"That was mildly nerve-wracking," Elaine replied as she followed Kae down the stairs. "I just... I don't know, suddenly I'm nervous about this."

"Probably because those are your gods and you don't want to do anything to muck it up," Kae reasoned with a shrug. "But it's fine. You'll get over it."

"We'll see," Elaine said. She took a deep breath and sighed. "I'll follow you for a while. Where do you want to explore?"

"Lobby and downstairs area again," Kae said with a shrug. "We didn't see much yet, so we might as well go take a look and see what's around. Like if there's free food anywhere. Kind of important to know where that is."

Elaine nodded.

"Knowing where the food is is a good plan," she agreed. "I'll follow you, then."

Kae nodded and led the way around the entire downstairs portion, glancing at everyone there. Some people looked vaguely familiar, just enough to make her uncomfortable, while others looked pretty damn human. But she wasn't quite as confident as she'd sounded earlier when they were upstairs.

Elaine glanced around as they went, making note of who seemed familiar and who was wearing items and jewelry that sparked names in her head.

"I've counted five different pantheons so far," she whispered to Kae as they walked. "And I've seen a few I'm not sure about."

"Yeah, I know," Kae agreed quietly. "It's awesome and nerve wracking all at the same time." She glanced around before pouring herself a cup of water, taking a sip. "And this is a freaking nice place."

"The hotel is beautiful," Elaine agreed. She poured herself a little of the ice water. "Much nicer than anywhere else I've ever been, even before the fire."

"Yeah, same here." Kae shook her head as she looked around. "I kind of like this place. Maybe if we ever get a vacation we can come back."

"Sounds good to me," Elaine said. She grinned slightly. "I may have to drag Steve here at some point, too."

"It is nice enough. He'd like it." Kae grinned. "I think Bruce would be happier somewhere a little... less fancy."

"Bruce would be very uncomfortable here," Elaine agreed. "This hotel seems very... breakable."

Kae snickered. "He liked that cabin we went to. Maybe I should get that place for him again next time we have time off."

"Worth a shot," Elaine agreed. She grinned a bit. "Next time Steve has some free time, I'll make sure to make the hotel arrangements myself. Tony did it last time, and it showed."

"Oh, I'm sure. Tony's kind of a dick like that sometimes." Kae shook her head. "It's a good thing he's such an awesome cousin most of the time."

"It's that 'sometimes' that's making me want to make the reservations myself next time," Elaine said. "A suite is nice. The honeymoon suite is too much."

Kae snickered. "True, but it's just so Tony." She grinned. "And this is why I booked a place in the middle of nowhere for Bruce and I."

"Hush," Elaine said blushing slightly, "Steve wanted to surprise me with it, and somehow Tony managed to book the reservations for him."

Kae just snickered at her. And then paused when she heard someone familiar.

"...not fair. I came to this damn thing last time!" Cupid groused. "I shouldn't have to keep coming to these things. Make someone else."

"Rules are rules," Mercury said to Cupid, shrugging. "I don't want to be here, either, this will set me back months. But we have to be here."

Elaine paused when she heard a familiar voice. She knew she had heard it before somewhere, but she couldn't place where, and she knew she wouldn't be able to put a face with the voice.

Kae blinked before she peeked around the corner at the two, and then she snickered. "Cupid," she said to Elaine.

"But I don't want to be here," Cupid whined. "I have much better things to be doing. We should petition that someone else take over for us."

"No way," Elaine said, going to take a look around the corner. "Haven't we had enough of him?"

"Just deal with it, it's only for a few days," Mercury said. "Lowest on the totem pole gets stuck with this, remember."

"I guess not." Kae grinned. "He's out there."

Cupid grumbled but didn't actually say anything more, sulking along.

"Little shit," Elaine muttered darkly.

"Look at it this way," Mercury said, "we're here, so our Greek counterparts can't be. And maybe some of the other goddesses would be willing to give you some attention this time around."