Persephone's Story

“Like the generations of leaves, the lives of mortal men. Now the wind scatters the old leaves across the earth, now the living timber bursts with the new buds and spring comes round again. And so with men: as one generation comes to life, another dies away.”.
― Homer, The Iliad

---

The city of New York bustled around the raven haired goddess in it's usual hectic fashion. She watched as the sea of faces bustled around her, even taking the occasionally elbow to her shoulder whenever someone stumbled too close to her. The Titans would likely be in the home she had purchased for them, taking the majority of the money out of her mortal bank account to pay for it. While Cronus had been grateful to her and even went as far as to offer her a place at his side in the upcoming battles; Eris much preferred to watch her schemes from behind the lines.

Her thoughts were briefly interrupted as the gentle ringing of her Blackberry began.

"Hello?" She answered sweetly. The voice on the other side cleared their throat before replying.

"Eris?" The hearty and almost uncertain tone behind Deimos's voice made Eris roll her eyes. "Who else would it be idiot. Did you think Aphrodite would pick up my phone?" There was several moments of silence before her brother responded once more.

"Geez, I can tell you're in a bitchy mood this morning." Eris's left eye twitched but she let the comment pass with a sigh. "What do you want Deimos?"

Another pause, though this one was quickly accompanied by a nervous laugh."Actually, I just figured I'd tell you Epimetheus wrecked another car.

"WHAT? I told you to watch them you fucking imbecile!" She screeched. This made several mortals around her give her a second glance, but the looks never lasting longer than a few seconds.

As she made her way further into hustle and bustle of the city, her voice soon became droned out by the sound of buses screeching to a halt, angry patrons displeased with their meal, and those hollering at a taxi to stop.

---

The men and women who wandered into Ambrosia were as engrossed in her bouquets as much as Persephone herself. Near the large glass show window where several of her favorite floral designs sat, Persephone herself held up a single white tulip in hand and offered it to a young male customer. "These are our best sellers. Tulips are the the text messages of the flower world. Simple enough to send to friends,but they can be misinterpreted if you don't know the meaning behind the colors."This made the girl laugh. "Well I just need a flower to send to my girlfriend to apologize." He admitted sheepishly, turning his gaze away from Persephone's pale blue.

"This is the flower for you then. White tulips symbolizes forgiveness. Though I doubt sending her just one of these will be enough. It depends on what you did actually, though I wouldn't dare wish to intrude on a customers privacy." A shimmering smile emerged from her full pink lips and the boy all but melted on the spot.

"Ah, I...I told her we would go out but I ended up playing Call of Duty all night and I forgot to call her." She blinked rapidly before letting a tiny chuckle escape her lips. "You're going to need a full twelve bouquet for that then. You're the fifth boy to come in because of that video game."

She lead him to where the register was, and knelt behind it to grab the wrapping as well as the other eleven flowers for his gift, as he stuck a hand in his pocket in order procure his wallet. "That will be twelve fifty." She placed they finished creation gently onto the counter. The subtle smell of the wandered through her olfactory senses and left her breathless. Every creation of hers left their own mark on the shop and she was proud of each and every single one.

While the boy handed her the money, Persephone's eye wandered outside of the stores window and into the crowd of people outside the shop. Her heart skipped a single beat as she spotted a tanned dark haired individual through the window with a striking resemblance to someone dear to her heart. "Hades?" She whispered, before putting a hand up to her mouth to catch the words that had escaped. Of course it wasn't him, but the similarities between them was enough to cause her heart to stir.

"Mother? Can you come out and help me with the last few customers ?" Persephone's harmonius voice rang out, hopefully reaching the ears of her mother.

Demeter's peaceful humming came to an end once she heard the sound of her daughter's voice call out from the front of the store. "I'm coming darling, just give me a moment to finish up here." Her raspy voice responded.

The start of Spring was always a joyous occasion for the Harvest Goddess. The moment Demeter's eyes watched Persephone's heavenly visage appear before her on the thawed ground of spring was a time the flowers and harvest would grow once more. The mortal legends of why the leaves would fall from tree's and snow would spread across the land were all true, to a certain degree. Without her daughter at her side, the goddess lacked both energy and sympathy for the humans during these months. Without her power, their crops would not grow nor would any plants for that matter.

Demeter smiled softly and pressed her palm onto the dark soil in front of her. The seeds she had scattered moments ago began to dig themselves into the soft soil, and the planter which enveloped them began to shake. As Demeter raised her hand higher and higher into the air, the tiny little seeds underwent a metamorphosis if which she had seen many a times. When she was finally finished a planter of black eyed susans were blossoming quite lovely before her.

"Perfect". She purred in a delighted voice, reaching a single finger to stroke one of the many petals of the plant.

Remembering her Persephone's plead for help she picked up the planter and headed towards the front of store. She watched as her daughter spoke cheerily with several customers. The minute Demeter's eyes caught sigh of an attractive young man, her gaze flickered between Persephone and the man. She sauntered over towards where the man was standing ; looking idly at a vase of orchids Demeter herself had put on the shelves just that morning.

"Well good evening young man. I'm Demeter, co owner of Ambrosia along with my daughter ." She wiped her hands on the sides of her rust colored apron in order to take most of the soil off her fingers before reaching to shake his hand. He seemed a tad bit surprised, but friendly enough that he took hold of her hand and gave her a firm handshake in return. "Wonderful place you have here." He noted cheerfully. Demeter let out giggle, and then turned a hand to point towards Persephone . "Oh, I'm just an old woman helping out. She's the creator of this place. My daughter you know.."

When the man turned to see who Demeter was gesturing towards, the goddess couldn't help but notice the sudden interest light up in his eyes. "Bait set." She thought to herself, as a naughty expression briefly passed over her face before it was replaced with her usual motherly smile." Oh yes. Quite accomplished, and single as well haha!" She gave a quiet laugh and patted the man on the shoulder, but he barely looked at her as he registered the words she had spoken. "Single? Huh.." He trailed off, now intently staring at the whimsical blonde .

"Come, I'll introduce you to her! Persephone darling, there's someone here I want you to meet. Ah..what's your name dear?" She asked him quickly, snapping her fingers as if it would help him find the words easier to speak. "Robert." He answered, fixing his tie quickly as Demeter lead him towards where Persephone was standing.

"Darling, this is Robert." She announced, pushing the male forward in a way a stranger probably shouldn't after only meeting minutes ago. She barely bothered to say anymore, but gave her kin a tiny wink before she walked away to allow the two young ones to speak in private. Matchmaking for Persephone had become much more frequent in the past years that she now considered it a hobby. At one point she had even been willing to strike up a match between the girl either Hermes or Apollo, but decided against it. They were better than Hades (albeit not much), but the possessive God would have likely struck up some pity war over it. No use having such senseless violence.

Hades - Dmitri Ruslan

The basement of Madame’s

Vzzzzrrrr!

AAAAAHHH!

The underground basement of Madame’s was dark. A sole bulb hung in the concrete chamber, illuminating in a cone of white light a porcelain bathtub where a man donned in plastic stood. Standing around the man were men in various suits. Some faced the staircase to the upper floor, while others watched the one exit. Within the tub that was filled halfway with water was a man dressed in a black T-shirt and khakis, floundering in a pool that was quickly turning sanguine. As he choked on blood and water, the plastic man would lower the chainsaw in his black rubber-gloved hands and slice through his limbs. The man’s thigh parted in a spray of blood that splattered his apron. Strips of khaki, flesh, and human gum leapt onto his splash mask and pelted his shoulders, adding more meat to his suit.

The plastic man had already cut slits into the man’s biceps, and he had removed his left forearm when he made an attempt to pathetically reach out and beg for mercy. The bloody man screamed and flailed about like a panicked fish, splashing red water across the floor. His cries were drowned out by a mouth-full of water that would rush down his throat, water which swiftly mixed with white and pink chum as he coughed and spewed his guts.

The chainsaw hummed, purring in the plastic man’s hands as he watched the suffering victim from behind the dark, rectangular lens of his mask. That was enough. The plastic man held the chainsaw to his left, and one of the suited thugs promptly stepped forward to take it from him. He then held the same hand out and one of the thugs deposited in it a cell phone. Grasping the phone in his glistening, rubber fingers, the plastic man lifted his mask with his free hand, revealing the face of a fatigued mafioso.

How long has it been since he last seen his spring flower? She had once filled his being with a warmth foreign to those of The Underworld, and like a fire having dimmed, the spark had fizzled out the night he gazed upon his bed. His bed had been empty, and therefore, it was unfit for him to sleep in. Since Persephone left his company, Dmitri had been working tirelessly. Every now and then he would nod off during transportation between hits and collections; and even when lounging in Madame’s, the mafia boss could be found slumped comfortably in a chair asleep. Without Persephone, his heart was black and his mood so bitter that even his henchmen were affected. The work became harder, the boss became difficult to please, and his victims found no mercy.

Dmitri’s eyelids were dark and his lower lids fat from lack of sleep. His half-lidded eyes stared across the room into the darkness while the dial tones chirped in his ear. The blood that coated his gloves and the phone found the side of his face, hair, and ear. The blood rolled in thin streams down his neck as his lips carelessly remained unturned. The other end picked up.

“Hey Freddy where are you? You was supposed t’ah be back by nowz! What the hell are ya doin’?”

Dmitri’s raven brows pinched a little as a clever glimmer appeared in his honeyed eyes.

“Taking a bath,” he answered.

“What? Who the fuck is this? Your fuckin’ dead whoever ya arez!”

Dmitri said nothing more. He held the mobile phone out to the paddling Fred as his shrill screams passed like ice into the receiver to chill the man on the other side.

“Oh god; Freddy; oh god; fuck; okay seriously, who is this?”

Returning the phone to his ear, pleasure tugged at the corners of Dmitri’s lips. “’I’ am a man not to be fucked with. You, however, sent one of your thugs into my lovely establishment and tried to steal my girls by promising them better pay. I will admit that I was expecting more from the Galeti family; instead, I find them always pawing at my door.”

Drawing the phone inches away from his lips, Dmitri irritably muttered, “I can’t hear myself.”

