Luke's Farm

An old farmhouse on the outskirts of town. Luke lovingly restored it and now uses the vast land to produce his own fruit and vegetables. There is a large barn out the back that houses his livestock, including horses, cows and chickens. You can usually hear them as you drive by mixed with the barks of Luke's two dogs.
 


"Oh man..it looks so much worse in the daylight.." Luke sighed as he and Haidee emerged at the top of the road into his farm and could see the full extent of the fires damage. The house was completely destroyed and nothing could be salvaged from it. "I guess its time to build a new house then." He joked weakly. "Maybe I'll make something fancier.."

"Oh.. Luke..." Haidee covered her lips with her fingertips as she surveyed the damage for the first time. It was so awful, to lose one's home, especially like this. His farm was mostly untouched, thankfully, and she was glad to hear his animals were ok, but she still wanted so dearly to hug him, to comfort him for his loss, and she couldn't. Her fingers curled into a fist and she turned her frown on him. She couldn't. "I'm so sorry.... If you need anything, please, just let me know. I want to help in any way I can."

"You got a spare room?" Luke asked jokingly before he realised what he had said then suddenly blushed and shook his head. "Just kidding..I doubt you would want me hanging round all the time. We've just got a new housemate..and she's a little too much to handle for me. But I'll be ok.." He finished with a weak smile.

Luke's blush went almost entirely unnoticed as Haidee forgot how to breathe. When she remembered, she had to shake her head while she worked out how to speak as well. "I'm sorry," she told him again, though she would have to let him believe it was because she didn't have one, not that she couldn't stand the idea of trying to share a living space with him. Well, she didn't have a spare room, but that was not the primary reason for her denial. She could make something nice for his new home when he had it built though and bring him meals from time to time while he worked, she supposed. "Will you get help in building your new home?" she continued, and motioned for him to lead the way so they could check the horses and begin the daily chores

Luke gave a small shrug as he turned and led the way towards the barn. "I fixed this one up by myself so I'll just build the next one myself. How hard can it be?" He joked before he pulled open the door and stepped inside, setting the small basket aside for safety as he did. "Do you have any experience with horses Haidee?" He asked as he moved to the first stall and reached out a hand to stroke the horses neck before he rested his forehead against its nose lovingly. It was obvious he was happy they were ok.

It was hard to breath again, watching Luke be tender, but it was different from the panic she felt moments before. It was a wanton ache. "Not really," she admitted quietly. "Mostly just dogs, cats.. the occasional bird or fish. Do they need fed?" She looked around, trying to identify what even might be used for that, not entirely realizing what she had admitted to.

"There's a large plastic barrel over there with their food in it, just dip one of the buckets into it and then we can put it in their stalls.." Luke replied before straightening up. "Or if you want to do something even cooler, I store some of my apples and carrots in the box over there.." He said pointing to the far wall. "Grab something out of it and offer it to him, he'll take it right out of your hand. He's incredibly gentle so you don't have to worry about him biting you." He gave Haidee and encouraging smile.

The horse biting her was very far from what she was worried about, but deciding she had to take the advice of gods at some point, she plucked up her courage as she went and retrieved a bucket of food and, after a bit of looking, the longest carrot she could find in the box. When she returned, she set the bucket down for a moment and moved to the horse, extending her arm almost completely with the carrot held out so there was no possible way it would make contact with her skin. Only the carrot. It absolutely had to be the carrot. She swallowed, holding its eyes, and as soon as the horse took hold of the other end she released it, pulling her hand back. It munched rather placidly, still standing, still breathing. It seemed ok. She didn't even notice that instead of elation or wonder, she was instead looking rather critically at a very healthy horse.

Luke watched her, still smiling. "See? Totally safe. He would never hurt you." He said as he touched a hand to her arm in the hopes of pulling her attention away from the horse and over to him. "Like me.." He suddenly added as his hand slide down her arm towards her hand. "I would never hurt you.."

"And I know you would never hurt me.." Ate whispered as she stood outside the barn, peering in through a small hole in the wall as Luke repeated her words. 

