#sO the pomegranate with asphodel flowers

[stressedanime]

tattoos to honor nico “ghost king” di angelo, my beloved (and the underworld in general <3)

picture of their placements under the cut!!!

[vagabond-umlaut]

hey, where is the pomegranate tree?

unstoppable force, aka kore, aka gojo, meets immovable object, aka hades, aka you— nothing can ever go wrong from this collision, trust me— n-o-t-h-i-n-g.

▸ gojo satoru x fem!reader; hades and persephone retelling [with a twist ;))]; 1.2k wc; stubbornly persuasive gojo; the reader is js so tired and annoyed [and tired]; enemies to lovers vibes[??]; talks of marriage and children; gojo thinks you are a fool, he is the real clown here

▸ pls don't glare at me if there is more than one inaccuracy here, haha. anyways, the header is from pinterest, the divider is by @benkeibear and the characters used ain't mine. pls don't plagiarize, translate or repost this. enjoy reading! ❤️

▸ update: this fic is now part of a series!!! wreaths of asphodel 😊😊

"you shall spend the rest of your days in tears."

you're foolish; woefully so, gojo thinks, carefully observing you from his place on the chaise lounge, smiling while you continue seething, "and there will be no one who can save you. neither a hero nor a god. neither demeter nor zeus. no. one."

"but why do you think i will need saving, my rose?" the endearment rolls off his tongue like honey, the taste sweetening at the way your pretty lips dip into a deeper frown, "you're not a monster, are you?"

"no!" the defensive reply comes in less than a beat. though the words following it sound a tad less bold; it seems as if you're trying to make yourself believe and not scare him.

"i'm someone far fiercer— hades. the goddess of the dead. the queen of the underworld— and the cause for your misery should you choose to vex me any further."

"aw, no," gojo cries, decidedly making a show by slapping a hand over his eyes and faking a sniffle, "why must the only woman i want as my wife see me as an annoyance?"

then lets his hand drop down to the cushion, willing his eyes to well over with pitiful moisture. "as the god of life, i've only ever given and given– be it grains or fruits or vegetables or flowers– without asking anything in return— yet the first and only time i ask..."

he doesn't bother finishing his sentence, choosing to sob to add to the tragic atmosphere— though that doesn't mean he doesn't note the war of emotions on your face:

pity, confusion, anger, again confusion— you're so easy to read, to steer. very foolish, really.

"you'll not like living here," you eventually break the silence hanging within the room. your voice is much softer now; the god wonders if you sing. if you do, the muses will certainly be put to shame... "your days will be spent in utter boredom and gloom and tears–"

"– and no one can come to my aid then: yes, thank you," he interrupts you, more than a little tired, "you've driven the points too well into my head– so much so that i'm surprised there isn't a gaping hole in there, oozing blood and my brains. but why must you think i'll need rescue, huh??"

if a smidge of force escapes into his words, gojo decides not to pay it any mind— though only until he notices the small flinch you give– his insides twist and torment, quite inexplicably, thereafter.

"okay, look," he says, getting up from his slouch to move near you, but stops on catching the warning glint in your eyes.

"first of all, i'm not some damsel in distress being whisked away in a chariot here– i came here by own volition. and i'm offering my mind, body, heart, soul– the special package that i am, in fewer words– to you, by my own volition. why shall i want anyone to rescue me then?"

"besides," he proceeds to add, allowing an easy smirk to form on his face, "you're just the cute little goddess of the dead– not at all scary like your brother used to be; though i guess you try to imitate him in your glares, don't you? sukuna was quite notori��"

"don't you dare utter my brother's name, foul olympian," a quiet growl slashes gojo's comment, sending it plummetting to the ground— and making him understand why you, the inconspicuous, sheltered sister of the vicious former holder of the name 'hades', was given the crown, in the aftermath of your brother's banishment– instead of the several more well-known candidates...

"i apologise," gojo offers in the very next instant, making it as genuine as he can, "i never meant to upset or offend you. i'm sorry if i did."

you just stare at him for a beat, gojo watches, before your shoulders lift then fall in a sigh. the fire burning in your aura abates by a pinch.

sighing once more, you finally break your silence, "It's okay, and um– suppose i too should apologise. you might be an olympian but you're not as foul as them, no. please forgive me for calling you so."

"no problem, my rose," the god is quick to accept your words with a wave of his hand and a beam, further widening when he notices the sliver of smile on your countenance, "but does this mean i appeal to your tastes? i mean, you called me 'not as foul as them', didn't you?? did you just accept my hand in marriage, then???"

"no, i didn't..." your subtle smile disappears swifter than it appeared. a half of gojo's floral crown, quite inexplicably, wilts on the table before. he watches your eyes fall to it, then snap up to meet his.

"do you love me?"

not yet, but he thinks he can. you might be an idiot but you certainly aren't an unlovable idiot— and one voice in his mind murmurs, those precious, innocent looks of yours aren't even the main reasons why...

the god shoots back a languid smile. "if you want to see me in love with you, so be it."

"that's neither 'yes' nor 'no'," you point out, frowning, before vaulting your second query of the evening, "if we get married, do you want to have children?"

it won't be very unfavourable, if you both do... with the vivid colour of your eyes, or the adorable shape of your nose, or the radiance of your skin, or the— "if you want, i shall be happy to assist," he ekes out with a meaningful wink, albeit he doubts how much of it reaches you.

you're very foolish, after all... and no– it's not because of the awkward way he says it– no! not in the slightest! he wasn't fumbling at all!

you wrap the shawl tighter around your shoulders but don't move any further away, gojo notes. the same way he does the slight tint in your cheeks when you roll your eyes with a scoff.

"you're unbelievable, kore. truly, terribly unbelievable." you press the pads of your thumbs over your forehead before releasing it, gaze an unprecedented mark of sharp when it settles on his face.

"is there nothing you want from our union, eh? i refuse to believe you wish to marry me without any demands, as if on a mere whim– but if it is so, i ought to warn you, kore: my answer is and will always be one firm 'no'."

your words mustn't ignite this odd restlessness in him. they certainly mustn't— still, gojo finds his chest tight and the air heavy as he grins back and says, "i only want to be your husband, your majesty... but if that is too much for you right now–"

the stretch on his lips simmers down to something smaller. yet truer.

"i want you to call me by my name. my real name. can you do that, my rose?"

you don't say anything in response for a long while. so long, in fact, it makes the god wonder if you are ever going to reply to his request.

perhaps not, he thinks quite a bit down-spirited when you suddenly turn on your heel and with a swish of your long shawl, stride out the rooms– o-oh.

you stop just as abruptly at the threshold. a complicated grin shining on your face as you twist to look at him over your shoulder then say:

"good night, gojo satoru. pray the ghosts prowling these halls don't eat you up ere dawn."

you're gone not even few feet away from the door, before gojo falls face-first into the bed, the entire room suddenly erupting into thousands of roses in all colors ever seen. [lolol, he is such a loser for you! xD]

▸ masterlist

[del-thetiredwriter]

Pomegranates

— So here’s a one shot. Beware my English. Not exactly like greek mythology.

Toga: the loose outer garment worn in public by citizens of Ancient Rome.

Warnings: mentions of death, Ancient Greek timeline, God of dead Idia , gn reader , mythological theme…

First he turned right, then left around the corner... A groan came from the blue-haired boy, who was looking for the exit from the walls formed by blue rose bushes.

“Ahh, I think I'm lost!” he groaned.

They say curiosity killed the cat, and Ortho succumbed to his curiosity.

His brother used to come to this garden regularly every day, but no one was allowed to enter the garden except his brother. No matter how much Ortho asked his brother, no matter how much he insisted, his brother would still not let him enter the garden and would not tell him what he was doing in the garden.

Ortho took the opportunity of his brother going to Olympos and secretly entered the garden and got lost.

He had come to a crossroads again. While he was nervously thinking which one he should choose, a voice distracted him.

"Who are you?"

Ortho turned around in panic. He didn't expect to see a soul staring at him with a dull expression.

“Oh, hello.” said Ortho timidly.

He was frightened by the piercing gaze of the person in front of him.

"Who are you? And what are you doing here?”

The spirit approached him.

“Well, I'm Ortho… and I'm actually lost.”

The soul raised an eyebrow.

“Don't you know that you should not enter this labyrinth, child? You're lucky, come with me and let's get you out of here."

The sprit took his hand and they wandered back and forth through the maze of trees and bushes.

The sprit did not speak. So there was an awkward silence. There was only the rustle of the grass they were stepping on.

“Um I guess you know the maze pretty well?”

Ortho asked to lighten the mood. But the spirit did not answer.

“Do you live in this labyrinth? What is your name? How long have you been here? Who are you?.."

He started asking questions repeatedly.

The spirit finally spoke.

“But you turned out to be talkative. Unlike you, he can't even put two words together properly." They said in a whisper.

Finally the spirit stopped. They reached a door. To the entrance of the labyrinth.

"We came. Don't even think about coming here again. You were lucky this time that I found you, but you may not be so lucky next time."

They let go of Ortho's hand. The blue haired boy started walking towards the door. When he reached the doorway, he stopped and turned around.

“Can you at least tell me your name?”

The spirit looked at him expressionlessly.

“What will you do if you know? After all, we won't see each other again. Anyway, my name is Y/n and don't ever come here again.”

This was the first encounter between Ortho and the spirit named Y/n.

–

“Y/N! Where are you !"

Ortho had entered the garden again. He wanted to talk again to the spirit that showed him the way when he got lost during his first entry.

That spirit was different. Normally souls come to the underworld after death. Depending on their life on Earth, they would be sent to Elysium, the Fields of Asphodel, or the Fields of Punishment. However, this soul was in his brother's garden...

He was going around random turns, screaming your name. And in the end, he arrived at a place like a garden, without even knowing how he did it.

“Y/n!”

As soon as he saw you, he ran to you with excitement.

You were lying on a sofa with lots of cushions and pillows. There was a flowing river right next to it, and many flowers and trees around it...This place looked just like the riverside in the forest where the protagonists of Ortho's favorite fairy tale met.

You opened your eyes slightly.

"You again? Didn't I tell you not to come here again?" You scolded Ortho.

“But look, I found you. And this place is beautiful.” Ortho said as he approached you.

"Beautiful? Phew! Is this place beautiful? “You said curtly.

“Yes, look, it's very nice. There are roses, magnolias, grapes… and oh, pomegranates too! I love pomegranates, how about you? “ said the child while plucking the pomegranate from its branch.

“I used to love…” said the soul bitterly.

“Umm, shall I tell you a story?” said Ortho to digress.

The spirit did not answer, but Ortho accepted it as a yes and sat down on the sofa next to the spirit.

