milliways_bar | (no subject)

Iris always liked Odysseus. It was difficult, long ago, to remain silent during Odysseus' trials to return home to his wife, but he always succeeded. Forever succeeded.

His endeavors after returning home have been somewhat less fruitful.

Above all things Odysseus, now that Telemachus is born unto him, wants to avoid going to war. Palamedes defeats his feigning of madness in his usual cutthroat way. Iris detests it; the lord Ares compliments the man's cunning.

Iris takes flight once she is dismissed from service for the time being --

-- and ends up somewhere she wasn't expecting.

Her wings immediately pull back and disappear, feet touching the ground and Iris sprints to the bar, leaving two notes.

Kyrios:

I am well, but there is war in Troy and I am called to duty more and more often. I want to stay and search for you, but I do not know how much time has passed and I know I must return to service. Please try to reach me in some way.

Blessing upon you, your sister, and all of those whom you love.

Iris Chrysopteron

--

To any who will require such notice,

I, Iris Chrysopteron, she who is messenger of Hera Hyperkheiria and in her service am returned to Greece. I know not when I will return but if you require aught of me, leave word here.

Blessings upon you and your house.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

He reads her note after a bad night with dreams of Erik turning away and Slenderman destroying his control. To know that she soon will be facing the war in Troy and those pains makes his mental voice loud and yearning,

Iris, I'm here.

And Iris was not expecting that voice in her head.

Charles?

I just got your note. Where are you?

On the dais near the exit.

Talk about timing.

After an abnormally long moment of silence:

Should I stay?

Can you? He knows how pressing her duties can be, but he misses her.

Not long.

I will wait.

He moves quickly through the Friday night crowd to find her, searching for the rainbow feel of her mind.

Iris is easier to find than most people - especially with Charles' talents.

When he steps into view, Iris smiles at him (she doesn't know how not to) but doesn't walk closer as she might have in the past.

Hello, kyrios.

"Hello, I know you can't stay but its good to see you,"

Instinctively he moves closer to her, wanting any touch that she'll give. The Facility is full of strange connections with Erik and Slenderman opened him more than he wished to be. She is Iris, who he loves and is true.

"It is always good to see you as well, Charles." Even if it is awkward.

"How long has it been since I have been here, for you?"

"A few months, fewer on my side of the door than the Milliways' side. Time's gone a little strange,"

Awkward can be worked around, he has practice with awkward.

It was not my intention to disappear.

I know and it sounds as if you've had pressing demands upon you. I would never take away from your duties.

Though he does miss her light and the touch of her mind.

That is how they differ, for previously Iris would have gladly taken Charles away from his.

So.

Which I'm doing by speaking to you now.

This wasn't what he meant to happen but that is how life goes. He takes another step towards her and thinks of the war that has started in Troy, she is a messenger and messengers are called everywhere.

If I truly did not think I could spare the time, I would not have stayed.

I was half convinced my disappearance would have your thoughts stay elsewhere.

With others more present than she.

The look on his face is complicated, Erik wants more than Charles can give yet he wants more than Erik can give and he reaches for Iris' hand.

Also there was the pain of October which he is still navigating.

Some of them are ever drawn that way, which will not change but you are also always present.

Edited 2013-04-06 03:57 (UTC)

Which will not change.

Charles the constant.

It's almost a laugh, somehow.

Now he does truly smile, she knows him,

If I'm not constant than I'll lose myself amongst others.

Odysseus and the sirens, Iris thinks of suddenly, and it's a jarring reminder of where she is supposed to be.

It lightens me to know that you have not forgotten me, Iris offers, still too formal.

Its disconcerting to see what he used to only know as myth in her thoughts and he frowns.

No, and I won't. Go if you need to. You told me that you've heard me while you've been away. I will keep sending thoughts and prayers to you. Go where you're needed.

Thank you.

It's simple, but it's all she knows to say at the moment.

There is the door - and there is Charles. Duty and want.

Iris finally leans in close to Charles, kissing him gently on the lips. In her mind the refracted light throughout Charles' form brightens at the touch, amplified sheltered by the contact.

I hope to see you again quite soon.

He closes his eyes to hold onto the kiss and the feel and color of her.

As do I.