Chapter Text
Chapter 1: The Library
I step off the boat as the ferryman gives me his hand, pulling up the hem of my dress so it doesn’t dip in the river. The party is already in full swing by the time my mother and I arrive, we are definitely not the last to arrive though. I turn to see many more boats making their way towards the party, each one holding passengers clothed in fine linens and jewels. I bring my attention back to the mansion before me as I take the steps up to the ornate doors. So this is the Underworld I think to myself. The alabaster house gilded in gold seems out of place among the dark and dreary backdrop of the river styx.
“Persephone! Watch where you’re going! Don’t trip and fall down the stairs!”
I let out an involuntary sigh as I look back to see my mother rushing up to me as if ready to catch me in her arms. She is always being overprotective, constantly hovering and worried I might hurt myself. The only time she ever lets me leave the island is for events like this.
“I’m fine mother, I’m watching my step.” No sooner do I say that when the heel of my shoe slips a bit on the edge of the step. I catch myself quickly, but not quick enough for my mother not to see.
“See! I told you to watch where you’re going. You may be beautiful, but you are not graceful.” My mother was an expert in giving compliments followed by an insult. She was always there to remind me there was something I could be doing better.
“I’m plenty graceful, it’s these shoes you have me wearing. I can’t believe anyone can walk in heels this tall. I wish you had let me wear my boots.” I was always one to prioritize comfort and practicality over style. My mother however put her foot down over me wearing them to the ball, and instead chose a glass stiletto with flowers encased inside the crystal heel.
“Boots are not befitting a goddess, you know I hate it when you wear those things.”
“They are comfortable mother, and I like them.” I never understand why she dislikes them so much. They aren’t army boots or anything, they actually are a lovely floral print that would look great with the shade of yellow I’m wearing. I will admit that the shoes she picked out for me are gorgeous however, even if they are a few inches too tall to be completely comfortable. I’m tired of hearing her berate me about my fashion choices though. “Let’s just argue later and enjoy the ball.”
We come up to the entryway and continue into the large foyer. A grand staircase flows up to the second floor where many guests are milling about, drink in hand. I can also see into the ballroom to my right where dancing and mingling is occuring. I see a few people heading towards a room to the left however, and leaving with rich cakes and hearty foods. I turn to go that way, eager to try some of it.
“Good evening ladies, and welcome to lord Hade’s mansion.” The footman at the door bows to us as he greets us further inside. “We have drinks and food to the left of you in the dining hall, dancing in the ballroom to your right, and the bedrooms are upstairs for a more private setting. My name is Lysias, and please enjoy your evening.” He bows once more, before greeting the next guests. I turn and ask my mother if she would like a drink before I head off on my own.
“No thank you dear, I think I’m going to look for Hestia. I want to tell her about the harvest this year. Don’t go too far though, you can’t trust some of these gods. You are far too young and pretty to be alone with any of them.”
“I can take care of myself mother, I’m 1200 years old, I’m not a child anymore”
“Don’t underestimate anyone by being naive.”
She goes off in search of my aunt, leaving me to my own devices. I make my way to the dining hall in search of something to eat. The dining hall has long tables set up with different types of food. There’s a table filled with fresh fruits, I look for my favorite, but don’t see any pomegranates. Perhaps they have all been eaten already, I see a girl in a waiters uniform however, refilling the tables so nothing runs out. I simply shrug to myself and move on. The next table has every kind of cheese imaginable. I make my way down it sampling a bit of everything, there’s a dark yellow goat cheese that is heavenly. I make a mental note to come back to that. The other tables have selections of meats, breads, and many other delicacies. There’s also a table filled with all kinds of sweets, and another table with a variety of wines. I head to the wine table to grab a glass for myself. There is a man there to pour the wine, he looks as if he has never seen the sun, his skin was pallor and had a slight grey tint to it.
“Which wine would you like miss?” He gestures to the row of jugs in front of me.
“What’s that one?” I point to a jug on the end filled with a pale liquid and has bubbles rising to the top.
“That would be champagne. It’s quite good and is a favorite among the other gods and goddesses. It’s slightly sweet, and it’s fizzy, which is why some people call it ‘bubbly’.”
“I’ll have some of that please!” He pours some into a tall skinny glass and hands it to me. “Thank you sir, have a nice night.” I take a sip as I walk off and have to resist the urge to spit it out. It’s not sweet at all, it’s quite bitter and tastes like unripe fruit. Why do people like this I wonder. I keep the glass so as not to seem rude, and walk out into the hall.
I don’t quite feel like dancing, and I also don’t feel like mingling. I’ve never really fit in with the other gods and goddesses at Olympus, partially because I grew up secluded on an island. I don’t mind much, Olympus is great and all, heaven technically, but it’s boring. Everyone just sits around drinking or arguing about whatever drama happened that week. I much prefer the earth, with its fruits, and trees, and flowers, especially flowers.
