[color=778da9][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/7N7Wmkl.png[/img]
[sup][sup][h1]𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝[/h1][/sup][/sup][/center]
[sup][i]𝙰 𝙽𝚎𝚠 𝙻𝚎𝚊𝚏 → 𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝙾𝚕𝚢𝚖𝚙𝚒𝚌 𝙲𝚕𝚞𝚋[/i] [i][right]𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: [color=0054a6]Hades[/color] [@sly13] & [color=a4ac92]Persephone[/color] [@Aewin]
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With Hati and his companion gone, Persephone was the last person left in the parlor. She allowed herself a moment to indulge in curiosity; a little nosy habit perhaps, but it was always in good fun. It was the least she could do while Hati would use her café as a base of operations. Persephone had been far too busy to actually listen in on the conversation. The young lady barely gave anything away in her expression, and even Hati seemed to perk up for whatever reason, so it had to be [i]good.[/i] Perhaps a jilted lover hunting down the one that made haste with all her valuable treasures?

When the table was cleared and chairs stacked, Persephone disappeared behind the counter to make two drinks. There was no need for her to get dressed again when she’d already done so in the morning, somehow managing not to spill even a single drop of coffee on the [url=https://i2-prod.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/incoming/article18350506.ece/ALTERNATES/s1200c/1_daisy-edgar-jones-in-normal-people.jpg]white lace[/url] covering her body. With nothing to do but to wait for the coffee to be made, she found her thoughts drifting again.

Persephone liked to avoid meeting Hera. The resentment the queen of the underworld held for the queen of the gods still too deep, burning like an open sore rubbed by a foxglove. Despite Persephone’s duties as the servant to the world tree, she often found the yearly pomp organized by Hera to be nothing more than a nuisance. Persephone’s worries ran worse than usual, her fingers tapping nervously against the solid countertop as anxieties started to pile up inside.

As Hades drove he let his thoughts wander to the gathering that was to take place today.  Every year they were all forced to attend some family reunion at the request of Hera, who seemed desperate to remain relevant even after all this time.  The gatherings usually stayed somewhat peaceful but knowing his family it was always just a matter of time before powder leg exploded in everyone's face.  While he despised Hera and was at least apathetic to most of the other gods, It did always give an excuse for his wife and kids to be present together, so there was at least some solace in that.

Hades thoughts however shifted to happier ones as he arrived at his destination as a smile slowly crept in on his face.  The small coffee shop his wife owned and ran sat byself tucked into the corner empty of its normal bustle of patrons.  Hades smiled again as he saw Persephone standing behind the counter lost in her own thoughts.  Hades out of the car in his normal [url=https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/lucifer-corvette11.jpg] suit[/url] attire that he had grown accustomed to wearing as he walked into the coffee shop.  

[color=0054a6]“Excuse me miss, I'm terribly sorry but can I buy a set of flowers?  I know you're closed right now but I really need to buy one for my wife.”[/color]

Almost immediately Persephone’s face, which had been screwed into a worried frown, relaxed. She couldn’t stop the smile forming on her face as she responded. [color=a4ac92]“How can I say no when you ask like that?”[/color] She moved from behind the counter to reveal herself entirely. [color=a4ac92]“She must be a lucky woman to have such a thoughtful husband like yourself.”[/color] Persephone said as she walked closer to greet Hades with a kiss.

[color=0054a6]“I am quite the catch, But I think I was the lucky one.”[/color] Hades said with a smirk as he bent down to kiss his wife. [color=0054a6]“Everything ok, love? You seemed a bit worried before I walked in.”[/color]  

Persephone chuckled in agreement before letting out a sigh. [color=a4ac92]“It’s Zagreus. I’m worried for him.”[/color] Persephone looked unsure of herself as she doubled back to retrieve the two to-go cups of coffee she’d made before. [color=a4ac92]“It’s going to be his first time returning to god society and… I don’t know what to think- what [i]he’ll[/i] think.”[/color]

Hades brought Persephone into a tight embrace trying his best to comfort her. [color=0054a6]“Everything will be ok.  We’ll both be there to keep an eye on him if need be, but not even Hera is bold enough to try something with us all there.”[/color]  Hades stepped back looking at Persephone's face giving her a reassuring smile.  [color=0054a6]“Let’s just enjoy this lunch as best we can even if the old hag is there.”[/color]  Hades finished as he laid out his hand offering to guide her to the car.  

Persephone laughed, very pleased with the nickname he bestowed upon Hera. [color=a4ac92]“Hag is one way to put it, but I’m certain Melinoë has other colourful nicknames for her.”[/color] Persephone took Hades’ offered hand, allowing him to guide her to his car and settling in for the ride. Truthfully, despite Hades' attempt at appeasing her, Persephone still felt the pang of worry for her children. The Festival of Life was always an event that troubled her each year, and it never seemed to grow less. She always wondered who wouldn't show up this time around as their group of divines grow thinner over time.

As they drove off toward the meeting place for their meeting Hades looked over to Persephone in the passenger seat.  [color=0054a6]“So how was the store today?  Any customers unhappy about you closing early?”[/color]

[color=a4ac92]“Surprisingly, no. The regulars already know the drill by now. But Hati did turn up today with a client.”[/color] Persephone offered before humming in thought. [color=a4ac92]“A new one this time, I’ve never seen the mortal before. I’m hedging my bets that it’s a jilted lover again. That was fun last time.”[/color]

[color=0054a6]“Well at least it should be entertaining for you to watch.”[/color]   Hades turned his attention back to the road as he continued to drive farther from the large city towards the extravagant country club that was meant to host this large gathering.  In truth Hades hated these sorts of gatherings.  They reminded him far too much of the meetings of Mt. Olympus, which he hardly ever attended.  Hades was a man who liked to be in control of a situation and hated being surprised by anything, especially his family.    

Persephone hummed in agreement. The momentary distraction from her worries was welcomed, her mind drifting to the possible scandalous reasons the poor mortal could have to seek out a bounty hunter.

Luckily the Olympic Club was not a far journey from A New Leaf. When the car came to a halt, Persephone stepped out, ready to take her husband’s hand in hers again. She gave the valet a warm, charming smile as the young lad took Hades' car to the parking lot. She squeezed Hades' hand in hers, a pacifying gesture that Persephone had come to use to comfort herself in moments before the Festival. Even for a divine couple their relationship had been good, the support and love the two gods held for each other unusual for the Greek pantheon. That unity was their power, and Persephone was more than happy to show it off to the world. [color=a4ac92]“Are you ready, my love?”[/color] 

[color=0054a6]“Oh course my dear, let's give them a show shall we.” [/color]  As they exited the car Hades took Persephone's hand bringing her close as he walked with her towards the main building, daring any soul to come close to them.[/indent][/indent][/color]