hello all
so to be completely honest, i'm not even sure how often i'll update, but i promise that i will finish it even if it kills me bc if you remember, there is nothing i hate more than unfinished fics bc im a freak
but i love you all so much it hurts :,-)
"Mr. Mavros, we're mighty excited that you're here. But, if I may ask, why'd you pick the geology program here at Tulane University of all places? Isn't Oxford or Cambridge more your style?"
Henry Mavros, in all his business persona, crossed one leg over the other, the fine material of his suit never wrinkling as he did so.
He gave a charming smirk, his crisp accent flowing. "Oxford and Cambridge bored me. They have excellent programs, make no mistake, but they lack the substance that Tulane has. Something about this university and city has me intrigued." He gave a small, private smile, "Let's just say that something drew me to your university."
After hours of memorizing the low quality photograph of Lily Propolos in the paper, Hades decided to act quickly. He desperately needed to find Persephone and bring her home. Centuries upon centuries of agonizing waiting had made Hades a bit obsessive, and he found that he could no longer wait for fate at Pluto's Alignment to simply drop Persephone back into his life.
No, he would fight. He made the mistake of not fighting for Persephone in the past, but Hades did not make the same mistake twice. He would damn those three witches, wherever they were, and build his own destiny; his own fate. He let the obstacles in the past drag him wherever they pleased, but no more. In the moment he saw her beautiful face once again in the paper, he knew for certain that nothing and no one would stand in his way of recuperating his love.
Now, he knew where she was. If he had any hope of regaining his wife by his side, he needed to act now.
He needed to be close to her. And so, this was the reason he sat in the office of the Head of Tulane's Geology Department.
The office was small and grey, diplomas and certificates lining the wall behind the small, wooden desk where James Levereux sat. Dr. Levereux was a stout man, his short height and balding head serving as a huge contrast to Hades' intimidating height and youthful appearance.
"And you'd be a sponsor for how long?"
Hades leaned back in his wooden chair, "Most likely a year. I've just set up a new office here in New Orleans, so I'd like to focus on expanding my company here in the States. This sponsorship with Tulane will help me loads to get a firm grip of the mannerisms and partnerships here in the South."
Mr. Levereux nodded profusely. "Of course, of course." Standing, he shook Hades' hand firmly while handing him a thick manila folder, "Well then, if you could just bring this paperwork back to us when you can, it'll be official. We're very happy and fortunate to have you join us, Mr. Mavros."
"Likewise, Dr. Levereux."
Hades made his way to exit the tiny office, until Dr. Levereux's excited voice stopped him. "Oh, Mr. Mavros! I'd like to host an assembly later in the week for the Geology students with you as a key speaker. I'd do it today, but many students are breaking in the new year, and we wouldn't want to overwhelm them. This also gives you enough time to fill out all that paperwork I just handed you. That way, we can publicize our partnership as well as introduce you to the students."
Hades stopped, an idea forming in his mind. "Perhaps it'd be better if all Earth Science majors were in attendance."
Dr. Levereux sputtered, "All Earth Science students? But, Mr. Mavros, that would include all geology, oceanography, and meteorology students! Not to mention-"
"Botanical Studies Majors?" Hades rapidly asked.
Dr. Levereux paused, confusion crossing his features. "I was going to say others, but yes, Botanical Studies, of course. But, Mr. Mavros, why the broad audience?"
Hades gave a shrug, but inside he was exploding with excitement. He was one step closer to Persephone. He needed to find her soon, and what better way than a broad assembly? Surely, she would come if it included her major.
"Many Earth Science majors have to take Geology at one point in their academic careers. Why not get more students interested? More students in your department means more funding." Hades explained, his face of innocence perfected.
Slowly, Dr. Johnson nodded. "Well yes, yes they do. And I can't say that I hate the idea of more funding." Meeting his eye, Dr. Levereux smiled widely. "I'll have it arranged then! We'll be in touch Mr. Mavros."
With one last glance, Hades nodded and moved to the office door, when once again Dr. Levereux's voice halted his steps.
"And Mr. Mavros, welcome to Tulane University."
"I can't believe you actually did it. How did you even do it?"
Hades winced as he swiftly drank the amber alcohol in his glass. "I simply told him that I wanted to sponsor the program. Naturally, he agreed. It's not every day an international business man offers his money and time into an academic department."
Thanatos snorted. "It's also not every day that a former God is trying to get his once-dead goddess wife remember her long-lost past." He shook his head as he chuckled, "I still can't believe you actually did it. And I can't believe this guy believed you. Aren't doctors supposed to be smart?"
Hades' eyes narrowed. "Believe it. I already told you, nothing is stopping me from having Persephone with me again." He sighed as he stared at his glass, the amber liquid a painful reminder of her honey eyes. "This partnership means nothing yet. This is just a tool for me to use as an excuse to be around campus. I still have to find Persephone and try to make her remember." He took another gulp of his drink, "If Hecate hadn't replaced her memory, this would have been a lot simpler." He grumbled.
"Speaking of Hecate, what are you planning to do about her?"
