Cunning and Disguise

So since my last post life with Odysseus has been going swimmingly. I am constantly shocked by his actions, and how ingenious they are. However, even the most well thought out plot needs some smoke and mirrors. It is up to me to pull the strings. So far I have taken on so many forms, I am losing track of who even I am. As a recap to this point in my life, I decide my first course of action should be to ensure a continued family heritage of being a warrior, so I needed to Telemachus, Odysseus’ son, more of a man, instead of a boy. What kind of coward, at over age 20, whines about his mother unfaithfulness? There is no plot to dispose of these suitors, but rather pray and hope something works out. I disguised myself as Mentes, a good friend of Odysseus, someone Telemachus would easily trust. My goal was to inspire the boy to not give up hope on his father, therefore leading to the clearance of the suitors. In disguise, I inform him of the fact that his father is alive, and will be coming home to Ithaca within a month. I advise him to go on a trip, but in the meantime, I am already in a different disguise. The boy needs a crew to man a boat, thus in turn teaching him leadership. Therefore at night I turned into Telemachus himself to gather a very steadfast crew for him. I follow the boy on his journey, which takes him to Pylos, as I instructed him to do. I come along in the disguise a Mentor once more, only to hear the king Menelaus talk about my involvement in the family. As a sign of respect, I shed my disguise in front of the town’s people to turn into an eagle, whose form I use to watch over the ship and the crew of Telemachus. As I am watching over them, I sense distress in the family. Penelope, Telemachus’ mother, worries that the suitors plan to kill Telemachus. Trying to maintain this balancing act, I appear to her in a dream as her sister. I once again have to make a promise that I will watch over and ensure the protection of her son. One thing about Greek people is that one promise can go a far way. Their society is inherently built upon trust, as carefully illustrated time and time again with my flawless disguises building towers of fake trust. During this time is when the real fun begins. I asked my father, Zeus, if he could do more to aid Odysseus. Once again, I was brushed off like a know-nothing little girl. This is the core of the reason why I am helping Odysseus. Yes, he is a good Greek man, yes, he won the battle of troy, and yes I do care for him as a mortal, but until I can prove myself to my family, then none of that means anything.