Being that this is my first, and possibly only, time visiting the Underworld though, I want to take the chance to look around. I decide to explore the mansion a bit. The only rooms off the foyer are the dining hall and ballroom, one I’ve already seen, and the other is not worth seeing. I make my way down the hall, past the ballroom, to see the other rooms. Walking, I pass a mirror and notice a stain on my dress. I move closer to get a better look. Right on the top of the bodice, near the sleeve, is a brown smudge. Chocolate. I think back to the cake I had with the rich chocolate icing on it. My mother would be irate with me if she saw my gorgeous yellow gown marred because of my sweet tooth. Looking back at the mirror I get an idea. I unpin one of the orange flowers from my hair and pin it on my dress, perfectly covering the stain. A dark curled ringlet falls on the side of my face, no longer held back by the peony. The rest of my curls stay in place though, in the intricate updo one of the nymphs did for me. Satisfied, I continue my way down the corridor. Most of the rooms I pass are of no consequence: a small sitting room, a bathroom, a cloak room filled with elegant furs and silks, another bathroom. Nothing is really holding my interest until I come up to a large set of double doors. The doors have a carving of a tree engraved in the dark wood, with gold leafing accenting the leaves. I excitedly try the handle, but its locked. Disappointed, I keep walking until I come across an intricate spiral staircase.
I can’t resist my temptation to climb it, sliding my hand along the golden handrail as I go. The staircase simply seems to go to the second floor, however it’s much quieter in this wing of the mansion. The first four doors I try are simply empty bedrooms and another bathroom. This place sure seems to have a lot of bathrooms. I walk to the next door and swing it open, I can’t contain my gasp as I see the contents of the room.
The door opens into a large library, shelves upon shelves filled with books. I’ve never seen so many books, the library at home doesn’t hold a candle to this. I’ve actually come in at the second floor of the library, on a wrap around balcony. A staircase down to the bottom floor is across the room from me, I meander my way over looking at titles as I go. The section I’m in seems to be books and tomes about geography and politics. I pass a section of wall with no shelves, but instead a collection of maps. I spot a map of greece. My island home, just below Anagyrous, seems very small comparatively. Most of the other maps are of places I don’t recognize, I never knew the world was so large. I have a sudden urge to see all the places on the maps, perhaps I can convince my mother to take me.
I reach the stairs and begin making my way down. The bottom floor has tall shelves lining the walls, reaching the ceiling. I see some ladders to help reach the top rows. Across the room from me are presumably the big double doors I came across earlier, they have the same engraving on the inside as well. Large reading chairs are scattered around the room, as well as small tables meant for holding stacks of books. I begin to peruse the shelves to my left, excited to see some familiar titles. I’ve always loved poems, I see a few from my favorite authors, as well as many I’m unfamiliar with. I set my champagne on a table nearby as I grab a title I haven’t read and begin thumb through it’s pages.
“Do you like to read?”
A voice comes from right behind me as I give out a small shriek and nearly drop the book I’m holding. I turn around to see a man I don't recognize in a fine suit. He is quite handsome, with bright, piercing dark eyes, and dark hair with slight silver streaks. His face is even, but I can somehow sense he is holding in a laugh, seemingly amused at my sudden start.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.” He puts his hands in his pants pockets as he hunches slightly to make himself smaller. He's quite tall, almost half a foot above my own height, although it's hard to tell with my heels on.
“Oh, It’s okay, I just thought I was alone in here. Where did you come from?”
He gestures with his head over to one of the sitting chairs opposite the room. “You seemed very preoccupied with the books.” Even though he isn't smiling, his eyes are kind.
I try not to blush at my obliviousness to his presence. “Why are you in here anyway?" I ask him. "Why are you not with the other gods and goddesses?”
“Oh well, I’m not really one of them. Not my crowd if you know what I mean.” He pulls his hands out of his pockets and fiddles with his cuffs nervously as he speaks.
“Oh I see, do you work for the Underworld then? I'm sorry, I don't get out much, so I don't know many gods.” He might be one of the house staff, or other associate of Hades. He's obviously not a nymph, and is very fair skinned, similar to the other Underworld employees I've seen tonight.
“You could say that.” His eyes are smiling and his mouth twitches in the corner, as if laughing at his own private joke.
I suddenly have a fear that I've intruded into a private space. The first floor door was locked after all. “I apologize if I’m not supposed to be here, I was simply looking around. The mansion is gorgeous.”
“No need to apologize, guests are technically welcome anywhere, anywhere in the west wing that is. So do you like poetry?” He looks pointedly at the book I’m holding, changing the subject before I have a chance to ask what’s in the east wing.
