There were so many rules. There were rules about what you could wear at certain times of the day. There were rules about what you may eat depending on what you were wearing at certain times of the day. There were rules about what order you could walk into a dining room to eat certain things depending on what you were wearing at certain times of the day. And so on and so on and so on. One rule led to another, led to another, led to a dozen. It was ridiculous.

( And it was all based on class. )

Takes place shortly after Peitho and Rosmerta meet in Byzantium.

Peitho and Hermes had spent so much time together over the years, the mortals had even begun to assume they were married. It had never really come to that- both he and Seduction were far too free spirited to be tied down that way. Hermes loved her beyond words, but the trouble was he loved others just as much. His heart was too big to restrict it to just one goddess, or god, or mortal for that matter. Perhaps it was something he got from his father.

Heaven only knew how Zeus and Hera had lasted this long without killing each other. Even Hermes knew that Zeus really did love his wife, but it was such a strange relationship. While he never really knew the details, Hermes was convinced it was Hera who was responsible for the marriage actually happening. If she had her way everyone would be married, himself included.

( Uh-hu. No thanks. )

Rosmerta was becoming a bit vexed with her “spouse.” Not because he was leaving his cloak crumpled in the middle of the floor. Not because he ate the last of the cheese then wondered why there wasn't anymore when she asked about it. Not because he tracked muddy footprints across her freshly cleaned floor. No, it was because he was doing absolutely none of those things. ( He was, apparently, missing. )