May open

[inthenameofhades]

Who: Zagreus and you!
When: After the Emergence AU event
Where: Horizon, Solvunn
What: Zagreus conjures some skeleton goats, says Hello to the gods, and goes monster hunting
Warnings: None expected

Horizon: You can never have enough goats
Solvunn: In the name of Hades…Hi
Solvunn: Time to pick a fight

[[ooc: prompts in the comments below! And if you would like a custom prompt, feel free to poke me at blueflowers!]]

Comments

Horizon: You can never have enough goats (Open)

[inthenameofhades]

Coming back from the strange alternate version of the future took some adjusting. Even if Zagreus had still, on the whole, been himself - it was a disorienting experience.

What he didn’t expect, however, was to miss the goats.

They were never even real in the first place! And yet…somehow Zagreus misses them. And feels oddly guilty about the fact that they don’t actually get to exist.

So he might have ended up heading to his Domain, and just…made them. Like he did with Cerberus, except rather more intentional this time. Just like he remembered them. Two skeletal goats, their horns and hooves alight with flame.

Zagreus regretted this act of creation almost immediately after making it.

“Hey, you’re not supposed to eat that!” he says, as one of the goats d bites at the pile of towels Zagreus set up next to the river Styx. He tries to yank the towel from its mouth, but the goat stubbornly hangs on. “Blood and Darkness, I think I might have made you too much like how I remember…”

[thedreamer]

"Zagreus and friends! Oh, look at you, you've got the whole band together, have you?"

As usual, the Doctor shows up as though he's been here for ages, completely settled in, and acting like they're already partially into a conversation. He hasn't clued in yet that his new friend, Zagreus, might be caught in a moment of frustration with the goats here. He should probably help him, he probably shouldn't just stand there being delighted by them.

Skeletal goats — imagine!

"You'll be glad to know I've been continuing the grand tour of your domain and I did happen to notice my picture's not up on your Summoned of the day slash night slash all eternity board. Am I not memorable enough for it?" As he speaks, he comes up closer to the goats and pulls out an old yo-yo, thinking it could at least be a distraction from the towel being tugged on, and he flings it out and back again where the goats might hopefully notice. See? He appears not to notice, when he's actually more clued in than he lets on.

[inthenameofhades]

"Ah, yes I...well, to be honest I felt a bit guilty about Asterius and Other Goat not actually existing anymore. In the first place. And...now they're eating all my guest towels."

Zagreus gives said guest towel another yank, trying to pull it from the goat's mouth. Other Goat, however, stubbornly hangs on. Apparently, not even the yo-yo is enough to distract him.

(Asterius, however, looks quite interested...he's eying the yo-yo, and inching ever closer...)

"And you were on the board the other day, mate! Also, I like Claire and I think she's very much deserving of a little appreciation." "

[thedreamer]

"Lively bunch, the lot of you," he remarks as an aside, as though it's all perfectly normal. To him, most everything is...normal-ish, though.

He finds this all highly entertaining, but he's still doing his not-asked-for duty by stepping closer and executing an actual maneuver with the yo-yo, one commonly known as walking the dog; as he flings it out and it lands on the ground, he keeps it steady there, tugging the string carefully back and forth so it moves as though he were literally walking it back and forth. His eyes stay focused on Asterius for a moment, to see if the goat edges closer, but he's quick to smile at the mention of Claire.

"Fine, fine! If it's Claire, she's one of the few I'd concede to. She is brilliant. More than," he smiles with obvious fondness and something that might almost be like pride in his voice.

Solvunn: In the name of Hades…Hi (Open)

[inthenameofhades]

He’d meant to do this earlier, really. He’d arrived in a world ruled by a different pantheon of gods; Zagreus was an interloper and he knew it. Basic civility demanded that he go and introduce himself.

Except, well…things had gotten in the way. But better late than never, surely?

So, now Zagreus is taking the time to make some proper introductions. He visits the Shrine of each god in Solvunn (or at least, each one he knows about). He leaves an appropriate offering at each, according to what the locals have told him about what they like.

