Black & Gold

@ musicalpanda

(It is okay! )

A chuckle left Apollo's lips as she spoke. Yes, he suppose that the way he looked at things did seem old. As much as he tried to stay up to date, it was difficult to do so. There were thousands of years of information locked in his head so his social skills and recent common knowledge tended to lack towards the old. "I do not find it offensive at all." He assured her with a grin. "I did not know that I was seen with such...old wisdom."

"And is there something that you would like to make?" Apollo asked her as he started to take a bite out of his pizza, The food here was quiet good so he figured he should take his time and enjoy the meal. Though nothing was like the food up on Olympus but to compare the two would be rather unfair. It would be like comparing Mcdonalds with the best restaurant on earth. "I can teach you anything. Would you like to make a bust? A face? A tree? An animal? Something abstract?"

---

Hours of walking through the palace had occurred and soon enough, Persephone found herself lost. The area was quite large and she certainly did not know the way around. Plus, Persephone had not exactly found much that would help her with escaping. There were many things of interest but most of it would be useless when attempting to leave. But, in the least, Persephone had found some rooms to spend her time in when she needed a break or was bored.

A sigh escaped her lips as she tried to find her way back to her own room. Though Persephone found herself in an area of the palace that she had not been before. Her nose wrinkled up as she opened up a door that lead outside. Well, at least there was a back exit. Persephone peered her head out, a smile quickly coming over her face as she realized that it was the palace gardens. Immediately, Persephone headed out to see what was in there. Soon, she found herself laying in the grass, looking at the new plants that she had never seen before. The underworld truly had its own mysteries, even in the flowers.

Thalia thought for a minute while she chewed her pizza. “How about something easy, what’s the easiest? Probably something abstract that doesn’t have a form, huh?” She asked him as she took another bite. “Can I ask what you’re hometown is like?” She asked curiously. “I know next to nothing about Greece,” She explained.

She looked out the window and noticed it had begun to pour and she wasn’t looking forward to her walk home. She hoped it stopped before she had to go since she had no umbrella and didn’t live close enough to run. “Are you here on a study abroad?” She asked. She figured she should probably have started with that question before asking him out to pizza so she had a better better Idea of how much of a distance to keep him at.

---

Hades looked out over the vast expanse of the underworld as he did several times a day to assure there was nothing he needed to attend to. He was informed that Persephone had found herself the gardens which pleases him. It would likely be the place she enjoyed herself the most and Hades would happily give her full reign of it if she wanted to.

He knew it was only a matter of time and sent a maid to wait on her if she needed it. As Queen if the underworld she would need someone, but he selected someone he trusted, one who would not betray him. Someone who would allow her company but keep their distance enough so eventually she would make her way to him.

@ BearGirl

@ musicalpanda

Apollo let out a laugh and he shook his head at Thalia a bit. "How about I teach you how to sculpt a face?" He asked her, a grin on his face. It would not be an easy sculpture, but Apollo figured it would be better than trying to do an abstract sculpture. At least with a face, there was a clear end goal. Plus, it would give him much more time with Thalia, which was something he very much wanted at the moment.

"I actually live here now." Apollo lied smoothly. While he did own many homes on Earth, he did not live on Earth. Olympus would always be his home first and foremost. It would also be where he spent most of his time when he was not working. "As for my home, it is an gorgeous place. It is truly a place of joy. The rolling hills, the seas, the warm sun." He grinned. "Vineyards and parties everywhere as well."

---

(I am going to skip some time for them)

It was a couple of weeks later and Persephone was ready to break. Things had been more difficult than she thought they would be. No one had come and found her yet, the starvation idea clearly was not affecting Hades, and she was beginning to feel extreme loneliness. Persephone had been hoping that all of this would be over by now. That someone would have rescued her, or that Hades would have broke down. And Persephone did not know life in the Underworld would be so lonely. No one was willing to talk to her unless she was requesting something.

With a groan, Persephone moved out of her bed. The last week or so, Persephone had stayed in her room, having felt too weak to roam the castle or to try to find an exit to the realm. With the maid's help, Persephone started to make her way towards Hades.

Thalia raised her eyebrows. “A face, oh like a bust? I’ve always thought those like Grecian bust statues were so pretty,” She told him, as thay was the only thing she thought of when it came to busts. “There are only busts of like famous people, like Hercules, or Gods in mythology, right?” She asked, finishing up her pizza. “Where your efrom are there a lot of them? Have you seen any busts of any of the Greek gods or something?”

