ღ　a walk。

@lily m｡ʰᵉᶜᵃᵗᵉ "The war? Since when was this a war, Hecate?" Aether pretends to be shocked, also helping in diffuse the tension in the air. The feeling that was left behind on the tip of his nose tingled in the most pleasant way, and Aether couldn't help but let his mind wander to what other feelings that other types of innocent physical contact would make. "If it's a war of teasing and flirting, well then count me in," he trails off and switches his pencil into the other hand so he can raise his free hand to tuck a few strands of hair behind Hecate's ear and out of her face. She was so stunning; he really couldn't think of any other words to describe her.

@jimin p｡ᵃᵉᵗʰᵉʳ "You may have won the battle, tiger, but you haven't won the war yet. I just can't think of anything to top that drawing right now. I think I'm still pink." Hecate remarks frankly, lifting her free hand to cup her still heated cheek. The colour only deepens when their gazes lock, but she takes the opportunity for redemption he's presented to playfully bump the apex of her nose against his, hoping the levity of the gesture would help lighten the tautness of the atmosphere between them. She leans back and throws a wink his way, perhaps a belated answer to the one he sent her earlier on, and then proceeds to hide her face in his shoulder again.
"I can't tease you without becoming embarrassed myself." She laments, even whining a bit at her incompetence.

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@lily m｡ʰᵉᶜᵃᵗᵉ Aether pulls his eyes away from his drawing suddenly, making eye contact with the goddess who hangs off his shoulder. His eyes are sparkling and pure, like the air he leaves in his midst, and meet with Hecate's equally magical eyes. "Really? I won?" he asks with a beaming smile on his lips. "I'm so happy, but I didn't even really give you a chance to show off," he trails off and lets his smile falter a bit, both as his disappointment settles in and as he notices just how incredibly close his face is to Hecate's.

He tries his best to hold his breath in front of Hecate; his hands are gripping a little tighter to his pencil and sketchbook from his pure anxiety. His drawing was in the back of his mind, and he realized that he and Hecate were pretty much in the same position as the drawing – he wanted so badly to lean in and do something about his nerves, but decided against it, as he did not want to overstep any boundaries with the goddess. "Is there anything else you'd like to add to your side of the battle, sweetheart?"

@jimin p｡ᵃᵉᵗʰᵉʳ Hecate's eyelashes feather against her skin in a slow blink, serenity ading her being. She can feel the mild discomfiture radiating off Aether, but she's beginning to realize that it stems from a much more indulgent source than she'd first supposed. She's lulled by his even breathing, the quiet scratch of the pencil against his canvas, and his soothing scent; she's biding her time by trying to figure out the components of it when certain details cause the lackadaisical focus she's paying to his drawing to become much more zealous.

"It seems I have a doppelganger." She begins merrily, feeling rather warm ー she's sure the tips of her ears are red, but her rejoinder is as composed and tranquil as ever. "And that man is quite the looker, as well." Hecate's overcome by the urge to do many things in the aftermath of this new development, but she refrains if only for the novelty of her connection with the other god. She shifts, though, subtly; the following acquiescence somewhat meek. "You win. But I'll get you yet."

@lily m｡ʰᵉᶜᵃᵗᵉ Aether tries his best to relax into Hecate's touch, her fingers leaving sparks in their wake on his shoulder. Her breathing is so incredibly close to his ears and neck that Aether can barely keep his composure around her anymore. He tries to keep his eyes between the couple across the way and his paper, if only for the sake of keeping himself sane for the time being. Her laugh even trickles into his ears like little droplets of paradise; he can't keep this up much longer and needs to up his game – big time.

As he finishes the general outline of the couple on his paper, his eyes become glued to only the paper. The couple that sits over on their blanket is a man and woman, both with short hair and casual, summery outfits. However, the traits that Aether starts to draw look more along the lines of his and Hecate's. He draws long hair on the female, who rests her head against the shoulder of the man, with dainty and beautiful curls adorning the ends. It seems impossible, but he wants to emulate as much of Hecate's beauty in this drawing. He doesn't say anything, just waits, for he knows Hecate is paying acute attention to every pencil of his.

