fandomtownies | 'Dite's Decadent Delights, Friday

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'Dite's Decadent Delights, Friday

As a goddess, Aphrodite really didn't need sleep. Oh, she definitely slept, but it was just something she enjoyed, rather than needed. She could function just fine without sleep, thank you very much.

But you wouldn't know it to look at her this morning. After a night of running around the island looking for people she had to remove a love spell from, she was tired. And though she didn't really want to open the store, she felt she should. So she did.

And promptly fell asleep on the stool at the counter.

'Dite's Decadent Delights was open.

(ooc: Expecting one, but defintely open.)

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Max also hadn't slept, but for very different reasons. He was planning ways to win his fair lady's heart, after all.

"Aphrodite!" he called as he strode in through the door. "I need your help!"

[Will be in and out for a bit.]

An awake but slightly groggy Aphrodite looked up as Max entered. She smiled happily. Whatever help Max needed, she thought she had an answer.

"Maaaaxx. So good to see youuuuu." Moving around the counter, she stepped up to him, expecting a kiss.

It was Max, see.

Max didn't even seem to notice any of the obvious signs of what she expected. He just smiled broadly. "Just the goddess I was looking for!" he declared. But... he didn't declare it in the same throaty tone he usually used when he said that.

No kiss? She raised an eyebrow, but still smiled at him.

"Wellll, I'm glad I'm here, then. What can I do for you, Max?"

And where was that throaty growl he usually had? She liked that growl!

"You're the goddess of love," he told her, as if she didn't already know. "So I need your advice because, well," his eyes went wide and sparkled, "I'm in love!"

It was glorious!

Her mouth dropped open. Max? In love?

An idea struck her, a really bad idea, and she called up her power to look at him. Oh-- bacchae.

"Riiiight. Let me guess. You were at the play on Tuesday." She rubbed her own forehead. "And just who are you in love with, Maximus?"

Max nodded at her guess. "I was. And that's where I realized that I truly love Raven." He positively beamed. A most un-Max-like expression.

"Raven?" Her expression went from dismay to shock to -- horror.

"Oh, Max, tell me you didn't approach her. Tell me you -- Oh, nonono. She's going to think she caused it."

Putting both hands to her face, she shook her head. "This is so not good."

"Well, she did cause it," Max points out. "Because she's just so amazing."

Yeeeeeah.

"Because she's just so amazing." 'Dite's reply was more than sarcastic. "She's a kid, Max, a young girl who's already confused about love and romance, and all you're going to do is make it worse! You-- argh!"

Moving close to him she reached up to try and tap his forehead.

"But if she's this beautiful now, just imagine what she'll be like in a few years," Max countered, oblivious 'Dite's logic. He was too wrapped up in that thought to avoid her touch.

Pop

And just like that, the love spell was gone. 'Dite folded her arms and waited.

Max opened his mouth as if he was about to say more, but then simply stood there. Then he blinked. Slowly. Then, very, very softy, he spoke a single word.

"Damn."

'Dite lowered her head and sighed. This was the downside to being a love goddess, and one she had never handled well.

After a moment, she straightened, and reached out to touch one broad shoulder. Her voice was very soft. "Max? Are you okay?"

"..." Max managed. Then he tried again. "I'm not sure I am." He shook his head and muttered, "I think I need a drink."

"Would you like to sit down? I can get you a glass of wine." She'd get whiskey if he wanted, but she wasn't going to offer. "Max, I'm so sorry you got caught up in this. Is -- is there anything I can do?"

"A chair would be nice," he said a bit weakly. His legs were feeling a bit shaky.

There was one instantly behind him, and 'Dite reached out to gently guide him into it. Beside the chair was a small table with a waiting glass of wine.

Max had the glass in his hand and was taking a long swallow before he realized what was going on.

"So..." he managed after a long moment. "This is something of a mess." That was an understatement.

It really was.

Aphrodite zapped in her own chair, then sat beside him. "It is, but . . . it's over, Max. And none of it was your fault, or Raven's." She reached out a hand to gently touch his knee. "I'm so sorry, Max."

