The first things that caught Aphrodite’s attention were the old linen and pelts that covered the ground. It was not that she paid particular attention to them, but as fate would have it, it was the first thing she stepped upon as she was shown into the tent. It was also the first thing that did not reach up to her standards.

“My, this is worse than I could have conceived.” The goddess spoke with a hand on her hip and a slight twist of her full lips. “I know a ruin does not provide much comfort, but nonetheless.”

“I am sorry, is there something wrong?” Eugenia stood behind her like a lost child.

“You poor little girl. Having to rest your frail human body in such luxury paucity every night, it makes my heart bleed. If your choice is between this beggar’s tent and the snake’s lair, I dare not imagine what the dark depth of this island must look like.”

“We cleaned up Medusa’s lair together. It’s not so bad.” Eugenia replied quietly with a hint of sourness.

“Truly? Then why would you spend your cold nights among old fleece and sailor’s linen?” Aphrodite asked innocently.

“That’s…” Eugenia hesitated to respond.

“I shan’t hold you accountable for the circumstances, but a goddess may not be subjected to such poor conditions, so prepare for a divine makeover.” She smiled brightly in the fading evening light and clapped her hands excitedly.

Eugenia had no idea what she was going to do, so she tried to prepare herself for anything. While bracing for the inevitable shock she was deeply aware of her surroundings. Her ears twitched when she heard a low hiss and a click of the tongue in the ruins behind her. With a raised brow she turned around. Nothing much changed of course, so instead she also focused her ears towards the direction of the sounds.

“Medusa?” She whispered after sensing the waving of an impatient hand. The Gorgon was spying on them from behind a crumbled window and seemed determined to get her attention. Aphrodite was doing something that caused her neck hairs to stand up, which meant she was distracted for at least a short time.

Eugenia scratched her cheek and then warily decided to walk to the snake woman’s side. This roundabout way of doing things was so… so like Medusa.

“Why are you hiding?” She asked the Gorgon with a dry tone.

“Irrelevant.” Medusa replied curtly.

“I already told you that I won’t be bringing her to your lair, so you can leave us be.” Her rejecting tone surprised even herself.

“…” Medusa averted her eyes and had a moment of weakness, but then focused back on the tent to keep the goddess in check.

“I’m sorry.” The small amount of heat had already disappeared and the young woman felt only regret for being so snappish.

“You are acting on your personality, so you have no control over your words.” Medusa jabbed and continued before Eugenia could get angry. “I have come to warn you.”

“…about what?” She crossed her arms.

“That woman is not what she appears to be. Underestimate her and you will suffer the consequences.”

“I know the gods are not like us.” She of all people should have known best next to Medusa.

“This one time I want you to listen to me carefully. Aphrodite is unpredictable.” Medusa insisted and put a hand on Eugenia’s head to make her stay still. “What appears to be benevolence is merely an investment that she will reap interest off debaucherously. Any kindness she shows is only an act. Never take her offers and only appease her enough to avoid disaster.”

Eugenia did listen. She could hear the unease in the Gorgon’s voice, subtle as it was. It was not just because of her feud with the gods, that much was clear. A being so old and experienced must have learned a lot about the world, more than any human scholar. If she decided to give a warning about a goddess that was already renowned for her short temper even among short-lived mortals, then it had to be exceptionally precarious.

“Your fingers are cold.” She remarked slowly as she grabbed Medusa’s hand from her head.

“Are you listening?” Medusa asked tersely.

“I am. You are worried about me, that’s all that matters.” Eugenia replied and lost all tension. There was a soft smile on her lips.

“Why do you only ever hear what you wish to?” Medusa pulled her hand away from her and sighed.

“You don’t have to worry so much. If anything I’m worried about your impoliteness towards her.” She teased and hopped back two steps. “It’s just one day, so we will manage, right?”

“It will not matter what I do, because I am already known as an enemy to the gods. My stance is clear and she has already taken that to mind. There is no telling what her true agenda is, but she certainly came here to amuse herself, so you will have to entertain her, no matter what.” Medusa warned worriedly.

