By the Gods
By Jules
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xXx Present time, Xena time xXx
Xena, Warrior Princess, rode her horse, Argo, gritting her teeth, on the road to Potidia.
Her traveling companion, Gabrielle, was annoying the crap out of her, and only one thought kept her from screaming was, 'Only 12 more miles, 12 more miles and I'm rid of her for 60 days . . .'
Gabrielle's sister, Lila, was getting married, and Gabrielle was going to help prepare for the wedding, and tell her parents about Perdicus (finally).
Lately Gabrielle had been exasperating Xena more and more. And the sound of the bard's incessant voice was grating on her nerves.
As soon as Gabrielle entered her parent's dwelling, Xena gave a big sigh of relief. Alone at last. She squeezed Argo with her legs, and she galloped off, free to do whatever she wanted.
xXxXx
Aphrodite was watching Bliss for Cupid (it was his month with the baby; the earliest form of joint custody!) when her little sister, Acacia, aethered in, wearing her usual. Soft black leather skirt, that was low on her hips and had slits high up the sides to allow easy movement, to her mid-thigh, a practically see through top, in light blue, black lace-up bodice, the obsidian necklace she never took off, crossbow hooked to her waist, and a rare, thoughtful look on her face.
"What's up little sis? You look like you've got somethin' on your mind! Is it the guy with the tight buns?" Aphrodite asked, giving Bliss a golden ball to play with.
"Huh? No. I think it's time we had another Chosen retreat. Two weeks this time, to celebrate the season. During the day we'll have competitions, and when it gets dark, we'll have mid-summer night balls until dawn. Gods, Goddesses, and Chosens only, until the last night, when anyone we want can come." Acacia told her, lying back on a divan.
"Ooh! Love it! Not only is it a party, but we can use the time to get Ares and my Warrior Princess back together!" Aphrodite squealed, clapping her hands.
"How do we make sure they come? You know the Stud of War hates these things, and his Chosen's not to big on them either."
Aphrodite bit her lip, absentmindedly taking her favorite statue away from the hands of baby Bliss, then her eyes lit up with pleasure, "I got it! We'll have Daddy make attendance mandatory. Have him create some punishment for all those who don't show up."
"Great! Now what are we going to wear to the Balls?" Acacia questioned, and both sat back and pondered the very important question.
xXxXx
Autolycus was hanging with Hercules and Iolaus in Corinth. They were looking at wares in the market stalls. They were examining some fine leather pants when a small pair of hands suddenly covered Autolycus's eyes.
"Quick, guess who." A female voice ordered.
"Hmmm, the most beautiful creature I ever had the honor of setting my eyes on?" He answering, knowing whom it was immediately.
"You are very good at this game." Acacia told him as she let him spin around. Then she gave him a hug, "So how's my favorite thief? You haven't called on me lately." She pouted.
"Sorry my sweet."
"Hey, Autolycus, who's your friend?" Iolaus questioned, wanting to meet the beautiful young woman.
"I didn't realize you hadn't met, Cia, these are my pals, Hercules and Iolaus. Guys, this is Acacia, Goddess of Mischief and Daring. Youngest daughter of Zeus"
"I believe we're related." Acacia acknowledged Hercules smiling, her eyes sparkling with their usual naughtiness, "Ares complains about you all the time. Telling us what a jerk you are and so on."
"Well, I guess you know what a horrible manipulative creep he is then." Hercules commented, crossing his arms in front of him.
"Actually, Ares has been one of my guardians since I was born. I lived with him, Aphrodite, and Artemis in turn until I turned 30, not a great deal of seasons ago. He protected me from Hera's wrath for being a product of one of Zeus's illicit affairs, until she started to like me. Apparently, my games are funny to her." She enlightened them, smiling deviously.
"So, how are my offspring? Gotten into any trouble lately?" Autolycus quickly asked, before there were any problems.
"The Imps, as Zeus has proclaimed them, are doing great. Joke is the funniest little girl, but Trick and Punn are getting into everything. Just like their parents!" She laughed.
