a B I R T H of a whole new breed

[Sin - Busy during weekdays.]

OOC|| I wasn't sure where I should have her give birth and since she's going to die after her son becomes a weanling, I figured I might as well post the whole thing in here. I'll have the birthing post, then it will jump to a few months later when he's a weanling and his mother goes insane... If that's ok...

CALIENTE
Located; on the border of Ancient Ruins and Chaos

Minutes like hours, days like months, and months turning into years; the pregnancy was almost unbearable. After the rape, and after the realization that it had been none only but Apollo, the bastard of a fate, to do it, she had fled the borderlands and the south all together. It was somewhere in the middle of the ancient ruins and the land of the Fates, Chaos, that she had finally fallen during her travels. The labor pains stopped her in her tracks, causing her to drop to her knees.

And again, minutes seems like hours and hours seemed like days as the agonizing pain shook her entire frame. She was already weakend by her traveling, and by the lack of food. Had she forgotten to eat? Had she even felt hungry? She didn't know. The earlier months that followed the rape were a blur. Her feeble mind was about to snap, she could feel it.

She could also feel the painful ripping of skin as the foal started to imerge from her own barrel. Legs, long skinny legs, looked so small, like twigs. Then a head, a beautiful face and eyes, appeared. It wasn't much longer after that the foal was finally out. She instinctivly cleaned him and stood, breaking the embilico cord. Nudging the colt gently she urged the fragile youngster to stand and take his first drink.

He felt so warm, when he should be wet and cold. In the morning air, steam seemed to rise off of him, even though the sun was already up in the sky. Her eyes landed upon the strange marking, raking her brain even more. It was intresting, and was no doubt due to Apollo. Even as the colt stood and took his first wobbling steps towards her, she could see the strength he already had. He didn't fall, nor stumble over his legs like most foals, instead he carefully placed his feet forward only a few inches at a time, then leaned against her, nudging her underbelly in search of the teat.

This was her son, but she felt no connection towards him. She wanted to be protective of him and she managed to do that. Over the next couple months she managed to be his mother, she managed to raise him like she would her own. Untill one day she felt old and sick...

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

......the first Dioscuri
Located; still on the border of Ancient Ruins and Chaos

It seemed like just yesterday that I was learning how to walk, depending on my mother for survival and protection. How does time go so fast? I know I'm different, I can feel it. I don't know, however, what is happening to my mother. It's saddening to watch her, struggling to keep herself alive and to do the same for myself. Yet, somehow I know, that her end is near.

At first it was little things, like forgetting that she needed to eat more so she'd produce enough milk for me. Now that I'm able to digest grasses and other greens, it's like she's forgetting how to live. Or maybe, she's loosing the will to live. I try to reminde her to do things but it just fails. She's always so tired, never wants to play with me anymore. I travel alone now down to the water to drink, while she waits on a hill above me.

It's been days since she's moved. I haven't seen her eat much, nor drink anything. I've tried bringing her water, but nothing works. My mother is a skeleton, bones sticking out of her everywhere. Her muscle mass is gone, and everything about her looks dead. I've tried to make sense of it, and I've tried asking her about her health, but she doesn't talk much anymore.

Her condition only got worse. Soon, she was talking to herself, mumbling about the Fates. She had told me the story of my life beginning and how my father is supposedly a God. She told me that the Fates watched out for us, but where were they now?

+++
Location; Chaos

I managed to get my mother to move. It wasn't far, only a half of a mile or so. When we crossed the borders into the land of Chaos, where my father roamed, she fell. Her breathing was heavy, her voice only a whisper as she continued to talk to herself. Insanity was controlling her, taking over her. Only moments later, she died.

My mother isn't supposed to die. It's just not how it works. My mother was supposed to see me grow, watch me become strong. I was supposed to be there for her when she got old so I could return the favor and protect her. But as my eyes drift across her bony corpse, I realize I'm alone. It's almost as if I was being watched, perhaps by my father? Was it he who killed my mother? Was she supposed to die? Do things really happen for a reason? If they do, then what's my purpose here?

I took a few steps forward, then a few more, dragging myself further and further away from the only soul I had ever met and loved. Sure, I had seen other equines, but they just stare. Sometimes they pretended to ignore us, other times their eyes were filled with pity, but never was I allowed to talk to any of them. I couldn't leave my mothers side then, but now I must. Otherwise my fate will be like hers.

My body condition is ok, I could be a bit fatter but the muscles I have formed seem to fill in for the weight I haven't really put on. Now, I know I have to eat, I know I have to survive. There was one thing that was bothering me, I had seen my mother cry, I knew what it felt like to be sad and scared, but I didn't shed a tear as I walked away from her lifeless form. I was sad, I wanted to give up, but I knew I couldn't. So instead I became angry, I wanted to find my father and blame him for the death of my mother. I wanted to find him to scream at him, but also to look for some sort of comfort.

Erm...Dad?
I call out, my voice chocking up a little bit. Still, no tears formed. I repeat my call a few more times. Finally calling out for my father by name.
A-apollo?
Uncertaintly filled my voice, then rejection. I didn't see him, I don't think he was even going to come. My legs buckle from underneath me as I lay there, helpless. I just laid there and thought. I don't know what I was thinking but my mind was busy with something... I called out one more time, this time using a few words I had heard my mother speak when she was talking about him to herself.
Hey bastard. Come out here and be a fucking man!

OOC again|| Ok it's not the best but I'm not so great at epic birthing posts and dying posts. So Spectra, if you'd like to bring Apollo in you can!

edit: yay i made his name purdy. to bad the font couldn't be that color orange...

[S p e c t r a]

I love myself. I don't think I mentioned that yet. No matter how many tramps tramp their way across my beaten path, I don't forget that I'm the important one. I don't bother making nice with these ignorant swine, they're disposable. They rot away while I stand here as the centuries turn around me. I haven't aged a day in as long as I can remember. Sometimes I think I remember, if a certain twist of geography catches my eye in the right light, but the mind is a fickle thing. If ever I was other than what I am now, it doesn't matter. Did I sign away my soul, was I conscripted into this job and its never-ending perks? Or was I fashioned specifically for this purpose, to be the Yang to my sister's Yin? Do I care? I am unto a god, the sun's rays burning bright in each follicle of my being. I wouldn't trade it for a brief, meaningless mortal life. I don't think I would trade it for anything, really, except more power. And really, what else would I want to do? I don't like the mortals, but they're the only decent bit of sport in these parts. Obliterating them would no doubt result in a long bout of boredom while I wait for more idiots to migrate in. And then I'd have to start from scratch again, giving them one reason or another to hate each other. It just seems like so much work for so little return. I'm managing quite well with the current situation. Hell, I'd even go about giving those foolhardy leaders some nightmares to set them more on edge, but night is more Artemis's domain. I drifted nearer to the mortal realm, feeling the approach of two equines I had observed in the past. They couldn't see me, as I was not corporeal at the moment. I was contented to just watch their rather one-sided exchange.