“Then I will be a good host and play with her~” Eugenia waved and returned to the tent. Her light step was just a tiny bit forced.

“You are a most lacking actress.” Medusa tensely watched her leave. If she stuck around to watch over them she would be found out quickly, so she had to leave as well.

“Is this not much better? You surely appreciate my divine touch-up to your accommodations.” Aphrodite was all smiles and showed off her work to Eugenia who pretended to have been with her the entire time.

“Erm…” She hesitantly leaned into the tent. She could not perceive much without wind or movement, so it was hard to tell what changed.

“Do not hold back~” Suddenly the goddess gave her a strong push which made her trip forward. Eugenia fell over in an instant and braced for the hard ground.

Instead she felt like she had just fallen into silky water.

“Huh?” She was lying on a pile of bouncy softness and sank into it like sand. Her entire body seemed to be caressed by this unknown feeling.

“Oh my, have I piled them on too high?” Aphrodite giggled as she watched the girl sink into the pillows until she was almost swallowed completely. “This is a true oasis of rest now, would you not agree?”

“Y-yes?” Eugenia stammered buried in pillows.

“No odorous sheep’s wool or wolf’s pelt for us ladies of higher tastes. A beastly smell should be reserved for special occasions and a far longer night.” She chuckled deeply and then nestled down next to Eugenia. Somehow she managed to not sink down at all, like she was made of air.

“It’s so soooft.” The girl was enamored with this strange sensation. Naturally she had slept on pillows before, but none of this quality or supernatural tenderness. There were no feathers or hay poking out of the covers at all!

“Hahaha, my greatness even astounds me.” The goddess was pleased with her childish enthusiasm.

“And this smell.” She noted as she inhaled a few times.

“Herbal waters. They are good for the skin and cleanse the spirit.” She grabbed one of the bowls placed in safe spots and washed her hands in them. The deep aroma spread on her immaculate skin and wafted through the tent.

“Wah!” Eugenia suddenly turned red and scurried out of the pillow mountain.

“Oh? Are you dissatisfied with something?”

“N-not at all, but I j-just realized.” She gulped and covered her face with both hands. “I am still so dirty and must smell badly.” It seemed that Aphrodite had been considerate with this, not pointing it out directly.

“I am forgiving of your appearance; life on this cursed island has naturally sullied you.” She nodded.

“Uwah.” Eugenia felt close to tears after hearing that. It was so incredibly shameful. “I-I will go take a bath!” She dashed out of the tent rubbing her moist eyes with her sleeve.

She quickly prepared a fire with sticks and some dry wood. The sun had already gone down, so she could not use Helios’ eye to start the fire. After making sure the fire was great enough she went to get two buckets and filled them with water from the basin. By the time she had returned to the surface she could sense Aphrodite sitting by the fire.

“And here I expected you to dive headfirst into the ocean.” She was watching her sweat inducing work interestedly.

“It would make my body sticky and salty.” She replied sluggishly. Why did this exchange sound so familiar to her?

She sucked in the air as she heaved the buckets towards the basin. The one she had used in the past had received a mysterious new crack, so the water would uselessly sink into the dirt. She had thankfully found another one a little further in. She didn’t even have to heat the water today, as the extreme sun during the day had heated the ground and tiles sufficiently. The warmth lingered.

It took her four trips back and forth before the basin was filled enough for her use. She wiped some sweat from her brow and took a short rest. During all of this she had nervously tried to ignore the eyes on her. Living with Medusa had made her forget about so many important aspects of civilized life. As much as she hated to think about it, Medusa always showed her the same reaction no matter how she looked or smelled.

She was so thickheaded.

“A sour expression for one as young as you.” Aphrodite had noticed her pouting and smirked. “You prepared all that water, will you not enjoy it?”

“Of course I will.” She forced herself up and picked up a spare outfit from her belongings near the tent. Gone were the days where she only had the clothes on her body and had to nakedly lie under her blankets while waiting for them to dry. Now she could simply put on a clean chiton while washing the dirty one.

