Hades and Persephone

A Meeting in a Coffee Shop

Hades had lain awake all-night thinking of Persi. Her dark skin, her dark hair, and her brilliantly vibrant eyes. And, of course, he thought of what she had said to him.

A bribe to convince you not to tell Mother you saw me here. Please don't tell her. I'll get in trouble.

He had contemplated calling Demeter, not to tell her he had seen her daughter working in the mortal realm, but an attempt to discover more about Persi disguised as a quick and curious catch up call. But Hades was not the one for quick and curious catch up calls, so he had shot down that idea almost immediately.

He had at least informed Hecate of his encounter, mostly because she had kept bothering him about why he had asked her if she knew anyone by the name of Persi. Hecate had said she did not actually know that much about Demeter's daughter, only that her name was not Persi. She had suggested Hades try asking Hermes about her when he came to work, since he and Demeter were both Olympians, but Hades had shaken his head at the idea. Working with the young god cost Hades enough energy as it was. He did not need a favour from Hermes.

The next day, Hades had wrapped up his paperwork as quickly as possible and sent a quick message to Hecate that he was taking a break and would be back within the hour. It was a Wednesday, and so she was currently on psychopomp duty, therefore by the time she texted back and asked what in the Underworld he was doing, he had already left.

When he arrived at Cassie's Coffee this time, he did not have Cerberus with him. Even Cerberus had to work, after all. There were no guests that day either, just one lonely barista stood at the till. Thankfully, the one that Hades desired to converse with.

"Good morning," Hades said as he approached the till.

"Good... good morning," Persi stammered, her wide eyes tinted with teal.

"It is quiet today," Hades remarked as he looked around the empty shop. "Are you the only one here?"

"Oh, no. Cassandra is just out the back doing some work, and Arachne is on her break," Persi answered, leaning her elbows against the till. "Wednesdays are always quiet, probably because Psyche isn't in, so it's only us three. Did you... want something...?"

"A luxury hot chocolate. I found it was surprisingly tasty yesterday," he replied, and as she started to tap away on the till he added, "And this time I shall pay for the cream. I think you know I can certainly afford the extra."

"Of course..." Persi muttered, taking in his ridiculously expensive attire. She took his money, handed him the change, and told him to wait for his drink at the end of the bar.

"What is the daughter of Demeter doing in a mortal coffee shop?" Hades asked, leaning over the end of the bar so he could watch her make a drink.

"And what is the god of the dead doing in a mortal coffee shop?" she asked in reply. "Also, please keep your voice down. The others don't know."

"Ah, I apologise," he said. "And also, you cannot reply to my question with another question."

"Oh, but I can, and I did," she mused, waiting for the drink to steam. "If the three-headed dog yesterday was anything to go by, you must be Hades."

"And, if Hecate is right, you are Kore," Hades replied. "Goddess of spring?"

Persi shrugged as she poured the drink into a mug. "Kore is what Mother named me, but here I go by Persi. I couldn't exactly go around with my 'god name' so I picked another. It's short for Persephone."

Hades' eyebrows rose. "An interesting choice of name. Depending on the way you write it, it could translate to bringer of death."

Persi blinked. "Well, uh, I meant it more to mean bringer of wisdom... but bringer of death seems to be accurate. You're here, after all."