“Hmm… Oh! Alright. I suppose I can keep an eye on your cats.” she acknowledged, extinguishing the flame before walking into the other room. Perhaps now would not be a good time to reveal herself. And it would be embarrassing to admit that she was being punished and currently a former goddess. But if her… host asked, then she would tell her. It was a little odd that she hadn't asked her name yet but she pushed that thought out of her mind for now. “Perhaps I will rest. It's been an… eventful day for me.” Maddalena nodded, realizing that she did feel a little tired after all.
She nods in thanks, "They're usually well behaved! Just keep them safe!" She called as she walked out of the door. "There's a guest room down the hall, you're more than welcome to use that!" She exits the house and rushes to her car. The drive into town was about an hour if the traffic was heavy, so she knew she needed to make it past the heavily traffic areas to get to work on time.
(Do we want to do a time skip to when she gets home, or get Maddalena antiquated with the cats?)
Maddalena nodded slightly in acknowledgement as the other woman left. She didn't really care that she had to leave as it would give her time to adjust to the current situation as well as test what she was still able to do. Though she would still rest a bit and keep an eye on the cats. It shouldn't be too hard to watch three little kittens… She didn't show it often, if at all, but she did have a special soft spot for certain animals and cats happened to be one of them.
After a moment of the quiet, the former goddess sighed a little and headed into the kitchen. She wasn't entirely sure if her stomach would be able to hold much at the moment but she figured it might do some good to eat a little bit of the food Azalea made. It was a little surprising how good the food actually tasted.
(Sorry, today just got away from me. We can actually do either one if you want. If we do a time skip, maybe we can just hint at her interaction with the cats.)
(No worries! As for timeskipping or not, I think it would be fine if we did a time skip.)
(Alright. Time skip is fine with me.)
(Sounds good! Give me just a second)
(Sorry about disappearing. Some stuff popped up with family. I've been dealing with some stuff. I'll reply soon!)
(That's ok. I hope everything is alright.)
(It could definitely be better. I'll most likely reply in the morning ^^)
(Alright… Well, good night then.)
Azalea made it home as the sun was setting, looking rather tired as she pushed open the front door. She dropped her things next to the coat rack and kicked off her shoes. Work had always exhausted her like this, had always made her leave early in the morning and come home late, but it was worth it if she had a stable life and was able to provide for herself and her kittens. She ran a hand through her hair and smiled, glad to take in the familiarity of the front hallway. "I'm home!" She called out softly. At that, she heard thundering down the hall as her three kittens rushed to greet her. She knelt down and pressed a kiss to each of their heads and pet them for a moment.
Maddalena stood up and carefully followed the cats toward Azalea’s voice, though she walked much slower. Overall, her day had been… disappointing. She did rest for a while, as she had agreed to, but she had also tested what other abilities she could still use only to find that she was just stronger than an untrained Demi. (her nickname for demigods) Besides that discovery, she had also spent a fair amount of time acclimating herself to her new surroundings and calling up to the others in an attempt to go back home. Obviously, everything she tried had failed; threats, insults, bargaining, even a little bit of begging and bribery. She had often felt ignored by them before but this… this actually hurt a little more than usual. “You were gone quite a long time.” she greeted Azalea from the other end of the hall.
Azalea glances up when the woman spoke, nodding slowly. "I work long shifts, I'm usually the first one there, and the last one to leave." She brushed some hair from her face and stood. "How are you feeling? Is there anyone I can call, let them know where you are? How are your injuries?" She tilts her head ever so slightly as she removed her coat and hung it neatly over the coat rack before moving into the kitchen to get started on dinner. "You hit your head pretty hard, so take as much time as you need. My cats seem to like you, so I'm not to worried about you doing anything too rash." She chuckles playfully, turning on a small radio that sat on the counter.
Maddalena hummed softly, accepting her answer, though it didn't seem fair considering how short mortal lives were. They should have some time to enjoy it. “I am fine, thank you. As I told you before my injuries were minimal.” She let out a soft, slightly annoyed, huff of a laugh at the final question she had to answer. “I… No. Not really. I already tried to contact them but since they're the ones who kicked me out, they're just going to ignore me.” she told Azalea, clenching her fist again. “So, damn them anyway. They can just go to the Underworld for all I care.” Her eyes seemed to flash gold in her anger before she forced herself to calm down with a deep slow breath as she looked back over at the human. “Thank you for letting me stay.” she said in a softer tone with a light chuckle. “I would hope that your cats like me after spending all day with me. But I have to admit, you seem very… calm and trusting of a complete stranger. You don't even seem curious about the fact that I left a crater in your yard.”
