Not Meant for Me {Ask}

[Roxy St. James]

“Well then, that makes you so much unlike most of the guys in this city,” She couldn’t help but answer with a laugh, stirring absently at her coffee. “It’s my experience that most guys around here would love to be compared to Batman…especially if he’s Christian Bale. Mmm, talk about some yummy abs. But anyway.”

Man, yes, she was still stuck on the whole babbling thing…but yeesh, there was just something about this guy that made her want to yammer on until the cows came home. Call her sadistic, but could she stop her gums from flapping? Even for a freaking MINUTE, man? Ugh, apparently not!

In order to curb her obviously natural ability to personify the Energizer Bunny, she snagged a waitress that happened by and ordered a plate of beignets. Oh, if anything, those sugary pieces of Heaven were enough to keep her this far South of the border. Mysterious men, Byronic atmospheres and beignets; what New Orlean’s tourism ads should say.

Hell, just those three things and she’d have moved out here sooner. Good gah, there wasn’t anything like sugary foods to make her think about something other than quizzing Batman. Like her huge- and still growing, thanks to the pastries- butt, for instance…

With a little shake of her head, she forced her brain back to the present. Talk about insomnia making a girl’s mind head off in all kinds of random directions!

“Well, howdy-doo, Theron. My name’s Roxanne, but everybody just calls me Roxy. Pleasure to meet you.” With a bright smile on her face, she reached out, intent on shaking the big guy’s hand…and noticed too late that the one she was offering was still holding a captive beignet. Well, she could always mask the gesture and stick in a ‘have one RIGHTNOW’ before he balked.

…Hell with that, her inner leopard growled. If she wasn’t going to be running free anytime soon, those pieces of sugary, butt-growing goodness were HERS. RAWR.

With a snort, she pulled back her food-gripped hand and offered the other, leaning halfway across the table to meet him.
“Sorry about that; I haven’t eaten all day. The perils of having a deadline and all that good stuff. So, tell me, Theron…do you go saving stupid people who wander into the middle of the street often?”

[theron]

Under hooded eyes, the Spartan eyed her. She was so…unusual to his standards, but that was no surprise went it came from someone that eons ago had closed himself to any sign of intelligent life and crawled into an anti-social whole.

And for a time he struggled so hard to convince himself that this was what he wanted, that somewhere along the line he’d believed it. You repeat a lie too often and eventually it will become a truth. But he being there was enough to make him doubt this fake sense of peace he had shrouded himself into and realize he had wandered numb through the world.

“Please don’t terrorize me with eating sugar, you seem already overactive enough,” he said with a raised brow, only half-joking. The smirk that appeared on his lips was but a mockery of a smile, it was hard to remember how to do it, so he would take baby steps on this being human thing.

“No, just the babbling ones it seem,” good, at least he remembered sarcasm. “There has been a long time since I acted against the will of the gods. It was more an act of rebellion against the will of the fates. They have already destroyed my life, kept me from dying, I didn’t wish for them to claim another life, not this night at least.”

Now who was the babbling one?

Already he could see the incessant curiosity being sparkled behind her brown eyes.
She had brown eyes?

Why did the Spartan bother himself into noticing such random and seemingly unimportant detail? Why did he notice the color of her black hair and the curves of her body.

Because he was still more human than he liked to believe.

[Roxy St. James]

With a dramatic roll of her eyes, Roxy made a show of polishing off the sugary confection, then took her time licking the sweetness of her fingers. “My butt officially hates you for making me do that. And c’mon, with the babbling! I do NOT babble!” She paused, scrunched up her face in thought, then sighed in defeat. “Okay, scratch that; I do not babble THAT MUCH. So there.”

As he spoke again, she leaned forward, curiosity practically oozing out of her ears. Gods? Rebellion? Will of the fates? Who destroyed his life? He couldn’t die because of some Gods? Someone wanted to kill someone else? Holy mambajamba, she was swimming in the story of a lifetime!

She paused at the thought, mind screeching to a halt. No, that really wasn’t such a good idea, was it? The man had just saved her tail from being some redneck’s hood ornament, and that kind of warranted some confidentiality, didn’t it?

Damn her conscience. Her boss was ALWAYS breathing down her neck for the next sensationalist story to get the tabloid readers attacking the newsstands. The mere fact that she’d just met an immortal guy with some ties to a deity was freaking AWESOME!