I look upon the fallen body of the smoky mare, my lips curling into something between a smirk and a sneer. The life was almost completely drained from her. I could bring her back to life. She was the mother of my son. Really I ought to. It was the moral thing to do, not that I usually bothered with that shades-of-grey nonsense. Letting her die was a poor reward for her service, however unwilling. But she would just die some other time. It wasn't like I had a use for her. She'd gotten a little wacky as her pregnancy went on, I had watched her. Maybe I had been a bit too bold in revealing myself to her after the breeding. Maybe I should have let her believe the lie I had fed her initially. Imagine the confusion on Theseus's face as she mentions she's carrying his child! It would have been a good laugh. But watching Caliente fall apart was also a fun little bit of reality TV. I can hope her mental shortcomings did not transfer to the colt. I wasn't even sure a Fate could impregnate a mortal, but the answer is standing right in front of me. Good thing he doesn't see me looking over his mother's corpse like it's some inconvenient trash littered on my turf. I can vaporize her later when he's not looking. She may have fed him some foolish morals, and he likely has some attachment to the useless beast, so I'll play nice for now. Giving a damn about someone often results in this "grief" stuff that looks terribly inconvenient. I don't see why they bother with it. I chuckle a little as the colt yells out for me. No need to talk so loud, I'm not far away. You think you stumbled onto my turf without be noticing? Chaos is like an extension of my body, I feel its every undulation. And you're like a fly that has landed on my web.

A bolt of lightning strikes the earth not far away from him, the shockwave enough to knock him off his feet. Boy, you are in no position to address me in that manner. That is, without manners, my voice, rather than stern, is casually bored. After all, what threat is a half-Fate when I am a full one? I could vaporize him on the spot, though that would be a rather anti-climactic end to this little experiment of mine. So a hybrid can survive. Maybe he would even mature into a few interesting abilities. Time would tell. And I would be there to find out. I materialize a few metres from the bewildered young roan, my pallid mane and tail glowing brightly, as does the stricken sun on my haunch. I notice the black sun on his forehead, masked by a tangle of forelock. Three stripes, too, adorn his hindquarters on each side. My my, isn't that a curious side-effect! Sure, he can hide them well enough to mingle in mortal society, but he must have noticed that no one else bears such geometric markings. He must know he is not normal. I suppose that's why he's here. I don't have answers, he's the first. A freak. An anomaly. Not an accident on my part, though partially on the part of his late dam. If he expects any grand fatherly gestures of me, he'll be disappointed. But I do want him, and on my side at that. He is not unwelcome here, though I'm not sure that I want Artemis getting wind of my naughty little experiment just yet. I don't know how much of a success this whelp will be, and if he'll be of any help in tipping the balance.

[Sin - Busy during weekdays.]

OOC|| Schatten didn't know if she was welcome to bring Art in or not. I'm ok with it, unless you think it's to soon for Art to find out? I was actually considering that waiting untill Ari becomes aware of his powers before bringing artemis into teh mix, just because if Art decides to be rid of him he might be able to defend himself better... up to you though spec! Oh and I'll post a reply either later tonight or tomorrow

There was something a bit off with this place. It was like being in a forest filled with such intense darkness that it seemed as if it'd crush you. But why? Ah, not a single sound was heard. Seemed like there was no breeze, no birds, not even chattering squirrels. Damn, silence was so boring, but why this overwhelming feeling of being watched? It wasn't right, being here was wrong. My feet didn't leave the earth, my heart didn't race nor slow, but my head spun. Where was my father? Surely this was his home? Or did I get my mother and I lost? My body attempted to shift, to allow my gaze to return to my mother's dead body, but a stronger force within me kept me restrained.

I breath in deeply. BOOM! CRACK! Then a sizzling sound. I open my eyes to find myself sitting on my haunches like a donkey and to see the ground smoking softly from the sudden jolt of lightning. Hardly, and I mean hardly had I the time to stand to my feet when a booming voice came from literally nowhere. Something about manners? What the fuck! I'm going insane right? I mean lightning during a sunny day, a ghost's voice who is worried about manners, and... Holy shit I'm going insane. Just a few paces away an equine just poofed! Like 'oh hello, by the way your insane!'.

Gasping for air, after realizing I've been holding my breath, I eye up the suddenly solid being before me. I could feel heat radiating off of him, smell some sort of a unique scent, and hear his feet against the earth. How he did it, I don't know. So if my father is some sort of a god, this would be proof of it huh. Fuck it.

You're one to talk. Raping my mother for your personal entertainment, then watching as she started to decay from the inside out and doing nothing?! Manners my ass.
My words were bold, and sounded more confident then I felt, which I was glad for. If this wasn't my father, then pin a tail on my ass and call me Delilah. I had noticed I was different, and in rivers I had always stopped to stare at my reflection, and made sure my strange mark was hidden well. I seemed to shine with the same light as he did, but mine was much dimmer, and simply looked like good grooming. No thanks to mom.

I looked up to the sky, thoughts streaming around my head, trying to break free from the shackles they were bound to. My mom hadn't even tried. She wanted to try, but she didn't. She could have lived, but she didn't try. God dammit, why didn't she try! My eyes drift back downwards, slowly, finally meeting the eyes of my father. I knew it, but why was I denying it? I mean I should be leaping around being concieted and joyful that I'm a god's son, yet here I stand, glaring at my sire, wondering why...