Which reminded her that she had to undress. She hesitantly fiddled with the cord on her hips and didn’t really get anywhere. She could totally feel the goddess’ eyes on her. Could she not have gone to the tent ahead of her? But she could not ask that of her, she was supposed to be a polite host.

“Hmhm, I think I will join you. I have not enjoyed an open air bath in what feels like eons.” Aphrodite stretched beautifully like a cat and then dropped her clothes onto the stone in an instant.

Now Eugenia was even more troubled. She had no choice but to follow suit and slid out of her outfit with a hot face. She immediately submerged into the hip level water, but she still felt completely exposed.

“Then the rumors of your prudish behavior were true.” The most perfect specimen of a woman slid into the water without a care in the world and spread herself as if to declare dominion of the waters.

“W-who is saying such things about me?” She didn’t even have to ask, there were not many common acquaintances between them.

“My dear Hermes had much to say about you.” She chuckled.

Eugenia felt a rare moment of disdain for the gods for once. Was this how Medusa felt all the time?

“I am not prudish.” She forced her arms apart and stiffly leaned back in the water. There was nothing on Eugenia’s body that Aphrodite had not seen before. She just needed to take deep breaths and blend it out. With loud splashing she scrubbed off the sand from her arms and legs and got rid of the dirt that seemed to cover most of her body. It was a true relief to her soul.

“Yes, yes, what have we here? Skinny, nearly a bit starved. Naturally burnt skin from too much exposure to my dear Helios. Those nails are simply atrocious though, nearly reminiscent of a farmhand. You should let your snake do the laborious tasks more often. Your bosom has still some growing to do, but if you eat well it will shape up to feed many children.”

“…!” Eugenia was petrified as Aphrodite nonchalantly explored every nook and cranny of her body. She had a very hands-on approach when it came to inspections at that. Eugenia was being evaluated on her appearance like a slave at an auction!

It was one thing to get over her shyness back with Eopia, but this was going far beyond anything she could bear. In an instant she clammed up like an oyster and nearly put her face underwater. Her long hair floated on the surface and spread out like an octopus.

“Hahaha, have I teased you overmuch? You are simply too entertaining.” The goddess was amused. That made at least one of them.

“Grmblublu.” Eugenia made bubbles in the water and let the heat from her face dissipate.

“As I had feared, you are not used to the touch of others. That will certainly be an obstacle at first.”

“Hm?” The blind girl surfaced and listened up reluctantly.

“Are these the scars you received from that dastardly expedition?” Aphrodite changed trails and touched the white marks on Eugenia’s hip and forehead. She really had a bad habit of touching what she pleased.

“Yes.” She acknowledged her words while trying her best not to clam up again.

“Do they upset you?”

“They don’t hurt anymore, if that is what you mean.”

“Not quite.” She gave her a pitying smile. “I am sure that you feel they are ugly. They make you damaged goods.”

“I never thought of it that way.” She could understand why some may think so, though. This was a common idea among slave traders or noblemen. A woman with scars lost a lot of worth in the higher society and especially among aristocrats. The wife of a farmer and city slaves were expected to be working their share, so they would end up covered in many unseemly marks over the years.

Eugenia had once been rather unblemished. The most egregious wounds she had received were pricks of a needle during sewing or a slight burn from candles. Even as she had tirelessly cleaned the temple in Athens she had not hurt her face or skin much. It was not like she had ever been careful about it either though, as she had no hesitation when digging through the garden or carrying heavy baskets even back then.

Then after coming to Sarpedon she had started to really explore her survival skills, to the point where she had lost a lot of her feminine side, whatever little she had ever possessed. Her muscles were not developed like a farmhands, but she noticed that her arms and legs had become more toned and rough.

Maybe she really did feel insecure about her appearance, but it was not because of the scars.

“I could heal them for you.” The sweet voice entangled the human girl without warning. Aphrodite had grabbed Eugenia and pressed her against her womanly body. Her unblemished long fingers touched the large scar on the hip lightly. There was a surprising warmth emanating from them.

“W-wai- wha-“ She was too shocked to form words.

“It would be no trouble to me. Consider it a gift.” She spoke amicably.

A gift?

