Promise of Pomegranate (RedJackJustice x DigitalSiren)

[RedJackJustice]

Of all the Gods throughout human history, none have been more feared and reviled than the Gods of Death. It was only natural, after all, for it was the one fate that all mortals shared and could not escape. While other actions or deeds in life could draw the ire of a God, it could be assuaged; mercy shown and leniency offered. Not so for Grim Hades. Hades was uncompromising, a cold-hearted killer who reaped with both hands, laughing the entire time. He was always lurking, or so mortals said, eager to reach out and pluck their souls from their chests, to end their short time as a mortal with a casual wave of his mangled claw of a hand. Mortals begged the other gods endlessly for help, to keep the cold grip of Hades away from their heart just a little longer; food when they hungered, safety when they were in danger, guidance when they were lost. The other Gods of Olympus were well-loved indeed for offering a way to stave off death for just a few breaths more. Ultimately though, they knew that in the end, that bastard Hades would get them and love every second of it.

In truth, however, perhaps a part of him would have desired such a mindset; at least he'd feel something about his divine duties. But as the fifth millennium rolled around for him and his siblings he had become so uninspired. Once, when the mortals who worshiped them were barely more than animals, he found curious joy in their pursuits, in their plights, and even in their dreams. He learned much of humanity from their souls as they entered his realm, judging the fates of those who came to see him. Yet, even the novelty of humans failed to keep him inspired, and eventually grim Hades fell into a rut. He would attend to the seemingly endless queue of the dead and dispense their eternal fate for the majority of the day. Once he had done so for nearly ten hours he would ascend up to the mortal world and tend to his earthly affairs, managing the businesses that operated under his control. Most of it was meeting with various boards and executives for quick discussions before, eventually, he returned home. From there he would spend his days reading or, on the rare occasion, see one of his relatives who popped down to visit.

Today, it seemed, would be one such day.

Hades had just returned from his work on the surface, undoing his ruby tie and rising from the River Styx to begin the stroll back to his House as he heard the flutter of wings beside him. As master of this realm he was, more or less, aware of whoever was in it, and as such knew that his nephew was waiting for him. "Hermes, to what do I owe the pleasure," he intoned evenly, stepping out of the banks of the river and onto the trail that would lead him home. Of course, he didn't need to walk, but he found that this was the only thing that managed to salvage a hint of amusement from him these days. The youthful figure beside him floated into view, winged sneakers keeping him aloft as he saluted his uncle, "Lord Hades, I bear a message from your brother, an invitation to an event on Olympus." This wasn't entirely strange for Hades; Zeus was regularly having celebrations of some sort and Hades was always welcome to them. Of his two brothers, Hades got along best with Zeus, which unfortunately meant a lot of work dealing with his constant trysts.

"Didn't my brother have a party just a month ago," Hades inquired the young-looking man who shook his head, "Umm, no, Lord Hades, it's been two years. His relationship with Queen Hera has been...difficult, but they have put their troubles behind them, once and for all!" That actually drew a short bark of laughter out of Hades who shook his head, "Come now, boy, you don't truly believe that, do you?" What was the point in hiding his doubts? Zeus's infidelity was the biggest open secret in the pantheon and everyone, from the youngest nymph to the eldest Muse, knew full well that falling into Zeus's sights meant an inevitable squaring up against Hera in some way, shape, or form. Still, the news that it had been two years and felt only like a month was telling of his disconnect from the world. Two years had passed and he barely even noticed. "Regardless of my beliefs about my brother, yes, I will be happy to be in attendance," he promised his nephew, not sounding particularly happy in the process, who gave a chipper smile on his handsome face and waved, "In that case, Uncle, I'll be on my way! See you tonight!".

By the time Hades turned to question Hermes, a look of shock on his face, he realized the boy had zipped up to the surface world already. Letting out a sigh, Hades closed his eyes and vanished in scarlet flames, reappearing in his House to prepare for the party that was, evidently, tonight. His eyes fell on an old stone marvel, one of the mortal Daedelus's creations, a clock that ran without batteries and showed the time both here and on Olympus. He had an hour to get prepared and while he grumbled a bit that Hermes chose to show up less than a day before the event, he couldn't blame the messenger. Quite likely, Zeus had only recently gotten himself out of hot water and proposed a party to celebrate. He changed into more casual attire, opting for a black button-down shirt and slacks along with a crimson vest. Mercifully, Zeus had spared him a "theme party" which the boisterous man adored throwing much to Hades' chagrin.

