Aphrodite Application
Jun. 7th, 2011 09:57 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
metemmodsPlayer Information
» Name: Ardruna
» Age: 26
» Journal:![[insanejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/ij-userinfo.gif)
mirisa_ardruna
» Contact: AIM (Mirisa Erato), email (ardruna@gmail.com)
Deity Information
» Pantheon: Greek
» Deity: Aphrodite
» Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aphrodite, http://www.pantheon.org/articles/a/aphrodite.html, http://www.theoi.com/Olympios/Aphrodite.html
» Divine Family: {mother & father} Her parentage is unclear, some believe she is the daughter of Ouranos and born from the spume of foam, blood and sperm after he was castrated by Kronos and his genitals fell into the sea, and Thalassa (alternately, Zeus and Dione); {spouse} Hephaestus, but had a long-standing affair with Ares; {siblings} half-siblings the Titans, the Cyclopes, Meliae, the Furies, The Gigantes, Hecatonchires, the Telchines and Halia; {children} Phobos, Deimos, Anteros, Pothos, Himeros, Eros, Adrestia, Harmonia, Hermaphroditos, Tyche, Eunomia, Rhode, Eryx, Priapus, the Graces (Aglaea, Euphrosyne, and Thalia), Beroe, Aeneas, possibly Nemesis and Peitho
» Mythology: Aphrodite's origins are unclear. According to Hesiod's Theogony, she arose, full-grown, from the seafoam created when Kronos castrated his father and the severed genitals fell into the sea. By Homer's account in The Iliad, she is the daughter of Zeus and Dione. Other sources still claim she is the daughter of the sea goddess Thalassa, either by the spilled seed of Ouranos or by Zeus. In nearly every account, however, like Athena, Aphrodite was an adult woman at the time of her birth, as well as nubile and infinitely beautiful & desirable. Thus she was the Goddess of the Tender Passions, associated especially with love, female sexuality and fertility.
Most accounts have her as the wife of the forge god Hephaestus (though in The Iliad, Charis--or "Grace," perhaps an aspect or even a daughter of Aphrodite by Dionysus, is shown as the wife of Hephaestus, while Aphrodite herself does not appear to be married to anyone). Aphrodite, however, had little love for Hephaestus, despite the many wondrous things he made for her, and she sought companionship outside of her marriage with men who met some ideal in her eyes, particularly Ares, the god of war, with whom she had her sons Phobos, Deimos, Anteros, Pothos, Himeros and Eros (though some claim either Hephaestus or Hermes may also have fathered some of them), and her daughters Adrestia and Harmonia (and some also claim Nemesis). She also bore a son, Hermaphroditos, and daughters, Tyche and Eunomia, to Hermes. With Poseidon, she had a daughter, Rhode (and possibly a second daughter, Peitho), and a son, Eryx (though some say he was sired by a mortal man named Butes). To Dionysus, she bore her son Priapus and the three Graces (Aglaea, Euphrosyne, and Thalia). By Adonis, she had a daughter, Beroe. By the Trojan mortal Anchises, she had a son, Aeneas, whom she defended from Diomedes during the Trojan War, even to the point where Diomedes wounded her hand, and later a second son by Anchises, Lyrus.
The truth, though Aphrodite is not generally keen to speak of it, is that she was, in fact, created as Ouranos's Last Revenge. Determined to get revenge on the traitorous Kronos and all who would follow in his bloodline, Ouranos's last act was the siring of Aphrodite with the sea goddess Thalassa. By his design, she would be the most beautiful creature to ever set foot in the world, able to charm men with little more than a look or a smile. With ease, she would be able to build an army to rally behind her and fight to the death in her name. She would be able to lull the sons of Kronos into complacency, make them her thralls, and, in doing so, take back the throne of Olympus in her father's name from right under their noses. To add insult to injury, they would be forced to bow to a woman. Aphrodite waited to come to Olympus until Zeus had settled comfortably into his role as leader, the need for war among the Old Gods forgotten. When she arrived, she dazzled the Olympians, who were only too happy to name her as one of their own. Yet Zeus was able to perceive her for the threat she was, though he did not dare mention it aloud, lest he become a laughingstock for fearing the power of a woman. He welcomed her with open arms, but (aside from a single, unsuccessful attempt on the island of Kypros) refused to take her to his bed, however tempting she was. Instead, he was quick to offer her Hephaestus in marriage, knowing that no one would ever rally behind the lame god. Aphrodite was trapped. She could not refuse Zeus without breaking the laws of hospitality and revealing herself for the traitor she was meant to be. So, she settled for her position, though never truly found fulfillment there.
