[UPTOWN GODS] - Ambrosia Nightclub IC

It had been a few days since she met Apollo at The Lyre’s Chair. Persephone hid all of the new and beautiful dresses and skirts she bought when he took her shopping. Her mother would absolutely not approve of the new outfits. Which is why Persephone started purchasing a locker at Grand Central Station, where she would change out of the smart skirt and blouse she was wearing before, and into a flowy white and blue summer dress. She pulled the pins keeping her curls up and let her hair hang down over her shoulders. The final move was to apply the orange-red lipstick in the mirror. It really was astounding the small difference this made to her confidence. She normally didn’t feel worthy of such a powerful name like Persephone, but tonight she did.

Kori stuffed her backpack and other clothes into her locker and began her journey to her destination: Ambrosia. Clubs were not really her scene, but her writing circle insisted on having a night out on the town. Secretly, Kori was excited to go out with some friends, even if she had to tell her mother she was seeing a friend’s art show and would be back later than usual. She wished she could just stay out all night and sleep under the stars - a bit of a push for Manhattan, but one could dream.

There was a long line-up outside of the club, it hardly looked like they would even be able to get in. For a moment, she stopped near the entrance as she tried to find anyone she recognized when the bouncer tapped her shoulder, holding the rope open. “You’re far too beautiful to be standing out here,” he said smoothly. This made Kori laugh, it had been a long time since she had received a compliment like this from a stranger - Demeter usually stared daggers at any hopefuls. She accepted the invitation inside and it was like nothing she had ever seen before.

All of the lights and every bit of furniture seemed to be perfectly placed. The music was unlike anything she had ever heard before and everything in this club would meet the disapproval of her mother; So Kori loved it all. She walked through the entrance and found her party by the front bar. “You finally made it!” Her writing pals remarked. “We were in line for 2 hours, so you must not have been too far behind us!” Kori smirked to herself, deciding to keep the truth to herself. A round of drinks were purchased and a toast was made. “To 6 months of this wild club, and to many more until one of us gets a book deal!” She laughed and took a sip of the martini she let her friend Maggie order for her. It wasn’t sweet, but she didn’t want to be rude when a friend showed generosity.

Maggie made quick work gathering the group to hit the dance floor. Kori decided to stay behind to finish her drink first, taking another look around the bar. She smiled to herself, happy to have this part of her world to escape to. She had friends who wanted her to hang out with them. Friends who seemed to have caught the attention of two handsome men sitting in a booth across the bar. She caught the gaze of the man with longer, dark hair, and time stopped for a moment. All the confidence in her body turned into fire at the sight of his dark eyes, only to be snapped back to reality by the shattering of her martini glass falling to the floor from her hands. ”Oh no!” she exclaimed to herself as she leaped off the stool to pick up the glass shards. ”Out of the house for 5 minutes and already getting distracted by some man.” What a man though. Who was he?

“And that’s a wrap. Excellent job as always Aphrodite.”

She hated when they pandered to her. One look into the sad eyes of the photo director and she knew that all that mattered was that she approved their work. Which she did, because what kind of a gorgon would toy with simple minds over matters such as a magazine cover shoot. She was at the point in her career that a simple nod towards her assistant was sufficient. Phoebe firmly obliged, quelling the anxieties of the art team at Vogue.

“I love when the big leagues send their newbies for big name shoots. Publicity just ain’t what it used to be I suppose.” Aphrodite drawled to her assistant as they left the shoot. “Thank you Aphrodite!” “It’s been a joy having you with us at Vogue.” More groveling. “I look forward to your email on Monday morning,” Phoebe smirked at the crew as the elevator doors closed on her and her boss.

“Always the one to make an exit Phebes,” Aphrodite chuckled at her assistant. “You’ve got to keep the little ones on their toes to succeed,” Phoebe added with a wink. What a lucky woman Aphrodite was, for many reasons, none more than her right hand, Phoebe. “Where would I be without you?” Phoebe laughed and stuck out her tongue. “Probably still working for pennies at that agency I found you in.” The elevator doors opened again and the two girl resumed their act for the, as Phoebe put it, “little ones”.

Paparazzi. The sludge of her world. How disgusting to have them crawling their way towards her in hopes of a photo, good or bad enough to sell. “3...2...1...now,” Phoebe counted down. Like clockwork, the two women opened identical umbrellas - both with reflective fabric on the outside to deflect camera flashes - to shield them as they exited the building to the towncar. A well rehearsed dance at this point; Phoebe maneuvered around Aphrodite, taking control of both umbrellas now as the star climbed into the car. Their driver, Cyrus took care of the umbrellas next to give Phoebe a safe passage to the car. If you blink, you might miss Cyrus collapsing the umbrellas and settling in to drive the car away.