But no, she was going to be good. She was going to sit there and drool on him, true, but she was going to be good. Friendly good. ‘Thank you for saving my fur, good.’ And maybe try to jump him later, but that was besides the point…and also good.

Her brows creased, she leaned her elbows on the table, resting her chin on her knuckles. “I don’t want to be rude or anything, Theron, but…just how old are you?”

[theron]

It made him feel…uneasy, maybe that was the most accurate word, to be there after so long spilling his guts to a complete stranger. After all Theron wasn’t used to long speeches, he was the brooding silent immortal that moved through the ages as a shadow and the world didn’t even knew of his passing. In a way it wasn’t him who was passing, but the world itself. In the bitterness of his soul, the weary warrior had seen too much crumble to dust.

And then there was this woman, who would also eventually turn into dust, who was somewhat annoying in her quirk ways. Or was she? If he really thought so, why hadn’t he fled when he had the chance to?

No, it was those black eyes and sculpted face that eyed him and had kept him there. Forget about the curves of her body, you dirty old man.

“I stopped counting time a few centuries ago,” he admitted to her truthfully. Why would he bother about time when his would never end and he tried to keep the world away?

He was tired of it however, to just stand back and hide from everything. The nights events had brought up a small part of him that still wanted to live, that was desperate for something to latch on…even if it was the passing interest of a complete stranger.

“I was born a warrior in Sparta. My father Vasilios was the great army general and I was raised to follow his steps, to replace him when the time was upon us. But the fates had different plans for me, I was destined to die into battle but Ares heard my call and gave me the means to victory in return for my servitude. For the next hundred years I was the god of war champion…but even after that, a normal life and death were denied to me.”

Shaking his head, he eyed her.

“Look who is the babbling one now”, he gave her a weak smile.

[Roxy St. James]

Roxy’s jaw proceeded to hit the table at his answer. Centuries? A few centuries ago? Holy crap, he was ancient! Spartan!

…Whoof, the image of him in some Spartacus gear was definitely something she’d pay to see. All those muscley muscles bunching, sweat making his skin all shiney, war-lust in his eyes—

Okay, calm down; retract tongue from floor and return to the subject at hand. He was an actual Spartan sitting right there in front of her! Still alive! And cursed by Ares! ARES!

Dammit, she’d just decided WHAT about taking notes and whipping up a story? Dang! She really did hate it when her conscience got all high and mighty on her. It wasn’t like she worked for a reputable paper or anything, but this would definitely get her known in the crazy community of tabloid reporting. Not to mention that others of her kind- the strange, not normal and sometimes fuzzy- would probably love to hear about a centuries old warrior who was on talking terms with a Greek God.

But nope, she was going to be good. She wouldn’t write about any of this…just drool over the phone to her sisters when she got home. Maybe she could take him home with her? Gah, focus, Roxanne, focus.

“I bet you’re sexy in a set of armor,” She breathed, before she could stop herself. Oh, great focusing, Roxy.

With a wince, she smacked a hand to her forehead. Just leave it to Batman to make her brain short. “Gah, ignore that. What I meant to say is you are so not babbling,” She said, practically sprawled on the table as she leaned forward in interest. “So you sold your mortality to Ares and then…what? He wanted to keep you as his Champion so you weren’t allowed to go to Heaven? Er…Elysian Fields?”

[theron]

His eyes searched for hers, trying to uncover the thoughts that formed behind them. What would she think of him? The Spartan was surprised to find himself wondering about such questions and couldn’t quite understand the reason of why.

“I bet you’re sexy in a set of armor”

Her words got him by surprise and he couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow as he gazed at her. His lips parted as if he was about to speak but she’d beat him to it, thank the heavens.

But as she did her best to fix her comment, the next words that she uttered pierced his heart more painfully than any blade would be able to.

Then what?

The memories of Alexis burned in his heart and soul as the ancient Spartan closed his eyes to hide the emotion behind them. Thanks to the goddess Astraea whom had condemned him to leave forever with the guilt of his crime, he would never die but for centuries he hadn’t been really alive either. Theron would prefer the fiery pits of Hades over this torment.

But as he sighed, a presence made itself aware in the edge of his conscience. It was old, powerful and beloved. His eyes snapped open at such realization.

