Nico sighed as he sat back in his chair and tossed the pencil on the desk. Homework was so boring, and tests were particularly tedious. Why did Erik insist that he learn more despite the fact that Nico didn’t need it? Keeping up with his English, alright, but the rest of it? Totally unnecessary.
“Are you done?” asked Erik as he peeked in.
Nico swiftly picked up the pencil and went back to work on the problem. “No,” he grumbled.
“Alright, remember, once you’ve finished this test, you’re done for the rest of the month.”
Nico sighed. ‘Yeah, yeah, I know.”
“Mm-hmm,” was all Erik said before leaving, closing the door behind him.
Nico heaved a sigh as he lay his head on the table. “Where’s Marley? I need a distraction.”
“Perhaps a mystery is more to your liking?”
Nico glanced up, startled at who was standing there. “D-Dad! What? When? Why?”
Hades gave a slight chuckle as he pointed to the paper. “Finish your homework. I’ll let the Ghost of Christmas Present . . .”
“Melchior,” Nico corrected him.
Hades eyed him. “Ah, yes, Melchior. I’ll let him and Erik know I shall be joining you for dinner.”
Nico’s eyes sparkled as they widened. “Really?”
“Yes, unfortunately this is a business visit.” He glanced Nico’s face. “But I might be able to squeeze in some personal time as well.”
Nico beamed. “Thanks, Dad.”
Hades patted his shoulder. “Now finish your homework.”
“Yes, sir!” Nico got to it with more fervor, now that there was something really worth looking forward to.
Over Melchior’s exquisite lasagna dinner, Hades, Nico, and Erik chatted of education and the goings and comings of Venice and the Olympians. After dinner, Melchior served them tiramisu and wine.
Hades sat back in his chair with a sigh. “Ah, I’d almost swap lives with you, Nico.”
Nico scoffed. “Well, it’s thanks to you that they’re here. You chose well.”
Hades patted his hand and smiled. “That I did.”
Erik snickered. “Begging your pardon, my lord, but, I think you’re one of the only ones who can choose well.”
Hades snickered. “I’ll pretend you didn’t say that, even if it is true. Now, shall we get to business? Even though I really hate ruining the mood.”
Nico sighed as he sat up in his chair. “That’s alright, you had better do what you came to do or else Uncle Zeus would have a word for you.”
“No kidding.” Hades paused as he swirled his wine. “I need you to go to France.”
Erik’s eyes seemed to twinkle. “Really?”
“Why?” asked Nico.
“I have reason to believe someone is trying to prevent death.”
Nico sighed. “Isn’t there always someone trying to do that?”
“Yes, but this person is attempting it through hypnosis.”
Erik and Nico glanced at each other questioningly.
“Hypnosis? You mean that neat magician’s trick of conning people?”
“Oh, there is real hypnosis, and one man in particular is curious to see how long a man can stay animated under the influence of hypnosis. At least, that’s what I’ve gathered. You might find out differently when you get there; most science experiments change a bit here and there.”
“Why is this of great importance?”
“Obviously tampering with natural death, and I would like for you to act as an observer, a referee, if you will, keeping an eye on it. If in any way the hypnotist refuses to end the experiment at the request of the patient, his family, or even you, after a fairly reasonable time, I want you to end it, understand?”
Nico blinked. “You want him to go through with it?”
Hades nodded. “For a time, yes. No one can truly stop death, as you very well know, but I am curious as to what he, and you, will find. So, what do you say, will you go?”
“It sounds interesting. You just want me to referee for the most part?”
“For the most part.”
“Is there another reason?”
Hades shrugged. “Well, to make sure the patient does eventually pass, I guess. Since it’s being done in France, I won’t have enough influence to visit you. But, well, here, this should take care of everything.” He plopped a bag of coins on the table and a wad of notes.
Erik stepped towards the table. “My lord, may I?”
Hades nodded and handed him the notes.
Erik flipped through them. “If you don’t mind my asking, how did you come across this information?”
Hades sighed. “I have enough influence to hear things. You should know that.” He and Erik shared a knowing glance. “Will it be enough, Erik?”
He nodded. “This will definitely be more than enough, sir.”
“Good. The patient is a man by the name of Valdemar who lives in Paris, and his hypnotist is called Carmichael. Well, I must be going; Persephone can only hold the fort for so long,” stated Hades as he rose.
Nico rose as well. “Of course, thank you for coming.”
Hades patted his shoulder. “Thank you for taking this matter into your hands; I don’t think I can trust anyone else with it.”
“U-um, thank you.”
“Good luck, my son.” With that, Hades faded into the shadows. The only proof he had been there was the money and the empty wine glass.
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