She didn’t think she were remotely ready to do a face but she was excited to do something like she’d seen in pictures. “I used to study thay stuff in school, mythology, always found it fascinating.” She admitted to him, wondering if he thought it was boring and if she needed to change the subject. “Actually sorry we can talk about something else, did you have something you liked doing in school?”

---

Hades looked up as the doors opened, noticing that Persephone had walked in. She had taken much longer than he’d originally anticipated, but he expected nothing less from her tenacity. “Persephone, hello. Is there anything you require? I did not expect a visit from you, especially not like this,” He told her.

He stood from the throne and took a few steps down to the foot of the steps. He was pleased, but he hid it well, and he could see that she was now willing to speak with him. “As you’ve known Persephone, I’m at your service, and anything you need within reason, is yours to have so long as it’s within the span of the underworld,” He said to her.

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Apollo let out a laugh and nodded to Thalia. "Yes, kind of like a bust. I mean we could just do the whole thing if you are feeling up to if but I was thinking of only doing the face. More looking down at it rather than it standing on it's own."

He let out a thoughtful hum at her question about Greek mythology. They certainly were not myths but he couldn't say so to her. "Mythology is an interesting subject." Apollo assured her. "Popular busts tend to be for famous people and the gods. But many of the rich got ones done of themselves... What about Mythology fascinated you?"

---

Once Hades stood from his throne, Persephone stopped leaning on the maid. She motioned for the woman to leave. As the woman did so, Persephone found the little strength she had to stand tall in front of Hades. While Persephone was beginning to break to Hades' wishes, she was not willing to appear completely weak while doing so.

Hades had her cornered from the beginning and there had been next to nothing Persphone could do about it. It was appearing clear that she was best off just playing Hades' game and at least waiting this out in comfort. At some point, Zeus would need her back on earth. Without her, there would be no food for the mortals to eat for the crops could not come without spring. And once a famine occured, Zeus would need to force Hades to let her go to at least do her job. Whether or not she would be pushed back down to the underworld after would be another issue to solve...

"I was looking for some company and I had hoped that you would offer yours, Hades." Persephone told him softly.

[i did a post, submitted it and it never went through]
Thalia nodded. “Oh no yeah definitely, a face would rake a shorter time and probably be easier, plus I think you’ll likely want to give up on me pretty soon after starting so the less time it takes the better,” She laughed, finishing up her pizza and grinning.

“And I don’t know I’ve always been fascinated by the stories. It’s been a while since I read them, I just always associated busts with them. I’ve thought stories of like Ares and Athena were always just so interesting,” She explained. “And I like that it gives context to things I never had previously explained, like why seasons exist, or spiders, or anything really.” She added. “It just seems really cool.”

---

Hades kept his expression neutral and gestures to the throne on his right. “You know that it is yours,” He told her, looking at her and sitting back down. “I was just about to hear requests from people in the underworld if you would like to join me.” He told her as he looked at the line of people waiting.

“You’re also welcome to eat if you hadn’t, we can have something brought to you.” He said quietly before looking straight forward. “I am glad you’ve come around to desire my company, as it will be yours for a very long time,” He chuckled to himself and turned to her. “Is there anything you require before we begin?”

@ BearGirl

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[I hate when that happens! I love this site but it's sometimes really glitchy]

"Oh I do not think I would give up on you no matter how long it took." Apollo said with a laugh. He had all of the time in the world, and because of that, he often had immeasurable patience. Now that Thalia had finished up her pizza, Apollo did the same and wiped off his hands with his napkin. "That was quite good. This was a good suggestion."

Apollo let out a hum as he nodded. There was a lot about the myths that were completely incorrect, but some of it was right. What the truth was and what the humans told was always interesting. Though he had no issue talking about mythology. In a lot of ways, it was his own history....and in other ways it was a work of fiction. "Those stories are always quite interesting. And Ares and Athena?" He said with a little smirk. He shouldn't be surprised that she said them. They were always at odds and caused so much trouble.

---

Persephone looked to the throne. She had not been expecting to sit there, with him. Nor had she been expecting to listen to his people. What she wanted was company, not to rule besides him, even if only for a moment. Though her options were clear. Either assist Hades with his work or go back to solitude. Persephone was not sure she could handle being alone anymore, so she slowly made her way up to the throne. It was clearly a struggle for the young Goddess but she managed and was soon relaxing her poor body.

"There is nothing else that I need." Persephone said softly, deciding it was best to reject the food offer for now. She knew she would break by the end of the day. Her body was weak, she was in a great amount of pain, her mind felt cloudy and moving around had grown too difficult. But even so, Persephone did not want to give up all at once. Though she felt sad enough having needed to ask Hades for his company like this... she just felt so lonely.

