Chapter 16: New Couples

Argosia was meandering along the path the Athena's temple. The Amazonian warrior found that the calm of sleep evaded her this night and her mind was instead clouded with thoughts regarding a certain newcomer to the island. This newcomer was a new change of pace to the island, sure she was energetic and upbeat but so were many of her sisters but, none were quite as intriguing to her as this woman. She had a certain charming endearing quality about her that made the general simply want to cuddle her and snuggle, especially since this new one was about a foot smaller than the general herself but she had a confidence and ease that Argosia loved, and to put it simply the newcomer was just so adorable and cute. Her size didn't matter, although Argosia worried that Rei would not find her attractive. She wasn't all smooth curves like Alena nor was she buff and tough like Sharon but she was lean and was slightly more muscular. Rei looked like she had smooth and soft and huggable but then again it was kind of hard to tell because of the slightly baggy clothes she wore, no doubt an ill-fit due to her height. Still thinking about it. It could be because of her height that Rei did not put on too much muscle, it would make her proportions look absolutely dreadful, it would not look right at all. Still Argosia wished she had that matronly motherly curves about her that she may entice more attention from the small shifter.

The warrior sighed softly as she made her way into the temple. Stopping immediately, she listened intently. Somebody was in the temple, no real cause for alarm, many of the other amazons did visit the temple at night seeking guidance for their own grievances, but she rarely ever heard singing coming from within the temple.

A quiet humming seemed to fill the encompassing quiet that usually took residence within the temple. It was soft, a little pitchy but sweet still. There in front of Athena's statue was the object of her conundrum.

Rei stood before the goddess Athena statuette. Her mind too consumed by her own thoughts to register another presence within the temple walls.

Previously…...

Rei waited patiently in front of her sister's door awaiting her return from her evening with the amazon queen. She had something pressing on her brain and she needed to express it to someone. Hearing footsteps resounding down the hallway she straightened up and stared her sister down with a serious expression.

Aren for her part was still happily dazed as she walked to her room, however her mood sobered up instantly as she saw her sister sporting her "serious face" which usually meant that she had business to attend to. Quickening her pace she quickly and quietly opened the door and signalled Rei inside.

Once inside after closing the door she turned to her Rei.

"Should I be worried? What is happening?" she asked her expression questioning and her tone stern.

"Well…yes…maybe I am not sure. I need…help." Rei wrung her fingers and paced back and forth abruptly.

Aren's face softened, she had a feeling what this was about.

"Does this possibly have to with a certain red-headed amazon general?" she asked coyly, seeing Rei squirming out of embarrassment was not a regular occurrence.

Rei turned sharply to Aren, a reprimanding look on her face.

"Don't tease me!" she scolded, "This is serious…" she stated in a much softer tone.

Aren smiled gently at her, she knew Rei was serious about this woman, especially if she looked this vulnerable because of her feelings. Rei was not the type of person one would consider to be a romantic, the settle down and have a family kind of person, and the truth was….

…they couldn't be further from the truth.

Rei loved children, she practically doted on her niece, and she always wanted a family of her own, however, one too many failed trysts in love had led her to quiet resignation that love was just not for her and she quietly accepted the life of being a bachelor.

"Talk to me ReiRei" Aren said softly using her sister's pet name from when they were younger to goad her into a sense of comfort to get her to open up. Though she sat on the bed and waited patiently for Rei to say something as she paced and wrung her hands. Rei would speak once she collected her thoughts.

"I…I feel strongly for her." she said after some time and Aren just sat and nodded as she waited and listened.

"Gods I feel so... good with her, when I'm around her. I feel lighter and I want to smile, and make her smile and laugh and have fun. I want to hug her all the time and then dance and tell everybody about her and how I feel about her, how she makes me feel, but also keep it to myself..I just..I don't know how to say it to her, I don't know what to do. I don't want to mess up" she said and lowered herself drained onto the mattress beside her sister, making them both bounce.

Aren smiled gently and sadly at her sister. She was happy that Rei finally found love again, ad was serious about it. She also knew the turmoil she must be experiencing, heck even she still held that fear of messing up every day when it came to Diana. She sighed and gave her sister the only advice she could think of in that moment.