Haidee, who was wearing a long sleeve and jacket of her own, was only startled to feel his hand on her, but she was quick to look at it and then to the owner. What was he... His hand drifted lower toward hers and she carefully shifted to break the contact before their skin could meet. She gave him a small smile, but picked up the bucket of feed to further discourage hand holding. It had turned out fine on the beach but she still didn't know why. Ate was a goddess, that's why the contact hadn't killed her. But Luke.. No, every time they touched was a chance and she wouldn't know until it went wrong, and she very much didnt want it to go wrong. "Of course not," she assured him. "We're friends, friends don't do that to each other." A firm, singular nod, and she turned back to the horse. "Could you open the stall so I can put this in there?" She lifted the feed a bit more to emphasize her point.

Ate blinked at Haidee before huffing and frowning. "Come on Haidee!" She hissed in annoyance as Luke seemed to flush with embarrassment and quickly nod at Haidee's request.

"Oh..y-yeah of course." He said unable to understand what had just come over him. He quickly stepped up to the door of the stall and unhooked it, allowing it to swing open, glancing briefly at Haidee as her words repeated in his head. We're friends.. He stepped in and motioned towards the feeding trough to the side of the stall. "Just put it in here." He instructed as Ate focused on him again and began to whisper. "Haidee.." He said and turned towards her suddenly. "I'd love to take you out for dinner..and not just as friends. I want to show you just how special you are.." He said boldly as he fixed her with a strong gaze.

Haidee, who had already partially dumped the feed into the trough after checking the horse wouldn't bump her, dropped the bucket at Luke's word, mouth a little agape. A hot blush rose to her cheeks but the thud of the bucket in the trough pulled her attention back to her task and she quickly retrieved it. "Luke.. we... we just met, properly, a couple of days ago. I.. I-" What she said yesterday, had it been too forward? Was he being too forward? Her chest hurt from the panic and she closed her eyes, taking a breath. She didn't need to be this worked up. She needed to stay calm. Ever since Teos had first met her, first explained, it had been very bad for her health. Luke was sweet, and kind, and not at all like this- not after having met so soon- "I don't think-"

Ate growled and hit her fist against the wall before suddenly placing a hand over her mouth when Luke quickly looked in her direction. He looked back at Haidee and seemed embarrassed but also confused. "I-i'm sorry..I didn't mean..I know it's too soon..Not that I..I mean..just ignore me, I don't know whats going on.." He finished then quickly moved to pick up the dropped bucket.

Haidee let him have it. Her right hand was on her chest, her left hand was flexing, open and closed as if her fingers had fallen asleep. Luke was stuttering but she was looking past him, back toward the door and the source of the sound. "What was that?" She asked instead. She was calming down again but a distraction would be of extra help. She looked at Luke, and his eyes, like he was trying to recount something he forgot, then back at the door. She could cry. "....Ate?" She called out, hoping to not look foolish (or crazy) for her assumption.

Busted Ate thought with a sigh then straightened up and moved towards the door, placing a wide smile on her face. "Haidee! I didn't expect to see you here!" She said as Luke turned suddenly, his eyes widening on Ate before he groaned loudly. "What a pleasant surprise to see you both together!"

"Ate... Why..." Haidee felt for the trough with her left palm and carefully sat on it, taking a couple breaths but never taking her eyes off Ate. "What did you do to Luke?" The numbness wasn't receding. That was a very bad sign. "Why..." She shook her head, looking back at Luke apologetically. "Is she your new room mate? The one you mentioned?"

Luke tore his eyes from Ate and looked down at Haidee and gave a small nod before suddenly looking confused. "How do you know her?" He asked as Ate gave an innocent shrug at Haidee's words.

"I was just helping.." She said in reply.

"She's a relative of my friend Teos," Haidee replied, a little strained. She carefully dug in her pocket and pulled out her phone, hitting a speed dial before holding it up to her ear but she looked at Ate while she listened to the call ring on the other end. "You did not help-"

"That's because you wouldn't let me finish." Ate pouted as Luke pinched his nose in frustration. This woman really seemed to want to destroy his life. "Who are you calling?" Ate asked, sounding a little moody now her plan had been ruined.

Ate's question was lost as Sabastion picked up the phone. "I'm- having a heart attack- at Luke's-" Her right hand, still on her chest, clenched her shirt tightly and she dropped the phone before collapsing off the trough. Her chest hurt so much, a vice wrapped around her heart. She rolled to her back and clenched her teeth. Well, her left arm was no longer numb, it was on fire.