A classic Phoebe plan.

Aphrodite was looking at her phone as her assistant gave her the rundown of her schedule. She was half listening, but was instead engrossed in her social media timeline. “Oh, and the G.A.I.A. Fundraiser is coming up. I’ll have someone at Saks pull some gowns. What are you feeling? Boho princess? Sex Goddess? Billie Eillish?” Aphrodite responded by crinkling her nose. “That last one was a stretch. I’ll just pull some of the usual suspects. Oscar, Valentino, Versace.” Aphrodite didn’t hear her, as she was engrossed by a post on Instagram. Look who’s finally home.

“Cyrus, privacy please!” The partition went up and the two were alone. Aphrodite tossed her phone at Phoebe as she dug a box from under the seats. “What on earth are you doing?” Phoebe’s question was answered as she read the phone in her hand. “Oh damn, you can’t be serious.” Aphrodite had changed out of her jeans and jacket into a red, silk, wrap dress.

You know, something simple for the grocery store.

Aphrodite opened the partition. “Cyrus, be a doll and please drop me off at Ambrosia before taking Phoebe wherever she desires to go this evening. After you’ve dropped her off, please enjoy the rest of your evening.” Phoebe’s mouth was agape as she watched her friend pile her hair up into a messy updo, accentuating her slender shoulders. “I don’t think you need to do this to yourself. You should move on.”

If looks could kill, Aphrodite could shoot lasers. “I have unfinished business, and I will not negotiate this.” The town car pulled up to the club as Aphrodite threw on her large coat and sunglasses, hiding the fury in her eyes. “Both of you, have a restful night off. I will be taking some personal time until noon tomorrow. Thank you for your work today.” She exited the car and walked directly through the velvet ropes. She shimmied the coat off her torso as the rest of the skirt cascaded down her legs. She inhaled the jasmine and handed her belongings to the coat check girl, as a server handed her a glass of champagne. “Your regular booth will be ready in a moment Aphrodite. My name is Florence, and I will get you anything you need tonight.” The server hustled away, allowing Aphrodite to see a dear friend, making a mess outside her element.

“Athena, love. You take to the club like a fish takes to a blow dryer.” Aphrodite saw Florence moving towards her. “I have a private section. Leave this mess behind and come have some real fun. I won’t take no for an answer. You’re already out and about darling.” Aphrodite swished off to her booth, typing a message on her phone. She instructed Florence, “a bottle of bubbly and another glass please”, and hit send.

Text to Ares :
-Heard you were back in town.
-Reunion at Ambrosia?
-xx

Kori swooped off of the bar stool, not even thinking about where she was or what she was wearing. She knelt down by the bottom of her stool cupping one of Ambrosia’s luxury cloth napkins in her left palm, while her right hand readied itself to extract the broken martini glass. She wasn’t sure what she was expecting the floor of a popular bar to look like, but she was still shocked at exactly how sticky it was. She could feel her skin flush with embarrassment at this whole situation. ‘Way to be a pillar of feminism. Breaking glassware over a man’s eyes.’ She could already hear her mother in her head. He probably wasn’t even looking at her. The electricity she felt when their eyes connected was undeniable. Kori had seen attractive men before, but he had an energy unlike anyone she had ever seen before.

As she imagined his dark eyes, she felt someone crouch close beside her. His breath was hot and scented with whiskey as he spoke over her shoulder. “No, you will cut yourself," he said firmly. Not how she was used to people talking to her. This man spoke with such authority, but with a sense of care and sweetness. She obliged when his hands coaxed the shard of glass out of her hands, curling her fingers into his hand. Looking at her hand intertwined with his, she realized she felt more at home than she could recall feeling in her own bed. Her eyes met his again. They were dark, sweet, and hungry in a way that scared and excited Kori.

A laugh escaped her throat as she finally spoke. “I don’t know what I was thinking. I was just so embarrassed that I dropped my glass in the first place.” She chewed the corner of her lip as she carefully set the napkin full of glass shards on the sticky floor. A flood of questions filled her head. Who is he? Where are my friends? Do I really care? Should I tell him my name? What if he kissed me? The last question sent a second flush of embarrassment up her neck. He was a strong support as she stood up from the floor. She felt so small next to his imposing frame. “I haven’t thanked you yet for your help,” she brushed her hair over her shoulder and away from her face. “I’m Kori.”

