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Post by Julien Roux on Nov 8, 2012 19:48:37 GMT -5
(Heh... I think Julien is still in Elysium... I'm so confused, anymore... :/ )
It had been months since Julien's appearance before Lord Hades. Still, it shook him. The son of Demeter couldn't close his eyes longer than a blink without breaking into a cold sweat. Many demigods would like to be able to say they could face down Hades, himself, and walk out without a hair out of place. Once you've been in his presence, however, you truly come to terms with just how threatening the lord of the Underworld can be and just how horrible he could make your afterlife.
Still, Julien knew what he had done was right. He'd convinced Shade, a murderous son of Hades, to join forces with him - one of his victims - to help free two prisoners, a son of Hermes locked away in a windowless, doorless cell, and a young daughter of Demeter who had no idea she was even imprisoned. Shade had gone against his father's wishes and had even opened up to Julien a little. Now, Julien was staying low, hoping Lord Hades would forget about him long enough for a chance to make an impact.
He knew Shade wasn't a killer, at least not willingly. He'd witnessed it himself - Shade was no more than a slave to his father. He had no choices. His friends had either all given up on him or simply had no way to lend their help. Julien was all Shade had, anymore. He wanted to help, more, but he just had no way of doing so without bringing attention to himself. Instead, he'd remain in the shadows as much as possible, waiting for the storm to blow over and he could step out into the light, bringing Aaron Shade with him.
At that moment, he heard a sound behind him. Could Lord Hades read minds, now? Had he learned of Julien's rebellious thoughts? Whipping around, he stood ready, shaking slightly but with fire in his eyes, not ruling out the possibility of Lord Hades, himself.
(Oh, and, uh, he has no idea about Lauren and her whole thing with Shade, thinking he's the only one down in the Underworld who still is willing to help Shade.) |
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Post by Aaron Shade on Nov 10, 2012 15:10:07 GMT -5
"What a surprise. You're still hiding- laying low." Shade stood there, adjusting a sleeve of his plaid jacket that he had folded back. His dual swords were sheathed away, strapped to his back by leather straps. They formed an x across his dark gray shirt. He was in black jeans as usual, hair neatly brushed to a side. For a moment, he paused. His gray-hazel eyes fell on the ghost before him like he was trying to decide what to make of him.
"No need to be so jumpy, Julien. I made sure my father kept his promise." He brushed away a piece of lint from his shoulder absentmindedly. He looked well enough, but anyone could tell there was something off about him. The slightest thing about his gaze, flickering from side to side like he was nervous about something, everything. Like he couldn't focus on one thing. He stayed where he was, not making an approach to the son of Demeter. "Tina's been doing fine. They made it back safely." He decided to just start with that. He had no idea why he had wanted to approach him in the first place. Maybe it was because there was no one familiar around anymore.
His shadow wavered behind him, and Shade turned his head slightly, though his eyes were still on Julien. "Dark, don't be rude. Stop hiding."
The monster morphed into existence behind the son of Hades, remaining silent. His red eyes were glowing eerily, and it was hard to tell what he was looking at exactly. "Lord Hades told you to stay away from him."
"What good will it do anyways?" Shade laughed bitterly in reply. "It's not like I can do anything anymore. You tell my father that I will do what I want." His tone was scathing as he turned on the shade. For a moment, the expression of the creature wavered, and then he sank into his shadow.
Shade turned back, shrugging, "I'm sorry you had to watch that." His apology was simple. His approach was simple. But they both knew there was nothing simple about the way things went around the Underworld.
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Post by Julien Roux on Nov 11, 2012 0:40:06 GMT -5
"What more can I do?" Julien replied, warily, relaxing himself only slightly, not letting his guard drop. Some might call him paranoid, the smart would call him prepared. Since he'd arrived in the Underworld, Julien's learned not to take anything for granted. He was in the land of Hades. Whether he was treated as a guest or a prisoner depended on the perspective but, either way, there was no leaving. All he could do was answer to Lord Hades's wishes. Otherwise, what few luxuries he did have could be stripped from him without mercy.
Suddenly, Julien found himself in the presence of Dark - Shade's, well, shade. Apparently, Hades didn't want his son getting mixed up with the wrong crowd, that is, if the wrong crowd was the few in the Underworld who sought to prevent an oncoming war between the gods.
