Sleeping Beauty (open)

[Victor Nikolai]

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XXThe air whispered along the ground, slowly creating a fog that Victor didn’t think belonged along the lake at this time of the year. It was early fall and the leaves were just starting to turn red. Things were so different in Greece. The trees were different, the flowers weren’t what he was used to. Even as a demigod, Vic hadn’t thought to travel to the place which help his ancestors. He tried to stay to the united state, liking the rocky mountains and the big cities. He had always been drawn to the night life of New York. He liked to work hard and play hard. Of course, that very US lifestyle was the reason that he was in this town.

XXNow that he had his daughter with him, Victor didn’t want to be around his old lifestyle. He was afraid that someone would notice her strange abilities, or start her down the long road into trouble. He didn’t trust the people that he used to run with. They were fun and one couldn’t ever know what would happen. That was precisely the reason that he took Angie away from the states. She was different, his baby. She was part demigod and part siren. She would be a handful as a teenager, Victor knew. He was hoping to keep her a child as long as possible. Didn’t all parents?

XXThat was why Victor came to this town full of people like himself. He wanted her raised well and hoped that things didn’t get dangerous. Vic smiled down at the sleeping form in his arms. Her soft snore fused the air with adorable quality. The sun shined on her dark hair, creating a halo. The cool air whispered across the water, creating a nice breeze. This place was peaceful, surpassingly so close to the town. Victor didn’t think that the place would be as filled with drama. It reminded him of tv shows of highschool. It was surprising that mortals and gods had so much in common. Both of them loved to create thing in order to keep them amused. Neither of them cared about what happened to the other people afterwards. Both were egotistical enough to think that the world revolved around them. That was something else that set the demigods apart, they were more down-to-earth.
XXA noise startled Victor out of his musings. He could tell that something was moving out in the forest and hoped that it wasn’t one of the vicious animals he heard of. He knew that he could easily defeat it, as he was used to fighting. He just didn’t want his daughter in danger if she didn’t need to be. It would be difficult to fight while holding her and he refused to put her down in order to fight. He didn’t want to leave her virtually defenceless. He promised himself that he would take care of her always and that was a challenge he knew he couldn’t fail. The pain he would feel would have nothing to do with his need to win.

[Melinoe]

There was a haunting melody mimicking in Melinoe’s head. From the barriers of her memory, she could recollect such sweet tune so well. A childhood song her mother had sung her many times before. Persephone was her mother’s name, she was by far the gauntest most beautiful woman in the underworld. She had the sweetest singing voice, purer than the taste of honey. However, she like every immortal in the underworld was sinister in their own way. She could easily remember as the tune came into her head, the massive cavern like walls of her childhood room in the underworld. It was dark, cold, and everything that was haunting. She could remember at the time, her mother gently holding her. Then before her eyes, her father loomed over her. A daunting smile crept upon his ghastly lips, his eyes burned with dark intensity. Then he snatched Persephone, and at that moment Melinoe knew his intent wasn’t good. He drug her from the room, to his chambers. He knew that she had done something to anger him. After that, Melinoe hadn’t seen her mother for days. It had frightened her, the amount of power her father had.

Now she was grown, a couple hundred years, and full of all the curiosity of a youth. It had seemed for so long she had been sheltered away, in the depths underneath the Earth. Now, she roamed with spirits amongst the Earth. Day by day, it seemed she watched the living longingly. Often times, sadness crept up, and desire to have a future made her yearn to be one of them. However, she knew it wasn’t well to dwell on such thoughts. She was who she was, and she wouldn’t be able to change.

It was upon that day she decided to be daring. To reveal herself, just for the first time for a little while. Although, she feared immensely if some one saw her. Though, she looked as normal as any other. Making sure she was sized petite like most regular human females. In stead of her invisible ghostlike haunting, she would walk amongst the living pretending to be human.

It was that morning she wore a black dress, among others, it was beautiful and small. Her style, she knew wasn’t out of the ordinary for these humans to observe. As she wandered aimlessly through the woods, fear throbbed within her heart. What if, somebody knew who she was? The fear of trying something new had seemed so strange to her. So she stopped, breathing deeply to relieve the stress in which had abruptly pulsed through her.

She began to walk again, through the woods, nearing the lake in which she had passed many times before as a ghost. Now, she was not. She had to act humane. It had seemed, she possessed the skills of communication very well. Like any other God or Goddess. It was then she caught sight of a man, holding a young daughter in his arms. The surreal feeling crept up upon her, as she took notice to his eyes looking into the woods. Melinoe realized, he had already heard her approach. She wasn’t used to being noticed. It was almost enthralling.

