LET'S SEE WHAT HAPPENED WITH OUR FAVOURITE CHARACTERS AFTER OUR BELOVED WAR GOD DECIDED IT WAS BETTER FOR HIS PRINCESS TO SIMPLY STAY OUT OF HER LIFE ( WE CAN'T REALLY HAVE THAT NOW, CAN WE?)
"Ok…no need to panic, Dite , you're the ultimate expert when it comes to fashion and beauty and stuff….You can do this …You have it in you. As desperate as this case seems, you're a goddess after all….'' the Love Goddess started to mumble, circling an uncomfortably seated Warrior Princess who kept staring at her as if she was about to eat her alive for dinner, a concerning attitude to say the least, that only made Aphrodite even more edgy.
''This isn't precisely helping you know ….''she finally voiced on a slightly louder note while finally deciding to face the horror of having to actually touch a strand of that unruly hair- certain that she would be having nightmares about those dry split ends- a true horror story in itself.
''What are you talking about? ''
''The negative attitude, Babe! Cheer up ! I'm only trying to help, and trust me this is…..quite a challenge …..''she sighed, doing her best to sound polite, letting the strand she was holding fall back down her shoulder while her mind started racing in the attempt to find a fast enough solution for all the problems….The hair, the makeup, the desperate need to find the right dress , all that in the shortest amount of time possible- before Gabrielle realized her friend had been missing-she was planning to keep her as busy as possible to prevent her from magically ruining the love birds' chances at their fairytale ending- for the zillionth time- and definitely before her moronic brother did something stupid enough to once again brutally push the Warrior Babe away from him.
''You're just overreacting …And by the way, my hair looks great…'' Xena countered, rolling her eyes at the Love Goddess' theatrical lines and attitude. She lived for drama and blowing things way out of proportion was part of her expertise.
''Well exqueeze me miss expert! My bad! I mean the dry skin, these lifeless locks and the dark circles under your eyes... I must have been imagining things…."the blonde Goddeess snapped, obviously displeased with her friend's complete lack of gratitude.
''But no worries, Babe'' she continued, refusing to wait for an apology she just knew she was never going to get ''… auntie Dite's here to fix everything! Bro is going to dieeeee! "
''I think we had enough of that to last us a decade…''
''More like a century!'' Aphrodite laughed, aware that if Ares had been there, he would have definitely underlined that eternity was in fact the right word. "Ok….enough talking ! Time to work my magic, and for that, I need to focus!"
The Warrior Princess couldn't help it though . She just had to crack a smile at Love's line. To hear those words uttered by her out of all people, now that was hilarious.
''Gee, Aphrodite, I didn't know you actually had a clue about how the whole process of keeping quiet is even done…'' she bit, aware that such statement would hit its mark with the precision of a Scythian arrow.
''By Daddy himself, Xe, you sound so much like Bro at times, its scary!'' she retorted, trying to appear serious but flashing a picture perfect smile the very following second.''That's like so totally cute! I'm melting here! ''she squealed, snapping her fingers and a blink later, a full sized mirror appeared behind her. One step to the right and the Warrior Princess was now starting at her own image, that revealed an impeccable makeup by any standards-and that she simply hated of course, judging by her flinty expression- and a stylish chignon with a loose braid and a few fallen strands on each side, framing her beautiful face.
A true goddess, beyond any shadow of a doubt.
''What do you think?'' the daughter of Zeus asked, literally holding her breath while waiting for her friend's reaction.
''The hair's amazing Dite... Still, Ares does like it down .He'll just unpin it anyway ….''
''Perfect!.It's just what we want, right ? To create enough pretexts for him to get as close to you as possible !'' she wisely pointed out winking at her, leaving no room for any kind of protest.
''Fine …you do have a point …But the make up ….Dite I look like a Roman whore!'' she complained and as she frowned, those surreal smokey eyes appeared to belong to one of Poseidon's legendary gorgeous daughters and not to a mere mortal.
''What ?!'' the Goddess replied, outraged by the comparison .'' You look breathtaking…''
''Ares is not the biggest fan of heavy make up….''
''Oh Ares this, Ares that ….what would you like ?''
