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Ariadne nodded.
"Of course. I'm no stranger to you--you're my father's uncle, you made him Judge of the Dead... What is it you'd like from me?"

"I know you have little reason to trust the whims of the gods. Frankly I agree with you. I would like your help in preventing as little chaos upon our return to prominence as possible. However, I will not press further unless you wish it."

Ariadne gave Hades a long look, but he seemed straightforward enough. The least she could do was hear him out.

"Go on..." she prompted.

"Of all those assembled her, the ones most likely to attain the throne are either Poseidon of myself. I have never sought the throne in the past due to the political nonsense and grief that comes with the job. However, Zeus' absence forcing me to be more..active." He makes certain they are a discreet distance from others. "You are well aware of my brother's excesses I trust? And mine for that matter?"

Hades took a breath before continuing. "I do not want the mortals of this era to suffer another wave of capriciousness from the gods.As such I am looking for ways to limit the potential damage that could be done. I have taken steps so far, but they may not be enough. I come to you because you have a reputation as an intelligent problem solver. I would like your aid in devising the means by which both the gods and humanity may have a more equitable coexistence."

Ariadne chuckled dryly.
"Once I was the wife of Dionysus. I assure you--I'm well aware of godly excesses," she said.

"But, you said you've already started doing some thinking and taking some steps... What have you come up with?"

"I sought Asclepius' aid in regards to both his father as well as the muses and how best to approach them. He is also friends with the Arthurian Nimue, and has agreed to put me in contact with them." Hades takes a sip from a glass of water he brought with him. "I have also secured a vow of assistance from Aphrodite as either a queen or a check on my brother's more violent excesses. She also provided me valuable insight into the Asgardian king, Odin. That is what I have thus far."

Ariadne blinked.
"You? Got Aphrodite to agree to be your queen?" she asked. "Well. Color me impressed."

Ariadne took a sip of the white wine she had in her hand. "But, if you're serious that you don't want any of the Greek gods in power, I think there's another tactic you're overlooking. We were told whoever finds their sacred place first wins. They get the power. Conversely, if we don't find Olympus, then there's nothing for the Greek gods to rule over. The whole thing becomes a moot point."

"In essence, one good key will be, simply, to let some other pantheon win. Not many Greeks were well-known for their wits, not even among the gods. The squabbling over who should be on the throne will be a decent distraction and will waste time. For those more clever... A few red herrings or deliberate misinterpretation of the clues given will provide enough of a wild goose chase to keep Olympus out of the wrong hands."

"No more than I myself was," he admitted.

"In truth I have considered that, but I know little about the others. I need to be certain that they'd be better alternatives."

Hades nods in both interest and attentiveness. "A very good suggestion, Ariadne. I admit part of me dislikes plotting against my family, but I know their habits all too well. Human freedom must be preserved."

"Well, I'd watch out for the Egyptian. I'm not all that familiar with the Egyptian myths, but I don't think letting the God of Chaos win will put your plans in order," Ariadne said.

"The Arthurians are decent people. At least, those two are. But they aren't leaders; they're counselors. They're still waiting for Arthur and his court, and won't be keen to take the rule from him if they can help it. Still, better them than some of the others."

"Truthfully, I think the Norse will be your best bet. They have their king, and, by most accounts, Odin makes for a good ruler. That, and he does have their god of justice as his right-hand-man. Or, left-hand-man, I suppose, in this case. The woman... I don't know much about her, but she seems a kindly sort. A few well-placed words from her can probably placate any temper-tantrums from the All-Father."

"And, let me ask you this, Lord Hades... If Zeus does reappear, he's going to assume the right to Olympus is his. Would you let him take it, or would you rather see it in your hands and have Aphrodite at your side first?"

"I agree in regards to Seth. I've taken steps to speak with the Arthurians. If the legendary Arthur were to return..there are certainly much worse people to assume control," he states.

"I've asked Aphrodite if she could arrange a meeting with Odin. Hopefully the two of us can come to a working arrangement. And having their god of justice certainly doesn't hurt things."

Hades pauses a long moment. "For all his kingly qualities..Zeus is as petty as the rest, if not more so. He has wronged both mortals and gods alike with his vanity and liaisons. I would rather not rule at all, but..for the sake of the mortals I would do so if left with no better option." Hades sighs and rubs his eyes. This whole situation made him weary.