She nods slowly at that, letting her hair down as she listened to Maddalena. "That sounds rough. I know a thing or two about getting kicked out." She chuckles softly, "Of course, they always come back whenever you're well off, begging you to help them in their times of need." She rolled her eyes. "You're more than welcome. Us strays have to stick together, ya know?" She hummed and glanced over at the other. "Out here it's a pretty safe place to live, plus you created a crater in my yard. And while I'm genuinely curious about that story, we can leave it for another day…" She trailed off as she started to gather ingredients to make something to eat. "Do you have any allergies? Just so I'm aware?" She grabs a few veggies from the fridge, as well as a kind of pasta. As for the cats, one was sitting lazily in the window, the smallest one was weaving through Azalea's feet, and the third was watching Maddalena from the top of the refrigerator with unblinking eyes.
Maddalena hummed slightly and gave a brief nod. “Well, this is the first time for me. I admit that I have been threatened with various punishments before but never like this before. So, yes, I suppose it has been rough.” she agreed glancing over at her… host. “Though I can't imagine what it was like for you, I am sorry that you were kicked out of your home as well.” The former goddess chuckled at being called a stray, though she couldn't deny the slight appeal of it. Especially considering strays were usually some of her best followers. “Yes. I do know. Perhaps it was fortunate that I ended being found by you..” she smiled a little as she reached up and gently picked up the cat from the top of the refrigerator and held it, scratching behind its ears. “No. I don't have any allergies.” she chuckled lightly. “Would you like any help?”
(Hi! Sorry about the disappearance. I wasn't feeling well ^^)
Azalea nods slowly, humming as she added a few things to the food cooking on the stove. "Getting kicked out of the home was an expectation really. It wasn't surprising when it happened. I got kicked out, grabbed what I could and went to live with a friend." She sighed softly and ran a hand through her hair. She shrugged, "Of course they came back begging when they saw I was successful." She rolled her eyes, "But by then the damage had already been done." She shrugged and relaxed. "Perhaps it was. However, if you're going to stay here, it would be best if you pulled your own weight. Just make sure the space you stay in is clean, and you fix the crater in the yard, that's all I ask." She hummed and shook her head. "No, it's alright. I enjoy cooking." She laughed softly and glances over at the cat in Maddalena's arms. "That's Clotho, the one wrapping around my legs is Lachesis, and the one in the window is Atropos." She chuckled, "Each of them are named after the fates."
(It's ok. I saw the name change and figured something came up, so I just bumped when I saw you were back on. Hope you're feeling better.)
Maddalena nodded as she listened to the human’s story. “At least you had the opportunity to grab your belongings. All I have with me is the clothes on my back. Not that I had much back home either but… My home isn't exactly someplace most can reach, so any attempt to reclaim my belongings would be futile at best.” she explained with a small shrug and a sigh. “Besides, there is something I have been quested to do before I would be allowed to return. I just don't really know how to go about it.” She wasn't telling her this to gain her pity, it was just nice to get these things off her chest. Though, personally, the thought of the Parthenon on their knees begging her to come back made her smirk in her mischievous little way. Oh, how she would revel at that moment… “Hmm? Oh, yes. I can certainly do those things in return for your kindness.” she nodded at the simple request. Mortals were somewhat funny and a bit odd with the things they asked. Some asked for immortality or infinite riches… Others asked for much more modest things. It seemed to the former goddess that Azalea was of the latter group. She looked at each of the cats and chuckled softly as she continued to pet Clotho. “No wonder they seem to get along so well with me. Though I have to say I'm impressed. Not many people know the names of the Fates.”
Azalea listens quietly as she continues to cook, humming softly. "What is it that they told you to do? I don't know much, but maybe I can help." She chuckles softly before picking up Lachesis and scratching her behind the ears as the soup cooked. "Ah, thank you. I would do it myself, but work has me pretty tired." She chuckles softly, but there was a hint of sadness in her tone. She always worked so hard, but it was like she never had time to do things she enjoyed. "You're more than welcome to take things at your own pace, I know it can be stressful for people to be micromanaging your work." She laughed softly. Azalea seemed to live modestly, her cabin was small, and neatly kept, and her gardens were beautiful, full of homegrown foods, beautiful flowers, just… everything was so beautiful. She smiled at the compliment. "Before I went into my current job… I loved studying different cultures, Greek was one of my favorite to study… of course, it's slowly moved to Norse, but I digress." She hummed as she settled down on the couch in the living room.
