"I will never understand her."
Her main man's sudden proclamation came as a surprise to Aphrodite. Having sprawled herself across the soft and beautiful kline without a worry or care, the Goddess of Love immediately sat up and folded her legs underneath her, giving her kindest and most considerable lover her undivided attention.
Ares inhaled a large but uneasy breath, letting it out with a sigh as he muttered a name.
Aphrodite tilted her head to the side, "Your mortal?"
Ares only gave her a single nod in response before he eyes returned downcast, staring down at the red hourglass with black sand held carefully in his giant, calloused hands.
Though it was widely known to the mortals they ruled over that felines were mainly associated with Phoibus Apollo, one would be forgiven for associating the finicky creatures with Aphrodite Pandemos, seeing as she very much shared their curious nature.
Stepping down from her kline and making her way over to the God of War with graceful, ginger steps, Aphrodite wrapped her arms around Ares from behind. She carefully craned her neck so that she could get a better view of the object while also allowing her head to stay rested on her lover’s bare shoulder.
Sure enough, from this angle Aphrodite was able to clearly see what it was that troubled her Ares so. Inside the hourglass, two mortal youths, one boy and one girl, ran back and forth across the dark sand, simulating how they were moving about down on the earth they truly stood upon. They giggled and played with the glee one would expect of young mortals, not realizing they were being watched from the heavens above.
Aphrodite immediately recognized the girl.
“She’s grown since I last saw her.”
And it was true. Penelope was only of 13 years the last time Aphrodite first saw her thanks in large part to the insistence of Ares (though she would have eventually come to be aware of the girl’s existence on her own, seeing as she was related to the supposed “most beautiful girl in all of Greece”). Oh, how adorable she was then, following Ares like an eager young duckling would her imprinted sire, mimicking his movements by taking large steps and swinging her arms. And Aphrodite only grew more fond of young Penelope after the mortal’s eyes sparkled with amazement upon meeting the Goddess’ gaze.
“The compliments and stories of man do not meet even a fraction of the acclaim you deserve, fair Lady of Love!”
“How long has it been,” Aphrodite inquired. “Since you took the girl under your wing?”
“4 years.” Ares answered, eyes refusing to leave the hourglass’ image.
“Ah.” Aphrodite responded, not exactly sure what else to say.
It would always fascinate Aphrodite, how mortals can change so much in such a small passage of time. She, herself, emerged from the sea’s bubbling froth fully developed in body and mind, even if she never had a “physical” body and image that was fully her own. Mortals however…
Take Penelope for example! In four short years not only has she grown exponentially in height, managing to somehow even be taller than most boys her age, but Penelope’s body also changed from a little girl to that of a young lady’s. It was no wonder boys were beginning to develop an interest in her.
“Who is the beautiful young lad with her?”
“Odysseus.” Ares practically hissed out.
Aphrodite jumped in surprise. Though her hold had loosened, she still made sure to keep a nice hold around her man’s torso.
Aphrodite took Ares’ “tsk” as a “yes”.
“Oh, that is hilarious!” Aphrodite’s musical laughter echoed through her personal realm. “Olympus’ resident war Gods, rivals from the moment they first laid eyes on one another, taking mortal students who have fallen in love! Oh, the irony!”
Ares glared at the laughing Goddess, trying not to blush at how beautiful she looked without having to worry about her appearance.
“It is not funny!” Ares grumbled, looking back down at the image of his talented young pupil, just as relaxed and giggling without a care as his enchanting Aphrodite. “What does she even see in him? Look at him! Small. Scrawny. My little duck says his intelligence is natural but I have suspicions Athena is making him appear smarter than he really is!”
“Oh, Ares.” Aphrodite finally ceased laughter, moving herself to stand in front of Ares and embrace him properly. “I promise you have nothing to worry about. That boy’s love for her is pure and true, this I know.”
Ares grumbled. Still, even if he was still a little miffed about Aphrodite’s earlier reaction to his VERY LEGITIMATE concern, he did little to resist the urge to embrace her back. Ares nuzzled the top of her hair, breathing in that lovely scent of roses and seafoam. Aphrodite closed her eyes, revealing in the touch of such a strong and gentle man.
Even if they could not display their love for each other outs in the open for the world to see, they at least had their personal realms to be together in private.
“Maybe I should go down there and speed up the process. Mortals only live for so long, after all~”