"Wait, youhave children?" Iolaus questioned, incredulous.
"What, is the thought of me having reproduced that implausible?" Autolocus questioned, frowning at his two friends.
"YES." Hercules and Iolaus both answer as one.
"Well, it just so happens that I am the father of triplets, half-gods like yourself Herc."
"Wow, that's great Autolocus. I never would have guessed. I'm sure you're an, unbelievable father" Iolaus commented.
"I'm thrilled for you Autolocus, fatherhood is a wonderful experience." Hercules concured, clapping a hand on the King of Thieves shoulder.
"Thank you Hercules, Iolaus." Autolocus said smiling, appreciating their kind words, then he turned to his patron Goddess, interested in what she was doing there, "And what brings you to Corinth my sweet?"
"Aphrodite and I have decided to hold a Retreat in celebration of the season. Attendance is mandatory oh King of Thieves. Two weeks of perfect opportunities to play tricks on Gods, Goddesses and their Chosens. And as my Chosen, you have to be there, besides, I just want an excuse to see you get dressed up." She informed him with a smirk.
"Who do I know that's going?" Autolycus inquired.
"Well, Aphrodite, most of the Olympians, I'm pretty sure you met Ares . . . and Xena. They haven't been to the last few, but they will be this time."
"Wait a minute, why would Xena be at the Chosen retreat?" Hercules demanded.
"Because she's Ares Chosen, duh! Has been since I was like 20!"
By the look on Hercules' face, he hadn't been informed.
"Oooohhhhhh, you just thought he did her and that's why he used to help her." Acacia figured out, grinning wickedly, "Nope! Ares has been obsessing over Xena since she was ten and he first saw her learning how to fight. He followed her progress, and when Lyceus was killed, he showed himself and convinced her to come with him, so he could train her thus she wouldn't get herself killed when she went after Cortez. Xena became his Chosen when she was 16. And you can't just give a bond like that up. You become part of each other. There's a significant bond between the God or Goddess and their Chosen, right Autolycus?"
"Yep, and by the Gods does it come in handy sometimes. Remember when I broke into King Jason's palace and . . . oh, sorry big guy." Autolycus stopped when he saw the shocked, pained expression on Hercules' face, "Anyway, Xena really is very fortunate that Ares is fond of her, you know."
"Why is that?" Iolaus questioned, curious, he'd never really liked Xena that much, and this whole Chosen thing was too fascinating to care about his buddy's feeling's right now.
"Because if a Chosen ever betrays their God or Goddess, it is the God or Goddess's right to kill the Chosen. Honestly, we all were a bit surprised when he didn't kill her, because, he's War!" Autolocus exclaimed, throwing up his arms.
"That's not true." Acacia protested, "Dite and I weren't surprised. But enough with the small talk. We have to go. We're responsible for greeting everybody with Dite." She turned to the other two men, "Bye Hercules. Iolaus, it was a pleasure meeting you." She looked at Iolaus regretfully, followed by a slight sigh and turns to Autolycus, taking his arm when he offered it, "That Iolaus would have made a wonderful thief . . ."
Then the two disappeared in a flash of purple light, leaving a dazed pair of heroes behind.
xXxXx
Ares aethered to Xena's location, and realized his timing was perfect once again. She was underneath a waterfall, naked. Ares knew how lucky he was, and felt a pang in his heart, remembering times of the past when that body had writher under him in pleasure, and let him view it. When those lips had kissed his own and all other areas of his body. The feel of her surprisingly soft skin beneath his fingers. The warmth of her body pressed against his. The fire, passion, and desire that burned with in her eyes. It was for all those reasons and more that he wanted her back. She was his princess, his nymph . . . she had been his heart.
Every time she looked at him in contempt, beneath his cocky exterior, his heart broke a little more.
He'd begun watching her at nine, and by the time she was 15, he knew that one-day, she had to be his, entirely. She would be his princess, his Goddess, and he would care for her accordingly.
But now she was gone, and he felt like part of the very essence of his being was missing.