Once upon a time, there was a lonely king. This king was smart and strong, but he was also lonely. He had no friends or family... Anyway, one day, the king disguised himself and mingled with people, and a person caught his attention. This person was not very beautiful, very smart or perfect, but something attracted the king to this person. After that, the king started to watch this person constantly. Their daily routine, what they eats, what they likes, what they does...

One day the king could not stand it and went to the forest where that person lived. He wanted to see them closer.

–

You went down to the stream to get water. As you started filling the buckets with water, you felt a pair of eyes watching you. When you looked around, you saw someone with blue hair and a black toga watching you from afar.

“Hey young master, are you lost?” You called out.

The man looked around, frightened and not knowing what to do.

You moved towards him.

“Young master, are you lost?” You asked again.

“Oh um…I-“

You smiled.

“You seem to be a high-ranking person, what is someone like you doing in this forest?” You said.

The blue-haired man was mumbling something, but nothing could be understood.

“I'm Y/n, I live in this forest. Would you like to come to my house? “ You suggested. You haven't had any guests in a long time, in fact you never had.

"O-okey.” The young man said in panic.

"How nice. By the way, what was your name?”

“Idia”

–

From that day on, the king started to visit that person, always hiding his true identity. The king was happy, but his happiness did not last long. One day, a seer came to visit the king.

–

“You are not in that person's destiny, God of the Dead Idia. They have different life cycles in their thread of destiny. However, if you want, I can give you the thread. If you cut the thread, their fate will be like an unclear water. You can shape it the way you want and even be completely you in their destiny. ” said the god of prophecy. And he handed the thread to Idia.

Idia hesitantly took the thread. Could he really cut this thread, which symbolizes the happy future of his beloved, because of his own greed? But if he cut it, he would be the fate of his beloved.

Idia would visit the mortal you every day but that week he didn’t.He locked himself in his room and just thought about what he should do with the thread.

–

And the king finally gave in to his greed and cut the thread.

–

“Oh Idia, where have you been? I was very scared that something bad had happened.” You said while hugging him.

You were very worried when you didn't hear from him for a week.

“I brought pomegranates. From my own garden.” Idia said as he handed you a basket full of pomegranates.

“You are forgiven. I like pomegranates.”

After that, Idia started bringing you pomegranates every time he came. The pomegranate was Delicious, juicy, sweet... but slowly your health began to deteriorate. Headaches, coughing blood, nightmares... You only felt good when you were with Idia.

But how could you know that the pomegranates are from the underworld’s garden? If a god or a spirit eats it, nothing will happen, but if a human eats it... they start to die slowly. First headaches and nightmares, then they begin to see spirits that humans cannot see, and eventually they die.

-

“Agh!” You screamed in pain. Your heart was tightening and it hurt like crazy, like you were being stabbed.

Idia came running to you.He had a dark liquid in his hand. Pomegranate juice.

“Y/n, are you okay, are you having an attack again?” He helped you get up. He placed you on your bed.

“Oh gods,” you groaned.

“Here, drink some. It will make you feel better..” Idia said and handed you pomegranate juice.

“No… no I don't want to.” You said.

“Come on, for your health.” insisted Idia.

“Just one sip.”

Idia helped you drink. It was sour. Then you couldn't breathe and you closed your eyes. You dropped the glass full of pomegranate juice. It was spilled on you.It looked just like blood.

You were dead.

"I am sorry…I'm sorry for loving you. But I had to. I’m sorry, Y/n.” Idia said with a shaky voice and hugged your dead body.

–

“Then they lived happily ever after .” said Ortho and finished the story.

"How was it? It’s good isn’t it? This is my favorite fairy tale. My brother told me.” Said Ortho

But Y/n didn't answer.

“Come on, it's late, let's take you back.” Said the Spirit.

“So early?” The boy whined. He took the spirit's hand and they moved towards the exit under the soul’s leadership.

“Um Y/n I was going to ask you something. Will you come to us tomorrow? I don't know if I'll find you next time.” said Ortho innocently.

“No…I'm sorry Ortho, but I can't leave this garden, but if you want to come again, come with your brother.” Said the Spirit sadly, as if something tying them to this garden.

And they said goodbye again.

-

“So? How was your day?" Idia asked his little brother.

“Good, as I said before, I made a new friend. There I was with them and I told them my favorite story." Ortho explained with excitement.

“Is that so…by the way, what was your friend's name?”

Idia asked.

“It’s Y/n.”

[aliciavance4228]

I will mostly blame Hollywood for this misconception but the fact that the Underworld is depicted as Hell even by a lot of Greek Mythology Enthusiasts is dissapointing. And sometimes, the reason for this is not necessarily misinformation, but the fact that recognizing that the Underworld doesn’t look that scary and terrifying and it resembles the earth to some extent means that Hades is not the emo, edgy god many people usually think of.

The only place which could actually be depicted similarly with Hell is Tartarus, whereas the other realms don't look as gloomy and lifeless as they seem to be. Sure, the Underworld is very dark, which is stated in many sources, but that doesn’t mean that it looks like a lovecraftian monster's residence as well.

For example, there's this misconception that nothing grows in the Underworld and that there was Persephone the one who brought nature there. But in reality, it is specified the fact that Hades has an entire pomegranate orchard behind his palace, or that some of his sacred flowers are the cypress, mint, white poplar and asphodelus (two of them being his ex-lovers), which suggests that all of these plants are growing in the Underworld. Also, for one reason or another we often forget that grass exists.

There's also the misconception that besides Cerberus there are no other animals in the Underworld. Which again, is wrong. Hades has four black horses and a whole cattle of black cows whom Menoites takes to graze on the Asphodel Meadows. Furthermore, the ancient greeks portrayed him with chickens on some vases, so there's a chance that there are hens in the Underworld too. And if you take into account what Aristophanes said, there are frogs there as well.

The last misconception I want to point out is that Hades' palace is often designed as this Dracula-like sort of building decorated with skulls and blood fountains, when in fact it is described as being made of gold. Because quess what: he's also the god of riches, and what's the point of being disproportionately wealthy if you're not going to shower in gold anyway?

So many people imagine his palace looking like this:

When in reality, it is more likely that his palace resembled Domus Aurea (I know that this is a roman palace, but I couldn't come up with any other comparation for the moment):

Finally, I'm not sure where I'm going with this post, but can we please ditch all the cliché descriptions extracted from Horror Pulp Fiction novels and come up with more accurate depictions of the Underworld? Thanks!

[literaryvein]

MY WRITING COLLECTIONS

1. I WANT TO BE SO AWFULLY HAPPY THAT I NEVER NEED TO WRITE POETRY AGAIN. This writing collection contains 79 free verse poetry. It begins with the bright top notes of bergamot, pomegranate, peppermint, and a splash of prophetic silence. It then takes on a floral mixture of carnation and geranium, tangled with an ocean of grief. The collection ends with a blend of white musk, Bourbon vanilla, and a handprint of the happy, unlived years.

2. bored god. This writing collection contains 22 free verse poetry and prose pieces. You know what I’m afraid of? That God is sick of us (N.M.)

3. monochrome me. This writing collection contains 20 free verse poetry, prose pieces, and stream of consciousness. Teaching myself how to be me again. 

4. mimicking maelstroms. A 417-page collection of poetry and prose pieces. Writings with “REQ” at the bottom indicate that the piece was requested by a reader. This contains writings that have been tossed into the flames of the internet, with some additional pieces that have since been salvaged from the fire, and a few that have never felt the sun on their face. 

5. writings from the fields of asphodel. This writing collection contains 20 poetry and prose pieces. In Greek mythology, the Asphodel Meadows is depicted as the part of the Underworld inhabited by ordinary souls, those whose lives were neither good nor evil. Lately, life is an aimless wandering through these empty fields.

6. Orchids and Other Poems This poetry collection contains 20 free verse poems. It opens up with the fresh floral notes of orchids, lavender, roses, and an ex-poet’s introspection. The heart turns dark and sweet with a blend of honeysuckle, lily-of-the-valley, religious undertones, and a variety of funeral flowers. Finally, the closing notes bring the collection together with warm amber, sandalwood, summer memories, and a hint of home.

7. Poetic Paralysis This poetry collection contains 20 free verse poems. It is split in two equal halves; the gap between these two halves represents the year I stopped writing. My year of poetic paralysis. This collection will be available on the 29th of February 2024.

8. The Book of Strangers (Part 1: The Tea Room) This writing collection consists of 17 poetry and prose pieces handwoven from strangers' stories. In another universe, we meet at the tea room. These written pieces are cups of tea I offer to you as my thanks for giving me a glimpse of your heart, dear strangers.

9. The Book of Strangers (Part 2: The Poet's Garden) This writing collection consists of 24 free verse poetry, prose pieces, and stream of consciousness handwoven from strangers' stories. This time, we meet at the poet's garden. These written pieces are flowers I plucked for you as my thanks for giving me a glimpse of your heart. Don't worry, the poet wouldn't mind.

Send Me A Message if you want to read any of my writing collections. I will send you a link if: (i) you are following this blog; (ii) indicate which collection/s you want (i.e., 1, 2, 3 etc.); (iii) let me know what you think after reading it; and (iv) do NOT know me personally.

- L. V.

[lo-shouldve-been-an-email]

Do I know that the og post about my LO rewrite didn’t get much traction?yes.

Do I still want to talk about it?absolutely.

So here’s Demeter,Hecate,and Hermes.

Also the au is now named “Persie’s little punishment”

Demeter:

Last post I said that perse and Plutus were twins.that has changed and plutus is now older than Persephone,with her having a somewhat re-written version of her original birth.

Long story short:

Asphodels(along with other flowers associated with death) cannot make flowers nymphs,however,one day Demeter realized that there was some life inside of the asphodels(to be exact,a 1000th of life),sitting lightly and waiting to be harvested.

For years she carefully replanted the asphodels in her garden,until she finally had all 1000 of the special asphodels,doing a ritual to create a flower nymph out of these to finally create the life inside the flowers.

But this wasn’t a flower nymph,no,it was a goddess.

And that’s how Persephone,goddess of the flora,was made!

As said last post,her flower symbolism is the day lily,because of their association and also because I saw on Wikipedia that they were linked with asphodels.

She raised Persephone to be as hard working as Can be,to the point where by the time of the AoW she’s basically as much of a businesswoman as her mother.

She doesn’t know about the AoW,or the community service due to Erie snatching the letter where perse explained everything.

The pin she gave Persephone was NOT worthless(at least not to perse).

Almost never goes to Olympus due to all the crap that happens up there.

A year after perse first joins the underworld staff for the community service,Demeter storms through the door,demanding to see her daughter.

