Gaea idled, sprawled out and stretched, sapped of strength and yet restless. Another wicked wave of heat swamped her tawny flesh and soaked her vine-tangled hair. These were frequent now. She knew what they were.
Gaea's reason for being was being taken from her. Her drive to procreate waned.
The gloomy weight of Nyx loomed heavy above her now. A dull unknown longing had surfaced in the molten core of her heart. It replaced the need to fill her shrunken belly. It was a new hunger she'd never known the urge to sate. It was a thirst she'd never felt compelled to quench.
What was to become of her now? What was this replacement ache designed to make of her – to tell her? Had she not done enough? She'd brought forth the bloody Sky, for Heaven's sake. Millennia ago, mind you, but it was a labor not even that of the Twelve Mighty Titans had rivaled.
So much had been taken, reaped, but so very long since any viable seed had been sown – nothing worthy of taking root, for certain. Gaea feared she had nothing left to give.
The hoards of ungrateful blood-sucking products of her womb – now stretched, torn, and rendered uncultivable from their unforgiving passage – provided little comfort in this time of unsettling change. For the first time in Gaea's existence she cared little about their various stations, their conquests, their cataclysmic differences, or even their general well being. For the first time, Gaea felt a pang deep within that had nothing to do with them and everything to do with a strange new desire surging in the void left behind.
She wanted passion: lust without the accompanying duty, the tenderness of a shared bed without the overriding purpose. After all, the weight of the world had rested not on her sturdy shoulders, but rather passed through her blessed loins.
What Gaea wanted was to feel ripe and womanly again – that rush of blood and swell of breasts as she rose and fell in the act of creation – but now, this time, she ached to create something else. Not a god. Not an element. Not another superhuman race. Not a Heavenly Body. Something of her and for her and her alone – a thing conceived to serve, to please, not betray, shame, dismiss, or defile her.
Gaea wanted passion: a touch for touch sake.
Pleasure: pure, undemanding pleasure.
A thin far-off sound of singing and running water interrupted Gaea's menopausal introspective. Her dark green all-seeing eyes narrowed and focused on a tiny unfamiliar waterfall where a dainty little wisp of a creature bathed in the sparkling flow. She had a handful of ripe cherries and was popping them into her juice-stained mouth between languid lines of her sweet melody.
It was troublesome enough that Gaea – Mother of all things – did not recognize this tiny form. She was taken aback further still by the immediate return of her omnipotent peeping. Unprecedented. Bright flashing eyes glared right back into Gaea's supreme stare with unwavering self-assurance. This uncataloged nymph took casual liberties with Gaea small few would dare. Those big glittering eyes held strange sentiments, unsettling depth of knowledge and – what was this – compassion?
Giggling, the spritely figure cleared her pretty throat and half covered her exquisite breasts in mock shyness.
Another wave of heat washed over Gaea. Her unblinking eyes and continued puzzlement provoked an additional gentle throat clearing, followed by a smile that could melt the milky caps from the Pindus.
"What magical creature are you?" Gaea recovered. "Of water, air, earth, or fire?" she awaited no answer, "What a pleasant looking little thing you are. I shall call you..."
"Pardon me, mum, I am not yours to name," the creature's voice was music, her chide a playful quip. "I think it rather presumptuous of you to try..." though she smiled brightly and did not look to have taken the slightest offense.
A minor tremor affected Gaea's reply.
"I am Gaea. I am Mother. You are of my making."
The words were sure and proud. The tone was not.
The creature giggled again, popped the last cherry into her mouth, placed her hands on her hips and carefully surveyed the growing bewilderment in Gaea's great face. Everything Gaea knew to be true balanced on the head of a pin as the strange cock-sure little sprite smiled back her defiant delight.
"I do not belong to you, madam, as I was not born of your body." The words were careful and gentle, though still cheerful and matter-of-fact. "Nay, mum, you shall not name me... though, if it please you, you may call on me."
Gaea repeated, quieter now, as if assuring herself. "I am Gaea. I am Mother. You are of my making, as are all things..."
"Nay, my great lady, wondrous Gaea. Though I may
give myself
to you," the words clung to her tongue like honey, flashing eyes emphasized how the creature reveled in their slow delivery and suggestion.
Gaea shook her great head. A twist of glorious vines – rusts and browns and greens – unfurled and curled, snatched the insolent vixen from the unknown secret valley, reeled her in and set her firmly on Gaea's mountainous chest.
The creature giggled her delight in provoking such abrupt rough handling and nimbly steadied herself on Gaea's heaving breast. She then began to turn in slow deliberate circles holding her arms out from her sides for Gaea's full inspection.
The beautiful little nymph stood not more than eight inches tall. Naked, her skin – almost translucent – seemed to both reflect and transmit light. It shimmered, emitting an enchanting bluish-white glow. No, beautiful was too mild. Wild azure eyes shone like gemstones and flashed with naughty whimsy. Long slender legs led up to a perfect little firm round backside, partially obscured – playing peek-a-boo with Gaea through a hazy veil of silky golden tresses.
Gaea was torn between almighty offense and irrefutable intrigue. She could not deny her unexpected delight in this unfamiliar challenge. She had to admit it presented a welcome distraction from her self-pitying loll about, a respite, even though by rights she should smite this impetuous little vixen on the spot.
Stopping to face her again, the nymph eyed Gaea's strained expression with a deliciously wicked little smile. She slid her tiny hands up and pinched her own soft pink nipples, intently holding Gaea's gaze and licking her lips as they hardened to perfect little points between her slender fingers.
Gaea's gasp in reaction rocked through the small balanced body. The sprite giggled, having to steady herself again.
"For the sake of my own entertainment, I'll play along," Gaea drew out the words, slow and hesitant, almost afraid of the path her own piqued curiosity and boredom had her taking. "You amuse me, nameless little one. Let's say for a moment the impossible is true, that you do not belong to me..." A great pause, "What do you mean 'give yourself' to me?"
The gorgeous creature smiled broadly and exaggerated a deep low curtsy, holding long the position while Gaea flushed at the impossible-to-ignore peek of blush between the tiny bent white legs.
It was Gaea's turn to clear her throat.
"What is your purpose, you bold little thing?" Gaea meant to sound commanding, but the question idled out in a sad thin whine of rattled confusion.
"Why pleasure, mum, sweet pleasure... yours and