#midas posts

My dear friend Midas,

I confess that this day has not meant much to me, considering my status in my own culture. Exchanges of romantic gifts would not include an unwed sovereign, and friendship dear enough to warrant celebrating does not come easily to one who bears the crown. You know this well, my friend.

And yet this year I finally understand this holiday. Truthfully, it seems entirely too brief now that I understand it. It is my hope that you will share these cakes with your beloved Phoenix, and that you know only joy today. I celebrate you as a friend, for such a friendship is precious indeed.

As for myself, last year this day led to a long and arduous war that I have finally lost, and surrender has never felt so sweet. This year I will honor the victor, who deserves far more than these few hours can contain.

For you, my friend, I pray that you know a love as deep and unyielding as I have found, or more, and I pray that you do not fear it. I remember our conversation over dinner, and I hope you have found the stability you deserve.

Ever your friend,

Empress Mizuki

[Midas had just come into his office, a thick stack of papers under one arm and a strong coffee in the other hand. There was a lot of data to comb through, a lot of designs to tinker, and a lot of contingencies to consider. Having poured himself into work on his own plans, the Valentine's Day holiday had entirely slipped his mind. Seeing a couple of gifts on his desk reminded him. While it did make him smile to be thought of, a little bit of guilt nagged at him. He didn't know if Valeria remembered the day of chocolates and cliche cards. If she did, she hadn't said anything. He didn't know if that made it better or worse. It wasn't as though they hadn't been spending time together. Practically all of their free time was spent with each other, and they stayed close while working on their respective tasks (although this made the King have to work a bit harder to keep his "project" a secret). Regardless, he owed Valeria a special dinner. One with these cakes as dessert.

He'd plan for that tonight, but for now, he exchanged his stack of paperwork for Mizuki's letter and sat to read it.

He smiled over it, glad to hear she had found someone with whom to share her affections and burdens with, especially after expressing a belief that she might never. Of course, he didn't think a women like her needed someone else, however...He thought the same of himself for a very long time. He'd come to learn that relationships were a necessity. Romantic or otherwise, shouldering the weight of one's life alone is not something that can be done forever. The Empress struck Midas as a solitary type, and with a life as long as she had, that would be an awfully heavy load.

True to his nosy nature, Midas couldn't help but wonder who it was she had connected with. He tried to imagine anyone he had met that he thought would meet the standards of an immortal royal with as many perceived hesitations around allowing vulnerability as he imagined Mizuki had. Short of himself, he was coming up blank, but he knew there were plenty in this reality he had not yet met. Perhaps it was someone knew to this island entirely. Truly an intriguing mystery. He'd love to know the answer.

Pulling some paper from a drawer and a pen from it's holder, he wrote a letter back to her. After it was done, he sealed it in a black envelope before going to his personal cellar. He selected a particular bottle of red wine, rare and aged such that it would not be found anywhere else. Tying the envelop to the bottle with a gold ribbon, he then brought it to the water to be carried by the currents to the Empress.]

Trusted friend Mizuki,

It warms me so that I continue to be on your mind when I have not exactly made my presence known as of late. While still keeping myself in the loop on island matters, I know I have been rather more reclusive than usual. Not to worry, this time has been spent with my family, and indeed my phoenix, whom I am certain will enjoy the cakes you have sent as much as I will. I thank you from the bottom of my heart, and apologize that this letter is likely reaching you a few days after Valentine's has passed. Along with coveted personal time, much of these days are spent on some work of mine. While a sense of stability has finally reached me, there is more to do to secure it. In my pursuit of this, the holiday escaped me, but trust that it's significance has not. As such, I also thank you for reminding me.

In speaking of it's significance, I am particularly joyed to read that you have found someone to share it with. I hope you and your partner may raise a glass of this wine to the victory you attribute to them, as I will toast to your happiness.

I am not ashamed to admit that I am deeply curious who it is that has won you over. Knowing who I am, I doubt this curiosity surprises you. Though, rest assured that I will not fall to old habits and try to figure it out for myself. Rather, I hope we can enjoy another meal soon. Perhaps one that includes an introduction, if you are open to such a thing. Of course, if this is a relationship you would prefer to keep close to your chest, I would understand. The nature of our lives gives enough reason not to question that decision. The fact that you have told me at all is as much an honor as your continued kindness and thought towards me.