After a quick explanation,perse realizes that that due to eating six pomegranate seeds,she needs to stay there half the year,leading to the agreement with hades and Demeter.(she would have done something like this either way due to the fact shes basically become a pillar of the underworld during her time there,even though the other pillars could hold their own)

It’s an easy agreement,during the summer there are almost no deaths compared to winter,where they have perse to help.

And so become the seasons,with Persephone and hades marrying,Demeter getting to see her daughter half the year,and underworld corp. having perse,hades opening up to his family after leuce,and everyone having a good agreement,it’s a win win.

Hécate:

Perse best friend in the underworld.

Doesn’t really do much in the underworld other than hang around and occasionally help with stuff.

The only person who wasn’t at least skeptical of perse when she first joined.

Can sense Peres’s connection to asphodels.

In this au,Elysium already exist and perse creates asphodel instead.

She,Thanatos,and Hermes are the main people helping.

Their plan ends up succeeding and asphodel is now an oficial part of the underworld,Persephone actually saying that it was hades idea instead of hers,and he was just too busy to help them.

Then queue perse and hades fighting on who should get the most credit:hades wants Persephone to take all of it while she wants hades to have a better rep amongst shades.

Hécate is much,much,much older than both hades and Persephone.(if only she acted it)

she ends up as one of the most hardworking employees due to Persephone’s influence,using her magic to fasten everything.

Her flowers are cow parsley.

Hermes:

He was originally hired to pick up any slack the keres and Thanatos left,but Hermes being Hermes ended up the most productive of the death guys/gals.

Idk what his flower is gonna be.

The only one who can keep up with the work ethic Hermes set is perse,so they become friends.

He’s pretty overworked and gets burned out fairly often,and in those cases he goes to the underworld because he knows people in Olympus won’t notice/care.

Has a somewhat strained relationship with hades after the death of leuce.

His family at Olympus don’t respect his job as a psychopomp.

May or may not have a little thing for Thanatos.

Gets injured on the job pretty often but knows how to lie the pain away,otherwise his productivity would be cut in half and people would be mad their stuff wouldn’t be delivered right away,so he just ignores how much some injuries hurt so that he can do his job.(the only one who actually notices is Demeter because she’s amazing,routinely pointing out the injuries on his body,but he always manages to slip away before she can question him too much)

On the note of Olympus,I feel like it’s a very “everyone is disfuncional in their own right” thing.idk I’ll elaborate more on it if I make a post on the rest of the olympians.

[suzannahnatters]

Flash Fic: The Gardens of Hades

The gardens of Hades are barren when I come.

He snatches me from the sunlit lands and carries me to the underworld, a dark chasm lit only by the distant flames of Tartarus. His house is of black marble, and as he drags me through the shadowed halls, I try to empty my mind of everything but this moment.

I know the stories. I know that the gods have cruel desires.

Instead, he opens the door to a walled garden. A black pool glitters at the centre. Naked sticks rattle in the earth, but nothing lives here.

“This is yours, Lady Persephone,” he says.

Then he leaves.

.

I’m just glad Hades leaves me alone, so I don’t ask questions. I infuse the pool with light and call grass and asphodel from the dead soil.

When he visits again, he comes with a gift.

“I have brought you a servant.” A veiled shade follows him into the garden.

I wonder if he wants me to thank him for giving me a slave when I once had friends, a desert when I once had flowers.

I wonder why he took me.

Hades inspects a young shrub. “What’s this?”

“A pomegranate,” I say.

For a moment, I think he’s going to speak. Then he swallows the impulse and leaves.

.

On the day my pomegranate tree blooms, I find the shade sitting beneath the tree wiping her eyes with her veil. She says her first word: Springtime.

Little by little, she remembers how to speak. She talks about finishing this garden and moving on, the underworld blooming under my touch.

She doesn’t remember her name, so I call her Lethe.

.

My pomegranate tree bears fruit, but as I peel it open Lethe grabs my wrist. “If you eat, you will become a creature of his realm.”

I hurl the fruit at the wall.

.

It’s only a matter of time till my mother finds me.

Hades keeps sending gifts: servants, seeds, pruning-hooks and shovels. As the garden fills with life, so do the shades. The third time he visits, he dismisses the servants and looks at me with tired eyes. I wonder if he is always this sad.

“Your mother grieves without hope. Crops and men die, and no one sacrifices to the gods.” He sighs. “I am to send you back.”

Back to the home he took from me. Back to mother and wind and sunlight, but first I have one question.

“Why did you take me?” I spit.

He is the lord of the dead. He cannot sugar his words, as other gods might. “I need you,” he admits.

I think of Lethe, and to my surprise, I understand. I am springtime, but he is pain. No wonder the dead suffer, if that is all he can give them.

Before he can stop me, I rip open a pomegranate, and the juice is sour on my tongue.

The gardens of Hades are barren when I come.

But where I tread, they bloom. ---- I wrote this flash fic for the Pilgrim Artists' Festival, a small Christian festival of art, music, and words which runs every year in Tasmania's Huon Valley. The theme for the 2019 festival was "Grief and Hope", and I at once thought of Dorothy Sayers' poem, Rex Doloris, which imagines Hades as the King of Grief. This is the 500-word short story that resulted. I'd been looking for a way of retelling the story for nearly as long as I can remember, and this ficlet is the first step in that process. I can promise you that it won't be the last.

The 2023 Pilgrim Artists' Festival is now open for submissions of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, art, and music from Christian, Nicene-Creed-affirming artists, including children and adults, anywhere in the world. This year's prompt is "Beauty in the Everyday" and there is a 500 word limit on literary entries. There are also dozens of prizes available - check them out and submit here.

[al0v3w1tch]

⁺‧₊˚ ཐི⋆♱⋆ཋྀ ˚₊‧⁺ Lord Hades… Today is Lord Hades’ worship day, so I want to share information about him in honor of Him. 𖤐 Who is Hades? Hades is the oldest son of the Titans Cronus and Rhea, God of the dead, hidden wealth of the Earth, and King of the Underworld; He is widely known to have been the protector of funerals and defended the rights of the dead due to their burial. His most famous myths are the abduction of his wife, Persephone, and Him being consumed by his father alongside His other four siblings. 𖤐 Mythology. After being consumed by His father and then saved by His brother, Zeus, Hades fought alongside His siblings to take Cronus down as well as the other Titans; when they received victory, Zeus ruled over the other Gods, Poseidon ruled the sea and Hades ruled over the dead; He named His domain after Himself and has Charon transport the dead to the Underworld as long as they leave a coin offering for the ferryman. After a while of ruling the Underworld, Hades became desperate for a wife and went to his brother Zeus to ask for His consent to marry His and Demeter’s daughter, Persephone. When given the right, Hades visited Persephone in the Overworld and abducted her while she was gathering flowers in a field; after Her abduction, Her mother, Demeter, searched far for Her daughter, and with the help of the sun God, Helios, Demeter had found out where Her daughter was kept. When she confronted Zeus about the ordeal, He sent the messenger God, Hermes, down to the Underworld to talk to Hades about letting Persephone go free. The God agreed but before Persephone left, Hades had snuck pomegranate seeds into the Goddesses mouth, due to this; Hades and Demeter made a pact of Persephone would be in the Overworld with her mother for half the year and then be with her husband for the rest. Hades also had involvement with the Greek heroes Theseus and Pirithous who are known for kidnapping Helen of Troy when she was only twelve as the duo wanted to marry the daughters of Zeus. After Helen’s kidnapping, Pirithous decided he wanted to marry Persephone so they traveled to the Underworld to try and pursue the Goddess; when Hades found out about their plan, He welcomed them in with gentle hospitality but when the two tried to leave their seats, they were stuck down to them by coils of serpents. They were trapped in the Underworld until Heracles attempted to save them, he only succeeded with Theseus as when he tried to save Pirithous, the ground shook under them so Theseus and Heracles had to leave the man behind. 𖤐 Symbols, Offerings, and Altar. Symbols: - Dogs (Cerberus), black lambs, serpents, and screech owls. - Precious jewels, money, and minerals. - Cypress, white asphodel, mint, and narcissus. - Drinking horn. - Scepter. - Key. - Helm of Darkness. - Black, grey, silver, and gold colours. - Nighttime. - Autumn and Winter. - Cemeteries, crossroads, forests, and caves. Offerings: - Coins. - Stones (Dark, jagged stones work). - Alcohol (Wine specifically). - Honey. - Milk or Water. - Tobacco. - Herbs: cypress, mint, myrrh, patchouli, bay, pumpkin, yew, wormwood, cinnamon, lavender, willow, oak. - Flowers: marigold, dandelion, rose, lily, daisies, rowan, poppy, daffodils, calendulas. - Oils (Olive oils and kinds of vinegar work). - Salts and spices. - Shells or bones. - Tea (Black). - Breads or cakes. - Fruits (apples and pomegranates). - Meat (especially Lamb). - Incenses: frankincense, myrrh, wormwood, sandalwood, cinnamon, rose, pomegranate. - Black, grey, and silver candles.

𖤐 Prayers. -Great Hades, master of the dark afterworld, Honored host of our beloved dead, Husband of fair-haired Persephone, Holder of riches of the deep earth, Eldest son of full-hearted Rhea and Cronus of the shining sickle,

I praise you. Hades, kind one, unyielding one, gracious granter of respite to the suffering, Of welcome who have passed from our world, I thank you for your gift of shelter and hospitality. -Great-hearted Hades, Lord of the Afterworld, Noble husband of gracious Persephone, daughter of the earth who shares your golden throne; Advocate of the dead whose wrath falls on those who deny them due burial, or whose dishonor endures beyond the grave.

Relentless Hades, agent of vengeance, friend of the Furies, long is your arm, long your memory.

Lord of riches, lord of wealth, Yours is the abundance of the depths, the cold, unyielding treasure of metal and stone; Yours is the black dirt turned by the plow each spring, the sun-warmed soil that hides the seed.

Hades, dark-haired son of Kronos, ruler of the world beyond us, inevitable host of men and women, I thank you for your care of those who have passed; I praise you, I honor you, I revere your name. -(Can be used with prayer beads). 

Hades, great of glory, great of might,

I pray to you.

Ruler of your full share of the world,

I pray to you, O God.

Holder of indescribable wealth,

I pray to you, O God.

Lord of all who have walked this earth,

I pray to you, O God.

Yours are the riches beneath solid stone,

I pray to you, O God.

Yours is the gift of prosperity,

I pray to you, O God.

Yours is the hall that holds all we have loved,

I pray to you, O God.

Granter of fortune to those who live,

I pray to you, O God.

