Persephone | Mood: Exasperated

Persephone had forgotten that he had seen her like this at one point, and the beginnings of her churning stomach became more apparent. She was able to ignore it at first, but now she had to acknowledge that she was more nervous than she would like to admit. Besides being very angry with her, he seemed a little wary, because of her appearance. It took him a few seconds to even notice, which was unexpected. It spoke a few notches about how displeased he was. She was waiting to see how furious he would be at the end. Was this really a good idea? Could their longstanding marriage really handle this kind of conflict?

It still surprised her that he had fallen for her, who was his opposite, and she still couldn't quite understand why, and had simply accepted it. Instinctively, Persephone began her verbal attack, the way many marital arguments begin, because she was feeling harried by his annoyance. She should have expected this from herself, and prepared herself, so she could let it slide off of her like water off of a duck's back. After mentioning Hercules, she hid her feelings on the fact that she had poked a huge throbbing sensitive nerve of Hades'.

Her eyebrow wanted to raise one because of skepticism. She hadn't been too impressed by Hercules herself, and she didn't see what Zeus saw in him. Why would everyone favor one weak, albeit strong for a mortal, mortal? She had felt sorry for Cerberus, as he had been slung over Hercules' shoulder, which was very uncomfortable for him. Just because their three headed canine could go on as long as a god didn't mean that he didn't hurt and get uncomfortable. It had been completely inconsiderate, turning Persephone away from the favored demi-god. She wasn't even sure what she was saying now. Years of frustration were spilling out, and becoming a confusing mess.

She had prepared how to keep him here, but she hadn't really thought through what she was doing. She hadn't thought too long and hard on the consequences. His face was morphing with each emotion, as she continued to let the words flow from her. Like many emotional arguments, it was far from well constructed, or even logical. However, any husband would know better than to say that she was wrong. She knew what Hades' moods meant, and she changed, each one having to be taken seriously. It all depended if she wanted her revenge taken in secret, or if she wanted to be taken seriously. Her face was hard and stubborn, "I will return him, but why do we have to wait six months. Don't you miss me enough to stay up here or at least visit?"

She was making wild throws, trying to see if anything would connect with him and change his mind. "You know mother says I have to come up and visit, but you could visit during the hot months." Taking a deep breath, she began a new line of argument, "This is the real question Hades. Why do you care so much? Why do we even let these sad souls into the Underworld? What do they do for us? Why do we care?" Persephone felt tears beginning to prick at her eyes, but she was determined to use that as a last attempt. This was ridiculous, that she was getting this emotional. She didn't know she wanted, but she did know that she wanted things to change. She considered burying her face in Cerberus' fur, yet she decided to be strong. Mimicking his tone, her voice took on a razor edge, "Don't tell me what to do." Her voice began rising getting higher, more unreasonable, and shrill, "Unlike you, I don't have the freedom to go wherever I wish, and if I get lonely, I damn sure will bring Cerberus to my garden, since apparently, he's the only fit company above or below, or on this piece of dirt. You might be able to go without company for six months at a time or more, but I need some form of a social life, even if it is only a three headed canine."

She had become a bit of a social outcast after marrying Hades, and she had been accustomed to people wanting to spend time with such a vibrant beautiful young lady. People were uncomfortable in her presence, and she had earned the respect of many, including other gods and goddesses. Unlike Hades, her changing mood swings meant that humans had to watch their step around her, and try to please her, or time it correctly, so they didn't end up cursed. Around Hades, she had been trying to contain her naturally fiery nature. He was one of the few others around, yet he didn't rub off on her deep down. It was only superficial, and had caused a much larger explosion than it should have been. She watched helplessly, as he began to stalk off, determined to leave, instead of work it out.

Normally, Persephone might have noticed Nyx sooner also, possibly alerting Hades to her unusual ally, however, she totally was able to ignore her, not giving her away. She realized that Nyx was there, and she nodded watching, as he fell asleep. She knew they needed to work all of that out, but perhaps this would give them some time to cool off, or it could make him wake up in a very nasty mood. Persephone shrugged, "Thanks for the concern. He can't kill me, and even if he could, I've already been trapped down below before. You are right though. There is a lot I should have kept to myself, but I will have to deal with those consequences, now won't I?"

Carefully, she concealed a wry smile, "Yes, I got Hypnos to take care of Cerberus. I wanted to....test his limits?" She was glad that she had gotten Hypnos to only take care of Cerberus. He never would have managed Hades, even though he was only one person, and Cerberus was kind of three. "I better get Cerberus back. Someone has to watch over the Underworld, and he's the only one who is used to the routine. It appears you have things handled for now. Thank you very much for your help Nyx," she did a shallow curtsey demonstrating her gratitude.

Once Cerberus left the garden, he began to rouse, and she had him follow on her heel, as she escorted him back to the Underworld. Carefully, she found her way to Charron's ferry. After a polite interchange, she paid the fare, and returned Cerberus back to where she had found him. "Take care of the place boy," she nuzzled him. She took a quick spin around the area, but realized there was more of a mess here than she could handle. Deciding the only thing left was to take care of Hades, she headed back to the garden.

"Nyx....may I speak with you?" Nyx stared at her unblinking, so she took it as a if you must speak, then I am listening, even though she wasn't sure if she had correctly interpreted. "What do you think I should do? I can't keep Hades cooped up here for very long. Word will get back to Zeus, and I am sure eventually, once enough complaints cut through his apathy, Hades will go free. Did I ruin everything?" She had been young, impulsive, and foolish. It was quite the combination. "Also, if Hades tries to leave, and you aren't around, will Hypnos actually be able to handle him? Cerberus woke up fairly easily, and Cerberus doesn't try to resist sleep spells, unless he is guarding the entrance, which was virtually all of the time."

When Persephone returned to the garden, she gave a little start, as she recognized Nyx's shadowy form wafting around doing her thing. Persephone tried not to stare or give undue attention to Nyx unsure what would be enough to set her off. Perhaps after so many years of being alone and in the dark had done the opposite of what she feared. Could Nyx suddenly have become very patient? She kept on flicking her gaze toward her, distracted by her unusual presence and appearance. She felt her stomach tighten, as she watched her husband snooze. This was the lengths she had to go through to get him to take a break, yet an ancient force like Nyx could enjoy a little sunlight. Could he really complain that he was set in his ways, when Nyx branched out from her routine every once and a while?

Her lips tightened. She couldn't believe that she had the audacity to try to burden this powerful entity with her own worthless worries. Patiently, Persephone stood there waiting for an answer, not wanting to continue to be rude and interrupt. When Nyx deigned to respond, Persephone had to contain her start of surprise. She knew that she had asked Nyx for advice, but she wasn't sure how up to date the elder goddess was on modern relations between the gods and their personalities. Persephone was younger, and she went to visit them for six months out of the year, while Nyx preferred to stay secluded down in the Underworld. However, after comparing her conclusion to Nyx's, she saw that it was logical and made sense. When Persephone was feeling arrogant, she didn't think a few more millenia made a difference, however, there seemed to be a certain steadiness about Nyx that Persephone did not have at all.

The calm unflappableness of Nyx helped Persephone get enough control over her fears where she managed to smooth her face back into young impartiality. She couldn't remember if Nyx was a liar, so she decided that a wait and see policy made the most sense on this occasion. She supposed one of the reasons she thought Nyx and her offspring would be more willing to help was that it seemed like Hades had an affinity with them. He even had Charron hired on as the ferryman. He was constantly complaining about something.

If Hypnos was only rusty, he would have plenty of time coming up to practice. When Nyx peered full into Persephone's face, she was unable to contain an involuntary gasp of breath. She knew that she had completely been read. "I see," Persephone answered in a neutral tone, "Thank you for listening."

~~~~~~

Persephone paced back and forth. It was around that time that Demeter wandered the earth searching for her daughter, so they could have a nice meal together. It was tradition to celebrate her return, even though as immortals they had all the time in the world. Demeter understood that after being queen of the Underworld, her daughter didn't want to be tied to her mother's apron strings. The goddess of the harvest always had lots of things to do and couldn't spend the whole summer visiting with her daughter.

Since Persephone never brought anything from down under, Demeter always had to provide the materials for a proper celebration. She was harvesting the best harvest now from her alcolyte's altars, and placing it in a sack, which she would bring to her team. There was meat, ambrosia, and the first fruits of the harvest. It would all be spectacular once it was fixed properly.

For a while Persephone watched Hades' chest rise and fall. She climbed up on the wall for a little while, until she noticed her mother's bent over figure slowly treading toward them. "Good journey mother?"

"As well as can be expected. I did manage to bring the whole feast!" Demeter's smile became broader. "We'll have a..." she trailed off, her smile fading, as Hades became apparent. "What is he doing here?" her voice was hard and flinty, "Don't you leave him in that dismal pit for three months of the year, while we get time together. I don't go invading his time with you."

"About that." Her smile became forced. "I kidnapped him. He's not here of his own accord, nor asleep naturally." She began to help unpack the food. If her mother wanted to leave, at least Persephone would probably be able to keep the supplies once they were out. "You get a lot better rations than Hades and I. They tend not to give quite so bountifully or delectable to those in the Underworld compared to the goddess of the harvest." It was hard to be thankful that your soul was going to be collected and housed when you died compared to recieving grain that you needed. Only respect for Hades and Persephone ensured they always got a good offering.

Demeter stared for a moment blankly at Persephone before she began to help unload. "I'll...manage something nice." She smiled shaking her head at this strange turn of events. Persephone sat down to wait and see if the drowsy effects would be wearing off of Hades soon. Before long the aroma of offerings filled her nose and made her salivate. Come on she thought repeatedly to herself. It's time to wake up. Even though she would have to stand firm against his anger, she was ready to eat.

When Hades finally awoke, Persephone didn't try to do or say much. A generous smile was etched in her face. "I'm glad you're awake. I wanted to eat for quite a while now." She continued to be polite and friendly, waiting until after their meal was finished, so they could potentially all get to enjoy it in peace. "How was your sleep?" It seemed hard to find a topic that wouldn't trigger both of them. Was Demeter's presence enough to prevent him from openly stating his grievances? She supposed she owed him something. "Cerberus is back watching the entrance." That might make him more worried, or he might be relieved that there was someone...anyone down guarding the Underworld. "Hypnos didn't do his job well, Nyx checked in, and Charron seems to be slowing down."

Why was she trying so hard to keep the meal peaceful and calm? They were Greek gods. They didn't do calm. They were forces of nature, and they compelled others to follow their lead and orders. Demeter's brow was furrowed, trying to figure this chill out. Persephone's muscles were tight as she kept expecting everytime someone opened their mouth to be an inconvient question that was difficult to answer. Should she go ahead and mention the limitations? While her anger could be started rather easily, initating a fight was not up her alley.

(sorry for the long wait. if you need me to add more let me know.)

Persephone kept a smile plastered on her face, as he woke up. It didn't change, when his voice trailed off, because he noticed her mother nearby. At least she could guess where their conversation was going to go after her mother departed. "Did you rest well?" It was important for her to reinforce the idea that she was only doing this for their benefit. He needed a break and rest, so that he could go another millenia pegging away at his job. Persephone couldn't understand why Hades had to be so stubborn. Humans had years and years to die. They could live for a little while longer, so Hades got some time off.

Demeter's face was full of attempted politeness, knowing that if she provoked Hades enough Persephone would consider ejecting her from the garden. She was Persephone's mother. Even though she hated that she had to respect her daughter's wishes to some extent, she was not going to listen to the ignominy of being turned out by her child. "I'm glad you could finally take the time to see some sun." Her voice was rather monotone and dull. She didn't care if Hades were up here or not, as long as she wasn't subjected to his doom and gloom for a long period of time. At least she wanted to be able to choose if she were going to hang around him. "The trip was okay," Demeter shrugged. "You're welcome." The less words that were said the less likely she was to get mad at this presumptuous rapscallion who had convinced her daughter to live below.

Unlike what some people thought, Persephone hadn't gone with Hades to escape her mother. She liked Hades, and so being a rather strong willed woman, she didn't let her mother's dislike of him stop her. "Yeah, I thought this would be better than the inedible parts of a cow that was left on our offering," she explained why she had fetched her mother. "It's really annoying that...what was his name..I forgot, but I don't know why someone would teach humans how to cheat the gods out of what is rightfully due to them." Besides wanting to let Hades have time to cool down, she needed better supplies than what they naturally got, and she couldn't kick her mother out after she provided for them.

Persephone raised a finely arched brow at Hades, pinning him with a look that would slow down questions. "Charron is old, and he's been at the job since before I was a thing. That normally happens." In an absent minded voice, she gazed off looking nowhere in particular, "He probably needs a nice long holiday next." She also knew how cranky Charron would be if he had to share his barge, and she wasn't sure where they could get another one that could cross on the river Styx. Imagine the mess if there was a collision. Her face brightened, when Hades mentioned help. "Do you really mean that? I'm sure he would. I also think we should start looking for another monster. Cereberus is definitely better, because dogs are more loyal, but he doesn't have the fear factor he used to. People are expecting to see a multi-headed hellhound, when they approach the entrance to the Underworld."

Surprisingly, Persephone had forgotten about eating the fruit and getting stuck. It would be quite amusing for her to watch souls only dying half of the year. Demeter noticed, and she was a little disappointed at Hades' self control. She figured if she didn't mention it there would be more of a chance of him absentmindedly eating it. It would serve him right if he got stuck up here. It was tempting to offer to cut it for him, so he would be forced to utterly reject her pear.

Persephone ate, while wondering why nothing passed Hades' lips. Before she had a chance to rethink it, she sighed, putting the food down. "Would it kill you to relax a little? I'm trying to do something pleasant for you. You'll see that you'll go back to work completely rejuvenated. I bet you'll even miss being on a hiatus. All the other gods aren't near as attentive as you are, and things are doing fine." Such a relative word. There was a reason why Earth was very chaotic.

Demeter frowned disappointed that she wouldn't get to crow that Hades had eaten some food from the land of the living. It would feel so good to disguise her self satisfied smile, as she brought Hades before Zeus. She doubted anyone except for Persephone during the winter and fall months would miss that he was gone. Either he kept on remembering that he could get stuck up on the surface, or he wasn't hungry. She hadn't wanted to miss it happening, but she knew she would have better luck if she weren't around. Seeing as she was already becoming ignored by her daughter, it seemed a convenient time to take her leave. Arising, she dipped her head to both of them. "I'll be leaving you two to it. Good day. Enjoy the summer." Soon she was out of the garden, and back in the large wide world, finding something to deal with to help someone else.

The beginning of Persephone's diatribe was cut off, as she hugged her mother goodbye. Now that she was gone, she waited for Hades to take a deep breath, so he could yell at her for a very long time. She preferred to spring forward without thought, while he could take a few centuries to make a decision. It made communicating very very slow. Perhaps if Hades had shown her what he did, she could have given him a break occassionally during the winter. How hard could his job be? So far from what Hades told her, he hadn't convinced her that he was necessary to keep the Underworld going. At the same time, she didn't know of anyone who could fill in for Hades for any length of time. "You've been doing it for such a long time, surely the staff know the routine by now."

(Don't know if you have read Harry Potter, but after I thought about it, an interesting twist on Demeter's appearance (especially since Persephone has orange hair is) that demeter look kinda like Mrs. Weasley. Large and round with orange hair. Also I apologize for how long it took me to get something out. Let me know if you need me to continue working on it.)

To Hades, it felt like months were passing while the two goddesses chatted away like birds in the springtime. Being forced to bear witness to such a glorious waste of time was excrutiating, and he dearly wished to flee from the garden scene to the cool gloom of his Underworld domain, but, well, he had already had a taste of Persephone's determination and was hoping to avoid a second round if at all possible.

All she wanted was some thoughtful conversation and small slice of his ever so precious time, right? Although a god's time was a finite resource, taking it away didn't seem to bother her much. Perhaps he could get this over relatively painlessly. After all, after the surprise visit from Demeter, she couldn't possibly throw something worse his way. He just had to swallow his pride for a few minutes, and maybe she'd realize that his mood, company, and conversation were aruably less pleasant than while below.

As Persephone walked her mother to the edge of the garden and the two said their goodbyes, Hades plucked a plump purple fig from a bowl and rolled it irritably between his fingers and wandered away from the table deep in thought. It appeared as though they'd made hardly a dent in the sun-ripened fruits, candied nuts, and finely roasted meats piled high, which wasn't far off from the truth. Demeter and Persephone had spent much of their time talking rather than eating, and the elder goddess had brought so much food that it would have taken some miracle of the divine to have consumed every bite. And in fact, Hades had - of course - been careful to avoid letting so much as a single almond or crumb of bread pass his lips.

Silently and slowly seething, he began to stroll around the garden's wooded perimiter, careful not to cross what he'd determined as the threshhold, and the absolute limit to his freedom. The garden was surrounded mostly by a crude wall comprised of living vegetation: ancient twisting nut trees, dense strangling vines swelling with budding fruits and flower blooms, and leafy brush. It would have been quite pretty if it wasn't essentially a jail, and as to his jailers...well. He had his suspicions, but he wasn't quite sure as to who all Persephone had pulled into her nefarious plot. Zeus? Poseidon? Ares? They wouldn't dare. So as he walked, he was on high alert, looking for anything that might trigger a reaction, a trap, a hint, anything. As his eyes turned skyward, peering up at the fence-like structure of curving green vines, he heard Persephone's voice coming softly from behind him.

"You might think that." He replied tightly, his gaze still turned away as he scanned the borders intently. "But you don't truly trust the likes of Minos to be solely responsible for decisions regarding mortal souls? A man who ignored a clear sign from a god simply to please his own ego."

Very, very slowly, almost fearfully, he reached out to brush his fingers a glossy young leaf jutting from the wall of vines. He held it for only a second - a test - then withdrew his hand again and scoffed. "Or the Fates? Three squabbling hags who spend more time arguing than actually making decisions."

He shook his head dismissively, picturing the scene of absolute chaos he was sure was going on far below in his realm, then turned his icy gaze on Persephone. It may have been a trick of the light, but his gaze seemed to soften just a touch as he looked steadily at the goddess he'd tricked into an eternal committment. "You know it is impossible for me to prolong my return forever, however...what can I do you appease you?"