1231/Nope, not a trap

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Nope, not a trap
Date of Scene: 18 April 2020
Location: Downtown Manhattan
Synopsis: It wasn't a trap. Just a friendly talk between Alexander and Mr. Addes. Honest.
Cast of Characters: Alexander Aaron, Karla Sofen




Alexander Aaron has posed:
    The Church of the Transfiguration is not a place that Alexander would find himself frequenting. Not for any particular reason of ill-feeling or discomfort, as one might imagine. There is no hint of a dark feeling or unwelcome when a person of his ilk crosses the holy threshold. For whatever pantheon holds sway over that tiny church around the corner in Midtown, just off of East 29th and Fifth avenue, it doesn't seem to dislike the presence of Olympians.
    But for some reason it would serve. If not his purposes then the purposes of others.
    For Karla it might serve because it was the address that Mr. Theios Addes had given her. A place supposedly of neutral standing that his nephew might accept. For Theios Addes perhaps because it gives a nod to other powers that may or may not exist and an acknowledgment or illusion of safety.
    However it stood, the youth did accept the word of invitation given by Karla. Even if he might not have been given the whole picture of what was to occur there.

Karla Sofen has posed:
Not that Karla had that exact bigger picture on what was going on either. Sure, she did expect treachery of some kind. In fact she dwelled on it in a daily basis so she could perhaps almost smell it. Didn't stop her from getting the meeting arranged though. A meet to talk and walk maybe. At least that's what the message said.

Instead of those usual dresses, or more formal suits she is dressed in jeans and boots, a jacket, hands inside the pockets of said jacket. Rather informal. Hair remains loose though, it cascading down her front and back. She looks up at the church in a curious manner, studying it from the outside while she awaits.

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    The youth with the blond hair comes into view not too long after the appointed time, footsteps light and easy upon the sidewalk with one of his hands in the pocket of a loose wool jacket as a nod to the cool weather that bad drifted across the city this weekend. His other handis looped underneath the everpresent backpack he seems to lug around. Looking up he smiles across the way toward Karla and gives a nod.
    Once near he murmurs, "Heya." A glance is given toward that small church and its curious coloration, as well as the tasteful landscaping done without. He tilts his head back toward her, "You didn't strike me as the terribly religious sort." He offers that insight into her even as he leans against the small fence outside.

Karla Sofen has posed:
When Alexander mentions that Karla isn't the religious sort that makes her register a rather amused look to her expression. "That so? With Gods prowling about how could I not be?" she dislodges herself from the fence. "Faith can help a lot in pushing whatever problems we have into the hands of Gods. Discarding our own self-blame on what happens." she asserts. Psychiatrist much?

"Yet in this case seemed like a good place to take a walk around. It's quiet enough at this hour. And the inside is beautiful." yes, at least that part is true. She has been here and was quite taken with how it looked within. She begins to walk towards the entrance.

"How have you been, Alexander?"

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    A small chuff comes from the youth, what would be an exhalation of a laugh if he gave it more life or breath. Instead he gives a small shrug as if agreeing with her words even as he falls into step with her, footsteps light and casual as he moves with.
    "I've never been inside." He offers to her as they walk along that small path, past the bushes that line the way and toward the front door. He steps forward quickly enough to take hold of the large iron handle and pulls it open for his companion even as he looks askance toward her.
    "Though I've walked by fairly often." Some sort of life lesson is assuredly there, but he does not seem inclined to plumb the poetic depths in the search for it.
    Instead he answers her question with a small boneless shrug. "Mmm, alright. I got a dog."
    He starts to say as they step through the doors, walking with her and his attention to the side on the blond woman with him. "But I'll probably return him. Even though it breaks my heart. It sorta... comes with strings attached."

    Only for in that moment a deep gravelly booming voice to be heard in the depths of that church, at the other end near the pulpit. A tall man in an immaculate black suit with red hair drawn back into a pony tail and a cane in his hand. "No strings, young Alexander. It is a gift made in earnest."

Karla Sofen has posed:
"A .., dog?" Does Karla consider Alexander to be a dog person? She eyes him up and down for a few moments, finding it doubtful. Though there seems to be a story to it. One that she will be learning about soon enough? Apparently so for when they walk inside the large church there is that booming voice. It makes her cant her head to the side, watching Addes there. A glance to Alexander, eyes leave her pockets but it does seem as if she chooses to remain silent. Is she -that- surprised with what just happened? Doesn't appear like so. More expectant apparently.

"All gifts come with strings." She eventually comments after a time.

