Hades sat alone on his large throne inside his impressive great hall. His thin lips were pursed together, as he sat there quietly in thought. Like many of the dead he was a little on the pale side. The dead were no fit companions, and his servants feared him. Nobody was a suitable companion. His brothers considered him gloomy and socially awkward, so he wasn’t welcome in the above world. Sometimes, when he became tired of taking care of his dull kingdom, he would go visit the above world and Mount Olympus.

While the bright colors were refreshing, and seeing alive things was nice, the other gods, including his brothers, always tried to avoid him or get rid of him, which hurt his feelings. They weren’t very subtle about it either, so he would quickly become tired of that. One time when he was in the above world, one girl stood out to him. She had bright eyes, and a cheerful smile. Wherever she went grains and new vegetation popped up. It was a nice refreshing sight that renewed his mind and heart, when he saw her.

He had never tried to talk to her before, but he decided that he would the next time he wanted to visit. She was young enough where she might not try to chase him off like the other gods. After all, his dark foreboding figure might discourage disrespect. She might even speak to him for a while, and ease his loneliness. When he arose, his well muscled body became slightly exposed, when his clothing moved. Carefully, he adjusted it, as he walked off toward the gardens.

He drew his slender fingers through his thick dark brown bedraggled hair. It reminded him that he wanted to look a little nicer than he did now before he went visiting. As he strode through his house, he observed many of his guests walking around. It was quite filled and busy, but today he decided to ignore most of them. It annoyed him that he spent most of his time making sure that no one stole his guests or that they didn’t escape. He preferred to ignore people and remain distant from them, because they frustrated him.

However, he was very quick to put an end to any nonsense that he encountered. When he reached his room, he set to work. It was about time he visited the above world. He put on his nicer clothing, and he arranged his messy hair, so that it looked neat. He arranged his beard, so that it looked nice. After a while, he decided that he was presentable. He realized that the underworld might be a nicer place, if he had a wife. He had been king down here for long enough. It was about time he brought someone to live here.

Perhaps he would ask his younger brother Zeus, the king of the gods, if there was one he could marry. As he looked around his kingdom, he wondered why they would want to leave it. While no one wanted to be brought to the underworld early, it was the final destination for human souls. They didn’t want to be stranded above, because they would never find rest. According to Hades’ justice some people were judged. If they were good they went to the Elysian Fields. If they were bad they were sent further on to Tartarus. If they had been despicable, they were punished and tormented.

While Hades didn’t go out of his way to bring mortals here, he wasn’t a kind god. After one last quick walk to make sure that everything was in its place, he headed toward the exit and up toward the overworld. He pet his three headed dog Cerberus as he passed by. He inclined his head respectfully to Charron as he was ferried across the water. Once he was above, he gazed around taking in the above world. Sometimes he found it refreshing. It was nice to see things that weren’t so grim.

Other times it reminded him that he didn’t belong here. If he had to deal with mortals, it reminded him how rude and annoying they were, which never put him in a good mood. While he wasn’t sure where the girl would be, he thought it would be a pretty good guess to go where the vegetation was flourishing. When he started coming closer, he decided to wait until she was alone. After all of her attendants and her mother left her, he approached her. He was a dark grim figure, and he hoped that she wouldn’t run. His lips curled upwards slightly trying to give her an encouraging smile. It might have only looked like a grimace.

“Hello Persephone,” he greeted her with his deep voice.

He wasn't sure what the best way to do this was. She softly laughed at him after she recovered from her shock. He stared at her, and he felt his jaw unconsiously slacken. A goddess lower than himself had dared to laugh at Hades. The only goddesses he could imagine being bold enough would be Aphrodite or Hera. Nobody was ever sharp with Aphrodite, and Hera was the queen of the gods. He calmed himself reminding himself that he didn't want to scare her. He was trying to win her over, and not frighten her away.

It was a good thing that he had been able to make her laugh. He hardly ever smiled. He wasn't that upbeat of a god anyway. However, since he had become the god of the underworld it was looked down upon for him to smile. Everyone expected him to be solemn and grim. They expected him to be a frightening spector, when he took them to his house. They always talked about how he was wealthy and had many things, yet his house felt empty and lonely. He had a sinking feeling that he must look silly, if she dared to laugh at him.

