raven? Could it be? Had she honestly countenanced turning her friend into this? The ruins of her 'brilliant plan' lay in shambles at her feet and filled her mouth with the taste of ashes.
furious_maximus
Max took in the scene and realized that things had gone very wrong very quickly. He thought he knew how to get control of things again, but... he was also pretty sure it was a bad idea. A very bad idea. Too bad he didn't have any better ones.
"Raven, stop!" It wasn't a desperate cry, it was a snapped order. A demand for obedience. And the harsh edge of that demand made it very clear that failure to obey would result in serious punishment. And to drive that home, Max lashed out at her with a short burst of pleasure and pain.
He thought he might throw up.
trigons_child
Raven froze, snapping her head toward the sound of Max's voice and the feel of his power slamming into her. The rage and desire to lash out and hurt still burned in her, but now it warred with the memories she'd fought to bury, how Max's vampire counterpart had enslaved and almost broken her. She wanted to obey, but she also wanted to punish him for what he had done to her. "Trigon's daughter is no man's slave," she snarled, baring her sharp white teeth. Her Soul-Self rose from her shoulders, the black shadow-raven form edged in red.
She moved to lunge toward Max, then caught herself up short. "No!" she howled in anguish. "Azar, help me!" The moment of indecision between obedience and violence had allowed her to make the attempt to seize control of herself, and she sank to her knees, reclutching her face in her hands, shaking with the effort to purge herself of the anger.
divinesurfchick
Eyes wide, 'Dite stepped away from Raven, knowing only one thing: this was all her fault.
It was obvious that whatever Max had done (and she had no idea where he'd come from) had made a difference, since Raven had stopped fighting, but just seeing what the result had been, the rage that had encompassed the girl, made 'Dite want to weep. She backed off, her arms crossing, but this time there was no hint of anger. Instead, the only thing she felt was self-loathing. When she turned her head and saw Karla's wide-eyed stare, it just got worse. Her back to the wall, she slowly slid down it, weeping.
glacial_witch
Demonic-looking or not, Karla wasn't about to let her friend suffer through alone. She forced herself to move, rushing to Raven's side and throwing her arms around the girl, shoving as much friendship and love and calm through at her as she could muster. It was slow going, as Karla first had to lock down all her negative emotions behind her innermost barriers, but every little bit helped, right? "Shh, Raven, shh. It's okay. You're with friends. Let it all go. We're here for you."
furious_maximus
Max took a moment to watch Raven and Karla. After what he'd done, there was no way he was going to get anywhere near Raven, but he did want to make sure that she was okay. Or as okay as she was going to get. Karla seemed to have things under control. She was a tough girl, he had to give her that.
He took a deep breath and turned toward 'Dite. She was the one they'd all come for, after all. It took him a few seconds to push down his revulsion and anger. They were directed at himself for letting this happen, but there would be no way for 'Dite to know that if she saw them on his face. Then he walked slowly over to her, letting his concern show. "Hey," he called softly, "Are you back with us?"
divinesurfchick
'She heard Max, but 'Dite really didn't feel like she could respond. Instead, all she did was raise her gaze to his for one short moment before dropping her head again and covering it with her arms.
She wasn't angry anymore. But the pain inside was more than she'd felt in . . . a millenia. It was tempting to just zap herself out of here. Out of Fandom. Out of the lives of the people who had just pulled her from that haze of madness. But the very fact that they had, that they'd cared enough to try, kept her from vanishing.
The guilt kept her hiding against the wall.
trigons_child
Raven could feel the mantle of her father's power wrapped around her, and she struggled to cast it off. She'd known losing control would be a risk, but she'd been certain between Karla and Max, they'd be able to stop her. She just hadn't thought of how. It had been difficult and awkward to pretend to be Max; with 'Dite's lust-tinted rage hitting her harder than she could immediately absorb, she'd slipped into her own nightmares of Max's vampire self. When the illusion broke, she'd still been caught up in it until Max's attack reversed their roles. Now she fought to lock down her inner demon, throwing up her shields as tightly as she could, clamping down on any emotion.
