Many Days Fell Away

PERSEPHONE NEUTRAL PARTY QUEEN OF HADES

[withnothingtoshow]

——Clad in a ruby red gown and bare feet, the Queen stormed through the tower to her Kings chambers. She cared not what he was doing, or who he was with, her focus narrowed on the man. She wasted no time in approaching him and crashing a hand down against his cheek, with as much force as the little girl could manage.—— How could you!

[peaceofeirene]

The personifications heart clenched, even though she could feel what Persephone spoke of. Hearing her speak of it, confirming it; hurt. It was times like this she wished she was more than she was. She wished she had the strength of an army to protect her sister with, and the healing powers of Asclepius to mend her physical wounds. She wished she had the strength to wash away the pain and turmoil Persephone had both experienced and felt. But she knew those wishes were in vain, for they would never ring true. Instead all she could do was wash a sense of calm over Persephone, one that would disappear along with her whenever they parted ways.

"Broken, but not beyond help. Never beyond help, it is okay to be different. There is no helping it. Even in the few weeks this war has ravished the world I feel myself different. I’ve felt things I never thought possible to feel." It was easy for Eirene to admit these things to Persephone, she was a part of her after all. You wouldn’t hide things from yourself, would you? "I’m sorry he is not right. There are other ways to prove himself, to be better than Zeus. Treating the lives of the mortals like garbage is not making him any better than Zeus." 

Eirene felt the fire inside her light, and her heart slowly turn cold towards those gods. “But do not mistake me for a sympathizer for Zeus, he has equal blame here. I agree with you there, just because I fight on the same side as him it does not mean I stand behind him.”

[withnothingtoshow]

——There was an obviously pained sigh that parted Persephone's lips. She'd been bent and broken, twisted and rebuilt into the shape which Hades desired. Something inside her still knew she was more, beyond his reach, but everything on the outside had been claimed by the King of the Underworld. She was barely a shell of her former self -- the flowers she bloomed were weak and died quickly, the fruit she created was juicy, but the flesh was no longer as sweet as it once had been. Persephone was a woman changed. Her years as a toy had turned her into something she didn't care to recognize. And for so long, she'd given up fighting; but maybe, now, there was something worth fighting for again. —— It is not okay to be as broken as I am now, Eirene. I do not know how I can be redeemed, how I can be changed and fixed... The things that happened weigh heavy on my heart, and the guilt I harbor is... Quite unbearable. This war is disgusting, and it doing nothing but push me further -- I've even... I want to help Hades, I want to fix him, I want to be... It sounds crazy, but I'm sure he loves me. How could he not? After all this. Everything he's promised me and -- it doesn't matter. I'm glad you do not agree with the way that he has done things, because it's selfish and disgusting. Some of the Olympians are trying, but others are... Well, clearly not. My father... No, you're right. He is no saint, Eirene, but the war is not only his fault. He did not start this, Zeus did many years ago. I've begged him to stop, though, and he assures me that when everything is over, he will help the world bloom again... I... I believe him...

[partywithhedone-deactivated2014]

Oh, do try to keep your chin up, blondie. A man is the head of the body, but a woman is his neck — and she can turn it in whatever direction she pleases.

They say misery loves company, so if you ever need a drinking buddy — I have alcohol a plenty and a Chanel-clad shoulder that you’re welcome to cry on.

[withnothingtoshow]

Clearly you don't know Hades as well as I do. I cannot, have not, and never will be able to tell him what to do. I just... wasn't expecting this from him... Usually he tells me of his plans.

I do not drink, Hedone, and I doubt you'd wish for my company as is. We are nothing alike.

[withnothingtoshow]

The prisoners of Tartarus have been unleashed... And here I thought Hades had done all he was going to do. He is always proving me wrong.

