Natalia balanced the tray of drinks in one hand with ease, confidently navigating the busy casino floor until she found the already intoxicated bachelorette party who waited for their order. They cheered as she set each glass down in front of them and they babbled incoherently to her and to one another before promptly grabbing their drinks and tapping them together in toast, nearly spilling half their contents. Natalia joked with them momentarily before leaving them to continue their celebration. She moved through the casino casually. When no one pulled her aside for an order, she made her way to the bar and watched the patrons. 

Her gaze eventually landed on a young, dark-skinned woman with tight, bouncy curls. She was seated at the other end of the bar, and like Natalia, she too seemed to be enjoying the pastime of people-watching. Noticing she did not have a drink, Natalia moved behind the bar to tend to the woman. 

“Can I get you anything?”

The woman turned to her and smiled. “No, thank you,” she said. She looked Natalia up and down with a frown. “You look too young to be in a place like this.”

Natalia offered her a smile. “I get that a lot,” she said. “I’m twenty-six.”

“Do you like working here?” she asked conversationally.

Natalia shrugged. “It’s a job.”

“Do you go to school?”

“No.” She pulled her gaze away and occupied herself by cleaning some glasses. “Gotta help my family pay the bills.”

“What would you do instead, if you could?”

Natalia hesitated. “I don’t really know,” she said slowly. “At one point, I thought I might like to be a lawyer. But law school is pricey. And I just don’t have the time.”

“I could see that,” the woman said. “You being a lawyer.”

Natalia smiled softly. “You sure you don’t want anything?”

She shook her head.

“Well, I’m around if you do. My name is Natalia.”

“Aries,” the woman said simply.

“Oh, that’s cool. Like the astrological sign?”

Aries smiled. “Yes,” she said.

Natalia smiled. She turned to leave, but Aries called to her.

“There actually is something I do need,” she said. “I’m hoping you can help me.”

Natalia hesitated. She had learned quickly to be cautious in the casino - or anywhere, for that matter. She knew that women were often targeted, especially when alone, and thought it was likely this woman was trying to signal that she needed help. On the other hand, sometimes those were the people to be most cautious of; the ones who acted sincere and genuine to pray on the empathetic. She glanced at the nearest security guard, but he didn’t seem to notice her.

“Is everything okay?” Natalia asked carefully.

Aries frowned. “I’m afraid what I have to say may scare you off,” she admitted.

“I don’t scare easily.”

“That’s good. I know Ares has already spoken with you.”

Natalia hesitated. “What?”

“In your dreams. Ares sent me here to find you.”

Natalia narrowed her eyes at the woman. “How… how do you know about that?”

“I’m your Ouranos,” she said in an obvious tone. “I know everything about you.”

Natalia moved back behind the bar and leaned into the corner. “And what exactly does that mean?”

“I am your connection between the mortal world and the Olympians. I am bonded to you, which means I will be able to aid and protect you in the coming war with the Gigantes. When I am around, you will have access to Ares's power.”

Natalia considered this for a moment, recalling the dream she had had only a few days earlier; Ares had approached her saying the same thing. It was a warning, a call for help; a war was on the horizon, and only twelve mortals would be able to protect the entire universe from destruction. He told her Aries would come. But she expected to be confronted by a ram.

“You were right,” Aries started. “You don’t scare easily, do you?”

Natalia smiled. “Vision Quests are kind of our thing,” she said. “When you’re given a task from a God through a dream, you kinda have to take that seriously.”

“And you’re taking it seriously?” Aries asked slowly. “Without question?”

Natalia shrugged. “Dreams aren’t usually so forthcoming,” she said. “No one has dreams like that. I would be foolish to ignore it. And, you know, I would probably bring shame to my ancestors or something if I did. Olympian Gods aren’t exactly in our religion, but I think I can make an exception.”

“I don’t think the others will be so easily convinced,” Aries said. 

“Maybe I can help,” Natalia offered. “Do you have a plan?”

“I planned to spend a lot more effort trying to convince,” Aries said with a grin. “We’ll need to find the others. I sensed Taurus, Pisces, and Gemini nearby. Give me some time to track them down and coordinate with them.”

“Vision quest accepted. You know where to find me.”