Stairway to... Hell? (for Hades)
Piper would like to say that most things didn't surprise her much these days. After learning about who they really were during high school and how far she'd come since their deaths, it took a lot to throw her off. She truly had intended to text Adonis initially, asking but mostly demanding the use of his penthouse for a weekend, coming out of her meditation. After all, there were only a couple of people that she actually texted regularly and over the years, he'd become one of them. Somehow, the text she meant to send to him ended up with Hades of all people, or more specifically, of all Gods.
Then... it kind of snowballed from there.
Now, he was coming here to the mortal realm so she could take him to her Underworld.
She set the phone down onto the counter and looked up at the ceiling. "Be nice when he comes," she said to the house. "Let him through the wards.. the last thing we need is to do some major work on you. It's not nearly as easy without Jordan here." Truth be told, she was sure if a God or Goddess wanted to go somewhere, they could likely get through any sort of ward they wanted. All the same, she wanted to make sure they were on the same page. "And don't flirt. I'm not sure how a house can flirt but I don't put anything past you."
Piper felt the house mentally scoff and Piper rolled her eyes with a quirk of her mouth. She was glad she was making a habit of spending more time here. Although it had been one of the hardest things she'd had to do, it felt like coming home. It felt like a piece of Jordan and David were still around and for once that was a nice feeling instead of a crushing feeling.
The next day, Hades would find Piper in the living room of the home outside of London, dressed as though she was ready for a fight with a couple of hidden daggers and a couple of potions just in case. She likely didn't need to but old habits were hard to break, especially when she was going there. She was always on her guard.
She'd shot off a text to Adonis the night before to tell him to stay away. He'd laughed himself silly when she mentioned the little misfired text and just told her to be careful.
Then... it kind of snowballed from there.
Now, he was coming here to the mortal realm so she could take him to her Underworld.
She set the phone down onto the counter and looked up at the ceiling. "Be nice when he comes," she said to the house. "Let him through the wards.. the last thing we need is to do some major work on you. It's not nearly as easy without Jordan here." Truth be told, she was sure if a God or Goddess wanted to go somewhere, they could likely get through any sort of ward they wanted. All the same, she wanted to make sure they were on the same page. "And don't flirt. I'm not sure how a house can flirt but I don't put anything past you."
Piper felt the house mentally scoff and Piper rolled her eyes with a quirk of her mouth. She was glad she was making a habit of spending more time here. Although it had been one of the hardest things she'd had to do, it felt like coming home. It felt like a piece of Jordan and David were still around and for once that was a nice feeling instead of a crushing feeling.
The next day, Hades would find Piper in the living room of the home outside of London, dressed as though she was ready for a fight with a couple of hidden daggers and a couple of potions just in case. She likely didn't need to but old habits were hard to break, especially when she was going there. She was always on her guard.
She'd shot off a text to Adonis the night before to tell him to stay away. He'd laughed himself silly when she mentioned the little misfired text and just told her to be careful.
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While he left Olympus for the mortal realm in his grey and blue robes, he had brought a suit with him. He wasn't going into this place in his chiton. But he had to wait to get to Piper's to change.
So he shows up at the door with a briefcase in hand holding his suit and looking mythical and classic as he steps inside. The house feels welcoming, which he notes immediately, stepping into the living room.
Standing several inches over six foot, looking royal and regal as he considers the room and then the woman herself.
"Hecate sends her best," he says, voice booming. He winces. "Sorry." Now his voice sounds normal. "It sets that way automatically in the mortal realm."
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She stood when he entered and took a moment to take him in. He was very attractive but then, did she really expect anything less?
When he spoke and his voice boomed throughout the house, she couldn't help but wince. She was just going to say something about indoor voices when his voice became normal. "Thanks for that," she said with a grin when he voice becomes normal. "What, to truly put the fear of a God in a person? Because if so, I can see it working every single time."
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"It's pretty much for that reason. Besides, if I'm seeing a mortal who summoned me, why wouldn't I come forward as a God?" He says that as he tugs at the robe he wears. "Speaking of, might there be a room where I can change. I'd hate to show my hand before I meet this imposter."
Though he knows his bearing, even his mostly human coloring with it's blueish tinge, might let that be known even in his taiored suit.
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Piper cleared her throat and grinned. "Fair, I think if a mortal was calling you and you didn't come forward as a God, they may be a bit disappointed. I know I absolutely would have," she said with a laugh. "There's a restroom down the hall there on the right."