@jimin p｡ᵃᵉᵗʰᵉʳ It's only 'round one' and Hecate is nonplussed beyond belief, left in the precarious state where she can't refute his compliment (she /is/ a goddess, after all) and she can't think of a good enough comeback. She lets herself simmer for a couple thoughtful seconds, demeanor undergoing a slight shift as a seemingly good idea dawns upon her. Her palm shifts from its flat, horizontal position to one that's vertical, cupping his shoulder. She then lowers her chin and uses her hand as a cushion of sorts. She's really close like this, and she's rather overwhelmed by her own daring ー but tenacity is not one of her failings, and that rings true especially when she's being competitive.

"I'll both keep and treasure it, handsome." Her voice is all lilting cadences and amused notes, volume lowered to accommodate her new position and not deafen the poor guy. She quirks a brow at his wink and can't hold back her laugh, either, his face just looks so /cheeky/ and it's adorable.

@lily m｡ʰᵉᶜᵃᵗᵉ With the acceptance of a full-on cheese battle, Aether smirks to himself as his pencil scratches along the paper of his sketchbook. The couple that he is using for models lean into each other and kiss for what seemed like eternity – Aether would know – and he can't help but wish perhaps he was in that same situation. Hecate's comment pulls him, again, out of his thoughts and back into reality.

"Thanks, but they're still only shapes," he brushes off her comment absentmindedly. "Just wait until you see the finished product, my lovely goddess. It'll be a sight to see and I hope you keep it for your own." He draws his eyes away from the paper for a split second and shoots a quick wink at Hecate before looking back; he already has a wonderfully playful idea up his sleeve for the drawing.

@jimin p｡ᵃᵉᵗʰᵉʳ She's beginning to think she made him uncomfortable when he doesn't immediately respond, and her full lips part, apology ready on her tongue. After all, she places similar value on his company, finding him to be a breath of fresh air (no pun intended). But then she hears the impishness in his tone and she channels her relief via her good-natured response, resting a small hand on his shoulder and giving it a squeeze when she notes the tension constrained there.
"It's a battle then, soldier. Keep 'em coming."
The fluidity with which he executes his pencil proves most fascinating to her, along with the guides he's using for the bodies' proportions. Hecate herself tends to just wing it and hope for the best, and her 90% success rate isn't too bad...but now she sees there are alternatives to her pell-mell methods.
"Those are some nice looking shapes."

@lily m｡ʰᵉᶜᵃᵗᵉ Aether tries to play it cool, keeping his eyes away from Hecate as she, well, flirts with him. He holds back a smile with as much might as he can muster while listening, thinking to himself that he's the luckiest god in the pantheon to have such a sweet girl with him, in Paris of all places. He takes out a pencil from his leather pouch and flips open his sketchbook, preparing his posture in a fashion that was more dramatic than necessary.

As he begins sketching rough geometric shapes to make up the model couple's bodies, Aether mutters something, more like a quiet comment than a secret, "I see you trying to deflect my compliment back onto me... I'll just keep firing back, how about that?" There's a mischievous lilt to his voice and his muscles are tensing the more Hecate keeps watching him; he can /feel/ her presence more and more with every passing moment. It is not unwelcome, though.

@jimin p｡ᵃᵉᵗʰᵉʳ Hecate follows the male's finger to the chosen couple, nodding her head approvingly at his explanation. "Good choice...what's that?" She /thinks/ she caught what he said, if the feeling of warmth that suffuses her cheeks is any indication, but she cannot be sure due to how quietly it was uttered. Nudging him with a shoulder, she favours him with a coquettish simper, waggling her brows for an additional playful effect. "Cute and adorable. You gravitate to things that reflect yourself, do you?"
Shifting her body so that she faces her companion, she sets her calf atop her leg and props her chin up on one hand, fully prepared to observe Aether's sketching skills from a good vantage point.

@lily m｡ʰᵉᶜᵃᵗᵉ Aether regrets to draw his eyes away from the beautiful girl in front of him, bringing them to the world around them. His eyes scan over the surrounding and focus in on a couple different things — there's some kids playing around a fountain, splashing in the water and getting their clothes wet, and some older couples sitting on picnic cloths in the green grass. He settled on the couples, his heart jumping a bit as he fantasized another meeting with Hecate, that time a picnic. He shook himself out of his distraction and replies to Hecate, "I might draw one of those couples over there," he points in the general direction of the couples with his dainty finger. "They look very in love and just... cute. Adorable." Blinking once, he adds under his breath, "like you."

