In the bustling morning streets, amidst a sea of moving bodies, two women strode purposefully towards a grand building. With each loud clack of their heels, their presence commanded attention as one would admire lightning.
The two were drawing gazes and warm greetings from the passersby who knew the blondette to be a young, yet humble billionaire.
On that fateful day, Adamantia felt energized enough to dress herself well for the anniversary of her homeless shelter. Wearing an ensemble of black, green and white, she was a vision of ethereal beauty.
She wore a figure-hugging suit. The button-up shirt was crisp, tucked into the obsidian pants that accentuated her toned legs. The tie, which she kept fiddling with, boasted intricate dark green lace patterns. Usually she would opt for something comfortable and designed for combat but for the grand opening of her newest shelter, she had to dress to impress.
Completing her ensemble, she sported a pair of black ray ban sunglasses that shielded her eyes from the sun's glare, exuding an air of glamorous mystery that was a personal ode to her mother's serpentine beauty.
Possessing long, flowing locks of golden wheat blonde hair that cascaded down her back in gentle waves behest of Ahmanet's styling. Her piercing Mediterranean blue eyes sparkled with an inner radiance, contrasting against her pristine porcelain skin that seemed to glow in the morning light.
Walking alongside her, Ahmanet possessed a captivating allure of her own. Her rich, brown skin exudes warmth and vitality, reflecting her Egyptian heritage. Her eyes, a rare and mesmerizing shade of golden, seemed to hold ancient secrets and stories untold. Swimming within molten gold were shy specks of ruby, further accentuated by the electric blue eyeliner running across her eyelid in a clean swoop.
In contrast to Adamantia's attire, her was a vibrant celebration of culture and style, melding graeco-roman fashion with nods to the contemporary style. She wore a flowing, ankle-length skirt that had a slit along her thigh. It allowed for easy movement and showed the cat-like stilettos that she wore.
A fitted, sleeveless top in a complementary shade hugged her slender frame, accentuating her natural cat-like grace. Completing her look, she donned a pair of sleek aviator sunglasses, their golden frames mirroring the twinkle in her eyes, blending modern flair with a touch of timeless charm.
"Wait wait!" Ahmanet said in a string of clumsy words causing Adamantia to stop in her tracks to turn towards her friend.
"Don't you think we are far too overdressed?" With one hand, she fiddled with her skirt while in the other, she balanced a cup of half-finished coffee.
"Ahmanet, normally darling, I would agree with your assessment one hundred percent. I prefer comfort over something dressy and prefer something easy to fight in. However, this is an important event and even though I do not need them, donations are nice to have to help support my shelters and humans as I have learned, especially those high in money? Love to be seen as charitable and benevolent. It makes everything easier in the long run of things, my dear kitty. " Adamantia snaked her arms around her friend's arm and linked it, dragging her towards the Pantheon-esque building.
"Now come on, love! We have to be early!"
With Ahmanet locked within the crook of her arm, Adamantia led the women into the thick crowd. As the two women made their way through the busy streets, the vibrant fabric of their attire caught the eye of many, inviting smiles and warm greetings from the people they passed.
Strangers, caught in the spirit of the metropolis morning, exchanged friendly "good mornings" and nods of acknowledgement, recognizing the undeniable allure of the duo. The women reciprocated these gestures with genuine warmth and grace, their divine presence uplifting the spirits of those they encountered.
In this lively tapestry of diverse individuals, the long-haired, blonde beauty and the brown-skinned Egyptian stood out not just for their striking appearances but also for the radiant aura they emanated. The morning sun illuminated their paths as they continued their journey towards the majestic building where the façade spoke tales of fearless women throughout history.
But upon the very apex of the classical architecture, stood the human form of her mother in an elegant toga, her chiseled nose pointing towards the rising sun.
"Don't worry, mother. In life and death, I will etch your name and glory in all of the realms. Whether be mortal or Olympus, all shall know of your beauty."
Nodding towards the Italian Marble statue of her mother, she turned to face her friend who was patiently waiting for Adamantia to free herself from her corrosive habits.
"Wishing eternal damnation on the gods again?"
Adamantia snickered as she jogged up the stairs to stand by her friend. "I would if I could, alas, Hades rules the underworld. The man might be a recluse but he holds loyalty towards his despicable brothers."
"Maybe all he needs is you to send their souls to Tartarus, maybe he is tired of their shenanigans as well." Ahmanet shrugged and chucked her paper cup empty of its coffee in an open trash can. "I know I would be if my siblings were murderous, treacherous, lecher-"
"Just say bastards."
"Yes, you know what I mean."
The two laughed out without a care in the world, unknowingly catching the ear of the usher who opened the large doors of the establishment for the two esteemed guests.
As the ornate double doors swung open, the two women were ushered into the grand hall, where the air was tinged with an air of electric anticipation.
The atmosphere crackled with a delicate balance between pompousness and humility, creating an intriguing blend that permeated every corner of the room. This was a fund-raising party unlike any other, where opulence and charity converged with an underlying sense of camaraderie. The guests hailed from the upper echelons of high society but, between them were women from more humbler backgrounds, promoting their business.
The party's goal was to introduce hard working women to clientele who were willing to support lucrative business and artisans.
Despite the duality of the crowd, everyone wore affluent fabric. Adorned in their finest attire, Adamantia sponsored the women from her woman's shelter who were fine seamstresses. They were given expensive and rare cloth so they could stitch up elegant clothing for the guests.
The experiment was seen as a success, for everyone was freely engaging in conversation and laughter. Unlike the halls of Olympus, amidst the refined splendor, a spirit of compassion prevailed. Individuals reached out to one another, offering support and extending a helping hand, as the purpose of the event united them in a common cause.