Once he was prepared he snapped his fingers, calling for his ride. Thankfully, by virtue of being in the Underworld, no mortal location was truly far from his reach and his driver knew the way well to Olympus. A black limousine pulled up in front of him and he stepped inside the back, closing the door and instructing, "Olympus, please, Charon." The wraith-like figure in the driver's seat nodded and with a wave of his hand they were at one of the Mouths of the Underworld, permanent fixtures to his realm that had never been closed. There was little risk of detection from mortals, after all, since they had begun to use eyes of electricity and machinery to see for them, it was trivial to use their power to deceive them. The vehicle lifted off the rough ground at the base of the mountain, soaring up into the air as he leaned back and considered the party ahead.

Whoever was there, he truly and dearly hoped that Demeter and her "girl squad" weren't present. She, Athena, and Artemis had formed a sort of power-trio that supported one another, which itself was well and good, save for the fact that he and Demeter never got along. Perhaps it was the fact that he was constantly killing her favorite things; animals, plants, mortals, whatever. Or, perhaps, she felt that she should have had greater power over the world, as the second eldest child, and she begrudged their heroic younger brothers for triumphing over them. It could also, he realized, just be a simple disagreement that had gone on for far too long. Whatever the case, he truly hoped that she was busy elsewhere. The last thing he wanted was to see her scowling face across the room.

For the remainder of the trip, Hades sat in idle contemplation before he heard the sounds of the "Shroud of Olympus" parting in front of them, a barrier that prevented mortals in their flying machines from finding the home of the Gods. Once they had passed it the world changed around them. Gone were the scrublands and rolling hills of Greece and, instead, a tremendous plain filled with statues of the Gods, their mortal friends, and other marks of past triumph stretched as far as the eye could see in all directions. However, the eye was naturally drawn to the massive palatial structure, the House of Zeus, where they officially gathered for formal business as well as occasions such as these. Charon parked the vehicle in front of the house and its tremendous pillars, each column easily a hundred feet wide, and Hades exited, strolling across the field as he heard the sounds of music coming from within.

His feet knew the way through these halls without even needing to think about it. He had walked these halls for four thousand years, by Styx he had helped build some of this place. There was no feeling of comfortable nostalgia, nor yearning for the past, simply a businesslike stroll through the halls as he endeavored to find the party, eventually isolating it to the large courtyard in the center of the home. Once he arrived he saw the number of occupants stretched well into the hundreds. It seemed that Zeus and Hera had invited practically every soul in Olympus to celebrate their renewed marital bliss. While river and forest spirits spoke with one another and the various gods around them, he searched the crowd to find his brother and make his presence known as well as to hopefully spot any of that unbearable Demeter before she spotted him.

Eventually, his eyes found the silver-haired figure, dressed in the same outfit he wore when he battled their father. A faintly queasy feeling touched his stomach at the sight of the outfit, but he suppressed it, moving across the perimeter of the dance-floor to get closer. As he did so, however, he chanced to turn his head, spotting two things that caught his attention, though one far greater than the other. The first was Demeter, and while she had a way of souring his mood immediately she was accompanied by someone he didn't recognize. A young Goddess. Fiery locks, pale blue eyes, full lips, and a beautiful smile...Hades stopped his feet dead in their tracks. He couldn't quite help himself, just seeing the way she laughed as Artemis made a comment brought a nearly-forgotten flutter of joy to his chest that he feared would never return. He couldn't tear his eyes away, his violet eyes locked wholly on her as the rest of Olympus fell away around him.

 

[Bunny]

The excitement had been building for almost a good week now for Kore. There had been rumors of a big party and it had taken both Artemis and herself almost the whole time to convince her mother to let her go. While still a young Goddess, she was relatively unknown to the pantheon. Mortals knew her better than her own kind; her shy, sweet face plastered on television ads and across the glossy covers of magazines. A model, as far as the mortal realm knew, the face of Kosas an off branch of Green Thumb, her mother's agriculture empire. Of course, the Gods and Goddesses knew of her existence, the daughter of Zeus and Demeter, of course they would... Yet those who had seen the Goddess of Spring could be counted on one hand. Sheltered, protected, Demeter guarded Kore with the ferocity borderline unmatchable by any other parent. Who she saw, interacted with and spent her time with was carefully coordinated. The majority? Nymphs that worked for her mother. Occasionally her father, though that was also a rare treat. Only Artemis and Hestia were constantly around her, and the three, her mother included, not so subtly trying to push her towards becoming a vestal virgin.

