dear_mun | (no subject)

Mm, I'm fairly sure you're not dreaming the likes of me. And besides, would your imagination include what happened to Cerberus? [Yep, he'll still be amused by that one for a little while; her witnessing that might even make a decent bargaining chip later.]

With that attitude, I've no doubt you'll make it at least; you've got something to live for, right? You might want to keep that in mind. [Wind, wind- who was big on wind down there? He didn't expect Boreas or his brothers, whoever was coordinating this wouldn't have loosed a Titan from Tartarus just for this, would they? If he remembered right, Thanatos was trying out a winged look last time they encountered one another- though it's unlikely he'd be impeded by any kind of wind.

...You know what? Better to keep running over notions than to come to a conclusion, there's nothing to be gained by contemplating whoever's left.]

My dreams, when I had them, were always of Orpheus... and you're far too sturdy beneath me to be anything but real! Nor could I have ever contemplated the taming of Cerberus. I'd thought to bribe her, perhaps! [But his method was both effective and amusing.

Her arms grip a little tighter, and her knees tighten at his ribs. The wind isn't impeding anyone - it's bearing them forth, along with a chill and the faint shurrush of feathers. More than a guardian is chasing them now, seeking to stop the dead from leaving.]

I am. I can only hope it will be enough.

Oh, trust me, bribery is most assuredly involved- it's just deferred a little until I get back. She's very fond of her red bouncy balls, you see; I'll probably throw in a steak or three as well.

Because who, person or doggie, doesn't love steaks? Heck, even the gods love a good steak offering- even if the offerer gets to eat it right afterward.

And with wind at his back, Herc has that extra push on forward- though likely not enough to outrun their pursuer, especially with that familiar chill seeing into his skin, it might be just enough to come within sight of daylight before he has to make any confrontation. And what might surprise her, is how cheery Hercules sounds in response to her last comment.]

I daresay it will, fleet Eurydice, I daresay it will. If I'm not mistaken, we're to have company soon- but I suspect I can handle him, though it may require you to step down. We'll see when the time comes, eh?

And in the meantime, you might wish to glance back now and again to see how quickly he comes- Although given his grim visage, you might not, either.

You speak of things I don't know; has time moved on so swiftly without me?

[Balls, yes. Bouncy? Not so much. And steak means nothing to her, either. She heard stake, and assumes stick. Which, granted, would also work.

His good cheer is less surprising than it is uplifting, and indeed, it's his own unflagging enthusiasm that's helping her along the path back to the land of the living. Were he not so sure of himself, she'd have danced, thanked him, and accepted her fate to return with no real argument save a longing look towards the light. As it is, she's now much less than a shadow of her former self, and is growing closer to the lively nymph she should be with every flying step he takes.]

I'm ready to assist - I cannot fight, but I can flee. [And she does as she's bid, glancing over her shoulder.] I see darkness... it's grey, not black, and it's moving swiftly. It will be upon us sooner than we think-- I see wings?

Well, there has been quite a lot of time. The world's quite a bit different than it was- but there are still oak groves and music, and there is still Hercules. [Not to brag, but she should know that he's available to be called on, right? And while he might remember steaks- there's only so many ways to cut meat off of a herd animal, after all- it's pretty unlikely that a nature spirit would have cause to run across them; it's not like they can be just picked up off the forest floor.

Enthusiasm is certainly one of his best features, all right! Good thing trickiness is one of his others, closing one eye and turning his head the same direction just enough to murmur to her out of the side of his mouth.]

If our pursuer is who I think it is, he's diligent but not creative- given what he does, he doesn't need to be creative. Even so, it's an advantage in our case; watch him as best you can, and once he starts reaching for us call out a warning. And be ready to disembark shortly afterward, yes?

Then I shall be in good company. [She knows, and she'll most certainly take him up on the offer. It's not every day a nymph is rescued by a hero and taken to live in the future - he'll have to be a guide, at the very least. And yes, she is, for all intents and purposes, vegetarian. Her sustenance is primarily from her tree, and she eats fruits, nuts, berries...

His change in tone is easily understood.]

Yes, absolutely.

[Her grip shifts to one where she can easily leap away at his signal, and she clings tightly with her knees as she takes regular glances over her shoulder. It's on the fourth of these that Death himself becomes clearly visible, and on the sixth that she begins to truly worry.]

He's gaining, and swiftly!

