Henris stands in front of her gold framed mirror in the farthest corner of her room, she stared intently at her dress, fusing around with all the fabric. It was a long black gown, it dipped in a scoop below her breasts, the skirt was layers of sheer transparent black, fabric began at her shoulders and flowed freely to the floor. Her hair was in a twisted crown around her head, with gold vines mixed in. She wore black heals that strapped across her feet. She'd never felt so dressed up in her life. She frowned at all the fabric in the mirror.
There's a knock at her door, giving up she yells "Come in." She turns back to the mirror with one last look as the doors open, Petra and Deuce step in. Petra is wearing a flimsy, layered black blouse, black pants that run down to his calves, and strappy black sandals that wrap up to his ankles. While Deuce is wearing shiny black dress shoes, black dress pants, and a black snakeskin vest with no dress shirt underneath, the vest outlining his arms and torso. "Woah, sis," Petra exclaims. Henris finally turns from the mirror and begins walking to them, with a frown on her face, "I thought you two would be more dressed up." As she walks to Deuce's side he says, "Not wearing scraps of clothes and scuffed up shoes is as dressed up as I can be." Henris gives him an apologetic smile as they begin walking.
They reach the middle of the long, wide hall, their baggage at the end. Petra sighs, turns to them and says, "Off to Wonderland." Henris turns from them, facing the end of the hallway and extends her arm straight in front of her, moving it slowly in one big circle. A circular portal framed from fire and sparks forms at the end of the hallway, past their bags. In the portal is a sapphire blue sky speckled by stars, and Zeus' large light grey palace, the windows are lit up and there's a walkway lit with fire torches, people walk past as they enter the palace unaware. All three of them begin walking toward it, they're almost at the end of the hall when there's a shout from behind them, "Wait."
Hades jogs to Henris, one of the rare chances he's in a hurry. He's holding a sword wrapped in burlap as he comes to a stop in front of his daughter, he says "This is for you, in Olympus." She eyes the sword suspiciously, he moves it closer to her and she finally grabs it carefully with both of her hands. She looks up to him for permission before she slips off the burlap and unsheathes it. A silver, spotless sword reflecting the torches of the hall, its detailed with a village of people, the handle is comfortably warm, mimicking the print of wood. This sword has a story to tell. It's inviting to her.
She looks to her father confused, this is the sword she'd hunted for just days before, for him. He begins, "You have a half mortal heart, Henris. And they will do whatever they can to destroy it. Protect it." Her face shows just how confused she is, What could that possibly mean? Half mortal heart? Protect it. Slowly she nods in silence as she covers the sword once again in the fabric. There's no kiss on the head, or embracing hug goodbye, like always, as Hades says, "Come back safely." Giving her no other option, no other alternative.
He nods to Petra and Deuce a goodbye and stands back as Henris walks to her friends next to the portal. She sets the sword on her baggage that will be portaled to the palace later that night, her friends step through the portal together. But she looks back to her father, his arms are crossed as he nods to her in assurance, she turns cautiously, stepping through the portal.
Immediately the cool air hits her, as both her feet step onto the pavement the portal closes behind her. Her brother and friend stand their waiting, Petra asks, "Shall we go in." Not really a question. Henris looks down silently, mind racing, Half mortal heart. Protect it. "Henris?" Deuce asks, stepping forward and touching her arm slightly. She looks up to him, eyes wide, Protect it.
Finally she speaks, "Just give me a minute." She moves away from them, towards the railing to the left that overlooks the beach and the ocean below. The full moon reflects brightly on the water, the wet breeze sprays lightly on her face as she closes her eyes and tilts her head up to the sky. Petra breaks the silence, "You can't be serious." Deuce snaps at him, "You heard her, just give her a minute." After a moment Henris speaks to them with her eyes still closed, "Go inside without me, I'll be in soon." Petra walks up to her, grabbing her elbow, "Now is not the time to back out." She snaps her head to him, opening her eyes with annoyance, "I am not backing out. I do not back out of things," she tugs her elbow out of his embrace, tilting her head back to the sky and closing her eyes once more, "I just need a moment, that's all."