Thalia nodded. “Yeah, like Ares always seemed very stereotypical jock type to me, except with a more permanent rage. Athena just seemed like pure intelligence and thought and yet able to make mistakes. Realistic traits.” She explained. “But I’m sure in Greece you know all about the stories, nothing new to you.” She added.

“I’m sure I have a favorite story, I just would need to think about it.” She sighed. “Oh wow,” She said as she noticed the food being gone. “I’m just talking,” She sighed. “Sorry, I’m sure you’ve got places to be, and I’m just taking up your time.” She shook her head. “You’re sure you want to deal with me long enough to teach to sculpt? You might regret it.” She laugjed.

---

Hades looked at her and without taking his eyes away gestures for the servant to come toward him. “Prepare a meal for Persephone and bring it so it will be ready when she wishes to eat.” He told them and looked to her. “In the meantime, prepare to send in the next person requesting an audience.” He said and looked forward.

He looked around the room and sighed, sitting back in his seat. “Have you rested?” He asked her. “It is what I do at least once a day, and if you hate this we can go elsewhere in the palace, you don’t need to listen to these if you don’t wish to.” He explained to her as a man came in requesting to see his family again one more time.

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"Oh, I am sure that I want to teach you how to sculpt, Thalia." Apollo assured her. Though after doing so, he stood up from his seat. "Though you are correct, I do have somewhere I need to be today. But I will see you for our lesson. I would recommend wearing something that you do not mind getting a little dirty." Even though Apollo rather stay and learn more about this rather interesting woman, he did have actually Godly duties that required his attention. He could not just mess around with humans all day.

Apollo smiled at her warmly before giving Thalia a nod of his head. "Though if you think of anything interesting about Greek mythology, I would like to learn about it during our lesson." With a little smirk on his lips, Apollo turned on his feet and started to head out. His followers were always very interesting, but this was he needed to know more about. And he certainly hoped to listen to her gift again soon.

---

Persephone glanced down at the man who was speaking as Hades spoke. How did he listen to these? Surely, Hades must hear many requests like this as King of the Underworld...that seemed rather depressing. And how did Hades even respond? Surely Hades could not allow every mortal to see their family after they had passed. Then what would even be the point of death if they continued to go back? Though the thought of their sorrow broke her heart.

She let out a small sigh before looking up to Hades, her eyes soft. "I have rested a lot this week." Persephone knew what the issue was and it certainly was not due to a lack of sleep. "May we go somewhere else then?" Her voice was quiet as she asked. Perhaps it was not right to pull Hades away from the souls that were waiting to meet him. Though this was much too heavy for her and Persephone was desperate for the company.

He was gone so fast that she felt almost out of breath. She needed a few seconds before she gathered her things and wondered if she would ever see him again. She didn’t think she would but she hoped. A few days later she sat in the room he had told her, wearing a shirt thay she’s had for years and some leggings. She had tried in terms of dressing up however she was as dressed down as she could be given the circumstances.

She sat in the room rehearsing her song, knowing she was much more early than she was required to be but thay was just how she was. She figured she’d sit and practice until he arrived.

---

Hades nodded and have the man a conditional offer and dismissed the others. He stood from the throne and took a few steps and offered her his hand. “If it upsets you we can go.” He said to her and walked toward the exit of the room. “What would you wish we do instead?” He asked her as they walked.

“Is everything in your room to your liking? Would you like to stop and eat something?” He asked and went across the hall to lean against the pillar. He was sure she wanted to leave to do something else and he was happy to oblige he just had n idea what it was she wanted. But it was what he wanted so he would postpone listening to his subjects while she said what she wanted.

@ BearGirl

@ musicalpanda

As Apollo made his way to the room he was meant to meet Thalia, he stopped outside of it once he heard her voice. A calming smile over over his face at the sound of her singing. For a minute or so, Apollo just stood there, appreciating her gift. He was sure that she would stop once he were to walk into the room. Once he was satisfied with the small portion of the song he would get, Apollo walked into the room with a large grin on his face.

"Hello Thalia, you are here quite early." Apollo said as he made his way over to her. "I had been hoping to set a few things up before you got here. Though, I must admit that I more than pleased at the chance to hear you sing again."

