Hera Kolasi

“Well, I know it wasn’t easy, becoming queen and all, but what’s one thing that helped you step into your power?” Kore asked, biting her lip nervously. It was something she had asked her mother before as well, but she hoped it wasn’t too silly of a question or too personal either. She just really admired the powerful women around her and she always wanted to know what helped them become the women they were. 

Hera was a little taken aback by the question. After all she’d been queen for so many millenia she hadn’t thought about it. At first when Zeus had proposed she almost said no, Hera hadn’t wanted to be queen truthfully even just dating the King had been exhausting but it was ultimately not only her love for Olympus and her determination to make sure that it maintained peace and order, but her love of her husband that pushed her to. That was all shot to hell now but the love she had for the Olympic and mortal realm alike and the desire to make sure they were cared for well that kept her going as queen these days. “I suppose it was just looking at the opportunity in front of me and knowing that if absolutely anyone else had it I would be devastated, and doing what I had to do to protect the realm I love and to be with the person I loved.” It had been a while since she remembered getting asked to be queen to marry Zeus and how terrified she was. Young Hera had nearly said no but the thought of someone else stepping in of living Zeus and standing by his side, of someone else taking her life and the thought that someone who didn’t care for Olympus like she did taking over it all pushed her forwards but while she wouldn’t want to admit it it was mostly her love for her husband. 

“Yes, we shall,” Zeus smirked at the woman, eyeing her up and down. It wasn’t in a flirtatious way, but it was more of a ‘damn woman, you’re gonna give me a run for my money’ type of look. Hera was powerful in her own right, she had her head held high, always looked straight on, she was a queen in her own right, but Zeus wanted her to be his queen. He wanted to love and rule Olympus beside her, but she was going to make him work for it, and with good reason–and he’d do whatever it takes to win her heart. Watching her eyes light up in wonder, her smiled, Gods, she was a beautiful goddess. “It admittedly took a few times to get this to light up the way it needed to, I hope it’s to your liking,” He nodded with a smile. As he sat down, he looked over to her as he took his own snack and looked over to her. With sincerity, he said, “Although I’ve adjusted to the fame and grandeur of being king…I don’t always enjoy it,” He admitted to Hera. “I miss the freedom of sailing the skies, truthfully.”

“It’s beautiful Zeus.” Hera nodded encouragingly. She could tell that he put so much effort into it. There was no way anyone could have done that without so much effort and while Hera was surprised it was definitely a pleasant surprise. She wouldn’t be cruel and not acknowledge it besides she was after all not used to someone going to these lengths to impress her and Hera was quite grateful that he would. As she munched on her snack she just watched the young King. He had a mysterious aura but not in that bad boy type of way but in that confused type of way. When he admitted to not liking being king part of the goddess wasn’t entirely surprised. “Why do it? I mean surely someone else could and would so what makes you stay?” 

“Amen to that, but then again, I suppose it wouldn’t make it much of a vice now would it? If only we could have life without vices. What a world that would be, yeah?” He gave a little shrug, before nodding and giving the woman a large, friendly smile. John of course had heard the rumblings about what went down between Zeus and Hera. And never being one to really pick sides, and always willing to make a friend, he figured this was possibly a chance to make someone’s day a bit better. Luckily the line wasn’t long, so he was able to fairly quickly get his coffee and grab a small array of scones. Taking a quick glance around the shop, he saw where she had settled and made his way back over, placing the pastries on the table. “Wasn’t sure what kind you like, so I grabbed a couple of different options,” he explained, sliding into the seat across from her with a grin.

“Yeah probably not.” Hera chuckled softly. “I suppose it’s why they’re called that.” A world without vices now wouldn’t that be something? She nodded. “Yeah it would surely be something else probably a lot calmer I’d presume.” Hera made her way over the available table setting her bag down nd pulling out her laptop. She needed to look over some reports before their meeting today and send out a few emails. Maybe she could get one of her assistants to bring in something for the meeting croissants or something. As soon as she was in the middle of an email an array of scones was placed in front of her. She couldn’t help but to grin as she picked up the vanilla one. “Thank you that was actually quite kind.” Hera offered her words sincere and happiness genuine for the first time in what felt like a millenia. 

“Yeah, it’s something I’m learning to hone in along the way,” Kore nodded with a hopeful grin. Which was true, Kore was always so excitable, that sometimes she just needed to center herself and take a breath and reground herself. “Can I ask you something, Hera?” Kore followed up with a curious look. “I promise, it’s nothing bad or too personal,” She grinned. 

“What do you need?” Hera always hated that question. It was always either something she didn’t want to answer or was too stupid to to even acknowledge usually if someone had to ask before asking a question it was because they knew it wouldn’t be great. But this was Kore and she cared for Demeter so she’d answer to the best of her ability. 

“We’ll see.” Hera smirked with a wink as she played coy however she knew already that there was something about Zeus that was already getting her. He did seem different at least different to the things she had heard about him. Although Hera wasn’t ready to tell him that just yet oh no she really had to be sure and to do that she had to keep him working. It was one thing to work for it for a little bit but if it was too easy well she could get duped. At his words she audibly gasped. “Oh wow.” Her eyes were bright with wonder and surprise. “This… it’s amazing.” When asked to join him she nodded and followed to the elegantly set up blanket. She would be lying if she said it’s hasn’t crossed her mind what it would be like being a Kolasi, a queen no less. Sure she came from one of the great Titan families she helped in the war and her name held weight in Olympus but nowhere near what theirs did for good reason. They saw and did what the rest couldn’t bear to. “So Zeus.” Hera grinned as she munched on a snack from the picnic blanket. “Tell me something about yourself no one else knows.” 

Kore inhaled and exhaled softly, and smiled sheepishly, “Sorry, I ramble when I’m really excited.” Although deep down she was kicking herself for being such a rambly, excited mess after all. It was times like these, she really, really was grateful for Hera. “That would be lovely, thank you so much, Hera. I can’t tell you how appreciative I am,” She smiled gratefully at the woman. 

“Well you’ll figure that out in time I suppose.” Hera nodded with a shrug of her shoulders and she would if Kore was going to make it in Olympus she’d figure out her place, and how to fit there. “It’s no problem, don’t mention it.” Hera knew that training young bright minds like hers was a good way to infiltrate the bad system with some good eggs so she was ready for it. 

Marie couldn’t help but let out a snort of genuine laughter at the woman’s response. “Oh yes, my poor abused childhood in a wealthy, respected family in Greenwich Village. It was truly tragic.” She returned the cold, empty politician smile she herself was becoming a master of. Truthfully, Marie felt a bit sorry for Hera. What Zeus had done was beyond fucked up, but there were some things that needed to be hashed out privately. The current situation was, from Marie’s point of view, Hera’s fault. “Have a good day, then,” she called out as the other walked away like a child throwing a tantrum. 

“Waving your privilege around like it’s something to be proud of cute. Proved my point right there. Don’t fret I was just heading out wouldn’t wanna send you in a downward spiral for your day.” Hera really couldn’t care much for this mortal and she didn’t feel like she needed to keep engaging after all she was clearly misguided and full of the wrong kind of privilege.