Giver of peace to those who have passed,

I pray to you, O God.

May I find the good your blessings bring,

I pray to you, O God.

May I see your hand within the world,

I pray to you, O God.

May I know your favor, hear your call,

I pray to you, O God.

May I honor your art and praise your works,

I pray to you, O God.

Hades, great of glory, great of might,

I pray to you. 𖤐 Blessed be.  

[winns-stuff]

Hi,hello! Not sure if you remember me, but I'd submitted some asks and brought up discussion topics in this blog way back then! I'm back from the dead after an exasperatingly long school year and some other daunting crap!Hope you're doing fantastic!🧡❤️💜💖

I saw that thread of beyonce's beautiful pink gown and thought about how I would've designed a dress for persephone's wedding . I did some digging and found a drawing I'd painted earlier this year inspired by lore olympus and RS's long- discontinued gothic-neovictorian comic "the doctor foxglove show".

The flowers are asphodels to represent persephone and I feel like the gothic traditional regal vibe would fit her nicely.

I also have other ideas that unfortunately I'm not gonna translate into drawings anytime soon 'cause of a bunch of other stuff I'm busy with

So I'm afraid you're gonna have to use your imagination.The wedding dress doesn't have to be white( how they made demeter "force" perse's dress to be white to further antagonize her and STILL ended up drawing persephone in a white dress anyway is still beyond me tbh )her symbols could beautifully be incorporated into her dress .

Exhibit 1:a "portrait of madame x" black outfit with a bat wing-like two part cape(her sacred animal:bat) that is bejeweled with black pearls and diamonds and smokey quartz ,the tiara in that portrait is a reference to diana the roman goddess of the hunt AKA artemis,so it could be a nice tribute to her friendship with artemis in the comic .

exhibit 2: a fully bejeweled gown made out of her symbolic gem stones:Lepidolite, Rhodochrosite and Smoky Quartz, signifying her marriage to the god of wealth(I know she's meant to be anti -capitalist but the comic doesn't follow through with it so ...)the sleeves or other parts (like dress layers)could take the shape of the flower petals of asphodel or Narcissus. Maybe a jewel faux- lily crown too. Along with rubies and spinels to form the shape of pomegranates all over the whole fit.

Exhibit 3:an elegant coat-like dress made out of deer (her own sacred animal)and black ram (hades')and fur . It would be a good nod to the fur coat hades gifted her in S1 and the underworld is cold too so why not(holy ginger snaps I just realized how impractical her official queen outfit is! Like we've been told in that episoide that underworld is cold and yet persephone's dress is sleeveless!girlie's freezing!) Also pearl/alabaster-made faux deer horns could be sprouting from her back like wings

Exhibit 4:a feathery dress as a tribute to her sacred animal:parrots most of the dress could be a nice shade of green with some red and yellow feathers which would be common colors for a parrot and also the color of the bridal dresses for ancient greek and roman noblewomen .

Exhibit 5:Like I said red and yellow /gold were bridal dress colours for greeks and romans,what other things are red and yellow?!wheats and tulips! Demeter's symbols!this could've very well been a sweet tribute from daughter to mother ! Imagine a multi -layered flower gown with deep scarlet and black petal-shaped fabrics to look like tulips and a multi-layered veil to match!!! And then imagine golden embroidered threads in the shape of wheat branches and golden wheat shaped necklace and earrings too! And an emerald ,olivine and topaz choker in the shape of a gecko(demeter's sacred animal)

Of course one could also go ham and just combine all these ideas together and make a maximalistic, artsy,chaoticly gorgeous outfit.I personally like it because it could be a symbol of how playful and fun spring is but also how unpredictable and strange death is!I feel like if rachel took her time and didn't rush things she could give us something extraordinary!!!!!!

As always I hope this ask finds you in good health! Bye bye🌹☘️💖💜🎀💚🌺🌸❤️💕🧡👋🏻👋🏻👋🏻👋🏻👋🏻👋🏻

I remember you! I’m so glad to have you back! Your design is so beautiful by the way and honestly it’s very easy on the eyes too! I could see Persephone wearing something like that and also I’m honestly gushing about all of your exhibits because they’re so sweet and I absolutely love the detail you put in them. The tributes would’ve made the dress not only memorable but also very impactful to her character since Persephone was always supposed to be a more family oriented person (at least in season one when was characterized to be most comfortable with physical touch and around people) and it really would’ve showed us how strong her relationships have become over the past seasons, her friends are really just accessories at this point and they’re only brought up when it’s convenient. Hell even some signifying detail about Hades’ details would’ve been romantic like if they both wore parts of each other’s sacred animals or something like you incorporated, Hades never wears anything to represent Persephone and yet Persephone is supposed to be the one wearing dark colors now it’s just so one sided honestly.

But enough rambling, this was honestly such a sweet ask and I absolutely loved going through all of your ideas! They were genuinely so sweet and I hope everything is going great for you! <3

[sea-owl]

Spring's Rebirth Chapter 13: Gladiolus

AO3: Link

Penelope woke the next day to see her husband holding her crown in one hand and a pomegranate seed in the other. Squishing the seed between his fingers the juices dripped down one the rubies, turning them darker in color until they matched the pomegranate seeds.

He turned to her with a smile. "I think I'll call them garnets."

He handed her the crown. Penelope smiled at the jewels. “They’re beautiful.”

Colin wrapped his arms around her from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder. Penelope leaned into him. They sat in comfortable silence before Colin tightened his hold on Penelope.

“You ate something from the Underworld.”

Penelope nodded, now reaching for her pomegranate. “I did.”

“And you didn’t put any protection spells on it for cross court consumption.”

“I didn’t.”

Colin kissed her shoulder. “So you’re staying?”

Penelope sighed. “I don’t think I can.”

“But you-!”

Penelope turned and faced Colin. “My dear husband, I have a plan that I believe will satisfy everyone.”

Colin gave Penelope a soft kiss. “I’m listening.”

As Penelope explained her plan Colin found himself grinning at his brilliant wife. He really couldn’t ask for anyone better.

When they finally emerged Colin had on his dark robes with gold details embroidered around the edges, crown resting on his head. Penelope’s dress was a light jade green, jewel flowers sewed in around the belt of her dress. Her loose red curls held back by her poppy hair pin and her crown on her head.

They both gave each other a quick hand squeeze before joining the others in the dinning room. Francesca's and Phillip's eyes widened at the crown on Penelope's head. Felicity scooted closer to her sister.

"So you plan to stay?" Felicity asked.

Penelope took a bite of the breakfast in front of her. "Not exactly."

The Underworld looked different now, more like what Penelope used to see in her visions. The wheat fields in the Field of Punishment grew high, some souls disappearing in it all together. The perfume of flowers from the Asphodel Meadows drifted through the air. Meanwhile you could hear the laughter from Elysium as souls climbed the fruit covered trees. Even the Trail of Poppies glowed brighter now as the group led by Phillip made their way out of the Underworld.

Penelope felt pride at being able to help bring back life to the Underworld. Now she only hopes she can do the same for the world above.

There was a sense of deja vu for Penelope when she finally saw the mortal world and what her mother's wrath has done to it. It almost felt like she was seeing the Underworld for the first time again.

Colin squeezed Penelope's hand. "You can do this."

Penelope took a deep breathe. "I can do this."

Penelope took her first step back into the mortal world, and the grass under her feat turned green.

-

Portia's head snapped up. Something had just grew on the land. It didn't come her either. Actually this energy felt like . . .

Portia gasped. "Penelope."

The agriculture goddess smiled. Oh her baby, it will be over soon. Portia will see her missing daughter soon and then take her away from that chaos damned kidnapper.

She must hurry to Mount Aubrey.

-

It took every ounce of strength Penelope had. not to shrink in on herself once they reached Mount Aubrey. Every member of the Court of Heaven and the Court of Earth were in attendance. The Bridgertons besides the two beside her were of course sitting on their thrones and the part that made Penelope want to shrink in the most was her mother standing besides the thrones, glaring at the High King of the Gods.

The Court of the Underworld took their own seats. Francesca went to her throne. Phillip and Felicity gave Penelope a smile before sitting down themselves. Phillip with their friends, and Felicity with their sisters. Colin stood by Penelope as they made their greetings.

"Ah," Anthony said. "The King and Queen of the Underworld have finally joined us."

Portia rolled her eyes. "You mean your brother finally returned my daughter."

"Mama," Penelope whispered.

Portia pulled Penelope into a quick hug before looking her over for injuries. "Are you alright? That brute didn't hurt you did he?"

Penelope lifted her hands. "No Mama, I am fine. More than fine really."

Portia froze. “Penelope what is that? Where did you get that?” Portia whispered.

Penelope smiled down at her pomegranate that she brought with her. “It's a pomegranate Mama. I grew it while I was in the Underworld.”

Portia rushed towards her daughter, grabbing the sides of her arms. “Tell me you didn’t eat from it you foolish girl! Not without putting cross consumption spells on it! Tell me you didn’t!”

Penelope stared into her mother’s eyes. Her voice loud and clear as she declared, “I ate it straight from the tree, six seeds.”

The room tensed. hushed whispers broke out. Penelope could see the other two kings looking at one another while the other siblings glanced from Colin, who still remained by Penelope's side, to Portia. She could imagine her friends and sisters were whispering questions to Phillip and Felicity.

Portia turned her glare onto Colin. “You tricked my daughter!” She spat in disgust.

Colin glared back at the agriculture goddess. "I did no such thing! I love her! Penelope willingly ate the seeds on her own! And do you really think I could ever trick Penelope? She is too smart for that! It's not like you don't even know your own daughter!"

"I love my daughter!" Portia yelled.

"But you do not know her!"

"I know her well enough to know she would never willingly eat food from another court!"

"But I did," Penelope said, interrupting their argument. "I willingly ate six seeds."

Portia looked at Penelope, hurt written on her face. "Penelope?"

"I willingly ate six seeds," Penelope repeated. "Therefore I am willing to spend six months of the year in the Underworld and then six months in the mortal one. Do you approve of this deal Mama?"

Portia gently took her daughter's hand that was still holding the pomegranate. "Is this what you want?"

Penelope nodded. "I love him Mama, and I finally feel like a goddess in my own right when I'm in the Underworld."

Portia sighed. "I accept the deal."

The room exploded with noise. Penelope felt herself being asked questions left and right from her friends, her family and her new in-laws. Colin stayed by her side, entwining their hands. The two spouses smiled at one another.

"So," Michael said, plucking the pomegranate from Penelope's hand. "I made a vow to make wedding wine for each of my friends when they finally got married. You think this would make good wine? And when can we expect a wedding? Can't have wedding wine without a wedding."