Luke's head snapped to look at Haidee before he was suddenly dropping to his knees next to the trough, his eyes wide with panic. "What do you mean you're having a heart attack?!" He said then before she could protest he had scooped her up into his arms and carried her from the stall. "Grab one of the horses blankets!" He snapped at Ate who momentarily seemed stunned before nodding and stepping forward to get one. "Lay it out on the ground.." He waited for Ate to do this then carefully rested Haidee down onto it. He slipped off his jacket then rolled it up and gently eased it under her head. "Ate call an ambulance, now!" He ordered her and toss her his phone before he looked back down at Haidee and gave a reassuring smile. "Its going to be ok.."

Wow, he really did have beautiful eyes. So peaceful, so kind. Haidee wanted to scream for him not to touch her, mentally keeping track of any skin contact they might have. Most of her clothes kept him at bay except when he raised her head. It was only her hair. The pain in her chest increased, it was hard to breath. She caught 'ambulance' though and used her free hand to grab his forearm, only marginally comforted at feeling his coat under her fingers. "Don't- Doctor-Panas- is coming-" she ground out, pleading with him. She was seeing spots and she blinked at them. No, she wanted to see his eyes. She had to. The spots were getting bigger though and harder to ignore but still she looked. It felt better, looking at him, it helped her ignore the screaming pain crushing her chest cavity.

"You need to go to hospital Haidee.." Luke almost pleaded before he looked at Ate who had made no attempt to call for an ambulance. "What are you doing?! Call 911!" He shouted at her.

"She said no. She knows what she's doing." Ate answered seriously as she folded her arms over chest making Luke gape.

"Haidee.." Luke whispered weakly. "Come on..stay awake." He wrapped his hand round hers and squeezed it gently, unaware that the overwhelming distress he was feeling was causing all the plant life within the vicinity to slowly start to whither and die. The grass was turning brown, the trees where losing their leaves as the wood began to shrivel and his crops began to fail, one by one.

It was a long five minutes, though it probably felt much longer for poor Miss Haidee, in which Sabastion broke several speed limits getting to Luke's farm. The house was gone, no more than a charred mark in the ground, and the plants were withering seemingly before his eyes. What on earth had happened here? Luke would never allow his home to fall to such disrepair. "Haidee?!" He called out to anyone that might be around. Haidee wouldn't be here alone, surely? He quickened his stride, keeping his eyes open for any movement among the fields but he saw nothing on his way to the barn, but of course he wouldn't have given the sight that greeted him there. He ignored the other two and went straight to Haidee's side, rummaging in his bag. "Haidee," he said seriously as he pulled on a pair of latex gloves. "You know what to do- do your best to stay calm, it's going to be fine-" He was speaking calmly but his hands were working with an impressive speed of skill. He had a piece of paper of some sort and was applying a small bit of paste. Once the tube was put aside he turned to the couple kneeling on the horse blanket, addressing Luke specifically. "I need you to step back. You do not want this on you." He pointed at the paste and motioned for Luke to move. The instant he did he pressed the paper to Haidee's neck and held it in place. "Stay calm, it won't be long now-"

She couldn't see anymore, but she could feel, and Haidee's hand had clasped Luke's in return, unaware of how tightly she was holding it. Not that it mattered, she didn't have nearly his strength. Then there was another voice, less gentle, factual. Someone pressed something cold to her neck and held it there. Slowly, what seemed so painfully slowly, her heart began to slow down, the pressure easing. Air leaked into her lungs, making it easy to breath again. More minutes, slower, slower, her vision came back, leaving her blinking, panting, and limp, staring almost blankly near Sabastion's knee. Her lips lifted. "Hello Doctor Panas..." she breathed. "Sorry I troubled you..."

Luke hadn't wanted to let go of Haidee's hand but he knew that Sebastian knew what was right. He gave her hand another squeeze then let go, climbing to his feet and turning away, running a shaking hand through his hair. When his eyes fell on Ate who seemed to be watched over with an emotionless expression, his brows furrowed and he frowned angrily. "Get out." He growled at her.

She turned to look at him and slowly raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"

"Get out..get off my property..just leave!" Luke snapped as his hands balled into fists. "It's like you want to ruin my life or something!"

Ate scoffed slightly. Did Luke really think he was important enough to earn that much attention from her? She had only been trying to help him and Haidee grow that little bit closer. But it had backfired and now everyone was mad at her. "Fine..tell Haidee I'm sorry..I didn't mean for her to get hurt. And you..just cool off..I'll speak with you at home.."

