Athena smiled faintly, walking with some of her students away from the busy theater. The athletic blonde warrior looked visibly amused as she said, "I never knew there was a Japanese film festival this week." Yoriko grinned up at her teacher, her black hair falling into her eyes as she cheerfully pointed out, "Come on, do you really think we'd miss the chance to see the original Seven Samurai? Or Lone Wolf and Cub?" "Akira Kurosawa is a GOD," one of the other young men commented, awe in his voice. Athena fought back a grin as she listened, thinking that she was glad that she had decided to take on teaching this class. She occasionally wondered how these children might react to knowing that she had fought samurai once upon a time, but any temptation to tell was fleeting. "What did you think of the fight scenes, Sensei?" Alec asked curiously. "Very well done," Athena answered that automatically, "though I suspect that real combat wasn't as graceful as that." She smiled faintly, "Swords are bloody instruments no matter how sharp or well made..." "How about Kill Bill?" another student asked, the slim redheaded girl smiling behind her almost round glasses. Shannon Mcgee was a older student as well as a mystic, one of Circe's allies, and she was a bit of an odd duck. 'Though I'm not really one to talk,' Athena noted. "It's a terrific homage," she answered the question, "but hard to consider otherwise." A pause, "Though I will admit that Lucy Lui is hot." There was a chorus of agreement on that point, then they began to disperse as they neared the community center they all trained at, heading for various rides home. "Sensei, we occasionally have anime nights at one of our houses," Yoriko took a moment to tell her, "would you like us to let you know about when the next one is?" "Why the invitation?" Athena raised a eyebrow. "We would have invited you earlier," Alec said honestly, "but you're normally a pretty reserved person, ma'am." He flashed a smile, "But after seeing you cheer at the screen tonight, I figured your one of us." Athena laughed, "True enough. Let me know, I'd like to join you all." Waving to them in farewell Athena put her sword case over her shoulder and was off, striding down the street with determination. The air was still a bit cool at night but the chill didn't bother her, her pants and blouse enough protection against the weather. "Hey, Athena," Erin waved cheerfully as she caught up. The brown haired martial artist had met Athena shortly after she started her kendo classes, the lanky young lady quickly becoming a friend to the goddess. "Erin," Athena smiled, "how's Susan?" Erin actually blushed cutely, pushing her glasses up. Athena had heard through the grapevine that Erin was dating a vampire, something the girl had quickly confirmed, but her shyness on the issue was adorable. "She's fine," Erin smiled. She cleared her throat, "Uhm, I just wanted to tell you there's been a women asking about you around the community center." "Margaret?" Athena quickly deduced, a faint frown on her face. "You know her?" Erin looked a bit relieved. "Well I've met her," Athena said thoughtfully, "but that's about it. What sort of questions was she asking?" "Mostly subtle sort of probing questions," Erin answered, "she seemed interested in your background, that sort of thing." Smiling faintly Athena said, "That must have been disappointing for her." Erin chuckled, "You like being a mystery?" "Yes," Athena grinned as they reached the bar itself. "Catch you later," she excused herself, heading for the apartments behind the nightclub. "Later," Erin agreed, heading to the bar instead. Athena headed up to her suite, heading in and stripping before jumping into the shower. One hot scrub later she changed to black slacks and a white shirt, simple but classic. Grabbing her jacket she locked up and was off, heading over to check in with her sister. "How was the movie night?" Diana asked, the tawny haired goddess wiping down the bar. The club was packed with men and women, booze was flowing and everyone was eagerly looking for a romantic connection. "I had fun," Athena confessed, "though I think it was as much because of the kids as the quality of the films." Diana smiled, "You really like them, don't you?" "They've got spirit," Athena shrugged, "I enjoy that." "Oof," Circe gasped as she and Descent hauled in a keg and heaved it back behind the bar. "A little help, maybe?" the blonde haired sorceress bitched. "Gee, I just thought you were being butch," Diana said innocently, batting her eyes. Descent chuckled softly, the demoness having adopted her more human appearance. "You're not what I expected," she said, long black hair flowing over he shoulders. "Thank you," Circe shrugged. She and Diana hooked the keg up to the lines before filling up a mug and passing it to a waiting customer, "Here you go." "Thanks," Elizabeth nodded glumly, drinking from her beer. The slim blonde looked her usual slutty self, a low cut top and mini skirt showing almost her all, but her heart didn't seem to be in it. "Still feeling guilty?" Circe asked mildly. "Sort of," Elizabeth agreed with a sigh. She smiled wryly, "I didn't KNOW that Jess was dating someone, but maybe I should have been listening when she said no." "Jess wasn't exactly guiltless," Circe remarked wryly. Not that Jess wasn't her friend, but she had to be honest, too. "I wish there was someway to make up for it," Elizabeth pouted. "Well..." Circe was about to suggest something when Elizabeth visibly brightened. "What?" she asked her warily. "I know," Elizabeth said perkily, "I'll seduce Alice to even things up between them!" "Don't even think about it, you ditz!" Elizabeth pouted, "Meanie." Over at the other side of the bar, a petite redhead purred as she followed behind the taller, blacked haired woman as they navigated to a table. "Should I get us some beer?" Casey asked, catlike ears twitching curiously. "Later," Nycole chuckled, looking across the table at her companion. Dressed in black leather and wearing a simple collar Casey had a wild, almost animalistic beauty, one enhanced by the catlike features the shape-shifter was letting show. "Is something wrong with my clothes, mistress?" Casey asked tentatively, her green eyes slightly wider with fear. "No," Nycole shook her head, "I was just thinking about something. Do you remember what's important about today?" Casey's lips curled up in a warm smile. "Today is the anniversary of the day we first met, and one year after that the day you claimed me as your mate," she purred. "I'm glad you remembered," Nycole reached out to lay a hand over Casey's, her white gloves bold over the girl's dark leathers. "I'd ever forget," Casey answered happily. Nycole leaned over to kiss her, "Good, because I have plans to celebrate tonight." To be continued... Notes: Elizabeth first appears in Blood Sex and Magic, as well as being a Daughters customer. Since she played a big role in Jess and Alice's problems I thought I should cover that somewhere. Nycole and Casey appeared in a earlier Daughters episode and I'm batting around the idea of writing a lemon on them.
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