“And then he is here,” the Spartan said jumping out of his seat and grabbing the woman’s hand into his as he pulled him along with him. He wouldn’t know how to explain what exactly drove him to take her along with him, maybe it was the same that had made him speak. Whatever it was, he was silent pulling her by the hand as he moved with hurried steps through the night streets.

Before too long, he stopped into a deserted street where the night seemed to envelope the entire world and apparently of nowhere, fire flickered.

Letting go of her hand, Theron stepped towards the source of the flickering flames and from the darkness, the gargantuan head of a scaly beast emerged. Monstrous fangs adorned its large jaw and its yellow eyes glinted with recognition into the darkness. Holding out a hand without any sign of fear, Theron saw Draco step forward and allow the Spartan to caress its head.

“It has been a long time my friend.”

The dragon’s eyes seemed to acknowledge his words and agree with them, it had been too long. Then lowering its body, Draco allowed Theron to step closer and leap into his back before offering a hand towards Roxy.

“Come, ride with us.”

[Roxy St. James]

Frick, frack and FUCK, she had the biggest mouth on the planet. Resisting the urge to start banging her head against the table, Roxy put on her best game face. ‘I bet you look sexy in armor…’ holy crap, why not just strip naked and demand that he do her on the damn table? Kudos for Batman for not getting up and running away, but GAH, she really had to work on this mental filtering thing.

And whatever embarrassment she felt immediately morphed into guilt as she caught an expression of pain cross onto his face. Whatever she’d just asked about his past must have a pretty painful answer, to have him looking like she’d just kneed him in the nuts.

Man, this was why only her sisters and a select few of her crazy coworkers could stand to be around her. With a wince and a mental slap- when she got home, she was SO introducing her head to the bedroom wall- she leaned forward and curled her fingers around his arm. Definitely talk about muscles on his muscles.

“I’m sorry for being so nosy,” She said with an apologetic smile, giving his arm a pat. “All that stuff about curiosity and cats is basically true. You don’t have to tell me anything if you don’t want to. How about we order up some more beignets, get some coffee and chitchat about the weather for a whiiiii—WHOOBA!”

Okay, so when she actually started to apologize for the first time in her life, she really didn’t expect to get dragged anywhere. A very unladylike yowl escaped her as she struggled to keep up with the guy, frowning at his quiet exclamation. Who was where? Where the hell were they going?

When they finally stopped- oh joy, abandoned alleyway…jezumCROW, what was in those garbage cans? HER NOSE!- and Theron released her hand, she shook it out with a grumble. “Gawd, that’s the last time I try to apologize to you. Where are we? Look, dude, I’m really sorry for…er…hwargh.”

Following the Spartan farther into the alleyway, Roxy was expecting something strange, sure, but…a dragon?! She wasn’t sure whether to faint, start screaming or laugh hysterically. Hell if Puff the Magic Dragon didn’t start playing in her head.

With a strangled sound, she jumped behind the larger man, intent on letting him get eaten before her. The guy was immortal and all, so if it was hungry, it could have him as the first course! Hands on his shoulders, she chanced a peek around his neck, then let loose a squawk and smooshed her forehead into his back.

“Dragon!” She squeaked. “Big dragon! With dragon teeth! Please, GOD, say it ain’t a hungry dragon! Erk…friend? AACK, DON’T GO!”

Hell with getting him eat first; he was her Batman! She scrabbled for his arm as he strolled toward the mammoth lizard, then stared in shock as he reached out a hand, and those big ass teeth didn’t take a bite out of him. Was he…was he petting the thing? Holy crap!

Her jaw practically lying on the ground, Roxy watched the exchange between the Spartan and his dragon buddy. A growl rose up in her throat every time the winged beast moved.

Down, Bessie, she snapped at her inner leopard. Oh, if it wasn’t so tempting to shift and get the hell outta Dodge. But, strangely enough, she felt the need to stick around; to make sure that Theron was really okay with his…friend. And color her doubly surprised when he offered out a hand and asked her to…

Holy crap, ride? On a dragon? Okay, so smooshing herself up against his back was definitely a plus, but…a dragon?

“Okay, you are letting me take pictures,” She said, voice a bit shaky as she moved closer to them. Murmuring a ‘nice dragon,’ she hesitated for a moment, then put her hand in his, allowing herself to be pulled up behind him.