"N-no you won't." Luke shook his head firmly. "I'm not staying there while you're there..I'll find somewhere else..someone else will have a spare room..or I'll sleep in this barn if I have too!" He huffed loudly then pointed at the door. "Go."

Ate frowned at him but said nothing. She simply turned and strode out of the barn, ignoring the dying plantlife around her as anger slowly bubbling inside her. How dare he speak to her like that. He would soon regret it. And what is Teos going to say when he finds out? She sighed heavily and stomped off from the farm, she needed chocolate.

As she disappeared Luke turned back to Haidee and Sebastian and his expression softened back to concern. "Is she ok?"

"She's going to be fine," Sabastion replied in the same clinical tone he had been using, a tone that bordered on urgent but somehow never quite made it there. While Haidee too a moment to rest, he chose instead to address Luke as he removed and placed the paper aside before taking her wrist and looking at his watch to check her pulse. "What were you doing when she had the attack?"

Luke wasn't sure what to say. He couldn't just casually say he was being manipulated by a chaos loving goddess. "I..uh..I was expressing my feelings for her." He finally said quietly with an expression of guilt. "I suppose I was being too forward. I shouldn't have pushed it.." He finished then waited for whatever stern words the doctor was going to give him. Another reason for him to dislike Ate, taking the blame for her mess.

Haidee turned her head to give Luke a reassuring, albeit small, smile. "You didn't mean to, and you didn't know-" She looked back at Sabastion. "I didn't tell him. It's my fault... I'm really sorry I troubled you like this. ... I don't have to go to the hospital again, do I?"

Sabastion looked between them even as he was putting his stethoscope in his ears then gently helped ease Haidee into a sitting position to listen to her chest and back. It was long minutes before he answered, however. "No, not this time. You seem alright, but I would strongly recommend coming in on your own for a full work up. And absolutely no more work today. Rest-" He turned on Luke. "And if you caused this, I would also recommend she not spend time with you, either. I know the two of you, I felt if anyone would be safe company, it would be you, Mr. Michaels. I see I was wrong." He returned his attention to Haidee. "You know you can't be in situations like this."

Luke stared at Sebastian as his heart seemed to crumble at his words. I would also recommend she not spend time with you. Haidee was being warned away from him. It seemed he was bad for her health. He took a shaky breath then nodded. "I would never want to hurt her.." He said softly as he took a step back. "Can you..can you make sure she gets home safe? I didn't bring my truck." He asked taking another step back. "I'll wait outside.." With that said he turned and headed out, intending on throwing himself into his work to distract himself from the hurt he was feeling from what had just happened. But as he stepped outside and caught sight of his withering plants and crops, whatever small amount of happiness he had seemed to be zapped from him. He stared in horror as his pain was sent out like a wave, spreading not only across his farm but all over Athens Harbor, destroying all flowers and plants that stood. Nothing could survive whilst Luke's feelings remained as they were.


"No, Luke-" Haidee tried, but he was already gone. She sighed and looked at Sabastion. "It wasn't his fault," she told him again firmly. "He didn't know, and he still doesn't understand. I'll.. I'll explain to him, ok? It will be fine. He means it, Luke would never hurt me. He's a good man, Doctor Panas. If.. if he still even wants me to, I'm not going to stop spending time with him. Luke is wonderful and I-" She mentally flinched at the romantic fantasy she almost voiced and quickly sidetracked before he could notice. "Want.. to keep spending time with him. I'll explain. And it will be fine. I promise." She smiled that disarming smile and held out her hands, making note that he was still wearing latex gloves. "Could you help me up? I need to go talk to him."

Loathe as he was to admit it, Sabastion knew that trying to convince her otherwise was just going to stress her out more. He sighed heavily, but nodded and, once his things were put away again, he stood and carefully helped Haidee to her feet, watching her with a cautious eye. She seemed fine, a little tired perhaps, and he was still certain she should do not work the rest of the day, but it didn't matter much where she rested now, only that she did. He helped her to the door but she seemed to be ok on her own feet by the time they made it there, at least until they saw what was outside. He stared out at the devastation a little in shock. He had thought it was spreading as he went inside but this was like wildfire with no flames. He needed to go tell someone. The police perhaps. He didn't even know who to take this to. He carefully helped Haidee sit on a bale of hay before stepping up to Luke. "She refuses to go," he informed the other man, still glancing at the destruction of land around them. "Whatever you do, see that she rests and gets home safe. And if I have to be called again, I'll see to it the two of you never see each other again, am I understood?" Pale, hard grey eyes met Luke's gentle ones like steel, but he knew this man, and he was good. Sabastion didn't know what he was thinking before but he was reasonably certain Luke wouldn't be a complete ass twice, and so without an answer he turned away and quickly strode back to his car, pulling out his phone as he went to call the police and report some kind of outbreak at Luke's farm. Of course, as he would head into town, he would see nothing better.