Eugenia was covered in cold sweat all of a sudden and felt a shadow over her soul.

Gift of the gods. Blessings. A kindness. An honor.

For the chosen few…

“I don’t need it!” She shook her head.

“Pardon?”

“I mean… I don’t mind the scars. It may not make any sense to you, but they have become a part of me. Reminders of…” She swallowed her words.

“Of what? Failures? Your enemies?” The goddess questioned.

“Of… lessons. Each scar is a lesson I learned from the past.” She revealed.

“You shall never forget them then.” She let go of Eugenia and lightly waved her hands. It did not appear that she had been upset. “I must wonder if there is any value to such ugly reminders if we could all move on to something more delectable instead.”

To Aphrodite a failure or ugly experience was something to be erased and left behind. Was it optimism or selfishness that fueled her eternal pursuit of the perfect present? A flawed past had no power over her. An uncertain future did not bother her.

But those who did not acknowledge their mistakes had no chance to learn from them.

“Lady Aphrodite, did you ever receive scars?” It was an unbecoming and personal question. She knew it was not something a human should ask, but her mind was hot with curiosity.

“I may have the power to erase them, but do you truly think that means I am hiding such things from the world?”

“I didn’t mean-”

“I did.”

“!” Her ears perked up in surprise.

“I have no desire to bring up such vile memories. Only know that there is no god in this world without scars.” Her words had become unexpectedly somber for a moment. Then her lips curled up in a smile. “I have given quite a few scars In return of course.” She stretched out her long fingers with the perfectly round nails extending from them.

And suddenly it dawned on Eugenia that she had been played for a fool again. She had little experience in such matters, but even she had heard of the ‘lover’s marks’. Her head heated up inadvertently.

“The mortal that could leave a permanent mark on me has not been born yet however.” She laughed and pinched Eugenia’s cheek like she was an adorable child.

“Why are all the gods like this?” She muttered below her breath and splashed her face with water.

“Realization just struck that my gift would surely be squandered even if you did accept it.” Aphrodite suddenly spoke up playfully. “Your little snake will no doubt leave many a mark on your frail skin too.”

Ba-dump

Her heart almost managed to screw out of her chest. A concept - an idea - had just arrived uninvited upon those words and Eugenia felt heat rise through her torso. She was sweating inside the lukewarm water as if it had been boiling.

The goddess knew. There was no doubt about it. Those words were a declaration.

“I do not envy you, with claws like hers it will not be pleasant.” She joked.

“What… are you insinuating?” She asked stiffly.

“Playing innocent before your goddess? Why, you are just too precious. It is written all over your face, your body and your soul. You love the snake, do you not?”

She really knew.

“So very deeply that it suffocates you at night.”

As if she was reading an open page.

“A heartrending pain as your bodies brush against each other.”

It was as if she was see-through.

“It takes all your will to keep your sanity.” Her whispered words were electrifying. There was no hiding from the goddess that governed love itself. “Are my words reaching you?”

Eugenia could not lie to her. Not even out of spite or shame. She nodded meekly.

“Honesty is best.” She traced Eugenia’s neck until she reached her chin and then pulled it up softly. “Tell me about this intoxicating blasphemous flame that consumes your heart. Tell me about all of it. This overpowering force that even severed the chains that bound you to little Athena.”

“I didn’t realize it until I came back to Medusa.” Eugenia said as if in trance. “We did not get along at first. I was stubborn and childish. I knew that a monster and a human could never get along. Medusa had her reasons to keep me alive, but I did not have any reason to live.” She thought back on the past. It was like her memories were roused especially vividly this night. “I realized that Medusa was not evil; quite the opposite. She was kind below all her fangs and claws. Nobody understood her… and I wanted to be the one to be there for her… as she was for me.” It was so easy to speak about it to Aphrodite. She must have been an exceptional listener. This fogginess in her head did not alert her.

“You mistook her protection for kindness.”