Deciding it best to remain silent until he left, Julien finally spoke up. "I'm glad I did," he said, hands in pockets. "It means you aren't as much of a mind-slave as your father wants you to be." He said this all, however, with a lighthearted smile to show he meant no offense. The last thing the son of Demeter wanted was to offend the one person who could prevent this war. Still, he meant every word.
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Post by Aaron Shade on Nov 11, 2012 16:43:51 GMT -5
"What more can you do?" Shade repeated his question like he was thinking about an answer. His gaze was unfocused, staring past the "sky" of the Underworld. It was like he was looking at the surface world, watching what they were doing. "You could relax. With the least amount of disrespect intended, you are irrelevant to my father now. You've caused your trouble, but rebellious thoughts or statements will not help you start a revolution."
Shade gave Julien a ghost of a smile. The first few days after they had been caught was torture for him. He couldn't remember anything, and his thoughts were jumbled spikes piercing through his skull. He couldn't sleep, and he was in constant agony. But everything was back in its place. Shade was still broken. His eyes were empty and slightly sad. "Mind slave. Funny, Lauren mentioned that as well." He raised a hand, a black flame flickering to life in his hand. He placed a finger on the side of his shoulder, and the fire suddenly spread, engulfing his surroundings, spinning around him like a rope. But actually, if you looked closely, you could see the pale, clear chains circling themselves around the son of Hades tightly. "You're both right, I suppose. I can't feel them, actually. They just keep me from saying or doing what he doesn't want me to say or do." He shrugged, and the flames that were showing the binding curse winked out of existence. He shifted, "Anyways, I remember pretty much everything now. It makes sense, and you can't blame Dad, you know. This was my home to begin with. I can't throw my jacket on the floor anymore for Alecto. It used to rile her up so." He grinned in amusement of the fury whining about not being a housemaid. His eyes flickered about. He stuck his hands in his pockets, still shifting like he couldn't remain calm, like something was floating beside him ready to hurt him. It wasn't the case, but he didn't trust himself anymore.
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Post by Julien Roux on Nov 11, 2012 20:50:56 GMT -5
"A revolution?" Julien asked, quizzically. "I don't want an all-out revolution. Honestly, I think Lord Hades runs the Underworld and such pretty well. I want to stop the war that's coming. I understand a daughter of Persephone would make Hades angry, but wage a war just to kill one demigod? We're living proof the gods are unfaithful," he persisted. "Considering Persephone's been a prisoner, here, she's been pretty loyal for all these years. Meanwhile, Hades had at least three kids within only a few years' time, not including those who never made it to Camp." Wondering if he'd said too much, Julien abruptly stopped to find Shade had been talking with Lauren, as well.
"Lauren? Lauren Gray?" He was about to ask questions regarding Lauren's stance on Lord Hades and the war when he noticed the chains, which seemed to be made of the clearest crystal, binding Shade to his father's word. Deciding against asking even more questions, Julien opted to remain silent, eyes solemn.
"What do you mean this was your home to begin with; you lived at Camp," Julien questioned. Was he still under his father's curse, unknowingly. Was he given more false memories, these ones closer to the truth but still not absolute?
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Post by Aaron Shade on Nov 11, 2012 21:44:56 GMT -5
Shade was silent, allowing Julien to go on about his opinions without stopping him. He waited patiently, politely. And when he was done, he laughed. And he laughed bitterly. "History is indeed repetitive. We demigods are no better. Mortals are no better. We are spawns of the gods. We tend to make their mistakes. So we are not in the position to criticize their actions. It would be hypocritical." He walked over, approaching the ghost slowly, like with every step he took, the ground would give away and he would be surrendered to Tartarus.
The son of Hades paused beside him, looking up to meet his eyes since he was taller. He ended up avoiding eye contact. "But I know. I can't say I don't agree-" he stopped abruptly, wincing. The chains flickered black for a moment before disappearing again. He shook his head, letting out a sigh. "S-sorry. But yes, Lauren Gray."
Shade took in a shaky breath, staring at the ground. the memory of his father's voice wrapped around him like a vice, making his blood run cold. "You will no longer go against my wishes. These bonds are a reminder of that."
Oh, how he hated being controlled! Julien's question brought him back to reality, and he looked up again. "Oh, no, I was born here. When I was older, I became his little soldier. I was sent up to the Camp just to do some spy work, with some memories wiped to escape suspicion. And I got attached- too attached." He waved a hand dismissively like the topic wasn't important.
