Ancient Secrets

Medusa entered the Underworld Gates and down the corridor. She approached the throne and looked up at the dark-haired, bearded man before her.

Hades, who had heard Medusa's footsteps as she approached, began to chuckle. "You know," he said, stifling another laugh. "You're the only person that gets to just waltz in here like she owns the place."

Medusa laughed, pushing one of her snakes away from her face, which hissed in protest. "Well I feel very special then, Hades," she replied.

Hades stood up and asked one of the servants to let Persephone know that they had company.

@ B e l l e

Persephone was quite surprised when a servant told her that there was a guest down in the underworld. And she was even more surprised when the servant told her that she was even allowed to go see who it was. She figured after being kidnapped that Hades would be trying to keep it a secret as to where she was. After all, it had only been a week since he had taken her from her fields.

Even though whoever it was, was probably a loyal friend of Hades, Persephone still wanted to see who it was. It was hard to only be able to talk to Hades. And maybe, maybe she could somehow convince whoever it was to tell her mother where she was.

Walking into the throne room, Persephone's eyes widen as she saw Medusa in front of Hades. She had rarely seen Medusa up until this point, and had never been allowed to talk to her. Demeter had many on her list that Persephone had been expected to stay away from. For whatever reason. "Oh, hello."

Medusa smiled and reached out to shake Persephone's hand. "Hello," she said, the snakes on her head slithering and reaching toward the new scent in the room. She looked at Hades. "So this is the one you told me about?" It suddenly dawned on Medusa who this woman was. "Wait... Hades this is BIG."

Hades took Persephone's hand as she walked into the room when Medusa spoke to him he only chuckled in response. "Oh relax, Snake-Eyes," he said. Medusa's eyes narrowed as a few of her snakes hissed at Hades.

"How many times do I have to tell you not to call me that?" she snapped with a sigh. She knew he'd never stop. Hades just shrugged and turned to Persephone. "See, Dear, now you're starting to meet some of my friends." He flashed a smile and reached out to touch Persephone's soft, light hair.

@ B e l l e

Persephone instinctively moved back as Hades went to touch her hair. She waited until his hand dropped back to his side before moving back to Hades's side, holding onto his hand a bit tighter. While Persephone wasn't trying to piss off the God of the Underwold, she also wasn't quite sure about him either. There were many unkind, horrifying rumors about Hades. Though - despite the whole kidnapping thing- he had been kind to her.

Overall, Persephone needed her space, but she was still willing to do a few things to make Hades happy. Like hold his hand.

"So Medusa is your friend?" Persephone asked before turning back to the woman. Her head tilted to the side a bit before giving Medusa a gentle, warm smile. "Forgive me, but it does not seem that you two are very friendly towards each other."

Medusa observed the interaction between Hades and Persephone and moved closer to them, almost coming between them. She laughed as Persephone spoke to her. "We have sort of a fucked up back and forth at times," she said. She returned the smile.

Hades let go of Persephone's hand when Medusa came between them. He could tell she could read Persephone's hesitant body language. And he didn't want either woman to think he would take advantage of her. He was glad they seemed to be getting along. He addressed Persephone.

"We've known each other a long time. We both live shitty lives. We sort of feed off each other's cynicism," he added with a shrug. "What are ya gonna do?"

Medusa's eyes didn't move from Persephone as Hades spoke. "So you're Persephone, right?" She had heard of her, and she had also heard she had been missing.

@ B e l l e

Persephone's eyes were stuck in Medusa as the woman started to move closer to her, even coming in between her and Hades. Though she wasn't sure if she was thankful for that or not. While Hades has his rumors, Medusa did too. And at least with Hades, she was somewhat sure he wouldn't do more than he already had. Medusa she was not too sure about.

"Yes I am." Persephone confirmed as she looked over Medusa's face. Was there already a lot of talk about her missing? She knew by know all of the Gods and Goddesses would know. But it would be surprising if it had moved down to Demi Gods and creatures. Though, perhaps her mother was causing more chaos than she would have expected.