Penelope burst out laughing. "Will six months do?"

[senatushq]

Pluto

NAME/ALIASES. UTP AGE & BIRTH DATE. Prehistoric & Unknown SPECIES. Aspect GENDER & PRONOUNS. Male & He/Him or He/They AFFILIATIONS. UTP OCCUPATION. UTP

History

Of all the Outer Gods, Nyarlathotep was the most feared, it was said that where he went, rest vanished, for the small hours were rent with the screams of nightmare. This creature was Pluto’s father. Divine sovereign of a realm beyond even the stretch of Hyperborea, hidden from the prying eyes of Elysia, Rhylkos was the result of a land fallen to consumption. Decay that eroded the foundation beneath it, war torn and chaotic, Pluto and his siblings fled through the Otherworld to escape the clutches of their father. With Titania’s blessing, they settled within the mortal realm sometime after the fall of Eden. Creatures of unknown form and shape, when Pluto entered the mortal realm alongside his siblings he was suddenly possessed by an insatiable thirst. Divinity flowed through the veins of mortals, however faint, breathed to life by the magic of Queen Titania and Ulthar. It was this that Pluto craved most of all, from the moment blood touched his tongue, he was forever changed. He took the form of the first man that he bit into, teeth breaking skin as the original vampire was truly born. Whatever name he’d carried in his youth fell away, traded for titles and epithets that the mortals settled upon his and his siblings' shoulders. Sometimes Hades, sometimes Osiris, the Romans called him Pluto and that was the last name that he kept. 

While his siblings contested for how to best fit into the mortal realm, Pluto only desired peace and solitude. He was among the first to retreat after the monarchy of vampires was established, the magisterium who would tend to his bloodline and keep the grief from his heart. Millennia of rule had made the original vampire grow tired, despair and the knowledge that someday this realm would suffer the same fate as so many others. To the Otherworld he wandered and it was there that he met the dark specter of the true Goddess of Death. A queen whose crown had been stolen from her, Tiamat to some, Persephone to others, but she would always be Kore to him. Through the realm that ran in between she led him to the place where she’d fallen, to a field of flowers that had the power of pharmakis, within the grove stood a lone tree that bore a single fruit. A pomegranate possessed what remained of the goddess’ soul, a hidden Uthenera that was doomed to fade. Pluto brought the seeds to his tongue and he swallowed, he carried with him what remained of death until he could find a vessel strong enough to hold her. Future queen of the dead, of the vampires, and he would be the king that would shepherd their kind into a new age.

Connections

Lilith: With Persephone’s soul in his chest, Pluto slipped into the Asphodel meadows, undetected, and led Lilith by the hands as he shepherded her from her prison. 

Pythia: A word whispered in the shell of a few ears, Pluto carried Pythia’s first invocation into the hearts of they who would form their first pact - liberating the greater demon from their cage. 

Nettelia: Pluto watched, unseen, as Nettelia stripped flesh into pages - the fractured soul inside of him whispering to her Persephone’s secrets while she toiled over the bodies of so many. 

Abilities

Immortal: Undying and will heal regeneratively, Pluto will never age as a result. 

Hidden: Able to turn completely undetectable, Pluto can hide his presence from all methods of detection, even from that of his own bloodline. 

Vampiric: Unbeatable strength, speed and reflexes.

Pluto: Can transform into swarms of birds, vermin, and insects, as well as control them with his mind. 

Weaknesses

Vessel: However durable, Pluto, like all original vampires possesses a body in order to hold a physical presence in the mortal realm. If destroyed, he will need to find another host. 

Otherworldly: If pierced through the heart by a stake made from a tree grown in the Otherworld, Pluto will immediately petrify and turn to stone until the stake is removed.

Pomegranates: Pluto is incapable of harming reapers or any followers of Persephone. 

Invitation: As a vampire Pluto must ask permission to enter anyone’s place of residence.

Blood: Pluto must feed in order to live, if he does not then he will slowly starve and turn feral, if he still does not feed then he will desiccate just like any other vampire before petrifying.

THIS SKELETON IS CURRENTLY CLOSED.

[merryfortune]

when the god of spring met the god of the underworld

Written for @respectfulshipweek2023

Day 6. Tragedy | Happily Ever After

Title: when the god of spring met the god of the underworld

Ship: Respectfulshipping | Ryoken/Spectre

Fandom: Yu-Gi-Oh! Vrains

Rating: T

Word Count: 2,849

Tags: Alternate Universe - Hades & Persephone, Kidnapping, Forced Relationships

   Spectre, the God of the Underworld, had always adored flowers.

   Their soft petals, the gentle fragrance from their centres, the colours of them all, the language that they spoke in prettiness and frailty.

   It was all so beautiful and all so for naught. A flower plucked was a flower killed. The flowers of the afterlife he knew, his dominion, were dried and decrepit, grey and suffering, so terrible, like that. Spectre wished sorely that he could have flowers as keepsakes of the living but alas. He could only keep that which was dead, had already passed on.

   His home, the Underworld, was grim. Dark. Lit only by the outskirts of where the departed souls of the heroes and heroines of the world, where they celebrated on nectar and music, surrounded by golden asphodel, their trials and tribulations now rewarded to eternal paradise but paradise was not a halidom that Spectre was invited to. All else of the Underworld, the perimeters in which Spectre haunted, the souls of the mistreated and unfortunate, the ones who had lived ordinary lives or lives of tragedies, was grey. The surroundings that he knew were atrocities of cruel mundanity, drained of colour, of life in all its glory.

   The lone exception, however, was a scrawny tree with charred bark which, once a year, bore exactly one fruit: a lopsided pomegranate that rotted quicker than it grew. It was just one tree but Spectre cherished it as it was the only thing in his garden for him to admire but he craved more. He wanted to love more.

   So, with this knowledge, in one of the God of the Underworld’s fleeting trips to the human world, to that of Earth, where it was green and blue, lush with water and fertile grounds, it made all sense that he would fall in love with the spring God of Flowers when they met. Just in brief. 

   The human world was so bright, so full of sunshine, and the celestial nature of spring God of Flowers, made even more effervescent in these conditions. The balmy breeze, the pale azure of the sky, the fluffy white clouds. Spectre held his breath as the God smiled politely at him, his eyes crystal blue and crinkling at the edge in his expression.

   That was all there was to their meeting. A greeting, a hello, and that was all. Hardly a name exchanged. Though, as divine beings, of course they knew each other vaguely as part of the pantheon but as deities of death and life, they had little to do with one another.

   But Spectre endeavoured to change that. 

   His heart - his soul, the very ichor of his being - pounded. Throbbed. He was enamoured, he was in love. Every time he closed his eyes, the lights of the back of his eyelids formed flowers that bobbed carefree in the breeze and he imagined the God of Spring at play. How he weaved flowers into crowns and wreaths, coaxing them to grow taller, brighter, healthier, and generally enjoyed the bliss afforded of being the patron of such wonderful things.

   Spectre wanted the hand of Ryoken, the God of Spring, in marriage. That was, he decided, his endeavour. 

   After his trip, the march of war in elsewhere had called and so, Spectre had to shepherd the dead who had died before their time to the Underworld, he returned home but did not retire. He searched high and low through his dominion for the materials that he would need and through his own merit, he created a ring for Ryoken to wear and a contract of marriage.

   Spectre crafted a ring engraved with flowers, little tiny flowerheads and leaves in a criss-crossing pattern, made of the loveliest silver that he could find and, in his mind, he crafted vows. Vows that would be forever and always, all eternity, no escape. It would be just them and it would be wonderful.

   He looked forward to it and so, as soon as the ring was done and as soon as he had his own words etched into his heart, Spectre ascended into the human realm once more. He took his chariot and he rode forth in the thunderous echo of the skeletal horses that he commanded.

   The earth opened up from his below and Spectre’s eyes feasted on the blue skies that were revealed through that crack. Hellfire licked at his heels and he grinned. He beamed. He breathed in the fresh air of the human realm and it was perfumed with all the scents of flowers, within metres of the crack that had opened up at his will, surrounded by bountiful gardens, the God of Spring sat, composing poems and crowns of flowers.

   “You are coming with me, beloved.” Spectre growled with a grand sweep of his arm.

   He scooped up Ryoken and he stole him from where he had sat then together, they descended into the Underworld.

   Ryoken shrieked and screamed, thrashed against Spectre’s arm but he remained firm. Hopeful. He chose to believe those screams were screams of joy. Delight. He grinned, mad, he had all expectations of something wonderful. Of light finally existing, in purity and love, in his domain and he wasn’t entirely wrong.

   When Spectre and Ryoken arrived, Spectre was quick to get them both inside the foyer of his grandiose home, made of clay and bone. It was there that he proposed.  He forced the ring onto Ryoken’s finger and when Ryoken couldn’t remove it, his expression turned harrowed. Spectre’s heart, of course, fluttered because he thought this would be the beginning of something so completely and utterly beautiful. His marital life, especially. It was there he was entirely wrong in his hopes and expectations.

   In the depths of the Underworld, where it was dark and gloomy, Ryoken’s celestial nature kept it alight. His divine nature as associated with nature, too, wherever he lingered, flowers grew and that was all what Spectre wanted. To have someone who brought light and beauty to his realm but the marital bliss itself… Well, that left a lot to be desired.

   Ryoken complained, he whinged and he whined. He wanted to go home, or else his Father was going to be cross with them both and already, they could sense that there was a divine disturbance about to unleash. Famines, natural disasters. Ryoken’s Father was a very powerful progenitor God of the World, its food and its harvests, the weather and its temperatures. 

    But Spectre did his best to placate Ryoken, of course. Mostly in the hope that if he could appease Ryoken, then perhaps that might mitigate the damages but above all. He wanted his lover to be happy, truly and genuinely happy and with him, especially, but it was difficult. Very difficult. 

   All he could think of typically turned out for naught as Ryoken refused his gifts, his banquets and his feasts, his company more often than not and when he couldn’t evade Spectre, he made sure to be as disagreeable as possible. Slowly, Spectre quietened. He had what he wanted in material but not in actuality.

   But still.

   Ryoken’s presence was a boon to the Underworld. Spectre had never been happier. There was finally life in this scourge of death of misery. He was all but over the moon but as he ran out of ideas to dote on Ryoken, who very much did not want to be doted on by his kidnapper, Spectre faded. He gave Ryoken space. He wanted so badly to hold on tight but perhaps the adage was true.

   If you love something, let it free.

   Until then, until Spectre made up his mind and until calamity had truly spilt forth, in the human world especially, he would keep Ryoken - and he would keep the flowers that he grew just by standing still. He collected the flowers - the narcissus, especially, as their golden colour enamoured Spectre - that Ryoken caused and Ryoken took notice of how Spectre gardened from his divinity.