Giving the dragon hide under her an experimental poke with her finger, she continued. “And if I die,” She said in his ear, wrapping her arms securely around him. If she was going down, he was SO coming with her. “My sisters are gonna eat you. Just so you know.”

[theron]

The reunion with his old friend warmed the Spartan’s heart, for far too long they had denied themselves the simple pleasure of soaring through the skies, feeling the wind in their face like they did in the old times prior to the bloodshed and carnage. That was something both of them loved, something that gave them a semblance of freedom.

Running his hand over the leathery hide of Draco, Theron gave the first true smile he’d given in over a century. The woods had been replaced by a concrete forest, but the skies…the skies remained their safe heaven.

Once Roxy ceased her incessant babbling and finally took his hand, the Spartan pulled her up and Draco spread out his huge wings. There was a mental link between the dragon and the rider, a link not even time and distance had managed to weaken.

“Then you better hang on tight,” he told the shifter as the dragon soared into the skies with great speed, the caustic wind was nothing more than a mere nuisance compared to the exhilarating feeling of being over the clouds, making everything below seen sow mundane and unimportant.

With a mental command from the rider, the dragon took speed and flown even higher and faster into the night skies before diving recklessly only to regain it’s airborne condition a mere second before crashing into a large building rooftop.

The trust between rider and dragon was complete, they were brothers in arms, so many times before they laid their lives into each other’s hands and stood there to this day with their faith in each other unshaken.

And then after long moments passed, the dragon finally touched down on a building rooftop and allowed them to climb down from his back. Just as before, the dragon allowed its rider to pet his head and when he turned back gave a well mannered soft bump into his shoulder with its head before taking flight again and disappearing into the night.

Turning back to Roxy, there was a softer expression on Theron’s face. “That was Draco, a treasured old friend whom I hadn’t seen in quite some time. Tell me Roxy, how it felt to ride a dragon? It is an honor not allowed to many. Before today, I was the only one that ever rode in his back.”

[Roxy St. James]

“This’ a bad idea. A really, really, REALLY bad idea.” She muttered to herself, scooting forward so she could wrap her arms around Theron’s waist. Holy crap, she was right! Muscles on muscles…and crap, her arms were too short to fit around him. Taking handfuls of his shirt in her hands, she cringed at his warning, squeezed her eyes shut…

And yelped as the dragon took off. A few choice curses left her lips as she hid her face against the big man’s coat, and she kept her eyes closed, mentally wondering why in the hell she always went into situations that scared the living crap out of her.

After a while, however, when the wind against her face and the chill in her bones became almost pleasant, she finally chanced a glance at her surroundings…and proceeded to gape. Holy effing CRAP, she was flying! Over the city! On a DRAGON!

Leaning sideways, she looked down at the sparkling lights below and squinted as her face went through a cloud. They really were just puffs of damp air, she thought with a laugh. When Draco swerved and dripped, what had been frightened sounds turned into full out whoops of excitement. She even went so far as to release one hand’s death grip on his shirt to pass her fingers through a cloud, though it didn’t last long.

Fun as this was, half-flying off of the dragon’s back without both hands anchoring her still wasn’t her thing. But hell if she could stop laughing like a lunatic. From babbling idiot to hysterical giggling; it was a wonder how the guy didn’t chuck her off the rollercoaster and be done with it.

She’d always hated flying; hated the stuffy airplanes, the tiny rows, the fact that she always got the six hundred pound guy with back problems sitting in front of her and cutting off the circulation in her legs. She loved the speed of a good engine on the road, or bungee-jumping off of a cliff…but this was SO much freaking better!

She was almost disappointed when the dragon touched down and it was time for her to slide off. Her legs were stiff and she felt as if she’d been polar bearing in the Antarctic, but for some odd reason, she didn’t want to get off. She just had to love the adrenaline rush of a good dragon ride. DRAGON RIDE! Ha!

Take that, Coworker Rachel, who kept bragging about riding elephants in Africa. This was so much better!

Watching the exchange between dragon and rider, she did her best to smack her hair into submission, but knew she just came out looking like a demented dandelion. No wonder why Theron was bald.

A grin lit up her face as she watched the dragon leave, waving crazily as if the mammoth thing would notice her. Her face was flush with excitement as she turned back to the Spartan.