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    The first thing that happens is there's a flicker of energy, a flash of silvery light that brings with it a crimson bladed sword fast to hand from some other dimension, appearing in the blond youth's grip instantly as he steps back into a ready stance, turning just enough to keep Karla somewhat within view even as he looks across the way towards Hades.
    The second thing that happens is the doors close behind them, heavier, with an ominous /WHABAM!/ and there's the sound of locks clicking into place, snapping closed, deadbolt sliding with a thud.
    And the third is Alexander scowling sidelong towards Karla, then back towards Theios Addes as he grimaces and murmurs sharply, "Uncle."
    To which the tall man holds up his hands, "Bide, Phobos. Hold. I seek not bloodshed nor mayhem. I ask for but words. Only words."

Karla Sofen has posed:
That one is new. A dimensional sword? It makes Karla lift a brow, but weapons have never been the thing that worried her too much. As long as she can see them coming. So all she does is eye Alexander just in case he goes into a rampage, arms folded together, one eyebrow arching so. The doors closing behind them. ... Well..., that much she expected already. So no problem there.

The scowl is returned by a shrug, she relaxing against one of the church benches, not sitting, simply leaning back to the side of one. "It would seem words is not all that Phobos wants to share with you though." She tells Addes.

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    A scoff is given by the tall barrel-chested man even as he keeps his hands up, the cane held with his thumb. Those red eyes shift over toward Karla and give her a /look/ as if to tell her that she is _not_ helping. But then he turns back toward the blond youth who still stands there blade in hand and with a stern look to him.
    "What is it that is said?" Addes lifts his chin, "Deny a man his right to speak only shows you fear what he has to say, yes?"
    A beat.
    "And we both know, you fear nothing. Is that not true, nephew?"
    To which Karla can likely see the slightly sour expression on Alexander's face, his eyes narrowing as he marginally lowers the sword, an inch. Two. But then he gives a look sidelong towards Karla before he addresses the tall man.
    "Alright, no harm in talking. I can't keep Molo. I want to. But I can't."
    To which Hades straightens and nods, "I understand. Wise of you, but also thoughtful for the canine's welfare."
    "Mmm," Is all Alex says in response. And then there is more time of silence between them.
    Until Hades breaks it. "I need your help, nephew."

Karla Sofen has posed:
If Addes had done his homework he'd know Karla isn't the helping kind. To any side. So she only smiles in an (almost) sweet manner at that /look/. A slight lift of her chin, listening to those words delivered to Alexander. Then a study of the young God of Fear. Watching as the blade is lowered, the sourness there on that expression. Giving ground, letting his uncle take hold of the conversation. Can she blame the young man though? In fairness, maybe she couldn't. But it's not as if the world is fair.

The talk about Molo, who apparently is a dog, leaves her in a rather neutral expression. She hasn't heard of this before. Yet it does give her information of previous dealings between the two. And gifts. Does seem like 'Uncle' there is rather desperate for the boy's help. It makes her smile just so. But she doesn't break her silence just yet, listening before giving judgement.

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    "You are no doubt aware of the many strictures upon our interactions, family member to family member. The polite rules we embrace to prevent the anarchy of the old days. 'Tis why I have engaged Ms. Sofen to bring you before me, for I would not dare approach openly lest it be a betrayal of those very agreements."
    Alexander's hazel eyes follow the man as he gestures and speaks, though he spares a glance for Karla as the elder deity basically leaves no doubt to the matter that she was involved in his arrival here. Not exactly a secret, but a clear explanation of where boundaries lie.
    "I obey them, no matter what you or your father may think. I obey them. And thus why I come to you."
    There's a flicker of silvery light around the sword in Alexander's hand that engulfs the blade and seems to devour it from this version of reality, making the weapon fade from view as the young Olympian then folds his arms across his chest and frowns severely.
    "Alright," Alex says, helpfully.
    Hades then takes a heavy breath and grimaces, "Dionysus has a celebration. It displeases me."

Karla Sofen has posed:
"Don't give me that look. You know exactly who I am." Karla says in reply to Alexander's glance given her way. And indeed, not as if it'd be a secret either. The sword disappearing makes it so her eyes now turn to look more directly at Addes, mm'ing at the mention of Dionysus. Yes, she is smart enough to know the Gods and what they mean. And Dionysus celebrating sounds just like something normal.

"I thought that is what he did. Celebrating." She voices her own thoughts, one hand coming up to brush over her long mane of blond hair.