That push had recently become stronger and Kore had begun to feel trapped. She loved her mother, with every ounce of her being, yet she knew that a flower, not given the space and sun to grow, would wither and die. She was the flower in dire need of both. Kore was aware that she could have appealed to her father. While mostly strangers, Zeus had always seemed to care about her wellbeing and Kore had a feeling he might have tried to have a larger part in her life, had it not been for her mother. In fact, her father was the only male that Kore had any interaction with on a regular basis, God or otherwise. Rather than drag him into more trouble than he was able to get himself in already, Kore had appealed to Artemis. She wasn't opposed to becoming a vestal virgin, but she had been so sequestered... It had been a lie, one that Kore had felt cut to the bone. Lying was not something she did frequently and she almost always felt the guilt like a weight on her shoulders. Yet, had she not lied, she'd never have been given a chance to attend the party.

There was joy, simple and sweet as she and Artemis had scoured the boutiques trying to find a dress that both met with her mother's requirements and felt like her. In the end they had settled on a white, airy dress that fell to her knees. Layers of tulle fell upon one another, little butterflies sewn into the netting, made her seem ethereal and was a perfect fit for the Goddess of Spring. A belt of white satin around her waist and a pair of butter yellow heels, with brighter, more vibrant butterflies completed the outfit. The dress and the shoes gave Kore a chance to show off her legs, the shapely limbs put on display in a way she'd never been allowed before.

Her mother had approved, if begrudgingly and had requested... In a way that only a Goddess could, giving no room for argument, that she be allowed to do her hair. Kore's fiery tresses had been curled, the waves charming in their profusion and adorned with crystal flowers. Her mother had even allowed Kore simple makeup. A smoky eye, that made the crystalline blue of her eyes all the more vivid and a sheer pink gloss applied to her lips. Kore, a Goddess, a model, had never once felt more beautiful than she did as she had gotten ready for the party.

That feeling had lasted... a total of a minute once arriving at the party. Kore couldn't compare to the other Goddesses and she was painfully aware of it. She had always known that she was shorter than the others. Her mother, Artemis, Hestia were all several inches over her five foot five inches. Athena and Aphrodite though? Beside them she looked like the little country bumpkin she felt like. However, that feeling aside, she refused to allow it to spoil her first ever party! Her mother of course hovered, but she'd been able to talk to her father and had met Poseidon as well. There had been a silly fear around meeting Hera, but she had welcomed Kore warmly.

Standing with her mother, most Gods gave them a wide berth, knowing that Demeter was not a fan of the male persuasion. Even that could not diminish her joy. Talking with Artemis, the pair was giggling like school girls, the sweet sound of her laughter almost obscured by the hum of conversation. Normally reserved and shy, Kore was starting to blossom. Her face alight with joy. A sudden feeling drew her eyes from Artemis' and she looked up, meeting a pair of violet eyes across the room. At first, she couldn't place who it was she was looking at. Her smile faded slowly and a shy, sweet smile was given before she looked away again. Demeter would not be pleased and would end the night here and now if she caught Kore making moon eyes with some God. Though, the desire was still there and she looked up occasionally, her eyes meeting his. Pale cheeks, dusted with gold freckles blushed, the shade of pink sweet as her smile.

Beside her, her mother made a noise of clear distaste. Looking up, Kore frowned softly. "Mother?" There was a slight worry to her tone and she followed her gaze. The man who had been staring at her was the one being met with a gaze that made most other Gods wilt, if just a touch. Artemis bent and whispered in her ear. "That's Hades. He and your mom.. they don't get along." That was Hades? She had heard her mother speak of him and of course she knew of him. Who didn't know of the King of the Underworld? One of the big three. It was honestly unthinkable. What confused Kore though was he looked nothing like her mother had described. He was... Handsome. There was no cruelty in his face, vileness or any such other thing. He had a slight sadness about him and for some reason, that made her heart ache for him. Kore was not bold enough to assume she knew the reason for his sadness. She could have perhaps worked out why she might have been sad. Yet, she and Hades were not the same. The history of Zeus, Hades and Poseidon were well known to not only her, but to the mortals as well.

Artemis shifted beside her and Kore was able to tear her eyes away from Hades a second time, her heart in her throat. Her powers were far from under control, still learning under Demeter's steely gaze. Yet she could feel as her powers woke, sleepily. Normally she could lay them to rest, much like one a child. It was only when her feelings were unsettled did she struggle to contain them. Now, she fought to hold them in, fearing the explanation Demeter would demand of her. Hades made my heart race, did not seem like it would go over well. That alone would have been bad enough, if not for the fact Kore was almost positive she was just being a silly little girl.