Xena was washing away the sleepiness of the night before underneath the spray of a waterfall when she sensed his presence.
She had always known when he appeared. A tingle traveled down her spine, her breath caught in her throat, and her heartbeat a little faster. It had been happening since she became his Chosen at 16. Ares had always been surprised about it, because no other Chosen in history had been able to sense their God (or Goddess) that way. But as he'd always said, no one ever had a Chosen like Xena before.
She ignored him until she was done, then swam over to the bank, calmly saying, "Turn around while I towel off Ares."
Ares materialized, and did as she directed.
Xena quickly dried off and slipped on her shift, "Ok, you can turn back around." She sat down on a rock, rubbing her hair with the towel.
Ares walked over, a silver brush appearing in his hand, and began brushing her hair as it dried, just as he used to before she'd left.
"What do you want Ares?" Xena questioned resignedly, knowing he wasn't going to leave her alone.
"Xena, I'm hurt. Must I want something to come visit my favorite warrior?"
"What is it?" She demanded, knowing him too well.
"Acacia and Aphrodite put their heads together and decided the Gods and their Chosens need a two week Retreat. Games and competitions during the day, Mid-summer's night balls from dusk 'til dawn every night."
"So what's that have to do with me and you? We haven't been to a Retreat in eight years, even long before I left we'd stopped going."
"Dite went to Zeus and had attendance made mandatory, with harsh punishment for all who don't attend. Something about 'everyone needing to lay back and chill for awhile'." Ares quoted.
"And since Acacia and Aphrodite are his 'perfect' little girls, he gave in, right?" Xena guessed.
"Right." Ares told her, finishing brushing her hair and making the brush go back with the set at his temple with other things Xena had left behind before she'd left him so many years ago.
Xena sighed, "When do we leave?"
"It starts today. They sprang it on everyone. No warning whatsoever." Ares grumbled, "I could have started another war with Athena if I had some warning and gotten out of it."
Xena ignored the last part, "So we have to go now."
"Yep." Ares waved his hand and she was fully dressed, with another wave of his hand, all her things, minus her sword and chakrum, were gone.
"We need to stop in my old room for a moment and get my jewels, they're still there aren't they?" She turned to him, looking up at him.
"Everything's just the way you left it Princess." He divulged her in a low voice, and then they disappeared in a flash of blue light.
xXxXx
Aphrodite, her Chosen (a very handsome man named Aeneas), Acacia, and Autolycus greeted everyone as they arrived.
With of flick of either Goddess's wrist, each pair was put in their rooms, closets full of clothes in many styles and colors that the two Goddesses thought would become the Chosen and their God or Goddess, and the pairs' names would be marked down on a map.
Hermes showed up with some girl named Fawn (no brains, but she had a great body and worshiped the ground he ran on). Hestia came with Leah (the virgin Xena look alike). Artemis with her Amazon Ephiny. Apollo surprisingly came with Joxer, who apparently was a wonderful musician and, for some odd reason, the ladies (besides Gabrielle) loved him so he was perfect for Acacia's brother.
One of the last pairs to arrive was Ares and Xena.
Autolycus received Xena graciously, "Xena, you look absolutely beautiful as usual. It's magnificent to see you again."
"Hello Autolycus. I didn't know you would be here."
"He's my Chosen. It's fabulous to see you again Xena. I haven't had anyone to plan my tricks out with since you left." Acacia pretended to pout.
Xena hugged the younger girl, "Well I'm sure you've played some good ones on your own. You'll have to tell me all about them. So, who's watching Demetrius?"
"My mother. She was very happy to watch my four little ones and all the other children with Hebe and Psyche."
"How many kids are there these days?"
Aphrodite answered, counting them off on her fingers, "Well, there's Demetrius, Acacia and Toly's Imps, Joke Trick and Punn. Cupie's Bliss, and Janith. And all of them are always getting into trouble together."
"You don't have to tell me that." Xena commented with the voice of experience.