Maddalena shook her head with a small chuckle. “Thank you for the offer but I don't know how much you can do to help me reclaim something that has been mine since I first opened my eyes.” she said, still a little unsure about revealing herself just yet. On the other hand, why shouldn't she tell her? She wasn't ashamed of her position. In fact, she was very proud of it. But… Perhaps it was the thought of being considered insane or losing Azalea’s favor that was holding her back. Being kicked out once was more than enough for now. “Trust me. Of all the things I have been asked, yours will not be a problem.” she assured with a slight smirk. Though she easily picked up on the soft tone. It seemed that she, at least, was aware of the unfairness of her choice of work. “Do you enjoy your job?” she asked, raising a brow. Perhaps there was something else she could do for her… Maddalena nodded at the explanation and smiled. “I can understand that. I haven't been to Greece in a while, but I remember how much I enjoyed my visits. Though these days much of it has been blended with Roman culture from the invasion. It's not necessarily a bad thing, but there are some things that they lost because of it.” she laughed a little at the mention of Norse mythology and culture. “Ah, I haven't seen much Norse culture in such a long time. I remember visiting once or twice and how impressive it was, especially with respect to women.”
Azalea nods slowly, humming in thought. "Well… if there's anything you need help with, just let me know." She says happily, her eyes gentle. She pressed a kiss to Lachesis's head and smiled a little bit, "Sounds like you've been asked to do a lot." She commented quietly, setting the kitten down before pausing at the question. "I wouldn't necessarily say I enjoy my job. But- it allows me to keep food on the table and pay for my home. My boss-" She cleared her throat, not daring to go any further. She didn't think she could. She cleared her throat. "I think at the end of the day it's worth it. So long as my gardens are thriving and my babies are taken care of." She laughs quietly. "As for Greece, I've been there a few times, it's so beautiful. Seeing the ruins always has me in awe. It makes me wonder what living there was like before the modern age happened." She chuckles. "I was planning to move to scotland to understand more about Norse mythology, but fate had other plans." She gives Clotho a look before moving back to the pot and carefully stirring the soup. She nods in satisfaction before adding some pasta and kale. "I have a sister that lives up there. After mum and dad's passing, she didn't like living here anymore."
“Thank you.” Maddalena nodded, actually grateful for her offer. She shrugged a little. “It sounds much simpler than it most likely will be. I have a feeling that they would find any way to interfere and keep me here. I… We didn't always get along or agree on much but I never thought that they might hate me as much as to punish me this way.” she sighed, shaking her head. Why was she saying so much that was so personal? Was it a side effect of being forced into a mortal human form? Or perhaps it was just something about Azalea that made her want to talk. The tall brunette raised a brow at the way she cut herself off at the mention of her employer. “He doesn't respect you or what you do for him?” she questioned gently thought she had another suspicion of that man. One that was mostly founded, admittedly, on the behaviors she had witnessed from the male members of most Parthenons. She smiled softly and nodded at the mention of the ruins. “They were very beautiful. I… I imagine life was much simpler and more vibrant. Full of life and beauty and passion. Everything handmade with meaning and purpose.” she sighed nostalgically. She hadn't thought about it much, but she missed it. Those old ruins as they used to be in all their splendor and glory. The people who lived there… the mischief she caused. But she couldn't get lost in old memories now. Now, she had caught the look Azalea had given her cat and laughed at the little joke. “I see… I’m sorry for your loss. But, if I may, I had always considered Scotland more of a Celtic heritage. Different from Ireland, of course, but still Celtic.” she said, curious as to what her host's reply would be. “I suppose they would still know somethings about Norse culture considering they invaded those lands but… I have to say that Loki was always a personal favorite. A bit of a kindred spirit.” she added with a shrug.
Azalea hummed softly in thought. "I'm sure things will work out. To be completely honest, usually when something bad happens, the best thing to do is to keep looking forward. Learn from our shortcomings and keep going." She smiled softly at the other. "I know that sometimes things are hard and it seems like a constant nightmare, or the world is against us, but the best thing is to keep our head high and keep going." She explained softly. When asked about her employer and nods slowly. "Not often no." She muttered softly, her voice oh so quiet. Of course there was more too it but of course she didn't want to admit that. It's not like she could. She listened intently as Maddalena spoke, her head tilted as she listened. It was clear she was giving Maddalena all her attention, a small smile on her lips. "Scotland is a lot of mixed heritage. I want to go there to explore the pagan roots." She explains warmly, a small glimmer appearing in her eyes, "Ah sorry. I've been rambling so much tonight." She rubbed the back of her head and chuckled nervously. She chuckles and nods before humming and running a hand through her hair. "Loki has been a patron god for a while." She murmured warmly. She motioned to a small alter in the other room. It was filled with candles, tarot decks, small offerings, etc.