[That wasn't what he'd asked, nor was it good enough for what he needed- but by the time he clarified, it would doubtless be too late. So Herc just went ahead and focused on that chill he was getting, that sense of approaching death- or in this case, Death- and made his call; one more bound before he's close enough...

And then he swerved once more, hands lashing out to catch and hold his pursuer as he fought the feeling of incipient mortality all over again.] NOW!

[No lock or bar can hold back the taker of souls, but with the blood of a god in his veins, Hercules surely can- and while the hero can easily be avoided by one who can disappear through the very earth, that means nothing if he's already caught you in ambush.]

Come, good Thanatos; let's see how much you've learned since last time. Remember Alcestis?

[Then she'd misunderstood him, but the result is much the same; she's readying herself at his swerve, and leaps for safety at his command. They'd been moving far too quickly for any sort of delicate landing, and Eurydice is already bracing herself for the neat tuck and roll she needs to execute to make a clean getaway.

The ground is hard, but not unlike the earth in winter, and while it's a shock to hit it after being carried on warm, muscled flesh, she makes no complaint, regaining her footing and fleeing with all her strength. She has complete faith in Hercules - he's a hero in every sense of the word - and though she wonders briefly who Alcestis is, and what she did.]

[It was with a sigh of relief that he felt her come off untouched, even as the deathgod swayed inexorably forward to come in contact with her despite Herc's indomitable grip- and the hero shifted his stance and arms, seeking to catch Thanatos in a crushing bear hug. It had worked last time, after all- but not this time, as his chilling foe changed his body's movement in response, almost slipping out of the hands of Hercules. Clearly, he had learned a thing or two about wrestling since last time... But Herc was willing to bet he'd learned more.]

Come now, Soul-Taker. You don't really want to do this, do you? She never deserved death, under ordinary circumstances she'd never fall under your purview- and she'd already been rescued once. Can you really tell me, after hearing her husband's song, that you didn't want her set free?

[Prince of Power that he is, Hercules punctuated his attempt at persuasion with a twist of his opponent's arms, working to hook them behind his death's head and interfere with his ability to twist and fight back. Work on as many levels as you can manage, in a fight like this.]

[Thanatos is displeased with being thwarted by the hero's grip - he'd been so close to reclaiming the nymph, and it irked him that some jumpstart demigod was managing to get the better of him. Herc was right; he'd learned from last time - but had he learned enough? He feels it beneath him to even have to struggle like this, writhing like puny mortals...

Eurydice risks a glance over her shoulder as she runs; she lacks the ground-eating strides of her rescuer, but she is lightfooted and fleet, managing a surprising distance in a short time. It's not far enough that her hero's booming challenge isn't heard, but the response from the reaper of souls is lost to her ears.

What she doesn't hear is Death's grunt of anger and snappish response of "It's not about want, it's about rules, and power. The conditions weren't met, she is ours to hold onto."]

[That's always been one of his big advantages, down through the millennia; he's NOT too grand for these things, and dragging others down to his level gives Herc the home-field advantage, so to speak.

Yet even so, his opponent's answer took the smile off Herc's face; he didn't like hearing that.]. I always knew you a strict rule-keeper, Thanatos, but somehow I missed the pettiness. Yet I shouldn't be surprised, it's how the family does things. We do, because we can- and you know what? I'm still freeing her from the lot of you, because I can.

[And THAT'S when the hero headbutted Death square in the face, and commenced his efforts not to hold Death off, but to start twisting him into a f***ing pretzel.]

Edited 2013-10-04 04:26 (UTC)

[The nymph whose fate hangs in the balance sees naught of this, busy running as fast as she can away from the brawling pair. Red hair growing richer and warmer in colour the farther she travels, the wind of her passing dries the dampness clinging to the front of her chiton, the material whipping about her legs.

Shades reach for her as she races past, the shadows twisting and reaching, but she doesn't falter.

Thanatos, meanwhile, is dazed from Herc's headbutt, unable to fight back as he would like due to the stars he's now seeing. It's fair to say that he's pretty pissed off. "Think you that this display will help you win? Even if you do reach the surface-- cease bending me! --I will claim her, yet."

That last isn't true; as a nymph, barring further viper incidents, she will live a very long time.

If they reach the surface.]

[Herc can't hear the nymph he's trying to save, something he considers a very good thing; let her grasp her own freedom, it's been denied for far too long.