Why? What's your plan? You have a plan. I can feel it.
I can feel it? What am I talking about? Sure, for some reason I am feeling emotions that are slightly different then what I normally feel, but surely I wouldn't be feeling devious and wonderful right now, right? Was that was he was feeling? Ugh, what a concieted bastard. I can see myself in him though, or more like him in me... Hard to explain but our looks are similar enough to say that we are related. My long legs aren't from my mother, nor is the red hue that overrode her blueish grey, it's his. So what is his plan? It better be good 'cause I'm not enjoying it so far.

OOC again|| it's a lame post but I'm planning on having his personallity match Apollo's more than Caliente's so he's actually sincere about finding out about this plan. And he's going to blame his mother's death on his mother for being so fragile lol.

[S p e c t r a]

OOC: I'm cool with Artemis coming in at any time. Aristaios doesn't have to worry about any attempts against his life, at least here. Apollo will protect his asset if he needs to.

[Schatt [Institutionalized]]

[ooc: You don't need to tell me twice! Well, perhaps you do, but no more than that. ^.^]

A sudden crack of lightning sounded in a poor, unsuspecting field. When the light faded, Artemis was standing there, laughing. The sound reverberated through the air and the grass was shoved back at the force of the supernatural sound. The field moaned softly in complaint. Ah, home, she thought and sighed. It was a beautiful day outside; the sun was shining brightly through the light blue sky, but Artemis didn't mind. Directly overhead and shading all of the ground beneath her was a small chunk of nighttime sky that moved with her as she walked. I've been missing that, she said aloud for no particular reason.

She started trotting in no particular direction, her makeshift-nighttime tailing behind. It doesn't matter which direction I go, she thought. As long as I'm going nowhere in particular, I'll get there eventually. As it was, it was quite awhile before she got anywhere. She hadn't changed direction yet, although You know, I'm quite sure I've run by that purple tree before. Ah, the purple tree. She remembered it fondly. Actually, now that she put her mind to it, she couldn't quite remember ever seeing a purple tree before, but that was hardly enough to stop her overwhelming sense of nostalgia. After all, I'm sure I've seen it somewhere or other. Why should that stop me from enjoying its memory, just because I can't remember it right now?
She had a good point. When you got right down to it, she had no point whatsoever, but that was a good enough point for her. She laughed and continued onwards.

After a half-hour or so of mindless meandering, she picked up something odd in the air. It was like...the energy was off, somewhere. She got the occasional vague disturbance of this kind in Imbros, but it was always so much more confusing that she could hardly ever make anything of it. But here in Chaos, the air was so clear, and so little ever happened. If something moved where it wasn't supposed to, it was like it sent out a signal. And today, the air tasted of...mortal. The thing might as well've sent up a flare for how obvious its presence was.

But, mortals? Here? Intrigued, Artemis set off at a slightly different tilt. She came over a low rise, and spied the most interesting scene played out before her. A young colt looking rather gaunt and yet...glowing, somehow. It looked as if the sun was suddenly directing all of its power into shining directly on this particular mortal. Artemis recognized that something was amiss almost immediately, and she would've payed more attention if it weren't for...Is that my brother?

There was no denying it. What was he doing here, anyway? I mean, aside from the fact that Chaos was his home just as well as Artemis's...It was so unusual to see him in it. In fact, Artemis couldn't remember the last time she had run into her twin in Chaos. He was so busy causing her grief in Imbros, and she was so busy trying to clean it up...Apparently she hadn't done a good enough job. Something about the colt, his shining coat, the feeling that something strange was going on, and now that she looked, that strange marking on his forehead that looked almost like a sunburst...

Oh, you've really done it this time, haven't you? Artemis turned on Apollo suddenly, furiously. You just have to go screwing around with everything. You thought I wouldn't notice, huh? She was growing a bit by now, but she didn't care. It looked rather comical, really. Lately she had found it harder and harder to stay in form, and as she was busy shouting at Apollo she didn't quite notice what was happening. Her silver-grey was fading fast into a sooty black and as the slightest drift of wind blew in it scattered and expanded her form until she looked more like a massive shadow thrown against a far wall rather than the living being who cast it. And HOW the HELL would I not notice, huh? How exactly did you THINK that would work? Did you THINK at all?

Every word blew up her shadow-self still further, until...I seem to be floating away...
She let herself stay formless, for the time being. She didn't trust herself enough to stay stable with a body. The poor thing'd probably just fall apart again. Undaunted, she continued her rant at a decibel that most likely shattered several records for loudest conversation, mouth or no mouth.
And WHAT about the consequences? Do you have ANY idea what trouble this...thing could cause? Or was that the point of this whole thing? Just to see how far you could push me until I give up and let Armageddon come early this year? Or did you just see a pretty lady come along and jump her for the hell of it?

After this final outburst, she finally calmed enough to condense back into equine form. Her little slice of midnight dissipated as she landed, and her silver coat looked rather dull and sooty-grey in the sunlight. Her eyes instinctively squinted shut against the sun's rays, and she suddenly felt very tired. She sighed and shook her head. Of course you didn't think, she said in a quieter tone. Holy Lady Artemis, Apollo, I'm sick of being your babysitter. You're supposed to get wiser with age, you know. Yes, I swear by my own name. There are two big-bads around here, and I'm sure as hell not going to swear by him.

The sun's brightness was really starting to wear on the lady by now. Apparently, you tend to hit a wall with the whole maturity thing after a few millenia. He lost his mind a few thousand years back, and I can't help but feeling I'm doing the same. When she tried to open her eyes to get a full view of Apollo's little...bleh. I'll grow wings and fly before I call that little half-bred a nephew. ...Which wouldn't exactly be unheard of, really. I mean, if I had to put a bet on the most likely candidate to grow wings...
Anyway, she tried to get a better look at it, and the sun's reflection hit her full in the face. Angered anew, she whipped around and glared at it until it cowered back behind the horizon and let the sky darken into deep twilight.

There, she said, satisfied in the knowledge that this would, at very least, subtly irritate Apollo. Now the headache lessens, yes? she said to the colt, not expecting him to answer. I can see better in moonlight, anyway. As it was, she started to observe the youngster closely but didn't step towards him. Crazy or no, this little guy was Apollo's pet project now, and she wasn't in the mood to go toe-to-toe with him right now over some perceived threat. Because Fates forbid anything should get in the way of his games, she thought darkly.

