Ganymede

𝗡𝗔𝗠𝗘: Ganymede Gia Rojas. 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗡𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗦: She/Her. 𝗔𝗚𝗘: Immortal. 27  𝗢𝗖𝗖𝗨𝗣𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡: Bartender.  𝗦𝗘𝗫𝗨𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗬: Pansexual with a preference for women.  AESTHETIC: Broken things glued back together with gold. The background noise of a city at 3am. Serenity in lightning storms, avoiding family reunions, driving fast, the stories behind scars, beautiful sketches drawn on paper napkins, night skies lit up by firelight, constellations in notebook margins, stargazing, revelling in the rain.            

“Honey!” Gia exclaimed, perhaps underestimating her sobriety to a tiny extent as she wrapped her arms around the seated woman’s shoulders from behind and planted a quick kiss on her cheek. “Or, shit, is it Hera tonight? Either way, you look absolutely stunning, lady. Queendom most definitely suits you.”

Open Starter

The night passed her in a blur and Amalia stared out at the dance floor with a half empty glass of wine in her hand. An odd sense of déjà vu troubled her to the point that she didn’t realize someone had come to join her at her little table. “Oh! Sorry. I wasn’t paying attention. Did you say something?”

"Yeah, clearly.” She chucked, nudging her shoulder into Amalia’s lightly as she changed the topic from a casual greeting. “So what’s got you so distracted anyway, hm? It better not be another embarrassing date situation I swear to God...”  

hedone & ?? | open starter

“…Guess who just stole one of the bar’s most expensive bottle of tequila. Wanna share?”

persephone laughed lightly along with her, not really being able to pin point how the other felt about her statement that her mother was a god. “perfect, let’s go!” she smiled, weaving in and out of the tables until she reached the end to look at the name plates. “ah yes, so hera is stilling next to him… and ganymede. looks like i found your spot too.”

anastasia’s smile slowly started to grow the more she talked to gia. “well i’m beyond flattered,” she chuckled, feeling her cheeks heat up. “trust me, you more than held up. for the fact that i’m still thinking about it says enough doesn’t it?”

the words were perhaps not ones she had expected, but she was appreciative of the introspective admission all the same. her gaze shifting from the table to ganymede instead of relaxing back to offer some space. “that’s because deep down you want me to.” nyx answered blatantly, as thought it was the most obvious thing in the world. gia may have hid it well under her own confidence and flirtatious nature, yet those drawn to powerful people could usually enjoy being led to a certain extent – the cheek of the woman’s offhanded retort was nothing new, but the boldness was almost retributional. leaning in closer still as her voice lowered. “and that some reason is certainly not cutlery placement, or need i remind you?”

“I...” Gia trailed off briefly, attempting to think of an adequate retort and coming up blank. She wanted to argue the point, to come up with some idea to debunk such a notion -- But that was perhaps the problem when it came to Nyx. She was deadly honest, almost confrontationally so. It was equal parts refreshing at it was unsparing, yet it didn’t mean she always liked how well the older woman could read her. Shifting in her seat a little, she clearing her throat and tried to ignore the subliminal accuracy of the comment, instead settling for changing the subject entirely with the first thing that came to mind. “So, what do you think of the name cards?” The closer proximity was at least enough to snap her back to the present. Something more tangible and perpetual she could focus on as she practically felt the brunette’s breath brush her cheek. Gia tilted her head to hold Nyx’s gaze with a lazy, sultry smile curling onto her features. “Well I guess it depends how you plan to remind me...” 

“oh, i always find a way to enjoy myself at parties.” she smiled down at her, adding, “but you’ll definitely make it easier.” ganymede — gia, she supposed she should get used to calling her gia — still fit in next to her so easily. that spark wasn’t everything that she wanted, but she would treasure it, determined as she was to win everything else back. she paused at the question, something twisting in her throat. “the cupbearer of the gods, zeus’ favorite lover. the king loved ganymede so much that she made her immortal.” to cover up the feeling threatening to tug at her heartstrings, she added with a teasing smirk, “i guess that means we’re meant to be.”

Charlotte shook her head, “No, you’re definitely not the only one confused.” She glanced around the room at a few other people looking at the name cards with confusion. Giving a conspiratorial smile, she asked, “Should we take one of those Buzzfeed quizzes and just go with those results?” As for the other young woman’s question, she nodded, “Yes, I had a glass of champagne earlier.” She wasn’t likely to drink any more until dinner. She was, after all, a cheap drunk. “I’d be happy to accompany you to the bar though,” she added. 

