As they traveled back through the tunnels, Nina asked in a cold voice,- "You don't really trust her, do you?"
Theoric grimaced,- "I think she has her own circumstances, I got the feeling she didn't have as much freedom as we once believed."
Nina loudly rebutted- "You can't be serious after she just failed saving Io!"
Theoric almost snapped,- 'As if your one to talk,' but managed to instead growl out, "You don't think I know that!" Taking a minute to calm himself,- "Look Nina, just as you had your circumstances back when you were Medusa, she may have her's, never forget that, everyone has their side of the story, you need to save judgment and until you know both sides you, do you understand."
Nina frowned- "There is no excuse for what she did to me."
Theoric took a moment and embraced her- "You're right, you didn't deserve what happened, but please keep an open mind is all I ask."
Tearing up, feeling his warm embrace- "You... You don't blame me?" She asked.
Instead of answering he just patted her back,- "Shh, everything is okay, we will be okay, Io and Anna will be okay."
Nina burst into another round of tears as Sigyn came over to join the hug with Holland right behind.- "I'm, I'm, I'm Sooorrryyyy."
Theoric- "Shh, we will get through this, and I will find a way to make the ones who are responsible for all this pay."
Sigyn- "It's okay Nina, Theo and I won't rest until we fix this, you can count on us."
Theoric flashed her a quick look but left it alone, knowing that Sigyn was serious about helping her friends. He wasn't necessarily against her helping, he just didn't want her to suffer hardships. He liked Sigyn happy and cheerful and it worried him that she may change if she started joining him in battle.
Holland feeling left out spoke up,- "Don't forget about me, I'll also help."
Theoric grinned reaching out to stroke her head- "Of course you will, you're just as much a part of this family as the rest of us," he said putting a bright smile on her face, which only grew brighter when she heard what came next.- "Oh and look here, I got this amulet from Athena so you can sing all you want when we're back at sea, now I can freely listen to your beautiful voice without losing control."
Moments later when everyone calmed down, they once again exited the temple into the dark of night thanks to the mostly cloudy sky courtesy of Zeus's leftover stormclouds that cut off the waning light of the setting sun early.
Theoric in no mood for putting his disguise back on quickly walked out with the girls and a sad remorseful Nina in his arms so she wouldn't slow them down. Ignoring the looks he got from people he passed, ducking past any guards he spotted.
Theoric whispered- "How are the eyes?"
Nina whispered back- "They're fine, I don't know how it happened, but remember what... Athena, said about being able to possibly control it, I do think it's possible, I can still recall the moment it happened, the feeling I got when it came back, I can't be sure without looking around, but I'm pretty sure it's safe at the moment, I don't have that same feeling."
Theoric- "We'll test it the same way we did before when we get back to the boat."
Nina- "Mn."
They didn't have any trouble with the guards despite his wanted statues thanks to the dark and the fact that most were praying like everyone else, easily slipping their way through the gathered crowd as they made their way down the stairs.
Ignoring the commotion that was happening on the other side where the priestesses were guarding the entrance to the private area. Where the lords of the city came and demanded to be allowed access to meet Zeus only to be turned down by the priestesses who kept composure in the face of hostility, keeping peace through lies that they were ordered by Zeus to not let anyone through. Some lords of course questioned this, but none were brave enough to test it and simply kept shouting to try and show they still were a force to be reckoned with.
Arriving at the bottom of the stairs they met the waiting crew that was arranged to help them on their journey.
The priestess stepped forward to introduce them- "As ordered by Lady Thena, here is your crew, all capable women who have sailing experience as well as combat, the lady said you would be fine with this given your choice in companions," she said in a deadpan manner, clearly judging him.
Theoric wryly grinned as he gave them all a once over,- "You can thank your lady for me, I'll do my best to make sure they come back in one piece."
The priestess turned to the ladies not noticing the new addition that hid in the back,- "This is the group you'll be traveling with, be careful and do Athena proud."
They all saluted her goodbye, waiting until she was gone before the leader stepped forward to introduce herself,- "Hello, I'm Selene, the leader of this group, and as ordered we are here to help you on our quest, let me know what you need and I'll make sure it gets done to the best of our abilities."
Theoric didn't doubt she was the leader thanks to her very noticeable black leather outfit that stood out from the rest who wore different types of simple trousers and tunics for sailing.
However, Looking at the pale skin, shoulder-length black hair, cold blue-eyed beauty, Theoric did still feel it strange that she would be among this group, but who was he to judge being the only man among women.
He was starting to think he had a problem when others thought he would only hang out with women seeing how they even gathered a crew of only women. He hoped it was because they were aware Holland was a siren, but he knew that wasn't possible unless Athena spilled the beans since she would be the only one with the potential to know from spying on her daughter's activities.
Theoric gave his best grin,- "Welcome Selene, I hope we get along and become fast friends during this journey together, now if you would please follow me we can further introduce ourselves once we're on the boat, I don't wish to waste any more time than necessary."
Selene grinning back- "Certainly, after you."