After her mother dared to claim that she was more beautiful than Aphrodite, the goddess cursed a mortal woman named Myrrha to lust for her father, Cinyras, and the union resulted in the birth of a son named Adonis. Taking pity upon the child, she took him to the Underworld to be fostered by Persephone. When Aphrodite eventually returned for him, he had grown into a strapping, handsome young man, and Aphrodite became enamoured with him. Much to Aphrodite's annoyance, Persephone, however, would not allow her to simply take him back, and the two goddesses argued until Zeus intervened, along with a panel of Muses, to decide Adonis' fate, and decreed he would spend 4 months with each goddess, and could spend the remaining 4 months with whomever he chose. Adonis chose Aphrodite, much to her delight. In time, Adonis was killed while boar-hunting, and returned to Persephone in death. In grief, Aphrodite dedicated the anemone flower to him, and again went to the Underworld to claim him. Once more, Zeus interceded in the resulting argument, and finally Adonis was to spend half the year with each goddess. Afterward, Aphrodite took out her annoyance on the Muses who had stood against her claim on Adonis, Calliope and Clio. Some believe it was Aphrodite who roused the passions of Dionysus's Bakkhantes to slay Calliope's son Orpheus, and the goddess also made Clio fall in love with a mortal named Pieros as punishment for the criticism.
When he scorned her, choosing instead to worship Artemis, Aphrodite cursed Hippolytus, the son of Theseus and Hippolyte, by having his stepmother Phaedra (the younger sister of Ariadne, who helped Theseus escape from certain death in the Labyrinth) fall in love with him and knowing he would reject her advances. In the aftermath that ultimately resulted in the deaths of both Phaedra and Hippolytus, Aphrodite believes that this caused Artemis to send the boar that killed Adonis out of revenge.
King Tyndareus also suffered from Aphrodite's spite when his wife, Leda, bore twin daughters Helen and Clytemnestra, but the goddess believed that he failed to properly acknowledge her when giving thanks to the gods. Infuriated, Aphrodite cursed the newborn Helen, decreeing that, although she would grow to be the most beautiful of mortal women, she would be doomed to be an adulteress and her infidelity would result in a great deal of bloodshed. Many years later, when the Trojan prince Paris was selected to judge whom would receive the prize of a golden apple inscribed "To The Fairest," though Hera and Athena both offered great gifts, Aphrodite offered him Helen as a bride (though she was already married to Menelaus), thus inciting the Trojan War when he chose her. During the course of the war, Aphrodite loyally championed Paris, but though she protected him many times, she could not save him when he was mortally wounded by Philoctetes.
Psyche suffered from Aphrodite's jealousy when she turned out to have a beauty that nearly rivaled that of the goddess. Out of spite, Aphrodite commanded her son Eros to cause Psyche to fall in love with the ugliest man on earth, just as Aphrodite had been given as a wife to the ugliest of all the Olympians. Instead, Eros ended up choosing her for himself, though he fled from Psyche when she discovered his true identity. Upon discovering the treachery against her orders, the furious goddess gave Psyche a series of seemingly impossible tasks that she would have to complete before she would allow her a reunion with her son. Miraculously, Psyche was able to complete each one in turn, and, finally, Aphrodite was forced to swallow her pride and resentment and grant her blessing.
It was to Aphrodite that the sculptor Pygmalion turned when could not find a woman who would suit him. He instead created a sculpture of a beautiful woman that he named Galatea, and ended up preferring his masterpiece to a woman of a flesh and blood. Aphrodite brought the statue to life, and he married her. In some versions, Aphrodite did this out of pity for Pygmalion, but in others, she left Galatea's heart as stone so she could not return Pygmalion's love--a curse when he did not properly dedicate the statue to her as was her due.
Other mortals cursed by Aphrodite include Glaucus, who angered her when he refused to allow his mares to copulate so they would run faster. In revenge, she caused the horses to devour him. Some also say it was Aphrodite who transformed Medusa and her sisters into the Gorgons, out of jealousy for their beauty.
Character Information
» Played By: Nicole Kidman
» Journal:venusingucci
» Current Name: Callista Lovelace
» Birthdate: 10/19/1977
» Height: 5'11"
» Distinguishing Marks: None, except pierced ears.
