SHADOWS ~ Eternals

nine;

BABYLON
575 BC

THERE WAS A TIME WHERE THEY WERE ALL GENUINELY HAPPY. Druig had convinced Venus to court him, Sersi and Medea had built a strong relationship that not even the meanest and most disapproving glares could touch, Angè had found this hime to be her favourite one yet, and Anahera... well, she was having a lot of premarital fun with Ikaris.

"The beautiful Makkari, and my oh so gorgeous Ange." Venus clapped when the speedster rushed in with Angèlique by her side. "You're both late." Druig commented from beside the dimpled woman, her legs pulled over his own.

"Shut up, Druig." Angè scowled and Makkari rolled her eyes at the group. "I needed to get enough artefacts to make a good trade." Makkari explained before she and Angè placed the stolen artefacts onto the table.

"Just lie to her." One of the men sitting across from them— the men who were supposed to trade— said to the other as he moved to slowly reach out and steal one of the artefacts. Venus's eyes narrowed into a dangerous glare before Druig pulled her into his arms, locking her in securely.

"Don't." He whispered and Venus rolled her eyes but sighed. "You don't know what I was gonna do." She mumbled before Makkari turned around to face the stealing man and grabbed his hand, making him gasp in surprise.

"I can sense vibrations. Even the tiniest movement. Including your voices when you speak." Makkari signed as Druig translated for her, the other two women tilting their heads. "Did you two just waste her time?" Angè questioned.

"The Emerald Tablet you're searching for...is a myth!" One of the men exclaimed and Venus hummed as she lifted a hand, pink energy dancing around her fingertips. "Either way, it's not too kind to lie to powerful people." The dimpled woman stated in a kind voice that came off slightly threatening.

"Especially those of us who can kill without consequence now, is it?" Angè added as shadows danced around them, causing the two men to get up and run away. The group relaxed slightly, but before they could find peace in the melodic sounds of music, they were cut off by the sounds of group of men brawling.

"Druig, don't—" Venus warned briefly when she noticed he had gently brushed her legs off of his, standing up and looking to the group of unnecessarily angry men, energy humming in the air as the dimpled woman let out a sigh.

All the men slapped each other twice, grunting in unison before all cheering and embracing one another in a hug. Druig grinned before turning back, only to face three very unimpressed women.

"What happened to listening, because the last time I checked, it was a very very good skill to have." Venus hissed as she glared at her lover who grinned and shrugged as he pulled her tense figure into his arms where she softened slightly. "I don't know what you're talking about." He stated, shaking his head and Venus glared.

"You're going to be the literal death of me." The dimpled woman sighed. "When humans have conflict, Ajak tells us not to interfere." Makkari stepped in with a pointed look to Druig who snorted. "Well, she also says that stealing is very, very bad." The mind reader pointed out, causing Angè to cross her arms.

"You have nothing on us." The short woman scoffed and Druig raised an eyebrow. "You all help her steal." The mind reader deadpanned and Venus grinned up at him innocently. "You can't prove that." She shrugged and Makkari gave her an offended look. "Rude." She signed with a huff.

"Sorry, Kari." Angè signed back and Druig rolled his eyes. "Okay, fine. Medea has been sneaking off in the middle of the night to meet with Sersi, Anahera keeps making Kingo have nightmares in his sleep, Angè hides her puppets-" He started listing only for Angè to cut him off.