He held out his right hand as one of his thugs placed a pistol into it.

“Is it cocked?” Dmitri asked on an unenthusiastic tone.

“Yes Boss,” the thug promptly replied.

Freddy’s eyes swelled from his sockets when he saw the mafia boss direct the gun at him. Through sputters, the man’s screams rose in hysterical octave until three, loud pops silenced him. Quiet descended upon the basement in a veil and Dmitri eased his head back, closing his eyes, and sighing in relief. He basked in the serenity for five seconds before he turned from the tub and in his plastic suit crackled in the direction of a bathroom.

“Clean it up,” he ordered over his shoulder.

The tainted water was streaming through the bullet holes in the tub and Freddy’s legs could be seen kicking in their death throes. The phone was returned to Dmitri’s ear and he could hear the man sobbing discreetly on the other end.

“If he means that much to you, you can personally come and get him. Bring me 50,000 dollars and I’ll give you the body in a fancy bag free of charge. If you come sooner, I’ll throw in the chainsaw and gun I killed him with. They have his DNA all over them, so what would I need with them?”

“FUCK YOU!”

Dmitri stopped before the bathroom as two suited thugs stepped behind him, and with latex gloves, began removing his apron and splash mask. The mafia boss tossed his head back as laughter flooded from his throat to resonate deeply throughout the chamber. He bit his remaining chuckles behind amused rows of perfect teeth as he continued, “My, my; don’t you ever learn? You already tried to fuck with me. Why would you do it again? I know; why don’t you round up your whole spaghetti-munching family and meet me on the outskirts of Jersey City, Hackensack River Waterfront, at midnight to end it all? Let’s just get it fucking over with because if your god damn family keeps sending rats my way, I’m gonna come over there and then ‘I’ will fuck your lives up. I won’t even take your fucking Chef Boyardee of a restaurant when you’re gone. I’m gonna burn it down and piss out the mother fucking flames. How about it Galeti? Am I gonna see your goons around here again? I’m running out of patience, and I’m running out of bath tubs. Give me your answer.”

There was a long silence on the other end. Dmitri had been scowling deeply, his temper having briefly taken hold of him; but with the silence, he forced a twitching smile. “Take your time. You’ve already taken five hours of mine.”

As Dmitri was stepping out of the plastic suit, the Galeti boss reluctantly spoke, “You’ll have your money.”

Click.

Wearing a long and proud smile, Dmitri lowered the phone from his ear and held his hands out as the gloves and phone were removed from them. He stepped into the bathroom and closed the door behind him as he prepared for his shower. Outside the bathroom, holding a freshly-pressed suit was Bernard, Dmitri’s right hand. His phone sang in his pocket, ringing like a bell before he dunked his hand into it and retrieved it. He brought it up to his ear and calmly said, “Yeah?”

“Hey, Demeter’s at it again. She got another guy for Persephone,” the thug reported.

Bernard’s eyes widened with dread upon hearing the news. The drama the boss faced with his business was nothing compared to what would happen if he caught wind of pretty boys talking to his dame.

“I’m not going to tell him. He’s already in a bad mood. Shit, who am I kidding? He’s been a bad mood since she left. Just get rid of him as soon as you can,” Bernard nervously instructed.

Tell me what?

Cold, icy fear shot down Bernard’s spine and made the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. He swore he heard the shower water running, and it was still running except that Dmitri was no longer in it. The mafia boss stood in the doorway. The bathroom door was agape and his form was nude and dripping. Hot water drops dripped from the black, bladed ends of his hair to collect like crystals against the chiseled wall of his abdomen and the thin trail of hair that divided it.

A thug walked over and handed the boss a towel and Dmitri ruffled his mane with it. Bernard timidly faced him and ran a hand back through his hair.

Shit! he thought. Now he had to tell him. “It’s Demeter. She’s found another one.” He refrained from saying “for who” knowing full-well that Dmitri was capable of correct assumption. He also didn’t feel comfortable saying Persephone’s name in front of him. The boss’s love for that woman was a sickness.

Dmitri lowered the white towel before his eyes as they stared sharply like amber daggers at Bernard. Bernard tensed as those beady eyes seemed to rip through him like spears. It was never safe to be the bearer of bad news, especially when any day could be your day when you worked with such a high-risk individual. Persephone wasn’t here to quell his temper either and she wouldn’t be here for several months.

“Get rid of him!” Dmitri snapped. He then reached out to snatch the phone from Bernard and without bringing it into his ear, he roared into the receiver, “KILL HIM! NO; BRING HIM TO ME! I want to know what son of a bitch had the iron fucking balls to cross me again today!”

The thug on the other end jumped in startle when he heard the boss’s voice explode from the phone. It should have been expected.

“Y-yes, Sir!” the thug replied.

He slapped his hand on top of the roof of the black Ford and three other thugs stepped out to cross the street to Ambrosia. They passed through the shop on an unrelenting pace and two of them looped their arms with Robert’s. The young man glanced at the strangers in fright.

“Hey! What the hell’s going on?” he cried.

The thugs didn’t say a word to Persephone or to their hostage as they hauled him effortlessly out the back door and into an alley. The black Ford screeched to a halt before them, and a black bag was drawn over Robert’s head before he was shoved into the backseat. The vehicle then left as quickly as it came.

Dmitri had looped the towel about his waist and was leaning against the doorframe. His anger was running hotly through his veins, exciting him to rap impatiently against the wall with the backs of his fingers. The phone was against his ear and he was calling his sweet sister. When she would answer, he wouldn’t even greet her. Instead, he got straight to the point.

“You fucking bitch; if you hadn’t been blessed by The Fates to give birth to the love of my life, and if said love didn’t give two shits about your existence, I would have had your ass rotting in a garden somewhere long ago. You keep finding men for her, and I’ll keep dusting them. She won’t blame me. She’ll blame you. After all, she knows me quite well. She knows that I’ll fuck up any asshole that dare touches, looks, or even speaks her name. You’re killing them not me. Don’t think that you’re safe behind your fucking ward. I may not be able to see her, touch her, talk to her, and hear her sweet, sexy-fucking-voice, but I can see, touch, and talk to YOU bitch! You know what I’m gonna do? Let me tell you what I’m gonna do when she comes back here since I know that you’re always interested in what goes down in The Underground. When it’s my turn to have her, I’m gonna strip her naked—literally rip her fucking clothes off like an excited boy does a Christmas gift, and I’m going to bend her over and…”

Dmitri went onto explain his dirty intentions with a heated smile. “I’m thinking about it right now. In fact, I’m whacking off right now as I envision it. It’s going to be suh-weet!”

Click.

The mafia boss hung up just like that. He wasn’t interested in arguing with his sister. The man was busy and he didn’t like his time wasted. Hearing Demeter’s voice was a waste of time. He handed the phone back to Bernard and snatched up his suit.

“Get me another suit,” he told his right hand. He was going to need another one after dealing with Robert.

size=95]"Hyperion. Have you found any of them yet?"

The Titan of Light gave a nod, and held up his hand with three fingers raised. "Only Athena, Demeter, and her flowery lass Persephone. We have yet to find your other children."

“Those three be damned. It's Hades, Poseidon and Zeus I want you fool.” Cronus cursed. He and his brethren were newly risen and as clueless and new born babes to the world and age they were brought into. Despite Eris's many explanations, they still had yet to use anything involving "electricity". It was all a bunch of hocus pocus to him and his kin, though a few of his brothers were already anxious to learn more.

Cronus stretched his long limbs and sighed. A week had passed by already and they had only found three Gods, and one wasn't even an Olympian. Just Demeter's pup who posed no threat to Cronus and his lackeys unless one of them suddenly developed an aversion to flower, or allergies.

Hyperion patted his brother on the shoulder lightly. "Don't worry Cronus. We'll find them. My children are searching the skies as we speak. "

Cronus scowled but said nothing. His brothers feeble attempt at reassuring him helped little to ease Cronus's worries, but he gave the Titan a nod regardless. Yelling at his siblings would gain him nothing but more enemies, and he couldn't afford that at the moment. The Fates had already saw to screw him over once by allowing his Rhea to trick him and end the Golden Age of which he had ruled.

"Now that I think about it, where is my lovely bride..."

"Hyperion. Have you seen Rhea? " He asked, finally making eye contact with his brother after an hour of avoiding his gaze. The Titan shook his head and the scowl that had been slowly disappearing from Cronus's rugged face appeared once again. These imbeciles couldn't do anything. "Someone find her for me and tell her I wish to speak with her here shortly. We have many things to discuss, my wife and I."

With his last declaration the Titan Lord strode past his sibling and wandered into the master bedroom of the house Rhea and himself had claimed as soon as they came to their new home. Tiredly, he sat down on the soft brown quilt that covered the king size bed and laid his head in his hands, thinking tiresome thoughts as he waited for his wife to join him.[/size]

The fur was soft underneath her the pads of her fingers. The poor creature was caught was in pain, her labor having lasted longer than usual. Artemis pat the doe gently, trying to reassure her though touch that everything would be fine. Considering the time of year, it wasn't strange for the goddess to have encounters like this when she was doing research in the area. She found the miracle of life to be fascinating, one of natures great gifts.

"Shh," She whispered soothingly, her hand still moving against the deer's fur. "Almost there." And the doe was, just a few moments later and the final push gave way to the release of the fawn. It was a male, one who would hopefully grow strong in the next year and have children of its own by the following spring. Quietly saying a prayer for both mother and child of her patron animal, Artemis watched quietly as the pair left.

Still despite the joy of the day Artemis felt as though something was…off. Uneasiness sat in the pit of her stomach, she couldn't place her finger on anything for certain though. A soft beeping erupted from the watch she used to keep track of her schedule; her shift was over for the day. Pushing the feeling to the fringes of her mind, just to keep it as a reminder to be prepared for anything, Artemis ran.

It didn't take long before she made it to a building located on the far outskirts of the city. She gracefully made her way though the doors and into the office. "Well, hello there Em, find anything interesting out there?" One of the men in her office called as she passed his desk to her own. She shook her head; though her tolerance for men had increased greatly over the years, this particular coworker was rather flirtatious so she tried to keep her interaction with him to a minimum. With a few more minutes to finish up the last of her work she clocked out.

