1546/A Curious Commission

A Curious Commission
Date of Scene:	18 July 2017
Location:	Angela's Loft - Hell's Kitchen
Synopsis:	Ares comes to Ahadiel with a bit of a problem
Cast of Characters:	Ahadiel, Ares

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Ahadiel has posed:
    The small warehouse-like loft building that Angela owns is filled with loud clanging. The building itself is fairly non-descript and rundown, though word on the street is that avoiding it is the healthiest thing to do. Inside, Ahadiel, aka Angela Davis, works on forging a katana. Unlike most of her weapons, this one actually does have an edge, intending to make a perfectly authentic katana... including where she folds the steel into the blade.

    Hattori Hanzo would be proud.

Ares has posed:
    There is often a subtle feeling when two beings of such pedigree come within proximity of each other. To some it would be considered a shift in the pressure of the air. To others it might well be a feeling of... portent. To others it may well be as if the fates had taken a breath and turned their eyes away from the skein to observe what dares pass upon the world.
    It is such a moment now as the door to that building is pushed open, perhaps held for a time as the tall man in the way tilts his head just so. His brow furrows and he moves further into the building, his shadow falling over the woman and her work. A glance might show him as barely more than a silhouette limned by the sliver of light allowed through that slowly closing door.
    But his voice, at least she assuredly will recognize that deep baritone voice that rumbles almost like a casual growl. "Are you using good steel, or period steel?" Perhaps the light shifts enough for his smile to be that much more apparent.

Ahadiel has posed:
    Angela tilts her head, looking perfectly mortal in her current seeming. Though other Beings of Age and Power would know better. She smiles faintly, "Good steel, in this case, though I did offer the period option of course. It's a commission." She keeps hammering, not looking up yet as she says, "It's been a while... Paris, 1942, if I recall. Une promenade romantique sous le clair de lune pendant que nous avons tué des Allemands." Her eyes flash with a bit of amusement, as she glances up, taking in the form of Ares. "Didn't realize you were in New York. But then, everyone seems to be."

    She keeps the regular hammering, the blade almost ready now as she eyes the weapon-in-progress, "What do you need?" Because she knows him all too well, and she knows that he doesn't come by unless he needs something.

Ares has posed:
    A quirk is seen at the corner of his mouth, hidden by that subtle turn of his head away as he looks over her current dwelling, his eyebrow lifting in vague consideration. "I have been keeping my head down," He looks back towards her, "Avoiding family and friend, yet I am moved to seek you out." He closes the distance and takes the time to consider the blade she is working on, his eyes gauging the curve, the hammer strokes. A small smile settles in place and he meets her eyes with the brown of his own.
    "I would attempt some touch of flattery as to it being your lovely voice I seek. But you would see through it in an instant." He rests his hands upon his hips and looks to her, "I do need your expertise, however."

Ahadiel has posed:
    It's hard to make an angel blush, it really is. But considering the off-and-on... well, whatever, Angela actually does so, probably thinking back to that night in Paris. She smiles a bit, muttering, "How do you //do// that?"

    Then, at the mention of her expertise, she arches a brow, "Oh? Need something crafted?" Because well, that's probably what it is, though Ahadiel wants to just make sure as she finishes her work, setting the heated blade aside to cool off. "A weapon?" Since it is Ares, after all, she knows he's preferences.

Ares has posed:
    "Actually," The tall man turns to her, following along as she moves about her duty, staying just enough out of the way so that she can tend to what needs to be tended. She can still tell it's him so easily. The years have changed him a little, perhaps. His features are a bit more grim, a touch more haggard. His hair is cut very short and stubbly, and his beard looks like it could use a trim. Those casual clothes of work boots, jeans, and a black t-shirt that hugs the subtle contours of his well-muscled form, all speak of something so entirely mundane.
    Yet it is him. Ares. To her that same man who had enjoyed when she gave in to her aspect of wrath, that urged her on with a wry comment and a wicked smile. It was all in those moments between the years, small ones, spare ones. Faint memories of touches and whispers shared.
    But still him.
    "There is a weapon I may need unmade."