“In the name of Hades…please accept this message,” he says, kneeling down before each shrine. “I am sorry for not visiting earlier. Been rather distracted since I arrived here, and I didn’t realise just how long it’s been, and then I ended up living a rather extensive mass hallucination, and…well.

“But I did want to introduce myself properly. I’m Zagreus, Prince of the Underworld and God of Blood. Or at least...I am at home. But I promise you I have no intention of intruding upon your domains or your authority.

“Please accept my offering, and know that I’m honoured to be here as a guest in your world.”

[beautifullies]

After everything she's experienced, Claire finds herself with a new appreciation for the shrines. She misses her forest, and while she dare not go deep into the woods of Solvunn, she knows of a shrine that's safe enough and makes her way there with a magicked wreath of pine and decorated with soft orange flowers for guidance. The trees surrounding this particular shrine make her feel more settled than she has in days.

She doesn't expect to see anyone else but recognizes Zagreus by his flaming feet, first. Keeping a respectable distance, she can overhear him only as a mumble, unable to make out his words. She can tell when he's finished, though, and makes her way forward. She's lost her intimidating height, but she's kept her long, silver hair that slightly glows. For now, it's in loose curls tumbling down her back and stopping at her waist. Claire looks tired; no longer immortal, not sleeping takes a toll, but she still manages a smile.

"It's good to see you Zagreus." Even if what she did was so out of character for her, that she hasn't quite wrapped her mind around it yet.

"I think the gods will appreciate your offering, now that I can speak from experience."

[inthenameofhades]

"You've got a new look mate!" Zagreus says, giving her a wide smile as he rises from the shrine. "It suits you. And it's good to see you too."

There's no answer back, not from the god of this shrine. Something he knows to expect as well, after their...visit? Vision? Mass hallucination? The ways of gods weren't new to Zagreus, but the particular quirks unique to this world's pantheon were something he understood a little better now.

"I never doubted that they would. Everybody likes gifts! Mortals too, I'm sure. And...speaking of gifts, it's a good thing you're here. There's something I want to give to you."

And with that he reaches into his pockets, and pulls out a small bottle of mead he'd been keeping on hand - just in case. "I want you to have this. Couldn't make it from the honey you gave me since that only exists in Horizon, but...I thought of you, when we bottled it. My host family have been helping me make them."

[beautifullies]

"I'm growing fond of it myself, I'm my own natural light source at night," she says with a soft smile. She's surprised when he says he has a gift for her, and when he presents her with the mead, Claire takes it graciously. He doesn't know yet, of the loss of her bees, and so this is a bittersweet present.

"Zagreus, thank you. I've grown fond of mead, and don't have near enough in my stores." She looks at the bottle again, tempted to uncork it now but deciding to wait, at least until she's home.

"I'd hoped to begin branching out into mead but unfortunately, in my...absence, the bees have died." She sadly explains how, because of the weather, she'd delayed setting the bee houses out in the garden, which meant feeding them by hand with sugar water twice daily.

"I'm not sure if I should start over again," Claire finishes with a soft sigh.

[abraxasnpcs]

The equinox has since passed, but one particular shrine is still adorned with bright offerings. Flowers delivered alone, in bouquet, woven into crowns or other intricate designs are all laid about the main edifice. Everything about the shrine is friendly and welcoming and it is clearly a popular one.

The response isn't immediate, but after a moment Zagreus will feel a warm and gentle breeze and hear the flapping of wings. Perched at the top of wood and stone is a raven that is too inquisitive to have been a coincidence. It looks down at Zagreus, sizing him up from above.

Cawing once, it drops a bright red berry down towards him. If he catches it, he will see that the raven is watching expectantly.

[inthenameofhades]

He hadn't necessarily expected a response. The gods here weren't his family - he couldn't expect the same kind of notice that he would from his relatives. But then the raven appears, and his head snaps up when he hears it's caw.

"Hello mate," he says, as he deftly catches the berry. He holds it lightly in his fingers and inspects it. The colour of it reminds him of this mother's pomegranates. "A gift, for me? Thank you."

And of course the thing to do when one is offered a boon is take it. So with a quick bow of his head towards the raven, Zagreus eats the berry.

