Application
.the mundane;
» Name: Allie
» Journal: farda
» Contact: [aim] closet murder; [email] broojuice[@]gmail[dot]com
» How did you hear about us? I work here.
.the myth;
» God: Zagreus
» Reference: Wikipedia, Theoi, The Mystica, Experience Festival. Much of his history is drawn from the EF page.
» Family: {mother & father} Persephone and Zeus {spouse} N/A.
» Played By: Joseph Gordon-Levitt.
» Human Alias: Arlen Smyth.
» Human Age: Twenty-two. (dob: July 11, 1989)
» God of...: the Orphic Mysteries. Little is known about the Orphic Mysteries, but one of the meanings of the name Zagreus is "the restorer/re-generator". It is generally assumed that he has something to do with rebirth.
» Flair: MOTHER'S TOUCH - Zagreus can bring withering plants back to health with a touch. The larger the plant, the longer he has to maintain contact, and if the plant is dead already there is nothing he can do. Important is the fact that the plants sap his life source. He is fine with small plants but reviving a large one could drain and subsequently kill him.
» Flair Type: ACTIVATED
» Fitting in: Visitor Assistant at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. He will probably apply to a university once he gets the hang of things.
» History: Please bear with me on this section. As Zagreus is the god of the Orphic Mysteries, very little is known about him as, is common to the [insert name here] Mysteries, the practices/teachings/etc were often kept completely secret. Hence the use of the word "mysteries". Much of his history is also confused with Dionysus and after a certain point in Greek history, people simply began to squash them together into what is more widely known as "Zagreus-Dionysos". For the sake of any Dionysus that may app/be in the game, I am not drawing any links between them beyond having Zeus as a father.
Zagreus is the son of Zeus and Persephone. Zeus had put on the guise of a serpent (is this reverse bestiality? I'm truly curious) and ravished Persephone. A favoured son and initially intended to be the heir of Zeus, Hera's jealousy drove Zeus to send Zagreus away. Entrusted to Apollo and the Curetes, Zagreus was hidden and raised in the forests of the Parnassus. Hera, ever wrathful and jealous even with the child gone from Olympus, discovered where he was hidden and released the Titans from their prison in Tartarus to kidnap and kill the boy. In some accounts the Titans simply ran in there, found the boy, and began ripping him apart as he tried to run. In the account we're going to take into consideration, however, we're going to properly give the Titans their due. For cruel they may be, no one ever said they were stupid.
Armed with toys to lure the child to them (a thrysos/Bacchic wand, a spinning top, and a mirror, symbolizing "material" possessions), they managed to get the infant Zagreus to give up the scepter and apple (these two things were symbols of divine and noble blood) and to play with a mirror instead. While the child was distracted looking into the mirror, the Titans lunged for him. In his attempt to run away from the Titans Zagreus turned into a bull in desperation and to no avail. The Titans caught him, ripped him apart into seven pieces and boiled and roasted him, only to apparently give up mid-culinary activity and devour him half raw. Zagreus was basically the first instance of bastardized sushi.
Knowing of what Hera had ordered the Titans to do, Athena and Apollo both made their way to the scene of the murder, too late to do anything but save mere pieces of the child. Father Zeus is furious upon discovering what the Titans have done and he zaps them with a lightning bolt, turning them to ashes from which humankind popped up from. The ashes of the Titans mixed with the divine flesh of Zagreus that they had consumed is said to explain why humans are a mix of good and evil, because they possess some divinity and the cruelty of the Titans. This, of course, doesn't specify what age of humankind, since according to Greek mythology, humanity has been created and destroyed multiple times. Athena and Apollo returned Zagreus' still beating heart to Persephone, while Apollo, under Zeus' command, gathered what little bits were left of Zagreus and buried them near the Omphalos at Delphi (believed, at the time, to be the very center of the Earth).
Persephone took his heart to Demeter and Zagreus' powerful grandmother was able to resurrect the boy, from just his heart, as a mortal. This was hardly the end of everything, however, as he had to be sent away once more, this time to Mount Nysa where he was raised (in a cave, might I add, a Greek mythology favourite) by the nymphs of the mountain. Upon reaching manhood, Hera appeared to him and forced him to wander over the earth, not to return to Olympus as he was a mortal and she still held him in wrathful contempt. As he wandered, Zagreus established schools devoted to the Orphic teachings wherever he happened to be, descending into the Underworld to be with his mother only once feeling he had fulfilled the criteria of a mortal life well spent.
