Hades and Persephone

Another Dinner With Aphrodite

Persephone was in the bath when she called Hades and said, "Guess who has the house to herself tonight?"

"I would assume you," Hades replied, "but that does make me curious as to where Demeter is."

"She's staying the night at Aphrodite's," Persephone said as she created small flowers in her palm, then dropped them onto the surface of the water. "As in staying the night staying the night, not just staying the night, if you get what I mean."

There was a small hmm sound from Hades, as if he was listening to someone else for a moment, then he said, "I am aware of Demeter's and Aphrodite's relationship. I believe, a long time ago, Aphrodite once referred to themselves as friends with benefits."

"What?" Persephone sat up straight in the bath. "Really?"

Why she was shocked, she didn't know. That was the precise reason Demeter had stayed behind with Aphrodite and Ares that night.

"But that's not what matters," Persephone said as she sunk back down into her water, miserably spinning her fingers through the water and making her flowers float away. "Aphrodite knows."

"Aphrodite knows what?" Hades asked, and Persephone sighed and told him what had happened over dinner, namely Harmonia accidentally messing up and calling her Persephone instead of Kore, and how Aphrodite had overheard. On the other end of the phone, Hades sighed. "I knew Aphrodite couldn't be trusted."

"No, I think she can," Persephone said as she drew flowers in the bubbles. "She had a chance to tell Mother, but she covered for me instead. Maybe if I can convince her to stay on my side, she can distract Mother a bit..."

Hades hadn't liked the idea of Persephone going to dinner again with Aphrodite, but Persephone figured she had no choice. If she didn't turn up, that would be exceedingly suspicious, and Aphrodite could easily grill Harmonia for answers instead. If Aphrodite was going to know about Persephone's adventures outside Mount Olympus, it had to come from Persephone herself. Only that way would Persephone be able to convince Aphrodite to keep everything a secret.

And, if that failed, Hecate texted Persephone later saying she could always curse Aphrodite, but that was to be a strict last resort. Persephone had gulped. She was sure Hecate was the last person you would want to curse you, being the goddess of witchcraft and all.

Soon, Thursday came around, and Persephone stood before Aphrodite's house. She had left work a little earlier than usual, so she could go home and have enough time to get herself dolled up, only under the promise that she would tell Psyche and Arachne everything over lunch the next day.

"Kore, my dear," Aphrodite said as she opened the front door, and she beamed. "I'm so glad you could make it."

"I'm glad too," Persephone said, and her eyebrows rose at Aphrodite's attire. She wore only a think, silk, dressing gown—emphasis on only.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I was in the middle of a photoshoot," Aphrodite said, and she beckoned Persephone inside.

"A photoshoot?" Persephone asked as the door was closed behind her. Aphrodite smirked, then Persephone added, "Oh, you're a... model, aren't you?"

"A nude and lewd model, the most popular online," Aphrodite mused as she beckoned Persephone to follow. "Not that I need any of the money that I actually earn, and neither does Eros. We give most of it away to other sex workers. Got to support our own domains, yes?"

Persephone nodded. She'd been on the internet long enough to know of Aphrodite's profession, though she'd never supported it herself. Aphrodite was, after all, her mother's best friend. It would be a bit weird.