The power to create is not only within the hands of gods. It is found in everyone though some choose to embrace this power more than others. Apollonia was a poor artist in a male dominated society, unloved for her attempts at art and belittled for her free thinking thoughts. Aphrodite blessed her however and she gained renown for her art and depictions of the gods. However man is vengeful and the men of her town burned down her studio while she worked charring her skin and marring her beauty till she was cast out as a monster. Living among the hills of Greece in solitude she was unable to cry due to her wounds and could only continue her craft. Aphrodite, feeling pity and love for the mortal girl bestowed an image upon her to craft. She had never worked with stone before but over many months she created her ideal man, he was strong to protect her at all times, gentle to shed the tears she could not, and blind to the human idea of beauty only seeing her for the woman she was not the body she was in. When she finished she collapsed from exhaustion and awoke in the arms of her creation made flesh and watching her quietly. For the rest of her life she spent it with Julian, knowing happiness far beyond human means while Aphrodite watched them contently. When Apollonia eventually passed away Julian was left alone stuck in image he was created in forever. He did not wish to bear the world alone and the goddess chose to turn Julian back to stone and preserve him for all time. More than 2000 years have passed since then and the statue called "The forlorn lover" moved through the world of art constantly while both he and Aphrodite waited for someone who needed him by their side again.


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