Truthfully, if her own senses were going off the radar in his presence, she wasn't sure how anyone else that came across them would react. Oh she really couldn't wait to see how others reacted. It really was going into the memory bank.
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Zeus, he's talking about Zeus. He's sure she knows it too.
He nods though at the offer. "I'll be right back then. Thank you for your hospitality."
Not just in a room to change, but he could feel the wards and felt that they let him through as well. He heads for the bathroom, knowing he'll feel more comfortable out of this outfit as well.
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Whatever Hades would need or even think of when he entered the bathroom, would be there, including shades of colors he'd find appealing. Majestic wanted him to be as comfortable as he could be because since Piper has been communicating with him, she's been almost happy. So, it wasn't that she was flirting because a house clearly couldn't flirt. However, the girl out there could use some damn happiness and if Majestic could help in any way, she will do so!
[Sorry Hades.]
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He heads for the bathroom. Pausing as he opens the door because there's a wash of magic. He isn't surprised given Hekate gladly said she was hers, not to mention those she's apparently befriended that they're going to see but he's not expecting it.
He also suspects this bathroom wasn't always shades of blue or had men's cologne on the counter and hair products. He's thankful for whatever magic it is.
It doesn't take him all that long, but when he emerges, he looks like the billionaire ceo of a company. His hair smoothed back, other clothes in his briefcase, and his tie perfectly knotted in an eldredge knot.
"There, that's a bit better."
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When Hades reentered the room and looked like that, Piper had the briefest thought that she was underdressed for the occasion. However, considering the welcome she always received, she felt she was due to be a little cautious.
Piper stood from the couch and took a moment to look him over before making her way toward him. "Hope the bathroom was okay. You look very sharp," she said, though truly she hadn't expected anything less from the God. "If you want to leave your briefcase here, you can. Unless you need it."
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He smiles though at the comment about the bathroom. "Was that your doing with the adjustments then? It's very welcoming," he says, meaning it. It really had been. And appropriate for his position. He liked that as well.
He nods then, moving to set it against the wall before turning to look at her. "It's just my robes. The mortal realm is not meant to see us like this. As it is..." He focuses, changing his skin to a more human shade, though it's pale, almost icy around the edges. "You shouldn't have seen that before."
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"Several years ago... my best friend/cousin Jordan and I found out we were part of some kind of prophecy. We were set to be the biggest force of good this generation has seen and on our twenty-first birthdays, we were to become immortal. After we found out on our eighteenth birthday, we realized we were simply getting stronger." She poured herself something to drink and raised an eyebrow to see if he wanted anything. "We fell in love with two vampires." A small smile formed on her mouth as she thought about those early days. It was becoming easier to talk about without wanting to shut down or cry so at least that was progress.
"We had just graduated college and I had already turned twenty-one. We had moved into this house that the two vampires had bought around a hundred-two hundred years ago. My running thought is we had so much magic that it sort of seeped into the house and it took on a life of its own - the yard flourished and the house is particularly stubborn and protective."
Piper paused knowing she was rambling but she had to get it out before she couldn't. "Before she turned twenty-one and before we could take up the mantle of being The Enchanted, a group of demons, vampires, witches, and others got together to destroy us. They killed her and my boyfriend at the time. Right afterward, her boyfriend and I sought out to kill every single one of them involved. And we eventually did."
She exhaled. "Sorry, I know it's a lot and I told you that there were likely 'Wanted' signs out for my death down there. That would be partially why. Because it was no secret that I was after them. They didn't know Adonis was necessarily involved but they knew I was."
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And he likes it.
He just knows he's not facing this person as the old form and not as the deadly and strong God he is.
Following her into the kitchen, he nods at the offer of the a drink, staying quiet though and listening intently.
He looks around the room, considering this place and what she's telling him about herself, and this place. "I'm sorry for your loss, though it sounds as if you did what you were destined to do. Sometimes prophecies tell a truth, but not the whole one."
He's seen it time and again. In his own life. In the lives of others.
"So who is this group of pretenders to your story?"
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"I never quite thought about it like that," she admitted. "Thank you for that."
