Joshua Tilki // 23 // Human // M // Mentions: Cal, Thallina (ind), Morrigan (ind), Ambrose (ind)

“And one more thing before you go, İsa.”

Josh had been halfway to the door after half a dozen “one more things,” and he gritted his teeth to suppress a grimace before turning back around to his mother. She was holding something on a chain, and she hobbled over to put it in his hand, smiling broadly. “This is yours. Do you remember? You used to wear it all over, never took it off. Maybe you ought to wear it again.”

Joshua took it and looked down to find a necklace with a little silver swan on it. He used to wear that? On purpose? He did remember having been particularly fond of the goddess Thallina in high school, but then, what teenage boy wasn’t? He had a lot of scathing remarks to make about the silly little waterfowl sitting in his hand, and if it were anyone else he would have made them. But for his mother, he just smiled and nodded, trying to get out of there as quickly as he could. “Thanks, mom,” he said in the most sincere voice he could muster.

“Now we’ll match,” she told him cheerfully, holding up her own silver necklace that bore a raven pendant. Josh found it strangely morbid, the cheerful way she talked about her devotion to Morrigan and his realm of death. But still he just smiled and nodded, and finally his mother let him go with a little wave and he stepped out of the grocery store into the considerably fresher air outside. He had been too caught up in old memories of a dead religion to think too hard about Cal, but now that he was out here he felt a sudden prickle of nerves. Since he’d run into Cal at the store and they’d made plans to meet, he’d been wondering if that really was the best idea. Of course he wanted to see Cal. But what the hell was he going to tell her? Maybe he could just skim over the really humiliating parts, spin it just right so he came out looking good.

Deciding it was worth not being able to see two inches in front of his face just to look his spiffiest, Josh took his glasses off and put them in his pocket. He noticed he was still holding the necklace in his hand, and looked at it for just a moment. Yes, yes, he did remember wearing it now. He remembered constantly adjusting it slightly to the left so it would be right above his heart. Laughing quietly at himself, he shoved the necklace unceremoniously in his pocket. He could hear the sound of someone talking to themself, and assumed it was Cal. He walked over just in time to hear Cal throwing up a little prayer to Hasiya. “Still believe in those old schoolyard fairy tales?” Josh asked loudly as he strode up behind Cal. Despite his general attitude towards believers, he said it in a pleasantly teasing tone. He stuck his hand out for a handshake without even thinking, then laughed and pulled Cal in for a one-armed hug and slightly painful slap on the back.

Josh always stood up straight, chest out, big smile on so everyone would be impressed with his swagger and bravado. But now he was standing taller, puffing up his chest more, smiling wider than he did with anyone else. “Looking great, Callie,” Josh said, just because it was something to say. Frankly, Cal looked a bit tired and disheveled, but Josh wasn’t about to say that out loud. “Ambrose’s been smiling on you, huh?” he said with distinct sarcasm. The sarcasm, of course, was directed at the idea of a god of time, but Josh realized it might sound like he was making fun of Cal, so he quickly covered, “Got a lot to catch up on, don’t we?” Spotting Cal’s groceries, he chuckled. “Care to go somewhere a little less shady than a grocery store parking lot to catch up? Park? Coffee shop? My treat. You’re welcome to leave your groceries in the store and come back around to get them. We can walk somewhere - it’s a nice enough day.”

Morrigan | Male | God of Death | Orderly | Mentions: Directly- Ambrose, Thea, Mila. Indirectly - Theyo, Hasiya

Morrigan watched the young demigod study him for a moment before averting his eyes. A soft brush of humor coming over him as Theyo moved to the kitchen, looking for tea. As Ambrose confirmed how horrible the night was, Morrigan felt some guilt wash over him. He would find a way to make it up to him.

It wasn’t long before the Goddess of Love entered the room, her floral aroma with gentle undertones of musk and sandal filling the spot beside him. He raised an eyebrow in amusement as he listened to her dramatics about not having food prepared.

“Seeing as we all left Ambrose to deal with the mess, I don’t hold any malice for him not making us food,” Death remarked softly, his tone laced with humor and understanding.

Movement in the kitchen caught his attention as Mila, the Goddess of Nature, made her appearance. Silent and unassuming, Mila slipped into the room almost unnoticed, yet her presence brought a sense of warmth and tranquility. He had a lot of respect for the Goddess, she quickly became the “house mom” in the group. A ghost of a smile appeared as Mila offered breakfast; he straightened and bit back a laugh as Ambrose quipped out a response to Thea.

“I’m fine, thank you, Mila,” he dipped his head in her direction before turning to Ambrose. Morrigan met Ambrose's gaze with a thoughtful expression, considering the question carefully.

"It has been some time," he admitted with a faint hint of regret in his voice. "My duties in the realm of the departed have kept me occupied, but perhaps it is time to reconnect with the mortals." Morrigan couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt for neglecting his duties in the realm of the living.