Her thoughts lead her into the city, she wanted to visit Persephone and see if her cousin would like to grab some food with her. It didn't take her long before she found herself walking down the street where Ambrosia was located. Artemis honestly hated the city, the smog filled air smelled terrible to her and the gigantic metal buildings made her feel claustrophobic. Even still she tolerated it every once in a while.

Opening the doors to the flower shop, she was almost knocked over by two men dragging a third between then. Judging by the car and the look of two bigger men, Artemis could only guess that Hades had something to do with this particular incident. The brunette woman just shook her head and ignored the incident, it wasn't her concern after all. Artemis purposefully made her way over to the counter, hopping up to sit on it once she saw Persephone behind it.

"Surprise dear cousin, I have decided to grace you with me presence this lovely afternoon." She announced, rather teasingly. Artemis noticed Demeter out of the corner of her eye, sending a respectful "hello" over to her aunt as an afterthought.

So much had managed to happen in only a few minutes that Persephone could feel her head spinning. Firstly, her mother had decided to play Cupid again in introducing her to another mortal man. The poor fellow named Robert tried to speak to Persephone, but she shook her head and tried her best to get the poor fool to leave before anything happened to him.

Of course it didn't go as planned.

One moment Persephone was begging for the young man to leave and the next ; men in black suits were sauntering in as if they owned the place and locked arms with Robert. "Oh please, you don't have to take him! Think of his family!" She pleaded frantically to no avail as the men ignored her and walked back out of the shop with the young man in tow. The few customers who were left in the shop quickly left in that instant and Persephone did not hesitate to switch the green open sign on the window to closed. She turned on her heel and her pale face became flushed with blood and rage. "This is your fault! She hissed, pointing a finger at her mother. "That man is going to end up dead mother. Your senseless matchmaking that you feel compelled to do every time I come to Earth to spend time with you has caused another mortal man to lose his life."



Demeter had watched the proceedings with a cool and collected expression on her face. Only when her daughter dared turn to her in rage did her expression change to one of surprise. "You're blaming me for this? Do not forget that I am the one who bore you and cared for you centuries before that man even entered your life girl! Her tone was laced with both frustration and anger . The tree's outside the shops began to shake and the wind picked up to sudden gusts each time her voice rose. "Am I the one with such possessiveness over someone that I would kill another person simply for speaking to her? No! That is your husband Persephone, not I . He's a monster."

Persephone's eyes widened and she could feel the anger intensify and beg for release from her tiny body. "He isn't a monster, he's a man. Any man would dislike his wife speaking to other men in such a way."

The sound of a bell twinkling to signal a customer made Persephone jump , but it was only beloved cousin. She forced herself to smile and nod her head in greeting to her cousin before mouthing "sorry" for the argument she was about to hear.

A snort of derision escaped Demeter. "The fact you believe that so easily shows how much he's changed you. Normal relationships don't work like that my dear. Normal men who have enough confidence in themselves don't feel the need to act like such " The beeping of her phone briefly halted her criticism of Hades. "Speak of the Devil and he shall appear" She murmured as she glanced at the red flashing name written in Greek across her phone. She answered the phone by pushing both the answer button and the speaker button so Persephone could listen as well.


“You fucking bitch; if you hadn’t been blessed by The Fates to give birth to the love of my life, and if said love didn’t give two shits about your existence, I would have had your ass rotting in a garden somewhere long ago. You keep finding men for her, and I’ll keep dusting them. She won’t blame me. She’ll blame you. After all, she knows me quite well. She knows that I’ll fuck up any asshole that dare touches, looks, or even speaks her name. You’re killing them not me. Don’t think that you’re safe behind your fucking ward. I may not be able to see her, touch her, talk to her, and hear her sweet, sexy-fucking-voice, but I can see, touch, and talk to YOU bitch! You know what I’m gonna do? Let me tell you what I’m gonna do when she comes back here since I know that you’re always interested in what goes down in The Underground. When it’s my turn to have her, I’m gonna strip her naked—literally rip her fucking clothes off like an excited boy does a Christmas gift, and I’m going to bend her over and…”

Persephone had the grace to look embarrassed by her husbands words in the presence of her cousin and mother, even if a pleasant warmth ran it's way from her head to her toes from her hearing them. "I suppose I shouldn't buy a new outfit if it's just going to get ripped off anyways" The flush in her cheeks only grew brighter as her husband went on to explain exactly what he was going to do after her ripped her clothes off, which she might add was not something she wanted her Mother to hear.

“I’m thinking about it right now. In fact, I’m whacking off right now as I envision it. It’s going to be suh-weet!”

Though Persephone should have been used to her husbands uncensored way of speaking, she still let a nervous giggle escape from her lips before she quickly slapped her palm over her mouth.

Demeter didn't bother replying to the vulgar words her brother was spewing. Instead, she threw the phone against the wall and used her now free hand to grab on to her daughter's thin arm. "You are NEVER to see him again. Do you understand me?I will... I will petition your father to take back his command. We can find away around this somehow. We have months before you even have to return to the Underworld." Demeter's heart fluttered at the prospect of keeping her daughter with her for an eternity. Maybe some day she would allow her to marry again, someone with a gentle heart and who would treasure her as she deserved.

She yanked her arm out of her mothers hold and took several steps back. "Are you mentally deficient? She shrieked, shaking her head in disbelief at her mother brief loss with sanity.

Demeter blinked. "Mentally deficient? Persephone this is what we've been waiting for! All we have to do is give our case to Zeus and this time he'll have to agree to our terms."

"Our? OUR? This is all you. Unlike father, you, and most of the Immortals besides Hera I have a strong belief in my vows and love for Hades. Maybe Hades was right. Perhaps years without being with a man has left you bitter." Her anger and sadness overwhelmed her, but she instantly regretted the words as soon as she said them.

SMACK!

The harvest goddess's hand swept across her daughter face so fast that Demeter herself was shocked. A redness where she had struck immediately lit itself across her face like wild fire. "I...." She was at a loss for words and her hands trembled as they hung beside her waist.

Physical pain was not something Persephone was used to, especially in her mortal form. She cried out in both surprise and pain before she backed away from her mother ; her cool hand pressed against her now warm cheek. "I think...I need to spend some time by myself for a change. I need time to think." The springtime goddess did not look into her mothers matching blue eyes as she moved towards the door. "Artemis, will you join me?"

For once Demeter had no words to give and would only stoically watch as still as a statue as her daughter and niece left her alone in her shop.

The moments that Artemis read Persephone's reply of 'sorry' she knew she may have just walked into some kind of trouble. A moment later, Demeter confirmed it with voicing her complete dislike towards Hades. Artemis knew who her aunt was talking about even without the mentioning of his name. Hades had always been a sore topic for the elder god, in fact in all her years Artemis had never heard Demeter udder a single kind, or even neutral, sentiment about the god of the Underworld. Artemis understood of course, who would like the man that took away their precious daughter, but one would think that her hatred would lessen over the millennia that had passed. Then again, Artemis wasn't one to criticize when it came to holding grudges.

She noticed Demeter take out her phone and flip it open. All but two-seconds later, the angry voice of Hades was put on speakerphone. “You fucking bitch; if you hadn’t been blessed by The Fates to give birth to the love of my life, and if said love didn’t give two shits about your existence, I would have had your ass rotting in a garden somewhere long ago. You keep finding men for her, and I’ll keep dusting them. She won’t blame me. She’ll blame you. After all, she knows me quite well. She knows that I’ll fuck up any asshole that dare touches, looks, or even speaks her name. You’re killing them not me. Don’t think that you’re safe behind your fucking ward. I may not be able to see her, touch her, talk to her, and hear her sweet, sexy-fucking-voice, but I can see, touch, and talk to YOU bitch! You know what I’m gonna do? Let me tell you what I’m gonna do when she comes back here since I know that you’re always interested in what goes down in The Underground. When it’s my turn to have her, I’m gonna strip her naked—literally rip her fucking clothes off like an excited boy does a Christmas gift, and I’m going to bend her over and…”

Artemis tried to keep a straight face, but despite her best efforts she could do nothing except close her eyes and shake her head slightly. Her face, by now, was completely red. By the end of Hades rant, Artemis was soundly mortified. Being a virgin goddess, Artemis had never been…intimate with a man. Well, besides Orion and that hadn't gone very far before his untimely death.

The smack that seemed to echo throughout the small shop caused the young goddess to look up. It was quite evident by the look of things that Demeter had just hit her daughter. Artemis still remained quiet, but she felt very awkward to be there at that point.

"I think...I need to spend some time by myself for a change. I need time to think. Artemis, will you join me?" Eagerly the brunette hopped off the counter and followed her cousin out of the shop. Before exiting she gave her aunt a departing nod, her face straight and not showing any really emotion.

They walked for a while in silence. Artemis had never had a fight with her own mother and wasn't sure what she could, or rather should, say to ease Persephone. "So…" She said as she moved closer to the blonde woman. "Are you really flexible enough to do all those things Hades mentioned?" Defaulting to teasing was always a distraction and hopefully the subject change would get a laugh out of Persephone, take her mind away from the fight for just a little while.

ATHENA


It only took approximately twenty minutes for Athena to calm the crowd down and have everyone what they needed before she started cleaning up around the store. She paused as she realized how dreary her store looked. She sighed and shook her head; she needed to go get something to brighten it up….flowers! She smiled and waved to her assistant. Her assistant nodded back at her and took over the counter.

“I’m going to get some flowers, I’ll be right back” she called as she stepped out of the building. She entered the flower shop just as Persephone and….Artimis?…where leaving. She smiled politely and headed for the counter.

“Demeter dear…are you alright?” she asked noting how pale the goddess looked. She placed her hand gently on Demeter's and immediately knew about the entire situation.

The memories flooded through her, the boy Demeter tried to hook her daughter up with, Hade's less than happy response.

