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[b][center][color=black]𝖈 𝖆 𝖙 𝖈 𝖍   𝖚 𝖕 [/color]
[color=#84a5aa]𝖈 𝖆 𝖙 𝖈 𝖍   𝖚 𝖕[/color][/center][/b]
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[right][sup]𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: [url=https://www.redfin.com/WA/Duvall/14829-304th-Ave-NE-98019/home/440982]Hades & Persephone's home, by the World Tree[/url]
𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: [color=A90214]Váli[/color] [@Hey Im Jordan] & [color=a4ac92]Persephone[/color] [@Aewin]
𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: [color=0054A6]Hades[/color] [@sly13], [color=EA7E5D]Athena[/color] [@metanoia] || [color=E9D66B]Melinoë[/color] [@KZOMBI3] || [color=536878]Odin[/color] [@KZOMBI3] & A Special Friend[/sup][/right]▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅[/center]


Váli had been in Seattle for less than a day, and already two things had gone wrong. Firstly, his father wasn’t responding to his text. Granted, Váli hadn’t exactly sent a text message with a lot to respond to, but Odin was hardly the type to ignore his only son that still liked talking to him. But that was easily overlooked; to Váli, finding Persephone at the world tree instead of at [i]A New Leaf[/i] was more troubling.

Váli wasn’t a stranger to approaching people and having them be unaware — he was naturally quiet and stealthy in the way he moved, especially for someone so large. But, he knew she could sense his presence, the plants would have told her that he was there, but why didn’t she turn to face and acknowledge him? [color=A90214]“Persephone, are you alright?”[/color] He asked with a frown, [color=A90214]“This isn’t…”[/color] He thought for a moment, and then decided on a word. [color=A90214]“...normal.”[/color]

Shortly after Thor had left her home, Persephone decided to take a walk on the grounds of Kalos Gardens. The benefits of building your home on a large sect of land filled with nothing but nature and fauna, she knew she had to take advantage of. Immediately stepping outside her home allowed her to breathe again, but she couldn’t call it refreshing. 

The tree beckoned her every morning and night, and Persephone dutifully answered. She had done so since the fall, giving everything she could to nurse the life left for the good of the other deities, for her children. But what good did that do? 

Váli’s voice from behind her was of no surprise. The rose bushes on the way to the Tree whispered of silence trailing after her. [color=a4ac92]“Today isn’t a normal day, [abbr=gentle one]ευγενής[/abbr].”[/color] Persephone hesitated slightly before turning to face Váli, scanning him till she was assured he was safe and healthy. [color=a4ac92]“You didn’t come to the feast. I saved you an apple.”[/color]

It seemed Persephone didn’t want to talk about whatever made this a strange day, and Váli was smart enough to not press the subject. Instead, he nodded at her comment about him not attending the feast, [color=A90214]“I like to avoid Hera. She’s… she really doesn’t like a lot of her family. And some of them don’t like her. It lights a fire in me that I’ve worked hard to quell. Thank you for saving me an apple,”[/color] He gave her a smile, but couldn’t quell the curiosity he had wondering about whatever had happened. Looking her up and down, she looked alright which pushed the darkest thoughts he had out of his mind. At least he knew she wasn’t physically hurt, at least. [color=A90214]“My father hasn’t responded to my texts, was he at the feast?”[/color]

Persephone remained quiet for a while, trying to think back to before Macaria and Zagreus crashed through the glass. She had been waiting with Hades at their regular table, discussing their children’s first attempt at rejoining divine society in so long. [color=a4ac92]“If Odin was, it must have been brief.”[/color] She was finally able to answer. 

There was another pause, her thoughts once again running a mile a minute. [color=a4ac92]“Have you ever questioned your divinity?”[/color] Persephone asked, her eyes glued to the tree.

Without hesitation, Váli responded. [color=A90214]“Yes. I was created by my father to extract vengeance. After I finished my task, the mortals told stories about me and worshiped me for it. And now, I live with this curse of a divine gift.’”[/color] He paused, thinking about it a little more as he chose his words. [color=A90214]“It’s difficult for me to eat the apple every year. I don’t know what I offer people as a mortal, and I don’t even know what the point is. Why do we get to live forever? For the dream of returning to godhood? I don’t know. I don’t think we’re all that special. I think I do it for my dad, I don’t think he could handle it if one of his sons gave up before he can reunite our family.”[/color] Though Váli’s words were heavy handed, he seemed truthful in what he was saying, like it was something he’d thought about extensively.