“Man, that was better than sex!” She said on a laugh. Dammit, think before you speak, Roxy! Think before you speak! But hell, she was too darn hyped up to give a fart. “I can’t believe there are such things as dragons! And you rode him! Was he yours back in the day? Where does he live? And gah, just give me a minute and I swear, I’ll be able to shut the hell up.”

With another laugh, she shook her head and smacked a hand against her thigh, glancing back up as if looking for evidence of the dragon.

[theron]

Raising a brow at the woman reply, Theron shook his head slightly. It seems the words that came of her mouth never failed to surprise him. And she did babble…a lot.

“First, he was never ‘mine’. He is a friend, a brother in arms, not a pet. But we did fight together back in the day. Second, he lives where he pleases to…and lastly, I wouldn’t say better than sex but it is quite a feeling.”

Turning away from her, he wandered to the edge of the rooftop and stared at the city below for a moment. He had forgotten those rides had their way of making him feel alive and he could sense Draco felt the same. The dragon was a silent companion, but the bond they shared allowed them to know each other.

“It would be a good idea if you do not share the knowledge of Draco with anyone else. He isn’t a curiosity to be studied, he is a powerful and noble creature who has seen and done much.”

Like some relics he knew…namely himself.

Now to get down to the street level. Sure he could just leap down and survive, but he’d prefer to avoid the painful fall.

Wandering towards the door leading to the stairs, it was locked securely with a padlock. But for someone who had the strength of a hundred men, all that took was a simple pull and the path was clear to them.

Looking over his shoulder, he called out to Roxy.

“You’re coming?”

[Roxy St. James]

((Hey, hope you don't mind if I moved things a bit here. Had a random idea and things kinda came pouring outta me. XD If it don't work, lemme know! ))


Okay, she really had to calm down before she made an even bigger fool out of herself. Just take some deep breaths, concentrate on what the big guy was saying and not think about the freaking fabulous ride she’d just been on. Oh, hell with it; there wasn’t any way she was going to be forgetting the fact she’d just ridden a DRAGON anytime soon!

With a little cringe and an apologetic smile, she glanced up at the sky, hoping that the dragon wasn’t going to take offense at being referred to as being owned. With her luck, the thing would probably be coming back to roast her hide…no? Oh thank God.

Rubbing the back of her neck, she rubbed at her arms, finally starting to feel the chill. “Well first off, if I ever told anyone about that, I’d be stuck in a mental ward quicker than you could say ‘she ain’t crazy.’ But you don’t have to worry, I’m not telling anybody.”

Even though I really, really, REALLY wanna write this story! She couldn’t help but think, mentally whacking her head against an invisible post. With a roll of her eyes at herself, she trotted over to him.

“Yeah, yeah, I’m comin’.” Before he could start down the stairs, however, she put a hand on his arm to stop him. Aw, great, now what was she going to do? Hug him? Thank him? She’d been doing lots of the latter lately, and she had a feeling that close contact wasn’t really the way to go with this guy. After a second of wobbling, she went with a grin and a light punch on his arm.

She did grow up with sisters, but she’d see guys do that to each other all the time! He’d understand it…but she was also a girl, and girls liked to talk. “Thanks for that, Theron. You have basically just made my night.”

A sudden thought came to her and, a wide grin spreading across her lips, she charged forward, snagging his hand as she went. “My turn! You just showed me the best thing in your world; time for me to show you the best thing in mine. C’mon, let’s go, march those feet. No nudie bars, I promise. C’mon!”

She had a feeling that he could easily plant his feet and she'd have better luck leading a hundred pound of concrete, but in the end, she managed to drag him out of the building and into the night. Once they were on the street, she released his hand and charged toward her favorite place in the historic city.

While most liked the aspect of New Orleans that was under construction, housing the broken shells of large brick buildings and concrete monsters, Roxy had always been one to explore the hidden parts of the outskirts of the city. The bayous and the forests appealed to her, called to her, even, and it really wasn’t much of a surprise when she stumbled onto a piece of Heaven.

The small pond was surrounded by tall trees and thick pricker bushes. The only way inside was through a narrow path mostly overgrown with weeds and foliage; hidden from others by tangled vines and low swinging branches. Expertly ducking and swerving, her eyes flashing in the darkness, she led her companion safely through the trees and stopped in front of the glistening pond with a proud smile. Fireflies danced around the glowing water, and the wind blew softly around them, rustling the trees.

