After handing out his number, Raymond changed his mind and went straight for the restrooms and splashed cold water on his face. His glance to see his own face starring back from the mirror.
Now he had to deal with the crazy supernatural outside his apartment. His situation was beginning to get somewhat complicated, and too soon for his tastes. He should definitely find a way to blow her off.
As he was musing to himself, he caught sight of movement right at the edge of his sight and he could've sworn he saw a ghost. Turning quickly, he didn't see anyone. He only got a glimpse of it through the large mirror in front of him and was out of his peripheral vision the moment he focused on it.
"Hello?"
He spoke to the empty washroom. No one replied. Closing his eyes, he took a deep breathe in and out before opening them and turning back to the mirror. His eyes were glowing blue, and he could smell the change in the air. It was the same smell he smelled when he almost went all out against Adrastea.
He almost figured it out but was shocked out of his reverie by ducking away from an incoming fist.
Coming back up, he made the mistake of turning without getting out of danger first. His mistake was apparent as he was now pushed further on the defensive by having to lean back to avoid another hook aimed at his jaw.
"What the fuck!" Taking two rapid steps to the side, he appraised his attacker.
It was someone he'd never seen before and the stranger didn't seem to have any intentions of stopping. The stranger then followed up with a jab. Ray raised both his hands to block, then something really strange happened.
The jab went right through Raymond's hands and into his face before pulling back leaving behind a cold and weird feeling of vulnerability. Raymond cringed and took several steps back panic. The stranger then turned around and took off, passing through one of the walls without stopping.
It took several seconds before what happened finally caught up with Raymond's conscious. He blinked a few times before looking around, afraid the stranger might still come back. With his guard still up, he too rushed out of the restroom and headed straight to his second lecture, his back slightly soaked.
Raymond went through his second lecture, thankfully with no more incidences. Even his third went smoothly. He later went straight to the library and browsed a few books on Greek Mythology. First thing he did was check up on anything that talked about Zeus and wasn't surprised when there was nothing detailed about his death.
After several hours of unsuccessful search for anything related to the death of Zeus, he sighed and gave up. He managed to borrow a few extra books just in case he missed anything. Outside the sun had just began to set, reminding him of just how much time flew while he was deep in research. He took his usual route home.
"Can I join you?" He heard a female voice ask.
"If I say no, would that stop you?"
"If that's what you want then I will," Athena replied.
"Never mind. Just don't sneak up on me. I've had enough of things sneaking up on me today." "What do you mean things?"
Exhaling, "I thought I saw a ghost today, but it could be my imagination. I've been experiencing a lot new and strange things lately?"
"I believe that one was more of wandering than anything. Since you are of divine power, you will be able to see souls, ghosts and very many unusual creatures that would otherwise be completely invisible to your average human."
"Aren't I supposed to scare them away?"
"No, you're not, there are still minor supernatural beings who don't know who you are and would outright kill you if they decide to attack. So, don't get too confident.
"The only thing going on for you is potential, and depending on you, it could take anywhere from few years to millennia for you to even be considered god material."
"That's comforting. By the way, what's an Oceanid?"
"You've met one already. They are a bunch of nymphs, nothing to worry about." Athena too gave him that grin like he was missing something that he ought to know.
"I wasn't worried."
"How was school?"
"Really?" Raymond rolled his eyes.
'Trade one mother for another.' Ray then stared at Athena to see her reaction. He was glad to find out that gods didn't read minds.
"What, you don't think I can ask about you?"
"Well apart from the few incidences, everything went as I expected." He then proceeded to recount his lessons and was surprised when the goddess engaged him on the subjects like she already knew them.
Raymond was impressed by her until he remembered Athena was the goddess of wisdom and if he could guess, she probably had profound knowledge on anything he could think of and even if she didn't, she could probably get any information she wanted at any moment, just like the internet as long as it was made public.
About seven thirty Raymond was out and took the subway towards the beach where Emma texted him the address. Even before arriving on the scene, his nose picked up the smell of booze, and his glands went wild.
The party was on the shore with a huge bonfire and fairly loud metal music. There was a sizeable crowd of around sixty that he could estimate, all of them looked young, but he kept getting the same vibe that they were much older than they looked.
Arriving at the party, he was quickly greeted by a waiting Emma who immediately gave him a drink.
"You knew I would come?"
"I'm harder to resist than you think." She replied, her eyes glowed orange, reflecting the rising embers from the burning wood.
"Careful! It's much stronger than human-made drinks." She promptly warned before Raymond took his first sip.
"What is it?"
"A mixture of ambrosia and a few of other cocktails you wouldn't believe."
"So, this is what you guys do each day?" Ray asked after taking another sip. The drink was well brewed. Another thing he was surprised he could tell, considering his zero experience with alcohols.
"No, but each weekend." She hooked her short arm into his and guided him through the crowd, inviting a few stares. He couldn't blame them. Against his tall frame, the short Oceanid looked rather vulnerable. It was that moment he began checking her out. Contrary to her stature, she was well endowed.
Her tits were quite disproportionate to her size with a sizeable cleavage that had him silently drooling. He estimated at least a D-cup that were firmly pressed against his right forearm. Going down her chest from her back, he was captivated by her long flowing hair that trailed her thin waist only to be met by an equally thick ass, well rounded and enticing him for a squeeze. Everything about her was built for ravaging.
"And everyone here is supernatural?" His cooler head took over.
"Most of them, the rest are normal humans who are aware of our existence. Come with me." They both moved to a secluded place near the fire and sat.
"So where are you from?"
"Eaglemount."
"Oh! You're new here, welcome to Argo."
"Thanks, it's far bigger than I expected."
"Yeah, we get that a lot. Anyone you left behind?" She teased.
"Just a few nuns I got attached to, I actually came here with my high school buddy you haven't met him yet."
"What is he if you don't mind me asking?"
"Athena called him a Centaur."
As soon as the words exited his mouth, he realized his blunder.
"The goddess Athena? Who are you, gods in the upper hierarchy don't mingle much with guys like us?"
"I don't know, wasn't my choice. If it were up to me, I would rather live among humans and keep a low profile."
"Fat chance of that happening. Any old and experienced supernatural would easily sense your aura and immediately know you're not completely human."
"About that, is there a way to mask one's aura or just shut it off?"
"There is, it takes a lot of power and a lot more to maintain it, even if I showed you how, it's not worth it. Your best option is through portions or enchantments like most of us do."
Ray's own bottle was halfway down by the time they found a secluded spot near the fire. He could feel himself starting to get tipsy. If what he judged from his last party to be normal, then usually it would take several bottles for him even to manage a little buzz.
They sat there and enjoyed the warmth of the fire while Raymond took that opportunity to stare at the fire, his eyes following the embers rising up and into the night sky. His gaze didn't stop until he reached the moon, it was full and prominent in the clear sky.
"What are you thinking about?"
He could feel her move closer to him and her eyes on his face. "What do you know about what happened to Zeus?"
"Not much. He was killed by his own son."
"And his murderer wasn't punished?"
"He was backed by the Queen and Poseidon. No god is going to do anything to those two." "What about Hades, he should be powerful enough?"
"Surface politics are not his problem." While they were busy talking. A small selected group of individuals began rounding up a portion of the crowd into a group while creating a wide circle among them. The strange behavior caught Ray's attention.