Author's Note: I didn't realize until I had already posted the previous chapter that it was really short... But this one is longer, so yay! :) Thank you for reading this far, whoever you are, and please review!

~HolleringHawk65

Chapter XII Poseidon

I went to Hera's room, since she'd requested it; something about being introduced to people. I was always up to that, since I felt like Athena was always hounding me over this or that. She needed to learn how to lay the hell off.

I walked into my youngest sister's parlor. I was greeted by a grey haired man doing tricks with Persephone's monkey. I saw Ares watching him closely, his interest plan to see.

Hera was crouched down next to Persephone, making some comment that made the youngest female Olympian laugh.

You could say I was surprised when I heard Hades laugh as Dusk pulled at the man's ruffled collar, and he faked being choked (I hope.)

Then I saw the girl next to him. For a second, I mistook her for Eos, as her rose golden hair tumbled down her back in the way that the Dawn Goddess's normally did.

Then I saw her face and decided that there was no way. Eos had the beauty of Dawn—truly, one of the most beautiful things in the world—but somehow, this girl had more. It was the beauty of youth and innocence, as if she'd suddenly popped out of somewhere, like Aphrodite had the sea.

"Poseidon," Hera said my name with laughter in her voice. She could barely hold it back as she continued. "This is Hyenna, the girl Hades found the other day."

She turned at the mention of her name. "Hello! You must be Poseidon," she said. Her words caught the attention of Hades, who had had his arm comfortably around her waist.

"Hello, brother," my older brother actually smiled.

"And this is Cerberus." Hera said, gesturing to the man, who had just handed Dusk back to Persephone.

"Hello," there was a light flush to his rather pale cheeks. He extended his hands as his maroon eyes captivated me. He smiled as he took my hand.

No wonder Ares could barely take his eyes off him.

Even with the feeling of Cerberus's touch still tingling on my skin, I walked over to Hyenna. She took my hand with her beautiful smile on her face and I felt this jolt go through me. Almost like when Zeus and I would be messing around and he 'accidently' electrocuted me.

I stepped back, almost nervous of where I stood. Clearly Hades was protective of this girl, and I felt that if I said the wrong thing, it would not end well for me. I loosened the collar on my plain blue cotton button down.

"It was lovely to meet you both," I said to Hyenna and Cerberus.

"It was for us as well," the blonde girl said.

Hera clapped her hands together. "Now, I think Persephone and I will find Demeter and the others so we can all get ready together. Hyenna, would you like to come to chat?" She offered.

It looked almost painful for Hades as he let go of her. Hyenna smiled, looking up and placing a quick kiss on his jaw. I watched as my brother's cheeks turned pink.

"Thank you, Hera." She said as she walked over to my sister and niece. The trio left the room, Hera already chitchatting about something.

"That is one beautiful girl you have there, Hades." I told him.

"She is. The Fates seem to have finally cut me some slack," he told me, chuckling.

"Why don't the four of us go see if we can get all the boys together?" I only referred to the male Olympians as boys because sometimes they still acted as if they were seven. I mean, of course, I do it too, but I mean, really, sometimes it's just not a good thing to randomly make a really corny joke (for instance, one in the middle of an argument between Zeus and myself, Hermes randomly started making a knock-knock joke with Artemis. Can you say awkward?)

Cerberus made a noise in the back of his throat. I only knew it was him because Ares would never make a sound that soft.

Hades turned towards him. "Is something wrong?" He asked his worker—though one had to assume they were also friends.

"I'm not an Olympian." He reminded us. "In fact, didn't Zeus kill my father?" The bitterness in his voice was not good at concealing itself.

"Today is a feast day," Ares reminded him. "No fights with the Olympians can or will break out today. To this I can swear to you."

The blood lusting god's words seemed to put Cerberus at ease.

"And, also, no one would want to hurt that pretty face of yours." Ares added, causing Cerberus to blush.

Hades made a sound as if he'd been punched in the gut. I looked at him, an eyebrow raised.

He looked at me, shaking his hand. The I'm totally fine, but that comment really threw me off for a second gesture.

"Come on then, let's go find the others," I said, walking out into the hall. A good reason for saying to find the other gods is that it was kind of awkward to be standing around in Hera's parlor.

So the four of us walked out together, Cerberus to the left of Hades. I could tell he was nervous, with Ares on the other side of him, but I think he was really trying not to show it.

We ran into Hermes first. He was actually leaning against the wall in the same spot I'd been when I'd talk to Athena. He pressed the heel of his hands into his eyes when he saw us.

I could sense the water droplets from here. What did she do now? I hadn't realized I said the words out loud when Cerberus asked who she was.

Ares answered. "Athena. She's literally the only thing that could make Hermes cry. I mean, even after delivering plenty of bad news to Hades, the Underworld didn't break his spirit."

"I take offense to that," Hades said. "Do you know how hard it is to make the home of the dead uplifting? It's impossible."

The comment made Hermes chuckle a little bit as he stood up. "I'm fine, though. Just a short encounter with her, that's all. Are you guys heading to the celebration now? It's a bit early." He pointed out.

"We're rounding up all of the guys first. By then, it should be acceptable to head down to the hall." I explained.

"I don't get why everyone goes crazy with Athena's feast day. All I get is my favorite dish at dinner!" Hermes said as we continued down the hall.

"I'm usually not even here," Ares pointed out. "And Athena never has once said anything on it."

Hades smiled. "I know how you feel."

"Uncle, I visit you!" Hermes said.

"Weren't you the one who almost scared Gardner back to death with that mask of yours?" Cerberus asked. "He wouldn't go into that hall for the next moon cycle!"

"It was suppose to be Hades," Hermes grumbled.

My older brother laughed. As I listened to the rumbling sound, I had to think that I hadn't heard him laugh in a very long time. At some point in time, I guess Laughter had left him. It was back now, though, and I suppose that's all that matters.

"Look at this! Both of my older brothers together," I sighed as I heard Zeus. I glanced at Cerberus, who had retreated behind Hades. He wasn't scared, but cautious.

"Brother," Hades acknowledged him, tilting his head.

"Ah, so my lovely wife was able to convince you to come. Tell me, where is that girl of yours I've been hearing so much about?" He asked.

"She's with your wife and the other women." Hades said after a moment. I had to admit, the tone that Zeus had sounded too much like a wolf sniffing out for prey.

"Ah, I see. I suppose I'll have to wait to meet her then, correct?" He asked.

"Such a shame you'll know her a few hours less." Hades said, his voice oozing with annoyance. I saw Cerberus put his hand on Hades's arm as Ares stepped between his uncle and father.

Thank you. I thought to myself. There was nothing sweeter for the eye then to see the god of war and bloodlust trying to prevent a fight between two Olympians.

Zeus got the hint at the same moment Hades turned around to Cerberus. I glanced at the young man. The blush had faded from his cheeks, and now he didn't look like he was well. He was holding onto Hades for support, and I reached out just in time to catch him as he collapsed.

He muttered a word unintelligible to the ear right before blacking out.