Hadn't her mother taught her any manners? He realized from the flowers that surrounded her, that he should have brought her some. If he remembered correctly, it was a nice thing to do, and it appeared that it would please her more than the average person. It would have at least given him a reason to come and see her. Perhaps it would help her think kindly of him, and not dismiss him right away. He had never taken a wife, and he thought it was about time he found one.

The more he stayed in the underworld, the more he realized that he needed to find a suitable wife. He was still peeved that she had dared to laugh at him. He was afraid that he had done something that looked stupid. He straightened and became a little stiffer, "What are you laughing about?" his voice became more guarded and suspicious. He hadn't realized how desperate he was to have a chance with her, because he impulsively blurted out, "Can I help you gather posies?" he asked.

He wondered where the word posie had come from, and he scoffed at his vocabulary choice. How could anyone take him seriously if he kept on messing up like this? He could imagine the laughs everyone would get, if he talked like that to a dead soul. He didn't know which flowers she wanted picked, and he felt very silly offering. It appeared to be something she did for fun, so he doubted he would be able to help her. He knew that he would look very silly. The dark grim lord of the underworld bending down to gather bright colored flowers.

He coughed nervously, "Sorry about that. Um...." it down on him that he should have had a more clear straightforward plan before he came here. "Would you like to go on a ride in my charriot?" he asked her. He wasn't sure if this was any better of an option. "We could go on a ride around the countryside, or you could visit the underworld," he offered his voice sounding slightly excited and hopeful.

(Sorry, it's not too long. I wasn't sure what else to say)

It wasn't fun to be corrected by someone. From personal preference he knew this to be true. He didn't notice that she was nervous, because he was too focused on himself. He kept on worrying that he would chase her away permanently. Even if she was laughing at him, he could have been more diplomatic about asking why she had and correcting her or telling her that he didn't like it. As one of the higher gods he didn't believe that he should let anyone laugh at him, but she was a godess herself. While he was above her in the hierarchy, she wasn't some mere mortal. She could laugh at him even if it might be an unwise decision. He stared at her blinking for a moment.

She was actually apologizing to him. He was a little surprised. He wondered if it was from fear or she actually felt the need to apologize. He noticed that she backed up a few steps, and he believed that she was probably apologizing, because she was afraid or at the very least intimidated by him. He nodded his head once acknowledging her apology. As he studied her and considered her appearance, he was reminded that she was a beautiful young goddess. Even now the pink embarassement dusting her cheeks complimented her appearance. When he offered to help gather posies, he didn't blame her for being surprised.

He hadn't expected those words to come out of his mouth, and he hadn't really considered it. He wasn't particularly fond of flowers. They had pollen and their smell generally annoyed him. However, he was trying to spend time with her, and she appeared to like them. She clapped her heads, which he interpreted as she was happy and delighted to have his help. He was sure at the very least, it would give her new flowers to revel in, and watching him gather flowers would be an amusing tale to regale her companions with. At the very least it would be a momentary amusement, and possibly a memory she pulled out every now and then to laugh at. Hopefully, it was a pleasing gift.

He had no idea what flower to pick, and he wished she had given him a little more guidance. He began to hope that she didn't have a preference, because he was planning on picking with abandon. After he had gathered a handful, he mentioned the chariot ride. He wasn't sure if he was supposed to hold onto the flowers or if he could give them to her. He watched her carefully trying to guess what she would say. He already had an educated guess, but he could still hope. With bated breath he watched her. He scratched his neck nervous and awkward. She hesitated, which meant that she was at least considering it. That was a good sign, or at least he thought so.

He wasn't sure what all would go into this decision. All he knew was that most females tried to avoid him. He supposed being the god of death was grim, frightening, and intimidating. His home didn't sound like a pleasant place to live, so it didn't seem like he would be a pleasant person. While he knew his form was pleasing. After all he was a god. He could provide well for a woman and he might even be an okay conversationalist if he got the chance. However, not all of these things mattered to a woman. They wouldn't like his job, and they might find it erie that dead souls wandered around his house. He knew that all of this might be off putting. His eyes brightened and widened a little astonished that his gamble had paid off.

