"You do not-cannot-love me."
Persephone.my Persephone.how could you say such a thing? With only five words, you so deeply slash at my heart by trivializing the deepest emotions I have ever felt in my life.
".too bitter and conceited to join the other gods in their feasting and festivities."
Bitter. Yes, perhaps I am bitter. I can still recall every detail of That Day with piercing clarity. Three round, smooth marbles, small enough to fit in the center of my palm-such small and humble objects. But the three of us knew that the azure marble held the realm of the oceans and seas; the black marble, the realm of the underworld and dead; and the gold marble, the realm of the sky.
The marbles were placed in a silken bag, and each of us took one. I closed my fist around mine, feeling the cool, hard, rounded surface and wondering which hue colored it-whether that innocuous bauble would grant me an eternity of power or of freedom.or of darkness. I opened my hand and looked.
It was black.
Now, of course, I actually prefer the calm and peace of my realm to Olympia's raucous and often orgiastic feasts. Aphrodite and Ares grate on my nerves. Still, I suppose I am bitter even yet.
".cold and aloof, who despises the sun."
But cold? No, dearest Persephone, I am not as cold as you think. And I could not despise the sun. Indeed, I love the sun. Because you are the sun, you are my sunlight, and I love you.
".neither can I love one who does not love light and life."
But would you love one who does?
What elation overcame the mortal who first discovered that striking flint against stone created a spark, and the tame fire that soon resulted was not as warming as the triumph that flamed within him.
But no mortal's joy compare to the sheer euphoria that overcame me when I conceived of how to win my beautiful Persephone's heart.
Under my gentle guidance, a massive underground cavern sprouted lush grass from rich, dark soil that newly carpeted the ground. Trees of all kinds-graceful willows, sturdy oaks, fragrant cypresses, and towering cedars, as well as trees bearing olives, apples, pomegranates, dates, figs, and other fruits-grew from the earth like giants rising from slumber. Rambling vines bearing the sweetest and juiciest of grapes too I planted, and over the rolling grass I spread all the blossoms that had delighted her in the past.save for that one cursed flower that resulted in her kidnapping, lest it bring her pain. Small animals and birds I captured from above ground and released into the cavern-which now I called more aptly the Garden-so that the air would be filled with sweet song and life would abound for her delight. Finally, I bathed the Garden in light-not with the cold white light cast by the jewels, but with a soft, warm, golden light, channeled from my own heart.
Next, I gazed into a mirror, facing my final task. With a deep breath, I deepened my stone-pale skin to a healthy golden bronze, and my jet-hued hair and beard to loose tawny locks. Steely eyes became azure ones, and I discarded my dark robes and iron crown for soft golden ones and a wreath of laurels.
When my work was done, I released a breath of sweetly fragrant fresh air, and sent it wafting down the halls to slip into her room and ruffle her hair. Her soft-lashed eyes at the scent of the fresh breeze, and she followed it eagerly through the dark halls and corridors, curious to find its source.
As she emerged into the softly golden light where I awaited, her eyes widened as she drank in the wonder of the Garden. I was so overjoyed to see her lovely pink lips curve into a delighted smile as she beheld the sweet grass and fruit-laden trees, that I stepped out to greet her immediately, a kind smile on my face. "Welcome to the Garden, Persephone" said I. "My name is Ascalaphus."
Persephone.my Persephone.how could you say such a thing? With only five words, you so deeply slash at my heart by trivializing the deepest emotions I have ever felt in my life.
".too bitter and conceited to join the other gods in their feasting and festivities."
Bitter. Yes, perhaps I am bitter. I can still recall every detail of That Day with piercing clarity. Three round, smooth marbles, small enough to fit in the center of my palm-such small and humble objects. But the three of us knew that the azure marble held the realm of the oceans and seas; the black marble, the realm of the underworld and dead; and the gold marble, the realm of the sky.
The marbles were placed in a silken bag, and each of us took one. I closed my fist around mine, feeling the cool, hard, rounded surface and wondering which hue colored it-whether that innocuous bauble would grant me an eternity of power or of freedom.or of darkness. I opened my hand and looked.
It was black.
Now, of course, I actually prefer the calm and peace of my realm to Olympia's raucous and often orgiastic feasts. Aphrodite and Ares grate on my nerves. Still, I suppose I am bitter even yet.
".cold and aloof, who despises the sun."
But cold? No, dearest Persephone, I am not as cold as you think. And I could not despise the sun. Indeed, I love the sun. Because you are the sun, you are my sunlight, and I love you.
".neither can I love one who does not love light and life."
But would you love one who does?
What elation overcame the mortal who first discovered that striking flint against stone created a spark, and the tame fire that soon resulted was not as warming as the triumph that flamed within him.
But no mortal's joy compare to the sheer euphoria that overcame me when I conceived of how to win my beautiful Persephone's heart.
Under my gentle guidance, a massive underground cavern sprouted lush grass from rich, dark soil that newly carpeted the ground. Trees of all kinds-graceful willows, sturdy oaks, fragrant cypresses, and towering cedars, as well as trees bearing olives, apples, pomegranates, dates, figs, and other fruits-grew from the earth like giants rising from slumber. Rambling vines bearing the sweetest and juiciest of grapes too I planted, and over the rolling grass I spread all the blossoms that had delighted her in the past.save for that one cursed flower that resulted in her kidnapping, lest it bring her pain. Small animals and birds I captured from above ground and released into the cavern-which now I called more aptly the Garden-so that the air would be filled with sweet song and life would abound for her delight. Finally, I bathed the Garden in light-not with the cold white light cast by the jewels, but with a soft, warm, golden light, channeled from my own heart.
Next, I gazed into a mirror, facing my final task. With a deep breath, I deepened my stone-pale skin to a healthy golden bronze, and my jet-hued hair and beard to loose tawny locks. Steely eyes became azure ones, and I discarded my dark robes and iron crown for soft golden ones and a wreath of laurels.
When my work was done, I released a breath of sweetly fragrant fresh air, and sent it wafting down the halls to slip into her room and ruffle her hair. Her soft-lashed eyes at the scent of the fresh breeze, and she followed it eagerly through the dark halls and corridors, curious to find its source.
As she emerged into the softly golden light where I awaited, her eyes widened as she drank in the wonder of the Garden. I was so overjoyed to see her lovely pink lips curve into a delighted smile as she beheld the sweet grass and fruit-laden trees, that I stepped out to greet her immediately, a kind smile on my face. "Welcome to the Garden, Persephone" said I. "My name is Ascalaphus."