Petra scoffs as Deuce embraces his shoulder tightly, "You heard her, let's go." Petra stands there a moment longer, looking at Henris with annoyance, Deuce says again "Let's go." Petra looks to him and they walk together, slowly, into the palace.
Henris waits, waits until they're gone in the distance and waits until all the visitors have entered the palace. She turns her head to the ocean and opens her eyes, she rests her arms on the cold metal railing as she leans against it, half mortal heart? Could this be a gift from my mother? She averts her eyes from the navy blue water, Protect it. She looks back to the smooth waves, far out to where the eye can't see, finally pushing herself off the railing with surety. She turns, striding down the lit walkway into the palace. There's no one in the front hall to introduce her down below, I need no introduction. She looks down at the weak gods and goddesses below, grins, and walks over to the steps to the left. She takes her first step, then her second, slowly striding down until she reaches the floor. Gods and goddesses have begun to glance at her. She takes a few more steps into the room, out of the shadows of the staircase, now everyone turns to see her. Conversations end, music is cut off mid song. They gape at her, some whisper speak to eachother from the back, "Is that Hades' daughter?" or "I can't believe she actually showed."
Henris looks forwards, straightening her back, raising her chin, gabbing her skirts and moving them behind her she begins her strong stride again. She moves forward into the middle of the room, the crowd parting for her, sparks have begun to flicker and fly behind her out of pure anxiety. She sets her sights on what she came for. Who she came for. Henris straightens her back, raises her chin as she gathers her gown in both hands and steps out onto the stairs. She sees Zeus first, chalice in hand, his face hard to read but clearly not enthusiastic. He looks golden, golden tanned skin, long curly golden blond hair. He's wearing thin tan leather shoes, straight blue pants, a creaseless bright white shirt, and a blue suit jacket, the blue matching his bright blue eyes that are hidden behind wrinkled corners. She stops before him, standing proudly, the sparks dying out. "Zeus" she says, there is a moments pause before she bows. She rises, he looks down at her from his nose, "Henris, I'm glad you could make it." She gives him a warm smile, Someone's being extra polite today.
She looks warmly to his right where a thin woman clutches his arm. She also has golden tan skin, a cream colored floor length dress accenting her skin tone. She looks at Henris in shock and disgust. Henris continues to smile as her eyes glide to Hera's right where her young daughter Zafrina stands, hands clutched into fists at her side. She's wearing an atrocious dress, probably picked by some visually impaired servant who deserves to be fired; it's black and pink swirls, it looks like something a child would wear. She looks at Henris like she wants to look strong but is really fearful. Finally Henris' warm smile and cool gaze glides all the way to Zeus' left, her smile drops. Standing there is his older, and only, son Zephyr. He has the family golden tan skin and sandy straight earlength hair. He's wearing dark blue, smooth leather shoes, creaseless navy blue pants, and a lighter navy dress shirt. His crystal blue eyes, the same eyes as his sister and father, look at Henris with an enraged scowl.
Henris raises her chin and smiles angrily to Zephyr before she turns back to Zeus, saying "Glad to be here." She grabs her skirts and turns quickly, moving into the crowd of the room. At the far wall is a table full of topaz, twinkling drinks which have caught her eye, she moves toward them. Stopping in a rush in front of the table she grabs a thin glass, before she even takes a sip Deuce and Petra swarm to her. Petra says next to her shoulder, "Well I think that went very well." Clueless. She takes a big gulp. She turns to them, puckering her lips. Deuce gives Petra a side glare and says "Just give it time with Zephyr, be as breathtakingly beautiful as I know you can be," he pokes Henris in the ribs and she smiles, squirming out of his touch, he grabs the sides of her waist, pulling her to him, "and he'll fall maddeningly in love with you just like the rest of us." He looks at her heavily, she takes in a deep breath. Petra interrupts, having been looking across the room the whole time at Aphrodites daughters, saying "If we're done here I have other places to be." Before Henris can respond he's off.