"I bet not." Acacia smile. She looked down at the map in her hands, "Now let's see . . . hmm, that's odd." She declared innocently, glad no one could see her eyes, which were flashing wildly with the deviousness of her own planning, "It seems that there's only one room left, since you're the last ones to arrive. I don't have any idea how that could have happened. You'll have to share. I am so sorry you two."
The other three had to bite their lips to keep from laughing at the looks on the two warrior's faces, Xena's one of dread, Ares one of pleasure. They could also tell that Acacia wasn't sorry at all, and that she'd planned the whole thing.
"Ohh, I see. Hera and Zeus were to share a suite, but they've had another argument and demanded their own rooms. You two shall be in their room, it's the nicest one in the whole place. Only Aphrodite's and mine can even compare. Sorry!" Then she sent the two off, her smile finally gracing her face, "Ooh that was fun. I have been dying to play a trick all day."
"So Zeus and Hera aren't fighting?" Aeneas questioned.
"Oh they're always fighting, but they are still sharing a room. I just made sure that there weren't going to be enough rooms when I created the palace." Acacia told them smirking, "Everyone else however gets their own rooms."
Aphrodite looked down at her list, "Well, that was everyone, but Cupid and his Chosen . . ."
Acacia looked up in surprise because she hadn't seen him since his divorce. She surprised everyone, including herself by volunteering, "Um, why don't you all go up to your rooms. I can handle it."
"'K! Chow chica!" Aphrodite grabbed Aeneas and then Autolycus knowingly, and aethered them all to their rooms.
Acacia nervously checked her appearance in a mirror, and then reprimanded herself. Why in Hades did she care what she looked like for him. She didn't.
Acacia created a thrown for herself and sat down, legs over one of the arms and reviewed the activity list she and Aphrodite had come up with to torture the other Gods with. Archery, hand-to-hand, discus, shot put, beauty pageant, talent competition . . . she was brought away from her list by Cupid finally arriving with some giggling blond.
Acacia didn't move, she looked at them, and raised an eyebrow (a move taught to her by Xena), "Cupid and . . . oh my- Cupcake! Cupcake, I remember you. You and my Chosen Autolycus know each other."
"Is Toly here!" Cupcake questioned excitedly.
"Of course. Attendance was mandatory. Besides, it was my idea to have this, so he couldn't say no. Do you want to see him?"
"Oh, could I? That would be so terrific!"
Acacia phonyily smiled, "Sure!" She waved her hand then Cupcake is gone, and the Goddess could finally shudder, "That girl is so sweet she makes my teeth hurt!" she complained.
Cupid laughed, "It's nice to see you too Caisey."
"Sorry Cupie, she just gets on my nerves. I don't get what Autolycus sees in her. Or you for that matter. She is your Chosen?"
"She's beautiful, sweet, and only interested in true love and loves to play match maker. So I chose her."
Acacia rolled her eyes then declared, "Deme has been asking for his Papa. He's just a five year old and he doesn't understand that Daddy divorced his Momma Psy, so he can't visit anymore. He misses you and a sad God of Revelry isn't good on the world."
"Sorry. I'll come by when the Retreat is over. Can he stay with me for awhile?" Cupid requested
"Of course he can. I don't want him to miss out on any quality time with you." Acacia snapped.
"I wasn't suggesting that you did!" Cupid asserted.
Acacia sighed, "I know, I'm sorry. I'm just a little stressed. Dite and I are trying to get Ares and Xena back together."
Cupid brightened, "Really? Why didn't you say so? Dad was never more amiable than when he was with Xena. Is there anything I can do to help?"
Acacia warmed up to the God of Love immediately, "Oh, ever so much . . . ."
xXxXx
Xena sat on the bed, her arms crossed across her chest, leaning back, one foot up on the bed, one leg hanging off of it, frowning.
She'd been giving Ares the silent treatment for the past ten minutes, and he just couldn't take it anymore.
"Oh come on Xena! How was I supposed to know this was going to happen? How can you be mad at me?"
"It's not you I'm mad at. It's that brat Acacia. I know she did this on purpose."