''Some pastel shades, maybe….And that bloody red on my lips is a bit too much!''
The Love Goddess just sighed inwardly at her remark. She was obviously nervous...
"It looks as if I'm trying too hard, Dite….I want something more …natural looking….''
''Fine! You went along with the hair….I'm willing to compromise!" she reluctantly agreed, rolling her eyes. ''How's this ?'' she asked, snapping her fingers again, and this time, the pale gold shade on her eyelids , the black eyeliner and the dark red lips did the trick. She liked it- that discreet smile said it all.
''You're welcome! '' Aphrodite laughed, thrilled with the result . ''And now for the dress ..'' she formally announced while taking in a deep breath, aware that this was indeed a hard call. Her brother was very picky and she was well aware that a very sexy Princess would just scare him off – given his newly announced theory – and a too casual one would definitely not attract enough attention. One minute of careful consideration and she decided to go for a dramatic front split one shoulder black and gold dress made from chiffon. A line, floor length, empire waist with a bit of train, this dress had them all….
''Smashing! You're da bomb, Babe! ''
This time the Warrior Princess was silent and for a few seconds. Aphrodite couldn't tell if that was a good or a bad thing.
''Isn't it too much ?'' Xena whispered, carefully analyzing her reflection in the mirror .
'' It's just right. Trust me on this one, Xe. It's just what we need….''
''If you say so….But no jewelry, Dite , ok ? The dress is in itself precious….''
''Not even a pair of earrings ?''
No…''
''Pretty please….Just give them a chance …'' she insisted, materializing two delicate gold roses into her ears, a subtle but well thought detail that completed the rest of the outfit .
''High heels ?'' she dared asked, although she already knew the answer.
''Definitely not ! I want to feel comfortable ''
A pair of smooth, metallic gold leather sandals -despite their gladiator style- that reminded the gorgeous brunette a bit too much of Caesar- proved to be a perfect fit.
''Can I hear a ''thank you Dite, you pretty much saved the day, as you always do ?'' the Love Goddess pushed, giggling happily at the marvelous sight she had in front of her.
''Thank you …'' the Warrior Princess murmured, squeezing the Goddess' hand. ''I do appreciate your help Dite, more than you'll ever know….''
''Oh…that's like totally sweet, Xe! And a rather major event, may I add….Anyway….glad I could help .Now….'' she continued on a slightly more serious note .'' ...you know what you have to do with Bro right ?!"
'' I just hope it works , Dite ….He seemed really determined when we last talked …''
''Well, he's sure going to change his mind when he lays eyes on you, I guarantee it!''
''I hope you're right…''
''Just remember not to be too pushy …The last thing you want to do is to appear desperate , ok? One step at a time…It's just dinner, you only want to thank him for having saved your life….No strings…..and then, just as he starts letting his guard down...you know the drill …!''
''I do ….Should I call him ?''
''Oh no! Let me take care of that .Just take a seat and pour yourself a big glass of wine. You don't want to be too sober .'' the Love Goddess advised, struggling to stifle a laugh. There was no way in Hades her brother was ever going to walk away from such prize!
''I don't?''
''Well, it will help you loosen up a bit . That would be the best thing for both of you ….''
''Gotcha ….''
''And Xena…..if you do have sex, just remember to…''
''I think I might have an idea about how that works Dite …..Thanks …''
''Okie dokie …..The wine is over there ….Red , just how you both like it …''
The instant the blonde goddess left the room, the Warrior Princess headed for the table . Her friend had been right. She was so nervous she could barely think straight. What if he had been damn serious about staying away from her life ? That was a scenario that she adamantly refused to accept …She was in love with him and for the first time since their rocky relationship started, she was willing to accept that whole heartedly -along with all the consequences that followed.
Red wine, red lips, red lines about to be crossed….Her head was spinning and the knot in her stomach only made her even more anxious.
A loud woosh snapped her out of her musings though.
''Here we are ….Aphrodite's voice could be heard from somewhere behind her, just as her body detected Ares' presence …..
''I think I'll leave you kids straighten things out …Just listen to her, will you, Ar ?'' Dite muttered against his ear right before she vanished from the place, leaving a ravished War God and a petrified Warrior Princess work their magic ….