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[unseenone.insanejournal.com]

Who: Hades and Persephone
When: Friday
What: Awkward Turtle Date
Where: New York Botanical Gardens
Warnings: TBD


After a ton of internal debates, combined with harassing Charon about his dilemma, he'd settled on the botanical gardens. He'd have preffered something private and quiet, but he knew Persephone wouldn't feel comfortable there. So people and noise and plenty of room it was. And she liked flowers, he was pretty sure that remained the same. The people annoyed him, but they'd make her feel safer. And he'd do a lot worse then endure mortals to make Persephone happy.

He'd called her and asked her to meet him here, not sure if she even would. He let her have the choice. Showing up with the car would probably intimidate her, or worry her, and he'd rather not have that. As it was day he'd picked a shady spot, and had yet to remove his shades. Even like that the brightness was bothering him and he knew at the end of the day he'd have a headache. He kept to himself, because even these mortals sensed something off about him. He was a creature of the underworld and even without his appalling social skills, they kept away from him.

He didn't mind all too much. He was better around the dead. So he sat and waited, all too aware she might just not show up. He wouldn't blame her and just try again later. He was determined to make this work.

Comments

[persephoneie.insanejournal.com]

Persephone did show up.

She had told Hades to contact her and even though she was now half-regretting that decision, she did still want to have a normal relationship. Or as close to normal as she could manage. That hadn't changed.

She was driven to the gardens and the moment she stepped out of the car she could feel him. She walked towards her husband, dread and nerves warring in her belly. She tried to fix a smile onto her face though, and when he caught sight of her, she waved and then felt like an idiot.

[unseenone.insanejournal.com]

He could tell she was nervous, and suddenly the group of people wasn't so bad. He hoped she'd take comfort in that. He returned her wave and rose from his spot to walk to her.

He stopped just out of arm's reach, hoping it would help, and gave her a smile. "Thank you for coming. I thought his could be nice. There's tours if you'd like one." He'd deal with the people for her sake. He hoped if he showed that he knew she'd rather not be alone this wouldn't be too awkward.

[persephoneie.insanejournal.com]

Persephone shook her head quickly. While being surrounded by others made her feel more relaxed, she didn't want to go on a tour with mortals and forced to act like someone she wasn't.

She waved him over to the shade because she knew the sun would hurt him. "Uhm...hi. How- How have you been?"

[unseenone.insanejournal.com]

He was grateful for that. He followed her at a distance and removed the shades once out of the light. "well. The girls send their love." This was awkward, but at least he was trying. He should have done this in the past.

He offered her a map and knew he'd stay within sight of the mortals if she didn't want the tour. "There's an Orchid show near the end of the month. They even have an antique show that might be amusing." Even if she didn't show for that he'd send someone to check it out. He liked old things.

[persephoneie.insanejournal.com]

"That sounds nice," she said, accepting the map. There was a lot to see, but mostly she wanted to talk. Well, mostly she wanted to run, but she was determined not to.

"Do...do I seem different to you? Is it bad?"

[unseenone.insanejournal.com]

He set his hands behind his back, letting her determine whenever she felt comfortable enough to walk. At her question he looked to her. "A little. And not at the same time. It isn't bad, just different as you said. I must seem different to you as well."

[persephoneie.insanejournal.com]

She wanted to be honest, so he knew where he stood right at the moment. "You...seem imposing," she admitted. She chewed on her lip, but she tried to smile. "But I don't want to leave."

[unseenone.insanejournal.com]

Her comment made him smile and chuckle. "I'll take imposing." A slight bit better then outright intimidating at the very least. "I don't really know how to be less imposing, but I will try. I fear it's part of what I am though."

He nodded, "for that I am glad. Not that I'd blame you. Would you like to walk?"

[persephoneie.insanejournal.com]

"Will you be okay in the sun?" she asked, ever thoughtful as Kore. "I don't want you to hurt your eyes." She did want to walk though. At least it would give them something to do other than standing awkwardly.

[unseenone.insanejournal.com]

Her thoughtfulness was sweet and endearing. He put the shades on in response and shrugged. "I'll be fine. It's still spring. Summer's a bit worse but I'll be alright." He motioned ahead of him. She didn't need to know he'd endure a desert just to be around her.

[persephoneie.insanejournal.com]

Persephone nodded and she started walking, always a little too aware he was right beside her.

She had well and truly transitioned to the maiden aspect of herself even though when she had been married to Hades, she had no longer been a maiden. There was always a sense of innocence around her during the spring and summer even though she wasn't innocent any more in the least. She blushed bright red and averted her eyes and she was going to struggle not to call him 'sir' and 'my Lord' even though she knew he didn't like that.

"I wonder if the girls would like me like this," she mused as they walked. "I do miss them as well."

[unseenone.insanejournal.com]

He kept his distance out of respect for her. He didn't pay much attention to his surroundings, finding more interest in watching her. At least his shades made it so she wouldn't notice or feel uncomfortable.

"If you explain, perhaps. I know when Makaria visited she knew you were different. And they miss you too, they are just more tied to Below." He shrugged. It had kept his daughters safe, although he spend more then a fair few hours worrying about Makaria. He could threaten the denizens of his realm, but not mortals. "Perhaps I'll bring them next time? Once they get to know how you are in Spring, they'll come to understand. I'm sure of it."

