Chapter Text
It was a rather rude awakening for one ‘Joseph Desaulnier’. The night before had made him miss the first rise of his own sun, making him late to his own personal routine which now consisted of picking the right flower to leave for Hyacinth to find and an assorted amount of chores. You could say it was his way of making up for the fact he really is not supposed to be there. However today is a different day from all days.
He arrived at training grounds positively wrecked, his hair wasn’t even tied yet, his clothes with a wee bit ruffled and the flower he had brought was already wilting. To resolve that, he took time to make him look presentable yet again and breathe the flower back to life, and it did, it stood erect—but the moment he entered there was no one in sight.
Joseph furrowed his brows in confusion, he decided to walk around a bit. He visited the Dining hall and found no scent of food or residue of it. The place hadn’t been used for the day it seems. He visited the grounds, no Warrior in sight. He visited Aesop’s room, no Aesop to be found but his usual garb seems to be left unworn. How curious. He walked to the sleeping quarters to find some clean beddings and some left unfixed, and one out of place. He moved closer and he confirmed that yes, it was his bed although he has not used it yet. On top the sheet was a piece of parchment with the symbol of a staff-like object circled by twin snakes, a caduceus, it was from Hermes.
He flipped the parchment, and it read—
Hey Man!
Forgot to tell you that today is a free day, we don’t have training today basically. Me and the gang are planning to visit the Temples, find us there! ‘Sops coming too don’t worry, catch up grandpa!
-yo man, William
Joseph stood there wanting to rip the parchment to shreds. The crudely drawn William with his tongue out made him feel—irritated to say the least. Nevertheless here he was, walking in a crowded street attempting to track down William and by extension—his friends . When he reached an intersection, he took his chances and picked to go up North. He has never bothered to explore this place before so he walked at his own pace, gathering his thoughts with each step. He was considering doing exactly as Emma advised the day before, perhaps a visit to the Three Fates may clear up the fog in his pending future of which he has no control. As he walked on, the more he hoped he'd bump into Aesop along the way. Maybe it’ll clear up his mind, like it always does, but he needed to see William today.
He was considering asking William a favor. Tragedy won’t happen as long as the all-father doesn’t find out, so if Hermes is able to control what information enters and leaves, maybe just maybe—He could do damage control just in case any nosey Gods get sent in his way. When he reached another wide area he looked around to see street vendors selling fruit, wine, meat and bread. Among them was one lone William holding what looked like a mountain of bread.
Just as he was about to call out—“Hey Man! Care to lend a hand here?” William asked, gesturing to the bread. Joseph sighed before coming in to take half of what William carried. “What’s with all the bread?” Joseph asked curiously. “Ahh—well. We were gonna go to the Temples but we were hungry. The stalls were full on our side, so we decided to split up to save time.” Joseph hummed in reply.
The two walked in a slow pace back to the intersection where they split. Slowly, time seemed to be winding down. The people walking the streets soon looked as though they ran out of battery. The water that splashed around was in suspended motion. The dust danced with the wind and grew still. William noticed this and looked at Joseph’s face, “What? Anything you wanna say?” Joseph feigned a thinking face, “Now that you mention it...” he paused, then started with a sigh; “If news ever spreads out, please control the crowd. For me, That’s all I ask Hermes.”
William smiled however, assuring him “It’s gonna be Okay Apollo, you can count on me or Victor; and besides maybe you can calm ‘em with your music. That is if you still have the lyre .” Joseph smiled saying “Of course I do. Never thought I would love it as much, but I did. If I did not, you would still be a babe living in a cave.”
“Yeah yeah, that was my ticket to Olympus—Oh, got an idea! Why don’t you use your music to court ‘Sop!”
“O-oi! We’re not there yet!” Joseph said flustered. William just smirked; “Yet? Oh so you do have a plan.” “I-I do.” He admitted softly, “Just.. what if—“ “What if it happens again.” William sighs. There was no one in Olympus who would not know the disaster of Joseph’s turbulent love life. In his defense, Joseph was tricked by them .
Time seemed to start moving again although frantically. “Time’s up.” Joseph sighed. William looked askance, as though he wanted to ask more but stopped himself. “Let’s get a move on.” William said, timing his snap as the crowds started moving again.
They first went east to Naib and Norton. They saw the two standing together, looking somewhat tense. William sensed the energy and started to sprint, immediately yelling “Naib! Norton! Heads up—”. The two looked at their direction, catching the bread William threw. “Hey Jos! Joining us?” Naib grinned, but his smile was stretched thin. “I am.” Joseph smiled somewhat crudely, itching to question what had occurred. Though, upon further inspection, he noticed something odd, “Aura?” There was a trace of a signature—another ‘God’ or ‘blessed’ in both Norton and Naibs hands. It felt similar to his own but not exactly either.
Clearly it was through touch. Another with psychometry? A clairvoyant? nay—
He gestures to William, eyeing both their hands. Taking the hint, William asked “Hey! What happened there?” Naib and Norton looked at each other with pursed lips. “Nothing much really. We just met someone on the way. Norton might have a new love—” “Shut up!” Naib snickered as Norton shoved him away. The fierce warrior might have masked it with a joke, but Joseph did not miss the slight hesitancy in his tone.
