Hades growled in frustration as he watched Hermes flit away for the third time that month. Since the initial meeting, Zeus had made sure that there would be no rest for his brother. "Lord Zeus wishes to know of your progress," Hermes would say as soon as he had managed to hunt down the lord of the Underworld. Hades would shoot him a scathing look and tersely reply, "It's coming along." These responses were obviously not what Zeus had been expecting and so took the liberty to pay a very brief visit himself. This did not bode well with Hades. In a very heated discussion, Hades made it quite clear that the more he was pestered, the more he would procrastinate. In the end, Zeus had tried to threaten and even bribe Hades into getting their blessed salvation completed, to which Hades said, "Do you honestly believe you hold any power over me in my own realm?" Seeing that they had reached a moot point, Zeus took his leave, saying nothing more than, "I give you three months." That had been a month and a half ago, and tempers were flaring on both ends. However, after being left in quiet solitude, even then Hades could not think of a way to appease Zeus. He would speak to Hecate; maybe she would have some wise words to lend his ear.
While spiting his brother was undoubtedly pleasurable, Hades was tired of being constantly berated, and so he donned his cloak and made for Olympus. When he arrived, he was overcome with the magnitude of revelry taking place. As he searched for Zeus, his eyes fell upon Dionysus. That explained everything, what with the nymphs and satyrs that had been running amok lately. Of course, when there were important matters at hand, Zeus would decide to throw a party. He eventually found Zeus lounging next to Hera, laughing heartily at something Athena had said. Zeus was still chortling as he caught sight of his brother and roared, "Hades! This is certainly unexpected."
"Believe me," Hades replied, "I take no pleasure in being here. I merely came to inform you that if you want my help, you must allow me more time."
"Come now Hades, this is a celebration. Do not trouble me with your laziness."
Before he could retort, Hades heard a voice like the tinkling of bells. He whipped around to see Persephone sidle up behind Zeus and wrap her arms around him.
"Hello father," she said sweetly.
"Ah, Persephone, how is my beautiful flower?"
There was a pause as Hera excused herself in a huff, obvious as it was that one of his bastards dare come so close to her, and Persephone took her place, sticking her tongue out in the process.
"Father, I would like a present," she pouted as she curled into his side.
"Oh really, now? And what is it you would like, exactly?"
She snuggled closer and turned her face up to show how big and glassy her eyes had become and said, "Smite mother for me."
Zeus' booming laughter reverberated throughout the hall, and he patted Persephone on the head as she giggled along. It was quite infectious, and Hades let out a chuckle of his own, stopping abruptly when the other two turned to face him. They both looked pleasantly surprised and, still giggling, Persephone said, "Yes, and then you can make sure she never steps foot into the Elysian Fields."
As Hades opened his mouth to reply, there was a rousing chorus of "Zeus!" from the corner where Dionysus sat, and the father of the gods excused himself, leaving the two to their own devices.
"Tell me, little one, why you loathe your mother so much."
"Not loathe, just immensely dislike, most of the time. You can't honestly believe I enjoy her treating me like a child every minute of every day, can you?"
"I just assumed that you perhaps enjoyed being pampered."
"I most certainly am not pampered! Kept hidden away on an ivory pedestal like a prized piece of jewelry perhaps, but certainly not for my benefit."
"It can't be as bad as you make it out to be," he said, ruefully thinking of his own home. "You are free to roam as you please."
"No, I'm not," she said in a sad, tiny voice. "Mother makes sure of that. 'Never allow yourself closeness with another, it only leads to hurt and embarrassment,' that's what she says, that I am the only thing worthwhile that ever came from a relationship. But what she doesn't understand is that I am completely and utterly alone. So much so, my entire being aches. What I wouldn't give to feel….anything. Anything other than contempt for someone I'm supposed to care for."
She stood there, morose and confused as to why she had poured her heart out to a god who very obviously had more pressing matters to worry about than the complaints of a silly girl. She felt his burning gaze and refused to meet his eyes, once again becoming a picture of chaste bashfulness. Hades scrutinized her carefully. How could it be that someone so beautiful, so young and inexperienced managed to convey his feelings? She shouldn't even know the meaning of alone or contempt, not from feeling those emotions. Just as he was about to respond, he caught sight of Demeter at the same time she spotted the two of them. Persephone noticed as well, groaning loudly and shooting Hades an apologetic look.
Before she could turn away, he stooped and grabbed her hand, laying a kiss there. As he had hoped, she dropped to one knee, head bowed in respect. He laid a hand on her head and bent to help her up. As she became level with his mouth he whispered, "Meet me on the morrow, I can help you," and sent her on her way.