[written--in--blood-blog]

There was only one way in which Hades needed to answer his Queen’s challenge, and that was with actions rather than words. Using the grip in her hair to draw Persephone’s head back, her King would admire the slope of her neck, the sight inciting a new kind of heat to traverse along his skin, one based in desire. It was easy to tell that he lusted after the young Goddess, which was clear from the moment he set eyes on her in Olympus. Yet even now, after centuries of marriage and countless times spent ravishing her, Hades was still completely enamored with his prize — even next to her sister Aphrodite, there would be no changing where is attention was drawn. Leaning, he would tease her lips with his own, a playful and somewhat rare view of the typically violent lover that was Hades — but there were intentions behind his actions. She wanted to know that she was his world, and that he could be a merciful God, so it was Hades intent to be exactly what Persephone wanted. After a moment or two, he would bring his mouth to the tender flesh along her neck. Using the hand at her hip, he would press his thumb into that perfect little spot, aiming to force his favorite sound from her lips. The King aimed to seduce his Queen, all in order to confirm a love that he wasn’t even sure that he was capable of.

[withnothingtoshow]

——There was a soft yelp that rumbled up through her throat, but never parted her lips. Persephone sighed into the air, enjoying the way her lover pulled her close. She'd come to appreciate his grip, rather than fear it. In the early years, she screamed and cried when his hands graced her flesh -- but now, she grew warm. He'd broken something inside of her; but what she had forgotten over the years, is that she was pretending to enjoy it, that she forced herself to love him -- or, at least seem as if she did, to avoid punishments. She'd been faking it so long, it had become all that she knew. Each movement made her quiver, fingers curled into his flesh. The press of his lips made her whine, her body curled closer to his.He knew how to bring her to her knees, he'd had years to perfect his craft -- and perfect he had. Her body was his temple, and he chose to worship, or destroy it. This time, unlike many others, he was choosing to glide gently along the flesh he often chose to mar. Persephone let out a moan when his thumb pressed to her hip, making her jerk forward into the grip. —— Please.

[written--in--blood-blog]

His lips were to busy with hers to answer the demand of his Queen, instead he was focused on the way she tasted, and the pain her teeth caused when the sank into his flesh. As a low groan started to bubble up into his chest, it turned into a frustrated growl when Persephone pulled away.  ❝ Do I love you, I would have thought that much was true — I already promised you that after this war is over, the world will be your oyster. Do with it as you see fit, my love. If I just needed someone or something to love me, I would pick one of the many groveling and worthless minions that long to be in your place. ❞  Hades’ words were laced with frustration, with a brimming anger just below the surface. When Persephone showed her defiance, her doubt, it struck a rather violent chord in the temperamental King. Any other moment like this, and he would have lashed out, pinned the poor woman down and taken what he desired. That wouldn’t help his case, serving to push her further away. It wasn’t something Hades wanted, not when he was so close, so much so that he could still taste her on his lips, and he knew that Persephone was starting to waver. He needed to convince her, not push her away with a rash action. Instead he dropped the hand on her neck, and let the arm about her go slack.  ❝ Doubt me, if you must. What more can I do to convince you… ❞  Turning away from her, he did his best to ignore the need to snatch her small frame up and break it against his own.

[withnothingtoshow]

——The growl was not a pleasant one, and she knew this much -- but, she hadn't pulled back in protest... His words cut her like knives, and left scars deeper than anything else he could do. She questioned his love, because it was so impossible to believe that Hades could feel such a strong, human emotion. It was obvious that he was upset, and the moment had gone, yet again, from happy to fearsome in moments. She'd just started to believe -- maybe just hope, that he would in fact give her the world (as she wanted it), and now he growled down at her.—— 

Hades -- I -- I didn't... Please.

——The sadness in his voice wasn't something she often heard from him, and it ripped her to the core. Both hands came up to cup his cheeks while she moved in close, leaning up to place a gentle kiss to the underside of his chin. Did she love Hades, truthfully? Honestly? No, not at all. Had she convinced herself that she should? Absolutely. ——

Maybe, sometimes... I just want to hear you say it? Is this too much to ask? 

