Hedone

You may know the tale of Psyche and Eros where it truly was like a tale as old as time. Of how the son of the beautiful goddess Aphrodite fell in love with a mortal woman, who would eventually become a goddess herself. But you don’t know the tale of their daughter Hedone, and which seemed only natural being the offspring of love and soul would become the Goddess of pleasure!

It’s been at least 250 years since the gods and goddesses left their homeland in Greece and have now established their new life in Seattle, Washington. It took a lot to move the original Mount Olympus to its new home in the new world. Which is where we find Hedone, who is at least 2500 years old trapped in a 25-year-old body. Recently she’s had a successful career throughout being one of Seattle’s hottest radio talk show hosts where she helps give listeners and callers all the best advice on love, desire, and pleasure.

In this scenario it’s no surprise she would be just as successful as everyone else in her family. You should see her father Eros who is a nationally recognized matchmaker but, they don’t call him cupid for nothing. Then you have her mother Psyche who owns a chain of beauty spas and salons to help rejuvenate the soul.

Seems all picture perfect but minus just one thing for Hedone. It’s the everlasting eternal nagging of her parents and grandmother pushing her to find love. Hedone still can’t get over the last conversation she had with her grandmother Aphrodite recently. Aphrodite literally said and I quote “Hedone there have been so many fine men over the centuries you could have had. I mean seriously Hedone darling, you’re literally the goddess of pleasure you could have had any fine men Achilles, Perseus, or even that hulking Hercules. One of the greatest heroes of our times and you just let him, and the others slip right through your fingers just like that.” Hedone defends herself “Just because I’m the goddess of pleasure doesn’t mean I can own every man like a collectible charm for a pandora bracelet.” It was so heated Hedone even said “Well Grandma Aphy look at how many men you’ve had and how long did they work out for you.”

Hedone has not had the best relationship with her grandma for centuries. But that all comes back to Aphrodite being so jealous of her mother she tried to set her up to an unhappy future and at one point tried to kill her. So, her grandma was not happy when she found out the one woman, she’s always hated would become her daughter in law. So, over the years Aphrodite made a lot of unsuccessful attempts to split up her Psyche and Eros; Hedones’ dad is a momma’s boy so what can you do.

Hedones parents tried a little bit over the years to help find her the perfect match but, at least they weren’t overbearing like Aphrodite, because they didn’t want to push their daughter away.

She’s tried everything to find the right man. She tried using Tinder, Bumble, blind dates, a singles cruise, and even the occasional hookup. Hedone may be the goddess of pleasure but, no matter where she goes, she brings pleasure and love to other people but is unable to feel that for herself. Maybe if her grandmother would stop trying to make it seem like she can be with all man kind and not just committed to a single person she would probably have better luck. Yet sometimes she wonders if her grandma is aware of all the gossip that’s circulated around her over the years. She maybe one of the most gorgeous women to ever walk this physical plain but almost all the Olympians that work together at Sky Corp have all whispered throughout the grape vine that she has no congeniality. But for her grandma also being a recognized wealthy marriage and relationship counselor it still puzzles Hedones mind how mortals could turn to her for advice and still love her for fixing their problems. Considering she tried to split up Hedones parents, no one really knows why she would choose to help fix broken relationships.

Hedone hates this overwhelming pressure that she needs to start looking for a husband or she will risk shaming her family. Almost all the gods are married and for a goddess to not find a partner has become taboo.

But Hedone is facing a lot of inner conflict with herself, like why can’t any of the men she’s found over the years make her happy; or maybe she’s not capable of love like her family. She now questions why she is even the goddess of pleasure to begin with. She helps bring out all mortals’ inner pleasures to the surface everywhere she goes. Just her very essence and energy alone even in just a simple coffee shop can turn into an actual love fest. But that’s just how it goes when you’re a god or goddess they are meant to bring out inspiration and ideas to mortals. Hedone is at least glad she didn’t turn into a stripper or a whore which is more of the darker and dirtier side of mortal’s pleasures.

It really is no wonder a long time ago in Greece they literally worshipped them at their feet. Maybe Hedone just never felt loved for what she was born as; like what is the point of being a goddess if you don’t have mortals that love you. Hedone wonders if there should be an online poll to see who the most favored god in all of Olympus is; but she knows Zeus would always be number one. Which would be a nice little jab to Grandma Aphy and that she will always be in second or third place.

Love just seemed hopeless for Hedone and with another Valentines Day fast approaching Hedone is about ready to give up. She wonders if she should relinquish her title as goddess of pleasure because, since she can’t even understand what that means for herself if she can’t experience it.

But it seemed like her luck was about to change possibly for the better. She was at her favorite coffee shop in Seattle called Hyperion Espresso which is secretly run by a few lotus eaters. She is reminded that they have it easy since they literally bring pleasure and happiness with all their delicious drinks and tasty treats. Yet she is reminded she is on a tight schedule with planning a Valentines Day special on the radio and figuring out what to wear to her families annual Cupids Ball. A huge lavish party where mortals and gods attend. Its honestly laughable that unbeknownst to the mortals that they are literally walking and dancing side by side with actual deities.

Hedone was just about to leave when all of a sudden, she accidentally runs into a man and his coffee pores all over her and her book. He is quickly apologetic about what he has done but Hedone is not so sympathetic since a lot of her work was now covered in sugary coffee. She literally says, “you idiot do you not know how much work you just ruined”. He then says, “I said I was sorry, but you should have also been more careful too.” Then they both stand up and stare into each other’s eyes and for some odd reason Hedone finds herself for the first time smitten. She’d fallen for mortal boys before but there was something different about this one he introduces himself as Jason Argausse.

Just when she thought she couldn’t escape from all the Greek influences, here comes another one named after a well-known Greek hero. She didn’t have time for this, she was gonna be late for when she is supposed to go on the air. Hedone ended up making it in time but when she got to the desk to check in with security she couldn’t find her ID badge. Then she began to tear her bag apart looking and digging for the badge but, it was nowhere to be found. It was hopeless she couldn’t find it. The security guard knows she works there but, without that badge she won’t be able to get into the studio. Just when she thought she was gonna have to cancel her show today, here comes the guy that spilled her coffee all over her.

Her first thought was that he was a crazy man that followed her all the way to work. But it turns out it was the exact opposite for her. He was just kind enough to return her ID badge that she had dropped when they both collided back at the coffee shop. She then told him “Thank you” and she then apologized for the way she acted earlier. He accepted her apology and then he starts to flirt with her a little by saying how he promises not to be so clumsy next time he runs into a talented radio talk show host again. Hedone giggled a little bit at the cheesy remark. That’s when their eyes were locked again but Hedone had to break the silence and run upstairs before it was too late. But she thanked him again one more time before she made a dash for her studio.

As she was broadcasting her show and taking the usual calls and giving advice to mortals on how to spice up their relationship, or if there is nothing that can be done to fix the relationship. But as she was talking and listening, she kept thinking about the Argausse guy. Like what was this feeling that was driving her crazy. Hedone thought maybe she was just exhausted and still annoyed with everything but, before she left for the night the security guard tells her that the man from earlier left his business card for her.

It turns out he’s an artist and he left a little message for her on it. “Come by Wednesday night at 7pm”. Hedone was shocked that after the way she had treated him, he wanted her to come by his studio. Two days later she arrives at his studio and she sees he is wrapping up a painting class. Hedone was taken back at how so many great artists have made art and statues of her family and fellow gods but, no ones ever made a statue of her before. Which has to do with the fact that she hasn’t done anything to be recognized like all the other gods.

After he was done teaching his class Hedone and Jason talked for a good couple of hours and he showed her around his studio. She then asks what inspired him to become and artist, and it because it was the only thing he could see himself doing. Even his own family didn’t support him with his goals and dreams by saying “he needs to get a real job”. In his defense he told how people should be able to do the things that makes them happy otherwise there is no real pleasure of life. Hedone felt a little shell shocked when he said that, like something had finally clicked with her. She knew there was something different about him, and its that they both have something in common which is the endless struggle to please her family.

They were spending lots of time together after that. Jason taught her how to do a painting, which was something she’s never done before, and she felt happy and relaxed as she was doing it. They met at the coffee shop a few times over the next couple of weeks, and they even went hiking near the base of Mt. Olympus. He even made a remark as to why would someone name this mountain just like the one is Greece. Hedone wondered if she should tell him who she really is, and the fact that she’s growing really fond of him so fast she wonders if he will accept her for who she is. If Hedone tells him the truth she just hopes, it’s not gonna be like the same repeated story as her parents. Hedone now realizes that her grandmother was actually never satisfied with her choices, and Aphrodite was trying to set her granddaughter up with the men she thought was right for her. Once again, her grandmother is repeating ancient history, if anything her grandmother Aphy should be happy for her, that she’s found someone that can give her that.

Plus, Hedone is now starting to realize that she is more than just the goddess of sexual pleasure, and that she is the goddess of pleasure. Just doing all these new things she’s never done over the last 2000 years has become a breath of fresh air for Hedone. She now sees that humans get to choose what they do that makes them happy, and they get to choose who makes them happy; and for the first time she is finally starting to feel that for Jason. It had been centuries for Hedone to find the right match but, he in her eyes was worth the wait.

Her family’s annual Cupids Ball has finally arrived, and she has invited Jason to attend with her. She is a little nervous because she knows she will be noticed by all the gods that she is with this man. But she kept her back straight and didn’t even give a sideways glance at anyone that was looking at her. For once Hedone was standing her ground as a goddess and was walking firm with confidence. Hedone and Jason begin to mix and mingle, and then Apollo takes the stage for a slow song. Hedone has danced before but this was the first time she has ever danced with someone she finally loves. Jason was then holding her so close in his arms Hedone could hear his heartbeat, and it was mighty like a god. Aphrodite eventually spots them together and was getting ready to walk up to them but, then Jason begins to kiss her. She then stops a few feet in her tracks as she sees that her granddaughter is truly in love for the first time. Aphrodite has a change of heart, and she lets them be as she reflects on the damage, she has caused her.

At some point Hedone reveals the truth to Jason, it took him a little bit for it to sink in. But all he knows is that he loves her. Hedone wonders if things keep going the way they are will the Olympians let him become a god like her, and they can truly be together forever. Hedone is happy that she is more than a goddess of pleasure, she's a goddess of life's joy.