The Bowl with the Ruby Glaze
The cottage by the sea, as it has been pronounced to be before, is not the only place where I occasionally inspect the hearth. The palace of the Underworld, while not technically my territory, has a hearth. It is considered a home to the family of Hades, and so it is part of my domain.
I have seen many families in my time, however the family of the Underworld is one which I confess I find very interesting. Never let it be known that I admit this, but Hades truly is more of a father and husband than either Zeus or Poseidon ever was. Oh, I am not saying that my brothers are bad family men (To an extent. Zeus was never known for his fidelity.) merely that they simply do not have the same attitude that Hades takes.
I believe it is because Hades truly knows the value of family.
Do not laugh! No, do not laugh. Perhaps it has not occurred to you, but Hades never broke the Oath, not in either of his forms. What is more, he tried to protect the family who were in danger of being killed from that oath; if he had not, the cottage by the sea would not have my blessing now.
Furthermore, Hades and Demeter never got along well. There is bad blood on both sides, grudges and actions which both still remember. However, during the Second Titan War, Hades sought to protect Demeter within his realm. He recognised that she was part of his family, and followed his tenets: protect your family, keep them close, do not let them suffer ill. Having those core beliefs thrust back into his face was what started the rivalry between the Elder Three in the very beginning.
It must be said, however, that despite having noble beliefs, his methods of implementation are rarely as such. He is the Lord of the Dead, and the dead do not suffer moral complexes the same way the living do. After all, what does it matter what a dead person does? They have already been judged.
This is Hades' belief. Why does it matter how he conducts his affairs, when his brothers have already judged him?
There are faults on both sides, but perhaps this will give you an insight to Hades' mind.
"Nico," says the god himself one morning, just as Nico is making his way up to the throne room in the palace.
"Yes, Father?" Nico asks, coming to stand before the throne. He looks tiny in the large room, a black smudge among… more black smudges. Perhaps that was not the best analogy. I am not Athena nor Apollo, forgive me.
"The Underworld does not have leave," says Hades, steepling his fingers and regarding Nico over the tips.
"No."
"Nor does it grant favours."
"No."
"However." Hades pauses. "Your birthday is approaching. I am not in the habit of granting gifts, and this year shall be no exception. However, Lachesis, Aeacus, and Melinoë have all been highly impressed by your work and dedication, and have impressed upon Persephone that you are deserving of some merit of service."
"That's not necessary – " Nico protests, but Hades sails on.
"In return for your hard work, I am considering granting you fifteen days, one for each year of service you have provided me. You may use these days whenever and however you wish. Do you accept my offer?"
Nico is silent, then nods and bows slightly. "I do. Thank you, Father."
Hades nods regally, then stands and strides down from the throne and towards the great doors, gesturing for Nico to follow him. "Now, there are several matters which I would appreciate that you address…"
The Lord of the Dead and the King of Ghosts leave, and the hearth burns ever on.
The next meeting near the hearth of Hades is between Nico and Persephone, who is in residence over the winter and does not look nearly as torn up about it as one would expect.
Nico and Persephone's relationship is a rocky one. I try not to think about it too much, because even for one who deals with matters of family, I cannot for the life of me comprehend the two.
"Lady Persephone," Nico says, and there is the tiniest hitch in his voice at the beginning that betrays his nervousness. "Are you busy?"
She looks over at him, tearing her gaze away from the beautiful ceramic bowl in her hands. "No, I am not." She gives the bowl a glare and throws it down, letting it join its sisters among the shards on the floor.
Nico approaches warily. "What are you doing?"
"I am redecorating," she says lightly. Persephone picks up a Chinese vase and admires it for a second, before tossing it over her shoulder and giving Nico her full attention. "Hades' taste in ornamentation is sorely lacking."
"Those have been there since I can remember."
"Then it's high time we did something about them, isn't it?"
Nico blinks, then comes forward a little further, picking up a dish. Persephone watches him as he turns it around in his hands, running long fingers over the glaze work. Then, with a quick glance at his stepmother, he lets it fall to the floor.
She nods approvingly, and sets about breaking more elegant porcelain as Nico tidies up the shards on the floor.
"How are you planning to use your new free days?" she asks, picking up a shard and examining her reflection in it. "I hope you're not going to go on one of those quests again."
The way she says 'quests' is similar to the way a high society lady would point out dog poo on the floor.
"I hope not," Nico says.
"Are you sure? Because my pomegranates are not ready yet, despite what my mother says."
"I'm sure. I've still got three seeds."
"Good. Hades would be in such a foul mood if he found out that you had died. Fouler than usual, I mean."
The family of the Underworld have such a strange way of expressing affection. I honestly do not understand it.
Persephone looks down at the bowl in her hands. It is small, but comparison, with blood red enamel creeping up the sides. It looks as though it was used for sacrifices, although there is a haunting, captivating beauty to it that belies the initial horror.
"This is old," she says, tilting it up to the light. "I am surprised Hades kept it."
