Which... oh! Of course!" Tate managed to regain his composure before the women grew impatient. And, judging by the annoyed looks on their faces, not a moment too soon. Quickly, he pointed to the stunning blonde with a garland of flowers in her hair. "It is she that I have made this pledge to!" He grinned inwardly. If he really was talking to ancient Goddesses, he needed to speak like it.
The blonde giggled gleefully, glancing at her companions. "Well, you heard him. Begone with you, then!" The other two women shot her nasty glares before disappearing as suddenly as they had arrived. The blonde then turned her attention back to Tate. "You have made a wise decision. I know all about Zeus's latest captive, and as the Goddess of love and beauty, this is indeed my specialty..."
Tate stared back at her in wide-eyed disbelief. "You really are a Goddess! This is amazing! Wait til Mission Control hears about this..."
Aphrodite raised a hand, and Tate suddenly found himself unable to speak. She gave him a cool look as she circled him slowly. "I see you've never dealt with the almighty before. No matter, I will teach you well. First things first: you do not speak unless spoken to. Second, as we are yet wary of your intentions here at Olympus, you will not be allowed to return to your people until you have proven yourself." She smirked. "Nod if you understand."
Tate's head gave a jerky nod, as he was still blown away over being in the company of a Goddess, much less the most beautiful Goddess he had ever seen.
The smirk widened. "Very good. As you know very little of our ways, I will not hold you to building for me a proper temple at the moment. However, if I am to assist you in rescuing your woman, you will have to swear loyalty to me and only me. You will serve me faithfully, you will take no actions without my permission, and you will become mine to do with as I wish once you have rescued your woman. Do you agree, or will I have to... dispose of you?"
Tate hesitated momentarily. On one hand, he really, really enjoyed not being the slave of an ancient Goddess. On the other hand, Fianna was in danger, and she was also his friend. Knowing that he may never return home either way, he nodded and knelt before her in the most formal way he could manage in his spacesuit.
With one final smirk, Aphrodite placed her palm on his helmet. "Very well. On your oath, I shall grant you the strength to rescue your woman from Zeus. On your oath, I shall make you my avatar..."
Tate felt a jolt course through his entire body, and then... blackness.
