fandomtownies | Dite's Decadent Delights, Tuesday

Entry tags:

Dite's Decadent Delights, Tuesday

Most Tuesdays, Raven could be found behind the counter at Decadent Delights. Today, however, it was once again Aphrodite. Raven hadn't been back to the store, 'Dite knew, since the intervention staged by Raven, Karla, and Max.

She and Karla had started to repair their friendship. Max and 'Dite had spent a pleasant evening together the previous night at Caritas. That left just Raven for her to apologize to and try to explain what had happened.

And while Raven was very easy going and forgiving, she was also the person who'd been hurt the most in the final plot, and 'Dite had felt this guilt the most keenly.

In a phone call last night, she'd invited Raven to the store, but since the invitation had been in a voice mail, 'Dite didn't know if Raven had even gotten the message, and how the empath would respond, if she did.

So, trying hard to keep her expectations low, Aphrodite was at the store, reading a book, and petting Hercules, who was, for once, quietly curled up on her lap.

It was peaceful for the moment, but 'Dite knew it couldn't last.

(ooc: Store and post open! I'll be heading for Comic-con this evening with the ever wonderful

thismaskiwear, but will be around most of the day while doing last minute packing.)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Raven had gotten the message and headed into town that afternoon. To say she wasn't apprehensive would be a lie, but she was pleased that Aphrodite had called her.

She pushed the door open, looking around cautiously, surprised by how different everything looked now. It helped sooth the spike of anxiety she had being back there again after what had happened the last time she was in the shop.

"Lady Aphrodite?" she called quietly.

Taking a deep breath, Aphrodite closed her book and looked up. "Hi, Raven."

Hercules lifted his head and jumped off her lap to go investigate the new arrival before rubbing against her legs. 'Dite smiled.

"I think he's missed you."

Raven bent to scoop Hercules up, holding him against her shoulder as she scritched his ears. "I have missed him, too," she said. "And you."

"That's . . . " surprising "nice to hear." She motioned to the chair she'd set up. "Would you like to sit?"

"Yes, thank you," Raven said, settling in the chair. She quietly stroked Hercules for several long moments, wondering what to say. Finally, she asked, "How have you been?"

'Dite almost laughed at how normal that almost seemed. "I'm . . . better. Calmer. Normally I hate quiet days at the store, but today's been good. Peaceful." She hesitated. "How about you? How are you doing?"

"Better," Raven said. "Much better." She meant that both in regards to what had happened here, and the loss of her mother, though she wasn't sure she wanted to get into the latter part yet. That could come later, once they'd worked through the rest.

"That's good." 'Dite nods. "That's excellent. I'm really glad." Her head lowered for a moment before she looked back up. "I . . . waited to talk to you because I thought it would be easier for you if we put some time between then and now. And," she squirmed a little, "because I was nervous and embarrassed."

"I was concerned when I had not heard from you in some time," Raven admitted. "But I was pleased yesterday evening to receive your message." She looked up and gave 'Dite her full attention. "What happened to you?"

She'd had all this time and three other conversations and she still didn't have a good way to explain it.

"Raven, it's not easy to understand." She sighed. "I -- well, I was upset and hurt by something that my son had told me. He said I shouldn't be, and wasn't, the goddess of love anymore." Among other things. "And I was angry, so I cut myself off from my power. I couldn't feel love, at all." 'Dite shook her head. "I had no idea that I wouldn't feel it -- I just didn't want to be able to see it anymore."

Raven did have a great deal of sympathy for Aphrodite, since she knew exactly what it felt like to become something you didn't want to be. "And instead of love, you felt just anger and lust?" she said. "You denied yourself that which defines you, and something else filled the void it left behind."

"Exactly." For the first time in weeks, she took an easy breath. "I've tried so hard to explain to Karla and Max, but -- I don't know if either of them have gotten it." She shook her head. "Raven, I'm so sorry. I know I can't ever make it up to you."

"I am merely pleased you are yourself again," Raven said. "That is what matters most to me." She hesitated a moment, then asked, "There is no chance of that happening to you again, is there?"

'Dite shrugged. "Maybe in another three thousand years when I forget what happened here." She shook her head. "But as long as I'm not denying my power, no. It shouldn't happen again."

One should never say never on Fandom.

"I hope you do not ever forget," Raven said, trying to imagine how memories would blur and fade after 3,000 years. "I do not wish to ever see you like that again." She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "And I am sorry you had to see me...like that."

"Like wha-- oh." 'Dite bit her lip, then nodded. "Minor surprise, but it's okay. We've talked about your parents. I'm just so sorry I was the cause. Zeus, I wish I could take it back."

"I was foolish to believe I could withstand the rage of a goddess," Raven said, looking down at Hercules. "I could not control it."

"Why did you even try to do that?" She tilted her head. "I mean, I know Karla came up with the plan, but -- why did you go along with it? Not that I'm not grateful, because somehow it still broke through. But I don't understand why you tried."