[written--in--blood-blog]

Her words flitted through his mind, catching but only in the back of it; his forefront was caught up in the body she presented him. Centuries had passed, yet when Persephone offered herself willingly Hades was always caught off guard. The hands pressed to her face moved to draw fingers through her hair, while his other one trailed along the curve of her side, and slowly down to rest at her hip. In a rare moment of tenderness, the possessive hold on her was gentle.  ❝ There is none more important than you, this is why you’re my Queen — the very reason behind this war. She is nothing, save for a pawn. ❞  Tugging her ever closer, the hold in her hair would tighten as Hades gazed into her eyes.

[withnothingtoshow]

——Moments such as these, were the moments that Persephone convinced herself it was love -- it was more than a game, more than her just being used and abused. It was these moments that Persephone had assured herself that she loved Hades, he loved her, and she would certainly save him one day -- maybe she would, maybe he was worth it... The trail of his fingers through her long, blonde locks certainly tried to tell her she was. The way her body so willingly pressed itself toward his, promised those words of his were truth, rather than lies. Her own hands moving to pull away the rest of her robe, her eyes locked on her lovers as she pressed closer. The grip of his hand in her hair drawing a deep sigh from her painted lips.—— Then show me what I mean to you, my love.

[written--in--blood-blog]

❝ How rude of her, for thinking someone like you would have part in something such as this conflict. I know how opposed to it you are, my Queen — better than anyone. ❞  His eyes would only rest a moment on the redness of her cheek, before the movement of her hand would draw their attention. A very slight grin would start to curl his lips.  ❝ How is it that you wish for me to tend to you, my love? ❞  As the layers of her gown parted, his other hand would move to slowly venture in search of supple and soft flesh.

[withnothingtoshow]

She thought herself to be more important to you than I am. And, that my opinion matters not to you. But... That's wrong, isn't it? I do... Matter... Yes?

——She bit her bottom lip tightly, tilting her head and eying her King. Persephone knew how to play into Hades games, into his desires. And while most of it was nothing more than manipulation; a part of her, maybe more than she'd admit, wanted him. Wanted him to want her, to take her, to claim her and prove to her that she was something. As his hands touched her flesh, she let out a soft coo, her own hands moving to slip down his chest.—— However you see fit, my King.

[peaceofeirene]

"Yes of course, this is not the time to be speaking of such horrible things. There is far too much to rejoice in to taint it with such speak." Eirene’s bottom lip quivered with the words she rehearsed since she had learned of Persephone’s kidnapping. But she held back, her words flowed more freely than the ones she mulled over for centuries. Words of vengeance and fighting. There was no need for those, not now. "As I have missed you, a part of my heart went with you that day. And now I feel whole, you are just as I remember you. But… You do not seem the same, which is not to say that is a bad thing. I guess I too wouldn’t be the same person had I gone to the underworld." The personification bite down hard on her lip, perhaps her words had flown too freely. She meant no harm by it, it was only an observation she could not help but feel. 

Every part of her trembled, happy to hold Persephone once more. In all honesty she was happy even to just stand and observe in silence her long lost friend. Eirene would’ve done anything to have an even a fleeting moment with Persephone over the years. Suddenly she realized that this moment could be just that, she tried to pay no mind to it. But she could not help but selfishly wish it would never end. Eirene wanted to be everything Persephone needed at this moment, and so she sent out as much peace and calm as she could. Centuries of living amongst the dead would weigh down even the strongest. “You are so strong and brave, I cannot thank you more for still being here Persephone.”

[withnothingtoshow]

——The words wore heavy on her heart -- it was true, Persephone wasn't the same, not in the slightest. She was broken; a former shell of herself. The girl had been cut into pieces so many times, and stitched back together in so many ways, that more often than not, she couldn't barely recognize herself. Her heart was the same, but her mind was far from as strong as it once had been. Persephone loved deeply as she always had, but now she also burned with heated hatred... something new.—— I am not strong, Eirene... I have been broken, I am not what I once has. Hades has... I -- I am not who you once knew. I am something not quite as pleasant. Centuries as his Queen... Perhaps I am colder now, shrill even. I still value human life above all, but there are parts of me -- I refuse to admit this to him -- that think maybe he's right in all this, showing my father up for all he's done. My Ki -- Hades... He's only like this because of what Zeus did.