Her body returned to normal, and when she finally lifted her face from her non-clawed hands, the red glow in her eyes was beginning to fade. It took another few moments for the shaking to stop. "I am all right," she said tonelessly to Karla. "You should see to Lady Aphrodite as well. She needs your love." Even with her strongest shields she could still feel that, and she wasn't about to let their plan have been in vain.
glacial_witch
Karla was very tempted to say the Hell with Aphrodite right now, but that was just her pain and fear and anger lashing out against the most convenient target. And, after everything they'd gone through, to lose her now after risking so much...
The Healer and Black Widow in her wouldn't allow it. In time, neither would the care and concern of friendship.
In time.
Still, Karla released Raven, keeping a thread of support and friendship between them, and crouched by 'Dite instead. Mixed feelings aside, she was still able to project concern for the humbled goddess, feeding caring into the void left by 'Dite's rage. "'Dite?" she asked softly. "'Dite, talk to me. It's Karla."
furious_maximus
Looking over at Karla's approach, Max very nearly snapped at her to go back and look after Raven, but that wouldn't really be fair. And, besides, knowing Raven, the best thing they could do for her was get 'Dite back. Because Raven was one of those people who could justify almost any pain if it helped someone she cared about.
So, instead, he just gave Karla a slight nod, keeping his shame buried for now, before turning back to Aphrodite. He reached out and gently touched the goddess' hand while sending a tiny pulse of the love he'd shown her before. They were here for her. They loved her.
divinesurfchick
It was the first time since Cupid and Bliss had confronted her that she'd allowed herself to feel love for another person. And she did love them. Enough that she could feel their love for her, which just made her guilt heavier.
After a moment, she got enough control of her tears to look up at Max, anguish in her eyes. Her voice cracked on every other syllable. "Even . . . even as angry as I was . . . I could never have done it, Max." She could only hope he knew what she was talking about -- and that he believed her.
Turning to Karla, another sob escaped her, and she tried to pull back, not meeting the girl's eyes.. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."
furious_maximus
"I know." It came out as barely a whisper, just loud enough to be heard. "You didn't."
It was how he'd known she was still in there, underneath all the anger and pain. It was also the only reason he'd agreed to a rescue plan at all instead of finding some way to make the girls simply stay away until he figured out precisely how one got rid of an angry goddess.
As much as it would have hurt him.
"Thank you," he added after a few seconds.
glacial_witch
"I accept your apology, 'Dite," Karla said quietly. It was far too soon to talk about forgiveness and Karla wasn't going to cheapen the moment by offering something she couldn't yet honestly give. "Are you okay? Let's get you back to the hotel. You could probably do with something warm to eat and something soothing to drink."
trigons_child
Raven shakily rose to her feet, taking a few steps back from the others, still fighting to expel the lingering rage and lust and hunger. That was the worst to deal with; it made it harder to purge herself of any emotion. She stood unsteadily until Max glanced her away. "Thank you," she said, her voice steady but emotionless. "I knew you would do what was necessary if I lost control."
furious_maximus
What did you say to that? How were you supposed to respond to someone thanking you for betraying them? What Max really wanted to do was apologize, or failing that, let his face show just how much he wanted to throw up. But neither of those would help Raven hold it together, and he sensed that she needed to for now. That she could fall apart later. When she was safe. And with people she trusted.
Which meant away from him.
So he simply offered her a solemn nod and tried not to look at her anymore.
divinesurfchick
Trying to avoid Karla's gaze brought the interaction between Raven and Max to 'Dite's attention and she winced visibly. Looking at any of them hurt, and she couldn't bring herself to face Karla yet, but seeing Raven was especially painful, knowing what she'd just done.
She knew she could help, though -- if Raven would let her.