Moving gracefully through the crowd were the attentive wait staff, a vision of impeccable professionalism. Clad in pristine tuxedos, they maneuvered with seamless efficiency, carrying trays adorned with delectable culinary creations. The clinking of crystal glasses mingled with the murmurs of conversations, as the guests indulged in gastronomic delights, their palates tantalized by the fusion of flavors.
At the heart of the hall, a small band, perched on a raised platform, their instruments poised and ready. The musicians were captivated by their craft, their eyes alive with the fervor of shared passion.
As they began to play, their lively music swept through the air, breathing an infectious energy into the gathering. Melodies intertwined with laughter and the rhythmic tapping of feet as the guests surrendered to the enchanting sway of the music.
In the center of the room, couples swirled and twirled, their bodies moving in graceful synchrony. The dance floor became a vibrant tableau, where different generations merged, bridging gaps of age and social standing. Diverse emotions danced on their faces, a kaleidoscope of joy, contentment, and a shared understanding of the importance of coming together for a greater purpose.
"Madam, Madam!"
Adamantia had just plucked a crystalline flute from a nearby tray that a button-nosed girl had run up to her. Wild curls flew about from her head, accentuating the young girl's exuberant energy.
"Oh, Olivia! Are you enjoying the party?" Adamantia casually passed an extra glass to Ahmanet when the younger girl finally balanced herself.
She took a deep breath and within her eyes was a warm fire that seemed to burn only for the two women standing in front of her.
"I don't know how to….." The young girl turned to face the entire room, dressed to the toes with jewels and silk, made from the hands of hers and her friend's. "How to… thank you."
Adamantia looked at Ahmanet and the two smiled.
"We didn't do this to receive good grace. But it was to see all of you succeed and perhaps become one of the people who offer their services for the good of the people."
For a moment, the three girls continued to converse about multiple topics. Ranging from finances to the success of the fund raiser. Surprisingly, a number of curious investors had arrived at the shelter, praising the system that Adamantia and Ahmanet had created. But, despite a polished system, there were some girls and males that they could not protect. It still sometime surprised them just how harsh the world was towards their vulnerable members
Adamantia watched as young Olivia interacted with an old couple in the distance, her posture seeming far too tense than normal. She was, after all, a product of an abusive household causing the woman to lose all of her self-worth in the hands of those whom she called 'family.' Her twin brother was a little better off but not much. She was just thankful she was able to find able professional help that would work with all vulnerable populations not just believe in the fact that only women and children were targeted. Over the years, she has been alive, she has seen how harsh the world can be even to the males of their society…and then said males would be condemned for not being strong enough to protect themselves against those that would seek to harm them. "It is still indeed surprising how much shock I received when everyone makes the assumption that I only advocate for women and children not realizing that I also offer help for men as well."
Ahmanet was about to reply when her keen eyes fell on the Earth below. The woman's face was scrunched as if she was searching for something and by her newly acquired stance, the woman was expecting danger.
"Adamantia, I sense something…" Ahmanet whispered lowly, signaling for the security with two fingers.
A man dressed in all black approached Ahmanet and the two walked away to evacuate the guests with relative silence meanwhile, Adamantia was about to step outside to check when the chandelier above her began to sway gently.
Drops of shimmering glass quivered, playing a haunting tune when the Earth began to rumble. 'Earthquake?'Bracing herself to a nearby pillar, she watched as the security and some noble hearted humans began to take charge, advising the guests to take precautionary measures to soldier through the natural event.
Or so it would seem. There was nothing natural about the Earthquake. The daughter of Medusa and Anubis looked into each other's eyes across the room and nodded in acknowledgement. Without saying a word, the two knew each other's instruction which was to slip through the party and meet outside.
As the ground beneath them trembled, Adamantia and Ahmanet sinked into the shadows of the building whilst instructing the security to use the emergency exits. Unbeknownst to many, Adamantia built all of her temple-esque establishments to be prepared for events involving gods and their shenanigans. So of course there was a separate route created for a scenario involving an Earthquake.
Their eyes wide with anger and purpose, the two women recognized the urgency of the situation. With adrenaline coursing through their veins, they sprinted towards the nearest exit of the building, their hearts pounding in sync with each other when they pushed the doors open to reveal a dismal world.
Emerging into a gray city-scape, they were met with a scene of chaos. The aftermath of the earthquake had left cracks in the pavement and debris scattered across the ground. But their focus quickly shifted as they gazed up at the darkened sky, which seemed to mirror their own sense of foreboding. A storm was rapidly approaching, its fury evident in the heavy, leaden clouds that rolled ominously overhead, rumbling as it did.
The atmosphere crackled with electricity, both from the residual energy of the earthquake and the impending storm. The wind howled, whipping through their hair and clothes, tugging at them as if urging them to further challenge Olympus.
With each step they took, the air grew thicker, pregnant with the promise of an impending deluge. The first drops of rain began to fall; fat and heavy, splattering against their faces and drenching their clothes within seconds.
Suddenly, a brilliant streak of lightning split the sky, illuminating the world around them in a blinding flash. For a brief moment, the two women could see everything in sharp detail—the cracked sidewalks, the bent lamp posts, and the surrounding buildings trembling in the face of the tempest.
But standing tall, on the peak of her shelter, was the stupefied face of her mother's statue. Medusas's spotless nose was held up in the sky, watching the scene of frivolous power with distaste.
Adamantia's resolve hardened. Apprehension transformed into resilience as the two women locked eyes once more, finding solace and strength in their shared determination for the tumultuous future.