Ahadiel has posed:
    There's few things that make Ahadiel wince. But the act of unmaking, of destruction... that, causes her to stiffen a bit. Completely that and not the familiar presence of Ares near her, in truth. Then she glances over her shoulder, "Upstairs. I don't need a drink, but I think you're going to explain things in more detail." She sighs and leads the way up the spiral staircase to her living quarters proper.

    On the way, she looks down at Ares, "I'm an angel of /creation/ you know. Unmaking things isn't exactly what I do. In fact, it's the exact opposite of what I do." Once upstairs, she gestures to the sofa, and goes to the liquor cabinet, "Ouzo? Or something else? While you explain." Which isn't exactly a question, as she wants to hear what's going on with him. For herself, she's getting an ouzo. Ares brings out that part of her, for whatever reason.

Ares has posed:
    It is her territory, she is within her rights to dictate where their words shall be shared, what drink they shall share. If she would offer the breaking of bread then the guest ritual would be complete and it would lend a subtly onerous tinge should he cross her willfully. Yet they have not needed such in the past, and in truth... he is a touch thirsty.
    Up the steps they climb and he tells her quietly, "I know," She can feel the subtle pause there as if he were to give voice to her name, but never did he take it so casually in vain.
    "I know it sits ill with you, and I know that had you your druthers such would not come to pass." He reaches the top of the steps and at her direction moves towards the couch, his footsteps quiet. To one end he goes and settles in, and when she offers drink he'll answer with a nod, "Please."
    But once she comes close enough again he'll add to the tale, "The Asgardian Trickster spoke with me, he seeks to have me acquire a blade that is cursed in some form. I will need to have it destroyed as I can. If not you, I knew you would at the least be able to point me to one that would be able to help."

Ahadiel has posed:
    That's probably what does it. If Ares was just being himself, or at least the Ares she's normally familiar with, she'd probably tell him to just go find some wizard or something to deal with it and let her be.

    But then he gets humble on her. Which is... really not what she was expecting. She pours two glasses of ouzo, and comes back over, handing one glass to Ares as she sits next to him on the couch. Comfortably close, truth be told, as she looks up at Ares, her mortal seeming far slighter than one would think. "Alright. Tell me what this trickster told you. I'll let you know what I can do." She mmms, "If nothing else, there's a sorcerer that will be owing me a favor. I can pass that boon along to you."

Ares has posed:
    "In all fairness," He accepts the glass and lifts it to ring against hers with a soft /clink/ of sound. "He has told me little, though impressed upon me the dire aspect of what this blade could portend." He turns on the couch and rests his hand upon the arm of it, those calm brown eyes holding hers for a time. "Now, this could all be some effort to angle me to some location from which he will enact a machination of his own. Yet there is no harm in at the least preparing for the possible event of his sincerity."
    That given to her, he takes a sip of the ouzo, then sets it aside upon what suitable table there might well be. "He mentioned it seemed to draw life from those around it, and that it was of an otherworldly origin. Beyond that..." He flares the fingers of one hand, as if brushing his own words away as so much dross.

Ahadiel has posed:
    The angel nods, "Indeed. Need me to back you up if necessary?" Not that she's the heaviest hitter in that regard, but she's a rather righteous surprise to have up one's sleeve. "But, a blade that can do that... it definitely would be better off des... destroyed." She looks a bit twitchy as she says that, but she manages to get through it. And she means it, as she looks over at Ares, taking a sip of ouzo. Her poker face hasn't really gotten any better over the millennia.