"Be brave. There was an old lady in the market once, she witnessed my first lover break my heart and humiliate me. She quietly brought me into her little shop, gave me some tea and rubbed my back as she sat with me. She told me 'It is possible that it takes about as much courage, and resolve to tell someone how you feel about them and mean it sincerely, as it does to face an entire army on your own.'

You will have to tell her Rei, on your own, with nothing but words, and your heart. The words will not come easy or be the most romantic, you may fumble and look like an ass but, some people would appreciate an honest ass to lying silver-tongue."

Rei considered this, looking at her shoes, taking in the information. She understood but also kind of didn't, but she still understood. It was either put on some big girl shoes and do it or go home crying.

"You know that isn't really telling me what to do you know" Rei smiled slyly. Aren rolled her eyes and responded,

"You do realise you flirt with pretty much every other female and you're asking me for romance advice yes. I can't give you all the answers then I might as well court the woman myself"

Rei laughed, "Yes we all know which amazon you have eyes for." Aren responded by sneering at her sister and shooing her out of the room. Rei laughed all the way into the hall and smiled thankfully at her sister as the door closed. She headed off towards one of the temples she has seen around the island. They were usually quiet places and she felt like it was a place she could think over, without interruption, what she has just heard and pull her thoughts together.

Presently…

Rei stared lost in thought at the statue in front of her. She doesn't hear the presence nor does she feel it until there is someone standing right next to her. She continues to stare in front of her, aware that her cheeks are heating up as she realises who it is but, she takes a deep breath, closes her eyes and relaxes as best she can.

They both stand together seemingly admiring the statue until Argosia breaks the silence.

"It is Athena. She is said to be the goddess of creation, strategy and wisdom. But she is not our patron goddess. Hera is. The goddess of marriage and fertility and women. She protects us, watching over us. But we of course appreciate the other goddesses and acknowledge the other gods but we don't worship them."

"Well Zeus seemed like kind of a dickhead if you ask me from what I've read" The two shared a small laugh at Rei's statement.

"So uh what are you doing here, well not here, its temple so you pray here or something, I meant like here at this time of night you know" Rei rambled on her nerves getting the better of her.

Argosia smiled and replied softly, "You are correct. I had indeed come here to seek advice from the Goddess of wisdom regarding certain actions I intend to take towards someone"

"Oh? Must be someone special then if you're seeking some divine intervention huh" Rei chuckled anxiously attempting to mask the fact her was simultaneously beating out of her chest and threatening to break.

"Yes I would hope she will be in the near future" Argosia turned to Rei with a gentle smile on her face which soon turned into a frown as she saw that Rei was pouting at the floor. It was adorable but saddening all the same. Tenderly she reached out to the outsider.

"Rei are you alright?" The outsider nodded sombrely

"I'm good, just a bit tired. I wish you and the person all the best. I should go to bed now. See ya around Amazon" She smiled widely but it unsettled Argosia. Watching the outsider leave, Argosia steeled herself and grabbed the shorter woman and hugged her tight as she solidly kissed her.

Rei was too surprised, happily mind you, but still too surprised to do anything. She didn't care that the amazon was slowly crushing her, Rei just closed her eyes and kissed back enjoying her sweet torture. Argosia seemingly eventually pulled back, opening her eyes to see Rei smiling spaced out at her and she let out a soft chuckle.

"I take it you are pleased" The amazon asked.

Rei nodded dumbly, a wide smile plastered on her face.

"Yea but could you please let go. I can't feel anything below my waist and not just because of that kiss"

Argosia looked at how she was holding the woman and realising she was slightly crushing her. Setting down the other woman gently she continued holding her but just not with all her Amazonian strength this time.

"Happier now" Argosia asked, Rei simply and hugged the Amazon back and nodded.

They both stared and laughed at each other.

"You know to be honest I'd rather not move right now. You think the Goddess of Wisdom would mind if we went to sleep and stayed here for a bit?" Rei asked smiling cheekily.

Argosia shook her head and led Rei toward a secluded spot near the back of the temple.

Nothing else really happened that night but another beautiful couple had been born as the Goddess of Love smiled upon the hidden island.

A/N: All characters slepin. No-make. Showwy. Review and stuff pease. Wuv ya lots pease tell meh whatchu tink. Bai Bai.