Hel accompanied Hades, listening intently to all he told her. Their realms were similar, as she expected, and not at the same time. Like Nastrond, he had Tartarus. They both had places of eternal beauty and peace. What she found most interesting were the rivers. It gave her a little more appreciation for the extra Underworlders necessary to make it all run smoothly. She asked the occasional question here and there, but mostly, she just listened.
It wasn't only his information she was listening to, though, but his tone as well. There was pride there, an eagerness even, to share something few would appreciate as much as she would. Perhaps, like herself, he felt his realm and himself, for that matter, were too under appreciated and misunderstood.
When he spoke of his wife's gardens, Hel felt a twinge of jealousy. It was obvious from his tone and the way he went on about the gardens that he adored his wife. That was something she did not have, someone to share her amazing realm with. It was something she mostly accepted, busy as she was, and not exactly bearing the physical beauty most looked for in a mate. Secretly, it bothered her, but she tried not to think on it too often.
Once in his study, Hades again surveyed her appearance. There was no rudeness or intolerance in his question, from what she could tell, only a curiosity and desire to understand. Having met few deities beyond her own pantheon, she wasn't used to actually being asked about her condition. And in Asgard...well, her residence in Niflheim was proof of what they thought of her.
"Yes," she answered mildly. "I was born this way. I'm afraid I gave my father more than his share of worry during my childhood. Children want to play," Hel shrugged, "and I was a little too delicate for most childhood games, and too unwilling to just sit still."
Realizing that if he didn't know about her, he probably knew little else, she added simple information for his benefit. "My dad is Loki, referred to as the Trickster in our world. A fire giant, actually, and Mother..." what did one say to a stranger about Angrboda? That she was such a psycho that her dad took her and her brothers away from her before she could harm them? An interesting decision, in light of what eventually came to pass. No, stick to the basics, that was a better plan. "..was a giant, also. I'm unique in my appearance." Again, no point in mentioning her brothers.
"I have methods I can use to appear more...normal when going among the mortals. I fear it didn't occur to me today. My apologies." Not that she felt it necessary, but it seemed polite.