   That… confused him.

   Spectre treated these flowers with care, even though as much as his touch, just the caress of his finger, was enough to ruin them but he tried so hard. He kept them in vases, with the freshest water that he could find in the Underworld. He talked to them, as though they could talk back.

   Spectre was aware that Ryoken was watching him. No doubt thinking him strange but he didn’t mind. Especially when watching turned to asking him a question.

   “Why do you like flowers so much?” Ryoken asked and with a touch of his own, he revitalised a flower in a vase that had long since passed away - not doubt because of Spectre’s brown thumb but it wasn’t his fault. He was the God of the Underworld, who would choose that?

   “Because I think they’re beautiful.” Spectre replied, his tone of voice simple. A shrug followed.

   It wasn’t the answer that Ryoken appeared to want. Spectre could see the disappointment in his face but his guarded facade, it did come loose. He didn’t hold himself, his arms folded in front of them.

   “Well, I’ll make sure they’re healthy for you then.” Ryoken murmured.

   “Thank you, I would appreciate it.” Spectre replied and his lips twitched. “But, um, there’s more to it. I have a memory from before I was a god…”

   Ryoken’s attention was piqued. He tilted his head just slightly and his wary eyes honed in on Spectre whose demeanour was sheepish. He was feared, a scary god of horrible things, to speak of a time from before he was any of that, that was vulnerable for him. His heart raced as he remembered that brief time before death was a concept.

   “I remember there being a field of flowers and there was someone there. We were just children but we had fun playing. I think that was the last time I felt joy before I… died.” Spectre confessed.

   Ryoken’s eyes went wide, “And those flowers… were they blue?”

   “Yes, they were. How did you know?” Spectre asked, something of a laugh to his voice.

   Before there was death, there was life. It made sense to Ryoken but he didn’t elaborate for Spectre but Spectre didn’t mind as after this conversation, they seemed to have an understanding. Their married life improved, somewhat.

   Ryoken didn’t mind being in the same room as Spectre, he didn’t mind being given clothes in the colours of the Underworld’s emblems and insignias, their heralds, too. He still wouldn’t eat though, of course, and no longer did he tug at his ring, either, in an attempt to remove it.

   It… It was pleasant.

   They both liked it well enough. The domesticity between them was still uneasy but they were able to chat now, about the small things, even if they were externally miserable, they tried to find something small. Something happy to share between themselves. It wasn’t love, for Ryoken at least, but it was amiable and much closer to what Spectre had envisioned when he had crafted his ring for Ryoken and hatched the plot to take him.

   However, it seemed, this period which was like a calm at sea, was not to last as Ryoken’s Father - Kiyoshi, God of the World - had found where his son had been taken.

   The ceiling of the Underworld split open and light from on high came down in huge, piercingly bright shafts. Kiyoshi descended and his aged face was gnarled in a grimace of the utmost furor. 

   Spectre and Ryoken both came outside, by the pomegranate tree which had not yet been touched by Ryoken’s divinity, and they quaked at the sight of the King of All Gods in his ferocity. Where he walked, the rocky ground burned, melted, and the look in his cold eyes was viscous.

   “What is the meaning of this, Spectre?” Kiyoshi growled. “You dare steal my son from under my nose? Kill him?”

   “I have done no such thing.” Spectre replied but it was obvious to both Kiyoshi and Ryoken that he was terrified to have upset Kiyoshi. “I love him, so I married him, and now, he lives with me, his husband, per the tradition that is marriage.”

   “You stole him, you did not marry him.” Kiyoshi growled.

   Spectre was silenced by that, he cowered like a dog with its tail between its legs. That was true. He didn’t want to think it was true, but it was. Those were his actions, even if he clad them in his romantic beliefs of eloping, that was the stern, hard truth.

   “I have not eaten this world’s food, Father.” Ryoken said. His voice was steady. Firm. His words took Kiyoshi by surprise, he had been expecting the worst. “At least not until now.”

   Ryoken snatched the lone pomegranate that grew on the frail branches of Spectre’s beloved tree. He was quick to crush it between his fingers and quickly ate what he could of it. Spectre yelped, begged Ryoken to reconsider. His Father was right. He did not belong to him, nor this world. He should go, he should be released but Ryoken was determined.

   His Father snatched him, however, tried to stop him from eating the pomegranate’s seeds, choking them out of his mouth by crushing his throat. Spectre, not wanting to be helpless, tried to remove Kiyoshi’s hand from his son’s throat but his grip was like iron.

   Even so. Ryoken smirked. Six seeds. That was more than what he needed.

   “What have you done?” Kiyoshi snarled as he let go.

   “Why?” Spectre asked, his hands shook, there were tears in his eyes.

   “Because I think this place is beautiful.” Ryoken said. 

   Spectre’s heart thudded in his chest. What… What did Ryoken mean by that? His own words an odd taste in his mouth as that was what he described the flowers like.

   “Yes, it is true Spectre took me from you, he forced me to marry him but I want to stay, I’ve decided because he is - was - my first love.” Ryoken said and he took Spectre’s hand. “He was that human child I played with in the days of yore, before the worlds as we knew it formed, before the humans stole fire and before anyone could die. He thinks flowers are beautiful even now and I’m glad.”

   Spectre smiled, he smiled like a madman, giddy with disbelief but that memory he had revealed to Ryoken, it became more clear in his mind. That child, he looked just like, no, exactly like Ryoken. He had white and lilac hair, crystal blue eyes, and a celestial presence. Spectre had been made a god, when he was the first human to die, but Ryoken had been born on and so, that flower field, it had been special as it was Ryoken’s godly cradle. 

   Kiyoshi glared, “How many pomegranate seeds did you eat?” he asked, his voice low, irate, but willing to negotiate. Even if diplomacy had little in the ways of gods and young love.

   “Six.” Ryoken said, confidently.

   “Then this is my decree, Spectre,” Kiyoshi growled, “for six months of the year, Ryoken may remain in this Hell. For the other six, he returns to me. Understand?”

   “Understood, thank you, sir.” Spectre said, excited, and he bowed his head to Kiyoshi.

   “But I am taking Ryoken now.” Kiyoshi said and he grabbed Ryoken by his shoulder.

   Ryoken let go of Spectre’s hand and let himself be pulled back. Spectre felt his heart throb. That perhaps this was a ploy to escape once and for all but Ryoken glanced over his shoulder at his Father and then came closer to Spectre again.

   “Wait for me, I’ll be back, I promise, beloved.” Ryoken murmured and he stole a kiss from Spectre.

   The very first one either had shared in their married life at all. Spectre’s soul all but soared at the gentle brush of their lips. Ryoken brought his hand, bejewelled with the ring of their marriage, closer he kissed it as well. The shape of the jewel embedded in it, by coincidence, the shape and size of a pomegranate seed but was blue with yellow swirled through it. For the first time, Ryoken thought it looked beautiful.

   “I will. I promise.” Spectre replied, starstruck. He placed his hand over Ryoken’s in brief, his fingers trailing over the ring and his heart fluttered. 

   Ryoken returned himself to his Father’s side. He farewelled Spectre but gave him one last present. He touched the pomegranate tree and Spectre’s breath was taken away as the tree turned a much healthier colour than it was before. Its branches bloomed with verdant green leaves and pale coloured blossoms. 

   Kiyoshi, unimpressed, continued to strong-arm his son back into the realm in which he belonged but Spectre nodded, hopeful. He would wait. Six months to a god, surely that would be a blink of an eye but until then. He had such beautiful flowers to tide him over, all thanks to Ryoken. But he would wait, with bated breath for autumn, for winter, for the return of his released love.

[hopeaterart]

More from the next chapter of Xenia because it's basically one long infodump about the worldbuilding and I. Want to share it.

“-unlike what everyone on the Surface believes, prisoners of Tartarus are allowed to make appeals for their sentences.” Hades explained, Persephone nodding. He’d figured that, since Persephone was going to be staying, he might as well explain to her how he ran things. The two were sitting behind his desk, currently covered in maps and schemes of the underworld. “I don't preside over everyone's trials, and both the judges and Furies can get overzealous. If the accused can make a good case as to how they don't belong down in Tartarus, then I move them somewhere else. Most often Asphodel.” As of now, he'd just explained Tartarus’ place in the scheme of things, at least as a place.

“Do many succeed in their appeal?” Persephone asked, curious.

Hades thought for a moment. “Not really, most get a reduced sentence. Most often, the ones I allow to pass through are thieves. In the grand scheme of things, it's such a nothing offense…”

“Are they the ones who appeal the most?” She asked, tilting her head.

“No, that would be men who were cruel to those lesser than them. They don't realize that they're nothing special.” Hades told her, before rolling his eyes. “Honestly, they all bleed blood at the end of the day. And entering legend takes much more than a few fearing your name.”

Persephone nodded, thoughtful. “Are there appeals that you… can't take?”

“Blasphemy and hubris. They've angered other gods, and I can do nothing for them.” He explained. “And most murders. It isn't very often that one is able to properly justify ending another life.”

Persephone thought for a moment, rubbing her chin. “You said only bad people end up in Tartarus. Where does everyone else go?”

Hades snorted. “Not the bad people, Persephone. Just the truly awful, those who actively harm in both actions and intentions. One can be completely and utterly mediocre to the core without ever crossing that threshold. But to answer your question, most go to Asphodel.”

“Asphodel…” Persephone muttered under her breath, trying to figure out where she'd heard that word before. She then gasped, plucking one of the white flowers out of her hair. “It's those flowers! I was wondering what they were…”

Hades chuckled. “Not a lot of things can grow down here, unfortunately. Tartarus is hostile to life itself, and both Asphodel and the rock upon which my house is built aren't much better. The only thing from the surface I've been able to maintain is a pomegranate tree.”

“Oh… what other plants are able to grow, besides these flowers and your tree?” Persephone asked.

Hades hummed, tilting his head. “Unless it's gifted by one of my siblings, all wooden furniture in my house was made from either cypress or white poplar.” He started. “Mint also grows very well.”

Persephone blew air out of her mouth, exasperated. “Even in the land of the dead, Minthe holds on stronger than most…”

“Due to being a staple back on the surface, barley has also found its way down there. Somehow. A lot of souls down in Asphodel cultivate it, while waiting for what comes next.” Hades continued explaining. “As a result, most of our plant-based food comes from the Fields of Mourning and Elysium. We get meat and other things from a mix of imports from Olympus and animal sacrifices.”

Persephone frowned. “The Fields of Mourning? I thought the Underworld was made up of three sections.”

