Ch.6: "Bob Oracle's Inferno" / The Underworld

[Legendary Sidekick]

"Something to that effect," Hades replies. "I believe Athena will be interested in what I have in mind."

When asked about aspects he says, "Are we talking about the weather? The sun shines here for the first time. Aside from that, nothing is new to me other than newly arrived souls. What you learn of this place depends on which of the Departed you speak to."

 

[tbgg]

Kell asks, "Will the sun last only until Apollo finds a body and does whatever an Immortal does to commandeer it? I assume only another Immortal would know the answer to that?"


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[Ireth]

Sigrlinn looks at Kell and says, "From what I understand, it's not so much that he'd commandeer someone else's body as that he'd just make a new one for himself. Though I don't know how that would work."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Hades replies, "Unless you object, I intend to invite Apollo to our discussion. When you hear what he has to say, you will have your answer."

 

[tbgg]

Kell tells Hades, "As long as you can assure us that Apollo will not try to murder us again - or perhaps more realistically, that you can and will take steps to stop him if he tries, I have no objection to his taking part in our discussion." She studies him intently for his response to this.

She also sneaks a glance at Sigrlinn to get her take. She was the one Apollo seemed to be most interested in harming, after all.


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[Ireth]

Sigrlinn takes a deep breath. "I agree with Kell. Though, you did say he was humbled by what I did, so I think the chances of him attacking us are a lot lower than they otherwise might be."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Hades says, "I expect he will not attempt to harm you. I doubt he is interested in fighting at all, in fact."

 

[Ireth]

Sigrlinn nods. "That seems fine, then."

 

[tbgg]

Kell nods. "I agree."

Then, turning around and gesturing to where Bob is speaking to the two Amazons and two soldiers, she tells Hades, "Well, if you are certain those 4 have useful information to impart, I suppose I'd better go try to learn what it is."

Walking over to where the 5 are gathered, she gives her best open smile and says, "Hi. I'm Kell, and I hope you don't mind me joining your conversation. It's nice to meet you. Has Bob here been doing his reporter thing and picking your brains?"


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[Legendary Sidekick]

One amazon replies, "Oh, yes. Yes, he has! We were hoping for a little advice but..."

Bob says, "Sorry, Enyo. As I said, I'm a journalist. Kell's a nymph though. She might be able to help. Same with Sigrlinn. She used to be Leto. New name, new life... those are sort of the same thing, metaphorically speaking."

The man closer to Enyo asks, "Doesn't making something a metaphor make it the same, when it's actually not?"

"You got me there, Puh...tol-e-my...?"

"Ptolemy."

"Right. Can I call you Paul?"

"No."

"Right." Bob introduces all of you. "Kell, Sigrlinn, this is Enyo and... Ptolemy, a.k.a. Paul, and these two who are joined at the wrist are Alala and Sabaoth."

Alala the amazon is about 6'6", Sabaoath is probably 4'11" at most. He is stocky, broad-shouldered and bearded. His dwarfish build suggest he's as strong as Alala. The tall amazon and dwarfish soldier are holding hands.

Enyo and Ptolemy are both about 6'0" and have athletic builds. They're standing side by side, so closely their bodies touch.

 

[tbgg]

Kell tilts her head inquisitively toward Enyo. "Oh? What advice were you looking for?"



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[Legendary Sidekick]

"Well…" Enyo blushes and looks at Alala before going on. "Ptolemy and I kinda died without having really ever… dated. Same with Alala."

"And meself," Saboath admits. "Always preparing for one battle, then there'd be another, and it got to the point I figured I'd never settle."

Alala says, "In my final moments, I prayed to the only goddesses I could think of who would care about a dying amazon's regrets. Athena, goddess of wisdom and the Olympian queen Hera. I'd spent my years training, fighting, becoming stronger in a camp where letting a man in meant death. I hardly knew my father, and now I can never be a mother, but… after talking to Sabby, I realized my prayer was answered. Athena graced me with the wisdom to see the people in the army I fought were just following orders, same as me. And Hera, she's not just a queen. She's the goddess of marriage."

Enyo says, "So… you're a nymph. You probably know everything about love and you probably talk to Olympians at parties or something like that."

Bob interrupts, "I did kinda mention you were at Heph's house chilling with Aphrodite and Artemis."

Ptolemy whispers, "We figured out you're just visiting. It's fine. We won't spread that around."

Enyo goes on, "So… we really want to know if you think Hera would consider a marriage in the Underworld, like… real. I mean, none of us had soulmates and now we found each other. Is it too late? We just wanna do things right."

Saboath says, "We screwed up life. Don't wanna screw up the afterlife too."

