This Persephone, Ianthe and Macaria belong to me. Anyone who uses them without my permission gets trampled by a Titan.

Anyone/anything else belongs to Disney.

20 Days

14

"How did you find the time to do this? I thought you were 'buried in paperwork.'"

"I am. I make time."

"What the hell does that mean?"

"Whatever, forget that. You just...scurry off and give this to mommy okay?"

"I hate you."


"Well, mother, the days are ticking by," said Persephone. Her violet eyes were fixed on Demeter who was dusting off...dust in the corners of the ceiling.

"Don't remind me," Demeter said, her voice flat. She didn't turn.

"I mean...it was only...a few days ago that it was 20 days to go, and now look!" She waved her hand excitedly. "Only 14 days."

"I said, don't remind me."

"Well, I'm just saying."

"Well, don't."

"Am I interrupting an epic battle between you and Demeter? I'm sorry, I'll step out." Macaria smirked as she appeared in the cottage. Demeter turned finally, scowled sarcastically at Maci, and then vanished.

"I take it she doesn't like me that much." Macaria glared at the spot where Demeter had been.

"It's not that she doesn't like you, she just doesn't like Hades."

"And that includes his 'spawn?'"

"Macaria."

"I'm quoting her."

"Macaria."

She rolled her eyes. "Fine. Whatever. Alright, here..." She held out her fist and opened it.

In the center on her palm was a golf ball sized gem. Inscribed on it's surface was a big 14.

Persephone grinned and picked it up, turning it over and then over again in her hands. "What is it?"

"Sapphire? I think?" said Macaria, tilting her head and stare at the jewel. She shook her head, rolled her eyes, and folded her arms. "It's unbelievable. He can afford to make this thing, but he can't bear to spare a few drachmas for my services. I'm not doing this willingly, ya know. It's the least he can do."

"I'll tell him to tomorrow," said Persephone dryly, "I'll send a note."

Maci's eyes widened. "Oh, yeah...he told me to give this to you, too." She handed her a scroll.

Persephone unrolled it curiously, blinked, then smirked at it.

Don't copy me, Seph.

"Jerk," she said, but she was grinning.

"Hey, I told ya, didn't I?" Maci grinned herself. "Be more original tomorrow."

"I'll sure try," Persephone said sarcastically.

"Excellent." Maci gave her a sarcastic thumbs up right back, then turned to walk out the door. She turned back suddenly."And don't forget to tell him to pay me." And then she went POOF.

Persephone smirked at her jewel and her scroll, and then picked up the duster and resumed Demeter's abandoned work.