"I think Aphrodite will play an important part in all this. Obviously, she can seduce and charm both Poseidon and Odin. Probably Seth, too, if she wanted, and I doubt even the noble Sir Gawain would turn down her attentions. She could be a valuable liaison, assuming she knows how to keep secrets," Ariadne mused.

"But... are you sure you'd want her as your queen? As your wife? I hate to say it, but I have a hard time picturing you two in wedded bliss."

Hades nods.

"In truth? There's only one woman I'd want as my queen. This is a political arrangement, nothing more. She supports me and I allow her her freedom." he smiles ruefully. "Wedded bliss..no."

"I didn't think so."

Ariadne frowned. "And if Persephone should make her appearance? What then? You've effectively promised Aphrodite the throne of Olympus. If you keep your bargain with her... it means either granting it to Poseidon, so long as he takes her to wife, a loveless marriage for the both of you... or you'll have to break your word if you want to be happy. And that assumes that Persephone will even want you back."

"I..I do not expect Persephone to want me back. if she has a life now I have no desire to impede it. All I want from her is a chance to tell her I'm sorry for everything I've done to her," he said, his voice tinged with regret.

"My happiness is not an issue, Ariadne. I will do what I must to secure humanity's future. It's not a perfect solution, but I see little other recourse."

"Spoken like a true ruler," she said.

"So, then. Strategy. Keep the Olympians off-balance until you have enough information regarding the other pantheons and can determine the best leader for the free peoples. Use Aphrodite if you must. She likes intrigues--I'm sure she'll take the role gladly."

"Meanwhile, I suggest you start courting her. Honestly doing so. I'm not saying it will turn int a grand romance, especially not if you expect her to have her dalliances, but if you can establish some genuine affection between the two of you, it will serve us all the better. It will keep her loyalty to your cause, and help us present a more unified front as a pantheon, regardless of who ends up taking charge of Olympus. Not to mention that, if the rule falls to you and her, I'm sure even a lukewarm marriage will be more pleasant than a cold one."

Hades pauses a bit, unsure if he was hearing Ariadne right. "That's..certainly not what I was expecting you to say. It has merit, but..I will try. My ability to woo women is limited, as if my history isn't clarification of that."

"And just what were you expecting me to say, Lord Hades?" Ariadne asked.

I suppose it just struck me with someone encouraging the Lord of the Dead to court the goddess of Love. Another time and place it probably would have been the beginning of a joke." Hades raises a hand. "I mean no offense, Ariadne. I suppose I'm still acclimatizing to the situation."

"Yes, well... I was born a princess, with several brothers. I was meant as a political bargaining chip. Alliances are stronger, after all, when sealed in blood. And leaders can't forget that they belong to their people, not to themselves," Ariadne reminded him.

"I'd start with getting to know her as a person. Then, if things go favorably and the mood is right... Well, she'll know what she's doing, even if you don't."

"You are right," Hades agreed.

"I will try. She deserves to be more than a mere bargaining chip. Though I hold no hopes of it really going past mutual respect, but that would be enough for me."

"You got her to agree to be your queen. I'd say you're off to a good start," Ariadne pointed out.

"If we aren't out of here before then, and assuming you two aren't otherwise occupied, maybe you should go back to her tonight. Talk to her. See what happens." Another sip of her wine. "You do care for her in some fashion, after all, don't you?"

"There are few members of my family I can claim to be fond of," Hades admitted. "She's one of them. Though that may be a lack of familiarity. You know the saying, 'familiarity breeds contempt'. That's doubly true for most of my kin. Perhaps I should I admit it certainly wouldn't be an unpleasant development."

He graces her with a rare, genuine smile. "Thank you for your counsel, Ariadne. I know the gods have not been kind to you. I appreciate your trust."

"My complaint has never been with gods, Lord Hades. It's with mortal men, though they often have drops of godly blood in them. My father, my brothers, Theseus... They were the wretches in my life. My husband and sons were by far a step up. Though it would be nice if Artemis had been paying a bit more attention where she was shooting," Ariadne said.

"Still, good luck. You'll need it." She sighed. "Perhaps I should see if my former husband has managed anything productive. With luck, I can recruit him into the plan."

"That would be appreciated, Ariadne. And thank you. I suspect I will need all the luck I can get."