She watched as Aphrodite made her way towards Hades, the sentiment only being thrust home as she watched the Goddess twine her long, golden arms around his shoulders, leaning in to whisper something in his ear. Dragging her eyes away, the sight of the Goddess of Love wrapped around Hades oddly helping her control those fluctuating powers. "Maybe we should go home," she offered softly, suddenly feeling sadder than she had just a moment ago and feeling confused. Kore wasn't used to crushes, feelings that came along with them. It was foreign and uncomfortable when combined with the sudden crushing of one's half formed crush.

The three made their way towards one of the many doors as Kore felt a hand on her shoulder. Half turning, she found her father's broad hand resting on her bare shoulder. His smile was jovial as he looked down at her. He cast a glance to Demeter, "I just want to introduce my little flower to Hades." The nickname made Kore blush as she moved closer to Zeus. One did not question the king of the Gods. That was perhaps the only reason she was led back towards Hades and Aphrodite, her stomach in knots, her mother lingering near the door. Her face was lined with her displeasure, as she watched her daughter be introduced to the most vile of the Gods.

"Hades!" Zeus boomed, his smile bright. "I wanted to introduce you to Kore." Zeus might have been an absent father, but there was joy as he looked at the young Goddess of Spring. While his human offspring couldn't be shown the same sort of affection, it was not spared on the delicate rose that was Kore. She offered him another shy smile, her eyes meeting Hades. There wasn't a lick of fear, nor none of her mothers prejudices in her eyes. "Hello," Kore's voice was sweet as honeysuckle, with a soft huskiness that burned on the air between them. "It's nice to meet you."

 

[RedJackJustice]

To say that he was hypnotized would be an understatement. Hades felt, for the first time in countless centuries, as if he were frozen in place and that he could see every single perfect detail of the beautiful young woman across the room as clearly as if he were a few feet in front of her. Oh, but to be that close! Immaculate locks of fire, captured in a twisting and dancing pattern down her back, a dark line above her eye that drew out its vernal blue like a flower peeking out from the first clutches of winter; these details and so many more stilled the rise and fall of the elder god's chest. It was only when he saw an all-too familiar face, belonging to Demeter, that he was ripped back to reality. The matronly Goddess of nature had fixed him with her usual scowl and rather than sneer back he simply rolled his eyes at his sister and gave her no heed, continuing on his path.

Still, even as he blinked he saw a peerless smile amidst red tresses greeting him behind his eyelids. Had he not known better he would have thought her to be some sort of daughter of Aphrodite, so matchless was her beauty. It wasn't only her beauty that drew him, however, there was an air of gentleness to her that he hadn't seen in a Goddess in so long. His nieces were well-intentioned, to be sure, but "gentle" was not a term given to the stern Goddess of Wisdom or her half-sister. Hades was personally rather fond of Athena, and while many of the other deities had little patience for her "haughty attitude" or so they said, he was fond of her intelligence and her willingness to see reason above all. Athena was one of the few he spoke to other than his brothers, and she was always welcome in his House. Artemis, however, he always felt had no lost love for him. Perhaps it was his nature as a God instead of a Goddess, but she was never very amicable to him. In fact, if he recalled properly, the only God she ever seemed to be at all fond of was her brother, who was currently walking around with some unfortunate river nymph in his arm. Poor lad had troubles with relationships, Hades knew well.

His thoughts, however, were interrupted by the sudden appearance of his favorite scents in a perfectly arranged and unnatural combination; rich grapes, lavender, pepper, and vanilla. Hades stopped his feet and drew in the scent, allowing the fair arms to snake around his shoulders, one casually looping around his neck and the other running up his arm and resting on his firm bicep. "Lord Hades," the voice purred softly into his ear, "I am surprised to see you here! Surprised and delighted," Aphrodite added with a melodious giggle in his ear, the perfect volume to be clearly heard and yet leave him straining to hear more as she continued. The eldest God kept his face neutral, his defenses rising immediately as he nodded, "Aphrodite, you look lovely," he responded automatically, keeping his eyes forward and facing his youngest brother. There was no point in looking at her, she always looked like a super-model whatever the slight variant of her appearance she chose to wear for the evening. Aphrodite didn't even really seem to notice that he hadn't seen her until her arms appeared in his line of sight, "Awww, you're such a flatterer, my Lord," she affirmed gleefully. "I notice that you have come unaccompanied...does that mean things between you and Minthe are still well and truly over?"