“Oh!” I turn my attention back to the book in my hands. “Yes I do, I love all reading, but poetry is my favorite. I'm afraid my library needs a bit of updating though. By two or three millennia.”
He looks up thoughtfully before asking, “Have you ever read the poem ‘To His Soul’?”
“Yes I have, I believe Archilochus wrote that one, it’s quite good. Some of my favorites are the poems of Sappho. She writes so beautifully, love poems are my favorite.”
“If we are comparing old style poetry, I much prefer the works of Aratus.”
I can't help but scoff at his remark. “Aratus? Don’t be stupid, didactic poetry is so dull. Poetry should be beautiful and evoke emotions. The only thing Aratus evokes is a good night's snooze. Only an absolute idiot thinks didactic poetry is better than lyrical.” He slightly smirks as he listens to me, as if laughing at another private joke. I realize that I was being quite callous to a perfect stranger. Embarrassed, I apologize. “I’m sorry, that was incredibly rude. I’m very opinionated and my mother says I lack tact. I’m sure you have very valid reasons for liking Aratus.”
“No, no, please, I welcome your opinions. I will agree that his work can be quite dull, I’ve just always liked his phrasing. Shall I tell you some of my other interests so you can ridicule those as well?” His eyes are laughing as he jokes with me about my judgements. “I also prefer dull colors, unlike your striking gown. The color suits you very well however.”
“Thank you" I say proudly. "Yellow is one of my favorite colors. I like bright colors, they each have their own personality.”
“Oh? pray tell.” He looks at me with great interest, as if genuinely wanting to hear how I respond. Most people don't really care what I have to say, only listening because they are being polite. I meet his eyes, he holds my gaze for a second before motioning me to answer.
“Well, for instance, yellow is happy and joyful, whereas blues are calm and grace." He is patient and attentive as he listens while I list off more colors. "Reds are passion and emotion, greens are excitement and life.”
“And what does orange say?” He tucks my stray curl behind my ear before fingering the petals of one of the orange peonies decorating my hair. I feel a heat begin to creep up my cheeks as his fingers brush my skin.
“Orange is special, orange is love. Not the pink kind of romantic love of first lovers. Orange is a stronger love, the love of family. The love of quiet afternoons reading, love for a rainy day, love that you can feel in your toes.”
“That is special.” He gives me a soft smile before he quirks up an eyebrow. “And what does grey say?” I know he is asking, to tease me, seeing how his own suit is grey.
“Grey is for dull, boring, incredibly uneventful people.” I roll my eyes to jokingly dramatize my disdain for it. “Colors are life, grey is the opposite, grey is death.” He can’t contain a laugh when I say that.
“Well then I would say it’s perfect for someone who works in the Underworld.”
“Perfect indeed.” I say smiling at our joke. We continue to talk for a while, smiling at jokes, and sharing opinions on books and poems. He always waits until I finish talking before responding. He must not be a god, I've never met a god who didn't take over the entire conversation. I would love to stay here chatting with him the whole night if I could. However, I decide I should get back before my mother worries too much.
“I should probably return to the party, will I see you out there?” I hope I don't sound too desperate, but I also really hope he says yes.
“I do have to go out at some point tonight.” He runs a hand over his face before brushing it through his hair. He doesn’t look too particularly happy at the prospect, my heart begins to sink a little. “Save me a dance?” His sudden invitation catches me off guard as I try to hide my elation, but a smile creeps on my face.
“I would love to. We will see if my mother allows it though, she can be a bit overprotective.” I cross my fingers in my mind as I secretly wish for a dance.
“Ah I see, well one can always hope.” He gives me a tender smile as he speaks gently. When I turn to go back up the stairs, he stops me. “Don’t forget your glass.” He gestures to my still full champagne glass I set on the table.
“Right … don’t want to forget that … can’t waste it.” I hesitantly make my way over to retrieve my unwanted drink.
He seems to sense my apprehension. “Do you not like champagne?”
“Honesty, it’s not very good. I don’t see what all the fuss is about.”
He smiles slightly, bemused at my answer. “I’ve never cared for it either. Here, why don’t I take your glass for you, and you can just go through these doors rather than going back up the stairs.” He points to the carved double doors behind me as he picks up my neglected glass.
“Oh, thank you." I can't quite bring myself to leave, but I do need to get back. "Goodbye ... I uh ... enjoyed our conversation.” I turn to leave, beating myself up internally for my awkward goodbye. As I’m walking off he grabs my hand, bringing my knuckles to his lips, placing a soft and gentle kiss on them.
“Goodbye, I had a lovely time talking with you as well Persephone. Enjoy the party.”
I’m a bit startled when he uses my name, considering I never gave it to him. “How do you know my name?”
“It’s my job to know.” He winks at me, taking a sip from my champagne, as I exit the library to make my way back to the party. I can't help but smile as I close the doors behind me.