[persephoneie.insanejournal.com]

"I would like that," Persephone said softly as they walked. "I can get them used to me, I'm sure of it. Have...have you been too lonely?" She hoped seeing her was at least making it easier on him.

[unseenone.insanejournal.com]

He would try his best to talk to his daughters. He was more to blame for not having them be two sided like their mother was, but he'd been selfish in that.

"I'm always lonely in Spring and Summer," he saw no reason to not be honest, "but not as much now. We're not breaking the rules and I still get to talk to you. Fair enough bargain. Oh have I told you about Hestia and her place?" He wasn't sure if he'd mentioned that. He believed he had. "If you're ever comfortable enough for dinner, Hestia's offered to cook."

[persephoneie.insanejournal.com]

Persephone perked up at that. "Oh yes, I had forgotten! I would love to have dinner there. Perhaps next time, with the girls? I think Makaria and Hestia would like each other very much." The girl could probably use Hestia's guidance.

[unseenone.insanejournal.com]

He'd make sure to call his sister and make the arrangements. "That would be nice I think." He supposed he ought to invite Demeter too, but he wasn't feeling that charitable. "I hope so. At least Theseus isn't sniffing around."

[persephoneie.insanejournal.com]

Persephone pulled a face and then she glanced over at Hades. "Has he been?"

[unseenone.insanejournal.com]

"Not around the girls at the very least." He'd make sure they were protected and the furies were close at hand. He figured he was allowed a bit of over protectiveness. "More worried about my brothers. Poseidon's as ever but Zeus is quiet. I never like it when he's quiet."

[persephoneie.insanejournal.com]

Persephonie worried about them too. "I know they would both have me if they could too. When I'm with you, I know I'm safe but in the spring and summer it's different. I'm not protected like I am in your home."

[unseenone.insanejournal.com]

It made him tense and he hoped she knew it wasn't at her. He'd much rather kill both his brothers. "Apologies. And you are. The shades keep an eye on you and the furies are still at your command. The crown doesn't come off for them. And I'm only a phonecall away. And I know Demeter will make sure they don't bother you as well."

[persephoneie.insanejournal.com]

Persphone wanted to remind Hades that Demeter wasn't able to keep her safe from him, and so that wasn't terribly reassuring, but she didn't know how to say it without seeming cruel.

"Demeter would try," Persephone finally said. "I know she would try." Still, the promise of the furies' protection was good.

[unseenone.insanejournal.com]

It would be better if his sister aimed her venom at the real criminals, but he'd never come out of the shadow of what he had done. He left the topic of her protection alone and made a note to make doubly sure she was safe. The girls too. And if need be he'd have a talk with both his brothers.

[persephoneie.insanejournal.com]

Determined to shift the topic of conversation away, she glanced over at him and tried a new subject. "We could go see some music performed if you'd like? Maybe the opera?"

[unseenone.insanejournal.com]

He was glad she seemed determined to keep talking. He'd just move into silence, which was probably a lot more awkward. Not for the first time he was happy she was more social then he. "I've never really gone to see one. I think that would be nice. Anything you have your eye on?"

[persephoneie.insanejournal.com]

"No," she admitted, "but I could have a look." She moved into a nice patch of shade and took a seat on the ground to rest her legs. "Will you sit with me?"

[unseenone.insanejournal.com]

He nodded, "please do that. I'd probably pick something a little dreadful and boring." He was grateful for the shade however. "Here," he removed his coat and offered it to her so she could sit on it.

Then he sat beside her, but still at a distance. He removed his shades to rub at his eyes. He'd be a mess tomorrow, and probably get no work done, but it was all worth it. Even with the headache. "Thank you. For the shade." He dropped his hands and blinked. "It'll get better if I'm out more."

[persephoneie.insanejournal.com]

Persephone lifted herself up and sat down again on the coat. "Thank you," she said, her cheeks blushing. "I'm sorry it's hurting you. We can try to meet inside from now on if you'd like." She ducked her head. "You're very kind."

[unseenone.insanejournal.com]

He shook his head, "no it's alright." The open air would make her feel more ate ease he hoped. "And it's not your fault." He smiled to her and then shrugged. "Why would I not be?"

[persephoneie.insanejournal.com]

"I don't know, I just feel like I expect you to do something terrible at any moment, even though I know you won't. It's so horrid."

[unseenone.insanejournal.com]

"I've earned that," by reputation and action alone. "I can only hope to prove to you that I won't. There's plenty of time. If not this spring, then the next. The advantages of immortality." He gave her a smile. "Do you want me to promise on Styx that I won't? I will. For you."

[persephoneie.insanejournal.com]

That got Persephone's attention. She raised her eyebrows and nodded slowly, "if...would you?"

[unseenone.insanejournal.com]

He nodded, "I swear by Styx I'll do all I can to keep you safe, and not harm you or do something terrible." He knew the price of those vows, perhaps better then most other gods, but he didn't hesitate. He had changed, if ever so slightly, and he wanted her to see that.

[persephoneie.insanejournal.com]

It touched her greatly that he would do so, and as a leap of faith, she reached a hand out to him.

[unseenone.insanejournal.com]

He took her hand with a smile and gave it a light squeeze. He'd torched enough bridges, he figured he could start building some new ones.