Princess visibly winces as Megaros mentions Brute. Well, now he's done it. It isn't his fault, of course, because nobody really understands how they work. Everyone thinks that they are three personalities of the same person. However, it's more accurate to say that they're three people in the same body and they cannot get along. Now Princess was stuck in a conundrum. If she told him that Brute won't come after him. Brute definitely will come after him. If she says that Brute could be a problem, then he will likely not agree to barter. Then there's the next layer of the problem in that Brute is privy to the same thoughts that she is. Which only makes it more of a possibility that it'll be a problem. She had no real choice now than to hope for the best though and deflect. Princess belted a somewhat forced laugh and leans closer to the man. "Do not worry yourself about that one. Think more about what it will sound like when you pull on my collar and I moan your name..."
"I understand." the prince bowed his head. As he raised it, he was back in the shrine... He looked around, then shook his head. He needed to try this new ability... prison would be the best place to try it... but for now, he had a meeting with the diplomat from south dynasty. With that in mind, the prince made his way to meet the diplomat.
Selene gives him a sympathetic look. "I'm sorry for your loss." After he makes his appeal, though, she shakes her head. "I didn't invite you here to make requests of you - you came and found me. I didn't know you even existed a few minutes ago, so I'm not entirely sure what you could offer that I couldn't obtain myself." No, no, no! You need to be proactive!
"Hmph, I look like a guy who spends a lot of time on my knees?" Herakles chuckles. "No - these powers are your birthright. They'll come naturally." He says, as they approach a levelled out area of the hill where the sprinters train.
"Yes..." Artaxos looks unlike any other time Pelagia has seen him, his expression glassy eyed and his words slurred. "C-Candle wax..." He manages.
Megaros' eyes go wide, and it's easy to detect a tent forming beneath his thin tunic. He closes up his stall, slipping a few pieces of silk into a sack, while the rest go into a lockbox that he secures with chains. One chain, however, he keeps in his hand. "Oh, I've been imagining that for a while." He approaches, and Princess realises he plans to attach the chain to her collar.
Easy for you to say. It's not your head on the chopping block if things go badly... but okay, I'll try. Talpharos told the voice in his head before focusing and trying to use the mysterious power again. “Well, we've never met before – I would remember a woman like you, that's for sure. Thus I don't know what I could offer you because I don't know you, and you don't know what you could ask for because you don't know me, so... I guess getting to know each other would be a good start. Could you tell me a bit about yourself, my lady?” He requested, hoping he would be able to get her to open up to him. And after that... well, she was a beauty...
Velicus is taken aback for a moment, unused to being spoken to like that. "Ahem... I think it might be safer for us to board our ship as soon as we can, but if you wish to delay to find out more about your attacker, I will permit it."
"Know that you will not always be a prince." The god of the pit declares. "But as my son, you have the potential to be something greater." With that cryptic message, the gate to Tartarus closes, and Cleon is alone once more. Heading to the guest wing of the palace, Cleon knocks on the door of the grandest room, and it swings open almost immediately. Inside, he finds the diplomat, a woman surprisingly not much older than the prince himself. On one side of her, a slave pours wine into a cup, while on the other, a different slave wields a large fan, cooling the woman off. "Leave us." She orders, and the servants bow to her and Cleon, before departing. The woman looks at him, standing, before bowing herself. "Prince Cleon. I was waiting for you." She looks in his eyes.
Callirhoe heavy sigh. "So, I guess I just need to train my basic ability in running and hoping that in right time my powers show up? Great." She look at the naked sprinters, bushing a little. In most pollis sports are training in nude form was always a bit of embarrassing for Callirhoe since men dominate in numbers above women. " Any special demigod training methods mr Heracles? "
Selene chuckles. "I'm sure you would. Very well. I'm a noble, as I'm sure you guessed - a married noble." She gives him a hard to read look. "I enjoy sculpture - I don't suppose you happen to be an artist? And I quite like going outside the city walls. Forgive me, I'm not used to speaking of myself." She sighs. "I care for my niece - she's getting married and unlike most, the couple are in love. That's why the wine is important - every detail must be perfect, to ensure that the couple have a content marriage." Spoiler: Awareness Roll D100: 68 Reading in between the lines, Talpharos gets the sense that Selene is less than content with her own. "Now, tell me of yourself. You didn't get those muscles working at a market stall. That's an archer's physique, am I wrong?" Her gaze falls upon him. "Perhaps there is something you could do for me."
