>>”God of strength and willpower.... yes. Summoned to this era.”

He was telling the truth. That was... surprising. Serena was already out of her comfort zone with magic (even though she loved it), but gods... that was a whole new realm of possibility.

Interrupted by model meltdown.

Hercules lit up like a Christmas tree.

>>”A meltdown!?! Here?!? You there! Point me in the direction of this crisis so I may ‘solve’ the problem!”

The assistant froze, staring between him and Serena. Serena waved a hand, and she gratefully scurried away. Serena gave the man an amused smile. He really was not from this world. Intriguing.

"You know what? Let's go. If you can get Damien to put on a game face and walk that runway in that damn dress, we'll talk more about channeling magic."

The woman froze as Hercules demanded to be brought before the meltdown, for some this would an intimidating task but for Hercules “God of strength” this would just be another trial. Maybe if he laid down his life to stop the meltdown he’d get a new ‘chapter’ on his body. Surely a Nuclear explosion would be easy to spot on his person. He was ready to prove himself yet again!

The woman with whom he was conversing with accepted the help. Hercules flexed, ”Yes! Another chance to prove myself.... what?” it was a meltdown. Why was someone in a dress a concern right now? ”So not a Nuclear Meltdown....” his glowing toned down and beaming smile faded. ”Hmmmm a less daunting task it seems.”

Hercules followed curious if she had any good inputs on channeling magic. Maybe it be possible for Hercules to draw less from William or none at all. He was a growing boy after all he needed all the energy he could get. ”I excel at games! I’m sure I can help him prepare!” the demigod punched his fists in his enthusiasm.

Thankfully there was no one on the other side of the door, when Hercules entered he ripped the door off the hinges his body gleaming under the power of his curse. ”I’m here for Damien! Tell me which one is he!” the door was set down when Hercules realized there was a lot of people in the room. Otherwise he would have thrown it. The demi-god already forgot the man in question looked like his brother.

>>”Yes! Another chance to prove myself.... what?... So not a Nuclear Meltdown....”

For a moment, Serena wondered what the guy would have done if it had been a nuclear meltdown.

"More drama. Less radiation."

>>”Hmmmm a less daunting task it seems.”

"You'll see" Serena smirked, leading the way to backstage where Atlantean-dressed models were lining up, keeping a somewhat snobby distance from Damien who was busy throwing a hissy fit. Which was interrupted by Hercules literally breaking down the door in his full glowworm glory.

>>”I’m here for Damien! Tell me which one is he!”

Damien jumped and paled a little. Serena walked in behind Hercules, thoroughly enjoying the show.

"Damien, darling, please tell the nice giant what the problem is."

Damien looked between the two of them, opening and closing his perfectly glossed mouth a couple of times without saying anything.

"He said the dress is a disaster, and completely off brand for him." supplied one of the other models, clearly enjoying the scene way too much.

Hercules suddenly remembered why he wanted to meet Daimen in the first place. The resemblance to his brother Hermes was astounding. He put that aside for now though for he had a mission. Fighting the urge to pick the man up and squeeze him in a bear hug the demi-god strode forward and stopped before him to study him. Similar facial features and frame and the air of arrogance was around him. Hercules never liked that about his brother. He liked it even less on a mortal. For if everyone had an attitude like that Hercules wouldn’t have any interest in mortals. It sometimes made him question everything he stood for.

”Oh?” he asked looking to the source of the comment then over to the woman who never introduced herself. The one who knew magic. ”What’s wrong with the clothing? Is it the fabric?” he looked at the article of clothing and held his hands up to it touching it gently. It felt soft and not scratchy.

The god of strength had seen shows about the runway before in fact the whole concept of models being famous for something other than the work of art they inspired was astounding to him. No one credited him to David, or any other of the sculptures or paintings about him. He was more inspired by the art themselves. ”Or is it the fact that it was inspired of thousands of years of traditional clothing by a recently rediscovered city of Atlantis?” he asked finding the clothing familiar to his time there before it vanished.

”No, that’s not it...” he looked back to the model in question and stood tall staring him down, ”It’s ‘off brand’ because you’re posture is incorrect!” two massive hands reached down to the model one on the shoulders and one on the lower back. Despite his ability to break down doors and headbutt concrete into gravel Hercules’s massive hands could be very gentle. He adjusted the man, who resembled his brother and then looked back to the dress in question.