“You fucking bitch; if you hadn’t been blessed by The Fates to give birth to the love of my life, and if said love didn’t give two shits about your existence, I would have had your ass rotting in a garden somewhere long ago. You keep finding men for her, and I’ll keep dusting them. She won’t blame me. She’ll blame you. After all, she knows me quite well. She knows that I’ll fuck up any asshole that dare touches, looks, or even speaks her name. You’re killing them not me. Don’t think that you’re safe behind your fucking ward. I may not be able to see her, touch her, talk to her, and hear her sweet, sexy-fucking-voice, but I can see, touch, and talk to YOU bitch! You know what I’m gonna do? Let me tell you what I’m gonna do when she comes back here since I know that you’re always interested in what goes down in The Underground. When it’s my turn to have her, I’m gonna strip her naked—literally rip her fucking clothes off like an excited boy does a Christmas gift, and I’m going to bend her over and…”


and then heir argument, and Persephone angry response.


"Our? OUR? This is all you. Unlike father, you, and most of the Immortals besides Hera I have a strong belief in my vows and love for Hades. Maybe Hades was right. Perhaps years without being with a man has left you bitter." Her anger and sadness overwhelmed her, but she instantly regretted the words as soon as she said them.

SMACK!

The harvest goddess's hand swept across her daughter face so fast that Demeter herself was shocked. A redness where she had struck immediately lit itself across her face like wild fire. "I...." She was at a loss for words and her hands trembled as they hung beside her waist.

Physical pain was not something Persephone was used to, especially in her mortal form. She cried out in both surprise and pain before she backed away from her mother ; her cool hand pressed against her now warm cheek. "I think...I need to spend some time by myself for a change. I need time to think."

“Oh dear….” She murmured and looked around.

“Do you want to talk about it?” she asked as she started helping customers, even though it wasn't her shop. Soon the shop was empty. She faced the harvest goddess and waited patiently.

The silence between the two young ladies was interrupted with Artemis's interesting question. "Artemis!" Surprise evident in the woman's soprano voice. "I'd never thought the Goddess of the Hunt and virginity would ask me such a question." While Persephone didn't answer her question directly, the corner her mouth twitched and a small smile dance across their features as she lead the young Goddess to a small cafe several blocks from Ambrosia, aptly called " The Hole in the Wall".

It did not take the two long to reach the cafe. It was a simple establishment, and unlike many of the more extravagant buildings in New York it had a more open and family feeling to it. She had known the owners Marcia and Manuel for years, even being invited to their daughter wedding at one point, but since it was a winter wedding she had been unable to attend.

"I have the perfect place for us to talk. Not to mention the apple pie Marcia makes here is to die for." Taking Artemis's hand, she would led her inside the small two story building where her ears would listen to the simple piano Manuel had bought for guests to try their hand at (only if they were decent of course) during their meals. Chopin's Nocturne Op.9 would enter the newly arrived guests ears . Persephone took her normal seat in the left side of the cafe, one that was hidden conveniently behind a large ficus that allowed her some privacy from prying male eyes.

She pulled her chair in and motioned for her half sister to take a seat across from her. "It's my treat of course. Consider it an apology for having to endure such an embarrassing conversation." Her smile lit up across her face as easily as any day, and the thoughts that had pressed her mind minutes ago as well as the stinging of her cheek faded as she conversed with her sister.

A young female waiter with a large beaming smile approached their table, holding up a pen and paper to take their orders. "What can I get for you two?" She questioned cheerfully. "Coffee with a splash of cream, no sugar for me. Nothing else for me." While the waitress nodded and scribbled hastily on her notepad, Persephone cocked her head to the side and motioned towards Artemis to answer next.

---

"Lenora. We're live in five"

“I can read the timer idiot.” Lenora(Hera), whispered venomously, putting a hand over her mic so that the other crew members wouldn't hear her. She usually made no attempt to mask her malice but a few of the show's main directors were here and she needed to put on a sweet image. It was just business.

"Alright, let's get out there and help some couples guys." Hera's manager rubbed his meaty hands together and smiled. "Help couples? If you're so adamant about helping couples, why are you screwing your secretary instead of your wife you shit head." Her face did not betray her thoughts as she tossed the repugnant man a wink before taking a few steps towards the set.

"We're live in three....two....one"

The sounds of paid audience members clapping met Hera's ears as she stepped confidently onto the set of "Trouble in Paradise", the talk show she had began nearly three years ago to this day. "Hello Neeeew York!" She began, her usual entrance as she waved towards the cameras. She lingered for a moment in the front of the large set before she took a seat on a small black chair. "Today's show features a few couples who are having a problems keeping their romance alive..in the bedroom of course." A few giggles escaped the crowd and Hera kept the shining smile on her face.

"Our first couple of the day hail from the Sunshine state. Let me introduce Sally and Micha Hamilton!" While the crowd began clapping once more, the producer motioned for Hera to wrap up the introductions so they could cut to a commercial break. While the leathery sound tanned couple made their way on stage and Hera shook their hands, she shot the camera her signature smile.

"Right after this brief commercial break, we'll talk about some simple easy ways to spice up your bedroom life and keep the love alive."

The camera briefly switch off and some commercial about laundry detergent would pop on quickly afterwards as Hera walked back behind the set and threw her ear piece onto the ground "Spice your bedroom life up? What kind of shit are you putting on that tele prompter Tom? We're supposed to hip! We're supposed to be cool. Not sound like complete morons. Doesn't anyone have any vision in this place?"

Her temper usually didn't get the better of her, but word of Zeus's latest conquests in the past month had finally reached her earlier that morning. Lilly-Mae, Jamie-Lynn, and some girl named Candy. All girls with floozy names that her husband had slept with in the last few weeks that she had found after informants had sent her text messages. She had the girls taken care of, but the mere thought of her husbands infidelity once again sent her into a rage.

Not even bothering to look back, she pushed her way through the studio . The cries of audio crew members and the producer fell on deaf ears as she pushed the exit doors open and the muggy air of New York met her cold skin.

She ripped the rest of her audio equipment off and let it fall from her hands onto the cement as she walked towards where her limo and driver Edmund was leaning against the black vehicle. "Take me home" She commanded, not bothering to wait for him to open the door for her before she slipped into the car and sat impatiently.

Within thirty or so minutes, she would home and with enough time she should be able to collect her thoughts.

Artemis felt accomplished after seeing Persephone loosen up considerably. She was glad to be rid of the tenseness in the atmosphere, even for just a little while. "I'd never thought the Goddess of the Hunt and virginity would ask me such a question." Artemis laughed a little, a bashful expression making its way onto her features. Her eyes looked up demurely at Persephone as the continued on down the street and into the cafe "The Hole in the Wall".

The brunette was quiet as they sat down. "It's my treat of course. Consider it an apology for having to endure such an embarrassing conversation." Persephone insisted and Artemis was never one to turn down the kind gesture, or rather talk her cousin out of paying. They didn't have to wait long before the waitress arrived to take their order. "Coffee with a splash of cream, no sugar for me. Nothing else for me."

Artemis didn't bother to look over the menu, most cafes had the same things anyway. "I think I'll get a hot chocolate and a slice of apple pie, I've heard it's delicious." She smiled charmingly up at the waitress as she handed over her menu. Two-seconds later the mortal was off to fulfill their requests.

"By the way…" She said slyly, moving her attention back towards her kin. "Just because I'm a patron of virginity doesn't mean I'm a prude…or not curious." A large grin broke out onto her lips by the end of her statement as she continued to happily tease Persephone.

The feeling she had gotten early that morning returned to her stomach. Her smile diminished as she bit her bottom lip. "Perse, have you felt anything strange lately?" Artemis looked out the window to her left, the sky was effectively blocked by the towering skyscrapers but just looking in that direction helped her think. "I mean, it's just this uneasiness I'm getting. Something just feels off, it's like the energy isn't flowing the same." Her conclusions were strange and she wasn't sure if she was expressing herself properly, but if there truly was anything off about then Persephone would probably be able to sense it as well.

Then again it could have just been Artemis' paranoia. Maybe it was just that time of year where Hera would plot some kind of long and slow revenge for the betrayal she believed Leto, Artemis' mother, had done against her. Her father's wife was still bitter about his affairs and having to deal with the offspring of his infidelities at every Olympian meeting couldn't have been doing wonders for her sparkling personality.

Their waitress returned, two cups and a slice of pie neatly placed onto the tray in her hands. After setting the dishes down the mortal gave a polite "Enjoy your meal" and left them to their discussion. Still not content with much of anything, Artemis all but stabbed her fork into the baked good rather angrily. Everything about this feeling just irked her. Even still, she stuck the removed a piece of the pie and stuck it in her mouth. Persephone wasn't lying when she said the confection was to die for. To be honest, if there was one thing that Artemis enjoyed about the mortal world, it would have to be the food.

Hephaestus – Anton Gallagher

Anton’s workshop.

The weapon shop was dark, illuminated by a fire along the back wall and the small lamp that sat on Anton’s work desk. The smith had just finished his uncle’s order for a new Glock. With the parts scattered across his desk, he carefully picked up each piece and rubbed them down with lubricant. He took his time with the process while his uncle slept in a nearby chair. His men were seated and leaning upon surrounding tables. The atmosphere of the shop was so warm and comfy that even Bernard found himself dozing. It was the most peace they would ever know in a day.

“Uncle,” Anton called. His eyes never lifted from the barrel he was polishing.

Dmitri was still asleep, slumped back in the chair with his head hanging over the back. His lips were slightly parted and the black shades he wore to hide his sleep-deprived eyelids had offered more shade in the dim shop than he needed. Bernard’s eyes widened with alertness and he raised his head to glance at Anton as though to make sure it had been him who had spoken. The smith hadn’t said much for the past minutes they had been there, and so his voice had caught him off guard. Glancing to Dmitri, Bernard reached out to touch his shoulder and lightly shake him awake.

“Boss,” Bernard called.

“Hm?” Dmitri uttered groggily. His eyes opened, his amber orbs regarding Bernard with the aggression of a serpent. Bernard pointed in Anton’s direction and Dmitri sat up in his chair, tilting his head left and then right as his neck emitted quiet pops.

