Who: Hades & Dionysus What: Ambush at the house Where: Old House (Hades' place) When: Backdated. April 13, late afternoon/early evening Warnings: none really. Hades is a bit nuts is not a real warning.
Dionysus gave one last nervous glance at the car as he made his way down the block to Hades' home. Yes, it was the best for Apollo to wait in the car. No need to piss Hades off more than he already had.
The bottles he'd brought clinked a soothing tune, calming his agitation a bit. What could he say to smooth things over with his friend? How could he inspire the Underworld King to help his suffering wife?
He rang the doorbell.
"Tessie! Door!" Hades shouted and then paused. Wait, Hestia was taking a walk with the twins and Zale. Getting them some fresh air or something. It made the Dark One sigh and pull himself up from laying flat on his face on the couch. Guests... People... Always bothering him when he wanted to be alone. They were never there when he was desperate for them. With another sigh, he brushed back his hair with his fingers and then opened the door, only to try to close it as quickly as he could at the sight.
Dionysus shoved his foot in the door frame. He instantly regretted it.
"[Ow motherfucker!]" He growled, pressing back against the door to get the pressure off of his poor, potentially broken toes. "[I came over to apologize! Least you can do is hear me out and not do me bodily harm!]"
Apologize? Something not his fault? Hades was instantly dubious, but maybe it was the drugs in his system or maybe it was the sheer novelty of those words, but he opened the door again. "[Fine. But this better not be one of those 'I'm apologizing to you by telling you you're wrong' deals. I hate those.]"
Hobble hobble. D entered the house, clapping Hades on the shoulder. "[Nope. This is an 'I was wrong, can we talk?' talk....I hope you don't slam the door like that on the paperboy.]"
"[People still read print papers?]" From his nearly monotone voice, it was hard to tell if Hades was making a joke or actually asking it, but he closed the door and tried not to flinch when D clapped his shoulder. It failed, but it was better than his normal, unrestrained flinchiness. Almost carelessly, he returned to the nearby couch and plopped down, "[Okay. You were wrong. Talk.]"
"[I didn't consider your feelings...I know you love her so much, and I just rubbed the situation in your face. I wasn't thinking. I'm so sorry.]" Dionysus kept his voice even, apologetic without squirming. "[And if you need any help, I'm here to offer it. My help or the help of my constituents.]"
Hades prized himself on this self-control. For years, centuries at a time even, he had repressed and restrained less than appropriate instincts. He retained some of that now and that was the only reason he did not groan and sigh at the declaration. No one understood and this family could never leave well enough alone. Ever. Somewhere that was on their family crest as the motto. "[There is no help. I appreciate your sentiment though.]"
Dionysus nodded. Well, if Hades saw it as some insurmountable task, then he didn't have to come along on the rescue. "[Okay. I'll count you out then. Now, how are your kids. I don't hear baby sounds so I assume you're not chaperoning. I brought wine~]"
"[I have one here. She didn't get to go on the little outing.]" Hades narrowed his eyes at Dionysus with complete and unhidden suspicion. He understood that his ability to judge was being hampered by the drugs but he knew enough and would always know enough that that had been too easy. Dionysus deferred too quickly. And he didn't care for it, but... "[You always have wine. That's your thing.]"
"[It's why I have so many friends,]" D commented, glancing around. "[Delaney is it? Where is that munchkin?]"
"[Taking a nap...]" Hades' suspicion continued, "[What's the catch?]"
"[What's what catch?]" Dionysus asked, pulling one of the bottles out of the bag. He shot Hades a confused look.
"[Being so passively understanding and casually 'counting me out'. A phrase that I am also suspicious of,]" Hades replied easily enough as he watched one of the bottles come out of the bag. He tried to watch his nephew very carefully. "[No one in this family is passively understanding, especially you.]"
"[I had a wife I loved very much once too,]" Dionysus shrugged, opening the bottle with casual ease. "[And when she died it was painful, and I had to do a lot to get her out of the Underworld as you may well recall...but it's not an undertaking that you can expect everyone to make. So we'll go get her for you.]"
If Hades could remember how to laugh, he would have. But instead he simply shook his head, "[I would ask how you expect to get there when all the rules have changed but...]" Shifting on the couch, he laid down on his side, giving up feigning pretending to be fine. Whatever. They were having this conversation after all. "[How do you even know and why do you even care?]"
"[Eh, we'll figure that one out,]" D shrugged, taking a swig from the bottle before offering the bottle to Hades. "[We know because we saw it--]" in a vision, of course "[--and we care because she's our sister. She doesn't deserve to be tortured.]"
