Preparation was the key to success. At least that’s what she told herself as she ascended the marble stairs toward the entrance to the temple. As she neared the pinnacle she found herself honing in on the slightest sounds and sensations. Listening closely to the scuffle of her feet upon the smooth stone and the echo that followed along behind them. Every step she took she could hear a trio clap on behind her. A perpetual reminder that she wasn’t alone. Pausing she glanced over her shoulder toward the guards, who seemed momentarily taken aback by the fact that she looked at them at all. Typically speaking Imma did her best to ignore the fact that she was being followed. It had never been all that common practice at home, but she’d been quite obliging with her mother’s wishes since they arrived in the city. Today, however, she really didn’t feel like having an audience.
“I would like you to wait outside, please.” While she was as polite as she ever was, there was a distinct tone in her voice that made the request seem more like an order. The guards seemed hesitant to acquiesce to her request, but Imma wasn’t budging on this one. “It’s the temple of Athena. What could possibly happen to me there? Just wait outside.” Eventually they obliged, despite whatever hesitation they might have felt. Which allowed her the opportunity to scale the stairway without the ominous thud of their steps behind her. As she made her way through the doors, offering in hand she released a tepid sigh.
The first stop she made within the temple was to make her offering. It wasn’t at all unlike the temple back home in that the offerings were all gathered around the base of a statue fashioned to look like the goddess herself. The clay jar in her hands was filled to the neck with cream sprinkled with sweet smelling lavender. Peering up at the unchanging expression of Athena she took a moment to close her eyes and silently address her prayer. When next she opened her eyes she found herself peering into the cream, watching the specs of purple float placidly upon its surface. Setting the jug down gently she stepped back from the altar. Turning about just enough to glance at the doorway beyond the pillars to spot the guards still waiting beyond. They reminded her all at once of scavengers, waiting to drop down on her the moment they were able.
Narrowing her eyes just slightly she let his displeasure rise to the surface before stepping deeper into the temple. The longer she was there the better off she would be. The idea had been to pray for the strength and confidence to make it through her first night at court. Whether or not Athena would hear her prayers was questionable of course. As generous as Aphrodite had been with her sisters, however, she was hoping that the same grace would be shared with her from Athena. It was a farfetched dream but one she she fully intended on holding out for. What was the worst that could happen? Her prayers went unanswered and she made a fool of herself and her family. No pressure at all, right? For the second time she found herself sighing in tumultuous unease.
Veering away from the common path she turned down a gallery that seemed established to cater to the likeness of the goddess. Numerous statues were set in recession throughout the gallery; each with its own alcove. Passing by them she whispered her hopes and dreams; though for the moment they primarily revolved around expectations. Managing to achieve some goal that was drilled into her from the moment she could comprehend. Find a man. It sounded so easy, didn’t it? Not to her. As far as she was concerned she might as well have been asked to produce a unicorn. The more she found herself asking for aid the more she found herself doubting the likelihood of it happening. So eventually she just stopped asking and started turning her attention to other things. Things she personally thought were more important. Like her sister’s safety and her mother’s health. Success in Theo’s marriage and satisfaction for Nana in her conquests. Really anything to take the focus off herself for a moment, even if only in her mind.
“I would like you to wait outside, please.” While she was as polite as she ever was, there was a distinct tone in her voice that made the request seem more like an order. The guards seemed hesitant to acquiesce to her request, but Imma wasn’t budging on this one. “It’s the temple of Athena. What could possibly happen to me there? Just wait outside.” Eventually they obliged, despite whatever hesitation they might have felt. Which allowed her the opportunity to scale the stairway without the ominous thud of their steps behind her. As she made her way through the doors, offering in hand she released a tepid sigh.
The first stop she made within the temple was to make her offering. It wasn’t at all unlike the temple back home in that the offerings were all gathered around the base of a statue fashioned to look like the goddess herself. The clay jar in her hands was filled to the neck with cream sprinkled with sweet smelling lavender. Peering up at the unchanging expression of Athena she took a moment to close her eyes and silently address her prayer. When next she opened her eyes she found herself peering into the cream, watching the specs of purple float placidly upon its surface. Setting the jug down gently she stepped back from the altar. Turning about just enough to glance at the doorway beyond the pillars to spot the guards still waiting beyond. They reminded her all at once of scavengers, waiting to drop down on her the moment they were able.
Narrowing her eyes just slightly she let his displeasure rise to the surface before stepping deeper into the temple. The longer she was there the better off she would be. The idea had been to pray for the strength and confidence to make it through her first night at court. Whether or not Athena would hear her prayers was questionable of course. As generous as Aphrodite had been with her sisters, however, she was hoping that the same grace would be shared with her from Athena. It was a farfetched dream but one she she fully intended on holding out for. What was the worst that could happen? Her prayers went unanswered and she made a fool of herself and her family. No pressure at all, right? For the second time she found herself sighing in tumultuous unease.
Veering away from the common path she turned down a gallery that seemed established to cater to the likeness of the goddess. Numerous statues were set in recession throughout the gallery; each with its own alcove. Passing by them she whispered her hopes and dreams; though for the moment they primarily revolved around expectations. Managing to achieve some goal that was drilled into her from the moment she could comprehend. Find a man. It sounded so easy, didn’t it? Not to her. As far as she was concerned she might as well have been asked to produce a unicorn. The more she found herself asking for aid the more she found herself doubting the likelihood of it happening. So eventually she just stopped asking and started turning her attention to other things. Things she personally thought were more important. Like her sister’s safety and her mother’s health. Success in Theo’s marriage and satisfaction for Nana in her conquests. Really anything to take the focus off herself for a moment, even if only in her mind.