Persephone raced through the halls of the palace, away from the throne room. The gods had convened to feast together in the palace atop Mount Olympus. Not only the gods but also their entire retinues were invited as well. Hundreds of beautiful revelers dressed in all their finery, dancing and drinking merrily. This should have been the most exciting night of Persephone's life, but instead her mother, Demeter, had shuffled her aside into a corner with the nymphs like a child. Persephone had decided she would rather be alone than listen to the nymphs moon over men she could never even hope to talk to without incurring her mother's wrath. So, she steered her attendants in the general direction of male revelers and slipped out quickly and quietly whilst they were distracted.
She sighed and paused for a moment to catch her breath in the colonnade overlooking the gardens. So rare were her moments alone that she savoured it, for she knew it would be fleeting.
"A young girl should not be wandering the palace unattended."
Persephone rolled her eyes and swirled around. She had a quip ready to hurl at whichever drunken partygoer interrupted her peace but she curbed her tongue immediately when she saw who had joined her. Though she had never met him before, she knew that the figure in front of her Hades, King of the Underworld and lord of the Shades.
"My lord," she murmured, bowing her head immediately. She peered at him from beneath her long eyelashes. Hades was leaning against a pillar at ease. He was dark and imposing to her for she had only been in the presence of a man a handful of times. He wore a black tunic with deep red embroidery of obvious refinement and through his hair wound a diadem of pewter and onyx. This was a man of authority who would surely foil her plans of independence for the evening and send her right back to her mother. She could not bring herself to meet his obsidian gaze.
Persephone bit her lip, "My lord, I beg of you-"
"Peace, child," he interrupted her smoothly. "I will not tell anyone. Pray, what is your name?"
"Persephone, my lord"
"Persephone," he said, as though testing the word in his mouth. "A lovely name for a lovely girl. And just how did you come to find yourself alone here?"
Eyes still downcast, Persephone replied, "My mother put me under the care of the nymphs, but they were easily disposed of. They were more interested in Ares than they were in me." She pouted a bit thinking over how easily detachable the nymphs were.
"Yes, he is a fascinating conversationalist, isn't he?" Hades said, smirking slightly. He paused for a moment before continuing, "Well, Persephone, since we are here, perhaps you would like to join me in a stroll around the gardens?"
Persephone was puzzled by the request. "Will they not miss you at the feast, my lord?"
He smiled in earnest and replied, "No, Persephone, I daresay they shall not. The drunken antics of my family bore me and I needed the fresh air. Come, let us walk for awhile."
Hades offered her his arm, which she took with some disbelief. She did not know what to say to such an important god that could possibly be of interest. They fell together in step and walked in silence for a few moments through Hera's impeccable paths.
"Does your mother often leave you in the company of errant nymphs?" Hades asked finally.
"Oh, they're quite kind really!" Persephone answered a bit defensively. "Rather simple but ever so nice and they are easily managed. They are my companions on earth while my mother attends to business. She spends most of her time with me though." She cursed herself internally for babbling on so to such an important man.
His brow furrowed, "She must love you very much."
"She does, though she worries for me endlessly. I am hardly ever alone, wherever we go. It is a bit stifling…oh but, I beg your pardon my lord; I have said too much," she apologized and swallowed nervously. Persephone wondered how a simple conversation could be so challenging when she conversed daily with the nymphs with ease. Hades, however, did not seem to be bothered in the least bit.
"Not at all, Persephone. Such frustration is borne of natural curiosity and curiosity does not like to be caged," he answered. Funnily enough, he was smiling and seemed to be enjoying himself.
They continued to stroll together through the gardens. Hera had arranged flowers and trees too numerous to count in a beautiful array. The many perfumes lay heavy in the air and the garden was filled with a beautiful golden light.
Persephone was bursting with curiosity about Hades and his immortal life. She took a deep breath. "Do you come to Olympus often, my lord?" she ventured.
"No, I have many duties to attend to in my kingdom," he replied. "There is much more to ruling over the dead than one might think; my holdings are more vast than Olympus."
Again, Persephone was taken aback. "Truly, my lord?" she asked. She lowered her gaze again for she felt so provincial compared to Hades' dark sophistication.
"Indeed," he replied. "Frankly I prefer it to Olympus, the wining and dining are tiresome after awhile. But on occasion my presence is required here," he said gesturing to the opulent palace.
"And what is the Underworld like, my lord?" Persephone asked.
Hades looked down at the beautiful golden girl on his arm. He was struck by how little of the worlds she had seen. He knew that she lived with her mother among the flowers and bubbling brook and on occasion visited Olympus. That was the only world she had ever known. He drew a deep breath, "Well, it is rather different from what you are used to I suppose. There are realms in which people are punished for their crimes but there are also beautiful gardens full of flowers, types that would not grow here on Olympus or at your home. And then, of course, there is my palace."
"As large as Olympus?"
He smiled. "Larger."
Persephone's eyes widened. "Such a thing is possible! I should never have thought anything could be larger than Olympus."
"Oh yes, the dead far outnumber the living," Hades replied easily. "I have many in attendance at my court. There are the usual dancers and such, naturally. But all of the best thinkers, artists and poets also come to me eventually. I speak with them often."
"It sounds so intriguing," she breathed. She could not imagine the art and poetry he had at his fingertips. She longed to hear more about his world, which was so vastly different from her own.
"I am content with my lot," Hades replied. "I think, however, it is time that you return to your companions. We have been out for awhile and I am afraid I must return to the feast." He turned in the direction of the banquet hall, his face full of regret and even a bit of distaste.
Persephone was reluctant to let him go. She longed to continue hearing about his world. "Will I ever see you again, my lord?" she asked. Although it was unlikely she would come back to Olympus soon, she could not help hoping that she would run into this mysterious man again.
Hades paused for a moment and smiling lightly replied, "I daresay that you will. Perhaps soon."
"How will I know when, my lord?" she questioned.
"I will send a sign for you and you will know. Until we meet again, Persephone."
With that, he bowed to her and was gone.
Authors note: I wrote this as a writing exercise to try out a different way of approaching dialogue; not sure if I want to keep writing this story let me know if you think I should.