The only trait grouping these guests together was a thread of confusion. One gentleman was in the middle of a pitched conversation with a gift attendant. From the sounds of it, his gift had been misplaced. But it wasn’t clear to Charon or the attendant, apparently, whether the man had misplaced the gift himself or if he was accusing the attendant of doing so. Their conversation went in circles, but no gift was produced and it didn’t seem that one was likely to appear.  Another attendant that Charon recognized as one of Dionysus’ followers was detained by a woman in a floor-length floral gown in pastel colors resembling a budding yellow-pink rose. The unsightly splash of red down the side of her dress and the broken wine glasses gave Charon the answer he was looking for. How it happened was anyone’s guess, but it would be cleared away soon enough.

More of the remaining crowd filtered out, revealing another curious pair in a far corner. They hardly noticed the room thinning out, they were too caught up in their intense exchange. One of the two was clearly from the Underworld, given their jewel-tone blazer and the tell-tale grey swirl in their otherwise black hair. Charon couldn’t make out their face, given the angle, but he naturally took more of an interest in the exchange.

At first, it seemed like the argument might be similar to the others. But unlike the other conflicts, this pair kept their voices low and stood closer together than needed for a normal conversation. The man in the jewel-toned blazer also kept glancing about to make sure they weren’t being overheard, although his partner seemed content to air her grievances to any interested party. Each time she raised her voice, his face and neck would flush as he glanced around the hall. But was the emotion on his face embarrassment or fear?

The satisfied laugh beside him breaks him out of his thoughts and he finally looks away from the conspicuous couple. Hermes tries to cover his grin with a pensive gesture, but the sparkle in his eyes gives him away.

“I take it this was your handiwork?”

“I saw it happening, sure. Parties like this always bring out this kind of confusion and chaos. That’s what makes them fun.”

“Fun is obviously a relative term,” Charon sighs. “You should return the gift. If it was meant for the royal family, stealing it won’t end well for you.”

“I didn’t steal it. I showed it to Hiræth, and she said I could have it. Are you saying our future Queen should go back on her word?”

Charon rubs his temple, seeming fighting off the same headache from before. “Don’t rope her into your schemes, Hermes.”

“You know, you have an uncanny resemblance to Phlegyas when you do that.”

“I wonder why…” Charon shoots back dryly.

“Don’t make it sound like I’m a bad influence, Charon,” Hermes says, mimicking and exaggerating Charon’s exasperated tone. "She seemed bored, so I pointed out a few interesting things. You know they can see everything from the podium, so that was the easy bit. But then the party got a bit slow, so I had to work harder to find other interesting things. And before you say anything,” Hermes adds quickly. “I didn’t get caught.”

That’s hardly the problem. But arguing with Hermes is an exercise in futility more often than not, so Charon holds his tongue. The confusion gradually dies down with its source removed and the remaining party-goers collect themselves. The pair in the corner is the last to go, most likely to continue their hushed exchange somewhere with fewer eyes. Then, finally, the ruling family rises from their seats on the podium.

“I hear you have big plans for the Styx once I’m gone,” Hades says as he saunters over. He left the platform first and helped Persephone down as well, but now he’s alone. Charon scans the mostly empty room and easily spots her wine-red hair across the room, where she’s engaged in a conversation with her mother and daughter. “I have to say, I’m a little offended you waited until now to come up with the idea.”

“I told you it’s been getting around.” Hermes pipes up a little too helpfully as Charon sighs.

“I saw you getting around as well, Hermes. You might have gotten around the guests, but you’re not fast enough to escape my sight,” Hades says, his attention shifting. Hermes grins, but his demeanor is like a schoolchild about to have his knuckles rapped by the principal, a far cry from his brazen attitude moments earlier. “What kind of chaos were you trying to whip up?”

“You know,” Hermes says, taking a step back. “Just checking in here and there, making sure everyone was having a good time.”

“Then how do you explain…well, I suppose he can’t.” Hades grumbles. Hermes turns on his heels and beelines for the door before Hades can finish his question, leaving the dark god and his ferryman behind. “Back to you and your mysterious plans, Charon. I didn’t realize you were at the point of making announcements.”

“Neither did I, not that I planned any of this.”

“I’m sure it feels unfair, like your hand is forced. Both things might be true, but it’s also true that you could have changed the story. This is all part of the job, and it’s a part that you’ve been shielded from for as long as I’ve been here.” Hades gives his friend a playful jab in the shoulder, above his heart. He barely puts any weight behind it, but Charon still feels a shock wave move through him. He steps back to steady himself and catch his breath, but Hades’ eyes are already on his wife and daughter. 

“It’s going to keep happening, to you and even more so to Hiræth. I can’t tell you how many schemes and half-baked ideas I’ve heard over the course of this damned banquet. And that’s all while Persephone and I are still here; I can only imagine how brazen they’ll be once we’re gone. You’re not in a position to steer her, but maybe if you know what to look for you can help her avoid the worst of it.”

“Of course I’ll help her. But you didn’t really need to ask me that. She probably won’t even need my help. You both did a great job of raising her and preparing her for this. You can trust her.” Charon finds himself reassuring his friend who, despite his regal adornments and grand stature, looks almost mortal in his worry. “I’m only one of the many who support her, but there are still things she has to learn on her own. You can’t protect her from the world forever.” He claps a hand on Hades’ shoulder, hoping to dispel the dark cloud that seems to have settled over him.

“I know I’m just spoiling her, maybe I’m not better than that woman. But I would wipe every obstacle from her path, if I could.” Hades’ face darkens further before he comes to his senses with a defeated sigh.

“She’d hate you for it. You know she’d find out.”

“You don't have to tell her.”

“Even if I didn't, I’m positive Hermes would.”

Hades side-eyes Charon. “Aren’t you supposed to say you would never betray me?”

“I would never betray the ruler of the underworld,” Charon says quickly, biting back a smile. “But…that isn’t your title anymore.”