"It's about belief. Confidence. You have to let go of your doubts and know that it's going to work." Herakles answers. "Or at least that's what works for me. That's why powers generally don't manifest until after you learn of your parentage." She feels his massive hands on her shoulder. "Now come on, get your clothes off and race me." He grunts, and Callirhoe realises the demigod is removing his pteruges, revealing his muscular thighs and the massive battering ram of a manhood that hangs between them.
Callirhoe rise her eyes from his big sword, that would cut in the half most women, trying not to show her bushing. "Race you? Well I guess there no one faster than you in Thebes, so it make sense." She said taking off her tunic and small hand bag, staying naked in her sandals. Callirhoe like most man in the army used to be in birthsuit next to others many times, but it was always a little embarrassing for her. She go to the start line holding her hands under her perky C-cup breast. "So to what point we are racing?"
"Ah - Wait...Megaros" Princess takes a step back hesitantly, "I meant pulling on my collar with your hands, not putting me on a leash..." It's likely too little, too late to stop the man now that she already agreed. However, the thought of being degraded to that extent made Princess fear for her pride.
“Ah, so you're married. I hope your husband appreciates how lucky he is to have a beauty like you as his wife.” Selene having a husband made things a bit more complicated... but she did not seem all that happy with her marriage, so perhaps that could work to his advantage. “I hope your niece's wedding goes perfectly and that she will be happy with her beloved. She is lucky to have a close relative care for her so much.” “As for me, you are correct. I've been interested in archery since I was little, and I have practiced a lot with a bow. As I grew up I got into hunting and the time I spent outdoors further contributed to my physique. That is about it – I don't have any notable achievements or conquests to speak of just yet.” Talpharos explained as he enjoyed having Selene's eyes on him. “Oh? Did you think of something I can do for you, my lady?” He asked as he looked her over in an intentionally less than subtle way, wanting to see her reaction to him checking her out.
"Didn't see that in all the statues of me, huh?" He chuckles as he sees her blush. "The early sculptors modeled it accurately, but it kept falling off, so they decided to make it smaller in all the more recent statues." He eyes her up as she strips, before approaching a line carved in the dirt and filled with stones. He points to a similar line on the other end of the track. "Over there. Ready? Let's go." Herakles takes off at a sprint, his huge body moving far faster than she'd expect.
As much as she did want to delay it....it was with her at a crossroads. That would be forced to be admitting to the danger more than she would like and be viewed as a sign of weakness. As helpful as understanding it would be, it didn't seem to be a threat to the house itself, and she doubted she would get any satisfying answers. "As you will it." She was against the idea, and even if he offered permission, she couldn't bring herself to accept it. However, feeling the pain in her arm, she did her best not to grunt. The ship would at least have a well trained doctor and one she could use with relative privacy on the way.
"Where's all that boldness from before?" Megaros chuckles, tugging the leash to pull her closer to him. "Be a good girl, and I'll make you a dress so fine even the wives of the city councilors will be jealous."
Callirhoe chuckled as she stepped next to Herakles. "So as always, nature is more magnificent than anything what man could create. Good to know." She said making pose ready to run, with her left foot in front of her, lower head and arms about to swings. Then Heracles began their race, before Callirhoe could blink. She quickly run after him, letting go her emotions and nervous of last news. What matter right now was only run and race to end line.
"Ahem." Selene doesn't respond to the comment about her husband. "Thank you - she's a sweet girl, and deserves happiness." "I...yes, if you're a hunter, a white hart would make a fine wedding gift. I hear there's one in the forest beyond the walls." Hunting? Who is she, Artemis? Booooring... Spoiler: Seduction Roll D100: 59+10 (Perfume)+10 (Charm Mortal)=79 If Selene's offended by Talpharos' gawking, she doesn't show it. Indeed, he notices her breathing get deeper, just a hint of rosy color dawning on her cheeks, and her view dipping from his eyes and going lower.