“I- it's how I first organized things when I took over Iapetus’ position, yes.” Hades started. “Tartarus for the wicked, Elysium for the favored, and Asphodel for everyone else. However, it turns out that humans are more complicated than that. When they die, they're forced to leave behind things, and they mourn for those things.” He sighed. “Some mourn much more strongly than others.”

“So, you put them in the Field while waiting for them to calm down!” Persephone finished, beaming when Hades nodded in confirmation.

“Ultimately, my goal is to ease the process of reincarnation. Souls, once dead, break down into shades, and then these shades melt down and back into the fabric of reality.” He explained. “The favored are allowed to live in eternal bliss in Elysium, the waters from the rivers diluting each other so much it goes back around to being a regular river for those barely-shades.”

“Very dangerous to mortals though, I should guess.” Persephone pipped up, the smile on her face turning amused.

“And you'd be right. Just the Styx mixing with the Lethe would result in certain death. If you add in the Archeron, Phlegethon, and Cocytus, it would instantly kill them. Wouldn't even leave a body behind, being struck down by Zeus would be less violent.” Hades answered, smiling at her amused giggle. “But my point was: souls that mourn strongly are temporarily placed in the Fields, their energy pours out of them and into the plant “life” around, and once they've properly calmed down, they're moved to Asphodel. Once there, they often pick up what they did in life, and simply go through their motions until their end arrives.”

“I see… you mentioned rivers?” Persephone then asked, tilting her head. Hades nodded in answer. “I was only aware of the Styx. What are the other four? Do they have a function?”

“Oh! Well… you already know that Charon ferries souls across the Styx. It's also through that river that souls flow back out to be reborn.” He explained. “The Lethe is essential to the reincarnation process, as it erases memories and feelings.”

Persephone gasped in realization. “It allows the souls to break down faster!”

Hades nodded in confirmation, smiling. “You get it. Animals and monsters come through here by following the banks of the Acheron, but they break down much faster than human souls. Most often before they even make it here. The Plegethon is made of liquid fire, and flows out of Tartarus. Not all souls in Tartarus are actively punished and imprisoned, I already told you that.”

Persrphone nodded. “Not all crimes are equal. What does that have to do with the… Phlegethon river?”

“Those who can't take existing in Tartarus are allowed to throw themselves in it, and disappear.” Hades explained. “To them, it's indistiguishable from lava. It also allow their souls to reenter reincarnation.”

“Oooh… What about the Cocytus?”

“That's where souls who die at sea end up.” Hades informed her. “As well as those who weren't buried properly. Funeral rites are, in fact, very important for the dead's safe arrival here. Unfortunately, we have no safety net for souls in case they're not respected.”

“Oh, that sucks…” Persephone muttered, thinking it over. “Can't Charon offer them the ride?”

“Despite how Zeus might insist, us gods do, in fact, have flaws.” Hades deadpanned. “They tend to come with our domains. You've probably noticed that water deities tend to be choleric?”

Persephone thought for moment. “... I just thought lord Poseidon had a problem.” She then blurted out.

“Oh, he does. It's ridiculous, how easy it is to set him off.” Hades confirmed. “But have you truly not noticed it? Haven't you found that water nymphs tend to be far more badly-tempered than plant nymphs?”

“Oh! Now that you mention it…” Persephone thought about it. “Wait. Queen Hera is badly-tempered, but she's not a water deity.”

“Having a bad temper isn't exclusive to water deities, it's just the most widespread flaw amongst them.” Hades explained with a laugh. "Also, Hera and Poseidon are twins. They share far more in common than one would think."

"Uh!" Persephone exclaimed in surprise, making him laugh harder.

His expression then turned more serious. “For us Chtonic deities, our most widespread flaw is greed. Charon is included in that. Unless someone pays him, he won't ferry them across the river. And unless that someone is, let's say, a small child giving him a shiny rock, he demands a coin as payment.” He explained. “And I can’t just make him ferry everyone. He's still a son of Nyx, and she adores her children. I need my relationship with her to be positive.” Him and his siblings paying her proper respect where their predecessors failed had quite literally been the deciding factor in them solidifying their power.

Persephone groaned. “I can't think of anything to solve that…”

“It's alright.” Hades reassured her. “I don't want you to fix all of our problems. The thing with Cocytus isn't urgent. Let me worry about running things, alright?”

Persephone took a deep breath. “Alright… you still haven't told me about Elysium.”

“Ah. Elysium.” Hades gasped, before rubbing his chin thoughtfully. “It's where the god's favored go. Heroes and legends, people who have made. If they request for their families to come with them, I allow it, as long as this family isn't in Tartarus. They've earned their paradise.”

Persephone hummed, thinking. “I have a request…”

“Ask it, then.”

“Could you… maybe… allow the truly virtuous into Elysium as well?” She requested, smiling. “Consider it as them earning my favor.”

Hades chuckled, before reaching out and tucking a curl behind her ear. “Truly, you are too good for this place. Your request will be taken into consideration. I do believe that's all.” He then declared, straightening in his seat and stretching his arms above his head. “Is there anything else you're wondering about?”

“Well,” Persephone started, frowning. “I was wondering about some of the people living in your house. I do believe the three judges aren't gods, and neither is the head maid or your other head of security…”

“Oh! That's because they aren't.” Hades started explaining. “With the exception of Medusa, most of the servants in my house are shades that circle in and out of Asphodel. Minos the First, Rhadamanthus and Aecus were kings who made a good name for themselves and usually reside in Elysium, so I have them judge most souls in my stead. As for Medusa and Asterion…” He sighed. “They're monsters. They can't be judged on the same standard as humans, and I found it easier to simply… not. Especially poor Asterion. So, I have them serve my house until they're ready to rejoin the cycle.” He then got out of his seat, and offered her his hand. “Now, I do believe we should go get something to eat. Are you coming?”

Persephone smiled, taking his hand. “Lead the way, O Hades.”

[libidomechanica]

D, since

Who can move the she dream thou can be better blast.     And so red, so in last the year: O punishments! But drown without, and leaves, all throw himself     frolicked upon the rushed each the holy and deem’d a parchment. While my ears, is     not lead into Yes of it. Along deign’s pavement, the loved with breeze in the breake down ankle     into him loiter behind not

in rape is fellow wondrous for in them I love!     Blindly perjury, the peaceful careless to the Governor whether turns: like to be     soon unopposition. Break so grave house, opening, that I thee to see the came by     the lady, or twining nostrils bold song, O God, but gaze, warming since—sure his friends up     each he obsequious mother steel

we would provement for the eyes: a school of crimson     scrolls of reposited; they say, soft and t is house, a purple very heart is     its own. One ceas’d, ordained Helper! But he than all items confesse fair so wan, and happy     was not much among to ere hath of frown? To slumber’d at lead, while way on; now dance     inflame by much oft beneath half turned

asphodel, and two, until the grew wilderneath     of some trees or bones: mought is festivity was great hide—nor would be its sure have most     tear hath plenty: so loudly cowers like small pleasure a brave, and ran say but as her     love. Of folly, shall when the banish’d, I will gulphed in the produces from when a     forward its duty do that was not

though some sees all for the would sees; on sent from myself     when I do ow; and the won behind. For various simplified such let me delays,     masks, and thus statue shadow’s arms, my memorate. And year! Be out of woman put     him out for the deadly mealy shepherds do, formed by hearing—sheikh help of deed was of     glooms sworn. The teeth, God be loss of flowers!

Alas, not reach other, that she sable Mistress,     nor ankles insomnia, let that once is no numerable oft I blushes.     Failing else, for an all the shall I all tree clear, and pomegranates, that, over     the wonder, never hoverings of day i’ve no echoes delighted, full of all works     a bough a Bough, will she noted bed.

[kallistcs]

"What?"

Adonis twisted around just in time for smoke to twist around his father's form, billowing up and then condensing down. A reflexive 'aww' stuck in the back of his throat right as he remembered that this very fluffy, absolutely perfect little fox was actually his father.

Who then whipped around and ran off.

"Father!" squawking, Adonis had enough presence of mind to remember his own suggestion, whistling for the hound.

He barely had the chance to give it the signal to pursue before it was off, Adonis scrambling after as they ran through the garden and along the back of the palace. Air snapped against his face, and Adonis muttered a curse for the lack of a headband - silly that such a thing had fallen out of fashion, he still used it when he went hunting or running. But he hadn't planned to, right now, and so his curls, even if they weren't long kept threatening to blind him.

The dark walls of the palace to the once side, rushing past at their speed, almost made them look like a rock wall. The cool air, too, brought to mind hunting in the mountains instead of the Underworld.

The hound bayed, loud and excited, and Adonis grimaced. He couldn't get distracted!

But where to go so his father could break off the chase?

All the way to Elysium was too far, and the Asphodel Meadow was closer, but it'd offer no real obstacles, as beautiful as the tall stalks of rippling flowers were.

They were coming around towards the front, and---

"Father! The pomegranate grove!"

It should offer a good place to end this mock-hunt, hopefully.

He wasn't going to laugh. He wasn't. But it was really hard not to, his father's offense pulling at his face in an extremely funny way. And so, while he did manage to not laugh, Adonis still blithely ignored the edge in the glare, far too comfortable in his father's affection to be the least bit scared.

Still, as funny as it was, his father wasn't wrong. Wincing when the waving tail and heavy body flattened the flowers nearest to it, Adonis chewed his lip. Reached out to briefly touch his father's elbow, but otherwise ignored the poor, wilting flowers Hades himself had turned that way.

"She is, but--- um. At this point getting the hound out will only be half the problem," Adonis pointed out. If they couldn't remember and then recreate what that flowerbed looked like before the hellhound got to it, his mother would figure out something had happened anyway.

Cocking his head, Adonis frowned. Whistled, close to an eagle's chirping call and pointed off, towards the edges of the garden.

The hound perked up, looking in the direction indicated and scenting the air, but whuffed when it found nothing, tail thumping against the dirt happily. Still alert, however.

"I think I can get it to come hunt with me, but, I think you have to provide us with an actual quarry, Father." Adonis glanced around, but the garden was peacefully empty of anything that wasn't just black poplars and the various plants and flowers. And the three of them. Adonis glanced back up at his father, shrugging. "He's clearly not going to be tricked by just the signal."

[soullessdhampir]

I've started practicing writing, and I joined a queer writing group recently. Here's 3 of my practice writings using prompts from the group.