After he spoke, Váli frowned again. He’d gotten a little preachy, and even depressing there while he talked about it and he shook his head, [color=A90214]“Persephone, what happened?”[/color]

Persephone wanted to scream at herself for reminding Váli of nothing but pain. In her grief she had struck a sore subject for the both of them. Her hand reached out to offer comfort, but it remained stuck in the air between them as Váli questioned her in return. For the third time that day, she had to acknowledge the cursed events of the day. [color=a4ac92]“Macaria and Zagreus were killed at the feast.”[/color] 

He didn’t say anything in response, not like there were any words that could be said. Instead of speaking, Váli wrapped Persephone in a warm but gentle hug. He held his friend for a few moments, and then released her before he finally spoke. [color=A90214]“I’m so sorry. What can I do?”[/color] Persephone was a large part of the reason that Váli was able to become the [abbr=gentle one]ευγενής[/abbr] he was today, and he would have tried to move mountains if she asked him. And then something dawned on him. [color=A90214]“Did you say killed? By… by whom? Was there a fight at the feast?”[/color] He should have been there, instead of his petty desire to avoid Hera. Maybe he could have protected them.

Alarm bells quickly started ringing in Persephone’s head, pulling away from the hug in surprise. If she knew Váli the way she claimed she did, she knew that she was speaking to the God of Vengeance, not the ευγενής she was familiar with. Persephone had to push all thoughts of violence and revenge away, clearing her mind before allowing the tendrils of satisfaction to stick like they had that morning against Hati. [color=a4ac92]“I don’t know. Athena is investigating, I trust her wisdom to guide us to their killer. For now, all I can do is grieve and protect Melinoë. I… I can’t let anything happen to her.”[/color] Her hand touched her stomach, the ugly thoughts resurfacing again. She closed her eyes but all she could see was their bodies, forcing her to reopen her eyes to stare almost panickedly at the World Tree. [color=a4ac92]“I don’t know what I’ll do if I see her body like Macaria.”[/color]

So long as Váli drew breath, he wouldn’t allow anything to happen to Melinoë, if only to protect Persephone from going through this again. He made a mental note to reach out to Athena… though she and Váli hadn’t gotten along in the past. Maybe they could unite on this issue.  [color=A90214]“You won’t.”[/color] Váli said in a simple promise. Even without his vigilance, he thought it unlikely another of their kind fell. Everyone would be on high guard, and there surely wouldn’t be anything too adventurous happening in the near future.

[color=A90214]“The boys are doing well. You should come down and see them again sometime.”[/color] Váli gently changed the subject, trying to move it toward… anything else. If they kept talking about the violent happenings and the fallout, then Váli feared the kind of mood he’d leave in.

The change in topics was a welcome one, allowing Persephone to relax as she engaged in conversation about Váli’s boys. It wasn’t long before the distraction became effective, Persephone smiling because of Váli’s antics just before landing in Seattle. [color=a4ac92]“You must have made Eric’s day, letting him be your unwitting hero.”[/color] Persephone praised with gentle laughter. [color=a4ac92]“But please promise me you won’t scare the poor boy like that again.”[/color]

[color=A90214]“He was very brave. I just don’t understand why they always want McDonald’s…”[/color] Váli frowned. He struggled to think of a time when he would choose McDonald’s when told he could have whatever he wanted for dinner. Why not steak, or lobster? Or… something more exotic? Váli had eaten McDonald’s so many times he’d gotten his order down to a science. [color=A90214]“I think he’ll be a good fit for my little family.”[/color]

A soft smile lingered on her face as she saw the contentedness cross Váli’s face. She knew nothing purer than Váli’s love for his boys. [color=a4ac92]“I bet James had something to say to Eric once he joined your family.”[/color] Persephone eyed Váli with a familiar expression, one he would come to know as teasing. [color=a4ac92]“I bet he told Eric all about your [i]special friend[/i].”[/color] Váli had sweetly confided in her one day about his crush, melting the Goddess’ heart from the sincere way he talked about his friend. James, the oldest child in Váli’s Valhalla had come to join Persephone with teasing the God in front of her. 