With the deepest appreciation, well-wishes in the love you have found, and always your friend in turn,

Welcoming chapter 7

We are far enough away from the hives that I didn't think they'd be a problem on property, yet every day we have to take care of a handful that scuttle their way onto my yacht. Easy enough to dispatch, but still. I wish OXR would do what they claim and rid the island of them already.

.

.

Thankfully, her restrictions were relaxed once again. Now the Queen could finally make the visit she had been wanting the most. Her favorite escapee, the Gilded King Midas. It had been a very long time since they had last spoken, and she had been happily watching him grow in the time since his escape from her husband.

With her little wraith-like daughter on her hip, Persephone stepped out of a spring-scented shower of ichor dust on the shore beside the moored Marigold. The name brought the King's own first daughter to her mind, and a sad smile flickered across her face before she turned to the rather startled guard nearby.}

Tell your master that the Queen requests an audience with his Majesty, child.

@goddess-of-elysium

{The guard's immediate instinct had been to point his weapon at any trespasser who'd appear on property. Thankfully, as one of Midas' men who actually did their job and studied the verified ally files, his gun had been lowered upon recognition of the Goddess before she had even turned to him. Startled indeed despite that, the man briefly danced between both feet, mentally stun-locked between the decision to kneel in respect or do what was requested of him. Getting a hold of himself after what was probably an amusing couple of seconds to Persephone, this guard finally tapped his earpiece to relay her arrival. Confirmation and direction must have come immediately, as the very next thing to come was a bow of his head and gesture of his arm to walk the Queen of the Underworld and her child up the yacht's ramp.

As for the Gilded King himself, Midas was already out of his office and hurriedly making his way across the walkways to meet them on deck. In him was a flurry of emotions, anxiety not the smallest of them. Persephone had been an invaluable ally in his return to the living. More so than that, she had been his sole visitor during his incarceration. She'd provided him a tremendous kindness; Conversation. Pleasantries exchanged during a time he truly had nothing else (including the energy to contribute much of the time). She'd made visits to him even after her husband had forbid it. Covertly coming to him for just a few words did more for him than could ever be explained. His sanity hinged on those talks once his own memories had become harder to hold onto. He owed her far more than he'd given thus far. He knew this, but had avoided a visit until now anyway. While the Goddess of Spring was his friend, she was also the Queen of the Underworld. Hades was still her husband, and although the creator of his own personal hell was no longer on his heels, Midas had no desire to be any closer to him than was forced by existing in the same reality. Despite knowing there was an open invitation, and that Persephone would certainly assure Hades would not be present, the thought of a visit still made fear claw into his soul.

That same fear was present now, causing his heart to hammer faster with every step towards the deck. The King chastised himself for being ridiculous, needing to pause inside the atrium to take a breath, but it did nothing to quell the feeling.

However, once he stepped outside and saw Persephone herself, he was surprised to find it vanished. He had thought that laying eyes on her would only bring back a slew of memories from his time held prisoner, but instead the only thing he could think of was her kindness to him. So relived that there was almost a lump forming in his throat, how truly glad he was to see her only made his choice to keep his distance all the more frustrating. Oh well, nothing to do about that now. Instead, he would do what he could to make her feel welcome.

He approached with a grateful nod to the guard to dismiss him, and a smile he hopped reflected his delight in seeing Persephone again after too long.}

χαῖρε, Περσεφόνη. It is truly wonderful to see you.

{His greeting would normally be used in prayer, and he used it somewhat humorously, but the bow of his head to her and kiss to her hand was nothing but sincere. It was then that he noticed the rather ghostly figure peaking at him from around Persephone's hip with wide, night-dark purple eyes, all white from head to toe besides. Midas returned the odd child's look with a tilt to his head and a small chuckle.}

Hello to you as well, little wisp.

{Unaware that Persephone had a child, and seeing that this little girl looked to be around five years old, Midas assumed that she had perhaps been a lost spirit. Kindness in taking such a soul in was something he'd expect of the Goddess, after all.}

I think the answer to that question is up to you, my friend. Pessimist or optimist, your own outlook determines the answer.

Personally, as someone who has experienced both states of being, I believe I am very much alive. Every breath I take is a win over the void that screams for my return.