“Is that so..” the atmosphere turned somewhat tense. “W-well head on to the temple Will, Jos. Meet ya there.” Naib said as he walked on. Norton looked back, looking somewhat sad as he said Good bye, trailing after Naib.
“Something is definitely wrong.”
“Right? Those two probably bumped into a fortune teller or something—You saw their hands Joseph.”
William sighed, rubbing his temples as he did. “Come on, let’s think about it later and get Sop and Els their food. Besides, you've been waiting all day, lover boy.” This time, Joseph didn’t rebuke it.
It was an absurdly hot day for Eli Clark. He couldn’t help but curse at the sun for making the weather unbearable. Especially for the clothing he prefered wearing at all times. He could never go without his robe lest someone might uncover his—issue. Nevertheless it was bearable because he could finally spend time with his most favored person, Aesop Carl or ‘Hyacinth’. They’ve known each other for so long, but until now he could not call him by his name even though he so desperately wished to. He did not feel like his heart could take it if he did.
Though when he utters his name on his lips, he speaks each syllable with reverence like a prayer. He could not help but long for the youth. He has kept his distance, even glimpses felt enough for him. His smile is enough to make his day. However, since the arrival of one came, this system of his has been threatened. His time with Hyacinth has been compromised by an otherworldly vermin . He could not feel anything, but contempt for that man. He could see the way Aesop would shy around him. The flowers that became a staple to his image beside the he had given ribbon. How could he not when he knew who caused it? He has tried to dial down his true feelings, yet it always climbs up to the surface.
Is this the consequence of his mark?
Right now, there was none of that. He only felt at peace. Walking side by side with Aesop, making sure no one looks at him in any inappropriate manner. Especially because of the fact his clothing is rather feminine today. It suits him, it really does, but he prefers that he be the only one who sees it. A rather possessive thought that lingered in his mind. The ribbon tied around Aesop’s lithe wrist brings him joy for he knew it was the one he had given.
Aesop cocked his head to look around the area; looking like a small pup in the process. Eli’s hands clenched in his attempt to contain his thoughts. “I don’t think there’s any food here, Zeph.” Aesop suddenly spoke, making Eli look at him. looking around to see vendors upon vendors of fabrics. “I guess you’re right.” Suddenly his gaze connected with another, lost in the crowd. A pair of very familiar eyes that he had grown used to. Even with his blindfold, there was no way he would not see it.
“Zeph?”
“Wait here Hyacinth, I’ll be right back.” As much as it pains him, he needs to leave Aesop for a short while. Something is up. He blended in with the crowd, trying to chase the figure that slowly disappeared inside. He went through narrow roads, a labyrinth of people and produce, until he found himself outside. There was an opening that connected to the woods, he stopped and breathed in the air. “Someone is here.” He mutters, assured he walks deeper in. The further he went, the closer he seemed to appear to a vast blue sea, but he dared not go further, after all—
“Get out Fiona, I know you’re there.”
A tiny giggle rings out and a beautiful woman appears behind an old oak tree. Her braided hair sat by her shoulders, her face looking like that of a fox with a taste for chaos. “What do you want?” Eli said sternly.
“Why are you here?”
“Well what if I just happened to pass by?” Fiona sang, her steps becoming peppy. “And besides, look who I saw~” Fiona took a thick looking cloth from the abundance wrapped in her skirt and wrapped it in her own arm, she gently raised it.
At first it was silent, but a large gust of wind smacked Eli in the face. He looked to see his owl perching at Fiona’s arm, looking at him with its round eye. So that’s where she’s been.. Eli thought. His owl had gone off by the time he woke, and as it turns out, she met Fiona. Raising his own gloved arm, he called out to his owl. She hooted and landed on his arm before climbing to his shoulders. “Ah that aside,” Fiona stood closer to Eli. Her face suddenly turned serious.
“Know your place Eli Clark. You know what you must do when asked that of him . Don’t let your feelings make a fool of you.”
“What if I don’t want to do it ?” Eli tested, anger laced his voice ever so slightly. The woman’s face contorted to a snare at this. “How dare you! Disrespecting the life He gave you! Do you want to go back to what you were back then?” Fiona’s eyes looked at him with that familiar look he had seen before—disgust.
Eli stayed silent. No, he didn't want to go back—back to that life. Yet at the same time, he didn’t want to go through with it. He would rather disrespect his God than kill him . Fiona sighed as she looked at his pathetic disposition. “Look Eli, I care about you, I really do, but you need to do it. There’s no other way for you to escape this.” “I’ll make a way.” Eli said through gritted teeth. Fiona’s patience started to dwindle little by little; Slowly, she said—
“Don’t you know how Lucky you are? Being blessed by the sea without a parent offering you? But by the mere fact the sea took a liking to you? He can very well take everything he gave you back. So give him what the prophecy requests of you, only one life. Are you really trading the gifts he gave you for one person?”
