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[mauvaisgarcon.insanejournal.com]

Characters: Eros, Aphrodite, and Ganymede later on.
Date/Time: Afternoon of May 18th, 2012
Location: Some lovely cake place in NYC
Rating: Probably low
Warnings: TBD
Summary: A belated mother's day celebration between Nate and Callista, which is later followed by a welcoming reunion for Ganymede.


They agreed to meet at 3pm, but Nate had decided to come half an hour early, determined to be proper this time around. Also, he couldn't help but be a little excited. It's been a while since his last fit of anger about the whole ex-god thing, but things have had time to sink in, and it was all quite fun, really. Nate had met a few people, some he'd already been familiar with in the "mortal world"--as it was probably best to refer to it, and he'd even gained a sort of mother. The prospect of having a mother was something new to the orphan boy, and it was an exciting yet confusing ordeal. Now that he thought on it, what exactly do sons do with their mothers?

Checking the clock for the nth time, it was now 2:45pm. Callista would be here soon. He glanced at the box perched on the seat next to his, then resumed watching the doors, racking his mind on the possible outcomes of the night.

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[venusingucci.insanejournal.com]

Aphrodite arrived precisely on time. Her eyes quickly scanned the area, and she smiled brightly when she saw Eros, adding to the radiance she already exuded.

"Hello, darling," she said pleasantly as she joined him. She lightly kissed his cheek in greeting--a surprisingly maternal gesture. "You haven't been waiting long, I hope?"

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His smile, full of childish delight, matched his mother's. "Good afternoon, mother" he chirped in reply as he craned his neck to receive her kiss. "Not at all. Have a seat". He came over to her side of the table to pull out her chair for her.

Waiting until she had settled in, he reached over to the chair next to his own, picking up from on top of the box a solitary rose to offer her. "Belated happy mother's day".

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She graciously took the flower.
"Oh, it's lovely, dear boy. Thank you."

"So, have you been well since last I saw you?"

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After handing her the flower, he returned to his seat while she addressed him with a question.

With a strong sigh--for emphasis--and a furrowed brow, he replied "Work was a huge clusterfuck last week. Fittings and auditions and rehearsals all over the place". Shifting his head to directly face Callista, his smile returned "But, things have settled down, and I've been quite relaxed and happy. Though, I'll always be available for any of your shows, if you need me". Nate shook his head lightly, as if to restart his thoughts, remembering that today was supposed to be a little different. "Nevermind that. Today is about you. Tell me about how Callista's life has been"

[venusingucci.insanejournal.com]

Aphrodite chuckled.
"Of course, my sweet."

At his question, she smiled a little.
"As can be expected. We've been working to get the next issue ready to go to print next week. My winter collection for this year is ready to be shown. And I've started putting in sketches and orders for a... personal project. After all, it's ghastly trying to find fashionable maternity wear, and I'll be needing it in a matter of weeks."

She lovingly patted his hand. "Of course, my angel, these little ones can never take your place in my heart. You were the first of my children to be truly mine. Your brothers, Phobos and Deimos, they were your father's sons. Never gave much thought to their mother. But you, the first of my Erotes, you were different."

[mauvaisgarcon.insanejournal.com]

He smiled at the sweet words and gesture. Sure, he didn't quite understand all the terms and connotations, but there was something warm and familiar about it. And, when she mentioned how he had belonged to her, he recognized that some part of him really did. He would always be here for her.

Looking down at where her hand had been on his, the box danced at the corner of his eye. "Oh, I have something else for you". He picked up the plain white box then set on top of the table. "I was going to save it for a little later, but I want to give it to you now". He pushed the box a little more to her side, then removed the lid. Nestled upon a soft white cloth was a folded up dress. Nate had spotted this while on his shoot in Europe, and immediately thought of Callista. It was a floor length, one-shouldered cream gown, which was cinched around the waist with a thin, golden chain. He had added his own little touch to the garment by pinning on a golden brooch, shaped like a swan. "Uhmm, the pregnancy had slipped my mind, but it's not tight on the body, so you could probably still wear it, if you want" he remarked with a sheepish smile.

[venusingucci.insanejournal.com]

Aphrodite lightly fingered the soft, cream-colored fabric.
"Oh, sweetheart," she breathed. "It's perfect. Thank you. And don't worry, dear heart--I won't be showing for at least another month yet. I'm sure it will fit just fine. Your taste remains as impeccable as always."

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Nate's smile widened at her approval "My favorite part is the brooch. A swan seemed perfect somehow".