Pulling off her shoes as she went, Roxy turned halfway to the pond and motioned at the secluded spot. “This is THE most beautiful place in Louisiana,” She declared. “And I’ve never taken anyone here. Tit for tat and all that…and call this the perfect spot for you to tell me how you met a dragon, ain’t it?”

With a mock evil look on her face, she waggled her brows in a ‘c’mon, spill it, you k now you wanna’ way.

[theron]

When Roxy place a hand in his arm, the immortal cringed…was she going to hug him again? But when she simply gave a soft punch to his arm he couldn’t really tell if he was relieved or disappointed. Crap, that was it was so much easier to shut everything off, no confusion, no annoying feelings. Just him alone in his pain.

Alright, how was that easier again?
And then she grinned and took his hand as she rushed down the stairs in a mad dash.

“What is wrong with you woman?” he protested in vain as she dragged him as if the place they stood in was about to be consumed by the pits of Hades itself.

When she told him she was going to show him the best thing in her world, Theron was unable to avoid the tinge of fear that cursed through his senses. Only the gods would be able to divine what this woman believed to be the best thing in the world…at least she had promised no nude bars.

But to him it was a surprise when she drove him into a green area hidden beyond the stone giants of the city. It wasn’t something he’d expected to find in the city, but then again New Orleans was a city of many contrasts even if you kept the supernatural out of the equation.

That place was like an oasis amidst a desert, a place that seemed protected and secluded and somehow succeeded in bringing some measure of peace to the weary Spartan. And some relief that she wasn’t dragging him to some crazed have or something like that.

Tilting his head when she started talking again, the Spartan walked over to the edge of the pond and knelled to take a closer look, brushing his hands against the cold water as if any divination would come from it.

“Like I told you before, Vasilios raised me to be his successor, to be a general of the Spartan army. When war broke, we fought valiantly even if we were outnumbered. We would have massacred them if it wasn’t for our enemy’s treachery. We were attacked by unnatural beasts and monsters and our brave and might warriors started to fall like flies against them. When defeat was at hand I called out to Ares, made him an offer of servitude for the next hundred years if he would help us defeat our enemies that day. And that is when Draco came into play, winged death, he burned down my enemies and turned them to ashes. He was the only good thing to come out of this damned deal with the god of war.”

[Roxy St. James]

Following him as he went over to the lake, Roxy plopped down on the bank next to him, letting her feet drift into the water. If she were alone, she’d be in her birthday suit and swimming in the little pond, but something told her that her new friend would be just a little upset with her if she went and got naked in front of him. Which kind of sucked, given the fact that a) he was hot, and b) now was about the scheduled time she always went skinny dipping in her favorite piece of New Orleans.

She did so love her schedules; it gave life some meaning, if she did say so herself. The little break in tradition was a bit irritating, but hell, she was with a hottie Batman who was once a freaking Spartan warrior.

Would it be wrong to ask him if he looked as hot in his uniform as Gerard Butler had? Damn, it probably was.

Leaning back on her hands, she let her feet float for a bit while she listened to his story, instantly entranced. She could just picture it now: an older, harsher looking Theron leading an army into battle with his son by his side. She pictured betrayal, bloody battles, some Ares-figure that resembled a half naked Jude Law…

Man, his story was really freaking sad…and she’d thought her life was tough. Being the eldest of twelve sisters, it had been her job to look after the cubs and put them through school ever since her moron parents died. She’d had to work a bunch of jobs and quit school herself for a while, just to keep them living in the same house. She’d thought that that was as bad as it got.

But to live in another time, where battle and bloodshed was the norm…to meet Gods and be betrayed, then live for hundreds of years without being able to form real connections? Holy crap, he’d better look out, ‘cause a hug was in order!

No, crap, she couldn’t do that. He’d basically did a twitchy dance when she’d taken his hand to haul him to her secret spot. He’d probably pass out if she hugged him.

“So that’s how you’re connected to Draco,” She said, once he’d finished talking. Her eyes drifted up to the sky, as if expecting to see him flying there. “He was a gift from Ares. But…are you still in service to Ares? Why aren’t you allowed to…you know. Not that I want you to die or anything, but after living for so long…what happened?”

