#aeolia

You couldn't say it was a gentle breeze flowing in the sea atmosphere right now, but things looked relatively calm compared to the storm blocking your way home. You had grown accustomed to gentle breezes brushing against you, and sometimes you even swore you could feel something kiss you on the cheek or your hand sometimes when you were compelled to bring it forward. Heck, the winds even got stronger after that and your people even commented on how odd it was that ever since you came into Ithaca, winds and breezes had suddenly appeared frequently.

It was two years ago when you became an Aeolus Devotee after he had reached out to you. You could say it turned your life around, it certainly helped you become happier and more free-spirited in life, which came as a surprise and a relief to your childhood friend, Odysseus. When you had arrived to Ithaca, you two had a little reunion as you were escorted to the palace. You met Penelope and congratulated them on their upcoming child together, and Odysseus had your social status increased to the point you could live in a castle just like them; it was clear Odysseus had a high regard for you. But alongside that, Penelope also became good friends with you and enjoyed your company earnestly. Both rulers of Ithaca noticed the fondness the wind had for you, which amused them but also had them mindboggled.

You could say the winds took a liking to you.

But how did you manage to see Odysseus again? Hazy, but you were there at the Troy when they burned down the city, and you had endured many foes since then. From the cyclops, to the prophet, to literal gods (except for Aeolus, much to your internal dismay... for now). The gentle breeze blew your hair as you smiled to yourself gently with your eyes closed, face donning a peaceful expression. You couldn't see it, but Odysseus smiled at seeing you content and peaceful for once. The few years have been stressful, but he was thankful for you and you two had grown closer than ever after all the chaos you and him endured together.

You heard a little giggle from just over the edge of the boat, followed by an audible gush of air, as if something was flying around the ship's edge. Leaning over the edge to look and see if anything was lurking, you spotted a wind spirit, looking similar to a cute bear (Carebears). They looked shocked and in-awe at you, but you couldn't quite configure what they were shocked at.

Leaning more but still ensuring you don't fall off, you reach their round head and caress it affectionately, releasing an airy laugh at their awe, contention and giggles at your little affections. You kissed another one on the head, one that you didn't even know was there before it blushed and floated away cartoonishly. Smiling, you let them fall off the boat as the small giggles fade away into the distance. You leaned off the boat in shock as they slipped off the boat with a smile, but you couldn't see them anymore even if you looked down at the seas. Odysseus called you over a little over at the ship for some reason, assuming that he wanted to talk to you since you overheard Eurylochus and Odysseus fight over reaching Aeolia soon to get home to Ithaca without dealing with a storm. You sighed in relief seeing they came to an agreement and waved to the little wind spirits you had pet earlier, even if you couldn't see them.

What you didn't see was the wind god Aeolus legs crossed, huffy and jealous as their hair flowed a little more aggressively at the sight of their winions getting attention from the mortal they loved and they didn't. Of course, they could just appear to you and say "I am the wind god Aeolus, and I want you to be my lover!", and they were sure you would agree anyway even if it was out of fear but they felt it would be more special if they actually went out of their way to court them. And most importantly, they wanted you to love them too. They felt a little tug at their flowy blue sleeves hanging off their shoulders, seeing the winions pawing at the sleeves smiling cheekily up at the wind god. Pouting and huffing their cheeks, they continued to looking on at you in the distance, hidden by the clouds.

Truth be told, this is the first time they had felt this way about a mortal, or about anyone in general. The other mortals who had visited their temple occasionally didn't peak their interest, and gods like Hermes and Hades who they had been in close proximity to once or twice didn't spark with them either. They didn't feel like going to Olympus and summoning Aphrodite or Eros to help them even though it would probably be better and way easier if they did, so they just sat there grumpy, but they floated soon away and went back to Aeolia as they pouted that they had to leave you so soon because of godly duties. Sure, you didn't even see them, but still—!

As a god, they hardly saw anyone outside of their people went to Aeolia, their island kingdom upon a floating island guarded by an eyewall, as if the island was a typhoon. Internally as they floated back to their island, their sleeves and attached ribbons flowing in the wind, they smiled to themselves and giggled giddily. It made them content enough to think you waved goodbye to them even if it technically wad their Winions. As they returned to their temple at the top of the bundle of floating island connected by satin blue ribbons and bridges made of clouds and visible, they twirled and spun in the air as they returned to their temple atop the highest island of Aeolia.