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Post by Julien Roux on Nov 12, 2012 0:58:21 GMT -5
Julien sighed. "We may make mistakes, but at least we have to answer for them." The longer Julien thought about it, the more he realized just how spoiled and selfish the gods really were. Together, they have absolute power over nature and the minds of man. Instead of using it to make the world the best it can be for both immortals and men, they form miniature allegiances between themselves, full of betrayals, using mortals to do their dirty work and dragging them into wars they have nothing to do with, all out of greed. All they want is more power than the next god, a problem when the next god wants more power than the former.
Just as Shade was about to say something, the chains bound to him flared black, apparently causing him pain. Eyes widening, slightly, out of worry, Julien made a move closer, only to stop himself, knowing there was nothing he could do. "A spy?" he asked, as the son of Hades continued. "Why, what was so important in Camp Hades would send his own son to investigate for such a long period of time?"
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Post by Aaron Shade on Nov 12, 2012 9:09:35 GMT -5
The gods had always been stuck in their never-ending chain of war. "Mistakes shouldn't be repeated," they said. "It won't happen again." they said. But even he had come to fully understand what the mortals meant by, "History repeats itself." Shade himself was living proof as a soldier under the command of a god, ready to fight his fights, to dirty his hands.
"Not what, Julien, but who. My father is not as blind as you think. He had his suspicions from the beginning on her. I was supposed to get closer to her and become her friend. He wasn't sure until the quest...and then things started to go wrong." He thought back on camp, and he felt a shiver run up his back. "I regret remembering the Camp. I miss where I don't belong."
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Post by Julien Roux on Nov 12, 2012 22:55:37 GMT -5
Julien became instantly devoted to the conversation, now. So Hades had sent Shade to spy on someone... someone related to the quest... who he thought was Persephone's... "Kat," he muttered, a small pang of resentment still in his voice. He'd never forgiven her for allowing Lauren to sacrifice herself. Now, come to find out she was the reason countless others would die, as well? This war no longer was just about some obscure idea of a daughter of Persephone. Julien had seen her, talked to her, and screamed in her face.
Served her right.
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Post by Aaron Shade on Nov 12, 2012 23:29:42 GMT -5
Shade's dull eyes studied Julien's expression as he took in the news. It wasn't too long ago that he was the one receiving tidbits of information from the son of Demeter, but now he was the one informing him. He was silent as he came to the conclusion himself. Her name was spoken in the heavy air of the Underworld, and the son of Hades nodded once. He didn't need his powers to know what the ghost was feeling. He could pick out the disdain in his voice.
"How quickly," Shade muttered, "we turn on each other. We seek to place blame. No one should dwell on hatred. Especially someone dead." His eyes were locked tightly on the son of Demeter, waiting for his reaction. He knew Kat was harboring a lifetime of agony. This looked like a conflict over the pride and stubbornness of the gods, not just the daughter of Persephone. She was just the straw to break the camel's back, so to speak. "Sometimes, I wonder how those important to her feel. I wonder how sh-" he stopped abruptly, knowing that he could be treading into the forbidden topics about sympathy. He didn't feel like getting reminded twice today of a cruse that would follow him around everywhere he went. But what would happen if he was Terry? What would happen if Tina were in Kat's position? It was suddenly a lot more complicated if that perspective was used.
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Post by Julien Roux on Nov 13, 2012 0:31:48 GMT -5
Julien let out a grunt of defiance. "Yeah, and if it weren't for her, I wouldn't be here, Lauren wouldn't be here, you wouldn't be bound in magic chains, Terry and Tina would never have been taken prisoner, and this whole oncoming war thing wouldn't only be prevented - it would have never even crossed Lord Hades's mind!" he ranted out, letting loose some anger, followed by an audible sigh. "Look, it all boils down to her. I understand - not entirely her fault - but that doesn't mean she isn't the blame. She's made her fair share of choices, too, and I've got every right to disapprove of them."
