Lottie walked beside her queen, her friend, happy to take a stroll through the garden. There wasn't a prettier place anywhere in the Underworld than Persephone's garden. And it wasn't because it was the conventional idea of beauty that most of those topside would find pleasing. Philotes loved her home, even the stark and dark corners of it. But it was because of those baren and harsh environments that Seph's garden was beautiful. It shone like a gem in a place setting, framed as it was by what surrounded it. It was even more beautiful than the Elysian Fields, with their uniform same pleasantness. Actually, the Fields sort of creeped Lottie out.
But this garden was a safe and warm haven, always. So when Persephone said she had a request, no matter what it was, Philotes could not imagine that it would cause her any kind of stress or grief. How could such things be allowed in a garden that was this lovely and sweet? So she gave her queen a smile and listened.
As she did so, however, her smile slowly disappeared in tiny little increments until the line of her mouth was flat. She wasn't frowning, nor were her lips pressed together in displeasure. She simply wasn't smiling. It wasn't a look that suited Philotes well, but there was no way she could pretend to be happy about the thing being asked of her.
And it was not only because it was a reminder that Persephone could not live her life as she chose. That had always seemed unduly harsh to Lottie. In both directions. First, Hades had kidnapped her, and while Lottie understood why he did it, really it wasn't the best way to get a wife. But he could be so stubborn, most especially when he was in the wrong. However, Demeter hadn't really done her daughter any favors either. Oh it seemed like a rescue, at the beginning. Though really, basically holding everyone and everything hostage seemed sort of overkill to Lottie, who would have thought that maybe they could have talked it out. Obviously not though, because now, even if Persephone wanted to be in the Underworld, Demeter was making her stick to the agreement. That wasn't right either. And Lottie hated the tug of war that it put her friend through.
This request though...
“You know that I am always there to help them while you are away,” she answered quietly. “And of course your daughter will have my blessings for any friendship she makes. But... that's not what you're asking of me, is it? Forgive me but, why aren't you taking her with you? Maybe if your mother sees her granddaughter, she'll understand why you need to be here, why you need to be with Hades as a family.”