Frank
Psyche and Aether discuss Aurora's confrontation with Ares and Aphrodite and the war while enjoying a spot of Pilates.
Debra
Beneath the canopy of old, towering trees, morning sunlight crept through leaves in glimmers that twinkled brightly against dew-kissed grass. That morning, Aether had agreed to join Psyche for a spot of Pilates in the park - a regularity in the goddess' daily schedule, who dared not miss even a day of peaceful respite in an otherwise never-ending schedule of chaos. Lush foliage, bright flowers, and majestic oak trees set a scene of tranquillity, inviting citygoers of Olympian to escape urban life, and creating the perfect place for Psyche to pique his mind. 

Nestled in the oasis, dedicated Pilates enthusiasts gathered to greet the dawn with their graceful movements, the gnarled branches of the trees around them reaching for the sky like outstretched arms. The air was crisp and fragrant and carried the scent of fresh flowers, the soft ground beneath their feet a carpet of emerald green that cushioned their every step.

Their movements were slow and fluid, a testament to the harmony between mind and body that underpinned the exercise. A stark contrast to the pandemonium of just days ago when the demigod Aurora's confrontation with Ares and Aphrodite almost led to an altercation, Psyche contemplated her timely intervention as birds flitted and chirped among the branches overhead, adding their cheerful little melodies to the ambience of their peaceful surroundings.

Aurora, a young demigod, had showcased formidable courage in confronting the divine lovers in a display of strength that was both fearless and admirable. Ares' temper was known throughout Olympus and the mortal realm alike, often through epic tales of his terrifying wrath; his hunger for and conflict had shaken the world more times than Psyche could recall, so it was no surprise when he had set his sights on that of his young demigod son.

Aphrodite, likewise, did not hesitate to egg on her lover - a development that did not shock Psyche whatsoever. She, like many, had seen and experienced her wrath firsthand and knew that the amicable facade of warmth and amour was a temptress whose taste for violence and games could shake mountains. 

**"The girl,"** Psyche said quietly as she stretched and contorted her slender limbs gently beside Aether, a god whose relationship with the demigod made him the perfect soundboard for the blonde's desire to know more. **"Aurora, I believe. She certainly has her father's strength, but it appears to be both yourself and Hemera she draws her courage from."**
Stephanie
Aether, as old as he was, should have been protesting and groaning against the folds and bends of the movements that Psyche was leading them through. However, the only sighs he let out were exhales of breath when trying to reach, or fold his body much more for the pose. He, next a few other God and Goddess, didn't look nearly as ancient as they should, being a primordial.

It was a gorgeous day, and honestly they couldn't have picked a better time to engage in the exercise.
Psyche's voice suddenly flitted into his ears, golden hair pinned back with a thin headband to keep it out of the way. 
There wasn't a thought in his mind up until that point, when the Goddess mentioned Aurora, and the golden trifecta of immortals that doted on her. 

The God paused, thinking a moment. He hadn't... Stopped to think about it in the prior days honestly, even if his heart remembered the sting of Aphrodite's words towards the demigod.
...Or was it demigoddess?
Shaking the technicality away, Aether lifted himself gracefully from they way his body was folded, straightening himself out to speak.

**"She is an inspiration.."** Aether started, leaning back on his hands to look around at the park they were in. 

**"I'm just grateful she is strong, though her mouth is much like her father's: not at all sugar coated. For**

**What little she knows of how to defend herself against the will of entities as we are... She seems to be doing fine!"** 
Aether said this matter of factly, though somewhat surprised. 

**"If Apollo had come into her life any later, we'd be starting from scratch. I would have loved to be around her as a child. Create sparkler effects for her and watch her eyes glow in amazement."** 

Aether blushed, kicking his feet a bit and rubbing his legs together sheepishly. He yearned for another child, and even though he and Hemera were more than happy to conceive, the God of Light was hesitant on bringing a *Baby* Into the world where the war would force them into hiding... If they could hide that was. 
It wouldn't be such a bad idea to become neutral, but it nearly felt like treason at this point.
There was so much to lose. 

**"There's still a lot of work ahead of us.."** His voice trailed softly, looking to Psyche.

**"I'm happy you think so highly of Aurora! I'm.Sure you'd have plenty to teach her as well! The soul is always true."**
Debra
Her own beginnings, it appeared, had been at odds with Aurora's. While she was certainly no goddess by birth, Psyche's upbringing had been steeped in luxury and privilege thanks to her father's status as king of a small kingdom in the fourth century BCE. The youngest of three daughters, her inauguration into godhood began with being introduced to Eros, the son of the goddess Aphrodite, whose offence she had earned as a result of being famed near and far for her beauty. The eventual trials she faced to escape the punishments the goddess intended to pursue to end widespread idolatry of the mortal princess were long and gruelling, and were it not for the intervention of her ex-husband, she would have not been there to tell the tale. 

Her sociability and warmth earned her a reputation of kindness and great favour, but she was still no stranger to the cruelty of their kind. Likewise, Aether embodied what it meant to defy convention and had always been held in great esteem, being one of the few primordial deities that retained his repute. The personification of the sky and light, his upbeat positivity shone with a blinding luminescence as he reflected on his relationship with the demigoddess in question. In truth, the blonde found his company comforting, for many of those like them had long-proven they were not worth her time or patience.

**"Something else she gets from you, I should think,"** Psyche said warmly as she elongated her body and followed the fluid movements of the Pilates instructor some rows ahead. **"This world is new to her much like it was for me. But she has a good head on her shoulders,"** She continued, then turned to face him with a friendly grin. **"And a remarkable family unit who supports her. You've always been the best of us, Aether. Don't underestimate the power of positive reinforcement, nor the importance of your influence on her. Her spirit burns with a resolve that is as fierce and as beautiful as the light at first dawn,"** A beat as she sat down on the mat. **"There is no telling what could've been different had you not been there to guide her."**

She went silent as the instructor led them into the next section of their routine. Her movements thereon were fluid and graceful, each stretch and pose executed with experience and precision as she found refuge and peace in both mind, body, and soul in the exercise. **"Facing off against Aphrodite, even in a battle of words, is no small feat. She speaks with the strength and confidence of a girl who knows her worth, and her merit. You've done right by her."**

The two gods continued their session, testing both their endurance, balance, physicality and willpower as they discussed Aurora's inspiring sense of courage. There was a fire in her born from radiant inner strength, undiminished even in the face of a goddess of Aphrodite's station. To say that Psyche was impressed would be to understate it. **"But you're right, sweet Aether. Her journey to self-discovery, like anyone's, will be long. But there is endless potential with every new day, isn't there?"**

She smiled, then laid back on the mat and cast her blue eyes up at the sky and its boundless heights, touched by his charm and affability. Like her, both he and his charge were inclined to benevolence, but were more than aware that in a battle that bent the light of reality, mere shadows had no chance. 

**"She's destined for greatness. If you wouldn't mind, I'd quite like to pique her mind about the road ahead,"** The blonde said idly as she followed the path of an aeroplane that drifted across the atmosphere, leaving a stream of ivory clouds in its wake. **"What things drive her, and where she sees herself in the grand scheme of everything around us. But what of you, my dear? How are things in your life? It has been an age since I saw your smile that wide, which all things considered, I wasn't aware could physically** ***Get*** **Any brighter."**

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