Yes, she does... Don't think tha... Damnit, already thought. Hades shook his head again, this time to dislodge the terrible thoughts that he knew were beginning. Persephone did deserve to be tortured but the way she was... that was too much. He lowered his eyes to the floor. "[It's too dangerous for you and whatever cadre you think you can gather to go. You're just throwing more corpses on the pyre.]"
"[So you're afraid to go...good to know,]" D shrugged, clearly unafraid. "[I was going to see if I could russle up some others. I'm sure Herakles would enjoy the challenge.]"
Hades growled softly, sitting up again, "[You'll be the death of him. How many are you going to drag to that pit? Forget her. She chose her fate.]"
"[What'd she do that changed your mind about her?]" D asked, raising an eyebrow.
Once again, Hades shook his head, "[No, she literally chose it.]" Summoning the Devil after being freed of him could be taken no other way... Even Persephone must have known it on some level. Why else did he get that letter?
"[Not following...]" Dionysus stated, taking a deep swig of wine before plopping down Indian-style on the floor.
"[She called Satan to her.]" Hades frowned and laid back down on his side, his previous anger abated, replaced with crushing despair. He doubted she chose her seating arrangement but she might as well have.
"[Do you know why?]" Instead of being thrown off the scent of Persephone, Dionysus was all the more curious at the thought of a challenge.
Even half-high, Hades could see the thoughts in Dionysus' mind or at least could guess them. It made him sigh hard. How many of Zeus' children were complete suicidal idiots? "[Yes. I do. Listen, Nephew, don't you think I would be down there, claiming her if there were some point to do so at all? I threw the whole world into a season of death to claim her. Why does everything think they know better than I do about my former wife and my former domain?]"
"[If I thought I knew better, I wouldn't be here at all,]" Dionysus stated simply. "[But you have become increasingly emotional with old age. Increasingly comfortable too. Which is fair. We Greeks may not have fought wars in many millenia, but really? It's like riding a bicycle. You never forget how to do it.]"
"[We were booted out at our highest and their upswing. Busting on in there with 'brute',]" Hades may not have put the quotes around it with his hands, but he implied them heavily with tones, "[force isn't going to work now. Especially now.]" All the various battles of the last year flashed before his dark eyes and if he wasn't all out of sighs and head shakes he would have done both again. "[And I thought you were here to apologize. It seems this was one of those 'I'm sorry you're so wrong' things after all. And you didn't come here to get advice or anything. You came here hoping I would say what you want to hear and when I haven't, you ignore it. Claim I have become more emotional or more comfortable.]"
"[I didn't come here to say any of that, but you asked,]" D pointed out. "[I just told you what I planned on doing. You assumed I had some catch, and I explained that I don't expect anything of you for said reasons, and maybe you take objection to them, but...you asked.]" He shrugged, taking a sip of his wine once more. "[My thought is that a man who doesn't want to face the opinions of others shouldn't ask questions that provoke them.]"
"[I never said I didn't want to face opinions of others...]" What was left unsaid was Hades was positive everyone's else opinion was wrong or dangerously wrong.
"[You've made up your mind. I understand it and respect it, but I'd made up mine too, the moment I saw my sister and the state she was in,]" D glanced at Hades briefly. "[I am a creature of instinct. So if you think you'll talk me out of things you're wrong....but you can let me be your friend and talk about more pleasant subjects. There's wine for you, too.]"
"[There are no pleasant subjects. Not after that declaration.]" Hades pulled himself up to sitting once more and could only close his eyes in half defeat. On the one hand, he didn't think D would able to journey into the Underworld without some form of demonic incantation... which he would hope D would know was a terrible idea. However, on the other, Dioynsis hadn't heard a word so if he did... How many are going to join you, Persephone? I wish you could tell them to knock it off. I wish so many things... "[There is no talking people out of anything in this family. The stupider and more fool-hardy something is, the more you people want to do. All confused with bravery or some other nonsense.]"
"[I'm not saying we're gonna go tomorrow or anything, just...]" He shrugged, shaking his head. "[I'd like to save her someday, y'know? I'm sure you know...]" He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck, affecting a wounded puppy persona. "[Forget I said anything.]"
"[I can't forget. Not when those I actually care about keeping wanting to march to the abyss...]" Hades tore his eyes from his nephew, his voice dropping into a whisper.
Dionysus frowned, moving up to sit on the side of the couch. He placed a hand atop Hades' head. "[I'm sure she had her reasons. I'm sorry.]"