Zagreus is brought from the present day, after he had metaphorically "retired" from the idea of mortality and had comfortably adapted to life in the Underworld long ago. He will learn to deal, it's far better than being ripped apart again.
» Personality: As a child, Zagreus had everything he could ever wish to have. Even though he was the product of a "surprise" sexual encounter, he was quite obviously beloved by both his mother and father. As Greek Mythology lacks a legitimate and chronological time-line, it's impossible to say where Zagreus' place is among the other children of Zeus. However, he was the favoured son at the time, and we can only imagine the kind of effect that has on a child. Spoiled as he surely was, he was never a bratty and misbehaved child, but if given the choice would much rather play with his toys or the nymphs than think and dwell on his duties. He was a material baby, though, as he did give up symbols of godliness for toys that seemed to be more fun (not to mention vain, as he was too busy looking at himself in the mirror to realize what the Titans were going to do). Zagreus had his fathers charm, a smile to change anyone's mind. As a child, life was extremely simple until it suddenly wasn't.
Being hated does things to you. Being tricked does things to you. Being torn apart and devoured does things to you.
If you were not a child of Hera you were not safe from Hera's scorn and subsequent wrath. It was a tangible thing and heavy on your shoulders. She orchestrated his first death and then forced him to wander the Earth for years, all out of spite. This is just explanation behind Zagreus' contradicting interactions with women. Outside of the women in his family (Persephone, Makaria and Melinoe), he doesn't fully trust any woman. He knows the full extent and purpose of jealous rage and isn't looking to suffer from that again. At the same time, however, he's drawn to them and is, by no means, a misogynist. This results in severe commitment phobia and gladness at the fact that he never married along the way or he'd be more paranoid than an old lady missing her dentures. Despite his hangups, Zagreus doesn't believe that chivalry is dead.
Hera taught him that emotions, when extreme, were dangerous. It became much easier for Zagreus to learn how to control his own emotions and be logical about things that went on around him, to take a step back and assess the legitimate pros and cons as opposed to sticking to bias. He is careful, not reluctant, and didn't isolate himself after his rebirth. Though he was condemned to walk the Earth, Zagreus didn't take to it the way Sisyphus took to pushing that stupid rock up that hill. He has led lives in both the mortal and divine realms and knows what's going on in both of them, how their thoughts difference, how certain things gain priority over others. He comprehends human thought and feelings and understands that the gods act because they are gods; this has allowed him to develop an easy state of being unbiased. What may seem to be cold or apathetic actions from him aren't (or at least, they don't mean to come off that way), but he believes people usually deserve what they get. Zagreus can be empathetic that you got your ass stuck in jail, but he won't go on harping about how unfair it is because there was concrete evidence that you really did do whatever did.
Zagreus is more likely to give you a small amused smile than retaliate with a temper. He prefers to avoid hostilities, and when he's pushed to his boiling point (which he does, believe you me, he is after all, a child of Zeus) he's more likely to actually turn cold and inform you of just what was entirely unnecessary as a last slap in the face. Arguments are not something that Zagreus is fond of participating in, as one side will always believe that the other is wrong and the whole thing is a huge waste of time. Your opinion is your opinion and while he will not attempt to change your opinion, he will not deny the facts that logically prove your opinion to be fucked up. He is a generally pleasant person and enjoys conversation, no matter how idle or basic it may be. In all realities, Zagreus is a people person and something of a subdued optimist. He believes in helping people when they're truly in need and offering assistance or an answer when he knows he can help; he may do it in a mildly awkward or round about way, but the good intention is there.
Descending into the Underworld meant getting to be with his mother, but also having to adapt to a world that was so entirely different from the world above and it meant following Hades' rules. Being quiet, collected and logical was something that Zagreus had to develop almost out of sheer necessity. His vanity has manifested itself into neatness and a desire for organizational perfection, for there to be not a hair out of place. His want for material things evolved into a need for knowledge because once you've obtained knowledge the world will simply open itself up to you like a book. Zagreus would never admit to either of these things. Don't take his bookwormish attire and attitude to mean that he is shy or easily cowed or humble, because it is simply not true. He has simply deduced that flying under the radar is much safer and if he has to bite his tongue and bow his head to slip through with a quiet smile, he will. (And there is absolutely nothing wrong with dressing well, okay?)
