Neon Gods

The day after Persephone’s arrival, Hades enters his kitchen to find Hermes has already taken advantage of his hospitality. He is quietly amused and resigned to her habit of infiltrating his house for her own reasons, insisting that they are good friends. As she dunks a scoop of ice cream into her coffee, Hades reminds himself to maintain his usual reticence, since Hermes has unavoidable ties to the other members of the Thirteen.

Dionysus arrives, grouchy and still nursing the aftereffects of his evening of drinking. When he tries to suggest Persephone is usually uninteresting, Hermes reminds him that she knows more about the sisters’ authentic personalities because she spies throughout Olympus, including in their home. Hades privately reflects that the Persephone in the media is “nothing like the strong yet terrified person who fled across the bridge last night” (59).

Hermes urges Hades to not make assumptions about Persephone and instead seek out her real opinions. Hermes teases him about the possibility of a sexual relationship with Persephone, perhaps at one of his public sex parties. Hades reflects that these events reflect his personal interest in public sex, but are also especially useful to maintain his image as a person who skirts all social norms.