Speeding past visiting Aeolians who were presenting offerings (residents of Aeolia), they parted the blue curtains behind the statue of themselves, and into their chambers. They had wind puppets pamper themselves as a god within the privacy of curtains held down purely by harsh winds that blew away any Aeolian who tried getting inside. They laid on their bed and smiled to themselves, Winions next to them pawing at the blue, airy sheets and some giggling mischievously at how jealous the Wind God Aeolus got.

They turned to their side and smiled, imagining you by their side as they got excited and giddy. They shot up quickly and floated to their balcony, leaning their body off the railings decorated to their desires and whims, smiling seeing your boat in the distance. Resting their face on their hand as they continued staring, they smiled and blushed, their hair blowing affectionately. They couldn't tell whether this was the power and emotion love had from and to their heart, or if they were struck with one of Eros' arrows, or if Aphrodite matchmade them with Eros under her command. But they're not complaining either way, this was the best thing that had happened to them in their immortal life.

"Are you the one I've been praying for?" They sighed happily and sang a sweet tune they expressed their feelings into. From that song, the winds grew sweet and love floated in the air. "It's only your name in my heart, that I would sing from day to day... I have to admit and say, it's just today I've been this way, I'll always come back, keep coming back to only you... ♪"

If only you were there, they were sure their eyes would turn into hearts right there and there. They felt as if they heart was singing, they smiled so brightly it was clear they were so in love. Their winions looked at eachother, and giggled mischievously. With their head in the clouds, their mind raced with daydreams of you with them. Meanwhile, the Winions rushed out to escort you directly to them right under their nose.

Their stubby, cute little legs took them a little while to get down to the islands as they jumped down from island to island, happily swirling and twirling against the sweet winds. They smiled cutely as the Aeolians helped them get down easily, catching them with flowy fabrics as they jumped down. The Winions informed them of you and how Aeolus desires to see you, and through them immediately understanding, they quickly spread the word to help their lovesick god with their exploding heart.

You and Odysseus felt foot upon the floating island's beautiful lands. Around you was the design of a mystical kingdom unbeknownst to most of humanity. Judging by how the eyewall parted just for their boat and for you two, you knew Aeolus wanted to see you. You remembered the Winions and came to the conclusion they must've really wanted to see you. "So [Your name], you remember the plan, right? We must find the temple of the wind god and plead for gentle winds for our journey home." You looked to Odysseus, and looked inquisitively and thoughtfully, "Yes, I remember, but must it be me? The winds are so refreshing down there..."

Odysseus' face fell flat and explained it to you. "You are one of their devotees, you worship Aeolus, right? They must favor you more than me, and that means we have a better chance of getting their blessing." You nodded and sighed. "Alright, Ody." Your eyes are set on the temple above the highest island, but just as you reach the second island via the cloud bridge, the Aeolians quickly escorted you (and Odysseus) gently with bright and sweet smiles as you looked around the idyllic kingdom of blue and white quartz, soft clouds and blue ribbons swirling in the wind.

Now you may have gotten a little sidetracked of the cuteness the little Winions harbored, but you two quickly traveled between islands easily. "Quick, the Great Wind God desires to see you!" A female Aeolian relays to you, quickly gesturing you to the next island, of which was the third closest to the temple on the highest aeolian island. 'Desires to see me?' You questioned in your head, but as you looked down to question it mentally, the little Winions smiled up to you with mischievous smiles. You turned your head to Odysseus, who was just as confused as you. You were one of the people closest to Odysseus that accompanied him all the way from the beginning to the end, and he vowed to do everything to make sure you came back to Ithaca alive, if not for him, then for Penelope, because he knew you two were close friends too. He also desired to see his son Telemachus once more, to be the father he never was, and he hoped he could introduce you to him, a hope he mentioned to you when you were on the boat before just on your way to Aeolia.

