Her brow furrowed. There was a melancholy to his honesty. She didn’t have the capacity to understand it. He did not seem to regret his place, but his acceptance sounded so remarkably lonely it made her heart hurt. She watched the fragmented stars web across the rose’s petals, a delicate and exotic dance of winter on spring’s blushing head, and thought it was the worst sort of existence to have their worlds set apart. Her season always chased his; rebirth impossible without death. The boundaries of their collision were paradoxical and beautiful.<br/><br/>“Of course I want to see you again.” She said. “We’re friends now, right?”<br/><br/>There was soft rustle in the grass and the rising moonlight gleamed sharp and bright. “Persephone, what are you doing?” a commanding voice, struck with worry, cleaved between them. Persephone whirled to face Artemis’ mercurial stare. She seemed to materialize out of the dimness, slipping from the tall grass to stand by them with two enormous hounds flanking her steps. “Demeter sent me to look for you.” The huntress explained. She was not looking at Persephone, though. The moon goddess’ attention was firmly fixed on Hades. “And what are<i>you</i>doing here, Hades?” Artemis had stalked near, and the moonlight felt as glaring as the sun over her wreath of midnight curls.<br/><br/>“I would have thought you knew better.” Artemis extended an arm to cross between the pair, pushing Persephone a few steps back. The hounds growled low and threatening. Persephone stared at the other goddess in bewilderment. Artemis was a young goddess, like her, but the moonlight maiden had so much more gravity. And she seemed to know Hades plenty well.<br/><br/>In truth, it was probably fortunate that Artemis had come. She, who walked by midnight and hunted bird and beast, was better acquainted with Hades than most. Artemis had ushered many souls to his door with the aim of her arrows. For that much, she could accept him. But, that did not mean Artemis was friendly to the underworld king. “Why do you know him?” Persephone blurted, suddenly uneasy with her own ignorance. It was as well as asking why she’d been kept from knowing him with such intention. Artemis did not look at the spring goddess.<br/><br/>“It is unavoidable, for what I am and what he is. You, on the other hand… you should go.” Artemis inclined her head. She didn’t say it unkindly, but there was that simple authority in her voice again and Persephone looked down at her feet like she’d done something wrong.<br/><br/>“Right. My mother must be worrying.” Persephone murmured.<br/><br/>“She is.” Artemis said.<br/><br/>“I’ll see you again?” Persephone asked, looking up at Hades. She seemed regretful now, and reluctant to go. Artemis squinted at them both, and then, again, her stare settled on Hades with a swirl of questions hanging in the air.