Ares has posed:
    A small shake of his head is given as he tilts his head to the side to consider her. He doesn't doubt her abilities, their time shared at will assure her of that. But then again he has ever been an individual of confidence. "As it stands, I doubt it. I wold not have bothered you with this if I hadn't thought it might be important to get your aid."
    He rests an arm on the back of the sofa, taking a moment to look around the surroundings of this apartment above that warehouse, then shifts his eyes back to hers. "I have been..." He lifts a hand to rub at the back of his neck thoughtfully, then meets her eyes askance, "Just trying to raise my son as I can. Keep things as stable and normal as I can."

Ahadiel has posed:
    Angela blinks, then grins a bit, "Wait, your /son/?" She looks a bit surprised, and somewhat pleased, "Well, congratulations are in order, I think. A blessing on your house." And she means that, saluting Ares with her glass before taking another sip.

    Then she nods, "This explains why you've changed since the last time we met. To be honest... it's a good change." Her lips curl in a bit of a smile at that. "You've grown a bit since the last time we met." Which is a compliment, truthfully, and Ahadiel is one of the few beings that could actually make that observation about Ares, considering how long she's known him.

Ares has posed:
    Of course to her positive well-wishing his response is to say simply, "Bah," But it's said with a mild smile as he looks to the side and away. Another sip is taken as he settles into the couch seat, crossing one foot over his knee and then turning his eyes back upon her. "Keep all of this piffery to yourself." And as he says that he lightly nudges her with his knee as if to grant her such a reprisal for her words.
    But then he meet her gaze and murmurs, "And you? What passes for you that keeps you in such a lovely mortal seeming, with your attention so focused on your work? It is as if you have naught a care in the world."

Ahadiel has posed:
    Ahadiel blinks, catching Ares' gaze and tilting her head a bit, "Well, I... I mean, I guess I just..." She stammers a bit, then turns her head a bit, looking away as she says, "Sometimes, I just feel that with the wonders of the past few decades. Well, I wonder if there's a place for an angel with all the other heroes of this age. I just feel... redundant." She would never admit that to just about anyone else, but she can here.

Ares has posed:
    "Who says you must make some difference in that manner?" He tilts his head, leaning closer as if trying to gauge her from another angle, his expression calm and curious. "Is it not enough that you spend your time with your art and create what beauty you can?" His lip curls, "Is it not enough that you walk through the street and on some level remind all the mortals that glance at you that there is something divine in the world? Even if the just consider it as but a glance at a beautiful redheaded woman?"
    He waves a hand, "I have decided to live my life as I can, for those I care about. None can ask you for more." And, of course, his answer to that conundrum was to rebel. Which didn't always work out for the angelic.

Ahadiel has posed:
    The angel smiles wryly at Ares, and nods, "Well, I know... and I do enjoy my art for quite a bit. Been doing this now for close to fifty years in this location. Thanks to some clever identity switching, of course." She hmms, and gives Ares a sly look at the beautiful comment, "Flatterer."

    Then she hmms, "I already rebelled as much as I think I can when I stopped being an angel of vengeance and asked to be transferred to creation instead. Which isn't really rebelling so much as switching jobs." She smiles, "But, overall, I think it's for the best. Humans have far too much to offer, as long as they can stay on the right path."

Ares has posed:
    A small nod is given to her, "I agree, they have a lovely capacity to still surprise even though we have seen so much of them over the years." Another sip of ouzo is taken as he reaches for the drink, sups, then sets it back down. He cants his head to the side while he looks to her, as if gauging her anew. Oh as he said she assuredly is a beautiful woman. That much is true and rather evident. But she has known him long enough to know when he looks at another he looks not just at what one might find attractive...
    Those calm calculating eyes gauge the subtle strength in her form, the reach of her arms and legs, the way she used to fight. It's nothing against her, just something he tends to do, expecting anyone and everything to attack him for whatever reason. Then again he is wise to be wary of her at least in so far as to respect her talents, her ability. He had seen her fight with sword, with pistol, he'd even seen her take life with her bare hands as they had once been infiltrating a German bunker. "Have you been keeping up with your training?"

