Application for Aphrodite

[seafoamrisen]

There's a shimmering in the air and a scent of roses, and suddenly manifest in the entrance plaza is a woman of nearly impossible beauty. She is tall, perfectly formed, with cascades of red-gold hair.  She wears a Greek chiton of the finest translucent linen, trimmed with gold and royal purple, and around her waist is a jewelled belt of literally

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[i_have_my_flaws]

She supposed she shouldn't have been surprised. But she was. She really was, and she wasn't sure if she should come to the main gates. What could possibly make her worthy of the privilege, the gift? It didn't sound real, even in her head. Better that she stay inside all day and say a quiet prayer or two. Sam wouldn't mind if they didn't go running this one morning. He could go the route alone.

But she goes anyway. There was never really a chance that she wasn't going to.

When she arrives she stares. Every thought abandons her, and she can't manage more than staying rooted to the spot, keeping her balance.

[seafoamrisen]

Aphrodite knows this one. She's not quite sure how -- Athena might understand it better, perhaps -- but the connection is there, somewhere across time and space and dimension; and she feels it, the unmistakable heat of belief.

"My good and faithful child," she says, reaching out both hands and taking a few steps toward the woman. "Don't be afraid."

All the pettishness is gone from her demeanor now; there's nothing of the sulky child about her anymore, or even the shameless woman. She glows with divine radiance, and her expression is one of purest love.

Funny what true belief can do for a god.

[i_have_my_flaws]

Starbuck gets down on one knee and bows her head, the same way she has before idols in temples since she was a child; unsure that anything she might say would be sufficient, it seems the only way to express herself. Her shoulders shake a little because she can feel it in her presence, like being taken in by the warm, suffusing bloom of sunrise back on the home she no longer has.

[seafoamrisen]

Aphrodite approaches her and gently lays both her hands on Starbuck's bowed head. She says nothing; everything she has to communicate comes through her touch.

My poor child, you've suffered, haven't you? And yet you've remained so steadfast, so strong; you never lost your faith, not once. And I'm here for you now, sustaining you as your belief sustains me. I love you, dear one, I love you...

[ms_weatherwax]

Granny stared at the new arrival accusingly. She had no problem with gods, no real problem, anyway, but she drew the line at them walking about acting like people, because, when you came right down to it, gods acting like people was what caused most problems in the first place.

[seafoamrisen]

Well, wasn't this one bold as brass.

Aphrodite met the accusing stare with a sharp one of her own, as much to say yes, little sanctimonious mortal?

[ms_weatherwax]

Granny's own stare went from accusing to sharp. She knew it wouldn't do much good against a goddess, but she could hardly let a challenge go, could she?

"You ought to go back where you belong," was all she said.

[seafoamrisen]

Aphrodite rolled her eyes. "Believe me, I wish I could." Not that admitting weakness like that was any sort of fun, but that particular playing field was nothing if not level.

[soho_angel]

Oh dear. These encounters could be so awkward. Still, as the only representative of the Host currently active in the park (as far as he knew,) Aziraphale supposed he'd better put in an appearance and observe the formalities. It wouldn't do to be accused later of snubbing the woman.

"I greet thee, gracious lady," he said in flawless Greek upon arriving. His manner was much like that of an ambassador speaking to an important dignitary from a powerful but not-quite-friendly neighboring kingdom: impeccably courteous, but perhaps not quite as deferential as said dignitary might prefer. Psyche, her status as a heathen deity notwithstanding, he found entirely agreeable; this one, well, they'd just have to see. "Please permit me to welcome you to this, our common prison, and to express my condolences on having found your way here."

Bitter? No, he isn't bitter at all, why do you ask?

[seafoamrisen]

Oh, it's one of those Judeo-Christian fellows, isn't it? She looks a little put-upon again, and the truth is she's incredibly bad at the formal ambassadorial thing, but she clearly has no choice but to respond with as much graciousness as she can in turn.

"I thank you, sir, and --" she struggles for a moment, "-- and I accept your greetings and condolences."

[soho_angel]

Aziraphale bowed ever so slightly from the waist, smiling pleasantly. "I do hope you find your stay here as pleasant as may be. There are but a handful of others here of a celestial persuasion, and thus far, relations have for the most part been cordial. My name is Aziraphale, but most here know me as Mr. Fell. Please do not hesitate to call upon me if I may answer any questions for you." There, that ought to cover the basic courtesies and the most pertinent information. Most immortal types he had met, even the showier ones, had gone incognito at one time or another and understood the need for a human alter ego.

Switching to English, he added, "And may I say, as we are in the midst of midwinter celebrations just now, we could not have wished for a lovelier addition to the park's adornments."

[seafoamrisen]

"Thank you, Aziraphale," she says, and then grateful to finally drop the formalities (and also pleased, as ever, with the flattery), she goes on in English, "Well, Mr Fell, I hope I can contribute to the midwinter merriment." She twinkles. Not entirely innocently. In fact, not at all.

[ive_never_not]

Lilly didn't know why this didn't faze her more than it did. Maybe because she never had any sort of contact with ancient gods outside of really boring literature classes in school. Maybe it had to with the fact that, had she been around back then she would definitely have been a priestess of Aphrodite.

"Looking good," she said with a smile. "Guess I've been bumped down to second most beautiful?"

[seafoamrisen]

Flattery will get you everywhere with Aphrodite, and Lilly was now well on her way to becoming one of the goddess's favorite people.

"Oh, darling, that's very sweet of you," she beams. "But you're clearly one of the loveliest mortals I've met so far."

[ive_never_not]

Lilly nodded, "I can deal with 'loveliest mortal.'" It was, she supposed, a great compliment. Even though she didn't know if she could be considered "mortal" anymore, having previously died. "I'm Lilly, by the way."

[seafoamrisen]

"A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Lilly," Aphrodite says, and reaches out to touch her lightly on the shoulder. Another one she likes. And one with a great deal of ... well, let's call it potential.

[mickey_mous]

((Good lord, I'm sorry...))

"All righty, Aphrodite." Mickey is clearly pleased with his rhyme. "Are ya ready to find out which of our excitin' lands you'll be livin' in?"

[seafoamrisen]

((No problem! ^_^))

She laughs, a bright, bell-like sound. "Why yes I am, darling."

[mickey_mous]

"Keen! I was thinkin' you'd be best off in Fantasyland."

[seafoamrisen]

"Oh! I --" Her smile seems somewhat less bright now. "Really, darling, I was rather hoping for -- for Main Street."