Oh. So. Bored.
This was the only thing that ran through me, Demeter, Goddess of the Earth. I am sitting through another one of Zeus' annual meeting of the Gods. Although it had been called mainly for my benefit, I can't help but feel bored as Zeus rambles on about something or other. Even though I am exceptionally bored, my body and mind are simply zinging with excitement, and having to sit through such an annoyingly boring speech is doing nothing for me. I feel my legs bouncing under my seat, making it squek a little under my weight, waiting impatiently for the time when I can make my, much more important, announcement about Persephone and her new duties.
I look around the table, at the cloud flooring and at the great spread of Ambrosia food that Hestia has made.
Olympus. The mystic land of the Gods. A perfect place for perfect people. Well, as perfect as you can get in the cosmos.
So why, for Zeus' sake, I ask myself, does my Persephone want to reside on earth?
My baby has always been special. So kind, so beautiful. All of the single gods want her, Persephone having the grace of the Muses, the beauty of Aphrodite and the kindness of Hera. My baby, surprisingly, does not have any of my features other than my heart shaped face.
Persephone is small, delicate and graceful; totally the opposite of my lovingly plump body, yet Persephone has the wide, earthy hips that a proper earth goddess should have. Her skin is a perfect alabaster with the purity of Hera's, her immortal glow the brightest of all the gods, save Zeus', and is the most striking as the glow makes her pure skin look even more so. She has a thin and narrow nose, deliciously plump, heart shaped lips, vibrant green eyes that she usually kohls to make them look sleek and mysterious veiled by her midnight lashes, and wondrous golden locks that, more akin to the white of Zeus' waves than to my deep gold, tightly coiled curls, fall down her back to tickle her thighs. Long, voluminous and tousled, it looks like white fire when Persephone moves.
I have always tried to give Persephone the best, giving her the world if she really wanted it. Some say that I have always been too generous with her, some, who will not be mentioned, going further by saying that Persephone has me around her little finger. There is one flaw in their argument. What if I want to be around her little pinky, had anyone ever thought of that.
As a mother, I know that Persephone has no real love interests, apart from the occasional dalliances with Apollo, Hermes, Ares and, at one point, Cupid. Though Psyche nearly sent him to Tartarus for the affair, she was, not surprisingly, angry at Persephone. Psyche said that Cupid had been under Persephone's magic; Persephone, for her part, was actually able to talk her way out of it. The furious Psyche was somehow convinced by my daughter to be understanding and laid-back about it all. Even to the extent that Psyche was suddenly more furious with Cupid than she was Persephone.
As you can imagine, Persephone's dalliances have given her a reputation similar to Aphrodite's, a laughing, shameless temptress. As it happens, Aphrodite and Persephone have often reported to be giggling about their various experiences, exchanging various tips and gossiping about the latest drama. Persephone, at one time, even studied under Aphrodite, learning the art of Love and Seduction, after being taught by the Muses on music and dance, , Hera on womanhood, motherhood and childcare, Athena on various intellectual skills and myself, may I say for the longest of all, on the earth, it's plants and how it affects animals. Making Persephone a well-rounded goddess who's skills are second only to the Goddesses who rule it. Some, rather vestal, deities questioned my letting Aphrodite's rather 'different' influence be near my daughter, wondering how radical it would make Persephone be. But, I think it's good that Persephone is honest with me. I'd rather she told me and I knew what she wants and what she is doing rather than having my vision clouded by a picture of her that was false.
Looking around at the various Gods around me, I can't help but let an unexpected giggle out. Persephone has already had so many marriage proposals, the only bad thing is that I don't think any of them could interest her for long enough. I mean, what's the point of getting married one millennia, and then divorced a few millennia after. Anyway, it's still a little early; Persephone still needs to calm down. I laugh to myself inwardly, how silly all of those men. Gods, demi-gods, semi-deities and mortals alike, are trying to tame her, to damper her immortal fire. I feel a scowl narrow my gaze.
How dare they presume to take my position! I will relinquish my claim of her only when she tells me to give her away to her husband.
"Well now that that's finished with, Demeter has an announcement to make. Demeter."
I grin widely at Zeus before moving to smile at everyone there. The only person that make my smile falter a little is Hades, Zeus' little brother and the God of the Underworld. This doesn't seem to bother Hades, who merely glares at the ground, most likely because he is as bored as I have been. However, I do not waver long as the nature of my announcement spurs me to move on.
"Thank you Zeus." I let myself have a deep breath before continuing "I have come to this meeting at a most joyous time in my life, because, this next Spring ritual will be my last."
I know my million-watt smile now falters at the sound of gasps and frantic whispers circulating around the table. I realise that they must worry for the crops, thinking that I was refusing to make springtime come around anymore.
"No, no you don't understand. I mean to say that my daughter, Persephone, has found out that her "niche" as she calls it is making spring. Persephone, now Goddess of Spring, Rebirth and Growth, is to take over the ritual. Next year every single one of you simply must come to witness and bless her first spring."
When everyone hears this they start to rejoice, they know that, as Persephone will only have to concentrate on Spring, they will be even better than mine, though most are too polite to say.
Hera comes quickly over to me to hug and congratulate me, while Zeus says to everyone "This calls for a celebration! Next year we will all" at this he looks directly at Hades, who normally 'forgets' to come "go to Persephone's Grove and bless her very first Spring ritual. We will all have our part to play. Hestia, you shall create the celebration's feast. Hermes, you shall tell all of the necessary guests. Dionysus, you shall make the celebration as special as possible. Ares, all war must cease for the day, for the first day of spring is a cause for peace. Muses, you shall work with Dionysus and provide the entertainment. The rest of us must help Persephone in any way we can."
Zeus looks to each of the Gods he is issuing instructions to. Each nods excitedly and smiles at me, save Ares who is sulking that war must cease for a day, already not able to wait for what they know, with Dionysus, the musesand Persephone (my baby is known as a bit of a party animal), will be an amazing party.
I am so excited. I can hardly wait!