Comments | forge_fire: Harry's Apartment [B36] - Olympian Meadows

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Harry's Apartment [B36] - Olympian Meadows - NYC

Apr 07, 2005 05:10

The door is open, the warm flicker of the fireplace glowing on the wall opposite his door. Harry is inside, making a simple soup and, at this very moment, slicing a sandwich in two and setting both halves neatly on a small, simple earthenware plate. A blink and he checks the soup, lifting the lid to take a smiling wiff of it before dipping a ( Read more... )

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immortal_wisdom April 7 2005, 16:58:14 UTC

And in the doorway stands a woman, who reaches out, knocking on the open door. "Hey, got a minute?"

She looks annoyed, as if she doesn't have time for whatever issue she's here to talk to him about.

forge_fire April 7 2005, 17:01:23 UTC

He gives her a warm smile over the divider between kitchen and living room before giving a shrug. The grand total of the gestures is that he's always got a minute for her and she should know that by now. He holds up his cup in invitation, though he does so with a very small grin that indicates he knows almost before asking what her answer will be.

immortal_wisdom April 7 2005, 17:11:26 UTC

She steps inside, shaking her head no. She doesn't want coffee, because that would mean sitting and talking and that's not on the schedule.

And she does know that he'd always have time for her. She just wants to make sure that she doesn't abuse that. And she doesn't for the most part.

"My car is dead. I went to turn it on, there was a pop and that was that. And while I do not have any meetings today and technically have the day off there were a few things I wanted to take care of. Apparently that is not going to happen.

"But you can fix it."

It's not a question in any way, it's a statement of fact. There wasn't anything Hephaestos couldn't fix. Athena truly believed that, because nothing had proven to better the God. And because he was a dear friend, though she didn't say it. She knew he knew.

forge_fire April 7 2005, 17:15:49 UTC

He gives a nod, answering 'of course' both to being able to fix it, and to the unspoken request for his services. He would help anyone in the complex if they asked for it...but for her? He'd invent a new car. And somewhere she knows that just as he does, but neither of them will ever say it aloud because he's quiet and doesn't speak much and she's proud.

He lifts his soup cup again, this time in a silent request to finish his meal quickly.

immortal_wisdom April 7 2005, 17:20:39 UTC

Athena doesn't need time to get her work done. She'd get it done early anyway, it's how she was. But she got twitchy when she wasn't doing something productive. She didn't even like sleeping and generally only did so for the minimum six hours recommended. But once more she nods to him. "I just got this car six months ago. BMW...good car, right. I should never have believed the salesman. They always lie, always, but then, is that not the way of all mortals? Honestly Hephaestos, I do not know how they have lived for so very long and only changed for the worst."

forge_fire April 7 2005, 17:30:15 UTC

"My Ford's never broken down, not even once in 15 years."

His voice has never been spoken of in myth. This is most likely because it is so rarely used. But it holds a quality, a certain sort of warmth, a quiet comfort, that puts the heart at ease and could make one believe, even after just meeting him, that he has been your friend for years. With one for which this is true, it is perhaps still as soothing, still as comforting.

The small smiles on his face, however, shows the other side of his nature: the bright and cutting side of the god of fire and forge, the side few acknowledge and fewer pick up on as they speak to him. Perhaps, the smile suggests, you shouldn't have gotten a BMW. Perhaps, the smile suggests, it is your own fault for being tricked, O Goddess of Wisdom, though you'll never hear me say it. Perhaps, the smile says, I like the fact that you need me right now.

immortal_wisdom April 7 2005, 17:34:57 UTC

Or perhaps it could say all three. Athena has a good deal of experience reading Hephaestos' smiles, they'd had whole conversations with her talking, him smiling, and yet they both contributed equally.

"Yes but a lawyer cannot drive a Ford to work in a mutlimillion dollar building." And she wasn't tricked dammit. She wasn't.

And as to needing him? She does, but that would never be admitted to either. "As it is I get a new car every year to keep up appearances." There is an unspoken undertone of 'you're lucky you don't have to worry about that.'

forge_fire April 7 2005, 17:40:09 UTC

Another smile. Since he never has had to keep up appearances. The gods had never thought him worth much interest except when he'd thrown a fit over how he was treated...and how well that had worked out. Thus, it's no surprised that over the years, he decided he liked the quiet, liked being ignored.

In some ways. In other ways, it still burned.

He finishes the soup quickly enough, but he takes time with the sandwich since he really was hungry and wanted to enjoy his meal. He's never been one to rush, really, as the best work is given time, but he didn't want to annoy her.

Finally, he stands and walks to the closet, pulling out his box of tools before picking up his cane near the door. Then he looks to her, waiting, ready for her to lead him to another job he'll do for the heart instead of the head, for another little favor that will earn him nothing but a smile.

Payment enough, in some ways.

immortal_wisdom April 7 2005, 17:50:02 UTC

She'd pay him, if he ever asked, but she doesn't believe he wants payment and if she offered he might be insulted. So she doesn't. Again with the unspoken understanding.

She heads out the door, making sure he actually closes is before heading towards the parking garage. The perfectly clean and waxed M6 in what the manufacturer's called Sonora, but was really a deep bronze/gold color. Of course that's what one could have guessed, right? The convertible top was up at the moment.

"Have at it."

Please. But that's not said either.

forge_fire April 7 2005, 17:57:19 UTC

He runs a hand across the hood, the air somehow warmer as he practices his own Craft once more. He pops it, takes a look inside, and makes a noise at the back of his throat that might be interest and might be irritation. There's a noise, as if something had moved in the toolbox as he leans in and starts working, though it still hasn't been opened yet. A few minutes, and then he slips underneath the car.

He's out a moment later, wiping the sweat and a bit of grease from his forehead as he picks up his toolbox.

He gestures for her to try the car now, a small smile on his face.

immortal_wisdom April 7 2005, 18:04:45 UTC

And he gets the faintest of smiles in return. She climbs behind the wheel and turns on the car. It turns over easily and she hits the gas revving the engine. And shen she climbs out of the car there's a real genuine smile on her face. "Thank you."

forge_fire April 7 2005, 18:15:02 UTC

A small bow. Not even that, more a nod, really, and he smiles back at her, glad to be of service. He gives another, acknowledging her desire to salvage her day's schedule and thus leave and he turns to head back up to his room, hands on his tools and his cane.

immortal_wisdom April 7 2005, 18:19:56 UTC

And she pauses to watch him go. He probably knows, but probably doesn't acknowledge it. Taking a moment for him instead of hopping in her car and speeding off meant a lot. But her pride wouldn't let her acknowledge that she was taking time out for anyone. And only when he's out of sight does she get into the car, tearing out of the parking lot.

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