Hades stared out among the many faces passing them. Any one of them could know her. They could know how her tinkling laugh could bring joy to the most evil of souls. They could know how her mesmerizing gaze could melt the coldest of hearts.
He spoke slowly, his eyes never leaving the mass of people that crossed in front of their small, round table. "I have no doubt Hecate is this 'shipping widow' who raised Lily Propolos. To start, Hecate will know nothing about this yet, I'll make sure of that. Further, Hecate is still a member of my kingdom whether she likes it or not, and therefore, she still answers to me."
Thanatos raised his eyebrows, catching the threat in his king's ominous tone.
"Nothing is standing in my way. You'd do well to remember that." Hades said sternly, taking the last gulp of his drink.
"You've only said it about twenty times." Thanatos drawled.
"And yet, you keep forgetting." Came Hades' cool reply.
"D'you think she's the only other goddess here? Besides us and Persephone?" Thanatos asked suddenly.
Hades shook his head. "I'm not sure."
"And Ares?" Thanatos quietly asked.
Hades' eyes darkened as he gripped his glass, making his knuckles white.
After Persephone's tragedy, Ares was quick to blame Hades for her death, knowing that Hades was aware of her curse and did not heed his warnings to let her go. He expressed so much hatred and anger for the Lord of the Underworld on the day of her death, pushing the responsibility of her fall on his dark, sullen shoulders. He vowed to never forgive Hades for what he had done. But once Hecate had disappeared with Persephone, Ares had also disappeared.
"He still hasn't been found." Hades bit out. Although his guilt of the curse consumed him daily, Hades found it easy to detest Ares. The god of war was her safety, and Hades was her downfall. Jealousy and guilt built over the years in Hades' soul, but now, no curse could separate Hades and Persephone ever again, making his cold heart hope again.
"So," Thanatos began, noticing the sadness and tension creep onto Hades' pale features, "when's this assembly?"
The warm air breezed through Hades' long, ebony hair as he sat with Thanatos in the sunny quad of Tulane. He had a few minutes before his assembly as Henry Mavros: new millionaire sponsor to Tulane's Geology Department.
He observed quietly as the mass of students poured into the double doors of the auditorium, but his eyes were automatically trained to find her specific features in the large crowd.
Many attractive young ladies passed, but none could compare to her shimmering skin, or her lush waterfall of chocolate waves. Many young students smiled and laughed with one another, but none possessed her radiant smile, or her bewitching gaze.
"Are you even listening?"
Hades simply gave a curt nod, "Yes."
Thanatos sighed, throwing the note cards with Hades' key points onto the grass below. It was useless to practice his speech if he was looking for Persephone. "Have you seen her yet?"
He mutely shook his head. His desperate need to see Persephone broke free from its confined emotions, making Hades' actions seem more distracted and uneasy.
What if she didn't come?
Hades would keep looking for her, of course, but he couldn't help but feel the disappointing clenching of his heart at the thought of Persephone not arriving. All of this: moving to New Orleans, building a new office downtown, sponsoring her university. It was all for her.
It would always be for her.
Thanatos clamped a reassuring hand onto Hades' broad shoulder. "Don't fret boss. I'm sure she'll show. It's still a bit early, maybe she's cutting across campus to get here."
Attempting to lighten up Hades' spirits, Thanatos stood, bumping into a young, blonde student as she made her way across the quad, tugging her large bike along.
"Hey, -" She began to call out.
"Sorry miss, do you happen to have the time?" He interrupted, standing right in front of the blonde.
She stepped on the tip-toes of her feet, craning her neck around Thanatos' tall figure, as to not lose sight of her friends. She then met Thanatos' gaze with her unwavering stare, "Sure, pal. It's time for you to get your own watch. Can't you see I'm trying to get into the assembly? And did ya not see the ginormous clock on the face of the building?"
"Listen, you,-" Thanatos began, only to have the feisty blonde place a tan hand in front of his face, cutting off any further words from the God of Death's face. Thanatos threw up his hands in defeat as Hades chuckled amusedly. Hades then stood up, his black suit adding to his intimidation as he walked over to the feuding pair.
She sighed in frustration, "Now, outta my way. I'm trying to catch up with my friends." The small blonde stormed off with her bike in tow, leaving Thanatos gaping after her and a chuckling Hades.
"Can you believe the nerve of the women today? Absolutely no class!" Thanatos grumbled.
While Thanatos complained, Hades' eyes followed the young student as she sped away from them. She made her way to a petite brunette whose back was turned, her brown waves flowing in the September wind. She spoke animatedly to another young girl while holding her books effortlessly in the crook of her arm.
"Hey, Lily!"
The brunette then turned at the sound of her name, leaving Hades wide-eyed and speechless.
Lily Propolos smiled warmly as she greeted her other friend, laughing as the blonde recounted her story of a rude man who had asked for the time.
She was here. After so many centuries, she was here. Breathing. Smiling. Laughing.
Living.
Finally.
sooo if you know, i have a pattern; i'll always make the first chapters shorter and as the story goes on they'll get longer
just fyi
HAPPY HOLIDAYS MY PEANUTS :-)