The waiter came by to serve them a slice of cake each, as Nate had requested earlier that afternoon. "I wasn't sure what kind of cake you'd like, so I opted for a simple chocolate cake. I'm sure it would be no problem if you want to switch it for something more to your tastes" he said, hand poised over his fork.

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"It certainly makes the outfit. Thank you, my darling. I'll cherish it," she said.

"And chocolate is perfect. You wouldn't believe the cravings I've had lately," she said, taking a delicate forkful.

[mauvaisgarcon.insanejournal.com]

He took a few bites of his own slice before continuing "So, uhmm, you mentioned last time that Dionysus was the father? Tell me about that".

[venusingucci.insanejournal.com]

"He's one of the possible fathers," Aphrodite corrected, "Poseidon being the other. I won't be able to tell for certain until after they're born."

"As for how it happened... The Equinox gave us all back our true abilities for a day. For once, our mortal faces didn't matter. Dionysus happened to be in New York, we came across the same area... Our powers converged, and, for a moment, it was just like old times. We may run in very different social circles as Callista and Chaz, but he still knows how to create an unforgettable experience."

[mauvaisgarcon.insanejournal.com]

Nate had stopped eating his cake; the story's mental images disturbing him a little too much to be able to eat. "Your powers... converged? And you also had some Poseidon on the side?" he questioned in confusion. He realized that it may have been a bit too personal of a question, but something within him withheld surprise at this knowledge.

[venusingucci.insanejournal.com]

"Oh, sweetheart. Poseidon and I have known each other for a long time, even in this lifetime. This wouldn't be the first time I've given him children either," she said casually.

"And... yes. Strange little phenomenon I've noticed. Apparently, when certain members of our ranks are in close enough physical proximity, the abilities synergize with each other, making them stronger in combination than either would be alone. You should see the little Muse, Erato. Hers are apparently quite susceptible to it."

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"I see" he replied with a chuckle. "More stories for me to catch up on. Makes me wish I had that confusing sort of revelation most everyone else did"

He nodded as she explained, interested in absorbing as much information as he could. "I often forget that, in reality, there are so many of... uhmm, our kind. I've only really met you"

[venusingucci.insanejournal.com]

"Perhaps it is still coming, darling. These things can't be rushed, you know," she assured him.

"There are others nearby. Poseidon. His boy Triton. A pair of Egyptians. And, of course, your little playmate. Every now and again, Apollo turns up on this side of things, but usually he's in Washington," she told him.

[mauvaisgarcon.insanejournal.com]

"Well, I'm not a patient boy" he smiled.

"Ah, Triton I've heard from" he remarked with an amused smile. "He doesn't seem to like me very much"

"As for my playmate, hopefully, I'll meet him soon today". He glanced at the wall clock as he talked, reading 3:20pm. It was 40 more minutes until Ganymede was scheduled to come in.

[venusingucci.insanejournal.com]

"I know you aren't, dear," Aphrodite said with a chuckle, "Which is why I'm helping as much as I can."

"Oh, and don't worry about the sea prince. He doesn't really like anybody as far as I can tell. He tolerates me because I was born from the sea, but he doesn't care much about those living on land or in the sky," she said dismissively. "I'm sure our young friend will be coming. Assuming no one else is distracting him."

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"I'm sorry. I don't mean to be rude. It's just frustrating" he apologized as he pursed his lips.

"Sky. That's something that boggled me. What exactly happened to Olympus? The whole palace in the sky, mountain, wherever it was?"

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"We're looking for it still. Apparently, it now exists somewhere in the United States. Exactly where... We don't know yet," Aphrodite explained.

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"If we do find it, will we become full-fledged gods again?" he asked with a hint of longing in his tone.

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"That's the way I understood it. We win this contest or race or what-have-you, and we get our powers back. Permanently," she answered.

[mauvaisgarcon.insanejournal.com]

With a devious smile, he replied "Then we better make sure you win, mother"

[venusingucci.insanejournal.com]

Aphrodite laughed and made an acknowledging gesture with her fork.
"That we must, my darling. The daughter of Ouranos deserves the Olympian throne more so than any son of Kronos."

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"Well, you have my full support" he assured her. "I'm not sure what I'll be able to do for you though"

[venusingucci.insanejournal.com]

Aphrodite pursed her lips thoughtfully.
"...you don't have full control of your abilities yet, do you?" she asked, taking a careful, studious look at him.

[mauvaisgarcon.insanejournal.com]

Nate's eyebrows shot up at the question.
"I have abilities?" he laughed at the possibility.

[venusingucci.insanejournal.com]

"Of course you do, sweetheart. No child of mine is going to show up without something. Whether or not you're aware of them and able to control them... that's an entirely different matter," she told him.