Pushing Daisies

A Greek Mythology Fanfiction

Ancient Times

Suffocating Spring

Persephone

"Kore!" Demeter shouted. Persephone stifled a scream of frustration. She hated how her mother called her Kore. Her name was Persephone. As in p-e-r-s-e-p-h-o-n-e, most definitely not k-o-r-e. Who wanted a name that sounded like corn, anyway? Certainly not her. But she couldn't change her mother's mind; no matter how hard she tried or how much cereal she ate. Persephone wanted to be the Goddess of Spring when she reached official maturity, which would be in two weeks time, but Demeter wanted her to be the virgin Goddess of Innocence. It wasn't that Persephone didn't think innocence was important; it was just that it wasn't what she was meant to be the deity of. She couldn't get enough of the sun, the flowers, the blue sky, the mild temperatures, the animals… All of it was perfect to her! It had gotten to the point where her older sister Athena had taken to actually calling her Spring as a nickname. Persephone loved Athena; she had everything you could want in a Goddess. She was beautiful, kind, just, a warrior, a peace keeper and wise. No wonder she was the Goddess of Wisdom and Battle Strategy! She thought of her olive skinned sister's flowing black curls that reached her waist. While Persephone and her mother were tall and willowy, Athena was smaller at 5"4 but she was a lot more buxom, with seductive curves and full breasts. Persephone and her mother looked nothing alike, except for their figures. Persephone was 5"10, an inch taller than her mother, and had the same wraith-like appearance: tall and slender. She longed to be curvy like Athena, with her flowing black curls, flawless beauty and eyes like frozen silver lakes. They were cold and beautiful, but she was always wise. It was this beauty that had many suitors begging for her to renounce her vow of chastity and wed them. Her sister refused every time, but still they flocked to her like moths to a flame. When one thought of beauty, they usually went for Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love and Beauty. Aphrodite was magnificent, with a tall yet buxom figure, all long legs and shapely curves. She had a perfect face; with bow shaped rosy lips and amethyst eyes that sparkled like the jewel. Her golden tan seemed to shimmer, and complimented her waist length wavy hair. It was pale blond, so in one light it could look silver like the moon, but in another as golden as the sun. When Athena was born fully grown from Zeus' head, you would expect the Goddess of Beauty to be jealous. However, she instantly volunteered to show Athena Olympus, the two quickly becoming friends as close as sisters. They became Persephone's best friends as well, talking about love and battles and beauty and wisdom. Persephone loved them both. She felt plain sometimes though. She had creamy skin and a slight body, with big and innocent bright green eyes and dark brown hair. But her sisters had a way of transferring beauty to everyone in the room, making them seem as though they were as stunning as they themselves were. She was going to meet them and tell them a huge secret; one that her mother could not know about until the night of her Goddess Ceremony.

"Kore!" Demeter screamed.

"Yes?" Persephone yelled back, running down the palace steps and gritting her teeth. She was getting out as soon as possible.

"Where have you been?" Her mother asked in suspicion, eyeing Persephone's 'seductive' dress. It was lilac and brought out her eyes nicely.

"In my room, getting ready to meet Athena and Aphrodite." She said simply.

"I was worried! You should have said hello! I missed my little girl!" Demeter cried in a patronizing tone.

Hello, mother. I'm at home. Goodbye, mother. I'm going out. Happy?" Persephone snapped sarcastically. She didn't hear her mother's reply because the door slamming covered it up perfectly.

She ran to the clearing where she usually met Athena and Aphrodite. It was beautiful, with hundreds of different flowers, a crystalline stream and huge, shady trees. There was even a more slender olive tree, one of Athena's creations. She had created them in the contest to become patron of Athens. She had beaten Poseidon as the Athenians chose her olive tree over his salt spring, and the God of the Sea had hated her ever since. From Athena's comments about him, Persephone could tell the feeling was mutual. She rushed into the clearing and saw Aphrodite reclining by the stream in a lovely ice blue chiton. She ran to her sister and hugged her tightly.

