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Post by Beriadan on Nov 16, 2024 23:04:40 GMT
The bus came to a rattling stop on the dusty outskirts of a gaudy city Ares had only known through rumour and rhyme. This wasn't his forte, more in the realms of Dionysus among others, but there was something that called him to the world of Las Vegas, Nevada.
He grinned as he stepped off the bus, forgoing his ticket as the driver forgot about him entirely. It was a decent walk to the strip, but Ares could see it on the horizon, and he fancied the walk anyway.
It took a good hour or so, but then the God of War was beneath the lights and horrors of Sodom and Gomorrah. He was grinning as he drank it all in, the height of human hubris and mankind's degeneracy.
"What a delightful place."
Ares chose the first place that called to him the strongest. A fast food, all-you-can-eat joint that was advertised as the world's biggest steak. Eat a whole 40 pound slab and get your meal for free, as well as the chance to have a heart attack at an early age from cholesterol and blood pressure. Ares found a booth, ordered a milkshake, and waited. For what, he did not know, but the Fates had already taken him to see several people he hadn't needed to know. Perhaps this would be no different.
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Post by lvsphinx on Nov 18, 2024 19:24:23 GMT
Like many other tourists, Famine found themself walking along the Las Vegas Strip, simply for the reason of wanting to take in the sights of the glitzy resorts. Famine had business downtown in the past week, but had swiftly concluded it, now having the rest of his weekend free. He admired something about this dusty yet shiny city in the middle of the desert, how this seemingly artificial city survived. There was little water, and never enough players at the tables, yet the city peddled material excess for her survival. Sin City was the brightest service worker on Earth.
Something on the Strip called to Famine today, something akin to an aura or presence, both powerful and familiar to him. Feeling hungry (Famine was always hungry) and growing somewhat bored of walking for now, Famine entered the same all-you-can-eat restaurant, inhaling deeply as he took in the wafting scents. Famine knew he could unwind, let loose for once, and express his powers here, with no one being any wiser, but decided not to, instead now distracted by a man sitting by himself in the booth.
Thundering hooves echoed throughout his mind. Famine's horse whinnied far in the distance. The sense of Judgement.
He walked over to Ares, feet almost moving by themselves, eyes locked on him as he was inexplicably drawn to this man, the source of the overwhelming aura.
"Excuse me. We've met before, haven't we?"
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Post by Beriadan on Nov 21, 2024 18:59:12 GMT
Ares looked up, a smile already placed lightly upon his lips. Ah, the Fates were busy since his return. He looked the man who approached with recognition, nodding his eyes towards the empty seat opposite.
"We have crossed paths many times, though with different faces and far different circumstances. Please, join me. My name is Ares, the God of War. You must be Famine."
He grinned as a waitress placed a milkshake down in front of him and nervously turned her gaze to Famine himself, a notepad shaking gently in her hands. Ares chuckled, a low and dark noise, like heavy hooves and clashing swords.
"Are you hungry, friend? The all-you-can-eat steak meal seems rather tempting, don't you think?"
Ares took a sip of his milkshake, watching Famine with grinning eyes.
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Post by lvsphinx on Nov 21, 2024 21:50:13 GMT
Ah. Damn. War.
Famine sighed gently, staring at the grinning man, being as amiable as can be. Famine had his own reasons for not wanting to run into any of his siblings, and remembered the ending of their last meeting being less than cordial. Still, it had been a very long time since Famine had interacted with any of the others, and now was a rare, almost once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to catch up. Ares was being friendly, anyway, and it'd be rude to deny the invitation.
"Yeah, I'll have the free steak," said Famine as he sat down at the booth, giving the waitress an easy smile. There was no question to Famine that he'd finish it. Besides, this meeting now got him in the mood for something like blood and gristle; red meat seemed perfect for the occasion. Why not try to enjoy the excess here, of all places?
"Still calling yourself a "god", War? That kind of talk is almost blasphemous coming from one of us. I worry for you, War. You remind me of the Morningstar sometimes."
He placed his elbows on the table and interlaced his fingers, looking across them at Ares. "So what have you been up to? How have your lives been? Up to anything...special?"
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Post by Beriadan on Nov 21, 2024 22:07:59 GMT
Ares grin was wide, his eyes flashing danger. There were many families that War belonged to. The Horsemen were one of the least favoured. Meeting those other three usually signalled something far worse than War itself. He leant back in his booth, shrugging.
"Unlike you, Famine, I have the bloodline to prove it. The Son of Zeus gets to call himself a God, you know. It is one of the few things I got from him that I actually enjoy."
Ares rested his arms up on the seat, lounging expertly in stark comparison to the being sat opposite him.
"Oh, you know. I've been on vacation, can't you see the tan? A few skirmishes here, a conflict there, a civil war in Rwanda... you know, just holiday stuff."
Ares smiled like a predator as watched Famine with dark, watchful eyes. Why were they both here? Something was guiding him as of late.
"You should try it. How have you been, anyway? Work must be tough, what with food being so readily available. Processed beyond the point of being food, full of all sorts of nonsense that makes it last for years... it's like war, in some sense. Humans have made it so disgustingly refined."
