Welcome to Your New Reality

Hector suddenly had a whole bunch of new things on his mind, completely replacing his problems back on campus. He's related to Aphrodite? Like THE Aphrodite? And she wants to give him, of all people, a harem? Who would be in it, and are there strings attached?

Okay, he assumed he would find out the members very soon, but from what Hector knows of the Greek pantheon, gods always have an ulterior motive. There must be some catch, but he couldn't possibly know what. It might be a test, but turning down a gift from a goddess might be worse than accepting her terms, whatever they may be.

Amelia continued speaking, as a couple curls beautifully framed her face. Her voice seemed to be simultaneously directed at Hector and the room as a whole. "We will now bring on your eight new harem members, and I will explain all the rules you're wondering about when everyone arrives. I will be asking each of them to say their name, age, occupation or area of study, and their broad opinion of the new master. First up is Hector's best friend from high school and a big fan of the genre mortals call fantasy. Please welcome Molly!"

Two massive golden doors, tall enough to reach the ceiling, opened off to the side, moving on their own accord. The people in all the old-fashioned clothing cheered as a short young woman with brown curly hair reaching her shoulder blades slowly walked in the room. She looked around nervously with her arms wrapped around her thin body before stepping to an invisible designated spot on the floor, about 20 feet from Hector. She wore a white apron over all-black clothing.

"H-hi, I'm Molly Atkinson. I am 18 years old, and I am training to become a chef at the California Culinary Institute. I think Hector is a wonderful and trustworthy guy and I wish we were closer, though it's hard to stay in touch from across the country.

Amelia smiled in a kind of condescending amusement. "Oh, you will certainly get your wish, don't you worry. Next up--"

Hector had to interrupt here. The formulaic response from Molly was setting off alarm bells in his head. "Wait a second, are you forcing her to answer your questions? And only those?" Hector tried to keep his emotions in check, but some heat came through in his voice.

Amelia, with the same kind of facial expression as before, responded, "oh, that is just a simple compulsion charm to keep the processions moving. I assure you the harem members are able to think and answer as themselves."

A "simple compulsion charm"? Was Amelia doing that to Molly, and apparently whoever else shows up? Maybe this really is Mount Olympus and the refined woman in front of him or the people on the sides have magical abilities. Hector decided to take Amelia's advice and go back to waiting.

"Next up is Hector's biggest crush from high school. A chess connoisseur and class president, please welcome Sophie!"

As the golden doors swung open again, a taller women with tawny hair and slightly tanned skin walked through and honestly looked unfazed. She had a fuzzy, forest green sweater on and a pair of jeans with fleece lining. She stopped right next to Molly, and rose an eyebrow at seeing someone she recognized but did not address the latest development. She spoke in a clear voice with confidence.

"My name is Sophie Alexander, and I am 18 years old. I am a political science student at Lockbridge College, and I have a pretty neutral opinion of Hector. He is a decent guy but never made much of an impression on me."

"Ooh, a fancy upscale private school. She is charismatic AND smart!" Amelia didn't have to comment on every newcomer; Hector already knew what he liked about them. What he didn't realize, of course, is that Amelia's running commentary wasn't for him.

It hurt to hear he didn't mean much to Sophie, but he had already figured that out. It's not like she ever spoke to him beyond simple pleasant conversation or group projects.

"Third to walk through the doors is a Canadian who caught Hector's eye in American History class. Please give a warm hand to Kristie!"

Stepping in was a woman with toned arms and calves and abs revealing themselves through her dri-fit shirt. She also had on joggers, hand warmers, and a pair of cleats. Her vibrant red hair was tied back in a ponytail. Stopping next to Sophie, she introduced herself.

"Hey there, my name is Kristie Tomlinson, and I am 21. I am a Senior studying sports management, and I am a striker on the Spartans soccer team at Penn Valley. Hector seems like a good guy and he's interested in what I have to say. I caught him looking me over once but I can't say I haven't done the same."

"How about that," Amelia replied. "It appears we have some mutual attraction. We will see who else brings a more open outlook to your new lives."

Kristie's casual declaration made Hector blush a bit. He didn't know she thought of him that way, and it made him a little excited. He sure hoped his harem members would actually want to be with him instead of just being forced into that position. Separately, it occurred to Hector that all of them must have been plucked out of their daily lives, considering Kristie looked like she was at practice. Perhaps Molly was in class at the time.

"We are now up to our fourth member, one Hector has gotten to know in his Classical Drama class. A Nuyorican and lover of old film and books, raise a toast to Carla!"

No one in site had a drink in their hands, but the onlookers cheered as they had for the previous three members. The subject of their applause was a curvier woman in a yellow dress with flowery print better suiter for spring than fall, and she practically skittered across the floor but wore a distant expression on her face. She had shiny, black hair cut evenly at her neck and a perfectly straight line of bangs. Stopping next to Kristie, she spoke in a Puerto Rican accent, but with a bit of The Bronx thrown in.

"Hola, my name is Carla Gutierrez, and I am 19. Like Hector, I am majoring in English Literature at PVU, though I am one year ahead of him. Hector makes some interesting points in class and is plenty friendly, but I don't feel the need to speak to him outside of class."

"I am glad you brought that up, because Carla here is a lesbian, which will add a fun wrinkle to how things progress."

Hector was taken aback, not knowing that piece of information. He wasn't never surprised to hear a Lit student was part of the LGBTQ community, but he didn't get a sense that Carla was only attracted to other women. Even so, he felt the need to butt in. "Amelia, I don't think it's appropriate to just say someone else's sexual orientation to a room full of strangers." Carla's lips curled up slightly upon Hector defending her identity.