The heels she walked with, were painful as she quickly crept out from the woods appearing in front of the man and his daughter. She was graceful. “Oh, you startled me…” Melinoe spoke smoothly, pretending not to have seen him before hand. She looked around quickly, as excuses rolled around quickly in her head. “Sir, have you seen a dog around here? He’s small, scraggily and white. I just had gotten him from a lady today, and oh…he just took off before I could do anything!” She pressed her palm against her forehead, appearing to be slightly distraught. When it came to it, she could be a wonderful actress if she tried.

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[Victor Nikolai]

XX Victor knew that he was risking much staying in this town. The people here knew too much about curses and talents. They knew the myths of the old times and could figure out people’s secrets. He knew that sooner or later someone was going to realize just who he was. If that happened, his own nature could be used against him. As the demigod of victory, it hurt him to lose. That meant that he basically had to do whatever someone challenged him to do. This was bad when someone thought about what this could mean for them. They could get him to kill someone or rob a bank. He was often challenged to make someone fall in love with him, so that he always had to do good things for them. He was challenged to fight his friends and even do something dangerous. This was why he decided not to tell anyone who he was. Only Dion, the son of Dionysus knew exactly who he was and what he could do. He dreaded the day that someone made him do something that would hurt his daughter.
XXAlready she was old enough to walk and talk. Her voice caused pain or hypnotised. If she wasn’t protected, she could be hurt or taken. Victor was sure that many would like to use her as a weapon, if they knew what she could do. It was a good thing that Angie didn’t speak much. Victor was glad of that. He looked down at the sleeping form and smiled, humming slightly as she started to stir. The wind was probably chilling her. Her cheeks were a little rosy. Her face was the only place not covered by a coat or a hat. Every once in a while she would turn her face into his chest as if disturbed by the wind. He knew that she wasn’t too cold, because a father constantly thought of things like that.
XXThe noise in the forest sounded like footsteps moving closer. He couldn’t tell the size of the intruder to determine if it was a person or an animal but he knew that it was moving at a steady pace. An instant before the woman was revealed, Victor considered leaving a different way. That way there would be no confrontation and no need for fighting. Of course, this wasn’t necessary as the sun moved through the clouds to show the form of a petite woman. She didn’t appear to be threatening but that didn’t mean that she wasn’t. Her features were striking, although her eyes didn’t appear to hold any malicious glee in them. She didn’t seem to radiate hatred or anger, like some of the people in town did. Her aura did appear godly though. That worried Victor a little. The gods were often stronger than demigods and if this goddess wanted to harm him or Angie, he didn’t know if he would be able to stop her.
XX Of course that though made Victor feel quite powerless. When the woman started talking, Victor didn’t know if her story was true or not. He didn’t know what goddess would lose track of a dog. He considered her for a moment before nodding. If she really did lose her dog, it would be rude not to believe her, and try to help her. If she was lying though.. it would be best to go along with it for now in order to try to understand her. You can’t beat someone if you don’t know them. “Uh... your dog? I haven’t seen any dogs in the forest. I, umm.. hate to tell you this, but there are a lot of predatory animals in these forests.” He didn’t want to tell her that her dog was probably dead if it was small, but he couldn’t stop himself from warning her, just in case something happened. He was pretty sure that she could be alright because she was a goddess, although if she was human, he might be worried for her. He didn’t know what she really wanted, if she was lying, so he just shifted Angie slightly and watched the woman.

[Melinoe]

The thrill of confronting Victor was almost exciting. Never in her life had she experienced such a situation, presenting herself. However, as she presented herself, all her brief fears slipped away. It was the realization that swept over her, what was there to even be afraid of? Her sultry warm eyes glanced over his features, examining him briefly. Then that of his young daughter cradled in his arms, fast asleep. It was almost beautiful, father and daughter. It was Melinoe that had always been curious of the nature of children. For years it had seemed she loomed in the darkness, observing the youth in their natural state…beautiful and full of life, and she had thought it was absolutely incredible.

Yet, as she saw this she became much more inquiring. Though, she kept her lips pursed. Her sensations were caught of guard as her eyes graced his slightly. His persona, was of a powerful trait. Although, she couldn’t specify what it was about him that seemed so powerful. Not as defying as those of her powers, although strong. As she listened to his words, she frowned. A sense of obscurity drowned out the brightness within her eyes momentarily. She looked around, pretending to be frantic. “Oh no, say it’s not so…” She heaved a deep sigh as she took a step back. She wondered if she was submitting herself as too much.