» Family: {mother & father} Drs. Alan and Kyra Lovelace; {marital status/spouse} Single/NA; {siblings} none; {children} Anthony Merrick and Ivy Grace Lovelace, by Poseidon and Dionysus, respectively ((UPDATED)); {pets} pet turtledove Pax
» Occupation: Fashion designer, fashion magazine editor
» Currently Residing In: New York City, New York
» Ability: She is remarkably charismatic, and able to easily charm and manipulate people. She can also rouse the passions of anyone with whom she can make a direct sightline.
UPDATED ABILITIES: Aphrodite gains the ability to shift her appearance so as to match the preferred physical "type" of a single targeted individual (meaning she can appear more youthful or mature, taller or shorter, alter her hair, eye and skin tones, etc. depending on what the person likes). In terms of her existing powers, she no longer requires a sightline to rouse or soothe someone's passions, and she can now use this effect on a group rather than a single individual. The lust she inspires in whoever she targets will be almost irresistible, as will be her own natural charm and influence.
Additional Attribute: Aphrodite's figure will always maintain an ideal ratio, no matter any other changes to her appearance.
SECOND UPDATE: Aphrodite has increased magnetism. When she turns on the charm, she is virtually irresistible to those who have a preference for women.
» History: Aphrodite can hardly bear to be without someone to admire her for long, so she's had a number of incarnations. The names of these women for the most part have been lost to history, but among her more recent incarnations:
In 12th century France, as Claire Audy, the youngest of several children in a poor family, she was sent to a convent at an early age. She had no desire for life in a nunnery, however, and instead ran away to be taken in as a kitchen maid in the home of a nearby nobleman's estate. There she was mistaken to be the lord's bastard daughter (a rumor she did not challenge, but gladly played into if it meant escaping kitchen drudgery), and ended up settled into a position married to one of his vassals. She did not love him, nor was she faithful, but she had no intentions of going back to the life to which she was born.
She was Katarína Nagy, the lovely daughter of a lesser noble in late 16th century Transylvania. While traveling to visit her cousin at the age of 26, however, she simply vanished. No one is sure what became of her, though some believe she fell victim to the bloodlust of Countess Báthory.
In late 18th century England, she was Anne Edwards, a member of the court for the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire as the wife of a titled lord that had no land holdings. She was popular among the young men there--perhaps too much so, as it was rumored that some of her children were not sired by her husband.
During the first half of the 20th century in America, she was Lily Stephenson, a suffragist and a performing member of the USO. She also ran a small business selling beauty products. She never married, nor had children, and donated her estate to charities focused on services and education for women.
As Callista Lovelace, "Callie" to her friends, she grew up in the Midwestern college town of Lincoln, Nebraska, the daughter of a renowned cardiac surgeon and a Classics professor at the local university. However, with her father frequently on call or working long shifts at the hospital and her mother often absorbed in her research, Callista often lacked parental attention, which they tried to make up for by indulging as many of her whims as they could, causing Callista to become rather spoiled. Still, she was instilled with the Midwestern values of neighborliness, resourcefulness, honesty and hard work (although she is perfectly willing to use more underhanded means if she feels the situation warrants it), and was very involved in her high school as a cheerleader, school ambassador, choir soprano, thespian, editor for the yearbook (in which she was always one of the most-photographed students) and National Honors Society member. She was named prom queen in her senior year.
Upon graduation, she was eager to escape the humdrum quiet of the Midwest and almost immediately moved to New York City to study fashion design and marketing at the Fashion Institute of Technology, also working part-time as a model for fellow students and local photographers. The summer before her senior year, she interned at a high-profile fashion magazine and then was hired on permanently after graduation. Eager to make her mark on the glamour world, she climbed the ranks and walked the catwalks. Finally, she took over as the chief editor when her predecessor retired. She rarely walks the catwalks herself anymore, but still makes time to do photo shoots, especially when advertising her own designs, as she regularly releases new lines each year
» Personality: Her origin shrouded in mystery (even she herself does nothing to lessen the obscurity of her birth, but she knows herself as the child of Ouranos and Thalassa) and as the most beautiful of all the Olympians, Aphrodite’s elegant allure is plain from the moment she enters—and she knows it. Having learned early how to open doors for herself with just a smile (and she has no qualms about using her feminine wiles to get whatever she wants, especially since she hates taking "no" for an answer), she believes her beauty is her greatest and most valuable asset and is willing to go to any extreme to enhance or protect it. Aphrodite is a vain creature, spending much of her time primping, collecting pretty baubles, or trying out new fashions of all kinds; always seeking ways to make herself more appealing. Callista is a fashionista, and always sure to be dressed in the latest designer clothes and forever changing her makeup and hair to her own take on whatever the style of the season happens to be. Often she comes across as shallow and self-absorbed, always craving to be surrounded by beautiful things and squarely at the center of attention, and with a strong jealous streak. Aphrodite can’t stand to be outshone, and heaven help any unfortunate girl who just might be prettier than she is, or even shows up in the same dress, for anyone who would appear to be a rival soon finds herself on the receiving end of Aphrodite’s schemes. It is nearly exclusively women who suffer from Aphrodite's fury (even if it is a man who slights her), though her anger burns surprisingly cold for such a passionate goddess. Rarely does she directly attack the individuals who insult her, preferring more indirect methods and intrigues to unravel and unleash her curses.
