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The Athens Gate Hotel is one of the city's shining jewels in the hotel industry. Tonight it has been taken over by several hundred dignitaries in preparation for the opening ceremonies of the 2004 Olympic Games on the morrow. And by 'taken over' the narration means it; both the ground floor reception room and the rooftop garden have been invaded by A-list guests, including movie stars, ambassadors and several deities.

The guest of honor is one Thallo Eirene, whose status wasn't something she was aware of until arriving at the hotel, and someone tried to whisk her away for a photoshoot with some of the other celebrities.

(It was a very reluctant photoshoot on her part.)

Now, she's ensconced in the garden with her date, mentally counting down the time they still have to suffer through before she can make a graceful exit and run away from all the media attention. The dress she's wearing isn't exactly helping with her attempts to be a wallflower.

"Your Holiness." Eirene glances up at the latest intruder, and smiles pleasantly. "Your Holiness. Thank you for coming, sir. I know that your followers are pleased to see you out and about."

That's right. She's talking to the Pope.

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Daddy! Mel loves the big guy sitting next to her. So much that she'll share all of the toys in the house with him, and chew on his fingers and let him rub her tummy and scratch behind her ears ...

and and and.

Both Eirene and Clark were wrong on the time frame - it's almost an hour later when she finally wanders down the stairs, wrapped in a robe, with damp hair swaying across her back.

"Awe. You two are adorable."

All of which Clark is happy to accommodate, and there may even be a brief attempt to get Mel to learn how to catch a ball when he tosses it up. They'll work on distance later when they're outside.

Both man and dog glance her way when Eirene arrives, Mel's tail thumping rapidly. "We try, don't we, Mel?" Ears re scratched again and then Clrk gives Eirene a small smile. "Feel better?"

Mel is more interested in chasing after the ball and trying to knock various trinkets over than actually catching it; at least, she is in the house. She's also determined to leap off of the couch and try to trip up her 'owner' again.

Which doesn't work because Eirene is on guard for that now and simply scoops the puppy up into her arms. "You are too adorable for your own good. Here, go potty," she heads to the back door and opens it up so Mel can tear out into the yard and get some fresh air. Clark might have noticed the doggy door now installed.

"Yeah, that was ... interesting. My fingers are wrinkled now."

"I can't believe you never had a bubble bath before." Clark may catch one of her hands on her way by and kiss those wrinkled fingers.

That'll stop her dead in her tracks on the way back from the kitchen door.

"Well, now I have. It was nice."

She grins up at him.

"Good. I'm glad it helped." Clark isn't quite letting go of her hand yet, and possibly tugging her toward the couch. "I haven't had one since I was a kid, but they seem to be a relaxing thing."

"It did. Thanks." She will allow herself to be tugged over to said couch, because it's Clark after all. "You should. Except I think you'd only barely fit in my tub."

"That's part of the problem," he allows, snuggling her against him. Mmm vanilla. "It also takes too long and with three people in one house who need to bathe every days, showers are just easier."

Mmmm, boyfriend cuddles. Clark's neck might be in danger of kissed. Once or thrice. "You can use mine if you want. I'll hang out here until you're done."

"Nope," he replies firmly, settling further back against the cushions, taking her with him. "I think I'll just stay right here for a while."

This doesn't seem to bother her, considering how easily she shifts to fit against him. Or that her fingers lace between his. "It's quiet. Sounds wonderful."

"It is. All you're missing is the odd moo."

Beat.

"That doesn't mean I want a cow to magically appear, just so you know."

That'll earn him a giggle.

"Alright, Clark. What do you want to magically appear?"

He glances down at her. "Right now? I think I'm good just like this."

"Okay. Just let me know when you want to move." Eirene's eyes slide closed a short while later, but she is by no means asleep. Just comfortable beyond belief.

"Okay." Clark doesn't say much else for a while, content to remain where he is, listening vaguely to the television and more to the heartbeat of the goddess leaning against him.

And a while after that, Eirene finally stirs; eyes opening slowly and the beginning of her attempts to actually sit up.

"I should go over the checklists for tomorrow. Do you need me to conjure up some pajamas for you?"

There's a soft sigh before he answers, mostly because she's moving. The moment, for whatever it was, is over.

"No, I brought an overnight bag this time. Can I help with anything? Make you some tea?"

If Eirene wasn't so nervous, she'd be able to sit still. As it is, there is a good chance she'll be up all night worrying, because tomorrow is so important.

"You did? I didn't even notice. I'm so sorry. Actually, tea would be nice. I'm gonna go put some clothing on so I don't accidently flash any of my neighbors."

"I'm being a good boy scout this time. Prepared, and all that."

Clark sighs again as she stands, and then follows suit. "Tea it is. And your neighbours should be so lucky."

Her grin is fleeting, but there. "I'll get you an Olympic badge for the scout collection."

Beat.

"Why do you keep sighing?"

Eirene hasn't moved away.

He shrugs, and then leans down to plant a kiss on the top of her head. "Because that was nice while it lasted, but you have things to do. Next time, I'll steal you so we can just hang out and do nothing."

It's her turn to look sheepish. "I'm just trying to keep busy so the waiting doesn't drive me insane. If you have any ideas, now is definitely the time to speak up."

Or she will be going methodically through checklists and folders for the near future.

"Ideas, huh?" He slips his hands around her waist and pulls her toward him, kissing her forehead this time. "I could maybe think of something, if you really want to be distracted."

The puppy eyes expression should be answer enough. But just in case he doesn't get it, "Yes please. Scrabble, movies, tic-tac-toe, I'll even sew something for you, anything. I don't care."

Melantha bounds through the doggy partition a moment later, wuffing once, circling Eirene and Clark once, and trots over to flop down on her bed with a chew bone.

Tired puppy is tired.