Looking him over, her heart softened a bit. He's so young, even by mortal standards. He looked a little drawn and thin, even for a foal, which was probably thanks to Apollo in some way or another. She hated to peek into thoughts, but for something as important as this...
When she tried, something subtle shoved her away. It wasn't that she couldn't, it was just that it didn't feel...comfortable. In a strange way, it felt all damp and foggy. It sent a shiver down her spine. She shied away, confused but not overly bothered. Either his father's protecting him intentionally, or he got some weird freak genetics, or it's the Chaos air messing with my head...Either way, it's not like I need to know. I can guess at what happened, really. For the first time she noticed the body of a young mare lying not a long way away. Honestly Apollo, you show up and hitch a free ride, then you don't call, don't write, until the thing practically shows up at your doorstep? And then you let her die on the threshold. Artemis was mildly bothered by how cruel this all seemed, but again, not unduly. Being so detached from Imbros for any amount of time tended to clear her head. It was not so long ago that she herself viewed mortals as pawns to be played to her liking. It was only within the last decade or so that Apollo's pressure had meant she really needed to start getting used to those pawns. If she was going to come out on top, she needed each and every one of them. But with her return to Chaos, she could feel some of that old nonchalantness returning. The corpse lying on the ground amused her in a sad, sullen sort of way. She could feel distantly sympathetic for the poor colt's fate, now that he was alone with only his father to deal with. This would almost certainly end in tragedy. And yet, well, if it's not her tragedy, why should she care? Why shouldn't she just sit back and enjoy the play?

Dour musings aside, I suppose I'm going to have to try to fix this, she thought. Shoot me if I know how. Clearing her throat, she spoke to the colt directly. It felt strange and foreign addressing such a beast, and she couldn't quite tell what she was supposed to say in a situation like this. A million questions popped into her mind. Are you...mortal? Do you feel pain? Do you have powers? Are you...stronger than me? Are you sad that she died? Do you care? Are you Apollo II? If so, how hard is it to kill you? She discarded all but one. Ironically, it was the one she cared least to know the answer to. So, colt. What's your name?
...Apparently, those pesky mortal traditions of small talk hadn't had the time to wither and die, yet.

[ooc: ...That whole thing was kind of a mess, sorry loves. I tried not to go too crazy, but dang, it's hard to have a fate freak out without killing everything in the near vicinity. I can edit/fix anything that needs be if you guys don't like where it went, I didn't really know how to break the news to Art mildly.]

[S p e c t r a]

I had to grin at his attitude and fire. He was clearly put off-balance by my display of ability, and so amped up the bravado to mask his fear. It's almost cute. I suppose it's acceptable, not to mention utterly appropriate, to be afraid in the presence of a Fate. One wrong turn of phrase and your life is forfeit. The only ones who aren't as afraid are those who have very little to live for. I think Artemis told me a story once, about how she almost killed Theseus because of his sharp tongue. Instead of begging for his life, he bowed his head and accepted his impending doom. I'd say it's a shame she held back from striking him down, but I'm not sure that a more mentally balanced individual would be nearly as entertaining a foe. I can't say whether I find it admirable or pathetic that he would just accept death like that. I guess it's both. Maybe that's why she let him live. Poor Artemis, she gets too attached to these fleeting creatures sometimes. I think it impairs her judgment a little, not to mention her objectivity. I'm not here to coddle the mortals, and I'd hardly say it was just for entertainment. After all, you came of it, I stated plainly, utterly confident. If I had ever been uncertain in my life, I certainly didn't remember such a time. Sure, I like to guess at motives rather than mind-read like a dirty cheater all the time (Ha! As if I would be against cheating! I just prefer my reasons to the petty thoughts of mortals) but that has no effect on my certainty of action. And I had even more reason to be confident now that I had a son of my own blood standing before me, glowing faintly as if to shove in my face that he was not normal. That he was different, that the mixing of Fate and mortal had not left him with overmuch of his dam's weak countenance. No, he had my strength in him. Some of it, at least. I was interested to see how his heritage begins to manifest further as he reaches maturity. At two or three he might even have a power or two. Artemis didn't seem to be able to look straight at him too well, but her eyes were never too fond of brightness.

Don't you worry your pretty little head, sister. I knew you'd catch on eventually. I didn't think it would take you seventeen months though. A bit distracted, were you? I chuckle like the smarmy bastard I am. A little peeved that I have a leg up in our primordial duel? She should be. It takes one hell of a motivation to make me disdain to touch one of those lowly creatures, let alone enter one. But it wasn't altogether unpleasant. Maybe I'll do it again. Maybe I'll make myself a whole army of super-powered mortals! But not yet. I'd like to observe how this one turns out before I go planting my seed in every air-headed wench who struts by full of hormones and foolish ideals. To be honest it seemed like a strange plan at first, to make myself a son. In Chaos I can create whatever I like, any living thing I can dream up. But they cannot think for themselves, not really. Not even the ones that move around on their own. I'm not lonely, I'm just bored with my current selection of toys. And to have a son of the sun outside these barriers, well, that was different indeed. Not only could he think and act for himself, but I wasn't entirely sure what he could do, or what he was. Half-Fate, half-mortal... what did that make him then? I suppose I've created a new species that can't be called entirely equine. I'll have to think of something to call this new line I've created. Something clever, elegant-sounding, legendary. Because if I haven't made it clear already, I intend to make more if this one doesn't explode as soon as he reaches adulthood. Speaking of the boy, I guess he wants some reason why he's alive? A bit ungrateful that. I gave him life, and he wants me to plan it all out for him? No no, no Fate nor mortal gets that luxury. Is it so irrational for me to want someone on my side? I ask rhetorically, I just wanted some lasting company that isn't a huge killjoy like her. I wink at the youth. I don't know why, but I want him to like me. And mortals don't last, so why would I bother wanting them to like me? They're just going to die in the blink of an eye when I get distracted for a moment's time.