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    "It is," Says Alexander and Addes at the same time, much to the younger deity's consternation. He grimaces and tightens up his arms over his chest, scowling darkly but shifting his weight.
    "What does that have to do with me?"
    "Do not get ahead of yourself, Alexander." Hades lowers his hands and rests his cane upon the floor with a faint /click/ then rests both of his hands upon the grip, leaning against it, almost comical in the way such a tiny object supports the immense man's weight.
    "He has, these last seventy years or so, created a yearly gathering, a celebration of the rich and the influential. He says he dedicates this celebration to me, and those gathered pay me homage in one visage or the other. Worshippers. Yet I have no need of these."
    The tall man's features darken, severe and grim as he shakes his head. "I represent peace. I am the end path to rest. Yet these celebrants, they represent the worst that mankind has to offer. And Dionysus puts them up to worshipping me, as if it amuses him to have such detritus paying me homage. I do not want this."
    The large figure scowls and looks down, then back up. "But my hands are bound. This is supposedly a gift. A well wish. Zeus would forbid me to act. And so I turn to you." He lifts a hand, "You will receive an invitation to this celebration. Due to some of your connections of the past. I ask nothing more of you than you go to it. And act as your conscience dictates."

Karla Sofen has posed:
Seems like there are more similarities between uncle and nephew than the young deity would care to show. It makes Karla curious, but then again, when one speaks of Gods they have always been capable of quite the range where it comes to what they are capable of. Including in terms of personality. Of course, it also reminds her they do not exactly think like a human.

For her part, she watches Addes for a time longer, the way the man holds himself, studying the way he holds himself, showing off power in a way that perhaps he doesn't possess at this moment. Blue eyes then go to Alexander, "Seems like this is your chance to play hero." is she amused? Doesn't sound like it, though she is looking at Alexander closely for his reaction.

""What do these people do in your name?" She then asks. She probably has an idea considering we are talking about a God of Death, and influential, rich people.

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    The grim deity now seems so stern, gone is the casual uncle Hades, that veneer he had projected when speaking to Karla. Gone is the easy-going oh so polite man of Greece. Instead is the dour dire being that has been ill-used and so has brought forth a measure of his wroth as he speaks on what has passed.
    "They transgress against the most ancient of taboos, they laugh at the thought of a reckoning, and they do so in my name. For the last alone I would have their lives and bind them in the darkest depths available to me." His deep voice is resonant, stern, then he looks to Alexander. "Yet there is danger in this as well, nephew. They are not without means. But do this for me and I shall be in your debt."
    Which is an appreciable thing between such beings.
    "Alright." Alexander says simply, perhaps surprising Karla.
    Then he adds, "But she's going with me." As he points over at her. Which might surprise her all the more.
    "Done!" Hades bellows. "Bargained well, and agreed!"
    And suddenly there is a rich clap of his hands, a subtle shift in reality as if a few frames of existence were missed and skipped...
    And instantly that great being is gone.

Karla Sofen has posed:
Transgressing and laughing at what a God is and represents does seem to Karla as almost poetic. The humanity's shaking fist against those that would dictate what they are and should be. Of course that then one incurs their wrath. As it seems to be this case. Foolish people. So there is no laugh at the situation, or quip, simply a sigh at how humans can often be so .., careless.

Alexander agreeing to it is indeed surprising. Maybe the boy has more to a hero than she was expecting. Ah well. She was just about dislodging herself from the church bench she was against, opening her arms to the side. Perhaps to say something like 'I was glad to help a family come together.'. It all was going so smoothly ...

But then he speaks again. Going with Alexander? That's not exactly according to plan. And then Hades agrees.

"I do not recall having agreed to this bargain." She states, after Hades is gone. Of course that considering the place they were at she isn't exactly sure she has a say in it. Maybe she should had become a lawyer instead of a psychiatrist.

Though she takes it in stride. "Are you certain about wanting me to accompany you, Alexander?"

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    The young man looks across the way at Karla and peers for a moment or two, but then nods as he replies to her simply with the word, "Yup."
    And in some ways that might be all he plans to say. At least for now. But then he gives a nod to her, "S'alright. We both knew what we were and all that." Perhaps this is his way of granting absolution. Then he takes a step back in the direction of the front double door that slooooowly creaks open, now that the binding is no longer holding it in place.
    "I think..." He rubs at his chin thoughtfully. "I need to go run some errands and talk to some people." He turns and starts to walk to the door, lightly gliding his hand over the pews as he walks past each, fingertips making soft thumping noises at each impact.
    "I'll be in touch," He says without looking at her.

Karla Sofen has posed:
When Alexander confirms in such casual manner that he indeed wanted her there it makes Karla lift her chin, replying with a short. "Careful that you do not get burned instead." tone perhaps harsh. It hadn't went according to plan. She never liked it when things took a turn she wasn't really expecting, or anticipated. Which might be telling of her controlling nature.

Though she doesn't move to follow the young man, just watching him walk for a couple of moments and then her attention going to the front of the church where Hades had been a while back, silent. Just a brief mmm in recognition when he mentions he will be in touch.