Against the Rain , open

[Hecate]

The rain poured relentlessly from the sky, pummeling the outside of the sleek black vehicle parked outside the station. A flicker of lightning flashed like a strobe light, momentarily brightening the dreary skies. Soon after the lightning, a low rumble of thunder sounded. The thunder was so low and so deep Hecate could feel it in the pit of her stomach. With her wind shield wipers going as fast that could, she still couldn’t see outside. Everything was just one big, wet blur. Thirty minutes ago, she told herself that the rain would let up and then she’d make a break for it. Again, that was thirty minutes ago. Her train to Birmingham left in fifteen minutes.

Quickly, she began scrounging around for something she could use in place of an umbrella, which she did not have. The threat of rain didn’t show itself till an hour ago, and by then she was already in her car. Her hand found itself resting upon a newspaper. Though it wasn’t much, it would have to do. She snatched it up, unfolding it so that it covered her head. With one deep breath, she counted to three mentally, and opened the car door. Holding the newspaper over her head, she grabbed her bags and bolted for the shelter of the train station.

The flimsy material of the newspaper hardly made any difference. It was as if it wasn’t even there because was drenched in a matter of seconds. She found herself chuckling at her own stupidity as she ran toward the station. Running in heels through puddles was hardly funny, and it made her think of how ill-prepared she was for this trip.

Once she reached the station, she trashed the wet newspaper and fluffed her hair. Her camel color trench was soaked, along with her bags. She pulled her ticket out of her purse and looked at the time. She still had thirteen minutes. . . And there was still no train. A scoff passed her lips as she rolled her eyes. If she knew her train was going to be late she would have waited in her car. Hecate stuffed her ticket back in her purse and pulled off her jacket-- well, more like peeled off. The material clung to her. Beneath the jacket there were a few damp spots, but only on her shoulders and back.

With a sigh as she seated herself, she hoped this wasn’t a precursor of how the rest of her weekend was going to go.

[Thoth]

Thoth hadn't been particularly thrilled at the prospect of the trip, but it was unfortunately something he couldn't say no to. Another hospital needed a consult, and he was the best there was. Though it had been difficult to get there, not in any way due to his intellect, which far surpassed that of his co-workers, it was this body. Apparently looking too young to allow him to be considered an equal at first.

He was just glad he had the foresight to bring an umberella with him as he made his way out into the downpour, the collar of his dark coat turned up as he walked briskly to catch the train, not interested in lingering this weather.

He glanced about the compartment for a seat once he was inside, closing the umberella. He paused when he felt the perculiar, but familiar sensation of another nearby. His eyes cast around to pin-point the source.

[Hecate]

While rummaging through the contents of a messy purse, she felt this pull. It was a tug of the senses that was difficult to ignore. Another god or goddess was somewhere in the area, she could sense. By the harshness of the feeling, and the way it struck her, she could tell that the deity was close and very near by. She lifted her head from her bag, allowing her keen eyes to scan the area. It shouldn’t have been hard to distinguish the god or goddess from the handful of mortals that currently occupied the station. When her eyes fell upon a young man finally, she knew she’d found them.

Thoth.

Though she didn’t know him, she somehow recognized him. It was the only name that came to mind, no other. She could imagine that’s what it was like for other gods when they ran into someone not of their pantheon. Hecate pushed herself up from her seat, snatching up the wet jacket she’d hung on the back of her chair in hopes of it drying a bit. She carried herself and her belongings with her as she approached him.

“Mind if I take a seat next you?” She asked with a smile. When Hecate smiled it was always a genuine one, none of that forced and false crap that many people did.

[Thoth]

It soon became apparent when she stood, just who he was looking for. Not one from his own pantheon, not that it bothered him particularly. In fact, it was rather nice to get away from them for a bit. Anubis might have been the one that judged the mortals, but it was Thoth that judged the gods themselves, resolving their disputes.

The name popped into his head as he glanced her way. Hecate, was it? He gave a nod in response to her question, smiling a little. Perhaps this trip would be somewhat more interesting than he had first thought.

"Of course. Hecate, is it?" He ventured a guess, though he had never met the goddess himself before now. Always too busy before he came to Earth, and now cut-off from the others. He was just glad to meet another, however, finding the company of mortals rather dull and simplistic to keep his mind entertained for long.

[Hecate]

"Yes, and you are Thoth, I presume?" She asked as she leaned down to set her bags on the ground. Hecate fanned her jacket out yet again on the empty seat next to her and then sat down. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance. My only regret is the terrible weather," she chuckled softly. She wanted to mention her dreadful appearance but for the sake of not stating the obvious she refrained.

"It really must be true. All gods and goddesses must be present here in London, no matter the pantheon. Where are you off to? If you don't mind me asking, of course. I'm only curious because it's good to have company of an immortal variety. Life among mortals has treated me well, but it's nice to be in like company." She explained.

[Thoth]

Thoth gave a nod of confirmation, still rather surprised that he had ran into someone else here, of all places. He wondered why London in particular seemed to be where others were beginning to gather, and for what purpose. But he supposed it was probably good to have others around that also wanted to get home, even with a brain like his, and pondering the reason for being stuck on Earth, he had made no progress on his own. He smiled a little at that, glancing at the window briefly, unsurprised to see the rain was still coming down heavily. "Mhm. Very different to back home..."

He gave a thoughtful nod at that, assuming that meant she knew of others in the city also. He put his pondering over that to one side for the moment to answer. "Birmingham. Most jobs can't keep my attention long enough, but I've found neurology to be the most engaging, so I'm off to consult at a hospital up there." He explained. "Yourself?" He asked, then shook his head. "I don't mind. It's nice to talk to another. Mortals really lack the same... interest."