Still, she is well aware that honey attracts more flies than vinegar, so she presents herself as being pleasant and charming, always a perfect lady and the epitome of femininity, especially in the presence of male company; she fully embodies the idea of "the lady in the parlor, the whore in the bedroom." She is generous to her admirers and all those who curry her favor. Just as she will go out of her way to punish those who dare insult her, she rewards and defends her loyal patrons, and she is known to have even her most jealous rages softened by heartfelt pleas. She never actually falls in love (in fact, she can be surprisingly cynical on the topic of romance), but when she seeks out a companion, she is devoted and passionate toward her chosen partner for as long as he holds her interest. However, she has a history of being paired against her will to men she feels are unsuitable, and she is always keeping her eyes open in case someone better may come along, thus she is not known for her fidelity. Aphrodite is nonetheless a doting mother and fiercely protective of her children. Even if she may seem rather vapid on the surface, Aphrodite is smarter than she looks, and knows well how to lay out a plan and wait for just the opportune moment to bring it to fruition. She does not crave power for its own sake, however, only admiration from an adoring throng, as deep down she struggles with feelings of vulnerability and a terrible fear of loneliness. She generally treats men as her playthings, and, although she can never see herself permanently settled down (preferring a string of handsome and wealthy Mr. Right Nows over Mr. Right), she loves to be lavished with all the trappings of romance.
» Other Notes: Callista is straight (a 1 on the Kinsey scale), mostly because she is more likely to be jealous of another female than attracted.
She knows English, French, Italian, Attic Greek, Latin and some Spanish.
Her signature perfume is the same as it has always been: cinnamon and balsam.
She is the mother of fraternal, half-sibling twins: Anthony Merrick Lovelace by Poseidon (PB: Quinn Lord) and Ivy Grace Lovelace by Dionysus (PB: Ryan Newman).
» Sample Journal: I have a busy day ahead of me tomorrow! First of all, I promised Mark that I would go over his portfolio over brunch. I'm sure he likes me even more than my taste, which is a shock considering how many men in this business are gay. Note to self: make sure to wear the red top with the plunging neckline tomorrow. He's actually kind of cute when he's being bashful. And then the afternoon shoot with Philippe! His work is simply amazing. I know he'll be the perfect choice to promote my new summer collection. Yes, the red top is a definite for tomorrow! I can't forget to make sure to go over the layouts again, though. We go to print in three days, and everything needs to be perfect. Fashion waits for no one, after all!
» Sample Log: Callista browsed through the cases of the jewelry store. She wasn't really intending to purchase anything--she just liked to look at them. And then she saw it there, glittering in its display; a showpiece, to be sure. It was an exquisite Tacori necklace and earring set. Round-cut diamonds, clear as stars and sparkling with tiny rainbows when they caught the light, set in 24-karat yellow gold. She had a terrible weakness for diamonds, especially good ones, and if her knowledge of the 4 C’s served her well, these were definitely good ones. She could see her reflection in the glass, and she was at just the right position that she could see the necklace as if it were draped around her neck. It suited her perfectly, and the more she gazed at it, the more she wanted it. She stepped closer and closer, marveling at it. Then she saw the price tag.
Ouch. Even with her credit limit, she couldn’t afford that right now. Not until things went to print, anyway, and the money started coming in from it. By that time, the set could be sold, and she simply couldn't allow that to happen. Then again, Callista was of the idea that the best jewelry wasn’t the kind you bought yourself, but the kind you could get others to buy for you.
She looked up and glanced around the store. A few rows off, she saw a well-dressed man browsing the cases and looking hopelessly lost. No wedding ring, she noted. Perfect. That meant fair game. She straightened up, making sure all her best assets were on display. With a toss of her hair and a brilliant smile, she walked over and oh-so-casually brushed past him.
“You know, if you’re looking for something special,” she said in a silky purr, “Just remember: diamonds are a girl’s best friend.” She flashed him a winning smile, and continued walking along the cases. And there she waited with the smug satisfaction that he’d almost certainly soon be following along behind her. Child's play.
