Chapter 5:
"I don't like the idea of you spending the day with Aphrodite, Kore."
Persephone lifts her head up from the grass and looks down at her mother. "Why? You're the one who asked her to teach me about roses."
Demeter ignores Persephone's comment. "She's a nuisance, Kore. Always messing up peoples' lives with her love-plots."
Persephone smiles at her mother. Honestly, Mother, 'love-plots'? "What's so funny?" Demeter asks.
Persephone looks down at the ground, and barely manages to keep in the laughter threatening to bubble out.
"Oh you silly girl," Demeter smiles as she gives her daughter a hug. "I love you so much, Kore. You are the most precious thing in the world to me." She stands up and brushes the grass off her chiton. "Well, I'm off to Olympus. Zeus and Hera have asked to see me. I won't be back until sunset. Do try to stay out of trouble when I'm away?"
"Of course, Mother."
With that, Demeter nods, satisfied with her daughter's response. She begins to glow brightly and then slowly disappear, traveling to Olympus.
Just then, Aphrodite appears over Persephone.
"Well, are you ready, Persephone?"
"Ready for what, my lady?"
Aphrodite smirks, "Your lessons in how to please a man, of course."
Persephone gulps. She's pretty sure this isn't what her mother meant when she said Aphrodite would be teaching her something about flowers. This is going to be a long day.