The man took a small step back, which allowed Kori to get a full look at his tall figure. She got an impression that he too might have been out of his element. He was tall, powerful, and he knew it. Such a man would make Kori nervous, if it weren’t for how almost boyish his longer hair and half smile made him. “My name is Lyle Chronus, but you can call me Lyle. It is a pleasure to meet you miss Kori.” Miss Kori. She couldn't help but crinkle her nose as a wide grin and a chuckle escaped her. Lyle was so boyish one moment, and so composed and almost regal the next. He’s a shapeshifter. She shook his hand as firmly as she could with such comparatively petite hands. Kori tossed her head as she composed herself, meeting his eyes again. “A pleasure to meet you Mr Lyle. Feel free to just call me Kori.” She carefully pulled her hand away from his and crossed it in front of her, holding onto her left forearm. For strength? For something to do? Where could she put her hands if not in Lyles?

She looked at him again, her eyes meeting just under his chin. He was well dressed, so one would assume he had a powerful job - yet the top buttons of his shirt were unbuttoned. Powerful job or stressful job? Before she got lost in the third button of his shirt, her attention snapped to the waitress who had just entered the scene. She apologized to Lyle as she began to clean up, with a flutter of her eyes as she moved her hips towards Lyle. A new feeling of fire started in the pit of her stomach - Jealousy?

Before Kori had a chance to dive deeper into that thought, she felt Lyle pull him towards her and out of the way of the waitress. Her adrenaline spiked before she melted into his chest. He addressed the waitress who was no longer a concern to Kori. Lyle spoke with such authority, she almost felt a little bad for Cassandra, but there was something in his tone that she couldn’t figure out.

Kori could have spent hours curled up in this (almost) strangers chest before she realized what she was doing. Almost on cue, Lyle took another step back, creating space between them. She wanted to close that space. More than she had ever wanted to in her life. Her mother could never find out. But if she did find out. “Can I buy you another drink?” Lyle’s half smile betrayed him again, she suspected. What if she never got another night like this?

“I think you can, Lyle.” Kori smirked at herself. If he’s a shapeshifter, I can be a shapeshifter also. “Do you mind if we find another place to sit?” She nodded towards the booths in a quieter section of the nightclub. She looked towards the dance floor at her friends. They were fine without her, and she didn't want them to end this moment any sooner than it had to.

Aphrodite and Athena have always had a warm relationship. There is something to be said about growing up with your childhood beau’s sister. She was strong but perhaps not as good at navigating socially. You had to hand it to her; Athena was a genius. Aphrodite was always happy to take care of her friend, almost looking at her as a sister. Maybe some more time together was needed.

Florence delivered the champagne and glasses and was swiftly excused by a wave of Aphrodite’s hand. One of her hidden and favorite talents was opening champagne bottles. She had experienced too many cases of bumbling waiters making a mess over her expensive outfits. A swift flick of a cloth napkin and 3 twists from the bottom of the bottle and a pop echoed the booth. As customary, Aphrodite offered her guest the first glass, and as she poured her own glass, Athena drained her glass and shared her anxieties. This caused the following thoughts to bank on the situation:

"I didn't want to come out here. Fuck, I shouldn't even be here, it doesn't make sense.” You’re not wrong there. “I just wanted my coworkers to shut up about me having never gone to a bar. So I came. And it sucked but it was fine.” This is almost as bad as when she was applying for Ivy League colleges. “I thought maybe I could do this and be fine. But, guess fucking what?" Aphrodite was speechless. She had never seen Athena this far over the edge, and drinking? She was hanging on to her friend’s every word. "My father's here tonight. Off getting drunk with my uncle. Which is fine. But here's the fucking catch, he's not wearing his wedding ring!” That rat bastard! How much did I miss on tour? “Like I love him because he's my dad and shit. But, seeing him, with the intention to you know cheat! It's pissed me off, fuck if he even tries to come near me tonight, I'll," Kill him? Tell Hera? Cut off his bits? What do you wanna do baby? "I don't know. I don't know what I'll do. I'm just mad, Aphrodite what do I do? What would you do if you were in this situation. Because I'm just so tired. So so tired."

And with that, Athena rested her head on the table in exhaustion. So Silas was here somewhere, and with one of his brothers. But which one? She scanned the dance floor and the bar as she pulled a rolled cigarette from her handbag and lit it on the candle in the middle of the table. She knew Athena wouldn’t approve; But, they had bigger fish to fry. “Which uncle is here with Silas?” She couldn’t find neither Silas nor anyone else she recognized though it was a favorite booth for a reason; Private, but with a great view of the rest of the club. She’ll find them eventually.