With a soft, lazy groan, Dmitri sat back in his seat with his weight mostly slumped upon the right armrest. He grasped his sunglasses between his left thumb and index finger and raised them to sit atop his head.

“Yes?” he questioned.

Anton lowered the barrel and stared at it within his hands. “I wanted to ask you for advice since our domains are similar. I feel that this workshop is like your Underworld. I am always here and you are always there. We reside outside Olympus.”

Dmitri blinked slowly, his lids growing heavy as the conversation continued. He raised his hand to support his head as he regarded the smith through slit eyes.

“Mhmm…”

“I want to ask, Uncle, how did you win Persephone’s love? As Hephaestus, I am ugly and my wife as we both know is the embodiment of beauty. She loves and desires only beautiful things. I could never get her to love me for me. I tried to amaze her with the things I create, but she takes no notice. I have made many beautiful things for her, and she has used them to win the hearts of other men. I don’t know what to do.

You are a horrifying god. You dabble in dark and wicked things. You stole Persephone from her mother, and after all that you’ve done to her, she is infatuated with you. She looks beyond your gruesome activities and still manages to love you. Your relationship is fascinating and yet puzzles me.”

Dmitri sat in silence for a moment. Was his nephew asking him for advice? No one had ever asked him for advice on anything. The mafia boss sat up in his chair and foured his left leg overtop of his right. With his hands tucked comfortably in the pockets of his long coat, he gave his nephew his full attention. Anton, likewise, set down the pistol and gave his uncle his full attention.

“When I first laid eyes on Persephone, I knew I wanted her. She was so sweet and innocent, everything I wasn’t. I had to have her. So I took her and fucked her lights out. Oooh~ it was so delicious…” He held his hands up with his shoulders raised in a shrug. “She cried afterwards, but what can you do? She hated my guts for a whole month and hated everything I did. She even tried to escape my Underworld once and I dragged her back, screaming and clawing. I told her, ‘Bitch, I’ll never let you leave because you’re mine!’ She still hated me. I lavished my dove in gifts that she refused to accept. But eventually she gave me a chance. She eventually saw the magnitude of my love for her; she eventually understood that I wasn’t going to let anyone touch her or wrong her in any way; and that the only person she had to fear was me. I made her a strong and independent woman so she didn’t have to rely on her bitch of mother to wipe her ass every day. Because I made her into a better woman, she loves me; and, of course, because I’m her fucking-awesome husband.”

Bernard’s brows were raised in shock at his boss’s spiel and the proud smile he wore afterwards.

Anton stared uncomfortably at his desktop. “So…I need to kidnap her?”

Bernard slapped his forehead.

“Have you slept with her yet?”

“No.”

“Then you need to snatch her up and fuck her until it hurts. You want to leave an impression that when she’s out there being a slut, when she’s fucking other men, she’ll be thinking of you. You’re a big guy, and I’m sure you’re packin’…” Dmitri arched a suspicious brow. “You are packin’ right?”

Anton tried to hide the blush that burned at his cheeks at that question. He combed his fingers back through his brown hair and sheepishly answered with a hard scowl, “I guess I am.”

Bernard’s brows twitched in disbelief. Was he really hearing this conversation right? How did this even happen? When did they get here?

“Modesty gets you nowhere,” Dmitri enlightened. “If you’re packing, then you got to act like it. You need to act like you got something to offer. But let’s be real…”

Dmitri dropped his leg and sat forward in his seat. “Aphrodite isn’t Persephone, and if she was, that bitch would be dead if I caught her fucking anyone else but me!” Shaking his head to clear his angry thoughts and put his mind back on track, Dmitri continued, “We both know that she’s been fucking Ares. Shit, who am I kidding, EVERYONE knows that. Those two would fuck on your damn desk if you gave them the chance and they wouldn’t give two shits if you were watching, you know why? It’s because they both know that you’re not going to do shit about it. You need to man the hell up and tell that bitch that she can’t go sleeping with whoever she wants!”

Anton frowned in thought. It felt outside his character. He feared Aphrodite hating him, but what was there to fear? He never saw her. She never visited him. He practically didn’t exist. “I will talk to her about it. What if Ares gets in the way?”

“Kill him! No; wait.” Dmitri blushed in embarrassment and laughed. “That’s what I would do, if I were you. You killing Ares? Ha, ha, ha, ahem, seriously…your leg could be a problem and the fact that you have zero combat experience. If you wanted to kill him, then I would make something to go kill him. But, ahah, yeah, I shouldn’t be telling you this. I’m not exactly a good role model for advice. But uh…yeah, try talking to Aphrodite when Ares isn’t around. Try to get her alone. Yeah that sounds like the right thing to do.”

Bernard smiled and the henchmen clapped in light applause. Dmitri proudly grinned and held up his hands. “Thank you; thank you; now how about that gun? As much as I’d love to hang around and fill your head with my infinite wisdom, I’m a busy man.”

Anton assembled the pistol and handed it to Dmitri when he walked over. “Thank you, Uncle. I found your advice somewhat helpful.”

Holding his hand out for a clip, Bernard removed from his coat a magazine that he placed in Dmitri’s hand. The mafia boss then loaded the weapon and pulled back on the slide.

“No problem. Just be glad that you’re one of the few nephews that don’t piss me off.”

Dmitri stretched out his arm, aiming the weapon downrange at a log in the fireplace. He flipped the safety switch and squeezed the trigger as a thunderous clap escaped the muzzle on a bright flash. A hole didn’t appear in the log, the whole thing exploded like fireworks as burning splinters rained upon the floor. The grin on Dmitri’s face was large, sick, and twisted. Instead of a log, he was trying to imagine what a human head would look like after being struck by the enchanted power imbued in his new Glock. There wouldn’t be one.

Dmitri chuckled darkly from behind his grin. “I like it. Barely any recoil and very accurate. I can’t wait to pop some dirt bag heads. I must be off now.”

The mafia boss tucked the pistol away within his coat as he started for the door. “Remember nephew, show some backbone, huh? Fuck, your father’s a successful man whore. This shouldn’t be a challenge for you.”

Anton silently watched his uncle take his leave as he mused over what they had discussed. He only hoped that he would get a chance to talk to his wife. She never really visited him and so to talk to her would require him to leave his shop. The smith glanced around his comfortable home and sighed hopelessly. He didn’t want to leave.

] "Just because I'm a patron of virginity doesn't mean I'm a prude…or not curious."

Persephone raised a thin sculpted eyebrow up before giggling quietly. "Well, you know the old saying; curiosity killed the cat , but satisfaction brought it back don't you? Perhaps you should be a bit more curious cousin. You might like where it leads you." She replied, a naughty expression appearing over her delicate angelic features.

While their waitress returned with Persephone's coffee and Artemis's cocoa and pie, a thought crossed her mind and her fingers snapped together suddenly. "Excuse me, do you think you I could have a piece of your apple pie to go? " Her mind flashed to Hephaestus, deep in thought and in his shop working his long hours as usual. The poor dear probably not eating a thing throughout the day. At least she could get him something sweet to eat as a snack, even if it was only dessert.

"No problem miss, I'll have it ready for you to take when you're finished." The waitress replied before leaving the two ladies once more to themselves. Persephone took a sip of the soothing caffeinated beverage the waitress set in front of her and smiled as the hot liquid made it's way down her throat.

"Perse, have you felt anything strange lately?"Artemis asked her, as the young Huntress glanced out one of the many windows in the cafe. "I mean, it's just this uneasiness I'm getting. Something just feels off, it's like the energy isn't flowing the same." She took a minute to consider this as she stared back into her sisters crystal blue eyes.

"The energy ?" She asked thoughtfully, taking another small sip before speaking . "I can't say I'd be a good judge of it at the moment Art. Every time I leave the Underworld I feel a bit off. Whether it's because I'm used to be with Hades or having to get used to breathing the smog called air here." She chuckled, leaning back into her chair and crossing her right leg over the other in a single smooth motion. "I wouldn't worry too much about it hun. It's probably not anything worth worrying about. " Even as she reassured her, Persephone couldn't help but to scan thorough her own thoughts and memories to see if anything was out of place. Besides the argument with her mother, things had been as normal as Immortality would allow.

The shrill beep of her phone alarm made Persephone jump in her chair. Patting down her dress pocket, she pulled her phone out and checked the time. Twenty minutes before she was set to visit Heph. "Artemis, thank you for coming with me here. It brought me clarity believe it or not. You should come by the shop more often and keep me company. I'm not into the idea of spending five more months with my mother." The thought of it made her let out a tired sigh.

"Keep in touch alright?" She scooted her chair back and stood, fishing into her pocket for her wallet and pulling out a crisp hundred dollar bill. She enjoyed tipping well here, and the staff knew it. She wouldn't be surprised if the servers had argued over who was take her table today. "Take care hun." She said with a small wink before walking back towards the entrance and picking up a simple white box with a pink bow on the hostess's stand meant for Heph.

Even as she made her way back onto the busy streets, she clutched the simple white box close to her waist as if it held something of high value. "Taxi!" She called out, waving a delicate manicured hand into the air to wave one of the many yellow cabs to the curb. She could have called for a limo, but she enjoyed the inconspicuousness of taxi's. Made her feel less Godly and more human when she was riding in them, despite the slight odor many of them held.

When one finally stopped for her, she bounced inside until she found a comfortable position to sit . Walking would have taken her a good half hour before she reached the Master Smith's home, but with taxi she would arrive ten to fifteen minutes depending on traffic.

---

"Thank you." She murmured as she climbed out the back of the taxi, dusting her dress off in order to look a bit more presentable before she walked into brother's work shop. She paid the driver his fare and watched as he started off without another word. She couldn't blame him for taking off so quickly. They were in a less than desirable area, known for the majority of New York's high profile crimes. Persephone watched as a scantily clad women in fish nets walked across the street where Persephone stood. Knocking on the drivers side window of an old blue van, she watched as she woman waited for the man inside to open the door and invite her in.

The man inside was portly. Inflamed acne covered the majority of his otherwise pale face. Persephone held eye contact for a few seconds before she spun on her heel in the opposite direction. Maybe Hades was right. I should just take the limo... When she made it towards the warehouse Heph worked in, she knocked on the large door before speaking. "Heph? I'm a little early, but I'm coming in." The small keypad on the side of the door which required a four digit code was swiftly taken care of as Persephone pounded the numbers in, waiting for the click of the door before pushing it back and allowing herself inside.

The room was ominously dark until she walked further towards Heph's studio and felt the warmth of his fire caress her skin. Schematics,maps, directions, and diagrams littered the workshop. Drawings of new and old designs her half-brother had created filled the room, and Persephone could practically feel the creativity pulse around her. How could his wife not see how incredible her brother was? To choose someone like the vicious God of War over Heph's kind and gentle heart? The only conclusion she could ever come to was that Aphrodite had a case of Bad Boy Syndrome. She preferred the excitement and passion over the pure love Heph could give her and that thought saddened the Springtime Goddess. Life, even an Immortal life, was simply not fair.

When she finally spotted her brother, a peaceful smile broke out across her face . "There's the man I've been searching for! How have you been dear?" She questioned softly. While she waited for his reply, she spotted a vase full of limp daisies she had left there almost two weeks ago during her last visit. Barely clinging to life,they clung to the vase and drooped over the edge. She pressed her fingertip to one of the stems of the flowers and felt her power leave her body and enter the tiny body of the plant before her. A few seconds passed and the drooping daises were dying no longer; now standing straight and tall as the day Persephone had brought them to him.

"They would live longer if you stayed somewhere with a bit of sunlight Hephy." She sat on a small stool near one of his workshop benches, and stared curiously at several of his plans. When her eyes glanced over a single sheet of paper, they caught sight of a single signature she knew by heart. "Was he here? Oh he was, wasn't he? I can sense it, is he alright Heph? He isn't too grumpy is he?" She realized she was practically throwing questions at him every second but she couldn't help herself. Anything involved with her husband made her speak a mile a minute.

.

Apollo

A solid baritone voice attempted to make light of his ailment, Apollo recognized it as his own uncle, a fact confirmed when he mustered the strength to gaze upon his bemused face. The Far-darter did not think it jovial, and rewarded Poseidon with a light scoff in contempt having only added to the irritability if anything. All the while the pulse in his brain did not recede by any amount.

Another voice reached his ears which he knew to be another elder kin. Truthfully he had no intention of entering the shop, but the offer was made face to face and though he cared little for interacting with his kin, he should at least feign politeness. That, and in his current state it would at least be better to rest where he was welcome. By now the migraine finally began to recede, so straightening himself as best he could and lightly nodded.

Once inside Apollo found the nearest chair and plopped in it, then resumed rubbing his temples. “Sorry about intruding, I’m usually never this piqued. I swear there something in here splitting my brain open like a fault line making a magnitude seventeen.”

He waited patiently for his tea to arrive paying little head to what else was being said in the room by whoever as his symptom began to grow again, and his temples were massaged more feverously still in vain. Soon enough however the beverage was before him and he accepted it from Demeter, and thanked her.

He must have gulped it all down in one go and placed the cup on the nearby coffee table, and waited longer still at rest, again paying no heed to whatever conversation that might have been taking place.

Then all at once, as if the final strike of a hammer and chisel were made against the dam of his mind, agony soared through all of its recesses. Apollo found himself clutching the arms of the chair in a death grip, his entire body flexed and frozen as he bit back his tongue. His eyes became wider than dinner plates, and all color including that of his pupils vanished, replaced by an intense white light shown out in beams. Anyone who knew of Apollo’s “gift” of prophesies would recognize a vision by him, and as he was the only one experiencing it, all one could do was wait until it was finished.

The heavens were ablaze! Mangled corpses littered a ruin world as spires of earth erected themselves splitting open mountain and skyscraper. The seas boiled in furious hatred as the blue was drowned in the blood of man and beast alike. Fire rained down upon the damned though all innocent of the crime they were accused. But this was not the realm of Hades; no, a few diminishing landmarks were recognizable as that of this very city that the gods made their residence.

And from the sky fell a great ball of fire, and as it approached the earth Apollo found that it too was a familiar shape. It was the palace of Olympus itself! Architecture of Old buckled and crumbled becoming as burning ash, immolating the multitudes of those who were unfortunate as to survive this long in this new dying world as it met its fate with the earth tearing it asunder.

Apollo could also see in the remains of the streets among the bodies strewn indiscriminately the forms of his brethren, ripped and torn as to be almost be unrecognizable, but he knew. His father and king who’s hide was now tanned and split, the lord of the seas emaciated and bone dry as if the life were taken from his body literally, and even Hades, who now was no more than a statue of ash could be seen curling himself around another, in vain protecting his fair wife and love now a shadow of Creation same as he.

They were not alone, all of them were there, the Far-darter himself counted among them. But the sight that truly horrified him, the image that would forever burn within his immortal soul was that of his dear sister, impaled on a pike as beast, vermin and maggot betrayed her pure flesh consuming her with greed and malice, hunger never to be sated.

He wailed in furious agony at the sight coupled with the splitting of his brain and the splitting of the world around him, “NO!” It was a roar and a cry that reverberated throughout the humble shop splitting the ears, and curdling the blood of all who dwelled within. The Far-darter writhed in the chair as he wailed, clutching the armrests so tightly that the wood began to splinter under his fingers and would eventually be broken.

This lasted for about a minute or so, until the light from his eyes dimmed and color returned to it was well, his mouth falling deathly silent and ajar. His gaze was no where for a small moment, and his body was completely unmoving, one could almost swear that death embraced him in that moment, even his skin was a sickly white. But after a while his fingers lightly twitched, followed by a shaky hand and soon the quaking spread all through out his body. Apollo gazed at his hand, observing the shaking with utmost fascination, until the thought occurred that he must steel his own nerves. He clutched his wrist with his other hand, though still quaked.

When the quaking died down and his skin flushed back with color. He then suddenly remembered that he was not alone in the room, and knew that they would be starving for an explanation. He tried to let loose his tongue, but at first nothing could escape, as if there were some invisible barrier. Eventually however he gradually managed to make speech. “I,” he fell silent again briefly before he continued in the softest voice though clearly audible for the rest of the room lied mute, “This…has never happened to me. My visions, they always happen when I command it, always, but this…”

He took another moment to collect himself, then managed to say, “Everything, everyone…everything was eviscerated, everywhere.”

He leaned forward as if they had not heard him an reiterated in the voice of a tortured phantom whispering from the bowels of Tartarus, and in this voice his statement was absolute and directed to the well being of his brethren in the meaning, “Everything.”

Hyperion stood up straighter "I found Zeus working at a human company, his name now is Brandon Powers... he wasn't hard to find." Hyperion gestured at a human newspaper with Zeus's face on it and in bold lettering it said "Brandon Powers does it again" Hyperion smirked "Zeus has been busy in social light lately. While you were sleeping I was watching the Gods and I've lost track of how many humans Zeus has slept with."


"Now finding Hades was a bit trickier, but like his brother they both have egos the size of Mount Olympus, I've tracked him down to some recent gang sighting’s around this area...." he said calmly like an assassin pointing out his targets on a map he had placed on the table.



"Also Hades owns a nice restaurant and a human strip club" Hyperion sighed, his nephew had turned out edgy and maybe it was time for a face to face talk though Cronus would like to have one at the edge of a blade instead of peace. "I also have tracked down his wife and Demeter, Athena, Artemis and Apollo and... Poseidon at a flower shop downtown, if we act now we could catch four of them right now...." he said before silencing himself, he wanted peace now war but he was born a soldier and would die a soldier he guessed.


Hyperion walked away from the table for a minute and looked at his brother "must this end in blood brother?" he said looking at Cronus with a faraway look in his eyes as he paced back and forth. He stood still looking out a window out into the world around him "If we are to stand against the Gods brother we must stand as one..." He said turning to face Cronus before sitting in a chair to the side of the room "but I must ask you brother is this war necessary?" He had just done somthing no Titian had done before, questioned Cronus, but still he wasn't going to back down from this topic "yes they wronged you but then again you tried to eat them... you tried having revenge once brother and it failed because we could not stand together, revenge does not work! you need to rally the others with the strength to go on and fire their spirts with the true justace not petty revenge..." he said in a almost pleading voice

Hephaestus – Anton Gallagher

Anton’s workshop.

Anton was seated at his work desk with a thin pair of glasses on his face. In his one hand was a glass cutter, and in his other was the small sculpture of a woman with no face. The faceless woman had her hand skyward and her leg extended as though she was twirling. Her hair flowed down to her shoulders in thick ripples and her dress flared to her dance. Anton was carving her from black, volcanic glass, and he was focused—as usual. He was immersed in thought, reminiscing over his uncle’s advice.

Those two would fuck on your damn desk if you gave them the chance and they wouldn’t give two shits if you were watching, you know why? It’s because they both know that you’re not going to do shit about it.

The blacksmith scowled and set down the statue he was working on. He removed his glasses and set them upon the desk as he closed his eyes and tried to clear his conscience. If he kept thinking such negative thoughts, then he would make mistakes. He had been working on it as a break from the list of orders he had to fill.

There’s the man I’ve been searching for! How have you been dear?

Anton opened his eyes; his brows rose in surprise as the familiar voice settled on his ears like a breeze. He glanced at her to confirm her presence as she wandered over to a vase of wilted daises that had caught her attention.

“Persephone?” Hephaestus queried. She was always so unexpected, but he could never hide the appreciation that curled at his lips. He enjoyed her visits. She was the only deity that came to visit him without need of his services. When she spoke about the neglected flowers, Anton’s smile became sheepish. “Sorry. Perhaps I’ll make a special lamp for them.”

His sister was immediately side-tracked by a certain signature on a recent receipt on one of his work desks. She bombarded him anxiously with questions about Dmitri, and even through her embarrassment, Anton still smiled. Her love for their uncle was surely amazing if not a miracle.

Anton stood from his chair and walked toward his fireplace to stretch his legs. With the modifications he made to his cast, his left leg was assisted by robotic hinges and sensors that sensed when he was in motion and would mimic the natural movements of a human leg. Wzzz…thump, Wzzz…thump, instead of the usual clap or thud of human footsteps was the sound that followed Anton wherever he went.

He stopped before the fireplace with his hands resting upon his hips. His silhouette cast a long shadow across the floor, emphasizing his height as he stood like a giant before the burning pyre. Its orange glow bathed his skin in bronze and thickly outlined the masculine cuts in his jaw. Upon his chest was a solid-blue T-shirt with torn sleeves. It was stained with streaks of oil from the countless times he had wiped his fingers on it, and clung loosely to his torso, lightly tracing the brick of his abdomen. Black, vintage jeans rode down his long legs to hover above black, steel-toe work boots. His ensemble was rather down-to-earth for being a wealthy blacksmith. It showed his humility.

With the content smile still softly upon his lips, Anton answered Persephone’s inquiries: “He was here to pick up a gun I had made for him. He didn’t seem grumpy as he did extremely tired. I notice that when it is spring and he is unable to be with you that he doesn’t get much sleep. When you’re both together, Hades is livelier and happy. He gave me advice today, and as he explained your relationship, I could see that his love for you has no bounds. You are truly blessed by The Fates or…” Anton’s right brow twitched as he made a disturbed face. He recalled what his uncle did to steal her heart. “Er…never mind.”

He rested a hand on his mantle and leaned upon it as he stared sullenly into the fire. “I will never know love like that because I refuse to fight for it. Outside my shop, I tend to find only sadness. My mother abhors me, my wife doesn’t love me, and the other gods don’t see me as their brother or nephew. I am their blacksmith and they only visit me when they need something made. Hades told me that if I ever hope to change my situation then I need to be willing to fight or leave my shop. My wife has not seen me since I made this mortal form for myself. She hasn’t even seen it. Perhaps she hasn’t visited me because she still sees me as the monster she left behind? Here, I am lost in my assumptions, but I am happy, and it is peaceful.”

You don’t seem happy…

Large, metallic footsteps thumped across the floor as a twelve-foot machine stalked into the firelight. It resembled a Cyclops with its one glowing, green eye darting between Anton and Persephone.

“You sound pretty miserable if you ask me,” said Brontes. The colossus then reached his hand over to Persephone and greeted, “Hey girlfriend, slap me some skin!”

A single, blue eye followed by ten fingers appeared on top of a shelf as Steropes piped, “Hey! Persephone’s here!” He then waved at her from behind the shelf, his eye turning pink as he greeted bashfully, “Hi…”

Anton frowned irritably. “Brontes and Steropes, can you leave us, I’m trying to have a private talk with-”

“PERSEPHONE!” Pyracmon screamed. The golem exuberantly stomped over with his red eye wide and fingers glowing a hot-orange. He jumped up and down twice before the stool she was sitting on, causing the shelves and every un-stationary object in his shop to bounce. “It’s nice to see you again!”

Anton turned from the fireplace to face the bots. He glared at the three of them and ordered, “Go back to your posts!”

Brontes rested his mechanical hands upon his hips and then cocked his hip to the side. “Not until YOU change your attitude. Do you know how much it rains in here? Ugh, the forecast is never sunny just stormy with a cold front called Depression. If you call this happiness, then honey, you need to get out more.”

Pyracmon nodded vigorously, “I agree.”

“Seconded,” said Steropes before he timidly ducked behind the shelf.

Anton clapped a hand over his face in shame. Even his servants saw through him.

“He was here to pick up a gun I had made for him. He didn’t seem grumpy as he did extremely tired. I notice that when it is spring and he is unable to be with you that he doesn’t get much sleep. When you’re both together, Hades is livelier and happy. He gave me advice today, and as he explained your relationship, I could see that his love for you has no bounds. You are truly blessed by The Fates or…”

Persephone smiled gently as she let her brother speak. His voice and manner was gruff, but his honesty and sweetness was refreshing among the Immortals.

She watched him walk towards the fireplace and gaze into the flames. Persephone dangled her feet off the metal chair and swung them like a child, back and forth as simply as a metronome. Her gentle blue orbs fluctuated between staring at Anton and at the crimson embers burning brightly in the hearth. The fire flickered wickedly every once in awhile; the flames crackling to make the only sound in the room until Heph began to speak again.

"I will never know love like that because I refuse to fight for it. Outside my shop, I tend to find only sadness. My mother abhors me, my wife doesn’t love me, and the other gods don’t see me as their brother or nephew. I am their blacksmith and they only visit me when they need something made. Hades told me that if I ever hope to change my situation then I need to be willing to fight or leave my shop. My wife has not seen me since I made this mortal form for myself. She hasn’t even seen it. Perhaps she hasn’t visited me because she still sees me as the monster she left behind? Here, I am lost in my assumptions, but I am happy, and it is peaceful.”

Before she could mutter even the tiniest words of comfort to her gentle giant, a voice called out from behind the shelves. The large golem emerged from his work, and stood before both Heph and Persephone. “Hey girlfriend, slap me some skin!” Brontos greeted, and Persephone swatted her own tinyhand against the metal golems own. Two more greetings from Anton's other colorful creations, and Persephone raised a hand to greet them as well. "Brontos, Steropes, and...wait where is..?" “PERSEPHONE!” The sound of her name roared throughout Heph's workshop; the source of the sudden outburst coming from the final golem, Pyracmon. While the golem bounced enthusiastically before her, she giggled.

"It's nice to see you again." Pyracmon said in his usual friendly manner. "It's nice to see all of you again as well." She chirped, shooting all three a smile; even the shy Steropes who hid behind the shelves.

She watched the four banter, and the golems all voice their agreement about Anton's recent depression. Persephone clucked her tongue and lifted her petite body off the metal chair.

Her legs moved her towards where the mortal Heph stood before the fire, a grease stained hand covering his face from her view. She gently reached forward to remove the hand from his face and her lips spread thinly into a smile. " Your friends are right Heph. You aren't happy, and there's no reason to reassure yourself or anyone around you that you are. Especially me. You should know by now I can see right through you." With the last few words, she gently prodded his chest with her pointer finger, her smile still resting on her face.

“I am no Athena” she told him, “but I think I could spare some wisdom for my favorite brother." Her hand moved up towards his face, inches from touching it. Her hand hovered over the Smith Gods face as if she was casting a spell on him. His mortal form was handsome, but it did not suit his current attitude. "You must have confidence my brother. If you don't believe enough in your own self, Aphrodite will continue to walk all over you."

Persephone wrinkled her nose at her half-sisters name in habit. Though she may have played some role in her eternal love for Hades, the mere passing of the woman's name over her tongue still left a bitter taste in her mouth after the many years of watching both her and Ares make a mockery of her brother.

"First, don't be anyone but yourself, because you are truly a gift brother."She held up a single finger and quickly took a breathe before continuing. "Secondly, have the confidence that no matter what your mortal or Immortal form may look like, you are a talented craftsman and an excellent man. Those who can't see past your looks don't deserve the gift of being your friend.A second finger rose and Persephone's smile widened." Thirdly, don't give a single fuck about what your mother or any of our kin say." A third and final finger stood with the others, and Persephone giggled. "Oh, I don't usually curse. That made me feel a bit naughty." She admitted, turning towards the three golems and shrugging her sharp shoulders back.

Hephaestus – Anton Gallagher


His hand was peeled from his face by Persephone’s warm and delicate little fingers. The smith stared down at his little sister. Her face seemed to glow on its own with her gentle and caring nature. Her smiles, even the slightest ones, always brought warmth to his core like...spring. His gaze only lingered briefly on her face before it fell to the floor beneath his feet and her slender finger that prodded his chest. Anton raised his head when Persephone raised her hand and held her palm before his face.

After Persephone offered her advice, Brontes clapped his metal hands together as they resounded like church bells.

“Mhm, he’s rubbin’ off on you darling,” Brontes noted. “Better be careful, you won’t be innocent for long.” The golem teased with the flick of his wrist.

Anton was silent and musing over all that Persephone had told him. Deep down, he knew he should have heeded her advice, but on the surface he was afraid. No one but Persephone could see through his grotesque immortal form to the god he truly was.

A soft, happy electronic jingle filled the vicinity around Anton. The three golems did a little jig as the smith curiously reached into his jean pocket and removed his cell phone. Steropes was bobbing up and down behind the shelf, Pyracmon was moon-walking in a circle, and Brontes was swinging his hips to and fro. The golems immediately stopped when Anton ended the jingle and regarded the text message from Hermes:

Zeus wants us all at the manor for dinner. No exception guys. Don’t ask me what the hell for because I don’t know and I don’t care, just be there.

The news made Anton pale a little and he turned back toward the fireplace. “Father’s having a dinner. It’s mandatory that we all go it seems.” Anton shook his head, he couldn’t convince himself to go. “I can’t do it. I have too many orders to fill.”

The smith turned around and walked past Persephone, planning to get right back to work. Brontes stretched his leg out and stepped into his master’s path. “We can handle it. We are your apprentices after all.”

Pyracmon walked over to stand next to Brontes, his single, red eye having narrowed coolly. “Didn’t you make us for that reason? We can cover the shop. So go have fun!”

Anton frowned up at the two golems standing in his path. “I won’t say it again.”

Steropes walked out from behind the shelf to stand behind Anton. He gazed down at him with his coy, blue eye.

“If you go to the dinner, you can finally show Aphrodite the new you. You won’t have to talk to her, but she’ll have to notice you,” Steropes encouraged.

Brontes nodded. “Yes; and Persephone will be there. She won’t let anyone ruin your day. Right, girlfriend?” Turning his green eye on the belle, Brontes added, “Maybe you can talk your evil husband into beating the crap out of anyone that dare speak ill of Annie?”

Anton blushed in embarrassment. Annie, really?

“I just want to go back to work,” he said sullenly.

She winked at Brontes. "I've been stuck with him for centuries. It was only a matter of time before he rubbed off on me."

The brief sound of Anton's cellphone playing a contagious tune made Persephone's ears perk up. “Father’s having a dinner. It’s mandatory that we all go it seems.” Heph said, answering her unspoken questions of who was texting him. "Why did he message you and not-." The chiming of her own phone interrupted her. Clair De Lune played softly before Persephone plucked the phone from the inner pocket of her dress.

