underworldqueen-blog

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Persephone by ~RahLuna on deviantART

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Kore watched the girl blush—at least it was a handsome colour and humility looked good on her. Jay had the good grace to be embarrassed, but Kore actually wasn't offended. She realized she'd come in unannounced, as well, many of the gods often did. It's not as though they had secretaries and date books for mortal meetings. So, you got what you got; at least Kore understood that, and in fact, the disarray amused her. Grace under pressure was one of her favourite qualities in a companion. "You're most welcome. I'll... keep myself busy until you get back." With that small dismissal, she watched the muddy Ares girl trudge off before examining the rest of the Ares cabin with mute disapproval. It was hardly to her taste in decoration—and, well, hardly should it be.

First Order of Business (Jay)

When the goddess very subtly mentioned her appearance, Jay blushed a little. Oh great, she thought to herself sarcastically. The day you get thrown into the river is the day that a goddess comes calling. Worst luck in the world, right there….Deciding that she would have a little talk with one of the Tyche kids later on, Jay replied. “I- That’d be nice, thank you, m’lady. I apologize for the mess- my siblings and I got a little rough, see…” Monkey in the Middle isn’t as fun if you’re the monkey in the middle, the demigod thought drily to herself.

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Kore tapped her lip, contemplating Daira's words. Who first? It was as good a question as any. Better than most, even. She slid her honey coloured eyes along the walls as she turned the question over in her mind. She could handle Jay herself; there was a certain allure to visiting camp and it would help get her mind off of Hades. But the others—well, she wanted to know what they were like when not around a goddess. "Begin with the demi-titan, Rue," Kore said with a determined nod. "Then Aaron, for he interests me next. Blake for last—I'm really wavering on that choice, honestly. I have seen such... mixed things in his regard." She smiled delicately at Daira, but it had an edge of mirth to it. Kore was glad that Daira seemed eager to the task; Kore loved Daira's company underground, and their friendship was a long one... but Kore was due overground and they both would have to find ways to amuse themselves in the spring.

Missionary. (@Daira)

The names of the kids, thankfully, seemed to be easy to remember. Interesting enough names to help her remember - not to mention a lone child of Moros and a demi-titan. “I don’t suppose there’s a specific order with them? No child singled out for me to talk to first? Or do I just talk with the first one I see?” 

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Spring

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"Ah, Jay, there you are, dear," Kore said with a smirk of a smile, using the familiar term for Jeanne's name. What a sight the girl was, all covered in mud—the dirt was everywhere, caked into crevices and molded into her hair. Kore was surprised it didn't start leaking out of her tear ducts. But it was no matter to her; she was hardly a squeamish goddess. She placed a hand elegantly on her hip and said, "I should like to walk with you. Do you want to... freshen up first?" Her tone would indicate not that she found Jay's appearance disgusting, but rather perhaps washing would make Jay more comfortable and she would't mind a short wait provided it put Jay in a pleasant mood.

First Order of Business (Jay)

Blinking, Jay realized that the goddess had asked to see her. “I-that would be me, my lady,” Jay said cautiously. It’d be stupid to get on the goddess’ bad side this early- besides, she didn’t know which goddess she was yet. 

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thegrimoire:

Persephone

Most mythology books focus on Persephone only in the context of her abduction from her mother, Demeter, and Demeter’s subsequent fight to get her daughter back. But Persephone’s story, and her role in the Greek pantheon, is so much more than this. She is the Queen of the Underworld, as well as the Maiden, symbol of rebirth. Her Latin name, Proserpina, “first serpent,” is a reminder of her mysterious connection to the cycles of loss and renewal. In her times above ground, Persephone brings the new growth of spring. But it is in her times in the dark Underworld, beginning with the autumn equinox, that she comes into her full glory, as advocate for the dead and guide of souls. Persephone symbolizes the power of making choices, and of accepting the roles destined for us. If we hesitate at the gate to the deepening places, we may never come into our true power.

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Hypothetically speaking, if you did, how do you feel Hades would treat said child? Much the same of how you treat most of his demigod children?

Shouldn't you be asking my husband this question? Or are you trying to jab me for how I've treated his illegitimate offspring? Because clearly that's no secret.

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What if Hades left you for Alyssa, then would you have a kid?

He would do no such thing. He didn't do it for that di Angelo girl and he certainly won't do it for Alyssa.

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Would you ever have a demigod child? Do you think it's possible you would?