The last thing I would like to address is how Zagreus identifies and views the adult figures in his worlds - Zeus, Persephone, and Hades. For the sake of my brain, I'll go by little paragraphs for each of them.
Zeus: Zagreus (you can't spell Zagreus without Zeus) still holds his father in the kind of high regard that little children do. Charming, powerful, a total pimp and badass that hurls lightning bolts and the King of the Gods - what is there no to admire? Zagreus was only too proud to be Zeus' heir, to be so favoured and doted upon. Being sent away with Apollo and the nymphs sucked, sure, but his father was doing it to protect him, to keep him safe. Zeus even turned the Titans to dust after they'd murdered his boy. And for Zagreus that's kind of where dad stops being so awesome. Apollo and Athena helped instead of Zeus. Persephone helped instead of Zeus. Demeter helped instead of Zeus. He was reborn a mortal and sent to live, once more, in the countryside with nymphs. He grew up as a mortal only to be harassed by Hera once more and lived to die a mortal. To the once favoured son, this severe lack of father is all but a slap in the face. Would you choose to ascend to Olympus to be under a father who abandoned you, or descend to the Underworld to be with a mother who did what she could? He thought the choice was rather obvious as well, and has not been in contact with his father since before his first death. It is pure logical reasoning that allows him to stay angry with Zeus and the memories of a first childhood that will not allow him to completely write the King of the Gods off. Zagreus will seek Zeus' approval unconsciously.
Persephone: There is very little to explain beyond the fact that Zagreus simply adores his mother. He probably did not spend much time with her as a child, being in Olympus, but Persephone was always very fond of her children, despite most of them being a result of something unfortunate. As a child, he was never truly close with her, but what child doesn't love its mother? Imagine his surprise upon finding out that it was Persephone who kept his heart safe and Persephone who coaxed her mother, Demeter, into giving him a second life and Persephone who welcomed him into the Underworld with open arms. His mother's graciousness and overwhelming warmth will always surprise him, especially in stark contrast of his "relationship" (if you can call it that) with Hera. He truly cannot understand how a woman could be so fond of children that resulted from sexual encounters that she never even consented to, and even more so, how a goddess like the Iron Queen could ever appreciate a fallen son who never fulfilled his duty. Zagreus will do everything within his power to please Persephone.
Hades: Zagreus thinks of Hades as a challenge, as the most difficult of mind games where the correct answer potentially changes with every moment that goes by. Interacting with Hades is about complete and utter control of himself, when to say what, how to say what, what words to use. The fact that Hades is such a hardass and consistently difficult to even begin to understand really only makes Zagreus want to get closer. Even as Zagreus is a complete and utter whore for approval, something else he will absolutely never admit, Hades' potential approval is worth more than simply having it as a trophy. From his time in the Underworld, Zagreus has come to appreciate and admire the composed and logical manner of its reigning lord, finding him both amusing and interesting, and furthermore, he respects Hades for his overall treatment of Persephone. Their obvious devotion to each other is something that never fails to catch his attention, but Hades is still no doting stepfather and Zagreus does not consider him as such. He has a father, even though they may not be on the best terms, and does not seek to put Hades in that fatherly role. However, twisted and disguised praise from Hades is worth nearly three times it is if it came from someone else.
As an extra final little note it is worth it to mention Zagreus' little bout of... We can call it Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. While gore itself may not really bother him, if there are limbs missing or large chunks of people gone, it can make him incredibly irate and/or upset. If it has to do with other people and is the result of something uncontrollable (a picture, say, of a girl missing her leg because of a skiing accident), he is more likely to be upset, but if it is the result of someone knowingly inflicting harm on another person and (for example), hacking off a limb, he is more likely to get angry. Any mentions of eating or cooking human beings has a violent knee jerk reaction. Mentioning his own situation may warrant the same reaction, but he is far better at shoving down the initial surge of panic and laughing it off in his own way. It is legitimately not something to joke about or mention to him, because it's just one of those things you don't do.
» Sample Journal: Olympus has all but fallen yet the world continues on in its own state of reckless efficiency, though there is little logic in ignoring the natural disarray it is prone to.
The Underworld has yet to reach the limits of occupancy.
The Elysium Fields are scarcely populated. The numbers in Tartarus have increased.
The Asphodel Meadows are coping.
Besides the obvious anomalies that I sincerely hope I will not have to point out, there is nothing more of informational value to report.
» Sample Roleplay:
Lunchtime at the Met was always interesting and was always welcomed once he realized that half the people who came up to the Visitor Services desk wanted to know where the bathroom was or if they could still buy tickets to the Treasures of the Forbidden City exhibit. In the beginning he went out of his way to be as helpful as possible: taking their museum maps and circling in blue the symbol that clearly meant bathroom, giving them step-by-step verbal instructions and even walking one group that spoke very little English (and he wasn't quite sure what it was they were speaking, Polish, perhaps) right up to the lavatory doors. At first it was nice, people were grateful and went on their way. And then it got old; it got old very very fast. Not everyone was appreciative, not everyone understood that he stood here waiting, hoping, that someone would ask a legitimate question and not just want to know where the Great Hall Balcony Bar was and ignoring his reply of Sir, the Great Hall Balcony Bar is not an appropriate eatery for children.
Zagreus was burned out by the end of his first week and feeling testy by the time his afternoon replacement showed up. Even in his distracted state, however, he should have known better than attempting to go eat in the cafeteria. He thought this himself as he already had his tray and was browsing the selection of soups when a disgruntled Hispanic woman appeared at his shoulder, a hand on her hip and brandishing a bottle of spray cleaner as if it were mace.
"Good afternoon, ma'a-"
"You come to clean my tables again?" she interrupted, fixing him with a withering look of disapproval, "Why you come here?"
"Mrs. Vega, I came to eat while I have the time, I am sure you are doing a fine job of cl-"
Any attempts to placate her were apparently not a-okay, just as not-okay as his attempt to dry off a damp table the week before so that the paper he was working on wouldn't get wet. So maybe he had wadded up a napkin, dipped it in a cup of water and then wiped (read: vigorously rubbed) the table down. And then dried the table. There had been a very obvious sticky residue. Would you have wanted that on the back of your paper? "No, no, no! Fine job, no me digas, dios mio, niño mentiroso! You stay away from tables. Eat at visitor desk, maybe it is clean enough."
He had just about lost his appetite.
» Name: Allie
» Journal: farda
» Contact: [aim] closet murder; [email] broojuice[@]gmail[dot]com
» How did you hear about us? I work here.
.the myth;
» God: Zagreus
» Reference: Wikipedia, Theoi, The Mystica, Experience Festival. Much of his history is drawn from the EF page.
» Family: {mother & father} Persephone and Zeus {spouse} N/A.
» Played By: Joseph Gordon-Levitt.
» Human Alias: Arlen Smyth.
» Human Age: Twenty-two. (dob: July 11, 1989)
» God of...: the Orphic Mysteries. Little is known about the Orphic Mysteries, but one of the meanings of the name Zagreus is "the restorer/re-generator". It is generally assumed that he has something to do with rebirth.
» Flair: MOTHER'S TOUCH - Zagreus can bring withering plants back to health with a touch. The larger the plant, the longer he has to maintain contact, and if the plant is dead already there is nothing he can do. Important is the fact that the plants sap his life source. He is fine with small plants but reviving a large one could drain and subsequently kill him.
» Flair Type: ACTIVATED
» Fitting in: Visitor Assistant at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. He will probably apply to a university once he gets the hang of things.
» History: Please bear with me on this section. As Zagreus is the god of the Orphic Mysteries, very little is known about him as, is common to the [insert name here] Mysteries, the practices/teachings/etc were often kept completely secret. Hence the use of the word "mysteries". Much of his history is also confused with Dionysus and after a certain point in Greek history, people simply began to squash them together into what is more widely known as "Zagreus-Dionysos". For the sake of any Dionysus that may app/be in the game, I am not drawing any links between them beyond having Zeus as a father.
Zagreus is the son of Zeus and Persephone. Zeus had put on the guise of a serpent (is this reverse bestiality? I'm truly curious) and ravished Persephone. A favoured son and initially intended to be the heir of Zeus, Hera's jealousy drove Zeus to send Zagreus away. Entrusted to Apollo and the Curetes, Zagreus was hidden and raised in the forests of the Parnassus. Hera, ever wrathful and jealous even with the child gone from Olympus, discovered where he was hidden and released the Titans from their prison in Tartarus to kidnap and kill the boy. In some accounts the Titans simply ran in there, found the boy, and began ripping him apart as he tried to run. In the account we're going to take into consideration, however, we're going to properly give the Titans their due. For cruel they may be, no one ever said they were stupid.