---

Persephone held onto Hades' hand once he offered it to her. There was no other option that to take his help. She knew she was too weak to roam the castle without assistance. At Hades' second offer, Persephone nodded. "Yes, I would like to eat now." It was a bit disappointing that her attempts had failed. Though it was foolish to keep starving herself in hopes that Hades would simply let her go. Things were becoming clear and Persephone was better off trying to find an exit or wait for Olympus to need her. And they would need her at some point.

"And my room is okay." Persephone said softly. She was not concerned much about the state of her bedroom as she was hoping she would not be here for very long. "I would just like your company for a little bit Hades, if you do not mind."

Thalia stopped singing the moment he walked through the door. She lowered her music, expecting him to arrive but not really sure why he thought she was so talented. “Oh... I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to, I just had time after my class and figured I’d stay over here in the time it would take you to come. Is it anything I can help with or..?” She asked him. She hoped she hadn’t ruined something he had been planning by showing up early but she wasn’t sure what He might have wanted to plan before she arrived.

She ducked her head and put her music away. “I’m sure I’m not as good as you say but thank you. I’m sure you could probably sing really well if you wanted. I’m no real teacher but if you wanted I could teach you one of the songs I know,” She offered. “But I could also really understand if you didn’t want to do that.”

---

Hades nodded. “Of course I do not mind,” He said in his quiet voice, stepping down the hall and looking back to her. “Was there anything in particular you wished to do or just to accompany me?” He asked her curiously. “First we will go so thay you may eat, they should be preparing something now so if you would like to go down to the dining area you can be properly served.” He explained.

He didn’t know what she couldn’t have been thinking, he didn’t expect her to given in so easily so he expected a bit more fight in her. Whether or not she was hiding it or not she didn’t understand but he wasn’t going to assume anything. “How did you normally enjoy spending your day. You are not to be trapped down in your room and if you wish to work or read, or any way you decide you would like to spend your day is something I am happy to work towards.”

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A gentle smile came over Apollo's face as he walked over to the woman. It was probably true that he was a much better singer than she. Though there was no mortal alive that would be able to match his performance and it would be unfair to expect one to do so. It seemed to him, however, that it would be best not to show her his abilities. "Oh I assure you that is not the case. I imagine that I am quite a poor singer. Though, learning a song from you would be enjoyable."

Apollo walked further into the room and over to where she had been sitting. There was no reason to disturb her spot, they would just work where she already was. Taking off his messenger bag, Apollo set it down on the counter and pulled out a few tools. "And just relax for now. I think it would be best if I set this up myself, but thank you." Gently, he patted her head before going to one of the cupboards in the classroom and pulling out some supplies.

---

A small sigh left Persephone as Hades started to ask her how she wanted to spend her days. She couldn't very well tell him that she wanted to find the exit to the Underworld. At least not without him probably putting up more blocks for her plans. Though if he was offering, there was something that Persephone would want to do when she was not searching for a way out. "I enjoy spending time out in the Garden, though what I really would like to do is paint and draw." She said as she lifted her eyes up. As far as she had noticed, there was not an art room in his palace.

As they got to the dining hall, Persephone held onto Hades' arm a bit tighter until he helped her into her chair. She could just smell the food from the kitchen and it made Persephone's body ache with hunger. Persephone wondered how long it would take until she was able to walk without assistance. Or to not feel the radiating pain move up and down her body. The young goddess folded her hands together as her attention moved back to Hades, still having to wait for the food to come out. "I just wanted to accompany you, Hades." Persephone said softly. "It is very... isolating here."

Thalia smiled. “I mean it is the only thing I could do in return, since you’ll teach me how to sculpt. Or try to,” She laughed as he began to organize everything. “So whose face are we sculpting?” She asked curiously. “Maybe someone from history? Or like a Greek sculpture or something? Who do you normally sculpt?” She asked him curiously.

“I had never really thought about it, but how would you go about planning sculpting a face? Probably a lot of work that goes into it, and you’ve been sculpting for a while so you probably are really good at it.” She added.

---

Hades nodded. “It is, though in your stubbornness you isolate yourself,” He replied softly. “Though it makes no difference, you may have anything you wish. A room in which to paint, will be prepared immediately. And you may have access to the gardens, save the unsafe areas.” He explained. “It is easily done, and without issue. If that is all, it can me done by morning.”

He gestured did the food to be brought toward her and sat up against his chair. He did hope that she wished to stay here sooner rather than later but he senses a stubbornness he knew would be difficult to fight.

@ BearGirl

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"Yes, a lot of work does go into it but with my help, I am sure that this will turn out great." Apollo assured her as he put the clay in front of her and all of the tools. "Let me at least round this out for you properly and we will move into the actual sculpting." Sitting down besides Thalia, Apollo started to work the clay. What had originally been an unkempt piece of clay soon turning into a perfect oval, close to what a person's face structure would actually be.