At first Luke didn't seem to hear Sebastian's words as he clutched a clump of grass in his hand that seemed to just crumble away in his hand. He knew he had done this. Teos and the others had really been telling the truth. But this wasn't really how he wanted to test that. Finally he looked at the doctor and gave a small nod. "Yeah..sure.." He mumbled before looking back at Haidee uncertainly as Sebastian retreated. "Are you really ok?"

Haidee, who had been looking around at the withered plants in wide eyed horror, her fingertips covering her mouth in shock, was jarred away from the sight as Luke spoke to her. She lowered her hand slowly and nodded, trying to give him an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry I scared you," she practically whispered. It was awfully hard to hold eye contact. She looked back at his farm. "I'm sorry for this too... Are you ok?" Her chest had residual aches and she was tired, but she was infinitely more worried about Luke. Demeter, goddess of the harvest... that's what Teos and Ate had said. What had made Luke destroy his entire farm? Was he angry? Was he angry at her? For scaring him? She was beginning to feel worse and was already considering who might be able to pick her up, but first she had to made this right.

"I'm fine.." Luke replied in a flat tone before he looked back out over his fields. "I'll call you a cab..you should go home and rest. That was really terrifying.." He finally looked back at her and finally his eyes showed the great pain he was feeling. "I thought..you..I was so scared.."

Her expression nearly mirrored his, but with sorrow and regret. "I know, I'm sorry. When people know they treat me like a china doll. I just.. didn't want you to do that. I didn't want you to think I was weak. I wanted to help you, to work on your beautiful farm, to work with you- I was selfish, and now..." She looked out at the farm again, feeling more and more regret the longer she looked so she looked back at the only other thing she could think to look at: his eyes, and in their current pain they offered no solace. She supposed she didn't deserve it, after upsetting him this bad. "I'm so sorry, I just wanted to spend time with you... Now I ruined everything. If I go.. can you fix it?" she asked. She didn't care if she was happy, not if this was the cost. She was fated to be the goddess of the underworld. Joy wasn't exactly in her future anyway.

"You didn't ruin anything..this.." Luke said with a motion to the farm. "..this was my fault." He moved to sit next to her on the hay bale, giving a heavy sigh as he did. "I don't want you to go." He said softly as he looked at her. "I want to spend time with you too. Though preferably not here anymore.." He joked with a weak laugh. "Friends?" He asked holding a hand out towards her.

Haidee wrung her own hands, looking from his, to his face, then back. Finally, hesitantly, she lifted one of her hands. Not the same one, as if to shake hands, but the opposite, to hold his hand. It was slow, hovering above his for a moment. But he was here, she could see it in his eyes. She'd held his hand yesterday, he'd taken hers today, and he was still here. Still as alive and vibrant, albeit sadder, as he always was. Her hand, feather light, made contact with his, slid around, and cupped with his, lowering it to rest between their legs. Taking a bracing breath, praying to the gods she didn't regret it, she looked up at him again, searched his eyes, and said very quietly, "I want to be more than friends." The silence after her words felt deafening. It might have been a heartbeat, it might have been hours, but it felt almost dreamlike. She couldn't possibly have said that out loud, not for real. She squeezed his hands, assuring herself this was real all the while trying to keep her heart from exploding (again) from nerves of what she might be doing to him. "I don't want to go either. I just wanted to help you, and help with your farm and now-" She looked at the field again. She couldn't feel more sorry. She turned back to Luke. "I'm sorry if what I've done made you do this."

Luke stared at Haidee, all words lost after she had confessed to wanting to be more than just friends. His heart seemed to jolt back to life as colour seemed to slowly creep back through the fields as if time was rewinding on itself, the destruction slowly reversing as his pain turned to happiness once more. "None of this was your fault. You didn't do..Woah.." Luke breathed as he turned to look out at his land and noticed how it was changing again. "We should really go." He said quickly, not sure how she would react to seeing this.