“Why are all of you so…” Suddenly Eugenia felt a small burst of anger and it cleared her foggy mind. “It is true that Medusa was protecting me for selfish reasons. She may have used me as a prisoner to spite Athena. All of that is one side of her, but there is also another. She needed me alive, but she had no reason to be kind to me! She did not have to indulge me when I made demands or shoved my personal philosophies on her. There was no reason for her to smile and laugh at my side.” She shook a little after the emotional outburst.

She could not see the goddess face, but she imagined that she was not impressed. Still, she wanted to convey these feelings all the same. Even if it was to the wrong person.

“Medusa doesn’t need a reason to be kind, because that is her true self! If humans didn’t try to hurt her she wouldn’t have to be enveloped in darkness! If she hadn’t been cursed… You gods are the reason she is hurting so much! Why does the whole world hate her? She didn’t deserve any of it!” She gasped for a moment to cool her foggy head down.

“Hehe.” Aphrodite smirked. The girl’s outburst did not perturb her.

“Stop laughing…!” She raised her hand to swing, but stopped herself at the last moment. No matter how angry she got she could not risk this woman’s ire.

“Child, I am not your enemy.” Aphrodite spoke in a voice so sickly sweet it drained all energy from the girl. “I have received those feelings in full. Your love is genuine and wild. My words have struck a nerve that you are not fully conscious of yet. Do you understand?”

“No I don’t.” She shook her head in frustration.

“Have you told your feelings to the snake?”

Eugenia lowered her head on her chest and sunk back into the water. She suddenly felt extremely exhausted. The tension just left her limbs. It didn’t really matter anymore, did it?

Eugenia told her what had happened on the day that she had confessed her love. For some reason there was a stinging pain in her chest as she spoke.

The goddess crossed her legs and let the water pearl of her clean skin. Her eyes were closed as if she was deep in thought.

“She rejected your feelings.”

“Yes.”

“Hmhm, but she did not crush them.”

“Huh?” Eugenia’s head shot up in surprise.

“You made a promise to her, do you intend to keep it?” She flipped the topic around.

Eugenia blushed and fidgeted around. The promise had been something she had made, pushed by her overflowing feelings back then, but now it was a great weight on her shoulders.

To give that kiss meaning would mean…

“Have you attempted to woo her?”

“Y-you must be joking!”

“Is that not the goal of your pursuit? Have you not allowed yourself to realize the truth of your actions?”

“I-I don’t know about any of that!”

“I see the doubts that fog your heart. I can nearly grasp them here.” She put a hand on Eugenia’s chest and curled up her lips. “You are halting, tripping, stalling and doubting. What is there to fret over now?”

She demanded honesty. They had gone so deep down into Eugenia’s heart that she could no longer find an escape route.

“Medusa can’t- Will she…will she ever love me back?” Eugenia asked with a voice so vulnerable it nearly fell apart as it left her mouth.

“If you knew the answer would your actions change?”

What a question. Even Eugenia did not know the answer to that. She was paralyzed right now. Not just now… for a long time already. The courage she had felt on that day was no more.

“Dear child, speak your mind. Only you can tell me those doubts.”

“This love I feel. Is it… real?”

“…” Aphrodite’s eyes turned sharper and her hand wandered up to the girl’s face as if to hold it in place before it crumbled.

“It is abnormal, right? To love another woman? It must be because I am blind. My mind is clouded. Medusa cannot love someone like me, because-”

“Abnormal you say? Is it more abnormal than loving a monster?”

“What?”

“To love a monster that is not even human. That is what your kind would truly think abnormal. Yet you are concerned with your sex?” Aphrodite said with a hint of amusement.

Eugenia was speechless for a moment. Those words were filled with truth, yet she did never even consider them. She did not see Medusa as a monster anymore, but even so she had never bothered to fret over that aspect.

“Humans will ever be hindered by their self-imposed limitations. This guise of normalcy and rules keeps you shackled. Indeed, even among us gods there are those who viciously enforce limitations on the others.” She showed a rare moment of indignation. A deep seated grudge that belied her seeming ignorance to slights of the past. “You are beyond the rules of man and god, dear. Do not concern yourself with them.”