”A brand!?! A model such as yourself doesn’t have a brand, ‘you’ make the brand with confidence and grace. You are after all selling the product no?” he asked putting both hands on the man’s shoulders. ”You were hired to do a job. Even if it’s something you might not like. If you are getting paid for it you must convince others it is something you care about. I know it’s a competitive field. It’s easier to get work in the future if you are kind and compassionate! If not, there are others who are dying to take your spot! Show them why you were picked for this position.” Hercules stared into Damien’s eyes for a few moments then let go of the man.

”Now, how are you feeling about the clothing now? I personally think you can pull it off! Do you doubt my ability to see things?” his muscles flexed and his body started to look oiled up. It was more intimidating the closer he was to someone. ”I can always help you find work if this position isn’t for you.” while he would have preferred to deal with an actual meltdown this too tested an aspect of his abilities he had trouble with, his patience.

>>”Oh? What’s wrong with the clothing? Is it the fabric?”

Damien jumped as Hercules reached out, but the touch was light, exploring the flowy Atlantean-inspired fabric.

>>”Or is it the fact that it was inspired of thousands of years of traditional clothing by a recently rediscovered city of Atlantis?... No, that’s not it...”

Some of the models giggled, other stared with their mouth open. Serena watched with clear amusement that had rarely ever been seen on her face. Damien's look was priceless. He was still opening and closing his mouth without making a sound. Suddenly, the whole dumb show was worth it.

>>”It’s ‘off brand’ because you’re posture is incorrect!”

Damien turned an ever lighter shade of alabaster as Hercules gently yet firmly corrected his posture. Serena tilted her head. He was right about the posture. Go figure. These outfits were not designed for the marionette-like stance of modern day runway gazelles.

>>”A brand!?! A model such as yourself doesn’t have a brand, ‘you’ make the brand with confidence and grace. You are after all selling the product no? You were hired to do a job. Even if it’s something you might not like. If you are getting paid for it you must convince others it is something you care about. I know it’s a competitive field. It’s easier to get work in the future if you are kind and compassionate! If not, there are others who are dying to take your spot! Show them why you were picked for this position.”

Now it was Serena's turn to stare in awe.

>>”Now, how are you feeling about the clothing now? I personally think you can pull it off! Do you doubt my ability to see things? I can always help you find work if this position isn’t for you.”

Damien blinked, opened his mouth once more, closed it, then turned, and walked to the runway.

As the models all filed out, Serena clapped her hands. Giving credit where credit was due.

"You're hired. Name your salary."

”HA HA! YES! Show them!” Hercules shouted encouragement as Damien had a change of heart and left the god’s side with little much more than opening and closing his mouth. Other models followed and Hercules looked back to the woman before him who was now telling him he was hired. Hercules didn’t recall asking for a job but it was common to want to hire a god once they helped you so he wasn’t at all confused by the offer.

”Salary?” he asked confused with the word at first trying to recall what she meant by it. He knew the English language well but he always confused by all their double meanings. Salary was not one of those words. ”Payment. Yes.” he folded his arms, ”I’d have to check with my master. I know money is tight.” he said truthfully. Hospitals in this era were impossibly expensive and his current master was too young to work.

”I recalled we were to talk of channeling magic.” he said grabbing the nearest blanket or fabric that could cover his body he could find. He was starting to be aware of the looks the other models gave him. No doubt they were staring at his altering tapestry of the curse. While it didn’t bother him too much he also knew it was a distraction and they all had a job to do.

”I fear you may not be able to handle my salary. I not only would require money but time as well.” he said truthfully. ”For you see I am a full time Guardian as well!” he smirked and then offered his hand again, ”I will start with a name though. Yours ideally.”

>>”Salary?”

"Payment. Dollars. Or whatever your concept of money is." Serena clarified.

>>”Payment. Yes. I’d have to check with my master. I know money is tight.”

Right. The guy already had a... master. Serena hoped that was not a king thing. Hercules wrapped himself in a blanket, and for lack of a better option she turned to head back to the dressing room for some privacy.