[star-bright-maia-deactivated201]

[The moment the flower was taken from her, Maia beamed and took a step back, admiring the way it delicately adorned the woman’s hair.] Yeah. You’re very beautiful.

[withnothingtoshow]

——Smiling, she outstretched a hand, offering to hold the girls.—— How are you, my dear?

[trippvanderbuilt]

What of your mother, is she selfish? Your… Peace, your uncles, your aunts? You do not need to tell me what the difference between blood and family is, I know it far too well on my own. But where I have no one eager for my return, queen, you have one who brings the seasons most eagerly awaited and beloved on your arrival.

Come now, our king wouldn’t be so rash as to punish me for wanting what is best for you… Do you not agree?

[withnothingtoshow]

MY King would not take kindly to his Queen being beyond his reach. Do you think he would be happy, truly? He doesn't do what's best for me, why do you think he'd spare you punishment in doing 'what's best'.  As for family, Hypnos -- my mother does not side with the Olympians, from what I've heard. And most of them, yes they are being selfish. This entire war is selfish. Barely any of the Gods have any rationality when dealing with it.

[star-bright-maia-deactivated201]

[She flinched back when the yells were directed at her and clutched the small flower closer to her chest, as if to protect it. Wiping at her eyes as soon as the tears appeared, she held out the flower again, this time more nervously than before.] It’s okay…It’s kind of little though. But it’s still pretty.

[withnothingtoshow]

——She nodded and took the flower, resting it into her golden locks and smiling brightly.—— Does it look alright, then?

[sanityavoidance]

Would you rather me wallow in misery like everyone else? I’d rather not. They can fight childish war, but I’m not letting it change me or what I’ve been doing for as long as I can remember.

[withnothingtoshow]

Misery... How can you not be miserable? Oh, right... You're insane.

[trippvanderbuilt]

Is that regret I hear in your voice, queen? Wishing to be with your precious Olympians?

My offer to put you out of your misery with a nice, long coma still stands.

[withnothingtoshow]

——Sighing heavily, she turned to face the man who spoke.—— I do not wish to be with them, Hypnos, they are no more precious, than they are mine. Most of the Olympians are even more selfish than my King -- which we know is hard to achieve. Your offer, as kind as it is, is something I will decline... Again. I doubt Hades would take kindly to his Queen being in a coma... Do you not agree?

[three-to-one]

❝ What problem is that, my lo— Who did this to you… ❞  When his eyes caught sight of the red lingering along her cheek, Hades felt his skin prickle with heat, even as his fingers came up to inspect the area. ❝ Is this why we have a problem? ❞

[withnothingtoshow]

I warned her to leave me alone, she upset me quite greatly. She accused me of having part in this war, Hades, and you know I have no such thing.

——Her fingers curled against his hand as she stepped closer, making sure her body [clad only in a a lace gown] pressed slightly to his. Her teeth caught her bottom lip between them as her other hand lowered, undoing the ribbon that held the outfit together—— But, perhaps you'll tend to me, before her?

[star-bright-maia-deactivated201]

[Maia’s eyes flicked across the scene, watching the woman take out her rage from a safe distance. These kinds of situations seemed to be occurring more and more frequently and it was disheartening to say the least. Slowly, she crept from her hiding place in the shadows and trotted over to the goddess’ side, holding out a small white flower to her with a smile.] Do you want a flower? It would look pretty in your hair.

[withnothingtoshow]

YOU LOWLIFE DIRTY -- NO I DO NOT WANT A FL -- Maia... Maia?

——A hand waved dismissively at the other, shooing them off, instantly done with the conversation. Persephone moved to glance over at the young female, her gaze softening.—— Yes, Maia, I would love a flower. I apologize for yelling at you, darling.

[sanityavoidance]

"Well, if they hadn’t been as rude as they were being, then I might have done it to someone else or I may have simply confused them, but yes. It was rather fun. Or perhaps I just enjoy myself a bit too much…"

[withnothingtoshow]

Mmmn, perhaps you do, Mania.