“But if Medusa can’t feel this attraction…”

“My son Eros.” She interrupted her and pulled Eugenia next to her. They now sat shoulder to shoulder. She swirled her fingers and it seemed like string instruments were quietly playing from another realm. “He is a bright boy. My pride and joy. The Satyrs have become his slaves due to his sway over mortal hearts. You have already met one of those goats, so you must be aware. Eros loves mortals more than his own mother.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.” She was unsure of why she was told all this.

“Children are supposed to leave the nest and their parents behind. That is the law of our world. I do not mind at all that he has found his own path, especially with his free spirit.” She chuckled. “He has a particular obsession with the love between men.”

“Eh?” Eugenia felt completely lost.

“The embrace of men under a heavy heart. The love between a boy and his master. Such matters are quite common in the human world, are they not?” She asked knowingly.

“I… uh… heard of it before.” It took all her focus not to imagine Bion and Agapetos when thinking about this topic. She was fully aware that many men enjoyed love with each other. Especially in Athens it was not uncommon for men to not take any wives and instead have many lovers. Nobody was surprised about male liaisons. It was normal.

“Eros loves these bonds more than even the unification of man and woman. You understand where I am going with this. Love between women is not much different.”

“Is that true?” She had never heard of this before. Eros was love itself. If he accepted the love between women, then it must have been… right.

“As the goddess who knows all the pleasures of this world I could have told you so many stories. Yet my son is the one who will always be entrusted with the emotional weight of such connections. If you will not believe me, believe his pure mind. To love a woman is love all the same.”

“I see.” It may have been roundabout, but these words did take a weight off her heart. It was only one doubt of many, but good riddance nonetheless. She was just happy that her sex was not making it impossible. In the end that was only the most basic prerequisite.

“When you asked whether your love is true I expected something else.” Aphrodite chuckled.

“What do you mean?” She tilted her head questioningly.

“You will have to garner this much yourself. Now what else troubles you?” She certainly knew no breaks.

“I said that I would change her mind, but I am afraid that I can’t. This frustration is only growing.”

“The snake is a dishonest creature, truly.” She opened her eyes and smiled. “Do you understand the source of your gnawing frustration, my dear?”

“I’m not sure.”

“You are tormented by the duplicity of the situation. The snake keeps you at arm’s length. She has denied you, yet she does not stop your pursuit.”

“Medusa has been avoiding me.” Eugenia interjected. “I tried to act like I didn’t notice, but it hurts so much. When she rejects my touch… when she turns away as we talk. I sometimes try to reassure myself that it’s just my imagination or that I am overthinking it, but that is too convenient. If telling her my feelings creates such a rift between us, then maybe it would have been better if I had stayed silent.” She folded her hands and gave in to the gloom.

“Keeping your true feelings locked away is an insult to yourself and the one you covet.” Aphrodite spoke flatly. “By allowing them to flow you have created a new river that will continue to move through the land. It may find harsh curves and cliffs, those who will even lead it astray and perhaps it may never reach its destination, but the world is beautiful because of all these unpredictable rivers and lakes that paint the land.”

“Then you’re telling me to ride the waves into uncertainty?”

“After all these travels you still fear the currents?” She smirked.

“Of course I do. This place is my home now. Medusa is my family. If I ruin it all with my selfishness I don’t think I can live with that.” She muttered.

“My my, you are a handful, child. Then shall I assist you?”

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me full well. It is an easy feat for one such as I to put a spell on the snake that will make her return your feelings. Better than that, she will be so madly in love with you that you shan’t find any rest. She will ravage you until you collapse and desire you until you perish.” Her voice was now filled with divine power. A force that could sway the laws of nature itself was now in full effect.

Eugenia was uneasy, but the shock kept her from realizing why. She could nearly feel the prickling in the air. Right now the water must have been glowing around the goddess that stood in its center and made such an unreasonable offer.

“I rarely give such blessings my dear, so you should not take it lightly. Your heavy little heart has inspired me once again, so I have no qualms with taking part in this tale of true love.” She nearly sang with import and delight.

“True love.” Eugenia repeated.

“Twill be sweeter than the honey you offered to me today. Finally the pain will give way to pleasure and there is no more room for worry left. Until satisfaction envelopes your mortal souls.”