Raven lifted her head and gave 'Dite a confused look. "Because you are my friend," she said. "Because I care about you, and you were hurting and I wished to end your pain however I could."

Leaning forward, 'Dite folded her hands and looked seriously at her friend. "Raven, if something like this ever happens again, not just with me but with anyone, try something else first, please? Don't just rely on pulling out the anger, because that's the thing with negative emotions -- there's plenty of them to go around. You know?"

"You did not seem to be in the mood to 'hug it out,' as they say," Raven pointed out. "We did not intend to inflame your rage so much so; I had only wished to draw out enough to make you see reason."

"No, I really wasn't, was I." She gave a sad smile. "But you know what helped more than you drawing out my anger?" 'Dite raised an eyebrow. "It was that tiny feed of love that I could feel. I still don't know where it was coming from, Max or Karla, but I could feel it, and at first I didn't want to, but as it kept up, it became a reminder. It made me remember how much I cared for Max, and how much he --" she faltered for a moment, not sure she should give up Max's secret. "Anyway, try that next time someone's angry, okay? Because I'm tellin' you, sweetie, love really can overpower hate and anger."

"I will try," Raven said quietly. "Professor Skywalker is going to work with me on controlling that part of me you saw. It emerges when I am overcome by anger or fear."

She had tensed at the mention of Max. "May I ask you a question, Lady Aphrodite?" she said hesitantly.

"Of course. You can ask me anything, Raven."

"Why did you ask Professor Maximus if I have succumb to his charms?" Raven said. That had been more than a little unsettling.

Zeus, Hades, and damn me to Tartarus!

'Dite blew out a breath. How did she answer that without giving away what Max wouldn't even admit he felt?

"I -- he --" An inhale, and she thought she was ready.

"Raven, he likes you, as a friend, even though you're afraid of him. He worries about you. And he feels so guilty over what the other version of himself did to you." She dropped her eyes. "When he first came to the shop and tried to reach me, I -- well, I tried to hurt him. Physically. But I couldn't do it." She shrugged. "He said it was how he knew I was still here somewhere."

Another breath. "So, I couldn't do it, but I still wanted to hurt him, and -- suggesting that he could be like that other Max -- that hurt him a lot."

Raven wasn't completely sure that was the entire truth, but she was willing to accept that explanation for now because it was easier that way. "I see," she said. "Thank you. And my reaction to your saying that helped give our charade away."

'Dite had to chuckle at that. "Sweetie, I don't think it would have lasted much longer anyway."

What was Karla thinking?

It seemed like a good idea at the time?

Raven glanced around the shop. "I am glad to see you have made changes," she said. "I did not like it the way it was before."

That made 'Dite frown a little. "You know, Raven, you've been here, what, a year now? Working here, I mean." She shrugged. "As far as I'm concerned, it's yours and Karla's store as well. If ever there's a change the two of you want to make -- come talk to me. We can work it out."

"I meant the way it was after you returned," Raven clarified. "Before that it was...there were many things I did not understand, but it was not so...frightening."

"Oh, I get it. Right." She shook her head. "No, that's not happening again. Dungeons can be interesting and fun, but not -- not here. Not around you and Karla."

Not on the island, really.

Not unless Mistress Raven decided to make another appearance.

Raven fell silent for a moment as she rubbed Hercules's belly. "I am very happy that things seem to be back to normal," she said. "Do you still wish me to work here? I would understand if you do not, since you have seen what is inside me, but I am doing my best to control it."

'Dite bit her lip. "I think the real question is if you want to come back. You're always welcome here, Raven, whether it's to talk or to work."

She wouldn't say shop. Not now.

"Of course," Raven said simply. "I have missed you."

"And I've missed you." Leaning forward, Aphrodite reached out, offering a hug to Raven.

"I've missed everyone so much."

Raven gently pushed Hercules off her lap so she could hug 'Dite. It felt good to have at least one gaping hole in her life refilled, and she couldn't help but start to tear up.

'Dite noticed the tears and felt her own guilt resurface.

"Raven, I'm so sorry. Please don't cry."

Raven shook her head and wiped her eyes. "It is not you," she said. "I am very happy that you are yourself once again."

"Then what is it, Sweetie? Those don't look like happy tears."

Concerned, 'Dite kept a hand on Raven's shoulder. "Is everything else okay?"

"Two weeks ago" -- had it really been that long already? -- "I lost my mother," Raven said quietly.

"What?" 'Dite's face turned from concerned to horrified in the space of an instant. "Oh, Tartarus. Raven, I --"

She'd been apologizing for her own actions, saying 'I'm sorry' for this seemed trivial. But what else was there to say?

"I'm so sorry. I'd do anything to bring her back for you." But not even the goddess of love could do that.

"I know," Raven said with a sad smile. "She gave her life to protect me and this world. She holds my father at bay now."

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Dite's Decadent Delights, Tuesday

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject