Persephone

Story

Hades has spent yet another day in the Underworld. He sits at his throne, alone, except for the usual sounds that typically come from the Styx River, and other Underworld sounds. There was really nothing for him to attend to at that moment, and he was all alone. There wasn't anyone he could talk to, either. Zeus made sure of that. The few that would make their way to the Underworld usually would get discouraged after the boat ride with Charon and all the lost souls that would travel, and rarely made it past Cerberus. Those that did rarely brought good tidings with them. 
    The pools that made up a decent portion of his throne room each played scenes and moments that were happening at that time. One in particular that caught his eye, was the reflection of the daughter of Demeter, Persephone. She was with her mother, who stood over her protectively, both tending to the numerous gardens that surrounded them. He felt the sting of Cupid's arrow in him when he set his eyes on Persephone. Perhaps she could help illuminate his dark world. He immediately made his way to the upper lands. He recognized the area and knew exactly where to find her.
    Persephone was admiring her mother's handiwork, plucking and gathering them when he found her. Demeter was nearby but was distracted, and didn't notice when Hades made his presence and abducted Persephone, until he had her in his arms. Demeter sprang into action and used whatever was at her disposal, controlling the vines, and trees to save her daughter. But it was futile, and they had escaped into the depths of the Underworld. The earth immediately began to die, and winter was born.
    Persephone cannot even bear the sight of him. He tries to calm her down, but she refuses to speak, or acknowledge him. 
    Beaten, Hades slumps over in defeat, head down low as he sat back in his throne, cradling one of the flowers that Persephone had gathered. She notices and her heart softens. Persephone makes her way to Hades, and touches his hand. He smiles at her (perhaps the first time such a thing had ever happened to him) and places the flower in her hair. 
    He offers her food, and hands her a pomegranate. His eyes plead that she take it, and she guiltily accepts it, not knowing that eating food of the Underworld would guarantee her stay, and keep her from her mother. Persephone takes six seeds.

Character Development

Backstory

Hades is the son of Cronus and Rhea, the Titans who ruled the earth before the gods. His brother Zeus had saved him and his brothers and sisters, after being eaten by his father. Zeus then appointed him, as the god of the Underworld, a job that Hades has not been too pleased with. He lives in a dark and remote kingdom that is far off from mortals. Very rarely does he see someone alive, and when he does, the situation rarely falls in his favor. He is associated with death and darkness (despite the god of death being Thanatos), and is usually feared and hated for this reason. Hades can be seen as someone cruel, stern, and yet just (perhaps much the same way death is not picky with its victims and does not discriminate on who shall be next). For all these reasons, Hades usually finds himself lonely in the Underworld. He had heard the rumors of Demeter’s daughter and her love of flowers, and began to have hope.

Persephone, is the daughter of Demeter, the goddess of grain and harvest. Persephone and Demeter are very close, and spend much time together. Her mother, although very loving and kind, can be a bit overbearing and overprotective of Persephone. Persephone is a free spirit, longing for her independence and freedom, and hopes one day her mother will see that herself. She is another daughter to vegetation, and helps the plants grow along the way. She has a fondness for flowers, for this reason.

Attributes

Hades

• Angry
• depressed 
• lonely
• impatient 
• just
• cruel
• stern
• dark 
• unlucky 
• antisocial 
• unfriendly 
• misunderstood 
• intimidating 
• scary 
• sad 
• impulsive 
• insensitive

Persephone

• Innocent 
• kind 
• unassuming 
• stubborn 
• dreamer 
• daughter 
• hopeful 
• green thumb 
• friendly 
• naïve 
• obedient 
• happy 
• strong 
• honor bound

Short Story

After being stuck in traffic for more than a few hours, and finally deciding to switch into the express lane after questioning how much longer his limited patience would last, Hades pulls up to a tollbooth. How he ended up in a car of all places, he would have to ask Zeus later, but he had to push that aside for now. After a harsh stop (he was still getting used to these—brakes, was it? Sometimes he confused them with the pedal right next to it, which resulted into loud crashing and honking sounds from in front and behind him, followed by yelling. Strange coincidences. But no one would dare to yell at him, so he disregarded it.), he pulls up closer to a machine. The description demands some sort of currency. Currency of which he has no use for, nor need. If the situation ever demanded it, he would usually get his way one way or the other, whether through brute force, persuasion, or threats. However, there was no mortal by the machine this time. Hades’ face scrunches up in rage and annoyance. How irritating, he thinks to himself, knowing full well that this sort of thing had never happened to Zeus before. He didn’t have time for this; he wasn’t mortal. Besides, he had to fetch Persephone; not waste time in some trivial activity such as paying. Hades pressed on the gas pedal and continued to drive as he had been, with crashing sounds, and horns and sirens blaring behind him as he resumed with his drive.