You two both looked at eachother and raised an eyebrow, before going back to following the Aeolians and Winions leading you up to the temple. Here, the Aeolians stopped and waved you on. "Safe travels!" They bid farewell to you as they walked away. From that point on, Winions led you two to the temple. It was cute how they stumbled and fell occasionally, but you had to stay determined to meet Aeolus. At the same time, you grew more nervous as you quickly reached the topmost island. The Winions rushed inside as they let go of your hands, giggling amongst themselves cheekily. Looking up, you saw a balcony and a mystical divine being looking at you with hearts in their eyes. You looked shocked, and they looked shocked back. However, they instead donned a sweet smile as they floated inside the Temple. What you didn't see was them panicking slightly over their looked but the smiling and giggling Winions reassured them by little comments like, "They're here!!!" "You look great, don't worry!!!" "They'll love you!!!" Aeolus smiled, and floated just about to part the blue curtains standing between you and them, but they heard a prayer to them being recited by you and your companion.

You placed incense and other offerings in a basket infront of the statue of Aeolus and knelt, praying to the wind god Aeolus.

"Great Wind God Aeolus,

An unpenetrable storm blocks our way back home to Ithaca,

We ask for your blessing; gentle winds and your guidance as we fare through the seas.

Please watch over us through your winds and protect us from the storm's whims.

I simply wish to revere you, Aeolus.

Thank you for your time."

As you stood up, you looked to Odysseus, who stepped forward with a determined expression you knew so well. He spoke up, asking the same thing you did, but in his own Odysseus way. You two felt a tap on your shoulder as you turned around, a big gush of wind came from behind the blue curtains and there, sitting laidback on a cloud was Aeolus themselves. Their white hair flowed gently in the wind, resembling a cumulonimbus cloud. They had white eyes with blue pupils, their eyes shaped like clouds. They donned a blue chiton up to their knees, something resembling clouds draped over their shoulder and over their body. They had long blue flowing in the air, leaning off their shoulders while blue and white swirls decorated their limbs and their cheeks. They smiled sweetly and introduced themselves briefly as the wind themselves.

"So you seek my guidance, hmm?" They smiled cheekily as they relaxed against their cloud seat, before floating around their temple 'round the two. Odysseus still looked determined, while you looked in awe and reverence, you felt honored to be in Aeolus' actual divine presence. "Let's strike a deal, Odysseus! You let me keep your cute friend over here," They floated behind you, resting their hand on your right shoulder as they gently grabbed your chin to look at them, smiling as they stared lovingly into your eyes, finally close to you. They then looked up and looked at Odysseus, "and you'll get the gentle winds you yearn for."

"No deal. I refuse to lose my best friend like I did with the others." With a little more emotion than before, Odysseus looked down and almost started tearing up at the thought of losing you. Now stuck between the choice of the deity you worshipped and your best friend of many years. You opted to stay silent and let the god and your childhood best friend argue it out until there was a clean agreement they settled on.

"You don't have to say goodbye, you know. You can still see them here in Aeolia!" Aeolus smiled, trying to convince Odysseus seeing as you clearly cared for him and his apparent approval as they lingered around you. "They'll be my [Queen/King], the [Queen/King] of Aeolia with me, you'd want to be happy for them then, right?"

"No deal."

Aeolus huffed and pouted, floating away, laying against their cloud in front of their own statue in their temple, Winions semi-visible hiding in their billowing sleeves, cutely pawing at the material. "Alright, let's play a game." They smiled at Odysseus while avoiding laying their gaze on you to prove a point that it has nothing to do with you. "A game?"

Aeolus nodded. "If you win, you'll get what you're yearning."

"Deal." Aeolus smiled, and they floated off their cloud and pulled out a white bag tied with rope, with blue swirls as a pattern. Throwing it to you, they winked and continued talking to Odysseus, minding your red features. "This bag has a storm trapped. All you gotta do is not open this bag."

"You just gotta know who to trust! If they wanna get the bag open, you gotta say "No sir!" Aeolus stood up and wagged their finger at him, the Winions climbing on Odysseus' shoulder. "Sometimes killing is a must!"

"What?" Odysseus and you said in unison, looking at eachother.

Aeolus giggled as they retreated back behind the curtain but without closing it. "It's a simple game, mortal! Just don't open the bag...!" The curtains closed, and the Winions followed suit like dominos. You and Odysseus stood there, a little flabbergasted at what had just conspired. Odysseus' eyes lit up and smiled at you, "Sounds easy, huh, [Your name]? We've got this."