@jimin p｡ᵃᵉᵗʰᵉʳ "You can use it if we're whispering like this." She notices that Aether speaks as airily as one would to a small child, the dulcet timbres having relaxed her without her knowing.
His concession satisfies her, the restoration of his beaming face making her fidget some ー his expression overwhelms her for some reason unbeknownst to her, as does his barrage of compliments. She's not used to the sincere and attentive praise that he's giving, and though her first instinct is to be bashful and deny him, she thinks it would be rude to rebuff such a genuine review. "...Thank you," She laughs, pinkie finger tracing along her signature. "It seems I've gotten quite good if you can say that. I was planning to give it to the child's parents, but I don't see them around." On cue, she cranes her neck to once again see if she can discern any guardians for the child, only to come away as empty-handed as before. Lifting a shoulder in a half-shrug, she sighs. "Oh well. Aether, what are you planning to draw?"

@lily m｡ʰᵉᶜᵃᵗᵉ Aether stumbles down onto the park bench next to Hecate, his bright smile faltering into something like a grimace mixed with pure confusion. As he takes in the words that Hecate mutters to him in her sugar-coated voice, everything becomes clear and he nods his head. "Ah, you're right, sorry," he coos as his facial expression shifts back into a sweet smile and his eyes curving up into small crescent moons. "Lily it is, if humans are around. Such a shame though, I like Hecate much better," he trails off as his eyes wander towards Hecate's drawing.

His eyes scan over the intricate pencil lines of Hecate's sketch, and he shakes his head in amazement with a humble grin on his lips. "I think this is beautiful, Hecate," he whispers, still in awe. "I think that if any human saw it they would be sure something was a little... extraordinary about you; you can just feel the magic seeping through the pencil ." His eyes are full of praise and admiration as he looks away from the sketch and back up to meet Hecate's eyes.

@hoseok l｡ᵗᵃʳᵗᵃʳᵘˢ I'm glad you think so. Only a little bit.
It's a matter of reputation, I suppose. People think I'm supposed to be scary or something and I'm honestly not. I just don't tolerate bull.
*chuckles lightly as well, running my free hand through my hair*
That's right. So freedom and fresh air. I'd say that's a fair set of reasons too.
Have you found anything you like that they have here that we don't?

@mary c｡ⁿʸˣ Ah right, the blessing of the moon. I'd say you two had a great combination. Too playful eh? Thats good to know since usually they picture us as gloomy and bad and stuffs
/chuckles softly
I see, the freedom eh? It does appealing. For me more or less the same reason like yours and i do enjoy the fresh air up here more

@hoseok l｡ᵗᵃʳᵗᵃʳᵘˢ That is very true.
Perhaps, though you can also thank Selene. If not for her, we may not still have our moon to light up our night.
*lifts my shoulders in a nonchalant shrug*
I wouldn't imagine so. You two are far too playful to be overly scary. At times for the sake of work? Sure. Otherwise? Nah.
*continues to walk alongside you, pursing my lips as I contemplate my answer to your quesiton*
I guess the freedom more than anything. I get to not only see the world as it is, but experience it too. And from a younger set of eyes, no less. It's really refreshing, to be honest. What about you?

@mary c｡ⁿʸˣ The night holds the true beauty of one place
I guess we owe it to you?
/chuckles when i see you rolled your eyes
Yes, to be honest we arent that scary. At least Hades and me.
/starts walking to a wine shop
Anyway, what do you find exciting about living as human?

@jimin p｡ᵃᵉᵗʰᵉʳ Lily's pencil falters when she hears her godly name embedded in honeyed male tones, head swiveling to determine the source of the moniker. Her answering grin is just as ebullient as the one Jimin favours her with, but she's a bit hasty in tugging him next to her after she slides to give him a space.
"Aether," She murmurs, a bit breathlessly, "It's Lily if you're going to shout like that." Humans may dismiss the purity that cloaks the male as a mere byproduct of his cheer and sweet smiles, but she would not put it past the more perceptive to question why both of them sport the names of Greek gods. That said, she places her sketchpad between them so he can see what she's been working on, brows lifting. "What do you think?"