Ahadiel has posed:
    Ahadiel hmmms, "Well..." She slides up against Ares a bit, "I have been trying to keep up on some of that." She then suddenly grabs his arm, moving with sudden alacrity as she rolls and uses the momentum to flip him off the couch, sending the god into the floor.

    Laughing softly, she then gets Ares in a joint lock, eyes gleaming merrily as she says, "What do you think, old friend?" Her lips curl into a positively wicked smile, as she holds Ares down for the moment, "Do I still have it?"

Ares has posed:
    One moment he's sitting there and then she's sidling close. His lip curls wryly as she lightly toys with the lapels of his shirt even as she draws ever so closer. For a moment he might think she were seeking another angle of approach, from the way she felt so very warm against him, the subtle touch of her scent shared in that moment...
    And then she grabs hold of his shoulders, turns and /throws/ him over her hip in a traditional judo throw that ends with him upon the ground, and her quickly moving to plant her knees on either side of his chest and take up his left arm to bring it across her chest, twisting it precisely to lock the joint.
    She'll see his eyes meet hers even as he smirks slightly, shifting his hips as he reaches up with his free arm to grab her blouse by the collar and he /pulls/ her down towards him, nostrils flaring for a moment and that smile curving wry. "You have something." His voice is low, resonant, husky for a moment.

Ahadiel has posed:
    Ahadiel oofs a bit as she is pulled down to Ares, her face hovering right by his, hair falling around her like a shroud. She keeps the elbow lock, barely, as she grins back at Ares, "I always have. And you know it." Her eyes meet his, a hint of the amber gleam visible for him, that normally she keeps hidden.

    She doesn't pull back from his grip, nor does she let him go, as she tilts her head slightly, her lips rather close to his as she says, "So... what now?" Her eyes dance a bit as she regards Ares with a somewhat wry expression.

Ares has posed:
    A wry smile flickers over his own lips as he looks up at her, then he lifts a hand to brush those so red locks from her eyes, just a faint touch of fingertips as he murmurs, "I think..." He lifts his chin a little but then says quietly. "I thank you for the Ouzo, and then I let you get back to your work." Oh she can probably sense, can probably read in the man that on some level he doesn't want to.
    And, in truth, the Ares she used to know might have already had her clothes off and his, and already be enjoying each other so thoroughly. But for some reason... not now.
    "Besides," He tilts his head to the side, "I'd hate to leave you so exhausted you couldn't meet your deadline."
    And as he says that he begins to sit up.

Ahadiel has posed:
    Ahadiel blinks in a bit of surprise, then says, "You /have/ changed. Frankly, I like you much more this way." With that, she places a light kiss on his forehead, then releases the locked elbow, making her way up and off of Ares. Then she offers him a hand... not that he needs it, but it's who she is.

Ares has posed:
    The tall man accepts her hand and she pulls him up. For a moment they're so very close, each able to feel the warmth washing off the other in waves, his dark brown eyes holding hers. "A little," He brings his other hand up to cup the curve of her cheek, fingertips gliding along there like a small caress.
    A small nod is given to her, then he meets her eyes as he leans closer, turning his head just so and without a warning, without a whisper of hesitation, without even so much as a by your leave, he will kiss her. Just a small featherlight caress of lips playing there, his head turning just so, lips parting, eyes closed. It's a kiss that lingers, that drifts on...
    Only to break as he draws back. "But after all of this, if you wish. Find me."

Ahadiel has posed:
    The angel leans into that kiss, eyes closing as she sighs softly into the touch, savoring the warmth as she feels that one moment stretch on and on... much like the 1950s. They lasted for a century in America if you were in the right place.

    And then the kiss ends, and she smiles a little at Ares, "Ah, yes, I just might at that. Find out more about this blade, I'll see what I can discover on my end." Because business, yes, business is safe to discuss! Let's talk business. Or about anything else, really.

Ares has posed:
    "Til then," He says to her, smiling even as he turns and begins to move towards those steps. A few moments later... and he's gone.