Malogranatum

Feast of the Gods - 1

There wasn't a living soul- mortal or deity- who could perfectly capture the sight that was the Midsummer's Feast upon Mount Olympus. The single time a year where the gods and goddess came together in a swirling clash of personalities, colors, riotous behavior, scents and tastes. The grand ballroom of Zeus' palace was the epitome of hearty celebration every Midsummer.

This year was no exception. But for Persephone, it was an entirely new experience. Never before had she been allowed to attend the Midsummer's Feast. Demeter's overprotective hand had always kept Persephone on Earth, her band of nymphs keeping her company as she strained her ears for any sound of the revelry above. Most years she wept to herself, overcome with misery at her exclusion, for which she could find no reason. But not this year.

Demeter had finally deemed Persephone old enough to attend the much-anticipated Midsummer's Feast. Persephone had been a young woman for many years but in the eyes of her mother she remained just that. Young. It had taken pleading and coercion and promises swathed in flattery before Demeter finally relented and gave her daughter permission to attend. And so with pride and happiness beating in her chest, Persephone dressed herself in her finest pink silk dress, pinned back her rambunctious waves of hair, and obediently listened to her mother's endless list of directions she was to follow for the entire night.

"You must always stay close by my side. Even if Hermes is with you, I want you near me. Don't let anyone persuade you into eating or drinking too much. As joyous as it may sound, you will regret it in the morning. And upon my soul, Persephone, do not think about dancing!" A calm breath and then, "This is for your own good, my love. Do you understand?"

Persephone nodded her complacency without a word of argument. She had long grown used to the restrictions Demeter placed her under. And, notably, Persephone had long grown tired of them. But rather than argue with her mother and risk severing their relationship- Demeter had never been known to compromise-, Persephone found it easier to find ways around her mother's orders. In front of her mother she was the quiet, blushing daughter that trembled at the sight of any man or god, but when Demeter's back was turned, Persephone knew exactly how to let herself live freely. Whether it was slipping away from her band of nymphs for the day and later claiming forgetfulness, or letting Hermes take her to faraway lands when Demeter was visiting the mortals, Persephone had found her fun.

Demeter, of course, was none the wiser. So Persephone allowed her mother to take her hand and lead the way towards Mount Olympus, following along in silence as they entered the raging celebration of Midsummer. Almost instantly Persephone was awash with the giddy feeling of delight. The party around her had so much potential for a wonderful night. She could see it manifesting already as Dionysus swallowed a mouthful of wine from his perch on a fountain bubbling with the drink. She could see it as Aphrodite allowed herself to be swept off her feet by a large, half-clothed god as their laughter echoed off the marble walls. She could see it as Hermes and Apollo pursued Eris in a playful game of chase. Merriment was everywhere. Persephone promised herself that she would not have a miserable night simply because her mother willed it so.

But in order to experience the night to it's full she would have to do the hard part first: slip away from her mother without causing her to worry. If Demeter looked up only to see her treasured Persephone gone, she would raise the Underworld and Earth until she found her again. So Persephone desperately needed to be inconspicuous. And for that, she would need some help.

Thankfully Hermes was not too caught up in his flirtatious chase that he didn't catch Persephone's eye. He interpreted and understood the glance like only a close friend could and left Eris to the mercy of Apollo. Demeter barely hid her disdain as Hermes wound his way through the crowd of deities to bump shoulders with Persephone. The young goddess gratefully embraced her friend.