She eased her mind only slightly as she dropped her hands to her side. She looked up, staring into his eyes for only brief seconds before she looked away. “Well…I’ve looked everywhere. Just terrible, always could get another dog, but it’s really a shame.”

She looked down, biting the corner of her lip only slightly. Shaking her head as her chesnut locks scattered all about her shoulders, dropping behind her slender shoulders. Melinoe looked up, watching the sleeping daughter. Then again, she was tempted to glance into his eyes once again. There, the spark of Godliness struck her. He was a son of somebody, and she could feel it. There was no need making up a fool‘s story for a demi-god, he most likely caught on himself. That was then she smiled, and looked away into the distance without speaking.

“Demi-God, eh? I’m a absolute fool for trying to trick you. I didn‘t even know you were at first. Now, it‘s so apparent.” She leaned back and laughed, voice admitting loudly through the atmosphere. She shook her head sarcastically and looked up towards him and his girl. “No worries, my intentions aren‘t bad. No, no. This foolish Goddess was trying to meet her first mortal. Well…consider yourself kind of the first.” She shook her head shamelessly.

“Melinoe, daughter of Hades. Who may you be?”

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[Victor Nikolai]

XX Victor realized soon enough that he was right in his judgment. She was lying. Her reaction to his statement about the animals proved as much. No one who wanted a god would be so under control if their pet could be in danger. She also seemed surprised by his comment, as if she forgot her story already. Victor was very aware of the girl sleeping in his arms. Soon he would need to bring her inside. He knew that she wouldn’t likely sleep in her own room if she got too used to being with Victor. He didn’t think that this girl was going to be a problem. She didn’t take advantage of the vulnerable position that Victor was in.
XX Victor nodded again when she confessed her real reasons for navigating the forest. Of course she would notice that he was a demigod. That didn’t surprise him. Her lineage did surprise him though. As the daughter of Hades she would not only have more power than him but also have more connections. If she wanted something, she could get her father to get it for her. Of course she didn’t look like a spoiled girl. The fact that she was kind of meeting her first human showed that she didn’t get out much. It also showed that she wanted to do something and it seemed like she was doing it herself. Victor knew that he wasn’t like the humans in the world. He spent most of his time with other demigods and gods and didn’t really care about humans until a few years ago. Humans wasted no time because of their short lives. That was what separated them from everyone else.
XXVictor knew that he should probably explain who he was. It was only polite to tell who his mother was, but he didn’t think it was a good idea. If this woman told someone, anyone, it could get out. That would put him and Angie in danger. And everything he did lately was for his daughter. Everything changed when she was born. He couldn’t believe that something so perfect came from something he did. He created life and that little baby was precious. The partying no longer mattered to him. Who cared about being drunk when you had a little one waiting for you at home? Who cared about the drama of the gods when someone was depending on you? He knew that things would have been different if Angie’s mother had survived the birthing. He regretted that he didn’t know her better in order to tell Angie things about her when she grew up. It never occurred to him that someone else could be a mother to the girl. He did wonder if he could raise her right on his own.
XXRealizing that he needed to answer her somehow, he smiled slightly. She was pretty and looked to be intelligent. He probably couldn’t lie to her, so he decided to omit some parts of the truth. “I’m Victor Nikolai, and this is my daughter, Angie. It’s nice to meet you, although I’m not really human. I have spent time with them, and know that I don’t have much in common with them. Is there a reason you haven’t been able to meet one? It would seem that this isn’t your first time in civilization. “ He moved towards her, so that they could talk easier. He had decided that she wouldn’t be harmful.

[Melinoe]

It had occurred to her there was no sense of nervousness that had had earlier stressed her will power. Though, she had never even met a demi-god (which was very suprising), it seemed adventurous enough at the moment. Already, she looked as if she solely existed in stead of casting herself as a spirit. To Melinoe, he had already seemed so appealing. It had been her first encounter with any immortal in a couple months. For she had stayed away from the Gods’ for some time already. It was her time to become independent, her duty to live among the Spirits that walked the earth.

It was a foolish tale to lie about, even she knew it herself. The shame that had briefly appeared when admitting the truth, quickly disappeared. She knew that he wouldn’t question her about such untruthful fib, it was simply rude in his eyes. Among God’s, demi-gods, and humans it seemed every one had to be so formal to the higher power. It wasn‘t like she was going to smite anybody for their wrong doing, unless it had truly enraged her.

