Pitching The Idea
POV: Alexandra
I called out for my soul parents and I waited until the bright light enveloped the room. I manifested on a couch inside a room with white marble floor, columns, and golden accents. I heard two sets of footsteps approaching. I heard Apollo’s voice, “Welcome to Sol, my dear. This is the home of Apollo, God of the Sun.” I looked up to see both Apollo and Aphrodite standing in front of me. I smiled, “I never thought I’d see any other home other than Eden.” Apollo puffed up his chest, “I wanted you to see my home plus Aphrodite was over. We were trying to figure out a way to catch that jerk who cursed you. Pretty convenient, huh?” I rose from my seat on the couch, “That’s why I called for you. Mordred has been trying to answer this question as well. He believes he may have a solution.” I went into detail about what his plan was and how he needed them to be able to make this plan a success. Apollo was rubbing his chin throughout the whole speech, “Alexandra, it’s not that we don’t want to help but his whole plan hedges on whether or not we can be there to help protect you. What if All Mighty rejects us?” I looked him straight in the eye and smiled, “I don’t believe He will since has already promised me that He would do whatever He could to find out who this was that did this to me.” Aphrodite gasped, “When did He do that?” I giggled at the memory of Jess and Meldon acting so differently, “He sent Hera and Zeus to possess my friends and they delivered that message directly to me.”
Apollo shrugged, “Well if He promised then I imagine He would grant us this visit to Vellum. I think it would be best if I pitched it to Him, He would be more amenable.” Aphrodite nodded, “Yes, I believe you are right. I think if it were up to me, He likely would shrug it off.” Apollo rose from his seat, “Alright, I will go and talk to Him now. Aphrodite, you can show our child around Sol if you want so you two can pass the time until I arrive back from my visit with Him.” Aphrodite rose from her chair and offered her hand to me. I took and we strolled out the back door into the water garden, “Apollo loves the sound of water so he had streams, fountains and small water fixtures put in. You notice the see-through floor?” I looked down to find myself walking over a pond that housed koi-like fish but these fish looked like they were made of gold. I was so fascinated with them that Aphrodite giggled, “He had Midas help him with a few of the features in his home. The goldaires are one of them. He’s very proud of those fish, you can mention that you saw them. He will be so happy you saw them.” We walked further on and the pond around us featured golden lotus flowers bobbing in the water. They were very beautiful but none so beautiful as the large cherry blossom tree that sat near the edge of the pond. The flowers were in bloom and the petals wisped down from the tree gently. The water coupled with the cherry blossom tree made me think that it would have been of further benefit to me to visit my soul father more often. I would have to ask him about it later on. I knew that he was hands-off with his children but I thought maybe he would let me since he seemed okay with me.
Apollo strode out to us and Aphrodite furrowed her brow, “He might not have gone for it.” I looked at her, “How do you know?” She sighed, “He’s back too quick.” Apollo strode up to me and smiled, “I’m so happy that you are enjoying my water garden. Did you get to see my goldaires?” I looked over his shoulder at the part of the pond where I spotted them and nodded, “They were beautiful.” He hugged me, “They are my Pride and Joy, that’s what I named them. They are a mating couple so I expect little ones soon.” Aphrodite got his attention by waving her hand in his face, “What did He say?” He snapped his fingers, “Sorry, I was so overjoyed with Alexandra getting to see my garden that I forgot about it. If you two can follow me.” He turned and then walked away confidently. Aphrodite and I looked at each other confused. She shrugged, “It’s best just to do as he says. He’s not often forthcoming so if we follow, we’ll know what is going on in due time.” She followed after him and I followed her. As soon as we stepped out of Sol, we stood in front of a large golden gate with a man standing outside. Apollo waved, “Hey Peter, we’re expected.” Peter looked up from the stack of papers that he was holding and shuffled them around. He scrutinized me for a little while then looked down at his paper. He pushed the glasses up his nose, “Oh yes, the one that has Him in an uproar.” Apollo strode forward and punched his desk, “Pete, I would ask you not to insult her. It was one of the Children stepping out of line and cursing her that caused the uproar.” Peter made a small gurgly grunt before muttering, “Quite right, my apologies. You may go.” He pressed a button on his desk and the gates opened. Aphrodite drew in a sharp breath, “I hadn’t anticipated this.” She stepped forward after Apollo and I did the same.
