needle through a bug {hades

Hades was in a foul mood. Today had not exactly gone well for him. Hades had found himself in an argument with one of his knights this morning over a stupid, trifle little thing which had subsequently led to his current state of mind. He didn't want to be near anyone at this moment, preferring rather to stalk off alone.

Mindlessly he wandered and eventually his paws had unwillingly led him to the edge of the Dark Woods where he stood now, admiring the sheer (in his eyes) beauty of the place. It was a cold and macabre place, a place where Hades felt right at home. Of course, he liked the pack's cozy little home enough but every now and then he liked to go back to the types of places he would haunt before, unleash a little bit of the monster inside of him again. As he stepped past the tree line, the change was immediate. He became the old Hades again, the cold and cruel beast. A perverse joy traveled through his being as he felt his problems and responsibilities slowly ebb away and he became the real Hades again. If it was just for an afternoon, he was fine with that but for now, he reveled in being able to be this version of himself again.

Walking with confident ease, he strode through the forest. Sometimes it was as easy as flicking a switch for Hades. One minute he could be the responsible King, tending to his pack and keeping a level head and the next, he'd be back to the cunning creature that still occasionally lurked in the shadows. He thought now of what would happen if he did, by chance, stumble on another canine at this moment. Hopefully, it'd be something like a stupid half-wit he could take advantage of. Yes, a wicked smile graced his lips, what I need in my life right now is a little bit of entertainment.

And it wasn't long before he did find exactly what he was looking for. But oh? He smelled blood. He was particularly fond of bloodshed for the simple fact that it meant opportunity. An opportunity for pain? Or an opportunity for pleasure? Hades had come to realise that they were one in the same thing.

As he drew closer, he heard laughter. The smell of blood and laughter were often two things that went together very well in Hades' opinion, he was very much starting to like what lay ahead. When he arrived to where the other canine was, it caught him a little off guard. She was a impressive beast, large and formidable. Experience had taught Hades that the big ones usually aren't the bright ones. She hadn't noticed him yet which bode well for Hades' plan. He looked to her side to find a mangled piece of flesh. It was, at some point, a rabbit but the crimson oozing from it's neck and leg had stained the fluffy fur and the snow beneath where it lay a deep ruby colour - a blood red stain on the snow.

Quietly and confidently, Hades strode to her side, not looking directly at her, rather keeping his eyes forward. He inclined his head towards the carcass and spoke "This one has a tendency for death, I see". The arrogance radiated from his tone but at this point, it was exactly what he wanted. He knew this was risky. He knew he could not beat this dog if it came to a physical fight but when the monster takes over, nothing could be said for rationality.

He could feel his guise slipping ever so slightly. No, Hades. You are King now, you have a home and a pack to look after, for god's sake what are you doing? But oh, letting the monster out felt ever so sweet. How many times had he done this sort of thing on a whim, how many times had he exhibited reckless behavior without any regard for his life? But that was before all of this, before he had to concern himself with more than just one dog. But Hades, oh Hades, you're oh so lovely when you're evil. He agreed, this suited him well.

He cocked his head and raised what would have been an eyebrow. "Ah, and she has spirit too, I see" a wicked smile playing on his face. He looked her directly in the eyes now. He cold see her feigning innocence, that malicious glint to her eyes. He recognized that look for it mirrored his own. There was something about the female that he couldn't quite place, but it intrigued him nonetheless. Hades considered himself a good judge of character but this one? He couldn't tell where he stood with her. Friend or foe? All Hades knew is that, should he have the choice, he would very much like her to be a friend. She showed true bloodlust, a trait that Hades admired.

With her sarcastic remarks and witty statements, Hades could tell that she was not as dull as he had originally presumed. Perhaps he could have an intellectual conversation with her yet? "Well, it was quite a show indeed, my lady. I'm not one for bloodshed myself. I do so enjoy observing but I'd rather not participate. You've provided me with great entertainment this evening", he said with a malicious, toothy grin on his face, eyes dark.

"I do believe introductions are in order." Always one for politeness, he bowed his head and momentarily lost eye contact in a curt nod. To those who didn't know better or were too stupid to guess, Hades came across as a gentleman and he prided himself on this. His poison words always laced with sugar, he could always talk or act his way in to anything. "I am Hades, King of the city. And what might this lovely creature call herself?"

Hades was really starting to like this devil of a dog. There was something about her that made him trust her. Perhaps it was her charm or the snide comments he had a tendency for that made him realise that they were, in fact, not so different from each other. They both enjoyed death, they both had ambition and there were those undercurrents of something else. It was a fierce loyalty that she possessed. It was then that he made the decision.

From her behavior and the fact that she had yet to defend herself or her dignity that indicated to Hades that she was previously unaffiliated. He was about to change that. "Walk with me" he said as he slowly turned and began to make his way through the snow at a leisurely pace. Thankfully, it wasn't too thick here as most of the snow had accumulated on the tops of the trees which left only a layer of dry, hardened snow on the ground. The black bark of the bare trees were a stark contrast to the unsoiled snow that, in so many ways, felt right. It was an eerie contrast that was both beautiful but frightening to the lesser dog. The scene was strangely appropriate, he thought to himself.

Without checking whether the other canine was following or not, he began to speak. "Oh, my lady, I don't doubt that it's a fitting calling. And yes, King Of The Underworld would perhaps be a fitting title. Because that is exactly what this place is. An Underworld. The city is where my pack calls home and like the Underworld, it is cruel and a difficult place to survive. But it has potential. I see a future where The Ragdogs rule a beautiful city. A kingdom, no longer a prison."

"But, of course, I cannot do this alone. I need someone at my side." He had hoped that she would understand where he was going with his little speech. But she was a clever dog, she should pick it up soon enough that he planned to make her his Hand. He had hoped she would oblige.