Pacing, now, in an attempt to work off his anger, Julien reflected on his first encounter with his Cabin Leader. All he'd done was yell as punishment for Lauren's death. Had he been too harsh? Close-minded? Ignorant? Selfish? Yes, but he didn't regret it. She had it all coming for her; these new revelations only reinforced that fact. |
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Post by Aaron Shade on Nov 13, 2012 0:43:40 GMT -5
Shade shrugged, "But if it weren't for me, nothing would have been confirmed. No one would have known." The ultimate result of his being his father's eyes had been...well... At the mention of his "crystal" chains, Shade had to smile just a little, though his eyes were sorrowful. "This..." he trailed off, lifting an arm like he could see the curse or feel the chains move, which he couldn't, "This isn't so bad, really. I just have to watch what I say. I can't say it, but you know I'm thinking it." He looked back at Julien expectantly, knowing that the ghost would find this true.
"And besides, I am the one who killed you. Don't blame it on her. I'm just as responsible for Lauren's death as well. Had I been there, things might have turned out differently. Both Tina and Terry ended up here directly because of me. Tell me, Julien, don't you hate me? I wouldn't blame you if you did." He stared at the son of Demeter, completely serious. "What would you say if you knew that you're not the only one I killed after everything started.?"
Max. The more he thought about it, the less he wanted to.
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Post by Julien Roux on Nov 15, 2012 23:09:08 GMT -5
Julien nodded. "Yeah, maybe, but the gods would have figured it out, eventually. While Demeter's and Persephone's powers are related, they aren't exactly the same. Eventually, we'd all still be in a pretty similar situation. Besides, you had no willing choices," he added. "Sure, you may feel regret, now, but you'd been raised and mind-controlled into a weapon. I don't hate you - I don't even blame you. Sure, I'd rather you not have, y'know..., but it wasn't like you had much of a choice, now."
Suddenly, the news struck him. Julien wasn't Shade's only victim? Then he remembered. "The first attack on Camp, yes. Just because a warrior wields a sword and kill more with it than another warrior with their own sword doesn't make the first sword deadlier," Julien stated, attempting to give a metaphor in relation to the events of which he spoke. "Same goes in this case. You may have killed more than just me, but that doesn't change who you really are." Smiling, he continued. "You're a good person, Shade; you just grew up with bad influences."
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Post by Aaron Shade on Nov 16, 2012 0:03:20 GMT -5
"Perhaps," Shade shrugged, "But you never know." He shook his head when Julien spoke up about his being controlled. "I had choices here and there. I never chose to disobey. I never chose to fight back. And now I won't ever be able to. I could have done some things right. It's too late to fix it." He stared at the ghost. His eyes were guilty, haunted by the fact that this person who was being so kind to him now had been slain by his own hand. Even if he was forgiven, he would not be able to forgive himself.
"I grew up with bad influence," the son of Hades found himself musing over these words. "I never understood my father. He sometimes has good intentions. I guess he was afraid that I would leave. Or he was simply afraid." The chains began to flicker again, turning black, but Shade seemingly ignored them, continuing. "He can never stand what he cannot have." He stopped abruptly, taking in a sharp breath, and the chains faded away back into thin air as if they were nonexistent. He tucked a hand away, the burn mark red on it. "So, how about you, Julien? Anything you want to know about the surface world? I'm just here to tell you what's been going on- whatever you need to know."
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Post by Julien Roux on Nov 18, 2012 22:56:51 GMT -5
Julien smiled, warmly. "You freed Tina and Terry - you rebelled and did what was right," he pointed out. "And now you're here talking to me, which I'm sure your father would not approve of." Slipping his hands back into his pockets, the son of Demeter sighed, slightly, a smile on his face. "You can't blame yourself for everything. You've played your part, yeah, but it's not like you could have just said 'no'. Your father would have punished you, and we both know Hades has a knack for making his punishments... severe," he said, recalling the myths that told the tales of those who angered Hades.
Worry flashed across the ghost's features as the cursed chains darkened, causing apparent pain to the son of Hades. "That doesn't give him the right to torment those who he cannot control. Look at you - he's stripped you of your will. Every time you try to speak your mind, Hades's curse causes you pain." Julien's venomous words gave away his distaste for the god of the dead. In his eyes, Hades was no more than a spoiled man who never truly knew what it was like to live in the mortal world; to live with all the mistakes the gods have made, the lives they have taken out of spite for another. It was anarchy, really, and the demigods were caught in the cross-fire.
"All I need to know," Julien breathed, "is that the innocent are safe . Tina, Terry, Cascade - they are at no fault in this war, they shouldn't be punished. I just want to know if they are safe."
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