"Where's Athena?" Persephone asked in confusion. Athena was always the first to get to their meeting place, so for her not to be here was strange.

"Ugh, I have no idea, Sephy!" Aphrodite cried, using her nickname for her. "She said she had something to take care of in Athens, and then she had to go to training quickly. Apparently, Theseus wants her 'help'."

"But you don't think he does?" Persephone's brows pulled together.

"I think he just wants to stare at her. The darling King of Athens has taken quite the liking to our 'Thena." Aphrodite said with a suggestive smile.

"He has not, Dite. He wanted my help with a matter of possible invasion. It was nothing to worry about, in case you're interested." The goddess in question said slipping from behind her olive tree. Persephone eyed her curiously. Athena looked slightly rumpled; her hair wasn't as neat as usual and her cheeks had a soft flush to them. Her full lips also looked swollen. Before Persephone could comment on this though, Aphrodite jumped in.

"Nothing to worry about? Was it even worth calling for your help on the matter? You said he's quite smart." She said in fake innocence. Sephy glanced at her, raising a quizzical brow. Dite winked in response.

"He really could have. In fact, he knew exactly what to do. He really needn't have…" She trailed off, grey eyes widening in surprise. "He doesn't, does he?"

"In my opinion, he has a soft spot for you." Aphrodite smirked.

"He might have wanted a second opinion…?" Athena tried, although it sounded more like a question.

"Face it, 'Thena. He likes you!" Aphrodite positively sang. She'd wanted to get Athena a husband for eons. But to both of their confusion, Athena blanched.

"Oh dear, what if he finds out? If he gets jealous, Theseus will have Tartarus to pay. He's angry enough as it is, oh bad, bad, bad…" She started pacing and mumbling to herself, apparently forgetting they were still there in her inner turmoil.

"Hang on, who's 'he'?" Persephone asked. Athena froze and bit her lip, looking like she was cursing herself inside.

"Umm… Father! Father. You know how he gets!" She said with fake brightness. Neither was convinced. Athena was silently pleading with them to drop the subject, but no such luck.

"Why would Zeus get jealous if you got married?" Aphrodite asked. Athena looked ready to fade away with embarrassment.

"Umm…"

"Athena!" They both shouted.

"Fine! But you can't tell anyone. It does not leave this clearing, understand?" Athena hissed, getting right up to them. Aphrodite nodded and so did Persephone. Athena took a deep breath.

"Ares."

"You love Ares? Does he know?" Persephone asked.

"Yes. He does. The feeling is… Is mutual." She said, staring at the floor. Aphrodite squealed and hugged Athena.

"Now we're all in love!" She cried, deliriously happy. "Me and Hephaestus, you and Ares… Persephone, who do you love?"

"I… Umm… I… Can't tell you," She began. At the sad look from Aphrodite and the outraged look from Athena, she hastily added, "Yet! I've been meeting him for a while, but I can't give you his name. If Mother heard, I'd never see him again! And… I love him. He feels the same. People think he can't love, but he's the sweetest, kindest and most compassionate person once you get to know him." Aphrodite looked confused. Athena suddenly smirked.

"Well, I know who it is," She said smugly. "But of course, I couldn't repeat it."

"Ugh!" Aphrodite cried. Persephone laughed, enjoying the company of her sisters. Her mother wouldn't find out. Everything would be perfect. On the day of her Goddess Ceremony, she'd dance with him, and everything would go exactly as planned. Spring was the season of new beginnings. Well, this Spring was finding hers. Little did she know, she would have to take drastic action to hold on to love, least her mother steal her chance.

A/N: Ok, this is my take on the Persephone and Hades myth, where Persephone has a lot more say and influence on her own fate. I may be slow with the updates on my other story as I've just started exam year so I need to focus on my studies. However, I'll update as often as I can!

Disclaimer: Sadly, I don't own these characters; the Ancient Greeks do!

A/N: Athena's pride was severely wounded in the writing of this chapter.