Henris clears her throat, moving out of Deuce's embrace. She gulps down the rest of her drink, setting it hard onto the table. Deuce grabs two more, handing her one. She smiles to him and takes it. They move more towards the middle of the room. Deuce asks "So what's your plan now?" Henris responds "To watch drunk gods make fools over themselves in front of prudish goddesses." Deuce let's out a low laugh as Henris takes a sip, he continues "No, I mean with Zephyr," he says more lowly, "with the crown." Henris looks to him, letting out a sigh, "We're both children of ruling powerful gods who let power come before family, there has to be something in common." She moves her eyes slowly, bored, along the room. They stop when they catch the warm golden skin and strikingly electric blue eyes that watch her carefully. Zephyr is watching her. She mutters "Unbelievable." Deuce grumbles behind her "I know, I can't believe he's here." Henirs looks confused, "What."
Moving her eyes away from Zephyr she looks to Deuce, who looks to the farthest corner of the room, she follows his gaze. That's where she sees the most muscular young god in her, the darkest tan smooth skin, matted dark tan shining hair, striking compared to who bright white tight pants, tan leather slides, bright white tight shirt. Pax. Aka son of Poseidon, aka Deuce's half brother.
"Oh Deuce," Henirs says, moving her eyes sympathetically back to her friend, "you knew this was going to happen, you knew he'd be here." Deuce doesn't take his eyes off him as he says sharply, "There's a difference between knowing and seeing." There's no getting through to him, and this could end badly.
Henris takes his elbow as she practically drags him half way through the ball room, to the glass doors on the closest wall. Zephyr's electric, lightning blue eyes watch as this all unfolds. Henris pushes open the glass doors roughly, they swing out onto a balcony that overlooks the royal blue ocean under the bright full moon, she closes them with a clank. She turns to Deuce who is still clutching his glass with white knuckles as he looks across the room to his brother. Henris stands in front of him, blocking his view, he looks down at her angrily. "Hey," she yells, then, more soothingly, walking up to him and gently touching his forearms, gently removing the glass from his hands, "Hey." He looks at her less angrily, more sympathetic, he begs her "What am I supposed to do Henris?" She moves her hands up to his biceps, squeezing reassuringly, "You have me here, we can control all these dangerous feelings," he looks away from her worried, "he means nothing, you mean everything." Deuce thinks Pax is more important for his father to prefer parenting his brother over him, not that he likes his father anyway. Deuce looks at her more fully now, with longing and want, he snakes his free hand around her back, pulling her very close. Her hands glide up to his shoulders, they're pressed tightly against each other now, both their breathing ragged and hot she says "Deuce…"
The daughter to the balcony swings open behind them, Henris pushes herself away from Deuce to stand beside him. Holding the door stands little Zafrina, she holds a glass in front of her as she hiccups an "Oops." Deuce looks at her angrily as he storms to the doorway, shoving her aside to walk through, the drink pouring down the front of Zafrina's dress. Zafrina looks down devastated, Henris moves to her, lifting her hands to the dress. Zafrina exclaims "My dress!." Henris shakes her head, looking at the girl, "He didn't mean it." Zafrina looks at her confused, Henirs says "Why don't we go get you cleaned up." She leads the young god through the doors and across the room, no one notices the travesty except those electric lightning blue eyes of Zephyr. The two girls walk out of the ballroom into the hall, entering the bathroom to a sharp left. Immediately Henris rushes to the sinks, twisting them on, grabbing the cloth hand towels and soaking them under. She twists the sinks off, ringing out the hand towels as she glides to Zafrina, the girl hasn't moved. Henris begins dabbing the front of her dress with the towels, "Saying this should help." After a few moments of Henris' dabbing, Zafrina moves her hand away slowly, saying "No it won't." Henris drops her arms, looking at the stain, residing "No it won't indeed." She turns around, tossing the hand towel onto the counter, and turns back to the girl, leaning her back on the edge. Zafrina moves to her, setting her now empty glass behind her, "It was an ugly dress anyways." Henris laughs as Zafrina settles beside her, leaning herself on the edge as well. Henris turns her head, looking at her, "I'm sorry about my friend." Zafrina pulls her eyebrows together in confusion, "Friend? I thought you two were dating?" Henris barks out a laugh, shaking her head roughly, "No. No way." Zafrina tilts her head, "Oh really? Because it didn't look that way out on the balcony." Henris' eyes widen in shock, Zafrina puts up her hands in defense, "Friends it is I guess." They're silent for a few moments, then Henris lets out "It was an ugly dress." Both girls laugh, Zafrina defends herself saying "My mom chose it." Henris exclaims, "Your mom chose it? Aren't you a little too old for that?" Zafrina looks at her hurt, Henris quickly says "Sorry, it's just… well, you are a little too old for it." Both girls laugh again, Zafrina says warmly "Well next time I'll have you select my dress, you do have good style." Henris smiles at her, "Thank you," she adds, pushing herself off the edge, "and yes I will." The girls begin to walk out, exiting through the doors, Zafrina follows behind, "Oh really? You will." Henris answers, "Whatever I can do to save the embarrassment of Zeus." Zafrina laughs behind her as they enter the ballroom once more, both girls smiling. Henris catches the striking blue eyes staring at her again, this time in concern, she tears her gaze away as Zafrina says, touching her arm "Well, thank you for trying anway," she leans in as she says, "its more than what most of these gods and goddesses of Olympus would have done." Henris smiles to that genuine compliment. Zafrina smiles back as she walks away.
