Gentle hands came up behind Diana to cover up her eyes as a rich, sexy voice purred in her ear, "Guess who?" Diana turned, her brown hair flowing then she grinned, "Herma!" Hermaphrodite, called by her friends Herma, smiled back, her short blonde hair styled in a boyish cut this week, her jeans and T-shirt loose and comfortable. Only her muscles really spelled out her dual nature, and that was only in a subtle way. "You're still the huntress, I see," Herma chuckled, unique violet eyes dancing. "Always," Diana agreed. She hooked her arm in the younger lady's as they wove through the crowd up to the bar, "So how's like in San Francisco?" "Interesting," Herma said with a grin, but there was a flash of pain in her eyes. Diana fought back a slight flinch. Herma was unique, a true fusion of male and female, and because of that she had difficulty in finding a place to fit in. She was attracted to both genders, which made things even more complicated, and had the stigma of being considered bisexual as well. "Did you have some trouble?" Diana asked, trying not to feel sorry for her cousin's sake. "Just the usual," Herma said with a casual shrug. She raised her eyebrows as they reached the bar and saw a unfamiliar face, "Where's Circe? Did you finally bring in help here?" "It's something like that," Diana felt a bit of amusement as Herma boldly checked out her new bartender head to toe. "This is Descent," she introduced her before adding, "and she's already got a girlfriend, Herma." "Nice to meet you," Descent looked more amused by the cruising than anything else. Her long black hair flowed over her back and there was a faintly inhuman cast to her beautiful features, along with an aura of danger too. "Charmed," Herma grinned. "What can I get you?" Descent turned to pull a beer bottle out of a fridge, exposing her jean clad bottom to Herma's lusty glance. "Her girlfriend is also a powerful vampire," Diana added the warning in a whisper, "behave." "Right," Herma sighed. She smiled as Descent turned back towards her and answered, "Whisky and water, please." "Coming right up," Descent poured gracefully then apologetically said as she rushed off, "Sorry, busy night." "So what's up?" Herma nodded questioningly towards Descent as she and Diana moved off to talk a bit more privately. Diana took a drink of a cola as she quietly sketched in what she knew about the woman's background. "We were originally just offering her sanctuary," she added, "but I think we should hire her full time, along with her friend Sam." Herma nodded, "You two could use the help some nights." She frowned slightly, "But aren't you worried about making an enemy of the Lady? She may not be a demon or goddess but she's very powerful for a mortal." "I won't say that doesn't concern me," Diana conceded, "but the Lady has agreed formally to respect the bar's territory." With a faint smile she added impishly, "It doesn't hurt that we're firmly in Jess Drake's territory." "And how is that old rogue?" Herma asked curiously. "She's hurting a little," Diana surprised her by saying, "she had a fight with her girlfriend a few weeks back." Herma blinked at her in surprise, "Jess is settling down? I thought she was 'Miss One Night Stand' or something?!" "She's trying to be a bit more responsible," Diana said with amusement. "I almost regret the passing of the old Jess," Herma mused before adding wickedly, "we even had a one night stand." "I'm not sure if I believe that," Diana looked over at Herma suspiciously, trying to read her beautiful face. Her eyes widened suddenly as she remembered something, "Oh, you should know that Athena is around, too." "What?" Herma blurted, going pale. "I don't think she's still annoyed about that stunt you pulled on her years back," Diana noted, "but I'd be careful." "I'm tempted to sneak out," Herma murmured softly, shaking her head. "You have to admit, sending one of your disguised male acolytes to seduce her was a bad idea," Diana reminded her. "What can I say," Herma blushed, "I was drunk at the time." Diana looked amused as she remembered, "That's what you get for trying to keep up with Dionysis in a drinking party." Herma took a drink, her expression thoughtful as she changed the subject, "Has there been any word from Olympus?" "Not really," Diana looked grim, "all of Zeus' inner circle is still there, all apparently unaware of what Father has become." "Wearing freakin' blindfolds," Herma muttered. "The Furies escaped, tho," Diana offered. She smiled grimly, "They attempted to bring Zeus to justice for his sins but were defeated, so they fled here." "That must have been some fight," Herma blinked, imagining the three proto-deities going up against the lord of Olympus. She studied Diana thoughtfully and added, "Is that why Zeus took a shot at the place?" "I think so," Diana agreed, feeling faintly proud of the bar's defenses. "Well," Herma said, "I'd better scoot before Athena spots me." "Good luck," Diana snickered, seeing the figure quietly coming up behind Herma. "Herma," Athena's voice was a low growl as the athletic looking blonder warrior glared down at her from behind. Herma wheeled around, gulping as she looked up at Athena. "Ah, hi," she smiled weakly, "been a long time, huh?" "Not long enough," Athena said dourly. She looked over at Diana, "How did this idiot get in here, by the way?" "She is family," Diana chided her firmly. Herma smiled apologetically, "Uhm, about that time..." "Shut up," Athena said crisply. "Yes, ma'am," Herma answered weakly. "You know, this butch side of you is new to me," Diana mused thoughtfully before adding, "but it's not unattractive." "Don't you start," Athena sighed. She gave Herma a deadly look, "If you ever try to pull something like that on me again, I'll make you regret it eternally. Got it?" Herma gulped, knowing that the woman meant it, too. "I promise," she vowed. "So what's up?" Diana asked curiously. "I was wondering if I could have the night off tomorrow," Athena said with a shrug, "my kendo class wants to take me out on a movie night." "Shouldn't be a problem," Diana reassured her. "Good," tossing Herma a glare Athena strode off. Diana watched her go with a faint smile, "I wonder how it is she can nurse a grudge so long?" "Really tough nipples?" Herma quipped. She wilted under Diana's look and added, "I know, I know, I won't do that in front of her." "Good idea," Diana sighed wryly.
Back to Daughters of Artemis Index - Back to Original Fiction Shoujo-Ai Fanfiction