Practical Mythology, 1/25/12, Period 2, [Class Session 4]

[olympian-herc.livejournal.com]

Today the class... met in a classroom. It was odd for Hercules to do so, but he had special plans.

"There are many cultural images of the Amazons, the often noble warrior women of their own nation. I have encountered them many times, and admittedly none of those encounters went quite as well as the first. Now, some images paint these women as men-haters, as cruel women who would kill any male child they would bear, and these images are of course made almost exclusively by men." Hercules shook his head.

"The Amazons can be cruel, just as any nation can be cruel dependent on their leader. Often, they are fighting for respect that they are often not given, fighting to claim power that others would deny them. Their philosophy is based on wanting that which they deserve."

Hercules passed out a little informational handout. That he may or may not have printed off directly from Wikipedia.

"My personal experience with the Amazons first came during my labors. I had to get the Girdle of the leader of the Amazons, Hippolyta. Now, as opposed to what some versions of that story would say, I was handed that girdle under no false pretenses, with no coercion. And Hippolyta gave me another fine and amazing gift. Unfortunately, her honor guard heard her screams and I was left to flee out of Amazon country carrying Hippolyta's girdle and... completely naked."

He chuckled a bit, but he also looked actually embarrassed.

"Now years later, I encountered the Amazons more recently when they came up with a plan to hold Poseidon hostage in an effort to get a reality-changing artifact. Their new leader, Artume, wanted to create a world where men were enslaved to women. And no, I did not defeat her. That honor went to the new leader of the Amazons, Delphyne Gorgon."

Hercules switched on a TV behind him, that was hooked up to teleconferencing equipment. The screen showed a woman with green skin, snake-like eyes, and snakes for hair. She looked no older than late teens. And she was definitely dressed in a punk-goth mix.

"Took you long enough," Delphyne said, smirk on her face. "Are you sure this won't get you caught by the Olympian police?"

"Ahaha," Hercules said, looking embarrassed again. "Well, students, ask any questions you like of the new leader of the Amazons! And if anyone tries to make fun of her looks, I will throw a stress ball at your head. Which is better than what she would do."

"...true," Delphyne said, smirk still on her face.

[ooc: OCD A-coming. Class in session! Woo!]

Comments

Re: Talk to Delphyne

[olympian-herc.livejournal.com]

Delphyne looked surprised, but not unpleasantly so. "That sounds very familiar. Even as Artume's handmaiden I was not entirely aware of what awful things she intended until they played out."

"And then I challenged her under Amazon law and defeated her in single combat for the right to be queen. Did you have to fight this Velasca?"

Re: Talk to Delphyne

[ancientbschamp.livejournal.com]

"I --" Gabrielle's face took on a half-bemused, half-surprised look. "Ultimately, yes, but it wasn't the traditional single combat. She had her own faction of supporters, and it turned into civil war among the tribe. She, um -- had a scheme to steal ambrosia and become immortal, and we thought we had her beaten, but . . ."

She shook her head.

"Let's just say we defeated her in the end, but it wasn't that easy."

It had been a fight, and a vicious one full of morally grey choices, and recounting it wasn't such a savory experience now.

Re: Talk to Delphyne

[olympian-herc.livejournal.com]

"Oh, a scheme to become immortal and it didn't end well. Surprise," Delphyne said, a little droll. But her glance at those words was not at Gabrielle.

"And true victory is never easy. If you take the easy victory, you are not an Amazon."

Re: Talk to Delphyne

[ancientbschamp.livejournal.com]

"Couldn't agree more. I don't remember what the easy way is for anything any more." Gabrielle's smile turned wistful. "Ephiny would like you."

Re: Talk to Delphyne

[olympian-herc.livejournal.com]

"I'll take that as a compliment," Delphyne said. "I..." Well, to be honest, Delphyne though Gabrielle didn't look entirely militant enough to properly fit in with her Amazons. "I'm sure you're the best queen your Amazons could hope for." She even smiled an honest smile.

Re: Talk to Delphyne

[ancientbschamp.livejournal.com]

Delphyne would be well within her rights to look at Gabrielle askance for not looking like an Amazon; she'd never been the most hardened warrior of them even when she had been willing to fight, but then she'd come into the life late.

"I do my best for them," she told Delphyne. "They're in good hands with my friend Ephiny --" who was a seriously kickass warrior -- "while I'm here at school."

Actually she hadn't seen them since before the trip to India; she had no idea what they'd think of her now. Wait until she'd been frozen in ice for 25 years and then ask Varia . . .