 

[Ireth]

Sigrlinn tilts her head. "I don't see anything wrong with it. You're past the point of 'until death do you part', so even if you were married in life, you'd be free to do as you wish down here." She looks at Kell. "Am I off the mark, do you think?"

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Alala says, "Oh shit, that's right. The vow wouldn't even make sense. What's supposed to do us part now?"

Saboath says, "Nothing. Maybe marrying after I died was a good idea. Ha!" He looks rather proud of himself.

Ptolemy shrugs. "I hope you're right."

Enyo says, "We don't have to hope. We've got a nymph here who is both a love expert and dines with goddesses."

The couples look at Kell expectantly.

 

[tbgg]

Kell asks, "Have you spoken with Hades about whether there is any precedent for this kind of thing? We only just arrived ourselves, so we're not familiar with how things are done here, but people have been dying for a long time, and if you're able to fall in love, I'd imagine others have as well. If there is no precedent, while I myself don't see a problem with it, the fact is, we aren't emissaries of Hera nor do we have the authority to speak on her behalf. Someone would need to take your case before Hera and ask her to make a ruling. It so happens that we need to pay a visit to the goddess of marriage anyway, and we could bring this up to her. Our current business with her is rather delicate, and this would actually make for a good "official" reason for our call. We could then move into our more delicate business once the discussion on this matter was completed. Once Hera has made her decision, I'm sure it would be possible to have word of it sent back to Hades."

"I can speak to Hades about precedent for marriage in the afterlife if you'd like, or if you'd prefer, you can do it yourself. Unless you already have and he's told you there is none?" She gazes at the four, waiting for a response.


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[Legendary Sidekick]

Enyo says uneasily, "I'm… not sure how to ask Hades stuff like this."

Alala's expression is considerably more optimistic than Enyo's. Her eyes lit up at the mention of Hera's name.

Alala says, "You would really speak to Hera… about us? Oh, wow. I don't even know if she'd know me—Alala of Themiscrya—but I've always been faithful to both her and Athena. Since Hera's queen, I always prayed to her first, or when it came to matters of my own queen. Truth be told, I was wondering if the gods existed at all. Oh—maybe don't tell her that. Just… I've seen so much suffering and senseless violence, I was beginning to wonder…" She puts her arm around Saboath, giving the dwarfish man the most loving and affectionate headlock you've ever seen. "…maybe just tell her thanks for answering my prayers?"

Ptolemy says, "I happen to think your plan to speak to Hera about our concern might soften her up for the more delicate matter. Being a tactician myself, I think your plan is quite clever."

Saboath grumbles, "Bear in mind this is the same tactician that led us into getting our asses kicked by a bunch of girls."

There is a moment of awkward silence. Then the soldiers and amazons burst into laughter.

Bob retains his awkward expression, but whispers to Sigrlinn, "It's apparent they've put aside their differences, but yeesh. I'll never understand these warrior types. No offense if you count yourself among them."

 

[tbgg]

Kell smiles at Enyo, "I will speak to Hades then. Don't you worry."

Her smile broadens at Alala. "Despite being associated with Aphrodite, I actually feel a strong draw to both Athena and Hera myself, though I have never worshipped either formally. And our delicate business? We are hoping to enlist Hera's aid in ending at least some of the suffering and senseless violence you have seen. Personally, I believe Hera is the lynchpin to accomplishing that. So if you would beseech Athena to make us wise in our approach to Hera, I'd be grateful."

She laughs with everyone else at Saboath's comment. "Ah, but even the best-laid plan can encounter horrendous luck."

"I'll be back shortly with Hades' answer."

Walking back to Hades, she asks, "Do you have a moment for a question?"


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[Legendary Sidekick]

Hades turns to Kell. "Of course."​

 

[tbgg]

Kell tells Hades, "It seems that two of the Amazons and two of the soldiers wish to marry, and they wish to have their unions sanctioned by Hera. Since people have been dying for a long time, I assume that falling in love down here is nothing new, and I wanted to find out if there is any precedent for marrying in the Underworld, aside from you and Persephone, of course."

She smiles and waits patiently for Hades to answer.


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[Legendary Sidekick]

Hades replies, "Normally, those who are already married spend eternity as soulmates. This is the happily-ever-after you read about so much. For happy marriages, that is. There are some couples who avoid each other. Persephone and I seem to be doing well with her minding her mother's gardens in the spring and summer. We've been staggering her earthly visits as of late, so she comes to me after the harvest moon, then when the trees begin to blossom…"

Realizing he's going on too much about his own wife, Hades redirects himself. "There are some who discover love here. Usually, they seek a priest to bless their marriage. But it seems these couples would ask Hera's blessing? I saw the way they interacted; the tall one is devoted to both Hera and Athena. I thought you might find that interesting. By any chance, were you thinking of bringing this to Hera's attention? I will confess that I anticipated you would."