She tilted her head. "The group of pretenders down in our faux Underworld? Well, I haven't specifically met this "Source" or "King". I've been passed a message or two over the years. Mostly furious notes that I've taken out someone from his "leadership team". But, most of my information comes from a friend who was my former boyfriend's childe. He's been working from the inside but doesn't have any loyalty to them specifically. He's provided information and has told me where we can find them. As far as I see it, it's these assholes who work to destroy innocents and destroyed my family."
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He takes a drink, thinking about her story and what she's been through.
He listens to the story about these people as well, eyes narrowing slightly. He nods at that, downing the rest of the drink. "Tell me. Is this friend safe from where we're going? If not you might want to make sure they are. I can't promise I'll leave anything in my wake. Though I'm curious. How much have you seen proof of the powerhold they have?"
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She sent him a little smirk. "I already warned him to stay away today and that things may change," she admitted. "Powerhold in what way? In their reach? Or in their organization? In my slightly biased opinion, their organization seems rocky at best. I think given the chance, any of them would attempt to take Him out so they could be top dog. They have power but how much power they have, I can't truly say. So we should be prepared for anything." Which was why she had at least a couple of daggers and a potion she had brewed specifically for this somewhere on her person. "We may have a fight on our hands as we get closer to the Source but, if they can sense a fraction of what I can from you, they may not try anything."
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He nearly smiles at her comment about the power coming from him and he doesn't argue any of it, just that small smile and nearly smiling.
"And if I have no plans to leave anyone in charge? I don't see leaving some group claiming to be gods running about and playing these games. If that's what it is."
Though he suspects that it might well be linked back to the world he knows. Perhaps a lesser demon, or even a minor god. It would be from his world, pretending to be him and run his realm. They'll see soon.
"No one knows what the source is?"
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Piper shrugged a shoulder. "That's your prerogative to not leave anyone in charge. They don't exactly claim to be a god. Just... the most powerful and "big bad" of the demonic underworld. Unless you take them all out, they will find some place to gather and the demon with the most power will become the next "ruler". Truth be told, I'm not sure how much the title is just symbolic." What would life be like if there weren't any demons or vampires out there who would come after people just living their lives? Was such a thing even possible?
Either way, she was curious to see what would happen.
"I asked Adonis once about that and he told me he'd have to kill me if he told me. I'm 98% sure he was teasing but my guess is that it's the demon with the most power with a tad bit extra. They just call him 'the Source' so he feels extra special." She knew Adonis would be rolling his eyes at the explanation.
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Or at least end their organization.
"Can I take them all out? I don't know. Can I ensure they don't organize like this again?" He smiles then, sharp and cool and deadly. "Yeah, I think I can manage that. This Source? Will be ended and I'm going to find out who this demon is."
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Her tone was teasing though. Truthfully, the place deserved whatever Hades was going to do. She'd have no hard feelings. Especially considering everything they had put her through. She and Jordan.
She reached over the island for his hand. "Take my hand and I'll send you the information on how we can get down there."
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He nods, reaching over and taking her hand so that his cool, long fingers curl about hers. "I'm trusting your magic, Witch, only because Hecate said I have to," he tells her, but there's a small, sly smile curving his lips and it's obvious he's taunting her before they breach the den of the monster as he sees it.
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At his touch and his words, Piper grinned. "Well, I appreciate the trust, given willingly or through threats." She closed her eyes and focused on sending him how they would get toward the Underworld that she was familiar with - location and what they may run into when they arrived. Afterward, she opened her eyes and looked up at him. "If you're ready then I'm ready," she said after finishing off her drink.
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Downing his drink, he nods. "Much as I'm loathe to leave a kind home," he says, wanting the house to know how much he appreciates the car. "I would rather get this over with. Then we can talk after that."
He does believe they might need to after this night is done.
And if we don't feel like going through all of it, we can handwave until after! :D
She smiled at his kind words to Majestic and felt the warmth from the house in response. "She appreciates your kind words," she said with a grin. "Considering neither of us have been back in a decade until recent months, she's glad for the company."
Considering how this all began, she had to agree, they should talk after everything is said and done. Piper walked around the kitchen island and took his head. "Then let's get this done."
Let me know if this works.
He wonders if the house is utterly sentient, or part of her. Either way, it's still appreciated.
He hadn't been sure what they would be walking into, that they would face. Yet there it is, a court being held by someone claiming to rule the Underworld. Had he cleared killing of a human? No, but he knew the loopholes well enough to get away with this.