Váli couldn’t fight it as a light pink blush rose up in his cheeks. He didn’t like talking about his ‘special friend,’ but Persephone was right. James probably would tell the others to expect him to bring a girl home with him… Váli didn’t even know the first step in getting a girl to go out for dinner, let alone getting one to go [i]home[/i] with him. [color=A90214]“He asked me if I was going to bring her home this time. I don’t even know how I’d do that. I mean, I don’t even know if she likes me back.”[/color] In spite of himself, when Váli spoke of the woman he crushed on, he ended up sounding less like the god of vengeance, and more like a love struck puppy.

[color=a4ac92]“Have you tried talking to her first?”[/color] Persephone suggested. [color=a4ac92]“Stealing her away is old-fashioned, it’s all about building a connection in this era.”[/color] She thought back to the first time she had spent in the underworld with Hades, the shy and tentative conversation slowly getting bolder as she had gotten comfortable around him. 

Yikes. It felt like Persephone was going for the throat, and all Váli could do was try his best not to trip over his words while he spoke. [color=A90214]“I’ve talked to her!”[/color] He protested. A ‘hi, how are you?’ wasn’t the most valuable conversation in the world, but Váli definitely felt it counted for something. [color=A90214]“It’s not very easy for me to build a connection with someone. That’s why I live in the woods, Perse. Got any advice?”[/color] Most of the Greeks were people Váli would never ask for relationship advice, but having been friends with Persephone for many years now and having watched her relationship with Hades, Váli couldn’t think of a better person on the planet to ask.

[color=a4ac92]“First of all, it helps to be in the same place as her more often.”[/color] Persephone started. [color=a4ac92]“Unless you do what the mortals do these days and try texting her instead. Regardless, start by asking about her day and go from there. If the conversation grows quiet, ask her about something she may like. A connection is built by talking and learning about each other.”[/color] Persephone may not have been a goddess of love, but she was more than happy to share what worked for her and Hades.

[color=A90214]“Right. Texting. Asking about her day, that makes sense…”[/color] Idle conversation was hardly Váli’s strong suit, and he had half a mind to ask Persephone to coach him through it with an earpiece when the time came, but decided that would be neither stealthy nor attractive. [color=A90214]“Is it nice? Having the same person as your partner for so long, I mean. I reckon things must be near perfect for you and Hades both for thing to be so… smooth.”[/color] Váli sounded undeniably envious as he spoke with a smile on his lips. [color=A90214]“I imagine most of the deities are jealous of the two of you. So far as I know, there hasn’t been a relationship that’s worked out across the pantheons other than the two of you.”[/color]

[color=a4ac92]“[abbr=gentle one]ευγενής[/abbr], I assure you there isn’t anything you have to fear.”[/color] Persephone knew that affirmations were the best way forward with Vali. Despite being one of the sweetest divines she had the pleasure of knowing, he often struggled with connecting with those he wasn’t familiar with. She only wanted him to see himself the way she saw him.

When it came to talking about her own relationship though… Persephone couldn’t help but smile. Hades always brought out a feeling of comfort within her. It was a safe feeling, one that never changed even after their fall. [color=a4ac92]“Hades and I are not perfect by any means. The difference is that we always put each other first. Being united gives us our strength.”[/color] If she had the chance, she would always gush about her Hades. [color=a4ac92]“You could be like us too, you know. Put yourself out there, like Hades did. Just… not the kidnapping part.”[/color]

Váli wondered if Persephone really thought he was capable of kidnapping the woman he had a crush on, or if she were just saying the warning as a jab at her husband. He thought about asking, but before he had a chance his phone’s notification went off. [color=A90214]“Oh, this is probably my father, give me just a second.”[/color] He said, and pulled his phone out, idly scanning the messages. After he finished, he looked up at Persephone. With his brow furrowed in confusion, he spoke. [color=A90214]“I think I just got asked out on a date.”[/color] He said, with a voice that conveyed the disbelief he was feeling.

He moved the phone so that Persephone could see the series of text messages…

[quote][b]From: Sunshine[/b]

[color=ff4166][b]Heyyyyy! It’s Uzu! There’s a party tonight. At Acropolis. You know Hercules and Apollo’s party pad? I was thinking -- we should totally go! You know, with each other!

I mean as a date! You know, like officially or you know whatever. Doesn’t need to be! It’ll be funnnnnnnn![/b][/color][/quote]

[color=A90214]“...what do I say?”[/color]

Persephone only had to blink twice before she responded. [color=a4ac92]“Tell her to meet you here, obviously! You want to go with her, right?”[/color]

[quote][b]To: Sunshine[/b]

[color=A90214][b]I accept. Can you meet me at Persephone’s?[/b][/color][/quote]

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