Title: Raising Mischief - And then there was love, nature, wisdom, lies…
Fandom: Hercules The Legendary Journeys/Xena Warrior Princess
Characters: Strife
Prompt: #40 Sight
Word Count: 669
Rating:PG13
Summary: More watch more learn the punishment grows.
Author's Notes: 11th in the series.

Aphrodite flashed in with a shower of pink glitter and falling petals. She appeared at Ares' side and frowned at the look of pure rage on his face. Glancing at what he was looking at the frown changed to a look of disgust.

Looking around she saw Hades with a young child so pale she wondered if that whole Hades can't have children thing wasn't a fraud. Glancing back at the mirror at the tiny voice that called for , "momma." Love's expression was anything but.

"That bitch!" Aphrodite snarled.

"Dite?" Ares asked being pulled somewhat out of his rage by the mother of most of his children.

"Put the mirror down Ares, you have an audience," she whispered. Ares glanced to where Hades was still sitting with Erin who was watching him wide eyed. Carefully prying the mirror out of the war god's hands she placed it on a side table.

"Now introduce me to this cutie!" She giggled and Ares rolled his eyes but led her to Erin.

"Erin, this is Aphrodite, my sister, your aunt."

"Aunt Ap…Ah…"

"Just call me 'dite cutie," she said with a smile running her fingers through the unruly black hair.

"She's Cupid's mother."

At that Erin twisted in an effort to see her back. "What are you looking for cutie?"
"I'd guess wings," Ares said with a smirk.

"Wings? Nope sorry cutie." Erin pouted and Aphrodite flashed up a little bottle and handed it to him. Looking at it confused Erin sniffed it. "Here sweetie," she said pulling out the handle and blowing a handful of pink bubbles. "Why don't you go play with Ace," She said handing him a similar bottle but in yellow. "Give your Aunt Dite a kiss."

"Kiss?" Erin asked.

"I'm gonna rip her a new one," Aphrodite growled before kissing Ares on the cheek. "Like that."

Erin nodded and kissed Dite on the cheek and Hades as well before he went off to blow bubbles with Ace.

"Now tell me why Eris was allowed near that little munchkin."

"Because she is his mother," Hestia said joining the little circle of elder gods with Apollo.

"What? When did she have a kid? With who?"

"Four years ago, and I have no idea," Ares said not noticing more gods flashing in. Hermes blew in and was adjusting his clothes looking for a mirror planning to do something about the wind blown look his hair was constantly in when he spotted a hand mirror lifting it he realized it was no ordinary mirror. He was about to place it down when he saw what it was showing. He was so entranced that he didn't hear Demeter flash in Persephone on her hip.

Glancing over his shoulder she was stunned at what she was seeing and quickly placed her daughter on the ground and out of view of the scene. Hearing children laughing she pointed her into the other room with a smile.

Before returning her full attention to Hermes and more importantly the scene playing out in the mirror. Hermes barely glanced at Demeter and the arrival of Athena did nothing to draw either gods attention away from each the mirror.

Athena had never been a child and had no dealings with children and even she was upset at the sight before her. How anyone could be so cruel let alone to a child that had no defense. There was no reason for it.

None noticed as the crowd grew larger and larger as the others brought Aphrodite up to speed. Not until one of the later arrivals.

"Mom, Dad, like what is going on out there?" Cupid asked seconds before his arms were full of a hyper four year old who flashed into his arms.

"Cupid!"
Big Damn Table