That wasn't exactly the reaction she expected to receive, or hoped for, and, confused, she glanced out at the fields, gasping, then breaking into a bright smile. "Luke, that's incredible!" she breathed. She did a mental check of her physical health before carefully climbing to her feet, tugging his hand to encourage him to come with her, toward the fields, all the while her face alight with the amazed smile. "Can we go see? Please?"

"Wait..why aren't you freaking out?" Luke asked slowly as he quickly climbed to his feet to stop her letting go of his hand. To be honest he was slightly freaked out at seeing what he could do, but Haidee seemed thoroughly impressed. This girl really is amazing.. He thought as he watched her.

"I wouldn't 'freak out' just from seeing you are even more amazing than I already thought," Haidee admitted as she led the way to the fields. Only then did she slow, walking along the regrowing stalks with wide eyed wonder and an equally impressed smile. Halfway in and they could no longer see anything but corn stalks around them, she stopped and turned to him. He truly was an incredible man. It made her heart race but in an exciting way, a way she wasn't sure she had felt before. He gave life to all this beauty. He was- would be- a god worthy of praise. Ah, but there was something that needed addressed there, didn't it. "You didn't seem surprised to see Ate there, earlier," she pointed out, hoping he would see what she saw. "In fact, you seemed to blame her."

"Well I know her too well..know she would do something like this." Luke answered slowly as he watched Haidee. "How did you know it was her outside?" He asked in return. Haidee had said she knew her and Teos. Surely that didn't mean what he thought it meant. He couldn't bear the thought of Haidee being caught up in whatever this was.

"From what she said yesterday... I suspected your forwardness had to be her doing," Haidee admitted, averting her eyes and reaching out with her free hand to seemingly admire a leaf on one of the newly regrown stalks. She smiled wistfully, admiring the rich, green color of the plant. "I only just met her yesterday... she means well, but she is a very... strong willed goddess. Teos is kinder, he's been very patient with me. I am grateful for that." She looked up at Luke and took a bracing breath. "I am so, so glad that you can create such beauty, Luke. It suits you so well."

"You are like me, aren't you? You know Ate is a goddess..and you're reacting so calmly to the fact I just destroyed and regrew my farm in a matter of minutes.." Luke replied softly. "Am I right? Are you one of these supposed descendants?"

Haidee nodded slowly, lowering her eyes. She was suddenly very conscious of her hand in his and carefully let go and pulled it away. "I'm not like you though," she explained, the words coming out a little strained. If he hated her, did that matter? She might l- really like Luke, but it had only been a few days, he was this incredible god of life apparently, of course he'd want nothing to do with her. But at least she'd gotten to see it at least once. She could be happy with that. She looked up again, her small, shy smile settling in place as she gestured to the plants around them. "I can't do anything like this. You. You are amazing, Luke."

"Not really." Luke shrugged with a small smile. "What use is this going to be in a fight?" He asked before tilting his head as he looked at her. "So what do you do? Please tell me it's cooler than being able to grow things.." He finished playfully.

For the first time Luke saw Haidee's face pale slightly and her smile was shaky, but she managed to keep it from falling. "It's not," she said simply with a shake of her head, then turned and started to walk slowly between the stalks, holding her hands out to brush against lush leaves. "I think being able to grow things is incredible normally. To be able to do it so quickly, so expertly-" She continued walking but did look over her shoulder at him, her smile showing her honest appreciation for his ability. "I think you are very cool."

"You're probably the first person who's ever called me that." Luke chuckled as he slowly followed after her, letting his own hands trail through the leaves. "So what can you do?" He asked again. "Who are you descended from?"

"No one as amazing as Demeter," Haidee dodged again. "And surely Jade tells you such things, doesn't she? She's your friend, I imagine she's honest with you." Weren't there chores they were supposed to be doing? "Shouldn't we head back?" she asked quietly. "Your horses still need taking care of..."

Luke frowned softly at her. Why was she dodging his questions. "They'll be fine for a moment." He replied as he quickened his pace so he was walking next to her. "Haidee..it can't be that bad, can it? You can tell me, you know that? Whatever it is, my feelings aren't going to change. I mean, you didn't ask to have whatever it is.."

She wasn't so sure about any of that, so instead she offered, "Why don't you try to guess? I'm curious who you think I could possibly come from. I haven't done anything as wonderful as grow an entire farm in minutes-" She paused her walking, making him stop with her as she turned to him. "This doesn't negate all your hard work you know. I still think what you've accomplished before today is, possibly, even more incredible than what you did the last hour."

