Kore giggled as she danced around her mother.
"You need to get dressed!" her mother is red in the face, and she tosses the white bundle into Kore's face, stopping her.
"Fine. But Mama, why can't I wear my normal dresses? Or my nice yellow one?" Kore loved that one, with its sunny color and borders trimmed in gold. She rather fancied that she looked more like her mother with it on.
"Because we are going to Olympus today. And on Olympus, maidens wear white."
"What do you think my name will mean?" The reason Kore was being presented today was to introduce her to the Olympian Court, and have the Fate's give her a name.
"Why, your name could still be Kore, dear. My name didn't change."
"Yes, but you…" Kore trailed off as she pinned one shoulder up.
Demeter arched a brow. "I what, dear?"
"Well, you were already old." the girl muttered in a rush as she hid her face in her other sleeve.
"Hmm…" Demeter walked behind Kore, then pulled on her hair sharply.
"Ow!"
"Sorry dear, you had a tangle." Her mother smiles as she starts brushing the dark hair, the color of freshly turned soil.
"Do I have to wear these longer sleeves?" Kore asked in distaste, examining the fabric hanging from her shoulders like two small capes.
"Yes, dear." Demeter murmured, braiding small white roses and baby's-breath around her head.
"How do I tie it?" Kore tried to get the fabric to stay up on one arm.
"Hold still, once I'm done with your hair I can help you."
"Thank you, Mama."
"Demeter! Kore! Oh, it is wonderful to see you again!" a woman in white with a red stole and hood cried as they entered the gate of Olympus.
Hestia, Goddess of Home and Hearth, one of the few goddesses Kore already knew smiled as she pulled her sister and niece into a hug.
"Hestia, how have you been since the last harvest?" Hestia would occasionally join the other two at harvest festivals, where the first offering would go to her.
"Well, sister. Though I cannot say the tame for poor Artemins. Zeus is hounding on her to marry, but she sticks to her vows. I've had to have a few sharp talking- tos with him about it."
Demeter nodded in understanding. "I hope it doesn't come to it, but if it does, would you do the same for, ah, his other daughters?"
"In a heartbeat, sister."
Kore` furrowed her brows, trying to figure out what that meant. Zeus had many children, that was true, but Kore was sure Hestia never needed to be asked for help, she would of course argue for any girls right to hold to their Maiden Vows whether or not they were a daughter of the King.
As they passed the hearth in the center of the plaza, where Hestia had been tending before their arrival, they saw a girl who looked to be a bit older than Kore sitting, swinging her feet. She was also in white, but her tunic was short, only reaching her knees. The spring goddess was a bit jealous- she only wore shorter dresses when she stayed at home with her nymphs. Mama made her wear longer Doric chitons when they went out and worked with Man.
The other goddess jumped down, and Kore realized she had a quiver with a bow and arrows tucked behind her. So, this must be Artemis, Goddess of the Hunt.
Kore bowed her head in greeting, and it was returned.
"Artemis. Are you Kore?" the other girl asked bluntly.
"Yes, how did you know?"
"You are the only daughter of Lady Demeter, the one who will debut today, yes?"
"Well when you put it like that…"
The girls laughed as the women behind them shared a smile. Hestia was glad her nieces got along, while Demeter was happier that it was a girl who would encourage Kore to remain unwed.
The older goddess nudged her sister, motioning the side of the road. Demeter guessed what she wanted to talk about, but frowned and followed.
"You haven't told her, have you?"
Demeter sighed. "No."
"She has a right to know-"
"But he has no right to her! I don't care if he is her sire- for he is not her father in any sense of the word- he doesn't deserve someone so good."
"I can understand that, sister, but-"
"You do not understand!" Demeter hissed. Hestia raised an eyebrow.
"I can and I do." She stated flatly. "But I do know that He will not. If you don't tell her, He will. And is that how you want her to learn of this?"
"He might not care. Or even remember."
"Perhaps. But his wife remembers all of his mistrisses, and if she can hurt Kore by telling the truth, she will."
"The Queen has long since forgiven me."
"But not Kore. And it could shatter her world- what have you told the girl, Demeter? That she was born from a flower? Just sprouted from the earth?"
Demeter only looked away, saying nothing. Hestia groaned.
"You haven't told her anything, have you."
"I never lied to her."
"But you didn't tell her the truth, did you?"
Demeter finally snapped. "it is not for you to tell me how to raise my daughter, Lady Hestia."
Names have a power, especially divine ones. But the stunning silence was not because one had invoked a god's name, but a sister's.
Hestia blinked, then nodded. "All right. Now let's get those two ready for the festival."
"Kore is already prepared- you aren't putting cosmetics on her, you won't."
"No, but we do need to get her out of sight before Aphrodite decides to do it herself."
Demeter suddenly found her older sister very wise, and agreed immediately.
Mama messed with a curl, then put it behind Kore's shoulder.
"All right, remember to enter when they say your name. Stop when you reach the hearth. Then-"
"Zeus will welcome me, and the Fates will speak my name. then each Olympian will welcome me, starting with Hestia and ending with Zeus." Kore interrupted, smiling. "I'm ready Mama."
Demeter kissed her forehead. "I know, my dear. I'm just not sure if I am."
They smiled at each other once more, before Hestia waved Demeter and Artemis to the throne room. Now kore was alone, leaning against wall- making sure to hid behind the open doors. She was sure most everyone was already inside, they would start shortly.
A noise outside startles her out of her thoughts. Kore stands up, looking for the cause. Through the pillars, she sees a figure stepping out of a chariot- pulled by the strangest horses Kore has ever seen. The figure waves his hand and the chariot melts into a black shadow cast by a nearby building. Then they turn and walk briskly up to the central temple.
Kore hid behind the door, wide eye trying to put a name to this god- she had realized he was a man, wearing a black tunic and cloak, and for some reason, a helm.
The man did not seem to see her as he climbed the steps. He stopped at the second to last one, and took a deep breath. He pulled off the help, reveling straight black hair. Kore tried to see his face better, but he was already walking through the doors.
Kore studied her own shadow, wondering if the man was a god of darkness, or night, or perhaps even shade. She shrugged, supposing it didn't matter right now, she needed to focus on the problem before her: the name she would soon receive. Or maybe, re-receive.
Back in Lady Hestia's apartments, Artemis had told her- between groans at Hestia's efforts to comb her hair- about her own debut.
"I was always Artemis." She had shrugged. "My mother named me, and my brother. I don't know, I suppose I've always been like this too- ah! Aunt Hestia, that was not necessary! My hair's always like this, I don't think this is warranted- no offense Kore, but…"
"You always where like this." Hestia agreed. "Stubborn, single, a bit-"
"Stunning? A great shot?" Artemis broke in, eyes laughing.
"I suppose it will be like that with Kore." Demeter reasoned. "She's always been spring, the planting. I am the harvest, and together we are the growth. There hasn't really been anything else, has there Kore?"
"Not really." Kore thought, but then again that had always seemed enough. Though perhaps now she was growing up, she would be able to roam more. Her mother came to Olympus twice a year to meet with the others of the court, perhaps Kore would start to join her.
"Enter, Kore. Maiden of Spring and Flowers." A booming voice jolted her back to the present. Kore smoothed down her dress, took a breath, and entered the throne room.
AN: whoops I started another story. anyway, Reverse!Hasephone
that is to say, Persephone kidnaps Hades.
itll be great. maybe.
Anywho, leave a review, have a good day, cya next time!