As she looked upon the man and his daughter being cradled in his arms, her prying persona reemerged. Had he raised her alone, all this time? Was she really his daughter? She stopped herself from asking these questions. Even the God‘s of Olympus always admitting her snooping characteristics, and she had been slowly learning to stop herself from asking. She smiled faintly at the sleeping child, then looked up towards Victor. As he spoke, his lucid words seemed to ease her mind away from distraction.

Victor, not a uncommon name. The true definition, victory, and it was a proud and honorable name tp have in Athena. Who was he related to that made him a demi-god? She paused, her mind warping around the concern. Melinoe decided not to pry, and if she was still curious later she would ask the questions elsewhere. It seemed she could figure it out herself, by encountering a God.

“Honorable name Victor.” She smiled cordially, her lips twisting to reveal her ivory teeth. She glanced upon his daughter once again as he introduced her. She was a youthful beauty for as young as she was. “She is precious,” Melinoe commented before listening to what else he had to say.

It was right then Melinoe caught sight of a vivid image of a translucent spirit several feet from her. She saw them everywhere, and sometimes they just loved to bother her. This one was staring idly straight at both of them. A man in a suit, frowning. She sighed, knowing that only she could see these spirits that hadn’t crossed over. The man most likely wanted her to help him, that’s what most of them wanted.

She ignored him and looked back at Victor, her smile still soft upon her lips. “Ah, perhaps it is your Godlike qualities that dominate those of your human ones. That’s odd, doesn’t seem to happen to most demi-gods. Well, so I’ve been told.

Melinoe could still see the man in the corner of her eye, wavering back in forth…impatient. Although, this angered her slightly; she continued to ignore. “Hard to say. I suppose my father had made them out since my youth as a destructive existence. Always had told me to stay away. Now, I am independent…I am curious of how they work.”

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[Victor Nikolai]

XX Victor assessed the girl before him. He had heard the tales about the daughter of Hades. Until this time, he hadn’t really thought about it. He didn’t think that there were any myths about her harming people for no reason. He also didn’t get the feeling that she meant him harm. That didn’t mean that he would tell her who he was. At least not yet. She seemed quite curious as she watched him hold Angie. It was obvious that she didn’t have children. It also seemed that she didn’t have the best childhood. If she had, it would seem normal for her to see parents adore their children. It was also obvious that she wanted to ask him questions. She seemed to be able to contain them, although he didn’t think that she would be able to do so for long.
XX Of course she would be able to figure out the answers on her own, or at least from conversations they might have. He was sure that she couldn’t get the information about his lineage from the others around the town. He was known as the son of a lesser air god. No one knew that he was actually Nike’s offspring. It might be easy enough to figure out if someone looked into what his name stood for. Both Victor and Nikolai stood for victory. He wasn’t born with a last name because people didn’t have last names when he was born. But when he started spending more time in the cities with mortals, he needed both a last name and an identity. Over time, he switched names to blend in. They all meant victory though. He needed to keep his identity a secret for as long as possible. No one was that trustworthy.
XXHe did notice that she seemed to watch Angie with something akin to wonder. He knew that she was perfect, but of course that didn’t mean that she was a magic being to everyone. Most people didn’t like children and didn’t think that it was a miracle to create another life. That softened his judgment of her. “Yes, she is amazing. She might look like an angel when she is asleep, but she can be a little devil during the day,” he smiled fondly while saying it. He didn’t find anything wrong with the child, not even her crazy childish ways. She was the reason he breathed. Victor looked up to the woman who seemed so unintentionally innocent. She was pretty but didn’t seem to realize how much that meant in this world. He didn’t want to watch her find that out, though. It seemed like a tragedy to watch someone so unconsciously likeable turn into one of the society bitches that he had partied with before Angie came along.
XXVictor tried to ignore the way that the girl seemed to glance at a seemingly empty space near her. She looked like she was trying to pay no attention to it, although he could tell she was aware of something. Instinctively he tightened his grip on Angie slightly. He didn’t want to hurt her or wake her up, but he was uncomfortable being unable to see something that might pose a threat. It was in his nature to understand anything that could hurt him or his. He tipped his head to the side before consulting her. “Um, is everything alright? Maybe we should go into town before it gets dark. I wouldn’t want Angie to catch a cold.”