Despite his best efforts to control it, he felt his shoulders tighten up a bit at the mention of Minthe. The naiad and Hades had a relationship a few decades ago, something that he had entered whole-heartedly but came to discover that she was not the woman he thought she was. "It is over," he affirmed, trying to keep his tone controlled and forcing his shoulders to relax. Unfortunately for him, Aphrodite noticed and shifted her hands up to his shoulders, "I can see it still bothers you, Hades. Come, why don't you and I step aside to the Golden Wing and I can see that you are properly cared for? It must be so long since you were treated properly," she said, half-chastising him as she tried to move. It was hard to resist the idea, but his eyes flicked back across the room to try and find the red-haired beauty from before, not wanting to go with Aphrodite if it meant not having the chance to meet her or at least find out about her. Hades's eyes lit up as he responded, "Tragically, it appears we have company," he said, taking the opportunity to shift his shoulders from her grip and stand a step apart, glancing back at the green-eyed beauty who smiled so perfectly at him.

His rescuer was none other than the host, his massive paw of a hand on the shoulder of the selfsame girl from before, and what was more the two were approaching him. Glad that he had escaped Aphrodite, and realizing that he had jerked his shoulders perhaps a bit too forcefully, he waited patiently for them to arrive. Zeus's thunderous voice filled the room and brought a faint smile to Hades's face, drawing a bow of the head from the elder brother. Zeus was burly and broad, imposing in appearance despite his white hair, but Hades was still a bit taller than he was, but far more lean, the difference in their breadth making Zeus seem the larger until they were toe to toe. "Little brother, congratulations on your marital bliss," Hades said earnestly before letting his eyes fall on Kore's face. The smile she offered up to him was far more captivating to him than anything he had seen Aphrodite do before, making him feel almost like a nervous young mortal for a moment.

His hand moved before he realized it, taking her hand and bringing it up as he bowed down to kiss the top of her hand. "Kore," Hades repeated softly, his voice deep and smooth like an river flowing surely and slowly, "it is a pleasure to meet you." From the way Zeus had been able to pluck her so easily from Demeter's side he could only imagine a blood relationship between Kore and the sky god and even though a polite smile took his face, his eyes were still just as sad, yet looking at her had put a faint spark of happiness in them that wasn't present when they first locked eyes across the room. "I am uncertain as to what surprises me more; that I have not had a chance to meet you before now, or that I have not been told of how beautiful you are," he said calmly before realizing that he was flirting in front of Aphrodite and her father, adding quickly, "I see that you take little after my brother."

Mercifully for him, Zeus was eternally in good spirits and laughed loudly, reaching out his massive hand to clap down on Hades's shoulder, but despite their size and the force with which it was brought down Hades didn't buckle or even flinch as the King of the Gods laughed. "Oho, Hades you are eternally a joy to be around," Zeus said warmly, "Why do you not grace my House more, big brother?" Hades gave an apologetic smile, "Well, you know how these things are, Zeus; mortal affairs keep us busy during the day and our divine duties occupy us at night. Besides," he added, staying focused on Zeus, though finding himself unable to resist his eyes flicking over to Kore as he continued, "until now I hadn't seen a proper reason to show up."

 

[Bunny]

Emerald eyes were fixated on Hades, the desire to bed him the main focus and up until this point he'd rebuffed her attentions. Minthe, the little bitch of a Nymph, had been the cause, Aphrodite thought venomously. She'd delayed Aphrodite's plans and the longer Hades had held out, the more she'd wanted him. Who said no to the Goddess of Beauty? No one... Hades was merely playing hard to get. A small frown pulled at her lips and her brows drew together when she noticed he'd not even looked at her. The compliment had been correct but without feeling and it bothered her. Pushing it aside, Aphrodite pushed the displeasure aside and tried again, the glee in her voice as she batted her lashes at him for the half hearted compliment before inquiring about Minthe.

The tightness in his shoulders made Aphrodite almost purr with eagerness and the words "It is over," made her smile mentally. Finally.. you are mine. Aphrodite thought as her hands moved to his shoulders, trying to offer a comforting touch to the tension she felt. She had her own goals, naturally but in her own way she did care about Hades. She was a Goddess though and like many of her kind, her main focus revolved around her needs, her wants and her own desires. She offered him, not for the first time, comfort in the form of her body, promising to take care of him the way he should be taken care of. It might have seemed vain to others, but those who knew the Goddess of Beauty knew that it was her love language. It was not all she knew, but it was who she was and Aphrodite had stopped fighting it a long long time ago.