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» Name: Ardruna
» Age: 26
» Journal:
mirisa_ardruna» Contact: AIM (Mirisa Erato), email (ardruna@gmail.com)
Deity Information
» Pantheon: Greek
» Deity: Aphrodite
» Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aphrodite, http://www.pantheon.org/articles/a/aphrodite.html, http://www.theoi.com/Olympios/Aphrodite.html
» Divine Family: {mother & father} Her parentage is unclear, some believe she is the daughter of Ouranos and born from the spume of foam, blood and sperm after he was castrated by Kronos and his genitals fell into the sea, and Thalassa (alternately, Zeus and Dione); {spouse} Hephaestus, but had a long-standing affair with Ares; {siblings} half-siblings the Titans, the Cyclopes, Meliae, the Furies, The Gigantes, Hecatonchires, the Telchines and Halia; {children} Phobos, Deimos, Anteros, Pothos, Himeros, Eros, Adrestia, Harmonia, Hermaphroditos, Tyche, Eunomia, Rhode, Eryx, Priapus, the Graces (Aglaea, Euphrosyne, and Thalia), Beroe, Aeneas, possibly Nemesis and Peitho
» Mythology: Aphrodite's origins are unclear. According to Hesiod's Theogony, she arose, full-grown, from the seafoam created when Kronos castrated his father and the severed genitals fell into the sea. By Homer's account in The Iliad, she is the daughter of Zeus and Dione. Other sources still claim she is the daughter of the sea goddess Thalassa, either by the spilled seed of Ouranos or by Zeus. In nearly every account, however, like Athena, Aphrodite was an adult woman at the time of her birth, as well as nubile and infinitely beautiful & desirable. Thus she was the Goddess of the Tender Passions, associated especially with love, female sexuality and fertility.
Most accounts have her as the wife of the forge god Hephaestus (though in The Iliad, Charis--or "Grace," perhaps an aspect or even a daughter of Aphrodite by Dionysus, is shown as the wife of Hephaestus, while Aphrodite herself does not appear to be married to anyone). Aphrodite, however, had little love for Hephaestus, despite the many wondrous things he made for her, and she sought companionship outside of her marriage with men who met some ideal in her eyes, particularly Ares, the god of war, with whom she had her sons Phobos, Deimos, Anteros, Pothos, Himeros and Eros (though some claim either Hephaestus or Hermes may also have fathered some of them), and her daughters Adrestia and Harmonia (and some also claim Nemesis). She also bore a son, Hermaphroditos, and daughters, Tyche and Eunomia, to Hermes. With Poseidon, she had a daughter, Rhode (and possibly a second daughter, Peitho), and a son, Eryx (though some say he was sired by a mortal man named Butes). To Dionysus, she bore her son Priapus and the three Graces (Aglaea, Euphrosyne, and Thalia). By Adonis, she had a daughter, Beroe. By the Trojan mortal Anchises, she had a son, Aeneas, whom she defended from Diomedes during the Trojan War, even to the point where Diomedes wounded her hand, and later a second son by Anchises, Lyrus.
The truth, though Aphrodite is not generally keen to speak of it, is that she was, in fact, created as Ouranos's Last Revenge. Determined to get revenge on the traitorous Kronos and all who would follow in his bloodline, Ouranos's last act was the siring of Aphrodite with the sea goddess Thalassa. By his design, she would be the most beautiful creature to ever set foot in the world, able to charm men with little more than a look or a smile. With ease, she would be able to build an army to rally behind her and fight to the death in her name. She would be able to lull the sons of Kronos into complacency, make them her thralls, and, in doing so, take back the throne of Olympus in her father's name from right under their noses. To add insult to injury, they would be forced to bow to a woman. Aphrodite waited to come to Olympus until Zeus had settled comfortably into his role as leader, the need for war among the Old Gods forgotten. When she arrived, she dazzled the Olympians, who were only too happy to name her as one of their own. Yet Zeus was able to perceive her for the threat she was, though he did not dare mention it aloud, lest he become a laughingstock for fearing the power of a woman. He welcomed her with open arms, but (aside from a single, unsuccessful attempt on the island of Kypros) refused to take her to his bed, however tempting she was. Instead, he was quick to offer her Hephaestus in marriage, knowing that no one would ever rally behind the lame god. Aphrodite was trapped. She could not refuse Zeus without breaking the laws of hospitality and revealing herself for the traitor she was meant to be. So, she settled for her position, though never truly found fulfillment there.