We walked down a long golden pathed road until we reached a large white building with large white pillars outside. Apollo strode up to the door and knocked. A small man answered the door, he had pointy ears and he wore a white tuxedo. He bowed upon seeing Apollo, “Child of Sun, Child of Love and young demigod Solamor. You are expected.” I looked around to see who this Solamor was that the small man was referring to. Aphrodite whispered in my ear, “You are Solamor. Since you are a product of the sun and love, you are Solamor. Do you get it?” It seemed like they used Spanish to give me the name by combining the terms sun and love together. I whispered back, “I think so but do they always use Spanish?” She shook her head, “No, sometimes they use French, Latin, and other languages from Earth. We chose the Spanish language for your demigod name. Apollo liked the sound of it. Just remember that here, you are not Alexandra and you will not be referred to as such. You risk offending using the name your flesh parents gave you.” I nodded in understanding even though I wasn’t quite sure where here was. Clearly, Aphrodite knew because she was nervous but I was not apprised of the situation. The small man began to escort us down a large marble hall, it was then that I noticed that the man resembled what I would describe as a goblin. He had a greenish kind of tint to his skin but it wasn’t so green that you would notice upon first glance. Aphrodite whispered, “He was a lost soul from the Seely Realm. All Mighty took him into the Heavenly Realm and gave him purpose.” I continued to stare at him as I whispered back, “What’s his name?” She whispered, “Mativantis.” He finally came to a stop at a large door at the end of the hall and turned to us, “We are here. You will have to wait to be summoned inside.” He started to walk away when I called out to him, “Thank you for escorting us Mativantis.” He turned and smiled, “It was my honor, Solamor.” He bowed and walked away.
I knew from the mood shift from my two soul parents that we were standing in front of the door where All Mighty was located. I tensed up in anticipation, I had always thought I would meet Him only when I died and took my place in the Heavenly Realm. We stood there in front of the door for what seemed like forever. I turned to Apollo, “Were we supposed to knock?” He held his finger to his lip to indicate I should be quiet then he shook his head. I had remembered reading in my studies in school that All Mighty had a time for everything and I had wondered to myself if this was a demonstration of that timing. Suddenly the large doors creaked open and a bright light shone out. Apollo whispered to me, “You will need to keep your eyes on your feet the whole time and bow when I tap your shoulder.” I nodded because I was trying to keep the no talking rule.” A gentle voice said, “You may enter into my sacred space.” I cast my gaze to my feet as I was told to do by Apollo and followed the two of my party forward. They stopped and I felt a tap on my shoulder and I went to my knees. I had to fight the urge to look up at the owner of the nice voice but I knew the rules were in place for my own good. Who knew what would happen to me if I looked up at the face of all creation. The voice spoke, “Apollo, thank you for bringing my child and the young demigod to me. Step forward, Child of Love.” Aphrodite rose to her feet and I heard a kiss. She spoke, “Father of all things, I am honored to be summoned by you.” He spoke, “This is a matter of great importance and one which I promised Solamor that we would work hard to resolve. I would like to know what you two have come up with before I examine and speak with your child.” Aphrodite shifted, “Unfortunately, I cannot say we had found a solution. We were together to think of a solution when our child called out to us.” The voice addressed Apollo, “Is this true my son?” Apollo tensed up, “Yes, Father. We had only thought of ways to keep our child from encountering him and we were only able to come up with surrounding her with the semi-mortals of her social circle. Suffice it to say, it is something our very capable child has already done.” A throaty chuckle came from the being addressing my soul father, “Yes, I know. I have been watching your child for some time. Impressive that the strongest in all of that realm have rallied around her. There are plenty who hate her though so danger is everywhere even where you least expect it.” I had thought to myself if that meant that I hadn’t considered someone I knew to be part of those that hate me. The voice then addressed me, “Come forward Solamor.” I rose to my feet and Apollo rose to his and took my hand and guided me where I needed to go. He whispered, “Don’t be afraid of him. Kiss his hand and address him the way Aphrodite did.” I nodded and walked along with him until a hand came into view. I kissed and spoke, “Father of all things, I am honored to be in your presence.” I felt that same hand stroke my head, “Sit here Solamor.” His hand wrapped itself around my arm and gently guided me to a small chair off to the side, “You may look up at your parents, there is no harm in that. Do you know why it is you cannot look at me?” I shook my head as I looked at my parents who were kneeling in front of us. He spoke again, “It is because your mortal flesh cannot handle to gaze at me, I am too powerful. Do you understand?” I looked at Aphrodite who looked nervous in contrast to Apollo who was relaxed, “I understand, Father.” He chuckled, “Very good. Now sit quietly as I have a look at you.”