Amelia, though, was once again dismissive of the complaint. "Oh Hector, honey, the audience will learn much more about all of you than a little thing like mortal constructs." Hector opened and closed his mouth, not knowing how to reply to that.

"We are now halfway through our introductions. The fifth woman is someone Hector has known for a few years now as his sister's best friend. Playing lead guitar in the alt rock band Shock of Mars, put your hands together for Alexis!"

A woman with spiky neon green hair wearing a black jean jacket, black leather pants, and black Converse strutted through the door. Her black eye shadow was drawn perfectly, bold enough to be noticeable but subtle enough not to distract from the rest of her face. She had a composed demeanor but scowled at some of the some of the men in tunics cheering a little too loudly. After taking in the others in the center of the room, she stopped next to Carla and spoke up in a deep voice.

"What's up, I'm Alexis Burress, 19, and I'm a professional musician. Or, rather, on my way to being one. No, I'm not stuck in school like most kids my age. Hector is someone I put up with. He's got mediocre music taste and would often beg to tag along whenever Penelope and I did something that sounded fun to him.

Hector could only look down and shake his head. He always wanted his sister's cool friend to think he was cool, but evidently that wasn't the case. Amelia naturally picked up on the disconnect.

"Ooh looks like we have some discord! Eris must be licking her lips to see what happens. Yes, this is my Lady Aphrodite's production, but the other gods are watching closely as well. Speaking of, I bet Dionysus will be fond of our next member. She teaches the Classical Drama class Hector and Carla take. An expert on all aspects of theatre and happily married with a toddler, I introduce to you Michelle!"

A woman in gray dress pants and a blue button-down shirt covering the largest pair of breasts in the room walked through the golden doors in a pair of tan flats. She had a gray jacket draped over one arm to match the pants, and a wide-eyed look on her face. She smiled brightly at the sites around her, and her perfect teeth stood out compared to her dark brown skin. Her hair, cut short and surprisingly stylish for an academic, was mostly black with some occasional strands of gray. She put her jacket on right before taking her place next to Alexis.

"Hello there, my name is Michelle Stevenson, and I am 39 years old. I have been a professor of Theatre Studies at Pennsylvania Valley University for eight years. I have a loving and supportive husband named Marcus and a hectic little two-year old named Damien. Hector is a positive addition to the classroom when he is engaged, but I notice that his mind tends to wander. His writing is similarly thought provoking but sometimes disjointed."

Hector had to say something before Amelia could. "My professor?! Who already has a family? How does that make any sense. Not that any of these woman should have to be here, but Pr. Stevenson definitely shouldn't be here."

Amelia gave him the same condescending smile she gave Molly. "Ah, you forget that my Lady does not operate based on logic, but on feelings of the heart. And from that perspective, Michelle is a perfect fit. As are the final two."

That sounded a little ominous to Hector. If the gods are willing to break social taboos, then that might apply to the last two people, as well.

"Now, stepping right up is closer to Hector than anyone in the world. An avid drawer who likes to mingle on the dance floor, please welcome his sister, Penelope!"

Hector dropped his jaw in shock. Even though he quickly realized the implications of including his professor, he didn't really think Amelia would go this far. "WHAT?! My SISTER? How can you do this to her? Is there any line you wouldn't cross?!"

Amelia merely shrugged. "I suppose necrophilia is off the table since there is nothing fun about that. It falls under Aphrodite's domain, but it's not exciting when one body just lies there. As to your other question, well, love is boundless. My Lady thinks with her heart instead of her head and wants the same for all of you."

Hector was genuinely angry now, and he suspected the other women would be if not for the compulsion charm. He wanted to rush over to Penelope but found his own feet rooted to the marble floor.

Penelope crept over to her spot, marveling at the columns and taking mental notes while wearing a heavy maroon jacket, leggings, and brown boots. She then spoke for those around her to hear, but her airy voice didn't care as well to the walls.

"My name is Penelope Karali, but you can call me Penny if you like. I am 18 and studying architecture at WNYSU, or "wunissu," as we call it. Hector is my lovable dork of a brother, and I am glad we grew up together, but it's nice to have a little space now."

"Hmm, Penny here might have been adjusting to life without her brother, but that will not be relevant anymore. And now, we have finally reached the last member, and the one who has known Hector the longest. Willing to sacrifice her own happiness for her children, she still finds time to exercise at the local community center. Please give a warm welcome to his mother, Veronica!"

Hector could only put his head in his hands. Once they brought Penelope on, he assumed his mom would follow. Maybe he should just turn down this gift, if he could still call it that, and move on with his life. He then looked up to see his mom walk through as the doors closed for presumably the last time. Veronica wore a lime green dress going down to her knees and showing a hint of cleavage, more than most grown women would show this time of year. She must have still been at the office, since she had a pair of rectangular blue light glasses on, and as she turned to look back at the doors, Hector could see creases on her dress from whichever swivel chair she uses. Her frizzy brown hair wasn't as vibrant as it used to be, but she always combed it nicely down to her shoulders.

As she stood next to her daughter, Veronica stood directly across from her son in a kind of semicircle with the other women. "Hello everyone, my name is Veronica Karali, and I am 42 years old. I started a family young but sadly my husband passed away. I work at the front desk of a doctor's office and am hoping for a raise soon. Hector brings me the most joy in my life alongside Penelope, and while we have been dealt a bad hand, I am so lucky to be their mom."

Hector was touched to hear that. He knew his mom loved him, but those are still the words everyone wants to hear from their parents. Before he could get lost in thought again, Amelia decided to move things along. "All right, now that everyone is here, I can explain all that you need to know!"