Kori visited all her friends one last time, leaving them each with a flower they could remember her with. She saved her best friend for last, if he would even see her. Kore's chariot arrived at Aphrodite's Castle and the Goddess herself was at the door to receive her. Aphrodite stood open armed and Kori ran to hug her.

"I wish I didn't have to go!" Kori cried.

"Oh, and how we wish Demeter would let you stay, but she's hard to bargain with, your mother. But we will be seeing you for your birthdays, and Homecomings of course?"

''Definitely!" Kori cheered up for a moment, but then her frown returned. "Do you think he'll see me?"

"If he doesn't, he's sure to regret it. Why don't you go up to his room now? And stop by my room before you go, hmm?"

Kori helped herself through Aphrodite's castle, going to her best friend's room.

"Eros, are you in?" She announced and knocked before going in.

Cupid lay in his bed, pouting and turned away from his best friend.

"I'm leaving today, Cupe. I was wishing if we could play together one last time?"

''Why do you even have to go?!"

"You know mother is making me! I would never ever leave Olympus if I had the choice."

"Seems to me you're getting what you've always wanted. And leaving me behind while you're at it."

"Fine! If that's the way you think! I'm leaving today, whether or not any of us like it. If you still think me your best friend and wish to play with me, I'll be here till sunset and then you'll never see me again!" Kori stormed out the room, making sure to slam the door on her way out.

Aphrodite heard her crying and called Kori into her room.

"Now, what gift shall I give to you today?"

Kori took her time to think, and then it came to her.

"Do you have magic ink?"

"Magic ink? What use would you have for it?"

"To write letters, of course! Without my mother spying on me. If I've addressed it to Cupe, only he should be able to see it!"

"I see." Aphrodite chuckled. "I may be able to help with that. Have any color in mind?" She asked us she set to work.

"Purple!"

"Purple it is!" Aphrodite repeated as she worked over a magic ink pot. Kori watched with amazement as the colors burst and clouded as Aphrodite filled the pot.

"There we are my dear. A bottomless pot of magic purple ink. Do write to me, my love. I always enjoy a good story from the mortal realm."

Kori thanked Aphrodite for her gift and the goddess was walking her back out to the chariot when they were ambushed by Eros. The cherub clung to his best friend, refusing to let her go. Aphrodite was overwhelmed by all the love surrounding her and sent them both to Demeter.

The two friends were joined by the rest of their group at Demeter's tower, having as much fun as they could before Kori had to go. The goodbye was tearful for all, even Zeus and Hera came to say goodbye. The king tried one last attempt to make his daughter stay, but could only compromise with Demeter. Hera secretly assured Kori that she would be welcome to the school when Kori would be old enough. Demeter, meanwhile, had other plans.

It didn't take the goddesses long to reach their earthly home. Demeter's nymphs greeted them and took their bunks into the villa. Kori followed her mother around the place and once she found her room, the young goddess closed the door and collapsed on the bed. She fell asleep crying, waking up when it was just before night. Immediately, Kori remembered her magic ink and quickly sat down to write her letters before she missed the opportunity to send them. It took a long time to pen down her thoughts, but she finished her letters just in time as Selena stopped by.

The night titaness stopped by to have a chat with the goddesses, asking Kori how she'd settled in. Kori of course was disturbed by her abrupt removal from Olympus, but Selene encouraged her to remember her excitement about visiting the mortal world. Before she left, Kori gave Selene three envelopes. Two of them appeared blank to Selene, except for the one addressed to her. Selene understood the magic ink and accepted the letters, taking them with her to the underworld. Only one of the other two letters had any ink on it; the third was just a decoy.

Once back in her domain Selene dropped off both letters in the common room and retired her own chambers, passing Hades as she left. The king of the underworld had been busy since he's been back in Olympus; progress had rather slowed in his absence. He said good night to Selene in passing and went to the common room to relax. Hades needed a strong drink to ease his tensions, but his mind went alert when he noticed a letter addressed to him sitting on the table. He took his drink over to the couch and reclined as he picked up the letter, his eye first landing on the last word on the page: her name. Hades smiled to himself.

Dear...

Truth be told, I don't even know WHAT name I should give you here. I am honored that you wrote to me with your birth name. I've only ever called you lord Hades, but I'd like to say your name, if you give me the permission to of course. I'll have to wait for your reply till then. Oh dear, here I am rambling and I haven't even started the content of this letter.

First of all, I'd like to thank you for coming to my birthday party. It meant a lot that you took the time. And then there's the whole dress and the "saving my life" episode, which I can't ever thank you enough for.

Not sure if you've heard by now, but mother dragged me to earth. That's where I'm writing you from. Oh, it seems I've shot myself in the foot! I've always wanted mother to take me to earth, but I'd never thought it'd be like this! Being punished for someone else's crime! Careful what you wish for, I suppose.

Agh! It's so unfair! I don't understand parents. Just because something happened to that ONE girl doesn't mean it'd happen to me! Did your parents ever do crazy stuff? I can't imagine ever living my life without seeing my friends ever again. I feel so lonely. Do you ever feel lonely? Away from your family, stuck in the Underworld?

