The minute she walked into the room, everyone awed at how beautiful she was.
Persephone blushed, and went to find Era. She saw her next to the snack table, laughing at something Hephaestus had said.
Era caught sight of Persephone, and smiled. She excused herself, and walked over to Persephone.
"Oh my Gods! You look absolutely stunning, 'Sephone!" Persephone smiled warmly.
"Thank you, Era," Persephone eyes had a glint of mischief. She soon saw Ares and grinned, "It looks like lord Ares came. Maybe you should go talk to him? You know how you love to talk war strategics. I did not forget about the time you helped Athena with your little Trojan Horse scheme." Era turned bright red.
"No, no! You know that I cannot take credit for that. Correct, I was the individual that birthed that idea, but I am a Nymph! Nymphs cannot help Gods with their work!" Persephone shook her head, and gestured over to Ares.
Ares nodded in her direction and stared towards them. Era mumbled inaudible sentences to Persephone, not approving of what was about to happen.
Era had no time to protest because Ares was next to them in a matter of seconds.
"Good evening, Persephone," he nodded her way, and looked over to Era, "Good evening...?" Persephone stifled a giggle, knowing why Era was not answering. Era stared into his eyes, being nudged by Persephone.
Era quickly snapped out of her trance, and stuttered, "E-E-Era, or-or Satera, well, y-yes. S-Satera, lord A-Ares." Ares smirked, and continued, "Good evening, Satera." Era blushed, and adverted her eyes.
"Happy sixteenth birthday, Persephone. I send my utmost regards." Persephone nodded in acceptance, and replied, "Thank you, lord Ares." After a few moments of silence, Persephone felt a light bulb go off on her head.
"My friend, Era, awakened the idea concerning the Trojan Horse." Ares' eyes widened a little, impressed. He turned to Era and said, "I must say, the Trojan Horse was quite sly, possibly my most favorite strategies used during war." Era's mouth fell agape, but she quickly regained her composure.
"T-T-Thank you, lord Ares. I-It was really nothing." Ares chuckled heartily.
"I would love to hear more about your ideas that you categorize as 'nothing'!" Era nervously bit her lip, but agreed. Persephone smiled and excused herself.
She wandered through the crowd, but then saw a dark shadow in the corner. Persephone's lips formed a smile, moving to the shadow.
Persephone soon stood in front of Hades, King of the Underworld. His brown locks cascaded over his icy blue eyes, and smirked.
"Happy birthday, dear niece." Persephone's smile faltered.
"Why thank you, lord Hades. It is wonderful that you had the time to come." Hades nodded, and cleared his throat.
"It is indeed a wonderful get-together. Your mother, Demeter, did such a fantastic job with this. I must applaud her for such work." Persephone's eyes glazed over with tears, but didn't let it show.
"I am pleased that you came; will you please excuse me, lord Hades?" He nodded, not paying much attention to her; he had his eyes locked on the birthday girl's mother across the room.
Persephone soon realized what Hades was awing over, and quickly walked away. She went over to the snack table, and took a lilac in her hands. She bit into it, savoring the taste.
She remembered that when she had Era over to her home, they would always go lilac picking; it was their favorite mid-afternoon snack. Era was only two years younger, and the wisest. They would share everything with each other; not telling a soul. Even in their teenage years, they would still confide in each other.
Persephone also remembered when she found out Era's infatuation with Ares.
Era had just turned twelve, and Persephone fourteen. Only a few days ago, had Era and Persephone wandered into the forest, discovering a hidden pond. They splashed around in the water, and climbed in the trees.
Persephone noticed a few things that were different about Era; she had been questioning her about Mount Olympus, and who was there when she had visited. Era had been more interested in the Gods and Goddesses Persephone had seen at Mount Olympus than nature.
Persephone went through the possible scenarios, one being that one of the Gods had their way with Era; worrying Persephone.
She finally mustered up the courage, and asked, "Era, what is the matter? You have been acting rather strange since I saw you last." Era bit her lip nervously, not looking Persephone in the eye.
"Nothing, 'Sephone, do not worry." Persephone huffed, a little annoyed at how Era would not answer her question.
"Please, Era, answer. I have been thinking about all of the issues that could be going on in your life; one being that a God has taken advantage of you. Please, Era-." Era gasped, and quickly denied the accusation.
"Gods, no! Absolutely not, Persephone! I... No, a God has not taken advantage of me!" After a few seconds, Era had calmed down, returned to her normal state.
"I... I have fallen in love with a God." Persephone's eyes widened, and instantly covered her shock.
"Era, I..." Persephone knew what Era's mother would do if she knew about Era's new infatuation. She would skin Era alive for thinking that way.
"Who?" Era cringed.
"Lord Ares."
Persephone smiled at the memory. After their discussion, they had played in the pond more. Persephone would have had it would be Hermes or Hephaestus that Era would have fallen for; she would have never guessed Ares. She knew of Era's interest in war and strategics.
Persephone looked over her shoulder, and saw Ares chuckling, and Era blushing. Persephone smiled, and knew that Era must be ecstatic. She knew of Ares' woman, and how he used them. She knew that Era knew of them and made no effort to stop it. Like she could. Persephone knew that Era was only thirteen, but she knew that she was wise beyond her years.
"So you did not like the elephants?" Era smiled and shook her head; they were discussing the Punic Wars.
"N-N-No, I did not say that. I said that it was a tad bit over done." Ares chuckled, and took another sip of the wine.
"Please enlighten me." Era blushed, but nodded.
"If it was up to me, I would have created some sort of machine that would create triggered reaction. For example, if they pass a certain area, arrows would come flying out of no where." Ares nodded.
"I must say, that is a brilliant idea." Era blushed.
After a few minutes, Era became aware of Ares being more and more distant. She looked behind her, and saw Aphrodite. Era's shoulder's slumped a little, knowing of their affair. Aphrodite was married to Hephaestus, but she still had an ongoing affair with Ares.
Era did not want to show her discomfort, so she said, "Excuse me, lord Ares." He simply nodded, not bothering to look at Era. Am I really that ugly?
Era walked away, looking for Persephone. She turned, and started to leave the room, but was held back by someone grabbing her arm.
Era turned, and came face to face with a smirking Aphrodite. Aphrodite pulled Era over to a corner, and smiled wickedly.
"Listen here, Satera; stay away from lord Ares. If you chose to go against my orders, there will be consequences; one being telling your mother about your new infatuation with the God of War. Understand, Nymph?" Era nodded, terrified of what Aphrodite would do.
A/N: I have not updated in forever! I have decided to write a 'spin-off' story for Era! I think that she deserves more spotlight than I am giving her. I do have thirteen stories that I need to update, so I might not upload the spin-off story for a couple of days. Era will continue to be in this story, but will also have her own story, so please keep an eye out for it!