Armed with toys to lure the child to them (a thrysos/Bacchic wand, a spinning top, and a mirror, symbolizing "material" possessions), they managed to get the infant Zagreus to give up the scepter and apple (these two things were symbols of divine and noble blood) and to play with a mirror instead. While the child was distracted looking into the mirror, the Titans lunged for him. In his attempt to run away from the Titans Zagreus turned into a bull in desperation and to no avail. The Titans caught him, ripped him apart into seven pieces and boiled and roasted him, only to apparently give up mid-culinary activity and devour him half raw. Zagreus was basically the first instance of bastardized sushi.
Knowing of what Hera had ordered the Titans to do, Athena and Apollo both made their way to the scene of the murder, too late to do anything but save mere pieces of the child. Father Zeus is furious upon discovering what the Titans have done and he zaps them with a lightning bolt, turning them to ashes from which humankind popped up from. The ashes of the Titans mixed with the divine flesh of Zagreus that they had consumed is said to explain why humans are a mix of good and evil, because they possess some divinity and the cruelty of the Titans. This, of course, doesn't specify what age of humankind, since according to Greek mythology, humanity has been created and destroyed multiple times. Athena and Apollo returned Zagreus' still beating heart to Persephone, while Apollo, under Zeus' command, gathered what little bits were left of Zagreus and buried them near the Omphalos at Delphi (believed, at the time, to be the very center of the Earth).
Persephone took his heart to Demeter and Zagreus' powerful grandmother was able to resurrect the boy, from just his heart, as a mortal. This was hardly the end of everything, however, as he had to be sent away once more, this time to Mount Nysa where he was raised (in a cave, might I add, a Greek mythology favourite) by the nymphs of the mountain. Upon reaching manhood, Hera appeared to him and forced him to wander over the earth, not to return to Olympus as he was a mortal and she still held him in wrathful contempt. As he wandered, Zagreus established schools devoted to the Orphic teachings wherever he happened to be, descending into the Underworld to be with his mother only once feeling he had fulfilled the criteria of a mortal life well spent.
Zagreus is brought from the present day, after he had metaphorically "retired" from the idea of mortality and had comfortably adapted to life in the Underworld long ago. He will learn to deal, it's far better than being ripped apart again.
» Personality: As a child, Zagreus had everything he could ever wish to have. Even though he was the product of a "surprise" sexual encounter, he was quite obviously beloved by both his mother and father. As Greek Mythology lacks a legitimate and chronological time-line, it's impossible to say where Zagreus' place is among the other children of Zeus. However, he was the favoured son at the time, and we can only imagine the kind of effect that has on a child. Spoiled as he surely was, he was never a bratty and misbehaved child, but if given the choice would much rather play with his toys or the nymphs than think and dwell on his duties. He was a material baby, though, as he did give up symbols of godliness for toys that seemed to be more fun (not to mention vain, as he was too busy looking at himself in the mirror to realize what the Titans were going to do). Zagreus had his fathers charm, a smile to change anyone's mind. As a child, life was extremely simple until it suddenly wasn't.
Being hated does things to you. Being tricked does things to you. Being torn apart and devoured does things to you.
If you were not a child of Hera you were not safe from Hera's scorn and subsequent wrath. It was a tangible thing and heavy on your shoulders. She orchestrated his first death and then forced him to wander the Earth for years, all out of spite. This is just explanation behind Zagreus' contradicting interactions with women. Outside of the women in his family (Persephone, Makaria and Melinoe), he doesn't fully trust any woman. He knows the full extent and purpose of jealous rage and isn't looking to suffer from that again. At the same time, however, he's drawn to them and is, by no means, a misogynist. This results in severe commitment phobia and gladness at the fact that he never married along the way or he'd be more paranoid than an old lady missing her dentures. Despite his hangups, Zagreus doesn't believe that chivalry is dead.