Nico looks over. "What is it, my lady?"
She turns it upside down and examines the back, which has the echoes of figures etched onto it. "This is not from the Greek pantheon. None of our work is done so crudely."
"This is crude?" Nico peers at it. I do not believe he knows anything of art.
"Highly. Look at this brushwork, here." She leans in, pointing out the strokes. They look similar, oddly enough; two dark heads of curly hair, leaning in together. It speaks volumes for how their relationship has improved with time. Now, they could almost be mistaken for blood relations.
It should appear also that Hades most definitely has a 'type'.
Persephone gives the bowl one final once-over and passes it to Nico. "Here. Give it to Hazel or someone, or keep it for serving meals."
"Really?"
Persephone shrugs, already picking up another vase, which she promptly drops on the floor. "I don't care. It's not Greek."
Nico looks down at it, running a finger along the glaze, before placing it to one side. "Alright. Thank you."
They continue to smash pots, even though technically it is nearing nine o'clock. Nico should make his excuses and leave, but something keeps him there.
He sits back, staring at the salt and pepper floor. "Are you going to put new ornaments in?"
"I suppose," says Persephone idly. "I think I will put some vases of flowers on the shelves. My mother would like that, and Hades would like it but he would pretend that he didn't."
"Are you… are you angry at him?"
She pauses. "No," she says after a moment of thought. "I am pleased. But I don't want him knowing that I played him like a piano, so I am going to irritate him. Plus, the make-up sex is – "
"That's good," Nico says hastily, because there are some things that he does not need to hear involving his father and his stepmother. Ever. Just because it happens doesn't mean he needs a description. "I'm glad you aren't angry at each other."
"Are you angry at him?" Persephone asks, turning her dark eyes to his. "Or are you angry at me?"
"I…"
"You are a little bit angry, I can see it in your eyes." She peers closer. "Oh, don't do that, I won't bite."
Nico glanced away awkwardly. "I'm just a little frustrated at Jason at the moment."
She draws back. "Oh," she says, bored. "Hera's little champion. The blond one. He's the one you almost died for, isn't he?"
"I didn't 'almost die'," he protests. "I was just a little bit dead."
Persephone raises an eyebrow. "I am the Queen of the Underworld. You almost died."
"I got better."
"Yes, I suppose you did."
"Anyway, I didn't do it for him. I did it for the war."
Persephone waves a hand. "Whatever, I don't care. Don't do it again, though. As I said before, Hades would not take your death well. Do try to avoid it."
"I promise that I'll try not to die," Nico says dryly. "I swear on the Styx."
The tone of his voice may be humourous and wry, but the oath is anything but. Nico means everything he is saying. It is also evident that he sees straight through Persephone's bluff and sees it for the hidden worry it is, hence the oath. The man of the cottage by the sea is very good at keeping his oaths.
"You didn't have to go quite that far," Persephone says, sniffing. "A simple 'Yes, Persephone' would have been perfectly acceptable."
"Yes, Persephone."
"There. You don't have to be so serious about these things." She surveys him thoughtfully and then shrugs, brushing off whatever thoughts had been going through her mind. "Your father is the same, though. I can't say it's entirely a bad thing, but remember that you don't have to please everybody at the expense of yourself. Unless they are a god. In which case, smile, wave, and do whatever you can do make them happy without dying."
"Yes, Persephone." Nico is definitely mocking her now, although surprisingly she allows it.
"Good. Now, you should leave." Persephone stands and brushes off her dress. "Wouldn't want Hades revoking your free days now, would we?"
"Of course not. Thank you, lady." He bows, just slightly, with a smile in his eyes. Persephone regards him coolly, but there is a tiny bit of warmth in the back of those brown eyes.
"You're welcome. I shall see you tomorrow. I think Mother is stopping by; make sure not to get on her bad side, because unlike me, she will definitely transfigure you if you annoy her too much."
The irony is considerable.
Nico is just about to take his leave when Hades enters the room. He takes one look at the shattered mess surrounding the two of them, pinches the bridge of his nose, and turns on his heel to stride straight out again. He can be heard muttering as he walks, probably something along the lines of, "Why do I leave those two alone with each other?"
Persephone gives Nico a decidedly amused look and gestures to the exit. "Don't forget your bowl. Goodbye."
Nico frowns, then remembers and picks up the rich, red bowl. He thanks her and leaves the room, and with him goes my attention.
The bowl is eventually placed on a rather prominent spot on the mantelpiece, and filled with a selection of brightly coloured pebbles and stones. Nico steps back, looking at it critically, before shaking his head and moving from the room. He comes back minutes later with, of all things, a pomegranate which has been sliced in half to reveal the seeds. He places this on top of the stone like one would a flower, nods approvingly, then promptly passes out on the sofa.
I do not understand the affection of the family of the Underworld.
A/N: Have I converted you to the Persephone fandom yet?
- Bronwyn
