OTA

[pecked_by_birds]

The past month- Months?- Had been strange. One night he'd found himself compelled to go out, as though something was calling to him. A silent siren song that had coaxed him into his car  and out into the country.

Where had he gone? What had he done?

Those were the questions he had to ask himself when he woke up in the middle of Hyde park in a rumpled suit and a brand new body. ...Possibly brand new. Certainly new to him in that moment, since he couldn't recall much of anything from the past few weeks. His head was pounding, and he was in agony. 

A large bird sat upon him. A hawk, he thought absently- Or maybe not. He couldn't seem to focus on it. Not when his gaze was so strongly drawn to all the blood. ...His blood.

"No," he said softly, trying to chase it away with a weak wave of his hand. "I'm free, you can't- He can't," he insisted, right before the world went dark. ...Not that it mattered. It would heal, he would heal. He always did. How else could the punishment continue?

Comments

[pecked_by_birds]

"A wretched emotion," the titan said gently, though he said nothing more about it as he sipped his tea.

[miss_ives]

Vanessa said nothing to this, letting the silence stretch for a few seconds. She pushed aside thoughts of Mina; it was for her to figure out, and Prometheus had enough trouble of his own. "Would you like to see the vase?" she asked him eventually. "I've put it upstairs."

He had told her that it held some of his power, and she had felt how potentially dangerous it was. Storing it in the flat had seemed like the best way to make sure no one came across it.

[pecked_by_birds]

The titan seemed to consider that, then nodded.

"Please. I think that would be good."

[miss_ives]

"I'll fetch it," she told him, standing and setting her mug down. Keys grabbed, she headed upstairs, and was back a minute or so later with the unopened package Mr Collingwood had dropped off. She set it down on the counter and stepped back, giving Prometheus room to handle it however he liked.

[pecked_by_birds]

Prometheus eyed the package as if it might contain a live tiger- But eventually put aside his tea and leaned forward to crack it open.

The vase itself wasn't terribly remarkable, but the power that radiated from it was palpable. Nervously, the titan reached out and laid hands on it, closing his eyes as he focused on the energy trapped inside.

The contact alone was enough to cause the ground beneath them to vibrate ever so slightly.

[miss_ives]

Vanessa took a couple of hurried, instinctive steps back as the power of the vase seemed to irradiate the shop, setting the ground to shake slightly. Her breath had gone short, her pupils wide, and her hand had gone to the talisman she wore under her blouse, as if touching it, even through the fabric, would allow her better protection.

[pecked_by_birds]

Prometheus was too focused to notice her worry, and after a moment it all seemed to calm.

Opening his eyes, he looked at the vase, then over to Vanessa- Only now realizing she'd stepped away.

"It's alright- It can't hurt you. ...Well, not now anyway."

[miss_ives]

The power felt to her as if it was drawn inside of him, and after a moment, she breathed more easily. "Yes," she agreed, and gave him a small smile. "How do you feel?"

[pecked_by_birds]

"Mmm, alright I think. It's hard to say," he confessed, glancing over. "I can certainly feel a slight amplification in my power."

[miss_ives]

Vanessa watched him for a moment, then offered, "Would you like a tarot reading?" She might be able to tell him more about what had been happening to him.

[pecked_by_birds]

"I would, actually- But, that might not be wise right now. I fear I've got eyes on me, Vanessa. You don't want them on you as well. You've enough to worry about," the titan said softly.

[miss_ives]

Vanessa was quiet for a moment, regarding him with a slight frown, but she simply nodded her agreement. She did not like being unable to help, but she could see the sense in what he was saying.

[pecked_by_birds]

"You're very kind to offer," he assured her. "...But the mortals who dare to meddle with the gods tend to find unhappy ends."

[miss_ives]

"I've never expected my end to be happy," Vanessa pointed out. "But your point is taken. I hardly need to make it worse than it already will be."

[pecked_by_birds]

"Fortunes can change, Vanessa. Don't write off a happy ending just yet," the titan said softly, though he didn't sound terribly optimistic.

[miss_ives]

Vanessa simply shot him a sardonic look. Said the Titan who she had found getting his liver eaten by a bird of prey again.

[pecked_by_birds]

"They can," the titan insisted softly.

[miss_ives]

"Let's agree on fortunes," Vanessa stated. "But fate?"

[pecked_by_birds]

"If you ever meet her, she'll assure you nothing is set in stone," the titan shrugged. "Though I suppose that doesn't mean it's not cruel."

[miss_ives]

Vanessa looked at him curiously. "So it's not three of them after all."

[pecked_by_birds]

"Oh, there are more than three. Fate has so many forms, so many different histories," the titan assured her.

[miss_ives]

"Tell me about the one you were thinking of, then," Vanessa requested, ever thirsty for knowledge.

[pecked_by_birds]

The titan hummed, then wet his lips thoughtfully.

"She is tall, near six foot, her hair a mass of rope like braids piled high upon her head. Her eyes are golden brown, and when she smiles faint lines appear around them. Her voice is low but bright, filled with a warmth that is only for her. People catch glimpses of her in a crowd, but they can not see what she sees, the invisible steel bars and pathways."

[miss_ives]

"That sounds lonely," Vanessa remarked quietly, watching him closely now, as she had while he spoke of her.

[pecked_by_birds]

"No more lonely than the rest of us, petal," the titan assured her.