"Tragically, it appears we have company,"

She had expected to hear sorrow or see regret on Hades' handsome face. But no! His eyes sparkled with something she'd never seen before as he pulled away from her touch. A bitterness welled up in her chest and she allowed him to pull from her grasp and stood just behind him, her beautiful face stony. Zeus approached with a young Goddess and Aphrodite bit back a frown. All but ignored by the pair that approached, Aphrodite pulled back a bit further to watch the interaction, irritated. Hades being hard to get was nothing new to her, but she reveled in the challenge, or she had... He'd been hers! She tried to recall the look in Hades' eyes just moments ago, the way he'd seemed to brighten. A lusty Goddess, many thought her a fool, but Aphrodite was far from it. It wasn't Zeus that had caused Hades to light up. It had been her.

She had reserved herself to only being able to sneak glances at Hades until her mother had decided it was time for them to leave. Her mood had dropped some. It was more than Hades though, but her first social gathering, party was to end so soon? Zeus had appeared almost as her father could sense her budding unhappiness to whisk her off. Not only had he saved her, he'd brought her over to meet Hades! The butterflies were not only on her dress, but within her stomach swirling uneasily. She was nervous to meet him. He was handsome, but more than that, he looked at her in a way that made her heart race. Even with Aphrodite wrapped around him, he'd not looked at the Goddess of Beauty the same. Kore wasn't so foolish to think she was compared to Aphrodite. It was the way he looked at her made her feel like what she was, silly as it was to think. His gaze made her feel like a Goddess.

His hand was soft, fingers capturing her own, gently guiding her own smaller one to his mouth. For a moment Kore forgot what it was to breathe as the velvet of his lips brushed against the back of her hand. Her hand lingered in his own until Hades himself broke the contact. Kore brought with her the scent of springtime. A bracing gust of Sicilian lemon and açai that blossomed into raspberry blossoms. The heady scent of pink magnolia and violet leaf followed by the sensuality of sandalwood, musk and crisp amber. It suited the Goddess of Spring and was inherently Kore. His eyes were sad and that might have made her heart ache for him had there not been something else within their depths. Cheeks pink from the simple kiss to her hand she gave him another slow, shy smile, a dimple flashing. It was the compliment though that made her face burn red and for a moment, she forgot who surrounded them. Her father and Aphrodite faded to the background and it was just them as she gave a sweet, nervous giggle.

Incensed, Aphrodite fumed just behind Hades. How dare he! This waif of a girl is nothing compared to me! Aphrodite was having trouble deciding who she was more pissed at. The fact that Hades was so easily taken by Demeter's country bumpkin of a girl or the girl for stealing the attention of Hades. Neither was forgivable! Anger was not an attractive emotion on Aphrodite and others would perhaps see her rage and the ugliness it brought to her beautiful face before she turned and stormed off. Kore however was oblivious and she gave another, easier laugh this time, her face lighting up. Across the room Demeter was livid.

Melodic, Kore's voice rose and fell sweetly as she answered him, her laughter still in her voice. "Do I not?" Head tilting she looked up at her father and Kore proceeded to wrinkle her nose at him playfully. "I think I have his eyes," her own bright blues turned back to Hades and her smile lingered, flirting along the edges of her lips. "I can't say I am beautiful though," there was a tinge of something in her voice, but it vanished as she continued speaking, "But it is a pleasure to meet you, Hades." His name was softened, almost a caress, from her lips. She listened to her father speak to Hades, her attention flickering from one to another as they spoke. The flicker of his eyes made her blush again and look down, shyly. Zeus lifted his brows, the exchanges between the pair not going unnoticed. "Best to get back to your mother, little flower." His voice was warm, kind, but a thoughtfulness longer and he turned to look at Demeter. He bit back a sigh and smiled as Kore embraced him. Hugging her back he chuckled and kissed her hair. He'd have to see what he could do for her. He knew that she wasn't happy.

That bright, albeit shy smile was offered to Hades. "It was nice to meet you," Kore said and with another smile, her pale blue eyes rising to meet his own. Holding his gaze, she lingered until Zeus gave her a gentle nudge. "Go one Lass." Blushing, she nodded and turned away. Within moments she was back at Demeter's side, who in turn hurried her from the room, not even giving her the time to turn and wave one last time, which for some reason, Kore wished to do again. A silly smile on her face and her spirits high despite leaving the party the trio of Goddess vanished from sight.