As long as he doesn't go on a rampage and kill them all.
And he managed not to. Though when he sent their leader to the true underworld without even moving from the spot where he stood, they had scattered so that made not killing them all easier.
He gathered information from them, got what he needed and let her take them home. Well, back to her generous home.
"Could we perhaps have another drink?"
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Watching this faux-Source/faux-King be sent to Hades' true underworld was... cathartic and yet... it was also anti-climatic. Deep down, of course, Piper knew nothing could truly make up for what was done to her and her family. There was a ton to unpack and to sort out but, it was a good start. Everyone who'd been involved with their deaths was gone and the 'top dog' was now gone.
When they returned home and he asked for another drink, she nodded. "Yes, more than another drink," she said and grabbed the bottle of scotch and the two glasses. "Let's go into the living room, yeah?" she asked with a little smile before leading the way.
While there were things that now she'd truly have to deal with, Piper couldn't help but wonder if this meant that she'd no longer be able to talk to him. He was a God after all and very busy. She was sure there was some kind of rule about it somewhere (probably on the long list of 'unsuitable' partners her family had drafted up once).
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He suspects even, in many ways, for the sake of the woman before him.
Nodding and following her to go to the living room. He takes a moment, brushing his hand along the wall, thanking the house tenderly for it's kindness.
"You didn't have to lead me today. You didn't have to take that chance. I'm glad you tried," he says softly. "Know that you have my protection, and you have the protection of Hecate as well. Whoever else they left behind, you don't have to worry about them. I will seek them out though, and I will give you a way of seeing through them if they come for you. A bit of magic that should work well to protect you."
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Piper smiled, feeling the response from the house and keeping her thoughts to herself. It was nice that he was aware of it and thankful for Majestic. It wasn't your normal house and for not the first time, she was glad for that. She poured them both a drink and passed his glass over to him.
"I know I didn't but I'm glad I was there. Though I have to admit, it feels a little anti-climatic," she said picking up her drink and taking a sip from it. "But, that's also not a complete surprise, I guess." She watched him and gave him a nod. "Thank you, Hades. I appreciate that and thank you both." Piper allowed herself a little grin. "Can't say I'm disappointed that my text was sent to you by mistake."
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Even if his mood doesn't entirely read delightful today.
He laughs at that, giving her a look. "It might not have been that way if not for an actual God on your side,' he points out. "I mean, if you had wanted it easier and more dangerous I could have let them fight back more," he says, mostly teasing but then he likes offering her a reason to smile, he realizes.
"Thank you. You led me here and I'm thankful for it. Both to meet you and the house, as well as to end his reign."
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She nodded. "Of course. As Majestic has hinted out, you're welcome here if you ever want to come back to the mortal realm." Piper hoped that she'd see him again but she could only imagine the life of a God kept him busy. Her mouth quirked up. "So is Hecate, for that matter."
After taking another healthy swallow and refilling her glass, Piper spoke again. "Leave a few of the low-level demons for me, if you go after the lot of them. I need something to amuse me during this very long life," she couldn't help but tease him.
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It hadn't taken that much to cover up all the deaths that Persephone had caused, after all.
He laughs at that. "Oh, you shouldn't make that offer. She'll take you up on that. She adores the mortal realm. She'll likely end up bringing others with her." Artemis. Hermes. Persephone. He can only imagine.
Nodding at that, smiling at her and proud of those words. "Of course, I'll even send them your way. Also..." He dips his hand into his jacket, pulling out his business card to hand to her. "In case you ever need me."
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Piper grinned and glanced around the house. "Well, we're not hurting for space in this house. A number of our... my ancestors are still kicking and they all piled into the house. It was kind of a nightmare but it was also fun to have people around. London is close by so there are plenty of options for shopping and restaurants... history if that's your bag."
"Perfect. I don't want to get too bored, you know," she said with a laugh before taking the business card from him and read it over. "You shouldn't tell me that," she teased him. "You may get me asking you if I can raid your liquor cabinet." Which was exactly how this whole thing started in the first place.
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He does that tiny little half grin again. "Well, when Eros is going through your clothes and doing you an entire makeover, don't say I didn't warn you." Because it will happen. He knows it will.
But if she's that open, she's likely going to end up with visitors. Not just himself.
He glances downward, considering. "Is that needing my cabinet or wanting a tour?"
