(Untitled)

[sprangforth]

Characters: Athena sprangforth and Asclepius ieter_amumon
Date/Time: Friday at 7
Location: At Galen's place.
Rating: G or possibly A for awwwkward.
Warnings: Just a lot of awkwardness.
Summary: When they were Mercy and Galen, they had a date planned. Now that they have their memories back, well a talk is probably in order.

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[sprangforth]

Thankfully and luckily for him, Athena was much more relaxed now. Not just because she couldn't get away with flaying a person and poking out their eyes, but just because being mortal had made it much harder for her to get upset. Plus now, well men hit on her. Not all the time of course. If she blinded everyone who had said something nice to her like that? She'd have most of the male population dead. Generally she told them to bugger off, but that was because they not just hit on her, they hit on every woman who walked their way. She had no patience for that.

It was entirely possible that she wasn't coming over to flay him alive. After all, he was one of three Greeks she actually had affection for. It wouldn't do to kill him now. She didn't have that many friends to begin with. As the door opened, she tried to remain as calm as possible. She wasn't smiling, but then she was just really confused about everything. She was Athena, but Mercedes was still very much a part of her.

"Good evening, Asclepius," she greeted with a small nod of her head. Well, that was a surprise. She kind of thought he wasn't even going to answer the door. "That would probably be wise," she agreed and went inside. Oh how she wished that this wasn't so weird. And that she knew what to do. She hated being at a loss. "How are you?"

[ieter_amumon]

"Honestly? Rather glad you aren't furious with me." He guided her to the parlor, and gestured for her to sit.

"I'm not quite sure where to start with all this..." He sighed. "I suppose an apology is in order. I assure you, I have always held you in the greatest respect, as a teacher, as an aunt, as a goddess. I would not have been who I was without you, and I would never dream of acting untoward with you. Honestly, I forgot myself... and, somehow, you as well. Things would be easier if we were just Galen and Mercedes, but we aren't, and never will be." He shook his head.

"That said... I did speak truly with you that day. You are one of the finest women I have ever had the pleasure of meeting, and I do enjoy your company. Any man--anyone, for that matter--should be honored to be with you. I suppose what I'm asking is... what do you want from... this?"

[sprangforth]

That was probably to be expected. Following him into the parlor, she sat down and figured to just let him go ahead.

Undoubtedly he thought that he should do so before she got a chance to tell him off or something. And so Athena did what she did best, she listened. She was a very good listener actually. Her face didn't really betray anything, she didn't smile but she didn't frown either. She just listened, really listened until he was done. Only then did she speak.

"I'm not furious with you. And you have absolutely nothing to apologize for. We both forgot ourselves. No one knew who they were, and you can't be held responsible. And I'm not angry, not by any stretch of the imagination." She took a breath and tried to figure out what to say before saying it. "It's still very sweet of you to say, but I know that when you look at me.." she trailed off. This was harder than she thought. "I do not expect you to have the same feelings now that you did then. How could you? I'm only half of her."

She put her hands in her lap and thought for a moment. "I will admit to not knowing what I want. I don't.. I've never really done this before. And I would not want to force you into anything because you think I'll be cross, or won't be your friend. You said it yourself, you'd never think of acting that way towards me normally."

[ieter_amumon]

"Well, that's a relief, to know you aren't upset," he said.

"Truthfully... I haven't had that much experience myself. The only woman I've been with, at least this time around, was my ex-wife." Asclepius ran a hand through his hair.

"Really... I'm a bit torn. On the one hand, it's strange to think about, because you were always beyond the reach of any man. You were the closest thing to a mother figure I had once--I'm surprised you don't still see me as just a boy. But... things are different now. Dynamics and circumstances have changed. I would be foolish to think I would ever find anyone of your equal anywhere." He fidgeted nervously. "At the very least, I want to remain your friend. As for anything else... It would take some time for me to get used to the idea, but you are a fascinating and lovely woman... ...I don't know if you would find a simple man like me worthy of your attentions."

[sprangforth]

At least it seemed they were both about in the same boat as far as that was concerned. She felt better that he didn't much know what he was doing either.