Well I better stop now or I'll miss Selene. I actually slept the whole day, can you imagine?! I got this ink from Aphrodite as a parting gift. You know how it works, right? Anyway, better catch Selene! I'll anxiously await your reply.

Sincerely,
Kori

My little sapphire,

No formalities in word, at least. The number of times in a day I hear myself be called "lord Hades" has made me hate it till the end of time. But, what can I do, title is title. Not enough people call me by my own name, and it feels like I've lost myself. Please, I implore you to use my name, if only in letters.

Indeed I have heard of your displacement. How unfortunate it must seem for you. But honestly, I say it's a millennia times better than where my parents put me! But perhaps that's a story for when you're older.

And aren't you supposed to be a goddess of nature? What better place to be on than actual earth?! You'll get plenty of practice opportunity, and the chance to learn about the mortals. Make their lives incredible.

To being lonely: can't say I ever have been. I'm always surrounded by some creature or the other. One minute some problem needs my attention, the next I'm off to a judgement or a maintenance issue. Never really left alone long enough to think if I'm lonely. And there's always Selene and Eos and Helios for entertainment.

And here I go again. Duty calls. I enjoyed reading your letter. I wouldn't mind if you sent more. I'll send this letter with Eos, she'll leave it somewhere around your new home to find.

Yours,
Aidoneus

Dear Aidoneus,

How cruel of you to hide your letter so! I found it tucked under a loose rock by the gate wall. Well now it shall exclusively be our spot.

Since my last letter, I've got a new name too! The humans know me as Aurora. Isn't that a nice name? Means "new light." How beautiful! Does Aidoneus have a meaning?

Is working fun for you? I enjoy growing trees and flowers in my own time, but mother makes it a chore and takes the fun out of it! The humans are entertaining here. Their lives are so different than the lives of gods.

They've got to work, or they'll lose their homes or starve to death or one calamity or the other. They trade for coins and gold. Gods forbid they ever have enough! The lords are so mean and greedy, but the common person is so tired and poor. Yet it's the commoners that are nicer. Isn't that amazing?

Love,
Aurora

Dear Aurora,

A new name, huh? Congratulations! It is a beautiful name indeed. Aidoneus either means something related to fire, or respect. Not as inspiring as "new light".

You were honest about the placement of your letter it seems. Eos brought it to me when she returned from her tour. I enjoyed starting my day by reading your letter. I'm afraid I hadn't got the opportunity to write a reply till now, when Selene's just returned. It seems this letter shall find you in the morning again.

You're right, humans are interesting. Most wannabe gods rich people find themselves in the worse end of hell. Turns out the poor, having not much to lose, live ordinary lives. Their only treasure being the ones they love.

Have you made any friends at work? Can make the chores less dull.

Love,
Aidoneus

Dear Aidoneus,

I have made friends at work. All garden or forest nymphs. Some animal nymphs too. Oh they're just so adorable, those animals. There's rabbits and foxes and wildcats. Deer. Elk. Birds and fish too.

I was busy exploring the forest today, so I too haven't had the chance to write a reply. I'm doing it now in the light of Selene's lantern, though I read your letter first thing in the morning. I like it, starting and ending my day with our letters. I shall make a routine of it.

Speaking of friends, I still have the dolls you gave me for my birthday. We play everyday, and I even take them with me sometimes in the forest. I think of you whenever I see them. Is it wrong of me to say I miss you?

Well we shan't have to wait too long to see each other again. The autumn equinox is soon and we're all invited to Olympus to celebrate. I can't wait to see my friends again! We keep in touch as well, though not as often as you and I. Eros is second, he is my best friend after all. You know Eros? One of Aphrodite's cherubs? I'll introduce you two at the equinox. You WILL come, won't you? There's so much I have to tell you in person.

Yours,
Aurora

My little sapphire,

I enjoyed reading about your animals. There aren't many down here in the Underworld. Well, there Cerberus. He's a three headed dog. Guards the gates of the Underworld for me. He loves playing with the souls, but Styx forbid anyone try to leave, or enter. Your cousin Hermés never lasts long.

I'm honored to find you miss me. That rarest ever happens; except Hestia of course. But I'll not depress you with that nonsense.

The equinox, yes! Can't say how long I can leave the Underworld for, but given your excitement I shall try my best to at least make a day of it. I look forward to meeting your friend, then.

Yours,
Aidoneus.

Dear Aidoneus,

As goddess of earth, I command your presence at the Autumn Equinox!

(Please?)

Oh you are so very dear to me, lord Hades! By now I can't imagine not writing to you ever. It makes me even more anxious to see you!

That being said, you're behind on your gifts! Remember our deal? It's too bad I can't bring the fire down with me, but you can be sure I'll summon you once I'm back in my tower.

Cupid is so excited to meet you! I haven't told him who you are though, just that I have a pen pal who I'd like him to meet. He's a guppy if I've ever seen one! He'll probably faint to the ground when he sees you. Would it be rude of me to ask you to appear more friendly when you meet him? I'd like my best friend to like you, and that won't be possible if he's DEATHLY afraid of you. (Haha! Did you catch that? Cause you're the- oh never mind.)

I'm so excited to go home, and I can't wait to meet you there!

Yours truly,
Aurora.