Him? He'll take advantage of his opponent's dazed state to start stretching and bending his foe's upper limbs in ways an arm's not supposed to move, slapping a hard elbow into Thanatos' already wavering skull when he recovers enough to talk.] Aye, I'm sure that's true, old boy; neither lock nor bar can deny you, we're all doomed to fall under your rule sooner or later- Of course, I'd count as an exception to that, wouldn't I? I've ascended to Olympus, I could keep this struggle up all day. All month. All decade. {Really okay with slacking off with only HERC'S company all that time, tough guy?]

But then again, I might not have to do that. What if I braided your limbs together, deathgod, then knotted the ends together and started carrying you around everywhere like a satchel? I could show you off to my friends, watch them squeal in envy over my dynamic new accessory- and there's nothing you'd be able to do but wiggle at them and curse impotently. [Braiding... that's not exactly what Herc is doing to Death's arms right now, but it definitely suggests that braiding limbs is a distinct possibility in the near future, doesn't it?]

Are you certain you're this interested in taking a little girl? I'm almost hoping you say yes, for some reason I recently got the urge to start hurting you very badly. [Hint- telling Herc 'it's about power' when you're doing something he doesn't like MIGHT be a bad idea, because odds are good he has more power at hand than you do.

Admittedly, this is all something of a bluff; Hercules can actually understand the consequences of forcing Death to take a holiday even for a day or two, much less decades. Papa Zeus hammered the importance of mortals dying into him long, LONG ago, and the message stuck around-

But he IS a hero, and getting him riled up enough is a good way to find out whether he'll call his own bluff anyway and twist Death into friggin' balloon animal shapes. Something to keep in mind.]

Edited 2013-10-05 18:37 (UTC)

[Were her imminent escape into the world above not foremost in her mind, Eurydice would likely find Herc's display both thrilling and amusing.

Thanatos finds it neither of these things, and makes his displeasure known by way of grunts and bellows and predominantly empty threats as he struggles against the mighty hero... and finally, he quiets.

"Enough! Enough... You're more trouble than Ares and Dionysus combined--cease, before you destroy my wings! I will make you a bargain."

The god of death no longer fights, if the hero would be so kind as to step down.

The nymph in question, meanwhile, is only yards away from her goal. The light is bright, though is doesn't filter into the Underworld itself, and her whole body thrums with energy and yearning as the grass and trees beckon her forward. Her frantic flight halted, she now steps with something approaching reverence towards freedom.]

[Step down? Oh NOOOOO, that's not happening any time soon. Stop what he's doing and just hold on, in a rather uncomfortable position for Thanatos? Doable.]. By all means, say on. I'm still willing to hear sweet reason from you, Fetcher of Souls.

[Especially since he can just keep going if he doesn't like the terms offered.

Yet if he knew about his nymphly rescuee's Climactic Moment, he'd surely be yelling at her to just run through already! Didn't she have enough of being one step away from salvation LAST TIME!? He's seen far too many operations fail at the last step, and wouldn't want her revival to be added to the list.]

[Thanatos gives the upstart hero a Look. "She has one year with all the frailties of a human. Sickness, injury, requirements for sleep and food. If, at the end of that year, you have kept her alive and in good health? I will not claim her." He'll work it out with the weavers later - anything to get out of this ridiculous situation.

Eurydice, meanwhile, is still waiting for the rock to fall, the arrow to hit, something to stop her.

It's perhaps purposely timed by the god in Herc's arms that the moment the hero agrees is the moment she steps into sunlight.]

[A Look returned with interest; Herc TRIED persuading him at first! This could have been done the easy way.]

A year's time, you say? Short enough, for you or me or she- but I expect you to leave her be so long as the bargain remains. She contracts cancer or leukemia or what have you, or should I trace an incident back to your meddling-

Well. I will find you again, and I will be far, FAR more creative about vengeance than I was this day.

[Given how many times Herc's killed someone/seen a friend die due to Dramatic Pauses, he really disapproves of them. Still, he'd be glad to know it finally finished up... even if Eurydice might suddenly be dealing with a host of new sensations.

[Thanatos snorts in derision. "Think you so little of my word? I am not my brother, to create loopholes. I give her this year, and it's up to you to keep her safe." Death shrugs free of the hero, looking affronted at the dishevelled state their tussle has left him in, and glares.

Eurydice takes a step into the world of the living, and gasps as warmth and light fill her body. She takes another, and laughs in joy as she feels the sun on her skin.

Thanatos points at Herc. "You'd best hurry. She doesn't know of her limitations, and a nymph in a forest can disappear mighty quickly."]

