The tall figure before her was a bit foreboding in the twilight. The last lights of day were dwindling even now in the sky above. But due to their proximity she could smell something like cypress pine and...and something else she couldn't quite identify. But whatever it was, the scent was welcoming to her, even intoxicating.

The man's face showed shock and concern as Persephone regained her balance. She could feel both of his hands warm around her waist. He had a strong jaw line covered by a short well filled out beard. His eyes were of a steely blue-gray furrowed by heavy eyebrows. Persephone found herself gazing into them not quite able to look away. A funny feeling was rousing inside her.

"Are you alright?" He asked, his voice deep and soft.

"Yes...yes I'm fine." I say, having slight trouble catching my breath. "I'm so sorry. I was just trying to get away. It's a bit overwhelming. I just...just wanted to get some fresh air." She tried to keep from letting her words rush out. But she felt like she owed him an explanation as to why she had suddenly run headlong into him.

"No, not at all." He said lightly. As he spoke he seemed to have realized that he still had his hands around her waist. Because he let go and dragged a hand through his short, wavy dark hair. "I know the feeling. That's why I decided to come out to the balcony myself."

They were still standing close together. Persephone could feel a slight blush on her cheeks. She had never been this close to a man before. She couldn't help noticing his broad chest, hinting at muscle beneath his deep navy blue robes.

Somehow she found her voice again. "Balcony?" sha asked.

Her head turned and her eyes were met with a gorgeous scene. Olympus, being high in the mountains, afforded a spectacular view of Greece. The sky, which was now almost completely a dark navy blue, was sprinkled with stars and still had sparse clouds of gold and pink on the horizon. The lands below were a patchwork quilt of fields, forests, and hills. Here and there lakes and rivers separated the land. She could only faintly make out the water reflecting the dwindling light back at her.

Without consciously thinking about it, she had walked to the edge of the balcony to look down at the view. "It's so beautiful." She marveled.

"You haven't been here before have you." The stranger said, joining her at the stone parapet. It wasn't a question.

"I guess it's pretty obvious." Persephone said with a slight smile. "I suppose after living here a while the rest of the Gods take a view like this for granted."

"They take many things for granted." He said, his voice betraying a strain of bitterness.

But Persephone had only heard his response distantly. In the back of her mind she heard a single prayer being uttered by a mortal in some distant land.

...children are starving. Please help us to find a way to....

It had been a little while since she had been prayed to. Again, without hesitation Persephone sent a single blessing from her hand. A blessing of vegetation. With a little work, they would have enough food for their family. The rush of wind helped speed the glowing petal towards the earth. Her eyes followed it's progress down the mountain side.

She could feel the strangers' eyes on her. "Not many Gods would take the time to send a blessing during an event like this" He said.

"Don't you answer them?"

"I don't get many." was his reply. He must not be a god in that case Persephone thought. Perhaps a demi-god?

She looked up into his eyes again and caught him looking at her. Not in the way Pirithous had looked at her, with his greedy eyes. The expression on his face sent a tingle up her spine. No man had ever made her feel like this. Although she had hardly any experience with them in her whole lifetime. Most shocking of all, she found that she liked the way he was looking at her.

Then she heard her name being called within the palace, "Persephone?!"

She seemed to come back to herself with a jolt. Being on the balcony with this man had made her forget where she was. She looked back through the doorway at the glittering assemblage of people. They would be worried about her. Pallas, Tyche, and her mother had no idea where she was.

"I'm sorry, I have to go. I think they're looking for me." She turned back to the handsome stranger before her. A reckless urge suddenly overcame her. Without even thinking about it she stood on her tip toes and kissed his cheek. His beard was prickly under her lips, and she caught another whiff of pine from his skin. "Thank you for catching me before. I do hope we meet again." She said sweetly, turning to go back in.

Over her shoulder she could see him raising a hand to his cheek. The spot where she had kissed him.

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