Aiden Avernus [Hades]

OOC Note: Takes place some time after this thread.

Hades had always been determined to execute the duties of his office with utter and complete equanimity. If he was to rule the Underworld, he would rule all of it with a thoughtful and considered hand, not favoring those places or situations that pleased him over those that did not. The only exception being, of course, his beloved wife and Queen, Persephone. But her dedication to ruling alongside him in the same manner had made it unnecessary to test that often.

One duty that Hades did wish Persephone did not take up was the regular inspection of Tartarus. It was necessary for him to tour the land where the evil and depraved were punished for eternity, but he had ever wished to shield his love from such sights. But as ever, she insisted on it, something he admired even without approving. They had returned to the Palace from such a tour a few hours ago, and as was usual, both their moods were noticeably somber and quiet.

Not long ago, Hades had found himself with the opportunity to speak to both Aphrodite and Dionysus (as the two were, at the time, together) and their... particular views on marriage and moods. With a plan he very much hoped would provide his wife with both relief, novelty and pleasure, he made his arrangements.

Hades entered the suite of rooms he and Persephone shared, accompanied by Nida, a beautiful young woman who served as one of Persephone's handmaidens while here in his realm. Knowing that Nida was one of Persephone's favorite servants, Hades had spoken to the girl, who had been most eager to comply. When they arrived, other handmaidens were preparing Persephone's bath.

Walking up to his nearly disrobed wife, Hades kissed Persephone gently and smiled. "I hope you don't mind, love, but I found myself wishing to be close to you. Please don't interrupt your bathing on my behalf, though. I will simply... watch." He sat on a small bench nearby, watching as Nida attended her Queen, preparing to bathe Persephone, and the other handmaidens exited.

OOC: This thread is a RP'ization of the myth, to be used as backstory for the 'canon' versions of darkness_unseen and lost_todarkness.

When the dust from the Titanomachy had settled, creation was divided among the brothers. Zeus claimed the sky, Poseidon the seas and to Hades had gone the underworld. Although Hades' dominion gave him power over all the lands of the dead, from the idyllic Elysian Fields to the hellish Tartarus... although the riches from beneath the earth such as gold and jewels were his as well... although he was respected, feared and worshipped by mortals... Hades had always found himself and his stone palace dark and cold of temperament.

He had heard the tales told by his fellow Olympians, stories of the daughter Zeus had sired with Demeter, and of how young Persephone was beautiful and precious, innocent and bright. She was flowering life itself, especially since beginning to approach young womanhood. Hades had gone to see, and a single undetected look at the girl had cracked the ice around his heart.

There was no question: he had to possess Persephone for himself.

Zeus himself gave tacit permission to the union, but had warned Hades that Demeter would never approve. And so, Hades took it upon himself to make sure that Persephone's mother did not have a choice in the matter.

Below the meadow where Persephone walked, Hades could feel the warmth of her life seeping through the cold rocks above him. It was as intoxicating a feeling as any of Dionysus' libations, and far more potent. He felt the girl stop moving, perhaps to pick one of the flowers that filled the land around her. Hades smiled and called upon the very foundations of the earth to do his bidding.

The ground beneath Persephone's feet was rent open, and the girl fell into the darkness, where Hades himself was waiting to catch her. Once the girl was secure in his arms, Hades fought the urge to have her in that first moment, closed the fissure above them and sped off for his palace in the underworld so fast that Persephone lost consciousness.

Laying the girl on the vast, richly appointed bed Hades had bidden be constructed for them, the Lord of the Underworld took a seat nearby and waited for Persephone to awaken.