After her mother dared to claim that she was more beautiful than Aphrodite, the goddess cursed a mortal woman named Myrrha to lust for her father, Cinyras, and the union resulted in the birth of a son named Adonis. Taking pity upon the child, she took him to the Underworld to be fostered by Persephone. When Aphrodite eventually returned for him, he had grown into a strapping, handsome young man, and Aphrodite became enamoured with him. Much to Aphrodite's annoyance, Persephone, however, would not allow her to simply take him back, and the two goddesses argued until Zeus intervened, along with a panel of Muses, to decide Adonis' fate, and decreed he would spend 4 months with each goddess, and could spend the remaining 4 months with whomever he chose. Adonis chose Aphrodite, much to her delight. In time, Adonis was killed while boar-hunting, and returned to Persephone in death. In grief, Aphrodite dedicated the anemone flower to him, and again went to the Underworld to claim him. Once more, Zeus interceded in the resulting argument, and finally Adonis was to spend half the year with each goddess. Afterward, Aphrodite took out her annoyance on the Muses who had stood against her claim on Adonis, Calliope and Clio. Some believe it was Aphrodite who roused the passions of Dionysus's Bakkhantes to slay Calliope's son Orpheus, and the goddess also made Clio fall in love with a mortal named Pieros as punishment for the criticism.
When he scorned her, choosing instead to worship Artemis, Aphrodite cursed Hippolytus, the son of Theseus and Hippolyte, by having his stepmother Phaedra (the younger sister of Ariadne, who helped Theseus escape from certain death in the Labyrinth) fall in love with him and knowing he would reject her advances. In the aftermath that ultimately resulted in the deaths of both Phaedra and Hippolytus, Aphrodite believes that this caused Artemis to send the boar that killed Adonis out of revenge.
King Tyndareus also suffered from Aphrodite's spite when his wife, Leda, bore twin daughters Helen and Clytemnestra, but the goddess believed that he failed to properly acknowledge her when giving thanks to the gods. Infuriated, Aphrodite cursed the newborn Helen, decreeing that, although she would grow to be the most beautiful of mortal women, she would be doomed to be an adulteress and her infidelity would result in a great deal of bloodshed. Many years later, when the Trojan prince Paris was selected to judge whom would receive the prize of a golden apple inscribed "To The Fairest," though Hera and Athena both offered great gifts, Aphrodite offered him Helen as a bride (though she was already married to Menelaus), thus inciting the Trojan War when he chose her. During the course of the war, Aphrodite loyally championed Paris, but though she protected him many times, she could not save him when he was mortally wounded by Philoctetes.
Psyche suffered from Aphrodite's jealousy when she turned out to have a beauty that nearly rivaled that of the goddess. Out of spite, Aphrodite commanded her son Eros to cause Psyche to fall in love with the ugliest man on earth, just as Aphrodite had been given as a wife to the ugliest of all the Olympians. Instead, Eros ended up choosing her for himself, though he fled from Psyche when she discovered his true identity. Upon discovering the treachery against her orders, the furious goddess gave Psyche a series of seemingly impossible tasks that she would have to complete before she would allow her a reunion with her son. Miraculously, Psyche was able to complete each one in turn, and, finally, Aphrodite was forced to swallow her pride and resentment and grant her blessing.
It was to Aphrodite that the sculptor Pygmalion turned when could not find a woman who would suit him. He instead created a sculpture of a beautiful woman that he named Galatea, and ended up preferring his masterpiece to a woman of a flesh and blood. Aphrodite brought the statue to life, and he married her. In some versions, Aphrodite did this out of pity for Pygmalion, but in others, she left Galatea's heart as stone so she could not return Pygmalion's love--a curse when he did not properly dedicate the statue to her as was her due.
Other mortals cursed by Aphrodite include Glaucus, who angered her when he refused to allow his mares to copulate so they would run faster. In revenge, she caused the horses to devour him. Some also say it was Aphrodite who transformed Medusa and her sisters into the Gorgons, out of jealousy for their beauty.
Character Information
» Played By: Nicole Kidman
» Journal:
venusingucci» Current Name: Callista Lovelace
» Birthdate: 10/19/1977
» Height: 5'11"
» Distinguishing Marks: None, except pierced ears.
» Family: {mother & father} Drs. Alan and Kyra Lovelace; {marital status/spouse} Single/NA; {siblings} none; {children} Anthony Merrick and Ivy Grace Lovelace, by Poseidon and Dionysus, respectively ((UPDATED)); {pets} pet turtledove Pax
» Occupation: Fashion designer, fashion magazine editor
» Currently Residing In: New York City, New York
» Ability: She is remarkably charismatic, and able to easily charm and manipulate people. She can also rouse the passions of anyone with whom she can make a direct sightline.