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Post by lvsphinx on Nov 21, 2024 22:40:36 GMT
Famine gave a slightly exaggerated bow of the head. "Sorry, this humble Horseman apologizes for any offense," he said somewhat sarcastically. "It's easy to forget that we usually march to different drumbeats." He was lying. It was never easy for Famine to forget his disagreements with his siblings.
While Ares lounged, Famine remained observing him with a steely gaze, measuring the man opposite from him.
"Holiday stuff, huh? I'm afraid I do take vacations, rather often, in regards to our kind of existence. I still prefer not having to be felt by humanity if I can afford it, but there are still places of food insecurity in the world I could fly to if I ever wanted to "unwind"."
"Creating famine is a different game these days though. I can't affect amount of supply as well as I used to, but I can still control how little nutrition people take from the food they eat. We're in all-you-can-eat restaurant, but if I wanted to, the people wouldn't even be able to process the calories while I'm here. They could eat all they want, and still starve. You're right; part of that is self-inflicted. It's impressive."
"I can also affect the costs of things too, and affect an famine indirectly that way. Oil and bread could be some targets for me."
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Post by Beriadan on Nov 24, 2024 10:02:38 GMT
Ares watched Famine bow, and waves a hand as if it wasn't necessary in his presence. Like Famine, he rarely got on with the Horsemen. They only got together at the worst times for all of them. The end of War as he knew it, and that meant infinite years of boredom. Plus, they always seemed to disagree.
"Interesting," Ares mused, and he meant it. The working of the others always intrigued him. "You could truly bring mankind to its knees with a few well-placed food shortages. Plunge entire continents into panic and chaos with not but an extra digit on the end of oil prices. And they worry about me."
Ares chuckled, mostly to himself, but he knew it to be true. People feared the blunt and direct method of war. The other calamities seemed less purposeful, like they were a natural part of life.
"So tonight there will be a multitude of these American sorts trying to gorge their fill but not getting a single feeling of content in their bellies? How fun. Perhaps my influence will bring anger into their hearts when they realise their favourite steak no longer satisfies them. This could be the butterfly's wings that leads to the next global war, you know. A flap of wings here, and the Asian continent suddenly descends into a mass war over a sudden lack of beef exports."
Ares had been looking around at the other customers, and now turned his attention back to Famine with a shrug.
"Or not. Famine, do you know why we're here? I've been back for not three days, and already the Fates are dropping significant people into my lap. I feel something brewing, but for the life of me, I cannot figure it out."
Ares stared at the Horseman with a small smirk on his lips.
"Got any clues yourself?"
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Post by lvsphinx on Nov 24, 2024 17:05:59 GMT
Famine's eyes narrowed as he described the potential descent, and as Ares spoke, felt their combined influence pull at him and those around them like a swirling current. Already, Famine could see patrons' tempers sharpening at the unfortunate wait staff. Ares and Famine didn't even have to exert their will; just their presence was enough to have effect. An urge to unwind and use his powers was almost like a temptation to Famine. He flexed his forearm, already having an invigorating feeling every since sitting in Ares presence.
"China is the largest consumer and importer of meat. Shortages in the U.S., maybe from widespread livestock death, could prevent exports to China, which could increase fishing in the South China Sea in response, leading to naval skirmishes with neighboring countries," mused Famine, feeling the weight of his scales in his jacket.
"I know why I am here. I'm here on business. I like spending the time living among the mortals these days, and Vegas is not too far from my current home. I do not know why you are here, but I am interested, even though I haven't got a clue. Any particular reason you chose to roam to Vegas?"
Famine's phone suddenly went off with a notification. He quickly checked it, and with a noticeable "Tsk." stowed it back into his pocket.
"Another metahuman event, blocking downtown near Fremont Street. Say...what do you think of all of these...metahumans around?" he asked with an annoyance usually meant for mosquitoes.
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Post by Beriadan on Nov 24, 2024 17:17:50 GMT
Ares grinned as Famine laid out the hypothetical war, driven by famine. It sounded grand indeed, although... his mind went back to his mental breakdown. The nuclear apocalypse narrowly avoided by Wonder Woman and her allies. Ares shut his eyes for a second. How had war become so dangerous? Mankind had surpassed even his will. He opened his eyes as Famine's phone went off. It allowed him to carefully navigate around Famine's original question.
"Metahumans? Oh... yes. Them."
He took a sip of cola as the waiter left their table, moments after placing two slabs of beef that were basically baby cows in themselves. Ares rolled the question around in his mind.
"Yes... there have been a huge rise in their number. The first world war had a few among their midst, and then... since that war, more and more showed up, and not just them! Aliens and demons, gods, wizards... being human is rare these days, and with individuals like Superman stopping all-out war, it feels like I'm becoming a bit redundant."
Ares smiled, placing his drink on the table with care, and laced his fingers without touching the food before him. He eyed Famine with a curious expression.
"You don't seem to keen on them yourself, either."
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