Luke smiled at her. She always said the kindest things. "Hestia?" He finally answered her as he tried to guess just as she'd asked. "She was meant to be the kindest and most gentle of all the gods and goddesses I believe..exactly like you." He continued before smiling again. "Am I right?"

Haidee shook her head, a little smile toying with her lips. He was the one who said the sweetest things. She turned back the way they had come and carefully reached out to touch his hand, asking if he wanted to hold each other's as they started back toward the barn. This was three times and he seems fine. She was reasonably confident the hand holding wasn't going to hurt him. "Try again," she encouraged him.

"Pan?" Luke answered again, immediately wrapping his hand round hers when she gave the sign that it was ok to do so. "He was the god of nature..you like being outside." He chuckled then rubbed the back of his head with his free hand. "It won't be any of the war gods. What about Persephone? She was associated with Spring..flowers and growth, until she was stolen away by the evil greedy Hades, right?" He laughed again. "Did I answer right yet?"

Her hand flexed involuntarily at the mention of Haides. Still, she forced her smile not to falter. He was being so sweet, so kind. "You're closer," she replied. A lot closer... "I wasn't always a horticulture student," she stated conversationally. "I used to be in veterinary sciences..."

"Oh so you like animals.." Luke replied thoughtfully before he suddenly smiled. "I got it! Artemis! Am I right? I mean if it's not Hestia or Persephone, then who else could it be?"

He had.. the absolute best smile. "It's Hades," she finally admitted. She rolled her eyes with a crooked smile, trying not to think about what her words meant. "Silly huh, the play on names? I guess the Fates have a funny sense of humor."

"Hades?" Luke repeated slowly then looked at her. "I thought you said it wasn't cool? I mean yeah, he's a little spooky being ruler of the underworld and all but he's got a three headed dog which is pretty cool." He said playfully, in the hopes of showing her he wasn't frightened by her words.

Haidee managed a small laugh. He had obviously forgotten her discomfort with dogs. Perhaps that was a bit of an understatement. "It's not very 'cool' to send the souls of families' beloved pets to the afterlife when all they did was come in for a check up..." she explained quietly as the came back to the edge of the corn field and were able to see the barn again. "Or routine shots... or a mild cold, or even minor surgery..." She looked up at Luke, her face very carefully controlled to mask the true depth of her regret. "If it had been you... if it had been one of your dogs.. I see how you love them. I don't think you would have found it very cool." She shook her head, her smile sad. "It's ok, you don't need to try to make it ok. I've had some time to come to terms with it."

"Are you certain it was definitely you that did it?" Luke asked as he looked at her. "What if the animal had something else wrong with them? Something you maybe weren't aware of."

It was really nice, hearing him try and defend her like that, but she knew the truth. She shook her head. "And I was afraid," she continued. "That I might do that to you, and I don't think I could live with myself if I did."

"Haidee.." Luke started as he watched her with a reassuring expression. "I'm completely healthy. We've held hands, I picked you up and I feel fine. You don't need to worry about hurting me, OK?" He smiled softly. "Maybe you can't hurt me because we're both descendants.. Wouldn't that be great?"

Haidee shared his smile, albeit more subdued, because she shared his hope. "Yes, it would be great. I didn't hurt Ate either, when I touched her, so.. perhaps? I am hoping so, but I still feel horrible for what I did to those families, and even if you are safe, your dogs, your animals, aren't. I really don't want to do that to them either. It.. it was horrible. I never want you to see it, much less experience it. Teos and Ate promised to help me figure out how to stop it, but until then..." She sighed, averting her eyes thoughtfully, but they came back to his soon enough. "They can help you too, if you want- Well, with Teos anyway. If Ate wants to help you, or try, I don't think either of us could stop her." She giggled, short and quiet, at the image of them trying to fend off the enthusiastic goddess. She might be a lot of trouble, but Haidee was certain she meant well.

"Yes..She doesn't seem the type to take no for an answer does she?" Luke replied though he didn't find it as amusing. "I meant what I said though..I will go to them for help with whatever this is but I can't live with them, or Ate at least. She's just a little too happy with chaos for my liking. But I'll ask around..I'm sure someone has a spare room or a sofa I can sleep on." He continued with a reassuring smile. "You don't have to worry about my pets either, we'll figure it out. I'm willing to do whatever I have to, to make you comfortable."

