by Christine G.

Created on: December 02, 2007

GALATEA AWAKENS

"She's at it again!"

Artemis halted her purposeful stride across the gardens of Zeus' palace to glare contemptuously at Aphrodite, who was posed picturesquely on a bench in a rose bower, amusing herself with her magic mirror. "Love, love, love!" Artemis muttered. "That's all she thinks about, all she cares about, and the whole world is topsy-turvey as a result. Why Father Zeus would consider it necessary to beget her is beyond me."

She shook her head and meant to continue on her way; but, despite her best intentions, her feet were drawn back towards the goddess of love, who was completely absorbed in gazing into her mirror. Artemis did not particularly enjoy Aphrodite's company; however, since it was her mission to promote chastity, it was absolutely essential to keep an eye on her prime rival, who would stop at nothing to coax devotees into her fold.

"And what mischief are you plotting now?" Artemis asked acerbically, leaning her bow carefully against the bench before she sat down. The only thing that irritated her more than Aphrodite's priorities was the utter stupidity of humans who accepted them as their own.

"Pygmalion has just finished singing his latest ode to Galatea," Aphrodite informed her, tilting the mirror so that Artemis could see. "The nicest one yet, full of praise for me. Look - he's kissing her feet!"

Artemis snorted contemptuously. "Pygmalion again! I might have known! I can't understand your fascination with someone who thinks he's in love with a statue."

She considered Pygmalion a fortress of egotism, believing that the sculpture he had created represented the most wondrous female in existence. But he was Aphrodite's most cherished worshiper.

"Such ardor!" Aphrodite said dreamily. "I am inclined to grant him his heart's desire."

"He's a lovesick fool! He barely eats or sleeps, and he has given up working altogether! See how his apprentice's eyes are glazed over with boredom. He is supposed to be learning the carver's craft..."

"He is learning what it means to worship me," Aphrodite said. "That should satisfy him, for nothing else is so essential to a happy life. There will be time enough to chisel stones later."

"That apprentice has been coming to my temple of late," Artemis retorted. "He has no need of your nonsense."

"There you go again, reviling what you do not understand. Without the arts of love, my dear, there would be no one to populate the earth - or Mount Olympus, for that matter."

"And how will he procreate while he is so occupied

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