He leaned more into the frame as he crossed his arms, pondering. He wasn’t a huge fan of visiting the mortals. Many paid devotion to keep their loved ones safe, whether in the mortal realm or in the afterlife. While others begged for their loved ones back, trying to offer various sacrifices. Morrigan propped one elbow on his other arm, bringing his hand up to his chin in deep thought. It was a complex web of human emotions and desires, one that often left him feeling conflicted about his interactions with humanity. Which was why he often stayed away, his name was a curse upon many lips.

“Will you be going soon?” Morrigan directed the question to Ambrose without looking at him, his eyes trained on one of the windows. His voice held a distant note, lost in his thoughts.

Hasiya | Genderfluid | Deity of Blood, Communication, and Willpower

M: Deities (dir.) and Theyo (dir.)

Hasiya had fallen asleep on the couch. Her sunglasses covered her eyes, of course, so no one could see how she was most definitely not awake. Though her glasses gave the false impression that she might be awake, the hope of anyone would be quickly shattered upon her stretched out pose and slouched posture. One leg draped over the arm of the chair and the other rested on the ground. His arms mimicked the movement where one arm was supported loosely by the ground and the other laid across his bare torso. Hasiya was still wearing his open fur coat from yesterday, his black bra and scarred abs more visible now with his posture.

Slowly and sleepily, Hasiya woke to the smell of bacon, barely stirring as her mouth began to water. Behind his glasses, Hasiya’s red eyes observed the Demi-god, Theyo who they invited into the home of the gods, briefly. He was much shorter than Hasiya, skinner too. Not that anyone needed to change their body type or anything of the sort, but the kid clearly needed to eat something. This was when Ambrosia- the damn wonderous person- walked out, two plates in hand. With this, Hasiya instantly sat up, looking over at the plates of bacon, and-

“Is… Is this it?” Hasiya barked as Ambrosia left back for the kitchen again. Hasiya, despite being so groggy, stood up. “You would think you’d know about proper breakfast cause there ain’t no way you think this is enough for the kid.”

Quickly, the other deities arrived as Hasiya leaned on the couch’s back behind Theyo, casting a shadow over him as she blocked out the light. Hasiya frowned as she looked between the bacon, Theyo, the bacon, Ambrosia, and the bacon again while making a soft “tsk, tsk” with her mouth. Smiling to herself, Hasiya pat the couch beside Theyo (Hasiya quickly realized that Theyo did not like physical affection based on their first interactions so Hasiya resorted to patting the area near him to show she cared in some way).

“Alright, Theyo, I’m gonna be makin’ myself somethin’ so what do you want?” Hasiya asked as she pushed off the couch and turned her body to the kitchen. This was when Hasiya looked up and actually took notice of the others. “Ah! Morrigan!” Hasiya quickly smiled, throwing an arm around his neck in a friendly manner. “How’s it going? You look like death warmed over!” Snickering, she almost always said this but it never made it any less funnier to say it while pinching his cheek and pulling him into a close hug. Looking away from her victim briefly, he gave a dashing smile to Thalinna and winked. “Well, the beauty sleep sure did wonders on ya!” This was either flirting or a playful insult, but no one could be sure.

After lightly tapping on the chest the literal god of death once he was done tormenting him, Hasiya made his way to the kitchen where Mila began making eggs. Around Mila, it almost looked like he was deliberately stepping out of her way as he grabbed ingredients from the fridge and placed them on the counter.

“Mila, can help you with getting food pulled together?” Hasiya mumbled, not even looking at her as she crouched down and began looking through the cabinets for the correct pans and good plates. Hasiya paused and quickly changed the subject as she called out: “Oh, and Ambrosia! Don’t worry about a thing! We’re family. We fight but I’m not gonna disown ya or anything crazy!”

As soon as the discussion changed to humans and traveling down, Hasiya perked up. A wide, childish grin appeared on her face, hoping to get asked and- Oh well, I guess it does make sense that Morrigan got asked first, being the God of the dead and everything. Still, Hasiya huffed and folded her arms, a metal whisk firmly in her hands where she still donned her fingerless gloves.

“Ambrosia, aren’t you forgetting to ask someone here about human stuff?” Hasiya asked, cocking a hip. Shaking his head, he turned to Theyo with a smile, pointing the whisk in his direction. “Hey, Theyo, if you want to stop anywhere while you’re back down there, stop at Tea Leaves.” Hasiya sat on the counter, waiting for instructions from Mila while gushing about this place. “Best drinks and pastries from miles and it’s a quaint little family owned business so lines aren’t too long.”