“It couldn’t hurt, do you think anyone would actually care enough to kick us out of their seats?” Gia played along, honestly unsure how else they were meant to figure it out. The idea might have even held more weight were it not for the certainty half the guest list would end up as either Hades or Zeus. “I’m already on my second glass, any more before food probably isn’t the best idea.” She chuckled. “But once the dancing starts, I’ll certainly be taking you up on that offer.”

seph’s head snapped up as she gave the other goddess an easy smile. “oh no no, she’s not. demeter is my mother, i’m just glad she’s not next to me.” her head turned around a bit until she found the head of all the tables. “shall we have a look if my theory is correct?”

“agreed. reminds me of too many dinner parties my parents liked to throw,” she chuckled, smiling at gia. “well.. you’re not wrong there. i don’t think you could be off my mind though. unless i was not what you expected.”

it was odd to be sat around a table with so many yet to recall who they were. she had never been one for such lavish affairs over the millennia, nothing about that had changed now, but it had been possibility that both held her intrigue and gave her reason to attend. the last time they’d all been together like this had not ended well – nyx had hardly expected to be placed so close to ganymede and, by default, zeus. yet here they were, and she would aim not to provoke in the face of it. “no, i think you might struggle there.” she admitted, offering the younger goddess a small smile before raising a brow in challenge at the wandering eyes. nyx was hardly some simpering schoolgirl that would blush under such an unabashed gaze, even if she did have to lick the amused smirk from her lips as a result. “are you quite certain? i seem to recall a few times you’ve used flattery for your own agenda, gia…” she leaned forwards despite her words, fingers subtly sliding the salad fork closer. “are we happy now?”      

Gia had learnt long ago that there was never any point trying to ruffle Nyx’s feathers. The woman was too poised, and collected, and confident in a way that even she would sometimes find herself a little envious of. Still there was no harm in admiring beauty. Seated between Nyx and Zara currently conversing with Honey, they certainly held it in abundance. “...Maybe so.” She chuckled faintly. “But I don’t recall you ever complaining. It’s not like you don’t usually get your own way in the end regardless.” Gia watched as the woman slipped the ambiguous fork a little closer, about to thank her and leave it there until the comment that followed. Her tone taking on a more playful lull in response. “Ecstatic. I knew there was some reason to keep you around.”

it was easy to slip back into old habits. zeus took the glass from ganymede, giving her a pleased smile in return. “taking care of me, are you ? “ she took a sip of the champagne, subtly studying the other woman’s face. she wasn’t sure what she was looking for, exactly — a flicker of recognition, maybe. there was a part of her that still held out some hope, after their encounter at the bar. “oh, it’s a theme, only for fun,” she lied. “you’re ganymede. your seat is by my left side.” she was sitting at the head of the table, of course. & hera was at her right.

Charlotte frowned slightly as she looked over the name cards. Like their hosts, they listed only the names of old Greek gods and goddesses. What was not listed was who corresponded to each figure. She pulled out her invitation again to see if there was any hint there. A once over didn’t reveal any additional information. When someone asked a question near her, Charlotte glanced up, shaking her head as she did so. “No, there doesn’t seem to be any hints,” she replied. 

“Okay good. I was starting to think it was just me being dumb or something.” Gia chuckled faintly, thankful to not simply be missing an obvious thing and making a fool or herself as she took a sip of her champagne. “You’d think they’d at least have given us these names at the gates, but when in Greece I guess...Have you gotten yourself a drink yet?” 

Once the initial confusion of the assigned seating was out of the way, Gia had found herself greatly enjoying the evening. She’d been seated with a few familiar faces at the very least, and the first couple of dishes had been divine. Still, it wasn’t all unreservedly plain sailing, leaning over to where Nyx sat and lowering her voice a little. “Is it bad that I’m not entirely sure what cutlery you’re supposed to use for this course? I was hoping it would just go outwards in, but I don’t think a spoon will suffice.” She commented with a light smile, before allowing her gaze to wander over Nyx’s attire with a lazy appreciation. “You look incredible by the way - And I’m definitely not just saying that so you’ll help me.”   

“at least my mother isn’t here to sit next to me,” seph sighed as she placed her name card back on the table. “knowing zara though, i bet she’s at the head of the table.. but did she put hera next to herself.” the goddess looked around before sneaking around the tables, trying to notice who was sat next to one another.

“oh i love a good party!” anastasia mused, looking around the room and all the artistry. “i’m surprised to see you here though. i feel like i’ve run into you once and now i’m seeing you everywhere.”