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Melinoe, Princess of The Underworld, Slayer of Chronos, Savior of Olympus, and Goddess of Nightmare and Madness was about to face her greatest challenge yet. Sitting right next to her was the source of said challenge. Eris, the goddess of Strife, and her girlfriend. They were currently at the Crossroads Taverna, Melinoe doing her best to look calm while Eris was a picture of lackadaisical relaxation, Exagryph sitting on the table next to her. Melinoe had learned long ago that trying to convince Eris to leave the rail behind was an impossible battle.
"Remember when they show up," Melinoe began before getting cut off.
"Be polite and shake their hands," Eris remarked. "Come on trouble, at least try to have a little faith in me."
"I do, I just really want this to go well," Mel said sheepishly.
"I'm glad you're this invested in having your family like me babe," Eris replied before she kissed her on the cheek. With that Melinoe calmed down a bit, only for the anxiety to rise once again as they spotted Hades walking towards them, accompanied by Persephone and Zagreus. Melinoe got up and waved them over as Eris stood behind her. And the underworld royalty approached and greeted Melinoe first.
"This is such a nice little place," Persephone said as she pulled Melinoe into a hug. "I'm so glad you chose to invite us here."
"Yes, it has a quaint charm." Hades remarked as he gave his daughter a pat on the shoulder. Which she had learned was pretty affectionate for him.
Zagreus gave his sister a fist bump and a small hug before he looked over at Eris. "Now sis, are you gonna tell us about the important person meeting or are we free to guess?"
And with that all the attention was on Eris who smirked and gave a small wave as Melinoe stepped back to stand next to her.
"Mother, Father, Zagreus. This is Eris, my girlfriend."
The moment afterward seemed to stretch out for an eternity. Mel had imagined countless different ways this moment could go wrong, Eris could open with an insult, or a crude joke, or any number of things that could ruin this crucial first impression.
"Yo, nice to meet ya big H, pig P, and Z," Eris said. "Like Trouble here said, I'm her girlfriend."
Melinoe let out a silent sigh of relief, compared to what she could have said this was very tame.
"Well it's very nice to meet you," Persephone said. Cutting through the tension as she pulled the goddess of strife in for a hug.
Hades was less enthusiastic about the idea, being a stickler for order and rules even after loosening up a bit. The idea of his daughter dating an infamous sower of chaos did not spark much joy within him.
Zagreus walked up and gave her an investigative glare, putting up an overprotective big brother facade before returning to an easy smile and offering a high five.
"Nice to meet you." He said, "Your aspect of Exagryph was pretty ferocious by weapon standards."
"Yeah, it's my baby," Eris replied as she returned the high five, and Zagreus and Hades caught sight of the Rail in question on the table.
"Well, now that introductions are ready let's sit down and order," Melinoe said as she gestured to the available seats and everyone sat down. Hades, Persephone, and Zagreus on one side, with Mel and Eris on the other. And they were able to order their meals and get some drinks as well.
"Well Eris, how long have you and Melinoe been together?" Persephone asked politely, hoping to get to know her daughter's partner better.
Melinoe tried to answer before her but the goddess of strife was quicker.
"You wanna know this time, or in total?"
Mel internally cringed, she was hoping to not discuss her very messy romantic past with Eris.
"Oh, in total?" Persephone responded. "Have you been together before this?"
"Well there was the first time when Mel was head over heels for me, the second where she tried to get me to mellow ou-."
"What Eris is trying to say is that our relationship has had some breaks due to mutual misunderstanding," Melinoe cut in, desperate to save the situation. "But those misunderstandings have been resolved and we are happier together."
"I'm glad you two were able to recognize when you needed breaks and worked out your problems," The goddess replied. Taking the situation much better than Melinoe thought she would.
"Have you been putting Exagryph to good use since you stole it back?" Zagreus asked. Not sounding accusatory at all, just genuinely curious about how Exagryph was being used.
"Yeah, real good," Eris replied. "Used it to fight Mel a bunch right before Olympus."
The rest of the table was shocked at this remark and Persephone had to stop herself from spitting out her drink. Quickly swallowing before she broke the silence.
"Oh, really?"
"Yep, filled her full of bullets more times than I could count," Eris said with a smirk.
"Meg and I fought pretty regularly when I was trying to escape," Zagreus remarked. "So it's not completely unorthodox."
"Yes, I guess my children just like to bond with partners through violence," Persephone responded.
"Well if me filling her with bullets isn't good for ya I do fill her with other things too," Eris remarked with a wink.
Now it was time for Melinoe to stop herself from spitting out her drink, and her face flushed a bright red.
"Exagryph isn't even the biggest toy in my arsenal." Eris continued before Melinoe elbowed her in the ribs.
"Eris, this is not the place for that subject," she hissed.
"Zagreus's room has no door and neither he Thanatos nor Megaera are quiet." Hades remarked. "We have heard worse."
"He's not wrong," Zagreus said, a bit sheepishly.
Luckily the focus was pulled away by the arrival of food and the conversation was more pleasant afterwards, and the dinner ended without major issue.
"Well it was very nice to meet you Eris," Persephone said as she stood up. "I'm so glad Melinoe found someone who makes her happy."
"We'll have to do this again sometimes," Zagreus remarked. "At the house of Hades when we've finished remodeling it."
"That sounds fun," Eris said. "I'll hold you to that promise."
"A meal at the House of Hades sounds delightful," Melinoe commented. "I can't wait to see it restored."
"Well it's a date then," Persephone replied. "We'll see you tomorrow Melinoe."
"Yes, see you tomorrow," Melinoe said as she gave her a hug. And the two groups began to walk in separate directions. And then Eris spoke, cupping her hands over her mouth to amplify the sound.
"Hey Hades, Mel calls me daddy too."