Henris moves under the gaze of those blue eyes to the right corner of the room, near where all the young gods and goddesses are. Henris is looking for her friends as Pax says behind her "Looking for Deuce?" He's right next to her ear, practically on her back, she churns around quickly to him, he continues, "I saw you two earlier, you had to practically pull him out of this room to control him," he leans in, lowering his voice, "I like a woman in control." Henris puckers her lips at his words, "I'm surprised you don't take after your father and favor powerless women." Fury covers his features as she churns away, he grabs her left arm before she walks off, "And where do you think you're going?" He rumbles in her ear, holding on to her forearm even tighter. She commands through clenched teeth, "Let go of me."
Deuce caught the first of the interaction from across the room, near the crowd of young gods and goddesses. He pushed through them quickly to get to Henris, he's a few feet away when he yells "Let go of her." Heads have begun to turn, Pax's head snaps up from looking down at Henris, he still holds tight to her as Deuce walks up. "I said let go of her," Deuce commands his brother as he tugs her once out of his group, she's pushed up against his chest as he puts two comforting hands on her shoulders. "Hmm, I see Deuce, you like crazy women just like your mother," Pax says in a patronizing tone. Deuce begins to move Henris out of the way before she puts her hand in front of him, stopping him from making this a physical fight. Her gaze of steel moves back to Pax, "And I see, Pax, that you like to take advantage of woman just like your father." That sets Pax off, he moves to Henris, reaching up to her neck. She smoothly and quickly pulls her dagger hidden strapped to her leg, she points it at Pax's neck. Now all eyes are on them, Pax's goons behind him and Deuce and Petra behind Henris. She leans closer to Pax behind her dagger, she says through clenched teeth "Don't ever touch me or any girl again." He backs away, with rage in his eyes, this fight isn't over. Henris backs away as well, Deuce squeezes her shoulders, her, Deuce, and Petra begin to turn away, to flee the scene, when Pax says "Whatever, I might turn out like my father but Deuce will turn out like his mother, alone and beheaded." Within the blink of an eye Pax is pinned against the wall, the dagger wedged right above his left shoulder in the cloth of his dress shirt. Everyone looks wide eyed to Henris, as she lowers her throwing arm and relaxes, straightening her back. She raises her chin and says, "Pax, why don't you do us all a favor and use that knife to cut out that dirty tongue of yours." Petra laughs behind her, Deuce smirks. They turn once again and finally begin they're walk out of the hall. The crowd moves out of the way. Deuce and Petra begin to climb the stairs up towards the exit, at the base of the sairs stands those electric blue eyes, judging her. As she walks past him she says "Why don't you control your friends." He snaps back, barely turning his head to speak to her, "Why don't you control your temper." She stops turning to him, tilting her head, he continues "Your father had the same one when he was kicked out of Olympus." She takes a step to him, getting right in his face as she says, "If you want there to be peace with me on your court then you'll keep your mouth shut." He steps back, raising his arms slightly saying, "Who said I wanted you on my court." Then he turns around and walks away.