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She laughed and nodded. "Well, my wardrobe hasn't been changed in nearly a decade so it probably needs an overhaul," she said, her tone teasing though. "If it does happen, then you can tell me 'I told you so'."
Piper wasn't ready to say it out loud but she'd missed having company. She missed Jordan's friendship and the strong friendships between the four of them. So while she really should be a bit particular about those she invited into this house, she also couldn't help that it'd be nice to talk to others instead of just Adonis. Which was, ultimately, just a bit pathetic, she realized.
"Maybe both? But, I clearly am not ready to die just yet," she said with a smile then walked over to him.
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"No, I don't think he will. Unless someone else decides to out my actions today, not you but should someone else have the ear of one of the gods, then there's no reason that I think he would end up hearing about it."
He opens his mouth and then closes it. "Maybe I should let him come visit you. I might direct him here myself," he admits, not smiling but there's a light in his eyes. "I mean, a decade? Really?" He tsks, shaking his head.
"Let me see what I can arrange of some of the lands. Perhaps not the Underworld but there's places with the gods you might be able to visit. You most certainly will have visits from others."
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Piper laughed. "I've had other things on my mind for the last decade. My clothing was near the bottom of that list, so long as it allowed me to blend into situations as needed then that's all I needed. So, my closet could use it." Once upon a time, she'd have been proud of her closet but nowadays, and being back at Majestic, it was likely time for an overhaul.
"I'd like that if you're able to," she said with a smile as she stepped in front of him. Piper paused as she considered the thought of other gods visiting and laughed. "You know, I sent a case of chocolate wine to Hera the other day. Not sure how I suddenly got contact numbers for one let alone two of you."
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Which is both the bane of his existence and something that he's thankful for.
"So what I'm getting is guilt for shaming you for that? Really? I'm fairly certain a decade is a long time for mortals," he points out. "Even I know that much."
A brow arches at that and, for a moment, there is a hint of a purplish sheen to his cheeks as he blushes at that. "Hera and I... we've been close for many years. Before she and Zeus even became the pair they are today. I'm not surprised she took interest in someone I've taken interest in. You needn't worry about her saying anything to my brother though. Not if you're a friend of mine."
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She snorted and allowed herself a smile. "A decade is definitely a long time for mortals and yet I'm sure, in time, I will find out that it's no time at all. I'm looking forward to freshening up my closet."
Piper tilted her head and raised an eyebrow. She wasn't surprised to hear that but it was interesting. She nodded. "That is good to know," she said after a moment then grinned. "I don't believe she meant to send the message to me but it was still interesting."
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"I'll send you help. It will definitely make it easier... and a bit of a moment you'll come to hate me," he teases. If he sends Eros, she most certainly will.
He's made an admission to her, one that not many outside of Olympus knows, but if Hera is paying attention to her, that is certainly why. A brow arches then. "Oh? There was a message?"
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Piper tilted her head and considered it. "Hm, I doubt it, it can take quite a bit for me to hate a person."
"Well, I don't believe it was supposed to be toward me but she mentioned something about chocolate wine so I went ahead and sent her some. It was how my misfired text to Adonis was sent to you instead." Whether Hera had done so intentionally, she wasn't sure but perhaps she did? "At the end of it, she did mentioned that I was bookmarked for another goddess though."
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"Remember you said that," he says with a laugh and a wink. He can't help himself but he needs her to know that, and he knows he is being wicked. It's fun. She makes it fun.
He laughs at that, shaking his head. "Oh you're going to cause me and them trouble," he admits with more amusement than maybe he's shown in a while. "You're courting Hera and yet I'm assuming my darling Hecate has marked you for herself."
It never occurs to him that his Bunny might have realized his blossoming emotions and she truly means him and not a goddess.
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She grinned as he teased her and give her that wink. It was fun seeing him be playful like this and something else that she wasn't quite sure she was ready to name.
"Only in the best possible way, I hope," she agreed with an amused smirk. "Well, just between us and no offense to Hera in the least, I have always considered myself a child of Hecate. Being a witch and all."
It never occurs to her that it could be this man standing in front of her. After a moment, Piper cleared her throat and smiled. "I know you're a busy God and all so I shouldn't keep you here in the mortal realm more than I already have." She reached out and gave him a very quick hug. She wasn't typically a hugger (especially these days) but after today, she'd felt a little bit of closure.