[abraxasnpcs]

As soon as the berry hits Zagreus's tongue, a gust of a warm spring breeze ruffles the foliage surrounding the shrine. The raven caws and what was one bird quickly becomes several, all perched at different heights and all with their attention fixated on Zagreus.

The first raven's eyes glow a light red and the carvings around the edifice begin to glow. The Lyfbringr's runes bath Zagreus in a gentle light.

The rustle of leaves seems to sound like a faraway voice, somewhat coherent whispers discernable if one listens closely.

Welco...Zag...

Guest...

M...is...alm...life...love...

[familysucks]

"God of Blood? You didn't mention you hold two titles."

Not surprising, considering it had been their first meeting. Michael emerges from the forest and approaches the shrine, expression neutral and looking exactly as he did that night the storm trapped half of the Primary Settlement in the Drunken Lamb. Their recent experience hasn't left any physical traces on his vessel.

He does not apologize for his eavesdropping. If Zagreus wanted to hold a private prayer, he could've said what he had to say on the inside.

"What exactly does that entail?"

It sounds like a rather brutal role for a man who seems to be more polite and patient than average. Unless he's the god of giving blood rather than taking it, or in some other more nuanced sense than Michael can intuit from those three simple words.

[inthenameofhades]

"Technically, Prince of the Underworld is my title. Blood is my domain." And there was an important distinction between the two. "And usually I don't really bother giving out titles. For most people I meet it's not particularly important. But when greeting the local deities...it seemed appropriate."

Like leaving out the title would have been a breach of etiquette; a failure to represent himself fully and accurately to the divine rulers of this world.

"As for what being the God of Blood means...well to be honest my own domain's still a relatively recent understanding for me, so I'm still working that out a little myself. But from how I see it...Blood is life. The strength that flows within your veins. The bonds you share with your family. And also probably bleeding a lot and dying repeatedly. I do a lot of that back home."

So not really god of giving blood or taking it...but Michael's right that it's not the brutal role that the words might imply.

[heelies]

Beside Zagreus kneels Achilles, who too seeks the favor of this far-flung country's gods. When the son of Hades finishes his prayer, Achilles sets before the shrine his offering of deer meat rich with glistening fat. Over the stones he pours out honey-sweet mead.

"Mighty Spyndlveiss, guardian of the flock, another suppliant comes before you with offerings and prayers — Achilles, son of Peleus. A goddess bore me, silver-footed Thetis, daughter of Nereus who dwells deep in the sea.

"By the blessing of the deathless gods, I have come to this land. While here I stay as guest, I pray for your guidance that I may fulfill what purpose fate has slated for me."

[inthenameofhades]

"Achilles mate," he says warmly, once the other man's own offering is finished. "Spyndlveiss will have to be impressed with your offering, I'm sure. Not that I can speak for him at all. But I'd be impressed if someone gave me your offering, at least."

Not that anyone ever has. Cthonic gods aren't exactly fan favourites among the surface-dwellers, and Zagreus isn't even sure if any of them actually know that he exists. The closest thing he has to a follower is the one single shade that cheers him on in his battles against Asterius and Theseus.

"Was there a reason you wanted to call on him in particular?"

Solvunn: Time to pick a fight (Open)

[inthenameofhades]

If Zagreus wanted time to think, time to process - the best way to do it was usually to head out into Tartarus. Battle all of his father’s wretched shades, and fight his way to the Surface. Always cathartic, that was.

But he couldn’t go to Tartarus, and there weren’t any shades around here. So he had to fall back on the next best thing: hunting monsters.

He’d made sure to take Aloy’s keepsake with him, and acquired a spear from the locals (with some convincing). And then he’d headed out, looking for something to fight.

Perhaps someone else on the monster hunting crew would join him. He’s not used to having a companion, but he wouldn’t mind one. Or maybe he’ll encounter someone in need of a little protection, or just making their own way throughout the commune.

Horizon: Dropping in on the family at Camp Half-Blood (Semi-open)

[inthenameofhades]

Back at home, Zagreus couldn't visit most of his family. With him unable to survive on the Surface for more than a brief time, visiting Olympus was simply not possible.