The truth of the situation dawned upon Ares, and he smiled, "She did, didn't she!"
"Don't look so happy about it. You are sleeping on the floor if you have to sleep."
Ares sighed, "Let's at least make the best of the situation, we're stuck here for two weeks. Why don't we brush up on your skills, I noticed in our last fight you were looking like you were getting rusty."
Xena jumped up defensively, "I was not!"
"You were a bit slow on a few moves, and I got in a few shots I never would have used to have been able . . ." Ares taunted.
"Let's go old man . . ." She commanded, her eyes narrowing, and her hand going to her sword.
Ares grinned, this was how they communicated best, fighting. In an instant they were out in the clearing, circling each other.
xXxXx
xXx Nearing dusk xXx
Anyone who was outside was now returning to their rooms to change into their Opening Ball gowns/ensembles.
Xena stood before the closet of gowns provided by Acacia and Aphrodite in a towel, having just finished her bath. She sighed, and then finally pulled out a dress, just a shade darker than blood red.
Quickly, she donned the creation, looking at herself critically in the mirror. The bodice was form fitting, and had a low neckline, which made the sleeves ride low on her shoulders, just on her arms. The sleeves were tight until it got to the elbow, where the fabric gradually, yet dramatically, got longer. The skirt when to down the floor and had slits, nearly up to her hips, on both sides.
Xena pulled her hair back, then secured a gold and ruby crown, given to her by Ares, on her head. Around her neck she wore the matching necklace, which rested just below her throat, and in her lobes the matching earrings.
Ares was ready long before Xena knocked on the bathroom door to let him know he could come out finally. He took one look at her, and his tongue was nearly literally hanging out of his mouth. He gathered his wits, smiled at her charmingly, then offered his arm to her, "Shall we my Princess?"
Xena took his arm, in a good mood due to the fight they had earlier, "Lead on."
xXxXx
Autolycus wore a black and silver silk version of his tunic, and black pants. He was admiring himself in the mirror, making comments in his head about what a 'handsome devil' he was.
Acacia had changed what she wore three times before deciding on a black and dark purple gown with a full skirt, tight bodice, and spaghetti straps. In her coifed curls, which were piled on top her head, she wore a diamond tiara, and around her neck a diamond and amethyst choker. Finally, she wore silver arm bracelets, which were curled into swirls of ivy
Autolycus looked at her with a critical eye as she spun for his approval, "Hmm, in my opinion . . . you are more beautiful than Aphrodite herself. You look amazing dear Goddess." He told her, bowing and kissing her hand.
"Why thank you good sir." Acacia said curtsying, and laughing, "Now lets go, I want to get the Ball before Zeus is smashed."
"Good idea."
xXx A Couple Hours Later xXx
Acacia and Autolycus were leaning against a wall, drinking wine from Dionysus vineyards when Autolycus caught sight of Cupcake.
"Um, Acacia, do you mind if I . . ."
"Go, dance with Cupcake Autolycus. I know how you feel about her. You big softy."
"Thanks." Then he rushed over to the bubbling blond, who was contentedly being hit on by men and Gods alike. But the way her whole face lit up when Autolycus offered her his hand for a dance made her feelings about the thief blatantly obvious to all watching.
Acacia smiled at her Chosen, and then left the ballroom, taking off her shoes and running into the grass beneath the huge moon.
Music streamed out onto the lawn and a bout of child-like whimsy hit her. Acacia dispended of her shoes completely, then bowed to an unseen partner, and began to spin, and twirl, dancing.
Cupid had noticed Acacia leave the Ball and had followed her. As he watched her, he was struck again how young she really was (in God time that is). And that reminded him of how childishly she'd behaved when she'd kicked him out when she was eight moons pregnant.
Her appearance didn't draw away from how young she was either, because she still looked only 17, not that she was really much older than that anyway, at least not by God standards.