She turned her attention to Athena who was still resting on the table. “Athena, love. Pick your head up. You’re a bad bitch and you will act as such.” Aphrodite took another drag of her - we’ll call it a cigarette. As far as she was concerned, she was on vacation until noon tomorrow. She was ready to get into some trouble. “What do you mean Silas wasn’t wearing his ring? Did I miss something between him and Hera?”

If the small of her back was a bundle of sticks, Lyle’s hand was a torch as it guided her towards a booth in a far corner of the club. Kori wasn’t used to keeping stride with anyone, let alone someone as confident and imposing as Lyle. It was almost overwhelming as heads turned towards them as she and him moved through the crowd. She wouldn’t be surprised to learn his name was well known. He walked, and spoke like he owned every room he was in. She was surprised by how many people were noticing her.

Maybe, it was Lyle’s hand unintentionally reminding Kori of proper posture. Maybe it was something she read once about Marilyn Monroe. Maybe it was catching another stranger focusing on the hemline of her skirt. Her shoulders squared, and suddenly she remembered everything she learned for cotillion. Except this time, she wasn’t an awkward 16 year old being escorted by her mom. She was Persephone Monk, escorted by an unbelievably attractive man. ‘Am I strutting?’ she thought to herself. Kori didn’t honestly care, because it was possible that this unbelievably attractive man likes her as well. She could take a night off from her expectations and indulge in this new craving she had.

Kori felt herself sinking into the plush cushion of the booth. Lyle ordered his drink from a waiter. ‘How does he keep finding waiters?’ She contemplated this thought until she realized the waiter in question was waiting for her order. “Oh!” Kori picked up the drink menu on the table and scanned for anything she recognized. “A Cosmopolitan,” almost as a question to the waiter who didn’t do much to quell her insecurities. As he turned to fulfill their order, Kori covered her face with her hands and laughed. “I’m sorry. I’ve never actually been here before. I usually hang out in coffee shops or the library.”

“This club is not really my scene. I came here because my brother but he seemed to have abandoned me for the evening. I hope I am not taking you away from your friends this evening.” She was relieved to hear this from him. It was a very nice club, but she appreciated her privacy and quiet to hold a conversation. Though, if she were able to sit in a booth like this with Lyle at every club, she could get into the scene. He pointed towards Maggie and the rest of her writing friends. She smiled, “Nah, it’s okay. They probably think I snuck away to go home early.” Kori was very hesitant to even accept the invitation to go out tonight. “We’re all in a writing group and we just hit our goal to keep it going for six months, so Maggie thought we should celebrate.”

Their drinks arrived, and her Cosmopolitan was, thankfully, exactly what she thought she was ordering. “It’s like a martini, but it’s sweeter,” Maggie said once when they first met. Kori picked up her glass and raised it towards Lyle. “To nights that turn out better than they expect!” She toasted and gave a sip. Not sweet, but a little tart. Better than her drink earlier. “So,” Kori pointed her question towards her booth-mate. “If this isn’t your scene, what is?” If she was going to continue her evening with him, she probably should know more about him. “What is a day in the life of Lyle Chronus like?” Her elbows rested on the table and she propped her chin on her fists, looking at him with cheery eyes.

"Uncle Lyle, who I hoped would reign him in but, fuck that right?" Ah, “Uncle Lyle”. The coldest bachelor in New York City. Aphrodite was familiar with Lyle Chronus and she took another drag, searching the crowd again for a mop of dark hair. “You know Lyle. He has very little patience for Silas’ reindeer games.” Their relationship was like a game of cat and mouse. He would try to avoid her attempts at opening up his heart (or at least his bedroom door), while she would continue to tempt him with many of her attractive friends.


‘This should be fun.’ Aphrodite flipped her phone face down on the table and listened as Athena answered her queries. "Nothing more than the usual, she's gone on vacation. And my dad- Silas, doesn't know how to act. I mean he's always been like this, how else would I have been born." Aphrodite blew smoke out of the corner of her mouth. “Darling, if you’re looking for normality in our quote/unquote family, you’ll drive yourself mad.” Poor Hera. She deserved someone better than the adult child she was married to.

Her attention was drawn to the very large man who was making his way through the club. “Don’t look now,” with a sly smile to Athena, “but I believe AAA is joining forces sooner than anticipated.” Ares approached the table, "You didn't tell me that we were going to have company Aphro." Aphrodite turned to him, not so subtly crossing her legs, exposing a healthy amount of skin - Not the most effective way to seduce someone, but a good way to establish a connection for most. "Sorry to disappoint." Ares was wearing his UFC belt, which he was obviously quite proud of, with an “Ares classic” suit. “Did your publicist advise you to leave the house like this?” She couldn’t help a little roast now and again.

