Ep. 34 - Junction

**Junction** is the thirty-fourth episode of Eros Conquers All. It was released on October 15th, 2022.

## Plot

The episode begins with narration explaining the nature of domains. It is defined to be a semi-physical dimension controlled entirely by its owner that protrudes from a god's core depending on how powerful the god in question is. The narrator explains that domains can be entered in many different ways, all varying in difficulty. The Hotel Accord is mentioned to be a junction where gods and even humans may pass through each other's domains, with the side effect of reality within the junction becoming distorted as each god battles to assert their domain over others. This causes any humans inside to be adversely affected, though directly harming them within the junction is strictly forbidden. The unluckiest humans disappear forever, but Mira, who is revealed to be the narrator, suffers acid reflux. The comic cuts to her sitting on a sofa while clutching her stomach. She complains to herself about her discomfort before calling Raini. Mira urgently asks where she is as they are soon due to attend a meeting. Raini apologizes and assures Mira she is nearby. She informs Mira that her tardiness stems from purchasing ice cream cups for the meeting, as requested on the grocery list left behind by Eros. Mira scolds her as the cups are not suitable for a meeting and were most likely intended for Eros’ personal consumption instead, implying the task could have been ignored. Raini panics and asks if she should pick up something else, but Mira tells her to focus on getting to the hotel as soon as possible. Mira looks across the lobby to see Kai standing at the front desk. Before hanging up, she instructs Raini to present a card lent to her by Mira the previous day to a concierge once she arrives. Mira approaches Kai, who begins to greet her until she informs him that she has been there for the last hour and is close to vomiting. Kai sympathizes, noting that Mira has always been particularly sensitive to domains in comparison to other humans. He asks her if she has tried accessing the meeting room and begins to escort her. Mira begins to tell Kai that she'd given the key card necessary for entering the room to Raini before being interrupted by a Fury, who asks if she may assist Mira. Mira is unsettled by the Fury’s unblinking face as Kai and assures her that he is taking care of Mira. The Fury attempts to insist on escorting her, citing her duty as hotel staff to ensure guests’ comfort and a desire to please someone she refers to as Mother. Kai politely declines and drops Eros' name to discourage the Fury from further interference. She hesitates before cheerfully bidding the two goodbye, reminding them to ask for assistance should they need it. Kai urges Mira along and cautions her against interacting with any of the hotel guests or staff, noting how fortunate it is that Mira went unnoticed without a key card. He explains that it contains Eros’ sigil and offers protection from other gods. Kai informs her that no one can enter the meeting room without the keycard and that it is imperative she have it on her at all times. Mira apologizes, explaining that she'd passed her card to Raini as she knew that she would be arriving late. Kai is confused at the mention of Raini until Mira reminds him that they'd met in the past, mentioning that he is usually adept at remembering people. Mira interrupts by asking about the hotel's dangers. Kai explains that the hotel exists within the god Maat's domain, as he is the overseer of oaths. He elaborates that junctions are special places that require a lot of regulation and rely on strict “promises” to obey Maat's rules. Breaking the "promise" results in pursuit and punishment by the Furies. However, as friendship is within Eros' domain, he has partial ownership of the junction and holds greater sway over it than other gods. While assuring Mira that they are safe if they obey the rules, Kai forewarns that hotel staff are known to start trouble and should be avoided if possible. Kai apologizes to Mira for the precariousness of the situation and for the effects the clashing of domains has on her well-being, but she assures him that she will recover as they arrive at the the meeting room. As they enter, Mira attempts to explain that she is used to being affected by domains since she works so close to Sol's domain, but she is interrupted by Sol himself as he waits within he room. He is seated on a luxurious couch with his arms crossed. He remarks on their late arrival and demands that they bring him more tobacco to burn. Mira is surprised to see him, marking that she has never before seen him leave his domain. She wonders if the coming meeting is more significant than she originally believed it to be.

Meanwhile, Raini dashes through the city towards the hotel on foot, carrying a plastic bag full of food items and complaining about her bus breaking down. She trips and falls, causing the contents of the bag to spill and run away. She runs after the items and leaves her purse behind without noticing that the keycard has fallen out. It is picked up by an unknown person wearing a purple hoodie bearing an emblem of a three-eyed serpent. They examines the keycard with a serious expression.

## Characters

*Characters are listed in order of appearance.*

* Mira
* Raini
* Kai
* The Furies
* Sol

## Trivia

* Though the identity of the person in the hoodie is currently unknown, the style and color of their bangs and the choker they wear makes it possible to be Lavi.