Oh? And I suppose you think it's wiser for everything to be perfectly peaceful and boring? Time flies when you're having fun, and we have ever so much time on our hands, I smirked wryly. I didn't blame her for being such a sourpuss. She just couldn't see things my way. I guess that made sense with the whole night-and-day motif we so clearly embody. Of course she can't share my sense of fun, she's too busy bothering will all that moral nonsense I've long since given up on. I guess the less I care about something the more she does, or something like that. I don't know if she's trying to pick up my slack or if that's just how we balance out. A shame really, she doesn't smile half as much as I do, if at all. We don't run into each other much, but I know her moods. It's all darkness this and moping that. Of course, I'm all sunshine and kittens. Never a dull day with me around! And I suppose poor Artemis will try to replicate my experiment. She's much more attuned to the mortals than I. Maybe she'll fall hopelessly in love with one of them, wouldn't that be sporting? Then she'd have to deal with either letting him age and die, or bringing him here and keeping him alive for all eternity as her slave? Wouldn't that be such a rotten shame. Terrible, terrible. I'll try not to snicker too much when she's around. Oh dear, I'm getting ahead of myself. Maybe she'll learn to stop giving a damn about every useless little breeder. I'll not have Chaos turn into her personal little stallion-den.

[Schatt [Institutionalized]]

[ooc: Meh, personally I don't mind waiting for replies, if you'd like to stick to an order then that's good with me. On the other hand, there are periods of time where I can't post for like, a week or so, so if time starts to drag on I have no problem with you guys skipping ahead in the order. So, maybe like, posting order, only not so much?
...See how I manage to give thoughtful, yet completely unhelpful answers to every question I'm presented with? It's a skill of mine. >.<]

[S p e c t r a]

OOC: I think Apollo > Aristaios > Artemis would be a pretty straightforward posting order to follow, like Sin suggested. None of us are particularly impatient, all of us can be slow sometimes. No rush, no worry.

This is going to be hugely fun. Even though I kinda hate Apollo. ;D

[Sin - Busy during weekdays.]

ok works for me! I'll reply tomorrow, i'm so exhausted/filled with incredible muse that i'm going to pass out and dream about roleplaying lol.. happened before. Anyways, thought i'd let ya know!

[Sin - Busy during weekdays.]

OOC|| OK I'm changing the point of view I rp him in. Instead of first it will be third.

He takes a few steps forward, then quickly stops as another equine appears. His head quickly shifts back and forth between the duo as one comment is noted by the other. Sibling rivalry? I guess so. It was almost comical to watch the two argue, but what really made this funny was how the mare was steadily changing form. He managed to cover a snort of laughter into a form of a cough. Finally she was black as night, almost transparent, then she disappeared as fast as she had appeared. He wondered if he'd be able to evaporate, then realized it was unlikely.

A few more words were exchanged and Ari grew more and more frustrated with the emotions he was feeling. First he just felt angry, now confused and conflicted. He didn't know that he could feel the emotions of the two before him, let alone others of his kind, which made this episode quite maddening. He took a deep sigh and released, pressing a feeling of calm over himself, wishing he could direct it at his grumbling father and aunt.

His father spoke to him, telling him that life wasn't planned just hoped for. For some reason Ari didn't believe him, but accepted the words. The shining sun dimmed and was replaced by the moon and stars of a clear night's sky. Brilliant. He thought to himself. This place could be very entertaining if he were to stick around. At least that what he guessed. Perhaps he will stick around, he didn't know yet.

The mare spoke to-wards him for the first time, but didn't wait for a response. Sure the headache was lessened but was their arguing going to do the same? He doubted it. By the sounds of it, these two have been going at it for centuries. Then he was asked his name. With a large smile he spoke out confidently, puffing out his chest and raising his head to make himself appear strong.
I am Aristaios. Mom called me Ari.
At the mention of his mom he motioned over his shoulder to-wards the dead mare behind him.
And you are?

He realized that now the sunlight was gone he could hardly see the unknown mare, and that when she moved he couldn't hear her. It was all interesting to him. Yet, his father still managed to shine with the moon's soft light. Am I shining? He looked around for a source of water to peer into and see his reflection and realized that it probably wouldn't be found around here unless Gods need to eat and drink too. From the best of his knowledge, they didn't need such necessities that his kind did. What has his kind though? Half god, half mortal? Is there a name for that? Probably.

An urge had come over him, something that almost broke him in two. He longed for his mothers gentle touch, even if they had been empty and meaningless on her behalf, he missed it already. Who would be there to comfort? Who would be there to teach him? How could he put all this trust into the hands of his father he has only now met? His father, a god, who let his mother destroy herself. Or did he? Was it she that had simply given up? All these questions that would have to go unanswered for he wasn't going to ask them!

Ari slowly lowered his head, allowing one single tear to escape it's now watery chambers. He watched the isolated waterdrop slowly make its way further down his face until it reached his nose. Realizing his eyes were crossed he shook his head, attempting to readjust the slightly overgrown mohawk of a mane to cover his frosted gaze. It wasn't working, but no more tears came after that single one. It was the first time he had cried, if it even counted. Finally he looked back up, first towards the mare, half expecting to see her shifting shapes again. Then his gaze returned to his father.
So what now?

The words left him before he really thought about them. In reality he wanted someone to guide him the right direction but it's not something you come right out and ask. He could have asked his mother, but it's to late. Only minutes ago, he had gestured over his shoulder in response to the mare's question, as if his mother had been standing right behind him. She wasn't there anymore, nor would she ever be.

Ari's facade was painted in a despair that he couldn't hide. Grieving was normal, but why did his body have to react infront of unknown company? He wanted to leave, or them to leave. He felt the need to be alone, forever. Sure, he knew that wasn't very realistic, but one could always hope right?
So should I call you Apollo or dad?
It was an honest question, and hopefully would help break the ice that seemed to lay between the father son bond that him and Apollo seemed to lack.

OOC again|| Sorry, it's short but it'll get better, my promise!

[S p e c t r a]

OOC: I don't mean to be a tool, but would you mind trying to post a bit more than half of what we did? It's a little hard to reply with a lot of detail when we don't have much of it to respond to.

[Sin - Busy during weekdays.]

Lol yeah I'll add in some more. I didn't have a lot to really put in considering apollo and art acknowledged each other more than ari, but i'll describe the area a bit more or something lol. Probably tomorrow though

EDIT: ok I roughly doubled my post.

[Schatt [Institutionalized]]

[ooc: Awe, I remember that post with Theseus. Artemis nearly flew off the handle at him. Good times, good times. ^.^
Also, sorry for the late-in-coming, Artemis is kind of a pain to come up with the muse to post with sometimes.]