I really don't see that in my future. Someone once asked me once if it were possible, if Hades were out of the picture. I don't see how he ever could be, is the trouble. I see the value and asset a demigod child might present to a god... but I just have trouble considering it for myself.

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First Order of Business (Jay)

After her tearful goodbyes with her husband, Kore took some time to herself in Central Park. Then  Kore ascended Olympus and had one of those good, old-fashioned, long, terribly drawn out conversation with her mother about how happy Demeter was to see her back and how thin she'd gotten (she hadn't lost any weight) and was she sending enough food (yes of course mother) and would she like a bowl of cereal? To which Kore could only laugh, because even though she'd long outgrown any desire for cereal, she knew Demeter's habits died hard and the grain goddess would continue to push cereal on whomever she could.

When the revelry on the high mountain sustained itself—which granted, was about a day later—Kore was finally able to leave Mount Olympus and go to Camp Half-Blood. She had assigned Daira to looking into some of the children that Kore had desired for her companions. Possibly, of course. Kore was a picky goddess, only allotted 13 slots for immortals. And, in case anyone had forgotten, immortals lived a long time. Daira was looking into Aaron and Rue for her; she could begin with Jay, at the least. Maybe Blake if she was feeling ambitious, but, one thing at a time. Kore had a lot of emotional needs at the moment and overwhelming herself between spring's arrival, leaving Hades' and overworking was the last thing she needed.

Kore wore a long white skirt and a bodice in spring colours; pale pinks and golds, trimmed in white to match the skirt. Nature's first green is gold, she sang to herself in her head, a recitation of Frost. He had been her companion, for a time. She whisked herself into Camp Half-Blood and sought out Ares cabin. "I am looking for Jeanne Winchester," she said to no one in particular, but she had the glow of goddess about her and the sound of her voice to match.

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The Ascent (@Hades)

The morning came too soon. She didn't even need to see the sunlight overground to know her time had come. Like a death sentence, Kore was always living on borrowed time. That's how it felt, anyway. Underground, ticking down the hours. Overground, counting down the days. Anxious either way. After these thousands of years, in truth, she preferred the darkened halls and hallowed grounds of the Underworld where she was Queen. She preferred the touch of her husband, hands like cold milk, who was at his most peaceful in sleep.

Kore's dark honey coloured eyes became hounds over his skin, roaming with desire and longing over his sleeping form. They'd been up late, especially last night of all nights. The shortest night of the year; ironic that they should want it to last the longest. And each year they tried to survive the night without sleep, and each year their love wore out even their godly temperaments. They always surrendered, huddled into one another, to that final night wrapped in one another's arms. Sleeping of a time when this sentence would no longer be necessary. Maybe in another thousand years, Kore thought wryly. After all, this winter had been mild. Maybe her mother was warming to the marriage, finally.

Maybe.

Kore slipped herself out from under Hades' heavy limbs, kissing him into consciousness, waiting for his storm-blue eyes to open. She could hear ghosts wandering the hall and knew that she would take more than a few into her own body before she left. The ghost of who she was when she was here. The ghost of who she was when she was with him. She would carry these ghosts close to her when the sunlight hit, not letting the bright rays fade them into invisibility. When Hades roused, he looked at her and pain was the first thing he registered. He grabbed her face in his hands and kissed her until she had no breath left to breathe. Silent tears slipped down her cheeks as she kissed him back, hoping against hope that they could go on, and yet knowing that they could not.

It would be months before they would see one another again. Months before Kore might be able to steal one day. Even that was no promise.

"Six months is not so long for us, my love," she whispered to him between the warmth of their sheets. "We have lived far longer than this and we will live for many more," Kore said, trying to gather her strength, also to be strong for him as well.

Hades nodded gruffly and sat up, putting his arm around her. "Six seeds got us here. Six months. And who knew that this would be the outcome." His sigh echoed through their bedroom. Kore shook her head, her copper hair playing shadows. Certainly not her; she had not guessed this outcome after her very first night here. She'd been kidnapped and scared out of her mind and distrustful of him. It had taken months to overcome that and find him to be the sensitive, somewhat insecure, but very noble man she now knew him to be. She kissed him on the forehead. "Six. Six will be fine." Kore entwined her fingers with his and then got up from the bed to change clothes.

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The Equinox... time to be overground again. Spring arrives.

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Hades, my love—tomorrow brings that time again. I am anxious every moment. Every year it is harder to leave.