Hades shook his head on instinct. Not only was it a sudden, unexpected touch but... He really only wanted attractive women petting, patting, fussing with his hair or even just resting their hands atop his head. Dionysus wasn't even dressed up like an attractive woman at the moment.
"[Too gay?]" D asked, laughing aloud before forcing the half full bottle of wine into Hades' hand. "[There. Drink something. It's my more manly gesture of saying I care.]"
"[A little bit. And I'm Greek...]" Hades looked down at the bottle, his brain catching up with what he was supposed to actually do with it and understanding D's words. "[I shouldn't...]" Why? 'Cause of the drugs? Because abusing them is fine but mixing them with booze is a problem? "[I know you care... in your own way.]"
"[You're not drinking? That's unexpected. I thought you'd be like a fish with the...well, the way you seem,]" D noted, opening up another bottle for himself.
Hades toyed with the bottle, "[The way I seem?]"
"[Upset? Tired...and yet strangely laid back about it all, like you're trying to take things in stride no matter how much they piss you off.]" D remarked, eyeing Hades up and down. "[Most men like that are at the bottom of a barrel.]"
"[My nature is to be bottom of a barrel.]" Domain wise, personality wise... whichever. Hades shrugged a little bit. He knew why he was laid back. Four little pills every two to six hours, depending on circumstances. This was going to be one of those two hour durations... He was already hearing his thoughts again after all. "[I would be less tired and upset if people stopped.]"
"[Stopped?]" D asked, looking his uncle right in the eye. "[Stopped what?]"
"[Just stopped.]" Hades stared right back at him once he noticed his gaze had been caught.
Dionysus nodded. And then he just sat. This had the potential to become boring in a hurry, but he would at least humor his uncle.
Hades almost managed to try to smirk. Almost as he watched Dionysus. "[Not what I meant.]"
D did smile, shrugging his shoulders. "[It was worth a shot.]"
"[I suppose so.]" You know, if you drink some of this, it will make the effects of the oxy last longer. Just don't be stupid about it... Hades eyed the bottle as if it would tell him something suddenly, "[This isn't magicked up, is it?]"
"[Nope. Purchased.]" D answered, taking a swig from his own bottle. "[I could magic up a bit if you'd like.]"
"[No. That's fine. Probably the last thing I need.]" Hades then took a swig of his own bottle, a good long one. "[... I just wish people would, not literally stop... but you know.]"
"[Stop....existing?]" D wasn't sure he was getting it.
Well, maybe Persephone. That would probably be kind to both of u... That's more horrible than usual. Sorry. I'm sorry. I can't help it. Hades took another long swig, maybe it would drown the thoughts that were bubbling to the surface of his mind. "[No. You want to throw your life away... Hestia wants to fix me, or her or whatever she is trying to do... Others doing other things... ]"
"[You're angry...because peoples actions are out of your control?]" Dionysus asked, quirking his head to the side. "[Persephone did a foolish thing, but even with the repercussions she can be saved. Even if I go down to Hell and manage to get into a mess I'd like to think someone else would come for her. And Hestia...well even if she mucks things up trying to fix them you guys' relationship isn't beyond repair right?]"
"[Not exactly...]" It was certainly close though. Hades rose to his feet, bottle in hand. Being still made him feel suddenly penned. He had to get up. He had to move. "[We make you feel helpless though?]" D asked, watching Hades move. Perhaps the elder god was feeling the impulse to work through the problem. "[You're not powerless.]"
"[I'll write that on your tombstone when we have the memorial service for you.]" Hades paced more, taking another swig from the bottle before putting it atop the mantle of the fireplace.
D gave Hades a horrified look. "[A memorial service! Ugh no. You guys had better throw me a house party if I'm dead.]"
Hades shrugged, "[Memorial service, house party, same thing for dead you really.]"
"[Those things are more for the living, really,]" D quipped back.
"[No one will enjoy either.]" Hades gripped the mantle with both hands as he stared down at the floor, "[They will get drunk though.]"
"[Fair enough...]" D muttered, watching Hades. "[There can be a good resolution to all of this, y'know...]"
"[Dionysus, in the last year or so I have had every single one of my dreams come true. All of them. I don't believe in good resolutions anymore...]" Hades turned to glance at D with a slight shrug, "[I even moved to Miami to be closer to you, in hopes I could be closer to my family. Couple of minutes ago I had the thought of smashing your skull in with a fireplace poker... though it was for your own good. It always ends poorly.]"
D had to chortle at that. "[I would've appreciated the change of pace....but seriously. You're a very planned person. You have images in your head of how things should be. I'm not like that. So help me understand. What is your heart telling you, right now? What do you want right now.]"