It was hard to believe that she a mother; she hadn't changed at all after having their son, or the three Imps, who were being raised by the muses as a result of another proclamation by Zeus. Acacia was still the mischievous, carefree, 'Elfin' as his mother said, she'd always been. He'd also noticed Acacia didn't look after Demetrius more than she really just played with him. And Apollo, Aphrodite, and himself were always more than happy to take Demetrius off her hands. In fact, they loved to take care of the full of life child, and sometimes Acacia complained that she never saw her own son!
Cupid remembered when Demetrius was a baby, that whenever one of Acacia's pranks was viewed through portals, the little boy laughed and clapped his hands in extreme amusement. He probably still did, and Cupid was willing to bet Deme had started to get in on the fun by now.
As Cupid watched, Acacia spun around and around really fast, and then let herself fall to the ground. He sighed, envious of the ground that got to be touched by her.
Acacia lay on the ground, looking up at the star filled skies. It was the one time that she felt small. It reminded her of the music box Cupid had given her on her 5th birthday, which she still played every night when she went to sleep. It kept him close to her heart, even though he didn't want to be there anymore.
xXxXx
Xena and Ares stood in a dark corner, laughing at the antics of two drunk Gods, Zeus and Hermes, who were currently hitting on the Queen of the Gods, who was a little smashed herself, and receipting Zeus's advances willingly.
Ares had been staring at Xena all night, and after two goblets of Dionysus wine, and the fact that their song was playing, he had the courage to ask, "Would you care to dance?"
Xena surprised them both by answering, "Yes."
xXxXx
Acacia was absorbedly watched the starry sky, when two people suddenly appeared before her. The young goddess jumped up and hugged the other two women, "Kor, Del! You're finally here! You're really late, but you're here!"
Korianna was the younger of the two, and the Goddess of Mystery. With pale skin, silver eyes, and long dark hair with a silver streak in it, she definitely looked the part. On her person she wore a black leather wrap around skit, a long sleeve black top which cross-crossed over and below her breasts, a transparent-silver scarf around her neck, silver sandals, and a silver chain around her waist, from which the tail of hung a little silver book, in which were the answered to all the mysteries of the universe, which even she dared not read the truth of all.
Delenn was a less known, but very powerful Goddess in her own right. The Goddess of Lava and Revenge, she controlled the entire world's volcanoes and had the power to obliterate nations with just a notion. She was also the ex-girlfriend of Ares. Her red hair, which curled in loose ringlets like Acacia's, typically descried her mood; the darker the better for those around her, the brighter, the madder she was. Like most others under the realm of Ares (for instance Acacia), she was a fan of leather. She wore a red-satin-lace up black leather bodice vest over a ¾ sleeve black shirt, which showed ample cleavage, a short black leather skirt, and a pair of clunky leather boots completed the ensemble. Around her neck she wore a choker of black satin, from which hung a bright red ruby in the crystallized shape of a flame in the hallow of her neck. On her wrists were black and gold gauntlets, and from her belt hung a dagger and a whip on the other.
"You were supposed to be here over 12 hours ago, and you're not even dressed up. What happened?" Acacia looked around, "And where are you're Chosens?"
"Dell didn't want to go." Korianna reported riley, crossing her arms and glaring at Del, "So she killed her Chosen. And when I tried to drag her with me and mine, she blew him up!"
"Deeeeeelllllll!" Acacia whined, then sighed, "Was it worth it?"
"Yes." Del answered honestly, "I've released my pent up aggression now."
"Well at least don't kill anymore while you're here. We can make the death of Korianna's look like an accident, but any more Chosens deaths' and it'll look suspicious." Acacia warned her friend.
"Fine, but I'd just like to state this is stupid."
Acacia rolled her eyes, "Quit pouting, we can mess with everyone sine they're trapped here! Can't you recognize a golden opportunity when it presents itself to you? Two weeks of Athena trapped in close quarters to us when we can torture here!"
"Cool! Is Discord here too?"
"Yep!"
Del rubbed her hands together, "Excellent . . ."
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Please, I need replies. I know it sounds pathetic, but I live for feedback, good or bad!
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