“If you did that for me… Wouldn’t that go against Medusa’s will? How can it be true love if it is imposed?” She began to understand why she had been uneasy.

“Dear, you have entirely the wrong idea. Love is not something that cares for the why and how. Once it has taken a hold of you there is no rhyme or reason to it. That is the true nature of love.”

Could it be? Eugenia was always doubting her own feelings, but perhaps they were not strong enough yet. Not as powerful as true love. Infatuation could only go so far. In face of true, unambiguous, pure, mad all devouring LOVE, that which only the powers above could grant, what was her simpleminded human doubt?

If Medusa could be swayed by such an emotion they could finally be together. How could love be wrong?

‘I cannot be loved.’ She had said. She could not be…

Eugenia felt a stinging pain in her chest and bent over. She was almost kneeling before Aphrodite who was waiting for her favorable response.

“If Medusa loved me so deeply and unconditionally.”

She felt heat permeate from her eyes. Moistness was gathering again and it did not come from the bath water.

“She would not be my Medusa.”

That was her decision. All her different feelings and desires were in agreement. Even if Medusa’s love would be true and real, Eugenia’s feelings would not change. The one she had fallen for was not that Medusa.

“Stubborn, the lot of you.” Aphrodite exhaled unimpressed, yet carefree.

“I’m sorry.”

“No need for an apology. It is you who will endure the consequences of that choice.” She was nothing, if not blunt. She was right, naturally.

“Haha.” It was almost comical how pathetic Eugenia was, so she had to laugh.

“We have enjoyed this water extensively enough, so let us make haste and enjoy another floaty sensation.” The goddess stretched beautifully and the moment she stepped out of the water she was dry and dressed.

Eugenia hurriedly followed suit and dried herself with a rag, before putting on the light chiton she had prepared. She did feel rather tired now, so this was a welcome point to rest for the night.

“I am looking forward to creating a magnificent strategy to capture the snakes’ heart. You must tell me all of her little peculiarities. Hahaha, what fun!” The joy was nearly radiating off of her as they sank into the pillows.

Eugenia swallowed audibly. It didn’t seem like she would catch much sleep this fine night.

It was much later that night, morning light was only a few hours away. Inside the tent all was silent now. The low breathing of a young woman was the only thing that could be picked up.

Eugenia was sprawled out over the pillows and hugging a few like they were her lovers. Such a pitiful face she made while turning and twisting in her dreams.

“You did not strike me as a light sleeper.” Aphrodite spoke from her upright position next to the human girl.

“…” Medusa motioned the goddess to follow her.

After making some distance from the tent she finally stopped.

“Afraid of waking the little one?” The mocking tone was not entirely malicious for once.

“What did you make her do?” Medusa asked combatively.

“Oh? Whatever are you insinuating little snake?” She returned that vicious glare so uncaringly that it was insulting.

“I watched you from afar. You were cornering Eugenia. What trickery did you force upon her?” She was not playing around. Her voice was still low, but that was almost more terrifying than a shout.

“Your protectiveness of her is heartwarming indeed. It also clouds your judgement, but nothing I can say will improve your mood, is that not so Gorgon?” She asked sardonically.

“If you have put a spell on her I will-“

“What will you do? Glare at me with those cursed eyes of yours? Swing your ruffian fists, slash your beastly claws and snap my neck? Break my back? Flail my body until I turn to ribbons?” She put a hand on her womanly hip and showed her true face for just one moment. Arrogant, unkind and fearless. “You are powerless, Gorgon. Nothing you can do will ever leave a mark on me.”

“If you dare to hurt her - do anything to her - you will see that even the powerless can surprise you.” Medusa swore with a barely contained scowl.

“I shan’t hold my breath for that. It is all reserved for my dear Helios’ return anyway.” She waved dismissively as she returned to the tent.

The Gorgon stood alone under the pale moonlight and twisted her tail around in fury. It left deep marks in the ground.

Two sides, two faces. Benevolence and malice. Each being of this world shared a duality. To contain these in one body was the challenge of existence. Could there truly be a compromise?