"[Right right now or right now in terms of our previous conversation?]" Hades just wanted to be sure... He wasn't sure if he was confused due to the booze and the drugs or just out of not knowing the exact answer he was expected to give.
"[Right right now,]" D laughed, smiling at Hades' miraculous ability to over think things. "[Anything you're feeling off the top of your head.]"
Oh, that was easy. "[I want to be able to stop thinking.]"
"[That doesn't count,]" D quipped. "[What's making you want to stop thinking?]"
Hmph, he didn't like my answer, Persephone. Even if it was the answer to his question exactly. Hades grabbed the wine bottle again and returned to the couch, frowning a little. D was changing the rules... and making him think about why he wanted to stop thinking. "[That sounds counterproductive to respond to.]"
"[I think all of this...the wine, the booze, the...]" He leaned in and sniffed at Hades. "[Drugs. I think it's because you wanted to avoid thinking about something. Think the thing already. Rip the band-aid off. You're covered in crappy band-aid glue.]"
Hades shoved D hard in a flash of sudden viscous instinct, "[Stop sniffing me.]"
Dionysus growled a little, but he did back off. "[Sorry. Natural curiosity.]"
"[You don't come into someone's house and sniff them.]" Hades put down the bottle of wine and crossed his arms right over his chest.
"[Sure I do. I'm the great god Dionysus,]" D said with a smirk, crossing his arms.
"[Not in my house.]" Hades wasn't in the mood to play. Even as chaotic as his mood currently was, he wasn't in a good enough one to humor D on his whims.
"[Sorry, mate,]" D replied, backing off a bit. Wounded nephew look was back in full force.
It didn't work nearly as well this time, but it did still soften Hades' posture, his arms at least fell from his chest as a soft sigh escaped him. "[I know you don't mean to keep pushing me. I know that if this was like a year ago, I would be amused probably... maybe not about the sniffing.]"
"[I sniff everyone,]" Dionysus shrugged, glancing at Hades. "[I'm sorry to push you. Maybe it's just an instinct to take an action no matter what.]"
"[Sometimes not taking an action is an action.]" Hades shrugged a little bit, but then focused his eyes completely on D again.
"[I want you happy, but I want her happy too,]" D replied, shaking his head.
The Dark One hadn't laughed in a long time, but internally in his head, he couldn't help but chuckle. He thinks we can be happy ever again. No wonder he's the god of booze and drugs. He would need to be with that optimism. "[It's not something you can just do. You can't wake up one day, snap your fingers and everything is okay.]"
"[Not trying to do that. I thought I made that clear,]" Dionysus said, shaking his head. "[It's going to be a process.]"
"[You are very bad at interventions then.]" Hades paused and considered that for a second, "[Though that is to be expected.]"
D nodded. "[Yeah you're finally getting who I am.]" He glanced up at Hades. "[Just...give it some thought. We're gonna be planning this for awhile. We could use your help getting down there.]"
"[I'm your only safe way down there...]" Hades closed his eyes. This was madness. Why was the drugged up god the only one who could see that fact?
"[So. I. Guess we'll have to work on it for a long long time,]" D replied, standing up and stretching. "[Well Apollo is probably getting ancy in the car. I should go...]"
Hades' eyes instantly snapped open at those words, "[Apollo is in the car?]"
"[Down the block, chill out,]" D replied, gathering up his bottle.
"[Not angry.]" Hades rose to his feet and moved the curtains just a little to try to see the car, "[Curiously surprised.]"
"[She's our sister,]" D shrugged, heading for the door.
"[Yeah, yeah...]" You all cared about her so much before just now. I know she told me about all your get-togethers and outings... Oh wait. Those never happened. Hades fixed the curtain in restrained disgust as he rubbed the back of his head. Rationally, it probably did little to comfort Persephone in her plight, but irrationally... It made him feel better in the offer.
"[Bye man,]" D replied, waving at Hades as he headed out the front door.
Hades waved awkwardly as he watched Dionysus leave. He even peeked out the curtains again to watch him walk down the block. His nephew was a mad man... a foolish mad man. Still.... Taking up the bottle, he finished the rest of it and then crept up the stairs to check on his little girl. She still quietly slept in her crib, curled to her side. So little but looking so much like her mother. Gods, why can't I figure something out... Why can't I do anything for anyone?... Thanks, Nephew, you really harshened my buzz. But I can't just keep standing still...
Summary: Hades was taking in a quiet moment while the rest of his house were taking a walk, but then Dionysus showed up wanting to talk about Persephone.