She took this rare moment of connection between the siblings to excuse herself. “I’m going to find some little mice.” She blew a sly kiss to Ares. “Welcome back,” as she floated away. As Aphrodite looked across the dance floor, a head full of curly hair caught her eye. ‘Bingo.’ Lyle was speaking to a waiter. Lyle and Silas weren’t often found at the private booths. Silas liked the view from the bar better. The waiter shifted and Aphrodite found her answers. It seemed Lyle had found himself a pretty little thing. She couldn’t deny the young girl’s beauty, nor the connection that seemed to radiate between them as the waiter rushed to the bar.

Her thumb was already dialing her phone as she headed off the waiter. “Hello?” Aphrodite caught the waiter and told him to wait. “Yes, it’s Aphrodite. I would like to rent my usual suite this evening. I know it must be inconvenient timing-” The hotel concierge obliged immediately. “Anything you wish Aphrodite. You are always welcome at The Plaza.” Aphrodite thanked the concierge, and she turned her attention to the waiter. “Are these the drinks for the booth with the gloomy business man and that doe eyed nymph in the blue sundress?” She tore a page from the waiter’s notepad, and scribbled a note. “Be sure the man receives this,” and she tucked the note and notepad back into his pocket.


‘Now to find a rat.’ If she knew Silas, she knew he was probably holed up somewhere until he can find a way out or he needs another drink. Silas was like many drunk girls at the club, he often found his way to the washroom, so on a hunch she started towards the washrooms. As she reached the men’s washroom she heard a commotion. Carefully, Aphrodite nudged the door open, revealing a sight she could hardly believe.

"Sir, no I must have you get back inside at once. This is most dangerous and- and sir! Stop this foolishness at once." She saw a poor unfortunate bathroom attendant grasping a pair of legs hanging out of the window. Pushing the door fully open, she crossed her arms. “Truly a sight for sore eyes, Silas. Please, have mercy on this poor man.”

As she leaned towards him, playing her coy games, Lyle called her bluff and rested his hand on hers. Kori could have gasped if she hadn’t been so concentrated on keeping her cool. Biting the corner of her mouth to quell the electricity running through her stomach from the way he delicately traced the knuckles on her hand. She was nearly done for when he met her eyes. He was so close. “I don’t think you could disappoint me.” So, very close. He was looking at her lips, she could tell. She should stop him, but what would happen if, just this once…

"Sir?" Another voice interrupted the moment. While Lyle engaged in a conversation with the bartender, Kori sheepishly sipped her drink, hoping to cool herself down. In a way, she was thankful for the interruption. Everything rational in her mind was screaming ‘Stop! Just excuse yourself and go home.’ The bartender leaned close to Lyle’s ear, discreetly slipping him a note. A note that caused Lyle to flush and cough, aimlessly grasping at his unbuttoned collar. His ears and cheeks hot and his eyes flashed a brief panicked look, almost like a kid caught doing something he shouldn’t. “Family,” he added, attempting to explain the note. Kori chuckled, trying not to think about what the note said. “I understand.”

“Where was I? Oh yes, my day. I work most days and that seems to fill my days. I like to take my dogs out whenever I can and watching my brothers tend to be a full-time job in itself.” She beamed. “You have dogs?” Her new found pastime was imagining Lyle playing with a puddle of energetic pups. “I wish we had pets at home. Mom doesn’t like it when the strays start digging in her gardens.” A memory of her mother chasing a stray golden retriever with her trowel and gardening fork came to mind.

“How about you, love? Any brothers I should be watching out for?" Her heart jumped. ‘Love.’ The word echoed in her mind, reverberating off of every corner of her brain. ‘Be. Chill.’ “Ha!” It wasn’t so much as a word, but more like a startled farm bird. Kori sipped her drink and cleared her throat. “I mean, no. It’s just me, and my mom. Who, honestly, might be worse than your brothers.” Her face fell when she realized what she had just said. “I didn’t mean it like that. I’m sure your brothers are very lovely. And my mom isn’t that scary.” Her hands covered her face as she laughed nervously. “Sorry. I’m not used to-” ‘-gorgeous men talking to me?’ “-This.” Kori gestured to the general space around and between them to try to clarify her statement. She looked again into his dark eyes and his scruffy smile, and took another sip of her drink, only to realize it was empty. “I’m such a dork,” she chuckled, clearly nailing this particular social interaction.