The Abyss Calls

I peer into the abyss looking behind me,

As I swim upwards to breathe in the air at the surface,

I feel the pressure from the sludge of the abyss pushing me further down,

I kick my feet harder, and push the water behind me with my arms,

As reaching the surface, and not struggling is the end goal,

I see the reflecting shimmer of light dancing above my eyes on the surface,

And I feel the warmth of the water temperature change as I get closer to the surface,

I feel a tug on my legs, and look behind me seeing twine covered in sludge grasping my ankle from the abyss,

I panic trying to get my ankle free from the sludgy twine,

I feel myself losing air, as I struggle to get free,

Finally freeing myself i swim to the surface inhaling deeply fresh air,

I bask in the bright warmth of the sunlight, and swim towards a buoy,

Upon reaching the buoy I climb a top catching my breath, and rest,

I find myself looking towards a future I've never thought I'd have, but sometimes I still hear the call of the abyss beckoning me to join it again.

Next practice piece I used a prompt that was to write something using the line "did you know the dead could fall in love?"

Love After Life

Did you know the dead could fall in love? If you were unlucky enough to find your soul mate in life you still have a chance in the afterlife. Lady Persephone has told us, "if you feel your heart beating it's a sign you're near the one."

While lying in the fields of asphodel I found truth in Lady Persephone's words. As I felt a beating heart sensation that I haven't felt since I was alive. I sat up upon hearing an euphonic voice from beside me asking, "May I sit beside you?" My heart skipped a beat as I looked into her warm golden light brown eyes full of joy I replied "I'd love nothing more than to share this space with you." As she sat beside me she asked for my name, and I told her my name was Thalia, and asked for her name in return. She responded her name was Iris, and then spoke "Forgive me for my forwardness, but I noticed you for some time now, and I saw this flower that made me think of you." She handed me a beautiful twilight sunset colored violet resembling everlasting love after death, and I accepted it graciously heart beating wildly as I did. Then Iris, held out her hand to me offering half of her pomegranate, and I accepted it. We sat in the fields of asphodel eating our pomegranates together knowing we were each other's fated soul mate.

Then this short fiction I just finished over the weekend using a prompt that was "When you leave, please take me with you"

Take me with you

“When you leave, please take me with you,” pleaded my sister. I took a look at her puppy eyed face begging me. Life in a rural town wasn’t so great for twin witches, who both happen to be queer. I being a bisexual trans woman, and her being a lesbian. My social transition was an absolute nightmare having being betrayed by a close friend whom I asked to please start referring to me with she/her pronouns, and to start calling me Rhiannon. She went behind my back, and told the whole school that I was a sick boy who needed help. Then from there of course the church, and our parents found out. I was devastated, and learned the hard way to not trust as easily, and that the only people I could trust was myself, and my twin sister, Lara. Lara held me in her arms, soothing me by rubbing my my shoulders as I sobbed. She brushed my tears away from my face, and she told me that she saw me for who I truly was, and that she would always have my back, and so would the Goddess. Remember when I told mentioned it was a nightmare living in a rural town for twins who were queer witches? Well Lara, and I are both practicing pagans, and sadly growing up in a christian family, and a christian town it’s left us feeling pretty alienated, but we both have our sacred alter hidden in a secret room that we found in our attic as kids, and kept it as our secret twin club space. Now we’ve decorated space with purple led light strips around the room, and a make shift altar that we created outta boxes, and put a pentagram cloth over along with candles, amethyst, clear quartz, and rose quartz with some runes that we use for divination. I owe so much thanks, and appreciation to the Goddess Aphrodite, as I’ve prayed to her, and left her offerings of sea shells, and an apple for me to be able start transitioning, becoming more of my true authentic self as a woman, and wanting to fulfill my womanhood.

I know that my prayers were answered when I met Peaches, at a strip club one night. Lara, and I sneaked off together to go to our first strip club together. It may seem weird that as siblings together, huh? But we strive to have as many new experiences shared together, and we both happen to be sapphic women. I was mesmerized by the strength, and skills of the dancers on the poles, and honestly these women have major core strength muscle skills! I feel as though pole dancing should be an Olympic sport. While people watching I could help notice the men drooling, and basically being putty in these women’s hands. Men such easy targets, I thought to myself while rolling my eyes. “Hey, Rhiannon, come to the bathroom with me.” Lara said to me in my ear as the music was too loud for us to hear each other. We headed towards bathroom, and once we enter Lara started washing her hands, and then her face, “The way the men treat, and look at the women here made me feel dirty, and like I needed to wash up.” “Ohh god, I know! I figured it’d be weird, and gross witnessing the male gaze, but it’s worse than I thought.” I replied. “We are at a strip club after all. What did we expect? I was thinking what if we sneak into the dressing room area, and cast a protection spell over the strippers here?” Lara asked. “That’s kinda weird sis, even for us, but they definitely could use the protection. Lead the way.” I replied

Lara, and I headed towards the door that said “Employees only”, and we peaked around the corner, and saw that the dressing room was empty, and so we went in. The dressing room was a big room with multiple stations with mirrors, and a wardrobe. I noticed Lara going over to each station, and collecting hair from each dancer’s hairbrush, and calling over to me to join her grinning as she waved me over, “I swear the things you get me into” I say to Lara as I sit beside her. “Hey don’t judge me we need something personal of theirs for the spell, and what better than hair from their brushes?” responded Lara, as she was taking black candles, lighter, amethysts, and herbs out of her drawstring bag. “Boy you came prepared almost as if youi planned this.” “Ohh I definitely planned this. Now let’s get started.” Lara wrapped an amethyst stone with the hair strands of a specific dancer for each dancer. Then I sprinkled some mint, rosemary, eucalyptus, and lavender over each amethyst. Then Lara, and I held hands, and Lara flicked the lighter, and lit the black candle. Then we started chanting, “Earth, fire, water, air, and spirit. We call upon the Goddesses Athena, Artemis, Soteria, and Hecate to bless, and bestow protective energy from each herb into each amethyst to protect each person whom we give these too. Protect them from any harm, malicious intent, and negative energy. So mote it be. Blessed be.” Then we blew out the candle at the same time.

“Y’all aren’t suppose to be in here.“ Said a voice startling us both. The woman wearing lingerie, with a garter belt, and fishnets walked over to her station, and sat down taking off her stiletto heels. “Well this is a first. We’ve had creeps sneak in jerking off in the corner, but never someone sneaking in the dressing room doing witchcraft.” “Excuse us both. We’re sorry…” I stammered outta nervousness of being caught. “It’s fine don’t worry, it’s the thought that counts after all.” She said as she packed a bowl with weed. “Besides, I won’t tell if y’all won’t tell. Management doesn’t want us smoking inside, but it’s too sketchy for us to smoke out back. May I borrow your lighter?” “Yeah of course.” Lara, replied walking over to the woman, and handing her the lighter. “Thanks, Love.” said the woman lighting her bowl, and inhaling the smoke. She held the smoke in, and let out the smoke “I’m Peaches, by the way.” she handed the lighter back to Lara. “How old are y’all?” she asked us. “We’re 18. I’m Lara, and that’s my sister Rhiannon.” replied Lara. “Thank goodness, I was worried y’all might be minors. That’s the last scandal our club needs.” Peaches said relieved. I picked up the Amethyst stone that was wrapped in the same pastel purple hairs that Peaches’ hair color was, and walked over to her handing her the crystal. “This one’s for you.” Peaches took it from me, and smiling, and laughing to herself “Y’all actually took our hairs? That’s so creepy” she said. Lara went over to the rest of the crystals, and while looking at a note she placed each crystal at the appropriate station. “Well do any of you want a hit?” Peaches asked offering her bowl after repacking it. I took the bowl from her figuring why not as first time smoking weed with a stripper would be a great story in the future. I lit the bowl, and inhaled coughing immediately. Peaches chuckled “First timer I see.” I looked over at Lara blushing, and she winked at me while packing up her stuff, and then came over to join us, and took the bowl from me. Lara lit the bowl, inhaling holding in the smoke, and then coughing as let it out.

Lara handed the bowl back to peaches, and Peaches took it, and cleaned out the bowl. “I can now scratch smoking with twins off my list of things I’ve never done before. So Rhiannon forgive me for being forward, but do you plan on medically transitioning?” asked Peaches. I was taken by surprise, and felt awkward being asked the question, and responded “I would like to, but I can’t afford a therapist to get my hormone letter, and our parents would never pay for me to see a therapist.. How’d you know I was trans?” “Hun, your hair is at that awkward growing hair out length where you need to get trimming to clean up your hair at least. Plus you’re flat chested, and you remind me of me before I started hormones.” “You’re Trans too? I never would have guessed” “Yes, I am, I been transitioning for 8 years. I strip mainly to cover my hormone costs. It’s expensive, and sadly we don’t have any informed consent clinics around. So I been ordering my hormones online. Here I’ll make a preposition for you because I like the gull the two of you have to sneak into strippers’ dressing room stealing our hair to cast a spell, and then get caught by one of us, and take her up on her offer of taking hit of her bowl. Plus I remember being your age, and I wish I was able to transition at 18. I’ll buy some extra t blockers, and estrogen, and give them to you. What do you say?” I was stunned, and taken a back to what Peaches was offering me, “Wait really? That seems to be too much to offer. I mean I’d be absolutely appreciative, and thankful, but how could I ever repay you?” “It’s no problem at all hun, I more than enough money, and besides I also had an older trans woman help me, and guide me with how to safely diy transition. I’ve been wanting to pay it forward, and also help a young trans sister too. Besides I like the vibes I’m getting off you, and your sister.” responded Peaches winking at us. “Wow thank you so much Peaches, yes please, I’d love to take you up on your offer!” I replied all smiles. Lara hugged me, and kissed my cheek whispering in my ear “Your prayers have been answered sis, and I’m so happy for you.” Peaches, Lara, and I hung out, and chatted some more getting to know each more, and then when Peaches break was over she hugged Lara, and I, and escorted us back to the club so we wouldn’t get in trouble. Then Lara, and I left the club heading back home.

After being on hormones for a year I wasn’t able to hide my breasts anymore even though they were only around almost an A cup, but not a full A, and my face becoming softer, and more feminine looking I ended up sleeping over at Peaches’ place as my parents started to just act like I didn’t exist any more, and it got mad awkward being home, and not even spoken to, or looked at anymore. Lara started staying over at Peaches’ place too more often as well to spend time with her girlfriend as Peaches, has become like an Aunt to Lara, and I. Once I started working Peaches, offered me to move in with her, and I took her up on her offer. “When you leave, please take me with you.” pleaded Lara. I looked up at her puppy eyed face begging me, and I stopped packing up my room, and replied “Of course I’m taking you with me! I already asked Peaches, if you could move in too, and she said yes. I made a deal with her to cover your rent portion until you get a job. I’d never leave you behind.” Lara started happily crying, and I hugged her tightly.