Hera taught him that emotions, when extreme, were dangerous. It became much easier for Zagreus to learn how to control his own emotions and be logical about things that went on around him, to take a step back and assess the legitimate pros and cons as opposed to sticking to bias. He is careful, not reluctant, and didn't isolate himself after his rebirth. Though he was condemned to walk the Earth, Zagreus didn't take to it the way Sisyphus took to pushing that stupid rock up that hill. He has led lives in both the mortal and divine realms and knows what's going on in both of them, how their thoughts difference, how certain things gain priority over others. He comprehends human thought and feelings and understands that the gods act because they are gods; this has allowed him to develop an easy state of being unbiased. What may seem to be cold or apathetic actions from him aren't (or at least, they don't mean to come off that way), but he believes people usually deserve what they get. Zagreus can be empathetic that you got your ass stuck in jail, but he won't go on harping about how unfair it is because there was concrete evidence that you really did do whatever did.
Zagreus is more likely to give you a small amused smile than retaliate with a temper. He prefers to avoid hostilities, and when he's pushed to his boiling point (which he does, believe you me, he is after all, a child of Zeus) he's more likely to actually turn cold and inform you of just what was entirely unnecessary as a last slap in the face. Arguments are not something that Zagreus is fond of participating in, as one side will always believe that the other is wrong and the whole thing is a huge waste of time. Your opinion is your opinion and while he will not attempt to change your opinion, he will not deny the facts that logically prove your opinion to be fucked up. He is a generally pleasant person and enjoys conversation, no matter how idle or basic it may be. In all realities, Zagreus is a people person and something of a subdued optimist. He believes in helping people when they're truly in need and offering assistance or an answer when he knows he can help; he may do it in a mildly awkward or round about way, but the good intention is there.
Descending into the Underworld meant getting to be with his mother, but also having to adapt to a world that was so entirely different from the world above and it meant following Hades' rules. Being quiet, collected and logical was something that Zagreus had to develop almost out of sheer necessity. His vanity has manifested itself into neatness and a desire for organizational perfection, for there to be not a hair out of place. His want for material things evolved into a need for knowledge because once you've obtained knowledge the world will simply open itself up to you like a book. Zagreus would never admit to either of these things. Don't take his bookwormish attire and attitude to mean that he is shy or easily cowed or humble, because it is simply not true. He has simply deduced that flying under the radar is much safer and if he has to bite his tongue and bow his head to slip through with a quiet smile, he will. (And there is absolutely nothing wrong with dressing well, okay?)
The last thing I would like to address is how Zagreus identifies and views the adult figures in his worlds - Zeus, Persephone, and Hades. For the sake of my brain, I'll go by little paragraphs for each of them.
Zeus: Zagreus (you can't spell Zagreus without Zeus) still holds his father in the kind of high regard that little children do. Charming, powerful, a total pimp and badass that hurls lightning bolts and the King of the Gods - what is there no to admire? Zagreus was only too proud to be Zeus' heir, to be so favoured and doted upon. Being sent away with Apollo and the nymphs sucked, sure, but his father was doing it to protect him, to keep him safe. Zeus even turned the Titans to dust after they'd murdered his boy. And for Zagreus that's kind of where dad stops being so awesome. Apollo and Athena helped instead of Zeus. Persephone helped instead of Zeus. Demeter helped instead of Zeus. He was reborn a mortal and sent to live, once more, in the countryside with nymphs. He grew up as a mortal only to be harassed by Hera once more and lived to die a mortal. To the once favoured son, this severe lack of father is all but a slap in the face. Would you choose to ascend to Olympus to be under a father who abandoned you, or descend to the Underworld to be with a mother who did what she could? He thought the choice was rather obvious as well, and has not been in contact with his father since before his first death. It is pure logical reasoning that allows him to stay angry with Zeus and the memories of a first childhood that will not allow him to completely write the King of the Gods off. Zagreus will seek Zeus' approval unconsciously.
Persephone: There is very little to explain beyond the fact that Zagreus simply adores his mother. He probably did not spend much time with her as a child, being in Olympus, but Persephone was always very fond of her children, despite most of them being a result of something unfortunate. As a child, he was never truly close with her, but what child doesn't love its mother? Imagine his surprise upon finding out that it was Persephone who kept his heart safe and Persephone who coaxed her mother, Demeter, into giving him a second life and Persephone who welcomed him into the Underworld with open arms. His mother's graciousness and overwhelming warmth will always surprise him, especially in stark contrast of his "relationship" (if you can call it that) with Hera. He truly cannot understand how a woman could be so fond of children that resulted from sexual encounters that she never even consented to, and even more so, how a goddess like the Iron Queen could ever appreciate a fallen son who never fulfilled his duty. Zagreus will do everything within his power to please Persephone.