"I want you to be my friend. There are, honestly three Greeks that I actually like, and you're one of them." She didn't say that a lot, but she figured most knew. "But I think you put me on too high of a pedestal. I have all of Athena's memories, and I know what she knows, I think like she thinks. But I'm mortal. Everyone sees me and thinks they know what I want, and how I should act. I'm not above anyone, I don't want to be. I would just like to be normal for once in my life. Everyone.. including you is too scared of me to think of me otherwise. It's a bit condemning." And she didn't mean it in a bad way, at least not all bad. "You don't have to feel any way you don't want to. I do not expect anyone to ever feel that way towards me, or look at me the way you did before."

[ieter_amumon]

"Three? Might I ask who the other two are?" he inquired.

He considered her words. "I see. Perhaps you don't expect it... but would you want someone to love you in that fashion? Not anyone in particular, necessarily. Just in general."

[sprangforth]

"Ah that would be Artemis and Persephone." She paused for a moment. "And I suppose Hebe as well. I guess four then." Which meant he was the only guy. Her father would have been included on that list probably if he was there.

Though she'd been staring at the ground most of this whole time, she finally looked up at him. "I'm not some cold bitch with no feelings. Even though I suppose I might come across that way. I've never been opposed to it. It's just.. well I don't know if you noticed, but most Greek gods, and men alike are.. they're assholes." She hadn't meant to be that blunt, but it was the best way to describe them. "I don't have time for people who think they're too good and too hardened for emotion."

[ieter_amumon]

He couldn't help but chuckle a little bit at that.

"I see. Well, that's one way to put it," he agreed. "So, then, the short answer to my question I'll take as a 'yes,' then." He tapped his chin thoughtfully. "All right, I'll tell you what... We are friends and colleagues, as we've been all along. We can continue to enjoy each other's company. If anything more should begin to bud, then we can take it one day at a time and see what happens. If not, things remain as they are. Does that sound fair?"

[sprangforth]

It was only the truth. They were all so angry. In a way she hadn't felt in centuries.

"They're all over obsessed with themselves. I don't think any of them would know love if Aphrodite bit them on the ass." Which let's face it, she probably had. Her shoulders shrugged and she focused on the problem at hand. "I've always wanted to know what that felt like. I rarely had the chance." Slowly she nodded. "That sounds most logical to me. I would like that. I want you to tell me if you find you cannot find it within you to view me other than..a motherly figure." That was the nicest way to put it. "I just want you to remember that Mercedes is as much of me as Athena is."

[ieter_amumon]

"All right," he promised, "As long you also remember that I'm Galen as much as Asclepius." He touched her hand, but only for a moment.

"Now, then, I promised you dinner and archery... Did you have a preference on which to do first?"

[sprangforth]

"Of course, I like you.. try not to worry so much." It wouldn't do if he was nervous all the time.

Athena gave the barest of smiles again. "I suppose dinner, since we don't want it to get cold, do we?" Unless it was cold, but still then she'd rather eat first she supposed.

[ieter_amumon]

"It just needs a few minutes in the oven. I prepped it ahead of time, not sure if you'd want to eat or practice first," he said, leading her to the dining room. The table was already set for two. "Would you like me to pour you an apertif while we wait?"

[sprangforth]

"Then eating sounds all right by me. I don't mind practice on a full stomach." It gave her a bit more energy, even if most people felt sluggish after eating. She followed, and sat down. "All right, whatever you have really. I'll drink anything."

[ieter_amumon]

He chuckled and, after popping dinner in the oven, fetched a bottle of pale golden wine, pouring a little bit into the glasses.
"Just something light to start with," he explained, "Though, in truth, the right wine can make all the difference with a meal. Speaking of, I do hope you like fish."

[sprangforth]

"That's what I keep hearing, but I don't make dinner for many people so I suppose I'll just have to take your word for it." She was glad that she was starting to feel a bit more normal. "I love fish, it smells wonderful. Thank you for making dinner."

[ieter_amumon]

"It's no trouble," he said with a kind smile, "I'd rather cook for two than one any night. It'll be simple British fare this evening, mostly--baked cod, some seasonal vegetables... I do have a wine with more substance to accompany the main course."