“I’m leaving!” Eli finally broke through. He didn’t think he could handle anymore of this—nonsensical bullshit. “Come back here!” Fiona yelled as she watched his retreating form. She groaned loudly; looking at the sea that appeared to be as though it was a mere few feet away. “Poseidon, please forgive my impotence. I can only hope he does as you told. I’m afraid I can’t do anything else.” She prayed and prayed that all will end well.
Forgive him
As Eli left Fiona, he couldn’t help but feel irritated, angry and repulsed. He tried breathing in and breathing out to expel those bitter feelings, but he couldn’t. He wanted to run away from the prophecy, but he couldn’t. In his moment of weakness he remembered— Aesop! I need to go back. So he sent his Owl to go ahead of him to assure him. Suddenly he started to sprint, itching to see the youth to expel the negative feelings brewing in his heart, but the moment he arrived; He saw someone he didn’t want to see. He slowed down, his lips sealing itself, his emotions radiating from the surface.
William and Joseph walked to the west side; the road both Aesop and Eli had taken. Joseph looked around and saw the same thing Aesop had seen, piles upon piles of fabric vendors. William looked at the end of the road to see a crowd blocking the other path. Then he saw Aesop, sitting in silence under the shade. He looked the same way Naib and Norton looked when they’d seen them, but more confused more than anything. He tugged at Joseph’s clothes and gestured to the lone youth.
Joseph immediately lit up. William couldn’t help but laugh at the smitten God. As they walked towards Aesop, William yelled “Hey! ‘Sop! Catch!” He tossed a loaf of bread at Aesop. When it landed on Aesop's lap, he seemed to wake from his thoughts. “Thank you Willia—“ when he looked up, Joseph appeared instead. The confused, then flustered face of Aesop brought a smile to Joseph’s face.
Though he tried to hide it, Aesop stuttered his words. The red in his face—that look of embarrassment made Joseph fond. Honestly, he had no need to feel embarrassed, but still he is fun to tease. "Good morning petit oiseau. Am quite sad no one informed me that today was a free day, did you not want me there?" When he fussed over him, Joseph could not help but notice how stunning he looked. The blue hue brought out the fairness of his skin. Whether Aesop were to be a man or a woman, Joseph knew he would have fallen either way.
Everything about him complimented his beauty, but there was one more thing left to complete the look. Carefully, Joseph adds the white flower in Aesop's hair “You look gorgeous today.” and it was true. He would have had said more had William not interrupted the moment. Complaining how they were feeding him unsolicited dog food. Of course, the next agenda on the list would have been to go to the Temples.
However, Eli Clark had gone and left Aesop to wait. A rare occasion he must say. He doubts Clark would have left Aesop when he had the chance to be alone with him. He has reservations about him, but he also doubts he has ill intent. Before William could go fetch the man, he came out of the crowd himself. Looking disgruntled more than anything. Joseph would have let it go, but he sensed it again—another signature .
When Eli arrived, he didn’t even notice William or Joseph talking to him. He could only glare, that is until Aesop spoke “Are you okay Zeph?” He looked at Aesop. The crashing tides in his mind finally settled to a low hum in the back of his head. “I’m fine Cinth, no need to worry.” He smiled ever so softly at the youth. “Hm.” Aesop nodded timidly, gesturing the owl back to Him , telling her “Come on little owl. Go back to your master.” He could see the owl visibly deflate at leaving the youth. He didn’t know whether or not to be offended or relate to how she felt.
When they were walking to the temples, he was frowned—displeased. He knew Joseph could see him eying the way he held Aesop’s shoulders. It annoyed him, but he also felt a twisted sort of pleasure in knowing that he was also vexing Joseph in the eway his presence vexed him. The moment they arrived at the temples, they all went their separate ways. “I’ll be going to Poseidon’s.. see you Hyacinth.. Joseph.” He would’ve liked to accompany Aesop to visit the God he worships, but he needed to do something today.
When he arrived at the temple that revered Poseidon, and Poseidon alone, he saw the ocean water overflowing from the fountains by the statue of the God. The build up of dried salt creates sharp teeth looking fixtures as water dips down from it. He saw a large number of people visiting. Too many for a moment of privacy— he needed to be alone. So, he took off his blindfold.
“Excuse me.” A voice spoke. The followers of Poseidon looked to see a young man with brown hair, and a pair of eyes that looked like the night sea and its stars resided in them. The young man smiled. They were sure they had seen this young man before, but to all of them his memory evaded clear recollection. “Please leave .” Without even knowing it, the followers all left the temple, thinking that they had already prayed.
As they left, Eli wore the blindfold again and made sure no one could enter while he was inside. Looking at the statue of Poseidon, he couldn’t help but laugh. He was nothing like they had portrayed him. He didn’t have curly or wavy hair like the sea. He didn’t have the tail of a mermaid. He didn’t have only one pair of eyes either.
Eli slowly kneeled and removed his gloves. He touched the water of the sea and prayed. He whispered simply.
“Lord Hastur, please forgive me.”