Hades: Zagreus thinks of Hades as a challenge, as the most difficult of mind games where the correct answer potentially changes with every moment that goes by. Interacting with Hades is about complete and utter control of himself, when to say what, how to say what, what words to use. The fact that Hades is such a hardass and consistently difficult to even begin to understand really only makes Zagreus want to get closer. Even as Zagreus is a complete and utter whore for approval, something else he will absolutely never admit, Hades' potential approval is worth more than simply having it as a trophy. From his time in the Underworld, Zagreus has come to appreciate and admire the composed and logical manner of its reigning lord, finding him both amusing and interesting, and furthermore, he respects Hades for his overall treatment of Persephone. Their obvious devotion to each other is something that never fails to catch his attention, but Hades is still no doting stepfather and Zagreus does not consider him as such. He has a father, even though they may not be on the best terms, and does not seek to put Hades in that fatherly role. However, twisted and disguised praise from Hades is worth nearly three times it is if it came from someone else.
As an extra final little note it is worth it to mention Zagreus' little bout of... We can call it Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. While gore itself may not really bother him, if there are limbs missing or large chunks of people gone, it can make him incredibly irate and/or upset. If it has to do with other people and is the result of something uncontrollable (a picture, say, of a girl missing her leg because of a skiing accident), he is more likely to be upset, but if it is the result of someone knowingly inflicting harm on another person and (for example), hacking off a limb, he is more likely to get angry. Any mentions of eating or cooking human beings has a violent knee jerk reaction. Mentioning his own situation may warrant the same reaction, but he is far better at shoving down the initial surge of panic and laughing it off in his own way. It is legitimately not something to joke about or mention to him, because it's just one of those things you don't do.
» Sample Journal: Olympus has all but fallen yet the world continues on in its own state of reckless efficiency, though there is little logic in ignoring the natural disarray it is prone to.
The Underworld has yet to reach the limits of occupancy.
The Elysium Fields are scarcely populated. The numbers in Tartarus have increased.
The Asphodel Meadows are coping.
Besides the obvious anomalies that I sincerely hope I will not have to point out, there is nothing more of informational value to report.
» Sample Roleplay:
Lunchtime at the Met was always interesting and was always welcomed once he realized that half the people who came up to the Visitor Services desk wanted to know where the bathroom was or if they could still buy tickets to the Treasures of the Forbidden City exhibit. In the beginning he went out of his way to be as helpful as possible: taking their museum maps and circling in blue the symbol that clearly meant bathroom, giving them step-by-step verbal instructions and even walking one group that spoke very little English (and he wasn't quite sure what it was they were speaking, Polish, perhaps) right up to the lavatory doors. At first it was nice, people were grateful and went on their way. And then it got old; it got old very very fast. Not everyone was appreciative, not everyone understood that he stood here waiting, hoping, that someone would ask a legitimate question and not just want to know where the Great Hall Balcony Bar was and ignoring his reply of Sir, the Great Hall Balcony Bar is not an appropriate eatery for children.
Zagreus was burned out by the end of his first week and feeling testy by the time his afternoon replacement showed up. Even in his distracted state, however, he should have known better than attempting to go eat in the cafeteria. He thought this himself as he already had his tray and was browsing the selection of soups when a disgruntled Hispanic woman appeared at his shoulder, a hand on her hip and brandishing a bottle of spray cleaner as if it were mace.
"Good afternoon, ma'a-"
"You come to clean my tables again?" she interrupted, fixing him with a withering look of disapproval, "Why you come here?"
"Mrs. Vega, I came to eat while I have the time, I am sure you are doing a fine job of cl-"
Any attempts to placate her were apparently not a-okay, just as not-okay as his attempt to dry off a damp table the week before so that the paper he was working on wouldn't get wet. So maybe he had wadded up a napkin, dipped it in a cup of water and then wiped (read: vigorously rubbed) the table down. And then dried the table. There had been a very obvious sticky residue. Would you have wanted that on the back of your paper? "No, no, no! Fine job, no me digas, dios mio, niño mentiroso! You stay away from tables. Eat at visitor desk, maybe it is clean enough."
He had just about lost his appetite.