Cupping her hands together, a bright, beautiful red & gold tulip grew in her hands and fully bloomed. Persephone then offered it to Medusa. "Here, a flower for you Medusa." She smiled warmly at her. It was the type that only bloomed in Olympus by her hand. "Surely things must not be too horrid if you are friends though, Hades."

Medusa smiled genuinely as she took the flower from Persephone. It wasn't very often that people were kind to her. "Thank you so much," she said. "It's beautiful."

Hades smiled as he watched the exchange between Persephone and Medusa. He looked at her when she spoke to him. "I guess you're right," he said. He put a gentle hand on her shoulder.

Medusa watched both Hades and Persephone. She wanted to believe that Hades wouldn't do anything stupid. He had given her no reason to mistrust him in the past, surprisingly.

@ B e l l e

"You're welcome." Persephone said warmly as she took a step back from them. She glanced over at Hades and then back to Medusa, continuing to smile. Though she wondered if they knew.

If Medusa was found with the flower, it would be a clue to the other Gods and Goddesses. They would have to know where she was, since that tulip only grew by her hand in Olympus. Though it was only a hope that someone with see her with the flower and that was unlikely.

Persephone brought a hand up to Hades' hand, laying it on top of his. "I think so."

@ BearGirl

Medusa squinted her eyes at Hades for a moment, then took Persephone's hand and led her into the other room off to the side. She closed the door behind them. She looked at Persephone for quite a while before taking a deep breath and speaking. "Listen," she began. "Are you okay? Do you feel safe here? What's going on?" she paused for a moment but then continued. "Look I know you have every reason not to trust me." She pointed at the snakes on her head. "However, when it comes to consent I'm going to be an advocate for that. Yes, Hades and I are friends, and yes, even though he's King of the Underworld I would like to believe he is respectful, but I'm not going to automatically take his side if he's hurting you just because we are friends."

@ B e l l e

Persephone stiffened up when Medusa pulled her away and started to speak to her candidly. She was surprised that she would do that. Even more that Hades just allowed it to happen. Though as Medusa started to speak, Persephone dropped her head, quickly shaking it. Quickly, Persephone pulled her hand out of hers and wrapped it around her waist. Should she still Medusa the truth? What did she really have to lose if she did?

"I...I don't feel safe here." Persephone whispered to her. "Though Hades isn't exactly...doing anything to me. He kidnapped me a couple of days ago. Besides that, he has actually been quite kind and gentle. B-But I don't feel safe here. I want to go back home. A-and what am I going to do when he doesn't want to wait anymore?"

@ BearGirl
Medusa listened to Persephone speak, frowning in concentration. She nodded at the last question. "I don't think Hades has it in him to do something cruel to someone he cares about," she said, then chuckled at the obviously confused expression on Persephone's face at that comment. "Look I know the whole kidnapping and keeping you here wouldn't really show he cares, but Hades is well... not very good at showing his feelings." Medusa smiled warmly at Persephone in an attempt to comfort her. "I will talk to him," she said. "I'm usually able to talk reason into him."

Hades stood and waited for the women to return. He knew how important the issue of consent was to Medusa. He was slightly worried that she would take Persephone away before he got the chance to get her to trust him. He was willing to take as much time as she needed to adjust, and he hoped Persephone saw that and would convey that to Medusa.

@ B e l l e

Persephone was quiet for a moment after Medusa had spoken. There was a little frown on her lips. This was not exactly what she wanted to hear. She was hopping that Medusa would just help her get out...Though at least knowing that it was unlikely for Hades to force himself anymore on her was comforting. She gave the woman a nod before pulling away slightly. "I would appreciate that, thank you." She wasn't sure what Medusa would say to Hades, but maybe it would help her in the long run...It seemed unlikely that she would try to convince the God to let her out. With that, Persephone made her way back to Hades.