Thankfully, that wasn't a problem here. It didn't matter that Zagreus was in Solvunn, while everyone else was in Thorne or the Free Cities. He could visit them in Horizon whenever he liked!

And when he liked what right now. He moved swiftly through Camp Half-Blood, employing that dashing movement that had him rapidly shifting forward in space as he ran. As he went he constantly looked about, trying to spot any of his family.

Was anybody home?

[sophos]

She'd been a little skeptic of the Horizon after waking up from whatever the hell the Singularity had put them through, but ultimately Annabeth couldn't keep away from it. Knowing it's moldable to her whims, limitless in creativity - her interest can't be muted. She's been working on her own domain, and so as Zagreus zips his way through Camp Half-Blood, he might notice her sitting outside a cabin with an owl perched above the doorway.

She's staring at it, trying to re-shape the bird, torn between copying her memory and... improving it. It's not her entire domain, just the part of it she shares with the rest of the demigods - because she has every intention on making more.

Thanks to the lava wall though, she misses his flaming feet this time around, and her attention is so deeply into working on the cabin, that she genuinely doesn't notice him at first.

[inthenameofhades]

"Hey, it's like the little bat your mother has," Zagreus says, as he dashes next to her. He looks up at the owl, even if 'owl' isn't a word he's very familiar with.

Or 'birds', hence the confusion. He's learned a little about them, but he still tends to think of them as just being another kind of bat.

Solvunn: Gardening is an inheritable skill, right? [closed to Julia]

[inthenameofhades]

In the garden outside his host family's home, Zagreus is looking down at the dirt. In one hand, he holds a red berry.

"Right, this...can't be too difficult, can it? Mother does it all the time," He says, looking at the berry with a faint air of apprehension. Berry goes in the ground, and then...growing happens?

This is the problem, see: despite the fact that his mother is the Goddess of Verdure and Spring herself, Zagreus has never planted anything in his life. And he's now starting to regret not having ever asked his mother for a few tips.

He can't ask her for any tips. But from the looks of it, Zagreus could very much use some help. Or at the very least, moral support.

[divinityfrompain]

Julia is out and about as it's a busy time with the orchardists, they have springtime cleaning to do and she's been assigned to go into town and pick up some supplies for later. She's rather fond of them and the kids she looks after so she doesn't mind, but she's in no hurry. It's a pleasant weather day and she's looking around as she wanders the settlement, which is the way she spots Zagreus. She sometimes does go by his house just to check in, so it's a familiar route.

"Talking to yourself or the general universe?" Julia says as a greeting, her smile genuine. Since coming back everything has been really strange, but she probably has adapted more than most. The future they saw was damaging for her, but she sees it as a warning that she could go down the path she feared if she isn't careful. It's led her to take it seriously and she's balanced out.

She and Zagreus already got along but she feels a stronger familial bond to him now, although she hasn't said it out loud, strangely shy about it. Her issues with Persephone also feel so far away. The centuries vs. days thing she's going to have to get used to. She steps up next to him and peeks at the berry in his hand.

"Sooooo, whatcha doing?"

[inthenameofhades]

"I went to visit the shrines," Zagreus says, launching right into what apparently seems a complete non sequitur. "Finally got around to introducing myself to the locals. Better late than never. Didn't actually expect a reply, but Lord Lyfbringer was kind enough to reply. And he gave me a boon!"

He holds out the red berry for her to look at. And there is indeed something otherworldly about it; something divine. This was not a berry one would just pluck from an ordinary bush.

"He told me I should plant it. Only...I've never actually planted anything before. Mother never had the chance to show me how. And I must admit, I'm a bit nervous."

Nocwich: Closed to Will

[inthenameofhades]

Not long after all of the recent turmoil - after the coup, after the chaos, after everything had returned to some semblance of normality - Will receives a message.

Would you be willing to meet me in Nocwich? I have something I'd like to give you, and it's been a while since we've had the opportunity to talk.

[sonofacesius]

Of course. I'd be happy too. Are you safe with everything going on?

[inthenameofhades]

Lovely! I'll see you there.

And yes, I am. You don't need to worry about me, I promise.