>>”I recalled we were to talk of channeling magic. I fear you may not be able to handle my salary. I not only would require money but time as well. For you see I am a full time Guardian as well! I will start with a name though. Yours ideally.”

"Serena Lockhart. I own the Lockhart fashion company." they shook hands. Serena sensed the tinge of magic on his skin. He was not bluffing, even if the drink had worn off. "If you give me your... master's information, I am sure we can negotiate some kind of a deal. I don't mind paying a competitive salary."

Allowing the blanket to drape over his shoulders it seemed to flow as Hercules walked creating almost a cape a child would be seen with. Not his master but rather other kids his age. His master for as brilliant as the young teen was had little in the imagination department. After repeated comments about it his master stopped talking to him when he brought it up.

Following Serena out of the room and back into the room they were before they engaged with the ‘meltdown’ Hercules gingerly took her hand in a shake his massive hands curling around hers. ”I’m Hercules. Son of Zues, king of the gods at least the Greek and Roman pantheons.” he said thinking about something he owned, ”I own a club.” he made note not to think about the thing in his hand otherwise he might have summoned it.

”Any deal you would need to negotiate should first be brought to my attention.” he stated finding a seat walking over and sitting in it the blanket fell behind him leaving him bare chested. ”He’s currently studying right now but if the deal is too good to pass up I’m sure he will agree to your terms.” he nodded confidently. ”So you too channel magic?”

>>”I’m Hercules. Son of Zues, king of the gods at least the Greek and Roman pantheons. I own a club.”

"I'm gonna assume it's the clobbering kind and not the fancy cocktails kind" Serena smirked. She was still halfway convinced she was talking to a crazy person. But he was a crazy person with an interesting power.

>>”Any deal you would need to negotiate should first be brought to my attention. He’s currently studying right now but if the deal is too good to pass up I’m sure he will agree to your terms. So you too channel magic?”

"I am... starting to learn" Serena nodded, her thumb running over the inside of her rings. There was so much more she could learn. She was just beginning. "But something tells me you... are not on the curriculum. And I like new things. I don't quite know how you channeling magic works. But I'm curious. So... your master. Who is he? Some high ranking mystic?"

”Fair assumption.” he smiled, ”I have a hard time holding onto cocktail glasses actually. Prefer a large mug. Wooden ideally.” why was everything in this era made of glass? Wood and metal made excellent and far more resilient drinkware to the demi-god.

”Circiculum?” Hercules asked raising his eyebrow, ”No, I doubt I am. Very few are capable of summoning me.” he said truthfully, ”Only the most skilled can channel enough magic for me to use.” he continued knowing his master wouldn’t be thrilled with him sharing all of his information.

”I form a pact with one or many, after certain conditions are agreed upon I can then channel their magic to hold off the curse that binds my power. It requires a strong will and mental fortitude that few seem to possess. In this era and others.” he flexed showing off his curse accessing the power his tattoo’s started to glow while his body started to gloss over.

”My current master is wonderful, a bit moody but he has the weight of the world on his shoulders. It was fitting he was able to summon me. Here I thought I would be forgotten.” he laughed and slapped his knee his voice booming. ”Me! Hercules! Ha!”

Serena was taking mental notes. She had a good memory for things that interested her, and the thing that interested her the most lately was magic. Especially the kind that others in the book club did not possess.

>>”No, I doubt I am. Very few are capable of summoning me. Only the most skilled can channel enough magic for me to use.”

Exclusive. High end. High maintenance. Excellent.

>>”I form a pact with one or many, after certain conditions are agreed upon I can then channel their magic to hold off the curse that binds my power. It requires a strong will and mental fortitude that few seem to possess. In this era and others.”

Alright, things were kind of beginning to make sense. Hercules was... Hercules, but he needed a power source to operate. That had ot be one serious curse.

>>”My current master is wonderful, a bit moody but he has the weight of the world on his shoulders. It was fitting he was able to summon me. Here I thought I would be forgotten. Me! Hercules! Ha!”

Well, that master certainly had to be an exceptional mystic. Serena wondered if she knew him already.

"I see. So... what does he get out of all this? In exchange for you drawing on his magic?"