Outrageous. All of this was an outrage. As if Apollo wasn't bad enough, now she had little sun god II running around her home...and laughing at her! She whipped around, glaring at the stupid little thing. I heard that, she spat. Well, she hadn't exactly heard him, but seriously. You didn't have to be a mind-reader to see that, you could practically feel his mirth rolling through the air. And that was all Artemis had done, really. Paid attention to her senses. Aaaall six of them.

What?! It's not cheating, I'm just paying extra attention. I haven't actually gotten a decent read on him, yet. He still feels all cold and slimy. Brr. She gave an involuntary shudder and turned her attention back to her brother. It wasn't hard to do. With an ego the size of a small nation-state, he was hard to ignore. And even harder to tolerate.

Distracted? Me? Ye gods, Apollo. I hope you're appreciating the effort I'm putting into the inflection in all of this, the sarcasm is so thick I'm almost drowning in it. It almost hurts me. Almost. And WHAT she continued, voice reaching a shriller octave than one would think possible. ...could I POSSIBLY be distracted by? She was keeping form this time, but just barely. It couldn't POSSIBLY be the fact that my brother has started a...a civil war could it? Honest, Apollo, of all the idiotic things to do! This one doesn't even gain you anything. I mean, power trips are all well and good, but nobody even knows it's you behind all of this. Why bother?! The last bit there was largely rhetorical. Artemis would've simply loved a satisfactory answer to any of her questions, but she knew Apollo was as likely to give her a straight response as she was to trade in her Fatehood for a broken Mariah Carey CD and a bunny costume. And believe me, Artemis hates pop music.

Don't look at him like that, she spat at Apollo, well aware that it sounded a little...eccentric. Far from caring about the colt's wellfare, it was instead the amused concern Artemis saw mirrored in her brother's eyes that worried her. Like he was watching out for his property, his little pet project. A little pet project that could very well end up causing doomsday next Tuesday. As if she needed another one of those to deal with. Sure, you want company. It's understandable. Get a whore, just make sure you kill her before she spits out the next Horror Movie Reject Gone Wrong, kay? With a sudden flash of anger, she turned to face the little colt. Such a small animal, untested in all of his power still. So much trouble to deal with, and yet so easy to kill. Her face started to shift and her form was condensing into something more predatorial...whether canine, feline, or something altogether different was impossible to tell. And yet, just as she was about to leap forward, something stopped her. It was that horrible feeling again; when she closed her eyes she could still sense Aristaios out there, but he was just...slippery.

It was the oddest sensation she had ever felt. Unnerved, she fell back on her haunches and shrunk even smaller, then melted back up into a normal equine once more. Once she was over her moment of shock, she felt the remnants of that bottled up rage building up even higher. She sighed and made a conscious decision to shove it down...for now. Undoubedly, Apollo would take measures to protect his little bastard, and she just wasn't in the mood to take on two higher powers right now, just as the weather was getting so pleasant. She settled for spitting out You'd better take care of that thing, Apollo. Or I will, with as much venom as she could muster.

Finished with that for the moment, she turned to look at the object of her frustration curiously. Damn, he really is a weak-looking little thing. He still glowed subtly under the moonlight, but he was nowhere near as impressive at night, standing next to Apollo (and more importantly, her). Awe look, he's showing off. It was true, the little one was puffing up his chest like a rooster and full to nearly bursting with overconfidence. Aristaios, eh? You'll lose some of that rashness over the years, Aristaios. It tends to irritate equines who'd be better left un-irritated, she said in a thinly-veiled attempt to get him to cease his nauseating display. Almost as soon as she fell back to silence once again, she caught his last sentence and chuckled. I? I am Artemis, self-appointed Fate of the Moon, the Night, and babysitting power-hungry morons who should have their balls chopped off and handed to them in a jar, she finished with a glare toward Apollo. What's wrong, haven't heard of me? Doesn't daddy tell you bedtime stories? Fairy tales? She laughed, pacing back and forth a bit, enjoying the night air. Actually, maybe it's better if he didn't He's a shameless liar, your father is. Don't believe a word he tells you. She fully expected her warning to fall, unheeded, on ignorant ears. After all, she was dealing with a relative of Apollo, here.

What she wasn't expecting was Aristaios's sudden expression of despair and misery. At first it seemed out-of-character, but then she realized that she didn't exactly know what was considered in-character. It wasn't a clone she was dealing with here, after all. This thought interested her very much. ...Some emotion must've leaked through from his dam's side, actually. Maybe there's hope for him yet. Wouldn't it be grand if I didn't even need to follow in Apollo's footsteps? Two wrongs don't make a right, maybe I could just fudge the wrong in this instance, make things go from black-and-white to shades of grey. I do love grey, she thought as she preened and admired her silver glow under the moonlight. Here in Chaos she was positively radiant. And imagine the look on Apollo's face when he walks in and sees his son and sister screwing around in his master plan, whatever the hell he's planning. She didn't bother to shield her thoughts for several reasons. One, what she was planning on doing was a perfectly reasonable, predictable, and painfully unimaginitive approach that couldn't have been much more obvious if it had started running around naked with a sign that read "Artemis' Secret Plan" taped to its back. Secondly, none of that even mattered, because Apollo didn't care. He didn't care enough to keep tabs on Artemis while she was scheming, and he didn't care enough to try and stop her when she actually started meddling. No, he wouldn't take action until his entire plot was about to collapse...or until he got irritated. Pleasantly enough, the only fail-safe way to ever get Mr. Sunshine's feathers ruffled was to get a crack or two in his enormous ego. Normally, Artemis spent all her time pushing and shoving against it just for the satisfaction of seeing even one expression of mild frustration, and now it would be all too easy to stay out of his way for seventeen months or so. It'd be like a vacation, actually. A paid vacation. She'd enjoy it...no, she'd relish it.

Still, it was only for the sake of this promise that she was able to brave the slimy feeling once more and get a half-decent read on Aristaios. She didn't bother singling in on any of his thoughts in particular; she was still too thrown by the whole experience. Besides, all she needed was right in his emotions. They were easy to feel: loss, sorrow, frustration. The last one she was plenty familiar with herself, but the former two? Not so much. It's what comes from being half mortal, I suppose, she thought, amused. I wouldn't like it.