Max took a deep breath, then another one. He forced his shrug to be casual. "I'm a big boy. I can deal with a little... confusion." More understatement.

"Raven, on the other hand..." Damn. The girl was already unsure of herself on these sorts of issues. And... considering their history...

Damn.

"I'll talk to her. You weren't the only one who suddenly fell in love with her. I'll make sure she knows it wasn't her fault, nor yours." She suddenly regretted her words of frustration when Max walked in. "I'll take care of her, Max, don't worry. I'm sure it'll be fine."

Max scowled, shaking his head stubbornly. "She may recover, but... fine?" He sounded doubtful.

"And... I don't know how to fix this sort of thing."

A sudden thought crossed 'Dite's mind, a stray idea that had nothing to do with love potions and everything to do with Max and Raven. But she shook her head and bit her lip.

"Max, you don't have to fix things. I'll explain, and make sure Raven is okay. And she will be fine. I'll make sure of it."

There was more she wanted to say, more she wanted to ask, but she didn't think it was the time. Instead, she simply sat with him, offering comfort through a light touch, and a gentle expression.

"The heart's not that simple," Max objected. Despite his preference for casual relationships, Max had a rather good understanding of how peoples' emotions worked. "And after what she's been through... especially with what I said to her."

He sighed.

For the first time, 'Dite felt a little angry at the man. "Are you saying the goddess of love doesn't understand the heart? I may be flighty and flirty, but I'm over three thousand years old and it's my job to keep love alive in the world and in the hearts of mortals. Don't tell me I don't understand the heart, or know how to do my job, Max."

The words weren't harsh, precisely, but they were enough to snap Max out of his funk a bit. He looked over at 'Dite and shook his head. "That's not what I meant," he offered apologetically. "Just that... you have your work cut out for you."

"I... really screwed this one up."

"No, you didn't, really." She sighed. "It's no one's fault, really, but if you want to blame someone -- blame me. I left the potion on the counter with someone I trusted. I just didn't take into account that she'd get bit by a gremlin." She shook her head. "After getting hit with a stray love arrow herself. She's just devastated. Was crying in my arms last night."

Max blinked slowly.

"Damn." He'd been too focused on how stupid he felt to think about the effect this would have had on other people. Because this was Fandom: this sort of thing didn't happen to just one person.

"Who was it?" Then he realized that she might not feel comfortable sharing that, so he held up a hand. "Is there anything I can do for her? Or you?" At his core Max was a soldier. It was time to pick up the pieces and soldier on.

"Well, for her . . . when you figure out who it was -- cause this is Fandom, and you probably will, please don't be angry with her. It really wasn't her fault."

She bit her lip, finally allowing a small smile across her face as she realized he was starting to feel better. "For me . . . weelllll, I was going to ask you if you'd care to be my escort at the party? Just . . . join me for dinner and dancing? I won't make you stand up and greet everyone with me."

Max smiled. "I'd like that. Especially if... I can avoid Raven. I don't think that would be too good for her peace of mind."

He reached out and touched 'Dite's shoulder lightly. "I know you already know this, but... you're very good at your job."

To her absolute shock, 'Dite felt a rush of heat as her face slowly reddened. "Thank you, Max. That's very nice to hear."

She tilted her head. "It's been forever since someone made me blush, you handsome devil, you."

"Well," Max smirked, "I'm not so bad at this sort of thing myself."

Then... "Thanks."

"You're welcome, and no, you're not so bad at this." She wasn't going to explain what 'this' was.

She placed her hand over his. "Feeling a little better?"

Max sighed, then shrugged. "I suppose I am. Not good, you understand, but better."

"I think it'll be a while before any of us are feeling good, but-- as others have told me, every little bit counts." She smiled. "Better is . . . better." Impulsively she leaned over to kiss his cheek.

Max smiled, but he didn't lean into it. "You're a treasure, you know that, right?"

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'Dite's Decadent Delights, Friday

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