[theron]

There he stood, leaning over his knees and staring at the pristine water of the pound – something about staring about pristine waters in this age seemed so unreal – but he could see the visions of his past in the waters. Surely it was only in his mind and he knew it, but it was as if he was watching his own story as he recounted it.

There he could see the face of his mother and father, his brother Kozma and little Pythia, so loving and innocent was her smile back then. And then there was the night he was taken out of his house and tossed into the harsh world and learn to fight and kill, his whole life became devoted to that end and he was eager for his father praise.

He trained harder than any other soldier, always pushing himself farther than any under his father watchful stare. He was so proud the first time they went into battle together and sliced the opposing army.

And that day his father was taken down by the sword, just like he had lived. Theron didn’t shed a tear like his father had told him not to. Real man didn’t cry, instead they honor those who had fallen and be proud of their sacrifice.

And in those same waters he saw the monstrous creatures he once battled in fierce combat, saw his soldier falling like flies, saw himself cry out to the skies for Ares and saw the god’s face staring down at him, sending the terrifying sight of Draco upon his enemies.

The next hundred years that followed of bloodshed, of servitude.

And then Alexis face. How painful and tormenting that sight was, but not as near tormenting as the memories of himself holding her bloody body while those accusing blank eyes of hers stared at him, dead without even knowing why her own soon to be husband killed her, the frozen horror in her eyes was unbearable.

And so Theron closed his eyes and felt as if a sharp blade had pierced his chest.

“I DO NOT SERVE THE GOD ANY MORE!” he raised his voice in ager, “IF ANYTHING I WOULD FEEL PLEASURE IN SLAYING THE BASTARD!”

Slamming his fist at the waters, he took a deep breath and looked at Roxy briefly before averting his gaze from hers.

“Those aren’t memories I wish to relieve, but yet I cannot forget and be forgiven. There is only death and pain in them. My foolishness doesn’t make me blameless of my crime.”

[Roxy St. James]

For a couple minutes as she watched the play of emotion across Theron’s face, Roxy tried to imagine the life he must have lived. From what she’d read about Spartans- okay, so they were mostly romance novels and that movie 300, but still- they had been freakishly anal about making warriors out of their children. She’d heard stories about beatings, starvation, sending little kids out into the woods…anything to mold the perfect soldiers.

Man, talk about one helluva hard life. And she’d thought that fighting over barbies and having the cubs gnaw on her favorite toys had been tough. How would she have fared living in a world full of violence?

…Yeah, she probably wouldn’t have lived. One leopard sandwich, coming right up!

Intent on telling him exactly that, she turned to look at him, mouth open...and then BAM, hello angry Spartan warrior! With a yelp, she scrabbled backwards, feeling as if she should be blown backwards by the force of his anger.

Note to self: do not pry into the immortal’s past. Damn, what could have been so bad that he broke down and started howling when he thought about it? And wow, Ares had definitely done a number on him, and given that he’s a God…kinda hard to get back at someone who’d been worshiped for more than half a century.

Thankful for her feline heritage, Roxy managed not to fall over into the pond…not that it stopped water from splashing onto her face as Theron proceeded to punch the lake. She gave him his space while he talked, a bit tense, as if expecting him to lose it.

Sure, she liked the guy and all- and man, images of him running around in Sparticus wear was making her DROOL- but ‘liked’ didn’t equal ‘know.’ What if he had anger management issues and went after her? The men in her past weren’t all exactly pussy cats, so she didn’t know what to expect.

After a minute, however, when he seemed to calm down and offer an explanation, she began to relax. The animal in her wanted to offer him some comfort and acting on instinct, she slowly moved closer to him. Like wolves, her kind liked close contact when they were particularly stressed out…and given the way he’d gone from semi-human to Hulk in t-minus ten, he could definitely use some settling down.

“Look, Theron, I don’t know much about what you went through, but I’m sure that you haven’t committed any crime. Believe me; I’ve dated enough cons to know a bad guy when I see one,” Carefully, she placed a hand on his arm. “And I’m sorry for making you talk about it. We all have…bad memories. Regrets. Hell, how about I go and do some research on Ares and we can think up colorful ways to kick his butt? I’ve heard castration is always fun.”

Call her ‘socially awkward,’ but maybe humor wasn’t the best route to take? Damn, she really needed to interact with normal people more.