As for now, she really didn't really need to go any further. She had enough information to get started with, and she threw her voice forward into a whisper that Aristaios alone could hear. I'm sorry for your loss, little one. You should've found me sooner, I would've been able to help her. We both could've, really. But Apollo isn't into that kind of...attachment, I guess.[/i] Her tone dropped even lower until it seemed almost as if the wind itself was suggesting the thought to him, as opposed to another equine. He views it as a weakness.[/i] [/color]

Alright, Apollo, she laughed. You want to play? Let's play. I'll admit, you did a decent job on Tartarus, for a beginner. But manipulation? You're on my territory, now. While you're busy strutting around all draped in gold, I've had a few thousand years of practice at being subtle. And trust me, it'll be no contest. In fact...hey! She was broken out of her gloating by a sudden wave of emotion from her twin. Was that...smugness? She singled in for a better view. Sure, some would call it cheating. But Apollo sure as hell wouldn't.

"...Chaos turn into her personal little stallion-den," was all she actually heard, but it was enough. Remember that rage-bottle we were talking about earlier? Yeah, well, it seems to have sprung a leak.

EXCUSE me? I have no need to be playing catch-up all of the time, Apollo. Your ideas aren't that revolutionary, you know. Hardly worth stealing. And I certainly have NO need to be dragging around any arrogant, self-important, testosterone-driven idiots, if you're at all a fair representation of your gender.

...So my grand plan involves sweet-talking his colt a little bit and maybe adding one of my own to the ranks. He sure as hell doesn't need to know that.

************************

"I had a plan."
"You? A plan?"
"A good plan. Smart. Carefully laid out. But I got bored."

--Spike, from the TV show Angel.

[Sin - Busy during weekdays.]

OOC|| OOO I'm excited about this! Poor Ari will be torn between father and aunt... whose side will he choose lol. Anyways no problem schatten, I can understand that it can be hard to come up with muse for a character... Especially one that you haven't really rped in chaos with apollo before.. (at least not that I can see lol) It can be hard to come up with the right things... Excellent job though!


Edit: I'm wondering who aristaios will side with. Spec mentioned that if Art has a disappointment that Apollo would try to take it in to add to his 'army'. And Ari is looking for a mother figure and a companion right now cuz he's only had a mother.. but I don't know who to go to. Spec said that she could probably have muse to post with apollo if I go that way, but if I decide to go with you (schatten) would you have the muse so you wouldn't have to force replies when you don't want to? Lol I just want everyone happy!

[S p e c t r a]

Apollo, dashing Fate of the Sun and master of all things shiny and pretty, does not exist solely on silly little whims. Sure, spur-of-the-moment things happen, I'll admit. They do to everyone, at least everyone with the balls to seize an opportunity. But I was not about to let Artemis dismiss my pastimes as idle coltish games. I have my fun, there's no denying it. But I can, and do, plan things out sometimes. Just because I enjoy my work doesn't mean I'm not working hard. Poor dreary Artemis and her sad little friends. She could keep them. I much preferred doing things my way, not bothering to mourn the inevitable. If the mortals were just going to keel over and die anyway, why not have them die for their beliefs rather than the unfortunate limitations of their bodies? I brought this place together by splitting it apart. I gave these directionless beings some purpose, some excitement in their lives. They wouldn't thank me, but if they knew the tedious alternative, they might. Life sucks, why not feel like you're making a difference along the way? Even though they were all pretty much powerless against his schemes. His careful manipulations could keep the land divided for years, maybe decades to come! And then peace might settle temporarily before conflict old or new would be stirred up once more. Artemis had a hard time of it, being his antagonist and he hers. She always seemed a step behind, trying to clean up his mess and never ignoring the mess to dive for its source. Really, dear sister. You're losing your touch. And you mean to tell me that I'm the foolish one? Well if having a good time is foolish, then I'm guilty as charged! But you know that's not the definition we're working with. Let's be reasonable.

Well that's just silly. If they knew I was to blame, they'd hardly be taking it out on each other, would they? I like to watch their twisted little minds work, I laugh cynically, Forgive me if fraternizing with the mortals doesn't make the time fly for me. They're like butterflies. Interesting, but fleeting. You watch them a little, then you blink and they've gone and died already. And then you're bored and on your own again. It wasn't like I hadn't tried. I just didn't have the attention span for futile endeavors. Being a saint was so insufferably boring, it made eternity feel twice as long. However that was supposed to work. Peace was a drag, it was nothing but petty little love squabbles. Now this, this was interesting. This was practically a blood feud, except it was breeds rather than families that were pitched against each other. The building tension, the suspense, it was all quite the show. I feel like the director behind a big-budget action film. I had to work at it, but it's all coming together. I enjoy it, therefore it was worth the effort. I raise an eyebrow-like muscle as the colt asks me what comes next. Well, he was the one who came to find me, not the other way around. Was this the full extent of the youngster's grand plan? No other questions? No demands or proposals? Just find Daddy and hope everything works out just fine and dandy? Hope that someone will give you a place to belong? You're a creature caught between worlds, belonging will be difficult. You can hate yourself for it, or learn to embrace your uniqueness. If it's a big ego you want, I can help you in that department. Learn from the master, as they say. Now we wait until she gets over herself, I say to the colt, smirking conspiratorially.

Now what was the fun of playing nice with Artemis, ever? Sure, she got a little trigger-happy with the lightning bolts sometimes. But I'm immortal and no being in this land could kill me if they tried. I have nothing to fear, and so I have no reason to tread lightly around her. Let her pitch a fit if she wants to. I'm invulnerable to her sarcasm and her yelling. Her mad rambling. Does she really think she'll get through to me? I like my life, which is more than I can say for her. She seemed to be losing her mind a little as well as the race. Maybe I am too, I'm not exactly in a position to judge myself objectively. Maybe we're all mad. But she's running off at the mouth in a more cold-blooded manner than usual. What was up with her? Was this the straw to break the camel's back? Is my dear twin turning into an ice-bitch? That's a little cold, don't you think? I thought you were all into that creation stuff. And Aristaios didn't turn out so bad. See? Handsome like his father. While the colt's pattern bore more of a resemblance to his dam's, it was more vibrant along my lines. He never seemed to be in shadow, no matter where he stood. He looked promising. I'm curious to see what he will fill out to in his prime, not to mention what he'll be capable of. Hmm, "father" has a nice ring to it, I add bemusedly. If he grows into any powers, they'll most likely be similar to mine. If Artemis wants to wheedle her way into his favour, she's in for one hell of a ride. She won't know as well as I do how to control and strengthen abilities that are linked to the sun. And with that sunspot marking of a sunburst on his forehead, I'm betting any power he inherits will be tied to my side of the spectrum. A side she cannot fully understand.

