Summary:A simple discussion between the Olympian god and a mortal scientist Log Info:Storyteller: None |
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It's a thankfully less crowded night in Luke's, just a few regulars at the bar, the backup bartender (a gray haired older black man) checking people's drinks and making sure there's no ruckus. Then again, someone would have to be suffering from a serious attack of stupid to start a ruckus, considering who's leaning at the far end of the bar, mug in hand. Hercules seems to have taken a shine to the place, and is casually sipping from the mug and chitchatting with the bartender when he has the chance. Hard to tell if anyone /believes/ Herc's tales, but he certainly seems sincere enough.
Honey Lemon had only arrived to New York within the past week and was still settling in. She had passed by Luke a few times on her going abouts of the city and decided to finally stop in. Her eyes cautiously sweep over area as she makes her way towards the bar.
Hercules looks absolutely strange — a canvas coat slung over his bare chest, with trousers and boots and that gaudy lion's head buckled belt. That doesn't stop him from cheerfully talking to the bartender. "No, the worst was definitely the hind." "Hind?" the bartender asks, brows furrowing. Herc chuckles, "Deer. Sorry. It was a deer with golden antlers, and I had to capture it — unharmed. I chased that stupid deer for a good year before I finally caught it, and then I had to take it back to the grove because I just knew with my luck, someone would shoot at it with a bow and I'd get the blame."
Honey Lemon couldn't help but draw her attention to Hercules as he is divulging that story to the bartender. Her movement drawing her to claim a seat nearby to the strangely dressed man. Oddity can pique interest in a doctor's mind, of Molecular Chemistry but doctor nonetheless. Unable to contain her curiosity she inquires, "A deer with golden antlers? WHy is it you were put in charge with protecting it and making sure it remained unharmed?" Her hand reaching up to adjust her glasses as her blue eyes settle on Herc's blues.
The bartender slips off to deal with another customer, as Hercules's eyes fall upon Honey's. He smiles faintly, "It was one of my labors. The Ceryneian hind was a beast sacred to Artemis. I was tasked with capturing it unharmed." He chuckles. "Do they not tell the story any more? I see so many other references… then again, it's not nearly as exciting as the one about the hydra."
Honey Lemon kindly responds, "I fear I was not taught it but I am from the otherwise of the country. And… you mentioned aa hydra?" When the bartender comes to her she requests, "Long Island please." Her eyes flitting from Herc to the tender and then back as she inquires, "Might you be willing to regale the tale of the hydra? I am quite fond of listening."
Hercules lifts his eyebrows. "If you wish. I cannot refuse a pretty girl." He winks broadly, before continuing, "The Lernaean Hydra was a horrid beast that laired in a lake in eastern Greece, in the old days. It had all the requirements for being a monster, sad to say: foul scent, poisonous blood, and a taste for human flesh. My nephew, Iolaus, and I killed it — I would cut off its heads and protect Iolaus from its strikes, while he darted out and seared the stumps with a torch to keep them from growing back." He smiles wistfully, memories rising up in his eyes. "He was an amazing lad, braver than many men. When we finally got to the head that wouldn't die, he remarked that even if it was immortal, it wouldn't bother people as much if it was buried under a rock. Clever, clever lad."
Honey Lemon's cheeks lightly flush at the compliment paid, her hand moving to tuck some of her golden locks behind one of her ears. Excitement dances in her eyes as she listens to the tale, visualizing playing it out within her mind before she responds, "I can imagine it was quite the battle. I am sure many would pay to watch something so wonderous occur. Such a battle." A brief pause before she ponders, "How old ago was this?"
Hercules seems lost in thought for a moment, before returning to the here and now. "How long ago, you mean?" He takes a long pull from his mug. "About three thousand years," he says with a sparkle in his eye. "Some things should be remembered forever, but that's a pretty good length of time regardless."
Honey Lemon would drop the glass of whatever she was drinking if she had it. She had heard about such things but never actually met someone who lived for that long. Her eyes stuck staring at him in a touch of disbelief for a moment before a smile curls her lips. The tall glass pressed against her hand aiding in her return to reality as she responds, "Really? But… you look so young.. and.. wow." A nervous laugh given before she drinks a bit of her Long Island Iced Tea down.
Hercules studies his mug, then gives Honey a smile. "Living well. That's the ticket." He leans over slightly, regarding the young woman. "Now you've heard a tale of mine, do you have one to share as well? I'd love to know your name, for starters." He grins impishly. "Mine's practically public knowledge."
Honey Lemon was in the middle of sipping on her drink a bit when he leans slightly closer. Her straw pulled from her lips as she responds, "Oh me? I … I not /really/ have any tales besides my my chemical mixing for time to time. And I am Aiko. Doctor Aiko Miyazaki. But Aiko is just fine. We are at a bar after all." She pauses before she states, "Never thought I would actually meet the real Hercules." Her fingertips lightly tracing along the rim of her glass.
Hercules chuckles. "The reality, Doctor… Aiko… is that I'm not that different. I've just been around for longer. And things have changed since the days of Theseus and Iolaus… there are far fewer 'blank spaces' in the world. Of course," he adds with a grin, cheering up, "some things have NOT changed. The need for champions among humanity, for example."
Honey Lemon laughs softly before she points out, "Not most of us live as long as you have. But I do imagine things are vastly different now compared to back then." Her straw gently moved to stir her drink as she responds, "And yes, champions are indeed needed among humanity.
Hercules nods. "And there are so many ways to pursue… in the old days we'd call it 'arete'. I think the best translation is 'excellence' or 'greatness'. Regardless of what you are doing, do it well. Try to be the best you can at it, even if it seems humble." He drains his mug, setting it aside for the moment. "Those will be the ones who are remembered above all others."
Honey Lemon sips throw her straw once more as she listens. Eventually her drink is set down on the bar top as she responds, "I always try to persue Arete then. In my talents anyway. We all have our strengths and our weaknesses after all." Her hand signals for her glass to be topped off as she states, "I imagine you will always be remembered, even if someone like myself might need a tale or two retold."
Hercules grins fiercely. "That's all anyone can ask, Aiko. And who knows what the result will be?" He arches an eyebrow. "Maybe someday, they'll tell tales of /you/. Just make sure they're good tales — life's too short for bad ones."