She sincerely wished she knew Luke better to offer her home as a place to stay for a while. She wished she had room for him. The best she could do was keep her eyes open for anywhere that might be better for him. As for the whole comfort thing, she hoped she could come to be as well. Sitting in his arms, next to a campfire overlooking the fields, horses left out in good weather, star filled sky above them. Yes, she hoped she could be comfortable with him. "I'll do what I can to make you comfortable as well," she promised in return, then wrung her hands and frowned apologetically. "I'm very sorry Luke, but I really should go home and rest. Doctor Panas will keep me in the hospital a week if I do anything after calling him out here." She frowned further. "And again, I'm very sorry for scaring you. I'll explain everything to you soon, ok?"

"Of course, you can explain it all when you're ready. Now please let me call you a cab or I can run back to Jade's and grab my truck.." Luke replied quickly. "It's honestly no trouble. You shouldn't be walking long distances after what just happened.."

"I'd like to ride with you, if that's alright?" A ride home with Luke sounded a lot more pleasant than leaving him behind after all that happened, but there she was, being selfish again. "Or I can call my room mate, I'm sure she won't mind." She pulled out her phone and checked the contacts. "I think she'll appreciate a break from her dissertation anyway-"

"No! No I can take you.." Luke said quickly as he placed a hand over her phone as his cheeks turned red. "It's no trouble. Would you like to wait here whilst I go pick it up? It shouldn't take me too long.."

Haidee looked up at him with a mixture of mild surprise and curiosity when his hand covered her phone, but as he spoke, her lips started to curl at the corners again in a fond smile. Would she like to wait here? On Luke's farm? The most beautiful place she had ever seen? Well, if she had to. "I don't mind waiting," she told him softly, a blush rising to her cheeks as she looked into his kind eyes, took in his expressive, honest face. "I like the view."

Luke smiled and gave a small nod. "Ok..well just sit and relax. I won't be long.." He lowered his hands back to his sides then took a small step back almost cautiously as if worried if he got to far she would suddenly disappear. Finally with a final bashful wave he turned and hurried off, wanting their time apart to be as short as possible.

Haidee waved in return, watching him until he was out of sight before giving a wistful sigh. She shook her head and turned her attention to the barn. If she took her time, and smaller trips, she could at least finish up in the one stall with the first horse and try to help with the others. Of course, once she was inside the first horse was contentedly eating from the trough, abandoned bucket unheeded. Haidee giggled at the sight and carefully removed the bucket, returning it to it's original place with the rest of the food. She offered the other horses a sympathetic look but didn't feel it would be wise trying to handle feed for the rest of them at the moment and instead went back outside the barn to sit on the bale of hay overlooking the newly regrown fields, which only made her sigh again. She could stay here forever, he didn't even have to ask.

Luke drove as quickly as he was allowed before pulling the truck to a stop right next to where Haidee was sat. He jumped out and looked at her with a smile. "Your carriage awaits.." He said playfully before inwardly groaning. With all the things I could have said and I chose that?! He thought in embarrassment.

Haidee, who had been happily enjoying the rest despite the slight loneliness, humored him with a smile as she carefully stood from the hay bale and opened the passenger door to climb into the free seat next to Luke's. Once she was settled and buckled in, she patted Luke's driver seat to encourage him to join her. "Any trouble on the way there? Or back?"

"Not so much trouble as just more embarrassment." Luke replied as he climbed back into the drivers seat. "Apparently Jade offered her last spare room to this guy..I didn't know, so when I walked in and saw him I instantly thought burglar and tried to call the police. He thought it was funny.." He sighed then looked at Haidee. "Where do you live?"

"Above Cyrene's Flower Shop," Haidee replied easily as she mulled over his story. She was still smiling, but it was perhaps a bit more humored now and she shook her head in chastisement. "You punch someone yesterday, threaten someone today. Are you becoming some kind of delinquent, Luke? I'm sorry, but I just don't associate with those kinds of people," she informed him, but her smile was having a hard time hiding under the pretend serious expression she was trying to put on her face. She had always been a terrible liar and acting went right along with that.

"Oh don't you start. You're about the only person I can rely on to not make fun of me or my ways." Luke replied with a smile after a quick glance of surprise at her words about not associating herself with him before he realised she was joking. "Communication and interaction isn't a strong point for me.." He started the trucks engine then turned back towards the main road towards BotO streets of Athens Harbor



BotO Athens Harbor
Blood of the Olympians