Sure, I laugh sarcastically, I'm just going to vaporize my own son so you don't feel threatened. Great idea! My own son. That's kind of a possessive way of putting it. I mean, he doesn't belong to me, but I'm the closest thing to, well, anything, that he's got. And apart from my dreary twin, he's the only thing of consequence I have any connection to. Kind of a weird thought for me, the wild party Fate who doesn't give a damn about anyone. Then again, I've never encountered anyone with a little bit of me in them. Will we get along? Will we be able to relate to each other? Why am I even asking myself these things? Sure, we could have some fun. And Artemis, as usual, is intent on spoiling my fun. I hear her little whispers, though the words escape me. Cursed blocking. Well two can play that game. Is it time for silver-tongued Apollo to pull one over on her? I'm the master manipulator here, am I not? Time to get subtle, if the word can possibly be applied to me. If she tries to overhear this, so to speak, she'll get nothing but a faint buzzing. Let's have some quality Sun to son time, shall we? It's time he saw things my way. I want him strong, I want him smart. And in order for that to happen, he'll have to understand that my selfish actions are not always for purely selfish means. Most of the time, yes, but not always. It's different with him. I made him to be on my side. What if he chooses otherwise? She's trying to make you soft, I transmitted telepathically to the colt, my thoughts warm but gently cautionary, She doesn't want you to be strong 'cause you might get in her way. Compassion is not really my thing, so I keep to the facts. I'm not remorseful. His dam was a lead weight on society towards the end of her pregnancy. She lost her cool. Why would I keep her alive any longer? To let her screw up my son? No. Never. If he was to become a lunatic, I would rather it be my kind of lunatic. About your mother... I added, It's true I could have done something, but I couldn't have made her want to live. She would have been a miserable empty shell dragging you down. It wouldn't be healthy.


OOC: Whoa.

[Sin - Busy during weekdays.]

OOC|| I had a HUGE post for him that was actually my favorite post that I've done in awhile, then my IE failed and I lost it. So here is a shorter version with less blockquotes for speccers eyes! And he sides with his daddy lol, sorry Art's sweet talk didn't work.

Was he really that bad? All he had done in his life thus far was follow by his mother’s side, watching over her. Was that really enough to piss this mare off? Or was she simply a natural bitch? Either way, he was starting to think that coming to Chaos was a mistake. He kept to himself as the two Gods continued their rant, going back and forth at one another. He couldn’t help but notice that every time Artemis threw some sort of an insult towards his father, that Apollo simply pushed it back in her face. The way he did it was almost like a mastered art, just simply flicking insult off of him and blowing it back at her. Artemis seemed to just be getting more and more furious by the second, aiming her anger in the wrong direction obviously, as she seemed to advance on Aristaios. He could hear his father’s protective words, though his focus was mainly on the insane wench. So perhaps his father did care? Or wishes he could help? Ari didn’t know and it was quite hard to tell as the whole scene just seemed to be filled with intense anger, but he decided to do what his father suggested and wait until she gets over herself. He had barely the time to blink before Artemis was back where she had stood before, calling him rash and irritating. Damn, she should take a look at her reflection sometime! His stomach tightened instinctively at the mention of chopping off someone’s manhood. Cold-hearted bitch. But as soon as she was given a single sign of weakness, just the teardrop down his cheek, she seemed to shift into a less venomous creature.

Her voice was so close to his ear that he was waiting for her breath to be felt, but she stood where she had been this entire time. Sure she had apologized for his loss, but what the hell was wrong with her? One moment she acts as though she wants to rip his throat out, now she wants to be friends? Bi-polar might be the right term for her. The temptation to run to herside came out of nowhere, but she would be nothing but someone to fall back on. Still resisting the urge to accept another as a 'mother-figure' was quite hard. His thoughts reminded him that nothing she spoke of was probably ture. Then as reality hit, her lies made him want to vomit. Aristaios took a step back, looking at the femme with pure disgust. “What is wrong with you?” He had barely enough time to whisper those words when his father’s voice wound up in his head. Looking towards his dad with a look of utter confusion, he listened carefully. It made sense what he said about being able to help his mother, but not being able to make her want to live. He knew it had been unhealthy for him to watch over his mother and not vice versa, but it also made sense that her living without the will to survive would also be quite bad for ones health. He looked towards his dad with understanding in his eyes, finally trying to accept that the fate of his mother was for the best. But, now he was stuck, smack dab in the middle of two Gods battling amongst themselves. Quickly he looked away from his father, eyeing the area for a quick escape if one was needed. His eyes tried to find any thing familiar that he had seen on his way in, but the landscape had seemingly changed. Had the Gods been able to reassemble the land? Well, they probably created all of Imbros… It was just something more to add to the mysteries to be solved.

Suddenly he wanted to be alone with his father, to ask him tons of questions that he felt needed answers. Surely that couldn’t happen with her around. His gaze returned to the mare's, his glare meeting her own, although hers was directed at his father. But could Ari talk to others in their heads? Could he change shape and distort the landscape? Was he immortal? Immortal… that was something he hadn’t considered even after finding out his sire was a God. What would he do all of his life if he didn’t die? Did it get boring? Will he get old or sick but just survive? Could he tell the future? That last one was a bit silly. In reality, none could predict the future, but one could try to shift the present to alter the future. Personally he’d rather just go with the flow of things rather than try to play the world like a deck of cards, then again if he were immortal, a few hundred years of going with the flow may get a bit boring. He was conflicted and confused. Answers will come first before his decisions. Surely though he didn’t like the idea of being buddy buddy with the cut throat before him. He had this energy inside of him that he hadn’t felt before, and now he was curious of what he was actually capable of. He hoped his father would help a little with that, but for now? Well he’ll wait for the wench to disappear.

[S p e c t r a]

OOC: Here's hoping Apollo doesn't screw it up by being a supremacist jerk. xD

[Sin - Busy during weekdays.]

my activity update is here.

[S p e c t r a]

OOC: We're waiting on Schatten anyway (who hasn't had the courtesy to update us on her extended absence). -le sigh-