UPDATED ABILITIES: Aphrodite gains the ability to shift her appearance so as to match the preferred physical "type" of a single targeted individual (meaning she can appear more youthful or mature, taller or shorter, alter her hair, eye and skin tones, etc. depending on what the person likes). In terms of her existing powers, she no longer requires a sightline to rouse or soothe someone's passions, and she can now use this effect on a group rather than a single individual. The lust she inspires in whoever she targets will be almost irresistible, as will be her own natural charm and influence.
Additional Attribute: Aphrodite's figure will always maintain an ideal ratio, no matter any other changes to her appearance.
SECOND UPDATE: Aphrodite has increased magnetism. When she turns on the charm, she is virtually irresistible to those who have a preference for women.
» History: Aphrodite can hardly bear to be without someone to admire her for long, so she's had a number of incarnations. The names of these women for the most part have been lost to history, but among her more recent incarnations:
In 12th century France, as Claire Audy, the youngest of several children in a poor family, she was sent to a convent at an early age. She had no desire for life in a nunnery, however, and instead ran away to be taken in as a kitchen maid in the home of a nearby nobleman's estate. There she was mistaken to be the lord's bastard daughter (a rumor she did not challenge, but gladly played into if it meant escaping kitchen drudgery), and ended up settled into a position married to one of his vassals. She did not love him, nor was she faithful, but she had no intentions of going back to the life to which she was born.
She was Katarína Nagy, the lovely daughter of a lesser noble in late 16th century Transylvania. While traveling to visit her cousin at the age of 26, however, she simply vanished. No one is sure what became of her, though some believe she fell victim to the bloodlust of Countess Báthory.
In late 18th century England, she was Anne Edwards, a member of the court for the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire as the wife of a titled lord that had no land holdings. She was popular among the young men there--perhaps too much so, as it was rumored that some of her children were not sired by her husband.
During the first half of the 20th century in America, she was Lily Stephenson, a suffragist and a performing member of the USO. She also ran a small business selling beauty products. She never married, nor had children, and donated her estate to charities focused on services and education for women.
As Callista Lovelace, "Callie" to her friends, she grew up in the Midwestern college town of Lincoln, Nebraska, the daughter of a renowned cardiac surgeon and a Classics professor at the local university. However, with her father frequently on call or working long shifts at the hospital and her mother often absorbed in her research, Callista often lacked parental attention, which they tried to make up for by indulging as many of her whims as they could, causing Callista to become rather spoiled. Still, she was instilled with the Midwestern values of neighborliness, resourcefulness, honesty and hard work (although she is perfectly willing to use more underhanded means if she feels the situation warrants it), and was very involved in her high school as a cheerleader, school ambassador, choir soprano, thespian, editor for the yearbook (in which she was always one of the most-photographed students) and National Honors Society member. She was named prom queen in her senior year.
Upon graduation, she was eager to escape the humdrum quiet of the Midwest and almost immediately moved to New York City to study fashion design and marketing at the Fashion Institute of Technology, also working part-time as a model for fellow students and local photographers. The summer before her senior year, she interned at a high-profile fashion magazine and then was hired on permanently after graduation. Eager to make her mark on the glamour world, she climbed the ranks and walked the catwalks. Finally, she took over as the chief editor when her predecessor retired. She rarely walks the catwalks herself anymore, but still makes time to do photo shoots, especially when advertising her own designs, as she regularly releases new lines each year
» Personality: Her origin shrouded in mystery (even she herself does nothing to lessen the obscurity of her birth, but she knows herself as the child of Ouranos and Thalassa) and as the most beautiful of all the Olympians, Aphrodite’s elegant allure is plain from the moment she enters—and she knows it. Having learned early how to open doors for herself with just a smile (and she has no qualms about using her feminine wiles to get whatever she wants, especially since she hates taking "no" for an answer), she believes her beauty is her greatest and most valuable asset and is willing to go to any extreme to enhance or protect it. Aphrodite is a vain creature, spending much of her time primping, collecting pretty baubles, or trying out new fashions of all kinds; always seeking ways to make herself more appealing. Callista is a fashionista, and always sure to be dressed in the latest designer clothes and forever changing her makeup and hair to her own take on whatever the style of the season happens to be. Often she comes across as shallow and self-absorbed, always craving to be surrounded by beautiful things and squarely at the center of attention, and with a strong jealous streak. Aphrodite can’t stand to be outshone, and heaven help any unfortunate girl who just might be prettier than she is, or even shows up in the same dress, for anyone who would appear to be a rival soon finds herself on the receiving end of Aphrodite’s schemes. It is nearly exclusively women who suffer from Aphrodite's fury (even if it is a man who slights her), though her anger burns surprisingly cold for such a passionate goddess. Rarely does she directly attack the individuals who insult her, preferring more indirect methods and intrigues to unravel and unleash her curses.
