p class="MsoNormal"Just past the gates the river met it's end. The ending shore was a black sand beach stretching far beyond what she could see. Great pillars of black stone rose in arches amongst the sand creating an open hall leading down a black stone path. Attached to each of the archers was a torch clearly indicating the direction people were encouraged to start down./p
p class="MsoNormal""Well, well, well" purred a familiar voice. "I never thought I'd lead a daughter of Demeter down to the realms of the dead." A golden figure stepped away from the pillar he was leaning against. "Hello Persephone."br /"Hermes, what a pleasant surprise. I thought you'd still be in bed this early. Seeing as though it is only mid-day."br /"Touché , my lady." With a sweeping bow Hermes grasped her and a pressed a kiss to the soft skin on her palm. An intimate gesture. "Which god or goddess should I thank for sending you down here to visit me? After all, I do work long hard hours and any beauty to behold in this darkness is a rare treat." A wicked grin stretched his full lips. "Since you are here in the Underworld clearly not dead, I see no other reason for you to be here."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Persephone tilted her head at an angle, an evaluating gesture. "How nice of you to feign surprise and enthusiasm for me Hermes, I am sure you have learned that from your many lovers. We both know why I am here. Bring me to him. After all, that is your job. When you choose to actually do your job."/p
p class="MsoNormal"The wicked grin stretched wider. "Indeed, goddess." A mocking tone. "Follow me."/p
p class="MsoNormal"No words were wasted between them as they moved between the open halls. The cavern eventually condensed into a smaller area, the pillars becoming more ornate with carving of skulls, horrifying creatures, and terrifying faces etched into them. At the end of the row of pillars rose a great throne of black stone and carvings matching the ones on the pillars. br /At a distance she could see that someone was seated on the mighty chair. As Persephone got close she could tell the occupant was younger than she had anticipated. He had tousled black hair with waves close to his scalp, golden eyes, and light brown skin. br /"Princess." Hermes drawled, "May I introduce his majesty Hades, Lord of the Dead, King of the Underworld."/p
p class="MsoNormal"He bowed low to Hades, then to her, "Good luck." A quiet, mocking whisper unheard by the god sitting in front of her./p
p class="MsoNormal""Well, well, well" purred a familiar voice. "I never thought I'd lead a daughter of Demeter down to the realms of the dead." A golden figure stepped away from the pillar he was leaning against. "Hello Persephone."br /"Hermes, what a pleasant surprise. I thought you'd still be in bed this early. Seeing as though it is only mid-day."br /"Touché , my lady." With a sweeping bow Hermes grasped her and a pressed a kiss to the soft skin on her palm. An intimate gesture. "Which god or goddess should I thank for sending you down here to visit me? After all, I do work long hard hours and any beauty to behold in this darkness is a rare treat." A wicked grin stretched his full lips. "Since you are here in the Underworld clearly not dead, I see no other reason for you to be here."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Persephone tilted her head at an angle, an evaluating gesture. "How nice of you to feign surprise and enthusiasm for me Hermes, I am sure you have learned that from your many lovers. We both know why I am here. Bring me to him. After all, that is your job. When you choose to actually do your job."/p
p class="MsoNormal"The wicked grin stretched wider. "Indeed, goddess." A mocking tone. "Follow me."/p
p class="MsoNormal"No words were wasted between them as they moved between the open halls. The cavern eventually condensed into a smaller area, the pillars becoming more ornate with carving of skulls, horrifying creatures, and terrifying faces etched into them. At the end of the row of pillars rose a great throne of black stone and carvings matching the ones on the pillars. br /At a distance she could see that someone was seated on the mighty chair. As Persephone got close she could tell the occupant was younger than she had anticipated. He had tousled black hair with waves close to his scalp, golden eyes, and light brown skin. br /"Princess." Hermes drawled, "May I introduce his majesty Hades, Lord of the Dead, King of the Underworld."/p
p class="MsoNormal"He bowed low to Hades, then to her, "Good luck." A quiet, mocking whisper unheard by the god sitting in front of her./p