Mornings were the worst part of Bodhi's day, no matter what he faced throughout the rest of the seemingly never-ending twenty four hours to follow. He awoke later than he wanted, and slowly hauled himself to his feet. The cramped apartment that he called his home was well-worn, though clearly his own. The heavy curtains that framed each window were threadbare now, and did little to block out the early morning sunlight, which now fell obnoxiously over his pillow. He rubbed his eyes, still exhausted, and stood up, stumbling into the bathroom to splash cold water on his face. He stepped into the bathroom, making sure to keep his eyes lowered as he passed the mirror, and began to work his way through his morning routine. As he stepped back into the closet bedroom, he frowned at the mess. Scattered around the mattress were books, papers, and various other things, all concerning his degree, probably from the intense studying he'd tried to undertake the previous evening. Law, Bodhi thought to himself. Why did I choose law?

With a groan, he started to gather the papers, sorting them into piles. Notes here, textbooks there. It only took him a few minutes, but by then he was more awake. He walked into the front room of the apartment, which was pretty much everything else. The kitchen, tiny living room. Given that he was currently pouring all his funds into finishing his degree, there wasn't very much in the room. A small sofa, a kitchenette, and a desk were the only things that had come with the apartment, and without parental help with monetary issues, he couldn't afford much else.

"Not for long," he muttered to himself. It was his only way of cheering himself up: the thought that someday he would be doing better, that he could afford certain luxuries. However, for now, this was his simple way of life. Bodhi didn't bother with breakfast, he rarely did. It wasn't something he deemed necessary in the grand scheme of things. He glanced at his planner, which was lying open on the table. Midterms were coming up, and that only added an extra aspect of stress to his life. He'd have to talk to his advisor, and that was rarely fun. It involved long periods of discussing his grades, which was fine most of the time, but it also involved discussing whether or not he'd be able to afford his whole degree, and whether maybe his depression had gone a little too far, and should he consider therapy?

Money was something that Bodhi loved, valued more than his own life. But when it came down to talking about funds, he wasn't keen on handing out such personal information. He knew they were just trying to help him, but no. He could handle it, he was perfectly fine. He shoved his books and papers in his bag, and hurried out the door. He didn't bother to lock it, because what was there to steal? The old sofa? His desk? Well, if someone needed it badly enough to take it from an apartment like his, they could have it. Bodhi walked down the streets, doing something he absolutely hated. Wasting time. He only had an hour and a half before the first lecture of the day, and he didn't really want to talk to his advisor before that, but hey, maybe he’d change his mind.

As he wandered down the street, out of the corner of his eye, he saw his advisor, and sighed. It would be good to discuss midterms. But, just as he turned towards Cal, he noticed she was standing with another boy, and his frown only deepened as he recognized the other boy. “Joshua,” he muttered, his lip curling slightly. Really, he had nothing against the boy besides the differences in their childhoods. He gritted his teeth, and slowly walked towards the two of them.

“Hey, Cal,” he said, smiling at him. “Do you have a minute?” He pursed his lips, and gave Josh a cool stare. “Josh.”

Theyo l Male l Demigod l Mentions; Direct- Ambrosia, Mila, Hasiya. Indirect- Thalinna. (open) l

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Theyo turned quickly back into the kitchen after the response to check the drawer. He heard voices from the kitchen. He entered the kitchen again and suddenly it had (number) other beings in it, one more and he would have given up on tea and went to sit back down.

.

“How ever your making them for others is fine.” he replied to Mila, glancing at her and noticing a leaf in her hair. Theyo didn't bother to mention it, for it was surely normal for her. Before long the place was full of voices, and he began to wish he wasn't there, but surely it was disrespectful for him to just walk out, he still didn't know why he was there.

.

Theyo heard someone talking about food, he then realized food was only really made for him and Ambrose. He was slightly hesitant to walk back into the living room, but the stove was being taken up by Mila, and he couldn't make the tea he had ventured off for in the first place. ‘Disappointing’ he thought as he walked around and loitered in a corner of the kitchen.

.

Before long Hasiya strutted in, he listened to her for a few, but then gave up, he was beginning to get overstimulated. He moved back into the living room as the kitchen began to clutter with bodies. They registered Hasiya patting the space next to where he had sat, and when God got up and moved to the kitchen, he vaguely listened to her speak.

.

“I don't need anything, the bacon covered it. Thank you though.” he sat down and pulled up his hood over his head, Theyo realized why he avoided places like this now. “Perhaps I will.” he replied as short and blunt as he could, hoping to kindly hint that he was hesitant of new topics being brought up. He picked up another piece of bacon and ate that while he sat and listened to the conversations going on around him.

.

Theyo pulled his legs up onto the couch in an attempt to let himself be more comfortable. Being very careful not to take up much space so save some for others and a good amount for personal space too. He was mildly upset that the kitchen got too full for him to make tea though, he really could for a cup. He fussed with the hem of his hoodie sleeve just to have something to fidget with.

Cal/Callie | 26 | They/She/Him | Human

M: Josh, Bodhi, + Norrix

“Still believe in those old schoolyard fairy tales?”

“Fucking-” Cal’s body literally shot up as he heard Josh’s voice. Grasping at her shirt, she breathed a sigh of relief. “Don’t scare me like that, Josh! Gods, do you want to give me a heart attack?” Cal almost looked genuinely mad for a moment before snickering and shaking their head as they stood. Cal was wearing an old band shirt from a local garage band with a striped black and navy blue shirt under it. Baggy jeans pants and black and white converse completed their look as they stood and took Josh’s hand. The blue grunge style definitely suited him, but he wished he had worn something else upon first re-meeting with Josh.

A lot had changed about Cal in the years. He had longer hair, he was no longer wearing his favorite ball cap, and he was sporting a pair of wire, circle glasses which he never had before. His form looked less like the star of the track team and more like a boxer. He might have grown an inch or two as well, but it was hard to tell when he was already so tall before. Cal looked down at Josh and smiled cause Josh had absolutely changed too. She could not help but look the other person over, taking in all of the changes Josh underwent in her time away. He definitely looked older but clean-shaven, taller and a bit more developed in the jaw and chest. It was weird seeing him all grown. It almost made no sense to Cal. As Josh extended his hand, Cal quickly took it and pulled him close into a tight hug with a warm smile.

“Man, it’s good to see you!” Cal pulled away and placed one hand on his shoulder and used the other to ruffle the man’s hair. “And that’s for picking on me about praying, jackass!” Cal laughed as they pulled away leaning against the wall again with one foot propped up against the wall. “Plus, you’re one to talk when you still got that old thing from highschool.” Cal gave a half-assed motion to the necklace poking out of Josh’s pocket, recognizing it instantly from back when Josh wore that thing of that traitorous deity around his neck at all times.

Cal just smirked, proud of herself for catching this little memento of their highschool years until Josh decided to insult her further. Cal looked down at their clothes and dusted them off, running a hand through their pulled back hair once they finished. Cal did not look that bad. Cal did not look bad at all! Tired, sure. Exhausted, even. Maybe a little disheveled from staying out so late after deciding to go to a friend’s house after grading papers for hours, but come on. She did not look that bad!

“Wooow, you flatter me so much,” Cal replied dryly with an eye roll that made it look like his eyes would roll right out of his head. “Hey, even if Ambrose has made me age a decade or something, don’t act all high and mighty, pipsqueak.” “Pipsqueak” felt like such an old time-y word to say but it certainly seemed to fit as Cal poked Josh’s overly inflated chest with a suppressed laugh. “Gods, can you even breathe when you puff your chest out like that?”

As Josh motioned to the bag, Cal picked it up off the ground and looked in at its contents. The tub of ice cream- magno of course- was melting already and he was sure the other bagged and packaged things would go bad if they did not get refrigerated soon. Cal considered her options before chuckling to herself before smiling warmly.

“Yeah, we have a ton to catch up on,” Cal replied, a goofy smile still growing on his face that just made him look like a sappy dork. “I don’t know what you mean though; hanging out with a guy you haven’t seen in years in a dark, shady corner seems totally normal and fun,” Cal’s words oozed with sarcasm before he raised up the plastic bag, “but I might be amenable to hanging out with you in a much better spot if you show me where I can put these. Hell, I know a guy where we can get these killer grilled-”

“Hey, Cal. Do you have a minute?”

Cal looked away from Josh for the first time in a while and met eyes with-

“Bodhi! What are you doing here? I thought you’d be staying inside today or something. Glad you decided to come out of your apartment today!” Cal chuckled with a radiant warmth emanating from his tone. Cal quickly turned back to Josh with a bright smile. “Josh, this is-” Cal paused, realizing Bodhi said Josh’s name, meaning the two already knew each other. “Wait, you probably already know- Anyway, Josh, this is my advisee! I didn’t get a chance to tell you but uhh…,” Cal let out a nervous chuckle before adjusting an imaginary tie like a professor would, “I am a college professor now who goes by Professor Lê.” Cal gave an even more awkward chuckle now as she rubbed the back of her neck. “Real fancy shit, I know…” Cal looked back at Bodhi and then to Josh as her smile faded. “Look, this will just be a second and then we can get right back to catching up, okay?” Cal smiled. “I promise.”

Cal then turned to look at Bodhi. “Hey, what’d ya need from me? Did you come to just randomly say hi or has one of your teachers been giving you a hard time? If so, I will gladly have some words with them. Honestly, I- ahhh con chó!!”

Cal instantly interrupted themself as they dropped to their knees and outstretched a hand to the dog approaching them, paying no mind to the new human or the other two humans he was in the middle of interacting with.