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@lily m｡ʰᵉᶜᵃᵗᵉ Aether, taking in his surroundings and savoring them, walks through the park where he is to meet Hecate. The foliage that surrounds him sparks wonder in him, for no such place on earth that he had visited had had such a beautiful setting. He breathes in the air – fresh, thanks to none other than himself – and his dainty fingers tighten around the sketchbook that he carries. He and Hecate decided that they would meet and draw together, out in nature and surrounded by humans, the perfect models. A gust of wind blows through Aether's hair and he smiles a bit to himself; the atmosphere was just so perfect for a day of people-watching and sketching. However, any day would be just fine to spend with Hecate. As the thought crossed his mind, Aether finally caught Hecate in his view and waved at her excitedly.

"Hecate! Hello!" He seems to gain a certain spring in his step as he walks a little quicker towards the girl. Aether feels his lips pulling themselves into a bright smile and his heart skip a beat at the sight of Hecate.

@jimin p｡ᵃᵉᵗʰᵉʳ Hecate ー or Lily, as she goes by now ー is in a good mood. Though this is not uncommon, especially in lieu of the gods' new circumstances, this day finds her particularly so. The girl hums as she walks down the path, the greenery that surrounds her and other passersby ameliorating the heat of the sun. Under a lissome arm she clutches a sketchpad and leather case, the latter of which holds her art supplies. She does not profess to be some genius with a brush or pencil, but she's become quite passable; when she happens upon a cosy looking bench, she wastes no time in sitting there and arranging her materials to her liking. A cursory glance at her timepiece reveals that she's a little early, a small explanation of why there seems to be no sign of Aether just yet. The thought of him makes her smile. He is a charming and gentle companion, and as she sharpens one of her pencils and proceeds to sketch the likeness of a playful toddler before her, she thinks that she is glad to have an opportunity to get to know him better.

@hoseok l｡ᵗᵃʳᵗᵃʳᵘˢ I'll agree with you there. The daytime is usually too bright and everything's so crowded that you don't get to truly enjoy the view.
You and your darkness, I swear.
*playfully rolls my eyes at your laughter*
Just a little bit, but I know you two better than that.
That sounds great. Let's go then.

@mary c｡ⁿʸˣ I have to admit, the view at night is much better than during the day.
Not as dark as I would prefer it but will do just fine
/lets out a little laugh
Wow our image must be pretty depressing for you all
Yes lets have conversation over a nice wine
Lets go

@hoseok l｡ᵗᵃʳᵗᵃʳᵘˢ Sometimes. I prefer it later at night when they illuminate everything with little lights. It's easier on the eyes and even more beautiful.
It was a surprise to me at least. I thought you two boys would be stuck in the darkness for the rest of eternity. The rest of us were usually free to come and go as we pleased.
Mhmm. I wouldn't even know where to begin with that explanation. Everything I've had thus far has been amazing.
I can't say I've tried the wine yet. Perhaps we should try some today?

@mary c｡ⁿʸˣ /smiles as I look around, nodding in agreement
It has a new level of beauty. Sometimes too bright for my taste.
surely its a surprise, never thought even Hades and myself had to do this too
Oh? Have you found any food here that managed to catch your taste buds?
I only hear this region's wine is pretty good

@hoseok l｡ᵗᵃʳᵗᵃʳᵘˢ You've been in the darkness far too long then. Don't get me wrong. It's beautiful, as you know, but this is too. Well surprise, you were able to.
*extends my other hand to adjust my hat, forming a lighthearted smile*
Other than taking pictures and scarfing down whatever food that sounds good? Not really. That doesn't mean there aren't other options.

@mary c｡ⁿʸˣ Yeah, ever since as far as i could remember. That's my home anyway, and I didnt think i could step out from there
/chuckles lightly
Have you found something interesting to do here?

@hoseok l｡ᵗᵃʳᵗᵃʳᵘˢ *slowly walks alongside you, dark eyes glancing around at our surroundings in an attempt to take them all in*
You never did get out much before we came here, did you?
I agree that they're very beautiful.

@mary c｡ⁿʸˣ /walks here with you, looking around/
I never realized how pretty flowers and trees could be