The night is blue, not black. There are different shades of night, nothing so simple as complete darkness, that is oppressive or suffocating. Tonight, for instance, is a cool blue, not a chill that causes your bones to shiver, but almost a sensual coolness, that gets the blood flowing just enough. Hebe's cheeks are warm and cold.

Charon leads her down a path only he knows, he takes her along the riverbank. Night has fallen, or perhaps it is always night here, the antithesis of Mount Olympus, where it always a cool summer day.

They stop, they have reached their destination. A picnic has been laid. Hebe gasps in delight and surprise, Charon bows, and waits for her to take her seat, she nods, she plops down, Charon copies her movements, he reaches for the bottle of wine, he pauses, he waits for her confirmation, Hebe nods, he pours her a glass and one for himself. He raises glass, they cheer, and Hebe is beside herself.

"This is lovely, Charon." Hebe gingerly sips from her glass, she wants everything to be slow, she does not want this night to end too soon.

He smiles and places a hand over his heart. Hebe relaxes and leans back. It has been so long since she has been courted, since she has been viewed as a woman, not the little sister of the Olympian Pantheon and their waitress, the bartender.

"I'm not sure how I feel about this courtship," Hera says uneasily. She watches Hebe and Charon through the pool of water, and turns to her husband, who shares her concern.

"He is a child of Nyx and Erebus. Their children tend to be," Zeus lowers his voice, just in case that they are listening," different and of a certain temperament." Zeus and Hera look around, holding their breath, they can never be too sure.

"I do not know much about Charon. He is the ferryman, he takes you across the river, but who is he, really?" Hera frowns, she knows almost nothing of those who live below.

"Hermes," Hera hisses and Zeus ignores that," would know. They spend time together; Hermes spends a lot of time in that place."

"What do you suggest?" Hera sighs and watches the couple through the viewing waters.

"Hermes could keep an eye on them."

"I did not send Circe to spy on you." Hecate is in disbelief that Demeter would even suggest that.

"I just find it odd that she has this newfound interest to be among Olympians," Demeter does not look her friend in the eye. Hecate invited Demeter for tea and to toast her new garden.

"I didn't send her to spy on you. I don't need to send spies. Helios! Did you send Circe to spy on the Olympians?" Hecate calls out to her husband; he is busying himself with projects in his new workshop of sorts.

"No," he does not turn to give his wife his attention, he is focused on the tools in front of him.

"See? We don't care."

"Helios, what are you working on?" Demeter turns to the Sun Titian. He huffs and gruffs, he hates being interrupted when working. Hecate laughs.

"Good luck, he hates for his process to be disturbed." Hecate turns and waves at him, he ignores them.

"Do you have an idea on what Circe could want?"

"A zoo." Hecate shrugs as she sips from her cup.

Nyx and Erebus enjoy spa day. They lay together in the cool waters of Styx, their golden masks have been applied and they let go of everything, their pain, anger, sorrow, regret, and just are.

They unconsciously reach for each other's hand and their fingers interlock. There is not a time that either can remember where they were parted, and to be separated would be torment.

Each of their children were born from a union of love, Nyx and Erebus have not turned away from each other.

"I don't care much for Zeus," Nyx says, Erebus opens an eye and gives his wife attention.

"He is the youngest." Erebus says brightly.

"The most Summer of children," Nyx adjust herself into a more comfortable position.

"A terror of a husband." Erebus clicks his tongue disapprovingly.

"Terror of a man." Nyx corrects.

"Hebe is sweet." Erebus brings his wife hand to his lips.

"Hebe is lovely," Nyx sighs contentedly, she turns her hand.

"So we are in agreement, my love?" Erebus asks carefully, Nyx nods.

"We are, my darling."

They both close their eyes once more and settle back in the waters.