The giant scoffed and laughed as if the answer was an obvious one. ”Me.” Hercules stood and flexed some more his glowing tattoo’s shifted along his body making it more difficult to read the curse however his exploits became apparent. Ships shifted along his chest as monsters flickered to life from his many trials and even the ones that weren’t as famous.

”The power to summon the strongest god from any pantheon.” he bragged and sat back down beaming, ”Depends on who you ask but very few can best me in a fight.”

”I also come with knowledge eons of history having lived through many of the eras myself. I also developed numerous skills along the way. Right now I’m currently learning how to cook pizza. The dough needs to be kneaded properly and so far it escapes me.” he said hanging his head a little in shame.

”I help him accomplish his goals as I do with all masters. His however seem to be more noble than most. Which is why I agreed to serve him.” Hercules nodded his head proudly a tear forming in his eye the more he thought about the plight of his master.

>>”Me. The power to summon the strongest god from any pantheon. Depends on who you ask but very few can best me in a fight.”

Well, he definitely had the biggest ego, Serena noted. Then again, if mythology was any indication, so did all deities. She could still barely comprehend that she was actually talking to one. Magic was mind-boggling sometimes.

>>”I also come with knowledge eons of history having lived through many of the eras myself. I also developed numerous skills along the way. Right now I’m currently learning how to cook pizza. The dough needs to be kneaded properly and so far it escapes me.”

The god made pizza. Some women have married for much less.

>>”I help him accomplish his goals as I do with all masters. His however seem to be more noble than most. Which is why I agreed to serve him.”

So... Hercules was a big softie. And his current master was some goodie-two-shoes, wasting a god's powers on pizza. Serena rolled her eyes. This was not going to be as easy as negotiating employment. And she still had no idea who the revered master could be. In her experience, most mystics were not exactly socially conscious.

"So... it doesn't sound like you will jump ship for higher pay, then" she summarized, folding her arms. "How about working part-time? Can you channel more than one person at a time?"

The giant stood up at the question flexing his muscles in all his glory not understanding her meaning of jumping ship. He had jumped from ships many times in his long, long life. ”Can’t say I’ve jumped a ship for better pay. Slaying a sea beast is far more likely.” he said pointing to a few monsters on one of his arms. It glowed when he pointed it out.

”A part time job?” Hercules asked, his eyebrows raising. It was clear she was wanting to hire him after dealing with the model who wasn’t a nuclear reactor. Still a shame. It would have given him an opportunity to show his might on a foe he has not yet fought. ”One of monetary exchange.” he did need money. His master was telling him to get a job.

”Oh! That type of payment!?!” he said snapping his fingers, it was with the glowing arm so it was louder than it should have been with the power channeled into it. ”But of course! Seven is the most I have had before. Though it was for a very short time!” the Demigod boasted. ”Though it has been some hundreds of years.” his glowing stopped at the idea of taking on another master.

”You mean you of course?” he asked looking down at her checking her out there wasn’t anyone else around and she was capable having silenced him earlier. ”Tell me... What would you like to accomplish with me as your god?” he asked curiously placing a hand on his chin. This was part of the gods process. Question what they wanted and who they were.

She was not going to be able to lure Hercules away from his current master. Not for better money, anyway. He seemed more focused on glory than money, which was always trickier to handle. But Serena ran a fashion house, and she was not the kind to give up. Enter option B: hire the guy part-time, and convince him through practice that she would make a much better master mystic for him.

>>”Oh! That type of payment!?! But of course! Seven is the most I have had before. Though it was for a very short time! Though it has been some hundreds of years.”

Seven masters?! How much magic could this man handle? Serena looked at the glowing patterns on his skin. Clearly, a whole lot. This was sounding more and more promising by the minute. She did not like to share, but she would have to put up with it. For a little while.

>>”You mean you of course? Tell me... What would you like to accomplish with me as your god?”

Serena blinked. It was a direct question, but one that surprised her anyway. There were... so many possibilities.

I want to use your god powers to be the baddest boss-ass b*** in town.

"I am... still new to being a mystic." she admitted, using some of the truth to her advantage "But I have been a bos... a master of a lot of people for a very long time. And I want to learn more. About magic, about power. And about shaping this world. And who better to learn from, than a god who has already shaped it many times before?"