"Now, who's face do you want to sculpt? We can do anyone you want." He gave her a bit of a cheeky smile. "Though we did discuss a lot about greek mythology yesterday, did we not? Is there someone or something from that, that you would like to make your own interpretation of? A beast or hero or a god?"

---

"It is through your actions that I am isolated." Persephone snapped back at him. "I did not want to be moved from one cage to another. Did you not consider that? And even though I try, no one here will talk to me and that leaves only you, does it not?" She wrinkled her nose at him a bit. This is not what she had been intending to do with her time with Hades. Though even though her body had weakened, her mind was sharp.

As food was brought out to the table, Persephone's face immediately softened and the words she had spoken quickly out of her mind. She leaned forward a bit and started to eat. As the first bit of food reached her lips, the Goddess almost relaxed completely. This was exactly what she had needed.

Thalia thought for a second, looking at the clay. “Maybe we can like portray a myth? Or would that be too much. Probably, yeah. So maybe a hero or God.” She said as she thought aloud. She knew several of them she would like to try to do, but she wasn’t sure who would be too easy or wouldn’t take much time.

“Maybe if we do a God, Ares or Apollo?” She suggested. “I like their stories, and I could probably google what they’re supposed to look like pretty easily,” She added. “Or maybe Hercules or Medusa.” She added. “I don’t want to do something thay might be too difficult either,” She was sure he was more than skilled but she failed literally every single art class she had in school so she was sure there was nothing decent he could really teach her without her ruining.

---

Hades rarely smiled. Even when he was genuinely pleased, he never smiled. But her words brought something to the surface he found entertaining and the smallest of smiles appeared. “It is what you make it, you chose to isolate yourself in your room, and now here you are.” He replied, raising an eyebrow as she began to eat.

“As discussed I will have a room made for you to spend time in, and you may also have free reign of the castle instead of your room if you would like. I tend to spend my day dealing with the issues of the underworld which you may also be involved in should you wish to do so. But you didn’t like hearing the requests, I take it.” He said to her curiously.

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Apollo gave her a soft smile as she went through those that she was interested in. Though he could not help but be amused when she unknowingly mentioned him as a possibility. "Well, what do you imagine they would look like? So, for example, if you were to do Apollo, what features would he have?" He couldn't help but wonder what she thought a God looked like, especially him. He wondered how close she would be...

"Though it sounds like you want to do a human more so. So we can at least start by choosing where the features would lay. Now if you were to do a man..." Apollo glanced down at the clay before drawing a line down the middle of the face vertically and horizontally. "Where would you want the eyes, nose and mouth to fall? you can just draw a little line or an X where you want it."

---

Persephone let out a sigh. Hades was really quite stubborn and it was clear to her that he had no intentions of at least letting her talk with the others. If that was the case, he was correct that she would have to make an effort to choose what she made of it. It seemed that she would need to spend some time with Hades as she did not want to loose her mind while she was stuck there. Though at least she would still have plenty of time to search for a way out.

"No, I do not." She confirmed as she continued to eat. The request it seemed people would make would be rather...depressing. Not exactly something she wanted to hear and Persephone was sure there was a better use of her time. It was not like she would be making any decisions anyways. "Could I at least send a letter to my mother?"

Thalia pulled out her phone and searched for images of the God Apollo. She sifted through images and settled on on she liked. “I mean, we can’t know for sure but this maybe? Medusa would be difficult given her hair, and I don’t believe Apollo wears a helmet. So he should be the easiest.” She explained and showed him the picture. “And, well... I like his face.” She said simply as she watched him draw the x.

“He has nice features that seem like they would be easy to sculpt. Or I think he does, who knows what he actually looks like, or looked like, I guess,” She said before realizing she was rambling. She shook her head and looked at the picture. “Do you think this is a good idea?”

---

Hades shook his head. “A letter at this time would be unwise but perhaps in time.” He said to her. He knew he had to be alert at all times for anything she might be planning. He knew better than to expect she was still searching for ways out. “Then if requests are not what you would like to hear understand thay I will have to hear them and you will need to entertain yourself during those times. However you do so, by art or music, is your choice.”

He looked at her before saying his next words. “I am giving to you a handmaiden to look after you if you need it, someone I trust without hesitation. That being said I suggest that you not try anything you wouldn’t want me to know of,” He said, as a subtle warning. “Anything you need you only need ask, remember that.”

@ BearGirl