If Karla and Max would let her.
Wiping a hand across her eyes, she stood slowly, sniffling. "Raven? I'm sorry. Please. Let me help? I can take it away -- take the anger and . . ." She couldn't even name whatever other emotions might be present in the rage the girl had absorbed. "Please, let me help."
glacial_witch
Karla stood, ready to interpose herself between the goddess and her friend. She wasn't quite willing to trust 'Dite yet. But otherwise, she remained still, letting Raven make her own choice.
trigons_child
Raven looked to 'Dite and managed a smile, but it wasn't an easy one. "I am all right," she said, reverting to her Azarathian training in control. "Please do not worry. The emotions have passed through me; I have expelled them. I am in no danger of being affected by them anymore, I promise you. It is you we should be concerned for, and making certain you are well."
The denial was strong in this one, but she wasn't lying. The rage and what had come with it had passed. The after effects would take more time to deal with.
furious_maximus
Max allowed himself a quick glance at the two girls before turning back to 'Dite. He managed to bury his anger and concern and dredged up a small smile. "You've been through a lot," he said gently, stepping closer to her in a way that just so happened to put him between the goddess and his students. Sometimes being an absolutely huge man came in handy. "You need to rest."
He held out a hand, offering her his support. "Come on," he continued in that same gentle tone, "let's get you home."
divinesurfchick
It hurt. She hurt. Raven's rejection, Karla's instinctive protection of her friend against her -- her, of all people -- all of it pressed down on her shoulders, and made her keep her gaze focused on the floor even as she nodded at Max.
She didn't know who she had hurt worse, Max or Raven, but it didn't matter. The anger might have been gone, but so was 'Dite. The goddess wasn't sure she'd ever be the same again.
"Would you rather -- walk?" Part of her didn't want to, but another just wanted Max to stay with her, and once they got to her suite, or even to the hotel, she knew he'd leave. Walking would at least keep him with her longer.
glacial_witch
"We should probably get back to the dorms anyway," Karla said quietly. "It's been a long day and we're all worn out. There will be plenty of time to talk once we've all gotten some rest. Things won't be quite so...jagged." She went and put an arm around Raven, offering support, comfort, and protection all at once. "Let's head back," she said. "Maybe stop and pick up some ice cream at T&C's?"
trigons_child
Raven managed not to flinch at Karla's touch. It wasn't Karla, it was the thought of contact with anyone at the moment. "Yes," she said, keeping the mask firmly in place. "We should return. We can speak more of this later."
furious_maximus
"Walking sounds lovely." Max was almost surprised he sounded so casual as he reached out and took her hand in his. "Shall we?"
He turned toward the door, resisting the impulse to throw a final glance at the two girls. He'd have plenty of time to beat himself up over what had happened later. For now... he had a goddess to walk home.
divinesurfchick
A tiny flicker of gratitude went through 'Dite and she didn't try to hide it from Max. She didn't move though.
"In a minute. There's something I need to do first." Slowly and carefully she pulled her hand away from his before closing her eyes and taking a deep breath. There might have been a tiny glow coming from her as things in the shop became indistinct, blurry, and then brightened and cleared. When 'Dite opened her eyes, the shop was mostly back to the place they knew, though many of the shelves were half or nearly empty. Even the dungeon was gone. The only remaining hint of the battle was the scorch mark on the back wall. 'Dite decided to leave it for now, just to remind herself.
Her shoulders relaxed a little, and she nodded. Then her hand hesitantly reached to Max again. "Now I'm ready."
[OOC: Warnings for dark themes, violence, emotional abuse, really bad plans, and even worse impersonations. Preplayed with absolutely incredible glacial_witch, furious_maximus, and trigons_child. NFI but OOC comments welcomed. No empaths, witches, faux-Romans, or goddesses were fatally damaged in the production of this post. However, their acting careers came to an abrupt and flaming end.]