Still, she is well aware that honey attracts more flies than vinegar, so she presents herself as being pleasant and charming, always a perfect lady and the epitome of femininity, especially in the presence of male company; she fully embodies the idea of "the lady in the parlor, the whore in the bedroom." She is generous to her admirers and all those who curry her favor. Just as she will go out of her way to punish those who dare insult her, she rewards and defends her loyal patrons, and she is known to have even her most jealous rages softened by heartfelt pleas. She never actually falls in love (in fact, she can be surprisingly cynical on the topic of romance), but when she seeks out a companion, she is devoted and passionate toward her chosen partner for as long as he holds her interest. However, she has a history of being paired against her will to men she feels are unsuitable, and she is always keeping her eyes open in case someone better may come along, thus she is not known for her fidelity. Aphrodite is nonetheless a doting mother and fiercely protective of her children. Even if she may seem rather vapid on the surface, Aphrodite is smarter than she looks, and knows well how to lay out a plan and wait for just the opportune moment to bring it to fruition. She does not crave power for its own sake, however, only admiration from an adoring throng, as deep down she struggles with feelings of vulnerability and a terrible fear of loneliness. She generally treats men as her playthings, and, although she can never see herself permanently settled down (preferring a string of handsome and wealthy Mr. Right Nows over Mr. Right), she loves to be lavished with all the trappings of romance.
» Other Notes: Callista is straight (a 1 on the Kinsey scale), mostly because she is more likely to be jealous of another female than attracted.
She knows English, French, Italian, Attic Greek, Latin and some Spanish.
Her signature perfume is the same as it has always been: cinnamon and balsam.
She is the mother of fraternal, half-sibling twins: Anthony Merrick Lovelace by Poseidon (PB: Quinn Lord) and Ivy Grace Lovelace by Dionysus (PB: Ryan Newman).
» Sample Journal: I have a busy day ahead of me tomorrow! First of all, I promised Mark that I would go over his portfolio over brunch. I'm sure he likes me even more than my taste, which is a shock considering how many men in this business are gay. Note to self: make sure to wear the red top with the plunging neckline tomorrow. He's actually kind of cute when he's being bashful. And then the afternoon shoot with Philippe! His work is simply amazing. I know he'll be the perfect choice to promote my new summer collection. Yes, the red top is a definite for tomorrow! I can't forget to make sure to go over the layouts again, though. We go to print in three days, and everything needs to be perfect. Fashion waits for no one, after all!
» Sample Log: Callista browsed through the cases of the jewelry store. She wasn't really intending to purchase anything--she just liked to look at them. And then she saw it there, glittering in its display; a showpiece, to be sure. It was an exquisite Tacori necklace and earring set. Round-cut diamonds, clear as stars and sparkling with tiny rainbows when they caught the light, set in 24-karat yellow gold. She had a terrible weakness for diamonds, especially good ones, and if her knowledge of the 4 C’s served her well, these were definitely good ones. She could see her reflection in the glass, and she was at just the right position that she could see the necklace as if it were draped around her neck. It suited her perfectly, and the more she gazed at it, the more she wanted it. She stepped closer and closer, marveling at it. Then she saw the price tag.
Ouch. Even with her credit limit, she couldn’t afford that right now. Not until things went to print, anyway, and the money started coming in from it. By that time, the set could be sold, and she simply couldn't allow that to happen. Then again, Callista was of the idea that the best jewelry wasn’t the kind you bought yourself, but the kind you could get others to buy for you.
She looked up and glanced around the store. A few rows off, she saw a well-dressed man browsing the cases and looking hopelessly lost. No wedding ring, she noted. Perfect. That meant fair game. She straightened up, making sure all her best assets were on display. With a toss of her hair and a brilliant smile, she walked over and oh-so-casually brushed past him.
“You know, if you’re looking for something special,” she said in a silky purr, “Just remember: diamonds are a girl’s best friend.” She flashed him a winning smile, and continued walking along the cases. And there she waited with the smug satisfaction that he’d almost certainly soon be following along behind her. Child's play.
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