She had accepted his offer. He was a little disappointed that he couldn't show her the Underworld, but he had had no plans to go by Mount Olympus. He was amused, when she instructed him to do nothing funny. While as far as he knew she was simply being courteous, she didn't have such an aversion to him that she couldn't go on a chariot ride. He gave her a real smile. It was small, but it showed his gleaming teeth. After dipping his head respectfully and slightly deferential, he agreed, "As you wish." He handed her the flowers that he had gathered, and he whistled. Out of the ground came his chariot and horses. He remembered that most people would have taken a lady on a more pleasant ride than a chariot ride.

However he didn't like those other contraptions that were supposed to be pulled by a horse. What was the point of wagons and other such things if you couldn't go as fast as you could in a chariot. When the team of horses pulled up past him and stopped, he extended a hand to help her in. "Where would you like to go?" he asked now that he didn't have any plans of his own. He wasn't sure where to show her. River, mountains and plains didn't hold the allure for him that it might for her. After he installed himself into his chariot, he looked around. He had a careful hold on the reins. He could feel his horses pulling at the bit itching to move forward. "Ready?" he asked her hoping that she was safely able to hold on.

He turned and watched her work on her crown. He was amused with himself. He was the god of the Underworld. It was a grim place, but he was trying to get to know the goddess of spring. Spring represented new life. How could they be more different? She was happy and young, he was older and grim. Aphrodite had no loyalty. While he wouldn't be surprised if whoever he chose had affairs, Aphrodite was too flaky and constantly in demand. She would never do as goddess of the Underworld.

Athena was wise, but Hades thought they might be too similar. While he was much more grim, Athena was a serious goddess. Artemis had promised that she would always remain a virgin. The other goddesses were normally sworn off of men or they already had one. He was searching for a queen who would reside with him in the Underworld. It was a dark place, and he was looking for someone who was willing to try to light it up for him. Persephone was like a ray of sunshine, and he thought it would be good for him.

She took the flowers from him, and he shyly dipped his head and muttered some sort of your welcome phrase. Now that they were free, he commanded his horses to come. They were his pride, and he loved showing them off to someone who would appreciate them. He felt a warmth spread through him as Persephone admired them. All of his stallians were dark black and energetic. They were all excited to go. He felt pride flourish, when he noted her astonished face. It was hardly ever that he received such a pleasing response, when he was showing them off. He dipped his head subtly agreeing with her.

"You're welcome," he gruffly told her. It was the only present he could think of that he thought she might accept. He had wanted it to be something more than some object. He had hoped that he could make at least one good memory with her. After he helped her into the chariot, he waited for her to give them a destination. While he personally didn't like the beach, he wanted to please her. He would be closer to Poseidon which might be interesting. What he did know was that he was used to the Underworld, and he would burn easily. He also didn't like the sand and he wasn't overly fond of water.

He nodded his head, "Of course." He glanced in the direction that she was looking and he froze apprehensively. He knew Demeter's profile, and he knew she wouldn't be happy that he was hanging around her daughter. He wasn't sure if he should stay or leave. He would prefer for Demeter to not know about his visits. If he waited too much longer, she would know for sure that it was him. She was moving very fast, and it made even him want to quail away from her incoming speedy fury. He gave her a small smile, "I'm sorry that my visit has caused you trouble. May I come back to see you?" he asked.

He wasn't sure if she was willing to risk it. Besides, she might have found this time totally wasted. He was glad that he was in his charriot. It would be easier to escape. He helped Persephone down from the charriot. He was disappointed that the ride was being cancelled. "I'll be going. I don't think my presence will help anything," he told her feeling like a sneaky coward slinking off. He was perfectly capable of doing that, but he didn't want her to think badly of him. Once he was under way he was soon out of sight. He wasn't sure when he would get to see her again.

Once he returned home he went to sit on his nice large throne. He sat there contemplating how he would see her again. There wasn't much to do, so after he shook his thoughts off, he decided to go look around and make sure everything was still in order. He ordered a servant to bring him food, and he checked his home out. There were a few newcomers, but no one had escaped, which pleased him. They hadn't tried to take advantage of his absence, or they weren't smart enough to know how.