"Heya puuuuuuuuuuuuuuuurty lady,

Dad wants us all to meet up at the manor for a dinner or something. Be there or be square. If you need someone to escort you, give me a call and I'll fly over ;D.

P.S: No getting out of this either, or Dad will be pissed.

She raised her eyebrow and gave an unladylike snort. She doubted that was the message the Messenger God had sent to everyone, including her husband. He did so like to flirt with her, but he played a dangerous game. She just prayed he had enough sense to keep his little quips to himself while they were at the table. All it would take was another Immortal to report him to Hades, and the poor little God would be sent to Tartauras, with his pretty white winged shoes attached to his feet.

"Idiot." She mumbled before slipping her phone back into her pocket and turning her attention back to her friend. "I suppose I should get going then. Wouldn't want Dad to get his panties in a twist if either of us turned up late." The thought of being surrounded by Immortals left her stomach in twists. Artemis,Apollo, Hermes, Heph, and Poseidon....they were the only Immortals Persephone could handle. Each different but loved the same by the Springtime Goddess. Aphrodite, Ares, Athena, Hera, her father and the rest she preferred in small doses.

When Heph started with his excuses for not going, Persephone stepped up to agree with his golems. "No exceptions means no exceptions big bro. You're coming with me, and that's final." She didn't want to boss him around, but the guy needed to get out. She didn't dare ask him how long he had been cooped up here.

"Oh by the way. I left you a little something to cheer you up in the box over there." She had nearly forgotten the pie she had brought him that sitting all by it's self on his desk. When she went to walk towards where the entrance to his shop was, she stopped in her tracks. Hearing no whizzing or clanking of his leg behind her, she spun on her heel to face the God and cross her arms.

"Heph."She tone growing softer, the look she often saw in her mothers eyes slowly matching her own as she stared toward her sibling. "Aphrodite and your mother will get to see you in your new form. It's the best time for you to show your new form off to everyone." She uncrossed her pale limbs and held a hand out towards him, palm up and waiting for his hand to be placed over her own.

She was sure it would probably take more words of encouragement for him to gather his courage while they were in the car, but they had enough time before they would arrive at the mansion. With any luck Heph might actually have a good time tonight. While waiting for the God to take her hand, her mind wandered and stopped at the thought of her beloved.

Her heart fluttered at the thought of him attending the feast, but she knew it was useless to think about. Likely he would not attend and she would be forced to endure her Mothers pitiful stares and Hermes lurid glances.

Optimism Persephone, optimism! She gently chided herself, still smiling at Heph although it was now becoming more forced with every thought being weighed on her mind.

Hephaestus – Anton Gallagher

Anton’s workshop.


No exceptions means no exceptions big bro. You’re coming with me, and that’s final.

Anton’s brows rose at Persephone’s declaration. “What? Weren’t you just leaving on your own accord?”

Oh by the way. I left you a little something to cheer you up in the box over there.

“I got it!” Pyracmon exclaimed. He charged toward the little white box only to be intercepted by Brontes who thrust his hand out against his chest. He had snatched up the box and held it out of the red golem’s reach.

“If you touch this gift with your hot hands, there will be nothing left for master,” Brontes reminded.

Pyracmon gazed at his glowing fingers and replied, “Oh yeah.”

Brontes delivered the box to Anton. He held it carefully pinched between his thumb and index finger. Anton took the gift and pulled the lid off by its pink bow. Inside was a slice of Dutch apple pie topped with a dollop of whip cream.

Ooooo… the golems chorused.

Anton smiled and said, “Thank you, Sis.”

Heph.

Steropes fled behind Brontes and said, “You better go. She sounds mad.”

Brontes plucked the gift from the smith’s hands and reassured, “I’ll put it in the fridge. You can enjoy it when you get back from your fabulous evening.”

Anton stared at Persephone as though she didn’t know what she was getting him into. He didn’t want to upset her, but he also didn’t want his peaceful night ruined. Anton breathed a sigh of surrender and regrettably walked over to where his sister stood.

Aphrodite and your mother will get to see you in your new form. It’s the best time for you to show your new form off to everyone.

The smith uttered no reply. He had fled deep into his self-conscious as he mentally began building fortifications. Nothing but nightmares of the future were playing over and over in his head. Laughter…that’s all he heard and saw. Everyone was laughing at him. He was making a big mistake. He just knew it.

The taxi was too fast-paced for Anton’s tastes. The driver drove through the city as though there were no obstacles hindering his chosen path. They ran intersections; came close to swiping other vehicles; and instead of taking fault for being a reckless driver, the driver opted to throw curses out the window. One mortal missed getting hit by the leather of her purse. The side view mirror had ripped the back right off her shoulder. She was on her cell phone and had stepped off the curb seconds late of getting clipped.

Anton watched in wide-eyed horror the young lady’s bag go flipping into the intersecting street. He was gripping the oh-shit bar and clutching the shoulder-strap of his seatbelt in constant reassurance that it was on as the vehicle lurched, swerved, and made abrupt brakes. It was bad enough that he was crammed into the backseat, and he was glad with his decision. With how transportation was going, shotgun was suicide.

“He should slow down,” said Anton uncomfortably.

"It's all right." She chirped cheerfully as she applied her favorite coral lipstick to her smooth plump lips. "It's New York, everyone drives like a maniac." She pursed her lips together as if preparing for a kiss before she slipped her lipstick back into her purse and directed all her attention towards her brother. The poor thing looked ready to fly out of his seat if they hit so much as a pot hole.

"Have you thought of what you might like to say to your wife or mother before we arrive?" Persephone questioned, a lazy smile climbing it's way across her face. "It might do you some good to practice with me, if you'd like." Though I have no idea how to play the part of a whore who cheats on her husband every chance she gets.

At the mention of his wife and mother, Anton’s expression softened with doubt. “I’d rather not. There’s no use rehearsing for something that may never happen. I just want this night to end quickly so that I can return to my shop.”

When the taxi bounced, Anton tensed and his hand gripped the utility bar so tight that he nearly ripped it from the ceiling.

“That is, if we survive the trip,” he added.

"Heph, if you talk to them now you can get it out of the way. Then you can go back to your shop and tinker to your hearts content."She smiled for him, so sweetly. “I won't push you however. Do as you like big brother." You can lead a God to water, but you can't make him drink it She thought to herself, chuckling slightly before turning from her brother and peering out the window.


It was raining again The water was trickling down from the skies to create puddles round the city. People walked and talked around her and Persephone envied them. How simple there lives must be. No jealous mothers, or criminal husbands. She was quiet, even when the vehicle bumped and bounced her around a bit after turning a corner. If one looked close enough into the blue pools of her eyes, they might see a hint of sadness, even as a smile graced her angelic face.

Anton listened but returned no answer. As usual, Persephone offered sensible advice, and surprisingly, Hades had as well, but Anton felt only cowardice. He feared being wronged thrice, and he was bracing himself for not just the could-be car crash, but for an emotionally anguishing night. His worst nightmares were going to be gathered in one place, and he was prepared to put on his best act. The smith’s poker face was at times better than his sculptures’.

It was when he teetered on the edge of sliding into deep meditation that he noticed Persephone had fallen silent. His malt ball eyes rolled over to his half-sister as she stared out the window; and the way she sat a seat away from him, it seemed like there were miles between them as the golden light of the street lamps swept over her. She brought to his mind a princess trapped in a tower. Was she really as miserable as he?

Anton glanced down at his hand on the seatbelt and slowly uncurled his fingers from around it. He reached across the seat and rested his hand upon her soft shoulder in a warm and comforting touch. He didn’t smile much, but the slightest hint touched the corners of his mouth at that moment.

“He’ll be there. Zeus did summon everyone.”

The look Anton gave her, as well as his touch was full of gentleness. She would gladly have hugged him for his tender words, but a part of her could not fully believe him. It was almost too much to hope for. " I hope so, though I'll believe it when I see it." She admitted, crossing her arms over her chest and smiling as she continued to stare out the window.

When she closed her eyes, it was Hades she saw, pacing in the Underworld and ordering Bernard around in his usual bossy manner.
He was always frowning, but his face would give way and turn into a smile when she was around. She wanted to take him in her arms and bury her face in the crook of his neck that she fit so perfectly into. She wanted him to speak with the dark voice she had grown to love; whispering sweet words to her that none but she would ever hear.

She squirmed a bit in her seat and her cheeks grew hot; a pink glow blossoming. She would have asked the driver to hurry up a bit had Heph not been there. He looked ready to jump and she didn't have the heart to make him any more anxious then he already was. "We should be there soon at least. Hopefully Father hasn't gone too overboard with the menu."


Zeus's mansion.

When the taxi pulled to the side, Persephone took a glance at the meter and clicked her purse open to take a few bills out. "Here, though next time you should avoid the pot holes. Some people actually prefer not to bump their head while they're sitting back here." She chided before placing the bills in the drivers hand.

The driver snorted and waved a hand to signal both of them to get out, and Persephone took no time taking her brothers hand and pulling him out with her. He was as solid as stone, and it took all her strength to pull the giant out of the bright yellow car. "Come on Heph, work with me here buddy! It'll be fine."

The taxi drove off, leaving Persephone to continue pleading with her brother. She held tight to his callused hand, wrapping her delicate fingers around his. Her heels clacked against the cement as they took the long route up from the driveway and towards the house, where she saw the flashing lights of the television reflecting off the large bay windows.

She continued dragging her reluctant prisoner along with her, walking up the steps to the front door. She flashed her brother a grin before placing her other hand onto the door handle and twisting it open. The smell of freshly baked bread and other delights the chefs were making hit her immediately. She finally released him, using both of her now free hands to brush the wrinkles out of her dress.

"See, that wasn't so bad was it?" She teased.


After she managed to get him out of the taxi, he dragged along behind, the whirr and thump of his leg trying to keep up with the swift clap of her heels. The closer they came to the house, the colder he felt as fear gripped him and excited an outbreak of goose bumps across his arms. They reached the door and his sister’s reassurance still received no answer. The smith had started autopilot.