Edited 2013-10-13 05:02 (UTC)

Oh, I trust your words to be truth, old boy; it's what you don't say that gets me suspicious, and our crowd always has liked playing with the fine print. If you'll not interfere, then I accept.

[Finally letting go, a firm but this time not punishing clasp of Thanatos' hand was given with a couple shakes for good measure, before taking off surfaceward. Heck, he'll even call out something cheerful to the deathgod over his shoulder as he goes.] Tell you what, next time I need to slay an alien deity I'll bring you along, we'll get some fun out of it!

[After that, though, it was a steady acceleration to try catching Eurydice before it was too late. She may be mortal for the nonce, but there's still no question that a nymph can elude ANYONE in the woods.]

EURYDICE!

["I've already interfered," the god mutters as he stalks away. Thanatos now has to explain to Hades that he allowed a demigod to spirit away a shade whose exit has already been barred once, and all because he was losing a wrestling match. This wasn't going to go over well.

As for the escapee... both Thanatos and Hercules are correct - a nymph in a forest is in her element, and true to form, Eurydice is nowhere to be seen when the hero emerges from the Underworld. His roar of her name shakes the leaves in the branches and startles the birds, and at first, there's no response. Then, out of what seems like nowhere, the lightest of footsteps can be heard as a brightly smiling nymph comes running through the trees and throws herself at him in sheer delight, wrapping her arms as far around him as they'll go in a tight hug of thanks.]

Hercules! I'm free - I am alive! See the colour in my hair, my hand!

[Ah, he'll be fine. Hades knows his nephew's little ways; it's not like Herc hadn't done the exact same thing to Hades right to his face before on multiple occasions. Let's face it, it's pretty awesome being Hercules.

And while he was surely worried for a few moments on coming out, thinking she might just plainly be drunk on actually living and feeling again, losing all track of where she was- well, ballistic nymph-hugs have a way of curing all sorts of concerns that might trouble a demigod's mind. So it's a broad smile and a gentle hug that Eurydice got in return, holding her off the ground with effortless ease.] Welcome back to the world of the living, milady. It's a very different place now, but seeing you like this makes me certain we did the right thing.

[He'll tell her about the not-very-onerous bargain in a minute. Right now, just give her a moment to revel in newfound freedom to feel.]

[She's already been up a tree, there are leaves in her hair - but they look artfully placed, when on anyone else they'd appear as though they'd crawled through a hedge backwards. Her feet dangle as he holds her, and she grins up at him.]

I did not think it possible - I had thought my way barred for certain.

[And then her smile fades somewhat.]

...will I find Orpheus here? Or does this 'very different place' mean that we are not where we should be?

Let's be fair, lass; your good Orpheus managed to do even better with just a song After all, he didn't have to worry about pursuit, and he didn't wind up making any bargains that lasted beyond that tunnel. [That's something worth getting to in a moment, no?

But first, he'll switch to holding with just one arm, and petting her hair reassuringly.] Come now, Eurydice, that's nothing to be concerned about. We came out where we should, to be sure- and while I may not know where your beloved might be, we'll just keep looking until we find him, be he Earthbound or elsewhere... though admittedly, there is a lot of elsewhere to look through. Rather little of it should apply to him, though.

Do you suppose we'll have to look far?

[She's taking comfort in his reassuring hand on her hair, slender arms clinging tight to him, the physical anchor to this new world of sunlight. The forest, while full of trees who welcomed her, is not one she recognises.

A breeze picks up, moving the strands of her hair under his fingers.]

Is there a way we can let him know that I have my freedom?

Sadly, I can't say at all. I've not even met the man, to my recollection- as little as that means. [Because when you've taken hits in the head on a regular basis for three thousand years, the memory starts to get a little fuzzy... And without proper introduction, who's to say he'd even know Orpheus if he met him?

That said, Herc does have an idea to get started.] I'd have to know how to contact him in order to do that, or at the least know what he'd look at- but why not ask family for help? His family, to be specific.

[And from out of that skimpy minikilt-thing he's wearing, Herc pulls a smartphone. Dialing now, and...] Hello, Olympus Group? This is Hercules. Could you patch me through to one of the bigwigs? I'm trying to locate the Muses.

[He shifted the phone away from his mouth for a moment.] This clever device is letting me chat with someone a thousand miles away!

Edited 2013-10-27 06:31 (UTC)