(no subject)

[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

[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.